Whether you’re buying for your own mini-me or a little ‘un you know, we’ve been busy compiling a list of the best gifts to make present-picking a breeze!
Hardest thing on our to-buy-for gift list: toddler gifts. Toddlers – we love them, but they can be tricky customers at times (and that’s putting it lightly). Add the ‘what to buy toddlers for their birthday’ conundrum, and we’re really in a fix. We all want to find a gift that gets played with more times than the box it came in (a tough brief – we know how popular cardboard boxes can be!). So we put ourselves to the challenge: find a list of all the best presents and gifts for young kids. Spoiler alert: I think we’ve scored some sure-fire winners, even for the pickiest of toddlers! Here are our favourites to add to your list….
The ultimate guide for toddler gifts in Singapore
For toddlers on the move…
Balance bike
If it’s not a scooter on the wish list, it’s likely to be a bike. There’s much debate over which is better for our littlies. The big plus of a balance bike is that it teaches toddlers all the fundamentals of balancing and steering, so they are all set when it’s time for the big bike upgrade. A con is the ease of transporting it: it’s not as nifty as a scooter. We’ll leave you with the decisions! Be sure to pick up a helmet for your bike or scooter too!
HoneyKids pick: Globber Go Air Balance Bike
Where to buy: Pupsik Studio
Price: From $109
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Scooter
A scooter is probably one of the most popular toddler gifts – and with good reason. If you’re looking to go all out, then a scooter is sure to impress. There are loads of options out there, each with its own pros and cons. Our go-to store for a cost-effective scooter is Decathlon. With different sizes and colour combinations, some models even have special luminous wheels that light up when the scooter is on the move! Wondering where to scoot? See our guide for the best scooting trails in Singapore!
HoneyKids pick: Oxelo 3-wheel scooter
Where to buy: Decathlon
Price: From $64.95
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Ride-on vehicles
We love a super cute ride-on, and they can be almost anything! Fire engines and police vehicles, F1 cars, 3-wheel motorbikes, and even little animals like pigs and bumble bees. Some are powered by your kiddo’s own two legs, which builds strength and co-ordination and also keeps them in control of their speed. You can also buy electric ride-on vehicles, some that can be remote-control operated by the parent to keep the little ones safe.
HoneyKids pick: Wheely bugs!
Where to buy: The Better Toy Store
Price: From $119.90
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Wobbel board
Did you know the Wobbel Board is a Montessori-inspired toy that grows with your toddler? Loved for its open-ended play potential, this simple curved board can transform into a teeter-totter, bridge, slide, rocker, chair, nest, fort or even a road for toy cars! Great for encouraging imagination, curiosity and creative exploration.
Beyond pretend play, the Wobbel Board is brilliant for developing gross motor skills and balance, as toddlers instinctively shift their weight to find their centre, building body awareness and coordination over time. Regular play also helps strengthen core muscles, improve posture and support focus and concentration, skills that set little ones up for everyday movements and future activities like cycling and sports. If you aren’t keen on the wooden version, Amazon and Decathlon also have some options!
HoneyKids pick: Wobbel Board
Where to buy: Deer Industries
Price: From $229.90
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Push toy
If your little one isn’t quite stable enough for scooting or balance biking just yet, they will probably be just as made up with a push toy. As well as being super fun, it also helps your toddler get to grips with their balance quickly. So quick, in fact, that you might want to move those valuables out of the way – they can get quite speedy!
HoneyKids pick: Walker Wagon
Where to buy: the Better Toy Store
Price: From $169.90
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For toddlers into make-believe…
Kitchens & tea sets
For a big purchase, a kitchen goes down a storm. Not only is it the perfect toddler gifts, it’s a toy that will last, so it’s a great investment too. There are many choices out there, but we are big fans of the ever-popular wooden IKEA model. It’s even got switch on and off lights for the hob! The catch? Putting it together. Set aside a good few hours for this. For smaller gifts, tea sets make the perfect gift for both girls and boys. Endless fun can be had with tea parties for their favourite teddies (or more often than not, you!)
HoneyKids pick: IKEA Duktig play kitchen
Where to buy: IKEA
Price: From $159
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Role play kits
Role play kits are great for keeping littlies entertained. From tool kits to doctor’s cases and even cleaning sets… It’s never too early to teach them the latter! Our present buying hack? Make your own toddler cleaning kit. Buy a dustpan and brush, dusters, and a spray bottle, and you’ll have your very own toddler cleaning kit. Not only will it be all the more realistic, but it’s also often half the price! Winner!
