Best Holiday Gifts Supporting Early Childhood Development

Every year, parents ask our therapists for advice regarding the best holiday gifts supporting early childhood development that might provide support to the various types of therapies we provide at Leaps and Bounds Pediatric Therapy. This year, we asked our talented team of Occupational, Speech, and Physical Therapists to help us provide a list for parents of some of the best toys and gifts available for the sake of improving developmental skills.

50+ Yoga Poses and Mindfulness Activities

Help toddlers practice calm and balance with easy yoga poses

Even little kids can enjoy the benefits that yoga offers. This adorably illustrated book features 20 simple poses and sequences with clever descriptions that are easy for kids to follow, whether they’re doing yoga by themselves or with help from an adult. Each pose is designed to help kids learn how to channel their toddler energy into something healthy and relaxing.

Explore a book of yoga for kids that is:

• Easy to follow – Simple instructions and pictures make it easy to guide toddlers through the poses and sequences in the book.
• Connected to Wellness – Each new pose is tied to a different aspect of physical and mental health like sleeping soundly, staying flexible, or practicing calm.
• Built on Body Awareness – Show toddlers the physical and emotional benefits of yoga as they gain awareness of their own bodies.

Encourage self-soothing and help little ones develop lifelong skills with this fun and educational yoga book for kids.

These cards can be ordered on AMAZON.COM for just under 10.00 and are available here: https://amzn.to/3VlNugS

Mobi Peeka Activity Toy Tummy Time Mirror

Tummy time toys for babies 0-6 months like Peeka, help the development of your baby’s back and neck musculature as your baby is entertained. This baby mirror can add many minutes of play to your baby tummy time activity mat. With its textured beads and graspable handles, it aid in brain development and learning in a safe and effective manner.

• Baby Mirror Toy – Peeka helps the development of your baby’s back and neck musculature as your baby is entertained. The baby mirror can add many minutes of play to your baby’s tummy time.
• For Curious Brains – A baby’s job is to play & explore their new world. Baby sensory toys like Peeka, with its textured beads & graspable handles aid in brain development & learning.
• Newborn Tummy Time Activity – This mirror can stand upright, collapse flat or hang on a door knob. These options make Peeka the perfect multidimensional tummy time mirror as well as the perfect aid as your child sits to stands.
• Quality Materials – Peeka is thoughtfully created from food safe silicone and is BPA & Phthalate free. It utilizes a clear-sight, shatterproof mirror. Easy to clean with warm water.
• A Passion for Fun – At Mobi, we long to inspire creativity & believe in the power of play. We work with doctors, therapists, parents, & of course, little ones, to make toys that are fun & educational.

The PEEKA is available on AMAZON.COM here: https://amzn.to/3Za0C9K

Inflatable Tummy Time Mat

• Promote your baby’s sensory development – The soft, comfortable baby tummy time water mat is the perfect sensory toy for developing solid head, neck and shoulder muscles as well as refining the hand-eye coordination, fine motor and social skills. The bright, colourful sea animals and eye-catching illustrations will keep your baby playing for hours.
• Superior Quality and 100% Leak-Proof – Our baby water mats are made from durable, 100% BPA-free and non-toxic, heavy PVC materials. Each of our game mats has been rigorously tested. It is durable and waterproof, so it doesn’t wet your baby’s body.
• Easy to Use – Just fill water into the middle of the water mat and inflate the edge of the tummy time water mat with air.
• Easy to Store and Carry Around – When the water and the air have been let out, fold it flat and it will fit into a backpack.
• Perfect Gift for Babies – It has an ideal 26 x 20 inch size that is suitable for all baby girls or boys older than 3 months.

