Gifts For Grandkids: 50+ Tot-Tested Favorites
Are you a grandparent looking for a holiday gift for your grandkids? In this gift guide, we review our best gift ideas for babies, toddlers and big kids!
One of the earliest memories I have is when my grandfather gave me a play tool set when I was four. He was always tinkering in his workshop and I remember being desperate to emulate him. As I got older, he eventually gave me real tools and would let me nail pieces of wood together. Once my project was complete, he’d look in awe as I proudly explained how my creation could do so many things.
At the time I just thought I was having fun. Looking back I now realize my grandfather’s play-based learning sessions helped hone my hand-eye coordination, expanded my vocabulary, built confidence and solidified our relationship.
If you’re a grandparent looking for toys that are going to spark imaginative play, strengthen your bond with your grandkids and help them develop physically and emotionally, you’ve come to the right place!
In this gift guide, we’ll go over:
- Chemicals to avoid in kids’ toys
- Gift ideas for grandbabies
- Gift ideas for grandkids
Scroll down to learn more!
Materials & chemicals to avoid in toys
At The Tot, we never use or recommend anything that hasn’t passed The Tot Test. This means we’ve looked deep into third-party testing, examined ingredients lists and asked in depth questions about a product’s composition to ensure it’s free of the chemicals we avoid.
When it comes to kids’ toys, we like to steer clear of the below chemicals because they are all known to cause both short and longterm health problems.
- Bisphenols BPA + BPS
- Formaldehyde
- PVC
- Lead & other heavy metals
- VOCs
- Pesticides
Click here to read the full list of chemicals we avoid and why.
Gift ideas for grandbabies
Plush Cuddle Buddy
If you’re shopping for a newborn or someone who loves toting around a special friend, you can’t go wrong with a plush toy.
Fun to cuddle or use in a game of imaginative play, we love the below options from Louelle, Cuddoll and Cuddle + Kind.
Louelle Bunny – Gold Spot
$49
Cuddoll – Louis the Lion
$62
Cuddle & Kind Penelope the Flamingo
$86
Dolls
Want a plush cuddle toy that will really bring all the feelings? Exclusively available at The Tot, Cuddoll will make a doll to match your favorite mini! While the adorable Alimrose Matilda doll and matching sleeping bag will provide plenty of opportunities for imaginative play, and make for a comforting companion.
Cuddoll Personalized Look-A-Like Doll
$129
EXCLUSIVE
Alimrose Matilda + Sleeping Bag Set
$44
Activity Gym
Play and climbing gyms are one of the best ways for babies to reach important developmental milestones like reaching, batting, grasping, shaking and, of course, climbing!
The Lily & River Birch Wood Pikler-style Climber is designed to be used from 6 months to 5 years, making it a gift option that will be used for years!
The Lovevery Play Gym is suitable from birth and complete with 12 months of activities. Once your grandbaby gets older, it transitions into a play tent!
The Wiwiurka Climbing Furniture Combo features a Pikler-style triangle and a smaller climbing arch and will provide many opportunities for climbing, sliding and balancing.
Lily & River Birch Climber
Ranging from $369.95 to $578.95
EXCLUSIVE
Available in more colors and bamboo
Lovevery Play Gym
$140
Wiwiurka Climbing Furniture Combo
$750
Rockers, Walkers & Ride Ons
The benefits of rockers, walkers and ride ons are numerous, which is why we highly recommend gifts like the Wishbone Penguin 3-in-1 Bike, Wonder & Wise Baby Activity Walker, Bajo Baby Walker, Tender Leaf Toys Running Rabbit Ride-On and the Baghera Speedster Fireman.
All designed to help strengthen leg and core muscles, they encourage the development of gross motor skills, critical thinking and of course, imaginative play.
Wishbone Penguin 3-in-1 Bike
$269.99
Wonder & Wise Activity Walker
$99
Bajo Baby Walker
$175
EXCLUSIVE
Tender Leaf Toys Running Rabbit Ride On
$129.99
Baghera Speedster – Plane
$210
Scoot & Ride Highway Kick 1
$125
Available in more colors
Toki Play Mats
Toki Mats provide a large, cushioned space for babies to love tummy time and safely perform milestone exercises like rolling, sitting and standing. The covers are available in natural cotton or in waterproof versions made of bamboo jersey.
