How can I help my child feel special as the big sibling?

Parents will naturally need to give the new baby lots of attention, so it’s important to make sure your older kiddo(s) get(s) enough quality time, too. One way to make them feel seen is by giving them a special gift, whether it comes from her parents or is “from” her baby brother or sister. These gifts can help make big sis excited about the new addition and reduce jealousy.

How can I prepare my child to become a big sibling?

Intentional gifts are a great way to help future big siblings prepare to have a new baby around the house. Books about babies and pregnancy, like “ Babies Don't Eat Pizza: A Big Kids' Book About Baby Brothers and Baby Sisters ,” teach them what to expect and demystify the process. A baby doll and gear, like the Manhattan Toy Baby Stella Doll or the Melissa & Doug Doll Feeding and Changing Accessories , are other useful tools that can help the big-sibling-to-be learn how to hold, change, and feed a baby. No matter how much you prepare, though, there will likely be an adjustment period —and that’s perfectly natural. Your firstborn is used to being the only kid in the house, and they might not yet have the tools to handle the divided attention. Positive reinforcement for good behavior (especially with the new baby) and one-on-one time can help them adjust to the family’s new dynamic.

The 27 Best Gifts for New Big Sisters of 2023

Best Big Sister Gifts — Maisonette / Amazon

Welcoming a new baby into the family is exciting, but it can be stressful. For young girls, moving into a big sister role can come with a whole mix of emotions, including joy, excitement, jealousy, and curiosity. Honor all of those feelings as she works through the changes.

Since a new baby is bound to get tons of attention and gifts, it can be thoughtful to give a present to the new or soon-to-be big sister so she feels seen. That can help strengthen the siblings’ future bond, and even at a young age, the big sis will appreciate sentimental, useful, and customized gifts that show her that she is appreciated and loved in the family.

Here are the best gifts for new big sisters that will give them confidence and make them feel more comfortable with their special new role.

Our Top Picks

juju + stitch Big Sis Classic Crewneck Fleece, Pink at Maisonette.com

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The Super, Incredible Big Sister Personalized Book at Amazon

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Ooly Budding Artist Kids Paint Set at Ooly.com

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Rockets of Awesome Clothing Subscription at Rocketsofawesome.com

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Sugarwish at Sugarwish.com

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Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera at Amazon

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Tula Mini Toy Carriers at Amazon

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Janie and Jack Matching Clothes at Janieandjack.com

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Claire's Mother Daughter Bracelets at Claires.com

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The New York Doll Collection Doll Stroller at Amazon

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In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Verywell Family

Source: juju + stitch

Let this adorable sweatshirt announce your girl’s new role with the super sweet embroidered “big sis” on the front. Add an adorable “little sis” or “little bro” onesie (which are also offered by the brand) so the new siblings can match. Crafted from 100 percent cotton and available in four kids’ sizes, the sweatshirt is a useful gift itself, but the embroidery makes it sentimental, personal, and a point of pride for the new big sis.

Price at time of publication: $68

Source: I See Me

Perfect for welcoming a new baby into the family, this personalized book is a one-of-a-kind present. Gifters can customize the details, including the big sister’s first and last name, the new baby’s name, the baby’s gender, and the sender’s names on the dedication page. Along with the book, there’s a coordinating medal for big sis to wear.

Price at time of publication: $35

Source: Ooly

A fun gift that’ll keep the big sister busy, this paint set is ideal for creative children. The set comes with two sketchpads, so there’s plenty of paper for your little artist. The rainbow-colored paint sticks go onto the page smoothly and dry super-fast to avoid a big mess. Challenge her to paint the new baby, and she’ll stay busy for a while.

Price at time of publication: $28

A gift for both the big sis and her parents, this clothing subscription company will send unique clothes right to the big sister’s doorstep. Since this gift eliminates the need to shop at a store, tired parents will like this one, too.

Simply take an online quiz to narrow down size and style options. After completing the quiz, an email is sent with pictures of the clothes (with veto power), and upon approval, a truly awesome box arrives stocked with clothes. Make it a subscription or do it once, your choice!

Price at time of publication: Starting at $19+

Sugarwish

Big sis will feel special when she gets to select her favorite sweet treats. Sugarwish is an adorable, customized gift that allows the recipient to pick a variety of treats, including candy, flavored popcorn, cookies, and more. After making her selection, she’ll have something to look forward to receiving in the mail. (Now just remind her that she’s sharing!)

Price at time of publication: Starting at $23

Amazon

Encourage an older big sister to capture what life looks like in her new role, with her very own camera. Available in a wide variety of colors, the kid-sized camera is super-fun and satisfying. Stock up on film, and let big sis create her own keepsake photo album, all from a kid’s point of view.

