Buying for kids is tough because all they want are terrible plastic toys that will break before New Year’s Day. My guide aims to redirect kiddos to better toys that will make them happy, while keeping your style sensibilities unoffended.
The Whimsical Treehouse
My friend Julie (@1201north) sent this to me and I knew it needed to be in the gift guide. I mean, it’s just so sweet, and the price is right compared to similar items you’ll find elsewhere. Hearth and Hand also has an adorable doll farmhouse, a greenhouse, and an absurdly cute barn, so it’ll be hard to choose just one (or two, or three) for your little one.
The Coolest Kid Guitar
I love that this kid guitar is well-price and neutral (although it comes in a variety of colors). But what I love most about it is that it’s not just a toy guitar: it’s actually a first instrument for your child to begin his or her love affair with music.
Another great option is the Hape Guitar. If you live in Westchester County,
it’s available at hip-kid (@hip.kid), an incredible local kid’s store in Chappaqua
The Dreamy Classic Bike
I mean, this is a crazy splurge item but it’s just so cute. The basket. The pink (but also comes in white). The faux leather seat. I want to shrink myself down to kid size and ride this all over. Also available in a less expensive balance bike.
The Retro Wagon
I love the nostalgia of the whole Americana line by Candylab Toys, but this is my favorite.
The magnetic roof holds a removable canoe. Check out the website and see if you can stop yourself at just one item.
The Cutest Little Portable Dollhouse
This dollhouse has been a favorite in my house for years. It’s small, wooden, and totally portable.
It’s held up so well as my kids have banged it all over the house. The BoxSet Car is also so popular with my kiddos.
The Handsome Toy Workbench
Not everyone is going to have the space for this, but I could see this keeping my son and daughter busy for hours and hours. And, it’s pretty, so if you have to have it for your kid but are short on space, it won’t be a total eyesore.
Don’t have room for this monstrosity of fun? The corresponding small tool box is a perfect fit.
Apologies in advance for all the times you’ll be stepping on wooden screws.
The Modern Cuckoo Clock
I don’t know if it’s because I married a guy from Germany, but I love cuckoo clocks. This one, also available in gray, is a cool and modern one that would be perfect for a kid’s room. They’ll love it because Peppa Pig also has a cuckoo clock.
And, TBH, if you have an adult friend with fun and eclectic taste, he or she would probably love this too.
The Mini “It” Bag
Also available locally at Funky Monkey in Greenwich, Connecticut (@funkymonkeyct), this bag is so much fun.
I purchased it at Funky Monkey for my daughter in gray embossed croc and I’m totally obsessed with the fancy lady vibe and the scarf around the front handle. Buy it for your favorite fashionista’s daughter.
The Tabletop Game
As the winter approaches, I’m always looking for ways to keep the kids occupied. This is a perfect gift for siblings to play with together during the cold months, which is always nice because these kiddos fight over everything.
Also very cool by Plan Toys, this pinball machine.
The Breakfast Club
My kids are constantly serving me toy food and are obsessed with the idea of breakfast in bed.
This set merges those culinary obsessions. Pair with this adorable apron to make a perfect theme gift.
I’m also pretty into this Hape food prep kit.
The Feminist Fashionista
I saw the RBG version of this shirt listed as an Oprah’s Favorite Thing and purchased for my daughter immediately because, come on! All of them are fabulous (check out the entire Trailblazer line here), but the Malala shirt is particularly beautiful. I love the idea of pairing this shirt with an age-appropriate book about the shirt’s heroine, or a book about women trailblazers in general.
Also available on Amazon if you’re a Prime member.
The Big Build
Is your kid a lover of Magna-Tiles and Legos? Then this construction set is right up his or her alley. The best part is that once you make this cool English-style house, you can disassemble and start again after submerging in water to dissolve the “mortar” glue.
I also LOVE these biodegradable “bricks” that my German in-laws brought with them for the kids a few years ago. They’re made simply of corn starch, water, and food coloring and now seem to be everywhere, including Funky Monkey.
The Indestructible Destructible Car
My son is deeply obsessed with all of the Automoblox cars he has, but this one is his favorite. He loves playing with it like any other traditional toy car, but enjoys taking it apart and putting it back together even more. And, this thing is so well made that it holds up against my son’s constant attempts to destroy it (I wish I could say the same about my house).
We’ve purchased all of ours locally at hip-kid.
The Sweater Weather Edit, Zara Kids Edition
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I didn’t think it made sense to choose one or two when there were so many great options, so here are my favorites
(I obviously used the term “edit” quite loosely):
1 JACQUARD FRETWORK KNIT SWEATER, $39.90; 2 KNIT BLAZER, $39.90; 3 EMBROIDERED KNIT SWEATER, $35.90; 4 VELVET BOW SWEATER, $35.90; 5 KNIT SWEATER WITH EMBROIDERED BALLS, $35.90; 6 KNIT SWEATER WITH RUFFLES, $29.90; 7 MICRO-CHENILLE CABLE KNIT SWEATER, $29.90; 8 JACQUARD KNIT CARDIGAN, $45.90; 9 JACQUARD KNIT SWEATER, $29.90; 10 CABLE KNIT SWEATER, $29.90; 11 CABLE KNIT CARDIGAN JACKET, $35.90; 12 KNIT CHECKERED JACKET, $29.90; 13 KNIT JACKET WITH CONTRASTING PIPING, $35.90; 14 KNIT PUFFER VEST, $29.50; 15 CONTRASTING SWEATER, $39.90.
The Faux Campfire
This was a last-minute addition to the guide, but when I saw it I couldn’t resist. My kids love pretending to camp out in our family room, especially in the winter months. This is a safe and totally adorable way to incorporate a campfire into their play.
The Unicorn Dream Gift
Jane Austin once wrote “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a little girl must be in want of a unicorn.” She didn’t? Well, it’s still true, and this toy fulfills all the little girl unicorn fantasies. The unicorn self-propels when the kiddo makes a galloping motion on it. It also comes as a pony (among other models), and in a smaller size for younger kids. I really want to get this for my kids but I also want to stay married, so it’s currently a toss-up as to whether I’m purchasing.
Think this is absurd but like the self-propelled concept? Check out PlasmaCar, which moves as you move the steering wheel back and forth. I DID get this for my son after test driving it at Funky Monkey, where all of these ride-on items are also available.
And, that’s the 2019 Gift Guide for the kiddos. Are there any toys that you love that aren’t listed here? Share your knowledge by leaving a link to them in the comments. Happy Shopping!
