Editor Picks: Holiday Gifts We’re Excited to Give Our Own Kids in 2022

My little girl is ready to graduate to a big-kid bike! Learning to ride a bike seems like one of those major childhood milestones, and to get her started, we're gifting her a Woom bicycle. The brand has a stellar reputation for a reason: They make ultralight bikes that are geometrically designed for beginners. The frame slopes for a low entry (good for my petite daughter), and it features a steering limiter to help with stability and prevent kiddos from overturning. Plus, it comes in an array of cute colors—critical for an opinionated preschooler!

For my just-turned-2-year-old, I'm planning to get these riverstones. She's a wriggly toddler who loves to run around, and these toys will be just the thing on a cold and rainy indoor day. I can just picture her and her sister jumping from stone to stone pretending the floor is lava—and I love that they'll help hone her balance, coordination and gross motor skills. I also appreciate that they stack for easy storage, because when it comes to New York City living, space is precious.

All three of my sons went through a fireman phase. Right now, my youngest son is obsessed with anything and everything rescue-related. This little fire station playhouse will give him his own space and allow his imagination to run wild!

My motto: You can never go wrong with Legos. And my coding, engineering and gaming fanatic will enjoy combining his obsession for all things Nintendo with his love for building intricate structures. He has many Lego masterpieces on a shelf in his room, and this retro-inspired console will be the crown jewel of his collection. Best of all: Constructing this will provide hours of screen-free entertainment—and, no, the irony is not lost on me! (FYI: This set is geared for 18+, so it's definitely a parent-child project!)

My middle-child diva has a holiday wish list as long as her yet-to-be-cut ponytail. Narrowing down the actual wants from her momentary whims can be challenging, but I’m confident she’ll be delighted with this pick: a FujiFilm Instax Mini Camera. She's always snapping sweet and silly selfies and artsy and moody photos with my iPhone. She begs me to get them printed—and it usually takes me days (if not longer) to get the job done. But now she can have instant gratification with her own retro-inspired Polaroid camera. (I just have a feeling I'm going to have to create a strict budget for film refills!)

We're all about pretend play these days. And while my littlest loves her big sissy's Barbie Dream House, she really wants a doll home to call her own. This Little Tikes wooden dollhouse fits the bill! I adore how it grows with kiddos. The modular design allows budding architects to dream, build and imagine to their heart's content. (Plus, it's way more aesthetically pleasing than the bright pink plastic monstrosity that currently resides in our living room—so I won't mind keeping this one on display for all-day play!)

Cara loves to hum, sing and bop along to her favorite tunes. And like most 4-year-old girls, she's a big fan of the Encanto soundtrack. So this cool karaoke microphone is sure to be a smash hit! Thanks to Bluetooth technology, it’s easy to stream and sing along to Disney songs, including “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.” Simply connect the device to a smartphone, tablet or computer, and press the button to get the party started.

Josie is very much into the natural world and often trawls the beach for fossils, shells and other treasures. She also loves to experiment with STEM toys, so I think this crystal growing kit is right up her alley. The chemistry set by National Geographic comes with five real crystals, plus everything you need to grow new specimens. Better yet, the included light-up base lets kids showcase their creations at home.