Best Gifts for Toddlers from New Baby
Bringing home a new baby is magical, but your toddler might not see it that way at first. As a mom of 5, I've witnessed this adjustment period multiple times—when my second child was born, my three-year-old asked, "When is he going back?"
One surprisingly effective strategy is having the new baby "give" your toddler a special gift. This simple gesture can transform jealousy into excitement and help your older child feel valued.
In this guide, we'll explore over 75 gifts for toddler from new baby organized by category and age appropriateness—from "big sibling" themed presents to creative crafts for kids that encourage sibling bonding.
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Gifts for Toddler from New Baby
Best "Big Brother" and "Big Sister" Themed Gifts
Personalized "Big Sibling" t-shirts are highly effective. Look for shirts that say "Best Big Brother" or "Big Sister Est. 2025" with your toddler's name embroidered or printed on them. Personalization is key—when it has their actual name, the impact increases significantly. My son wore his big brother shirt for three weeks straight.
Big brother and big sister books are specifically designed to normalize the experience and teach empathy. Effective titles include:
"I'm a Big Sister" and "I'm a Big Brother" by Joanna Cole (perfect for 2-3 year olds)
"The New Baby" by Mercer Mayer (Little Critter series)
"What to Expect When the New Baby Comes Home" (toddler version)
"Big Sister Now" and "Big Brother Now" by Annette Sheldon (excellent for validating feelings)
Reading them together before and after the baby arrives gives your toddler a framework for understanding what's happening.
Custom name puzzles featuring both siblings are educational and celebrate the sibling bond. You can order wooden puzzles with each child's name, literally connecting the two children.
Big sibling certificates and badges provide official recognition that toddlers love. Print free certificates online or purchase fancy ones with gold seals. Present it in a frame for proof of their new important status.
Matching sibling outfits create photo opportunities and help your toddler feel connected to the baby. A few coordinating pieces make your toddler feel like they're on the same team. For more sibling gift inspiration, check out these big brother gifts from new baby and big sister Christmas gifts.
Big sibling medals and trophies celebrate the achievement. Find affordable plastic trophies at party stores or order custom medals online as a tangible reminder that becoming a big sibling is worth celebrating.
Helpful tip: combine a few themed gifts into a "Big Sibling Kit" with a t-shirt, book, and certificate. It creates more excitement and emphasizes their special new role.
Practical Gifts That Keep Toddlers Occupied During Feeding Time
Picture this: You're nursing or bottle-feeding the baby, and your toddler is melting down because they need you RIGHT NOW. Strategic gift-giving becomes your secret weapon.
Busy boards and sensory toys are lifesavers. These boards, covered in latches, zippers, buttons, and buckles, keep little hands busy while developing fine motor skills. I kept one next to my nursing chair for 15-20 minutes of peace.
Sticker books with reusable stickers where kids can stick and unstick repeatedly provide maximum engagement with zero mess. Melissa & Doug makes excellent reusable sticker pads with various themes. My toddler spent 30 minutes arranging stickers while I fed the baby.
Magnetic building tiles (like Magna-Tiles or PicassoTiles) allow toddlers to play independently for surprisingly long periods. Start with a 32-piece set. They're an investment but worth it.
Other feeding-time essentials:
Water Wow coloring books: Fill the pen with water, colors appear like magic, then dry out for reuse. No mess.
Play-Doh with themed accessories: Sets with cookie cutters, rollers, and molds are surprisingly calming.
Audio books and story podcasts: Load a tablet with apps like Epic or Audible. Podcasts like "Story Pirates" or "Circle Round" are designed for kids.
Lap desks with built-in activities: Portable trays give toddlers a dedicated workspace with dry-erase surfaces and storage.
The key is independence. You want items your toddler can use without constant supervision. By baby number three, I had a basket of special feeding-time-only toys that made a significant difference.
Dolls and Baby Care Role-Play Gifts
Role-play is how toddlers process big emotions and make sense of confusing situations.
Baby dolls with accessories give toddlers a safe outlet for mimicking what they see. When my toddler got his own baby doll, he could "feed," "change," and "rock" it to sleep, working through his feelings about the new family dynamic.
