Holiday Gift Ideas for Kids Ages 6+

Do you find it challenging to shop for your kids as they grow? Beyond the toddler and preschool years, it can be harder to find the best age-appropriate gifts for kids in the early elementary time.

So we scoured the web to find fun, creative and educational gifts for kids 6 years and older. Check them out below and be sure to shop your favorite this holiday!

Science Magic by National Geographic

In a year with kids seeking boredom busters indoors, never underestimate the power of science experiments and magic, like these Science Magic Kits.

From the all-time favorite National Geographic brand, comes magic science, where kids learn a variety of magic tricks including, changing the color of water and bending metal to making a coin float or making snow appear in hand!

My kids have loved science since the toddler years when they started with simple vinegar and baking powder tricks — so anything that involves “real” magic tricks to show off their skills is a hit!

The detailed instructions in these specific kits, take them step-by-step through each experiment with fascinating information to teach the science behind the magic for the inquisitive learner.

Kids will love dressing the part in the magician gloves and wand while they show off new tricks using household ingredients.

You can purchase a set that includes anywhere from 10-50 experiments for exciting, educational fun at home!

Choose a kit for your needs HERE.

Go Go Bird

For an action-packed fun gift idea sure to impress, try the Go Go Bird by Zing. This remote-control powered bird for both girls and boys is sure to be a hit when you’re looking for new adventures outdoors.

The colorful bird’s flapping wings makes it look like a real bird in flight. To get going, gently toss the bird in the air and it immediately flies. Plus, Go Go Bird features a smart obstacle-avoiding module that uses infrared sensors to turn the other way when approaching an obstacle.

With the six-axis motion sensors, Go Go Bird starts flapping its wings.

And the best part, is that the toy helps kids get in control too, as they learn to fly up, down, in circles or through obstacle courses they come up with — tons of fun tricks with a touch of a button.

The toy comes with an easy to use controller, so kids can learn to fly manually fast! A great introduction to remote-control toys for ages 8 and up.

Find it in your favorite color online HERE.

Ravel Tales Collectible Plush Toy

Looking for a smaller affordable gift idea for the child that enjoys unboxing surprise toys? Look no further than Ravel Tales — a fun surprise stuffed animal pet!

To find the 12 surprises inside, kids must unwind a colorful ball of yarn.

Each playset contains goodies like a button charm, pet name tag, sewing needle, collector card, pillow bed, yarn for pom poms and bracelet crafts and a collectible plush character.

You can learn more about the collectible pets, Ravel Tales and purchase HERE!

Pizza Party ThrowDown

Whether it’s pizza night or not, this fast-flying, multi-player face-off game will have the entire family flipping pizza in your kitchen!

Pizza Party Throwdown is a new 2-4 player game for ages 4 and up, including a rotating pizza, built-in timer, four launchers and 32 ingredients.

Players have 30 seconds to toss their ingredients onto the rotating pizza game board. Beat the clock to land your pieces on the pizza before it’s done baking!

Each player chooses their color-coded ingredient (from pepperoni and peppers to mushrooms and more) and must launch it onto the pizza using a flipper.

With multiple ways to play, this fast-paced board game, is sure to be a hit whether you are a plain cheese pizza or the-works type of pizza fan.

Add it to your wishlist HERE.

Dinosaur Set by Schleich

Dinosaur-fan in the house? You most likely own a few of the popular Schleich toys — high-quality, figurines crafted with the utmost attention to details for fun imaginative play.

If you need an easy and affordable gift idea for a kid, consider the 5-piece Trex play set for the ages 4-10.

The play set features: Dino Researcher figurine, T-Rex toy figure, baby stegosaurus, tranquilizer and catch pole.

The researcher figurine features movable arms and legs and can interact with the dinosaur figurines, from running from and taming T-rex to caring for baby stegosaurus.

A simple play-set sure to provide tons of creative play this holiday season.

Grab a set online HERE.

Snap Ships

For the kids obsessed with space crafts and building, Snap Ships is the toy for you this season.

Snap Ships are versatile spacecraft building sets for creating a number of action-packed ways to play. Let your kid’s imagination run wild as they create an armada to battle off an alien attack.

Snap Ships include core cubes for a stable base for builds and additional pieces contribute to a sleep design and movement.

All sets contain pieces that are interchangeable, allowing kids to create as they wish. From the Interceptor to the heavy fighter battle ships, your kid can choose his favorite craft to assemble and then engage in pretend play battle.

Snap Ships are recommended for ages 8+. You can learn more HERE.

EggMazing Decorating Kits

For some artistic, creative gift ideas for kids, try one of the many amazing, Eggmazing decorating kits!

These unique decorating machines, allow your child to easily decorate eggs — from Easter eggs to Dinosaur eggs.

My kids recently had the chance to check out the DinoMazing Dino Kit which has you place your egg in a contraption that spins around, while your kid holds a marker tip to the surface and creating a beautiful design!

The kit comes with a few bonus goodies — a miniature surprise dino and slime for some gooey sensory play!

You can also find a holiday twist on the decorating machine, with this clever, Tremendous Ornament Making Kit for Christmas. A super clever way to decorate ornaments at home, with a less of a mess.

The EggMazing kits are a great way to encourage fine motor skills, creativity, imaginative play for kids of all ages starting from 6+.

See all the options available from Eggmazing HERE.

Family Board Games by Amigos

Let’s face it: with more and more time spent indoors, this year has felt like the year of the board games. And it’s a GOOD thing!

Board games provide a great way to bond as a family (and reduce screen time!).

Over the past few months, we’ve had fun playing board games as a family, and some of the newest ones including the Amigos line:

• Escape from the Hidden Castle
• Connect the Thoughts
• Xcode
• What the Heck
• Saboteur

With kids ranging from 4-8 it’s tough to find games all of us can play together. But we’ve made it work.

