22 Best Big Brother Gifts to Get Him Excited About Baby

Bedtime routines can become a whole lot more challenging when a new little one arrives, but this toy brings the whole family together during this important time of the day. The Story Dream Machine projects classic stories like The Poky Little Puppy onto the wall, making storytime into a family activity. It also works as a white noise nightlight, which I love because it can calm and relax any big brother who needs extra reinforcements drowning out their little sibling’s cries.

We got this toy as a shared present for all of my kids, and after having a few weeks’ worth of family reading under our belt, it’s quickly become the best shared plaything we have! For families with older children, the opportunities for big brothers to read the Little Golden Books aloud to the younger crew—new baby included—are endless. You can purchase additional story collections in sets of three, so your library can grow right along with your family.

Age range: 3+ years

Toddlers love taking pictures (who else’s camera roll holds hundreds of ‘selfies’ of the ground or blurred, half faces at any given time?). So, why not gift them their own special camera to save memories with their new baby sibling? This simplified digital camera from VTech Kidizoom has easy-to-grip sides and very basic controls that even the youngest toddlers can handle. Who knows, you might even end up with a pro-quality newborn pic to add to your birth announcement! If not, as your little shutterbug gets older, they’ll love playing with the animations, frames and filters, and you’ll appreciate having another documentarian in the family.

Age range: 3 to 8 years

The best big brother gifts remind him that your love for him won’t change, even with a new addition to the family. This sweet and personalized book teaches your tot all the special ways he’ll be able to help out—while also explaining that he’ll have a lifelong playmate as baby grows. When my son became a big brother for the first time, he was 2 years old. By that time, he had gotten a couple “Congratulations!” diplomas from his toddler fitness class, so my husband and I decided to create a “Congratulations on becoming a big brother!” certificate for him. He absolutely loved it! The “Super Incredible Big Brother” medal that comes with this book offers the same kind of encouragement. And if you’re one for crafting, it makes for a great inclusion in any big brother shadow or memory box.

Age range: 0 to 8 years

Help your little one create and personalize a play space all on their own with this fun cardboard castle they can color in with markers. It features simple yet imaginative graphics (a smiling, firing-breathing dragon, a knight in shining armor and even some sweet fairytale-esque birds) that let him flex his creative muscles and customize a look he’ll be thrilled to retreat to whenever he’s in need of some “me time.”

Age range: 3+ years

A matching big-kid shirt and newborn onesie? Yes, please. These are so cute, they just might inspire new nicknames. You can tell your son that as the “biggie” of the family, it’s his job to look out for the new little one, which is sure to instill that big sense of responsibility in him. Matching outfits are never in short supply, but if you can find options that speak your family’s “language” or can be personalized with “biggie” and “smalls’’” names, then you’ll have the perfect best-friends-in-the-making threads to highlight in your social media posts!

Age range: Newborn to 4T

One of the best big brother gifts is an exciting space where they can play together and bond as they grow. This deluxe wooden sand box comes with built-in benches, a cover and lots of space for them to spread out and build sand castles. Plus, if you’re expecting a spring or summer baby, it’s another great place for big brothers to go when they want some time away from baby. While one parent watches baby doing tummy time, the other (or grandma, grandpa, auntie or uncle) can play with big bro in their sandy maker space. Just be sure to exercise caution and supervision whenever your little one is savoring their “staycation!”

Age range: 3 to 10 years

How about a ball pit for them to romp around in together? Sure, your big boy might have to fly solo in this for a good while, but we envision lots of future photo opps in this modern-minimalist design. You can fill it with whatever balls you’d like (because this option only includes the pit; balls sold separately), but the real reason we love this for big brothers is that it’s foldable! With a new baby in the house, there’s likely a ton of new baby gear taking up space in your home. But this flexible ball pit offers the convenience of having a play area that can come to life when needed, and then disappear when it's time to tidy up.

When you share the good news with your little one, some of the best ways to get them excited are to shout out their new role in the family, and give them some fun activities to stay busy while everyone is getting settled in. From dino stampers and a notepad for doodling to a water bottle decal proudly proclaiming their "Leveled Up to Big Brother" status, this all-inclusive kit truly has it all. With additional features like a dino fossil extraction activity, rainbow scratch art, a “Big Brothers Rawr” bookmark and a dino canvas for painting, this kit guarantees endless hours of imaginative play and creative exploration. It's the ultimate "busy" gift to make any new big brother feel like the tricera-tops they so clearly are.

