AngelaA real-life guide from a mom of three who doesn’t do primary colors.
Three kids under six means our house is part toy store, part obstacle course. So when we buy gifts, we try to choose pieces that last and toys that grow with them, encourage creativity, and (bonus) don’t look terrible sitting out. For those of you that know me, you know I do not do primary colors. I’m all about natural textures, soft palettes, and toys that can live beautifully among the everyday mess.
These are a mix of the tried-and-true favorites that have earned their keep in our house, with a few new additions that are on our list for the girls this year.
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Baby
The baby won’t remember it, but you will remember the little hands grabbing bows, the way they stare at the lights, the photos you’ll treasure. Keep it simple: soft, sensory, and sweet.
Our favorite Lovevery Play Kit
We were big fans of Lovevery! We subscribed to their play kits during the first couple of years of Eloise’s life, and many of the items are still go-to favorites today. If I had to pick a single kit with some of the greatest hits, it’s this one. The Slide & Seek Ball Run has provided hours of play, and our three-year-old still reaches for the book It’s Bedtime for Zoe. Shoutout to Zoe’s mom for brushing her teeth first — it gives me the perfect excuse to say, “But Zoe’s mom gets a turn, so I should too.”
Sloane got her Toniebox for her first birthday a few weeks ago, and it’s been a huge hit. Our big girls have the older version (and are lowkey a little jealous of baby sister and the rainbow light ring on the top). Sloane also loves the farm animal Tonies for listening, playing and, yes, chewing. If you’re going to get one big thing, this is it. Eloise is still using hers daily at 5, and it’s so easy to ask friends and family to gift the Tonies she loves.
Cold weather means dry skin season, and this ointment is truly the MVP. Tubby Todd’s All Over Ointment works wonders. It’s one of those “once you try it, you get it” things. It’s a little splurgy for everyday, which makes it the perfect “gift list” addition (especially if you’d prefer something useful over another bright plastic toy).
And on the topic of things that are a little pricey but totally worth it, these diapers are amazing. We used them just at night (because, $$$) and they made a huge difference in keeping the girls dry until morning. A small luxury that feels big when everyone actually sleeps through the night.
Hands down my favorite baby gift. My girls have used these every single day since they were tiny. There’s something almost magical about how soothing they are. I’ve wrapped crying babies in this duvet and watched them melt into calm. We take it everywhere we go.
The best part about this tunnel? How small it folds up. Perfect for apartment living or just keeping the chaos contained. The colors aren’t too loud, and honestly, the organic cotton feels worth it — soft, durable, and just a little nicer than the usual plastic options.
Teething baby? Freeze a little breastmilk and let them go to town on these ice pops.
Sloane loves soft things, so this lovey has definitely made our list. It’s fancy enough to feel special, sweet enough for everyday snuggles, and (importantly) actually matches our aesthetic.
If you’re shopping for a little prince (or just prefer something less floral than princess bunny), this one’s equally soft, sweet, and special. Also loving the dinosaur.
Something about this llama feels so sweet and a little unexpected. It’s fun, cozy, and fits right in without screaming “kid toy,” which, honestly, I appreciate. Would not be mad to have him in our nursery.
This was a gift from a dear friend when Millie was born and it was a favorite of hers, and now something Sloane plays with as well. I really love when toys have an heirloom quality.
This little bear has the same sweet, heirloom feel as the bunny — timeless, well-made, and lovely enough to display when it’s not being played with.
Soft books are amazing for this age. We have a few of the Manhattan Toy ones, and they’re really well-made, engaging, and perfect for little hands to explore without tearing or chewing through pages. A sweet, simple gift that actually gets used.
Now is a good time to stock up on the essentials. We’ve tried so many sleep sacks over the years, and Kyte is the one I keep rebuying. It’s one of those well-made baby items that’s actually worth the investment.