This mat is under $10.00 and is available on AMAZON.COM here: https://amzn.to/41b5Epj

Crawling Crab Baby Toy – Infant Tummy Time

• Crawling Crab Baby Toy – It moving fast, skitters sideways like a real crab, and plays fun sounds and music and lights up. It has sensors that reverse its direction when it nears an obstacle.
• Baby Tummy Time Toys – 0 to 6 months baby love to watch the crab moving run around during tummy time! Great for infants to follow it and work on their neck muscles. Great toy to motivate kiddos who do not want to lift their heads during tummy time.
• Helps Baby Crawl – Your 6 to 12 months little one will absolutely attracted by the way the crab crawls. The baby will try to crawl towards and catch it. Of course, because of the obstacle avoidance sensor, they could never catch it.
• A Huge Hit Crab – Not only does it entertain your little guy but also your pets. Older kids love it too. The whole family will be mesmerized by this delightful montessori toy crab. Fairly fun and interactive! It makes everybody happy and giggles.
• Personalized Gifts – The cute crawling crab is a unique gift for enhancing 0-3 6-12 months infant tummy time, encouraging 0-6 6 to 12 months baby crawl, helps 1 year old 12+ months todder walk, and makes kiddos grin. The crawling crab is a new wave of birthdays and holiday gifts like Christmas stocking stuffers, Easter etc.

You can find these for around $20.00 on AMAZON.COM here: https://amzn.to/4fTELLa

Fat Brain Toys

These innovative suction toys stick to each other and nearly any flat surface, then pull apart with a POP. PipSquigz encourage a child’s development of motor skills, hand-eye coordination, visual thinking and concentration.

You can find these in a range of quantity and prices on AMAZON.COM here: https://amzn.to/3ZBphpt

Suction Cup Spinner

These suction cup spinner toys are built well and can help your little ones to reach out and develop hand eye coordination.

• Great Quality and Fun – These suction cup spinner toys are built well and will provide days and days of fun for your little guys
• Strong Suction Cups – They stick on any flat surface and stay well,they spin really fast
• Gift for Toddlers – It is well packaged, great gift choice
• Hand- Eye Coordination – Helps little babies reach out and use hand eye coordination to spin toy,also good for AUTISM children
• Give Yourself a Break – Put on one ALASOU spinner on the fridge so kids has something to play with while you are cooking

You can find these under $10.00 on AMAZON.COM here: https://amzn.to/4il0ltk

10″ Spot Markers

Keep kids entertained for hours while enhancing their creativity and cognitive skills. Flat cone markers are a great alternative to traditional cone markers and work great in the home, the gym, or in classrooms. These floor spot markers are designed for optimal visibility and can be used for agility as well as simply targeting step goals.

• Rip-Resistant Markers – Made with long-lasting poly-vinyl, these spot markers provide exceptional durability, and the rip-resistant design ensures the markers can withstand a variety of games and drills on the playground or in Phys. Ed. classes
• Non-Skid Vinyl – These spot markers are made from non-skid vinyl. They resist sliding across gym floors or pavement when stepped on or run over during activities, making them safe for use during fast-paced games and drills or for ‘social distancing
• 10-Inch Diameter –  Each poly spots floor markers is clearly visible at 10 inches in diameter, making them useful for a variety of games in gym class or agility drills when practicing soccer, hockey, basketball, football and other sports
• Bright, Vibrant Colors – Designed for optimal visibility comes with five kinds of bright colors,can let you find the target in gym class or for agility dots training when practicing football,hockey, basketball,soccer,dance etc.
• Indoor or Outdoor Use – Designed to withstand players running over them, this spot marker set is sure to hold up to indoor or outdoor use in a variety of conditions The vinyl material of the markers is also easy to clean.

You can find these under $20.00 on AMAZON.COM here: https://amzn.to/4giQtP0

National Geographic Stepping Stones For Kids

Perfect for kids 3+ and up to 150 lbs., these stepping stones can be used indoors or for kids outdoor play. These active sensory toys promote coordination skills & balance! Each stone has a non-slip rubber base and textured stepping surface for enhanced safety. Kids can focus on their balance and coordination as they safely jump from stone to stone and navigate their obstacle course. These fun stone looking stepping toys will help toddlers and kids develop their balance, coordination, and gross motor skills through active play.

