Don’t spend hours online reading reviews or in a store trying to find a gift for everyone on your list. We’ve done that for you! From swaddles and swim lessons to pet-tracking collars and devices that encourage phone-free time, here are options that fit every budget.
BABY
Aden + Anais Silky Soft Swaddles
The silky soft muslin swaddle blanket combines breathability and versatility with oh-so-soft viscose made from bamboo, making it the most luxurious fabric to use on a baby’s delicate skin. Suitable for any temperature, the swaddles work great as stroller covers, nursing covers and burp cloths too. $50
Find it locally: Along Came a Spider, 938 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach; 949-759-8687, alongcameaspider.net
Snow Angel Cushioned Bath Towel
A safe, cozy and practical solution to dry a baby after a bath. The cushioned bath towel protects infants from cold, hard surfaces like countertops and bathroom floors and comes with an adjustable hood and generously sized terry-velour wings, which allow for ease when drying arms, legs and all the bits in between. $19.95, amzn.com/B01D7NKL3C
Parent Hacks: 134 Genius Shortcuts for Life with Kids’
Turn any new parent into MacGyver overnight with this easy-to-read, boldly illustrated book. Each page offers a simple hack such as angling the tabs down on disposable diapers that are too large, making sandwiches inside out to use up bread heels, or hanging those adorable but outgrown baby shoes on the tree as ornaments. $8.99, amzn.com/0761184317
Western Bandana Bib
Drool can be a real downer. Add a little Western flair to your baby’s wardrobe with a bandana bib designed for everyday wear. Handmade with 100 percent cotton fabric and backed with flannel and a plastic snap enclosure, the bib comes wrapped in tissue paper with a bow and label. $8.50, etsy.com/listing/23559810
Baby Emporio Sneaker Socks
Keep those tiny feet cozy and stylish this winter with socks that look like sneakers. The socks have anti-slip soles and fake laces and come in a keepsake box with a variety of colors to match any outfit. Six pairs come in a set so there are plenty to spare. $25, babyemporio.com
TODDLER
Swim lessons at Waterworks Aquatics
Gifting a child swimming lessons at an early age not only teaches them water safety; it also builds their confidence and can lead to a lifelong hobby or sport. The indoor pool is heated, so there’s no need to wait until summer to start. It will likely take more than one class to see results, so consider spending $50-$100.
Find it locally: Locations in Irvine, Huntington Beach and Yorba Linda;
949-450-0777, waterworksswim.com
ezpz Mini Mat
A game changer for any parent with a toddler. The silicon placemat suctions tables and most highchairs to capture the mess and eliminate tipped bowls and plates. Compact and lightweight, it’s convenient for restaurants and travel. Dishwasher, microwave and oven safe (up to 350 degrees). $19.99,
ezpzfun.com/mini-mats
Press Here’
This unique interactive picture book is an essential addition to a children’s book collection. Each page is vibrant and promotes the power of imagination by instructing the reader to press or blow on the colored dots, tilt the book, shake the pages, and watch as the dots multiply, grow in size and change direction. $9.09,
amzn.com/0811879542
Melissa & Doug Water WOW
This paint-with-water coloring book is ideal for restaurants, flights and home, and leaves absolutely no mess! Simply use the easy-to-grip refillable pen to color in each scene and watch vibrant colors appear with each stroke. Then let the page dry to erase the pictures and fill it in again. $4.99, melissaanddoug.com
Think Fun Roll & Play
Roar like a lion, moo like a cow or find something blue! Designed for parents and children to play together, you roll the plush cube and perform simple activities shown on the cards that teach toddlers about counting, colors, animals and more. The game promotes creativity, active play and motor skills. $19.95, amzn.com/B0070A9OUA
PRESCHOOLER
‘Tap the Magic Tree’
Innovative and timeless, this interactive picture book is a best-seller at Once Upon a Storybook. Help the lonely tree change seasons with a pat, clap, wiggle or jiggle, and see blossoms bloom, apples grow and the leaves swirl away with the autumn breeze. $15.99
Find it locally: Once Upon a Storybook, 17300 E. 17th Street, Tustin; 714-669-4377, onceuponastorybook.us
Design Your Own Superhero Mask
This award-winning kit combines crafting with dramatic play opportunities. A felt mask, felt sheets, pre-cut shapes, glitter glue and craft glue are included. As they craft their own mask, they’re strengthening real-life superpowers like fine motor skills, coordination, literacy and communication. Great for birthday parties! $20, roseandrex.com/products/superhero-mask-kit
Cat Ear headband
Worn by celebrities such as Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande, this rhinestone-studded cat ear headband is cute, classy and purr-fect for everyday wear. It’s a hit at birthday parties and sleepovers and makes a great stocking stuffer. $18.99