Our Jellycat bunny collection began when I was pregnant with Eloise, and it’s grown ever since. These bunnies are ridiculously soft and well-made, and when our one-year-old grabbed this one and held it so tight, we had no choice but to let her keep it. A timeless snuggle companion. Though Millie—ever the outlier—prefers her now retired sloth.
Eloise grabbed this in a store once and squeezed it so sweetly that I had no choice but to buy him. He’s been part of the bedtime crew ever since. He’s super soft, cute, and somehow always earns a place on her pillow.
If this didn’t make it onto your registry, consider this your gentle nudge. The baby activity center: equal parts entertainment and containment.
A pretty basket so you don’t have to look at the clutter. Form and function, my favorite kind of parenting win.
We’ve gone through a few bath crayon sets, and these are the best. Natural ingredients, easy to clean, and they somehow even come off our 100-year-old pre-war tub. Small miracles.
Simple bath toys that are easily sanitized in the dishwasher.
This isn’t your basic foam mat, this is the “I-live-in-a-stylish-space-and-have-kids” version.
From pancakes to finger paint, this one wipes clean.
Because life happens, but we might as well look chic while we handle it. These waterproof, wipe‑clean bags are a game‑changer for swimsuits, daycare changes, snack disasters, and the “oops, I spilled” moments.
Our favorite sunglasses ever. Polarized, kid-proof, and backed by a great warranty. They actually stay on little faces, and I love that they look so sweet, too.
This French sunglass brand is another favorite. Well made, polarized, and so stylish. We have this style in a few different colors, but I am really digging this muted yellow. Apparently it’s the “it” color right now. If you’re in Paris, be sure to visit their store and check out the sunnies for grownups too.
Our little ballerinas are obsessed with these dolls, and honestly, so am I. Soft, elegant, and a go-to gift for birthdays or Christmas. The Princess version is on our list this year.
Can’t go wrong with this sweet monkey. His striped shirt is so charming and would make a great gift as well.
Toddler
Open-ended toys are everything here. Think stacking, building, pretend play, and anything that lets them copy you.
Simple, sturdy, and basically indestructible, this train set has saved us on more than one rainy afternoon cooped inside our apartment. Our girls love clicking the wooden tracks together and sending the little trains around whatever masterpiece they dreamed up. I love that it encourages focused, hands-on play and does not require batteries, charging cables, or an IT degree.
Mini Chef Kitchen Range – Wooden Pretend Play Kitchen
Cake!: An Interactive Recipe Book
Our girls adore this series! The newest one lets them pretend they’re baking a cake, but we also love the cookies, pizza, tacos, spaghetti, and pancakes books. Even our five-year-old joins in, which makes it a winner for imaginative play that everyone can enjoy.
This little tower turns my tiny helpers into big kitchen collaborators. They safely “help” with stirring, pouring, and occasionally spilling. Reminder to store the sprinkles on a higher shelf going forward though.
This scooter’s built with a lean‑to‑steer design (hello improved coordination!), three wheels for stability, and wheels that light up for maximum kick‑out‑the‑door excitement.
This balance bike is perfect for toddlers learning to ride. They get the thrill of “big kid” movement while building balance and confidence.
You’re gonna need a helmet. This classic style keeps them safe while still looking very Instagram‑ready.
This tea set was a favorite for both Eloise and Millie, and now Sloane is joining the tea party. The teapot lights up and plays songs, sounds, and learning phrases. It encourages pretend play, sharing, and even a little shape-sorting. Perfect for toddlers who love pouring, pretending, and feeling fancy. (I don’t love plastic but this is a rare exception).
For climbing, lounging, building, reading, playing. The modular foam pieces mean endless setups and open‑ended fun. Bonus points for covers that zip off and go in the wash (hallelujah).
Studies say trampolines boost coordination and body awareness, but I mostly love it for giving toddlers a safe way to burn off endless energy. Bonus: this one’s neutral palette isn’t hideous.
