Hi mama! This is a list of the best toys for toddlers. A great way to keep your child busy and happy at home. Some of these toys have been gifts while others purchased.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links that I recommend, which means if you click on them I may receive a small commission. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. For more information please visit our Disclosure Policy page.
Sport Toy
Little Tikes Basketball set has been a huge hit in our household since my boys were young. The hoop can be adjusted to their desired height.
This was Zachary at a year old and by the end of that year he was shooting like a little pro- basketball player.
It stays put and its a toy that both of my kids play with every single day. And I mean every single day. We have this basketball hoop in our living room and they make shots all day long.
The ball he uses is a Hedstrom sensory ball which bounces. I’ve linked a similar one from Amazon. However, the basketball hoop brings its own balls. They are small but the sizing is perfect for their little hands. This Little Tikes basketball hoop is a must. One of our favorite toys for toddlers.
Create/imagination Toys
My boys love playing with Play-Doh. I recently purchased a Play-Doh Create ‘n Canister set from Kohls. It is a big cardboard container that has a lid filled with cutters, fruit palettes, rollers, number stampers, scissors, and more.
The set comes with 20 cans of Play Doh in which 3 are regular sized. Perfect for the little ones who often forget to put them back.
The Play-Doh cardboard container is by their activity table at all times. This way it allows them to play with it at any time.
I suggest only leaving 4 inside of their canister and putting the rest away for later use. I love watching them play together and using their imagination to create masterpieces.
A Tunnel
The Giddy Buggy Caterpillar Tunnel by Melissa & Doug is such a fun toy for toddlers. It is colorful and bright.
Perfect for them to go inside alone, with a sibling or a toy. It is why I have it as one of the best toys for toddlers.
Character’s house
Having some type of house allows for imagination and longer playtime.
Alex had this Batman house since he was young and now Zachary gets to use it. He loves opening the cage and closing it. He even puts his Mickey Mouse characters inside of the batman house.
Another house he loves is the Mickey Mouse house by VTech. It is easier to carry, fun and brings characters in cars. Their cars make noises and sounds. He loves hearing them sing.
Kitchen Set
The Little Tikes Ultimate Cook Kitchen is the perfect size for little ones. It comes with pots, pans, cups, utensils, baskets and small amount of food. I highly recommend to buy extra play food.
The kitchen is lightweight and can be easily moved around.
Having a kitchen is great for role-play. Kids can become chefs, or feel like they are mom or dad.
Plus the best part of this kitchen is that the doors all open. Allowing for them to store toys inside. FYI, this does include a faucet.
Blocks
For early childhood development the Mega Bloks First Builders by Fisherprice are the best.
These are fun and easy to stack. They are colorful and come with a storage bag. Trust me that is extremely helpful when its clean up time.
Toddlers can play individually or with someone. They have a blue and pink version of the Mega Bloks.
A great place to stack and build is on the Fisher Price Mega Bloks Build’n Learn Table. This table set brings blocks and is also available in pink.
It is easy to fold. Allowing families to carry and bring it along on trips. Terrific toy for those who don’t have much space but still want their little ones to build.
We sometimes put it on top of our ottoman in the living room. It lays flat and we can all built together as a family.
Once the kids are done playing all the blocks can easily be put away inside the interior storage. I absolutely love this feature. No more mess for us.
Ride ons
This toy is a walker & ride on. Amazing little car I tell ya. They get to enjoy it at a very young age and grows with them. My toddler is 2 at the moment and loves riding it all around our apartment. The wheels actually roll!
Check it out: Little Tikes Push and Ride Racer
I purchased it from Amazon and read all the positive reviews. I have no complaints and recommend it 100%.
When Zachary was learning to walk he would push it around with one hand on the top yellow part and another holding the red handle. His older brother even rides it sometimes crazy how sturdy this ride-on toy is.
Tricycles
Electronic bikes or cars are pretty cool because all they do is press on the acceleration to go. The only downside is remembering to charge them. However, I think around the age of 2 it is nice to introduce them to a tricycle.
They even have tricycles for 1.5 year olds, Radio flyer ready to Ride folding trike. This one folds for an easier storage. Since it is smaller it can easily be used both indoors and outdoors.
Radio Flyer Classic Tricycle is good for outdoors since it is wide at the bottom. It also helps to keep it from tipping over.
Puzzles & Drawing
The Melissa & Doug Farm Wooden Puzzle set has been a hit in our household. I’ve ordered different kinds of puzzles in the past but Zach still goes back to these.
I recommend them, what I like to do is point & name the animals to him. They have different ones with shapes, colors, and other type of animals.
Check out Melissa & Doug Shapes Wooden Puzzle. They make great puzzle sets for kids.
Another fun puzzle set for 2+ year olds is: The Learning Journey My first 4-In-A-Box Puzzle. These are awesome! and I remember using them with Alex and he absolutely loved them.
I’ve saved these puzzles because they are worth it. The picture is missing the cow puzzle (which has 4 pieces) but you get a total of 4 puzzle sets.
Such a fan of The Learning Journey brand great products to look at.
Large Drawing Mat
A perfect way to get creative without the mess of paint. This is the Aqua Dooddle Mat which allows toddlers to draw using markers filled with water inside.
My son loves it.
I like the fact that I can put the mat away and reuse it. It even comes with a storage bag and fun accessories. This drawing mat also dries up easily.
Drawing board
The Lakeshore Magic Board is a fun way to scribble, draw and write using the attached magnetic pen. To erase simply move the red bar and draw again.
It’s so convenient to have and messy free. The magic board is great for parents who want a device to write words or letters. It is great because kids will not to lose the pen.
Educational Toys
I find that the LeapFrog 2 in 1 LeapTop Touch laptop is fantastic. We tend to keep it in the car a lot. It helps to entertain our toddler while on the road.
I’ve linked their newer model.
The LeapFrog laptop plays music, teaches letters, numbers, games and the keyboard is great too. It also comes in two different colors.
Such an awesome educational toy for preschoolers and one of the best toys for toddlers.
Another great item to add is the LeapFrog My Pal Scout. It is a plush toy that also plays music and songs for the little ones. You can even customize him to say your child’s name.
Both toys require batteries to operate but are a great duo to have at home. These are the current toys my 2 year old is into at the moment.
Thank you for reading my list of The best toys for toddlers, stay safe and talk soon <3
Bye!