Shopping for quality kids’ toys can be daunting. This season we’ve got your back. Take a look at our Kid’s Holiday Gift Guide Part I for great gifts in STEM Learning and Creative Play.

We received samples to create this post. All products were kid-tested for their seal of approval. Unfortunately, it’s hard to get good pictures of the toys when the kids are playing.

The Kid’s Holiday Gift Guide 2019 Part I

STEM Learning:

Techno Kids: Stack A Peg and Techno Kids: Stack & Spin Gears – Open-ended play is a priority in our house. One thing we do to encourage this is to provide a variety of high-quality creative toys. Due to that, we’ve been familiar with Learning Journey Toys for quite a while now. My daughter recently announced that she plans to become an architect when she grows up.  She may be only three,  but she knows what she wants.  She loves the Learning Journey Techno Kids: Stack A Peg and Techno Kids: Stack & Spin Gears.

The Stack a Peg set, designed for ages 2 and up, has six base pieces and twenty pegs. The interlocking pieces can be sorted or stacked and then topped with pegs in any configuration your child can imagine. The Stack & Spin Gears consists of over 30 mix and match pieces, including bases, gears, and a crank handle. Kids build dexterity by manipulating the pegs and gears into place and it can be used for sorting and stacking. Both products are aligned with STEM standards.

All Learning Journey Toys are safety tested and meet both international and domestic toy safety standards. This family-owned company has been designing quality products since 1995.

Learning Journey Techno Kids: Stack A Peg has an MSRP of $14.99, while the Techno Kids: Stack & Spin Gears has an MSPR of $23.95.

Codi the Storytelling Robot – Robotics is a fascinating new world, and we have joined it with Codi The Storytelling Robot.  Small, cute, and made of food-grade silicone, Codi plays over 100 classic songs and uses engaging voice actors to tell 130+ classic stories to your child.  The songs are available in three playlists; songs that promote motor development, songs that promote socioemotional and literacy development, and calming songs.

Codi, designed for ages 12 months and up, features a parental app which allows you to use Codi to set routines, like playing music while kids brush their teeth and to control what your child listens to on Codi. Even better, you can send voice messages back and forth using Codi, no matter how far away you are. My daughter and I travel without my husband sometimes, and although we’re in constant communication when we’re gone, using Codi to send voice messages between my daughter and husband is a sweet way for them to remain connected when we’re out of town.

Plus, Codi has its own outfits. A blue outfit is included, but there’s also a dinosaur, unicorn, and monkey available. The outfits are soft, plush, machine washable, and have a handle, making it easy for little hands to hold. Codi requires Wi-Fi for full functionality, but can be used offline to play all the saved songs and stories, which means you can take him just about anywhere.

The Pillar Learning Codi the Storytelling Robot has an MSRP of $99.

Little Genius Starter Kit  – What kid doesn’t love the chance to play on a tablet? If my daughter could, she would sequester my iPad away and never give it back. With the OSMO Little Genius Starter Kit, I don’t feel bad about letting her have some screen time. The Little Genius Starter Kit takes the average tablet and turns it into a fun learning tool for kids aged three-to-five.

The kit, designed to work with an iPad,  includes 38 BPA-free and dishwasher-safe silicone sticks and rings, 19 costume pieces, a silicone play mat, and two stackable storage containers.  Download the app and kids can play 4 types of games; ABCs, Squiggle Magic, Stories, and Costume Party.  The ABC games teach phonics, letter recognition and construction, and over 300 words. Kids can use the silicone sticks and rings to create letters.

Squiggle Magic allows kids to use the silicone pieces to create designs and watch them come alive on screen. Costume play allows kids to create outfits for characters and watch their reactions, while the stories allow them to create outfits and find solutions to obstacles. Along the way, kids will learn problem-solving, critical thinking skills, common emotions, while not realizing they are learning. What a great way to foster creativity! The iPad is NOT included.

The OSMO Little Genius Starter Kit has an MSPR of $79.

Splashology Water Lab – What kid doesn’t love experiments? As a child, I spent most of my time mixing as many things as I could get my hands on just to see what happened. I never felt cooler than the time I got to play with some science beakers in the bathtub. The Learning Resources Splashology Water Lab, for ages 3 and up, includes 19 pieces for both guided and open-ended water play.

Perfect for playing in the bath, the sink, or at a water table, the Learning Resources Splashology Water Lab includes 7 waterproof experiment cards, featuring fun guided experiments for you to do with your child. The Water Lab introduces your child to buoyancy, flow, and volume, and even better, all the pieces are made with durable foam and plastic for easy cleanup.  With beakers, a syringe, a floating target, and more, the possibilities for the Water Lab are endless. It’s a great way to introduce science and STEM skills in a playful environment.

The Learning Resources Splashology Water Lab has an MSRP of $19.99.

Magformer’s Milo’s Mansion – Magformers are a hot toy at our house. We have several sets, which are constantly used together to create bigger and better structures. The new 33 piece Magformers Milo’s Mansion,  a build-your-own house set with Milo, an adorable puppy character,  is a must add to the collection.  The BPA plastic-free pieces are compatible with other Magformer sets, allowing you to mix and match, or it can be used on its own.

