While we don’t want to overwhelm Sophie (or the minimal storage in our tiny house!) with an abundance of toys, we understand that as babies grow, their interests and developmental needs grow with them.
We’re not planning to buy a lot for Sophie for Christmas, but we have a few gift ideas that we’re knocking around that I thought I would share in case you’re also shopping for a little one.
LEARNING THROUGH PLAY SUBSCRIPTIONS
Lovevery Subscription
We definitely favor educational toys whenever possible, and this subscription seems to be great for boosting your baby’s developmental skills.
Monti Kids Program
As someone who has some experience growing up with a Montessori education, I tend to lean toward the multi-modal method of learning while at play. The Level 2 Montessori Box is geared toward babies from 4 – 6.5 months, but there are so many other options for different age ranges.
Kiwi Co Crates (Panda: for 0-24M)
STEAM learning for kiddos
FEEDING ESSENTIALS
Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair
This is definitely an investment, but a worthwhile one because you will get years of use out of this high chair as it can be adjusted and grow with your kiddo. We’ll start introducing solids with Sophie as soon as she is sitting upright on her own (assuming around 6 months?) so one of her Christmas gifts may be this high chair. I may also pair it with either one of these mats or these mats to place underneath the chair for any messes and one of these placemats.
ACTIVITY CENTERS
Skip Hop 3 Stage Activity Center
I adore a multi-purpose product and because this toy will grow with your kiddo it seems to be worth the investment (bonus: it’s not hideous primary colors). Sophie loves to recline in her bouncer chair (also here, here and here), but I find that she gets bored in it quickly if left to entertain herself for a few minutes so having an activity table that would help keep her engaged and learn independent play while giving mommy a moment to tidy up the house would be awesome.
BigJigs Activity Cube OR Activity Walker
These toys looks like they would keep Sophie busy with educational play for a while, I just need to decide if I want to get her the cube that seems to have more activities but is stationary or the activity walker to help promote walking as she gets to that stage in the future (other cute walker options here and here). My aesthetic-loving heart can’t help but love the colors and chic designs. I’ve also been eyeing this customizable busy board!
BOOKS AND SENSORY TOYS
Board Book(s)
We also love to give Sophie books and read them to her often. I recently discovered that Artifact Uprising (who makes our baby memory book!) also offers an option to create customized baby board books with your own photos and I think that would be so fun to give to Sophie with photos of her family, especially since we all live so far apart! I found another custom baby board book option here.
Visual & Sensory Stimulation Toys
I am always on the lookout for toys that have black and white contrast images and patterns, crinkly feel & sound toys, rattles, stackers, blocks, teethers, textural plush (second option here), etc. to play with Sophie, but also allow her to play and explore the world on her own. Additionally, she adores this musical light up toy that we started using for her Tummy Time sessions, but it can grow with her as she learns animal sounds and colors (and in two other languages!).
Shop all other previous gift guide ideas here!
Sending hugs —
xx, Natalie
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