Perfect Gifts for Kids 0-5--All Less Than $40!
Our ultimate gift list is full of fabulous finds, the kind of guaranteed hits that will never be left behind. Best of all, each perfect present comes in at less than $40--guaranteed to please mama and child. Happy holidays!
By MELISSA CARTER
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The Best Toys for Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers!
Not sure what to get the little one in your life this year? We've rounded up our favourite gifts--all for less than $50! Take a peak and let us know which one you'll be putting under the tree this year! -
Sweet Feet
Because we've yet to meet a new babe who isn't enamored with her hands and feet. Our new go-to toy for the littlest ones. Lamaze Garden Bug Foot Finder and Wrist Rattle Set, $18, Mastermind Toys
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If You go Down to the Woods Today...
There's plenty of honey and a slide to play on in this adorable piece of Hundred Acre Wood. Tip: If your little bear's favourite character is Tigger or Rabbit, you'll want to purchase that piece separately (not included). Lego Duplo Winnie the Pooh's House, $40, Sears
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Activity Station
Build your little genius's motor skills, colour recognition and cause-and-effect skills, while he pounds away happily. (Xylophone is removable for stand-alone playing.) Educo Early Melodies Pound and Tap Bench, $30, Mastermind Toys
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Get Cracking!
Little ones all the way from baby to age three love matching the shapes and shells pressing the tiny egg heads for cute little peeps. Hide 'n' Squeak Eggs, $13, Indigo
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Raise it Up
Take his car obsession to a whole new plane with this vertical Hot Wheels track (complete with loop-di-loops, cityscapes and the obligatory dinosaur tunnel). It all attaches to your wall with removable adhesive. Bonus: the more cars that are on the track, the fewer on the playroom floor. Hot Wheels Wall Track Starter Set, $40, Walmart
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Just Hanging with Diego
Turn his love of Diego into a love of books with this personalized 38-page adventure story. Upload a photo of your little adventurer and his handsome mug will be featured on the cover and on each page inside. (Real baby jaguar not included.) Diego and My Zebra Rescue, $40 US, Shutterfly
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And We're Off!
Each of the doors opens with a different key, so little ones can learn association and dexterity, and the set-up doubles nicely to host animal races. A carry handle makes it a perfect toy for visits to grandma (we can only imagine the, erm, treasures he'll find to put inside). Beep Beep Garage, $25, Mastermind Toys
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Blast Off
The littlest explorers will be over the moon with this hide 'n' seek rocket ship. Janod Magnetic Rocket Kit, $25, Raspberry Kids
A gift for you! Use the exclusive iVillage coupon code ivillage15 to score 15% off your next Raspberry Kids purchase. Click here for details.
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Tug-a-Lug
If you're looking for a toy they'll love--and use every day!--look no further than this bathtime boat. Little ones will love cruising it around the tub, and parents will appreciate the wide spout, perfect for washing hair and rinsing off. Green Toys Tugboat, $11, Indigo
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Snoop Dog
Our only question is why it took so long for this toy to come back! Exactly as awesome we remember. Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine, $25, Indigo
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Get ready for the indoor season with a 12-piece set has everything your little Picasso needs to experiment with colour, texture, paint and patterns. Includes 5 colours of washable tempera paint, 5 texture tools, paint tray and 20 sheets of paper. And, a fully illustrated instruction guide that includes paint mixing chart, tips and techniques. Texture Painting Set Art Kits, $22, Indigo
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Salad? Yes, Please!
Because picky eating must be battled on all levels, we say. (And it's adorable!) Educo Healthy Gourmet Salad for Green Eaters, $25, Mastermind Toys
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May the Force be With You
Watch is water-resistant up to 50 meters and features Japanese Quartz movement. Lego Star Wars Watch, $25, Indigo
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Smart and Pretty
Who says toys can't be beautiful, brilliant and well-priced? Our favourite line of puzzles is built with quality and smarts. Kid-O Matching Shades Puzzle, $14, Indigo
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To the Rescue!
Because somewhere there's an animal--or dolly--in trouble. Klein Medical Case, $25, Mastermind Toys
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Precious Cargo
Whether you've got a girl or a boy, find out why this is the best toy we've ever bought. Corolle stroller, $33, Indigo
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Party for Two
Why, yes, that is the sweetest tea pot you and I have ever seen. Le Toy Van Honeybake Tea Set, $40, Raspberry Kids
A gift for you! Use the exclusive iVillage coupon code ivillage15 to score 15% off your next Raspberry Kids purchase. Click here for details.
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Drumroll, Please!
Start the parade with this beautiful metal drum. Comes with two wooden drum sticks and a strap so your little band boy can march around while making music. Vilac Drum by Nathalie Lete, $39, Dandelion Kids
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On a Roll
You can't beat an abacus for teaching numbers and math, and this one has wooden rather than metal dowels. Rainbow Bead Abacus, $23, Dandelion Kids
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Game On
This co-operative and award-winning early board game will please preschoolers, and the parents who play with them. Richard Scarry Busy Town Game, $29, Indigo
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Shape Up
There are few things we love more than a stunning educational toy that grows with your kid, which makes our obsession with this geometric puzzle-gone-design piece pretty much a given. Hape Geo-Form S-Mixed Shape Puzzles, $8, Applause Toys
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King of the Nursery
Your little one will roar with approval. A bell (hidden inside safely) rings as he rolls along. Sevi Mini Pull Along Lion, $20, Raspberry Kids
A gift for you! Use the exclusive iVillage coupon code ivillage15 to score 15% off your next Raspberry Kids purchase. Click here for details.
