gift ideas for kids!

Publications are always announcing “THE HOT TOYS OF 2025!!!” this time of year, and I am here to say — screw that! I don’t want to hear about new toys that haven’t been vetted yet! So here are our tried-and-true gifts that have served our children well from 2019 to 2025. The gifts that have staying power and haven’t wound up broken, in the trash, or donated. The things I’ve gone on to gift to other kids because my four boys (ages 4 months through almost 7 years old) love them so much!

When you give a gift to a baby, you’re really just giving a gift to that baby’s parents, that they can utilize on the baby, ya know? So make it something that the parent will be excited to receive! Here are some faves that I’ve loved receiving and have gifted many times.

1. My children and I are equally obsessed with Lovevery’s play kits, aka their age-specific, developmentally appropriate toy sets. Their toys are made with baby-safe materials and are built to last — Tavish is now starting to play with the Lovevery toys we got Calum when he was a baby! You could gift a baby a one-off play kit or choose a subscription so that a new kit arrives every other month (you can cancel at any time). I suggest a Lovevery subscription to all new parents who are starting a toy collection from scratch!

2. A very special, hand-painted piggy bank from a female-founded company in Kentucky! Tavish received one of these and I treasure it. He will, too, someday! Personalized piggies have an eight-week lead time, so you might have to gift a wrapped-up photo of it and tell them it’s on the way.

3. I love gifting these super-soft, beautiful monogrammed pillows to new babies as pretty nursery decor (and for later use), or to toddlers who are actually starting to sleep with a pillow.

4. Oso & Me personalized baby-stuff bags! I keep mine packed with diapers and wipes and throw it into whatever bag I’m already using. No diaper bag for me. Use code OSOCARO15 for 15% off.

5. This Petal the Label pointelle set is my favorite baby outfit of all time. It’s so precious, easy to put on, and the hat makes them look like a little woodland elf — ideal. It’s a mom-founded company! Use code CARO10 for 10% off.

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