I’d been saying for years that I always wanted to create a birthday gift guide for every kids’ age, and last year we did it! We put together a guide from age 1-18 with a handful of gifts for their big day. It’s a popular gift guide, so I wanted to expand it this year, and make it a little easier to shop by age category. Some gifts are great for a whole age range, not just one year. The best ones are!
So what was my criteria for this babies & toddlers gift guide? Well, of course I’m drawn to gifts that are aesthetic as well as fun. Sure, every kid needs some bright & loud toys too, but this is not that guide. This guide is for the parent who will thank you for thinking of their decor and the need for some calm amidst the overstimulation. I hope these are the gifts that are so beautiful they will be in photos of their milestone moments. I created this gift guide for you, since I wish someone had done this for me!
Tricycle $199
This bike is just too precious. You know me and that green color are *heart eyes*! Plus, peep the details of the wood pedals and faux leather seat. It even comes with the cute wicker basket for all of the treasures a toddler will find “on the road.”
Mini Trampoline $160
Every kid who sees this immediately goes crazy for it! Gathre is a really great company that’s centered on simplicity in design and making children’s products more beautiful for everyday moments. Parents will love that it helps get some energy out!
Rattan Tea Set $52
Ohh, this set is a treasure! I could see it fitting perfectly into any playroom or as fun decor on a nursery dresser until baby gets big enough for tea time imaginative play.
Warmies Heated Plushie $29
This sweet kitty is a weighted plushie with natural grains and French lavender inside as a natural stress reliever. Plus it is microwavable for those times when their little love needs some extra TLC.
P.S. Did you know almost all calico cats are female? Fun fact!
Adidas Bubblecomfy Sneakers $35
I can’t get over the cuteness. These baby-sized tennis shoes are not just adorable, they’re comfortable too. Fun for an outing when the parents want to cover their baby’s little feet (and show off some sporty style).
Xylophone $20
A baby-sized xylophone is so nostalgic and won’t make adult ears bleed. Kids love swinging those chubby little arms to make a fun sound. And these colors?! No notes. Snag this Hearth & Hand with Magnolia toy for instant auntie points.
Toy Shopping Cart $52
Toddlers love to mimic their trusted grown-ups, and this little toy shopping cart from trusted brand Melissa & Doug will be the HIT of any party. Bonus: Its sturdy metal frame means it’ll hold up to the hard-knock years too.
Silicone Plates $26
These silicone baby and toddler plates have a suction cup on the bottom to keep them secure, and cute partitions in the shape of animals and a paw print. They’re dishwasher safe and easy to clean. Comes with all four in the set at this great price!
Play Table $239
We worked with Pottery Barn Kids to design this little play table with turned wood legs that feel so vintage in the best way. I wish I had one of these for my girls when they were little! The nostalgic style is just the beginning—this play table is super sturdy and ready for tea time or coloring books.
Stepping Stones $35
Learning about gravity is an inevitable part of the toddler experience, but once they get their legs under them, they want to do ALL the things. Climb, jump, balance…these stepping stones are perfect for DIY fun, and they stack up into a cute little shape at the end for easy storage.
Mailbox Activity Set $13
I’ve found that young kids love to help with mail. Getting the mail, putting stamps on letters. It’s an easy way to make them feel important. And how sweet will it be when they have their own little mailbox to customize for their room or playhouse? And letters to Santa? I’m melting…
Pull Behind Sorting Toy $49
This pull-along bunny bus toy has the sweetest little figure and doubles as an extra-fun activity for sorting blocks too! Just another beautifully simple way to develop those motor skills.
Play Cleaning Set $29
There was a whole craze several years ago when parents were spray painting their kids’ retro-looking cleaning sets to more “agreeable” tones. Well, this set takes the DIY load off (and gives it back to mom and dad for more feet-up time). I think any caregiver would love this set—who doesn’t want help cleaning the house alongside the cutest little kid?!
Block Playset $500
This jumbo block playset is big enough for toddlers to create their own mini tumbling gym. If a rainy day has you cooped up inside, I can’t think of a better way to pass a couple hours than watching young kids plan out intricate games and obstacle courses. Made from 100% vegan leather with a cushy, solid foam interior for soft landings!
Mini Chef Foldable Helper Tower $239
Mama’s little helper just got upgraded from the kitchen chair! This safer option allows kids to be the “sous chef” for culinary adventures in the kitchen. They’ll love adding toppings, stirring bowls, or taste testing next to their favorite grown-up.
Tissue Box Toy $15
Play silk scarves are such a creative form of play for the youngest cohort. This soft-sided tissue box combines motor skills with storage in one cute little package! Lift-a-flap sides add to the activity enrichment.
Excavator Set $40
I haven’t met a child who doesn’t love to play with digging toys! This realistic CAT construction mini set has everything your little one needs to have fun in the sandbox or playroom. These are built to last through tough play!
TonieBox Audio Player $99
This is one of my go-to gifts for new parents—it can buy a little bit of “you time” without any screens attached! I canvassed a couple of the parents on the team who have younger kids to get their favorite Tonie audio characters: they picked Thomas the Train for calming stories and Paw Patrol for a little more action-packed fun (you can’t go wrong with a Disney princess either). There are plenty of options to add on to your collection, and the best part is that it’s easy for little kids to swap them out.
Jellycat Kitten $21
This little kitten is just the softest ever, and the perfect size for those little baby arms. Jellycat is one of my favorite brands to gift for babies—they have the softest, most cuddly lovies in so many sweet animal forms.
Spinner Suction Cup Toys $12
This is such a simple, yet knockout baby gift. You just suction these to a surface—could be a tall window or a bathtub—and let the baby spin to their heart’s content.
Nike Baby Socks $15
I mean, they’re automatically the coolest baby on the block with these socks. Since babies keep socks on better than shoes, these will be a slam dunk (see what I did there…).
Bunny Plush Baby Doll $39
Isn’t it so cute that babies love to take care of other babies? This little Cozy Dinkum doll has the softness of a plushie, and the sweet face of a sleeping bébé in the little bunny suit. This will be tucked under their little arm from sun-up to sundown.
Jumbo Bouncy Ball (set of 2) $15
At the end of the day, the best gift award is almost always just a simple ball. This extra-large bouncy ball is a great size for kids to kick, push, or roll in the backyard for hours, and I mean hours, of entertainment. The marbleized effect takes the aesthetic up a notch!
Balance Bike $69
A balance bike is an incredible stepping stone to a pedal bike. It actually can make it much easier for your kid to learn to ride someday! I am always so impressed how quickly kids pick the balance bike up and start cruising around the house or driveway. Also great to bring along for walks with the family on a paved path!
Art Easel $74
This is a great art easel stand to give a toddler that feeling of independence and empower their creative streak. Plus it makes for an easy art display when they’re done with their mini masterpieces!
Anywhere Chair $199
One of the most popular kids’ items around is the iconic little reading chair. This one is from our Chris Loves Julia + Pottery Barn Kids collection, and I designed the stripe to be the perfect shades of blue and cream so it works for little boys or little girls! You can personalize it so it feels even more special as a birthday present, or leave as is so it can be passed down with any future siblings.
Monchhichi Costume Plushie $34
These plushies have become super popular, and I love their retro feel! It combines the classic, beloved Monchhichi design—known for its cute monkey-like features, soft body, and iconic thumb-sucking pose—with charming and soft costumes made for snuggling.
Personalized Keepsake Box $69
A timeless treasure for baby’s firsts. Personalize it with their baby’s name for a thoughtful gift that becomes an heirloom—perfect for holding tiny mementos and big memories.
Coloring Playhouse $34
A friend was gifted one of these when she was working from home while her twin toddlers were out sick from preschool and said it “saved her” once they had some energy back. It’s super easy to put together and 3-feet tall for lifelike playtime! Older siblings love to jump in and help on this one. Creative play at its finest!
Ride On Car $139
Not going to lie, I think this ride-on car has more features than my first real car! Styled in the form of a Jaguar sports car, this ride has two modes: an independent kid driving mode and a remote control mode (for parental control). With working lights and a horn and two working doors, it looks and feels like the real deal. It even has seat belts for extra peace of mind for those little road racers!
Customized Busy Board $18
These personalized puzzles on Etsy make the best gifts—mom & dad will love the thought you put into it, and kids will love this early introduction to their name! You can even have the busy board engraved with a birthday message on the back, so it’s a keepsake for their collection.
First Year Frame $129
This is one of my favorite pieces from our newest Chris Loves Julia + Pottery Barn Kids collection. Parents love to take those monthly milestone photos to share on social media, but you know I’m a big proponent of printing photos out and framing them too! The beaded trim and sweet frame shape make this such a precious gift—plus you can personalize it too. Will it make the parents cry? Yes. Is it worth it? Also yes.
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