Great Gift Ideas for Toddlers & Preschoolers 2020

November 10, 2020

The most wonderful time of the year is almost here! It’s no secret that 2020 has been tough for our wee ones (and parents!), but after months of ups and downs, we’re committed to ending the year on a high note. The holidays might look a bit different this year, but there will still be plenty of festive activities, classic movies, and fun surprises to make spirits bright. Plus presents, of course! If you’re looking for a great gift idea designed to delight your toddler or preschooler, we’ve got plenty of inspiration to share. From stocking stuffers to big-ticket buys, there’s a little something for everyone on our list.

Hoyle Card Games for Kids 6-in-1 Fun Pack

This sweet stocking stuffer is the perfect addition to family game night! Introduce your wee one to classic card games like Go Fish, Crazy Eights, and Old Maid, or let them test their memory with a simple matching game.

$12.50 | Available at amazon.ca | Recommended for ages 3+

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Floor Puzzle

Inspired by the beloved children’s book by Eric Carle, this large two-sided floor puzzle features 26 chunky pieces that are perfect for little hands. One side of the puzzle helps with colour recognition, while the other will help your kiddo learn their shapes.

$20 | Available at chapters.indigo.ca | Recommended for ages 3-7

Barbie Color Reveal Mermaid

Little Barbie fans will love the unboxing experience of this magical colour-reveal doll that comes with seven fun surprises. Which Barbie Mermaid will it be? Watch their excitement grow as each colourful gift is revealed with a simple swirl of warm water.

$25 | Available at chapters.indigo.ca | Recommended for ages 3+

VTech Play Smart Preschool Laptop

You’re not the only one working from home these days! The VTech Play Smart Preschool Laptop is the perfect way to give your little one their own home office experience (minus all the Zoom meetings). The laptop features 30 learning activities that cover subjects like letters, numbers, shapes, animals, music, and games. It can even be personalized with your child’s name, age, and avatar. A full QWERTY keyboard introduces early typing skills, while large directional arrows make it easy for your little one to navigate independently.

$25 | Available at toysrus.ca | Recommended for ages 3-6

Glub-Glub Sub Bath Toy

Rub-a-dub-dub, ‘tis the season for the tub! When it comes to can’t-miss gift ideas, bath toys are just the ticket. This colourful set features a wind-up submarine that squirts water and a scuba diver figurine for lots of imaginative play. Bonus: it also works on land!

$25 | Available at mastermindtoys.com | Recommended for ages 18 months+

Melissa & Doug Examine and Treat Pet Vet Play Set

If you have an aspiring veterinarian in the family, this 24-piece play set from Melissa & Doug is the ideal holiday surprise. In addition to two cuddly plush pets, the set is packed with plenty of essential accessories, including a stethoscope, thermometer, bandages, and a reusable checklist. It also comes with a handy storage bag to keep everything neatly organized until the next checkup.

$35 | Available at well.ca | Recommended for ages 3+

Kid Made Modern My First Painting Collection

Budding artists will be thrilled to unwrap this creative collection from Kid Made Modern. A variety of brushes, rollers, and daubers pairs perfectly with six washable paints in vibrant hues. Make room on your fridge now, because you’ll have plenty of colourful masterpieces to display before you know it!

$40 | Available at chapters.indigo.ca | Recommended for ages 3+

VTech Go! Go! Cory Carson Cory’s Stay & Play Home

Fans of the animated Netflix series Go! Go! Cory Carson will recognize the colourful cast of characters in this fun and interactive playset from VTech. The set is designed to look just like the Carson home that kids know and features interactive sounds, lights, and songs in different rooms. Cory, Chrissy, and Mama mini-figures are included, but the Stay & Play Home will also interact with other VTech characters from the show (sold separately).

$50 | Available at toysrus.ca | Recommended for ages 2+

VTech 3-in-One Step & Roll Motorbike

For busy kiddos on the move, you can’t go wrong with this three-in-one motorbike from VTech. Easily adjustable, it grows with your child from a push-toy to a ride-on and finally a balance bike. And not only does it help to build gross motor skills, but it also teaches kids about life in their community through a variety of catchy songs, sounds, and fun phrases. It’s perfect for imaginative play, too!

