Christmas gift ideas for babies and toddlers

Christmas is a special time, and when you have a newborn, baby or toddler, it’s even more exciting. We all know though, there’s a lot to do before December 25 so to help you cut down on pre-Christmas stress, we’ve created this list of perfect gift ideas for every age group with newborn Christmas gifts, baby gift ideas, and Christmas presents for 1-year-olds and up. Bonus: you can send this link to grandparents and aunts and uncles who are also on the hunt for baby gifts.

Knowing what to buy a newborn for Christmas is easier if you think about buying for their life stage.  Developmental gifts and practical gifts make great infant present ideas. 

Developmental toys for newborns:

• Books: It’s never too soon to start reading aloud to babies. At this age, colourful books that are made from fabric and make noise are good. Check out The Benefits of Reading to Babies to find the right book for any age group, and the perfect baby gifts

• Soft toys: Plush toys make great gifts for infants because they keep babies entertained as they explore the different colours and textures. They also help teach grasping and passing objects from hand to hand. 

• Play gyms: For a comfy space for a newborn to play, you can’t go past a play gym. Look for one with a padded mat and multiple hanging toys that rattle, bounce and move.

Practical gifts for babies

• Clothes: You can’t have enough clothes for your newborn. Suggest friends give your baby a special – but affordable – outfit or grab a few stocking stuffers like cute onesies yourself. You can also have fun buying your baby’s first Christmas outfit.

• Wraps and swaddles: Clouds, kangaroos, hearts… there’s no end of cute patterns available on wraps and swaddles, and they make great infant gift ideas. These gifts are handy and adorable at the same time. Check out this baby sleepwear guide to learn more about dressing your baby for sleep.

Just for fun

• Baby accessories: Is there anything more adorable than a wide-eyed baby rocking sunglasses, a cute headband, or cosy earmuffs? This definitely falls into the fun aunt or uncle gift category of baby Christmas gifts. For even more ideas, check out these gifts for newborns. 

Christmas presents for babies over the 6-month mark can get a little more advanced.

Developmental gifts

• Activity centres: Once your baby can sit unassisted, they’re ready to enjoy an activity centre. Activity Centres support your baby’s developmental journey with a wide variety of designs to choose from

• Feeding time: It’s around this age that babies are going to need plates, bowls and spoons, and there are heaps of cool designs to choose from – think dinosaur, clouds and elephant-shaped sets.

• Toys that teach: Interactive and sensory toys, like activity tables, help develop babies’ cognitive abilities and fine motor skills, plus they’re a whole lot of fun. The more noise the better.

 Practical gifts

• Teething rings: Babies at this age may be teething, so a cute teething ring will always be handy. Look for something they can easily grip and that is soft in their mouths.

• Bath towels: A hooded towel is a useful gift that keeps babies snug as a bug after bath time.

• Sleepwear: Bodysuits are essential in summer. Grab one with a cute design or gift a few.

Just for fun

• Sleep buddy Littlies will love a small portable night light on the nursery shelf that plays gentle sounds (and you’ll love it because it will help them drift off to sleep). These are great for a baby’s first Christmas, as you can keep these night lights for years to come.

• Musical toys Toddlers are crazy about making noise so they’ll love musical toys that are sure to make a ruckus. Things like xylophones and piano mats also encourage listening and communication skills. 

• Ride-on toys Rocking horses, balance bikes and trikes all help with balancing, and are an essential part of growing up.

• Books, books and more books: We can’t say it enough – books make a great, affordable present for any age group. At this age, books can be slightly more complex and introduce counting and real-life social situations.

Just for fun

• Their very own car. What toddler doesn’t need their own vehicle for getting around the park? Perfect for 3-year-olds and up, you can pick from Jeeps, Range Rovers, and even a Mercedes.
  

• Painting kits: Bring out the inner artist in your child with paints, brushes and an easel.

• Little kitchen: Boys and girls love spending time ‘cooking’ in the kitchen. This activity also supports STEM-related learning, with measuring, counting and explorations of solids and liquids. 

Just for fun

• Outdoor games: Sandpits, slippery dips and even adjustable basketball hoops, make great gifts for kids. These presents all help build active toddlers. Buying for someone else’s kids and not sure what’s right for their backyard? That’s where a gift card – and the suggestion of outdoor equipment – works well.