If you’ve got room, this play gym is magic. Climbing, sliding, crawling and endless ways for toddlers to get their wiggles out. And yes, it folds up when we need floor space back.
Sensory play isn’t just messy fun, it supports real development. Studies show sensory bins help toddlers explore textures, build fine‑motor skills, encourage language development, and even calm busy little bodies. The lid hides away the mess, so it’s a win-win.
These are on my list because they’re perfect for preschoolers who love to touch, trace, and explore while slowly figuring out their ABCs.
I love these water books, and this print is so whimsical.
These are a huge hit for our girls. I love the many many uses they have for open-ended play. They were gifted a starter set a couple years ago and play with it all the time. Someday I’ll have the bandwidth to scroll through the other learning-and-development hacks on Instagram…
This one has been a huge hit. It was our entry into the pretend food play. The girls have spent countless hours “making lattes” and “serving croissants.”
We’ve used the Lovevery version, but this one feels just a touch fancier. It’s just the right size for little hands and makes learning about the weather fun and hands-on.
This was one of our first buys after getting a play kitchen. I’m a big fan of wooden toys vs plastic, and these are both high quality and easy on the eyes.
Because toddlers have ALL THE EMOTIONS… this set is very handy. It’s hands-on, interactive, and makes teaching them to name and understand their feelings a lot less stressful (for everyone involved).
Teddy Bear Cup (similar to the viral one)
Cute cups are always a hit. This would be perfect as a stocking stuffer.
Kindergartener
They’re ready for projects, imagination, and independence. These gifts help them feel capable and creative, without overwhelming them.
Ever the photographer, this instant camera is top of the list for Eloise. She loves taking pictures when we travel, so the first time she saw one of these in action she was hooked! Send thoughts and prayers for me when I have to finance the photo paper refills though…
Mess-free, reusable, and totally travel-friendly. This water pen set is a lifesaver when we need the girls to sit still for a bit, and they love the magic reveal cards almost as much as I love no markers on the walls.
Eloise has been taking a “science experiments” class every Friday and LOVES it. I will always encourage anything STEM, so this is on our list.
I love the way Super Smalls takes extravagant adult-inspired jewels and turns them into playful, kid-friendly designs. They’re whimsical, colorful, and sturdy enough to survive our girls. Dress up is going to get a little fancier.
We pack this almost any time we’ll be outside, but have also been known to have a hallway game. Great for hand-eye coordination and helps teach throwing and catching a ball.
I love these shoes. They are classic, well made, and ouch free in our experience. While shoes aren’t a super exciting gift, when you add glitter you’d be surprised how excited they get. They are a bit on the pricey side, so I’ve given these as gifts vs buying for everyday wear.
These molds are a hit year-round. Freeze whatever liquid you want (Pedialyte is a favorite here), and you’ve got hydration + fun all in one. Sometimes I even let the girls enjoy them in the bathtub to skip the sticky mess.
These bedazzled gloves are going under the tree for my big girls this year. Sparkly, fun, and slightly magical… in that they might actually wear them without complaining? I’ll report back in January.
We got these last year and they had tons and tons of play. Love the space theme and while I hate slime with a passion, this dough is great. Cleaner than Playdough and hasn’t stained anything yet.
As I mentioned, MAGNA-TILES are a huge hit in our apartment. We’re always looking for ways to keep them busy at dinners or when we travel, so definitely adding this to our list for some open-ended play (and a few minutes of quiet for us).
This magnetic wall arch is on Eloise’s list this year. Ever the artist, she has never met a surface she didn’t want to decorate. She loves her easel, but this gives her a new canvas to explore. I’m pairing it with sight word magnets to sneak in a little learning along the way.
We have a few versions of these, but the dollhouse is really unique. You might even be able to sneak in a coffee while they’re fully absorbed.
Perfect for small adventurers. Our girls have been asking for walkie talkies for ages. If your children love FaceTiming loved ones, they may also love the opportunity to use these with siblings and/or friends.
