Taking Cara Babies Holiday Gift Guide

Looking for the best holiday gifts for babies and toddlers? Gifts for families or kids of multiple ages? Gifts for kids that are experiences instead of physical items? You’re in the right place. Here are my best gift ideas for kids and families, with input from my team and the Taking Cara Babies community.

Gifts for newborns#anchor

What do you gift a baby who was just born? Or who you aren’t even sure WILL be born before the holidays? Here are some of my favorite gifts for newborns:

• Unfulfilled Items: Go back to the baby registry and grab things that nobody has purchased yet. Don’t forget practical items like formula or diapers.

• Luxury or Convenience Items: Try items that will make life more convenient like a formula dispenser or bottle/pump part sterilizer.  

• Gifts for the Future: This might be the perfect time to contribute to a college savings account or another investment that can grow with a newborn. 

• Personalized Items: Personalized books, blankets, name puzzles, or growth charts are fun surprises that can grow with a baby.

• Toys and Books: It’s still fun to gift a few developmental toys or books for newborns that they can use now and in the future. 

I’ve linked some of my favorite gifts for newborns here.

Gifts for Babies (3-12 months)#anchor

Here are some of my favorite gift ideas for babies:

• Items for the next stage: During this time, many babies are ready for “new” items to prepare for the next stage. Things like a convertible car seat, feeding supplies for starting solids, clothes, etc. are all helpful.

• Practical Items: Practical items like seasonal clothing (mittens, coats, etc.) and diapers are still helpful in the baby stage!

• Personalized Items: Personalized books, blankets, name puzzles, or growth charts are fun surprises that can grow with a baby.

• Toys for developmental play: Toys that promote gross motor skills (think: rolling, crawling, walking), hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills (think: feeding, grasping), and cause-and-effect are all perfect for this age as the begin to grow and develop.

• Books: Books that have fun sounds you can make while reading, offer simple stories that relate to their day-to-day experiences, or that have sensory components are perfect for this age. 

I’ve linked some of my favorite gifts for 3-12 month olds here. 

Gifts for 1 to 2 year olds#anchor

Here are favorite gifts for one and two year olds:

• Gifts to grow gross motor skills: As toddlers begin to be on the move, there are fun gifts to help with their budding physical skills. Things like tunnels, climbing triangles, slides, ball pits, push toys, and ride-on toys are all great additions.

• Gifts for problem-solving: Puzzles, blocks, and cause-and-effect toys help build those cognitive skills for one and two year olds.

• Beginning sensory toys: Things like scoops, funnels, water tables, and art materials designed for toddlers are all great options that allow toddlers to practice fine motor skills. 

• Gifts for developmental play: Toys that promote communication, pretend play, or fine motor skills all support physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development. 

• Books: Books that allow toddlers to continue to explore the world around them are perfect for this age. 

I’ve linked some of my favorite gifts for one and two year olds here.

Gifts for 3 to 4 year olds#anchor

Here are favorite gifts for three and four year olds: 

• Gifts for gross motor play: Three and four year olds are often busy little people who need to move and use their body throughout the day, no matter the weather! Toys and games that allow them to get the physical activity they need are so helpful.

• Gifts for quiet play: Especially as they get older and can have more independent, quiet play time, gifts that can allow them to engage in solo play are also important. Screen-free story and music players, sensory bins, art materials, and more are great options.

• Gifts for imagination and dramatic play: This age loves to recreate the world around them through play. Costumes, restaurant play sets, doctor kits, miniature figurines, and baby dolls all help them to use their imagination. 

• Games: Games help children learn social-emotional skills and practice executive functioning skills while having fun together as a family.

• Books: Books are always great gifts for kids of any age because they provide opportunities for cognitive and social development, allow for connection with caregivers, and inspire creativity and imagination.

I’ve linked some of my favorite gifts for three and four year olds here.

Gifts for new (and not-so-new) parents#anchor

I have a whole blog dedicated to gifts for new parents. You’ll find practical gifts, items for self-care, things from the heart, and more.  

Need more gift ideas for parents? I’ve listed more of my favorite gifts for parents here.

Gift subscriptions for babies, toddlers, kids, and families#anchor

A gift subscription will keep the fun coming for weeks, months, or even a full year! Here are some favorite gift subscriptions: 

• Highlights High Five Activity Box - An activity box that is delivered every 3 months for ages 3-6 full of activities to read, play, craft, and cook.

• Lovevery subscription - Play kits that are designed by experts to support a child’s development.

• Highlights magazine subscription (available for babies and toddlers too!) - Monthly magazines with options for all ages, from newborn through school-age. 

Gifts for families#anchor

These are gifts for all ages that the whole family can enjoy together. They are things that kids can continue to use from babies well through their school-age years!

• Indoor large play items

• Nugget Play Couch

• Nugget Chunk

• Stairslide

• Tubelox (code CARA for 10% off)

• Yoto

• Tonie box (code 20TAKINGCARABABIES takes 20% off orders of $99 or more)

• Photo Books

• Outdoor play equipment

Experience gifts for babies, kids, and families#anchor

Are you looking for gifts for kids that aren’t physical items? Here are ideas to give the gift of experiences:

• Children’s museum membership

• Movie theater gift card

• Babysitting gift certificate (aka, you’ll babysit for them)

• Zoo membership

• Indoor playground memberships

• Children’s theater tickets

• Weekly classes (swimming, gymnastics, music, etc.)

• Plan a fun day out (hiking, park, fun restaurant, picnic, etc.)