Best gifts for the sibling of a new baby

What better way to help the new big sib in the family step fully into their role than by making it official? This kit from the Little Medical School will help your little ones learn to keep your baby safe and teaches them how to help the new baby sleep and grow. And after they complete all the activities, they can take the included Great Sibling Oath and earn an official Great Big Sibling certificate. This kit is for ages 4 and up.

Keep older siblings busy by asking them to snap pics of the new baby with their very own camera. Pro tip: If your child is old enough to actually understand how to work the camera (a 5-year-old easily gets it), spring for a larger memory card, so they don't come to you asking you why the camera won't take any more pictures because the memory is already full. The goal is to make your life easier, not harder. This camera is suitable for ages 3 and up.

Trust us on this one: This is the type of screen you will welcome having in your house. My kids received these LCD tablets as Christmas presents, and I kid you not, they have been the most-used items in our house since then. They're just so darn handy for coloring and kid doodling, and kids love pressing the button to see the images "magically" disappear. They combine the cool factor of a tablet with the creativity of coloring. Suitable for kids as soon as they can hold a crayon (around 12 months).

When my youngest was born, I wanted a way to show my older daughters that they would not be forgotten in the hustle and bustle of a new baby. I came across these adorable matching mother-daughter bracelets and picked them up for my "big girls" to wear while they headed off to school and I stayed home with the baby – they gave us a sweet and pretty way to all feel connected. These bracelets are safe for kids ages 3 and up.

At our house, baby number four "surprised" her three older siblings with a new-to-us Cozy Coupe, and it was an instant hit. Six years later, that Cozy Coupe is still going strong. It's endured countless hours of play and some definite not-for-intended-use as part of an obstacle course. The Cozy Coupe is perfect for kids from 18 months to 4 years.

Does anyone else remember spending hours curating their sticker books as a kid? I say it's time to bring back the trend – don't discount the power of a simple sticker to keep big sibs occupied. Plus, it's a mom-approved activity that you can supervise even while exhaustedly holding your newborn on the couch. This sticker book is ideal for kids ages 3 and up.

If you're a baby-wearer, chances are your kids will want to be, too. And that's kind of an awesome thing. You can let them get plenty of practice with their very own baby doll carrier so they can be just like you. (Coffee and messy bun not included.) Kids ages 2 and up will love this carrier.

Speaking of coffee, how cute is this set for your budding barista? And of course, we also fully support if you skip the toys and go straight to teaching your kids how to actually make you a real cup of coffee. No shame here. This coffee set is best for kids ages 2 to 5.

When it comes to the postpartum stage, you deserve all the help you can get managing your household, and the Amazon Fire Kids edition tablet takes the guesswork out of a safe device for your kids. It comes preloaded with tons of content from audio books to games to shows, so you don't have to worry about your kids hopping onto YouTube while you're busy changing another diaper blowout. Also, pssssttt: This tablet tends to go on sale every couple of weeks for as much as half off, so keep your eyes peeled! Intended for kids ages 3 to 12.

My family owns this mini ice cream counter and I can say that it is one thousand percent worth the money. It's the gift that keeps on giving, because my kids literally never get tired of scooping me more ice cream. My only warning? It may cause intense (postpartum or otherwise) cravings for a giant banana split. This set is best for kids ages 3 to 6.

Legos are amazing for keeping kids occupied and engaging their brains, but two important rules apply here: 1) your kid must be able to work independently, and 2) they must be old enough to properly store the Lego games out of sight when they're not being used. The last thing you need to worry about is your baby choking on your sibling gift when they start that into-everything stage. And if you have kids that are still way too young for traditional Legos (they're recommended for ages 4 and up), get them started on the larger sized version.

Kids of all ages love to color, and this kit not only includes markers and the ever-popular gel pens to make it easy to get started coloring right away, it also includes a picture frame so you can display your finished masterpiece for all to see. This kit is intended for kids ages 3 and up.

And last but not least: suckers! Because everyone loves suckers. A bag of these bad boys will guarantee you some quiet time no matter how old your big sibs are. Plus, they're organic, so that means they're practically healthy, right? Just remember that hard candy like lollipops are not safe for kids under 4.