Holiday Gift Guide: For the Kids

It’s that time of the year again! December has officially arrived and my list for gift giving is beginning to fill up and up. Just as I did last year (if you’re in need of a few more ideas, check out this round up too), I thought that I might share several of the kid-related presents that have caught my eye, either for one of those kids on my list, as an idea for Liv or because it’s just too cute!

Ladies and Guys Gift Guides to come.

I always have a lot of fun shopping for girls and this year was no exception. This multi colored trapper hat is a happy and fun accessory for winter and this sequin cardigan is perfect for holiday parties and special gatherings. I’ve always been a huge fan of little striped and polka dotted tights on Liv and these are adorable (though I wish the stripes extended all the way to the top? Does that bother anyone else when dressing their wee little one?). This peacoat is a total splurge but I had to include it. When Old Navy comes out with their version, I’d love to be on the must-know list.

I found these moccasins in Spain and was so thrilled to have stumbled across them again on Amazon! They are the most comfortable shoes that Liv wears almost every day. They have a zipper on the inside (critical for getting boots on toddlers), are super durable and absolutely adorable with leggings, tights or skinny jeans. (Now they make them for infants, too!)

For the boys, I’m digging this baby huxley polo and these Livie & Luca cowboy boots (possibly my favorite find). Big fan of cute, out-of-the-ordinary hats like this moose beanie (sort of resembles a reindeer, right? and would be adorable for this winter!) and check out these cool shades for little men, now they can look just like daddy. This boy’s button up cardigan is a stylish winter staple.

Back to the toys, and I have plenty that have caught my eye after much internet and catalog trolling.

I still can’t get enough of the phenomenon of these cute bouncy toys that have taken over the market these past couple of years, and I’m sure kids can’t either! Unconventional (and absolutely adorable) stuffies like this corduroy lion always win me over, perfect for a new baby (the same company makes an elephant, alligator, horse, cat, you name it).

Liv is currently enamored with the idea of cutting her own food! This wooden set by Melissa & Doug is perfect for toddlers. And I wish I had thought of this next idea! Chalkboard placemats! Perfect for active kids at the dinner table.

You may know well my love of wooden toys from previous posts, this little buggy is perfect for toting around baby dolls, toys, play food supplies (pretend grocery store shopping?) and anything else your little ones might like to carry. Speaking of wooden toys, I would love to make Liv a little dollhouse next year, but this foldable version is a great alternative to tote around to Grandma’s house and for playdates. Take the guesswork out of learning to tie shoes, and for those that are just about that age this toy seems like a fun way to practice.

Kiwi Crate is such a clever idea and would make the perfect gift from a Grandma or Aunt to a child for Christmas. It’s a subscription based program with a new box filled with 2-3 craft projects arriving each month – a fun reason to sit down and have a little family craft time! You might have caught Liv building her little gingerbread house on Instagram (you can follow us @morganspenla) earlier this month, Kiwi Crate was kind enough to send us a holiday kit. Use this link to get $5 off your first $20-per-box subscription.

Last but not least in the above collage, this extreme DIY wall coaster (a marble run that flips and zips over 16 feet) looks like a lot of fun! A great idea for kids that love to connect and build.

Family board games are a must – here’s one that prompts storytelling and the imagination for kids of all ages. Toys that get the kids outside are also a favorite of mine, this chalk trail for a kid’s bike seems like a lot of fun – attach chalk and draw/bike away! Here’s a cool spin on the ever popular deer head – but in the form of an upcycled sweater moose! This would be great in a nursery. And a gummy bear nightlight? So cool.

Another find for picky (or easily distractible) eaters… construction zone placemats. Talk about constructive eating! I would have loved this ticket stub booklet as a little girl and I’m sure most 8-12 year olds will think it’s awesome. A great way to corral train, plane and museum souvenirs in (ticket stubs are free!) and to track family vacations.

Liv is getting a new kitchen for Christmas, and these sugar cookie accessories are on the top of my wishlist! How cute is that little oven mitt and those build-it-yourself wooden desserts? (I can’t decide which of us would dig playing with these more…). Healthy fruit pops and wintery desserts are just an ice mold away. Love me some great toy storage, these felt bins are awesome. 

This is probably a given :), but we LOVE Olivia books in our house! And this little paperback travel pack is perfect for carrying around. This adorable owl find is even customizable (ps check out the cool whale by the same company).

I was never great about putting bows and headbands on Liv as a baby (and now I regret it because she refuses to put anything in her hair), but this company has developed a non-painful solution to the traditional clips and headbands (the imprint many left always made me wary).

This little book buggee is perfect for kids like Liv that tote armfuls of books from room to room. Especially those kids that love pull toys! And finally, last but not least, lincoln logs are reborn as simple Kubix plank wood blocks, these look like so much fun.

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Happy shopping! Enjoy the rest of your gift list making this December and hopefully these inspire a few ideas for your favorite people this holiday season. I also have a trove of handmade ideas that I’m working on and I can’t wait to share them here as well.

Ladies and Guy’s Gift Guides coming soon! And don’t forget to check out last year’s kid’s list, too. PS All previously posted gift guides can be sorted on the site using this link.