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Get in Line
It counts, it scans, it sings--as if your toddler/preschooler took over at the grocery store. LeapFrog Count and Scan Shopper, $35, Mastermind Toys
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Sweet Treat
These solid wood lollies look delicious, come with their own stand, and never drip! What more could you ask for in a popsicle? Le Toy Van Ice Lollies, $20, Raspberry Kids
A gift for you! Use the exclusive iVillage coupon code ivillage15 to score 15% off your next Raspberry Kids purchase. Click here for details.
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Line it Up
A magnetic stylus pulls beads up to create solid lines. Erases with the tip of a finger. A to Z Magnatab, $20, Indigo
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Woof, Here it is!
Short of actually buying that pet, this is next best. Vet Kit with Dog Accessories, $25, Indigo
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Good Morning
Someone's making toast, we hear the click, and there's butter and honey too! Hape Rise 'n' Shine Toaster, $26, Dandelion Kids
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Sometimes it's the Little Things
Perfect for little hands, these cutie pie bugs the pull back action that makes racing fun--and fast! Sevi Racing Bugs, $5, Raspberry Kids
SOLD OUT!A gift for you! Use the exclusive iVillage coupon code ivillage15 to score 15% off your next Raspberry Kids purchase. Click here for details.
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Built to Last
SPLURGE!
Beautiful and unusual, these high quality, eco friendly blocks are perfect for playing and storytelling. Sevi Fantasy Cubes, $42, Raspberry Kids
A gift for you! Use the exclusive iVillage coupon code ivillage15 to score 15% off your next Raspberry Kids purchase. Click here for details.
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Breakfast is Served!
Almost as good as the real thing. Duktig 15-piece breakfast set, $10, Ikea
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Bunny Love
Soft little ears that little ones will love to stroke, and a sweet striped body that will hop right into your heart. Jellycat BonBon Velour Bunny, $19, Indigo -
Buzz Toy
Part teether, part rattle, all awesome. Mix N Max Click Clack Bee Rattle, $8, Mastermind Toys
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Game, Set and Match!
A bright spot in smart toys: the wooden board holds 4 double-sided cards for 8 different games, teaching numbers, patterns and more. Memory Match 16, $30, Indigo
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Timeless Charm
The little red school house clock is back! Fisher-Price Teaching Clock, $25, Kolkid
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Bright Spot
Felt flowers with wood centers are light and easy for little hands to build into a tower fo gorgeous blooms, teaching colours and sizes and fine motor skills. Djeco Butterfly Stacker, $32, Dandelion Kids
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Crafty Number
200 pieces of craft gold should keep 'em busy for quite a while. And perhaps just the encouragement to keep art supplies organized after. Crayola Art Set in Wood Case, $40, Toys R Us
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Snail Pace
This sweet snail spins his shells as he rolls, encouraging little ones to crawl after him. His load, a trio of stacking toys, can be taken apart and put together again to encourage dexterity. Yookidoo crawl and Go Snail, $35, Toys r Us
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A Perfect Match
Keep crafty kids happily busy with this stamp, pencil crayon and ink pad art set. Finger Print Art Set, $10, Raspberry Kids
A gift for you! Use the exclusive iVillage coupon code ivillage15 to score 15% off your next Raspberry Kids purchase. Click here for details.
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Parlour Games
Who says no to pizza? Especially one this fun! Green Toys Pizza Parlor, $25, Indigo
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Sparkly Toms
Her room, her clothes, her dolls and her lunchbox all stick pretty closely to a single rosy hue. That's why we're sure she'll love a pair of these sparkly stunners -- and you'll love helping a great cause. For every pair you buy, Toms donates a pair to a kid in need. Pink Tiny TOMS Glitters, $34 US,Toms Shoes
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Barrel of Laughs
It's smart to have at least one gift you can sock away for a rainy day. Sock Monkey Umbrella, $17, Grand River Toys
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Cub Love
Cuddle and feed this little panda and he'll love you forever. He also has the sweetest snore, and fits in a tiny bag. Furreal Friends Newborn Panda, $20, Zellers -
Talk to the Hand
Temporary tattoos your whole menagerie will love--perfect for Christmas day! Hector Serrano animal hand tattoos, $10 per set of 8, Raspberry Kids
A gift for you! Use the exclusive iVillage coupon code ivillage15 to score 15% off your next Raspberry Kids purchase. Click here for details.
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Good, Clean Fun
Bathtime games to grow with. Skip Hop Octopus Ring Toss, $15, Raspberry Kids
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Block Party
Meet Max, the perfect introductory block set or adorable addition to standard wood sets. Mix N' Max Wooden Whimsy Blocks, $30, Indigo
Read more:
Christmas Crafts for Children: 20 Awesome Ideas
Easy Holiday Baking for Kids
10 Best iPod & iPad Accessories for KidsA gift for you! Use the exclusive iVillage coupon code ivillage15 to score 15% off your next Raspberry Kids purchase. Click here for details.
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