Gifts For Grandkids – Tot Guide
Are you a grandparent looking for a Christmas, Hanukkah, Birthday or Just-Because gift for your grandkids? In this gift guide, we go over the chemicals to avoid in kids products as well our best gift ideas for babies, toddlers and big kids!
One of the strongest and 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 unable-to-be-defined-creation could do so many things.
At the time I just thought I was having fun. Looking back I now realize his little play-based learning sessions resulted in me honing my hand-eye coordination, expanding my vocabulary, building my confidence and solidifying a relationship.
If you’re a grandparent looking for toys that are going to spark imaginative play, tighten 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 newbie 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
$60
Cuddoll Personalized Look-A-Like Doll
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!
Cuddoll Personalized Look-A-Like Doll
$129
EXCLUSIVE
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!
Lily & River Birch Climber
Ranging from $350 to $533.95
EXCLUSIVE
Available in more colors and bamboo
Lovevery Play Gym
$140
Rockers, Walkers & Ride Ons
The benefits of rockers, walkers and ride ons are numerous, which is why we highly recommend gifts like the Poppie Toys Poppie Rocking Horse, 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.
Poppie Toys Rocking Horse
$159
Wonder & Wise Activity Walker
$89
Bajo Baby Walker
$175
EXCLUSIVE
Tender Leaf Toys Running Rabbit Ride On
$120
Baghera Speedster – Fireman
$175
Scoot & Ride Highway Kick 1
$120
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 Olive Branch Play Mat with Organic Insert
$195 – $305
Toki Mats Avocado Play Mat with Organic Insert – Mega
$275
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
Toy Gift Sets for 0 – 2 Years
To make gifting even easier, we put our heads together to create The Tot Stocking Stuffer Gift Sets.
The sets below are specifically designed for 0 to 2 year olds and include toys like wooden musical instruments, stacking rings, rainbows and cups, books, bath toys and push & pull toys.
The Tot Stocking Stuffer Gift Set 0 – 2 Years
$200
EXCLUSIVE
The Tot Stocking Stuffer Gift Set 0 – 2 Years
$100
EXCLUSIVE
The Tot Stocking Stuffer Gift Set 0 – 2 Years
$100
EXCLUSIVE
The Tot Stocking Stuffer Gift Set 0 – 2 Years
$50
EXCLUSIVE
Gift ideas for grandkids
Active Play Toys
We all know that once kids can walk confidently, they’re the definition of 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 3
$99
Available in more colors
Swurfer Stand Up Surfing Swing
$129.99
Wobbel – The Original
$149
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.
Small Foot Nordic Premium Workbench
$109.99
Make Me Iconic Doctor Kit
$64.99
Make Me Iconic Beauty Kit
$69.99
Janod Toys Shaving Set
$30.99
Play Kitchen & Food Toys
The Milton & Goose Play Kitchen and play food sets allow 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 gets played with by generation after generation.
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
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!
Guidecraft Foundation Train Set C
$349.95
Available in more sizes
Tender Leaf Toys Wild Pines Train Set
$99.99
PlanToys Motor Mechanic
$300
Guidecraft Big Dump Truck
$99.95
Dolls + Dollhouses
Dolls and dollhouses are provide children with the opportunity to hone fine motor skills, create storylines, develop characters and ultimately discover their sense of self.
Fun to play with independently or with friends, they’re also great for conflict resolution.
Alimrose Penelope Princess
$60
EcoBaby Dolls – Brooke
$69.99
EXCLUSIVE
Poppie Toys Rattan Doll Crib
$98
Poppie Toys Rattan Doll High Chair
$95
Make Me Iconic Doll Accessories Kit
$79.99
Maquette Kids Clock Gable Dollhouse
$180
Tender Leaf Toys Cottontail Cottage
$150
Tender Leaf Toys Foxtail Villa
$235
Tender Leaf Toys Fantail Hall
$399.99
Toy Gift Sets for 3 to 5 year olds
Curated with kids age 3 to 5 in mind, these stocking stuffer gift sets included things like non-toxic play dough, stickers, plush toys, musical toys, stacking rainbows, sidewalk chalk, toy cars and more!
The Tot Stocking Stuffer Gift Set 3 – 5 Years
$200
EXCLUSIVE
The Tot Stocking Stuffer Gift Set 3 – 5 Years
$200
EXCLUSIVE
The Tot Stocking Stuffer Gift Set 3 – 5 Years
$100
EXCLUSIVE
The Tot Stocking Stuffer Gift Set 3 – 5 Years
$100
EXCLUSIVE
The Tot Stocking Stuffer Gift Set 3 – 5 Years
$50
EXCLUSIVE
The Tot Stocking Stuffer Gift Set
$50
EXCLUSIVE
Continue exploring
- Still want to see 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