Choose age-appropriate dolls. For younger toddlers (18-24 months), get soft-bodied dolls without small removable parts like Corolle Mon Premier Poupon or Baby Stella. For older toddlers (3-4 years), more realistic baby dolls like Cabbage Patch Kids work well.
Toy strollers and baby carriers enhance the experience. Your toddler can push their baby in a stroller or wear them in a toy carrier while you do the same with the real baby. My toddler and I walked around the block countless times—him with his toy stroller, me with the real one.
Complete baby care playsets:
Doll changing stations with pretend diapers, wipes, and powder
Baby doll high chairs for "feeding" during family meals
Toy bottles and pacifiers for feeding time pretend play
Baby doll clothes and blankets for practicing getting baby dressed
Toy diaper bags to carry supplies around the house
Child development specialists note that role-playing gives toddlers a sense of control when they feel powerless. They're not being cared for—they're the caregiver. It empowers them and teaches empathy and nurturing behaviors.
Practical note: get accessories that are easy to use—doll diapers that actually velcro, bottles without tiny parts, clothes with simple closures. Frustration undermines good play.
Educational Gifts That Promote Development
Age-appropriate puzzles build problem-solving skills and occupy toddlers for decent stretches. For 2-year-olds, stick with chunky wooden puzzles with 4-12 pieces. For more age-specific recommendations, explore our guides on gifts for 2-year-olds and gifts for 3-year-old boys and girls. By age 3-4, progress to 24-48 piece cardboard puzzles. Keep a rotation going—bring out a "new" one every few days.
Alphabet and number learning toys make toddlers feel mature when they might feel replaced by someone "babier." Effective options include:
LeapFrog Letter Factory or 100 Words Book
Magnetic letters and numbers for the fridge
ABC flashcards or books
STEM toys for toddlers encourage critical thinking. Duplo blocks are ideal for 18 months to 4 years. Other options include simple coding toys like Code-a-Pillar, basic science kits with magnifying glasses, or marble run sets. These toys grow with children.
Musical instruments provide education and emotional outlet. Xylophone, keyboard, harmonica, maracas, or tambourine develop rhythm and coordination. Bonus: impromptu dance parties burn excess energy.
Classic developmental toys:
Stacking toys from simple rings to complex nesting cups
Counting and sorting games with bear counters, bead mazes, or pattern blocks
Lacing cards for fine motor skills and concentration
Language development books are crucial. Look for books with rich vocabulary. The "Usborne Lift-the-Flap" series, "Eric Carle" books, and "Mo Willems" books are excellent. Include 2-3 new books in the sibling gift package.
Avoid battery-operated toys when possible. Nothing's worse than a toy dying mid-play when you're trapped under a nursing baby. Stick with toys powered by imagination.
Comfort Items and Emotional Support Gifts
Special stuffed animals carry particular significance during emotional times. Choose something weighted for calming pressure or a character from their favorite show. Present it as a special companion for this new chapter. My daughter's "big sister bunny" became her constant sidekick, someone she told everything to.
Weighted lap pads for toddlers are valuable for anxious or overstimulated children. These small weighted blankets lay across a toddler's lap during quiet time. The gentle pressure calms, especially during feeding times when there's stimulation from the new baby.
Night lights with soothing projections help when sleep schedules get disrupted. Many toddlers experience sleep regression when a new baby arrives. A night light that projects stars or ocean waves gives them something calming to focus on. Some play gentle music or white noise. The Hatch Rest is popular.
Personalized blankets with your toddler's name embroidered offer exclusive comfort—something just theirs the baby can't "claim." It reinforces identity and belonging.
Feelings and emotions books help toddlers identify and express what they're experiencing:
"The Feelings Book" by Todd Parr
"In My Heart: A Book of Feelings" by Jo Witek
"When Sophie Gets Angry – Really, Really Angry" by Molly Bang
"The Color Monster" by Anna Llenas
"Glad Monster, Sad Monster" by Ed Emberley
These books give toddlers vocabulary for emotions and normalize big feelings.
Cuddle buddies and comfort toys provide reassurance when parents are busy with the baby. Some toddlers attach to a specific stuffed animal or blanket during this time—that's normal and healthy. Transitional objects help children self-soothe.
