In my house, glass ornaments [1] dangle from a pine tree, surrounded by hundreds of twinkling lights. Ceramic Santa Claus decorations sit next to sugar cookie-scented candles and glittering reindeer on my shelf. It's the most wonderful time of the year for decorations [2] — until my two toddlers beg to play with everything. At 3 and one-and-a-half years old, they still don't understand why the prettiest, most colourful [3], most sparkly things in our home aren't for them. That's why I love buying festive holiday-themed toys designed for curious, playful, energetic toddlers.
It's a great way to encourage kids to get into the Christmas or Hanukkah spirit [4], without breaking anything. They can trim their own felt Christmas trees, decorate an interactive toy gingerbread house [5], do holiday-themed activities and colouring pages, learn about the nativity and the menorah, or simply play with Santa and his friends at the North Pole. These holiday-themed toddler toys are sure help spread cheer this season, no matter how you celebrate.
Fisher-Price Little People Collector Elf Movie Figure Set
Sing loud for all to hear — Elf toys are here! The Fisher-Price Little People Collector Elf Movie Figure Set [7] ($15) is sure to fill your toddlers with holiday cheer. With Buddy the Elf and Jovie's smiling faces, as well as a teeny tiny bottle of maple syrup (safely attached to Buddy's hand) and a festive Christmas tree, this gift is adorable for kids — and parents will definitely want to play with it too.
Melissa & Doug Holiday Tree Chunky Puzzle
Santa, a gingerbread man, an angel, a reindeer and other festive decorations all have a spot in this Melissa & Doug Holiday Tree Chunky Puzzle [8] ($18, originally $20).
Rite Lite 8.25” Hanukkah My Soft Plush Menorah Set Children Play Set
Encourage kids to light their own Menorah with this Rite Lite 8.25" Hanukkah My Soft Plush Menorah Set Children Play Set [9] ($29, originally $31). This soft blue Menorah comes with nine candles of varying colours that your toddler can place in the correct slot throughout the holiday.
Fisher-Price Little People Musical Christmas Train
All aboard the Fisher-Price Little People Musical Christmas Train [10] ($17, originally $25)! This Christmas-themed train features Santa up front, with a teeter-totter on the middle car, and a swing and a spinning seat on the caboose. Santa, his elf, and the reindeer all come out to be played with on their own, too.
Step2 My First Gingerbread House
Gum drops, colourful frosting swirls, peppermints, candy canes — the Step2 My First Gingerbread House [11] ($45) looks good enough to eat! Your toddler will love practicing their decorating skills (without eating any sugar) with this fun house that looks like the real thing.
Step2 My First Christmas Tree with Bonus Ornaments
Tree-trimming is one of the best parts of the holidays! Let the kids decorate their own by getting them the Step2 My First Christmas Tree with Bonus Ornaments [12] ($45). This cute, rotating tree comes with 12 colourful ornaments and a little train that kids can push along the track on the base of the tree.
Step2 My First Christmas Tree Snow Much Fun
Want to celebrate with a white Christmas? The Step2 My First Christmas Tree Snow Much Fun [13] ($46, originally $50) is like the original, except this one is all-white with ornaments and train track in shades of ice-cold blue.
Rite Lite Dreidel Pop & Spin Game
You and your family will compete to get your pieces around the board in the Rite Lite Dreidel Pop & Spin Game [14] ($12). You push the bubble to "spin" the dreidel, then move according to which side you land on!
Fisher-Price Little People Advent Calendar
Toddlers will love counting down to Christmas with this Fisher-Price Little People Advent Calendar [15] ($31). It comes with 24 holiday-themed Little People and accessories — including Santa and Mrs. Clause, a snowman, an elf, presents, and happy children — so your child can get a tiny surprise every day in December, through Christmas Eve!
Homfu Play Tent for Kids
Can we live in this Homfu Play Tent for Kids [16] ($25)? This delicious-looking gingerbread tent looks just as tasty as the house in Hansel and Gretel (but don't worry, no witches here), with plenty of room to play inside.
Fisher-Price Little People Nativity Playset
Teach toddlers about the nativity by giving them the Fisher-Price Little People Nativity Set [17] ($30). They can arrange Mary, Joseph, the angel Gabriel, the Three Kings, the animals, and baby Jesus however they want.
Wondershop Plush Reindeer Santa Decorative Figurine
Though not intended as a toy, the Wondershop Plush Reindeer Santa Decorative Figurine [18] ($15) is still soft and toddler-friendly. Besides, a reindeer dressed like St. Nick? It doesn't get cuter than that.
3D Menorah Sticker Scene
Let your little one decorate and "light" their own menorah with this 3D Menorah Sticker Scene [19] ($7). Each night, they can stick on a candle, plus add any coins, a dreidel, or a star to make their creation stand out. You can even prop them up on the included stands to use as sweet decor!
Melissa & Doug Slice & Bake Christmas Cookie Play Set
Practice baking cookies with your kids with this Melissa & Doug Slice & Bake Christmas Cookie Play Set [20] ($15, originally $20). It comes with a tube of 12 sliceable cookies, a kid-friendly toy knife and spatula, a baking sheet, and festive icing pieces featuring characters from Christmas.
