Kids ages 6–9 are growing fast mentally, socially, and physically. They start reading independently, grasp abstract ideas, and enjoy creative and group play. Friendships deepen, empathy emerges, and they seek approval from peers. Motor skills sharpen, and they take pride in accomplishments. Gifts for this age group balance autonomy with guidance, and encourage curiosity, connection, and confidence.
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Between ages 3 and 5, children rapidly grow as curious problem-solvers, expressive communicators, and imaginative players. They build friendships, develop empathy, and gain physical independence. This all lays a strong foundation for school readiness and future learning.
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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:
This year, we’ve grouped our favorites by target age and by category. First up, infants and toddlers.
Continue readingThis category is new for us but TBH, the toys and games in this age range have upped their game in the last couple of years.
Around ages 8-12, kids make big strides in many areas of development. Their skill refinement allows for:
Here are our recommendations for kids 8+:
This has got to be the largest list we’ve put together to date, but not just because we love toys.
Kids at this age are achieving key developmental milestones and improving their executive functions, allowing for better focus and memory. As they continue to refine their skills, they enjoy social play, seek friendly competition, pursue independence by testing limits, try new things, and make new friends.
Not only did we pick a ton of toys and games geared towards these age-range skills, but we also chose practical items to encourage independence, and bigger, family-friendly gifts that include your littlest.
Here are our gift picks for kids 3-7:
Child(ish) Advice 