Caroline Ripa | Washington, DC & NYC Content Creator

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Gift Guide For Kids - 2019

By Masie Zinzser

CAROLINE:

While making my gift guides, I usually can figure out the items myself - but when it comes to kids I truly know NOTHING! I had to pull my sister in - who has a super cute Instagram and red-head babies (the adorable kids pictured above - Amelia & Edwin). She knows all the latest trends for kids, the cool brands, you name it! We collaborated finally (we’ve been wanting to do something cool like this for awhile!). Enjoy this curated post of all her picks for kids - I wanted to have gifts for all price ranges - so you can spoil your niece and get something pricey - or just buy something simple under $20 for your best friend’s new baby. Alright signing off now and handing the mic to Masie….happy shopping!


MASIE:

When Caroline asked me about kids gifts this year I knew I had to hop in and give her all the best gifts for 2019! If you aren't submersed in the #momlife then it's really hard to know what's trendy and worth buying. I tried to create a list that caters to kids of all ages, my kids are 1 and 3 years old so my knowledge of all things toddler is endless right now. Let's dive right in! Montessori and open ended play are huge - empowering children to learn how to do things without being prompted by an electronic is a critical part of development and all of these toys are perfect for that! Another trend (that I hope only continues to grow) is creating toys out of more sustainable, non-toxic and natural materials. Not only are they safer for kids (they put EVERYTHING in their mouths!) but they are also a great way for kids to use their imaginations. Ex. wooden tea pots don't make noise, so when a toddler has a tea party she will create the 'shhhhh' sound of the tea coming out instead of just pressing a button! For the older kids, I think it is crucial to begin growing their minds (aka stay away from tv and phones) the best way to do that is with games that don't feel like school work. These Osmo kits are perfect for that. They get "screen" time, but they are also learning things like coding that will be extremely valuable as they get older. If you are shopping for a friend or family member who has a newborn or is pregnant, think about hiring a housekeeper for a few hours, send fresh flowers, or buy a week of meals from somewhere like HelloFresh that has easy family friendly recipes! Mothers of newborns have so much on their plate, these gifts will mean more than anything they could ever open up. I hope this helps you find the perfect gifts for your loved ones!

(Stay up to date with Masie & all her tips here!)

Balance Bikes

These vintage inspired balance bikes are the most fun and aesthetically pleasing, big gift items for your littles ages 2-5. Balance bikes encourage your toddler to practice the skills needed for riding a pedal bike confidently without any training wheels!

Splurge: BANWOOD First Go! ~ $198

Save: ACEGER Balance Bike ~ $95.99

Steal: Retrospec Cub Kids Balance Bike ~ $59.99


Ball Pit

The most fun big gift that all the kids can enjoy together! You can pick and choose colors to match the aesthetic of your home, play room or child’s room. There are also a number of extras you can buy including a slide.

Splurge: Wonder Space Deluxe Kids Round Ball Pit ~ $119.99

Save: Kiddey Ball Pit Play Tent ~ $49.99


Open Ended Play

The possibilities are endless with these huge cushions. From forts, to jumping platforms, to rocket ships, these comfy cushions are the perfect way to wear your kiddos out - then they can fall asleep on them! Machine washable and family run businesses.

Splurge: The Nugget ~ $229

Save: Blocksy Mini ~ $139


Play Kitchen

Pretend play is the best way to exercise little imaginations. Play kitchens are the most fun way to do this! The possibilities are endless and there is nothing better than seeing my little ones creating meals and organizing tea parties! They even try to do the dishes after and when it's time to clean up there is a place for everything. You can also use all the pretend food for color grouping activities!

Splurge: West Elm x pbk Play Kitchen ~ $449

Save: Bermingham Big Play Kitchen ~ $179

Steal: Amazon Wooden Play Kitchen ~ $119


My Favorite Picks

Adorable, vintage inspired dolls for your little ones. Whether you want to prepare them for a new baby in the house or you want to nurture their parental instincts, these are the perfect gift! Ollie Ella donates a portion of each sale to Save The Children to support global education initiatives.

A great option for storing toys to clear clutter in your home when your little one isn’t walking around the farmers market with it!

For the plant lovers, an incredible twist on traditional style doll houses!


Eco-Friendly Options

A more safe, eco-friendly, and aesthetic version of these popular children’s toys.


Happy Shopping & Merry Christmas! DM Masie if you have questions related to these items!

See this gallery in the original post