The holiday season is the perfect time to find gifts that spark joy and creativity for the little ones in your life. At The Gardner School, we’ve tapped into the expertise of our teachers and staff to create the ultimate holiday gift guide, filled with products that ignite curiosity and inspire exploration and growth. From timeless toys and engaging books to unique experiences that encourage active learning, this curated guide offers something special for every infant, toddler, and preschooler.
Best Gifts for Infants
Our littlest TGS students need toys, too! You can hold your infant’s interest with these hand-selected items that are perfect for babies.
- These soft wrist rattles and cute foot finder socks are a great way to keep your baby entertained at home, or on the go. The different sounds they make will entice your little one to reach and grab at them, helping with their hand, foot, and eye coordination.
- Nothing extends tummy time like a tantalizing toy that an infant can grasp and gum during an exploratory session. Bright colors and interesting textures will keep your child engaged, helping them to build their core and neck muscles.
- Support early literacy skills with these board books that babies love to read (and to eat!)
Best Gifts for Toddlers
Toddlers are always on the move, so we’ve chosen a few perfect gifts to support their exploration and learning during this special developmental stage!
- There’s a reason Elmo is beloved by toddlers in every generation. Your child will love this plush Elmo that they can sing and dance along with!
- The cow goes “moo” and the pig goes “oink” in this pint-size barn by Battat that comes with a carrying handle for easy transport.
Giddy Buggy crawl-through tunnel
- Imaginative play is starting to appeal to toddlers, so you can watch them become a kitten, a puppy, or maybe even a baby snake as they slither, crouch, or hop through this tunnel that is perfect for winter living room play sessions!
- Easy puzzles help with spatial reasoning and motor skills, and we love these animal-themed colorful puzzles for waiting rooms, during dinner prep, or any time!
- Level up your child’s bedroom routine with a few of our teachers’ favorite books for children under three. Can’t choose just one? Nothing wrong with grabbing a few extras for birthdays to come in the new year!
Best Gifts for Ages 3+
Our preschool friends are sure to enjoy the gifts their teachers have picked out below.
- We love S.T.E.A.M.-based activities (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) at TGS, and you can Introduce your child to science and math concepts with this set of foam building blocks. They’re great for indoor, outdoor, or bathtime play!
Yoto and Toniebox Audio Players
- For long car or plane rides, we love these audio players for preschoolers. The stories and sounds will capture your child’s interest and can be used with headphones for quiet time.
- Using magnetic blocks and tiles, your preschooler can build a house, a school, or even an entire city!
- Preschoolers love acting out scenarios in their imagination, and this Melissa & Doug wooden school bus and wooden airplane will provide props and inspiration for all their flights of fancy!
Subscription Boxes
From book and science clubs to crafts and games, subscription boxes can pack all sorts of fun for children of all ages! There are a lot of options to choose from, so we did the research for you and created this list of the Best Subscription Boxes for Preschoolers.
Cold Weather Favorites
Winter is a special time of year with plenty to do both indoors and outside! So, whether your child is playing out in the snow or spending a cozy afternoon inside, these items will help maximize these special moments.
- Snowball fun indoors? Yes, please! These fake plush snowballs can enhance motor skills without freezing tiny fingers!
- If you’re heading out with your infant, help them stay snuggled up in this car seat cover.
- Be sure to check out even more of our cold-weather favorites, here.
Partnering With Families to Help Children Thrive
For grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends who are curious about what to get your child, be sure to share this gift guide with them or send them a link to the TGS Recommends page. All proceeds go to support our wonderful educators!
The Gardner School partners with parents so we can equip every child with resources to thrive at school and home. Learn how we can help support your family and contact us today!
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