In Escape from the Hidden Castle, a thrilling game of finding a place to hide before the phantom catches up, players must roll through halls, and ducking into chambers to avoid being caught.

As the phantom moves faster and faster, and the tension mounts, it gets a little nerve-wracking!

Kids had fun with this one as they love the excitement of trying to outrun the phantom, and see who the last man standing is — my youngest needed a little help, but followed along fine!

When mommy needed a break, and the older two wanted to play with dad, What the Heck delivered.

In this strategic card game, players try to be mind-readers as they flip over a point card and compete for it! If positive, they take it…if negative, they avoid it. But, everyone starts with the same cards, so you need to work carefully against your opponent and play cards carefully.

Kid’s loved trying to reach each other’s minds and take their best guess to win.

Then there’s X-Code, a game where you must work as a team to bring back the world’s computer networks by finding a secret 12-digit code.

Players work through challenges as they identify and swap cards with each other to complete their part of the code. But there’s a catch! Each card can only be passed in one direction!

This game is great for promoting teamwork using good communication, strategy, and skills — Recommended for ages 8+!

Connect the Thoughts was another one, better suited for younger children. In this twist between your traditional matching game and a thinking game, there are two ways to play where players must collect a row of 5 matched cards to win.

The game is played at the same time at the start of a bell. Kids spread all the cards faced down around them and picks a card to start the row. Each card is picked up one at a time to see if it is a match (to either card on the outside of the row!).

A fun game as you race against each other to find the most matches!

We can’t wait to catch up on play, and add Saboteur to the list in the coming weeks during family game nights!

Check out all the array of family board games and more, HERE.

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

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The post The Best Gifts for Kids 6-9-Years-Old appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

At our very first Christmas with a baby in the house, I didn’t know what things we could actually do as a new family. As a child, I remember the various Christmas traditions my family participated in that made this a very joyful and memorable time.

I just didn’t know how to go about it with a very young child of my own.

What can you do with a baby at Christmas?

If this is your first Christmas with a baby or toddler in the house, you are in for a treat. This is indeed a special time of year to make memories you will cherish for a lifetime.

You might have an idea of the fun kids bring around Christmas, but are wondering like me, what can you specifically do with a baby at Christmas?

And this is a question that many parents of young children wonder every holiday season. They want to partake in all the festivities and fun present everywhere but also have a small child to think about. Things like sleep schedules, developmental needs and age limits come to mind.

No parent wants to deal with the aftermath of overstimulated, sugared-up kids, managing meltdowns and dealing with the exhaustion and tears that some of the Christmas activities can lead to…especially at such a young age.

Because I understand the reality behind this, today I wanted to share a comprehensive list of practical and age-appropriate ideas babies and toddlers can partake in during Christmastime.

100 Things to do with a baby on Christmas

This list includes 100 ideas of Christmas activities, crafts, and traditions for young children to give you a VARIETY OF OPTIONS that actually do exist for you. Most of these are very simple ideas you can incorporate into your everyday life during the Christmas season.

However, that does not mean you should do them all. In fact, I strongly recommended you pick and choose your favorites only to make Christmas with a baby more manageable and truly helpful — I would narrow down to about 25 to keep it manageable.  You can even add these picks to your baby’s advent calendar.

Baby-Made Christmas Art and Decorations

Start off the holiday bucket list with fun Christmas crafts for babies and toddlers you can use to decorate the house and even turn into a lifelong keepsake to treasure for years.

1. Make a keepsake ornament with baby’s fingerprints as the Christmas lights.

2. Decorate a plain glass ornament with your child’s handprint and name.

3. Order a classic handprint kit to preserve for many years.

4. Make a salt dough snowman using footprints.

5. Decorate the house with mistletoes using your baby’s feet.

6. Use baby’s tiny fingerprints to make a candy cane ornament for the tree.

7. Order a custom ornament with your baby’s name.

8. Paint a wintery wonderland scene.

9. Use baby’s handprints to create a snowman family.

10. Make a reindeer footprint craft.

11. Make a Santa handprint craft to decorate.

12. Create a Christmas wreath using baby’s handprints.

13. Hang personalized Christmas stockings.

14. Use baby’s extra diapers to create a cute diaper cake centerpiece.

15. Make a family handprint Christmas tree layering small hands on top of big.

16. Create a baby Jesus handprint craft to send as a card.

17. Decorate the house with angel handprints.

18. Add a classic poem verse to your Night Before Christmas footprint craft.

Start Fun Christmas Traditions with Baby

One of the best things you can do with your new family is to start creating traditions and memories you can build on each year. If you need some inspiration, here are a few ideas to help you begin.

19. Start a brand NEW family tradition unique to your growing family (the keepsake ornaments listed above are great ideas).

20. Try a baby and toddler-approved advent calendar.

21. Read Christmas stories together.

22. Listen to Christmas music together.

23. Recite Christmas poems like this one.

24. Sing Christmas songs.

25. See Christmas lights in the neighborhood.

26. Pick out baby’s first Christmas outfit.

27. Let baby have a taste of homemade Christmas food.

28. Dress up – festive holiday attire — hats, red/white, reindeer ears.

29. Bake Christmas cookies.

30. Read Twas’ the night before Christmas on Christmas Eve.

31. Donate toys.

32. Let baby open something special on Christmas Eve.

33. Wear Christmas pajamas on Christmas Eve.

Baby Christmas Activities

Simple fun Christmas activities you can do with a baby from newborn to 2 years old.

