The Best Big Brother Gifts to Get Him Excited About Meeting Baby
When you’re preparing to welcome baby number two, you might feel equally 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 not just onboard with his new role, but also help him feel special, appreciated and involved in welcoming his 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.
The first year as a sibling can be a particularly tricky one. Make the transition a little easier with continuous new big brother gifts that come in 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).
Buy it: Kits start at $36 a month, Lovevery.com
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 has easy to grip sides and very basic controls that even the youngest toddlers can handle.
Buy it: $36, Kohls.com
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 as well as reassuring him that he’ll have a lifelong playmate as baby grows.
Buy it: $25, PutMeintheStory.com
Help your child create and personalize a play space all their own with this fun, paintable teepee. The traditional wood and canvas tent comes with fabric markers so he can channel his own creativity to customize the look.
Buy it: $110, Maisonette.com
These matching shirts are so cute, they just might inspire new nicknames. Tell your son that as the “biggie” of the family, it’s his job to look out for
Buy it: $19 each, tee: FinnandEmma.com; onesie: FinnandEmma.com
One of the best big brother gifts is an exciting space where they can play together and bond as they grow. This wooden sand box comes with built-in benches, a cover and lots of space for them to spread out and build sand castles.
Buy it: $149, TheTot.com
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.
Buy it: MuchLoveGiftsCo Big Brother Kit, from $35, Etsy.com
Start teaching your tot how to help care for baby by giving him one of his very own to nurture. This soft, huggable doll comes with a magnetic pacifier, velcro diaper and clothes, so big brother can practice changing, dressing and soothing.
Buy it: $28, Walmart.com
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If you’re planning on babywearing his little sibling, big brother will probably want to tote around his favorite stuffed animal or doll just like you. With this mini version of Solly wrap, you two will be twinning.
Buy it: $35, Shop.SollyBaby.com
Get him excited for taking walks with baby (and possibly eliminate your 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 change with him as he grows.
Buy it: $40, Kohls.com
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 compare it to his little sibling.
Buy it: $38, Maisonette.com
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.
Buy it: Packages start at $15 a month, JointheStoryBox.com
If your child loves being creative, help him express himself through art with a colorful craft kit. This comprehensive set has over 1000 pieces to explore—perfect for keeping little hands occupied when you need to tend to baby.
Buy it: $40, TheTot.com
Cuddly friends make great big brother gifts, so your oldest can have his own little one to snuggle. This adorable plush comes in different animals and includes a personalized swaddle for tucking in.
Buy it: $30, Etsy.com
Big brother will be so excited to ride in this wagon that he’ll be eagerly awaiting 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.
Buy it: $106, Walmart.com
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 duvet and pillow set will make him look like an astronaut when he launches off to dreamland.
Buy it: $119, TheGrommet.com
Let’s face it: You might find yourself leaning on screen time a little more when you have a new baby to care for. As new big brother gifts, kid-safe tablets 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.
Buy it: $100, Amazon.com
Give your child their own special place to create with this height-adjustable easel 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.
Buy it: $80, Kohls.com
Prepare a new big brother for life with baby by reading this simply worded and honest board book. It will especially help to explain and illustrate reality if you’re planning on nursing.
Buy it: $13, Maisonette.com
This personalized coloring book will walk your child through the process of preparing for and bringing home baby. With plenty of fun games, puzzles and lists to fill in, activity books are great big brother gift ideas to help him feel involved.
Buy it: $11, Buybuybaby.com
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.
Buy it: $49, Etsy.com
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.
Buy it: $23, Amazon.com
Teach your child the gift of giving: Not only are these handcrafted toys adorable and heirloom-quality, but each doll sold provides 10 meals for children in need. Since they come in two sizes—regular (20 inches) and small (13 inches)—they’re also the perfect pair to give to big brother and his new baby sister or brother for a matching big and little set.
Buy it: from $60, CuddleandKind.com
