Welcome to part one of the Ultimate Unplugged Preschool Gift Guide!
With four littles of my own, I know how hard it is to choose awesome gifts for preschoolers that kids will love long-term. I hope this gift guide will help!
This gift guide veers away from screen-time to give you gift options with long-term playability that encourage creativity, help teach problem-solving, and/or help kids learn new skills and perspectives.
And also… they’re FUN!
Here are my TOP PICKS!
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Best Building & Creating Gifts for Preschoolers
MAGFORMERS
These magnetic building toys were a surprise hit at our house. While I saw only magnetic shapes, my kids (ages 1 to 9) have found all kinds of applications and building possibilities. The baby loves clicking the magnetic sides together and pulling them apart, while the older kids create spheres, giant hearts for mom (I melt!), space ships, and (with wheel add-ons) cars, trucks, and other vehicles. They’re a little pricier (ranging anywhere from $15-180), but a great grow-with-me investment toy.
START WITH… the 62-Piece Standard Set, and maybe add a vehicle set if you have a car-lover.
MELISSA & DOUG PATTERN BLOCKS
We discovered these gorgeous pattern blocks at my daughter’s preschool, and she liked them so much that I bought a set for home and a set for a Christmas gift for my nephew. They’re great quality, and come with several double-sided pattern boards to practice matching. My kids also like making up their own shapes with the colorful tiles. Keep in mind that the box it comes in has no lid, so you might want to grab a container to keep it in.
GET IT HERE… Melissa & Doug Pattern Blocks and Boards
LEGO DUPLO SETS
Lego Duplo sets might be my all-time favorite gift for preschoolers. Duplos are super sturdy (far more durable than MegaBlocks, which we have also owned) and can stand up to years and years of use. They encourage creativity, they’re easy for small hands to maneuver, and–at least in our home–they provide hours of self-lead entertainment. They also come at all price points, and are themed after anything the preschool mind could wish for: from vehicles and construction to Disney (Mickey! Princesses! Lightning McQueen!).
START WITH… the All-in-One-Box-of-Fun (usually under $25!) or (my top choice) the Deluxe Box of Fun and add on some themed sets your little will love!
LEARNING RESOURCES GEARS! GEARS! GEARS! SETS
These little gear building sets may not look like much, but man–they are a power-packed toy for little engineers and creatives. I bought some on a tip from a friend when my son was in preschool, and he still regularly enjoys building with them at age 8. We’ve found Gears! Gears! Gears! sets to be a fun blend between building blocks and moving parts.
START WITH… the Gears! Gears! Gears! Super Building Set (this is the one we have). It comes with plenty of pieces and the included storage container is super helpful for cleanup.
BATTAT TAKE APART TOYS
If you’ve got a little who is fascinated with power tools and how things work, Battat’s take-apart toys will be a sure-fire hit. They each come with their own battery-powered “power drill” and three bits to use to put the pieces together. (I’m picky about noise but didn’t find this drill obnoxious.) My son adored the Take-Apart Crane Truck, and they also come in several other styles: a 4×4 (Hummer-style car), a cute little roadster, and an airplane.
These are a great grow-with-me toy, as you can start by playing with it together, and as your kiddo grows he or she will be able to assemble and disassemble it solo. Another great buy for under $20!
MELISSA & DOUG LACING BEADS.
Great for learning fine motor skills these pretty lacing beads can keep small hands busy threading like beads or stacking like blocks. For only $10-20, they’re a fun addition to your toy stash.
START WITH… the Deluxe Wooden Lacing Beads with stars & numbers, or the rainbow-colored Primary Lacing Beads.
MARBLE RUNS
Growing up my brother loved playing with marble runs—building, disassembling, reconfiguring, and watching the marbles run through different courses. They’re pretty affordable, and usually run from $19.99 to $39.99. Now, my own kids (ages 18 mos to 9 years!) pull ours out at least once a week. And there are tons of options to choose from!
START WITH… the Marble Genius Marble Run Super Set, or their smaller Marble Run Starter Set. I like these because they have great reviews AND translucent tubing (fun!).
FISHER PRICE DOODLE PRO SLIM
Budding artists (and their parents) will love magnet drawing boards! These little boards stand the test of time: they were a fav of mine as a kiddo, and my own preschooler uses hers all the time.
We’ve had the Fisher Price Doodle Pro Slim (they come in purple or blue) for over a year, and it’s still in great shape and gets regular use. I love that the pen is attached to the board so it can’t get lost, and that she can draw to her hearts content without creating a ton of paper clutter(!).
They’re also great for road trips, and you can get a variety of brands or sizes each for under $20!
Happy gifting!
xo,
Jamie
Want more ideas? Check out:
>>MORE GIFT PRESCHOOL IDEAS: The Unplugged Pretend Play Gift Guide!
Toy images via Amazon
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