Top Toddler Gift Ideas (Ages 1–3)
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Originally published November 20, 2022. Updated for the 2025 holiday season.
If you're shopping for a toddler this Christmas, you’re in the right place! With two little ones who recently moved through the 1–3 age range, I’ve had plenty of hands-on experience with toys and gifts that toddlers truly love and actually use. This updated toddler gift guide is packed with ideas for ages 1, 2, and 3 — from sensory toys and active play to books, art supplies, and cozy favorites. Whether you’re shopping for your own little one or hunting for the perfect gift for a toddler in your life, you’ll find plenty of helpful inspiration here!
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Best Gift Ideas for Toddlers (Ages 1–3)
I’ve rounded up over 100+ toddler gift ideas perfect for ages 1–3 — including toys, active play gear, books, arts and crafts, clothing, accessories, and more. These are parent-approved, toddler-tested picks that make wonderful Christmas gifts, birthday presents, or “just because” surprises.
Click below to jump to any category, or keep scrolling to explore all of the best toddler gift ideas for 2025!
Accessories / Active / Arts & Crafts / Books / Clothing / Furniture / Games / Toys / Experiences
Accessories & Gadgets for Toddlers
Toniebox
The Toniebox is a popular gift choice for toddlers ages 1-3, offering a simple and sturdy way for little ones to listen to stories and songs. Kids can easily place and remove the Tonie characters—small figurines—on the box to play audio content. While some parents might have concerns about these characters being easy to misplace and that many do not feature the original voices or singers, the appeal lies in the device’s kid-friendly design and interactive play. It encourages independent use, making it a beloved option for families seeking screen-free entertainment for their toddlers.
Yoto Player
We have a yoto player for each of our kids and love them! I love that they are able to listen to books and music on their own terms - it’s a great screen-free alternative (and no little characters to keep track of!) - everything is on little cards that you insert into the player.
Amazon Fire Tablet for Kids
We love our Fire Tablet for Kids for our son. Allows him to have some screen time with books, games, or some shows when we are traveling or around the house when he needs some activities that aren’t on the big tv. There are some great deals on older models. We have the Fire Kids 7.
Backpack
We got a backpack for my son around his 2nd birthday and it has been so great to use as an alternative to a diaper bag. These character bags are so cute and there are lots of options to choose from!
Camera for Kids
We got this camera for Oliver for his 3rd birthday and he is in love with it! He was playing with an old camera that we found at a thrift store that we just used for decoration, so we knew this gift would be a big hit! It is nice and small which is perfect for his little hands and can hold a good amount of photos. And you can easily pop the memory card out and insert it into the included USB drive to add the photos to your computer or scroll through them on your smart tv. We got the dinosaur for our son, but there are lots of styles on Amazon!
Fidget Poppers
These fidget poppers are great to have on hand for car rides or to pull out of your bag to keep toddlers entertained when they also have to stay quiet.
Hatch Rest+ Sound Machine
Now that our son is in the toddler stage and has transitioned to a toddler bed, we use our favorite sound machine as a “red light, green light” system for quiet time and nap times. When the light is green, he knows he can get up or that we will come get him from his room.
Hearing Protection Ear Muffs
I have a set of smaller ear muffs from when my son was a baby but would love to make sure we have a bigger size for when we go to events with loud sounds (fireworks, monster truck shows, concerts, etc.)
Mini Hairbrush
UNbrush Mini Holiday Hair Brush Detangler offers a pain-free detangling experience for all hair types. Perfect as a holiday gift, it features a lightweight handle and anti-static bristles to reduce breakage and styling time.
Personalized Letter Coin Bank
I want to get our son a money bank at some point, and think these personalized coin banks are both nice to look at and also convenient for kids to see how much money they have saved.
Sandwich Cutters
Make lunchtime more fun with this set of sandwich cutters!
Water Bottle
I know that metal water bottles are popular, but I still prefer plastic bottles for my toddler since it gets dropped so often and I don’t want to hear that heavy metal banging around - these contigo water bottles are easy to take apart and keep clean! Lots of cute patterns and colors.
Active & Outdoor Play for Toddlers
Balance Bike
I’m a big fan of these balance bikes for kids to start to learn balancing and the concept of riding a bike. This bike has lots of styles and colors available.
Ball Pit
You can’t go wrong with a ball pit - hours of fun and entertainment, which is especially great in the winter or on rainy days.
Balance Board Rocker
This balance board is great for younger kids, easier for balancing, but still able to do full wobbles with the same arc as bigger, more expensive boards.
Balance Beams
This obstacle course set would be so fun for littles and easy to set up in different rooms of the house or for outside. A great way to keep your toddlers and preschoolers busy!
StepPebbles Stepping Stones
Basketball Hoop
This adjustable basketball hoop set is great for indoors or outdoors.
