Doula Gift Guide 2019: Toddler Edition
A toddler may be the easiest person on the planet to shop for.
We are continuing our Doula Gift Guide by bringing you the Toddler edition! If you are looking for gift guides for newborns, check out last weeks post here.
All of the choices for stuffed animals, toys that make noise, bright colours, and endless combinations make today’s toys for kids in the 6-36 month age range a breeze to shop for. While this blog could have hundreds of suggestions, we wanted to keep it manageable. So we are focusing our gift purchasing efforts on Canadian made goods and Canadian companies.
Some of the items on this list are made elsewhere but sold through Canadian stores or are a Canadian company and we have included them here because of their ongoing commitment to both worker and environmental sustainability.
Check out some of our doula-approved favourites below!
1. cuddle+kind
We highlight this company every year, because we love the product and the mission. Beautiful, hand-made, quality stuffed animals that helps to feed children? That is exactly the kind of company we love to support! (Ask Meaghan, her kids own several!) Made from cotton yarn by women who are being paid an ethical wage, you cannot go wrong with these dolls.
2. Refluff*
Yes, we featured them last week because babies need cute bibs too. But those bibs sure do get more important once teething and solid food starts! Ethically and sustainably made products that are soft, fun, and washable. The only sad part about Refluff* is when your kids outgrow the items.
3. Wowwee Toys Baby Shark Line
We know the adults are pretty tired of the song, but it is still a hit with the preschool crowd. While the singing puppets might be too much to handle (strangely, they don’t appear to come with ear plugs) but there is a whole range of Baby Shark themed toys that will make the shark-obsessed toddler in your life very happy.
4. Books By Canadian Authors
While we don’t have ONE favourite book (is that even a thing that is possible!?!), we love supporting Canadian authors. Chapters Indigo has a wonderful selection on their website, listing books written by Canadian authors. We especially love their Indigenous section labeled “Essential reading for every Canadian”!
5. Grimm’s Wooden Toys
Although this is not a Canadian company and the toys are mostly made in Germany, we had to include it on the list. These hand-carved wooden toys are amazing and will last you years. The company also prides itself on creating a sustainable product with ethical labour and they take care of the people who work with and for them. Plus, you can purchase them at West Coast Kids which is definitely a Canadian company (and one of our favourites!).
6. Experiences
As your child gets older, there is nothing better than doing things together. Annual family memberships to local places are also fantastic gifts for grandparents to give. Some of our favourites include: the Royal Ontario Museum, the Ontario Science Centre, the Toronto Zoo, Legoland, and Ripley’s Aquarium.
Don't forget! Many of these companies will have Black Friday sales and it is a great time to get a good deal. And that Black Friday deal extends to us as well! Contact us and list Black Friday as the service you are looking for and we will send you our exclusive Black Friday price list!