The joy of gift-giving is magnified when kids are involved, in no small part because of a child’s enthusiasm is just so contagious. But wading through the never-ending sea of kid’s toys and parenting products can quickly turn gift shopping into a chore.
That’s why Curbed is here to help. We’ve searched the internet for some of the best parent and kids products to give this season, whether you’re shopping for a brand new parent or a friend’s child. We’ve skipped some of the basics—like baby carriers and standard cribs—in favor of delightful, design-forward gifts that parents might not have the bandwidth to seek out themselves.
Of course, that doesn’t mean everything is expensive; most of the items on this list are under $100, with some coming in at under $50. From a simple stroller toy to a Palm Springs-inspired playhouse, here our top gift picks for parents and kids right now.
Furniture and play tents
Most parents already have the essentials when they plan a nursery or children’s bedroom, but that doesn’t mean you can’t gift furniture. Opt for playful, whimsical pieces like an airy play tent, kid-sized arm chair, or comfy bean bag.
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Wishbone Mini Chair
- $195
Available in a natural or walnut finish, this mini-midcentury classic uses a solid piece of wood for the back and armrest, with a curving top rail and woven seat.
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Palm Springs Playhouse
- $160
Most indoor playhouse designs leave a lot to be desired, but this version really leans into the desert-inspired look with cacti, breeze blocks, and even midcentury-style clerestory windows.
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EO Sheep Chair
- $189
Designed by Takeshi Sawada for the Danish EO, this sculptural sheep chair fits at low tables and works for sitting or playing.
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Adjustable Black and White Stripe Bean Bag Chair
- $127
This adjustable black and white stripe bean bag works as a floor cushion or as a chair.
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Sweedi Scandinavian Play Tent
- $93
With a chalkboard sign, window, and a front and back door, this white play tent checks all the boxes for imaginative fun.
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Rattan Bassinet
- $299
This sleek and pretty bassinet features powder-coated iron legs and a natural rattan frame with gently sloping curves. It’s a thoughtful gift that a new parent would appreciate but might not buy themselves.
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Maxie Tub Kids Chair in Pinata Wallflower
- $330
Sized just right for little humans, this cozy accent chair would work in a reading nook or next to a bed.
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Indoor Garden Playhouse
- $140
This cute playhouse features trees, bushes, and flowers on the outside, a durable cotton canvas cover, and a see-through mesh roof to let the light in.
Bedding and blankets
Nothing beats cozying up with a little one, and these fun blankets and bedding add color and style to any children’s room. Pro tip: The Little Giraffe blanket listed below is the “lovey” of choice for countless kiddos due to its incredibly soft texture.
Crib Sheet in Oyster
- $36
Lewis has an array of fun crib sheets in crisp percale, and we love the oyster print for its bold graphic qualities.
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Hand-quilted Kantha Baby Blanket by Heddle And Lamm
- $78
Need a gift for a baby? This light and airy quilt is a colorful and playful addition to any nursery.
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Midcentury Swaddle Set
- $35
This set of cotton swaddles is made of soft, breathable muslin and features a set of three geometric patterns.
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Sweet Strawberry Bedding Set
- $44
This cheerful bedding set is part of Drew Barrymore’s Walmart collection and it’s available in both a twin-XL and full size.
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Mojlighet Duvet Cover and Pillowcase
- $10
This simple yet sweet twin set includes a terrazzo-patterned quilt cover and matching pillowcase.
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Little Giraffe Luxe Stroller Baby Blanket
- $92
Available in a multitude of colors, this blanket is soft to the touch with a luxurious satin border. Baby blankets come and go; this one will be your child’s favorite for years.
In the kitchen
Know a budding chef? Surprise them with a new colorful apron and kid’s knife set, or help a parent out with safe bamboo plates or a learning tower—the go-to way to safely let young kids help in the kitchen.
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Weesprout Bamboo Toddler Plates
- $19
This neutral four-piece set includes ultra durable bamboo plates that are BPA free, non-toxic, and dishwasher safe.
