The Amazing Mess: Preschool Gift Guide (Part 1)

With Christmas fast-approaching, I wanted to share a “Gift Guide” of sorts with you!  There are so many options, and I find it rather overwhelming sometimes.  I wanted to focus in on several categories of gifts, so I will spread this guide out over a few days.


Books:

All children need a home full of good books (see my post on reading with your preschoolers)!

 

If you don't have a lot of space for books, The 20th-Century Children’s Book Treasury: Picture Books and Stories to Read Aloud includes lots of books in one convenient volume!


Some more of our favorites include:

• Harold and the Purple Crayon
• We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
• Blueberries for Sal
• My Great-Aunt Arizona
• James Herriot’s Treasury for Children: Warm and Joyful Tales by the Author of All Creatures Great and Small

If you need a guide to aid you in choosing books, my personal favorite is Read for the Heart: Whole Books for WholeHearted Families.

Building Materials & Construction:

I love these kind of toys — they allow for open-ended play and are great for sparking creativity!

 

Unfortunately, the price has risen on these Melissa & Doug 60-Piece Standard Unit Blocks, but for natural, wooden blocks they are still a pretty good value.  We have two sets to allow for larger creations and expanded play.


Some of our other favorites:

• Magformers 40 Pc Magnetic Building Set
• Lincoln Logs Classic Edition Tin Lincoln Logs
• LEGO® DUPLO® Bricks & More Deluxe Brick Box
• LEGO Ultimate Building Set – 405 Pieces
• Jumbo Magneatos 24 Piece Set

Imaginative Play:

Obviously, you don’t even need to spend money on items for imaginative play (boxes, utensils, recycled materials, etc. work quite well), but sometimes a nice toy can provide hours of fun.  The girls have especially enjoyed the kitchen they have!

 

We have a plastic kitchen, but the Kid Kraft Suite Elite Kitchen has great ratings (and it's currently marked down by $65).


Here are a few more ideas:

• KidKraft Majestic Dollhouse (Shh…this is our family's “extravagant gift” this year — and I think I’m as excited about it as the girls will be!  I found it for $132 one day -- and I had some Amazon credit!  Yippee!!)
• 1 Dozen Velour Animal Hand Puppets for Kids
• Melissa & Doug Slice and Bake Cookie Set
• Green Toys Cookware and Dining Set
• Learning Resources Teaching Cash Register
• Melissa & Doug Veterinarian Role Play Costume Set

What are some of your favorites?  Any I need to add to my list?!!


To be continued…