The Bump shares sweet gifts to help siblings welcome a new baby

When a new baby arrives, the real family problem is the older child’s fear of being edged out. The American Psychological Association says nearly 80% of U.S. children have at least one sibling, and the American Academy of Pediatrics notes that toddlers ages 1 to 2 often need the change explained simply and early. The Bump’s sibling guide is strongest when it treats the gift as a bridge between children, not a novelty buy.

1. Personalized book

At about $11 for a simple version or closer to $40 for a deluxe custom edition, a personalized book makes the older child the hero of the story. It is one of the easiest ways to turn an abstract pregnancy into something concrete, especially for toddlers who need repetition.

2. Matching pajamas

Little Sleepies-style sibling sets run around $34, and they do more than create a cute photo. Matching pajamas make the older child feel like part of the same unit, which is exactly the message that softens the shock of a new arrival.

3. Big sibling T-shirt

At about $22, a big sibling tee is the lowest-effort way to hand a child a new identity. It works because it is wearable proof that the family sees them as important, not displaced.

4. Baby doll

Priced around $43, a baby doll gives the older child a way to practice nurturing without competition from the real baby. The Bump specifically highlights baby dolls for empathy, and that emotional rehearsal is worth more than another noisy toy.

5. Doll wrap carrier

At roughly $38, a doll carrier extends the play life of a baby doll and makes the child feel more like a helper. It is especially smart for preschoolers who like to copy what they see adults do with the newborn.

6. Baby doll bath set

At about $29, a bath set makes caregiving feel like a routine, not a one-off trick. That matters because familiar rituals are what help kids settle into a house where the spotlight has shifted.

7. Coloring book

At just $6.99, a coloring book is one of the most useful gifts in the entire guide. It is inexpensive, calming, and easy to pull out during hospital visits, feedings, or the chaotic first week home.

8. Crayons

Custom crayons at about $23.95 feel more special than a standard box because they are the sort of small luxury kids notice immediately. They also give the older child a quiet outlet, which can help when feelings are too big for words.

9. Art station

At $79.99, an easel or tabletop art station is the first clearly splurge-level gift on the list. It earns its place because it turns the older sibling into a maker, someone who can create something for the baby instead of competing with the baby for attention.

10. Storybook projector toy

Around $42.99, a storybook projector is bedtime theater, and that is the appeal. Shared stories help siblings build a common ritual, which is often more meaningful than another screen-based distraction.

11. Digital camera for kids

At about $37.99, a kid camera gives the older child a job with status: family documentarian. That sense of responsibility is useful when the baby has changed everyone’s schedule and the older child needs a role that belongs only to them.

12. Color-in playhouse

At roughly $32.49, a cardboard playhouse buys time in the most elegant way possible. It is big enough to feel like an event, but simple enough that the older child can claim it as their own project.

13. Sandbox

Around $88.99, a sandbox is a bigger home investment, but it pays off by giving siblings a shared space that is not centered on the baby. The best sibling gifts do not just entertain, they create a place where two children can play side by side.

14. Foldable ball pit

At about $115.99, a ball pit is the high-energy version of the same idea. It gives the older child a physical outlet for all the excitement and restlessness that can surface when a baby suddenly changes the house dynamic.

15. Big sibling activity kit

From about $57, a craft kit works because it ends with something tangible the child can show the baby later. That finished object, even if it is messy or imperfect, becomes a tiny record of inclusion.

16. Stuffed baby doll

At about $34.95, a stuffed baby doll is softer and more comforting than a hard plastic toy. It is a strong choice for children who want a quiet companion and a gentler version of pretend caregiving.

17. Convertible scooter

At roughly $44.99, a scooter is the clearest answer to the child who needs something distinctly theirs. It says the family is growing, but their place in it is not shrinking.

18. Ride-on wagon

At about $147.27, the wagon is the splurge gift, and it feels like one. It is worth it if you want a present that turns family outings into something the older child can physically enjoy with the baby later on.

19. Big sibling book

Around $39.99, a big sibling book gives the child language for a moment that can otherwise feel confusing. It is especially useful for toddlers, who often need the new role explained in simple, reassuring terms.

20. Building blocks

Usually $20 to $40, building blocks are one of the best shared-play gifts because they invite collaboration instead of ownership battles. Siblings are each other’s first peers, and toys that can be built together help that relationship start on the right foot.

21. Magnetic tiles

Usually $30 to $60, magnetic tiles are better than novelty toys because they reward patience and cooperation. They also scale well as the baby grows, which makes them a longer-lived gift than a one-time surprise.

22. Floor puzzle

Usually $15 to $25, a floor puzzle is a calm, screen-free way to settle the older child while the baby is sleeping. It also gives adults an easy chance to praise them for being helpful and gentle, which the AAP encourages.

23. Memory box

Usually $20 to $40, a memory box is a keepsake with real emotional staying power. It gives the older child a place to tuck in hospital bracelets, first drawings, or a note "from baby," which makes the new sibling feel like part of their story.

24. Photo frame

Usually $15 to $30, a frame for the first sibling photo turns the older child into the subject, not just the witness. That small act of visibility can matter more than a more expensive gift that never leaves the shelf.

25. Growth chart

Usually $25 to $40, a growth chart reminds the older child that they are still growing too. It is a thoughtful counterbalance to all the attention the baby gets, and it makes the hallway wall feel like a family timeline.

26. Board book about becoming a sibling

Usually $10 to $18, this is the best choice for toddlers ages 1 to 2 who need a preview of what the new baby means. Reading about siblings before the birth fits the AAP’s advice to talk about the change early so the child can get used to the idea.

27. Sticker and marker set

Usually $10 to $20, this is a small gift with a big payoff during long feeding sessions or hospital waiting rooms. It keeps the older child busy without making them feel shushed out of the moment.

28. Night-light

Usually $15 to $30, a soft night-light helps reset bedtime when the house is suddenly louder and less predictable. Practical comfort can be more luxurious than novelty, especially when the older child is learning to sleep through a changed routine.

29. One-on-one outing coupon

Usually free to $50 depending on the outing, this is one of the smartest gifts grandparents can give. HealthyChildren.org specifically recommends that grandparents give special attention to the older sibling, and a promised trip to a park, bakery, or bookstore can do exactly that.

30. Matching sibling accessory set

Usually $20 to $50 for backpacks, slippers, or robes, this is the final gift that makes the older child feel included without turning them into a stand-in baby. It is a gentle, useful way to say the new baby is joining a team that already has room for them.