Gifts for the Taby: That Awkward Phase Where They're Squishy but Sassy
Have you heard of the term Taby? I believe it was coined by one of my favorites: @busytoddler and describes anywhere from 1-2/2.5 years of age. It's a really FUN phase in my opinion and one of tremendous brain development. So even if you cannot imagine your 1-year-old playing with some of these, give it a few months and you might be surprised :)
don’t forget to also peruse my taby stocking stuffer guide!
I also want to mention that because these are general recommendations, you should use your own judgment in regards to the safety of each toy and its age requirements.
The Movement Mama is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program, as well as the Like to Know It/Reward Style affiliate advertising program. Through these programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about these links in my disclosure policy
(Gifts in order from top right to bottom left and links are found by clicking on the name of each item)
(Gifts in order from top right to bottom left and links are found by clicking on the name of each item)
Recycling Truck:
We love all the upcycled toys from Green Toys, so I've linked a few more fun trucks here. Trucks are amazing for continued core strength through crawling, pretend play and good ol' fun in the dirt!
Pretend Camping Set:
As your little taby gets older, their pretend play will grow and expand beyond belief! Little ones love being inside tents like this and it's sure to keep those winter blues away while you're stuck indoors :)
Play Sink:
If there's one thing tabies love to do, it's mimic Mom & Dad. Add in the fact that there's water involved and this is a surefire ticket to 5 beautiful minutes to drink your coffee while it's hot :)
Starter Train Set:
Another activity that will continue to build on itself throughout the years. Great for fine motor to put the tracks together and for creativity and imagination of building their play scene.
We really try to be mostly screen-free in our home. There are numerous reasons why this has been a choice for our family, but bottom line is the AAP does not recommend screen time prior to the age of 2. But we all know real life is busy and there are moments you just need a minute to catch your breath or be productive. Enter: YOTO! We have the full-sized version but in hindsight I wish we would have gotten the minis so they were safe for car travel or stroller use! Bonus: add on the carrying case + headphones for ease of keeping everything together on the go! And be sure to sign up for Yoto club, where you’ll get 2 cards a month for $9.99!
My First Vacuum:
A vacuum for toddlers that actually works? Take all of my money, please.
Wooden Puzzle:
Puzzles are so great for fine motor control and spatial awareness and I love these chunky wooden ones for withstanding toddler mischief.
Mr Potato Head:
So many silly ways to make Mr. Potato Head and talk about body parts and their orientation to one another!
Wooden Tool Box:
A great excuse to send them off with Daddy so you can have a few moments to yourself :D If you’re worried about potential household or human damage (ha!), we also have this soft one and love it!
Little People House:
Little people are a pretend play staple in our household. I've linked several of our other favorite setups including the farm, construction site, and school bus.
Water Painting Book:
This is a new favorite in our household! A book that you reveal the pages by painting with water--but then it dries and you get to do it all over again. Mess-free fun is my way of surviving the cold winter months! If you want to see my bookshop’s incredible Black Friday deals, be sure to join my VIP Book club group.
Baby Doll:
Hear me when I say that toys don't have a gender. Whether you have a girl or a boy, a baby doll is an amazing gift to allow them to begin nurturing someone other than themselves.
Canvas Swing:
In the winter, this comes inside and is hung over a beam in our basement but we use this daily during the warmer months outside while big sister plays in the yard. Swinging is phenomenal for vestibular development and can be very calming! Use code: MOVEMENT15 for 15% off
Pull Back Cars:
I love these little soft cars so much! Kids love to pull them back and watch them go! They're great movement motivators, for sure!
Stainless Steel Dish Set:
The key is the stainless steel component. That means no matter the water or outdoor play, they'll hold up! Plus, tabies love to experiment with music theory on them hehe.
First Sticker Book:
These first sticker books are some of my holy grail traveling with tabies items. They're car-safe and if you peel off the backing, super easy for little fingers to grasp. Just be sure to supervise!
Mini Cleaning Set:
Again with the toddler clean-up duty. I'm sold.
Sensory Bin Tools:
These beautiful wooden tools are great for all kinds of sensory bins and teach crucial fine motor skills for eventual handwriting and higher-level sports!
Mega Bloks:
Pro tip: Don't leave all of them out at once or it will be 100-block-pickup like 50 times a day. I love to put 10-15 in a basket for the kids to explore and build with! Amazing for visual-perceptual skills and an early STEAM activity!
Soft Book:
These soft activity books are another great holiday travel item to have on hand for keeping them entertained without being considered a projectile.
Dump Truck Shape Sorter:
A shape sorter for fine motor and visual discrimination and problem-solving PLUS a fun truck they can continue to use for years to come? Amazing!
Lovevery Play Subscription:
If you are looking for fewer toys with a bigger impact, Lovevery is truly worth the money. Consider asking for this from grandparents instead of 50 gifts your babe will only play with for a short span. These toys will without a doubt withstand the test of time. PLUS, right now I'm offering a $15 rebate on all Playkit subscriptions *purchased through my affiliate link*. Just forward me your receipt at themovementmama.info@gmail.com and your Venmo and BOOM! Discount granted!
Magnetic Blocks:
Another amazing item from small Mama-owned business, Ten Little! Hopefully these prevent siblings from knocking creations down quite so easy :)
Picasso Tiles:
A STEAM activity for tabies! Little hack: if you've got aluminum windows, these stick to them for creating gorgeous designs. You can also do this with metal storm doors or out on the sidewalk for gorgeous reflections of color and light!
Pretend Makeup Kit:
One of my favorite hacks for getting ready in peace is to have a little makeup or "get ready" kit for my taby to play with alongisde me. We love this shaving kit, too!
Ball Pit Balls:
I feel like 50 ball pit balls is a reasonable number...200? Not unless you have an actual ball pit. I love these for spicing up bath time or tossing in a play tunnel! As they get older you can sort by color, practicing throwing, etc. All of the fun things!
Tunnel:
This is another winter fun lifesaver for when you're stuck inside! Crawling continues to be incredible for strength and neurological development and this is a great way to continue encouraging it!
Playground Ball:
The one I linked is 10 inches instead of the standard 8.5 inches--that's because a larger ball + the bright rainbow colors will improve their success with early kicking and rolling! And maybe even some core work while trying to sit on it :)
Pretend Play Food:
If you saw my Big Gift Guide, this would pair perfectly with a play kitchen. Play food will last you well through the taby years and into adolescence. Food you can cut is another fun fine motor play setup. And while we’re on the subject of “play food”, I wanted to say: have your kids help you in the kitchen! Hiking with harps is a super cute account that highlights how to do this! The first thing we did to move toward this was getting these kid-safe knives to have them help us cut up fruits & veggies.
Block Set:
Before you let your jaw hit the floor at the price tag, hear me out. We are two years in and these blocks literally get played with every. single. day that they are out in rotation. There are HUNDREDS of ways you can play with and engage with this block set. I plan to use it through homeschool and hopefully someday with my grandbabies. It's magical and worth every penny! Consider asking for Lovevery gift cards to make it happen!
Squigz Cups:
These fun little cups stick to anything and can be used for encouraging lifting onto tiptoes or as a fun paint water cup that won't tip over :) Or maybe a snack cup they can't dump all 30 goldfish out of. Whatever it is, these things are LEGIT.
Water Painting Mat:
Speaking of suction water cups for art...we adore this water painting mat on a cold winter day. It's big enough for both my kids to lay it down and get some tummy down time in!
Ride on Toy:
Ride on toys like this can even be used inside with a proper helmet to prep for spring and summertime riding fun! I've linked all my favorites here with each having it's own unique developmental benefits!