Age range: 4+ years

With a fluffy bunny blankie, a fabric garden basket and even a pretend packet of carrot seeds, this farmer-themed baby doll is ripe to spark that everything-you-could-hope-for sense of nurturing in your little sprout. After my daughter was born, I distinctly remember my son clinging to his farm set toys, making sure the “mama” hens were always nestled atop their eggs and the “baby horsies” were safely inside their stalls to sleep at night. It was like he grew up overnight, and only ever wanted the baby animals to be safe and sound.

Age range: 12+ months

Gifting your little buddy a scooter of their own provides the ultimate push they need to get excited about taking walks with baby and taking charge of their own playtime adventures. As they push themselves around, they’ll develop important gross motor skills and learn how to navigate their surroundings with confidence—control and autonomy for the win! Moreover, the adjustable seat feature makes this adorable, giddy giraffe ride-on a long-term investment sure to engage and entertain your tiny calf as they grow through the years.

Age range: 1 to 3 years

If you need something to occupy a new big brother or two, temporary tattoos are gift ideas sure to stick! With over 100 kid-friendly tattoos in every pack, these Melissa & Doug tattoos offer endless opportunities for creative expression and imaginative play. From animals and dinos to nets, goals, race cars and pirates, the variety of adventure-, creature- and sports-themed tattoos cater to the interests of every newly-promoted big brother. The perforated sheets make it even easier to tear and share, fostering a sense of camaraderie between siblings. And they’re easy to apply and remove, ensuring a hassle-free experience for the bigs and the babysitters in charge!

When my youngest was born, our son and daughter spent a few days at grandma’s house, because the hospital’s COVID-19 protocol still wouldn’t allow young children to visit. We prepared little care packages for them while they were there, and included some temporary tattoos, just like these Melissa & Doug ones. And when they met their new baby brother days later, they couldn’t wait to show off their imitation ink!

Age range: 3+ years

The best case scenario for your big boy and his little sib is compatibility, right? Well, why not queue them up for “good chemistry” with this amateur experiment kit from KiwiCo? The hands-on, early-science bundle is especially designed for 3+ toddlers, promoting curiosity, imagination and critical thinking skills, all while providing an enriching and educational activity that big brothers can enjoy with younger siblings. But what we really love is the included and super colorful “Hello, Atom" board book, which big brothers can read and explore with their baby brother or sister.

Age range: 3+ years

Baby dolls are a great gift idea for toddlers to learn how to care for their new sibling, but if you have a kindergartner or even a first grader in the house, a Bitzee Digital Pet is something a bit more age-appropriate. Your big boy can play and bond with their Bitzee through interactive gestures like swipes, tilts, shakes and touches, creating an immersive experience sure to keep them hooked for hours. As they take their pet from babyhood to adulthood, hopefully unlocking the elusive “Super Bitzee” status along the way, big brothers will pick up essential skills such as empathy, responsibility and commitment — all valuable to big brothership.

Age range: 5+ years

When a new baby comes home, everyone in the family rises to the occasion. And for my oldest, I think we did a solid job of acclimating him to the idea of mom and dad needing to handle new responsibilities when his baby sister was born. When I was pregnant, he mentioned more than a few times how excited he was to “help out around the house” and make sure he took care of anything that needed “fixing” before baby arrived. He was absolutely mesmerized by the sights and sounds of “daddy putting baby’s crib together” in the weeks leading up to her birth, so we knew exactly what we wanted to get him as a gift from his little sis.

When he came to the hospital to meet her, he opened her gift and couldn’t stop raving about “going back to grandma’s house to play with” his new tool bench. His was plastic, but if we could go back in time, we would have loved to get him something like this handsome wooden model from Tender Leaf Toys. It features a sturdy tool bench, complete with a variety of tools and accessories mimicking real-life tools used by handymen, carpenters, moms and dads. And for little boys who are transitioning into the role of big brother, they can use the tools included in this well-built and non-toxic playset to assist parents in small household tasks. They can pretend to repair a broken chair, tighten loose screws or build a little shelf for their new sibling's toys.

