Best Gifts for Preschoolers

If you need a great gift for a preschooler in your life, you are going to appreciate this list! It is filled with fun ways to engage preschoolers while encouraging them to learn via play. From games to building kits, these are some of my favorite gift ideas for the 2019 gifting season.

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Challenge preschoolers with this engaging brain train. Kids will be sorting shapes and practicing their sequencing skills with this train learning tool by Smart Games. Find it from Fat Brain Toys and retailers like Walmart for about $30.

Toddlers will love adding a realistic element to dramatic play with this recycling truck by Green Toys. This is so much fun for kids and it introduces the idea of recycling as a part of daily life. The truck is super durable for curious hands. Get one online or at select retailers for about $30.

This Sizzling Smart BBQ from Leapfrog gives kids a chance to cook out anytime they want! Including 8 play foods to keep the fun sizzling, this interactive toy keeps toddlers learning colors, shapes and more. Add one to the Christmas list and cook up a smile with your favorite toddler. Retailing at $40, get it from select nationwide retailers or online.

Send your favorite preschoolers on high seas learning adventure with some engaging Vtech friends. The Treasure Seekers Pirate Ship gives toddlers a chance to develop and improve fine and gross motor skills while having an adventure fit for any thrill seeking pirate! Find it from select retailers like Target, Walmart and Amazon for under $35.

If you want to find the perfect gift for a preschooler that loves unicorns, Myla the Magical Unicorn by Vtech is the perfect option. She lights up, changes colors and sings to the delight of preschool girls. Find Myla at select retailers like Walmart, Kohl's and Buy Buy Baby for under $60.

Give your preschooler a chance to enjoy their tablet time and favorite music at a kid safe volume with Buddy Phones. These are comfortable, wireless, and ideal for the long car trips that often occur during the holidays. Starting at $50, these are a gift the entire family will appreciate and that can be used in daily life, including at school.

The PBS Kids VR Viewer makes for a fun way to make more out of time with mom or dads phone. This VR viewer holds the average smartphone to give preschoolers a virtual reality viewing experience. This retails for about $10 and can be found at Walmart.

Give kids a really friendly introduction to a classic game with Story Time Chess. With large friendly pieces, this revolutionary approach to chess makes it simple to teach kids as young as three the art of the game. Find this must get game online for $50 for fun that keeps going well past the holidays.

Send your preschooler on a learning voyage without ever leaving the house with this World Village Ireland Play Set Kids will love exploring a new culture in a hands on method with this play set. Retailing at under $60 this is a perfect option for curious kids this holiday season. Order from the Whole Wide World website.

Give curious kids a chance to explore the whole wide world with this Happy World interactive map. It gives kids a chance to dive into geography with a map they can write on or stick some reusable stickers on. Buy it online at the Whole Wide World website for under $20 this holiday season for a learning experience that they will keep coming back to.

Give kids who love to build a chance to imagine and design their own creations with Brackitz.
This is a building kit for kids that combines math, science and hands on fun to create a recipe for fun that kids 3 and up won't be able to get enough of. This is my favorite STEM option for preschoolers this year. Order it online from the Brackitz site for about  $60. Come back to visit again once our holiday giveaways kick off for your chance to win one.

Find all of my gift guides here.

Gifts for Babies and Toddlers

Shopping for baby can be a challenge. What do babies really need besides diapers and their parents? Well, let me take the guess work out of what to buy for a sweet baby this holiday season. Here are some of my favorite gift ideas for babies and toddlers this Christmas.

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Baby Magic has been a must have for mothers and babies for decades. Keep the tradition going for the most delicate skin this holiday season. Available in several delightful scents and always gentle for baby. Find it online or at retailers nationwide.

Rash happens, so this winter why not give baby the gift of comfort and protection with Boudreaux's Butt Paste? This is an effective tool to have at anyone's disposal to keep baby really comfy. Find it online or in stores nationwide.

MAM teething rings are loved by both parents and babies for good reason. They are effective. Every baby teethes and these are helpful. These teethers are afordable too making them an all around good choice for baby this holiday season. Add one to a stocking, or grab a few for an excellent gift that will be used! Get them from amazon or nationwide retailers for under $10.

Give baby the gift of comfortable transport with the Moby Sling Ring. Offering both hip and front carry options this woven cotton wrap carrier is going to make going here, there, or just being worn at home will be super comfy for little ones as they grow. I love that this one is under $50 and can be used up to 33 pounds. Get it online or in select stores.

