In a previous post I said that the key (or one of the keys) to saving money during the holidays was to start your holiday shopping early. You can read that post here. If you haven’t started shopping, don’t worry. There are still some great deals out there. And well, if worse comes to worst you can always save some money throughout the year to make up for it.
And if you haven’t started shopping because you have no idea what to get your little ones, or are just looking for ideas on what to gift other toddlers, you’ve come to the right place. Today I am sharing a list of toys that will be sure to lighten up your little one’s day. Some are already favorites in our home while others my little one has shown interest in and may be coming to him in December.
To make it even better, none of these toys go over $50!!
This page contains affiliate links, via Amazon, for which I receive a very small amount of compensation. However, all views and opinions are 100% my own.
Outdoor Play
World of Eric Carle, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Garden Tool Set ($19.99) / Little Tike’s Gas N’ Go Mower ($21.24) / Step2 Crabbie Sand Table ($31.99)
My little one has loved rakes and “doing the yard” since before he could walk. He had a plastic rake that unfortunately grandma stepped on and broke, so we definitely want to get him a new set of gardening tools for him to help dad with. He also loves his lawn mower, which he mainly uses to mow the “grass” in the living room (there isn’t grass lol). He also loves sand and this sand table would be something I’m sure he would have a lot of fun with. I would recommend just a sand table as opposed to a sand/water table combo for the smaller ones since I’m sure the later will be a definite mess.
Imaginative Play
Orbrium Toys Wooden Train Set ($29.99)/ Fisher Price Little People City Skyway ($19.99) / Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Bath Tub Adventures ($12.93)
Little train sets and pretend cities are great ways to build on your little one’s imagination. My little one has a train set that he loves to destroy after I put together, but I’m sure he will enjoy more in the next couple of months. The City Skyway is already a favorite in our home. He loves to push the cars down and making “vroom vroom” noises. Definitely a good way to keep him engaged. My little one loves baths but having bath toys helps for those times that he just isn’t in the mood or for those other little ones who really just hate the water.
Educational
VTech Sit To Stand Ultimate Alphabet Train ($39.82)/ Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Laptop ($19.99)/ Pout Pout Fish ($5.79)/ Little Blue Truck ($6.74)
My little one was just gifted the alphabet train and it is super fun and teaches the abc’s numbers, and weather. Books will always be great gifts, these are two of our favorites and you can check out more favorites here. Remember that at this young age you have to make teaching fun, cute little toys like this laptop are definitely a great idea to engage your little one in educative play.
Etc.
Little Tikes Pop Tune Guitar ($11.50) / Little Tikes First Slide ($29.39)
My husband recently bought an acoustic guitar and its all Nick wants to do. Of course its off limits to him so I thought it would be great to get him his own little guitar so he can “jam” with dad. Its a great way to create a bond between the two and to expose our little one to music and fine arts in general. He also loves the outdoors and the park. I was lucky enough to score al almost new Step2 Slide for less than $10 at a local yard sale a few weeks back. That one is originally over $100. A cheaper alternative is the Little Tikes one, the only drawback is that its somewhat smaller than the Step2 one. Nonetheless, it will get the job done. If you have enough space you can even have it indoors for those rainy/snowy/windy days so your little one can keep entertained in the comfort of your own home.
Are any of these favorites in your home or are there any alternatives you recommend? Leave a comment below with some recommendations for us.
XOXO- L.
We love our Vtech Alphabet Train! We’ve had it since my son’s first birthday in April and it’s STILL one of his favorite toys.
Ash that’s great to hear. I often cringe at the thought that he gets an expensive new toy and will only like it for a while. The train is super fun and keeps us both entertained I think lol.
This is a wonderful list! My son got that Alphabet train 2 years ago and it is still a hit at my house!! I think this year I will buy my youngest the Daniel Tiger tub toys. He loves that show!
Dominique, I think my brother in law did amazing with the train gift, you’re the second person to rave about it. I will definitely let him know haha. I really want the tub toys but since we are in a drought here Im unsure if he will use them much (we can’t take baths lol only showers). I look forward to seeing how much your little one loves the tub toys.
This is a great list! I have a little girl, but I can totally see her playing with all of these as well. <3
Ana that is awesome! I literally have zero little girls around so I wasn’t sure what they would or would not like lol. Btw your little one is adorable!