12 Toys Your Preschooler Wants Under the Tree
Sometimes kids craft their wish lists based on commercials they see on TV or ads in the newspaper. Other times, parents simply know what their kids will like. We’ve put together a guide to some excellent gift ideas that are likely to be a hit with your preschooler or younger children. Some are great for the mind, others for the body and some for the soul. Others inspire imagination. Use this as a launching point for ideas and then check out our other gift guides for games, electronics and more.
As with our other guides, the logo indicates something we’ve covered in further detail.
My First Science Textbook
Genius Games
Spark scientific curiosity in kids of all ages! Follow Pete the Proton and Ned the Neutron and Ellie the Electron, who get together to build everything in the universe. Learn about some of the most fundamental concepts in science BEFORE the social pressure and intimidation of formal schooling. Let your imagination roam while you and your kiddo ponder what’s it like to live inside an atom!
You’ll Learn About: The Structure of an Atom; Protons, Neutrons and Electrons; Charge and Mass Properties; Molecules and Compounds; Covalent and Ionic bonds; The Periodic Table… and so much more!
Hatchimals Glittering Garden
Hatchimals
Who’s inside? It’s a surprise! Sparkly Pengualas and Shimmering Draggles are getting ready to hatch in homes this summer. Hailing from Glittering Garden, the newest Hatchimals™ are nestled inside speckled eggs that shimmer and feature twinkling wings and soft, sparkling fur.
Light and Sound Fire Truck
BRIO
A light and sound fire truck complete with wailing sirens and flashing lights! Let the fireman jump out of the truck, take the hose and fight the fire. Don’t forget the ladder! Ready to fight the next fire? Reel in the hose and climb back into the truck. Turn the sirens on and off you go! Suitable for ages 18 months and up!
Lullaby Girl
Lisa Loeb
A new all-ages album from the legendary pop singer offers fresh and dreamy arrangements of 13 classic songs from a variety of genres with a world-class quartet led by keyboardist Larry Goldings. It reminds us why songs like “Be My Baby” (The Ronettes), “All the Pretty Little Horses,” “Dream a Little Dream, “What the World Needs Now Is Love” and “O-o-h Child” remain classics. Lisa’s original songs, “Close Your Eyes” and “Lullaby Girl,” flow right in with the pristine arrangements of tunes like “In My Room” (Brian Wilson) and “Tomorrow,” from the Broadway musical Annie.
LeapFrog Epic Academy Edition
LeapFrog
Explore, play, imagine and create with the LeapFrog Epic Academy Edition. The tablet is packed with kid-appropriate on-board learning content including 20 learning games that explore a range of subjects and skills and a free trial of LeapFrog Academy™. Play anywhere with LeapFrog Academy, an interactive learning program for 3-6 year olds that guides them on a variety of fun Learning Adventures. Through a well-rounded curriculum, they’ll explore a blend of traditional school subjects with creativity, problem solving and social-emotional skills.
4-in-1 Stroll & Grow Tek Trike
VTech
Ride in style for years to come with the 4-in-1 Stroll & Grow Tek Trike. This sturdy trike transforms through four different stages and includes an electronic panel with grow-with-me content that is adapted to each of the stages. Easily transform the trike from parent-controlled stroller mode, to training mode, trike mode and then drifting mode as a child enhances motor skills and confidence. The electronic panel also features an LED screen and content that evolves with little riders to explore directions, reinforce road safety and encourage role-play.
My Little Pony Movie Adaptation Book
IDW Publishing
The big-screen fun and adventure of MY LITTLE PONY: THE MOVIE are in your pocket with this full-length comic book adaptation!
The Storm King wants more power, and his loyal commander, Tempest, knows just where to get it… Equestria! When the worst comes to pass, it’ll take Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and all their friends—plus new faces like Princess Skystar and Songbird Serenade—to bring an end to this storm!
Slither.io Large Plush
Bonkers Toys
The highly anticipated slither.io 24” plush are colorful, collectible and definitely made to cuddle. Featuring popular colors and patterns from the game including rainbow and the USA flag, kids and collectors are clamoring to get their hands on them. Now available at national and local retailers including Target & Toys “R” Us.
