Top Christmas Picks for Children Aged 0-2 Years
Finding the perfect gift for a baby or toddler can be tricky. You want something safe and age-appropriate that will also grow with them. We’ve rounded up our top picks for the youngest members of the family, from snuggly companions and first books to first wheels and screen-free listening. All have been tried and tested by our expert panel and our little testers.
One Love Plush
These soft, gently weighted animal plush toys are suitable from birth and made from 100% recycled fabrics. The ultra-soft fibres and comforting weight make them lovely to hold, and our testers formed strong attachments to them. They were soon cuddling them at bedtime and during quiet moments, and happily giving their new friends names and personalities. A cosy, thoughtful gift that helps children to self-soothe and encourages nurturing play.
My First Stars of Hogwarts Soft Toys – Harry Potter, Hedwig and Dobby
A magical first introduction to the Wizarding World for even the tiniest fans. These plush toys, suitable from birth, are made with gentle fabrics that are kind to delicate skin. Harry Potter has embroidered glasses and a scar, Hedwig has velvety wings that are perfect for stroking at storytime, and Dobby has big eyes and soft ears. They’re the right size for small hands to hold, and our testers loved them for naptime cuddles, car journeys and imaginative play. Parents also praised the quality and durability.
Britannica’s Baby Encyclopedia: For Curious Kids Aged 0 to 3
A first reference book that introduces little ones to the world around them, from animals and nature to the human body, feelings and everyday routines. The bright, bold illustrations and sturdy pages captured our testers’ attention straight away, and the simple, clear language makes it easy to dip in and out of. Children loved pointing at familiar objects and chatting about them with an adult. One 18-month-old excitedly shouted “Dog! Woof woof!” at the animal section. It’s a lovely way to build vocabulary, spark curiosity and enjoy shared reading together.
Strider 12 Sport 2-in-1 Rocking Bike
A gift that grows with your child. It starts as a secure rocking bike for babies aged 6-24 months, helping to build balance, coordination and spatial awareness. When your little one is ready, it detaches from the rocking base and becomes a balance bike for toddlers, suitable up to 4 years old. It has tool-free seat and handlebar adjustments and puncture-proof tyres, so it’s easy to set up and use. One mum told us it’s “perfect for building my toddler’s confidence before they transition to a pedal bike.”
Bizzikins
These clever little toys combine a cuddly soft doll with the features of a busy book, and suit children from 12 months. Each character comes with a mini doll and a themed adventure, which inspires imaginative role play and storytelling. Our testers loved exploring the different textures and sensory features, and were soon taking the doll on adventures and caring for her. The hands-on activities also help build fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, and parents loved how lightweight and easy it is to take on the go.
Toniebox 2
This is a screen-free, ad-free audio player that encourages independent listening, learning and play from age 1. Just pop a Tonie character on top to start stories, songs and more. Our testers found the controls easy once the box was set up (it needs Wi-Fi for the initial setup and took a few goes), and we loved that parents stay in control of the content. You can even record your own stories onto a Tonie, so little ones can hear bedtime messages from relatives who live far away. Tonies are sold separately, so it’s a gift that can keep on growing.
Build-A-Buddy John Deere Activity Board
A colourful, tractor-themed construction set for toddlers aged 18 months and up. It includes 25 chunky pieces and a battery-powered toy drill for building two different tractor scenes. Our testers loved using the drill to fit the big screws and watching the gears turn. The small parts were a little tricky for tiny fingers at first, but that helped develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. It also encourages problem-solving and farmyard storytelling. The board opens into a play surface and stores all the pieces inside, which parents appreciated for easy tidying.