Foldable Slide
We have had this slide for almost a year now and get lots of use out of it! It folds up so it is easy to store and is small enough to enjoy indoors and outdoors.
Mini Soccer Goal Set
We have this mini soccer goal set for our small backyard - the best part is that the frame folds up nice and small for storage. It also comes with a pump for the mini soccer ball. Perfect for toddlers.
Mini Trampoline
Another fun gift for indoors or outdoors - and especially in the cold winter months, this would help to get lots of energy out for your toddlers when you’re stuck indoors.
Playhouse
This is always a great option for a “big gift” - especially if you have several kids around the same age that can all enjoy this together!
T-Ball Stand for Toddlers
Toddler Tricycle with Push Handle
Arts & Crafts for Toddlers
Cardboard Playhouse
I love the fact that these cardboard playhouses are basically a luxury cardboard box, that are ready for your toddler to color and decorate however they please!
Crayola Bathtub Finger Paint Soap
This is one of my son’s absolute favorite things about bath time - it’s just colored soap that we call paint and is always the highlight of bath time. This would make a great stocking stuffer for your toddler!
Crayola Color Wonder
We LOVE these Color Wonder “mess-free” coloring sets!
Bath Color Fizzies
Disney Coloring Books Bundle
For those toddlers who love arts & crafts and opportunities to color, a bundle of coloring books of their favorite characters would be a great gift idea!
Little Learners Busy Box Subscription
Educator-developed play activities to keep your 2-4 year old busy and learning! Preschool in a box! There are two box options to choose from, each containing activity kits that can be mixed and matched to create even more learning opportunities.
KiwiCo Panda Crate (Ages 0-36 months)
Magnetic Doodle Board
My toddler is always excited to use this - I love this for toddlers because it’s quiet and there is NO MESS!
Natural Crayons
We love these crayons! They are all-natural and made out of soy and beeswax with food-grade safe colors that are oh-so vibrant! The first grasp set is perfect for ages 2+ as they are just learning to hold things and the natural crayons are geared towards ages 4+ as they learn to develop their pencil grip and draw and write. These natural crayons are found exclusively at Walmart.
Play-Doh
We’re just starting to get into the play-doh world with our toddler, but would be fun to have a set around for some creative play.
Play-Doh Tools Set
An important “add-on” for your play-doh set!
Sensory Activity Kit
Sensory Activity Kids are a fun way to help your toddler learn and experience new things while also having fun through play.
Best Gift Books for Toddlers
Highlights Hello Magazine
Birthday Memories Journal
The Birthday Memories Journal by Promptly Journals has annual prompts to capture birthday memories and milestones for 20 years with spots for pictures and mementos. This is a fun birthday tradition for kids and adults and is the perfect present for any age!
Book Subscription Boxes from Cratejoy
There are so many different book subscriptions to choose from and this is a great way to introduce your little ones to lots of new books and nurture a love for reading!
Leapfrog 100 Animals Electronic Book
We love this book in our house - it’s easy for our toddler to use by touching the animals on the pages and it allows him to learn the words and names of animals. It even has an option to switch from English to Spanish!
Poke-a-Dot Books
My First Learning Library Set
The My First Learning Library of 20 board books will introduce your toddler to a wide range of learning topics and to develop basic concepts for little scholars. These books include well-researched pictures and accurate word labels to encourages faster development of your child’s vocabulary.
The Classic BabyLit Box Set
BabyLit® is the fashionable way to introduce your toddler to the world of classic literature, while learning numbers, sounds, animals, colors, and more! This box set includes the following titles: Alice in Wonderland (A BabyLit® Colors Primer), Moby-Dick (A BabyLit® Ocean Primer), Romeo & Juliet (A BabyLit® Counting Primer), The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (A BabyLit® Colors Primer), Sherlock Holmes in the Hound of the Baskervilles (A BabyLit® Sounds Primer), Pride & Prejudice (A BabyLit® Counting Primer), Jane Eyre (A BabyLit® Counting Primer), The Jungle Book (A BabyLit® Animals Primer)
The Skin You Live In
With the ease and simplicity of a nursery rhyme, this lively story delivers an important message of social acceptance to young readers. Themes associated with child development and social harmony, such as friendship, acceptance, self-esteem, and diversity are promoted in simple and straightforward prose. This delightful picture book offers a wonderful venue through which parents and teachers can discuss important social concepts with their children.
The Tiny Truths Illustrated Bible
With the most beautifully diverse and whimsical illustrations, The Tiny Truths Illustrated Bible introduces children to important ideas and unique characters of the Bible, while clearly showing how everything fits together to tell one big story—the story of God’s love for his children.