Designed for ages 3 and older, the set includes step-by-step building instructions, but can also be used for free building. When kids are finished playing, the Magformers pieces stick together using magnets that never reject for easy stacking and storage. Recognized as a top STEM toy by STEM.org, Magformers help develop color and shape recognition, problem-solving, critical thinking and fine motor skills.

 The Magformer’s Milo’s Mansion has an MSRP of $49.99.

Creative Play:

Green Toys Parking Garage –  I love Green Toys because of their durability.  We’ve had the Indoor Gardening Kit on our patio for 8 years and it’s still in great shape.  This parking garage, made from recycled plastic milk jugs, is a great addition to our Green Toys collection.  Kids will love the 3-story play structure, featuring a helicopter landing pad, an indoor garage on the bottom floor complete with a drive-thru service station, and an open-air 2nd-floor parking garage. Parents will love that it is dishwasher safe and that it is BPA, PVC, and Phthalates free.

Designed for ages 3 and up, the parking garage is easy to assemble. The ramp needs to be attached to the garage, but it’s easily snapped into place. The garage includes two vehicles and a helicopter.  Additional vehicles and helicopters can be purchased separately. Companion pieces are available, including the Car Carrier and Ferry Boat.
The Green Toys Parking Garage has an MSR of $39.99.

Fat Brain Build It Blueprint Puzzles Cabin – When my daughter announced she wanted to be an architect when she grew up, I immediately wanted to support her. However, beyond blocks, I wasn’t sure what kind of toys could feed this passion. Then I found the Fat Brain Build It Blueprint Puzzles. For ages four and up, theses 3D Puzzles come in four options: barn, birdhouse, cabin, and doghouse.

These chunky wooden 3D puzzles are printed on both sides; one as a blueprint and the other with the outside of the structure. The doghouse and birdhouse are easier puzzles, while the cabin and barn are more of a challenge. Not only are these puzzles fun for kids and adults to do together, but they also encourage fine motor skills, spatial reasoning, logic, concentration, and imaginative play. When not in use, the pieces of the puzzle fit flat into the included storage board for easy storage. It is made of high-quality wood for lasting durability, which is a must-have when you have an active kid in the house!

The Fat Brain Build It Blueprint Puzzles Cabin has an MSR of $19.95.

Timber Tots Adventure Bus  – My daughter loves to travel. Because of this, it is a recurring theme in her play as well. If she’s not pretending to head out on a trip, she’s making her toys go on an adventure. The Timber Tots Adventure Bus is the perfect addition to the playroom of any travelista.  Designed for ages two-to-four, the bus comes with one Timber Tot, Harry the Owl, but can fit up to six Timber Tots.  It’s easy to fit the Timber Tots inside the bus, just press the roof and the bus pops open.  The Timber Tots Adventure Bus also features a trunk that opens up to reveal storage space for anything the Timber Tots may need while on the road.

This is a re-envisioning of the classic TreeTots, bringing an old adventure to a new generation. The Timber Tots collection has houses, forest families, seaplanes, cruise ships, and more. This bus is a perfect way to start a Timber Tots collection or a great addition to any existing collection.  The Adventure Bus will provide hours of fun as your child learns imaginative play, storytelling, creativity, and fine motor skills.

The Fat Brain Toys Timber Tots Adventure Bus has an MSR of $19.95.

People Blocks  -Blocks are possibly the most used toys in our household. We have wooden blocks, plastic blocks, magnetic blocks, and now we’ve added People Blocks. This 31 Piece Set, designed for ages 18 months and older, is perfect for beginning your People Blocks collection.  The chunky design makes them a great choice for beginning builders, as it allows for an easier grip on the People Blocks, while the patented magnetic design makes stacking easy for little hands. The classic colors will capture their attention for exploration.

Older children will be able to use the blocks for matching, pattern building, and creative play. These blocks have garnered awards from the National Parenting Products, the Purdue University Engineering Seal of Approval for STEM, and the PAL Awards for advancing language through play.  It’s a fun way to learn fine and gross motor skills, along with problem-solving skills.

The 31 Piece People Blocks set can be combined with other People Blocks sets for building larger and more intricate structures. They are available from  People Toy Company and have an MSRP of $59.99.

Haba Little Friends Veterinary Clinic  – HABA is known for its high quality, colorful toys. We’ve always had HABA toys as they are well-constructed, durable, and designed to meet stringent safety standards in both the US and Europe. The HABA Little Friends Veterinary Clinic is no exception. The set comes with a multitude of items to enhance creative play. There’s a Vet Assistant named Rebecca and a black kitten, along with all the doctor’s gear kids need to help the kitten make a full recovery.

Kids can pretend to treat animals using the included doctor’s bag, stethoscope, tweezers, syringe, scalpel, reusable band-aid set, and bandages. Set up the clinic just like your local vet’s with 2 animal kennels, a scale, a treatment table, and a shelf. Great for encouraging imaginative play, this vet clinic set is intended for ages 3 and up. It can be combined with other HABA Little Friends sets for even more fun. You can add people, buildings, and vehicles until your child has an entire HABA town.  The Veterinary Clinic is made from beech wood, plywood, and plastic and is ready to withstand years of roleplaying.

