🎄 Christmas Gift Guide for Little Ones: Encouraging Learning Through Play

Choosing Christmas gifts for little ones can feel overwhelming. You want something fun, something exciting… but also something that helps them learn and grow. That’s exactly why role play toys make such wonderful Christmas presents.

At Petite Street Play Village, we see every day how powerful pretend play can be. Children naturally gravitate towards toys that let them copy what they see in the world around them - and this is where the real learning happens. We've created a Christmas gift guide for little ones that include some of our favourite, tried, tested and most loved toys at Petite Street.

☕ Little Dutch Coffee Corner

A pretend coffee corner gives children the chance to practice social skills, language and sequencing. They love taking “orders”, making their own drinks and serving friends and family.

Benefits for learning:

• Builds communication and confidence

• Encourages turn-taking and role-switching

• Supports early problem-solving

🛒 Supermarket Grocery Sets

Supermarket role play helps little ones make sense of everyday life. Sorting food, packing bags and using pretend money all introduce early maths and organisational skills.

Benefits for learning:

• Develops counting and sorting skills

• Builds real-world understanding

• Encourages imagination and storytelling

🧰 Construction Worker Play Sets

Construction toys are brilliant for hands-on learners. They help children practice focus, patience and fine motor skills while “fixing” and “building.”

Benefits for learning:

• Improves hand–eye coordination

• Builds resilience and problem-solving skills

• Encourages perseverance

🍼 Tiny Harlow Food Jar & Spoon Sets

Feeding dolls or teddies helps children explore nurturing behaviour. This kind of play builds empathy and emotional intelligence.

Benefits for learning:

• Supports emotional development

• Encourages caring and responsibility

• Helps children understand routines

🍦 Ice Cream & Scoop-and-Serve Sets

Ice cream shop play boosts creativity and social confidence. Children love serving flavours and making choices.

Benefits for learning:

• Builds decision-making skills

• Encourages language development

• Introduces basic counting and sequencing

🧑‍⚕️ Doctor & Vet Role Play Sets

Medical role play toys help children feel confident about real-life visits. Pretending to care for patients or animals reduces anxiety and builds understanding.

Benefits for learning:

• Builds empathy and confidence

• Supports emotional processing

• Encourages communication skills

💇 Dyson Hair Styling Toy Sets

Hairdresser toys are brilliant for imaginative storytelling. Children love copying what they see at home and pretending to style hair.

Benefits for learning:

• Builds fine motor skills

• Encourages creativity

• Supports social interaction and confidence

🎁 A Gift That Grows With Them

Role play toys don’t just entertain - they grow with your child. The same toy can tell a different story every day, unlocking new ideas, confidence and experiences through play.

And if you’re looking for something a little different this Christmas…

Give the gift of play! Petite Street Play Village gift vouchers make the perfect present - offering magical experiences, memory-making and learning through play. You can pick up one of our vouchers in person, or purchase an e-gift card online and send it straight to the recipient. Buy yours here!

We've also created a FREE parents role play playbook that you can download - it's packed with simple tips and ideas to help you make the most of role play at home and support your child's development through every day play.

Download the free Role Play Playbook here!