Finding a gift for a baby or child can quickly become complicated. What toy should you choose for a newborn? What really suits a 1-year-old? What games still interest a 2, 3, or 6-year-old?
The best gift isn't necessarily the biggest or most spectacular. Above all, it must match the child's age, development, and interests.
In this guide, discover our gift ideas for babies and children, from birth up to 6 years and older, as well as early learning toys, sensory games, dolls, books, and educational games adapted to different stages of childhood.
You can also directly browse all our gift ideas.
What gift to give a newborn?
During the first few months, baby gradually discovers sounds, textures, colors, and objects around them.
A good birth gift can therefore be both practical for parents and interesting for baby's development.
Among the ideas to consider:
- early learning toys
- rattles
- teething rings
- stuffed animals and comforters
- early learning books
- meal accessories
- sleep items
- care products
- blankets and muslins
To simplify your search, discover our complete selection of birth gifts and baby gifts.
The newborn gift set: a simple and complete option
When you don't know exactly the needs of new parents, a gift set can be particularly practical.
The LeoLudo newborn and baby shower gift set brings together several baby items in one gift.
Depending on the selection, a gift set can include early learning toys and books, baby accessories, meal items, stuffed animals, and other small touches.
It's a particularly interesting option as a baby shower gift, a gift for a new mom, or a gift to be delivered directly to the new parents.
What toys to choose for baby's development?
The first toys can accompany baby in their daily discoveries.
Objects that are easy to handle, varied textures, sounds, and shapes allow for a multitude of play experiences.
Explore our collection of early learning toys for babies.
Some toy ideas for babies
For the first few months, you might consider:
Sophie the Giraffe So'Pure Teething Ring
A small, light object with different textures, easy for small hands to manipulate.
Original Sophie the Giraffe
A classic among gifts for babies.
Hape Multi-Stage Sensory Toy Set
An interesting option to offer baby several sensory experiences.
For more ideas, also check out our all for baby universe.
What gift to give a 1-year-old baby?
The first birthday is an important milestone.
Around this age, children generally become much more active and want to manipulate, push, stack, move, and explore their environment.
A good 1-year-old baby gift should therefore offer a simple play experience adapted to this period of discovery.
Discover our selection of gifts for 1-year-old babies.
Our gift ideas for 1 year olds
Among the popular categories:
- push or pull toys
- blocks and stacking games
- musical toys
- sensory games
- first puzzles
- wooden toys
- books
- vehicles
- simple pretend play toys
You can also browse all our toys for children aged 1 to 3.
Small wooden vehicle
A push-along vehicle is a simple idea for a young child who is starting to invent their first play scenarios.
Discover the Janod small wooden push-along vehicle.
Discovery games
To vary experiences, games involving observation and touch can also be interesting.
The Vilac Touch and Find Farm Loto-Bingo, for example, offers an activity centered on recognition and discovery.
Baby girl gift or baby boy gift: do you really need to choose differently?
Are you looking for a baby girl gift, a baby boy birth gift, or simply a gift idea for a baby?
The child's age and interests are generally much more useful criteria than limiting the choice to a girl or boy category.
A stacking game, a book, a vehicle, a doll, a sensory toy, or a pretend play set can interest different children.
Our collection of birth gifts specifically allows you to discover different options for girls, boys, or gender-neutral gifts.
What gift to choose for a 2-year-old child?
At 2 years old, play evolves rapidly.
Children begin to further develop their vocabulary, imagination, and ability to solve small problems.
It's therefore an excellent time to introduce:
- first board games
- memory games
- simple puzzles
- pretend play toys
- stacking games
- modeling clay
- language games
- wooden toys
- vehicles
- dolls and accessories
Find our complete selection of gifts for 2-year-old children.
You will also find a wider selection in the toys for 1 to 3 year olds collection.
A gift box specially designed for 2-year-olds
For a birthday, also discover the LeoLudo 2-year-old birthday gift box.
This is a practical solution when you want to offer several age-appropriate discoveries rather than just one toy.
Why are sensory toys interesting?
Sensory toys invite children to discover different textures, shapes, sounds, movements, or sensations.
For the youngest, play is heavily based on exploration.
Sensory activities can therefore take several forms:
- touching different textures
- manipulating and grasping
- sorting shapes
- stacking
- listening to different sounds
- observing movements
- associating objects
For babies, start with our selection of early learning toys.
For slightly older children, manipulation, stacking, and observation games can then increase the level of difficulty.
What games to choose for children aged 3 to 6?
Between 3 and 6 years old, the world of play expands considerably.
Children can start to follow more rules, undertake longer creative projects, and build much more elaborate scenarios.
Discover our selection of toys for children aged 3 to 6.
Educational games
Educational games can develop various skills while maintaining the fun of playing.
Discover all our educational games.
We can particularly explore:
- letter recognition
- numbers
- logic
- memory
- language
- observation
- fine motor skills
- problem-solving
Puzzles
Puzzles are another option that can be easily adapted to the child's level.