The Haba Little Friends Veterinary Clinic has an MSRP of $79.99.

Lego Carnival Thrill Coaster – Is there a child who doesn’t like LEGO? If there is, I haven’t met them yet. My daughter is obsessed with them. From the basic block sets to themed sets, she loves LEGO. They’re great for creative play and they’re an excellent bonding activity when played with parents. The 98 piece LEGO Carnival Thrill Coaster set is no exception. Designed for ages 4 and up, it helps beginning builders boost their confidence by creating a structure that isn’t too challenging to be frustrating but is enough of a challenge to keep them engrossed.

With a Toy Story theme, the set allows kids to build a roller coaster track with an entrance arch, flags, camera, and spinning turnstile. They’ll also build roller coaster cars and a small food stand to complete the structure using the simple to understand instructions.  Two Toy Story characters, Buzz Lightyear and an Alien, are included to participate in the fun.  This set can be used in conjunction with other LEGO sets to build even more structures.  It’s an easy way to teach children fine motor skills, mathematical thinking, and creative skills.

The Lego Thrill Coaster has an MSRP of $19.99.

Kalamata’s Kitchen & Ready Pack and Kalmata’s Orchard Adventure Book – One of my favorite ways to spend time with my kid is in the kitchen. We’ve whipped up everything from Okonomiyaki, sushi bowls, falafel, and biscuits. I believe nothing brings people closer than cooking and eating together. Kalamata’s Kitchen agrees. Their food adventure gear, stories, live events, and nationwide family-friendly restaurant guide is designed to bring families together and explore their world through food.

The stories feature Kalamata, a girl with a magical kitchen table. In her first adventure, Kalamata’s Kitchen, Kalamata visits her Abuela in Venezuela. In Kalamata’s Orchard Adventure Book, Kalamata and her best friend/stuffed alligator Al Dente, go on an adventure to discover all about apples and what home smells like.  Readers join Kalamata on her adventures as a Taste Bud and follow along as she teaches about a seemingly endless range of apple varieties.  Each book ends with an exclusive recipe from the Chef featured in the book.

Does your kiddo want to be like Kalamata after reading about her adventures? The Kitchen & Ready Pack will help them out. Featuring the first Kalamata book, Kalamata’s Kitchen A La Kalamata, this kit also contains a Kalamata’s Kitchen branded apron and eco-bag.  Kalmata’s Kitchen believes in quality products. The apron and eco-bag are handmade in the USA, while the books are printed on thick, craft-quality paper stock and have a durable stitched binding.

Kalamata’s Kitchen & Ready Pack is $44.95 and both Kalamata’s Kitchen & Kalmata’s Orchard Adventure Book are $14.95.

Thumbthings Finger Puppets – As a kid, I loved putting on performances for my parents. From plays to dances to puppet shows, I loved being in the spotlight. My daughter is no different. Although she has a chance to expend her dramatics during theatre classes at her school, she’s still constantly wrangling my husband and me towards the couch, asking us to sit still while she puts on a performance. We’re happy to indulge her, and we seek out new props and toys for her performances whenever we can. One of her latest props is the handmade Thumbthings Finger Puppets, which are adorable finger puppets handmade in Peru by skilled artisans.

We especially like that Thumbthings has taken a Fair Trade pledge to support their craftspeople.  They’re also a certified green company, using renewable and green power and many initiatives to lower their environmental impact.  The finger puppets from Thumbthings are soft and knitted, with over 200 designs ranging from princes and dragons to ducks and jellyfish. With such a wide variety, you can find just about any type of finger puppet your child could need for storytelling or imaginative play.  These puppets have won the Creative Child Preferred Choice Award and The Family Choice Award and will spark hours of creative play.

The Thumbthings Finger Puppets are $5 each or 5 for $20.

BRIO My First Farm -Our family has a farm with a small flock of sheep. Like any young child, my daughter adores them. Many of our games involve taking care of sheep. Because of this, we have a lot of farm-based toys. They’re a great way for her to recreate scenes from our daily lives as well as coming up with more fantastic scenarios. BRIO My First Farm, designed for ages 18 months and older, is a combination of farm toy and train set, introducing kids to the joy of train sets without the frustration of fitting together a million sets of tracks.

Perfect for either train or farm lovers, this set includes five animals, a train engine and an animal car, as well as a small track set. Each animal makes three sounds, which are automatically activated when the animals are placed in the farm meadow.  BRIO is dedicated to designing sturdy toys with clean and simple designs. Their wooden toys are designed with European Beechwood sourced from renewable forests.  No wonder these classic toys have been stimulating the imagination and promoting growth through play for over 100 years.

Note: The Farm Set needs 3 AAA batteries to produce the animal sounds in the farm meadow which are NOT included.

The Brio My First Farm has an MSRP of $59.99.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for The Kids’ Holiday Gift Guide Part II with Games, Educational Toys they’ll want to play, fun stocking stuffers, and items that make life easier for everyone.

Be sure to check out our other gift guides:

For Book Lovers

Adult Holiday Gift Guide

Foodie Gift Guide