Christmas Gifts from Grandparents

I'm a grandfather myself, and I know the feeling. You want to give something they'll love, that the parents will be glad to have in the house, and that won't end up in a cupboard by February. That's harder than it sounds when the toy shops are full of flashing plastic.

These are the gifts we'd choose for our own grandchildren. They're sorted by age, every one is built to last, and most of them will still be in use long after the batteries in the other presents have run out (none of these need any).

How we chose them

• Useful to the parents. The best grandparent presents make life a little easier at home, not just more cluttered.
• Made to last. FSC-certified wood, food-grade silicone, bamboo and soft fabrics. Things that can be handed down.
• Right for the age now. Every age below comes from the product page, so you can buy with confidence even if you haven't seen the baby for a few weeks.
• No batteries, no noise. The parents will thank you.

👶 From birth

A new baby needs very little, and the parents usually have the basics covered. What's welcome is something soft, simple and safe that the baby can look at, hold and chew.

Black and White Rattle Set, £10

New babies see bold black and white best, which is why this set of a rattle and a maraca suits the very first weeks. Gentle sounds and easy-to-hold handles mean it grows with them, from watching you shake it to shaking it themselves. Our guide to black and white toys explains why contrast matters so much early on.

Bunny Baby Comforter, £9

Bonnie Bunny is soft plush with knotted ends for small fingers, plus two food-grade silicone teething rings sewn in for when teeth start to arrive. A comforter often becomes the thing a child keeps for years, so it's a lovely gift to be remembered by. Keep it out of the cot at sleep time until 12 months, as safe sleep guidance advises. More in our guide to comforters.

Wild Animals Baby Fabric Book with Silicone Ring, £10

A soft book made from organic cotton, with crinkly pages, textures and wild animals to point at. The detachable silicone ring clips it to a pram or car seat, and doubles as a teether. Reading together is one of the nicest things a grandparent can do, and this is a book that won't mind being chewed, and goes in the washing machine afterwards. See more cloth books for babies.

🥣 From 6 months

Around six months, two big things happen: babies start solid food, and they start grabbing everything in reach. Presents that help with either are always welcome.

Bamboo Dinner Set, £12

A five-piece set of a sectioned plate, bowl, cup, spoon and fork, in a giraffe, zebra or elephant design. It comes in a presentation gift box, so there's no wrapping needed. It's dishwasher safe and light enough for picnics and visits to grandparents' houses. It isn't for the microwave, so warm food in something else first. This is the kind of present parents use three times a day and think of you each time. Suitable from around 6 months.

Silicone Toy Ambulance, £6

A soft, food-grade silicone ambulance with wheels that roll. At six months it's mostly for chewing and grabbing. By a year, it's being pushed round the kitchen floor with sound effects. It's safe to mouth and easy to wash. A good small present to go alongside something bigger. More ideas for this stage in the best toys for a 6 month old.

🎲 From 18 months

Toddlers love doing things with a grown-up, and they're starting to understand simple rules and taking turns.

Wooden Domino Game, £14

From Just Bee Kids, in FSC-certified wood, with chunky tiles and bright coloured pips that are easy to match and count. It packs away into its own wooden box. This is a first game with real rules, and a lovely one to play together at the kitchen table on a visit. Rated from 18 months. See also our guide to the best toys for an 18 month old.

🪆 From 3 years

By three, children love stories, naming things and putting things in order. Nesting dolls do all three.

Safari Animal Nesting Dolls, £18

Our own design, in FSC-certified wood with child-safe paint. Five safari animals nest inside each other: a lion, an elephant, a giraffe, a tiger and a monkey. Opening each one is a little reveal, and putting them back in order is early maths without anyone noticing. They're the toy we get asked about most, and they make a good-looking present. Rated from 3 years.

Farm Animal Wooden Nesting Dolls, £22

The farmyard version, from Just Bee Kids: a cow, a horse, a sheep, a fox and a chick. The fox among the farm animals usually becomes the favourite, and the start of a story or two. Rated from 3 years. If you can't decide between the two sets, our guide to nesting dolls for toddlers may help.

At a glance

Gift	Price	From	Why it's a good grandparent gift
Black and White Rattle Set	£10	Birth	Right for the very first weeks
Bunny Baby Comforter	£9	Birth	Often kept for years
Wild Animals Fabric Book	£10	Birth	Reading together
Bamboo Dinner Set	£12	6 months	Used every day, arrives gift-boxed
Silicone Toy Ambulance	£6	6 months	A small extra that lasts
Wooden Domino Game	£14	18 months	A game to play together
Safari Nesting Dolls	£18	3 years	Our own design, built to hand down
Farm Nesting Dolls	£22	3 years	Stories and early counting

A few tips from one grandparent to another

• Ask the parents first. They'll know what's already in the toy box, and how much room there is.
• One good toy beats three quick ones. Children play longest with simple things.
• Check the age on each product page, especially if there are younger brothers or sisters around. Toys for older children can have small parts.
• Think about the parents too. A feeding set or a book they can share at bedtime is a gift for the whole family.
• Send it direct. If you live far away, add the family's address as the delivery address at checkout.

Questions we're often asked

What's a good gift for a first Christmas?
Something rated from birth that will be used every day. Our baby's first Christmas guide has more ideas by age.

Are wooden toys safe for babies?
Wooden toys made to UK safety standards are, as long as they suit the child's age. The nesting dolls here are rated from 3 years. For younger babies, silicone and fabric are a better fit. Our wooden toys guide explains more.

Something small for a stocking?
See our stocking fillers under £10.

There's more in our gift ideas and wooden toys. Free UK delivery on orders over £25.

❤️ From our family to yours,
Neil