the joy of giving: yoyomama’s top 10 for the under 5 set
Filed Under Stuff | November 30, 2011
Welcome to yoyomama’s 2011 gift guide, full of our fave finds for kids aged 5 and under! With
gifts for boys, gifts for girls, things to stuff in stockings and more, our gift guide is designed to
make shopping this holiday season easier (and more fun) for you. Hint: this is also a good one to forward on to aunts, uncles and grandparents if they’re looking for gift ideas. So without further ado here they are in no particular order:
Hoo Hats, $34.99+
This hat will delight even the most head-ware phobic of toddlers. Hoo Hats are handcrafted from upcycled felted wool sweaters and lined with warm, cozy fleece for the maximum in cold weather comfort and awesomeness. The eyes and ties are also made from found fabric and are attached by hand. Each hat is a unique creation and has its own fun personality. Hats come in sizes that will fit the tiniest of babies to mum and dad sized heads.
Gift, best for any age.
L’Atelier De Cheval Du Bois Toy Boat, $24.99+
We are all about embracing our Canadian heritage in our house, so we’ve been teaching our wee ones about their French Canadian forefathers with tiny wooden boats modelled after the traditional vessels of the coureurs de bois. The boats are artisan-made in Quebec using sustainably harvested woods, non toxic oils and stains, and are beautiful and functional. They are great both in and out of the bath, and are durable, beautiful and all-Canadian.
Gift, best for ages 2+
Le Toy Van Sophie’s Car, $29.99
If you’re tired of metal and plastic cars filling the garage in your little one’s toy box, then we think this car will get your engines roaring. The hand painted wooden car with rubber wheels is reminiscent of an old fashioned VW Beetle. Compatible with Le Toy Van and Budkins dolls, it’s the perfect gift for the kid that keeps things rolling. If it’s too pink for your car fanatic, there are several other vehicles that we love including the old fashioned race car and camper van. Gift, best for 3+
Big Sister Pyjamas in a box, $29.95
Getting PJs on Christmas Eve is a tradition at our house. And we think that tucking this lovely little PJ-wearing mouse snug inside her matchbox bed in with your tots PJs would make that Christmas Eve gift even more special! The old-fashioned style of this soft but sturdy toy will appeal to parents who are shunning toys with batteries and don’t want to sacrifice style for fun. And if you want to go all out you can get the mouse a very cute house.
Gift, best for ages 2+
Hello Hanna Paper Dolls, $12.99
We’re already fans of Hello Hanna, and their paper dolls just increased our fandom. These are great if you’ll be travelling over the holidays and want something self-contained to keep your preschooler busy and happy, but it’s also a great gift for under the tree. You get one large paper doll plus pet, lots of punch out outfits, and sticker accessories. Plus, you get a stencil so your little one can make their own designs, which was a huge hit with our tiny testers. And at just over $10, these are great little gifts to have on hand in case you need something at the last minute for a child in your life.
Gift, best for ages 3+
Green Toys Stacker, $16.99
There are few toys more classic than the stacking pyramid, but often they are made with nasty plastic pieces. The Green Toys Stacker is BPA, phthalate, pvc and lead-free with no external coatings because it is made of 100% recycled plastic milk jugs! The eight coloured nesting pieces stack easily from large to small, while also allowing little builders to use their imagination and stack in any order. Little ones can develop hand-eye coordination and colour recognition while having lots of fun.
Gift, best for age 2 and under
Duns Organic Sleeper, $36.95
We love jammies in our house, and this cozy organic sleeper from Dun is no exception. Made from 100% certified organic cotton and printed with non-toxic dyes and colours in unique and cheerful patterns, it’s fun and snuggly enough to make them want to leap into bed to wait for Santa. It’s a little bit pricier than we’re used to spending on sleepers for little ones, which is why we think it would be a perfect gift from a grandparent or relative wanting to get something special.
Gift, best for age 2 and under
Uncle Goose Blocks, $52.99
We remember fondly the set of wooden blocks we played with when we were small, and the language set from Uncle Goose brings back those memories with flying colours. The 32-block set includes two complete alphabets, numbers, and animal pictures. Each block is crafted from sustainable Michigan basswood for a natural look and feel. They come in a range of languages from Arabic to Swedish, and Braille and ASL. A great way to introduce a second language to your little one.
Gift, best for ages 2+
Comiditas Salad, $27.99
Vegetables can sometimes be scary to picky eaters…so why not get them to play with their food? We love this fun felt green salad play set from Comiditas. Kids can make their own salad from a variety of veggies and lettuce, and can learn to love their veggies all while having fun. The Comiditas Green Salad is handmade with acrylic felt that washes up easily and safely, and we think it would be the perfect gift for the fussy or fanatic foodie in your life.
Gift, best for ages 2+
Plan Toys Arctic Planimals, $31.95
Kids love to learn about animals, and with our polar ice caps gradually shrinking, we think now is the time to teach them about our arctic friends. This great toy play set from Plan features a Polar Bear, an Arctic Fox, a Penguin, and a Harp seal, and includes a graphic scene of the arctic habitat. Your kiddos can learn while they play and the animals are articulated to allow for maximum interaction. The perfect gift for the animal lover or amateur conservationist.
Gift, best for ages 2+
4 Responses to “the joy of giving: yoyomama’s top 10 for the under 5 set”
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Let us know what you think or share your great finds with us so we can share them with other Vancouver mothers!
Very cute! Looks like the photos for the last two are swapped though. :)
Love this list, so happy to be in it!
great sleepers for presents!! and a local company!!
I love giving the Bobike Mini+… makes a great gift and gives the parents something to look forward to in the Spring…