0-2 Holiday Toy Guide

This age range can often be challenging to shop for because littles are growing and developing so quickly. We have developed an amazing list of toys from a variety of brands. These toys will be loved by your kids and grandkids.

Shop All Ages:

2-4

5-7

8-10

Teen

Staple Toys

Sensory Table Inserts and Accessories

1. Cuddle and Kind: We know these stuffies are on the investment side, but they are heirloom pieces. Mel and I both have Cuddle and Kind at our home. They come in two sizes with different animal options. They are made in Peru with 100% cotton yarn.

2. Soft Fruit Basket: This fruit basket set is from Hape Toys! Its a great gift for 0-2 because babies and squish and hold the soft fruit. As your little one grows, it's perfect for pretend play. We love the quality and how realistic this set is.

3. Wooden Square Clutch: We want to point out that this clutch from Plan Toys is made from rubberwood and non-toxic paint and toys. Your little one is going to want to explore by putting this in its mouth. The clutching toy can be squished more as children develop grasping and clutching strength.

4. Pound and Tap Bench with Xylophone: Hape has designed this amazing, award-winning dual-use4 musical instrument. Littles can explore different notes and sounds by letting the balls fall on the keys or slide out the xylophone to create their own unique sound with a wooden mallet.

5. Wautomobile Cars: These wooden toys care are made of wood and the middle is filled with brightly colored water. These are so fun for littles to race and see how the colors change with light and movement.

6. Wooden Knob Puzzle: This 3-piece puzzle by Driddle for Little is excellent for shape/color placement and fine motor skills. The magnets on the back make it easy for the pieces to slide into place.

7. InnyBin Baby: Fat Brain has done it again with this toy. It's great for color and shape recognition. The shapes are also textured which is great for sensory play. Littles will love pushing the objects through the elastic bands.

8. Baby Rainbow: This beautifully crafted and painted peg and bowl set is perfection. It's by Taylored Toys. We love finding small businesses selling amazing toys. Littles can grasp pegs and place in matching bowls. This toy is great for fine motor skills and imaginative play.

9. Bubbles and Joy: We have fallen in love with Bubbles and Joy bath subscription boxes. They curate unique bath toys and bath products. They select BPA-free and mold safe toys. These boxes make great gifts.

10. Tobbles Neo: We love this toy at our house! It's by Fat Brain Toys. Littles can balance, stack, spin, the spheres in a variety of angles. This toy is great for motor skills and problem solving.

11. Magnetic Animals: These are the most entertaining, child safe, magnetic toys our kids have. They separate into three piece which is fun for kids to use by pulling apart and re assembling the safari animals. Great for fine motor development as well.

12. Stacking Rainbow Pyramid: This toy is open ended and unique. Solid wooden frames with insert colored acrylic windows. They can be stacked, used on a light table, or placed in front of a sunny window for a unique colorful experience.

13. Sarah's Silks: Silks are of our favorite baby toys because they offer so many play options. The mulberry silk is so soft and the colors are eye catching and beautiful. These can be used for tummy time, dress-up, blankies, and more!

14. Fine Motor Hedgehog: Spike the fine motor hedgehog is an award winning fine motor skills toy. The pegs store inside the body for easy transportation.

15. Chunky Rainbow Blocks: Hello Sugarhouse is new to the toy scene this year, but have created something gorgeous and unique. These chunky blocks can be used for years. This larger size is perfect for little hands and grips. You can use code TOYTESTING10 at checkout for 10% off your entire order!

16. Silicone Stacking Rings: These star shaped staking rings are made of food grade silicone, which make them the prefect teether and toy combo. Multi use toys are great for littles and will get lots of use.

17. Rocket Ball Stacker: This toy, made by Hape, is quality and lots of fun. The battery powered fan blows balls through the stacked tower. Kids love stacking and watching their tower topple over time and time again.

18. Suction Cups: These suction cup toys made by Fat Brain Toys are perfect for bath time and play time. Our kids love to stick these on any smooth surface and listen to the noise they make when they are pulled off.

19. Balance Stepping Stones: These are so much fun for kids to practice balance and coordination. Place them on the ground and let your little one hop from turtle to turtle. This set also includes a game to add even more fun!

20. Wee Baby Stella: Our favorite soft baby doll, the Wee Baby Stella. She's the perfect size for your L.O. and has the funnest magnetic binky that sticks to her mouth. They also come with lots of accessories that can be added.

2-4 Holiday Toy Guide

Our favorite list to curate is for ages 2-4. This stage of life is filled with so much growth, exploration, and learning. The toys we have selected for this age group promote imaginative play, movement, and development. We hope your littles love these toys as much as our kids do!

Shop All Ages:

0-2

5-7

8-10

Teen

Staple Toys

Sensory Table Inserts and Accessories

1. Baby Care Station: If you have a little who loves taking care of babies, this is your toy! It has a feeding, sleeping, and bathing/changing station. We love that it has so much storage so you can keep all of the baby accessories easily contained. There aren't many great baby care stations out there that include all of these elements.