Diaper changes are a fact of life for any parent of a baby, and they will be for quite sometime now. Add a stylish Petunia Pickle bottom Diaper Clutch Changer to make a quick change anywhere more comfortable for baby. This folds up nicely to fit in a diaper bag, or just be carried like a clutch bag. Retailing at about $30, this is a must have for mom and baby.

Let toddlers leap into learning with this awesome interactive building kit by Leapfrog. The Leap Builders kit has building blocks, learning blocks, friendly faces and can make 170+ sounds and phrases to help build connections via play for little learners. Find this and an assortment of other Leapfrog toys that encourage a love of learning at retailers nationwide or from amazon.

Introduce curious little ones to computers with the help of everyone's go to green dog, Scout. My Peek A Boo Lap Pup by Leapfrog is a fun way to work on shapes, colors, numbers and rhymes for infants and toddlers. Get it for about $15 and gift early learning through play this holiday season. Find it online, at nationwide retailers or from Amazon.

The Swaddle Sack by Swaddle Designs is a great gift for baby and parents. It will help baby sleep and feel secure, and it is comfortable and cute too. Find several styles online starting around $28.

Tactile teething rings by Moluk make for a fun experience for little ones. They can chew on them, touch them, toss them and so much more all while building tactile skills and finding some relief from teething pains. Find them from Play Monster toys for about $15.

Add a touch of Mickey flair to the stroller and keep the diaper bag handy and secure with this adorable Mickey Mouse Stroller Hook from Petunia Pickle Bottom. It retails at $15 and is a fantastic accessory for the family who loves Disney and walks with the stroller.

Keep baby cozy and wrapped in love with this Bible Verse Quilt. It is available in both pink and blue and has been a big hit with grandparents as a gift for several years.  The quilts are well made and are really cute. Get one from amazon  for about $46.

Little Mix Ins is a good way to add nutrition to a stocking for a little one. This adds egg and nut products to babies diet early to help prevent them. Learn more and purchase at Little Mixins website.

Give little ones a way to make tummy time loads of fun with this Tiny Love Black and White Gymini. This activity mat includes a developmental book as well as plenty of toys to engage developing minds and senses. Get it online or from a variety of retailers like Target, Walmart or Bed, Bath and Beyond for under $50

 Keep pacifiers, teething toys, bottles and more squeaky clean with this super handy all in one uv sanitizer and dryer. It is easy to use, is compact and keeps your little ones items sanitary with the touch of a button. Get it online at the CoralUV website, or from Amazon for about $170.

Baby Says Chalkboard Shoes are a perfect way to give your baby a fashion statement that can change as many times as you want. I love these for all of those first year photos. Get them online from Baby Says for under $40. They have a ton of colors and assorted styles available.

Looking for more gifting inspiration?

Find all of my gift guides here

Give the Perfect Gifts to the Whole Family

Be it a holiday, a birthday, or no special occasion at all, I have found some amazing ideas that make for great gift ideas! Make sure you pin this post to your gift board for later!

Gift giving seems to have gotten complicated over the last decade. With so many sites, shops, stores and suggestions, the perfect gift can be elusive. Gift cards are always popular, but they are so impersonal. Instead of going that route, I have found some really cool gifts for a variety of people on any gift list. You are bound to love a few of these options.

Sheets are always a great gift idea. Sheets are one of those things most people can use, and new sheets make a good night's sleep easier to catch. I got a pair of great new sheets for my birthday from Bamboo Sheets Australia and I can't stop telling anyone who will listen about them. They are soft,  smooth and come in so many colors! Almost anyone will appreciate this gift!

For a special guy in your life from a good friend to your husband or even father can appreciate the gift of a James Butler Flask. A gentleman usually has a flask to pull out at the right moments in life. This is an ideal flask for those moments. 

Wearing a watch will never go out of style, so anyone can appreciate the gift of a high quality Westhill Watch Box. This is the perfect way to store and display fine timepieces. This is a great gift for graduations, holidays or a just because for someone special who appreciates a lovely watch.

Sometimes the perfect gift is a quirky gift. Empire Chopsticks make for a totally unforgettable gift idea for any occasion. If your gift recipient likes Chinese food, they will love these chopsticks for all of their culinary adventures.

