Perfect Holiday Gift ideas for your Toddler (2-3 Years)

Hola Tot Parents,

With the holidays approaching, I know how overwhelming it can be to choose the right gifts for our little ones.

Guess what? There isn’t a perfect gift! You know your tot better than anyone else, so think about what they get excited about. My tot loves stuffed animals or characters, playing chef, or playing doctor. Maybe yours likes the same sort of play, but either way today I will share some ideas and my approach to buying gifts.

My favorite approach: the 5-gift rule of "want, need, wear, read, and experience." I've curated this list specifically for ages 2-3, and I'll include some of my tried-and-true recommendations from Amazon and Walmart. (Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase.)

Wants are something your toddler might not be able to tell you. I sat down and showed mine an Amazon Holiday book and a Target toy book. I told her to look through each and tell me what she wants. She picked out a few things....more like everything lol. Of course, they really don't know, but at least you are teaching them the skill of making choices.

Here are some of her wants:

Potential Shopping List:

• Melissa & Doug Examine and Treat Pet Vet Play Set (24 pcs)

• Melissa & Doug Wooden Scoop and Serve Ice Cream Counter (28 pcs)

• Spin and Learn Flashlight

• Melissa & Doug Super Smile Dentist Kit With Pretend Play Set of Teeth And Dental Accessories

• Melissa & Doug Get Well Doctor’s Kit Play Set

• Melissa & Doug 11-Piece Coffee Set

• Melissa & Doug Wooden Thirst Quencher Drink Dispenser

• Melissa & Doug Star Diner Restaurant Play Set

• Melissa & Doug Grill and Serve BBQ Set

• Melissa & Doug Doctor Role Play Costume Dress-Up Set

Needs are things that can help or support your tot further their development skills. These include :

• Language or communication ( 50 words by age 2, 1000 words by age 3, two step instruction, names familiar people, places, or things)

• Cognitive development (sorting objects by shape and color, completes simple puzzles. engages in pretend play, understands basic concepts like big and small, begins to count)

• Physical development ( Runs steadily, throws the ball, kicks the ball, walks up and downstairs, begins to use scissors with supervision. Turns pages and books at one at a time. Starting to draw circles and straight lines.

Potential Shopping List:

• Melissa & Doug Flip to Win Travel Memory Game

• Toddler Puzzles Montessori Toy Wooden

• Wooden Puzzles

• More puzzles

• Learning Resources Grab That Donut!

• Scissor Skills Preschool Activity Book: Learn to Cut Lines

• Learning Resources Sorting Snacks Mini Fridge

• Flash Cards for Toddlers

• Learning Resources Smart Snacks Alpha Pops

Wear is definitely clothes, shoes, coats, underwear, etc. If you are in the potty training phase, you should definitely look are these awesome training underwear. These are a lifesaver! I shop two to three sizes ahead when things go on sale throughout the year, Black Friday, Memorial Day, and Labor Day have great sales.

Reading is great for toddlers. We spend everyday reading some sort of book, whether it is during the day or at night during our bedtime routine. Reading helps toddlers learn new words and develop an understanding for different things. A great thing to do is to get a library card and check out books when you can. They are free and it is a huge selection. I also recommend having some of your own books because the library tends to have a limited supply of board books. Board books are perfect for tiny hands and they are harder for them to destroy.

Potential Shopping List:

• The Not Very Merry Pout-Pout Fish (A Pout-Pout Fish Adventure)

• Grumpy Monkey

• The Pout-Pout Fish in the Big-Big Dark

• The Hiccupotamus

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

• The Pout-Pout Fish

• Giraffes Can't Dance

• There's a Bear on My Chair

• Dinos Love Donuts

• All by Myself (Little Critter)

• The Rainbow Fish

• P is for Potty!

• Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site

• Grumpy Monkey Yuck!

• Grumpy Monkey Are We There Yet?

• Little Blue Truck Feeling Happy

Experiences for toddlers are also important. Be intentional with planning things to do over the holiday. Finding a lights show or a farm that decorates is great. You can also do activities around the house like making ornaments (Target has kits you can buy) or putting lights on the Christmas tree or even making pancake muffins with Christmas color sprinkles. Everything counts! This not only expands on their development, but it gives them additional skills.

## Money-Saving Tips

1. Watch for price drops on Amazon and Walmart - prices fluctuate daily during the holiday season

2. Buy the next size up in clothing to get more wear

3. Consider bundling experiences with physical gifts (like a new swimsuit with swim lessons)

4. Look for toys that grow with your child - many of these suggestions work for multiple age ranges

Remember, parents, the best gifts are ones that engage your little one and create opportunities for learning and connection. Don't feel pressured to buy everything - choose what works for your family and budget.

*P.S. Don't forget to bookmark this post for later references!*

#ParentingTips #HolidayGifts #ToddlerLife #MomBlog #GiftGuide