34. Point out shapes and colors on ornaments

35. Let baby play with jingle bells — supervision always.

36. Buy baby jingle booties and hear him make music while kicking.

37. Try ornament exploration – incorporating baby safe ornaments to reach for, touch and feel.

38. Let baby play with Christmas bows — sticking to legs, and toes.

39. Play outside in the snow together (these make truly magical photos).

40. Explore pretend snow inside — using a baby safe recipe.

41. Make a Christmas sensory board for baby.

42. Make a Christmas sensory bottle.

43. Make a Christmas box with lights baby can look up to.

44. Let your baby and toddler decorate a mini felt Christmas tree.

45. Let your baby and toddler play with a Christmas ball sort.

46. Make a baby-friendly sensory bin using colorful Christmas colors.

47. Use baby’s handprint to make Christmas cookies.

48. Make a Christmas themed baby mobile

49. Let your baby and toddler “rearrange the tree” with this kid-friendly Christmas tree.

50. Let baby play with an age-appropriate nativity playset.

51. Introduce the true meaning of Christmas as baby plays with a nativity puzzle set.

52. Or work on hand-eye coordination play with this Chunky Christmas Tree puzzle set.

53. Watch a Christmas movie with baby — sure baby probably won’t watch all, but a few minutes is a nice excuse to snuggle up together.

54. Host a simple Christmas-themed playdate.

55. Let baby play with wrapping paper after opening presents — sensory experience.

Christmas Photo Ideas for Babies

Wondering what Christmas photos you should take with baby to create lasting memories? Check out some of these all-time favorite Christmas picture ideas.

56. Have a Christmas family photoshoot.

57. Take a picture of your baby in a Santa hat.

58. Take a picture of baby with Santa.

59. Take a picture of baby by the Christmas tree.

60. Snap a photo of baby reading a Christmas book.

61. Snap a photo of baby mesmerized by the Christmas lights.

62. Take a picture of baby watching the first snow falling.

63. Take a picture of baby snuggled up dressed in a Santa costume.

64. Take a picture of baby in a box, dressed as the best present ever.

65. Make sure you tell daddy to snap a shot of mommy and baby celebrating together.

66. Try Elf-yourself baby version.

67. Create a Christmas photo album to commemorate baby’s First Christmas.

68. Send Christmas photo cards to family.

Christmas Excursion

Want to get out of the house with a baby? Here are a few Christmas excursions and day trip ideas fun to do during Christmas. These are one area I would keep to a minimum to avoid meltdowns or issues that happen with schedule changes.

69. Visit a Christmas tree farm.

70. Take baby to a baby-friendly Christmas show at the local library.

71. Visit Santa if the baby can handle it.

72. Bundle up and go for a winter walk around the neighborhood.

73. Participate in a mommy and me holiday music class.

74. Take baby to church.

75. Visit the elderly or lonely neighbor — it’s amazing the joy a baby can bring.

Gifts for Baby’s First Christmas

Need a few baby gift ideas? We have you covered from personalized gifts and ways to stay warm to age-appropriate gifts for newborns and beyond. Note, if you opt to shop in-store with baby, allow ample time and pack accordingly — the holiday shopping can get a little crazy. You can also choose to shop from the comfort of your home, while baby naps (my personal favorite!)

76. Give something soft and cozy to snuggle with.

77. Order a Christmas bib for baby to wear for holiday meals.

78. Find the perfect stocking stuffer for baby.

79. Buy baby’s first Christmas onesie.

80. Get baby some board books.

81. Gift baby some warm Christmas-themed bedtime jammies.

82. Buy baby a new holiday sippy cup to enjoy at mealtimes.

83. Dress baby up with some warm holiday leggings.

84. Make a personalized gift for baby.

85. Contribute to baby’s piggy bank.

More Christmas Ideas for Baby

Want even more ideas and things to do with a baby or toddler this Christmas? Focus on spending time with loved ones and celebrating at home. Below are ideas for creating a calm and peaceful experience for you and baby during this Christmas season.

86. Introduce gentle Christmas scents – mint, evergreen.

87. Relax with a cup of hot cocoa while feeding baby.

88. Document all of baby’s firsts (use a camera or simply observe with your eyes).

89. Remember to unplug from phones, tablets and computers a little each day and just spend time in the present.

90. Laugh with baby and celebrate this time of togetherness.

91. Share baby with family – whether traveling or staying home, let that little light in your life.

92. Choose peace instead of stress when things get hectic.

93. Simplify your schedule and choose things that bring you joy.

94. Don’t compare or focus on what everyone else is doing.

95. It’s okay if things don’t go according to plan, try to let go and accept that there’s no such thing as perfect.

96. Show your spouse kindness around the kids.

97. Say something special to all members of your family throughout the season.

98. Participate in a nativity story in town, church or right at home.

99. Wish your family and friends a Merry Christmas and peace on Earth.

100. Enjoy the best gift ever: your baby.

I hope this list will provide a little clarity and remind you there is still plenty to do on Christmas with a baby. As long as you pick and choose practical ideas that work for your family and lifestyle, the options are endless.

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

mommysbundle.com

The post 100 Things To Do With a Baby On Christmas appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

I remember the FIRST time I had a baby on Christmas and got the chance to dress him up in an adorable striped Christmas PJ set. My 6-month old Santa baby melted my heart.

Ever since that very first Christmas with baby, I wanted to find ways to remember those special holidays and moments. Because celebrating baby’s first Christmas is one of those occasions you want to savor for as long as you can!

Little ideas like this, incorporating the holiday theme, highlighting the baby’s name or the milestone celebrated, can be so darn precious.

It’s a fun little way for moms to indulge and spoil their little ones every now and then…even if just to capture a moment in a photo or have a token to remember when your baby is no longer a baby (tear!).

30+ Personalized Christmas Ideas for Baby

Today I wanted to share a variety of personalized ideas that make precious Christmas gifts for babies.

From custom ornaments showcasing baby’s footprints and handprints to Christmas-themed onesies and accessories sure to bring a smile to your face, you’ll find something that warms your heart.