Any lady, young or old will adore anything from April May Jewellery Boxes. This is a great gift because it gives ya girl a place to store her pretty things in style. I love that you get a free tote with every specialty jewellery box ordered.

Lumi Night Lights are the coolest night lights I have ever seen! Available in so many styles, any kid or kid at heart would love to have a night light from Lumi in their room.

If you have a great gift idea I want to hear about it in a comment. Which of these ideas is your favorite? I love them all!

20+ Harry Potter Gift Ideas for Kids

If you are shopping for a Harry Potter fan this holiday season, I have found 20 awesome ideas that will work with any budget! From gifts under $10 like Games, Banners and Coloring Books to higher end items like coding kits and remote control wands, this list is sure to satisfy any fan at the holidays!

I am a participant in the amazon affiliate program and making a purchase from one of these links will earn a small commission for my website at no cost to you.

Under $10
Harry Potter Triwizard Maze Game
Harry Potter Playing Cards
Funko Harry Potter Mystery Mini
Harry Potter Ravenclaw Wall Banner
Harry Potter Magical Creatures Coloring Kit

Under $20
Harry Potter Fidget Spinner
Talking Sorting Hat and Sticker Book
Harry Potter Scratch Magic
Harry Potter Magical Beasts Game
Fantastic Beasts Niffler Plush
Harry Potter and the Fantastic Beasts Minifigs

Under $50
Harry Potter Official Scarf
Harry Potter Wand Kit
Funko Pop Harry Potter
Harry Potter Chess Set
Harry Potter's Broomstick
Harry Potter Illuminating Wand
Lego Fantastic Beasts Newt's Case Magical Creatures 


Under $100
Harry Potter Coding Kit
LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Express Kit
Niffler Bank
LEGO Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets Hogwarts Whomping Willow 
Harry Potter's Remote Control Wand

I can't wait to hear which of these gifts would be the most loved at your house this Christmas!

15+ Unicorn Gifts for Girls

If you are looking for the perfect gift for a special girl in your life this holiday season, you are in the right place. I have found 15+ Unicorn Gifts for Girls that are sure to bring a smile to any little girl's face on Christmas morning. From cute hats with scarves to twinkly toys, this list has something for every girl.

I am a participant in the amazon affiliate program, if you make a purchase from this list by clicking the links, I will earn a small commission, which helps keep the fun rolling on Sweet Silly Sara.

Unicorn Hat with Scarf and Pockets
Unicorn Dress for Girls
Unicorn Pajamas
Unicorn Bike Helmet
Unicorn Jacket
Unicorn Night Light
Giant Stuffed Unicorn
I Love Unicorns Craft Kit
Camelbak Unicorn Water Bottle
Unicorn Backpack
Unicorn Earbuds
Unicorn Umbrella
Fingerlings Unicorn
Ty Unicorn Beanie
Unicorn Space Hopper Inflatable Toy
Furreal StarLily Magical Plush Pet
VTech Twinkle the Magic Unicorn

Find more unicorn gift ideas here.
Readers also love this unicorn fine motor activity.

Funtastic Easter Basket Fillers

Easter is this weekend you guys! I always seem to wait until the last minute to tackle the baskets because my husband and I want to eat all of the candy otherwise. HA! This year we decided to focus less on the sweets and more on the treats to make Easter a fun yet simple affair that would be kind to our waistlines.

I have a list of ideas to share with you  that will make fun-tastic fillers for your Easter baskets this year. Samples and considerations of some products were received to inspire my list. We love these options because they provide hands on fun and invitations to explore and create.

1) Galaxy Slimy Gloop
This stuff is so much fun to make and play with! I am always a fan of gifts that encourage both learning and fun. This kit is available at Walmart and Michaels for under $7. It makes a fun option for older kids and teens.

2) Galactic Bath Bombs by Youniverse
Bath bombs are fun to make and create, so this kit is perfect for tweens and teens this Easter. It contains everything you will need to make several great bath bombs. The kit retails for under $13 so it is affordable and packs a lot of fizzy fun into the basket.

 3) STMT Signature Scent
This kit is perfect for girls that want to experiment with fragrance. It contains everything you need to make 4 rollerball bottles of perfume. Retailing at under $18 this is a great gift option for Easter. I made a batch of perfume from this kit with my daughter and it smells really nice, and we LOVED making it together!

