Are you as excited as Arlo in that photo? I’ve had lots of requests to share my favorite baby toys that aren’t ugly, so I pulled together a practical, pretty gift guide. This list includes toddler-friendly picks, classic books we love, new toys on Arlo’s Christmas list this year, and a few nursery decor items perfect for someone who’s expecting or adopting. Many of these have been favorites since Arlo was a tiny baby and will continue to be useful as he grows.
I describe why each item makes a great gift and how we use them. Time to check off the little ones on your shopping list!
No. 1 Busy Board: This is Arlo’s big gift from us this year. He’s obsessed with zippers, buckles, buttons, and other fasteners, so a busy board is perfect. I considered making one but found so many beautiful, well-made options on Etsy that I bought one instead.
No. 2 Wooden Rainbow: We bought this initially as nursery decor, but Arlo loves playing with it—knocking it down, stacking and chewing on it (the full baby treatment). It’s durable, versatile, and attractive on a shelf when not in use.
No. 3 Spin & Rattle Toy: A constant favorite. Babies love watching the spinning parts, and this piece easily attaches to a high chair or activity seat in addition to floor play, making it highly practical.
No. 4 Xylophone: Because Arlo loves music, a xylophone is a fun starter instrument while we wait for a proper piano someday. It’s simple, engaging, and great for introducing rhythm and sound exploration.
No. 5 Alligator Pull Toy: A stylish pull toy with charming design details. Once walking becomes more consistent, little ones love hauling a toy like this around the house.
No. 6 Lil Libros: Arlo’s absolute favorite is La Catrina from the Lil Libros series—bilingual board books that introduce basic vocabulary in English and Spanish. These books are durable, culturally thoughtful, and he’ll actually sit through them.
No. 7 Rainbow Blocks: The most asked-about item on Instagram. These blocks come in a tray and are great for stacking, sorting, and knocking down. They’re timeless and will remain playroom staples for years.
No. 8 Spanish Language Blocks: One of my best finds—language blocks from Uncle Goose are available in many languages and are an affordable, beautiful option for building early language and block-play skills.
No. 9 The Day the Crayons Quit: My favorite read-aloud. It’s witty, imaginative, and inspires kids to think creatively about color and story. I gift it often because it’s such a fun book to share.
No. 10 Alphabet Puzzle: Recommended by a friend, this puzzle is colorful without being tacky. It’s slightly advanced for Arlo now, but he enjoys chewing on the letters and will grow into it quickly.
No. 11 Abacus: An affordable find from IKEA—simple, attractive, and engaging. It encourages early counting and color sorting, and I admit I get satisfaction lining the beads up into patterns too.
No. 12 Wagon Walker: Since Arlo is learning to walk and loves emptying bins and bags, this walker feels like the perfect combo of function and minimal design. He’ll love pulling his treasures around in it.
No. 13 Rainbow Stacker Toy: A versatile classic—stacking pieces can nest, stack, and connect to become multiple toys in one. Mostly plain-colored pieces mean less visual clutter while still being super engaging.
No. 14 Ice Cream Stacker: A playful twist on the classic wooden stacker with an ice-cream theme. It’s sweet, tactile, and a fun variation that feels special for a little one.
No. 15 Press Here Book: Geared toward toddlers, this interactive book gives simple prompts on each page for pressing, shaking, or tapping. It’s well designed, playful, and a great way to build early listening and following-directions skills.
Room decor picks: Unicorn wall hook, heart print, banana pillow, pom-pom mirror, knitted cactus cushion, stuffed lion, pom-pom basket, pom-pom garland, piñata coin bank, and a rainbow art print. These items add personality and softness to a nursery while staying playful and modern.
Top photo by Katherine Rose
What’s on your baby’s gift list this year? I’d love to hear your favorites and any new discoveries you recommend!