When I think about the toys that bring the most joy in our household, they’re the ones that are memory makers and create fun rituals for us as a family—items that are always a pleasure to bring out and act as a catalyst for spending more time together. We’ve spent many a rainy day building elaborate marble runs, we’ve shared countless laughs role-playing chef and customer with our play kitchen, and we’ve created the best rituals reading memorable books in our cozy corner—always with warm mugs of milk in hand. Great gifts also have the ability to encourage independent play, which is especially helpful when I need to get through a laundry list of tasks around the house. In short, the right type of toys can help kids experience the world in new, exciting ways—and get lots of play over time.
My kids are 4 and 7 now, and there seems to be a birthday party every other week these days, which means along with grocery shopping and meal prepping, shopping for toys has become almost a weekly occurrence. Luckily, gift shopping is where I thrive (it’s part of my DNA as a shopping director), and throughout the years, I’ve tried, tested, and researched plenty of toys along the way—keeping a running Google Doc of some of my favorites that have made a lasting impression on my family and others.
When putting together this gift guide, I also tapped into the insightful and shopping-loving parents who work here at Who What Wear and collectively have kids of all ages. I asked them to share their absolute top toy recommendations that not only they highly recommend but get their kids’ stamp of approval too.
Below, you’ll find our gift guide for kids ages 1 through 5 that we hope will inspire you and take the stress out of gift shopping for the little ones in your life. (We’ll continue to have plenty more gift guides for various ages to come!)
Age 1
Hape
Pound & Tap Bench With Slide Out Xylophone
This quality wooden musical toy was a favorite of both of my kids from the ages of 1 to 3. They loved pushing the balls through the holes and exploring the different notes and sounds as they slid down the xylophone and then creating their own sounds with the wooden mallet. Also, it’s not overly loud (a bonus for us parents) and keeps them entertained for long periods.
Grimm’s Spiel & Holz
Wooden Rainbow Tunnel
My 4-year-old daughter still plays with this wooden rainbow that I gave her when she was 1, and I’m always surprised and impressed how creative she gets with it. She makes all sorts of fun shapes, creating worlds, bridges, boats, and playing with the colors. When she was younger, she loved stacking the arches. Don’t underestimate its simplicity!
Our Green House
Baby Books Gift Basket—Bookworm-to-Be
Baby books were one of my favorite things to receive as gifts, and there are way too many great ones to add to this full list. I love the idea of this book gift basket containing all the classics in one place. You can also personalize the gift basket with a child’s name as a cute added touch.
Woodtoe
Wooden Baby Walker
“I just got this cute wooden wagon/walker for my little one, as he’s starting to explore walking. I know there are a million versions of these push walkers, but this one is a little easier on the eyes, and he can put all his favorite objects in it. It also has a knob on it that allows you to adjust the speed so it doesn’t move too quickly for them at first. So far my son loves it!” — Amy Armani, Creative Director, FBH
Priddy Books US
First 100 Words
“Both of our children were obsessed with this book from ages 1 to 3, so it’s always our go-to as a gift. We loved that it was a padded board book so it was virtually indestructible.” — Jennifer Camp Forbes, Senior Shopping Editor
This wooden block-on-stick stacker has provided tons of engagement for my kids and family. I could see my son at age 1 figuring out what shape went where, and he would love to sort them by shapes and colors. My 4-year-old daughter still loves to play with it, stacking and using the blocks in the imaginary worlds she creates.
Boon
Bundle Building Bath Tub Toy with Pipes Cogs and Tubes
Bath time is always so much more fun with bath toys. My kids suction these onto the wall and create all different pathways for the water to flow through them. It encourages them to get creative, and they learn about cause and effect.
Jellycat
Amuseables Sardine Tin Plush Toy
“Jellycats are a hit for children of all ages. Nordstrom has a great selection right now (and there’s a fun new shop-in-shop in Chicago, FYI). You can’t go wrong with one of these.” — Bobby Schuessler, Shopping Director
Baby Einstein
Take Along Tunes Musical Toy
I used to take this with me everywhere I went—the stroller, the car, playdates—it would always be a great way to calm my son when he was upset and keep him entertained while we were running errands.
Manhattan Toy
Toy Winkel Rattle & Sensory Teether Toy
It’s a teether, it’s a rattle, and it’s fun to play with and throw around. This colorful and lightweight toy keeps the little ones entertained whether at home or on the go.
PlanToys
2-Piece Drum Set
This drum is amazing quality and is always so much fun to get out as a family and play with. Whether they’re 1 year old or 6 years old, I guarantee they won’t tire of it.
VTech
Drop and Go Dump Truck
My kids just loved this colorful dump truck. It’s not only a pull-along toy, but it also teaches basic counting and plays a variety of fun melodies and phrases (which I always got stuck in my head!) and teaches colors, shapes, and more.
