Holiday shopping for kids can feel overwhelming, so I’ve rounded up some of my favorite gift ideas that you can find right here in Maine. All of these come from local small businesses — a great way to support Maine makers and shops while checking off your gift list. Whether you’re shopping for babies, toddlers, or big kids, these curated picks are high-quality, thoughtfully chosen, and easy to find locally this season.
Experiences for All Ages
Experience gifts are a meaningful way to give something memorable without adding more clutter to a family’s home. These memberships and passes support local Maine organizations while offering year-round opportunities to explore, learn, and spend time together. They’re great for all ages — and perfect for families who value shared experiences over traditional toys.
Children’s Museum Memberships: A children’s museum membership gives families year-round access to hands-on learning, creative play spaces, and special events — all without the pressure of squeezing everything into one visit. It’s a gift that encourages curiosity, exploration, and quality time together, making it one of our favorite experience gifts for Maine families.
- The Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine, Portland
- Maine Discovery Museum, Bangor
- Children’s Discovery Museum of Central Maine, Waterville
- Western Maine Museum of Play, Wilton
Goldfish Swim School 6-Month Membership: A Goldfish Swim School membership gives kids access to year-round swim lessons in a warm, child-friendly environment designed to build confidence and essential water-safety skills. It’s a practical gift families appreciate — one that supports healthy activity, routine, and skill-building all winter long.
The Little Gym Membership: A membership to The Little Gym gives kids a fun, supportive space to move, tumble, and build confidence through structured play. It’s a great option for families looking for an active, skills-based experience that keeps little ones moving all winter long.
Maine State Parks Pass: A Maine State Parks Pass gives families unlimited access to beaches, trails, and parks across the state, encouraging year-round outdoor adventures. It’s a gift that inspires exploration, supports Maine’s natural spaces, and creates endless opportunities for quality time together.
Mill Studio Arts: A membership or class pack at Mill Studio Arts gives kids the chance to explore painting, drawing, and creative projects in a warm, welcoming studio environment. It’s a wonderful gift for little artists who thrive with hands-on experiences and a place to express themselves.
Desert of Maine Season Pass: A Desert of Maine season pass gives families unlimited access to trails, play areas, attractions, and seasonal events all year long. It’s a unique, local experience that blends outdoor exploration, creativity, and hands-on fun — perfect for families who love discovering new places together.
Ski/Snowboarding Lessons and/or Season Passes: Ski and snowboard lessons — or a season pass — are a great way to get kids outside and active all winter long. With so many family-friendly mountains across Maine offering programs for all ages and abilities, it’s an experience gift that builds confidence, skill, and a love for winter adventure.
Maine Wildlife Park: A Maine Wildlife Park pass is one of the best experience gifts for curious kids. The park is home to rescued and rehabilitated Maine wildlife, so children get a chance to see animals they’d rarely encounter up close while learning about conservation and animal care. Our kids love wandering the trails, visiting their favorite animals, and spotting something new every time we go.
Babies (0-12 months)
Little Chew
Robbie Teether
This cheerful geometric stacker is a perfect toddler gift, encouraging creative play, coordination, and early learning.
Buy at Boutique Little
11 Swear Jars
Wallace the Puffin Onesie
A screen-free audio player that lets kids listen to stories, songs, and characters they love.
Buy at The Maine Souvenir Shop
Konges Sløjd
Wooden Music Xylophone
A smooth wooden baby xylophone that introduces little ones to early sound exploration and music play.
Buy at Boutique Little
Skwish
This classic Skwish toy gives babies a lightweight, easy-to-grab design that encourages reaching and grasping.
Buy at Treehouse Toys
Wimmer Bear Lovey
A soft, sensory-friendly bear lovey with knotted paws, textured ribbons, and a hook-and-loop loop for attaching a pacifier or small teether.
Buy at Island Treasure Toys
Indestructibles: Baby Peekaboo
A lightweight, rip-proof, chew-proof baby book series designed to withstand drooling, tugging, and everyday wear.
Buy at Island Treasure Toys
Paint Palette Pop It
A soft, silicone pop toy designed for babies to push, press, and explore gentle sensory play.
Buy at Blanche + Mimi
Wooden Roller Rattle
A smooth wooden roller rattle designed for babies to grasp, shake, and explore early cause-and-effect movement.
Buy at Treehouse Toys
Toddlers (12-36 months)
Melissa & Doug
Geometric Stacker
This cheerful geometric stacker is a perfect toddler gift, encouraging creative play, coordination, and early learning.
Buy at Island Treasure Toys
TonieBox
A screen-free audio player that lets kids listen to stories, songs, and characters they love.
Buy at Island Treasure Toys
Glo Pals
Sensory Play Jar
This light-up sensory jar offers an easy, mess-free way for kids to enjoy soothing visual play.
Buy at Boutique Little
Pull-Along Wooden Lobster
A sturdy wooden pull-along lobster that encourages early walking and pretend play.
Buy at Swallowfield Shop
Brio
My First Railway Beginner Pack
A colorful first train set from Brio featuring toddler-friendly pieces that make early railway play easy and fun.
