Holiday Gift Guide: Top 10 Book and Toy Combinations

Book and Toy Gift Combinations for Kids

Today I am teaming up with a group of talented moms to bring you over 20 holiday gift guides on a broad range of themes. I love to find creative ways to give books as gifts so I’ve curated this list with 10 of my favorite book and toy combinations. You’ll find a mix of classic and new books plus toys that cover a wide range of interests and ages. Take a look and tell me what you think. What are your favorite books to give as gifts?

In Iggy Peck, Architect Iggy loves building so much he will build anything, anywhere out of any material. Give your little builder a set of the Citiblocs. The blocks are precision-cut to be identical which allows children a greater range of building possibilities than traditional blocks.  They also come in colors and even  Glow in the Dark versions.

Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin is an award-winning book that introduces kids to the instrumental members of an orchestra. Kids can make music of their own with  Melissa & Doug Band in a Box or the Deluxe Band Set version.

Sky Color is a new book is about a girl who learns that painting the sky goes beyond the color blue. This Silk Rainbow Streamer is perfect for painting the sky during pretend play.

Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site is is one of my 3 year old’s all time favorites, and for good reason. Pair it with any construction toy. I like the Melissa & Doug Trailer & Excavator. You could also pair it with the Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site Matching Game and Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site Lacing Cards.

If you find most alphabet books annoying try out the zany Z Is for Moose, named one of the best kid books of 2012 by Kirkus Reviews. Kids can exercise their literacy skills with a a classic magnetic wooden alphabet set, which comes with both upper and lower case letters.

A Bargain for Frances is book I remember from my own childhood. It’s a classic story of a little raccoon who visits her friend for a tea party. This Green Toys Tea Set may not be china with a blue pattern like the one Frances covets, but it’s made out of 100% recycled plastic, does not contain BPA, phthalates, or lead paint and meets FDA standards for food safety.

Some kids, like my youngest have a birthday that falls close to Christmas. Celebrate with the hilarious A Birthday for Cow!, perfect for toddlers and preschoolers (the Amazon recommended age is 4+, but this is obviously a huge mistake) and a Wooden Birthday Party Cake.

Cars Galore is another one of my boys’ favorite books. Its colorful illustrations and playful, rhyming text will win over every kid. Pair it with any set of toy cars, like this 3-Piece Car Set from Plan Toys.

Dan Yaccarino’s book Go, Go America: 50 States of Fun, filled with lots of state facts, some of them really, really weird, will entertain fact-loving kids. After they fill their brains, they can put together this USA Map Floor Puzzle, which has pieces shaped like the states.

How to Catch a Star from the marvelous author-illustrator Oliver Jeffers is about a boy who dreams up ways to catch hold of his very own star. Kids can put their very own glow-in the dark stars about their room.

Dog Loves Drawing. Dog gets a blank book and starts drawing away, to surprising results. Inspired children can start drawing with Colored EcoPencils made from reforested wood and triangular in shape so they do not roll off the desk. Be sure to include a sketchbook. I love all the beautiful Eeboo sketchbooks.

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If you’d like to see what other moms are recommending as holiday gifts, pop on over to one of these blogs, find the Games Guide for Kid Pinterest board  or follow the links in the link-up below:
Fun Gifts Beyond Toys by No Twiddle Twaddle, Best Art Supplies for Kids by To Train Up a Child, Gifts to Inspire the Imagination by The Pleasantest Thing, Gifts for Your Backyard Explorer/ Gifts for Your Animal Lover by Blog Me Mom, Educational Games by True Aim Education, Basic/Traditional Toys by Creative Playhouse, Therapeutic and Fun Gift Ideas for Child Development by Creative Learning Fun, Top Toys for Babies by B-InspiredMama, Top Toys for Curious Kids by KC Edventures, Educational/ Headache Free Toys for Christmas and Hanukkah by CAUTION: Twins at Play, 4 Gift Ideas for Everyone: Want, Wear, Need, and Read by Home Learning Journey, Gifts that Inspire Pretend Play by Connecting Family and Seoul, My Favorite Books and Toys for Preschoolers by Mama Miss, Educational Toys for Preschoolers by The Freckled Homeschooler, Montessori Inspired Toys by Smiling Like Sunshine, Gift Ideas for Older Kids (9-12) by Kitchen Counter Chronicles, Toys for the Classroom by Teach Preschool, Gift Ideas for Budding Readers by Mom 2 to Posh Lil Dives, Stocking Stuffers: A Teacher’s Top 10 by Kindergarten & Preschool for Parents & Teachers, Book Ideas for Everyone on Your List by Pragmatic Mom, Toys that Stand the Test of Time by Mamas Like Me, Top Board Games for Kids and Families by Coffee Cups and Crayons, Home Made Gifts Children Can Make by How to Run a Home Daycare