Navigating the vast world of toddler toys can be overwhelming, especially when aiming for the best. Choosing the best toddler toys is more than just a shopping decision; it’s about nurturing their ever-growing curiosity.
As they approach their toddler years, the world becomes a playground of sounds, movements, and wonders. You toys that mirror this world, especially if they’re beginning to take those first wobbly steps.
You have lots of options to choose from, so we’ll help you narrow it down. Our curated list prioritizes your child’s developmental needs, ensuring you find the perfect match.
- Social and interactive play
- Sand & water features
- Includes a sunshade
- Improve hand dexterity
- Child-safe materials
- Quick & easy storage
- Stimulates creativity
- Promotes focus
- Eco-friendly
- Montessori inspired
- Develops motor skills
- Invokes creativity
- Plays realistic sounds
- Stimulates imagination
- Strengthens dexterity
- Indoor & outdoor play
- Develop motor skills
- Develop balance & coordination
- Helpful for Autism & ADHD
- Fun & educational
- Solid construction
- Develop color recognition
- Interactive game
- Eco-friendly materials
- Develop sensory skills
- Sparks creativity
- Develop communication skills
- Develop language skills
- Builds vocabulary
- Exciting sound effects
- Our Top Picks
- Product Reviews & Ratings
- Best Toddler Toys for Outdoors
- Best Toddler Toys for Development
- Best Toddler Toys for Christmas
- Best Toddler Toys for Travel
- Best Toys for Toddlers Who Have Everything
- Are Toys Good for Toddlers?
- What Kind of Toys Do Toddlers Play With?
- How to Choose Toys for Toddlers
- Toddler Toys FAQs
The Best Toddler Toys of 2024
Here are 50 great toy ideas for toddlers.
Best Toddler Toys for Outdoors
Step2 Naturally Playful Sand & Water Activity Center
Best Outdoor Playhouse
If you have room in the backyard, this playhouse from Step2 is worth a look. Its pavilion-style design seamlessly integrates both sand and water compartments, inviting endless imaginative play. When playtime winds down, its multifunctional surface doubles as a snack table, shielded from harsh sun rays by a 60-inch umbrella.
The activity center provides ample room for several toddlers to play at once. One of the stations included has a small sand and water area, which comes with fun accessories for pretend play. Moreover, your little one receives seven molders they can use in imaginative play.
User Experience
Little Tikes Easy Score Basketball Set
Best Toddler Basketball Set
My little one loves playing with balls, especially throwing them. This basketball hoop from Little Tikes has received stellar reviews, suggesting it’s worthy of a high ranking on our list.
The versatile basketball set ensures year-round fun indoors on a rainy day or outside in the summer sun. Crafted to grow with your child, its adjustable height settings, ranging from 2.5 to 4 feet, cater to children ages 18 months to 5 years.
In the collection, you’ll receive a basketball hoop, a stand, and three balls. The set promises endless slam dunks and cherished memories.
Personal Perspective
Kinetic Sand Construction Site Folding Sandbox
Best Sandbox for Toddlers
Toddlers love playing with sand — they can sieve it, dig in it, mold it, and toss it. This sandbox from Kinetic Sand grabbed our attention thanks to its hypoallergenic sand and easy-to-clean-up mess. It can hold several pounds of sand, enough for hours of inventive play.
The container is airtight to protect the sand from rain and cats. Furthermore, it includes construction vehicles such as a crane and a dump truck. Alternatively, you can buy additional molders and sculpting tools.
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Step2 Play & Shade Pool
Best Kiddie Pool for Toddlers
This little pool is suitable for toddlers aged 24 months right up to 6 years old. The pool is made of a hard plastic molding, so there’s no inflating required.
The attached 40-inch umbrella shields your child from UV rays, ensuring sage playtime, while the funnel cups and spinning water wheels add layers of aquatic fun.
First-Hand Impression
Intex Mushroom Baby Pool
Best Inflatable Baby Pool
The Intex Mushroom Baby Pool stands out with its whimsical design, making it an instant favorite among toddlers. Designed for little ones aged one to three, this inflatable pool promises hours of splashy fun.
The mushroom canopy not only adds to its appeal but also offers shade, protecting delicate skin from the sun. The pool has a 5-inch wall and measures 40 by 35 inches, holding up to 12 gallons of water. It even includes a repair patch for any mishaps!
