Black Friday: The Home Depot Toddler Must Haves!
Watching your baby become a toddler is one of the most exciting times in a parent's life. From ages one to four, toddlers reach most of their developmental milestones, such as learning to walk, gaining motor skills, and learning new words. During this time, playing is a toddler's top priority. However, most of their baby toys probably need to be replaced with developmentally appropriate play items, and Home Depot's Black Friday sale is a great place to start.
Whether you’re searching for early Christmas presents or birthday gifts for toddlers, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are two of the best times of the year to buy. But, with deep discounts on everything from clothes to toys to tech, it can be challenging to narrow down the best items. That's why we've scoured the Home Depot Black Friday ads from last year for low prices on trending toddler must-haves.
Best Overall: KidKraft Large Pastel Kitchen Playset
Best Budget: Hey! Play! Kids Gardening Tool Set
Best for Imaginative Play: Teamson Kids Dreamland Tiffany 12 in. Doll House
Best for Helping Around the House: KidKraft Deluxe Workbench with Tools
Best for Gross Motor Skills: Simplay3 Young Explorer Adventure Climber
Best for Adventurous Toddlers: Costway 4-in-1 Kids Climber Slide Play Set
Best for Independent Play: KidKraft Building Bricks Play and Store Table
Best for Early STEM Skills: Stanley Jr. Take a Part Front Loader
Best for Outdoors: Eezy Peezy Monkey Bar Climber
Best for Emotional Development: Twinkle Stars Princess Baby Doll Twin Strollers
What to Consider When Choosing Toddler Must Haves
Home Depot offers more than power tools, home decor, and kitchen appliances. While all retailers will have Black Friday deals, including Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and Target, Home Depot Friday deals include markdowns on everything you need to help your toddler grow. Here are a few things to consider:
When is Black Friday?
This year, Black Friday falls on November 25th, 2022. Many shoppers turned to online shopping during the pandemic, so you should be able to find the best Black Friday deals and promos on Home Depot's website. However, there are always special buys available in the store. Also, pay close attention to the details to see how long the sale prices last, as some may only be for a short time.
Age and Development
The toddler stage encompasses many years, so not every item will be developmentally appropriate for all toddlers. For example, if you get a play-set or game that your child isn't quite ready for or is too advanced for, they'll likely get frustrated or bored with it.
How We Chose Our Favorites
We consulted with experts and parents to determine the best toddler must-haves. We also tapped into these experts' advice to find out which brands were readily available at Home Depot during Black Friday.
The Best Overall Play-Set
KidKraft Large Pastel Kitchen Playset
Help your kids cook up some creativity with this pretend kitchen play-set. It features an opening refrigerator, oven, microwave, and freezer. The sink is even removable for convenient cleaning.
Here's What Reviewers Have to Say:
“The quality is awesome. This was for my 3-year-old's birthday. The size of it is much taller than all other kitchens I’ve seen and is exactly what we wanted. She will be able to play with it for years!”
The Best Budget Buy
Hey! Play! Kids Gardening Tool Set
From imaginative play to learning about nature, this tool set encourages toddler development in several ways. All tools have rounded edges for safety, and sturdy wooden handles for durability.
Here's What Reviewers Have to Say:
“Perfect size and great quality!! My little guy loves them. He is only 2 1/2 years old. With good adult supervision I think they are perfect for this age. So excited to see him live digging in the yard!”
Best for Imaginative Play
Teamson Kids Dreamland Tiffany 12 in. Doll House
Whether you have several children or want your toddler to learn how to share with friends, this doll house is large enough to accommodate several playing children at once. It features three levels of sturdy wood construction and includes play furniture to decorate the entire house.
Here's What Reviewers Have to Say:
“My daughters were in awe, when they 1st opened their eyes. They have played with this gorgeous 3 story dollhouse nonstop. It is well constructed, it took some time to put together but well worth it. The quality of each piece and as a whole is breath taking, and careful attention to detail and all the amazing extra pieces definitely help complete the look of the doll house.”
Best for Helping Around the House
KidKraft Deluxe Workbench with Tools
For kids who want to help with DIY home improvement projects around the house, this workbench is a must-have. Kids can use a functional pinch-proof vise or buzz saw with a rotating blade, while adults operate their cordless drill or impact driver.
Here's What Reviewers Have to Say:
“Good quality for the price! My 2-year-old has hours of fun. The bench is sturdy, colorful, and has extra additional play items such as the saw! Highly recommend.”
Best for Gross Motor Skills
Simplay3 Young Explorer Adventure Climber
This adventure climber is a must-have for developing toddlers. Kids can learn to climb a wall, crawl underneath the fort, or slide. It's weather and UV resistant for outdoor use, and it's narrow enough to fit through most doorways.
Here's What Reviewers Have to Say:
“Super easy to put together! All of the pieces Snap together and then you just screw them for extra support. Took two of us a total of 30-45 minutes (we also had our 15 month old climbing on everything) but it could easily be put together in 20 minutes! Our child loves climbing all over it.”
Best for Adventurous Toddlers
Costway 4-in-1 Kids Climber Slide Play Set
This play-set features four-point support on the bottom for high stability without wobbling, and non-slip steps. The slide, ringtoss game, and basketball hoop will entertain toddlers for hours.
Here's What Reviewers Have to Say:
“This is so perfect! It’s sting, but light enough that I can move it inside or outside easily. Both my one year old and my 4-year-old can’t stop sliding every chance they get all day long.”
Best for Independent Play
KidKraft Building Bricks Play and Store Table
Toddlers who love to dream up designs and play independently will adore this play table. The entire table features a building base, which also opens up to become two play areas. Plus, it comes with 200 building bricks.
Here's What Reviewers Have to Say:
“One of my best purchase ever! I was skeptical but impressed. Good quality, super clever design, stores tons of legos and has room for my 3 kiddos to all play and build at one time. I would definitely recommend!”
Best for Early STEM Skills
Stanley Jr. Take a Part Front Loader
Not only is this front-loader a fun vehicle to play with, but it's also designed to take apart into 22 pieces and reassemble into several unique vehicles with the included tools.
Here's What Reviewers Have to Say:
“We love this toy! Bought two sets for my son and he has created so many different trucks. He loves to put things together and engineer but was a little to young for other sets. This one is perfect!”
Best for Outdoor Play
Getting time outside and developing gross motor skills are important for toddlers. In addition to being durable and safe, this climbing tower is also made of high-quality material for long-lasting outdoor play.
Here's What Reviewers Have to Say:
“Easy to assemble, kids love it!”
Best for Emotional Development
Twinkle Stars Princess Baby Doll Twin Strollers
Playing with dolls and pushing them around in a stroller is valuable for emotional development and pretend play. This double stroller accommodates two babies and folds up when playtime is over.
Here's What Reviewers Have to Say:
“My doodle bug is loving her new stroller, it is her newest favorite thing. I’m so happy that it folds so small because we have to take it everywhere. She loves that she’s not the one riding now it’s her babies. It was super easy to put together and it is so light weight even my 3-year-old daughter picks it up. It rolls easily through sand. She likes the little sun visor when the sun is shining in her baby’s face. It looks just like a full size stroller.”
No matter how well we teach our children about the importance of family, friends, and giving during the holidays, any kid will tell you: It's about the presents! Before you hit the mall, check out our list of this year's hottest toys and gifts.
