15 Under $15 Gender Neutral Toddler Gift Guide
Whether you’re shopping for your own toddler or someone else’s, we know it can be overwhelming. There are a lot of toys out there! Especially if you’re shopping for quality, non-toxic toys…they get pretty pricey. So we’ve put together a list for the budget buyers who are looking for both quality and affordability. In other words, here are 15 tried and tested toys that give you the best bang for your buck at all under $15—and that your toddler will actually love.
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Classic Tambourine | Personalized Name Puzzle | Bluey Little Library | Talking Flashcards | Kids Toy Ukulele | Montessori Mama Dual Layered Wooden Puzzle | Mess Free Crayola: Alpha Pets | Wooden Pull Along | Z MAYABBO Wooden Puzzles | Matching Eggs | Sidewalk Chalk | Bubbles (6 pack) | Letters & Numbers Fridge Magnets | LCD Writing Tablet | Wooden Montessori Counting, Sorting Puzzle
If there’s anything every toddler has in common, it’s that they love making noise. (Banging, giggling, screaming, singing—it’s all par for the course.) Gifting them their own musical instrument is the perfect way to direct their love for noise-making, and gives you the opportunity to join in on the fun! Put on some music and watch your toddler’s face light up as you dance and play to the beat of their tambourine!
Equally great for development, a puzzle that spells your little one's name! Helping with name recognition, focusing on select letters, and a sweet keepsake are just a few reasons why we love this personalized puzzle. The base price is only $9, but there are optional features such as multiple lines, personal engraving, and a wooden display stand if your wallet has some wiggle room.
Did you know about this Bluey Little Library? We hopped on the Bluey train a little late in the game, but Bluey is one of those wholesome, feel-good shows that you can't help but love from episode one. (We'll actually sit together and watch it as a family!) But if you're looking for an alternative to screen time, you can follow Bluey and all your beloved characters in book form!
These talking flashcards come with over 200 flashcards from 12 different categories! The card reader will tell your toddler what’s on the card as they experiment on their own terms, learning things like shapes, letters, numbers, animals, vegetables, and more!
If you have a toddler who is particularly interested in music, a kids ukulele is a great way to get their feet wet in pursuing something they love, even at their young age. And for less than $15!? Can't be beat.
This very colorful, Dual Layered Wooden Puzzle is a crowd pleaser. I know dinos are typically thought to be a “boy's toy”, but my friend's 4-year-old daughter is OBSESSED with dinosaurs. So I digress.. These colorful little guys hide behind their eggs, just waiting to be found by curious, handsy toddlers. And when they're found, you can bet they'll be playing pretend for hours.
My toddler loves the Mess Free Crayola projects. (If I'm being honest, I’m probably a bigger fan than she is.) I still love pulling crayons out for her, but the mess free option is great for when I need to get some housework done and don’t want to worry about her turning the living room into her personal art exhibit.
These wooden pull toys are so cute and fun for your tot on the run. This became a favorite in our household right around the 18 month mark, and I loved watching her giggle as her dog followed her around. WoodenEdu has 6 different adorable animals to choose from, all under $15!
Educational wooden puzzles are great for practicing motor skills and problem-solving, and who could resist these adorable little sea creatures!?
These matching eggs aren't just for Easter. An everyday, neat little toy, the white egg exterior (eggsterior?) reveals a burst of color from inside, which will delight any toddler! I love this set because it introduces more complex shapes and symbols beyond the basic ones. And as they grow older, they can use them in their pretend play as they gather eggs from the chicken coop or whip you up some breakfast!
Sidewalk chalk! Part of what makes this such a great gift for your toddler–it’s something you can do together! If you have older kids, even your teens may want to get outside on a nice day and let their imaginations run free on the pavement.
Toddlers simply can't resist bubbles. Rin's aunt got her her first pack of bubbles, and they were a big hit. We actually had to start hiding them because the bubble requests were just non-stop whenever they were in view. So consider carefully if you haven't yet introduced bubbles to your toddler if you want to open that door…(Perfect gift for your nieces and nephews though, eh?)
I love our fridge magnets! We like to put them all in order and sing the alphabet, pointing to each letter as we go. She'll also play with these on her own for long stretches of time. (Bonus: although not under $15, these silicone fridge magnets are the ones we have and absolutely adore. Silicone is preferred over plastic in our household, since we find its higher quality and withstands rough use.)
The only kind of “tablet” my child will ever have—these LCD writing tablets are a crowd-pleaser in the toddler community. We've used it to teach our daughter numbers and letters, but she also enjoys scribbling–I mean…making her own “artwork”.
This wooden Montessori counting and sorting puzzle is one of my personal favorites! From the eye-pleasing, thoughtfully designed way it will grow with your toddler, to the playful learning of numbers and counting–this puzzle will also exercise shape and color knowledge!
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