Tops for toddlers Christmas gift guide

This Christmas your toddler is ready to get stuck into some serious play. They want toys and activities that they can use independently but still be not too far away from mum & dad.

For toddlers, play is more than just about toys. Becoming self sufficient and learning everyday tasks from mum, dad & the rest of the family is just as much fun. That's what the Best Buys' Toddler Gift Guide is all about.

Stocking stuffers & gifts under $20.00

It's time to get creative with these great, easy to grip, crayons from Studio Skinky. Designed for chubby little hands, the colours are vibrant and fun. Because they are thick at the base they won't break and you can stack them away when you've finished. Priced at $12.90 they make the perfect stocking stuffer. Buy them directly from Studio Skinky.

Vroom, cars go really fast around the race track you can create anywhere with this racing track tape. I know what you're thinking but it's removable so no need to worry that you're going to be stuck with sticky gunk all over the house. The tape comes boxed, complete with racing car (red, they go faster!) and is available from tribe for $16.00.

Make lunch time that much more fun with Lunch Punch sandwich cutters. They come in a variety of themes including puzzle, vehicles, fairy tales & critters with 4 different designs per pack. Turns your plain old Vegemite sandwich into something special. You can find them at Whimsy Child for $14.00 per pack.

Toddlers can make their own music with this Wooden Guiro Shaker from Toddler Town. For younger ones it starts as a shaker. Once your mini musician has got the hang of it they can use the scraper to add more 'texture' to their music. There's nothing cuter than a toddler dancing to their own beat. They are priced at $13.65 each.

Yum, yum gobble it up from these cool melamine plates, cups, bowls, egg cups & spoons from French range Ebulobo. Kids will love their own special dinner wear and eat up all their dinner so they can admire their cool little dinner companion. Prices start at $4.95 for a spoon, you can find a selection at Design Child.

Gifts under $45

For more fun choose puzzles with a difference. These these magnetic 3D puzzles are made by french toy makers Janod. Your toddler can pull them apart and put them together or just have some good imaginative play. Choose from a rocket, plane or helicopter, they are priced at $34.95 each from Ruby & The DoDo.

One activity toddlers love is playing in the water, especially on a hot summers day. Whether it's at the beach, in the pool or just paddling around, the best toddler swimmers are from iPlay. Starting at $21.95 choose from swim nappies, boardies, tanksuits & tankinis. You can find a good selection at Booty Crawl. Don't forget the sunscreen!

By the time they reach toddler-hood your child will have a collection of toys bigger than you could ever have imagined. Rather than adding to the problem, give the solution with these cute Toy Bags from French Bazaar. Available in boys & girls designs you can fold them up to store when not in use. Buy them directly from French Bazaar for $24.50 each.

Get all the bucket without the bulk with these cool squishy scrunch buckets. Cram them in your bag for a trip to the beach and easy to store in the toy bucket at home. I especially like the soft silicone handle which makes carrying the load more comfy for your little one. Scrunch buckets are available at Baby's Got Style for $16.95.

Grow the mind and have fun at the same time with this beautiful Charley Harper Memory Game. Illustrated with classic Charley Harper animal designs you and your toddler will love playing this game and they'll never notice they're learning. Our favourite online book store We Heart Books stocks them for $28.50 per pack.

Have a splurge

Ready, set, pretend play starts now and cooking is a favourite. You can be guaranteed that a DUKTIG kitchen from IKEA will be popular right up to school age and beyond. Team it up with one of the many pretend play sets available. The DUKTIG kitchen combo is priced at $249.00, make sure you check that they are in stock, they will be a popular gift.

All aboard the Plokino Book Buggy Trolley. Your toddler can load this little trolley up with toddler treasure and their books for play time. It also doubles as book storage for next to their bed to hold before bed time books. You can order one from Baby Nation for $79.95 which includes postage from NZ.

A child-sized table and chair set is a gift that will be used every day. Left Hand Make makes one of the most attractive and child-friendly sets available. At $510.00 for a table & pair of chairs they are a little on the expensive side but you are buying quality, Australian designed furniture that will be enjoyed for years. Buy them direct from. Left Hand Make.

There's a toddler in my tee pee and she's never coming out because she's made herself right at home. Mums & dads love Tee Pees because little people play in them for hours - happy happy, joy, joy. This Angel at My Table Tee Pee comes in parent & child friendly designs and is available from Bonito Baby for $229.00.

Rock your socks off with this Balthazar Valentine Rocking Bird. It leaves the good ol' rocking horse grazing in the paddock. If a bird is not your thing you can try the ride-on hippo or crocodile with rotational wheels. So cool, they are priced at $230.00 (or $250.00 for the ride-ons) and are available from Urban Baby.

It's a wrap

Giving gifts in their own storage bag keeps toys pristine and all parts together. At $20.00 each these Mee a Bee draw string bags perform their job well and can be used for years to keep treasure safe. Order them to your requirements from Mee a Bee but remember they are handmade and come from Japan so make sure you leave time for delivery.