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The best gifts for toddlers that aren't toys are things they'll use or do over and over: a couple of good board books, chunky crayons, a small kitchen job of their own, cozy everyday basics, and a day out with someone they love. They take up less room, and you won't be digging them out from under the couch in March.
If the playroom is already full (or the grandparents keep asking what to buy), this list is for you.
Quick answer
Good non toy gifts for a toddler include board books, art supplies made for little hands, a child sized kitchen tool, grip socks, a nap mat for daycare, and experiences like a zoo pass or a class. Pick one or two things that fit how your toddler already spends the day. Simple and useful usually wins.
Quick picks
Top pick, for the toddler who runs, climbs and slides across every floor: See the Simply Kids non slip grip socks on Amazon
For the daycare or preschool kid: See the Wake In Cloud toddler nap mat on Amazon
For the little helper who wants to be in the kitchen with you: See the Prepworks mini colander set on Amazon
For bedtime stories: See the Runaway Blanket board book on Amazon
For the toddler who wants to color everything: See the Honeysticks super jumbo crayons on Amazon
Why a non toy gift makes so much sense right now
Toddlers don't need a lot of stuff to play. The American Academy of Pediatrics says the best toys go back to the basics, and that the real value is in the warm, back and forth time a child spends with the grown ups around them. A gadget can't do that part for you.
So a lot of what's on this list is really about doing something together, like reading on the couch before bed or coloring at the kitchen table on a rainy afternoon.
It's a little easier on the budget and the storage bins, too.
Everyday things they'll use all year
These are the gifts that don't feel exciting on paper but get used every single day. They also happen to be the two I can speak to myself.
1. Simply Kids non slip grip socks
Toddlers live in socks at home, and the slippery kind on a hard floor is no fun for anyone. Grip socks give them a little traction while they run from room to room.
In our house: I own more baby and toddler socks than I'm proud of, and of all the ones I've tried, these are the best. The sticky grips don't lose their stickiness through multiple washes. They're comfortable and stretchy, so as their feet grow I can keep them in these longer than other socks. They're thick enough to keep feet warm but not so thick they affect how shoes fit.
I honestly can't think of anything wrong with them. They're the ones I recommend.
See the Simply Kids grip socks on Amazon
Skip it if your toddler already has a drawer full of grip socks that still fit.
2. Wake In Cloud toddler nap mat
If your little one goes to daycare or preschool, chances are they need a nap mat. It's one of those things parents buy anyway, so it makes a really thoughtful gift from a grandparent or aunt.
In our house: I needed nap mats for both kids and first bought the Amazon recommended one for each. Then I realized my son needs two (preschool and daycare both keep mats during the week), tried this one for his second, and wish I could return the first two.
The pillow is far more comfortable, and the padding and blanket are cushy without being too much. The first ones are flimsy and leave extra space at the end when rolled up. This one rolls up perfectly every time and stays plush and soft.
If you need a nap mat for your children, save yourself the headache. Get this one.
See the Wake In Cloud nap mat on Amazon
Skip it if your toddler stays home during the day. Check with the daycare first too, since some centers have their own rules about mat size.
Books worth reading a hundred times
Books might be the easiest non toy gift there is. The AAP encourages reading aloud together from the very start, and one of its pediatricians suggests making books part of the bedtime routine as a way to connect and wind down. They also point out that a printed book with colorful pictures beats a screen for this.
Sturdy board books hold up best at this age. Here are two that Good Housekeeping picked for toddlers.
3. Runaway Blanket
A silly bedtime story about a blanket that makes a break for it. It won a Good Housekeeping Kids' Book Award, and their parent testers liked that every caregiver in the house (even the family pet) gets in on the bedtime chase.
Skip it if bedtime books are already stacked to the ceiling.
4. Roar! I'm a Dinosaur
Part board book, part peekaboo. Each page has two die cut eye holes so your toddler can hold it up and turn into a dinosaur. It's a past Good Housekeeping Best Kids' Book Award winner, and it's the kind of book that ends up being "read" with a lot of roaring.
See Roar! I'm a Dinosaur on Amazon
Skip it if you want a quiet book for winding down. This one gets them going.
Art supplies for little hands
Healthychildren.org lists coloring books, crayons, markers, clay and stickers as great gifts that build creativity and help with fine motor skills. For toddlers, the trick is choosing things that are big enough to grip.
