Holiday Gift Guide: Local Gift Ideas For East End Babies
There’s something special about choosing a baby’s gift from a shop where the owner greets you by name and the shelves are curated with care. In the East End, we’re lucky to have so many neighbourhood spots that put heart into every toy, book, and tiny treasure they bring in.
And during the holidays—when it’s tempting to default to websites with same-day shipping and big box retailers—it’s worth remembering that our local shops offer gifts with a little more soul.
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.
Thank you to all of the local stores in our community who responded to our call for baby gift ideas, including Silly Goose Kids, Old’s Cool General Store, Little Ones Closet, Queen Books, West Coast Kids, Treasure Island Toys, The Montessori Room, and Secret Planet.
Let’s dive into some local favourites for the babies in your life.
A developmental toy that offers different textures and colours. It encourages hand-eye coordination and motor skills, including rattle, crinkly fabrics, and a mirror for discovering reflections.
$29.99 at Silly Goose Kids, online or in-store at 2054 Danforth Ave
More: Stocking Stuffers
Antiracist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi
With bold art and thoughtful yet playful text, this book introduces the youngest readers and the grown-ups in their lives to the concept and power of antiracism.
Available in-store at Old’s Cool General Store, 250 Westlake Ave
More: Kids gifts
Baby Paper Sensory Toy
Baby Paper is a great first toy for a baby. No matter how small they are, they can still grab, crush, and crinkle the paper and enjoy the sound. Bright colours and patterns are eye-catching as their sight develops.
Available in-store at Little Ones Closet, 1854 Danforth Avenue
More: Baby gift ideas
Cook pasta from scratch inside this interactive recipe book! Move the tab up and down to add the onions and garlic, lift the flap to open the can of tomatoes, pull the tab to bring the water to a boil, and more.
$32.95 at Queen Books, online or in-store at 914 Queen St. E.
More: Kids books
Hand knit, heirloom-quality, ethically produced dolls. For every doll purchased, 10 meals are provided to children in need around the world.
Starting at $45.99 at West Coast Kids, online or in-store at 1646 Bayview Ave
More: Holiday gift guide
Demdaco Stuffed Animals
Everything from cuddly fur to expressive designs provide years of fun-loving hugs. Kids will delight in this sweet collection of plush toys!
Available in-store at Old’s Cool General Store, 250 Westlake Ave
Snuggle up for the bedtime routine with your littlest polar bear before another snow day tomorrow. This navy sleeper from Petit Lem coordinates perfectly with the pjs in the same range for older siblings.
$34.00 at August Kinn, online or in-store at 1374 Danforth Ave
The Hape Grip-n-Stack Silicone and Wooden Blocks come in bright colours and feature the alphabet, numbers, and patterns, adding an educational element to playtime.
$30.99 at Treasure Island Toys, online or in-store at 581 Danforth Ave
More: 0-12 months toys
Designed especially for little hands and mouths. These books are rip-proof, chew-proof, and washable, so babies can safely explore books from the very start.
$7.99 at The Montessori Room, online or in-store at 2229 Danforth Ave
More: Holiday gift guide
Loaded with 30-plus play features including a cool light-up DJ bunny, songs, sounds and more, this musical toy for baby gets the party started while encouraging fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and more.
$39.99 at West Coast Kids, online or in-store at 1646 Bayview Ave
This bath toy set includes 6 floating stackable measuring cups which have a different geometric shape on each handle. Perfect for babies 6-18 months old!
$18.00 at August Kinn, online or in-store at 1374 Danforth Ave
Designed by a professional watercolour artist and licensed speech therapist, this set includes five board books that feature charming images and foundational first words that will help you build your child's vocabulary.
$39.99 at Silly Goose Kids, online or in-store at 2054 Danforth Ave
More: Holiday crafts
Invites little fingers to explore textures, and pull colourful scarves from the house-shaped box. Supports sensory play, early fine motor skills and object permanence.
$36.99 at The Montessori Room, online or in-store at 2229 Danforth Ave
This toy is designed to boost fine motor skills as babies learn to grasp and pull the balls, strengthening their hand and finger muscles. Interactive play promotes hand-eye coordination as babies visually track and manipulate each ball.
$19.99 at Silly Goose Kids, online or in-store at 2054 Danforth Ave
More: Ornaments
Turns tummy time into a fun, sensory experience. Babies can press and watch the colourful fish move, building strength and coordination as they play.
$39.99 at The Montessori Room, online or in-store at 2229 Danforth Ave
Sensory Push & Roll
Sensory Push & Roll ensures hours of learning and play by combining sensory balls and a threaded rolling basket. Let the child explore their senses, boost their cognitive development, and motor skills by encouraging crawling!
Available in-store at Little Ones Closet, 1854 Danforth Avenue
An ode to the many moods of the beloved housecat, this colorful, chunky board book is a work of art meant to be displayed face-out on nursery bookshelves.
$25.99 at Secret Planet, online or in-store at 918 Danforth Ave
More: Stocking stuffers
With a minimal tableau of familiar objects and a gentle rhythm suited for reading aloud, a forest and all its items are assembled, ending with bedtime as the sun goes down.
$11.99 at Queen Books, online or in-store at 914 Queen St. E.
