Download checklists for gross motor, fine motor, and speech-language milestones all in one place
0-36 Months Milestone Checklist
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November 12, 2024
Jordyn Koveleski Gorman
Last Updated on September 24, 2026 by Jordyn Koveleski Gorman
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This one is for the Dads!
We gathered the best gifts for dads, all in one place! For the dad who grills, the sporty dad, the Mr. Fix It, the nature lover, and the one who appreciates a nice glass of wine or a cold beer – there’s something for every dad you know.
Hanes Joggers: Comfortable cotton, Eric loves his and wears them all the time! The most affordable cotton joggers.
Mocassins: Comfortable and cozy, perfect for lounging around the house or reading the morning paper.
Carhartt Sweatshirt: A mid-weight quarter zip sweatshirt for dad that’s comfortable, warm, and great quality.
Heated Blanket: Perfect to keep anyone cozy and warm while watching their favorite shows, sports, or a movie!
Bombas Sunday Slippers: For the dad whose feet are always cold, these slippers are the best at keeping feet warm around the house. They’re such comfortable lounge shoes.
Reading Pillow: No more kinked necks after bedtime reading – this cozy pillow supports the neck and back!
Heating Pad: This heating pad is awesome because it’s designed to fit and lay on your neck and back. Shoulder tension, neck tension, and back pain be GONE!
Weighted Blanket: Trouble sleeping? Try a weighted blanket! The weight helps provide some gentle pressure to help you sleep more soundly.
Towel Warmer: Because who wouldn’t love to step out of the shower and immediately wrap themself in a warm towel? Especially in the winter months!
Flannel Button-Down Shirt: It’s practical and warm with lots of color and size options! Great for the colder weather, too.
Pajama Shorts: If dad prefers shorts to sleep, these are also 100% cotton and the prints have personality, too.
Bathrobe: For before bed, early mornings, or just lounging around the house – everyone deserves a comfy robe. This one is breathable and made with 100% cotton.
Wingman Golf GPS/Speaker: A range-finder that uses GPS coupled with a phenomenal speaker. Play music or an audiobook while golfing with better accuracy!
Pro Bike Tool: This handy torque wrench set was voted one of the best cycling accessories! It’s compact and handles with precision.
Pickle Ball Paddles: Up his pickle ball game with these lightweight yet durable paddles. Add some quality time to your gift and go out with dad and his new paddles for a game!
Mini Massage Gun: This massage gun is small enough to pack in a gym bag, or travel with. It comes with multiple attachments to provide targeted relief to sore, tense muscles.
Disc Golf Backpack: Have a disc golf dad? This bag holds 25 discs, is comfortable to wear, and stands up on its own.
BowFlex Dumbbells: You don’t need 14 different dumbbells sitting around, you just need this set. These dumbbells range from 5-52.5 lbs. to provide a variety while strength training.
Men’s HOKA Running Sneaker: HOKAs are comfortable while having great support. Definitely worth the investment!
New Balance Running Beanie: This athletic beanie is great for running or working out in the colder weather.
Caddytek Golf Push Cart: Walking the course just got easier. This pull cart totes your golf clubs, beverage, and other golf tech easily.
Garmin Edge: For the avid and adventurous cyclist, take this on rides to know how far and fast you went, and never get lost. It highlights popular roads and trails, and lets you search points of interest, too!
Interval Training Timer & Stopwatch: If he’s an interval trainer, this is a great tool. It rotates between one or two interval timers to keep you on track during workouts. It also has a stopwatch and clock feature.
Cloudrunner 3 Max: A new pair of sneakers is always a great choice. These Cloudrunners are good for everyday runs, long runs, and daily training.
Shop Vac: Perfect for cleaning up the mess after projects – for the basement, the garage, or even the car!
60 foot Extension Cord Reel: Get power whenever you need it with this 60 ft. extension cord.
Portable Folding Workbench: Bring your work station anywhere with this workbench. It serves two purposes and can transition to a saw horse within seconds.
Dewalt Cordless Drill: Whether you’re hanging pictures or building a deck, this heavy duty drill and driver set will get the job done!
Pliers Set: My dad is the handiest of handymen, and he said this is a must have for any dad just putzing around the house or taking on big projects! Love the organization on these so dad never misplaces a tool.
Tape Measure: This is the best tape measure to have on hand. It can measure up to 25 feet, is retractable, and has a manual locking feature.
Wood Carving Kit: If you have a dad that loves to DIY or try new things, this wood carving knife set might be his next hobby!
