Santa’s little helpers are so busy at this time of year, which occasionally makes mama’s spirits anything but bright. Fret not, I’ve scoured Market Mall to suss out what to buy the babes, toddlers and big kids (excluding husbands) on our list. Here’s a look at this year’s top Christmas gifts for kids.
Christmas gifts for newborns
Sleep sacks are the best!
Baby mamas went nuts when Duchess Kate was spotted swaddling Prince George in Aden + Anais. Score yours at bo bébé. for $59.99.
How cute!
For a sweet stocking stuffer, Haute Tots hats ($24.99 ) are not only adorable, they’re made locally and range in size from 0 to 24 months at bo bébé.
Gifts for pre-schoolers
Like Little House!
Lincoln Logs foster creativity and fine motor skills in kids aged three to ten (my eight-year-old is still nuts about her set). Start with Sunnyfield Stable ($32.99), or go large with the Fort ($61.99). Available at Toys R Us.
The Huz and I love this!
Speaking of forts, Crazy Forts ($39.97) are another fun way to fuel kid’s imagination. Aspiring engineers can construct a tunnel, a rocket, or igloo, with little or no parental involvement. And isn’t that what we all look for in a gift? Found at Toys R Us.
Wooden toys are so Montessori 🙂
Tykes (and Montessori types) are all over Plan Toys Wooden Play Sets (from $14.99), at bo bébé.
Because kids are dorks.
Love these affordable Drinking Glasses ($3.99) that can easily be slipped into stockings by Santa. Available at Stokes.
Gifts for school Age Kids
Slightly scary looking, but OK…
Elementary school kids will have a ball trying to trying to baffle this clever creature. Kids think of an animal, then listen to a bunch of questions they answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ or to. Surprise, surprise, Magic Jinn usually guesses the right animal. Yep, magic. Available at Toys R Us for $14.97.
And you’ll use it every Halloween!
The force is sure to be with you by presenting this Darth Vader Voice Changer-Helmet ($24.97) to Star Wars or Clone Wars fans. Just don’t let Dad steal it. Found at at Toys R Us.
Because kids love making things.
Who knows why Rainbow Loom is so popular with girls eight-years and up. Who cares when it’s only $20 and bags of bands are only $4.50 a pop at Paper Root Studios.
This is a holiday tradition in our house.
Thanks to Playmobil, parents are off the hook assembling Advent Calendars. Score yours for $24.99 at Toys R Us.
In case you have to lug the wee-ones with you while shopping, be sure to visit Santa’s Playland November 24 to December 24 at Market Mall.
What are you buying your kids this Christmas?
I lik the Darth Vader mask.Thanks for the ideas Jody.
We have the fort, and yes you definitely need 2 boxes. We love it on cold days. We had the playmobile advent calendars last year, and I have already secured ours for this year. My kids spent a good hour EVERY DAY with their new find. The Magic Jinn looks cool. Might have to go pick that one up!. Thanks for the suggestions!
My peanut has the fort builder….just a tip, you need 2 boxes to make something that they can really play in. : )
Great tip! You’re right, getting two boxes would make it easier for them to play inside the fort. Thanks so much for commenting!
We found the sticks never really fit in the balls and would pose a “poke your eye out” accident waiting to happen…got rid of it pretty quickly after a couple close calls and once balls on sticks became fun hitting tools, it was gone…
That magic Jinn looks like fun!
The Rainbow Loom thing is a hit with my girls… and I love that they can do it all by themselves without needing ‘adult assistance’… the reasonable price helps too!
Super helpful. I have nine kids to buy for this year and no idea where to start.
Magic jinn does look very cool. Thanks for the great ideas!
Scarlet wants the rainbow loom!! But I didn’t know where to get !! Thank you!
The actual original “Rainbow Loom” is sold at Mastermind Toys
Lincoln Logs! Yes, I had no idea these were back on the market!
What is it with the Rainbow Loom this year? I went to buy 4 (for birthday parties, Christmas, etc) and was told that there was a “limit of 3 per customer”. Wow.
No boy could resist the Darth Vader voice-changing mask!
Thanks for this. Wish I’d have known where to buy the swaddling bags when my little one was still little.
The best toy to get kids I’ve found is the Fisher-Price Imaginext line…dinosaurs, airplanes, knights, ninjas, astronauts, pirates = endless scenarios from age 2…my 7 year old still plays with his little brother and they’re indestructible…Legos never disappoint from age 4…the regular size kits not duplo…
Great tips, thanks Krista!