To start gradually, the Janod Dinosaurs 4 progressive puzzles (6, 9, 12, and 16 pieces) offer several levels.
You can also discover our complete collection of puzzles.
Magnetic games
Magnetic games allow for easy creation, assembly, and re-doing.
The Janod Magnetic Racers 50-piece set is an option for children who enjoy building characters, vehicles, and scenes.
Also discover our selection of magnetic toys.
Dolls and accessories: extending pretend play
Dolls allow children to create stories and situations inspired by everyday life.
But the play doesn't stop with the doll itself.
Doll accessories enrich the scenarios:
- strollers
- beds
- cradles
- high chairs
- clothes
- meal accessories
- furniture
Discover our collection of dolls and accessories.
You will find brands such as Djeco, Kaloo, and Paola Reina.
What games to choose for a 6-year-old child?
Around 6 years old, many children can be interested in games that require more thought, patience, or strategy.
Possibilities include:
- logic games
- board games
- card games
- creative activities
- construction
- more complex puzzles
- scientific games
- photography for children
- thinking activities
Discover all our toys for children aged 6 and up.
For challenge lovers: Cubissimo
Djeco's Cubissimo transforms construction into a small logic challenge.
Children who enjoy this type of activity can also explore our selection of logic games.
And books in all of this?
A book remains one of the easiest gifts to adapt to different ages.
For the youngest, picture books, interactive books, and short stories are preferred. Later come documentaries, search-and-find books, and more developed stories.
Discover all our children's books.
The Adventures of Little Wolf (P'tit Loup)
Little Wolf accompanies children in many everyday situations.
The collection includes stories about sleep, learning, family, activities, and many small adventures.
Discover all the Auzou Little Wolf books.
Among the available titles and activities, you will find bedtime stories, preschool learning, activity books, puzzles, and search-and-finds.
Janod, Vilac, Djeco: what brands to discover?
Some families also prefer to look for a gift by brand.
Janod
Janod offers a vast universe including puzzles, magnetic games, wooden toys, pretend play sets, and creative activities.
Vilac
Vilac is particularly known for its universe of wooden toys and its recognizable style of games.
Djeco
Board games, creative activities, puzzles, dolls, and educational games are among the many possibilities in the Djeco universe.
How to choose the right gift according to age?
Before buying, ask yourself four simple questions.
1. How old is the child?
Always start by checking the recommended age indicated on the product.
2. What does the child already like?
Animals, vehicles, stories, construction, drawing, music, dolls, dinosaurs: starting with an existing interest greatly simplifies the search.
3. What type of activity are you looking for?
To move: prioritize active games.
To create: look at artistic and construction activities.
To think: explore logic games and puzzles.
To invent stories: choose pretend play sets, dolls, vehicles, and play sets.
4. Can the toy evolve with the child?
Some games offer different levels of difficulty or allow for new ways of playing over time.
These are often good options when looking for a gift that won't be immediately abandoned.
Find a gift by the child's age
To go directly to the most relevant selections:
Birth and baby: Birth gifts
1 year old: Gifts for 1-year-old babies
1 to 3 years old: Toys for 1 to 3 year olds
2 years old: Gifts for 2-year-old children
3 to 6 years old: Toys for 3 to 6 year olds
6 years and up: Toys for 6 years and up
FAQ: gifts and toys for babies and children
What is a good gift for a baby?
Early learning toys, rattles, books, stuffed animals, teething items, and birth gift sets are among the options to consider. The choice mainly depends on the baby's age and needs.
What gift to give a 1-year-old baby?
At 1 year old, look for simple manipulation toys: stacking games, push-along vehicles, musical toys, sensory games, first puzzles, and books.
What is a good gift for a 2-year-old child?
At 2 years old, children enjoy simple board games, memory games, easy puzzles, pretend play toys, modeling clay, and age-appropriate books.
What toys are suitable for a child aged 3 to 6?
Between 3 and 6 years old, children can explore educational games, more complex puzzles, magnetic games, board games, creative activities, and more developed books.
Are sensory toys really useful?
Yes. Sensory toys encourage exploration and allow children to discover different textures, sounds, and shapes. They support cognitive and motor development.
Should you choose differently for a baby girl or boy?
The child's age and interests are much more relevant criteria. A toy can interest different children regardless of their gender.
What is the best gift for a first birthday?
For a first birthday, prioritize simple and safe toys: stacking games, push-along vehicles, musical toys, sturdy books, and sensory games suitable for this age.
How do you know if a toy is suitable for the child's age?
Always check the recommended age indicated on the product. Also consider the child's interests and developmental level.
Are gift sets a good option?
Yes, gift sets are practical when you don't know exactly what someone needs or prefers. They offer several discoveries tailored to the child's age.
What toy brands do you recommend?
Janod, Vilac, and Djeco offer quality toys suitable for different ages. Each brand offers distinct universes: magnetic games and puzzles for Janod, wooden toys for Vilac, and board games and creative activities for Djeco.