2: Squigz: These are suction cups that can stick to almost any surface. Our kids love to stick on the mirror, windows, car windows, and sensory table. They make a fun popping sound for littles and they love sticking them together to make different creations. Squigz are made by Fat Brain Toys!

3. Rainbow Race Track: We love this rainbow race track because it easily snaps together. So, if you lose a piece, no big deal. Your kids can set up their race track and add their vehicles and watch them zoom. This track glows in the dark which is really fun for kids. Price point is excellent on this toy and it will make a big impact.

4: Wooden Arches and Tunnels: This is the perfect open-ended toy! Kids can incorporate with blocks and builds, train/car set ups, calico critters, and so much more. Having a few open-ended toys in your home allows kids to get creative and use their imaginations. This set is by Guide Craft.

5: Sarah's Silks Dress Ups: Sarah's Silks has created a large variety of silk dress ups and toys. We love this cape, crown, and soft sword set. If you have a kid who enjoys dress ups, grabbing a few items from Sarah's Silks will be a win. They offer wands, fairy wings, flower crowns, and so much more.

6: Jungle Animals Magna-Tiles: Magna-Tiles recently released these awesome animal themed kits. These would be great to pair with a light table or acrylic table insert. Some of our favorite animal sets include Safari, Artic, Farm, Dino, and Forest. These are perfect for littles because they get to build while including animals with play.

7: Grocery Store: Mandy has this in her toy room and the kids love. Melissa and Doug has done it again with this set. Kids can shop, scan items, ring up customers, and fill grocery bags. Because the grocery store has so many shelves and storage options, its great for holding all of your play food.

8: Ice Cream Counter: Fan favorite at both our homes! This toy is by Melissa and Doug. The ice cream counter is the perfect size for littles. They love to take orders and serve up creations from the menu or their imaginations. The quality of this toy is excellent and it will hold up.

9: Gem Sorting Boards: These beautiful sorting boards and gems are by Wild Pine Kids. Even though we have this toy slotted for the 2-4 age group, older kids can really enjoy too. Mandy's son, Charlie, who is 7 loves playing with rocket ship. These boards spark imaginative play and are also a soothing and calming toy. Save 15% with CODE: TOYTESTINGSISTERS

10: Train Set: If you aren't familiar with Brio trains, they are truly the best. They have so many different sets and add-on accessories. Train sets are a great gift because parents and grandparents can start off with a starter set and purchase different elements for upcoming birthdays and holidays. The set shown here is an excellent starter set. If you are local to Utah, visit Teton Toys and see the entire Brio collection.

11. Star Belly: These sweet stuffed animals come in a variety of characters and use light and projection to make any dark surface light up like the night sky. Projects glowing stars and shapes in 6 calming colors.

12. Magnet Tiles: These are the BEST knock off brand of magnetic building tiles we have ever found. They are far more affordable than the competitor but just as good. Find them on Amazon! This is the most played with toy at Mel's house.

13. Adventure Camper: Our kids recently got this toy and LOVE it. They prep the food and make deliveries from the window. It's also fun for them to pretend to drive it around the town. High quality and built to last from Step 2. This is from their signature collection of a more neutral color palate.

14. Cloud Swing: 25-Inch Colorful Inflatable Round Cloud Swing from Hearth Song Toys. The cover on this toy is soft and the colors coordinate well together. We have this hanging inside on our indoor swing hooks. Indoor or out, this toy is a winner.

15. LumiPets: This is the sweetest, softest night light to add to any toddlers room. It can change color by tapping and is soft enough to cuddle. It is USB rechargeable and also comes with a color changing remote. It also comes in a variety of characters to fit your child's interests.

16. Chasing Fireflies: This is such a fun and unique toy! These battery powered, plastic fireflies light up and are used to play hide and seek. Kids run about searching for the next firefly to add to their team jar and capture the magic of fireflies with their own two hands. My 2 and 4 year old play with this toy non-stop and have fun hiding and seeking for each color.

17. Pizza Station: Melissa and Doug make some of our favorite toys. They are quality and always crafted very well. This toy pizza kitchen is no exception. Our kids love adding toppings and playing pretend with this kit.

18. Rainbow Blocks: These heirloom quality blocks, made by Hello Sugar House, are beautiful and so unique. The acrylic tiles can be added as windows to create a unique colorful experience. More of an investment piece, but will be used by your kids for years. You can use our code TOYTESTING10 at checkout for 10% off your entire order!

19. 2 in 1 Tricycle: Hearthsong did such a good job of combining both a standard tricycle and a balance bike into one piece. It can be easily converted and used by a variety of ages. It also folds to store and can be carried by a handle on the seat.

20. Princess Dress-Up: The most gorgeous dress up we've come across. Our kids fight over this dress constantly because it really makes them feel like an actual princess. From our favorite boutique in Bountiful, UT. Over The Moon Boutique. Sign up for their email subscription to get 10% off your first purchase!

5-7 Holiday Toy Guide

Ages 5 to 7 is a little trickier age to shop for because these 3 years are FULL of growth. We feel like we did a great job of showcasing a variety of toys that aren't easily outgrown. Shop these guides for a home run holiday experience with your kiddos.

