If you’re on the hunt for gift ideas, look no further! Dr. Lauren Loquasto, chief academic officer of Goddard, has provided her recommendations for fun, developmentally appropriate options for children of all ages.
“Gift giving is a wonderful time to nurture your child’s curiosity about the world around them and create playful opportunities to spark a love of learning in various domains,” Loquasto says. "Giving children gifts that encourage inquiry-based play and foster development through curiosity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills will help them learn through play!"
From creative toys and games that inspire imagination to cozy finds for the grown-ups, these picks are sure to make everyone feel merry and bright. Happy gifting!
Gifts for Children
Lalo Play Boxes (0 – 2 years). Lalo’s Play Boxes are made to spark curiosity and growth! From newborns to toddlers, each box contains expert-developed toys made from wood, stainless steel and other non-toxic materials.
Dimpl Stack (6 months – 2 years). A colorful stacking experience for the senses! The Dimpl Stack is an upgrade to the standard cup-style stackers. Each rounded block nestles into the next and has a bubble with unique textures on top. The bubbles are made of 100% food-grade silicone and the blocks are BPA free, so your little one can safely push, pop and taste to their heart’s content!
PULA Baby Push Walker (7 months – 4 years). This fun toy combines support for new walkers with the fun of a wagon. Infants and toddlers will delight in pushing this cart around while filling it with toys, books or other random things they find. The next best part is dumping it all out and refilling it, of course!
PlayTab Modular, Sensory Activity Board (9 months – 2 years). Build your own busy board! There are 12 tile options to choose from, including gears, changing pictures, switches and number dials. Mix and match six tiles that magnetically attach to the wooden tablet base. Your little one will love exploring this open-ended play for hours!
TonieBox 2 (12 + months). The beloved Toniebox is now available for younger kids! Toniebox 2 is safe for use starting at age 1. Your littles will love listening to their favorite stories and songs and playing interactive games!
Let’s Learn Piggy (2+ years). This toddler toy is designed to grow with your child. In toddlerhood, it’s a fun way to encourage counting and learning colors. As your child gets older, the toy transforms into imaginative play that teaches and reinforces basic money concepts.
Magna-Tiles (3+ years). This open-ended toy combines creativity, construction and engineering with fun! Children and adults will delight for hours as they can turn ideas and imagination into something tangible.
Music by the Color Instruments (3+ years). Do you have a budding musician in your home? This collections of musical instruments make learning one possible in preschool! Kids match the colors of the keys to the color-coded songs so they can play simple music! Start early and see where your child’s talent goes!
Shadow Puppet Helper Set (3+ years). Unlock the magic and fun of shadow play for your family. Pair the magic of shadows with limitless imagination as you create and perform shadow shows. To extend the learning further, consider picking up a shadow matching puzzle. It may be a bit harder than you think!
The Miniscope Pro (3-12 years). Let your little scientist explore the wonder of the world through this mini microscope. Images can be magnified up to 1000 times, and kids can take pictures and record video of things they see. You’ll love seeing the world through their eyes!
Slumberkins The Feels Set (3+ years). Teach your little ones about emotions and regulation with this adorable Yeti-themed gift. You get five Mini Feels that each feature one emotion, a mountain pillow that doubles as storage for the Mini Feels, The Feels Book and a resource guide for parents.
Bumbalo Ball (4+ years). Your child will love rolling and tumbling inside this giant inflated ball with easy access to crawl in or out. It’s best used outside, but if you have the space inside, it’s great for those too-cold winter days!
Gifts for Grown-Ups
Good Inside Membership. Parenting is tough but thankfully there’s Good Inside by Dr. Becky Kennedy, a renowned clinical psychologist. She has created a robust community for families with expert resources on all things parenting. It’s all grounded in a reminder that whether you or your child is having a hard time, you’re both good inside! If you’re not sure about a membership, you can also purchase her book, Good Inside: A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be.
Portable Instant Photo Printer. In the day and age of digital photography, this portable technology allows you to quickly make and share mementos of those memories captured.
Little Spoon. Take the guesswork out of mealtime for busy families with a Little Spoon subscription. From babies to big kids, there are lots of tasty options to choose from!
Bottimals. If you know someone whose baby is having a hard time transitioning to bottles, give them the gift of Bottimals! The scent-infused Bottle-Lovey™ makes the transition easier, whether mom is returning to work, weaning or introducing pumped milk.
Tubby Todd. The whole family will be squeaky clean with Tubby Todd products! You can purchase one-off items or gift sets for mom and baby. There are lots of options (and scents) to choose!
Big Conversations With Little Children: Addressing Questions, Worries, and Fears. Kids ask big questions about the world around them and sometimes parents aren’t sure how to respond. Dr. Lauren Loquasto has a book for that! She wrote it after her own experience with her kids as a guide to help other families navigate these big conversations.
Goddard Goods. Show off your Goddard pride in style with items from Goddard Goods! There’s something great for everyone on your list, but here are some of our faves:
- Women’s Signature Goddard Crewneck
- Toddler Core Cotton Tee
- Men’s Quarter-Zip Pullover
- 24 oz. Perka Steel Mug
- Baby Sherpa Blanket
We hope this guide helps you find some great gifts for your loved ones!
