2015 Holiday Gift Guide: 3-5 Year Olds
by Janssen Bradshaw
I think the 3- to 5-year-old set is my favorite age group to buy gifts for. They’re old enough to be excited about the holidays and getting a present, but they usually aren’t terribly greedy yet and they’ll pretty much be over the moon about whatever you choose for them. Here are some fun ideas.
Heading out to do some holiday shopping? You can download a printable version of the gift guide below.
-
Arts & Crafts
-
Journey and Quest
Available from:These wordless companion books (with a third coming out next year!) are about a boy and girl in an urban neighborhood who discover a magic stick of chalk that makes whatever they draw become real, beginning with a door on the bedroom wall that opens into a magical kingdom. I never get tired of how clever and beautiful these books are. Just warn your preschooler that there will be no trying this at home...
Also available from:
-
Sidewalk Chalk
If you live somewhere that is too cold for outdoor chalk drawing, consider picking up a cheap sheet of chalkboard at a hardware store (I bought mine at The Home Depot for $10). You can mount it on the wall or just pull it out on the floor when you want to use it.
-
Project Kid: 100 Ingenious Crafts for Family Fun
If you need a book with tons of project ideas that don’t require too many supplies or much crafting ability, this is the book for you. My 2- and 5-year-old love going through this book and marking what project they want to try next. It’s the perfect way to ward off cabin fever come January and February!
Preorder from:
-
Child Easel
I loved my easel/chalkboard growing up, and this one is hard to beat on price, plus it’s just classic looking and easy to fit in the corner of a bedroom or playroom.
-
Mini Monster Scented MarkersGet their creative juices flowing with these scented markers that come in monstrously bright neon colors.
-
Chalk
Imagine if your chalk drawings came to life — what would you draw? After you read this one, you’ll want to pull out the chalk and imagine your own masterpieces coming up out of the sidewalk.
Preorder from:
-
Kid Loom
It may be a bit early to learn to knit, but this little kit makes it pretty simple. My 4-year-old loved learning to weave the strands in and out, and I really appreciated her having an activity that took concentration and some dedication.
-
Magna-Tiles® Clear Colors 37 Piece SetHelp your preschooler learn about shapes, geometry, and dimension, and let their imagination run wild with these cool tiles.
-
Vroom, Vroom!
-
Night Light
In my parenting tenure, I’ve certainly read my fair share of vehicle books, and this one is among my favorites — the cutouts let you guess on each page what vehicle is coming next and it’s full of unexpected ones!
Preorder from: -
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
Available from:Possibly the most popular vehicle book on the planet, who hasn’t wanted to drive a big bus or garbage truck? And those grown-ups are always saying no. Laughs guaranteed with this one and sound effects are never a bad idea.
Also available from:
-
Mike Mulligan Shirt
The classic story of Mike Mulligan and his trusty steam shovel that can work faster and better than a hundred men lends itself perfectly to this bright tee.
-
Train!
Little Elephant is a bit obsessed with trains. So you can imagine his dismay when his friends want to play different games. This is a sweet book that’s great for helping kids branch out from their single favorite subject.
Preorder from:
-
Train Set
This simple train set is a perfect starter set that you can continue to add on to over the years. Plus, isn’t there something extra fun about a train set running around a Christmas tree?
-
Mini Micro ScooterLittle drivers can take the city, or sidewalk, by storm with this smooth-riding scooter that’s won multiple awards.
-
Let It Snow!
-
Frozen Big Golden Book
If you have a “Frozen” lover on your gift list (and who doesn’t?), this book is perfect. No need to pop in the DVD when you can read the whole story. Just don’t forget to stop for singing breaks.
Preorder from:
-
Insta-Snow
We saw this at a toy store nearly a year ago, and my kindergartner is still talking about it. Especially if you live somewhere where snow is in short supply, this is a great alternative.
-
The Snowy Day
Available from:I consider this THE book about snow and winter. What could be more fun than a simple day exploring an urban winter wonderland? This classic belongs on every child’s bookshelf.
Also available from: -
Snowflake Bentley
If you’d like to add a little more nonfiction to your child’s life, this is a great way to learn about snowflakes and science. Plus it won the Caldecott, so you know the illustrations are going to blow you away.
Preorder from: -
Toys Meet Snow
Available from:When my daughter was four, we started reading the Toys Go Out series together — it was the perfect introduction to reading aloud and chapter books. So of course we were delighted to see this picture book about our favorite toys arrive just in time for the holidays! Pair it with the original Toys Go Out and you’ll have a book to read immediately and one to read over a few weeks.
Also available from: -
Anna's Act of Love/Elsa's Icy Magic
Available from:This book is extra fun because it's two books in one. Read one way to read the story of “Frozen” from Anna’s point of view, then flip it over and read back the other way to see how Elsa experiences it.
Also available from:
-
Around the World
-
National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of the World
Available from:My 5-year-old and I read this over the course of a week, and I think I learned as much as she did! It’s a great overview of the continents, with lots of age-appropriate discussion of culture, geography, climate, and animals. I think we were both sad when we reached the end!
Also available from: -
Home
Available from:From regular homes housing regular people to fantastic homes to completely imaginative ones on Mars, there is hardly a home that Carson Ellis doesn’t feature here. It has a beautiful retro feel and is just a fun way to think about people all over the world.
Also available from:
-
Our Earth Interactive Map
This gorgeous map comes with 40 reusable stickers so your child can really interact with the map and begin to understand how they fit into the world. It’s a gorgeous addition to a bedroom or a play space wall too.
-
Richard Scarry's Busy, Busy World
Available from:This book is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, so likely many parents remember this from their own childhood! Make stops in major cities all around the world with plenty of things to look for in typical Richard Scarry fashion. This is the perfect book to spread out with in front of the fireplace and spend hours poring over.
Also available from:
-
Globe Mobile
I love this gorgeous and sophisticated mobile that your child will never grow out of. Maybe buy a second one for your office!
