Looking for the best gifts for preschoolers for the holidays or a birthday? Below are my favorite preschool gifts that will also build early literacy skills.
Best Gifts for Preschoolers
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Books for Preschoolers to Give as Presents
Book box sets can be treasured for years. Preschoolers love to learn about the world and love lifting flaps to find hidden little treasures inside books. So, try the Peek Inside Box Set by Usborne. If you don’t want to get the box set, you could get individual titles too. The Farm was a favorite in our house.
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Looking for a recent release that the kids probably don’t have yet? Get [easyazon_link identifier=”1368026222″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Bruce’s Big Storm[/easyazon_link] by Ryan Higgins.
And, if you need more new release ideas, I have a whole list for you. See my favorite books of 2022 HERE.
A subscription is a fun way to keep the giving going all year long. You can try a magazine subscription geared towards preschoolers or a book subscription box.
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A favorite preschool magazine subscription is [easyazon_link identifier=”B000R2YU5M” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]National Geographic for Little Kids[/easyazon_link]. It’s full of animals and learning around the world.
And, one of my favorite gifts is book subscription boxes for kids. Books are delivered right to your door on a monthly basis.
If the preschoolers in your life has a particular interest such as dinosaurs or interactive stories, I have lots of specific themed book lists for you too.—>See the Preschool Book Lists Here
Preschool Toys and Games that Make Great Gifts
Puzzles are great for building visual discrimination and developing spatial awareness. And, giving a book-themed puzzle is a fun way to revisit loved stories. Try If You Give a Mouse a Cookie Puzzle: Mouse’s Backyard to a preschooler in your life. Even better, pair it with a box set of the books.
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We have played so many different games with these [easyazon_link identifier=”B0034IX82M” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]ABC cookies[/easyazon_link] from Learning Resources. The kit comes with different card activities. But, we also use them with a good old fashioned cookie sheet and spatula. The kids love to pretend to cook the cookies.
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Build focus, concentration, and letter matching with [easyazon_link identifier=”B003BEDE5A” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Match It! Memory – Alphabet – Capital and Lowercase Letter Matching Game[/easyazon_link] from the Learning Journey.
Other Preschool Gift Ideas
Playdough is a great tool for any preschooler. Manipulating the dough strengthens muscles in the hands needed for holding and manipulating writing tools. Pair the tool with a book and now you’ve opened up story retelling opportunities. My friend Merideth from Homegrown Friends creates wonderfully scented playdough kits the kids will love.
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Kick up bedtime reading with a pair of [easyazon_link identifier=”B078X33CPG” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Pete the Cat themed PJs[/easyazon_link]. Of course, reading a fun Pete the Cat book such as [easyazon_link identifier=”0062304348″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakes[/easyazon_link] is optional but highly suggested.
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For kids who love to sing, they can now sing along to book-inspired songs with Emily Arrow’s cd- [easyazon_link identifier=”B01B6Q5NXK” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Storytime Singalong Vol 1,[/easyazon_link] or [easyazon_link identifier=”B06XDHBVD9″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Vol 2[/easyazon_link] or [easyazon_link identifier=”B07XMFF8Q7″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Vol 3[/easyazon_link].
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Want preschoolers to start learning proper writing grip? Try [easyazon_link identifier=”B002EODQBA” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]crayon rocks[/easyazon_link]. They work like a charm and make a perfect stocking stuffer. You could even pair them with a [easyazon_link identifier=”B01AW5V7PE” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]drawing pad[/easyazon_link].
Gifts for Preschool Families and Caregivers
Give every preschooler in your life an extra boost with these items aimed at families and caregivers to instill a love of reading at an early age.
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Drive home the point that reading aloud to our kids throughout their childhood really matters with the book, [easyazon_link identifier=”0062562819″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Enchanted Hour: The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction[/easyazon_link] by Meghan Cox Gurdon.
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Jennifer takes a look at writing from an occupational therapist viewpoint. She offers advice and support for every stage of writer (Scribblers, Spellers, Storytellers and Scholars). [easyazon_link identifier=”1590308379″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Write Start: A Guide to Nurturing Writing at Every Stage, from Scribbling to Forming Letters and Writing Stories
For more gift guides check out these posts.