$50 | Available at walmart.ca | Recommended for ages 1-3

LeapFrog Scoop & Learn Ice Cream Cart

Talk about a sweet surprise! With seven games and more than 200 phrases, the Scoop & Learn Ice Cream Cart from LeapFrog is an educational toy that serves up plenty of fun along the way. While mixing and matching scoops of ice cream and toppings to create tasty treats, kids will also work on memory, counting, and colour recognition skills. And when playtime is done, all of the pieces tuck away into the side of the cart for handy storage.

$50 | Available at walmart.ca | Recommended for ages 3-5

Baby Born Surprise Mermaid Surprise

Mermaid? Check. Sparkles? Check. Surprises to reveal? Check! This sweet surprise doll checks lots of boxes on the top toy list this year, so it’s sure to be a winner. The doll comes with a sparkly seashell tub that kids use to reveal water-activated surprises, including her eye colour and hair colour. There are even diaper surprises that are revealed after she “pees.” Who knew diaper changes could be so exciting?!

$60 | Available at chapters.indigo.ca | Recommended for ages 1+

B. Toys Meowsic Cat Musical Floor Piano

Time for a dance party! The Meowsic Cat Musical Floor Piano from B. Toys gives kids the chance to make their own silly songs with a jumbo-size surface that’s perfect for little feet. Kids can enjoy three sound modes: music notes, wacky sounds, or cat meows. And if they’re in the mood to move, simply switch the piano to tune mode to play five fun songs while they dance along. They’ll love the lights, sounds, and drum beats, and you’ll love the parent-friendly volume control. Win-win!

$65 | Available at chapters.indigo.ca | Recommended for ages 3+

Brio Builder Motor Set

Is your future engineer ready to take their building projects to the next level? The 121-piece Builder Motor Set from Brio brings their builds to life with a battery-powered motor that adds movement to the mix. With kid-friendly tools, an inspiration booklet, and lots of sturdy pieces to combine and create, this versatile building set will help your preschooler sharpen their hand-eye coordination, work on problem-solving skills, and offer hours of hands-on play.

$70 | Available at mastermindtoys.com | Recommended for ages 3+

Little People Launch & Loop Raceway

Little People and Hot Wheels combine in this cool new twist on the classic car tower we know and love. The Launch & Loop Raceway features a double car launcher, crash zone, and thrilling loop-the-loop that’s sure to impress. Complete with two toddler-friendly Wheelies vehicles, it’s a must-have for any car-loving kiddo.

$80 | Available at toysrus.ca | Recommended for ages 2+

Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Grow-the-Fun Garden to Kitchen

This two-in-one toy from Fisher-Price is easily one of our top gift picks this year. On one side, it’s a bustling garden with fruits, flowers, and a chicken that lays eggs. On the other, it’s a skill-building play kitchen complete with a sink, blender, and recipe book. As we’ve come to expect from Fisher-Price playsets, the Laugh & Learn Grow-the-Fun Garden to Kitchen will grow with your child, teaching them age-appropriate concepts along the way using various songs, sounds, and phrases. The set comes with more than 30 play pieces, including fruits, veggies, and cooking utensils for an immersive play experience that your wee one will love.

$100 | Available at walmart.ca | Recommended for ages 18 months+

Hape Four-Stage Rocket Ship

For a gift that’s out of this world, look no further than the Four-Stage Rocket Ship from Hape. With three levels of space-themed fun for future astronauts to discover and explore, along with a detachable planetary lander, this 20-piece set is an awesome way to encourage your kiddo to reach for the stars.

$130 | Available at PlayfulMindsToys.ca | Recommended for ages 3+

Eezy Peezy Monkey Bars

If a big-ticket item is more your style, this indoor/outdoor jungle gym is the way to go! It’s a great way to keep kiddos active on chilly winter days when the weather keeps them indoors and can move to the backyard just in time for summer break. Safe, sturdy, and easy to assemble, it’s the ideal climbing structure for kids who need to monkey around and burn off some energy. Bonus: add an old sheet to the mix and it quickly becomes the best fort ever.