The best gifts for toddlers and young children in 2022, according to an expert
Are you shopping for a toddler or young child this holiday season? Gift them something they will be thrilled to unwrap – like one of these most-wanted toys, games, gadgets and books – and win them over.
Top products in this article:
Little Live Pets Mama Surprise, $49 with coupon (reduced from $65)
Melissa and Doug Slice and Stack Sandwich Counter, $31 with coupon (reduced from $65)
Cocomelon karaoke machine, $50
Fisher-Price Linkimals Light-Up and Learn Owl, $23 (reduced from $33)
Unlike older kids who might know exactly what they want for Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, those below the age of four may not hand over a list. Instead, you should draw from their interests. “If the toy does not match our child’s interests, it will not be played with as much as it should, regardless of popularity,” says play and learning expert Cindy Price.
That could be a certain television show or characters, like “Bluey,” “Baby Shark” or Disney Princesses, or an activity, such as building, singing, dancing or art projects. Some toddlers are obsessed with trains, cars or animals, while others prefer dolls.
No matter how much you want to spend, gift options are plentiful. CBS Essentials rounded up the best and most wanted gifts for toddlers and younger children of 2022. Our advice? Shop now, as popular products tend to sell out long before the holidays and even Black Friday.
The most wanted gifts for toddlers and young children of 2022
This year’s hottest holiday gifts include a guinea pig that births babies, an interactive owl that lights up and teaches kids about letters and numbers, Lego sets for smaller hands and a karaoke machine that plays songs from “Cocomelon.”
Razor Jr. Lil’ Kick scooter
One of the most popular children’s scooters on Amazon with thousands of five-star reviews, this scooter offers a stable ride for kids ages 3 and up, with a weight limit of 45 pounds. Available in pink and blue.
Razor Jr. Lil’ Kick scooter, $40
Dance and Play Bluey
Little fans of “Bluey” enjoy dancing and singing to four songs and with an interactive plush version of the adorable dog, which also says over 55 phrases, provides fun games and performs activities, like jumping on one leg. Ages 3 to 6.
Dance and Play Bluey, $30 with coupon (reduced from $50)
Little Live Pets Mama Surprise
One of the hottest toys of the holiday season and a top pick of CBS Essentials staffers, Little Live Pets Mama Surprise offers a fun, interactive experience for kids of all ages. In addition to coming alive with cute sounds, reactions and noises the mama guinea pig, who comes in a cage, “delivers” little babies every day for three days after being properly cared for. Adding to the fun, babies are delivered with their own care package and fun accessories to dress up in. Ages 4 and up.
Little Live Pets Mama Surprise, $49 with coupon (reduced from $65)
Little Tikes Learn and Play Look and Learn Window
Kids explore the climate and weather looking at this little “window” with two-sided play for day and night. The playset converts into an activity table to teach them about colors, shape, and manners with 100-plus phrases, sounds, and activities. They will also love pressing the piano keys, moving the animals and turning the gears to develop fine motor skills.
Little Tikes Learn and Play Look and Learn Window, $37 with coupon (reduced from $50)
Lego Duplo Wild Animals of the World
Introduce them to the animals of the world with a brand new building playset from Lego. The 142-piece set comes with 22 animals on seven continents, with bricks playing realistic sounds to keep young ones engaged and a world map play mat. Ages 2 and up.
Lego Wild Animals of the World, $130
Woom 1 balance bike
Regularly picked by experts as the best balance bike to teach young ones how to ride, the Woom 1 helps young children hone the necessary skills they need to ride a big kid’s bike, including balancing, handling, steering and braking. Ages 1.5 and up.
Lola and the Boys crystal rainbow rain hoodie
While clothes aren’t generally high on a toddler’s wishlist, good luck getting them to wear anything else after they open this adorable beaded and bejeweled hoodie. Available in sizes 2 to 14.
Lola and the Boys crystal rainbow rain hoodie, $68
Baby Shark’s Big Show! Ultimate Shipwreck Playset
Inspired by the animated Nickelodeon series, this adorable, 25-piece playset allows kids to play in the same shipwreck featured on the show. In addition to fun features like trap doors, treasure maps, and spinning, swimming and sliding the shark friends around the set, they will also love the moldable shark sand and sand accessories. Ages 3 and up.
Baby Shark’s Big Show! Ultimate Shipwreck Playset, $35 (reduced from $50)
Pop2Play Hot Wheels Slide
No backyard needed for this innovative Hot Wheels themed slide from Pop2Play. Assemble and disassemble the pop-up slide in minutes, which folds flat for easy storage. Surprisingly durable, kids between the ages of 2 to 5 and up to 50 pounds can join in on the fun.
