Family Life

Family

2 min Read

20+ Editor-Picked Holiday Gift Ideas for Kids

collage of images with various gifts and toys for kids with text that reads

I don’t know about your brood, but my kids start writing their Christmas lists sometime in July. It’s like a switch is flipped post-Easter but before school starts, and they start connecting items they want to the annual visit from the Big Guy in Red (this is perhaps related to the time of the year when I start to drop the good ol’ “Santa is watching, you know”). This year, though, we’ve had many conversations about making sure we’re giving back, too, so in my house, we’ll be buying an item or two from Sophie and Juliette’s lists to donate to a toy drive.

For many people, the past eight(+!) months have felt like five years and I can imagine the holidays will be difficult and fraught for lots of families. With that in mind, we’ve tried to curate a gift selection that includes both smaller, local retailers and larger stores, to help support communities across the country but also keep household finances in mind.

We’re thinking of you and yours this season, and hope you’ll manage to find some peace and joy. Even when we’re worried. Even when we can’t see all of the people we’d like to. Even when the parties will have to wait, and the hugs will be few. We can still bring the happy.

Katie Dupuis
Editor-in-chief

 

pack of fruit-flavoured burt's bees lip balms
Buybuy Baby - Parents Canada
grey stuffed elephant with multicoloured body and ears
wooden numbers coming out of a cloth bag
grey fuzzy blanket with wooly lining
purple hippo bath bomb with gold leaf on its back
Mario Kart Live Home Circuit - Parents Canada
brown, beige, orange and turquoise horse-shaped walking toy
bottle of body was in sparkly purple
starbucks tumbler with glitter inside
collection of mini cameras in multiple colours
packet of hot chocolate with a unicorn illustration
wooden dinosaur puzzle
Star Wars The Child in a pointing pose
otter-shaped table lamp
chess set with wooden animals
game system and accessories
dainty beaded bracelet with yellow flowers
yellow Pictionary Air game box
pack of mini nail polishes in red, purple, pink and sparkly
two plush cats with bows sitting beside a box
white lamb stuffed toy in blue retail box
dyson vacuum for kids with orange hose

For the beauty obsessed: Burt's Bees Bounty Fruit Mix Lip Balm Holiday Gift Set

Why we love it: Lip balm is the perfect segue into the beauty world, not only will these beeswax sticks nourish dry winter lips, but with a fruity scent and slight tint, they're perfect for adding a bit of colour. $15, well.ca

For the busy babe: VTech Stroll & Discover Activity Walker

Why we love it: It's a walker, it's an activity centre...let's be real, it's a few minutes to drink a hot coffee. This interactive walker encourages skill development in so many ways, and -- bonus -- it folds away for easy storage! buybuy BABY is kicking off the holiday season with their Toy Shop. Visit the buybuy BABY Toy Shop to find toys for all ages and budgets. You can also find a selection of the top 100 toys!

For new movers and shakers: VTech Crawl & Explore Elephant

Why we love it: If you have a little one on the verge of scooting or crawling, this cute pachyderm provides incentive to get them going. Soft and plushy, this elephant provides a ton of sensory stimulation with lights, sounds, songs and movement to encourage gross motor skill development, speech and more. $34.94, www.walmart.ca

For the mathlete: Wee Gallery Bamboo Numbers Set

Why we love it: A great way to improve memory, teach numbers and help creative play, this sustainable set of wooden numbers could double as decor. When you're done playing, toss the smooth numbers back into the drawstring bag for easy storage. $46, westcoastkids.ca

For the snuggler: UGG Avalon Reversible Throw Blanket

Why we love it: Plush and cozy with an ultra soft sherpa lining, these double-sided blankets are experts in snuggling up on the couch with a book or movie. Starting at $80, bedbathandbeyond.ca

For those who love to splish and splash: I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas Bath Bomb

Why we love it: This adorable, fizzing bathtime companion has natural fragrances of bergamot, almond, grapefruit and raspberry, but the really special part? This hippo leaves a trail of purple in its wake, as well as glittering stars and popping candy. $5.95, www.lush.ca

For the Nintendo fan: LEGO Super Mario Adventures with Mario Starter Course

Why we love it: We couldn't decide if this should go in our gift picks for kids or adults! On one hand, we love the hit of nostalgia that comes with all things Mario and Luigi, but on the other hand, LEGO compatible with a virtual game system? We say give it to the kids and then make time to play together as often as possible. $69.86, www.walmart.ca

For your rookie walker: Fisher Price Walk, Bounce and Ride Pony

Why we love it: This adorable equine friend transitions with your baby from push-toy to ride-on toy as they get more confident on their feet. Plus, the interactive music buttons and other tactile features make for excellent fine motor skill practice. www.walmart.ca

For the bathing beauty: Philosophy Sugar Plum Fairy

Why we love it: This three-in-one formula is a shampoo, body wash and bubble bath with a special shimmer and sweet scent of frosted sugar and marzipan. $24, sephora.com

For the tween: Winter Snow Globe Starbucks Glitter Tumbler with Straw

Why we love it: Staying hydrated is more fun when you have a sparkly snow globe cup with straw. Made in Canada, these are fully customizable. Choose to add a name, a font and colour. Starting at $52, etsy.com

For the aspiring photographer: Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera

Why we love it: There's something so nice about holding a picture in your hands -- think the 2020 version of the Polaroid! This mini-sized camera uses instant film so your future shutterbug can immediately share their shots IRL. $89.99, www.bestbuy.ca