Shop All Ages:

0-2

2-4

8-10

Teen

Staple Toys

Sensory Table Inserts and Accessories

1. GoTrax Electric Scooter: There are many electric scooters on the market. We have tested this electric scooter and have been thrilled with it. The wheels light up so kids can ride day or night. Speed is 7.5mph and it can go to almost 5 miles before needing a charge. Foot button activation makes it easy for kids to jump on and ride.

2. Calico Critters: How cute are the critters and the many, many accessories. Last year Caroline asked for a Calico Critter set for Christmas. This is the set (Red Roof Cottage Home) we purchased and it has been great. We can easily add furniture and animal sets. She loves setting up her home and using her imagination.

3. Hammock: Want to create a nice relaxing space for your kids? These hammocks from Splendipity are incredible. Installation is so easy and the fabric choices are excellent. Our kids love to read, relax, and listen to audio books in their hammocks. They have a max weight of 135lbs.

4. Tubelox: This is a building and construction set. The pieces are all made of plastic and slide and snap into place. Kids can construct real-life objects like a bike, scooter, plane, desk, fort, chair, wheelbarrow, cart, etc. with Tubelox. Save 10% with our code MM10.

5. Karaoke Mic: Mandy has two of these and her kids LOVE! This mic speaker is loud and it also has bluetooth capability. Her kids love to use the mics to free-style sing or they play karaoke songs on the YouTube TV.

6. Magic Mixies: Magic Mixies sold out last year and we can see why! This is a very unique toy because you use the cauldron and potions to create your Magic Mixie. You follow the potion instructions and when you are done, your Mixie will appear. You can also purchase refill kits. We don't typically love toys that can only be played with a few ways, but this one is so unique and jaw-dropping--kids absolutely love.

7: Hoverboard: This Hoverboard has a chrome paint finish with blue LED lights. It can run up to 3.1 miles on a single charge. Max speed is 6.2 mph and the max weight capacity is 220lbs. Recommend this for ages 4+ depending on coordination and balance.

8: Magnetic Tiles Race Track: Charlie got this magnetic tiles race track last year for Christmas. It has grooves in the tiles so the cars can race around the track. This is a great toy that promotes engineering and problem-solving. We also like to add our other tile sets and construct buildings, homes, and towns around the track.

9: BluTracks Race Track: We can’t stand car tracks that require so many pieces and are usually pre-designed. This 18ft track can be laid out the way you want. Our kids love racing down the stairs or using the window attachment. We love that they can experiment with different track options and use their imagination. The track rolls up for easy storage.

10: PlusPlus: Sometimes its nice to step outside LEGO builds and try something else! If you have a kid who loves to build and create, PlusPlus is a must-have! You can easily free style build or follow some of their recommended builds. PlusPlus comes in one shape (mini puzzle shapes).

11. Brain Flakes: These are such good stem toy and our kids love to build with them. The possibilities with these are endless. They can be configured into so many different shapes because of their unique design.

12. Lite Brite: This is a new and more advanced take on the traditional Lite Brite. It's oval shape and smaller pegs allow for more definition and portability. This would be a perfect project to display on a nightstand or dresser and re create time and time again.

13. Custom Denim Jacket: These jackets are custom designed and the patches are hand-picked! We were blown away when we came across this company in the spring of 2022. What kid doesn't want a custom jacket that highlights their personality and interests? You work closely with the owner to create a jacket that is perfect for your kid.

14. Cuddleez Pillow: Disney has done it again with these perfectly squishy, cuddle pillows. These things are amazingly soft and come in a wide variety of characters. You can snag these at Target in your child's favorite Disney character and make their Christmas morning complete.

15. Rotating Bubble Machine: Any party isn't complete without this rotating bubble machine. Hours of playtime fun! Use for an under the sea adventure or to just get some wiggles out.

16. Aaron's Thinking Putty KIT: Run to Costco for this find under $20! Discover the endless possibilities of Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty! With the Putty Discovery Kit, you'll learn all the different ways to play with putty and fascinating facts about science and nature. With 50 activities, you and your child can spend hours creating new scientific experiments while incorporating sensory play.

17. Dinosaur Eggs: DinoEggs is a fossil digging kit for kids who are curious and ready for discovery! Every dinosaur egg holds a unique dino species to match with an educational flash card. Our kids love using the excavation tools to uncover their mystery dinosaur.

18. Star Projector Night Light: The colorful and unpredictable nebula comes in a variety of color combinations and is decorated with flashing star lights, which can be switched by remote control or buttons. The high-definition starlight galaxy is projected onto the wall and ceiling, making you feel like you are in the vast galaxy. This sweet astronaut is also the perfect decoration in any adventure driven child's room!

19. Instant Print Camera: This instant print camera is so much fun for kids to use. Give them a new sense of independence with taking and developing their own photographs instantly. This specific one comes with accessories and extra printing paper for HOURS of creative fun.

20. Balance Beam: This 4 foot, folding balance beam is made of dense foam and can hold up to 160 lbs. We recommend purchasing 2 sets of these beams to create longer balance activity. Search BALANCE BEAM in the search bar.