When it comes to buying holiday gifts for children, there are few more rewarding ages to be buying for than toddlers. Toddlers are full of energy, full of enthusiasm and full of curiosity. They will welcome any toy and give it a chance, but if it doesn’t engage with them then it will quickly be discarded! When buying gifts for toddlers, it’s important to remember that toddlers are at an age whereby they want to push their limits. They are exploring the world around them, and exploring their own capabilities. If you cater to this need for exploration, you will never go far wrong with your holiday gifts! Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Ride Ons

The joy of a ride on toy is that, despite what stage of development a toddler is at, it can still offer tremendous fun and rewarding playtime. When considering a ride on toy, you should always look for one that is well balanced and sturdy. Consider the interests of the toddler and try and choose an appropriate style of ride on toy. If in doubt, go for something with a trailer or a space under the seat for storing other toys.

Books

When considering gift ideas, no matter what age of child or what time of year, books are never a bad idea. A love of reading needs to be cultivated at a young age, and by offering engaging and fun stories to toddlers, you can instil within them a love of books. Always consider whether the book you are buying is age appropriate. If it’s too simple, the child won’t be challenged. If it’s too difficult, the child will not be interested.

Arts & Crafts

Toddlers are explorers, and anything that allows them to be creative is always a good idea. Arts & crafts don’t have to be expensive or particularly distinctive – a coloring book and a box of crayons would suffice. The idea is to encourage the toddler to use their imagination and be creative with their play. Older toddlers might be able to handle more advanced toys or projects, but for young toddlers, something as simple as finger painting can be a wonderfully positive experience.

Puzzles

The world is one big puzzle to a toddler, so it’s no surprise that puzzles should be considered a suitable holiday gift. Puzzles help children learn for themselves, and encourage various skills from critical thinking to hand eye co-ordination. Children enjoy puzzles once they have a chance at working out the solution, so always make sure you aren’t making the task too difficult, but aside from that, the more puzzles the better!