Minimalist Holiday Gift Guide for Babies and Toddlers

Babies and toddlers grow so fast and go through countless stages of cognitive and physical development—so much so that sometimes it’s hard to keep up! Thankfully, the Play Kits subscription from Lovevery are there for every stage (and every playtime). Each month, your little one will receive a box of toys chosen specifically for their current developmental stage (calculated by their age when you sign up) to help them develop skills like hand-eye coordination, gross and fine motor skills and object permanence.

There’s something uniquely irresistible about popping the five silicone bubbles of the Dimpl in and out, in and out, and in and out yet again. It’s a great toy both for at home and on the go and it’s a fun multisensory experience that will also help your little one develop their fine motor skills.

A stacking toy is a time-tested favorite to help build hand-eye coordination and sorting skills, and this version from Lamaze adds the extra fun of soft textures to stimulate baby’s tactile exploration and make it easier for little hands to grip.

One of the best gifts for minimalists is one that’s versatile and can be used for years. Enter the Joovy Tricycoo 4.1 Trike, which transforms from a 3-point harness seat with a stroller-like push handle for adults to a pedal-powered trike that’s perfect for toddlers on the go, meaning it can be used from when baby is 10 months old all the way until they reach 44 pounds. With an adjustable seat, sun canopy, rear storage bucket and even a cup holder, it’s got everything to last you and kiddo for years of fun.

The soft, huggable creations from Cuddle + Kind make great plush friends for any baby or toddler. Not only are they cute and made from 100% cotton, they’re handmade in Peru using sustainable, fair-trade practices. And as a special bonus (that feels especially good during the holiday season) Cuddle + Kind gives 10 meals to children in need every time someone purchases one of their knit mermaids or animals.

Teething isn’t so fun, but this teether sure is. It’s made from food-grade silicone and features nubby textures on both sides that are soothing for sore gums. The beaded clip lets you attach it to your little one’s clothing so it won’t get dirty when they drop it (which they will). If bubble tea isn’t your thing, there are lots of other adorable choices like avocado, a llama and more.

A light, portable travel crib makes sleeping away from home so much easier. The Babybjorn Travel Crib Light is remarkably lightweight (13 pounds), easy to set up and break down, designed to fit within any airline baggage space and includes a comfortable mattress. This dark green color is a Babylist exclusive that you’ll only find here.

If your little one is getting ready to start solids, this silicone feeding set is a holiday wish-list must-have. The mat is a bowl + place mat all rolled into one that suctions to the table or high chair tray to keep messes in check (and keep food where it’s supposed to be). The Tiny Cup and Tiny Spoon are specially designed to encourage eating and drinking independence and everything is dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.

More versatile gift ideas, please! This swing/rocker combo offers two options for soothing a fussy baby: 1) a multidirectional swing that can operate front-to-back or side-to-side and features a three-position reclining seat, vibration and speed control, and 2) a portable rocker with carry handles so you can keep baby soothed in any room of the house without having to transport the entire (fairly heavy) swing.

Some of our favorites of all time, Hanna Andersson’s classic PJs check all the boxes when it comes to baby clothes. These organic cotton zip-up sleepers are soft, wash beautifully and feature ready-to-grow cuffs that keep them fitting through several growth spurts. There are so many winter and holiday patterns to choose from that picking your favorite may take a while!

Everyone should be told this on a daily basis, and it’s a perfect positive affirmation to start with your little one. And even though babies can’t read what’s on their clothes, the sentiment is still loud and proud for others to see.

You can never have too many zippered footies. They’re soft and comfy, easy on and off and perfect for day or night. These thoughtfully designed organic footies from Goumi Kids are a bit of a holiday splurge but will get a ton of use. We love the two-way zipper, integrated bum flaps for easy diaper changes and the knee reinforcements for older babies on the go.

Setting aside how cute your baby will look in this cozy fleece bear suit (hint: pretty darn cute), this one-piece pram is just right for keeping your little one snug and cozy from head to toe when temperatures dip. The outside is made from Sherpa fleece and the inside is fully lined with 100% soft cotton. There are built-in mittens and a magnetic closure up top to make it easy to get on and off.

And speaking of keeping warm…we can’t forget those tiny toes. Zutano booties are an all-time favorite thanks to the fact that they actually stay put on babies’ feet. (Not the case for lots of other booties, trust us.) This sherpa fleece version offers extra warmth and comfort for chilly days and nights.

Okay, so maybe this is actually five books, but we’ll count it as just one gift because it’s a bundle—and who’s going to get nit-picky about encouraging a child’s love of reading? Whether you’re using the holidays to kickstart your little one’s library or you’re adding to well-loved bookshelves, we’ve done the curating for you with this bundle of five baby books adored by Babylist parents (and us!), including Goodnight Moon, See, Touch, Feel: ABC, First 100 Words, Brown Bear, Brown Bear and If You Were Spaghetti.

Looking to pair baby’s reading with the season? This classic pick is one of the most-loved stories about winter for little ones, as it sets the mood for wintertime with simple words and high-contrast images of a city blanketed in fresh snow. As one little boy explores, everything is quiet and serene.

Empower even the youngest readers to change the world. This board book offers nine child-friendly steps for building a more equitable world through thoughtful text and bold art.

Slumberkins is the brainchild of two moms—a child therapist and an educator. Each lovey is paired with an illustrated board book that promotes positive life skills. There are twelve animal + story pairs to choose from so it’s easy to find a favorite to snuggle all year long.