• 10 Durable Non-Slip Stones – Includes 10 durable plastic stepping stones in 6 bright colors! Perfect for kids 3+ and up to 150 lbs., they can be used indoors or for kids outdoor play. These active sensory toys promote coordination skills & balance!
• Designed for Maximum Safety – Each stone has a non-slip rubber base and textured stepping surface for enhanced safety. Kids can focus on their balance and coordination as they safely jump from stone to stone and navigate their obstacle course.
• Rugged, Stackable Design – A rugged design makes these stones ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. They also stack easily for storage or transport, so they can be used at home, the park, daycare, or anywhere else kids enjoy active play!
• Spinner Game Included – Kids can use the included spinner to create fun games with their stepping stones! Just set them up in a challenging configuration, spin the dial, and jump to the color it lands on for an imaginative, active style of play!
• Develop Balance & Coordination – Toddlers and kids can develop their balance, coordination, and gross motor skills through active play with these stones. They also encourage physical education and provide hours of screen-free fun!

You can find these starting around $25.00 on AMAZON.COM here: https://amzn.to/3Vpu9LF

Squigz Suction Toys

Squigz are excellent for enhancing fine motor coordination, building hand strength, and fostering creativity and problem-solving skills.

• Squigz will stick to virtually any flat surface
• Leaves no residue
• Push them together then pop them apart
• Always up for playful experimentation and defying gravity

You can find these on Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/4ilXuRg

Sassy Stacks of Circles Stacking Ring

This classic toy develops fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, depth perception, and midline play.

• Straight post accepts different sized rings, strengthening hand-eye coordination
• Chunky rings make it easy for baby to grasp, strengthening fine motor skills
• Each ring features a different texture and weight; Textural variety is great for mouthing!
• Colorful beads in the clear ring allowing baby to connect the sound to sight
• 9 piece set
• Manufacturer Age: 6 to 24 months. BPA Free

You can find these on Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/3Vna1d9

Froggy Feeding Fun Activity Set

This engaging toy supports bilateral coordination, fine motor skills, and color and number recognition.

• DEVELOP FINE MOTOR SKILLS: Reinforce numbers, counting, and color recognition while strengthening fingers and hands
• IMPROVE: Strengthen fingers, hands and the important pincer grasp
• COLORFUL UNPLUGGED PLAY: Set includes 2 rubber frogs, 60 flies in six colors, number cube, color cube, and activity guide
• Frogs measure 2½” in diameter
• Fine motor toys for ages 3+

You can find these on Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/41kRuSv

Fine Motor Tool Set

The scissor scoops in this set are ideal for teaching safe scissor skills, while the other tools enhance fine motor control and hand strength.

• GREAT FOR SENSORY BINS: 4 of our finest tools packaged together
• KIDS FINE MOTOR TOOLS: Builds fine-motor skills with these awesome fine motor skill tools
• STRENGTHEN HANDS: Strengthens hand muscles needed for writing
• GREAT VALUE: Includes 1 of each tool: Gator Grabber Tweezers, Handy Scoopers, Twisty Droppers, Squeezy Tweezers
• GIVE THE GIFT OF LEARNING: Whether you’re shopping for holidays, birthdays, or just because, toys from Learning Resources help you discover new learning fun every time you give a gift! Ideal gift for Halloween, Christmas, Stocking Stuffers, Easter Baskets Stuffers or even for Homeschool.

You can find these on Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/4gfcSgg

Bright Starts Oball Easy Grasp Classic Ball BPA-Free

This versatile toy encourages reaching, bilateral coordination, and stimulates both auditory and visual systems. Use it with children in various stages—whether they’re lying on their tummy, sitting, or moving around.

• The Oball is a best-selling flexible toy ball that has been engaging tiny fingers for over 25 years; flexible design features 32 finger holes to help baby to easily grip and throw
• Smooth, patented design makes the Oball soft and captivating for little hands; builds baby’s confidence to grip and hold a ball;
• Perfect for kids of all ages; Wipes clean; over 8 million sold and counting
• BPA-Free; 4 inches diameter; fits in most diaper bags for on the go play; a baby registry must-have and great first toy for babies ages newborn and up

You can find these on Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/4eYfttV

Matching Eggs – Color & Shape Recognition Sorting Puzzle

This set promotes bilateral coordination, motor planning, fine motor skills, and color matching. It’s a great tool for skill-building!

