From Bedtime Stories to Bathtime Bliss: Our Picks for Thoughtful Gifts

• Posted on 3 November 2025
• By Kathleen
• Posted in baby, Birthdays, Christmas, Edmonton, gift ideas, shop local, small business, Yeg
• 0

Thoughtful gift ideas for the children in your life.

Shopping for young children can feel overwhelming, but finding a truly thoughtful gift is a joy!

At Folk & Whimsy, we believe the best presents spark imagination, encourage learning, and bring a little bit of whimsy to daily routines.

We skip the clutter and focus on quality and truly engaging items for children. As a small, local business in Edmonton, we meticulously curate every book, toy, craft kit, and bath product with purpose and play in mind. Whether you're shopping for a newborn or a spirited preschooler, this guide features our handpicked favorites—the gifts that enrich childhood and become treasured keepsakes. Let us help you find the perfect thing that inspires both the "folk" and the "whimsy" in every child.

Gifts for the Littlest Folk (Ages 0-1)

For the youngest family members the focus is always on safe, tactile exploration. 

Teething and sensory toys from Itzy Ritzy offer sensory engagement with crinkly noises, a variety of textures to explore, relief from teething discomfort, and the toys are cute too! 

Another favourite is the Chew Cube from Malarkey Kids. Easy to grasp, an assortment of textures to explore, plus it rattles when you shake it. What’s not to love?

Encouraging Imaginative Play (Ages 2-5)

This is the golden age of imagination. We love open-ended toys, storytelling, and encouraging early creative development. 

Magneti’Books from Janod are a big hit. These portable, educational magnetic books are loved by young and old alike! So, how do they work? The magnetic box includes a host of different magnetic items for kids to put together, according to the templates or any way they like!  All the magnetic pieces are completely interchangeable, so kids can have hours of fun coming up with all sorts of silly pictures and they can create stories to go along with each amazing scene. 

Unlock creativity with Plus Plus tiles. Each piece is the same shape but you can build endless 2D and 3D creations encouraging open ended play, fine motor skills, and perhaps an interest in all things STEM. We have Plus Plus tubes available in 2 sizes - Big Plus Plus for the younger kids and the original size for older kids. The entire family can play together!

Creative Kits & Skill Builders (Ages 6+)

For the older child who craves a challenge, we select gifts that help them master a new skill or deepen their curiosity about the world.

Let us introduce you to MakeDo. The cardboard box is one of the greatest toys ever invented and has been adored by kids for generations. Take that simple love of cardboard and elevate it with MakeDo! MakeDo kits give young builders everything they need to safely cut and connect up-cycled materials. Simple, safe, and entirely low-tech, this is pure creative freedom. Anything is possible: a whimsical gnome, a towering castle, or a brand-new invention. It’s an easy, accessible way to encourage resourceful play and develop their imagination.

Still keeping it simple but wonderfully creative and even meditative, the traditional art of origami is a whimsical skill to hone. Origami engages both sides of the brain and provides a unique combination of artistic expression and academic skill-building. From building precision and dexterity to sequencing and following directions, origami is more than just play...but maybe keep that information to yourself and just let the kids fold paper and create their own great masterpieces. 

Finding the perfect gift shouldn't feel like a chore; it should feel like discovering a treasure. We hope this guide inspires you to choose gifts that offer lasting value, encourage imagination. When you choose an item from Folk & Whimsy, you’re not just buying a book or a toy—you’re investing in quality, supporting a small local Edmonton business, and selecting a gift that has been thoughtfully chosen with your child’s development and joy in mind. Stop by our shop today to touch, feel, and explore these delightful, curated selections and let us help you finish your gift list with peace and whimsy!