Finding the perfect toy can be an exciting challenge, but sometimes it helps to have someone whispering in your ear. Who better to guide you than the experts who know toys best? We asked HABA employees, our insiders, to share their favorite toys for gifting, and their thoughtful recommendations cover all ages. Here's what they had to say about their go-to gifts and why they choose them over and over again.
Favorite Toys for Gifting by Age
For Baby Shower Gifts and Gifts for Babies
Keri shares, "A classic wooden rattle like the Kringelring or Magica makes the perfect small trinket for little ones. They're beautifully crafted, safe for teething, and provide an early sensory experience for babies."
For Baby Showers, Christina’s go-to is a rainbow baby fabric ball. “These are surprisingly engaging to babies. They chew it and grab it and can roll it a little without it rolling away. I also like that it’s gender neutral.”
Amanda “likes to create a little basket with Magica, Rainbow Fabric Ball, Rainbow Discovery Mirror, and Rattlefish Wooden Baby Rattle. These are great small gifts that babies love."
Mandy's top picks for baby showers are the "Elephant Discovery Pillow, Either a Luis/Luisa/Ollie First doll, and Blocks."
Cristy likes to gift the Animal Playmates Soft Photo Album and for family fill it with photos of loved ones.
Favorite Gifts for a 1 Year Old
Amanda suggest giving A Play World — either on the Farm or Zoo for a first birthday. "We tell retailers to sell this as a 1st birthday gift all of the time. It's really comprehensive and comes with an inner booklet that has stories and activities."
The Best Gifts for 2 Year Olds and Up
Keri is a big fan of gifting games, noting, "Games offer the most value to a child—they can play independently, with siblings, or with the whole family. Around age 2, kids start recognizing early concepts like colors, matching, memory, and turn-taking. Games also encourage creative free play, helping develop dialogue, speech, and visual skills."
Amanda also suggests the First Orchard game, calling it "a no-brainer for a 2-year-old’s birthday."
For a 2-3 year olds birthday or holiday gift, Christina likes to give “Roya to kids who like dolls and First Orchard to everybody. These are bestsellers for a reason. With so many ways to play and high quality materials, these are best of the best, everyone loves these.”
Amanda gives some great tips for birthday gifts for 3-5 year olds:
- 3rd Birthday: Small gift - Town Maze. Larger gift - Kullerbu Melody Dominos or Colored Block Set.
- 4th Birthday: Unicorn Glitterluck Game Collection or Marble Run Set.
- 5th Birthday: Dragon's Breath/Monza or Logic - Happy Worms (so fun and challenging)
For Older Kids gifts, Danielle also recommends "Dragon's Breath or Happy Worms games. They are fun, challenging, and provide great entertainment for family game nights."
General Kid's Gift Favorites:
Our CEO Willie's "go-to birthday gift is the Creative Stones 3D Wooden Arranging Blocks. These blocks are so colorful and feel great in your hands. The different sizes, shapes, and colors allow you to create infinite pattern possibilities via open-ended play or use the included template cards and recreate many different 3D patterns. Perfect for free play or for adults to play together with children."
Keri recommends the Forest Friends Stacking Toy, saying, "This beautifully designed set is a favorite. Kids can feel the natural wood in their hands, get creative by stacking, or follow the template challenge cards. Plus, our wooden sets double as gorgeous shelf displays!"
Noel loves recommending Kullerbu, saying, "Kullerbu is a delightful collection of wooden toys that captures the hearts of children and parents alike. The modularity allows for endless configurations and the expansion possibilities are amazing. It’s a gift that grows with the child, providing cognitive and fine motor benefits."
Each of these toy suggestions comes directly from the heart of HABA, where employees combine their love for quality toys with personal experiences. Whether you’re looking for a baby shower gift, a birthday surprise, or a holiday treat, these insider picks are sure to bring joy and creativity to the children in your life.
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