It’s gift guide time, curated by Arlo Mitchell Mindell. This list mixes toys Arlo already loves with items still on his Christmas list. We limit the number of presents Arlo receives each year and try to focus our resources on gifting other families in need, so these suggestions are meant to inspire both thoughtful purchases for your own little ones and generosity toward others.
1. Roll-Up Colored Pencil Set: One of Arlo’s favorite things. The pencils are thicker and easier for small hands to grip, and he loves rolling and unrolling the case and sliding the pencils into the little slots. It’s great for travel or restaurants and makes a perfect stocking stuffer.
2. TouchThinkLearn: ABC Board Book: This tactile ABC board book is cleverly designed with raised letters that tuck into the illustrations when the pages close. It’s durable, highly graphic, and very engaging for little learners. The same series offers a numbers book as well.
3. Wood Tea Set: During a recent visit, Arlo spent ages stirring with a small teapot and spoon. A wooden tea set would be a lovely addition to his play kitchen and encourages pretend play, fine motor skills, and shared tea-time rituals.
4. Ride-On Push Car: We’d been searching for a sturdy ride-on and found a well-made yellow model we love. It feels higher quality and should last longer than many alternatives. It’s practical, stylish, and fun to decorate for special occasions.
5. Coloring Without Borders Coloring Book: We always keep a coloring book on hand for outings. This bilingual coloring book supports Families Belong Together, a nonprofit working to end family separation at the border, and includes creative prompts to inspire kids.
6. Disney Board Book Set: A compact set of board books remains one of Arlo’s top favorites—he stacks, flips, and sorts them constantly. Different themes are available (Pixar, Sesame Street, Eric Carle), making these sets dependable travel companions and thoughtful gifts.
7. Dimpl Sensory Toy: This quiet, non-electronic sensory toy features rubber bubbles for pushing in and out, a calming and repetitive activity that holds Arlo’s attention longer than most toys. Perfect for travel since it doesn’t light up or make noise.
8. Mega Bloks Set: While many wooden block sets look lovely, these Mega Bloks are our current household favorite because they’re easy for small hands to connect and stack. Arlo and the adults have a lot of fun building towers together.
9. Kitchen Helper Stool: This collapsible learning stool is our main gift choice this year. It helps Arlo reach the counter safely so he can participate in baking and cooking. There are many styles available if you have more space or want a decorative option.
10. Leather Play Mat: Gathre mats are versatile—useful as a changing pad, picnic blanket, or art surface—and their play mat versions make a practical and attractive gift that will get plenty of use.
11. Stacking Garage & Car Set: A clever combo of stacking pieces and toy cars, this set kept Arlo occupied for months after he received it. It encourages fine motor skills and imaginative play while offering a satisfying stacking challenge.
12. Wooden Airplane: Arlo loves planes, but metal toys have broken in the past. A simple, sturdy wooden airplane should withstand rougher play and will also look nice on a shelf when he’s older.
13. Sebastian the Lamb: Cuddle + Kind dolls provide ten meals to children for every doll purchased. Beyond the charitable impact, these dolls are adorable and make meaningful gifts—especially for little ones who love animal sounds and snuggly companions.
14. Macramé Baby Swing: We plan to add a swing to our pergola and this macramé option is high on the list. It comes in many colors and neutral tones, and there are larger sizes that work for older kids or adults, too.
We also signed Arlo up for a book subscription, which we’re excited about. We selected the 3–5 age range so the books will last longer, and the first box included a favorite author. A subscription box can be a great gift idea from grandparents or family members. For more inspiration, check last year’s baby gift guide and our previous kids’ book round-up for additional thoughtful options.