4) Rock Art Kits
These are my favorite filler for an Easter basket this year because my kids love finding rocks, decorating them and hiding them! This can be so much more than just a art project kind of filler, it can be a totally fun family experience! Retailing at $5 each, these kits are perfect for kids 6 and older.

5) Aqualiens
Maybe it is wishful thinking on my part, but these had to go in the Easter baskets as they will bring my kids so much joy when the pool is ready to go this summer. This dive toy is not just a toss and go kind of toy. It is a transforming diving toy that is really quite impressive! Retailing at under $10, these pods that morph into a creature are awesome for Easter!

6) Squidivers
These are perfect diving toys for my little one who is just mastering swimming. These wiggle and jiggle to the bottom and are easy to see and grab for little hands. Retailing at under $8, Squidivers are a fun filler for any Easter basket that will bring a lot of happiness to the kids as the weather gets warmer.


7) Barbie Water Bottle
The Barbie bottle by Horizon group is a great way to encourage health and creativity this Easter. The bottle comes in a fun barbie style with the pens to color the bottle how you like it! Retailing at under $13 you can find this bottle on Amazon.

8) Welch's Fruit Snacks
I love to add these to Easter baskets not only for the fun design but also because they are a tasty snack that is mostly guilt free. Look for the fun 28 packs with Easter designs at your local grocery store.

9) Board Games
Payday by Hasbro is one of our favorite options right now because my 7 year old needs money management lessons terribly! This is a fun way to learn about money and budgeting in a way that kids can understand.

Jenga Pass also makes a fun way to add family fun into an Easter basket! I love that the classic game of Jenga takes a twist and turn in this new fun version! Retailing at under $20 I love this pick for tweens and teens.

10) Play Doh
As a kid, I got pretty excited for play doh. I love to see that same magic in the eyes of my kids when they open a can of play doh! The Play Doh Kitchen Creations Magic Oven Set is a super fun outlet for creation and hands on fun.
I love that this oven has lights to make the experience super realistic for my 4 year old.

The fun continues with the Play Doh Letters and Language Set and the Play Doh Textures and Tools Sets. These are so much fun for little hands! Each set contains the tools you need for fun like mats, stamps and play doh! At under $20 these are perfect for an Easter basket.

11) Nerf Guns
My son loves to invite his friends over to play. Lately they have been clamouring for Nerf Guns. The Nerf Microshot Series is perfect for Easter baskets. Priced at under $7, these guns pack a whole lot of punch in a small package.

12) Star Wars Force Link Starter Sets
With this new wearable tech you can FEEL the force during playtime! Compatable with more than 30 Star Wars toys, the force link starter set unlocks sound effects, phrases and lights. We love that our starter set came with Kylo Ren for a new twist on play! Retailing at under $35 this option will bring the fun of Easter out in full force!

13) Luke and Leia Muggs Figures
These are so cute that they practically beg to be in an Easter Basket! Retailing at under $10, they are a fun way to bring the force to Easter! We love that the faces change easily to give a new twist on playtime!

14) Disney Princess Little Kingdom Magical Movers
My little Disney princess can't get enough of her favorite girls, so these tiny little play sets are perfect for dramatic play sessions that she can really get into! Adding a favorite like Ariel, Snow White or Rapunzel to her Easter basket makes for a sweet holiday for sure. We loved that these are affordable and adorable for the win!

15) Adora 
With spring comes the need to coo about babies. This year why not bring a new little bundle of joy home for your little girl with a realistic looking doll from Adora. These are so cute and cuddly! Retailing at $15 and up, these are the perfect cure for baby fever this spring! You can find clothes, accessories and more to make the Adora doll the perfect filler for an Easter basket.

16) Strawbees
My kids love to build and create, so we knew Strawbees would be a really fun way to encourage hands on creativity. This set contains the parts and straws you need to create some really cool contraptions, creatures and fun things to play with.  Retailing at under $30, this 400 piece set is perfect for filling an Easter basket with fun!

17) Stomp Rockets
This is a fun toy to encourage active play. Kids won't be able to resist stomping their rockets into space! This is fun for kids of a variety of ages and encourages kids to learn about how the rockets launch while actively playing for the hippity hoppity win this Easter.




What are some of your favorite ways to fill a basket that are not candy? Leave me a comment to inspire me at the last minute please!