October is behind us, which means it’s officially wish list season. Sorting through the avalanche of toys and games online and in catalogs can feel more than a little overwhelming. I’ll be honest: narrowing down our favorites wasn’t easy. So yes, our list is on the larger side this year. But in our defense, every pick earned its spot.
To make the Child(ish) Advice list, we researched:
- Is it cool and new?
- Does it support child development?
- Does it stand out from all the rest?
- What do the reviews say about durability and practicality?
This year, we’ve grouped our favorites by target age and by category. First up, infants and toddlers.
Sensory
Look for sensory toys that stimulate multiple senses (touch, sight, sound, movement) to support motor skills, cognitive growth, emotional regulation, and language development.
Top Choice: Hahaland Picnic Basket
- Why We Love It: Designed for babies 6 months and up, this soft, sensory-rich picnic set supports early development through touch, sound, and imaginative play. It features a plush basket and six baby-sized sensory toys.
Fat Brain Little Brainies Sensory Activity Board – This sensory board for toddlers (12 months+) features six magnetic tiles—gears, switches, mirrors, and more—that mix and match for tactile and visual play. Tiles also stick to the fridge for vertical exploration.
Hape Dynamic Pixel Piano – Toddler-friendly musical toy (ages 12 months+) that blends sensory play, visual stimulation, and early music learning through interactive light-up keys and pixel animations.
Hey Doodle Busy Bug Sensory Mat – Reusable silicone activity mat that combines tactile exploration, fine motor development, and creative play through coloring, tracing, and sensory experimentation.
Books
Reading any book is great, but books that match your baby’s developmental stage can make reading engaging in several ways. Look for ones that offer sensory input, language building, emotional connection, and interactive play.
Top Choice: Imitation Book by Stephanie Anderson M.S. CCC-SLP
- Why We Love It: Thoughtfully crafted by a pediatric speech-language pathologist, this book supports early language development through imitation. Using playful sounds like “beep beep” and “moo,” along with easy-to-copy gestures and actions, it invites little ones to join in and build early communication skills. Bold, uncluttered illustrations keep little ones focused, while interactive prompts encourage active participation. As a bonus, caregivers will find helpful tips on modeling sounds and movements to make reading time even more impactful.
Ditty Bird: Instrumental Songs – A toddler-friendly sound book that introduces six instruments through classic songs. It boosts auditory learning, fine motor skills, and music appreciation.
Cookies!: An Interactive Recipe Book by Lotta Nieminen – This interactive recipe book blends pretend play with early literacy and sensory exploration.
Games
Games for infants and toddlers nurture essential developmental skills like motor coordination, language, cognition, and emotional connection. The most impactful are simple and interactive, fostering shared attention, turn-taking, and imitation to support early milestones.
Top Choice: First Orchard
- Why We Love It: This cooperative board game for toddlers (ages 2+) has players working together to harvest fruit before a mischievous raven reaches the orchard. Designed by educators, it builds early skills like color recognition, turn-taking, and teamwork. Bright wooden fruit and colorful tiles keep little ones engaged, while the chunky pieces double as props for open-ended play.
Other favorites to grab:
Monkey Around: The Wiggle and Giggle Game
Happy Marshmallow Game
Stocking Stuffers
BaBeloved Flower Teething Toy
Fidget Popper Sensory Toys
Construction Crew Utensils
Hahaland Push Car
Most of the linked items can also be found on our Child(ish) Advice Holiday Amazon Storefront.
You can also check out our guides and lists from the last couple years for more development-focused toys and gifts.
Holiday Gift Guide 2023: Newborns & Infants
Holiday Gift Guide 2023: Toddlers
Holiday Gift Guide 2024: Babies and Toddlers
Like this post? Follow Child(ish) Advice on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok.
Child(ish) Advice 