Price at time of publication: $77

Source: Tula

Children love mimicking what they see, and many new big sisters will naturally want to emulate their parents with their baby sibling. Crafted just like the regular-sized Tula carriers, a big sis will look right at home carrying her favorite doll or stuffy around town in this mini toy carrier.

Price at time of publication: $29

Source: Janie and Jack

All of Janie and Jack’s adorable matching clothes come in a wide variety of sizes—from six months to 12 years old—so it’s super-easy to create a memorable matching look for a big sister of any age. The clothes range from comfy everyday gear to truly special party-worthy outfits. Big sis will love matching with her mini-me!

Price at time of publication: Starting at $88

Source: Claire's

Remind your daughter how important she is to her mom with this affordable set of two gold-tone braces. One is engraved with the word “Mother,” and the other “Daughter,” and they both have heart cutouts. A simple gift that your girl will surely treasure, it’ll show her the special spot she holds in her mom’s heart.

Price at time of publication: $10

Amazon

Younger girls will love having their very own foldable stroller to walk their dolls with. The stroller mimics a full-sized stroller, complete with a seatbelt, sunshade, and basket on the bottom. It fits any 18-inch doll, so prepare for this toy stroller to be out and about a lot!

Price at time of publication: $30

Source: Sammy + Nat

Perfect for bathtime fun, a bedtime routine, or after swimming, this classic terry cloth robe features pink piping and can be monogrammed with an initial or full name. Big sis will feel like a big deal when she sports this stylish and super-soft robe around the house.

Price at time of publication: $52

Amazon

New big sisters will love caring for their very own, super-soft baby doll. This loveable baby comes in a wide variety of skin tones and hair textures, so the new baby doll will fit right into the family. At 15 inches long, this doll is safe for kids one year old and up, so it’ll inspire even the youngest girls to help nurture, role-play, and care for a baby of their own.

Price at time of publication: $41

Etsy

A thoughtful personalized gift, this geometric art print of big sister’s initial can be especially meaningful if she has to move bedrooms to accommodate the new baby. With a personalized print, she’ll stake her claim on the new space. Available in six sizes and 30 colors, the print comes unframed, so it’s easy to use your own frame to match her room’s decor.

Price at time of publication: Starting at $8

Fat Brain Toys

Imaginative play is a great creative outlet for new big sisters. This wooden and metal play baking set includes a milk carton, eggs, flour, a rolling pin, a whisk, a cookie sheet, and more. Kids will love mimicking their parents in the kitchen and “baking” yummy treats for the family.

Price at time of publication: $20

Amazon

Getting a new little sibling can be a tough transition, so it’s helpful to have a special place that the new big sister can call her own when she needs to decompress. This tent, which features fairy lights, curtains, and a roomy interior, is sure to make her feel like a real princess.

Price at time of publication: $56

Amazon

Care Bears are a classic gift, and having a stuffed animal to care for can be helpful for girls who are adjusting to big sisterhood. This 16-inch Care-A-Lot Bear comes with a drawstring bag for easy transport, and big sis will love her heart-shaped nose, shimmery fur, and belly badge with a castle and rainbow.

Price at time of publication: $25

Amazon

Great for older big sisters, this whimsical toy is sure to impress. With a wave of the magic wand, the crystal ball will fill with mist to reveal a Magical Mixie plushie, who can be interacted with in fortune-telling mode and game mode. Plus, the brand offers a refill kit (sold separately), so the crystal ball can be reused many times. As a bonus, it also functions as a nightlight, glowing for 30 minutes before shutting off automatically.

Price at time of publication: $85

Amazon

Toting kids (and their gear) around can be a handful, so a toddler backpack is a great help to busy parents of multiples. New big sisters will love the adorable puppy design of this backpack, and it will help them feel independent, too.

Price at time of publication: $22

Courtesy of Brave and Kind Books

Featuring girls of all colors, shapes, and sizes in all kinds of unique occupations, this empowering ABC book shows new big sisters the many things they can be, and it will encourage them to dream big.

Price at time of publication: $17

Amazon

Welcoming a new baby to the family can be stressful for little ones, making this fidget toy purse a fitting big sister gift. Little ones can pop the silicone bubbles in and out to calm down, and, with the rainbow unicorn pattern, she’ll want to rock this stylish purse around town.

Price at time of publication: $10

Amazon

Perfect for young fans of the hit kids’ show “Bluey” (and for new big sisters to baby girls), these plushies of Australian cattle dog Bluey and her sister Bingo are a sweet, cuddly gift. And since there are two, big sis might even share with her sibling.