When God Made You
Through playful, charming rhyme and vivid, fantastical illustrations, When God Made You inspires young readers to learn about their own special gifts and how they fit into God’s divine plan as they grow, explore, and begin to create for themselves.
Toddler Clothing & Cozy Wearables
Bath Robe
Wrap your little one in pure softness after a bath, the pool or beach time with this hooded bath robe and cover-up.
Beanies
These soft, knit hats come in a variety of colors, patterns, and fun designs that can spark joy and imagination. Ideal for chilly days, they not only keep little heads warm but also add a touch of personality to any outfit.
Puffy Coats
If your little one needs a new coat this season, there are some great options to find on Amazon! Lots of colors and styles for all sizes.
Crewneck Sweatshirt
These are some of my favorite sweatshirts and they have so many cute messages.
Winter Boots
You can’t go wrong with some new boots for the snow!
Rain Boots
Every toddler I know loves throwing on a pair of rain boots and stomping around in puddles - the holidays are a great time to upgrade their current pair or introduce them to their first pair of rainboots!
Slippers
A good pair of slippers for your child to wear around the house during the cold winter months - make them extra fun with characters to try and get your kids to actually keep them on their feet!
Toddler Furniture & Room Favorites
Animal Reading Chair
These animal character reading chairs are the perfect size for your toddler and provide a great spot for them to enjoy their favorite books! The chairs have removable and washable covers and also have pockets on the sides to hold a few books.
Bean Bag Chair
A bean bag chair is another fun seating option for reading your favorite books, watching movies - or just jumping into it off the couch, ‘cuz - toddlers.
Kids’ Table & Chairs Set
this kid’s sized table and chairs would be great for craft times or meals for kids and is a great price!
Play Couch
These play couches can be super versatile and create lots of imaginative play for little kids! They can also be stacked and stored in corners when not in use. You can even get multiple sets to create even more imaginative play. Lots of styles and colors and price points out there.
Soft Play Climbing Set
With this soft play climbing set, infants and toddlers can safely learn to climb, crawl and slide on this beginner playtime corner climber; rearrange and build different configurations to stimulate imaginative playtime.
Play Tent
Play tents are always fun to have on hand in playrooms or to set up on rainy days for some imaginative play!
Toddler Air Mattress
This toddler air mattress includes everything you need for your little one's next sleepover. The toddler air mattress with bumpers comes with an electric air pump, pillow, travel bag, and a repair kit.
Games for Toddlers (Ages 1–3)
Felt Matching Game for Toddlers
This soft felt memory and matching game is a fun way to introduce animals to your kids. Lots of themes and sets to choose from.
Bean Bag Target Toss
This bean bag toss set would be super easy to setup indoors or outdoors and helps to promote hand-eye coordination for your toddlers as they attempt to get the bean bags onto the turtle.
First Orchard
If the players harvest all the fruit before the raven reaches the orchard, they win together! If the raven gets there first, they lose together. Repetitive play helps teach winning and losing and nurtures little gamers. This classic toddler game has been enjoyed by families for over 30 years. The perfect first board game for 1-4 players ages 2 years and up.
Puzzle Flash Cards
Match the alphabet letters or numbers with the animal picture base on the clue of shape and color. Each alphabet and number flash card has different animal. These letter game can help children to develop eye-hand coordination, color recognition, fine motor skills, visual perception skills, problem-solving skills.
Toddler Scavenger Hunt at Home
Another fun scavenger hunt game for toddlers - These easy-to-use cards give toddlers the tools to discover everyday objects in their home and provides you and your child with an exciting at-home activity—no matter the weather.
Wooden Puzzle Set
Designed with the toddler in mind, this wooden puzzle toy is made of high-quality natural wood. This set of wooden puzzles comes with 8 different animals, including a yellow duck, frog, dog, monkey, lion, giraffe, cow, and turtle.
Toys for Toddlers (Classic + Montessori)
Bluey Unicorse and Bob Bilby Plush Puppets
The Bluey Unicorse and Bob Bilby Plush Puppets are a fun and cuddly choice that little ones will love. These soft, colorful puppets inspire imaginative play and storytelling, making them ideal for young kids. Great for birthdays, holidays, or any special occasion, these plush puppets bring the magic of Bluey right into playtime.
Bubble Machine
A bubble machine makes the perfect gift for toddlers, providing endless fun and encouraging outdoor play. Easy to use and safe for young children, bubble machines create a magical atmosphere that captivates little ones. Ideal for birthday parties, playdates, or everyday entertainment, this toy helps develop motor skills and sensory awareness while keeping toddlers happily engaged.
Toy Phone
This interactive touch screen toy features 12 light-up pretend apps, including a calendar, clock, and weather, that respond to touch for engaging play. With a simple slide, kids can toggle between the app screen and music mode, discovering 15 melodies, phrases, and sing-along songs that keep them entertained. The home button allows toddlers to pretend to call home, enhancing their imaginative play. This educational toy promotes role-play and helps develop hand-eye coordination, while the catchy songs teach ABCs, 123s, and first words. A perfect gift to spark creativity and learning!
