Whether your children are budding chefs, aspiring nurses, future veterinarians—or simply playing just to play—kids will revel in all of the scenarios they can enjoy with one of these five Holiday Gifts for Kids That Wow!
Preschoolers will show up for playtime ready to learn and have fun with each of these engaging, innovative, and immersive toys! Find more great holiday gift ideas in our full Melissa & Doug 2023 Holiday Gift Guide.
5 BIG Gifts To Delight Little Kids
Fresh Mart Grocery Store
Age: 3+
Why it’s an ideal gift: Kids love grocery shopping, and once they start a trip through this pretend-play grocery store, they will never want to leave! Ideal for a few kids to play with at once, this free-standing play space has a browsing area as well as a checkout setup, complete with a hand-cranked conveyor belt in the bagging area! Use it as the centerpiece for a whole grocery-themed play experience!
Fun feature: The checkout area includes a “beeping” scanner and pretend card swipe machine!
Skills: Sorting, fine and gross motor skills, color recognition, math skills, collaborative play
How to wow even more: Add to the amazing options in the Fresh Mart Grocery Store with the 70-piece Fresh Mart Grocery Store Companion Collection.
Shopping Cart
Age: 3+
Why it’s an ideal gift: The sturdy metal construction and pivoting front wheels make the play-grocery-store experience even more like the real thing! Roll the mini grocery wagon down pretend aisles for hours of fun!
Fun feature: The folding seat is perfect for small, pretend-play companions!
Skills: Creative thinking, gross motor, social-emotional development
How to wow even more: Stock up on the basics with the 9-piece Pantry Food Set—Wooden Play Food, which includes tuna, ketchup, spaghetti, soup, sugar, crackers, salad dressing, mustard, and cereal.
Get Well Doctor Activity Center
Age: 3+
Why it’s an ideal gift: Easing fears while encouraging empathetic play, this sturdy, multi-sided wooden play doctor’s center gives kids the chance to take on whatever role they’d like to play: doctor, nurse, receptionist, patient or parent/caregiver! Display X-rays, a blood pressure monitor (with adjustable cuff), sanitizer pump, waiting area, and more make this a like-real checkup experience!
Fun feature: Kids can make their own artwork for the waiting room, and change the picture as often as they’d like!
Skills: Empathy and confidence building, social-emotional development
How to wow even more: Suit up for the next “appointment” in the Doctor Role Play Costume Set or the Pediatric Nurse Role Play Set!
Chef’s Kitchen—Charcoal
Age: 3+
Why it’s an ideal gift: Kids will love this modern kitchen’s turning stove top dials, revolving microwave plate, and handle and faucet on the sink—all ideal for a multi-kid playdate. Use the kitchen as a centerpiece for building out a complete pretend cooking and food prep experience!
Fun feature: The working ice dispenser releases two play ice cubes!
Skills: Fine motor skills, organization, creative play, collaborative play
How to wow even more: Make the most of kitchen time with the 20-piece Let’s Play House! Baking Play Set, which includes an oven mitt, measuring spoons and cups, a muffin tin, and more! Also, the Slice & Bake Christmas Cookie Play Set makes a yummy addition to this gift! Also available in Cloud style, too.
Star Diner Restaurant
Age: 3+
Why it’s an ideal gift: It's twice the fun at the Star Diner! This sturdy, double-sided wooden play space lets kids cook and serve from the kitchen side, and order and enjoy a meal on the booth side.
Fun feature: The kitchen, with an extra-large oven, realistic burners and dials, a two-shelf refrigerator, and plenty of counter space has fun details like a drink dispenser and milkshake maker with mixing rod that can be pushed up and down. At the two-seat booth, customers three and older can spin the jukebox dial to choose their favorite type of music, then drop the included coin in the slot - and the coin lands in a collection tray on the other side!
Skills: Fine & gross motor development, counting and sorting skills, imagination, storytelling
How to wow: Spice up the pretend play with a Chef Role Play Outfit!
Looking for more of the best Christmas and holiday gift and toy ideas for kids of all ages? Check out these blog posts:
10 Best Toys for Babies and 1-Year-Olds
