There’s nothing like the holidays, right?
From time together, to extensive meals, and let’s not forget the hot drinks that always seem to be on tap. It’s a wonderful season, but having to come up with the perfect gift for everyone on your list (not to mention the shopping, wrapping, and shipping!) can put a serious kink in your holiday spirit.
If your family is anything like ours, it seems like there’s a new kid every year to add to your list. And while that is such a wonderful thing, it sure makes for lots of gift ideas to come up with!
But don’t worry, we at Reconnect Health Centre have got you covered with pediatric physiotherapist approved toys!
With years of buying for our own kiddos, and coming up with gifts that crowned us “Aunt of the Year” (if we say so ourselves), we’ve seen firsthand what’s a smash hit, and what gets forgotten about all too quickly.
A reminder that while we’re showing you Amazon links for ease of reference, it’s worth doing a bit of quick research to see if there are options to support local small businesses when you can.
So peep our fave gift ideas for the little ones in your life!
Bellababy Water Mat
This gift is a hoot for the new baby on your list! We’re all too familiar with the tummy time struggles, but having this fun mat for them to look at and interact with makes doing their exercises less painful. This is super fun, plus it’s light and portable for that trip to Grandma’s.
Suction Wonder Wheel
We love toys that suction to the table. It’s great if you’re in a restaurant, or need your little one preoccupied while they’re in their high chair. Help your baby develop their fine motor skills with different colours, textures, and patterns while they’re entertained.
Squigz
There’s nothing we love more than endless hours of open-ended play! These Squigz suction to each other effortlessly, so your child can create anything their imagination comes up with. These have always been a hit, and they don’t leave any messes behind, which is a major consideration in our shopping.
Magna-Tiles
If you haven’t already hopped on this band wagon, it’s time to jump! Magna-Tiles are the coolest 3D toys that encourage your child to create for hours. Great for teaching geometry and sharpening their imagination, they’ll be learning without even knowing it.
Shapes Bean Bags
Learning colours and shapes for wee ones. Who doesn’t love that? We love these bean bags!
Tummy Time Floor Mirror
Keep baby entertained with this fun mirror while they strengthen their back & neck muscles. The high contrast colours (and of course their own reflection!) keep them focused while they do their exercises.
Oball
This one is a classic for a reason! Oballs are super lightweight, pliable, colourful, and shaped for tiny hands and fingers to grasp. Super budget-friendly and a great size for their stocking, baby can roll, shake, or chew on this without worry. We’ve purchased these for years, for every little one on our list!
Foam Rocket Launcher
If you want to WOW your preschooler or young child, this is the ticket! This 2 pack rocket launcher lets your kids go head-to-head to see who can launch their rocket the highest. It comes with 8 rockets in total, so when one goes missing (we’ve all been there…), it’s no sweat! We love toys where kids can have a friendly competition, or team up and play together.
Ergobaby Carrier
This is the queen of all baby carriers. Don’t let the sticker price scare you off. We understand it’s a lot up front, but it’ll be everything you need and will have you covered until your new addition is nearly ready for kindergarten. It covers all the positions your baby wants to be in, is breathable for those sweaty hikes, and intentional about being ergonomic for baby’s delicate hips.
Light Up Magic Wand
How fun are these?! We can already hear your kiddo’s giggles with all the spinning colours of this wand. This would also make a super fun birthday gift.
Radio Flyer Walker Wagon
Radio Flyer is a classic, and this cool spin on their original wagon is great to help your little one with their mobility and stability. Plus, how cute would this be to see your child happily pushing this around the house or in the back yard?
Kid’s Snow Shoes
It wouldn’t be a gift guide from Canadians without some outdoor winter equipment! Winter can feel long, but a great way to really enjoy it is to get outside! These aluminum snow shoes are light weight and come in a ton of colours and sizes, so you’ll certainly find one that your kids will enjoy.
We love watching all the kiddos in our lives enjoy these gift options, and we’re always on the hunt for things that help them spend more time outside, use their imagination, and keep play open-ended. And not buying items that drive everyone else in the house crazy is a huge factor in our purchasing (looking at you, noisy toys!).
Remember that killin’ it in the gift buying department isn’t the reason for the holidays, and it’s certainly not a reflection on you as a parent. Buuuut, it’s always nice to get a few ideas when it comes to the younger ones on your list.
Is there anything we left out? What are your go-to gifts for young kiddos?
Looking for more advice from a pediatric physiotherapist? You can always book a session with our pediatric physio!
ReConnect Health Centre