LED Flashlight: This pocket flashlight comes in handy for so many things and has 5 different light modes. It can also be used for emergency signaling.
Magnetic Parts Tray: Never lose a screw or other hardware with these magnetic trays. The set even comes with a magnetic pen for picking things up more precisely.
Portable Jump Starter: Never get stuck with a dead battery. This portable jump starter can bring a car battery back to life in seconds. It also functions as a power bank and flashlight so you’re always prepared.
Screwdriver Set: Both flathead and Phillips, this has pretty much every screwdriver you’d ever need. Almost 3k 5-star reviews and a sign off from Pap Pap – this is a winner.
LED Work Light: Light up your workspace! This durable and bright work light is compact and illuminates all angles.
Saltverk Salt Set: For the Dad who loves cooking but has everything, gift this set of salts from Iceland. Hand-harvested, each has a unique flavor to add to a dish!
Wusthof Classic Chef’s Knife: This knife does it all. It’s ergonomically designed, super sharp, and high-quality. Once you use it, you’ll see the difference immediately.
Outdoor Pizza Oven: Get your dough, sauces, and toppings and make it a night outdoors cooking homemade pizza.
Breakfast Sandwich Maker: Makes a perfect breakfast sandwich, or two, in under 5 minutes. Easy to clean and use, this sandwich maker is a game changer for busy mornings and weekend brunch!
Carbon Steel Wok: Take your stir fry to another level with this heavy duty carbon steel wok!
Kitchen Food Scale: For precise kitchen measurements and weighing food, this scale is low-profile and sharp. It’s small enough to keep out on the counter.
Chef Apron: 100% cotton, cross-straps in the back to evenly distribute weight, and pockets for your phone, cooking tools, and recipe booklet. What more could you need?!
Espresso Machine: For the coffee connoisseur, this machine makes espresso, Americano, and a cold brew in UNDER 5 MIN! It grinds its own beans and you can adjust anything to fit your taste buds.
Cast Iron Waffle Iron: A waffle iron without the nonstick coating to worry about! Use it on the stovetop or the grill.
Electric Gooseneck Kettle: Measure temperature to the degree and make Dad the best cup of tea, or use it for a pour over. Water comes to a boil within minutes!
Lodge Cast Iron Pan: Cooking on cast iron has changed our life. No more non-stick issues or concerns about the non-stick coating peeling off. Eric uses this to cook EVERYTHING. Gently season the pan after each use!
Instant Pot: The appliance that can do it all! Use it as a crockpot, pressure cooker, or to make homemade yogurt. We love it because the insert where food cooks is stainless steel.
MEATER Plus: A game changer on the grill. The long-range bluetooth capability ensures a perfect cook every time while you sit back and relax!
Griddle Accessories Kit: All the tools you need to grill meats, or make Hibachi dinners on the Blackstone.
Blackstone: Upgrade your griddle game with the versatile Blackstone. With four burners, Dad can make anything from pancakes, to fried eggs, to steaks.
BBQ Rub Set: Gift this barbecue rub set to any avid griller. They can try out all different flavors when they host.
Pit Boss Grill: A portable grill fit for any pit boss. With a compact stainless steel design and two burners, dad will be ready to bring the heat wherever he is!
Hudson Durable Goods Apron: This sturdy yet stylish apron provides pockets for your grilling tools and your phone! Made of cotton by a small business, it’s a win-win.
Scrub Daddy BBQ Grill Cleaner: Wire bristles can flake off after a lot of use and pose safety concerns. This bristle-free grill cleaner gets submerged in cold water first, then steam cleans the grill safety!
Heat Resistant Gloves: These gloves can withstand extreme temperatures and keep the grill master burn-free.
Custom Branding Iron: This personalizable branding iron works on steak, buns, and more. It’s a perfect way to honor your favorite grill master.
Cast Iron Baker and Roaster: Cook baked potatoes in this cast iron baker. It’s versatile enough to cook fish, bread, or roast garlic.
Melting Dome & Burger Press: With a heavy duty melting dome, this burger press is your ticket to mouthwatering, cheeseburger patties! A great accessory for the Blackstone.
Grill & Smoker: A great smoker! Try using it for the best smoked pork, or whatever else Dad likes to make.
Bissell Little Green: Use this to clean up anything. It can be used on carpet, upholstery, area rugs, and even your car’s interior. Great for a Dad who loves detailing his car!
Carhartt Backpack: Dad can adventure, travel, or commute with this backpack! It’s super durable with water repellent fabric.
Bombas Dress Socks: Fun, comfortable dress socks to freshen up his work wardrobe.