Personalized Christmas Ornaments for Baby

Whether you have a brand spanking newborn baby or a walking baby, there’s nothing like commemorating baby’s first Christmas with a special ornament. You can go the DIY route with homemade ornaments or simply order a customized ornament for baby. Here are a few of our very favorite personalized ornaments you can use to decorate the Christmas tree each year as your baby grows.

Photo Christmas Ornament

Baby’s First Christmas Ornament with Birth Stats

Personalized Keepsake Glass Ornament

Personalized Baby’s First Ornament in Stocking

Mother Father and Child Family Ornament

Personalized Baby Block Ornament

Personalized Christmas Onesies, Outfits and PJs

These personalized clothing items are simply adorable and a very cute way to get in the holiday spirit — mom and dad can even join in the fun with a matching set for the whole family!

Baby and Infant Coverall Pajama with Santa Hat

My First Christmas 4-Piece Pajama Set

Family Pajama Set

Baby and Toddler Fleece Christmas Pajamas

My First Christmas Romper with Headband for Baby Girls

Santa’s Little Helper Set for Boys

My First Christmas Romper Set with Reindeer on Baby Bottom

Best Gift EVER Romper Set for Baby Boys and Girls

Classic Personalized Christmas Romper

Personalized Christmas Accessories for Baby

We couldn’t forget to add a few jolly Santa hats — see these absolutely adorable Christmas accessories from crocheted Santa costumes you can use for a newborn photoshoot or Christmas bibs at the holiday party to keep your baby stylishly prepared for anything.

Baby’s First Crocheted Santa Hat

Newborn Christmas Photo Prop Santa Hat and Stocking

Infant Baby Santa Costume

Dear Santa – I did my best – Baby bib

Classic Monogrammed Christmas Bib with Ruffles

Classic White Merry Christmas Bib with Custom Name

Personalized Crochet Outfit for Newborn Baby Photoshoot

Baby’s First Christmas Bib or grab a whole set of holiday bibs for a GREAT deal of just a few dollars more

Baby’s Christmas Socks

Personalized Christmas Stocking for Baby

Personalized Gift Ideas for Baby

Christmas wouldn’t be complete without a couple of gift ideas! Sure newborn babies don’t exactly play in the traditional sense like older babies, but they can still use all of their senses to engage in play. These are some of our favorite personalized Christmas gift ideas babies of all ages will enjoy. If you’re looking for a unique gift for baby this holiday, be sure to check these out on Etsy!

Personalized Wooden Name Puzzle for Baby

Personalized Baby Teether

Personalized Baby Plush

Personalized Baby Swaddle Blanket

Personalized ideas are a precious way to celebrate any occasion, especially during the holidays. They can turn an ordinary item or gift idea into something unique and extra special because it adds a personal touch that just sticks with you. And when you’re looking to make Christmas with a baby special, personalized touches like this, do just that.

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

mommysbundle.com

The post The Most Adorable Personalized Christmas Ideas for Baby appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

Every new mom wants to make Christmas extra special for baby, especially baby’s first Christmas when everything is so brand new. A warm, magical spirit fills the air when you have little ones during the holidays. But when you’re juggling life with a baby and toddler, trying to keep up with everything, it’s hard to enjoy every minute and be in the moment.

Download Christmas Calendar Ideas for Baby

I remember back a few years ago, feeling overwhelmed and searching for fun Christmas traditions to do with babies and toddlers. Sure there were plenty of exciting lists of Christmas activities and places to go everywhere I turned: from having breakfast with Santa to traveling around town to see a holiday show. But with little ones needing to stay on nap schedule and prone to temper tantrums, I found participating in each and every little thing others were doing quite challenging.

It was only when I began to simplify and focus on being very selective with our outings, was I able to fully enjoy the holidays with a newborn, 1 year-old or 2-year-old!

Let that sink in for a moment: Focus on being very selective.

And that’s what I would recommend any mom planning Christmas activities for babies to do…especially if plans involve loading the kids in the car and getting out of the house.

Luckily, most of the Christmas ideas below can easily be done at home with your baby and toddler. If you’ve been searching for things to do with a baby on Christmas, this list will most definitely help get you started creating those wonderful memories!

Ideas to Make Christmas with Baby Memorable

Easy Christmas Traditions for Babies and Toddlers

When you’re celebrating baby’s first Christmas, your options for what to do may seem limited. This is especially true when baby is 6 months and under. But there’s still easy, stress-free ways you can celebrate the holidays together.

Christmas photo ideas for baby

One of my favorite ways is taking pictures. Infants tend to sleep often, so snapping a photo of your bundle of joy while they rest is an easy way to capture memories. But even if awake, incorporate festive backdrops or accessories into the photo to make them Christmas-themed.

Take a picture of baby with Christmas lights or a Christmas tree nearby.

Get creative and place baby in a gift box for an adorable photoshoot or have baby reaching for Santa’s cookies as this amazing photographer did. (Note: Grab a santa hat for baby here!)

Another festive and easy tradition to do with little ones is simply having holiday-themed pajamas. Love this easy way to celebrate Christmas eve, especially on baby’s first Christmas — parents can join in the fun with adult size jammies if doing a family photoshoot!!

If you think your child can handle it, pay a visit to Santa with baby in tow. You can get some unique pictures for sure depending on baby’s age. Ironically, the younger the better when it comes to picture-taking because as your baby turns into a toddler beware, they may shed a few tears when meeting Mr. Claus.

Christmas crafts for babies

Once baby is a little older (6 months+) the options for Christmas activities to do begin to open up.  If there’s one thing I wish I did more of with my kids during the holidays it would be handprint and footprint crafts for sure. Because it’s super easy to turn those little prints into keepsakes you can treasure for years on end.

You can really do this at any age, as long as you have some baby-safe washable paint. Here are some adorable prints you can create:

MistleToes Footprint Keepsake – Create “mistletoes” using baby’s footprints and turn into a beautiful Christmas decorating piece.

