New Sibling Coming Soon? The Best Gifts to Give Big Brothers and Sisters

When I brought home my second baby, having a gift on hand to surprise my firstborn was a game-changer.

Having a “sibling gift” ready for my 23-month-old son when my daughter came home from the hospital really helped set the tone for our new adventure as a family of four.

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My son felt excited about his new toy and could engage with his new sister when he was ready, on his terms. He felt just as special as she did that day (and I felt way less overwhelmed!), all thanks to having a little gift ready.

Our picks: shop the best sibling gifts

Shop a selection of some of our favorite best sibling gifts below. Keep reading for the full list!

For ages 1-3 years

For ages 4-7 years

For ages 8+

Best “big sister” gifts from baby

Best “big brother” gifts from baby

Things to consider when picking a sibling gift

Picking out a sibling gift doesn’t have to be complicated, but there are many things to consider before you find the perfect thing.

Budget
Theme
Child’s age
How quickly it ships
Sentimental or not?
Personalized or not?
Experience or toy?

Also, no matter the gift you choose here is the most important piece of advice: the best sibling gift is something that is quiet and not too distracting so the baby isn’t disturbed while their older sibling is playing.

The ideal gift won’t have any sounds and minimal lights. Basically, if it requires batteries, don’t do it! Also, consider that it isn’t too messy of a toy (the last thing you’ll want to do is clean up tiny PlayDough pieces while freshly postpartum).

And lastly, make sure it’s something that a little one can easily tote up to the couch while you’re feeding the newborn so you three can have some quality time together.

So, to recap, the best sibling gift:

Is quiet and not too distracting
Not too messy or requires cleanup
Easily portable to the couch/bed
Is something your kid will love!

Pro tip: Use these handy mesh bags to store any loose toy pieces. I use my label maker to label each bag with what goes inside.

Tips on how to give your older kids the gift from baby

When my second baby was born, my oldest was just 23 months old. He didn’t understand the concept that we were adding a new baby to the family, but having a sibling gift ready to give when we got home helped ease the transition, and I’ll share why.

First, let me back up. A week before my due date, I ordered a gift from my son from his little brother or sister (we didn’t know what we were having then).

When the gift arrived, I quickly wrapped it up and put it in the car’s trunk along with my hospital bag.

This preparation was vital for two reasons:

We didn’t have to scramble around getting a gift ready after giving birth.
We walked in the door after the hospital with the gift in hand.

When we arrived home from the hospital – with baby sister and his gift – in tow, we opened the door to a bunch of hugs and celebration. It was a lot of commotion!

I immediately found my oldest and gave him a big hug and told him, “Baby sister can’t wait to meet you, but first she wanted me to give you this.”

Then, he quickly unwrapped it, and I made sure to make a big fuss about the gift and even had him show baby sister the toy. He couldn’t wait to play with it, which gave me, my husband, our new baby, and the grandparents some time to settle in.

Shop the best sibling gifts by age

Age 1-3

For the best sibling gifts for ages 1-3, you want to consider what they’ll play with the longest, doesn’t have a million small pieces, and is guaranteed to keep them occupied. I’ve linked images below!

1. Smoothie Maker Set

Okay, this was the exact toy that we bought my son to gift from my daughter. To say that he was obsessed is an understatement. It’s pretty spendy (all wood), but there are less expensive options on the market, like this one here and here.

Now, my daughter plays with it all the time and is equally in love. It’s so cute to watch her practicing cutting the velcro fruit to make “smoodies” for us.

2. Coffee Maker Set

Similar to the smoothie maker set, this coffee maker set is a hit in our house. The number of times my kids open and close, open and close that lid is hilarious, and they love making us coffees in the morning while we sip the real thing.

Plus, we all know that new parents can’t get enough caffeine in those early postpartum days (or ever).

3. Big Sister Book

This Big Sister book is adorable, and I especially love that the hardcover version is just around $5. I personally gifted it to a friend who was expecting, and her little one absolutely loved it.

4. Big Brother Book

I bought my son this exact Big Brother Book when I first found out I was pregnant. We’ve read it so many times we both know every single word on each page. It was a favorite ritual of ours to cuddle up and read it at night before bed for a long time.

It’s a number one best-seller for a reason!

5. Custom Name Puzzle

My daughter has a similar Custom Name Puzzle, and she’s just now getting into it at two years old.