Pop2Play Hot Wheels Slide, $26 with coupon (reduced from $35)
Super Space modular play space
Think of Super Space, Toy of the Year Finalist for Best Playset, as life-size magnetic tiles that connect into a structure children can actually play in. Kids can build almost anything with their imagination including a fort, tunnels, puppet show stages or ground play matts. The panels, constructed out of eco/recycled materials, including PET felt made from recycled plastic bottles, weigh just 300-400 grams each. Ages 3 and up.
Super Space modular play space 22 panels, $299
FAO Schwarz Ride-On Railway
All aboard the FAO Ride-On Railway, the perfect gift for kids on the move! The motorized train, equipped with LED headlights, moves forward and backward on the 15-foot-long track while making three sounds. Ages 3 and up.
FAO Schwarz Ride-On Railway, $140
Barbie Little DreamHouse by Little People
While toddlers might not be ready to experience the Barbie DreamHouse, the Little People version makes a perfect gift. Perfectly sized with their hands, the tri-level playhouse comes equipped with a moving elevator, rotating clothes closet, light-up pool with a slide and tons of other interactive functions, including music, lights, sounds and phrases activated with the touch of a button. Ages 1.5 to 5.
Barbie Little DreamHouse by Little People, $45 (reduced from $53)
Hot Wheels Racing Loops Tower by Little People
Introduce your toddler to Hot Wheels with another Little People adaptation. With 360-degree racing loops, a double spiral racetrack and stunt ramp, this racetrack, which plays musical tunes. Also Includes a car wash, gas station and mechanic stops for added pretend play
Hot Wheels Racing Loops Tower by Little People, $40
Star Wars Galactic Pals Rodian Plush
From the “Star Wars Kids” YouTube channel, Galactic Pals plush characters, including Rodian, introduce kids to the popular franchise. Each 11-inch tall creature comes with a character and personality profile and wrapped in a satchel that doubles as a career.
Star Wars Galactic Pals Rodian Plush, $20 (reduced from $30)
Brio Cargo Mountain Set
A popular holiday gift since the 1960s, Brio train sets never go out of style. If your parents didn’t save yours, invest in this cargo mountain themed set children can enjoy for years on end. Includes six mountain pieces, three cranes, 19-track pieces and lots of extras, including a helicopter, cargo train with wagons and loading truck.
Brio Disney Princess Castle Set
Some girls might not want to play with a traditional train set. Brio teamed up with Disney and created a Disney Princess themed version featuring Aurora, Belle and Cinderella, a castle style track and regal train cars.
Brio Disney Princess Castle Set, $145
Cocomelon toy microphone or karaoke machine
Pretty much every toddler loves listening to their own voice. Treat aspiring singers to a Cocomelon microphone, with built-in music from the show to sing along with, or the bluetooth enabled sing-along boom box, a mini karaoke machine.
Cocomelon karaoke machine, $50
Olive and Cocoa Wild Thing crate
Curated gift company Olive and Cocoa is offering their wildest gift yet. The wood crate includes a hardcover copy of the classic “Where the Wild Things Are” and a 17-inch long purple “wild thing” monster of their very own.
Olive and Cocoa Wild Thing crate, $108
Melissa and Doug Slice and Stack Sandwich Counter
Kids make their own sandwiches, just like mom and dad, with this wooden set from Melissa and Doug. The stand includes all the fixings, a “slicer” and even chips, cookies, drinks and money to pay for their meal. Ages 3 to 6.
Melissa and Doug Slice and Stack Sandwich Counter, $31 with coupon (reduced from $65)
Calico Critters Pony’s Stylish Hair Salon
Calico Critters goes to the salon! Sally, a poseable pony figure with silky, blonde hair, comes in this set styled after a real hair salon with a reception desk, shampoo station and styling station with vanity. They can switch out hairstyles, accessories with clips, ties, headbands and tiaras. Ages 3 and up.
Calico Critters Pony’s Stylish Hair Salon, $60 with coupon (reduced from $80)
Little Feminists Board Book Gift Set
Raise your little one with values with this limited edition five-book box set from Little Feminist. The anti-racist and anti-sexist, award-winning book series approaches diversity and inclusion in a thoughtful and age-approariate manner with photos and rhythmic text for babies and toddlers up to 5 years.
Little Feminists Board Book Gift Set, $48
Monti Kids Music Appreciation Kit
Little ones sing, dance and play together safely with this educator-designed set of instruments for children as young as 7 months, which includes sound cylinders, a tambourine, drum, glockenspiel and harmonica in addition to printouts to song lyrics.
