This gift guide highlights thoughtful picks for bigger kids—from engaging games and hands-on activities to books and toys that encourage imagination, independence, and learning through play. These are the kinds of gifts that grow with your child, stand up to years of use, and don’t end up forgotten at the bottom of a toy bin by New Year’s Day.

Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, auntie, uncle, or friend hunting for something sweet for the tiniest person on your list, this guide brings together thoughtful finds from the East End’s own stores. These are the kinds of gifts that feel good to give: beautiful, well-made pieces that support the small businesses that make our community feel like home.

This holiday season, why not give gifts that are kind on both your wallet and the planet? For East End Toronto parents, there’s a truly wonderful ecosystem of secondhand, thrift, and consignment shops focused on children’s clothing, toys, books, and gear. Shopping at these local spots doesn’t just save money — it supports small business owners, reduces textile waste, and fosters a more sustainable, circular economy in our own community.