Age range: 3+ years

Cuddly friends make great big brother gifts, so your oldest can have their own little one to snuggle. This adorable elephant plush includes a personalized ear that says “big brother,” along with the year they unlocked that title (aka new baby’s birth year). The other ear includes their name and initial for a customized plush they’re sure to cherish for years to come.

When his baby sister was born, our little boy brought the blue teddy bear my grandfather (his great grandpa) got him when he was born to the hospital and laid it in her bassinet—her “sleeping” bed, as he called it. He so easily relinquished one of his favorite loveys, hoping it would bring his sister the happiest dreams, and wow, did it make our hearts melt! Looking back on the memory, an elephant plush like this one would have made a fitting stuffy swap!

Age range: Suitable from birth

Okay, so a “bicycle built for two” might be a bit too ambitious for your big guy and his new baby sibling. But a classic red wagon with room for two is just the right speed for your son and his sidekick to come. The spacious two-seater design comes equipped with safety belts so that big brother can eagerly await the time when his little sibling will be big enough to ride with him.

Age range: 3+ years

If your oldest will be moving out of his crib to make room for baby, make their big kid bed feel extra special with some fun toddler bedding. This luxe sheet set crafted from 100% organic cotton percale (which equates to super-soft and breathable) features the trucks, tractors and 18-wheelers toddlers just can’t get enough of. Bedtime might drag on when they start schooling their mini about all the “things that go,” but hopefully that just means they’ll hit the pillow and be in it for the long haul. One can hope right?!

Age range: 2+

Let’s face it: You might find yourself leaning on screen time a little more when you have a new baby to care for. For a new big brother gift, consider a toddler-friendly tablet that can introduce a sense of responsibility and ownership to kids learning how to navigate a digital world. If you can reserve screen time only for specific moments (like when you’re feeding, changing or getting baby down for a nap, it’ll help create boundaries, set up expectations and make the watching, learning or playing privilege feel that much more special.

Age range: 3 to 7 years

Give your kiddo their own special place to create with this statement-making art studio from KidKraft. With the double-sided design featuring a dry-erase surface on one side and a chalkboard on the other, the easel offers endless opportunities for a new big brother to explore different mediums and techniques. Whether they want to draw, paint or write, the easel becomes a canvas for imagination and wonder to flourish. It’s also crafted with durable, high-quality materials that ensure its longevity and capacity to withstand the energetic play of a growing toddler. Add unique design features like spill-proof paint cups and easy-clean plastic trays to the mix, and you’re looking at a pick that’s as presentable and practical as it is prim and proper.

Age range: 3+ years

A big brother’s life can be turned upside down when their new baby arrives, what with all the crying, the screaming, the attention-stealing, etc. But getting on your little’s level and, well, leveling with them about baby’s needs can trigger those perspective-taking skills. By presenting the story of a baby who is only comforted by one thing, milk, the book opens up a conversation about why infants do the things they do (and annoy their big siblings in the process).

All the simple, yet captivating illustrations and uniquely-shaped board design make it engaging and visually appealing for young readers. The playful and colorful visuals are gaze-grabbing and make the reading experience enjoyable for big brothers and whoever is reading with them. And, let’s be honest, it’ll probably also spark plenty of queries and dialogue about not only baby’s growth and development, but mom’s new normal.

Age range: 0+ months

If your little one has a tough time being away from you—and most do!—consider gifting them a coloring book or activity book to keep them busy through your hospital stay and all the settling-in weeks to come. We love this one because it’s filled with tons of toddler-appropriate coloring pages, mazes, look and finds and ‘spot the differences’ scenes that not only prepare him for his greatest mission to date (being the best big brother), but also keep him happily entertained while you’re tending to your own calls to action.

Age range: 2 to 6 years

Teach your child the gift of giving with a new stuffed animal: Not only are these handcrafted toys adorable and heirloom-quality, they’re also charitable. Each one sold provides 10 meals for children in need. Since they come in two sizes—regular (20") and small (13")—they’re also the perfect pair to give to a big brother and their new baby sibling for a matching big and little set.

Age range: 0+ months