The best gifts for little kids are the ones they keep coming back to long after the wrapping paper is gone. With Christmas falling in the Australian summer, outdoor play gifts make a lot of sense: they're ready for the long holidays, and they get the whole family outside. Here are Christmas gift ideas for toddlers and kids aged 1 to 6, from the big family gift to the stocking fillers that go with it.
Key takeaways
- Open-ended play like sand, water, mud and bouncing grows with them from 1 to 6.
- Pair a big gift with small add-ons: a bucket and spade, a watering can, a new picture book.
- Order early, and check the estimated dispatch date on the product page before you buy.
- If the big gift won't be there on the day, wrap a clue instead.
Gift ideas by age
1 to 2 years: touch, pour and splash
At this age, play is all about the senses. Sand to sift, water to pour and a lap to sit in with a book.
- Chunky bucket and spade, stacking cups and sand moulds
- Bath boats and pouring jugs that work in a paddling pool too
- Sturdy board books
- Big gift: a sandpit or paddling pool, like The Beach Shack or The Lagoon
3 to 4 years: pretend play and moving
Preschoolers love role play and burning energy. Gifts that let them cook, build and bounce go a long way.
- Kids' kitchen utensils, a muffin tray and a small watering can
- Toy cars and trucks for sandpit roads
- Big gift: a mud kitchen like The Work Station, or a toddler trampoline like The Launch Pad
5 to 6 years: projects and challenges
Older kids like a project: something to grow, make or work out.
- Seed packets and a child-sized garden set
- Art supplies, chalk and a smock
- Toy dinosaurs and a paintbrush for a backyard fossil dig
- Big gift: a play space they can share with younger siblings, or Growplay Monkey Bars if they're ready to climb and swing
The big family gift: a backyard play space
Growplay Junior joins 2 to 5 Play Modules into one shaded play space for ages 1 to 6. Each module brings a different kind of play:
- The Beach Shack: a sandpit with a weighted cover that flips over into a road-map play mat.
- The Work Station: a mud kitchen with a 2-litre water tank and tap, and dishwasher-safe trays.
- The Lagoon: a paddling pool with a liner that needs no pump. Lift the liner out and it's a ball pit.
- The Cabana: a day bed with 200 litres of storage underneath and room for you too.
- The Launch Pad: a netted toddler trampoline that doubles as a shaded playpen.
Every module comes with a shade roof (on The Launch Pad, it's for playpen use), and every set has a galvanised steel frame and a 3-year warranty. Growplay Junior works indoors too, so the fun carries on when the weather turns.
Compare every Growplay Junior set.
Stocking fillers that go with it
Toys aren't included with Growplay Junior, so small extras make perfect stocking fillers:
- For the sandpit: a bucket and spade, sand moulds, a sieve and toy diggers. Our sandpit sand guide covers the sand.
- For the mud kitchen: wooden spoons, a whisk, a small watering can and seeds to plant. Find more in our mud kitchen ideas by age.
- For the paddling pool: boats, cups, funnels and a bag of play balls for ball pit days.
- For the day bed: picture books, a soft toy and a simple card game.
- For everyone: a kids' sun hat, new swimmers and a drink bottle for the summer holidays.
Timing your order
Big gifts take a little planning. Check the estimated dispatch date on each set's page before you order, and allow time for delivery after dispatch. Dates can change, so order early if you're hoping to have it for Christmas, and leave time to put it together before the big day.
Christmas morning reveal ideas
- Wrap a clue: a wrapped bucket and spade or a new pair of swimmers, with a note saying what's coming. It's perfect if the big gift hasn't arrived yet.
- Picture card: print a photo of their set and tuck it into a card.
- Treasure hunt: leave a trail of clues that ends in the backyard.
- Big bow: set it up on Christmas Eve and tie a bow to the frame.
Planning the holidays? Our 25 summer play ideas will keep them busy until school goes back.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good Christmas gift for a 1 year old?
Simple sensory play: board books, stacking cups, a bucket and spade. For a bigger gift, choose something they can grow into, like a sandpit or play space. Growplay Junior is designed for ages 1 to 6.
What are good outdoor gifts for toddlers?
Sandpits, mud kitchens, paddling pools and toddler trampolines all invite open-ended play that toddlers come back to again and again.
Will it arrive before Christmas?
Each set's page shows its estimated dispatch date. Delivery times vary by location and dates can change, so order early. If it's going to be close, wrap a clue to open on the day.
Can Growplay Junior be used indoors?
Yes. Growplay Junior is designed for indoor and outdoor use. Indoors, take The Lagoon's liner out and use it as a ball pit, and keep water play outdoors.
See every Growplay Junior set.