Battery Daddy: For the dad who is always prepared – store and organize batteries in a way that doesn’t drain them with this handy tool.
Cordless Vacuum Tool: Perfect for the neat nick. This cordless vacuum provides more than just suction. It also blows air out to clean keyboards, inflates, and vacuum seals. It’s a multipurpose tool he’ll reach for often.
Suri Toothbrush: Upgrade Dad’s teeth brushing. Electric toothbrushes get teeth cleaner! This brush is sleek, modern, and waterproof with over 30,000 sonic vibrations per minute. Charging it is simple.
Owala Water Bottle: A new water bottle to keep him hydrated. The handle makes it so easy to carry, and cleaning it is a breeze. There are so many colors to choose from.
Lima Kiziks: Kiziks aren’t just for the moms out there! Introduce the dad in your life to Kiziks! Slip them on and go. Eric loves these charcoal shoes. Code “JORDYN10” saves 10%.
Detailing Kit: Who doesn’t love a good detail? This detailing kit is the perfect gift for the Dad who loves his car and keeping it clean!
Rebar Multitool: All the tools Dad needs in one compact case. Dad will always be prepared with this 17-piece stainless steel set.
Catch All Tray: Keep Dad organized with this tray! It’s perfect for keeping all essentials organized.
Yeti Rambler: Perfect for the dad who takes his coffee on-the-go. This coffee tumbler is durable and built to last.
Sun Protection Shirt: Take it fishing, camping, or anywhere outdoors – this shirt boasts UPF 50+ sun protection and looks sharp, too.
Yeti Tundra Cooler: This cooler is a beast! Sturdy, large capacity, and the ability to keep ice frozen for days. Great for camping, barbecues, the beach, or whatever your next adventure.
Goodr Sunglasses: Polarized, comfortable sunglasses that are affordable, too! They come in tons of colors with rave reviews.
LED Lantern: Great for the dad who loves camping, or simply being outdoors. This thing can light up a backyard, and is great to have on-hand for emergencies, too.
Sibley Guide to Birds: From the novice birder to the expert, this is a great resource to learn more about the birds that surround us.
Camping Air Mattress: Make camping more comfortable for Dad with this self-inflating mattress!
Solo Stove: Enjoy nights by the fire without all the smoke! It’s portable, too, so you can take it anywhere.
Hammock: Take this hammock wherever you go for a comfortable place to relax and rest. Holds up to 500 lbs. And it comes with everything you need to set up!
Primally Pure Nature Spray: A natural and DEET-free mosquito repellant for the Dad who could live outside but hates bug bites! Code EATPLAYSAY saves 15%!
Timber Ridge Chair w/Cooler: Okay, now this is heavy duty! You can sit down and not need to get up for hours because it has a cooler bag attached, cupholders, a side table, and a spot to store your phone. Bonus: the back is padded!
Keen Hiking Boots: Hike different terrains with ease while remaining comfortable! These are Alicia’s husband’s favorite hiking boots.
Lifestraw Pack: A great tool to have in emergencies – Lifestraw filters out 99.999% of bacteria, microplastics, silt, etc. from water making it safe to drink. You never know when you might need one!
BruMate: Dad can keep his favorite canned beverage ice cold with this tool. Bonus: no condensation, and it can convert to a tumbler.
Silicone Ice Cube Trays: For the perfect cocktail, these silicone molds come in spheres and large cubes.
Mini Fridge: A special spot to put all your favorite craft beers, cocktails, mixers, and more without crowding the kitchen fridge. Perfect for a basement or a man cave.
The Art of Mixology: Over 200 cocktail recipes anyone can make. Explore different options and become your own bartender.
Insulated Cooler Bag: This bag can keep any cold 12-pack chilled for up to 7 hours without ice! Take it to a barbecue, golfing, or on the next adventure.
Old-Fashioned Mix: Just add bourbon for the perfect Old-Fashioned at home without the fuss.
Wine Purifier w/Carafe: No more wine headaches! This filter removes artificial sulfites and histamines from wine and preserves the wine’s flavor.
Mixology Bartender Kit: A sleek cocktail set with a compact stand, this has all the tools needed to make everything from a Screwdriver to an Old Fashioned.
S’Well Wine Chiller: Keep your favorite bottle of wine chilled for longer while entertaining and enjoying the company of friends or family.
DraftPour Beer Dispenser: This dispenser can convert any beer into a nitro-style draft and is great for the beer enthusiast!
Whiskey Smoker Set: Dad can learn to smoke cocktails with this kit – and it’s made by a small business!