Toki Mats Arches Play Mat with Classic Insert
$165 – $275
Available in two sizes
Toki Mats Rainbow Stamp Play Mat with Classic Insert – Mega
$275
Available in another size
Balu Organics
Recommended for babies and kids 7 months and up, Balu Organics indoor ball pits can first be used as a soft place for tummy time, a safe place to master sitting up and then of course, as a ball pit well into toddler years!
Balu Organics Large Premium Ball Pit – Grey
$289
EXCLUSIVE
Available in more colors and sizes
Swurfer Kiwi Baby Swing
Swurfer Kiwi Baby Swing
$99.99
Available in more colors
Gift ideas for grandkids
Active Play Toys
We all know that once kids can walk confidently, they’re on-the-move!
As lovers of active play, we suggest gifting things like a balance bike, pedal bike, scooter, swing or balance board.
Tokyobike Paddle Balance Bike
$190
Available in more colors
Little Tokyobike
$315
Available in more colors
Scoot & Ride Highway Kick 1
$125
Available in more colors
Swurfer Stand Up Surfing Swing
$129.99
Wobbel – The Original
$159
Banwood Bikes First Go! Balance Bike
$189
Micro Kickboard Mini 3-in-1- Deluxe
$119.99
Role Play Toys
Wooden toys like tool sets, doctor kits and personal care items are a must-have for imaginative play. They’re also a great way to encourage dialogue between you and your grandchildren.
Tender Leaf Toys Tool Bench
$149.99
Make Me Iconic Doctor Kit
$64.99
Make Me Iconic Beauty Kit
$69.99
Janod Toys Cleaning Set
$38.99
Play Kitchen & Food Toys
The Milton & Goose Play Kitchen and play food sets inspires kids to expand their vocabularies, gain important life skills and develop healthy eating habits.
Made in the USA from wood and non-toxic paint, they are the type of heirloom gift that lasts from one generation to the next.
Milton & Goose Essential Play Kitchen w/ Hood – White
$798
Available in more colors and configurations
Milton & Goose Fridge – White
$449
Available in more colors
Milton & Goose Dairy Play Food Set
$48
Milton & Goose Veggies Play Food Set
$58
Milton & Goose Pantry Play Food Set
$48
Trains & Automobiles
Shopping for someone who loves assembling sets or diagnosing an engine issue? Toys like the intricate Guidecraft Train Set and PlanToys Motor Mechanic are the perfect challenge!
Tender Leaf Toys Mountain View Train Set
$299.99
Available in more sizes
Guidecraft Foundation Train Set
$129
PlanToys Motor Mechanic
$300
Luke’s Toy Factory Educational Truck 4-Pack
$69.95
Guidecraft Big Tow Truck
$99.95
PlanToys Ramp Racer
$60
Dolls & Dollhouses
Dolls and dollhouses provide children with the opportunity to practice fine motor skills, create storylines, develop characters and expand their imaginations.
Alimrose Penelope Princess
$60
EcoBaby Dolls – Brooke
$79.99
EXCLUSIVE
Tiny Harlow Standard Bassinet
$149
EXCLUSIVE
Wonder & Wise Dreamy Doll High Chair
$79
Poppie Toys Rattan Doll Daybed
$109
Available in more colors
Ellie & Becks Aria Doll Rattan Changing Table
$219
EXCLUSIVE
Olli Ella Strolley
$149.90
Available in more colors
Grove Wooden Dollhouse Furniture
$79.99
EXCLUSIVE
Tender Leaf Toys Fantail Hall
$409.99
Playroom Additions
Whether it’s in the playroom (or bedroom or living room!) these stylish and fun furniture options will transform any space into a magical place made for play time.
Babyletto Tally Storage Book Shelf
$249
Babyletto Presto Acrylic Bookcase Cart
$349
Lily & River Little Creator Table
$299.95
Ellie & Becks Rainbow Rattan Kids Chair
$219
Nico & Yeye Kitty Kids Chair Set of 2 – Maple
$259
Franklin & Emily Chair – Ash
$450
EXCLUSIVE
Available in more colors
Continue exploring
- Want to find even more gift ideas for grandkids? Visit The Tot Holiday Toy Shop to browse our entire range.
- What we’re reading: Tips For Staying Connected With Your Grandkids During Social Distancing