Age 2
LeapFrog
Learning Friends 100 Words Book
This bilingual learning book introduces words in both English and Spanish, which I especially love coming from a bilingual family. It has exciting facts and sound effects and is a great way to learn new vocabulary.
tonies
Toniebox 2 Cloud Pink
“One of my favorite gifts to give children is the Toniebox or various Tonies if they already have the box. I actually gave my niece the box on her first birthday to listen to the different characters, and she loved it. It’s a great option because now I can add to her collection of Tonies for the upcoming holidays. The brand is launching a new interactive Toniebox 2 this fall that I also have my eye on. I know my daughter will adore it.” — Bobby Schuessler, Shopping Director
Crocs
Kids’ Classic Star Sparkle Shaker Clog
“Crocs make such a fun, playful gift for kids of any age. I especially love giving them to the little ones—there’s just something so cute about those tiny sizes. Plus, picking out charms that match their personality or interests makes it feel extra personal.” — Alexa Wiley VP, Creative, Who What Wear and Marie Claire
Melissa & Doug
Wooden Scoop and Serve Ice Cream
“This Melissa & Doug ice cream set has to be one of the most-played-with toys for both my kids plus of all the kids who’ve come for playdates. It’s a great way to do imaginative play (especially if you’re not feeling especially creative as a parent that day), plus a subtle way to teach math, colors, manners, etc. It can honestly be played with in different ways by all ages 1 to 5.” — Rachel Zeilic, VP, Influencer Marketing
Alice Schertle
Little Blue Truck Leads the Way Board Book
“This was one of the first books my son ever really took to, and he still wants to read it all the time. I think he actually has all the words memorized (or, according to him, “I can read it by myself.”). We now have a few more from the Little Blue Truck series. He loves all of them.” — Amy Armani, Creative Director
lovevery
The Helper Play Kit
Moms absolutely rave about the Montessori-based toy sets from Lovevery catered to kids ages 0 to 4. If you’re able to get a subscription, you won’t be disappointed. But you can also buy a single play kit from the site too, and I particularly love The Helper Play Kit, which is focused on 25 to 27 month olds. My daughter especially loved the sink and played endlessly with the water, cups, and plates—pretending to wash all the dishes like her mama!
LEGO
Duplo My First Number Train Toy
We are big Lego Duplo fans in my household, and this one is a great introductory set for toddlers. My daughter already loves trains, so this was the perfect pick for her. She stays entertained for hours and gets super imaginative with the figures it comes with. It’s a toy I always end up gravitating toward for birthday gifts as it’s playful, educational, and has universal appeal.
Melissa & Doug
Wooden Building Blocks, 100-Piece Set
One activity I could sit for hours and do with my kids? Build with wooden blocks. It keeps us all engaged and sparks our creativity and imagination. We’ve made everything from castles to playgrounds and schools.
Ms. Rachel
First Words Talking Flash Cards
“We actually started bringing this electronic flash card reader out with us, and my daughter absolutely loves it. Plus, it’s educational! It’s the perfect gift for any 1- to 2-year-old who adores Ms. Rachel.” — Bobby Schuessler, Shopping Director
Ooly
12 Mess Free Paint Sticks for Kids
I first saw these paint sticks at my daughter’s preschool and how much fun the kids had with them, so I immediately bought them for our home. They require no water, dry quickly, and are much less messy than traditional paints. This is a really great gift for all ages.
Tiny Land
7-in-1 Rainbow Climbing Set
“I love the brand Tiny Land for creative toys. My daughter loves to climb, and this set has her name written all over it.” — Bobby Schuessler, Shopping Director
Melissa & Doug
Dust! Sweep! Mop! 6pc Wooden Pretend Play Preschool Cleaning Set
Little kids love to emulate big people, and when my kids see me sweeping or dusting, they want to do it too! This well-made wooden cleaning set sparks imaginative fun as my kids sweep, mop, dust, and tidy up while learning independence, responsibility, and essential life skills.
LeapFrog
Ice Cream Cart With Accessories
This is one of the best gifts we received at Christmas when my daughter was 2 1/2 years old. She’s 4 now and we continue to have so much fun playing ice cream shop and role-playing characters. There’s a magic scooper and toppings to create tasty combinations as well as playful phrases introducing colors and numbers. We always bring it out when we have guests or play dates too.
Richard Scarry and Ole Risom
I Am a Bunny
This book is like an heirloom to me—both my kids absolutely adored it. Every time I see it, it brings back so many warm memories and joyful moments reading it together. The illustrations are beautiful and serene, with an appreciation for nature and the seasons. It’s such a pleasure to read. I don’t think I’ll ever get rid of it!
