Christmas Gift Ideas ~ Tots {2011 update}

This is an updated re-post of the post I shared last year! I have added a few things to this year’s idea list!

I get asked a lot about gift ideas, so I thought it might be helpful to throw a few out there with some of my thoughts on a few of them. We personally own everything I recommend, and I will never recommend something we don’t love! I will also link to any reviews we have done or Play with Me posts where we have featured the item on Totally Tots.

I am also a believer in LESS is MORE, so although I recommend things, please know that I don’t believe things make us happy…they are just a small addition to an already full life in Christ. I don’t in any way believe that Christmas is about stuff. I realize gifts are a natural part {especially from grandparents!}, and I love getting recommendations also, which is why I share with you! I may add to the list as I think of other ideas, so be sure to check back!

This is my list of ideas for tots, which is actually a wide range, gearing towards ages 1-3. I will link to everything where I find the best online price {most of the time it is Amazon}. Most links are affiliate links, some are not {if I am not affiliated with the particular company}. If you purchase anything through an affiliate link, you give back a percentage to our family…thanks!

Bibles

Baby Bible ~ This is the best Bible we have for the really young tots with a short attention span!

Books {just a few of our favorites}

That’s Not My…
Touch and Feel ~ we have so many of these mostly from consignment sales!
Have You Ever Tickled a Tiger?
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
How Do I Love You?
I Love You Through and Through

Music

Scripture Lullabies {review here}
Songs for Saplings {review here}

DVDs

Signing Time ~ We have #1 {pictured below}, #2, and #3 and still love them all!
Praise Baby ~ even my boys still enjoy these, the praise music is simply beautiful and timeless.
Laurie Berkner ~ We LOVE this DVD, all of us!!!!

Learning Toys

Betty Lukens Felt Sets…or another brand you love-we have just fallen in love with these! {review here} ~use code OnePlus for 15% off on their site, or find many of them on Amazon.
Magneatos {Play with Me post here}
Stacking Pegs Set {Play with Me post here}
Rainbow Blocks {Play with Me post here}
Foam Blocks {this is coming even MORE recommended this year…Ladybug loves these!}
Large Foam ABC Floor Puzzle ~ you can usually find these for around $20-$25 at Toys R Us or even less at a discount store like Ross {Play with Me post here}
Nesting Blocks {Play with Me post here}
Fisher Price Piggy Bank
Counting Bears
Wooden Cutting Food Sets
Chunky Wooden Puzzles
Leapfrog Magnet Sets
Lauri ABC Puzzle ~ my very favorite ABC puzzle!
Magnetic Chalk/Dry Erase Board with ABCs ~ this is a GREAT deal on Amazon, you get the board and the wooden ABC set!
Crayola Dry Erase Activity Center ~ Ladybug loves this, so does Krash! Be sure to get Expo thin markers to go with it, the Crayola are no good.
Large ABC Floor Puzzle ~ We have the one linked, but there are many options.
Who Lives Where Wooden Game ~ One of our favorites!

In case you are visual like I am {all images are linked to Amazon}…

Craft/Art/School/Tot Tray Supplies

Easel ~ if you live near an Ikea I highly recommend their easel and it is only $15!!!
Play Doh
Dot Paint
Triangular Crayons, Pip Squeak Markers
Cookie Sheet ~ Yes, every tot needs his/her own cookie sheet and a set of pom pom magnets would be nice too!
Tongs ~ We got a tiny pair at a kitchen store, but also have these medium sized tongs.
Tweezers ~ We have simple black plastic tweezers like these, and these colorful ones!
Table Top Pocket Chart ~ We begin using this early, around age 2. It is a wonderful size for so many activities
Plastic Trays ~ item #IN-57/9001 at Oriental Trading {use link for free shipping over $49}, these are the ones you see in almost every Tot School post…the ones we feature in Tot Trays.
Stacking Photo Cubes ~ We use ours with many fun Education Cubes printables!

The BIG Gift

Strider Bike ~ this would be awesome for age 2 and up {review here}
Plasma Car ~ I would suggest 3 and up for this, or a very physically able 2 year old, Ladybug is 2 1/2 and loves it but can’t ride it properly yet;-) {review here}
Bean Bag Chair ~ expensive but totally worth it, we use our 3 daily! {read our full review here}
Doll Furniture ~ I never would have guessed how much Ladybug would love her cradle, we are hoping to add the high chair to her collection! {review here}
Hideaway Kitchen ~ Last year L-bug got a plastic kitchen and yes she loves it, but we got this kitchen to review and we love it! It is so much “prettier” and has better storage. {review here}
Riding Toy ~ every tot needs a good ol obnoxious, noise making, plastic riding/push toy! We personally have a Mickey Mouse one that Krash loved and now Ladybug loves! Ladybug is 2.5 and still lays with the silly toy ALL the time!