Gifts for Preschoolers

Preschoolers are at a wonderful age. They're just beginning to open their eyes to the world around them, and as a result, their imagination is flourishing. This holiday season, consider purchasing preschool gifts that are not only fun and exciting for your child, but educational and fun for you as well. Here, you will find a list of the best games, toys, pretend play, and art items to add to your list of gifts for preschoolers.

Gifts for Preschoolers: Games

Children this age are just beginning to sit still for longer periods of time. Why not introduce your child to board games? After all, board games are one of the most enjoyable gifts for preschoolers. There are a number of games that make the perfect gifts for preschoolers, many of which you will likely remember from your childhood. The following is a list of some of the best games to buy as gifts for preschoolers.

Candy Land- This preschool game teaches children colors as well as counting. The bright board and fun character faces will make Candy Land a favorite for years to come.

Chutes and Ladders- Once your child has a grasp on counting, they will love this preschool game. Move up the ladders, but don't fall down the chutes!

Hi Ho Cherry O- Teach your child how to count and have fun doing it, with this preschool game.

Cooties- Teach your little one how to count with the dots on the dice to create their very own Cootie Bug. If they still don't grasp the concept of the dice, simply create cute bugs together with this fun preschool game.

Don't Spill the Beans- Carefully pile beans on the top of the pot in this preschool game and don't let the pot tip over. The first to get rid of all of their beans wins!

Don't Break the Ice- A similar concept to the older kids' game Jenga, this preschool game has kids try to knock out blocks of ice without causing the polar bear to fall through. Whoever causes all of the ice to drop loses the game!

Ants in the Pants- This is possibly the most simplistic preschool game on the list. Simply count to three and all players try to toss their ants in the puppy's pants. Everyone is a winner in this silly preschool game.

Hungry Hungry Hippos- Be the first to capture the most marbles and you win this crazy and fun preschool game.

Gifts for Preschoolers: Books

Your child is moving beyond those thick board books and is now more interested in hearing longer stories. Fortunately, there are a number of books that make excellent gifts for preschoolers. Some of the books listed here will be familiar from your own childhood.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Voirst

Poor Alexander just can't seem to get a break in this preschool book has been loved by children for over 30 years now. Be sure to add this timeless classic to your gifts for preschoolers list.

Disney Bedtime Favorites (Disney Storybook Collections)

Your child will love seeing their favorite Disney cartoon characters in this preschool book. You will love reading the stories that you likely already have memorized from watching them time and time again.

The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Don Wood

This simple preschool book puts the reader in the driver's seat. You and your child will talk to the mouse and follow him on his journey to keep the red ripe strawberry from the big hungry bear. But is there really a big hungry bear after all? This preschool book makes an awesome addition to your gifts for preschoolers because it is a story you won't mind reading over and over again.

I Love My Mommy Because... or I Love My Daddy Because... by Laurel Porter-Gaylord

This preschool book has a message that your child will connect to. It lists the different reasons why a preschooler would love his mommy, for instance, "I love my mommy because she feeds me when I'm hungry." In addition to the sweet message, the illustrations show an animal mother and child doing the same.

Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg

This preschool book is enjoyable for children of all ages and should be a part of your Christmas library. It gives the account of a candy store owner who, while establishing his shop, teaches a little girl the story behind the candy cane. It is a Christmas message with a breath of fresh air, and James Bernardin's illustrations make you feel as though you can reach into the book and taste those gumdrops and candy canes for yourself.

Gifts for Preschoolers: Toys

The best toys to choose when purchasing gifts for preschoolers are those which foster your preschooler's imagination. When you purchase toys as gifts for preschoolers, make sure that they are durable, and although preschoolers can handle smaller pieces, it is still best to stick with toys that have larger pieces as accessories. Better yet, skip toys for preschoolers that come with small accessories because they're likely to get lost or dropped down the heating vent anyway!

Action figures and doll houses make wonderful gifts for preschoolers. In addition, your child is probably close to ready for their first bike with training wheels, so consider a new bike and helmet as the perfect addition to your gifts for preschoolers. Building blocks are also high on the list of great gifts for preschoolers, for boys and girls alike. In addition, dolls with the traditional baby accessories (stroller, diapers, etc.) make charming and special gifts for preschoolers, especially if there is a sibling on the way.

As far as technology goes, LeapFrog offers a number of highly educational gifts for preschoolers that are as much fun as they are smart. Your preschooler will also get a kick out of a digital camera or camcorder that is made just for small preschool hands. If you really want to go all out on your gifts for preschoolers, there are some amazing remote control dinosaurs, puppies, and horses out there that are larger than some household pets!

Gifts for Preschoolers: Pretend Play

Pretend gifts for preschoolers are a big hit and will keep your child occupied for hours on end. Some great pretend gifts for preschoolers include a play kitchen, tool bench, outdoor grill, shopping cart, cash register, and play money. In addition to these items, consider purchasing a toy chest and filling it with old clothes and hats for your preschooler to play dress-up with. Another idea for pretend gifts for preschoolers is to purchase costumes and costume accessories for even more dress-up fun. Some of the best pretend gifts for preschoolers are manufactured by brands such as Little Tikes, Fischer Price, Melissa & Doug, and Kidkraft and can be found in a variety of price ranges.

Gifts for Preschoolers: Art and Accessories

Your tike is probably showing an interest in coloring and creating works of art. You can encourage your budding artist by purchasing some inexpensive but fantastic art gifts for preschoolers. Keep your eyes peeled for easels, large pens, and tempra paints. Better yet, check out Crayola's Color Wonders products to find paints and pens that only work on the special Color Wonders paper. That way, you'll have less mess to clean after your preschooler is done enjoying his gift. Since your child will definitely create as much of a mess as he does artwork, consider cleaner art gifts for preschoolers such as an Aquadoodle which uses only water to create your child's masterpiece, or even a DoodlePro.

In the end, when you are shopping for gifts for preschoolers, keep in mind durability, educational value, and use of the child's imagination. You can't go wrong with this list of amazing gifts for preschoolers. Happy Holidays to you and your preschooler!