Price at time of publication: $20

Nordstrom

These wool-lined suede UGG slippers are easy for little ones to slip on by themselves, and they’re comfy to boot. The hard rubber soles provide traction, and big sis can choose between neutral and bright shades to find the perfect pair.

Price at time of publication: $60

Amazon

While new big sisters may be excited about the prospect of getting a younger sibling, many don’t know much about babies or what to expect. This useful book helps prepare big-siblings-to-be with information on how babies are born, adoption, babies who have special needs, breast and bottle feeding, and more.

Price at time of publication: $18

Etsy

Perfect for wearing to a little sibling’s sip-and-see or baptism, this sweet smocked dress is embroidered with the words “Big Sister” around the collar in pink. It would make for an adorable pregnancy announcement, too.

Price at time of publication: $34

Amazon

Big sis can practice taking care of her new sibling with these realistic doll accessories. The feeding kit features an embroidered bib, divided plate, utensils, two jars of pretend food, and disappearing bottles of orange juice and milk. To simulate changing a doll’s diaper (minus the mess), she can play with the changing kit’s cloth diaper, wipes dispenser, and ointment.

Price at time of publication: $46

Amazon

Toddlers can accompany their adults and the new baby on walks on this snazzy balance bike. Available in a variety of colors, they can use it as a tricycle or bicycle (no tools needed to make the switch), and it gives them a sense of independence, too.

Price at time of publication: $70

Maisonette

Customize this 24-piece ballerina-themed puzzle with the big sister’s name to make her feel extra-special. Made from sturdy recycled laminated cardboard, the puzzle measures 18 x 12 inches and does double duty: it’s a quiet activity to do when the baby’s sleeping, plus it helps develop her fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

Price at time of publication: $25

What to Look for in Gifts for New Big Sisters

Sentimental Value

Sentimental presents are something you just can't go wrong with. For a sentimental gift, look for something that is heirloom-quality or handmade, will last a long time, or is meaningful. Even if the big sister stops playing with it, she can look back at this gift and remember a special time in her life.

Not only will it be special for big sister, but it also shows the parents and caregivers that you put thought into the gift. They'll not only appreciate the present, but your thoughtfulness, too.

Useful

Gifts that are useful will be appreciated just as much as sentimental presents. There are several useful gifts to help big sister prepare for the new arrival, like The New York Doll Collection My First Doll Stroller and the Tula Mini Toy Carrier.

Even if the gift isn’t specific to preparing for the new baby, it can still be very useful by occupying big sister’s time and attention—a true gift for tired parents.

Custom

It’s so special to receive a personalized gift—even more so for girls with unique names. The extra time and effort for personalized gifts are always worth the reaction you’ll receive. Recognizing her importance as the big sister can make a young girl very proud and excited for her new role in the family.

Check out gifts that can be personalized, like the Sammy + Nat Monogrammed Children's Bathrobe or the I See Me! Prima Ballerina Personalized Puzzle. A big sister will love having something with just her name or initials on it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I help my child feel special as the big sibling?

Parents will naturally need to give the new baby lots of attention, so it’s important to make sure your older kiddo(s) get(s) enough quality time, too. One way to make them feel seen is by giving them a special gift, whether it comes from her parents or is “from” her baby brother or sister. These gifts can help make big sis excited about the new addition and reduce jealousy.
How can I prepare my child to become a big sibling?

Intentional gifts are a great way to help future big siblings prepare to have a new baby around the house. Books about babies and pregnancy, like “Babies Don't Eat Pizza: A Big Kids' Book About Baby Brothers and Baby Sisters,” teach them what to expect and demystify the process. A baby doll and gear, like the Manhattan Toy Baby Stella Doll or the Melissa & Doug Doll Feeding and Changing Accessories, are other useful tools that can help the big-sibling-to-be learn how to hold, change, and feed a baby.
No matter how much you prepare, though, there will likely be an adjustment period—and that’s perfectly natural. Your firstborn is used to being the only kid in the house, and they might not yet have the tools to handle the divided attention. Positive reinforcement for good behavior (especially with the new baby) and one-on-one time can help them adjust to the family’s new dynamic.

Why Trust Verywell Family

Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of an eleven-year-old son, an eight-year-old son, and a four-year-old daughter. While she doesn’t have any big sisters in her family (besides being one x2), she does have two big brothers. She loves to give anything that’ll keep the big sis busy, so art supplies, a baby doll, or a camera are all fun gifts.

Phoebe Sklansky is Verywell Family’s Associate Commerce Editor. A proud big sister herself, she knows the importance of a sibling bond. She recommends anything that will help the parents and keep a big sister occupied while making her feel special and important.