Where to buy: Toys ‘R Us
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Dress up outfits
Another huge hit for any toddler is dress-up. From princesses to police officers, to baby sharks – we’ve seen it all. Stock up on fancy dress; hats are the cheapest and most popular choice for a small gift.
Where to buy: Spotlight
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A cosy tent
Give your tiny tots a colourful tent, and you’ll be amazed by how they transform it into their dream pad. Don’t be surprised to find the kiddo’s room looking bare as the tent slowly gets occupied. And if the house seems a bit quiet, don’t miss checking inside the tent – you might find your little mouse cuddled up and fast asleep. We love Deer Industries, but they can be pricey. Our little one was very happy with a canvas tent from Hooga, which you can also paint and decorate yourself!
Where to buy: Hooga
Price: From $29.90
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Anything themed after their current favourite show
If your toddler gets screen time, chances are there’s a kids’ show or two that they’re absolutely obsessed with. Watch their face light up with a toy or accessory with their favourite show character(s) on them, from school bags to water bottles to musical instruments and toy sets!
For toddlers who love puzzles, building & music…
Jigsaws
Jigsaw puzzles are high on our list of great toddler gifts. The perfect toddler jigsaws are wooden and chunky, with around 5 to 16 pieces. Enough to keep them busy but do-able to avoid frustration meltdowns. We find alphabet and number jigsaws are extremely popular. There is, of course, the added education bonus too!
Musical fun
Not everyone’s cup of tea, but music is INCREDIBLY fun for toddlers. From xylophones to drums, there are mini toddler versions of most instruments on offer. Opt for the sturdy wooden versions, which will last well beyond toddlerhood. Buying an instrument for someone else’s little one? We can guarantee you’ll be a big hit. Mum and Dad? Not so much!
Duplo
A firm favourite in our households, the toddler version of LEGO is a great gift. There’s also something for every budget, from the smaller, easy-build vehicles, right the way through to the all singing and dancing Frozen Castle. You can keep adding to the collection, so it’s a good suggestion for family and friends struggling on the ideas front.
Blocks
Wooden blocks never get old. We love the Melissa & Doug range, which has a whole host of colours, as well as letter and number block sets. The perfect present for toddlers!
For toddlers into arts & crafts…
Stickers
Our go-to for long journeys: stickers always have our back. Alas, no long journeys for now, but stickers still rule as a toddler gift. Look out for sticker books with reusable sticker options to keep the fun going.
Playdough
When look for toddler gifts, you can’t go past Playdough. While it might not be completely mess-free, but it’s worth it. There’s a wide range of gifts out there to keep even the most restless toddler entertained. We have the sensory playdough kits from Tickle Your Senses on our list, themed around some of our favourite books such as “Dear Zoo.” Or, if you fancy a homemade gift, why not make your own playdough? It’s a lot easier than you think!
Mess-free Crayola
We were so excited when we found these little beauties! Gone are the days of felt tips up the wall. The Mess-Free Crayola pens only show their true colour once applied to the paper. Clever, eh? There’s a whole host of favourite characters to choose from too, including PJ Masks, Disney Princesses, as well as plain packs for a toddler’s free reign.
Scratch paper
Scratch paper has to appear on our ‘busy list’ for toddlers’ pressies. Not only does it keep restless hands busy for a good period, but it has an element of mystery to it as well. We especially love the colourful reveal at the end of the art project. Best part? It’s pocket-friendly and well worth it.
Colour-in placemats
This very useful art-essential ought to make meal-time a lot more fun for our tiny tots. We love that it transforms into functional art after the kids spend some time colouring in. Best part? The kiddos can wipe the silicon placemat clean and have a go at it again whenever they feel like it. What’s not to love?
Smiggle art sets
Our toddlers love the bright and sparkly patterns of Smiggle gear, and the art sets can be great value. Think fold out pencil cases with pens, markers and a built in sketch book that you can carry with you on the go, perfect as toddler gifts.
For toddlers who love story time…
Interactive toddler classics
We love a good book, and there’s a whole host of toddler-friendly books that make great birthday gifts. Our favourites include Each Peach Pear Plum by Janet Ahlberg, with gorgeous illustrations and creative i-spy. We also love I Can Roar by Frank Asch for lots of animal laughs.
Singapore-themed tales
Books about where we live always appeal, and we can’t get enough of “Afternoon Tea at Raffles Hotel” by Fleur Vella-Chang. The bright, colourful pictures depict a range of cute animals alongside classic landmarks of Singapore, from Marina Bay Sands to Botanic Gardens. It’s definitely a story time toddler favourite.
So, there you have it, a complete present-buying list for the toddlers in your life. Looking for more kids’ gift ideas? Don’t miss our gift guide for kids of all ages!
