A new baby changes everything, especially for newly promoted big sisters and brothers. No matter how old they are, siblings will have to adjust to sharing the spotlight with the newest family member. One sure-fire way to make this transition go a little more smoothly: a gift!
My three daughters Chloe, Elle, and Kate! My two oldest girls love being big sisters, but it was an adjustment for them. A little gift always helps!
Who Should Give the New Sibling a Gift?
It’s not necessary for siblings to receive gifts at the baby shower, but it is nice to have a gift ready for the days following the birth.
From The New Baby: When my second daughter was born, we had a gift for my oldest that was “from” the new baby, and my hope was that this would build some excitement and a little bond between the two. Thankfully, her three year old brain didn’t really consider how her newborn sister went “shopping,” but I’ll always remember her sweet squeals of, “Thank you Sissy!”
From Mom and Dad: Tell your older child how proud you are of them for taking on this new role, and congratulate them with a special gift.
Anyone who comes bearing gifts for the new baby: If you’re planning a visit and bringing a gift for the new baby, it’s a sweet surprise to bring something small for the older sibling(s). It can be challenging for older ones to watch their new baby sister or brother receive present after present, and just a tiny token can mean the world to them! It’s not necessary to bring a gift for each older sibling–many of these gift ideas could work for more than one older child!
The Best Sibling Gift Ideas
If you’re looking for gift ideas, we’ve got you covered!
Big Brother/Sister Books
I think we read I’m a Big Sister a thousand times to my oldest daughter–I loved it for the simple language and realistic depictions of what to expect from a newborn baby (crying, diapering and lots of sleeping). My daughter loved it because it highlights all the fun things bigger kids get to enjoy, like riding a bike and eating ice cream.
The Best Sibling Ever personalized storybook is a sweet keepsake that celebrates a child’s new role in the family! The new big brother or sister will learn all the ways to show love to the new baby, and also be reminded of all the love the parents have for him or her. The child’s name and the new baby’s name appear throughout the book, and a personal message from you printed at the front of the book makes it extra giftable. I love that you can customize details such as hair and skin color, so that children will truly see themselves on each page!
With 24 pages of fun, this personalized Big Sister/Big Brother activity book features a storyline of helping mom prepare for baby as well as games, puzzles, and mazes that will teach your little one about your new bundle of joy. I would recommend this gift for little ones around ages 3-7.
Big Sister/Brother Outfits
A personalized big sibling t-shirt makes for a cute photo op to share on Instagram! You can also pick up a personalized onesie for the newest member of the sibling crew.
Here’s a “super” gift idea for a new sibling: a personalized superhero cape! Big brother or sister will feel heroic helping mom and dad around the house!
Toys…but not just any toys!
I hate to sound picky about gifts we’ve received, but there are some toys that add to the fun of our household and others that actually cause aggravation.
The arrival of a new baby calls for toys that help new parents, and that means the following:
- No small parts
- No loud noises
- No risk of injury
- No mess
- Little to no adult participation/effort required
This is not the time for a karaoke machine, pogo stick, or a Lego set with thousands of microscopic pieces. This is the time for the new big brother or sister to play safely, quietly, and independently so that mom and dad can relax and focus on the new baby. A brand new toy or activity that meets all of this criteria is a perfect gift!
Here are a few of my favorites!
Puzzles are fun, quiet, and kids love to do them over and over again! Some of my favorites are made by Melissa & Doug, and they have puzzles for kids who love animals, construction, the solar system, playing dress up, and so much more!. My kids even play pretend with the pieces of their animal puzzles and make up little stories!
Want to earn some bonus points with Mom and Dad? Pick up this puzzle rack to store the completed puzzles! It’s my favorite addition to the playroom!
Boys and girls of all ages love Magformers, and parents love them because they are so easy to clean up!
If your kids love painting, they’ll love Aqua Draw Doodle Mat: it’s a great way to get creative without a mess! The mat dries quickly so you can create over and over again! My 2 and 3 year old daughters love it!
Simple Games
I love a game with easy-to-learn rules and super fast clean-up! Here are a few of my family’s favorites:
Twister is a classic for a reason: it’s easy to learn and brings lots of laughter! This is an ideal gift to give two older siblings as they can play together while mom or dad spins.
Zingo is one of our all-time favorite games: it’s perfect for kids who can’t read yet, and an adult can easily play along while feeding a newborn!
Another classic favorite for preschoolers, Guess Who is fun for two siblings to play together, or for a multi-tasking grown-up!
Sleeping Queens has quickly become my six year old’s favorite card game! The rules seem a little complex, but once you learn them, it’s a quick and easy card game for older kids to play together!
Technology
Look, this isn’t a parenting blog. I’m not here to tell you how much screen time your kids should have–but I will tell you that a little bit of quiet time can be super helpful during a new baby’s fussy moments! We gave our older kids the Fire Kids Edition for Christmas this year, and we are so thankful we did! You can manage their settings and screen time easily, and there are lots of great options for kid content!
An Experience
Quality time is priceless, and new parents will always appreciate the gift of taking an older sibling for an hour or two to have some fun outside of the house! A quick trip to the playground or out for ice cream is a simple way to make an older child feel special, and a much-needed break for mom and dad. Feeling adventurous? Treat the big sis or bro to a trip to the zoo, movie theater, or trampoline park!
Celebrating Every Stage
Becoming a big sister or brother is something to celebrate, but as exciting as it is, it can be overwhelming, too. A small gift can help ease the transition and remind an older child that they will always have a special place in the family. Moms and Dads, be sure to have something to give your newly promoted sibling. And friends and family, pick up something to give along with the new baby gift!