• QUALITY CHILD-SAFE MATERIALS Built to last. The shape of these smooth eggs are perfect for little fingers to grasp and maneuver. They’ll be able to click ’em together and pull ’em apart effortlessly, encouraging independent play.
• LEARNING AND PLAYING 12 charming eggs in a carton will help preschoolers learn to count, sort, and match! Surprise eggs with toys for Preschoolers make great easter basket stuffers that are reusable and no mess.Great Easter eggs toys games for boys and girls.
• GAIN BASIC LIFE SKILLS Start building minds with the right educational toys! These bright, interactive eggs will improve hand dexterity, color recognition, and fine motor skills while engaging little minds.

You can find these on Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/4gl6KmR

First Builders Toddler Blocks Toys Set

These toys are fantastic for activities like stacking and manipulating resistive objects. They support visual-motor integration, strength, fine motor coordination, and problem-solving skills.

• The #1 Junior Construction Toy in the U.S.A. Features 80 blocks in 10 shapes and 9 vibrant colors
• Build Them Up Big Building Bag is designed for little hands and growing minds
• Creative Learning Play Toddlers can build anything they imagine and learn colors
• Compatible with Other Name Brands Combine stacking toys for endless big building fun
• For Preschoolers Ages 1+ – Big blocks help to develop creativity, imagination, and fine motor skills

You can find these on Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/3ZmKjXg

PLAY ABC Building Blocks

• Unique Design: Each of the 28 blocks features six different patterns, totaling 168 diverse images. These include the alphabet, numbers, everyday objects, and animals, etc. Building blocks are light enough for kids to pick up and move them easily. Making each block an exciting learning tool for children.
• Excellent Developmental Toy: Our building blocks are perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, helping them develop essential skills such as matching, stacking, sorting, and word recognition. These activities foster cognitive and motor skills, making learning both fun and effective. Kids improve dexterity, fine motor control as they stack, play, build with the alphabet blocks.
• Superior Quality: Crafted from high-quality plastic, PLAY ABC stacking toys are durable and easy to clean. Simply wash them to keep them hygienic and ready for play, ensuring they remain a valuable educational toy for years to come.
• Safe for Toddlers: Each block measures 1.85 inches, making them a safe size to prevent choking hazards. The rounded edges are carefully processed to be smooth and burr-free, providing a perfect fit for babies and ensuring safe playtime. This thoughtful design not only guarantees safety but also offers a comfortable grip, allowing toddlers to play more fun.
• Bright & Clear Colors: The eye-catching colors of these educational toys are designed to captivate and stimulate your child’s visual senses. The bright colors help in distinguishing different patterns and images, which aids in visual development and color recognition, making each play session a joyful learning adventure.
• Perfect Gift for Kids 12 Months and Up: Packaged in an exquisite box, the PLAY ABC/123 number blocks set is an ideal gift for children. 

You can find these on Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/3B9ll5O

Hopper Ball Bouncy Ball with Handle for Kids

Therapy balls like this one provide vestibular input while improving core strength and postural stability.

• SAFE & LONG-LASTING: The Real one-piece handle and non-slip bottom pattern provide reliable safety for children. The high-quality PVC hopper balls meet ASTM and CPSIA safety requirements for kids’ toys and have been tested by professional institutions. Enough to bounce around outdoor and indoor
• PERFECT HOPPING TOY FOR KIDS: This bouncy ball with handle allows children to get good exercise, improve balance and posture. Suitable for children from 3 years. Weight capacity 220 lbs. The bouncy ball has the correct stiffness and elasticity to allow you to bounce high enough
• SUITABLE SIZE: This bouncing ball comes in a variety of sizes so you can choose the right size for your child. Available in 18″, 20″ and 22″ for children aged 3-6 years, 5-9 years and 7-12 years respectively. You can buy the jumping ball for children and have a great and active time
• ATTRACTIVE COLORS: The hopper balls have bright colors with unique color variations that is suitable for both boys and girls. The hopper balls not only provide fun play but also strengthen the muscles of the legs, arms and children’s abdominals
• WORRY-FREE SERVICE: The jumping ball is boxed, shipped deflated, and comes with a hand pump for inflation. A great choice for birthday and festival gifts. Thanks to high-quality materials, the hopper balls will last for years. If there is any problem with the order, please let us know and we will provide you with a satisfactory solution as soon as possible

You can find these on Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/4ilK3k0

Nesting and Stacking Cups

These cups are great for promoting reaching, grasping, visual tracking, and fine motor manipulation.

