Gifts for a baby who loves pretend play
Little Tikes
Picnic on the Patio Playhouse
$375.99 at Little Tikes
A playhouse with its own patio table, for the garden.
Seen at Little Tikes, 9 Sep 2026
Melissa & Doug
Dinosaurs Chunky Puzzle, 7 Pieces
$12.99 at Melissa & Doug
Thick dinosaur pieces that stand up on their own once they are out, so the puzzle becomes a toy the moment it is finished.
Seen at Melissa & Doug, 30 Aug 2026
Fisher-Price
Laugh & Learn Wake Up & Learn Coffee Mug
$9.19 at Target
Named by TODAY, 2026.
Checked 31 Aug 2026
Radio Flyer
Snoopy's Wagon
$249.99 at Radio Flyer
The classic wagon dressed as Snoopy's doghouse, which is a present for the grandparents about as much as for the child.
Seen at Radio Flyer, 30 Aug 2026
Melissa & Doug
Blockables All Around Town Gift Bundle
$59.99 at Melissa & Doug
Chunky wooden blocks that lock into buildings and vehicles, sized for hands still too small for the fiddlier building sets.
Seen at Melissa & Doug, 30 Aug 2026
Stokke
Tripp Trapp High Chair 2 with Tray
$349.99 at Stokke
The wooden high chair that adjusts as the child grows, with the tray fitted.
Seen at Stokke, 9 Sep 2026
Step2
Contemporary Builders Twin Bed
$399.99 at Step2
The first proper bed, moulded in one piece and low enough to climb into.
Seen at Step2, 9 Sep 2026
Little Tikes
Bluey Grannies Car Coupe (paid link)
$50 to $100 at Amazon
Named by The Strategist, 2026.
Checked 31 Aug 2026
Melissa & Doug
Deluxe Jumbo Cardboard Blocks, 40 Pieces
$54.99 at Melissa & Doug
Big printed blocks a toddler can carry and stack head high, then knock over without anybody getting hurt.
Seen at Melissa & Doug, 30 Aug 2026
Lovevery
The Real Life Play Kitchen
$325 at Lovevery
A play kitchen with a sink that really holds water, built low enough for a toddler rather than a five year old.
Seen at Lovevery, 9 Sep 2026
Playmobil
Junior & Disney: Cinderella’s Castle (paid link)
$50 to $100 at Amazon
Named by The Strategist, 2026.
Checked 31 Aug 2026
Melissa & Doug
100 Piece Wood Blocks Set
$24.99 at Melissa & Doug
Plain wooden blocks in four colours, the set a child knocks down at one and builds proper towers with at four.
Seen at Melissa & Doug, 30 Aug 2026
Fisher-Price
Soothe n' Snuggle Otter (paid link)
$25 to $50 at Amazon
Named by TODAY, 2026.
Checked 31 Aug 2026
American Girl
My First Addy Doll & Board Book
$70 at American Girl
Named by The Strategist, 2026.
Checked 31 Aug 2026
Lovevery
The Pull Pup
$22 at Lovevery
A wooden pull-along dog for the weeks after a baby starts walking and wants something following along behind them.
Seen at Lovevery, 30 Aug 2026
Manhattan Toy
Love, Stella My First Doll and Bassinet, Peach
$36 at Manhattan Toy
A first doll that comes with its own soft bed, which is usually the first pretend game a toddler invents without help.
Seen at Manhattan Toy, 30 Aug 2026
Sassy
Fruit Fill N' Spill
$15 at Manhattan Toy
A soft basket of fruit a baby empties and refills over and over, which is the entire game at that age.
Seen at Manhattan Toy, 5 Sep 2026
Nugget
Smore Play Couch, Bamboo
$199 at Nugget
The small foam play couch, which a toddler will rebuild into a slide, a den and a bed inside one afternoon.
Seen at Nugget, 30 Aug 2026
Milton & Goose
Little Chef Set
$127.30 at Milton & Goose
A child-sized apron, chef's hat and oven mitt for pretend cooking.
Seen at Milton & Goose, 30 Aug 2026
American Girl
My First Kirsten Doll & Board Book
$70 at American Girl
Named by The Strategist, 2026.
Checked 31 Aug 2026
Fisher-Price
4-in-1 Cuddle & Crawl Duck (paid link)
$25 to $50 at Amazon
Named by Good Housekeeping, 2026.
Checked 31 Aug 2026
PlanToys
Palomino Rocking Horse
$119.99 at PlanToys
A rubberwood rocking horse with a low seat and a wide base, the heirloom version of a toy most children get in plastic.
Seen at PlanToys, 30 Aug 2026
Lovevery
The Block Set
$95 at Lovevery
A hardwood block set with its own storage box and a book of things to build, the kind of toy that stays in the room for years.
Seen at Lovevery, 30 Aug 2026