23 Best Big Brother Gifts to Get Him Excited About Baby
When you’re getting ready for baby number two, you might feel equal parts excited and anxious about prepping your firstborn for this major life change. But with a little extra care—and some thoughtful research into big brother gifts—you can get your son onboard with his new role, and help him feel special, appreciated and involved in welcoming a new sibling.
One way to sway his opinion? Give him a gift that lets him know that you’ll love him no matter what. (Bonus points if it shows him how fun and exciting having a little brother or sister can be.) Here, we’ve rounded up our favorite big brother gift ideas to get him ready to meet his new best friend.
Monthly toy subscription
The first year as a sibling can be a particularly tricky one. Make the transition a little easier by having new big brother gifts come in the mail every two to three months. Your little one will be thrilled to get a package just for him, and you’ll be thrilled that all the toys are designed to support brain development and promote independent play. That’s what we call a win-win!
Age range: 0 to 5 years
Digital camera for kids
Toddlers love taking pictures (case in point: they always want to snap selfies on your phone). So why not gift them their own special camera to save memories with their new baby sibling? This simplified digital camera by Kidizoom has easy-to-grip sides and very basic controls that even the youngest toddlers can handle.
Age range: 3 to 8 years
Big brother book
The best big brother gifts remind him that your love for him won’t change, even with a new addition to the family. This sweet and personalized book teaches your tot all the special ways he can help out, while also reassuring him that he’ll have a lifelong playmate as baby grows.
Age range: 1 to 7 years
Cardboard fire and police station for coloring
Help your little one create and personalize a play space all on their own with this fun cardboard police and fire station that they can color with markers. It features simple yet engaging graphics (and a cute fire dog!) that allow him to channel his own creativity to customize the look.
Age range: 3+ years
Matching sibling onesie and tee
A matching big-kid shirt and newborn onesie? Yes, please. These are so cute, they just might inspire new nicknames. You can tell your son that as the “biggie” of the family, it’s his job to look out for the new little one, which is sure to instill a sense of responsibility in him.
Age range: Available in sizes newborn to 4T
Sandbox for kids
One of the best big brother gifts is an exciting space where they can play together and bond as they grow. This deluxe wooden sand box comes with built-in benches, a cover and lots of space for them to spread out and build sand castles.
Age range: 3 to 10 years
Velvet ball pit
How about a ball pit for them to romp around in together? Sure, your big boy might have to fly solo in this for a good while, but we see lots of future photo opps in this gorgeous black velvet ball pit that comes with 300 balls. Choose from tons of different ball colors (the site allows you to choose up to three different colors) for the look you’re trying to nail.
Age range: 7+ months
Big brother activity kit
When you share the good news with your little one, the best way to get them excited is to get them involved. This kit includes activity sticks with suggestions for how they can help out, a special frame to decorate and display a pic with their new sibling, coloring pages, magnets to display their artwork and more.
Age range: 3+ years
Stuffed baby doll
This soft, huggable doll comes with a magnetic pacifier, velcro diaper and clothes, so big brother can practice changing, dressing and soothing.
Age range: One+ year
Convertible scooter
Get him excited for taking walks with baby (and possibly eliminate the need for a double stroller) by giving him a scooter. We love that this version has two settings depending on your child’s age and skill level, so it can evolve with him as he grows.
Age range: One to 4 years
Canvas growth tracker
One of the best big brother gift ideas is a growth chart that can show him just how big he’s getting. He’ll be so proud to measure his height as he grows, and he can even compare it to his little sibling. How cute!
Age range: Newborn+
Monthly story book subscription
Storytime is a great way to continue to bond one-on-one with your oldest even after baby is born. Share the love of reading with two new books every month delivered by The Story Box. You can choose two board books (ages 0 to 3), two picture books (ages 3 to 6) or a combo of the two (great for big brother and baby!), and each box includes a tip card geared toward getting little ones involved in the story.
Age range: 0 to 6 years
Arts-and-crafts supply kit
If your child loves being creative, help him express himself through art with a colorful craft kit. This comprehensive set has over 1,000 pieces to explore—perfect for keeping little hands occupied when you need to tend to baby.
Age range: 8+ years
Big brother plush
Cuddly friends make great big brother gifts, so your oldest can have his own little one to snuggle. This adorable elephant plush includes a personalized ear that says “big brother,” along with the year his title was attained (aka new baby’s birth year). The other ear includes your son’s name and initial for a customized plush he’s sure to cherish for years to come.
Age range: Suitable from birth
Red wagon for two
Big brother will be so excited to ride in this wagon that he’ll eagerly await the time when his little sibling will be big enough to ride with him. Until then, you can pull him along for special solo rides in this sturdy wagon that’s sure to last for years of sibling fun.
Age range: 3+ years
Solar system-themed sheets
If your oldest will be moving out of his crib to make room for baby, make his big boy bed feel extra special with some fun themed bedding. This luxe sheet set features planets and rad glow-in-the-dark features that he’ll get a total kick out of—hopefully so much that he’ll stay in his very own bed all night long. Fingers crossed!
Age range: 2+
Amazon tablet for kids
Let’s face it: You might find yourself leaning on screen time a little more when you have a new baby to care for. For a new big brother gift, consider kid-safe tablets that can introduce a sense of responsibility and ownership for kids learning how to navigate a digital world. If screen time is reserved only for specific moments (like when you’re feeding baby), it helps set limits and make the privilege feel more special.
Age range: 3 to 7 years
Artist easel for kids
Give your kiddo their own special place to create with this height-adjustable easel from Little Partners that includes a chalkboard, dry erase board, paper roll and even cups for paint. They’ll take pride in making artwork to show off to their baby sibling.
Age range: 3+ years
Kids’ book about breastfeeding
Prepare a new big brother for life with baby by reading this simply worded and honest board book. It’ll especially help to explain and illustrate reality if you’re planning on breastfeeding.
Age range: Suitable from birth
Big brother coloring and activity book
This radical dinosaur coloring book will amp up your little boy for his role as big brother. It’s filled with tons of toddler-appropriate coloring pages and activities that’ll not only prepare him, but keep him happily entertained while you tend to your new little one.
Age range: 2+ years
Big brother personalized quiet-time book
Perfect for moments when baby is napping—or while waiting at the hospital—a quiet book is a clever way to keep your oldest entertained and engaged. Big brother will love playing with the felt tabs to swaddle, dress and feed baby in this fun and portable toy.
Age range: 9+ months
Superhero-themed gift set
Your little one will feel like a superhero when you read him this book detailing the important duties of being a big brother. Then he can don the matching superhero cape and mask to zoom around the house wherever he might be needed.
Age range: 3 to 7 years
Matching knit elephant dolls
Teach your child the gift of giving: Not only are these handcrafted toys adorable and heirloom-quality, but each one sold provides 10 meals for children in need. Since they come in two sizes—regular (20”) and small (13”)—they’re also the perfect pair to give to big brother and his new baby sibling for a matching big and little set.
Age range: Suitable from birth
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