• 17-Pieces Stacking Cups Set: Brightly colored items catch baby’s attention and stimulate their imagination. The stacking cups set includes 10 colorful stacking cups plus 1 cute cartoon animal head-shaped cup, and 6 progressive size stacking spoons. It is light in weight and will not hurt the baby, the size of cups is specially designed for baby’s hand and is easy to grab and stack. It introduces the concept of color and size for babies and toddlers.
• Fun and Entertaining Toy: Cups and spoons can stack up in different ways to build towers or sort the sizes for nesting. When taking a bath, cups and spoons can scoop or pour water in the bathtub. Every cup and spoon has several drain holes at the bottom, allow water to flow out. The distribution of drain holes of spoons is designed differently, allowing water to flow through at different speeds and methods, it can make more fun for toddlers and satisfy the baby’s curiosity.
• Early Education Learning Toy: Every cup has cut cartoon number from 1 to 10 on the side, and 10 different fruit patterns. Each bottom of the cup embossed cute animals for learning. Every spoon has an embossment of shape patterns at the upper side of the handle and embossed numbers from 1-6 at the back of the handle. Kids can learn the concept of numbers, shapes, animals, it also develops toddlers’ fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination ability, and open up baby’s imagination.
• High Quality and Safety: The stacking toys are made of non-toxic, and BPA-free top-graded plastic material to meet USA toy safety standards. Complies with ASTM and CPSIA test. Safe for little babies.
• Great Gift: The stacking toys set is a set of entertaining toys and great learning tools for your little babies. It can be a perfect gift in special occasion like birthday present for toddlers. For babies, it may be a long-lasting toy that makes them haooy on various occasions. Get it to your cute little babies to make them smile.

You can find these on Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/41j9MUo

Star Projector Galaxy Night Light

A calming and relaxing tool for sensory regulation, this projector can transform a dim room into a soothing environment.

• Astronaut Star Projector Galaxy Night Light The galaxy projector supports 8 different amazing nebula effects, accompanied by breathing green stars. The starlight projector brings a peaceful & chilling atmosphere to your bedroom or the kid’s room. At the same time, it’s really a nice choice for movie nights, date nights or game setups with this astronaut light projector.
• Remote Control & Auto-off Timer  This starlight projector with timer and remote can adjust the brightness, rotation speed and the breathing rate whatever you like. Besides, you can set the timer to 45 or 90 minutes, in which case the led star lights projector will automatically turn off when you fall asleep under a starry sky.
• Projection Angle Adjustable This night light starry projector is designed to look like an astronaut, and the astronaut’s head is magnetically connected to the body for easy adjustment of the nebula projection angle; In addition, the moon base is removable and the arm can also be posed, which makes it not only a galaxy star projector but also a good-looking decorative ornament.
• Suitable for Many Occasions The tiktok starlight ceiling constellation projector can be used in bedrooms, game rooms, home theaters, desk decorations, room decor aesthetic, living rooms to provide a cool atmosphere for date nights, game setups, movie nights, parties or as a night light to accompany kids to sleep.
• An Amazing Present for Kids & Adults If you’re not sure what to get your family or friends as a present, this space projector is ideal for the holidays (Christmas, Valentine’s Day, birthdays, etc;); Whether you’re a kid who loves stars and planetariums or an adult who just wants to relax, who wouldn’t want to have this adorable astronaut galaxy light? And who wouldn’t want to fall asleep under a starry sky?

You can find these on Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/4imbtpV

Water Coloring Books

Perfect for developing pre-writing skills. These books incorporate a sensory water component that boosts attention and engagement.