Monti Kids Music Appreciation Kit, $125
Osmo Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad
Put screen time to good use with this Osmo starter kit, offering an interactive approach to learning. Includes tools like sticks and rings and costume pieces, encouraging play while teaching about letter formation and phonics, numbers and shapes and colors. Available for Fire and iPad and four or six game options. Ages 3 to 5.
Osmo Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad, $31 with coupon (reduced from $80)
Fisher-Price Linkimals Light-Up and Learn Owl
Toddlers ages 18 months and up will love pressing the buttons of the owl’s belly and watching him light up and play over 90 songs, sounds and phrases, teaching the alphabet, counting one to 20, weather, emotions and more. Like all Linkimals products, when the owl meets up with other “friends” they light up and interact together.
Fisher-Price Linkimals Light-Up and Learn Owl, $23 (reduced from $33)
Melissa and Doug 100 piece wood blocks set
STEAM-approved by the Toy Association, this colorful block set provides hours of building for young hands. Ages 2 and up.
Melissa & Doug 100 piece wood blocks set, $11 with coupon (reduced from $28)
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Magna-Tiles
Children of all ages love building with Magna-Tiles magnetic building tiles. An extra incentive for toddlers? This set engages Daniel Tiger fans with the help of their favorite characters and carries over themes from the show, helping to teach kids how to identify feelings and the importance of helping others. Ages 3 and up.
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Magna-Tiles, $45
Lily and River Little Numbers
This hands-on, wooden calculator makes addition, subtraction and multiplication fun for young learners. Ages 2 to 6.
Lily and River Little Numbers, $60
Early Black Friday 2022 deals to shop now
While there’s still some time to wait until the official Black Friday 2022 sales start, there are plenty of great deals you can get right now. Check out our early Black Friday deal articles.
- The Ultimate Black Friday 2022 Guide
- The Ultimate Black Friday 2022 live blog: Today’s best deals at Amazon, Walmart and more
- The best early Black Friday deals on Samsung Galaxy phones: Galaxy S22 Ultra, Galaxy Z Flip 4 and more
- The best early Black Friday luggage deals: Samsonite, Delsey, Calpak and more
- The best early Black Friday deals at Best Buy: Samsung phones, iRobot Roomba, Theragun and more
- The best deals on furniture ahead of Black Friday: Save at Amazon, Wayfair and more
- The best early Black Friday deals at Wayfair: furniture, kitchen and more
- Apple Watch Ultra and Apple AirPods Pro 2 are available at Amazon, and one is discounted ahead of Black Friday
- The best early Black Friday deals at Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy and more
- The best early Black Friday deals you can shop at Amazon now
- The best Walmart early Black Friday deals: Save big on Samsung Galaxy Tab A8, Apple AirPods Pro 2 and more
- The best early Black Friday TV deals at Amazon: Samsung, Sony, LG and more
- The best early Black Friday deals on Samsung refrigerators you can get at Best Buy now
- The best early Black Friday deals on Samsung washers and dryers you can get at Best Buy now
- The best early Black Friday deals on Samsung refrigerators: Save up to $1,200
- The best early Black Friday Apple deals: AirPods Pro 2, iPad and more
- The best early Black Friday tablet deals: Apple iPad, Samsung and more
- The best early Black Friday TV deals: Samsung, Sony, LG and more
- The best early Black Friday deals on kitchen appliances at Amazon: Keurig, Instant Pot and more
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- Best early Black Friday deals on washer and dryer combos: Samsung, LG, more
- The best early Black Friday robot vacuum deals: iRobot Roomba, Braava Jet Mop, Shark IQ and more
- Surprise! Another retailer is holding a massive early Black Friday sale today on kitchen appliances, furniture and more
- Samsung is having an early Black Friday sale today, and the deals on ‘The Frame’ TV are ridiculous
100 Most Wanted Holiday Gifts: The best gifts to give this Christmas
It may seem early to start shopping for Christmas and Hanukkah gifts, but trust us, it’s not. Last year’s holiday season was riddled with supply-chain issues, and CBS News is anticipating more of the same in 2022. Plus, there’s inflation — unfortunately, prices may rise even more before December comes.
So it’s time to shop for holiday gifts now. Pick out a great hiding spot and check out CBS Essentials’ 100 Most Wanted Holiday Gifts of 2022. We’ve based our top 100 gift picks on our bestsellers, owner reviews and our own extensive research on the most-buzzed-about gifts of 2022, such as this I am Groot Lego set, a guinea pig toy that gives birth and this pooping purple turtle.
Stay tuned to the CBS Essentials 100 Most Wanted Holiday Gifts Series for our picks of the hottest gifts to give in 2022. Our list includes some of Apple’s newest products, the top toys of 2022, game-changing kitchen cookware and kitchen appliances (such as this air fryer) and so much more.
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