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What happens when you give dozens of parent-and-baby testers some of the newest – and potentially hottest – toys and gear? You get a parent-and-kid-approved list of the must-buy gifts this holiday season.
Welcome to PART III, aimed at two-year-old toddlers and three-year-old preschoolers. The good news? By this age, many kids can tell you what they want for Christmas, Hanukkah or whatever winter holiday you’re celebrating. The bad news? They want everything.
If you haven’t seen PART I yet, here it is; and here’s Mommy Gearest’s Glorious Gift Guide PART II and PART IV. If you’re looking for a round-up of what I consider the top stocking stuffers this year, click here.
Don’t forget to share this with relatives. They’re itching to spend money on your kids.
And…which one of these great gifts can you WIN? Read on!
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What is it? Build-A-Bear Merry Mint Pup (read the review)
What’s it cost? From $20 just for the pup + extra for clothes and accessories ($38.50 as shown)
Where can I get it? Build-A-Bear stores
What is it? Little Tikes Big Adventures Action Fliers (3+) by MGA Entertainment
What’s it cost? $39.99 – but it’s 25 per cent off right now (just $29.99!)
Where can I get it? Canadian Tire
What is it? LeapPad2 Explorer (3+) – tested and loved by a family who owns the original LeapPad and saw some great improvements
What’s it cost? $109.99 (including shipping – see details)
Where can I get it? Toys R Us
What is it? Disney Rapunzel Doll and Toddler Dress Gift Set
What’s it cost? $49.99 – but it’s 40 per cent off right now (just $29.99!)
Where can I get it? Canadian Tire
What is it? Sesame Street Playskool Steps to School Elmo’s Count Along Crayons (phew…that one’s a mouthful!)
What’s it cost? $19.99
Where can I get it? Toys R Us (temporarily unavailable online, so find a store)
What is it? PlasmaBike toddler balance bike (that can be used indoors or outdoors!) by PlaSmart (enter here to WIN one!)
What’s it cost? $89.99 – but it’s on sale right now for just $69.99!
Where can I get it? Balance Bikes Canada
What is it? Carolie hand-crafted & adjustable apron (it’ll fit for years!) – available in a variety of patchwork fabrics suitable for girls/boys
What’s it cost? $25
Where can I get it? Etsy
What is it? Scaredy Squirrel Has a Birthday Party book, puppet & theatre
What’s it cost? $24.95 (spend five cents more to get free shipping)
Where can I get it? Indigo
What is it? Tea Collection versatile holiday outfit (the dress is perfect for next summer, too!) with See Kai Run’s “Taryn” shoes
What’s it cost? $55 (dress) + $49 (cardigan) + $32.20 (shoes – on sale!)
Where can I get it? Tea Collection (Akvarell Bubble Dress + Charming Cardi) + See Kai Run
What is it? Handmade child’s ring sling for dolls or stuffed animals (not siblings!)
What’s it cost? $19.99
Where can I get it? A Nest By My Chest
What is it? A Netflix “Just For Kids” membership curates all content appropriate for the under-12 set so kids don’t have to surf through grown-up shows (read the review here!)
What’s it cost? $7.99 per month (includes all programming – including stuff for parents), but you do need a Just For Kids-enabled streaming device, like the Nintendo Wii
Where can I get it? Netflix
What is it? Stackadoos by B. You Toys
What’s it cost? $29.99
Where can I get it? DeSerres
What is it? Sesame Street Playskool LOL Elmo (with Dorothy fish bowl squeaker)
What’s it cost? $49.95 (including shipping) – but check Sears, too, where it seems to be 40 per cent off (only $29.99!) until Dec. 6
Where can I get it? Indigo
What is it? Giant Road Jigsaw Floor Puzzle (interchangeable pieces mean many different road layouts) by Orchard Toys
What’s it cost? $29.99
Where can I get it? Scholar’s Choice
What is it? P’kolino Multi-Solution Robot Puzzle (despite it’s 2+ age suggestion, this was adored by three siblings, ages 1, 3 and 4.5)
What’s it cost? $21.99
Where can I get it? RaspberryKids.com
What is it? Melissa & Doug Trunki carry-on, ride-on suitcase (3+) – available in several colours
What’s it cost? $44.95 (including shipping)
Where can I get it? Indigo
What is it? Little Tikes Cook ‘n’ Grow Kitchen by MGA Entertainment – two configurations depending on your child’s height!
What’s it cost? $114.94
Where can I get it? Walmart
What is it? Ivory Rose Tutu Dress – absolutely gorgeous, frivolous fun (holiday photos, anyone?)
What’s it cost? $60
Where can I get it? Trendy Bambini
What is it? Lush‘s new “Play-Doh for the bathtub” in red is the perfect stocking stuffer! For fun, bubble bath or soap. Also suggested as shampoo, but with sodium laureth sulphate in it, I strongly reco that you don’t get it anywhere near your child’s eyes
What’s it cost? $6.95
Where can I get it? Lush
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DISCLAIMER: The majority of the products featured in this gift guide were provided either to me or to another parent tester. Some were personally purchased. In all cases, products are only considered “gift guide-worthy” if they would receive a minimum 4/5 gears (see “What the gears mean”). Many other products were provided for consideration that are not featured. You can trust that brands/agencies/companies have not paid to be in this gift guide!
Emma says
The doll sling from A Nest By My Chest is very cute!
Emma says
The doll sling from A Nest By My Chest is very cute!
Jeannie says
We just got my son a trunki for Christmas. I didn’t even think it was in the ‘right’ age range. Neato! Love your guides. It really helps with picking out gifts for them that is ‘outside’ of what they keep asking for.
Jeannie says
We just got my son a trunki for Christmas. I didn’t even think it was in the ‘right’ age range. Neato! Love your guides. It really helps with picking out gifts for them that is ‘outside’ of what they keep asking for.
Jeannie says
I like that the plasma bike doesn’t require any batteries and it’s portable.
Jeannie says
I like that the plasma bike doesn’t require any batteries and it’s portable.
Bree says
Love that the plasma bike teaches balance before pedalling!
Bree says
Love that the plasma bike teaches balance before pedalling!
angela heffner says
I love that it can be used in doors and out (balance bike)!
Mommy Gearest says
Yes! Though I would say once it’s been used outdoors, it shouldn’t really come back in.
angela heffner says
I love that it can be used in doors and out (balance bike)!
Mommy Gearest says
Yes! Though I would say once it’s been used outdoors, it shouldn’t really come back in.
Marianne says
I like that it can be used indoors, and that it’s stable enough that my 2 year old will be able to ride it without training wheels.
Marianne says
I like that it can be used indoors, and that it’s stable enough that my 2 year old will be able to ride it without training wheels.
Elizabeth A Bailey says
The thing I like about the balance bike is that you can start the kids earlier on a bike, by having them only concentrate on one thing, balnce, and not 2 things like balance and pedeling and steering all together. Muc easier.
Mommy Gearest says
And I love that this one can be used indoors so the excitement of getting it on Christmas morning (or during Hanukkah, or another holiday) isn’t completely lost.
Elizabeth A Bailey says
The thing I like about the balance bike is that you can start the kids earlier on a bike, by having them only concentrate on one thing, balnce, and not 2 things like balance and pedeling and steering all together. Muc easier.
Mommy Gearest says
And I love that this one can be used indoors so the excitement of getting it on Christmas morning (or during Hanukkah, or another holiday) isn’t completely lost.
Melissa G says
What were the big differences, or small? between the leappad 1 and 2?
Melissa G says
What were the big differences, or small? between the leappad 1 and 2?