Age 3
MAGNA-TILES
Classic 32-Piece Magnetic Construction Set
“My son is 3 1/2 years old now, but the one toy he has loved since 2 and still plays with every single day is his Magna-Tiles. There are endless possibilities—it makes for such a great gift. I haven’t met a toddler yet who doesn’t love them! And, I’ll admit, it’s pretty fun for parents too. The sets can get pretty expensive (definitely a good gift idea for the grandparents that are dying to spoil them), but we also have a set of the Picasso Tiles, which are more affordable and work perfectly with the Magna-Tiles).” — Amy Armani, Creative Director
We are all absolutely obsessed with the Yoto Player at home, including my husband and me. We love it for the music—it has some great tunes! And we all love to listen to our favorite stories on it. We have the third generation Yoto, but we also adore the Yoto mini for its compact, travel-friendly design. It’s a screen-free audio player—best for kids ages 3 to 12. You simply pop in a Yoto card of your choice (there are tons of stories, music, and educational cards to choose from—whatever inspires them), and kids can listen and learn in a safe way—no microphone, no camera, no ads. We also love to listen to the Yoto Daily radio at breakfast time. I can’t rave about it enough!
Anna Llenas
The Color Monster
“This book gives kids the language and tools they need to understand and talk about their emotions. And visually, it’s one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever seen.” — Rachel Zeilic, VP, Influencer Marketing
Teamson
Little Chef Boston Wooden Pretend Play Kitchen Set
The play kitchen set is one of the most beloved items in our household. There are so many beautiful ones out there on the market, but this Teamson was ultimately the one I chose because of its reasonable price point, chic aesthetic, and sleek silhouette, which fit perfectly in our small space. It’s adorable. The number of times my son and daughter have cooked meals for me is unreal!
PlanToys
Assorted Fruit & Vegetable Play Set
I’m a sucker for wooden play food, which we stock up our play kitchen with. This fruit and vegetable set is beautiful quality and so fun because each piece can easily be “cut” in half, as they’re connected with Velcro.
Richard Scarry
Best Word Book Ever
“My son loves books, and while he loves to flip the pages quickly, this particular book keeps his attention for so long! It’s such a sweet and cute book that he’ll enjoy for a long time. We are big Richard Scarry fans.” — Natalia Sztyk, Creative Director
Gigglescape
Play Tent Blue
“My son received this play tent for his birthday, and he loves it. What is it about a tent or fort that makes kids just want to sit in there and read or play quietly? It was super easy to set up, it doesn’t take up a lot of space, and it comes with a little bag for when you want to put it away. It’s simple but makes for a magical little spot in the house.” — Alyson Boragno, Copy Chief
Playhiland Store
Pretend Play Kids Construction Kit
“This drill set is the only toy my son will play with every single day. He loves ‘working’ and ‘fixing things’ with his drill all around the house. My husband even gave him an old tool bag for him to store all his goodies. While he loves the drill and other things in the set, I think as he gets older, he’ll be able to use even more of the tools. So it’ll last for a while.” — Natalia Sztyk, Creative Director
Adam Rubin
Dragons Love Tacos
“My boys are 3 and 5, and they love the Dragons Love Tacos book along with anything else by the same author and illustrator. Something about the silliness of the stories is so entertaining to them. They’re some of the books they ask me to read the most often and the few they both agree on.” — Nicole Akhtarzad Eshaghpour, Editor at Large
Melissa & Doug
Melissa & Doug Stainless Steel Pots & Pans
“This stainless steel pots and pans set was a favorite with my two kiddos. They were excited to use something that looked like what Mom and Dad were actually using in the kitchen.” — Jennifer Camp Forbes, Senior Shopping Editor
Learning Resources
Pretend & Play Calculator Cash Register Toy
The kids really have fun with this interactive cash register. It combines play with education, helping children practice addition, subtraction, and money recognition while enjoying shopping and cashier play. It includes an easy-to-read calculator, and the large buttons make it easy for little hands.
Eco-Kids
Eco-Dough – Natural Play Dough 3 Pack
I love sensory toys, and this all-natural, nontoxic, soft and pliable dough is the best for keeping the kids (and me!) entertained. I particularly like that it’s scented with organic rosemary essential oil, giving it a much more pleasant smell than the average play dough.
Richard Scarry
Cars and Trucks and Things That Go
“Richard Scarry is a classic for a reason. My son is obsessed with this Cars and Trucks book. He never gets tired of trying to find Goldbug on every page! The books are so detailed and beautifully illustrated. I think we find new things to look at and talk about every single time we open it. Just pray they don’t pick those books out for bedtime, because you’ll be up till midnight! (Now I just turn 10 pages at a time so we can actually get through it in a reasonable amount of time.)” — Amy Armani, Creative Director
Age 4
Stomp Rocket
Launcher for Kids
“I love anything that gets kids outdoors, and for ages 4 to 5 and up, the Stomp Rocket has never failed me. My nieces and nephews on both sides of my family went crazy over it.” — Kat Collings, Editor in Chief
Lakeshore
Super-Fun Marble Run
“This marble run is super creative, and I love how you can build so many different marble routes. It’s really great for budding builders, ages 4 and over.” — Melissa Gilbert, Head of Industry, West Coast
crocodile creek
36-Piece Puzzle Mermaid Dreams
Someone gifted us this Crocodile Creek mermaid floor puzzle for my daughter’s third birthday, and now I’m completely hooked. Not only is it visually beautiful and a delight to put together, but the sturdy puzzle pieces are large in size, making it easier and more approachable for my 3-year-old to tackle. The quality of this puzzle is way above average!
