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 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 2022 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.
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—Cloud
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!
La Patisserie Bakery
Age: 3+
Why it’s an ideal gift: This 39-piece play bakery set is a great way to satisfy hungry imaginations! Little bakers can pretend to pop soft bread and cake in the oven, ice and decorate wooden cupcakes and cookies, and roll up croissants and buns. The play set also includes a removable mixer, baking accessories such as a cake stand, squishy icing tube, baking pans, and more! Kids can show off their scrumptious-looking treats in the display case and list the daily menu on the magnetic board. With so many engaging features, it’s sure to be the sweetest bakery in town!
Fun feature: Finish up the sale by sliding the credit card in the card reader, and sign the magnetic pad to pay for purchases!
Skills: Fine motor development, counting and sorting skills, color recognition, and 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