Brew Journal: If your Dad likes to create his own home brews, this is a classic journal to input all of his recipes and notes.
Apple Watch Ultra 4: The most updated model, it’s great for tracking your vitals and training. It’s perfect for the tech-savvy fitness enthusiast. You can do nearly anything with this watch!
GoPro HERO12: A great gift for dads who want to record their family and solo adventures without the hassle of pulling your phone out of your pocket constantly. Just hit “record” and go!
Bose Headphones: These are my absolute favorite headphones. So lightweight and comfy, they hold a charge for days. Whether you are working out, mowing the lawn, or listening to your favorite podcast, these noise-canceling headphones rock.
Echo Show: The latest smart device comes with spacial audio, a smart home hub, and Alexa. It has an 8” touchscreen, phone and video call capability, and more.
Kindle Scribe: This is such a cool piece of technology. Write all your notes and brainstorming in here, upload and mark up documents, read your favorite books.
Smart Scale: Track over 50 metrics with one scale. From BMI, muscle mass, and more, you can see your progress in real time.
JBL Portable Speaker: This thing has great sound, is waterproof and dustproof. Jenna’s family has one and uses it to pump some jams while playing corn hole.
Ember: This mug keeps your beverage set to a temperature you choose! Perfect for anyone who likes to enjoy their hot drink over a longer period of time and really savor it!
Ring Doorbell: Keep an eye on your front door and packages with this piece of technology. It has an expanded view and provides motion sensing alerts.
Amazon Smart Plug: Remember those clap on lights in the 90’s? Well these are them- upgraded! These Amazon smart plugs sync to Alexa and allow you to use voice control with any outlet.
Wireless Charging Stand: Stay charged with this all-in-one charging station, with the ability to charge multiple devices at the same time!
Custom Song Lyrics Print: Do you share a special song that’s meaningful? Turn it into art! This customizable print has song lyrics, and a spot for a custom message.
Magnetic Photo Frames: We have these and love using them to display photos on our refrigerator! Whenever you’re cooking, snacking, etc. – you can look over and see your favorite photos.
3D Crystal Photo: Turn your favorite photo into a unique work of art. A photo turns 3D when it is etched into crystal. The reviews are amazing, too.
Custom Leather Wallet: Have your favorite photo and a message etched into a leather wallet for Dad.
What I Love About Dad Journal: A fill-in-the-blank book that provides prompts. Let the kids contribute their responses. This book can be sentimental, silly, or a little bit of both! We love that it’s totally personalizable and only $10!
Key Tray: Something for Dad to throw his keys in when he gets home and starts to play. Practical with meaning.
Personalized Memory Box: For the sentimental dad who saves documents, photos, ball game tickets, and more – these personalized memory boxes are practical and thoughtful.
Hand-Cut Map: Make a special place into artwork with this custom hand-cut map.
Dad Frame: A simple gift with lots of meaning – frame your favorite photo with Dad.
Family Handprint Frame: This is really cool! Comes with everything you need to put handprints on up to 4 slides and make meaningful art to hang on the walls!
Personalized Woven Blanket: For the cozy and sentimental dad, you can take your favorite photo and have it turned into a 100% cotton woven blanket!
Dad’s Story: Preserve all of Dad’s memories and stories in one book you can keep and pass down. This would be a great gift that you could spend time together as he fills it in over time.
Toiletry Bag: This hanging toiletry bag has 10 compartments, is durable, and great for keeping everything organized while traveling.
Carhartt Duffel Bag: This 40L duffel has plenty of room to pack for overnight trips. It keeps you organized with 10 interior mesh pockets while being water-resistant, too.
Nail Grooming Kit: This nail kit comes in a sleek leather case, with sturdy tools and that are made to last.
Airfly Bluetooth Connector: Use this device to connect your wireless headphones to the plane’s audio/entertainment system. You can also use it with gym equipment, etc.
Shoe Bag: For the shoe guru who never travels without his favorite kicks, this shoe bag is a great solution. It keeps shoes from getting damaged, and your other clothes from getting dirty.
Air Tag & Air Tag Holders: Keeping an Air Tag in your luggage is a good way to keep track of your personal belongings. You don’t just have to use it for travel, you can use for anything. Don’t forget Air Tag Holders!
Mini Cork Globe: For the avid traveler who tracks his trips, this cork globe is the perfect size for a shelf or an office. It’s a good conversation starter, too!
Luggage Lock: For the avid traveler, these locks holds up trip after trip and keep your belongings safe. TSA-approved as well!