Baby Doll
We got my son a baby doll like this shortly before his little sister was born and he has loved playing with it! Baby dolls are great for boys and girls and can provide lots of imaginative play.
Construction Vehicle Set
Like the real Cat construction machines, this Cat Dump and Loader Combo Pack of toddler toys is built Cat construction tough with sturdy plastic construction so it is an ideal outside toy that your toddler will enjoy for hours on end!
Drill and Learn Toolbox Play Set
This toddler-friendly toolbox includes an electronic fix-it tray, working toy drill, hammer, wrench, nails and screws.
Driving Dashboard
Our son loves this driving dashboard - pretending to drive somewhere with the steering wheel, turning the key in the ignition and pushing all of the various buttons!
Duplo Blocks
These duplo blocks are a great starter to Legos - my son got the excavator and dump truck set for his 3rd birthday and we are planning to add in some other blocks for Christmas this year!
Forest Animals Stacking Tower
A sweet set of forest animal wooden blocks that toddlers can use to try and stack and see how tall they can build a completely unique tower.
Kitchen Set
This fun kitchen toy set features a stovetop complete with burners and a sink, while an oven drawer beneath and a microwave lets your youngsters cook up whatever creations they can imagine. It comes fitted with plenty of knobs, handles and buttons for interactive play, and it sports clean lines and a sleek profile that will blend well with other decor in your home.
Kitchen Play Food
Looking for a fun and educational gift for toddlers? This colorful play food set encourages early sorting, counting, and color recognition skills while sparking imaginative play. Ideal for developing fine motor skills and keeping toddlers engaged, it’s a simple way to make learning feel like playtime.
Little People
These Little People play sets are the perfect size for toddlers to grip and move around for endless play!
Little People Play House
With multiple floors and rooms, the Little People Play Houses offer endless opportunities for interactive play. Designed for toddlers, these play houses encourage imaginative exploration and hands-on fun. Featuring engaging buttons and activities, they bring the play experience to life with sounds, actions, phrases, and songs that inspire creativity and everyday discovery. These play houses make a wonderful gift to spark curiosity and storytelling in young children.
Magnetic Tiles
These magnetic tiles are great for toddlers with their bright colors and endless opportunities for building!
Mega Blocks
Mega Bloks are the perfect size for toddler hands and are easy to put together and pull apart for hours of creative building and play.
Mini Monster Trucks
Monster Trucks are another favorite toy for my son these days and this set of colorful monster trucks would be another great stocking stuffer option.
Play Sink
We love this play sink in our house! My toddler enjoys the running water and pretending to wash all of the dishes (and then the floor after all of the water gets all over the kitchen - bonus for mom!)
Pretend Cleaning Set
This colorful, kid-sized set looks just like the real thing and includes a wooden pretend play broom, mop, duster, brush, and organizing stand. The red dustpan conveniently clips into all handles.
Race Car Ramp Tower
A race car ramp tower is the perfect gift for toddlers who love cars and interactive play. This fun toy helps little ones develop hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and cause-and-effect understanding as they roll colorful cars down the ramps. Its bright design and multiple levels keep toddlers engaged while providing hours of entertainment. Ideal for birthdays or holidays, a race car ramp tower combines playtime and learning in one exciting package.
Tea Party Set
A complete tea set makes a perfect gift to keep your little ones entertained for hours!
Talking Flash Cards for Toddlers
Boost your toddler’s early learning with talking flash cards designed to make language fun and interactive. Choose from simple English word cards, bilingual sets featuring Spanish or Chinese alongside English, or phonics-focused cards perfect for building strong reading skills. These flash cards help toddlers develop vocabulary, pronunciation, and language recognition in an engaging way, making screen-free learning enjoyable for the whole family. Perfect for little learners starting their language journey!
Experience Gifts for Toddlers
A trip to the Zoo or Aquarium
Tickets or Memberships to local children’s activities and museums
Children’s Activities and Museums in Lancaster, PA:
Season Passes to local amusement parks
Amusement Parks near Lancaster, PA:
Swim lessons
Day Out with Thomas at Strasburg Railroad
A book subscription
still looking for more gift ideas for toddlers?
I hope this blog post has given you some inspiration for gift ideas this Christmas!
I hope this toddler gift guide helped you find the perfect Christmas gifts for the little ones in your life! Whether you’re shopping for a one-year-old, two-year-old, or three-year-old, these ideas are designed to encourage creativity, imagination, and everyday fun. Looking for more kid-friendly ideas? Check out my full collection of holiday gift guides!