Christmas Tree Footprint Craft – It can’t get any easier than this. Paint baby’s feet green to make Christmas trees!

Footprint Mouse Poem and Keepsake – Another really simple way to cherish the holidays with littles.

Reindeer Footprint Card – Family will go gaga over receiving one of these from kids!

Baby-Made Christmas ornaments

Make your Christmas tree extra special with personalized ornaments made by your children. You can grab a DIY kit at your local craft store or use what you have to create salt-dough ornaments.

• Fingerprint Christmas Tree Salt Dough Ornament
• Handprint Ornament Keepsake
• Handprint Clay Keepsake
• Salt Dough Footprint Reindeer

Find an array of ideas for creating homemade ornaments for babies here OR customized baby ornaments here.

Christmas activities for babies and toddlers

Ditch the busy malls and play gyms during the busy holiday season and instead opt for baby-safe sensory bottles, sensory board or artwork you can do at home to help stimulate the senses for early development.

Christmas-themed Sensory Board – Love this simple way to let little ones touch all the Christmas items they want in a safe way.

Christmas Sensory Bottle – Babies will be fixated on this magical sensory bottle filled with Christmas colors.

Christmas Sensory Play Activity – Let little ones touch the “tree” all they want without getting messy in this no-mess sensory tactile activity.

Gingerbread Sensory Bag – Babies and toddlers can also avoid the mess-making a gingerbread man in this activity.

Sensory Lights Activity – Another baby-safe way to admire those bright Christmas lights without getting into any trouble.

Christmas Box Lights – Growing babies and toddlers will love this “fort” experience when lights are added!

Baby-Friendly Christmas Tree

As parents, we all know too well about the stress that putting up a Christmas tree and keeping baby away from the tree brings when you have curious little ones. After you’ve tried to even make the ornaments safer for baby you can also keep baby stimulated and AWAY from the real Christmas tree altogether with these alternative tree ideas. Check out the links below to see how to get creative or buy your own tree kit here.

• Kid-friendly Felt Christmas Tree
• DIY Photo Christmas Tree
• Ball Sort Activity Christmas Tree

Remember to choose a couple of the Christmas traditions and activities listed here to create a memorable Christmas with babies. Because it’s not about doing EVERYTHING, but just about doing what works for your family, child, and lifestyle.

>> Grab this simple Printable Christmas calendar to choose your activities! <<

And whatever you choose, remember the MOST  important thing that matters when celebrating Christmas with a baby, is spending quality time together to make it truly magical.

Want more on Baby’s 1st Christmas? See these posts ->

• Homemade Ornaments for Baby’s First Christmas
• 50 Stocking Stuffers for Baby’s 1st Christmas
• Baby-Safe Christmas Ornaments

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

mommysbundle.com

The post 23 Easy Ways to Make Christmas with a Baby Memorable appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

Baby’s first Christmas is one holiday every parent wants to cherish for a lifetime. It’s one of the most magical times of the year, so of course, we want our little one to share in that experience…even if they are just babies.

After we commemorate the season with a heartfelt keepsake ornament perfect for baby, we often move on to the fun toys and gift ideas. But choosing the best toys for little ones (quality-wise) can sometimes get confused with buying each and every little toy we spot.

Best Toys for Baby

The shopping process certainly isn’t easy. It can be full of stress or joy, depending on how we go about it. We may feel the need to buy our kids every toy we never had as children and go a little overboard which can cause a bit of a frenzy and stress.

You know what I’m talking about…we all do it. Time after time, I’ve fallen into the trend of searching for those hot toys and Black Friday deals to grab everything at unbeatable prices.

But all this focus on more toys just brings on so much more unnecessary holiday stress. Don’t do it! A better alternative is to shop early, join programs like Amazon Prime (they have a 30-day free trial) with 2-day shipping, and just opt for 1 or 2 quality toys your kids will enjoy. It’ll make the gifts that much more special.

How to Choose the Right Gifts for a Baby

When you’re ready to buy baby a few gifts, think about what stage they are in.

• Do you have an infant who is just processing the new world around him/her?
• Do you have a teething baby looking for different textures to gnaw on?
• Or do you have a baby on the move that craves activity?

Knowing your baby’s developmental stage will help you buy the best toys appropriate for their age, and ones they are likely to play with and benefit from.

Below are some of my favorite toys for babies 1 and under. These are toys my kids have owned over the years and they gravitated towards upon reaching certain milestones.

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Gift Ideas for Newborn Babies

Most parents assume that newborn babies don’t actually play and therefore don’t need toys. I agree with that to a certain extent.

You see, while newborn babies don’t play in the typical sense, they are very much taking in everything around them which in a way, is a form of play. Anything that provides an array of sensory stimulation is a wonderful gift idea.

If you’re looking for Christmas toys to buy a new baby, think soft, comfort items like taggie toys, a lovey or crinkly toys that clip to the carrier so babies can gaze up at as they grow. Below are toys for newborns that are actually pretty useful including this pacifier lovey that is AMAZING when it comes to keeping that paci close to the baby so YOU don’t have to keep adjusting!

During the second month of life, your baby will begin showing a bit more activity. Sleeping most of the day may still be the norm, but they’ll start to engage more and may smile and grasp at your finger. Soft rattles and toys they can clasp are a good gift idea. The Manhattan Toy was one my kids loved from the very beginning – it kept their wiggly little hands entertained and was one of their favorite toys to mouth. It reminded me of some kind of giant rubix cube for babies!!

By the third month, your little one may be kicking up a storm and more of an active observer – gazing carefully at everything in the new world around them. Surrounding baby with toys that meet his or her development stage is key.

My kids seriously LOVED this piano gym set. We used it beginning at that 3 month mark when the jerk or kick reflex was prevalent. It was so cute seeing baby’s reaction *surprise* every time he accidentally played a note with his feet! Note: It seems to be out-of-stock on Amazon at the moment, but a similar one on that’s more affordable is this brand.