For the stocking: Gourmet du Village Unicorn Hot Chocolate

Why we love it: A sweet treat in a stocking is always fun. But what takes this cup of cocoa to the next level is that it's unicorn-themed with a colour-changing surprise. The final sip is bright pink! $4, amazon.ca

For the dino fan: JÄTTELIK

Why we love it: Not only is this cute and perfect for your little archeologist, but what we especially love about this 12-piece set is that it's made from popular DUKTIG toy kitchen waste. $25, ikea.com

For those who can't resist Baby Yoda: Star Wars The Child Posable Action Figure

Why we love it: Okay, we know he's not actually called Baby Yoda, but just look at him! So. Cute. With the second season of The Mandalorian in full swing, this gift is completely on-trend. This figurine features multiple moveable joints to give him as much personality as possible. $29.99, www.walmart.ca

For the sleepy head: SPIKEN LED Otter-Shaped Night Light

Why we love it: First, it’s otter-themed and if you didn’t know, otters hold hands while they sleep to ensure they don’t get swept away, so that’s adorable. Secondly, this little light changes between seven colours to offer the perfect mood. You could say it's otterly perfect. $13, ikea.com

For the strategist: My First Chess Game

Why we love it: They may be too young for the Queen's Gambit, but they're not too young to learn the classic game of strategy. This pretty set is made from sustainably managed wood and painted in a non-toxic paint. $50, vertimaginaire.ca

For fans of all things Peppa: Peppa Pig Shopping Centre

Why we love it: Um, Peppa, Suzy Sheep and two floors of fun? That's why! Customizable shops, a working elevator and two of the show's iconic characters will make for hours of fun. $56.99, www.chapters.indigo.ca

For your budding automotive engineer: Mario Kart Live Home Circuit

Why we love it: For fans of Mario Kart (no matter what version), this is the ultimate go-carting experience. Build your own cart at home (yes, an actual, physical cart) with the building materials included and watch it come alive on screen. $129.99, www.bestbuy.ca

For your little BFF: Et Toi Paris Hua Bracelet

Why we love it: Special pieces of jewelry, like this dainty beaded bracelet, are the perfect gift for tweens. Handmade by local artisans with Japanese beads, the clasp is 18k gold-plated. See? Special. $47, simplegoods.ca

For nights of family fun: Pictionary Air

Why we love it: Who doesn't love pictionary? This classic game got a 2020 makeover with a virtual twist -- draw in the air and see it projected on your TV screen! As far as family gifts go, this one will be a hit (especially this winter!). $18.67, www.toysrus.ca

For the manicurist: OPI Nail Lacquer Shine Bright Mini 4-Pack

Why we love it: This limited edition set is in cahoots with Swarovski so its sparkle doesn't quit. Four mini bottles is the perfect little stocking stuffer. $14, beyondpolish.com

For the pet lover: Spinmaster Present Pets Glitter Puppy Interactive Plush Toy

Why we love it: Unboxing a surprise is so fun. Your interactive dog has expressive eyes, a rainbow bow and special glittery details on their ears, paws and collar. But that's not all, you puppy can sing, wag their tail, give you kisses and make over 100 sounds. Each box contains one dog. $70, thebay.com

For the bedtime-averse: Magic Bag Warmy Alix the Lamb

Why we love it: For little ones who stall at bedtime, this stuffy is incentive to get cozy under the covers. This sweet lamb is filled with rice and can be warmed up in the microwave to make it easier to coerce kids to head to Snoozetown. $21.99, www.masdelinc.com

For the little helper: Casdon Dyson Cord-Free Vacuum

Why we love it: If you have someone who always wants to help (lucky you), a vacuum just for them is the perfect present. A replica of the hardworking original, this toy has working suction that can pick up small bits of debris (sorry, it won't properly clean your house). Kids can even empty the canister once they're done. $50, mastermindtoys.com
For the beauty obsessed: Burt's Bees Bounty Fruit Mix Lip Balm Holiday Gift Set
For the busy babe: VTech Stroll & Discover Activity Walker
For new movers and shakers: VTech Crawl & Explore Elephant
For the mathlete: Wee Gallery Bamboo Numbers Set
For the snuggler: UGG Avalon Reversible Throw Blanket
For those who love to splish and splash: I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas Bath Bomb
For the Nintendo fan: LEGO Super Mario Adventures with Mario Starter Course
For your rookie walker: Fisher Price Walk, Bounce and Ride Pony
For the bathing beauty: Philosophy Sugar Plum Fairy
For the tween: Winter Snow Globe Starbucks Glitter Tumbler with Straw
For the aspiring photographer: Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera
For the stocking: Gourmet du Village Unicorn Hot Chocolate
For the dino fan: JÄTTELIK
For those who can't resist Baby Yoda: Star Wars The Child Posable Action Figure
For the sleepy head: SPIKEN LED Otter-Shaped Night Light
For the strategist: My First Chess Game
For fans of all things Peppa: Peppa Pig Shopping Centre
For your budding automotive engineer: Mario Kart Live Home Circuit
For your little BFF: Et Toi Paris Hua Bracelet
For nights of family fun: Pictionary Air
For the manicurist: OPI Nail Lacquer Shine Bright Mini 4-Pack
For the pet lover: Spinmaster Present Pets Glitter Puppy Interactive Plush Toy
For the bedtime-averse: Magic Bag Warmy Alix the Lamb
For the little helper: Casdon Dyson Cord-Free Vacuum

 

Related Articles