Our boys are three and one. They look like this right now:
And
And I think the 1.5 to 2.5 year age group is particularly hard to shop for gifts. They’re active, they want to be big kids, but aren’t quite ready for it yet, and have the attention span of gnat.
So, I’ve rounded up the best gifts that they’ve received in one post. Toys that Harrison has played with for years now, and continually entertain, and things that Jonathan is just starting to take an interest in.
Hammers Away | Kitchen Set | Kids’ Uniform | Foam Inside Soccer Ball | Inside Toddler Soccer Goal | MagnaTiles
The Hammers Away toy has been a hit for a long time. Not only does it encourage being able to hammer something without mom getting mad, but the boys take and use the balls from the game for other made up games all the time. Sometimes they’re used as golf balls. Sometimes they’re a secret ingredient in a soup. This toy turned out to be a crowd pleaser from age 1 on.
I remember getting a play kitchen set for Christmas one year, and the boys love using theirs to make soups and honestly hide toys inside. 😊 I love open ended, pretend play toys, and while a play kitchen is a bit pricey, my guess is that they will with it for many more years to come.
Indoor soccer balls and an indoor net are the most used toys in our playroom. There is always one boy playing with the soccer ball, albeit throwing it, kicking it, or actually playing a game of soccer.
Buying clothing for a preschooler is risky business. They have BIG opinions about what clothes they like and wear. But if you have a sports obsessed little kid like we do, buying them their favorite team’s uniform is a huge hit. It’s Harrison’s most prized clothing items in his closet.
Every gift guide in the world has MagnaTiles on it for kids. They’re a bit pricey, but both the boys and the adults love playing with them. So many things to be built!
MegaBlocks | Sensory Bin | Scooter | Matchbox cars | Wooden puzzles | Garbage Truck | Wooden Shape Sorter
I love MegaBlocks for toddlers. They’re a great introductory block. Jonathan’s just starting to take an interest in them at 15 months, and Harrison and I still build with them too.
Sensory bins were the only thing that kept Harrison’s attention for more than 2 minutes when he was in that really difficult 1.5-2.5 timeframe. He looooves sensory bins. You can put together your own sensory bin in an IKEA tub, or buy them from many companies. I’ve always bought ours from Young, Wild, and Friedman. He looks forward to getting out a sensory bin, and then he’ll play for thirty minutes dumping, creating, and molding. It’s the best thing to have around on a rainy weekend morning when you’re just hoping to enjoy a hot cup of coffee.
Another Harrison favorite gift was his scooter. A scooter was easier for him to learn to use than his balance bike, so he naturally took to it at a bit younger age. Love that this version folds up, which turns out to be really important with a toddler that changes their mind halfway through a walk that they want to be pushed home in the stroller. (Can you tell I’m speaking from experience?)
We’re big car fans around here. Matchbox cars are small and an easy stocking stuffer or riding in the car toy. Harrison makes up endless games with his cars, and baby J has taken to putting the cars into their “garage” at night. And for the opposite end of the size spectrum is the trash truck. This thing is built solid. It’s been run through mud, dirt, into probably every wall in my house. It’s been stuff full of god knows what and emptied over and over again. And it does not break. It’s perfect for the young destructive child age.
You can never go wrong with a good puzzle, and Melissa and Doug make some of our favorites.
This little shape sorter is perfect for toddlers learning their shapes, counting, and colors. So many different ways you can make up games to help them learn with this!
Separate from this gift guide…
I’m in need of a mental recharge this upcoming holiday week. So, I’m going to give myself permission to REST. I’ll see you back here the week after Thanksgiving. Until then, I hope you all have a blessed holiday with family, take some time to slow down and just enjoy the goodness of life, and are blasting new Miss T. Swift, of course. ✌️💃
I’m so very thankful for each of you that comes to this little space of the internet and hangs out with me for a part of your day. Have the best holiday!