I may be in the minority, but I truly enjoy preschoolers. They are wild and wonderful, brilliant and bright-eyed, creative and compassionate. Learning something new every day, they approach the world with admirable curiosity and a contagious desire to learn.
Welcome to Metropolitan Mama’s Christmas Gift Guide for Preschoolers (ages 3-5). Below you will find clothes, shoes, toys, gear, and games that preschoolers are bound to love for Christmas 2021.
I have yet to meet a preschooler that doesn't love seek-and-find books! Where's Waldo is top-of-mind in this category and it's been a favorite in many households since it debuted in Britain in 1987 (under the name Where's Wally?). Preschoolers will have hours of fun as they search for Waldo and Wilma in a variety of scenes in this special edition collection, which includes seven classic paperbacks in a decorative slipcase.
Your young gentleman will look sophisticated and at the height of style in the Cowabunga Slip On Sneaker by Dr. Scholl's. The denim color goes with absolutely everything and the navy/cream accents add to an overall dapper look.
If I could choose just one brand to dress our 5-year-old son in, it would be Janie & Jack.
Words I would use to describe this brand include: preppy, professional, elegant, boutique, classic, timeless, and chic. Your little guy is sure to look debonair in almost anything from Janie & Jack. Although the prices may be a smidge higher than other children's clothing retailers, they are also notably better in terms of both workmanship and design.
Pictured: Plaid Wool Blazer and Velvet Suit Vest.
As you know, we read a ton of books in our house! Our preschooler particularly loves the classic Berenstain Bears books and, over the years, our slim paperback copies have been replaced many times. When I recently discovered that hardcover storybook collections were available, I immediately added them to our book wish list!
The Berenstain Bears' Storytime Collection, published in 2020, includes: New Baby, Go to School, The Sitter, Go to the Doctor, Visit the Dentist, Moving Day, Get in a Fight, Go to Camp, In the Dark, and The Messy Room.
The Big Book of Berenstain Bears Stories includes some of the first books published in the Berenstain Bears series: Inside Outside Upside Down, Bears on Wheels, He Bear She Bear, On the Moon, Old Hat New Hat, The Bear Detectives, and The Bear Scouts.
Velcro sneakers are a great pick for the preschool age range because they are easy to get on and off - and don't require parents to bend down to tie (and re-tie!) laces. For holiday 2021, I recommend the adorable, high-style Stevie II in Red. These high-style shoes can be easily paired with both informal and formal holiday ensembles!
Snuggly stuffed animals are an instant hit with preschoolers and Wild Republic makes some of the best! Your little one will ooh and aah over the lifelike, soft animal options. From puppies and birds to tigers and fawns, you're sure to find your child's current favorite animal among this menagerie.
Pictured: Audubon II Purple Martin with Sound - 5" and Yellow Lab Dog Stuffed Animal- 5".
Preschoolers - especially those with older siblings - love to feel bigger by wearing a backpack around town.
Skip Hop has cute animal-themed bags in this category that your little one is bound to love. Meet Preston the Pug and Kenzie the Koala, for example. Note that this brand's "Big Kid" Backpack fits ages 3-6.
When purchasing gifts for a preschooler, you musn't forget play food! Our son is constantly asking us what we would like to "order" and then creating coffee, pizza, and cheesecake - out of kinetic sand, math manipulatives, almost anything we have on-hand! "Real" play food is better yet.
Skip Hop's Let's Brunch Set includes 16 pieces - toast, avocado, bacon, eggs, even a mini toaster!
Sure to be one of the most-used gifts under the tree, Toysmith's Easy Catch Ball & Glove set is a perfect, affordable gift pick for boys and girls in the 3-6 age range. This preschool-sized glove and ball have strategically-placed velcro to allow for less error and lots of fun in the backyard or at the park.
You can't go wrong with a ball of any kind for a preschooler - which is why Toysmith's Pro Ball Set is one of our top gift picks for ages 2-6! Your young athlete will enjoy hours of backyard fun with the included soccer ball, basketball, and football - sized specifically for small hands and feet!
Your preschooler will have a whale of a time with under-the-sea themed art supplies and accessories by eeBoo! Start with the nautical-inspired Happy Whale Backpack and then fill it with the In the Sea Watercolors Pad and Tin. No wrapping paper needed!
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Some of the products in the list below were sent to us to try. Other products are ones that we purchased ourselves or were given by family members and friends. Know that I will always provide both the pros and cons of each featured product. You are welcome to send any follow-up questions to me via twitter (I’m @stephsheaffer).