4th Dec 2025
Christmas Gift Ideas for 1–2 Year Olds | Peekaboo Baby
Christmas Gift Ideas for 1–2 Year Olds
(Founder-tested. Toddler-approved.)
If you’ve ever tried Christmas shopping for a 1–2 year old, you’ll know it’s equal parts adorable and overwhelming. They’re in that magical little age where they wobble, giggle, explore cupboards they shouldn’t, and suddenly decide that a wooden spoon is the best toy on earth.
As a mum of three, and after years of curating toys at Peekaboo Baby, I’ve learnt which gifts actually get used… and which end up at the bottom of the toy basket by New Year’s Day.
So here it is - a simple, thoughtful guide for Christmas gifts that truly support play, learning, and those beautiful toddler milestones.
1. Active Play & Movement
This is the age where they’re constantly on the move. Waddling. Running. Trying to climb things you wish they wouldn’t.
Gift ideas that burn off the wiggles:
- Ride-on toys and trikes
At this age, toddlers are mastering balance. A sturdy wooden trike helps build gross motor skills and burns off that pre-nap energy. The Skip Hop Ride-On 3-in-1 is fantastic because it grows with your toddler - Push and pull walkers
These support developing gross motor skills and muscle strength, while giving toddlers the freedom to explore at their own pace - Soft play blocks and tunnels
Perfect for crawling, climbing, building and knocking down. These help toddlers strengthen their core muscles and coordination in a safe way.
These help with coordination, confidence, and that toddler “I can do it myself” energy we secretly love.
2. Pretend Play & Imagination
Between one and two, pretend play really blooms. It’s when they start “feeding” teddy, making pretend calls, or copying your kitchen routine (minus the mess… hopefully).
Cute and creative options:
- Mini play kitchens & food sets
Everyone loves to play cooking and cutting. Let them mimic your cooking or cleaning - a safe way to start understanding everyday tasks while practising fine motor skills. Invest in a wooden pretend food set for durability — these make beautiful keepsakes to pass down through siblings. We love the Melissa & Doug 21 Piece Wooden Food Groups - Soft dolls and plush toy friends
Toddlers love a good cuddly buddy to have adventures with or as a bedtime plushie to sleep with. Gund soft toys are always a classic and have lots of baby safe toys. - Dress-up accessories
These gifts encourage language, curiosity, and those heart-melting moments when they hand you pretend tea.
3. Learning & Development
Chunky puzzles, stacking toys — this is the time to add foundations for problem-solving and fine motor skills without making it feel like “learning”.
Top picks:
- Stacking cups & nesting toys
These are such a great starter toy for any household. Kids play with these from baby age right through to early primary school. These support spatial awareness, cognitive development, fine motor skills, and early problem-solving - such major developmental milestones! - Wooden chunky puzzles
Chunky puzzles are great for beginners and little fingers to grasp. Bonus play: toddler love playing with the chunky pieces separately too for double the fun! We love the Melissa & Doug Vehicle Chunky Puzzle Set at our place. - Shape sorters & activity cubes
These Montessori-inspired gifts encourage purposeful, hands-on play and help toddlers explore independently
Simple, open-ended toys make the biggest difference at this age.
4. Creative & Quiet Time
Toddlers and quiet time in the same sentence? Yes — it is possible. You just need the right tools.
Calming and creative gifts:
- First crayons, paint sticks, and toddler-safe art supplies
Our popular Little Brian Paint Sticks are so good for no-mess painting fun inside (or outside) the house - Busy boards and lacing toys
Great for encouraging fine motor development and independent quiet play, especially during travel, car rides, or naptime. Lacing Wooden Sneakers are a great educational toy for toddlers. - Soft books & interactive sound books
Invest in soft books or board books for durability, so you don't have to worry about pages ripping and they make clean up easy (cos toddlers are messy little humans)
Great for plane trips, car rides, or just giving mum and dad five minutes to finish a hot cuppa.
5. Sensory & Exploration
Sensory play isn’t just fun — it’s incredible for brain development. And honestly, watching a toddler splash with bath toys is peak cuteness.
Sensory-friendly gifts:
- Musical instruments
There’s something magical about watching a toddler discover sound. Simple instruments like shakers, mini drums, and xylophones help little ones experiment with rhythm while strengthening hand–eye coordination. Music also supports early language development — every bang, tap, and jingle becomes a lesson in cause and effect. Plus, toddlers love being part of “family music time,” even if their version is… enthusiastically off-beat. Our Melody Mix Discovery Toy is one of our top selling toys for a good reason! - Bath toys & water play
Bath toys are always so popular for both parents and kids. Bath time isn’t just about getting clean — for toddlers, it’s one of the easiest places to learn through play. Water toys encourage pouring, scooping, filling and emptying, which introduces the earliest concepts of measurement and problem-solving. Bath toys can also double as outdoor water play toys - perfect for the Aussie heat! - Sensory balls & soft books
Toddlers explore the world through their senses, and textured balls or soft fabric books give them so much to touch, squeeze, flip, and investigate. These toys help develop fine motor skills and strengthen little hand muscles as they poke, press, and grasp different textures. Soft books also build early literacy skills - even if they’re mostly being chewed on or carried from room to room. They’re safe, durable, and perfect for quiet time, pram rides, and long summer holidays
Expect giggles. Lots of giggles.
6. Cosy & Practical Gifts
Because let’s be real… parents appreciate gifts that are cute and useful.
Everyday essentials that still feel special:
- Soft blankets & sleep sacks
Everyday essentials for comfort and safety, but still feel like a treat when chosen with care. - Hooded towels & bathrobes
Perfect after the bath, beach or pool. Look for soft, absorbent fabrics that keep little ones warm and cosy. We love these hooded towels over here. - Plush playmats and rugs
Great as a soft “home base” for toddlers to play safely (and for parents to feel at ease).
These are the gifts that get used long after Christmas is over.
Final Thoughts
Choosing Christmas gifts for 1–2 year olds doesn’t have to be complicated. Focus on items that support their milestones, spark curiosity, and bring joy to everyday routines. And if you’re shopping for a tiny human who already has “everything,” practical gifts always win.
You can also shop our full collection of toddler toys right here at 1-2 Year Old Gifts
