Black Friday and Cyber Monday are behind us, the holidays are almost here and if you’re anything like me, you are definitely feeling the pressure to find the perfect gifts (this happens to me every year!). Considering how many toy options are out there in the marketplace for your kids to see, even compiling a list can be overwhelming. Whether we are walking through a store, watching TV or on the iPad, I am constantly told “add that to my Santa list.”
This year, I’ve been trying to focus specifically on gifts that my kids will want to play with for a longer period of time, rather than something to use once or a toy they will grow out of quickly.
Shopping Local
While I do a lot of my shopping online because of the ease, convenience and price, there’s an undeniable appeal about shopping locally. There’s something an online setting just can’t replicate when it comes to going into a brick-and-mortar shop decorated for the holidays, especially a toy store. I’m sharing some of my top picks for kids that you can find locally on Cape Cod. These toys vary in age recommendations but run the scope of 0-8.
Cape Favorites
The Cape Cod shops featured in this piece are Bugg’s Place Toys on Main Street in Hyannis, Fox and Kit Kids Shop in Mashpee Commons and Pocket Full of Posies in Osterville. These three upper and mid Cape stores are just a few of my favorites (and my kids) all year round, but particularly when it comes to the holidays. Of course, there are multiple great options for kids gifts across the Cape, and I encourage you to check out as many as you can in the coming weeks.
DISCLAIMER: I am sharing where I have seen the following toys. With that said, these toys are likely available at other locations, and keep in mind they could sell out over the course of the holiday season.
10 Gifts for Kids You Can Purchase Locally
Reusable Silicone Mat
This mat made by HeyDoodle is one of my most used items while on-the-go, and something I am constantly asked about by fellow parents. It is a silicone mat that comes in multiple designs with a pack of markers and a plastic resealable bag. It can be used by a wide variety of ages. For example, my 2 and 5-year-olds are both obsessed and constantly ask to use it when we are out and even at home. We have the princess and animal mats, and let me tell you, these mats have saved many dinners out at crowded Cape Cod restaurants! The best part about these mats is they can be used over and over again by simply wiping them clean with a damp paper towel or a baby wipe. The mats are available at Fox and Kit Kids Shop in Mashpee Commons.
Corelle 12” Baby Doll
This baby doll is too cute. It’s soft body and small size make it the perfect doll for little hands. My 2-year-old immediately runs to the one on display at Bugg’s Place Toys and I am constantly having to pry it out of her hands before we leave. While we do have many baby dolls at home, there’s something about this one that is extra special. We purchased one for the holidays and I know it will be a HUGE hit. A bonus of this doll, Corelle makes all types of cute accessories that you can get to accompany the doll by purchasing separately at later dates for special occasions.
Micro Mini Scooter
This scooter is amazing. We got one for my now 5-year-old daughter during the pandemic and she spent months riding it up and down the hallway and on our street. More than two years later, not only does she still love it, but so does her little sister. The scooter is made well and makes turning very easy. We have the regular micro mini, but I recently saw someone with the foldable version and can honestly say the folding feature is a huge perk. If that option existed a few years ago, I would’ve bought it to make traveling with a scooter even easier. We are constantly throwing ours in the car to take on adventures and I would definitely buy the foldable one if making another purchase. These scooters were available at Fox and Kit Kids Shop, but are sold out. I did find them in stock a little ways off Cape at The Village Toy Shop in Fairhaven.
Sketch Pals
We have two of these drawing boards (the bumblebee and the ladybug) and they are a huge hit. Both my kids play with them in the car, at restaurants and when sitting in the cart at different stores. My older daughter loves to use it for tic-tac-toe, and my little one has just started drawing herself and likes to demand that you draw very intricate animals for her to guess. These boards are relatively inexpensive, very durable and fit nicely in your diaper bag. You can buy them at Bugg’s Place Toys.
Maileg Mice
My kids and I have long been eying the Maileg mice. They come in so many cute varieties and can be used for all types of imaginative play. My 5-year-old has run into Pocket Full of Posies and said that these mice would make the best addition to her doll house. You could easily add Maileg mice to your existing dollhouse if you have on, or purchase the Maileg dollhouse and start building a collection. In addition to the mice, Maileg sells many different types of accessories. Maileg is a reputable brand, so keep in mind these pieces require a bit of an investment compared to some of the more inexpensive options for little kids gifts, but you are getting a high-quality product. If your little ones are like mine and they have an eye for details and a love of accessories, these might be the perfect gift this holiday season.
We just purchased the tooth fairy set to give my daughter when she loses her first tooth, which she tells me is going to happen any day now! This set is so cute and comes with a little box so your child can put their first lost tooth inside.
Glo Pals
For some kids, taking a bath can be a chore. So, if you’re looking to liven up bath time, these Glo Pals might do the trick for you. Glo Pals are a great accessory to make bath time fun, and they come in a variety of colors and characters to really take your bathtub to the next level. Because Glo Pals are activated by water, they are also an entertaining activity when used outside the tub. All you need to do is place your Glo Pals in a jar or container filled with water for your kids to play. According to Glo Pals, each individual Glo Pal lasts for sixteen lighted hours. Glo Pals turn on when placed in water and shut off when removed from water. You can find Glo Pals at Bugg’s Place Toys and Fox and Kit Kids Shop. As a side note, the brand just came out with new sensory jars which look very cute. While we haven’t tried the new sensory jars yet, we were so satisfied with the initial Glo Pals that we did purchase the sensory jars for the holidays this year and I am very excited for my kids to use them in and outside the tub. You can put the cubes from the Glo Pals into the jars as well as all sorts of other mixers.
Air Toobz
Air Toobz was on my list this year and I can’t wait for my kids to open this one! I saw the Toy Testing Sisters product review and was sold right away. Air Toobz is an open-ended STEM toy that can be used in a variety of different ways for multiple ages. In the most simple terms, you configure the tubes in a design and then air pushes the balls out. This is a great gift for your kids to use with siblings of friends on a playdate where they can work together. I know Air Toobz will be used in our home for years to come. You can purchase Air Toobz at the Fox and Kit Kids Shop.
Fat Brain Toys SpinAgain Kids Stacking Toy
The Fat Brain Toy SpinAgain Stacking Toy has gotten countless hours of use at our house. It was initially purchased when my youngest was a baby, and it is still used by her regularly two-and-a-half years later. The Fat Brain Toy SpinAgain Stacking Toy is mesmerizing for babies to watch when an adult puts the rings on, and as your baby becomes a toddler, your child will want to do it over and over again. Of the multiple stacking toys we’ve tried over the years, the Fat Brain Toy SpinAgain Stacking Toy has definitely been the most satisfying for my youngest. This one is available at Bugg’s Place Toys.
Dozy Dinkum
Dozy Dinkum’s soft baby dolls are so cute and cuddly. They are a perfect fit for a child’s little hands to tote around. My 2-year-old sleeps with her two Dozy Dinkums every night and takes them with her everywhere throughout the day. She has one with pink outfit and one with a purple outfit (full disclosure, I initially bought each of my kids a Dozy Dinkum, but my younger one loved them so much that her older sister let her keep both). If you’re in the market for a baby doll that is more like a stuffed animal, I highly recommend the Dozy Dinkum. We spotted these dolls at Pocket Full of Posies.
I hope you this piece sparked an idea or two for your little ones. If you have other shops on Cape Cod that you like to frequent or toy recommendations, we would love to hear from you. Feel free to tag @CapeCodMoms and me @Snfenlon on Instragram with your picks!