User Experience
Little Tikes First Slide
Best Toddler Slide
The Little Tikes First Slide is a popular pick among parents. Its 39-inch height is the perfect balance of thrill and safety for young adventurers. The slide’s design, suitable for children aged 18 months to 6 years, comes equipped with removable handrails, ensuring stability during every descent.
Personal Perspective
Little Tikes Cook 'n Play Outdoor BBQ
Best Outdoor Cooking Station
Fuel your toddler’s culinary aspirations with this play kitchen from Little Tikes. The outdoor kitchen, complete with a sink, prep station, oven, and shelves, offers a realistic cooking experience. Let your little one grill alongside you, fostering bonding moments and building lifelong memories. You can also choose to include play food and utensils.
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Step2 Sports-Tastic Activity Center Playset for Toddlers
Best Backyard Climber for Toddlers
Channel your toddler’s boundless energy into the Step2 Sports-Tastic Activity Center Playset. This playset is designed for little athletes aged 12 months to 3 years and can hold up to 45 pounds, promising comprehensive physical development.
From sliding to basketball, football, and soccer, this toddler-friendly sports climber will keep your child engaged, fit, and happy.
First-Hand Impression
Lydaz Bubble Mower for Toddlers
Best Bubble Machine for Toddlers
Reimagine bubble fun with the Lydaz Bubble Mower. This innovative bubble maker combines the joy of bubbles with the allure of a toy lawnmower.
As toddlers push the mower, a flurry of bubbles follows, accompanied by realistic engine and gear sounds. The inclusion of three bubble sticks and solutions ensures uninterrupted play.
User Experience
SplashEZ 3-in-1 Sprinkler for Kids
Best Toddler Sprinkler
The SplashEZ 2-in-1 Sprinkler offers a dynamic water play experience for kids aged 12 months and up. This inflatable pool features integrated sprinklers, ensuring every splash is accompanied by giggles.
The interactive ABC and animal design on the pool’s floor introduces an educational twist to play, fostering both fun and learning.
Personal Perspective
Best Toddler Toys for Development
Kidzlane Color Matching Egg Set
Best Color Match Toy
Dive into a world of colors and numbers with the Kidzlane Color Matching Egg Set. This engaging set features 12 robust plastic eggs, each hiding a distinct color and number.
The uniquely designed pegs on each egg ensure that only matching halves fit together, challenging young minds to coordinate both colors and numbers. This playful set offers fun and enhances cognitive skills, making it a valuable addition to any toddler’s playtime.
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The Original Mood Flipbook for Kids
Best Book for Understanding Moods
Guide your toddler’s emotional journey with The Original Mood Flipbook. Catering specifically to older toddlers, this sturdy flipbook serves as a brilliant tool to recognize and manage 20 different moods.
From understanding emotions to practicing coping mechanisms like counting and breathing, this laminated book is spill-proof, ensuring it stands up to the unpredictable adventures of toddlerhood.
First-Hand Impression
Coogam Toddler Fine Motor Skill Toy
Best Toddler Toy for Fine Motor Skills Development
This charming beehive from Coogam challenges your toddler to match each bee to its designated cell, refining their color-matching skills.
With seven adorable bees, a hive, and a tweezer, this toy offers a delightful way to bolster fine motor skills while entertaining your little one.
User Experience
Skoolzy Nuts and Bolts Fine Motor Skills
Best Nuts and Bolts Toddler Toy
Another excellent way of practicing fine motor skills is by using nuts and bolts, and this set from Skoolzy is ideal for that. The bundle consists of 24 pieces in four various shapes and colors, which the player must coordinate. It’s suitable for ages 3 and up.
The toy encourages your little one to sort and count while learning about the nature of screws. Included is also a tote bag for storage or transportation.
Personal Perspective
Battat - Sort & Stack - Educational Stacking Cups
Best Stacking Toy
Stacking, shapes, and buckets — this toy has it all. My little one loves buckets at the moment, as do many other toddlers. The package includes ten stacking cups, eight shapes, and fun stickers.
As toddlers stack the cups, they’re subtly honing their problem-solving skills. The accompanying lid doubles as a shape sorter, challenging them to find the right fit, while the fun stickers on each cup introduce counting in an interactive manner.