Songs of Peace & Love
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
South Africa’s preeminent singing group, winner of four GRAMMY Awards and 17 GRAMMY nominations, continues their mission to use their music and life experiences as a way to share a universal message of peace and love. “With our new album, we want to share our songs of peace and love with the little ones,” group member Albert Mazibuko says. He adds, “We want parents to have a collection of songs to listen with their kids, songs that hold important messages. We know, first hand, how hard it is to raise children in a world of conflict, in a world where children need positive role models and positive words.”
Wonder Crew Buddies
PlayMonster
Wonder Crew Buddies promote social and emotional learning, build confidence and imagination, and empower young boys to see themselves as caring, creative and strong people. Four diverse 15″ Buddies each come dressed in superhero gear, complete with matching mask and cape for kids. Adventure Packs are sold separtely at $19.99.
FlipaZoo 2.0 Plush
Jay@Play
The charming FlipaZoo toy is two buddies in one! It’s not one lovable animal, but two! Each fun-stuffed FlipaZoo features two cuddly soft animals that flip back and forth for two sides of fun! FlipaZoo is simple and easy to do, and it even doubles as a soft pillow. People of all ages will love collecting FlipaZoo, one by two!
Teach My Yoga Mat Set
Teach My
The Teach My Yoga Mat Set – Fish & Learn is designed to encourage active learning. Research has shown that children who move while learning may absorb more. Plus, physical activity is important for a healthy mind and body.
Your child can master the alphabet, numbers, shapes and colors, while on the move! With a coordinated yoga mat, magnetic fishing rods, magnetic fish and inflatable dice, your child can have so much fun, they won’t even realize they are learning!
We think these cover a range of personalities and interests and hope you’re able to get some ideas for the younger gift recipients in your life. We’ll be giving away several of these items in the coming weeks so keep an eye on our 150+ Days of Giveaways.
These are great picks. I love the Proton and Neutron book. I love to give gifts that are also educational.
This is a really good list! I am starting the process of shopping for my kiddo and I know number one on his list is those hatchable’s. I have never heard of a couple of days but they’ll be fun to explore and see which ones he will like.
Have you seen the tiny Hatchimals? I saw them at my local store the other day and they seem to have sold right out as I can’t find them anymore. It’s funny how toys tend to do that this time of the year!
I wish I had little ones to buy for but my nieces and nephews have all grown up. That little plush snake is too cute. I might have to have one for me
Those look like great gifts I will need to give my family this season. I am so glad they have learning toys and books that the parents will love to see their kids play with.
Even my ten year old wants Hatchamals! She and her sister are getting the twin pack!
Ooooo….. Hatchimals! My granddaughter wanted one for Christmas last year but alas….. they were nowhere to be found. But this is another year and I love shopping Amazon!
I have a few kids who I am looking to buy gifts for in this age range. Thank you for these great recommendations!
These are some really good gift ideas. My nieces and nephews would probably like the Leapfrog tablet a lot.
This is a great gift guide for toddlers. LeapFrog makes so many great products for kids. I love to give a gift that kids can have fun with and learn new things.
This is a great list. My daughters have a flip a zoo already. They love them too!
The Leapfrog as an awesome investment two years ago for us. I’m going to look into seeing if my kiddo wants the Hatchimal. They were so hard to find last year!
This is a really great list of ideas for preschoolers. It’s so hard to figure out what to buy sometimes for that age group. I would have loved that 4-in-1 Stroll & Grow Tek Trike when my son was smaller.
So many fun ideas! I love guides like this – I’m awesome at picking out toys for my daughter. But not for any other age groups, or for boys! I love having a go-to spot for ideas, because I get way overwhelmed in the toy aisle at the store, oh my!
So many awesome toys! I still have no clue what my kids want for Christmas. They haven’t really made me a list yet.
Great ideas! I haven’t even started thinking about Christmas gifts yet, and this helped get the juices flowing. Thanks for sharing!
My kids would love those gifts
Thank you for these great recommendations! my grandkids would love a few of them.
I just think the Flip a Zoo pillows toys are SO great! How cool is it to have two toys in one??/!!