Another toy I loved seeing them play with was this musical inchworm that actually has inch marks you can use to measure baby. The worm’s crinkly body and varying textures provide an array of sensory exploration too! Perfect for snuggling!

Gift Ideas for Babies 3-6 months

For many the 3-4 month mark brings on early teething signs, with excessive drooling and gnawing. This is when teething toys make a perfect gift! However, with tons of options out there it can be quite exhausting buying teethers only to find your little one has no interest.

In my experience, I’ve found that most teethers work well, but their success is closely tied to how far along baby is in the teething process (first teeth vs. molars). One teether that I found to stand the test of time throughout most phases is that famous giraffe teether — but not the typical Sophie. I found my kids liked this little one best because it was just the right size for those tiny hands and less of a gagging hazard than the larger version. The handle helped make gripping easy and the rubber texture provided the right relief.

Of course teethers aren’t the only gift option at this stage; in fact there are a number of fun toys baby will begin showing an interest in. Once baby starts developing more of a routine (sleeping mostly at night, and staying awake mostly during the day), toys that provide a rich array of sensory stimulation that keep them engaged during the day is key. Some great toys from 5-6 months include:

• Plush, musical toys like the Baby Einstein Octoplush
• Stacking Cups
• Sensory Balls
• Squeeze and Stack Blocks
• Wobbly Balls

Baby Milestone Play Kits for ALL stages

As babies move beyond the very early newborn stage, play becomes more interactive — and that’s where gifts that support both baby and parent really shine. Milestones & More Play Kits are one of those rare finds that feel thoughtful, intentional, and genuinely helpful during the first couple years.

Each kit is curated by early childhood professionals and designed to support baby’s development while also giving parents simple, doable ways to connect through play. The newborn kit (0–6 months) includes developmentally appropriate toys, a bilingual board book, activity cards with gentle play prompts, and comforting essentials like a soft swaddle that doubles as a lovey, plus a safe teether for those early milestones.

And it’s more than a box of toys, it’s a guided experience that helps parents feel more confident while creating meaningful moments with their baby. If you’re shopping for a baby under one and want a gift that supports learning, bonding, and emotional development from the very beginning, this is such a beautiful option. Find them HERE.

Gift Ideas for Babies 6-9 months

As your baby grows and becomes much more active and mobile, you’re better off getting toys that can keep up with their energy. Toys that go, music and activity tables make awesome options.

Have a baby on the move? These balls are great for crawlers or scooters.

Is your child furniture surfing and pushing up to stand? An activity table is a MUST.

Does your baby like to dance? This adorable robot was a major hit when our little one went through his music phase.

Little ones at this age will also love building. Their spatial awareness and problem-solving abilities will ramp up, so age-appropriate blocks, puzzles or sorting toys make really great gift learning gift ideas.

Gift Ideas for Babies 9-12 months

As baby becomes even more mobile, pulling up, cruising or even walking, gifts that encourage movement and confidence really shine.

Ride-on toys topped the list for our kids! A few favorite ride-ons we’ve owned or played with include:

• Little Tikes Rollin Giraffe Ride-on
• Little Tikes Push and Ride Racer
• Fisher-Price Ride on Lion
• Step-2 Whisper Ride on

The VELIO balance bike is an especially meaningful choice for the older babies and one that truly grows with them. Designed for babies and toddlers ages 9–24 months, the Bella Velio (and Super Velio) is lightweight, incredibly durable, and thoughtfully engineered to help little ones develop balance, coordination, and body awareness from the very beginning.

This is a true investment piece — the kind of gift that doesn’t just get used for a few weeks and forgotten. The solid, high-quality construction is built to last through daily use, sibling hand-me-downs, and outdoor adventures, while the removable parent support handle allows you to guide them safely as they gain confidence. It’s equal parts functional and beautiful — no surprise that Bella Velio was recently awarded Best Bike Design by Junior Magazine. If you’re looking for one standout gift that feels extra special and supports real development, this is one parents will be grateful for long after the holidays. Find it HERE.

With a plethora of toy options available for babies, you’re certain to find something they’ll enjoy as long as you remember to keep it simple and follow their developmental stage and interests. Babies are simple creatures and can pretty much play with anything and everything around them if you just look at it from their perspective. Have fun shopping for baby’s first Christmas this holiday season!

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

mommysbundle.com

The post The Best Baby Toys and Gift Ideas appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

Now that my kindergartener is writing and taking a very big interest it, I knew it was time to start the Letters to Santa tradition. Not because I’ve seen others do it, but mostly because it’s a way to keep some of that suspense and Christmas magic in the season. But there are our actually so many great reasons to continue this tradition that I hadn’t really thought about before and so I wanted to share them.

Reasons to Start the Letters to Santa Tradition

Make Christmas Magical

As I mentioned above, one of the main reasons I wanted to start this tradition is because it helps create that magical atmosphere surrounding the holidays. The fact that kids can write a special letter to the a jolly old Santa and then actually mail it out helps them retain that innocent, curious spirit which makes the holidays so much fun!

Practice Writing Skills

Then of course the other main benefit of having participate in letters is for practicing their writing skills. They get to focus on crafting a message, extracting those letter skills and sentence formation to truly master those fine motor-skills. A great supplement to what they are learning in school.

Keep Traditions Alive

Writing letters to Santa is one thing you can add to your list of fun Christmas traditions and something you can check off your advent calendar that your kids will be very excited about.

What to Include in a Letter to Santa

You can customize your child’s letter to Santa in whatever way you choose.

