Partytime for pre-schoolers Christmas gift guide
They know it all now. There is a Santa and they're expecting impressive pressies from him AND you so you're buying from two. Find presents that would make Santa proud in our pre-schooler gift guide!
The Best Buys' pre-schooler gift guide is all about presents that will go the distance. Gifts that go beyond the latest fad and will be played with, used & loved for years to come.
It's also about gifts that you'll enjoy together with your child as they start to really explore the world around them.
Stocking stuffers & gifts under $20.00
Investigate the garden and what lives in it with these fantastic bug catchers with magnifying lid from Janod. There's enough room in this catcher to keep a small friend for a few hours for observation, then release back into the wilds of your garden or park. They are priced at $14.95 and come in 6 cute bug themed designs from Bambino Pronto.
Rolobox is the toy you wish you had as a child. Turn any cardboard box or tub into a chariot by adding this set of reusable wheels. Decorate or decal your vehicle any way you like, pop in a plush companion and off you go. Rolobox provides hours of creative fun and play for $15.95. You can find them at Green Goat.
Stick it and stick it good with Djeco's range of beautiful stickers for kids. My personal favourite is the Mini Beasts set designed by French illustrator Marc Boutavant of Around the World with Mouk fame. For $5.50 per pack there are lots of designs to choose from at Entropy. The ABCs are also great for alphabet learners.
Kids, mums & dads can get crafty with a Micador Art ToolBox. Cram packed with over 40 pencils, pastels, markers, paints & paint brushes you'll have everything you need to decorate your Rolobox cars and more, all fitting into a nifty little carry & storage case. Find it at Toddler Town for the great value price of $10.00.
Light up the night with these cool kids' torches from The Kids Depot. They are eco-friendly; kids generate their own power by pumping the handle (woo hoo! no batteries). 1 minutes of pumping will give them 5 minutes of power. An excellent accessory for any adventure. They come in cow, dog, duck & pig designs and cost $14.95 each.Gifts under $45
A dolls' house is always a pre-schooler favourite. This Modern Play House packs up into a neat little box. Perfect for the home with limited space, the parent who doesn't like clutter (good luck!) or to take on a trip. The MoMA Modern Play House will set you back $29.95 (plus free postage) from The Co Op Bookshop. Team it up with the Modern Play Family.
Create the perfect playspace over and over again with Mae reusable fabric wall decals. We love the unique designs for boys & girls and currently have some on our wall, our wardrobe and the chalk board. We have had them on toy boxes, curtains and our book case. The enjoyment is endless. Buy the best range directly from Mae on Esty.
On the road again, your child just can't wait to get on the road again when they have this cool Car Valet from Alex Toys. It's got a pocket for everything including art supplies and snacks and a hard writing surface for art on the go. Never again will you hear 'are we there yet?' It's priced at $44.95 and you can find it at Haggus and Stookles.
You might remember these space hoppers from when you were a child. Well they've made a comeback and the uncoordinated, slightly-concerning-to-mother ride is just as popular with your children as it was with you. Cradle Rock stock Oobi brand space hoppers in red, blue, green & pink for $29.95 each. Not a toy for the faint hearted (parent or child!).
Kids like to carry their treasure in a suitcase and, as a parent, I like to see that treasure packed away and not on the floor. That's why I like these French Bazaar kids-sized cardboard suitcases from Ruby & The Dodo. They are great for both playtime and for creative toy storage. They come in 3 sizes and are priced at $19.95, $29.95 & $39.95 each.Have a splurge
The world is your child's oyster, especially with this felt Create a World from Little Kidz Closet. It comes with 70 felt playing pieces from which your child can create their own story or other world. Great for years of imaginative play, it's a beautiful addition to any child's room or play-space. Now your child can tell the story to you.
Up, up and away on these lovely natural plywood wooden swings by Left Hand Make. Aptly named 'soar' they are shaped like a bird and leave your average swing set in the dust. Plus you can hang them from any strong structure (or tree) you choose. Priced at $59.99 you can buy them direct from Left Hand Make.
Create your very own reading nook with this Tidy Books Bookcase. This little display bookcase shows all of your child's favourite books to their best advantage and is a great book storage option for a small room. Choose from bright colour options or a neat natural finish. ABCs are included. It's priced at $299.00 from Rose & Lily.
Masquerading as big kids blocks are Miller Goodman Playshapes. But more than mere wooden building blocks, kids can let their imagination run wild with these 74 unique shapes which come in their own pouch for ease of care. At $175.00 they are an investment in play and you can find them at Amelie's Room.
Summer = outdoor play and a water table is the best for splashing about in the hot weather. This little Water Wheel Playtable is just the right size to fit on a small deck or balcony if space is limited. It's a bargain buy at only $89.00 and even comes with its own water wheel and a couple of boats. You can find it at Play Safe Kids.It's a wrap
Envirosax reusable bags double as inexpensive and colourful pressie sacks. Don't waste money on wrapping paper that will just be tossed in the bin or expensive sacks that get used once a year. Get smart and invest in something that will prevent waste rather than being it. Find a great range of the new Envirosax kids designs for $9.95 each at Bonito Baby.