Let your toddler choose what works for them. My son ignored the fancy weighted stuffed animal and attached himself to a random dog toy. That was fine. It's about what actually helps your individual child.
Outdoor and Active Play Gifts
Balance bikes and scooters promote gross motor development and give toddlers independence. Balance bikes (without pedals) are ideal for 2-3 year olds. During the newborn phase, your toddler can ride around the driveway while you supervise from the front porch with the baby.
Sandbox toys and outdoor playsets keep toddlers entertained in the backyard. Fill a sandbox with kinetic sand or regular play sand, add trucks and shovels, and you've got 45 minutes of entertainment. Even a simple slide or swing set gives toddlers something exclusively theirs.
Bubble machines are underrated. Get an automatic bubble machine that produces bubbles independently. Your toddler chases and pops them while you sit with the baby. They cost around $15 and provide hours of entertainment.
Sports equipment for toddlers:
Soft soccer balls or kickballs
T-ball sets with oversized bats and balls
Basketball hoops at toddler height
Bean bags for toss games
Plastic hockey sticks and pucks
Toddlers can practice independently, but you can also participate during quick 10-minute play sessions.
Gardening kits for kids teach responsibility and patience. Get child-sized tools and fast-growing seeds (sunflowers, radishes, or herbs). Your toddler plants their own garden—something to care for and watch grow, just like the baby. Daily garden check-ins create special routines.
Sidewalk chalk and outdoor art supplies let creativity flow in fresh air. Keep a bucket of chalk by the door. When things get tense inside, go draw on the driveway. It's an easy emotional reset.
For more creative activity ideas, check out our Christmas crafts for kids and holiday crafts for toddlers.
Outdoor toys significantly help during transitions. Even 20 minutes in the yard with bubbles and a ball makes everything more manageable. Choose items that don't require direct participation every second while you're managing a newborn.
Special "Date" Experiences and Quality Time Gifts
Experience gifts and quality time commitments are what toddlers actually need most—to know they still matter and haven't been replaced.
Mommy/Daddy and me activity vouchers are remarkably effective. Create simple cards promising specific one-on-one time: "This voucher is good for ice cream date with Mom," "Breakfast at the diner with Dad," "Park playdate with Mommy." This gives your toddler tangible proof that special time is coming.
Zoo or museum memberships create ongoing special experiences that belong to the older sibling. Visit multiple times, making them about your relationship with your toddler rather than a one-time outing.
Class enrollments give toddlers their own activity separate from the baby. Toddler gymnastics, swimming lessons, art classes, music classes—whatever aligns with your child's interests. My son's weekly tumbling class became important time during the newborn weeks.
Special restaurant gift cards for toddler-parent dates work surprisingly well. Even McDonald's or a local pizza place counts. The point is: no phone, no baby, full attention on your toddler.
Movie theater or play tickets create memorable experiences. These outings become part of the narrative your toddler constructs. Instead of only remembering "when the baby came," they remember "when Dad took me to see that movie." For family entertainment ideas, explore our list of best Christmas movies for kids.
Other effective experience gifts:
Trampoline park sessions (for older, coordinated toddlers)
Pottery painting or craft studio visits
Story time at the library (make it a weekly ritual)
Splash pad or pool passes for summer babies
Petting zoo or farm visits
Bakery dates to decorate cookies or cupcakes (check out our easy holiday baking with kids guide)
Research on childhood memory shows that experiences create stronger emotional bonds and longer-lasting memories than physical toys. Your toddler might not remember the specific stuffed animal, but they'll remember the morning you took them to the donut shop, just the two of you.
Implementing these dates takes intentional effort with a newborn, but the payoff is substantial. My older children still talk about their special activities during transition periods. The key is following through within the first few weeks.
Final Thoughts
Welcoming a new baby is an incredible journey. A thoughtful sibling gift creates positive feelings that benefit your family, though it's not a magic solution. The best gift makes your toddler feel valued and excited about their new role.
Whether it's a baby doll, personalized book, or special experience, you're investing in a lifelong relationship. Combine the gift with patience and extra affection during those first weeks. Your consistent love matters most. Consider your toddler's interests and trust your instincts. This transition is temporary, but the sibling bond you're nurturing lasts forever. Those spontaneous moments of affection make everything worthwhile.