• Start with having a space he can write his name and age.
• You can have check boxes where they can indicate whether they’ve been naughty or nice (with a positive spin)
• Have space for them to write a couple of the gifts they’d like – a popular one is the 4 Somethings to keep things manageable for parents (Something I want, Something I need, Something to wear, Something to read)
• You can even add a space where your child can practice acts of kindness and share what good dead they’d like to give

This is one Letter to Santa printable we created to help kids get started with the tradition. It is included in our Christmas-Ready Kid Pack but here FREE for a limited time. Simply leave your details below to get a copy for a limited time.

If you’d like check out the rest of the printables in the Christmas-Pack visit my shop HERE.

More on Christmas:

• Holiday Traditions Worth Keeping with Kids
• Fingerprint Christmas Tree Ornament
• Family-Friendly Christmas Movies

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

mommysbundle.com

The post A Christmas Tradition of Letters to Santa appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

Last week after sharing these delicious Christmas treats for kids, I wanted to find even more goodies — Christmas recipes that would make perfect desserts for a party or friendly gathering.

If you’ve been thinking about hosting a Christmas party but need some mouth-watering inspiration, we’ve rounded up some pretty tasty ideas from pretzel presents and peppermint cheesecakes to festive sugar cookies and chocolate-covered Christmas trees. Click on the links below to see each recipe.

1. Christmas Present Pretzels from Mommy’s Bundle

2. No Bake Peppermint Cheesecake from Cincy Shopper

3. Peppermint Fluff Dip from The Pinning Mama

4. Donut Christmas Tree from PinkWhen

5. Eggnog Cheesecake from Baking Beauty

6. Melted Snowmen Oreo Balls from The Girl Who Ate Everything

7. Santa’s Belly Christmas Cookies from Living Off Love and Coffee

8. Gingerbread Cheesecake from Tastes of Lizzy T’s

9. Snowmen Cake Pops from 52 Kitchen Adventures

10.Homemade Shortbread Cookies from Arts & Crackers

11. Peppermint Bark Cheesecake from Cooking Classy

12. Christmas Sugar Cookie Bites from Two Sisters Crafting

13. Chocolate Covered Christmas Trees from Lovely Little Kitchen

14. Christmas Cookie Pie from Bake With Christina

15. Christmas Tree Brownies from Mommy’s Bundle

                                                                                   You may also like:

Festive Christmas Dessert Treats for Kids

DIY Candy Cane Wreath

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Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

mommysbundle.com

The post 15 Delicious Christmas Party Dessert Ideas appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

One of my favorite kinds of Christmas pretzels are the ones topped with colorful red, white and green sprinkles — they add such a festive touch to the dessert table.

Because the last pretzels I made were a huge hit, I decided I’d take another stab with a Christmas version — something fun and festive that both kids and adult would love. Thus, my Christmas present pretzels and peppermint-covered pretzels were born!

This post may contain affiliate links.

Christmas Present Pretzels

To make your delicious Christmas present pretzels, you’ll need a few basic supplies:

• Pretzel Snaps (we used these butter snap pretzels!)
• Candy melts or white chocolate chips to dye
• m&ms
• Decorating gel
• Peppermint sprinkles

To make this fun treat idea, melt your candy or chocolate according to package directions. We find it easiest to melt in the microwave in increments – 30-60 minutes at a time and stopping to check consistency.

We used plastic bags this time around, so it would be easier to squeeze directly onto pretzel.

Let the chocolate candy harden for a few minutes before decorating. Next, simply add two m&ms and decorating gel to make your pretzel “bow”.

Peppermint Christmas Presents

To complete our Christmas pretzels, we also made some simple peppermint pretzels, using the same steps as above. Simply, skip the pretzel bow and top with your favorite peppermint mix — either store-bought sprinkles or smash up a candy cane.

Such a yummy and festive Christmas treat idea your kids will love! You can even toss them into a plastic bag with ribbon for an easy gift idea too – definitely a favorite!

You may also like:

Festive Christmas Treats for Kids

Christmas Tree Brownies

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

mommysbundle.com

The post The Easiest Christmas Present Pretzels Treats appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

Make the festivities last longer with these fun Christmas treat ideas your kids will love — featuring Santa hats, colorful Christmas trees and reindeer-themed desserts. With so much creativity and charm, your little ones won’t be the only ones racing to the dessert table.

Related: Christmas Present Pretzels

Take a look at all of the fun options below and let us know your favorite!

Christmas Treat & Dessert Ideas for Kids

Strawberry Santas: A Healthy Christmas Treat – Kid Blogger Network

Need a healthier dessert option for your kids after all that sugar? Make small Santas with strawberries for a festive and healthy Christmas treat!

Easy Peppermint Marshmallow Treats – Passion For Savings

Add a candy cane to chocolate-dipped marshmallows for a sweet treat. So easy, yet so perfect for little ones!

Grinch Fruit Kabobs – MOMables

Create Grinch themed kabobs with this fruity festive snacks. They have grapes, bananas, and strawberries – and are perfected with a mini marshmallow providing a little bit of extra sweetness!

Magic Reindeer Food – The Idea Room

On the night before Christmas or a classroom party, make magic reindeer food – with oatmeal. Visit the link for free printable tags you can use to make these into a clever little gift idea too!

Chocolate Covered Oreo Reindeer Pops – Momma’s Playground

Make Oreo pops on a stick with a reindeer twist! Pretzels are used for antlers with these festive Oreo pops. Oreo pops give you a more flat surface to work with, instead of cake pops.

Easy Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats – Food Blogs

With some green food coloring make some Christmas trees from Rice Krispie treats. So clever and so cute!

Nutella Hot Chocolate – The Hungry Housewife

Mix Nutella with a simple homemade hot chocolate, topped with a three ingredient homemade whipped cream, made with heavy whipped cream.

Christmas in the Kitchen with Kids – One Time Through

Create a gingerbread house in this kid-led project. You can help practice fine motor skills and more.