Find it locally: Smocking Birds, 21034 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach; 714-600-2162, smockingbirdsboutique.com
NPW Sound Machine
Children and parents will get a kick out of this pocket-size sound machine with 16 amusing sound effects including bodily outbursts, a drum roll, an explosion, applause, laughter, a whistle, and a scream. Great for long or short
car rides. $10.98,
Mobo Mity: A Toddler’s Ergonomic Three- Wheel Cruiser Tricycle
Built sturdy but lightweight, this unique cruiser has a low-to-the-ground profile so kids can start riding instantly. It comes with an adjustable frame that grows with the child and aids in the development of motor skills, muscle strength, and hand-eye coordination, while promoting healthy exercise. $99.99, mobocruiser.com
AGES 7-9
Dash Robot
Dash is a real robot that brings the creativity and critical thinking of coding to life for kids. It’s charged and ready to use right out of the box. Simply download one of the free coding apps and program the award-winning robot to dance, light up, avoid obstacles, react to voices and more. $142.49, amzn.com/B00SKURVKY
A gift certificate to Storymakery
Storymakery offers a unique experience for children to stimulate their imagination through writing. The staff assists inspiring young writers to create their own character, write a story and self-publish their own book. Personalize a tote bag, magnet, T-shirt or even a teddy bear. $15-$75
Find it locally: Storymakery, 825 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine;
949-431-5061, storymakery.com
Pals Socks
Pals socks are much more than purposely mismatched socks. The brightly colored socks are designed to promote harmony and teach kids to have an open mind and embrace their uniqueness. Available in a variety of sizes and characters including unicorns, dragons, ladybugs, caterpillars,
lions, zebras, pandas and koalas. $9 for 1 pair,
palssocks.com
Mermaid Tail Blanket
Stay warm all winter in a handmade mermaid tail, the latest obsession among young girls. The wearable blanket is crocheted with super soft homespun yarn with a variety of colors to choose from. It takes approximately three weeks to make so don’t wait. Receive 10 percent off by entering YOUR10 at checkout. $100,
etsy.com/listing/254543339
Balance Beans
It’s a single-player logic game that introduces young minds to problem-solving skills and mathematical concepts. Set up the red beans according to the challenge card, then carefully place the colorful beans on the seesaw to keep them from teetering. When you balance the seesaw, you’re actually balancing an equation. $17.99, amzn.com/B01I56R576
TWEEN
A gift certificate to Big Air Trampoline Park
Saddle up on the mechanical bull, flip and fly in the matrix of trampolines, or launch through the air into a massive foam pit. Don’t miss Cosmic Nights every Friday and Saturday when they turn the lights down, the music up, and fire up the lasers and strobes. $25 and up
Find it locally: 8320 On the Mall, Buena Park; 844-550-5867. 23251 Avenida de la Carlota, Laguna Hills; 949-305-9788.
bigairusa.com
Money Maze Puzzle Box
Turn cheap or impersonal gifts into something intriguing. A little ingenuity and logic is required to get to the gift. The puzzle box is the perfect size for cash, gift cards, concert tickets or jewelry, and the degree of difficulty can easily be adjusted. $8.90, amzn.com/B012AQB2EY
Kidz Bop 33 Album
This is the 33rd album in the Kidz Bop series, which
this year celebrates 15 years of making music for kids. Forget curse words and dirty lyrics, the Kidz Bop 33 CD features today’s biggest hits sung by kids for kids. Songs like “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” “This Is What You Came For,” “Cheap Thrills,” “Ride,” “Me, Myself and I,” and “Sit Still Look Pretty” will have everyone in the ca rpool singing along and bopping their heads. $13.99, amzn.com/B01KK4X31S
Kid’s Guitar Starter Pack
This is the perfect gift for any beginner. The award-winning starter pack comes with an acoustic guitar, a carrying case, a portable electronic tuner, picks, a book, a CD, a DVD and software. Kids will learn how to play chords and melodies, read music and perform songs. $106.24, amzn.com/0739079883
Yoobi x I am Other Snap Top Water Bottle
For artistic kids, consider a water bottle they can decorate. It has a spill-proof lockable cap and a clip that attaches to any backpack, perfect for quenching thirst on the go. You buy, Yoobi gives – for every Yoobi item you purchase, a Yoobi item will be donated to a classroom in need in the United States. $5.39, yoobi.com
TEEN
A gift certificate to Sender One SNA
Sender City, formerly known as Funtopia, is a unique adventure zone where teens can experience the thrill of jumps and climbs in a controlled environment. Climb buildings and towers or race your friends to the top. It’s located inside of Sender One Climbing, one of the tallest climbing gyms in the country. $30
