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 2-5). Below you will find clothes, shoes, toys, gear, and games that preschoolers are bound to love for Christmas 2019.
If you've been following my blog for any length of time, you know that I am a HUGE fan of Tea Collection. Headquartered in San Francisco, Tea Collection debuts new collections several times a year - each inspired by a different region of the world. My favorite thing about this global-centric company is the soft, stretchable, and lightweight materials used to create their pieces. Tea's clothing pieces are not scratchy, starchy, boxy, or itchy. On the contrary, boys will love to wear these tees to school, to parties, and to the park. In other words, Tea's clothes are made for play! Available for babies up to age 12 or so.
Pictured Above: Bhutanese Forest Animals Printed Pajamas, Mountain Drive Graphic Tee, Bear Snacks Graphic Tee, Truck Layered Graphic Tee, Everest Glow in the Dark Tee, and Ski Slopes Raglan Tee.
Pulling on a colorful pair of rainboots turns rainy days into an occasion to celebrate! Watch any preschooler and you'll find this to be true.
JoJo Maman Bebe offers rainboots in fuchsia, navy, red, and yellow for sizes 4 to 12. Made from natural rubber, they are soft, supple, and flexible. Better for little feet than plastic wellingtons. The sole is grippy and the inside has an anti-sweat lining for extra comfort.
If you have a toddler or preschooler, a balance bike is among the very best gifts you can choose for your little one! Balance bikes teach excellent balance and coordination, while also preparing kids to ride a traditional bike. Both of our older girls who first learned on a balance bike learned to ride a traditional bike in one day - with little training. Our 3-year-old is now cruising around on his balance bike with impressive speed and control.
If your little one isn't yet familiar with bike riding, buy the woom 1. If they own a balance bike and have effectively mastered riding it, consider the woom 2. Designed for kids between 3 and 4.5 years old, it's a miniature bike which is specifically created for children that are new to or have only recently begun pedaling. Short cranks and a low bottom bracket will enable your child to always put their feet on the ground without losing balance. This bike represents the ideal link between the balance bike and a pedal bike and enables fast learning of the movement process - even without training wheels.
Once your child has aged out of the woom 2, you can move on to the woom 3, 4, 5, and 6. Woom 1 is designed for age 18 months and then kids can progress to different woom bikes up through age 14. Woom also an upcycling membership program where you can swap out your child's bike as he grows for 40% off of the standard cost.
Memoria Press is a family-run publishing company that produces simple and easy-to-use classical Christian education materials for home and private schools.
Designed for ages 4 to 5, the Alphabet Books are simple, consumable workbooks that introduce upper and lowercase letters together. The first book covers Aa, Dd, Cc, Ff, Gg, Hh, Bb, Pp, Nn, Tt, Jj, Ss, and Ii. Children are instructed to trace and then write each letter. There are also pages for circling letters, coloring pictures that begin with the letter sound, and using crayons to color-by-letter pictures. The second book, which is almost identical, covers Mm, Vv, Oo, Yy, Ww, Uu, Rr, Ee, Kk, Ll, Xx, Qu, and Z. A corresponding Alphabet Coloring Book is also available with very simple pages - "color the upper and lowercase letters" on one side and "color the pictures" (that begin with that letter) on the other side. These pages go chronically from A to Z.
Slip-on 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 2019, I picked three different pairs for your consideration.
Madison II Slip On Sneaker by Dr. Scholl's
You (and your preschooler!) will love the Madison II Slip On Sneaker by Dr. Scholl's. They're ultra-stylish, easily matchable to both casual and dress-up outfits, and super comfortable. No ties means that the shoes are easy to get on and off - even for little hands! Plus, the Memory Foam Cool Fit Insole means your child will be comfortable and have the support needed as he plays in the backyard, at the park, or at holiday parties. Available for babies up to age four or so (sizes 5 through 11).
Kid's Summer Solstice Warm Weather Shoe by The Original Muck Boot Company
These stretchy black slip-ons are specifically designed for play in temps between 40-95 degrees, which means they'll be great in Arizona's fall, winter, and spring seasons! They appear to be lightweight and breathable, while offering a close, comfortable fit. The strap across the top adjusts for more precise sizing.
Flex Justice Navy/Orange by pediped
pediped is known for creating flexible, breathable, and lightweight shoes especially for the toddler and preschool set. In fact, pediped has been awarded the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance for creating shoes that promote healthy foot development.
The Flex Justice sneakers particularly caught our eye because of the handsome navy/orange color combination. They are also machine-washable and water-resistant!
If your little one enjoys bathtime, he or she will be wide-eyed with delight at the sight of the adorable bath dolls made by Corolle. They are exactly the right size for small hands to hold and they have the sweetest faces & expressions. These dolls are carefully designed to dry out quickly and to keep mold at bay. They are great playmates for all kinds of water fun - in the bathtub, at the splash pad, or in your backyard swimming pool.
A new pair of rugged and durable work boots is sure to be a welcome gift for any rough-and-tumble preschooler! The Taliesin is a handsome cinnamon brown color, constructed with quality leather and a comfortable round toe. The simple and straightforward design means that it will work equally well for boys or girls (perfect for handing down between siblings!).
This coat is reminiscent of royal attire. Featuring a thick warm material and oversized buttons, this coat offers elegant sophistication and timeless appeal for photos and for everyday fun. Available for ages 12 months thru age 6.
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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).