2020 Gift Guides: Preschoolers
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After a few technology issues last week, I am SO thrilled to finally be kicking off my holiday gift guides. This year I’ll feature one for preschoolers, toddlers, her, him, stocking stuffers and maaaaaybe a few others if time allows.
Let’s get to it! Today’s guide is a combination of items on Deacon’s wish list and previous gifts we’ve received that have been a huge hit for him. He just turned five years old so these are great for 4-5 year olds but many are suitable for 3 and up.
I appreciate you using me as a resource as you shop this holiday season. These links are affiliate links and I make a VERY small commission on the products linked. These gift guides take a lot of time to curate, create, and execute so I appreciate you reading.
1.) Magic Tree House Complete Box Set - Deacon and I started reading the Magic Treehouse series during Quarantine and we have both enjoyed it so much. They are a great first chapter book for kids to experience. We read a chapter or two a night (don’t worry they’re short) and it’s been a good way for Deacon to understand that books can be more than just picture books. He likes looking at the table of contents and finding the page. The stories are wonderful and incorporate lessons on research and history. In a few years he’ll be able to read them on his own which means we’ll get double duty out of these. $66
2.) Little Tikes Mighty Blaster - I’m not a big fan of play guns, but Deacon saw this in on of the toy catalogs and circled it. I like that it’s a pump-style trigger so it takes some physical coordination to launch the balls. You can buy extra packs of the balls here if you’re house is anything like ours and the dog will eat them. $23
3.) Robot Toy - Deacon received this for his birthday from some friends and it is a huge hit! There are a lot of robot toys out there, but I like how this one is relatively simple. You can program it, but for the most part he just likes “driving” it around the house and watching it dance and make noise. It has motion sensors on it that respond to what you’re doing. It occupies both of my children for quite some time. $30
4.) Dino Track - If you have dinosaurs lovers in your house, this is the gift. It is actually really cool - the motorized dinosaur cars drive on the track or can go “off road” and go all over the house. The track is pretty easy to assemble for him (and good fine motor practice). We all have fun doing this one. It is currently set up in his room as a train tracks or Santa to deliver presents to the Dinos so I guess it’s also great for imaginative play. $27 on Amazon or $21 at Walmart.
5.) Personalized Stationery - Every young boy or girl could use a super cool set of stationery with their name. Deacon LOVES sending mail and this is a fun way to get him to practice writing. And it is never too early to teach the importance of a thank you note. Y’all know I love some Love Lucy stationery, but her shop is closed so sharing you another local Dallas shop that has the cutest personalized goods. This particular set has lines which is good for early-writers. $22
6.) Personalized Placemat - Deacon has one of these and I’m ordering one for Emilia this year. They are super fun to make because you can pick out all of the attributes of the “character” on the placemat to look like your child. The reverse side has the child’s name and the full alphabet so they can use a dry erase marker and practice their writing. Another shop that has TONS of cute gift items. $20
7.) Bey Blades with Arena - I’m going to be honest on this one, I had no idea what these were, but our older neighbor boys play them and they are apparently all the rage. Since Deacon wants to be like the big kids, he’s asking for these this year. They’re probably a litttttle advanced for him, but oh well. They are basically spinning tops that “battle” each other by knocking into one another. Who knew, tops would be all the rage as a toy again. $50
8.) I Spy Eagle Eye Game - Deacon received a TON of board games for his birthday in September and this one is a favorite among all of us. Each person has a little board that looks like the I Spy books and then you all try to find certain items in the card. Whomever finds all their pieces first rings the bell (an huge draw of the game is the little bell). It’s fun and fast and my son is freakishly good at it which is hilarious to all of us. $159.) Bounce House with Slide & Climbing Wall - We got our bounce house out for Halloween and realized it had a.) was a little to small for more than one five year old at a time and b.) had a pretty decent size hole in it. We had this style since Deacon was two and it’s served us well for the younger days, but we are ready for an upgrade. They have this castle style one where Emilia takes cheerleading at it is SO cool! The climbing wall is great for some gross motor skills and the slide is tall enough for big kids too. It’s a little pricey, but would be a good idea for several grandparents/aunts/uncles to go in on together. $300
10.) The Story Orchestra Books - Deacon received one of these for a gift a few years ago and they are so cool! Think of those press a button for sound books but with a more sophisticated sound. Each book tells the story of a composer’s orchestra. At the end there are pages that explain what each part of the orchestra does as well as a biography of the composer. We have the Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty ones and both kids adore them and I like them because we’re listening to and reading about classical music and not something that hurts my ears. $25
11.) Rocking See Saw - Our kids REALLY want a play set in the back yard, but we just don’t have the space (unless I want my only view to be a swing set). I’m hoping this might help them feel like we have a playground outside. Maybe? Just a little bit? I like that this can fit larger kids and it’s something they can both do at the same time - so should be less fighting right? $99
12.) Osmo Coding Starter Kit - Coding and STEM/STEAM toys are such hot toys right now. And for good reason - they not only teach kids science, technology, engineering, art, and math, but problem solving, sequencing, and independence as well. I really think with Deacon’s skills he would be good at and enjoy coding, so we put this on his list this year. I’ve heard wonderful things about the Osmo brand over the years and after some research several coding options, we are going with this one. It teaches the basics of coding blocks and can be added on to with future Osmo kits. $99
13.) Patagonia Down Coat - I try ever year to put off getting Deacon a coat until Christmas because he grows so dang fast! This one has all the requirements of a coat for him - a hood for cold recess days, it isn’t “scratchy” (i.e. the material isn’t that rough water-proof texture), and it can be squished inside his locker at school. It has 600 count down fill meaning it will also keep him nice and warm on the few days it gets below freezing here in Texas. $129
14.) Arcade 1Up Game PartyCade - To know me is to know my affinity for QVC. I saw this one on the other night and got Al to watch with me and HE was the one who was like, “that’s so awesome. Lets get it for Deac.” Deacon is just now starting to get in to video games, and what better way to learn than some of the originals! I think he’ll love playing pac man and using the joy stick on this, but it also comes with eight other games loaded on it. You can mount this to the wall (so great for a basement or playroom) or remove it and use it table top. It’s pretty cool and I think Al will be using it just as much as Deacon. Note: It looks like the Pac Man version is sold out, but the Asterioids one is still in stock. I also found this smaller, cheaper tabletop version too! $219
15.) Fort Builder Set - These look like SO much fun! A set of poles and connectors that help kids construct life-size structures. Add bed sheets - or better yet these velcro and weighted corners fort blankets - over the top and let the kids go nuts. This is a nice one too because while it has big impact, it’s pretty small to store. A good one to keep at the grandparents’ house! $41 for set and $40 for weighted fort blankets.
16.) The Star From Afar Book & Nativity - I’m sure you’re familiar with Elf on The Shelf where each night the elf magically moves around the house getting into mischief. This is a similar concept, but actually teaches and tells the Story of Christmas each day at a time. Each day has corresponding verses to read and discuss as a family. It is such a good way to keep each day of the Christmas season feel magical, while also remembering the real reason for the season. A wonderful gift. $30
I hope you found one or two ideas for your preschooler from this guide. As always, thanks for shopping via my links and sharing my gift guides with your friends and family!
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