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As a Mom I have learned that I really appreciate montessori inspired toys and toys that teach a skill. The light up plastic toys are often cute and exciting at first, but they do not serve a purpose or teach a lesson. These sorts of toys really do not hold my daughter’s attention very long. I also love good quality open ended play toys for my daughter so I included some of that as well.
This gift guide is based on things you can find on Amazon, so you can create a wishlist and share it with family and friends when they inevitably ask what they want.
For my daughter’s birthday I bought her the ikea play kitchen, ours was used off FB marketplace and I have plans to redo it and make it super cute, so keep your eyes out for a blog post on my DIY! That being said I wanted to get play food for her kitchen. I did pick up the 2 sets of ikea play fruit and veggies, but the rest I got off of Amazon. Here are some of the favorites! If you want to shop this picture, just click it and it will take you to liketoknow.it where it is all linked for you! You can also pin the picture to save for future reference.
I love how the food goes together and she can really “cook” dishes! Like the spaghetti, stir fry, and even putting together sandwiches with her kit or making salads! So fun! Also love the color sort fruit and veggies! Play food, but also a great little game!
Next I have sensory and montessori inpired play items! Hardcore montessori Moms please don’t come for me with “THATS NOT MONTESSORI” lol I said INSPIRED. These toys are perfect for sensory play and sensory bins and open ended creative play. I also included the trays, which is the classic way of presenting montessori activities to your child. Also the scarves might seem random, but buy them- and watch how they become your kid’s favorite toy. The scarves are blankets, forts, capes, endless play!
Now this is a bunch of awesome toys for imaginative play. The sink runs and cycles the water so your child can pretend to wash dishes with you! The animal and bug figurines are perfect for language activities, sorts, and just pretend play. Cars, and peg people, and magnatiles all perfect for little imaginations, and toys that will grow with them through the years!
Finally this is my “random” other things I love category! Bibs and smocks for messy sensory play and art! A balance bike, I LOVE the neutral, but they have many other colors! Some Fat Brain toys that engage your baby’s brain! And a fun sort puzzle.
Some other things that are not on Amazon you might consider purchasing or asking for is a Lovevery subscription! This is a gift that keeps on giving, as Lovevery will send a box of toys every few months! These toys will be perfectly aligned with your child’s development and will even come with a guide for you as a parent to help know how to guide your child in these skills.
A nugget is another large purchase, but is one that keeps on giving! You can build all sorts of fun things for your baby to have fun and play with.
I hope this gift guide was helpful! If it was share it on Instagram and tag me @kylasieges! Or pin it to Pinterest so other Moms can find it. Let me know what other toys should be on this list in the comments!