Inside: Quality gift ideas for preschoolers. Discover gifts that will keep your kids busy and engaged.
My son paused as the last shreds of wrapping paper drifted to the ground. His eyes opened wide and the corners of his mouth pulled up into a grin. He had discovered the gift hidden beneath the paper. He loved it. And I loved that moment.
But, the warm feelings were short-lived. A few days later, my son lost interest. The once-beloved gift was tossed aside and he went back to his old favorites.
What had gone wrong? What was it about his favorite toys that kept him engaged month after month?
The thing is, not all toys are created equal. They all look exciting at first – advertisers see to that. But many break easily or get boring fast.
You have to choose carefully if you want to give your kids a gift that will last.
I want to give my kids gifts that make their eyes light up – AND that they are still enamored with 6 months later. Over time, I’ve learned to choose gifts that:
- Are high quality. Yes, “high quality” often means “more expensive.” We choose to buy fewer gifts to offset the cost. Bonus – owning fewer toys is better for kids!
- Get my kids thinking, creating, or using their imaginations.
- Stay intriguing after many uses. Open-ended toys, and toys that invite pretend play are good bets.
Gift Ideas for Preschoolers Your Kids Will Treasure
Below, I’ve compiled a list of the best gifts for preschoolers that I’ve found. This list is based on my own experience and observing which toys my kids come back to over and over again.
All the gifts on this list meet the criteria above. I’ve personally seen them cherished for months – and even years.
I hope it helps you find the perfect gift for your child – one they will love for years!
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Hoot Owl Hoot
Work together to bring all the owls home to their nest before the sun rises! We love co-op games – and your preschooler will, too!
Boomwhackers
Boomwhackers are a great gift for kids who like to move and groove. Each tube makes a specific tone when you hit it on a hard object like the floor, a chair, or your hand. Kids can explore sound and rhythm, or learn simple songs.
Hape All-in-One Wooden Kid’s Art Easel
This easel has helped to reduce the massive amount of paper my kids were going through. Kids can draw with chalk, dry erase markers, or paint. I love that the height is adjustable. It’s a great height for my littles now, and will grow with them for years!
PicassoTiles 100 Piece Set
With Picasso Tiles, kids explore magnetism while building whatever they can imagine. They looked delicate first, but turned out to be quite sturdy! I’m pleased with how they’ve held up. They are still going strong after 2+ years of almost daily, vigorous play.
Wheely Cow
Our Wheely Cow has stood up to a LOT of use! It’s strong, sturdy, and steers easily in all directions. Wheely Cow comes in small and large. Choose the size that is best for your child.
Butterfly Garden
What could be more magical than watching caterpillars transform into butterflies? You can also use the Butterly Garden to make a Ladybug Habitat or house other critters you find in the yard.
Art Caddy
This DIY gift will keep kids busy for hours! Grab this caddy and stuff it with crayons, glue, paper, scissors, a hole puncher, washi tape, and stickers. My son uses his every single day. His art supplies are always easy to find – and put away when it’s clean-up time.
Lego Duplos
You really can’t go wrong with LEGOS – unless you step on one. 😉 Both of my kids have spent countless hours honing their engineering skills with Legos. So much fun!
Brio Train Set
This toy seems to be universally appealing for kids. My toddler loves driving the “choo choo trains” down the tracks. My 5-year-old loves building complex, looping tracks all around the house. They make for hours of fun.
Hape Play Kitchen for Toddlers
This compact kitchen is made with sustainable materials and the perfect height for toddlers and younger preschoolers. I love that it is mostly wood, and fits pretty much anywhere. Both of my kids love cooking and doing dishes in their little kitchen. Hopefully, this will be good training for helping in the kitchen when they get older.
Remo Floor Tom Drum
After being well-loved by dozens of kids at my daycare, my own family is still grooving to the beat of this awesome drum. This quality instrument is durable, sounds great, and is tons of fun for budding musicians.
Jumbo Cardboard Blocks
These blocks are always a hit for toddlers through early elementary kids. Ours have inspired countless hours of imaginative play. My kids love that they can (safely) build towers taller than they are. It’s very exciting when the blocks all come tumbling down. Our set of blocks has seen over 10 years of use and they are still going strong!
Hohner Toddler Glockenspiel
This well-tuned instrument features a toddler-safe mallet and a beautiful tone. It was perfect for my son to explore as a toddler. Now, at 5-years-old, he is learning to play simple tunes. I’m a stickler for quality instruments for kids and this is one of my favorites!
What toys are your family’s all-time favorites?
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