Packing Cubes: These are my favorite packing cubes that we used for traveling this past year. I loved them so much, I snagged another set when they went on sale! A great way to keep everything organized.
Electronics Organizer: A place where all chargers, batteries, and devices can stay organized.
Portable Charger: No outlet, no problem. Charge any device, any time while on-the-go.
Away Luggage Carry-On Suitcase: The carry-on suitcase with thousands of 5-star reviews. It’s great quality and built to last.
Blender Bottle: Eric loves this shaker bottle to mix up a smoothie or protein powder in a drink. It’s stainless steel, too!
Viking Beard Comb & Brush Set: The perfect grooming set for men with beards or mustaches. This set is great quality and made with natural materials.
Exercise Dice: Get some movement in! These dice are perfect for interval workouts when you’re not quite sure what to do. You can mix things up with your interval training every day.
Meat Thermometer: Be confident you’re cooking meat to the temperature you prefer – it reads temperature in 3-4 seconds.
Primal Palate Seasonings: Spice up your grill game with Primal Palate organic spices – Eric loves to use these!
The StudBuddy: I feel like there’s a dad joke in here somewhere? This hassle-free stud finder is compact, easy to use, and fits neatly into your tool box!
Nail Clipper Set: This quality nail clipper set comes in a masculine case that Dad can take on-the-go.
Yeti Colster Can Insulator: Who likes a warm drink on a hot day? No one. Enter the Colster can to keep Dad’s drink nice and cold.
Beekeeper’s Naturals Immune Support: Great for daily use to give a little immune boost – especially when they feel a cold coming on.
Tire Pressure Gauge: A handy tool to check the tire pressure on your car or bike. It’s small enough to fit inside the glove compartment and under $15.
Magnetic Cable Clips: These small, yet mighty cable clips will help keep all Dad’s cords organized. Essential for the office, home and even the car!
Find the best gifts for grandparents on our blog, and gift ideas for moms, too.
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You can't fully understand feeding without input from both a dietitian and a feeding specialist. You can't properly address milestones without OT, PT, and SLP perspectives working together. That's why every Eat Play Say resource is created collaboratively by our entire team — giving you the most comprehensive guidance possible, all in one place.
MS, SLP
SPECIALIZES IN: Infant and toddler speech-language, play, and feeding development, and curating a team that provides expert help that feels like a reassuring text from that one mom friend
EDUCATION: Jordyn received her BS in Speech-Language Pathology from Bloomsburg University and her MS in Speech-Language Pathology from Towson University
FAVE PARENTING FIRST: “The first true smile, it’s the sweetest!”
MS, CCC-SLP, CBS, IBCLC
SPECIALIZES IN: Breast and bottle feeding, tongue ties, oral motor dysfunction, starting solids, infant and toddler speech, treating oral motor disorders
EDUCATION: Jessica received her BS in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Pennsylvania State University in 2015 and her MS in Speech-Language Pathology from Towson University in 2017
FAVE PARENTING FIRST: “Baby’s first wave! What a fun first communication gesture!”
MA, CCC-SLP, CLC
SPECIALIZES IN: Breast and bottle feeding, tongue ties, starting solids, infant and toddler speech development
EDUCATION: She received her BS in Speech-Language Pathology from Ball State in 2014 and a MA in Speech-Language Pathology from Ball State in 2016.
FAVE PARENTING FIRST: “My favorite baby’s first is their first true smile that just warms your soul knowing they are smiling at you. My other favorite is their first word. I love watching their language explode!”
MS, CCC-SLP
SPECIALIZES IN: Bilingual development (Spanish-English), supporting multilingual families, infant and toddler speech
EDUCATION: She received her BA in Communication Sciences and Disorders and in Spanish from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2014 and her MS in Speech-Language Pathology with an English-Spanish Specialization from Marquette University in 2016.
FAVE PARENTING FIRST: “It’s the first slobbery kisses for me!”
RDN, LD
SPECIALIZES IN: Infant and pediatric nutrition including breastfeeding, formula feeding, and starting solids. She also specializes in prenatal and postpartum nutrition.
EDUCATION: She received her BSc in Biology in 2014 from Life University, and her BSc in Dietetics from Life University in 2019.
FAVE PARENTING FIRST: ”The first time they say ‘mama!’”
From products to developmental toys – we round up all the best products for baby, toddler, preschoolers, & caregivers!
This checklist was created with input from a Speech-Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist and Physical Therapist and has been downloaded over 20,000 times by parents worldwide. Learn the important milestones to pay attention to, and keep it in your digital back pocket during the baby + toddler years!



