Have you ever bought a gift for your baby, toddler or preschooler and realised that it was not suited to their age? Are you not sure what to buy for them this Christmas or do you want to buy something that is not only fun, but is also educational? Here are some Christmas gift ideas that will suit your childs age, hold their interest and encourage learning through play.
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Are you not sure what to buy for them this Christmas or do you want to buy something that is not only fun, but is also educational?
Here are some Christmas present ideas that will suit your child’s age, hold their interest and encourage learning through play.
Christmas gift ideas for 0-5 year olds
Gift ideas for babies from birth - 6 months
Lullaby or infant sleep CD - Music can be very soothing for babies and can be used as part of their settling routine for bed.
Textured floor play mat - Floor play is really important for young babies, giving them the opportunity to stretch and experiment with movement. The texture on the mat will appeal to their stage of learning through sensory play.
Front pack/baby carrier - Young babies love to feel close to you, adding to their sense of security and belonging. Also on a practical level there is no bulky pram to get in and out of the car if you are going out.
Sock rattles - Babies learn through cause and effect. Through wearing the sock rattle they are rewarded with sound each time they kick and move their legs. This helps to make connections between the brain and body, and an understanding that their actions have a reaction.
Hands or feet impressions or casts - They will only be this tiny once! These are a lovely memory for parents to keep, whether their hand and feet are cast in bronze or plaster or captured using an inkless printing kit. Perhaps even try making your own baking soda clay handprints.
Gift ideas for babies 6 - 12 months
Baby swing - Most babies love the rhythmic movement of a swing and are exploring their own body and movement.
Tunnel - A pop out tunnel is great for a newly crawling baby and is a way for them to explore how their own body fits in the environment around them.
Stacking cubes or posting boxes - Develops the concepts of size and shape as well as cause and effect.
Anything baby safe that makes a noise or has texture - Young children learn primarily through their senses so sensory based toys are stimulating and interesting to a young infant.
Baby safe mirror - Is that me or another baby in the mirror? Great for self-awareness and when used on the floor helps to make tummy time more fun.
Books - Sturdy board books and textured books with pictures of other babies, animals or common objects. Start a lifelong love of reading.
Gift ideas for young toddlers 12 - 18 months
Pop up tents and huts - These are great as your young toddler likes to hide and sometimes wants to start having their own space.
Rocking horse - Extends large muscle development. Toddlers like being able to control the speed of the rocking themselves.
A ride on bike - For your toddler to explore their balance and strengthen their muscles.
Paddling pool - Fill with water or sand in summer, or in winter fill the bath with cushions and books for a cozy space or even a ball bath. (Remember to supervise at all times around water).
Bath toys - Brings some fun into their bathtime routine. Develops pouring skills and also imaginative play with sail boats, mermaids, dolphins and more.
Gifts for toddlers 18 months - 2 years
Pretend play starts to blossom at this age. Things you buy will last right through to 5 years old and beyond early childhood. Think of dolls, prams, tea sets, garages and vehicles. If possible look for good quality wooden toys that will last.
Hammer and peg toy - An appropriate and positive outlet for a toddler’s desire to be noisy and bang things!
Play dough and tools - Gets all the fingers in their hands moving ready for learning. Buy or make your own play dough for pretend play.
Simple peg puzzles - A good introduction to puzzles while enhancing problem solving skills and hand eye coordination.
Buckets/spades - Encourage hand eye coordination and are great for exploring ideas around size and weight with sand.
Water/sand table - Set up a low table outside which can be used for sand, water play, painting and messy play.
Gifts for toddlers 2 - 3 years
Art easel - Creativity using paintbrushes and other tools develops the same skills needed later for writing, and an easel is great for indoors or outdoors.
Trike with pedals - This will encourage growth in the areas of strength, balance, and timing. Fantastic for burning up pent up energy.
Costumes - Think of costumes such as fairies, dinosaurs, fire fighters and props such as doctor kits. Fantastic for enhancing imaginative play. Pretend play is also wonderful for developing language skills.
Construction - Wooden blocks or large plastic duplo style blocks. Construction focuses on three dimensional problem solving, math concepts and facilitates creativity.
Musical instruments - Exploring rhythm and setting the foundation for a love of music. Make your own musical instruments at home.
Gifts for preschoolers 3 - 4 years
Threading beads - Extends small muscle development and encourages exploration of pattern and sequence.
Puzzles - Look for larger floor style puzzles with a theme based around your preschooler's interest. For example a dinosaur puzzle or fairy puzzle.
Construction - Activities such as Duplo, gears sets or magnet based construction are good for shared play and provide opportunities to work together.
Dolls house and train sets - Following on from the toddler interest of pretend play, dolls houses and train sets promote creative play and role play. These are more good shared play activities for siblings, including mixed ages.
Magnadoodle - Enhances drawing and writing skills and is excellent for car trips, at the bach or out at restaurants for mess free fun.
Gifts for preschoolers 4 - 5 years
Physical equipment - Stilts, skipping ropes, balls and hoola hoops extend overall strength and coordination. They also foster confidence and an enjoyment of being active.
Art, craft and collage kits - Brings out the little artist in your preschooler, encouraging creativity. Perhaps even create your own craft kit using the bits and pieces from around the home that are required to make one of the resources - putting them in a little bag with a copy of the activity sheet.
Books with a CD story - Promotes listening skills and early literacy.
Large floor puzzle 50+ pieces - Gives your preschooler a sense of achievement and satisfaction in completing a challenge.
Scooter - Encourages the skills of balance and coordination and also to be active. Scooters are portable so easy to pop in the boot and take to the park or on holiday.
Science or experiment kits - Gvies preschoolers the chances to develop literacy and numeracy skills. It’s great to bring in some science to develop their thinking and prediction skills.
Real cooking set for cupcakes - Fabulous for the little helper who always wants to be with you in the kitchen. Cupcakes are easy to make and decorate.
Kites - Great for a windy day! You can buy kites that you make or are ready made. Kits help to develop cause and affect concepts.
Still need some gift inspiration?
Watch your little one when you visit friends, at play group or childcare or when you're at the toy shop to see what catches their attention and keeps them interested.
Follow their interests and passions when choosing a gift and you can’t go wrong.
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Source: This article has been written by Creators, a nationwide service offering quality home-based care and education. Creators are passionate about seeing every child’s unique talent being recognized and nurtured.