KidKraft Children’s Menorah Set
Real candles are a little too dangerous for toddlers to handle, which is where this KidKraft Children's Menorah Set [21] ($20, originally $31) comes in. It comes with nine colourful wood candles that stand on pretty presents, a dreidel, a star, and a menorah among other things, along a wooden platform.
Step2 My First Snowman
Baby, it's not cold inside — this snowman can actually survive all temperatures! The Step2 My First Snowman [22] ($36, originally $45) has removable gloves, ear muffs, eyes, nose, buttons, and hat for little hands to easily navigate. It's so precious, you may want to leave it out all winter long!
The Big Christmas Colouring Book for Toddlers
Get your red and green crayons ready, because The Big Christmas Colouring Book for Toddlers [23] ($6) is sure to put your kids in the holiday spirit. It includes many cheerful pictures, including Christmas trees, snowmen, stockings, ornaments, and more.
Hanukkah Colouring Book
This large print Hanukkah Colouring Book [24] ($7) features simple drawings, for little hands who haven't quite gotten the hang of crayons or markers. Plus, the pages are printed single side so you can tear them up and hang them around the house.
PLAYMOBIL Advent Calendar – Santa’s Workshop
Waiting for Christmas has never been easier! The festive PLAYMOBIL Advent Calendar – Christmas Ball [25] ($37) features 24 surprise items for kids to discover in December, including the royal family, their pets, and an elegant Christmas tree.
Melissa & Doug Countdown to Christmas Wooden Advent Calendar
Colourful, magnet ornaments on this Melissa & Doug Countdown to Christmas Wooden Advent Calendar [26] ($17, originally $20) make decorating super easy for tiny hands.
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Figures
Travel to the Island of Misfit Toys with the Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Figures [27] ($16). It comes with all the main stars of the 1964 classic movie, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, including Hermey, Yukon Cornelium, Bumble the Abominable Snowman, Santa, Clarice, Sam the Snowman, Charlie-in-the-box, and Rudolph.
Disney Christmas Storybook Collection
Storytime is more festive when you read the Disney Christmas Storybook Collection [28] ($14). This is the fourth edition of the collection, featuring 18 holiday-themed stories centreing on your child's favourite characters — yes, you will see Mickey Mouse, Belle, Buzz and Woody, Cinderella, Rapunzel, and many more familiar faces.
Elmo's Little Dreidel
Tag along as Elmo learns about Hanukkah in Elmo's Little Dreidel [29] ($6). As Elmo learns to play dreidel, so will your kids!
Mickey Mouse Holiday Plush
Mickey Mouse is all decked out for the holidays! The Mickey Mouse Holiday Plush [30] ($23) is wearing a Santa hat, bright red gingerbread-mouse sweater, green pants, and matching red-and-green shoes.
Minnie Mouse Holiday Plush
BRB, looking to get adult sizes of Minnie's holiday outfit to match the Minnie Mouse Holiday Plush [31] ($23). She is wearing an adorable fuzzy red Christmas sweater with a green-and-red polka dot skirt, green tights, Santa boots, and a green bow with a peppermint on top.
Winnie the Pooh Holiday Plush
Everyone's favourite stuffed-with-fluff bear is looking dapper in his not-so-ugly Christmas sweater. Winnie the Pooh Holiday Plush [32] ($23) is wearing a red-and-green sweater that says "happy holidays" along with a candy cane-striped Santa hat.
Forky Holiday Plush
Are your toddlers already obsessed with Forky from Toy Story 4? Then they will go crazy over the Forky Holiday Plush [33] ($17), featuring the cute spork wearing a Santa hat and holding a plush candy cane.
Hanukkah Mitzvah Moose Stuffed Doll with Glowing Antlers
Your toddler will fall in love with this Hanukkah Mitzvah Moose Stuffed Doll with Glowing Antlers [34] ($25). This all-blue moose features candles on his antlers and comes with a fun accompanying storybook.
The Santa Claus Game
Singing carols, delivering presents, shouting "Ho, ho, ho!"? This Santa Claus Game [35] ($23, originally $25) is awesome! Kids ages 3 and up get to play as Santa in this festive board game, which teaches the joy of giving.
Melissa & Doug Puffy Stickers – Santa’s Workshop
Colouring books, construction paper, toys, tables — nothing is immune from the Melissa & Doug Puffy Stickers – Santa's Workshop [36] ($5). Kids will want to stick these North Pole-themed puffy stickers on everything! It comes with Santa and Mrs. Claus, reindeer, elves, toys, and more. With 52 reusable stickers and a glossy background, this toy is educational and fun.
Aviv Judaica Plush Hanukkah Musical Menorah
Your child may just want to sleep with the soft Aviv Judaica Plush Hanukkah Musical Menorah [37] ($18, originally $20). It plays two classic Hanukkah melodies, and even features removable candles you can add on each night.
Bendable Christmas Themed Toys by Forest & Twelfth
Bend, pose, and play with the Bendable Christmas Themed Toys by Forest & Twelfth [38] ($18). This 12-pack comes with an assortment of holiday characters, including gingerbread people, penguins, candy canes, dogs, Christmas trees, snowmen, and Santa Claus.
B bangcool DIY Felt Christmas Tree
Your kids are still too little to handle delicate ornaments on the real tree, which makes the B bangcool DIY Felt Christmas Tree [39] ($14) so wonderful. This felt tree comes with magic stickers and real fairy lights for a festive experience.