With holidays around the corner, we’re sharing our 2025 Holiday Toy Guide, curated by Kristine Grant, Kids & Company’s VP of Centre Operations. Kristine, along with her team of educators, is responsible for shaping the education of roughly 10,000 children ages 0-5 nationwide. She and her team hand-select the toys that are found in each of our classrooms and have their pulse on exactly the type of toys that promote children’s learning. Below you’ll find her top picks for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers/kindergarteners.
Infant (0 – 18 Months)
1. Simply Silicone – Bamboo 4 Piece Sorter from Mary Meyer
For sensory exploration – This soft, flexible silicone sorter offers the challenge (and fun) of developing motor skills and creativity. We love it because children can exercise early problem-solving skills, using the toy in many different ways: as a puzzle, stacker, or even teether.
2. Deer One Soft Activity Crinkle Book from Manhattan Toy
For tummy time – Encourage tummy time, fine motor development, sensory stimulation and cause effect learning with textures, fabrics and peek-a-boo items with this soft animal themed activity book. Excellent for on the go play and education.
Toddler (18 months – 2.5 years)
1. Love, Soft Baby Doll by Manhattan Toy
For imaginative play – A perfect first doll for your toddler! This ultra-soft, lightweight doll is easy to cuddle and hold, and provide an opportunity for children to act out their own daily routines and experiment with social and emotional roles. We also love that these dolls come in different skin colours and genders, which will help to teach children about what makes individuals unique.
2. Rainbow Architect Arches from TickiT
For little builders – These beautifully crafted arches are a perfect toy that encourages your child to explore construction and imaginative play, giving them the freedom to build sculptural structures, create their own small-world scenes, and design spaces for people, animals, and storytelling. As they play, children naturally explore size, scale, and spatial awareness
Preschool/ Kindergarten (2.5 – 5 years)
1. Progress Box Play Kit – 3-5 years old by Montessori Box
For school-readiness – This curated Montessori kit invites preschoolers to explore early literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving through hands-on, self-directed play. With materials like a sand tray for pre-writing practice, number tracing boards for early math readiness, a screw board to strengthen fine motor skills, and reality-based puzzles that build concentration, children learn by doing. Each activity encourages independence and curiosity, and gives children the confidence that comes from mastering new challenges at their own pace. A wonderful way to support growing minds through purposeful, open-ended exploration.
2. Smash Jump & Roll by Explore Nook
For early engineers – Build your child’s curisoity with this engineering play set. This wooden set encourages problem solving, open ended play and engineering concepts. This natural learning resource is made from natural pine timber with unique items to encourage understanding of foundational math and science concepts.
3. Coco Village Carry-On Puzzle By Coco Village
For active problem solvers – This handy on the go puzzle will provide endless possibilities. Children will build focus and attention while strengthening their fine motor skills. With a build in storage case this puzzle is a perfect addition to your child’s collection.