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Children Chef Aprons
- $10
Available in two different sizes, these machine washable, adjustable kid aprons feature a front pocket for gadgets and an array of patterns.
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Guidecraft Kitchen Helper
- $175
A learning tower is the easiest and safest way to let young kids help in the kitchen, and we like this version because it adjusts to three platform heights and folds down small when not in use.
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Curious Chef 3-Piece Knife Set
- $9
With three different sizes, this knife is perfect for new chefs thanks to ergonomic handles and blunt tips.
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CamelBak eddy Kids 12oz Water Bottle, 2-Pack
- $20
These spill-proof water bottles are the go-to bottle for many Curbed staffers with children thanks to a shut-off valve and dishwasher-safe components.
Baby toys
Babies are all about discovery, and even small toys can entertain and wow for hours. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite picks, below, including gorgeous building blocks from Grimm’s Spiel & Holz of Germany.
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Wee Gallery House Stroller Toy
- $19
With an embroidered roof and crinkly smoke coming from the chimney, this cute toy attaches to a stroller or car seat.
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Grimm’s Tree Slices Wooden Building Blocks
- $47
Chunky tree blocks made from natural tree branches are sized for small hands and hand-stained in vibrant spring colors.
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Leka Baby Gym
- $35
Forego the plastic baby gyms and opt for this wooden gym with brightly colored mobiles.
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Plan Toys Sensory Tumbling
- $23
For babies six months and up, this sweet set features three different sensory activities.
Kids toys
Toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary kids do best when you let their imaginations run wild. That’s why we’ve highlighted well-designed toys that will have your child asking, “Let’s play pretend,” in a heartbeat.
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Raduga Grez Wooden Fruits Sets
- $54
We love these sweet handcrafted toys from Russia—they are made by a third-generation toymaker using traditional water-based stains on natural lime wood.
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Areaware Blockitecture
- $26
These cute pine wood block sets come in an array of styles, including brustalism, deco, and a park-oriented theme.
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Wee Gallery Set of 3 Nesting Dolls
- $42
Toddlers will love this high-contrast set of three nesting toys as they learn visual and spatial perception.
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Milton & Goose Wooden Play Kitchen
- $799
This play kitchen may be top dollar, but it is made from Baltic birch and solid North American maple wood by Amish artisans in Lancaster. It’s also non-toxic and features a spacious farmhouse sink and four burners with turning knobs.
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Duktig Plates and Bowls
- $10
Older kids will love these miniature dinner plates that are made of stoneware so they feel like real, grown-up plates.
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Jenny Lind Doll Bed
- $89
If you’re looking for a doll bed that looks like a real bed, check out this cute white miniature that features intricate woodturnings.
Practical must-haves for the home
Not sure what to give a parent? Turn to this section for home essentials that make day-to-day life just a little bit easier.
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Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine and Night Light
- $60
Reviewers love this multi-functional sound machine that also works as a nightlight and time-to-rise alert that you can control from your phone. You can also customize the color, brightness, sound, and volume level.
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WACACO Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker
- $65
Easy to operate, the Nanopresso uses finely ground coffee, hot water, and a few pumps to produce richly flavored, top-notch espresso. It feels like you’re at a high-end coffee bar, but on-the-go.
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Kikkerland Folding Step Stool
- $15
This foldable step stool features anti-slip rubber feet and a handle for easy carrying.
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Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Pressure Cooker
- $79
Editor Jenny Xie writes that the Instant Pot lives up to the hype and makes for quick work on stews, soups, meats, and even pastas.
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Echo Dot Kids Edition
- $55
This smart speaker is the kids version of the more popular Echo speaker. It allows you to set daily time limits, review activity, and automatically filter songs, and kids love it for music, alarms, and more.
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3 Sprouts Cube Storage Box
- $17
Available in a plethora of different animals styles, these handy storage cubes can hold toys or clothes and can fold flat when not in use.
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