Christmas Cookies With Hidden Presents – Crafts Morning

Make these Christmas Cookies with hidden treats inside, especially for kids! The peppermint sugar cookies only have a handful of ingredients.

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Christmas Trees – Lovely Little Kitchen

A green frosted covered Oreo makes the base of this Christmas tree, whereas the strawberry makes the Christmas tree! It’s recommended that you eat these quickly, since the strawberry can make things soggy.

Gingerbread Christmas Tree Cookies – Mum in the Madhouse

This gingerbread is made from flora, for a nice Christmas cookie. The recipe is also simple enough for kids to get involved with!

Santa’s Belly Cookies – Pillsbury

Make sugar cookies with this clever but simple Santa design, great for those who are just getting into cookie decorating.

Rudolph Cake Pops – Lisa Storms

Cake pops are a special treat! Red M&Ms make the nose of this bite-sized snack for kids.

Christmas in the Netherlands: Dutch Christmas Cookie Recipe – Kid World Citizen

Learn about Christmas in other cultures with these Dutch Christmas cookies, called speculaas. They are made with spices, dark brown sugar, and speculaas spices for a unique flavor. (It includes a DIY speculaa spice recipe, made from cinnamon, nutmeg, and more!)

Christmas Tree Brownies

It can’t get any easier than these Christmas tree brownies – just add some green frosting and sprinkles for an even more festive look.

So many fun dessert ideas to try — you can’t go wrong with this list which has a mix of chocolatey deliciousness and fruity yumminess! Happy baking

More Christmas posts:

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

mommysbundle.com

The post 15 Fun Christmas Dessert Treats for Kids appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is to make homemade ornaments with the kids every year — and I like to start when they’re babies!

Having a precious handprint or fingerprints painted on an otherwise plain ornament (okay these are kinda clever) helps to make baby’s first Christmas that much more special. It’s a loving way to capture memories into a keepsake that will last for years to come.

The BEST part of all this? These homemade Christmas ornaments for baby become a family tradition that you can start no matter how little your child is. (And if you’re worried about ornaments safe for baby, give this post a quick read!).

Related: 30+ Absolutely Adorable Ways to Personalize Baby’s First Christmas

Below you will find 20 of our favorite homemade Christmas ornaments and keepsakes that you can create with your baby from day 1!

Note: The post has been updated to ensure all links are live. Images, therefore, may have changed.

The list below contains an adorable array of ways to commemorate that first Christmas. From classic handprint and footprint salt dough ornaments to colorful Christmas tree and photo ornaments – you’re sure to find a favorite.

(NOTE: Most of these baby ornaments can be preserved as keepsakes to last a lifetime with mod podge sealant!! Don’t forget this step if you want to actually make these last for next Christmas!!!)

Homemade Keepsake Ornaments for Baby’s First Christmas

Click the links below to see DIY baby ornament ideas and start creating beautiful memories this Christmas!

1. Salt Dough Snowman Keepsake Use baby’s handprints to create a snowman keepsake ornament.

2. Fingerprint Christmas Tree Ornament Treasure little fingerprints all season long with this adorable Christmas tree ornament!

3. Handprint Santa Ornament Make your child smile with this fun Santa ornament using baby’s handprint.

4. Easy Christmas Crafts for Kids Have more than one baby? Make a family Christmas tree using everyone’s handprints!

5. Handprint Ornament for Baby Use clear varnish and the right paint to make this beautiful and classic baby ornament!

6. Salt Dough Handprint Christmas Tree Add this special Christmas tree ornament to your very own Christmas tree.

7. Handprint Photo Keepsake Ornament Add a special photo to a handprint craft and create a long-lasting keepsake.

8. Simple Salt Dough Handprint Ornament Want to make a super easy Christmas ornament with your baby? Use salt dough to make a simple handprint ornament – no paint needed.

9. Homemade Salt Dough Ornaments Try this cute Santa and reindeer salt dough ornaments.

10. Mod Podged Christmas Ornament Looking for something extra cute? You’ll love this mod podge multi-layer ornament idea using baby blocks!

11. Mitten Tree Keepsake Treasure baby’s handprints with these mitten keepsake ornaments!

12. Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments Get creative with an array of ideas for salt dough handprint ornaments!

13. Reindeer Handprint Ornament An adorable reindeer handprint ornament that will brighten up any tree.

14. DIY Christmas Photo Ornament Create a simple photo ornament for baby with this DIY baby’s first Christmas ornament!

15. Footprint Ornament Craft This glittered craft is such a SMART way to create a beautiful DIY baby footprint Christmas ornament without actually putting glitter on your baby’s foot!

16. Baby Memory Ornament Keep all of baby’s very first memories close by this Christmas with this unique idea.

17. Baby Food Jar Ornament Create a personalized baby ornament while upcycling those food jars.

18. Handprint Snowman Ornament Turn a handprint craft into a Christmas ornament with a simple tweak!

19. DIY Ultrasound Snow globe Ornament For a really unique baby ornament this Christmas, add an ultrasound picture!

20. Photo Transfer Ornament (Video) Watch this DIY ornament tutorial to see how you can transfer a photo onto the wood with just a few simple tools — here’s the pack of pre-cut wood baubles you’ll need that comes ready to hang!

Remember to treasure these early years with your babies anyway you can — keepsake ornaments, crafts and most of all, time together! Don’t forget that secret ingredient to truly preserve them!

Grab this FREE printable calendar to help you choose simple, fun activities for baby’s 1st Christmas!

Want more on Baby’s First Christmas or Winter?

You may also enjoy:

• Babyproofing your Christmas Tree
• Stocking Stuffer’s for Baby’s First Christmas
• Fingerprint Christmas Tree Ornament
• 100 Things to do for Baby’s First Christmas

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

mommysbundle.com

The post 20 Homemade Ornaments for Baby’s First Christmas appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.