5. Honeysticks super jumbo crayons
Fat, chunky crayons that are easy for small fists to hold. Babylist includes them in its list of creative toddler gifts.
See the Honeysticks jumbo crayons on Amazon
Skip it if your toddler still puts everything in their mouth. Wait a bit and stay close during coloring time.
6. Melissa & Doug double sided wooden easel
This is the bigger "main gift" on the list. It's a wooden standing easel with two sides, so two little artists can work at once. Babylist includes it in its creative picks for toddlers, and it's something they can grow into as their scribbles turn into pictures.
See the Melissa & Doug easel on Amazon
Skip it if you're short on floor space. A pad of paper and the crayons above cover a lot of the same fun.
A real job in the kitchen
Toddlers love to help. Giving them a tool that's actually theirs turns "can I help?" into a job they can really do.
7. Prepworks progressive mini colanders
A set of small colanders that nest together. The Kitchn suggests them for kid sized tasks like rinsing blueberries or cherry tomatoes. Rinsing fruit at the sink is a job they can feel proud of while you cook.
See the Prepworks mini colanders on Amazon
Skip it if you already have a small strainer they can borrow. That works just as well.
Experiences that don't need wrapping
Some of the best gifts for toddlers don't come in a box at all. These are lovely ideas for grandparents, aunts and uncles who want to give something special.
A zoo, aquarium or children's museum membership. Great for families who like to get out on weekends. Look for a family plan so mom or dad gets in too.
A class. Toddler music, swim or tumbling classes are fun to unwrap as a little printed "ticket."
A special day out. A morning at the library story time and a muffin after. A trip to the pumpkin patch next fall. Time with a grandparent is a gift for you, too.
Something toward their future. Some families like to put money aside for their kids. If that's your plan, talk to a financial professional about what makes sense for you.
If you still want one toy in the mix
Totally fair. A classic, simple toy can be a nice partner to a book or a day out.
In our house: my 4-year-old got the WISBOOK wooden colored 3D block puzzle last year and it sat in his closet for a year. About a month ago he rediscovered it and now goes to it every morning after he gets dressed. That's how I get him dressed in the morning. Dress first, Tetris toy after.
Skip it if you're shopping for a younger toddler. Check the age label before you buy.
And if you'd like something for the holidays, I made this one: My First Christmas Activity Book is my own book, made for ages 2 to 4. It's super cute for the holidays and fits easily in a stocking.
A quick safety check before you wrap
Read the age label. Good Housekeeping reminds shoppers that kids under 3 shouldn't have anything marked for ages 3 and up, since it may have choking hazards.
Go chunky. Big crayons and board books are easier for small hands than thin markers and paper pages.
Stay close. Kitchen jobs and art time go best with a grown up right there.
Gifts for toddlers that aren't toys: FAQ
What can I get a toddler instead of toys?
Think about what they use every day. Grip socks, a nap mat for daycare, board books and chunky crayons all get used constantly. A small kitchen tool or a membership to a place they love is another good choice.
What are good experience gifts for a 2 year old?
A zoo or children's museum pass, a toddler music or swim class, or a special outing with a grandparent. Keep it short and simple, since little ones do best with an outing that fits around naps and snacks.
How do I ask family for non toy gifts?
Be kind and specific. Sharing a short list (a book, socks in the next size up, a class) makes it easy for relatives to say yes. Most people are happy to have an idea that they know will get used.
Are books a good gift for a toddler?
Yes. The AAP encourages reading aloud with young children, and a sturdy board book holds up well to little hands. Pair a book with a set of crayons for a gift that's easy to put together.
Get the planner
Gift lists add up quickly this time of year. I made this one: the Christmas Budget Planner is a printable that helps you set a holiday number and track every gift in one place. Grab the Christmas Budget Planner on its own, or get the Family Christmas Budget Kit with extra pages for the kids.
The short version
You don't need another toy to make a toddler happy. A good book, chunky crayons, a real little job and a fun day out go a long way. If you only pick one thing, the Simply Kids grip socks are a gift they'll wear all winter.
Still shopping for the stockings? These stocking stuffers for toddlers and kids won't end up in the trash, and this list of gifts under $25 that actually get used covers everyone else. For calmer days at home, here's what's in our calm down corner box, and if you need a plan for the whole season, start with how to make a Christmas budget.
Want help picking a number for the holidays? Sign up for the free Holiday Number Starter right below.
Happy shopping, mama. The simple gifts really are enough.