Find it locally: 1441 Village Way, Santa Ana; 714-881-3456, senderoneclimbing.com
LuMee Case
Say goodbye to filters! This brilliant front-lit smartphone case provides picture-perfect lighting for selfies and video chatting. A favorite of selfie queen Kim Kardashian, it’s ideal for vacations, at school dances, inside restaurants or limos and at concerts. Available in a variety of colors and sizes along with gift cards. $24.98 and up, lumee.com
Bedroom Fairy Lights
Drape these decorative fairy lights over a mirror or a bohemian tapestry and transform the aura in any space. These LED lights will add sparkle to bedrooms small or large. There are several options to choose from including color, length, battery pack or plug. $10.96 and up, etsy.com/listing/233360637
S’well Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Stay hydrated with a sleek water bottle that keep drinks cold for 24 hours and hot for 12 hours, while giving back to those in need. There are collections for every lifestyle including destination, galaxy, wood, stone and exotic. S’well has teamed up with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to help provide clean drinking water to children around the world. $35,
swellbottle.com
Prynt Case
A unique and modern concept, the Prynt Case lets you print photos from a smartphone instantly. Simply attach the case to a phone, take a photo, create a short video, and then print it out on sticker paper. Teens will find it easy to use, and the photos print quickly and clearly. $149.99, prynt.co
THE FAMILY
A test kit from AncestryDNA
Uncover your ethnic mix and discover what makes you uniquely you with a simple DNA test. Discover distant relatives and new ancestors and find new details about your family history. When the results arrive, you’ll see a breakdown of your ethnicity, and then you can start learning more about the places where your family story began. $99 per kit, ancestry.com
Table Topics
Grab a Table Topics box and break the ice. Each clear acrylic cube holds a stack of 135 conversation starters to open the lines of communication. Connect with family members over dinner or help get awkward parties rolling. Find out which famous athlete your son would like to meet or share how your grandparents met and fell in love. $25, uncommongoods.com
A gift certificate to the Great Wolf Lodge
California’s first and only indoor water park resort with over 105,000 square feet of fun things to do, including the jaw-dropping Wolf Tail, the Howlin’ Tornado signature thrill slide and a wave pool. And if a break is needed, you can rent a cabana.
Find it locally: The Great Wolf Lodge is at 12681 Harbor Blvd., Garden Grove. Guests using gift cards or e-certificates must call 866-646-9653 to make reservations. $199.99 and up, greatwolf.com
Pause
A stylish box designed to encourage and empower families to create phone-free time. When you put your phones inside, Pause blocks all Wi-Fi signals, all incoming calls and all text messages as well as any other cellphone distractions. $40, pauseit.com
A gift certificate to Legoland California Resort
An hour south of Anaheim, Legoland has more than 60 rides, shows and attractions. It’s an interactive, hands-on theme park experience for families with children 2-12. The resort is also home to Sea Life Aquarium, Legoland Water Park and Legoland Hotel. Gift cards are available in any denomination at the park, or call 760-918-5497. $84 and up, legoland.com
PETS
A BarkBox
Give a monthly box of dog goodies. Includes natural treats, chews and fun toys designed to create moments of insane joy for dogs. There is a new theme each month. They paw-pick the best treats and innovative toys to match a dog’s unique needs, including allergies or heavy chewers. BarkBox supports 3,000 rescues, shelters and dog nonprofits. $35, barkbox.com
Dog Threads
Make your dog insta-famous with designer threads that fit his personality. Update your dog’s wardrobe for winter with a variety of styles such as cardigans, plaids, flannels, stripes and button-downs. A portion of the proceeds benefits animal rescues. $40
Find it locally: Local Pet Market,
18900 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach; 714-962-9272, localpetmarket.com
Nuzzle Collar
Losing a pet can be a parent’s nightmare. Nuzzle is a lightweight GPS-enabled tracker and activity monitor designed for your pet’s comfort and your peace of mind. By sending location updates directly to the companion Nuzzle app, you receive real-time activity notifications and emergency alerts. $189.99, hellonuzzle.com
Alex & Ani Prints of Love Charm Bangle
Animals hold an important place in hearts and homes. Loyal, intelligent companions that give affection freely, animals lift our spirits and enhance our lives. Embrace your essential role as a caretaker and guardian with a charm bracelet. A portion of the proceeds benefits the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. $28,
alexandani.com