• Educational Learning toys This set of watercolor book educational learning toys can stimulate children’s creativity and imagination, can improve children’s hand-eye coordination, reduce the time of using electronic devices, and help toddlers learn more knowledge.
• Endless Creative Possibilities With the Water Coloring Book, users can explore their creativity in a variety of ways. These pages are filled with intricate designs and patterns that allow a beautiful cartoonish picture to be achieved with a water pen.
• Reusable Pages The pages of the water-drawn book can be used over and over again. Just wait a few minutes for the pages to dry and the colors to fade, allowing young children to start over. This makes it a sustainable paint with water books.
• Easy to Use Unlike traditional coloring books that require markers, pencils, or crayons, the Water Coloring Book only requires water and a pen. This makes it a mess-free and portable option that can be used anywhere, anytime.
• Children’s Product Certificate Our water drawing book has Children’s Product Certificate, CPC, which is safe, environmentally friendly, durable and safe for children to use.

You can find these on Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/3CZUbio

Learning Toys Play Food Set

Pretend play food promotes social play skills and imaginative scenarios.

• Engaging Learning Toy Set: Our comprehensive learning toys for toddlers set includes fun and vibrant play kitchen food pieces. From assorted fruits, vegetables, and meats, all neatly organized in five baskets, this pretend food collection offers limitless fun.
• The Joy of Color Sorting Toys: Our toddler learning toys encourage color recognition and sorting with 5 distinct color-coded baskets and tags (purple, green, yellow, red, orange). These kitchen toys make learning a delightful experience.
• Exciting Food Sorting Game with Toy Food: Dive into the world of food categorization with 3 different types of fake food – meats, vegetables, and fruits. Each comes with dedicated name tags, promoting recognition and understanding of diverse food types. This exciting play element brings an enriching layer of interaction and learning to Play period.
• Mess-Free Fun with Storage Basket: Our play food set includes a large storage basket for easy cleanup and organization. It ensures all the play pieces have a home after an engaging play session.
• Interactive Cutting Food Toys Play: The set enhances the fun with a cutting food play feature. It includes play kitchen cutlery and a cutting board, making your toddler feel like a real chef during their Play period with our play food set.
• Versatile Play Food Set: Our pretend food set blends the joy of color sorting, food sorting, and cutting food play. This offers diverse learning opportunities and countless hours of fun, all in one package.
• Guaranteed Safety: Made from high-quality, non-toxic materials, our Sorting Play Food Set is perfectly safe for your little ones.

You can find these on Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/3OCqrdN

Counting Sorting Bears Fine Motor Skills

• Counting sorting bears: a fun and educational stem game; This set includes 60 cute bears in 6 bright colors, 6 jumbo tweezers, 2 scissor clips, 6 colorful sorting cups; These sorting bears work well, both fun and educational for toddlers; It allows children to focus their attention on the movement and placement of objects as they become aware of balance, coordination and gravity
• Improve fine motor skills: this sorting bears set encourages kids to use sorting skills and helps them develop the pincer movement; While they dump the bears out and then let the thumb and index finger use the clip to put the bears back into the cup
• Toddler learning tools: these counting sorting bears are early learning resources, sorting, counting and color coordinating stimulate learning; They are nice tools for teaching colors, sorting is a memory game too. These sorting bears are useful teaching toys to teach young children mathematical concepts such as addition, subtraction and even multiplication, suitable for classroom and resource room
• Hours of fun: kids will love counting, sorting, matching, and playing with these cute bears; The bright colors make this toy visually stimulating as well
• Safe for kids: this rainbow counting sorting bears toy game set is made of quality plastic, safe for kids and easy to clean, when learning time is over, it can be cleaned up quickly; Nice for home or school use

You can find these on Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/3ZBy3DS

Fine Motor Turn-Taking Games with Tongs

These games are excellent for promoting fine motor skills and turn-taking. Examples can be found on Amazon.com and include:

• Sneaky Snacky Squirrel
• Grab That Monster
• Bug Catcher

All of us here at Leaps and Bounds Pediatric Therapy are incredibly thankful for our wonderful patients. We hope you found this list of Best Holiday Gifts Supporting Early Childhood Development helpful, and that your family has a joyous holiday season.

As a reminder, this month brings a close to the open enrollment period for the health insurance marketplace so if you have any questions regarding how your 2025 services might affect your insurance, or if you need to communicate insurance changes to us, please contact us as soon as possible.

We look forward to seeing you soon, and we wish you the best possible start to your 2025!