I love this one because it has the animals and the custom name, so you can practice letters, colors, recognizing animals, and animal sounds, all in one puzzle.

6. Customized Busy Book

A more expensive option, but this Customized Busy Book guarantees a lot of quiet time while your older one plays. You can pick which pages go inside based on your older kid’s interests and age and add their first name to the front!

It’s a keepsake gift in my book.

Age 4-7

7. MagnaTiles

If your older kid is into building things, a MagnaTiles set or expansion pack would make an awesome new sibling gift. They’re fun and easy to play with, encourage activity, and they all stick together, so they’re not too hard to keep track of.

8. Tonies Box

I know that I mentioned the best sibling gifts are ones that don’t make noise, but the Tonies Box is an exception.

You can purchase separate figurines based on your older kid’s interests that play music and tell stories to keep them endlessly entertained. And yes, you can use headphones with it, too!

My son loves to use his for quiet time when he needs a break to unwind. He loves listening to stories while lying on his bed.

9. Museum/Zoo Pass

If your older child has a favorite museum or zoo they love to visit, gifting them a pass for the year “from the baby” is a really special treat.

You can plan visits just the two of you, as a family, or send the grandparents out with them so you can get a little break. This is a great option if you don’t want to add any more toys to your home (I get it!).

10. Wax Stick Set

This little wax stick set is so simple but so much fun. The best part? They’re mess-free and even come with their own storage box.

I find myself zoning out and playing with my sons all the time, they’re oddly meditative, and the options of what you can make are only limited to your imagination.

11. LEGO Set

I know, little pieces. But if you purchase the mesh bags I mentioned earlier, your older kid can be in charge of keeping all of the pieces together and organized.

Personally, I love the idea of a LEGO set because it’s something you two can work on together while the baby is napping.

My favorite LEGO sets include:

12. Dress-Up Clothes

If your older kid is into dressing up, getting a new costume or two can be a fun way to help them feel special when their little sibling arrives.

It’s especially sweet if they put on a show or play for their new brother or sister, making it one of the best sibling gifts in our book.

If you want a cute, unique costume, try one of these from small businesses worldwide:

Age 8+

13. Dinner and a Movie Date

This sweet idea is great for an older kid who is more into experiences than things. The one-on-one time will help make them feel extra special. Bonus points if you let them pick the restaurant and movie.

14. Bracelet Making Kit

I strategically picked this Bracelet Making Kit because it doesn’t have any beads in sight. Plus, it comes with a handy book of bracelet ideas and a spot to clip on the bracelet while it’s being worked on.

Also, I’m pretty sure I had this exact book as a kid, and it’s really giving me nostalgia.

15. Science Experiment Kit

This b ig box of science experiments contains 20+ different projects for your older kid to work through on their own at the kitchen table or with you once the littlest one has gone down for a nap.

Thankfully, there are no exploding volcanoes included.

16. Book Series

If your older kit is into reading, giving them a book series might be a great option and possibly considered their best sibling gift. They get time to dive into a good book, and you – hopefully – get some peace and quiet!

Here are some current popular book series to consider:

17. Crosswords/Brain Teaser Books

A big book of brain teasers could be a fun gift to keep your older kids entertained while you do all things newborn life. I think this gift would be really sweet paired with some new gel pens and a pencil pouch, too.

Sentimental “big sister” or “big brother” gift ideas

If you’re looking to go a more sentimental route, there are some cute ideas for the best gifts that your newborn could “gift” an older brother or sister.

Ultimately, this decision is completely up to you, your budget, and what you think your oldest child/children will like best!

Best big sister gift from baby

Best big brother gift from baby

I Am a Big Brother Book
“Big Brother” Tumbler (fill it with snacks!)
The Super, Incredible Big Brother Book
Custom “Big Brother” Activity Box
Big Brother Customized Busy Book
Big Bro Tote Bag and Craft Box

Final thoughts on sibling gifts and adding another baby to the family

Ultimately, no matter which gift you choose, know that even thinking about how to make this transition easier makes you a great parent. Sometimes the transition of adding more kids to the family goes well; sometimes, it doesn’t.

To be honest, often, it’s a mixture of both.

Remember, we’re all learning as we go on this parenthood journey, and you really are doing such a great job.