The Best Holiday Toys and Gifts for Babies

Baby's first Christmas? These are the gifts that will help them learn and grow—and the ones that will elicit the most oohs and awws from appreciative parents, too.

It may be a blur right now, but when the babe has grown up a bit you'll be super happy that you have some keepsake items to celebrate their first Christmas. This baby handprint-themed ornament looks great and comes with a marker to write a name, date, and/or special message. Cue the happy tears! $13, chapters.indigo.ca

Ball pits are simply awesome, and we love having our own personal one for germ control. Better still, it zips up so we can take the whole kit and caboodle on the road. Expect to hear awesome baby belly giggles! $120, mastermindtoys.com

This soft pirate ship set is beyond cute, and the little one will finally learn to like tummy time when it means they can see their parents helping act out some adventures with the set in front of them. $35, thebay.com

A is for Arctic. B is for Beaver. We adore this bright board book for little ones that's full of patriotic symbols, events and more. Loonies, Zambonis, and totem poles make appearances. $12,chapters.indigo.ca

It's chilly over the holidays, but this cute and Canadian-themed hat will keep baby warm and looking dapper. The holiday photos are sure to be memorable with this festive topper. $16.50, chapters.indigo.ca

This pull-along toy is artfully decorated and made of solid wood. Baby will be motivated to walk so that the ducks can follow behind, all in a row. It's sure to be that toy that is passed down from child to child, with the darling retro look appreciated and loved by all. $30, chapters.indigo.ca

Babies just love remotes, and this one is for them and them alone! The buttons play more than 45 sing-a-long songs, with buttons showing opposites and counting patterns. Mostly, they'll love it because it's got lots of buttons that do things, just like the adults' remote. $15,thebay.com,