Simple as That 2012 Kid Friendly Gift Guide

So, how is everyone doing with their Christmas shopping? I’m excited to kick off the weekend with a post jam packed with Christmas gift ideas for baby, toddlers, preschoolers and big kids – just in case you still have a few items to cross off your gift list!

 I know how hard it can be to find something perfect for the little ones on your list…something you know they’re going to love. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of items that we’ve purchased in the past and are tried and true favourites or items we plan to purchase soon! I hope you enjoy this list and feel free to add links of your best gift purchases through the years in the comments below so we can check them out too!

Have a great weekend everyone! We’ll see you here tomorrow when I’ll be welcoming Kristen Duke of Capturing Joy as our simple things special guest! 🙂

GIFTS IDEAS FOR BABY:

Swaddling cloths from Basic Grey. I loved swaddling my babies and would have loved to wrap them up in these darling little blankets from Basic Grey. They’d make the perfect gift for baby or any mama to be this Christmas.

Tea Collection has so many cute {cute, cute!} fashions for baby. Newborn, toddler all the way up to size 12, they have a little something for everyone, including mom!

We love Karen Katz lift the flap books around here! Even though my baby is nearly three, she still loves these darling books. When asked to choose a book at bedtime these are the ones she runs to almost every time! They’re so well loved that she knows the words herself and likes to read them to me now! 🙂 Some of our favourite titles include: Where is Baby’s Christmas Present? Where is Baby’s Belly Button? and Where is Baby’s Mommy? 

I just love these organic developmental toys from little sapling toys! So many gift ideas available on their website. Isn’t that camera too cute for words!? **ETA: Little Sapling toys would like to offer all Simple as That readers 10% off any purchase now through January 7th, 2013. Just use coupon code SIMPLE10!

GIFT IDEAS FOR TODDLERS:

Raspberry Kids has a huge selection of unique Christmas gifts for toddlers! Their selection of Le Toy Van products is to die for and I know first hand how incredible their service is! I recently ordered some items for the little girls dollhouse from Raspberry Kids and our package arrived on our doorstep in just two short days! Shipping was within Canada, but they do ship elsewhere and they accept paypal! For even more gift ideas from Raspberry kids check out their gift guides for baby, toddler and kids! 

We have the farm animals Melissa & Doug Cube Puzzle pictured below. I purchased it after a visit to local building supply store where they had one in their children’s play area and it kept both my daughters occupied for over 1/2 an hour while I shopped for supplies for a project. Even my older kids love doing this puzzle. I think the simpler two block version for younger kids is great too!

After borrowing my sister in laws little balance bike for the summer for Alivia {2 years} I am sold on these fun things. Alivia had such a fun time scooting around on hers and was elated to join us on family bike rides like a big kid! I’ve been shopping around and am really liking these Kazam Balance Bikes! Love that spot for them to put their feet when they’re gliding along. 🙂

We got each of the little girls a Baby Alive Splash N Giggle doll for Christmas last year and we’re still getting lots of use out of them! We toted them along to the swimming pool, the lake all summer long and they’re always ready for bath time!

We bought this princess castle play tent for Addie for her 5th birthday and these girls have gotten hours of pretend play time out of it! I can’t say enough good things about this little tent and if it wears out before they’ve outgrown it I’ll certainly purchase another. One of our best toy purchases ever!

My mom has such a knack for finding cute and one of a kids gifts for my kids. She recently gave this Chronicle Books Princess Matching Game to my 5 year old for her birthday and its quickly become a favourite. The illustrations are gorgeous and oh so princess-y! It truly is beautiful. We’ve been taking such good care of it so it can last for years and years – I can see Addie playing with her own girls one day!

I purchasesd this book for my 8 year old son, 100 Paper Planes to Fold and Fly, and its been a huge hit!  He really loves the fact that he can make them all on his own. We’ve got plans to hang some of his favourite airplanes from the ceiling in his room as they’re just too cool to throw away!

My mom got these Wedgit blocks for my son a few Christmases ago and he’s gotten hours of fun out of them. Kids can use their imagination to create with these rhombus and octahedron shaped toys. The design cards offer a fun challenge with instructions on how to create simple or ellaborate designs. My husband and I even had fun creating with these unique blocks!

Have a young crafter in the family? Craft-a-Day: 365 Simple Handmade Projects from Quirk Books is perfect for beginning crafters. Inside you’ll find a super cute, simple project to complete in a variety of different themes! This book is a family favourite. See a more detailed review plus a peek inside of our copy of this fantastic book here.

Really loving the look of this sail away paper play kit from you-make-do.com. It comes with all the supplies to have a fun filled, creative day of cutting, creating, building and learning!

GIFT IDEAS FOR LITTLE ONES LIVING FAR AWAY: