Whether you are lighting candles for Hanukkah, hanging stockings for Christmas or simply looking for the right gift for a little one this winter, the hardest part is usually the same. You want something they will truly love and keep playing with, not another toy that is forgotten by the end of the week.
This Montessori holiday gift guide is organised by age, so you can find a gift that matches what the child is working on right now. Every age range follows the recommended age on the product page.
How to choose a gift they will actually play with
- Pick one purpose. A toy that does one thing well holds attention far longer than one that flashes, talks and sings.
- Choose natural materials. Wood and silicone feel good in small hands and look lovely in a calm playroom.
- Match the stage, not the age on the birthday card. Ask the parents what their child is into right now.
- Think long term. The best gifts grow with the child, from a first grasp to a whole new way of playing.
For babies, 0 to 12 months
- Wooden Baby Rattle Gift Set: four natural wood rattles from 3 months, a beautiful first gift that looks lovely unwrapped.
- Silicone Stacking Ring Tower: soft food-grade silicone rings to grasp, chew and stack from 6 months.
- Muslin Bunny Ear Teether Ring: a little teether with muslin ears, perfect for a stocking or a baby shower basket.
- Silicone Suction Ring Arch Toy: a high chair favourite that keeps play in place while dinner is cooking.
See every option in our 0 to 12 months collection.
For a first birthday and young toddlers, 1 to 2 years
- Wooden Activity Push Walker: the classic big gift, for first steps now and shape sorting for months after (12 months and up).
- Wooden Steering Wheel Busy Board: switches, a key and a real turning wheel for little drivers (1 to 3 years).
- Silicone Rainbow Stacking Cups: simple, open ended and loved at bath time too (1 year and up).
- Wooden Rotating Matching Puzzle: a small, clever first puzzle that fits in a stocking (1 year and up).
For three year olds and up
- Wooden Musical Activity Table: a xylophone, drum, cymbal and chimes on one wooden table, a whole band in one gift.
- Wooden Bear Busy Board: latches, a buckle, a clock and a bead track for busy hands.
- Wooden Farm Barn Play Set: a two story barn with a farmer, a tractor and animals, ready for endless stories.
- Wooden Pretend Tea Party Set: everything for a proper tea party with family and teddies.
- Magnetic Fish and Worm Catching Game: a magnetic fishing game that turns turn taking into fun.
- Wooden Birthday Number Train: a wooden number train that marks each birthday, a keepsake as much as a toy.
- Montessori Knobbed Cylinder Blocks: a true Montessori classic for the child who loves to sort and match.
Toys with small or loose parts are labelled 3 years and up on every Bubebaby product page, with a choking hazard note. Please follow the age on the page, stay close during play and check each toy for wear before it goes back on the shelf.
Small gifts and stocking fillers
- Wooden Toy Camera With Strap: a wooden camera on a canvas strap for photo walks and pretend play.
- Wooden Rainbow Stacking Arch: a rainbow of nested arches for building and small worlds.
- Wooden 3D House Puzzle Kit: a little house to build together on a winter afternoon.
- Wooden Dinosaur Jigsaw Puzzle: a chunky wooden puzzle for dinosaur fans.
- Plush Animal Hand Puppet: a soft hand puppet for storytime and songs.
Gifts that siblings can share
If you are buying for a family with more than one child, a shared gift can be a lovely way to bring siblings together. Choose something open ended that works for different ages and skill levels, so the older child can lead and the younger one can join in.
- Wooden Musical Activity Table: a toddler can tap the drum while an older sibling plays a tune on the xylophone.
- Wooden Color Memory Game: a calm memory game that turns into a family favourite after dinner.
- Wooden Farm Barn Play Set: one child runs the farm, the other drives the tractor.
Check the recommended age on each product page if the youngest sibling is still under three, and keep sets with small parts out of reach when the little one is playing alone.
Not sure what they have already?
When you do not know the child's shelf, or the family is keeping things simple, a Bubebaby Gift Card lets the parents choose exactly what their little one needs next. It also makes a thoughtful gift for new parents who are still setting up the nursery.
Wrap it the Montessori way
- Give fewer gifts. One or two thoughtful toys are easier for a small child to enjoy than a pile of boxes.
- Wrap in plain kraft paper or a reusable cloth, tied with a simple ribbon.
- Open gifts one at a time, with space to explore each one before the next.
- After the holidays, add new toys to the shelf slowly as part of a toy rotation.
A gift that lasts beyond the season
The best holiday gifts are the ones still being played with in spring. For more ideas by stage, read our guide to Montessori toys by age, or browse every Bubebaby toy to find the perfect gift.
