Holiday Gift Guide to promote active kids (age 1 and up)

Getting kids up and going is important. It stimulates their minds, helps them grow strong, improves coordination and spends up some of that famous toddler energy! Here's a look at some great gift ideas for tots one (and walking) and up... all tested out by my kiddos.

Of course, the stuff in this guide for one year olds will still be of great fun for two and three year olds too! For more ideas for tots a little younger, check out THIS gift guide. For tots a little older check out THIS guide.

Radio Flyer is the brand to look to for kids this age! They make so many fun, sturdy and well made products it'll be hard to decide which one to pick. There's something for every personality.

Radio Flyer Steer & Stroll Coupe - This race car (photo top) will delight both girls and boys. My girls have been playing with this for over a year now and they both love it and its still in great condition! The coupe can be used like a stroller with a pull up handle for parents to push one child around. Kids will also delight in the "radio" that plays a musical tune when the button is pushed and the blinker noises.

Radio Flyer Push, Pull & Ride - Toddlers LOVE pushing and pulling about as much as riding, afterall it lets them show off their new walking skills. The Push, Pull and Ride, does as its name implies and combines all these things in one toy. Ride it around as a little bug or turn it into a little doll stroller for fun pushing and pulling.  Available in pink or red.

Radio Flyer Classic Rock and Bounce Pony This rocking horse is first rate. It's soft and has a removable saddle so it grows with your children. It also needs no batteries. It's simple yet safe and loads of fun. I got this for my oldest daughter Ava (now 3.5 years old) for her first Christmas. It still looks like new, though she and her sister (who's 2 year old) ride on it all of the time. It's recommended for kids 9-36 months. Radio Flyer also makes a more expensive version that has sounds. It's not really worth the extra money. This version is perfect as is!

Plan Toys' Dancing Alligator is a really fun and cute wooden pull toy. It's 100% old fashioned and filled with fun. Constructed of chemical-free rubberwood, it is a formaldehyde-free toy and painted using soy-based ink. My daughters love to run around the house chasing each other and the alligator as he dances along behind them. It's made for 18 months and up, but would be fine for any child who can walk and pull this behind them.

Get kids up and going in tot gymnastics lessons! Many places have them for kids one year and up, with parents taking part, and for three and up with parents just watching.

Swim lessons are another option for active kids and many places offer them year round in indoor pools. Just make sure to bundle up and cover wet hair with a warm hat when you get outside. Swim lessons are generally offered for children 6 months old and up.

More gift guide for active kiddos:

• Kids two and up, check out THIS gift guide.
  
• Kids three and up, check out THIS gift guide.
• For active babies, check out THIS gift guide.
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