Buy at Village Toy Funatic
Bambino Block Trolley
A sturdy wooden trolley filled with classic blocks, giving toddlers a way to build, push, and practice early walking skills.
Buy at Island Treasure Toys
Inka Bowls – set of 2
A pair of soft-silicone bowls designed for little eaters, dishwasher- and microwave-safe, in stylish colors like Rose + Caramel or Gray + Sky.
Buy at Blanche + Mimi
Shark Hooded Towel
A fun shark-themed hooded towel that wraps toddlers in playful design while drying them off after bath or swim.
Buy at Pitter Patter Inc.
Boon
Bath Toy Bundle
A modular bath toy set with pipes, tubes, and spinning cogs that stick to the tub wall so kids can build their own water systems.
Buy at Island Treasure Toys
Preschoolers (ages 3-5)
LEGO
Bluey’s Family House
A LEGO Bluey family home that combines an easy build with open-ended play inspired by the series.
Buy at Island Treasure Toys
Wee Gallery
Baby Animal Lacing Cards
These minimalist black-and-white lacing cards give young kids a calm, hands-on way to build fine-motor skills.
Buy at Boutique Little
eeBoo
Busy Woods Matching Game
A nature-themed matching game that helps kids practice memory skills with woodland animals and objects.
Buy at Boutique Little
Magnatiles Clear 100pc
Open-ended magnetic tiles that encourage creative building, problem-solving, and hands-on exploration.
Buy at Treehouse Toys
Waytoplay
Highway Set Car
A flexible rubber road set that lets kids design their own highways and driving tracks anywhere.
Buy at Boutique Little
Banwood
Banwood Trike
A classic, well-built tricycle with a sturdy frame and soft seat designed for early riders.
Buy at Boutique Little
Captain Jack
Who Farted Book
A silly, lighthearted read that follows mischievous Maine animals as they try to solve the mystery of “who farted.”
Buy at The Maine Souvenir Shop
Home Sweet Home Dollhouse
A classic wooden dollhouse with open rooms and neutral design that invites hours of imaginative play.
Buy at Island Treasure Toys
Enchanted Nutcracker Magnetic Dress Up
A festive magnetic dress-up set that lets kids mix and match Nutcracker-themed outfits and accessories.
Buy at Island Treasure Toys
Slumberkins
Yeti’s Mindfulness Plush Set
A cozy Yeti plush bundled with two mindfulness-books that helps kids slow down, name their feelings, and practice emotional regulation.
Buy at The Woods Maine Shop
Classic Wooden Blocks
A colorful first train set from Brio featuring toddler-friendly pieces that make early railway play easy and fun.
Buy at Island Treasure Toys
Little Kids (ages 5-8)
Hey Clay
Ocean Creatures Clay
A creative clay kit that helps kids sculpt colorful ocean animals while practicing fine-motor skills.
Buy at Treehouse Toys
L.L. Bean
Kids’ Winter Walker Snowshoes
Lightweight kids’ snowshoes designed to give young hikers stability and confidence on snowy trails.
Buy at L.L. Bean
Chris Van Dusen
Learning to Ski with Mr. Magee
A lighthearted picture book that follows Mr. Magee and his dog Dee on a snowy skiing adventure.
Buy Now
Faber-Castell
Watercolor Crayons
Smooth, easy-blend watercolor crayons that let kids draw and then transform their art with a wet brush.
Buy at The Woods Maine Shop
Woodland Animals Lip Gloss
This woodland animal lip gloss adds a fun, gentle shimmer that’s perfect for kids just starting to explore self-care items.
Buy at The Woods Maine Shop
Spot It! XL
An oversized version of the classic Spot It! game with jumbo cards that make fast-paced matching even more fun.
Buy at Island Treasure Toys
Big Kids (8-12)
LEGO
Minecraft Creeper LEGO Set
A fun Minecraft Creeper LEGO set that lets kids build, play, and recreate their favorite in-game adventures.
Buy at Island Treasure Toys
L.L. Bean
Sonic Snow Tube
A durable, fast-riding snow tube built for smooth, reliable runs all winter long.
Buy at L. L. Bean
Loog Guitars
Loog Pro VI Acoustic In Yellow
This Loog Pro VI Acoustic offers young players a comfortable, easy-to-learn guitar with a full six-string setup.
Buy at Boutique Little
Banwood
Banwood Skateboard
A classic wooden skateboard designed with a stable deck and soft wheels to help kids learn to ride with confidence.
Buy at Boutique Little
We Games
7-in-1 Wood Game Set
A compact wooden game set that includes seven classic games for easy, all-in-one family play.
Buy at Treehouse Toys
Nickwilljack
Cut & Sew Lobster Girl Kit
A beginner-friendly cut-and-sew kit that lets kids create their own stuffed Lobster Girl by simply cutting, stitching, turning, and stuffing.
Buy at Downeast Shop
Modern Birdhouse Woodworking Kit
A beginner-friendly woodworking kit that lets kids build and decorate a modern wooden birdhouse from scratch.
Buy at Island Treasure Toys
Exploding Kittens
A fast-paced card game where players try to avoid drawing the exploding kitten while sabotaging each other along the way.
Buy at Village Toy Funatic