Jory John and Pete Oswald
The Smart Cookie
We’re obsessed with all the John Jory/Pete Oswald series of books, but The Smart Cookie has to be my personal favorite. It’s filled with witty jokes, life lessons, an empowering plot, and delicious illustrations. There’s a reason it’s a New York Times best seller.
Kiddie Corner
Galaxyswing
“My son loves baseball, so this is fun for him to play and practice in our backyard. I love it because he can play solo, and I don’t always have to play pitcher.” — Melissa Gilbert, Head of Industry, West Coast
Melinda Long and David Shannon
How I Became a Pirate
“My son loves this book. He loves all the pirates and always likes to play pirates after we read it together.” — Melissa Gilbert, Head of Industry, West Coast
I don’t usually recommend very noisy toys, but if you can deal with the sound, this Hot Wheels set will definitely keep your kids entertained and excited. My husband and son collect Hot Wheels cars and love assembling this track together. There’s a thrill of seeing all the cars zoom around the tracks so fast.
Super Smalls
Hairstyle Hero Salon Kit
“I love Super Smalls! I just gave this salon kit to our 4-year-old neighbor, and she loved it.” — Bobby Schuessler, Shopping Director
Usborne
Wind-Up Plane Book
I was introduced to this interactive book at a friend’s house on a playdate, and my daughter couldn’t stop playing with it the entire time! Each part of the story is enlivened with the help of a wind-up plane and a sturdy track embedded in the thick card pages. It’s full of fun facts about planes and airports.
Age 5
Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart
Encyclopedia Prehistorica Dinosaurs
“Pretty much every kid I know has a dinosaur phase. If there’s a child in your life who is currently in that phase, this pop-up encyclopedia will blow their mind. Get them this book and watch their eyes light up every time you turn the page. It’s unlike any pop-up book I’ve seen before. It’s so intricate and beautiful and has so many things for kids (and adults, TBH) to explore. There are pop-ups within pop-ups and so many fun and interesting facts about dinosaurs. I would reserve this for kids 4 and up since it’s somewhat delicate, and from my experience, most pop-up books don’t make it through one read unscathed by a little toddler.” — Alyson Boragno, Copy Chief
Olliella
Kids Wheelie Suitcase
“If you want a gift that will please kids and parents alike, I adore these customized suitcases. Fill it with small treats and trinkets, and you’ve got a home-run present. I’ve found packing their very own suitcase to go somewhere (whether pretend or real) makes kids feel important. Plus, it’s so darling that their essential, must-pack items are often dolls and figurines.” — Kat Collings, Editor in Chief
masterbee
Children’s Camera Toy
We take our digital camera with us on walks, on our travels, on playdates, and use it on all the holidays. I just love seeing what out kids capture from their point of view. I bought this one for my son, and my daughter loves the rainbow unicorn design.
Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers
The Day the Crayons Quit
My husband and I enjoy reading this hilarious colorful picture book as much as our kids do. It’s a favorite on our bookshelf and seriously never gets old!
Retrospec
Beaumont Mini 16″ Kids’ Bike (4-6 Yrs)
Retrospec’s Beaumont Mini Bike has been the perfect ride to build our kiddos’ confidence on wheels. Replete with steel training wheels and an easy-to-mount frame, it’s also utterly adorable with a classic woven basket to store snacks and a retro-cool silhouette (that comes in four chic colors).
Lite Brite
Classic, Favorite Retro Toy
This classic toy is a hit in our household and has proved to be the perfect affordable gift that everyone loves to receive. The glowing pegs in different colors light up, and you can create beautiful art and displays on the board, sparking creativity.
There’s something so calming and soothing about this book that I’ll almost always read it right before lights out to get us into a sleepy, calm state of mind. It’s delightful.
Waboba
The Original Moon Ball – Hyper Bouncy Ball
My son is in a “how high can I bounce every ball we own” phase, and the Moon Ball of course, always goes the highest. I’ll be honest, it’s super fun for me to play with too.
Such a great gift idea for anyone in the range of 3 to 12 years old. These walkie-talkies make playtime so exciting and fun. You can use this indoors or outdoors and its sound quality is better than most others I’ve tried in the past.