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Lego Duplo Creative Picnic Building Set
Best LEGO Duplo Set
If you’re searching for toys that promote creative and tactile play, Duplo is a solid choice. Duplo is almost iconic, and this picnic-inspired bundle is outstanding. It consists of 52 pieces, providing opportunities to create various sandwiches, milk cartons, fruits, and vegetables.
The pieces are large and suitable for ages 1.5 to 5 years. It all arrives in a sturdy Duplo box, which you can retain to use for storage.
First-Hand Impression
Melissa & Doug Match & Roll Shape-Sorter
Best Toddler Toy with Shapes
With outstanding reviews from parents, we had to include this Melissa and Doug toy. This toy beckons toddlers to match shapes to their respective slots, fostering spatial recognition.
Crafted with durability in mind and using non-toxic materials, it’s an educational staple for children ages 12 months onwards.
User Experience
Bead Maze
Best Bead Maze Toy for Toddlers
This bead maze toy from QZMTOY provides lots of fun. Parents praise the size, saying it’s great for toddlers.
This high-quality wooden toy boasts bright colors and intricate pathways. Featuring delightful animals and a bead counting game at the base, it promises a combinations of fun and learning.
Personal Perspective
Baby Activity Cube Toddler Toys
Best Activity Cube for Toddlers
Activity cubes, such as this one from Sytle-Carry, are excellent for toddlers. This toy has six different sides, each providing an activity.
You can open the cube and alter it to fit the current activity. It’s made of non-toxic, BPA-free ABS plastic and complies with ASTM and CPSIA safety standards. The cube is suitable for babies aged 12 months and up.
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Kenley Montessori Basic Skills Activity Board
Best Toddler Toy for Development While Traveling
This Montessori-inspired busy board is ready to take on the road. It provides hands-on learning of basic tasks and fine motor skills. The board consists of several different everyday activities that your toddler must execute.
The board has a soft felt wool coating and measures roughly 11 by 12.5 inches. It weighs less than half a pound, so it’s easy to bring while traveling.
First-Hand Impression
Best Toddler Toys for Christmas
Orwine Inertia Toy Friction Powered Cars
Best Toy for Car-Loving Tots
Got a car enthusiast in the making? This set, boasting a bulldozer, tractor with trailer, cement mixer, and dumper, is a dream come true for little racers.
Ideal for toddlers aged 18 months and up, the push-friction mechanism ensures they zoom away with just a gentle nudge. Although simple, parents praise their vibrant appearance and how intriguing they are. The cars are safe, too, constructed from ABS plastic that’s up to ASTM F963 and EN71 standards.
User Experience
Slotic Wooden Puzzles for Toddlers
Best Toddler Puzzle for Christmas
These fantastic yet straightforward jigsaw puzzles make an awesome gift for a toddler. The set includes six boards with animal designs.
The material used is great too. It’s high-end, eco-friendly wood that is BPA-free. The puzzle is suitable for children aged 12 months and up.
Personal Perspective
Melissa & Doug Countdown to Christmas
Best Pre-Christmas Gift for Toddlers
If you’re searching for a way to get your little one more excited about Christmas, then this toy from Melissa and Doug is perfect. As the days count down, your child can adorn the magnetic tree with ornaments, culminating in the grand star at the top.
Beyond the festive fun, it’s a delightful way to hone communication skills and learn numbers. This toy will suit children aged 3 to 7 years.
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Little Blue Truck’s Christmas
Best Christmas Book for Toddlers
Engage your toddler in this enchanting Christmas story about the Little Blue Truck. In the book, the truck is busy spreading Christmas cheer as he hands out trees to his friends.
Throughout the story, you get to engage with your toddler as you count and make noises. The book is sturdy and includes bright colors. Designed to captivate, the book even features twinkling Christmas lights at the end.
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Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles
Best Christmas-Themed Puzzle
Let the festive spirit take over with this Christmas-themed puzzle. Comprising 24 wooden pieces, this nativity puzzle is not only fun but also fosters problem-solving abilities, fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination.
The board is sturdy and toddler-friendly, suitable for ages 3 and up.
User Experience
Elmo’s Countdown to Christmas (Lift-the-Flap Book)
Best Sesame Street Christmas Book for Toddlers
Count down the days to Christmas with this flip-the-flap book from Sesame Street. In the book, little ones can discover fun surprises under each flap as they explore the world of Elmo and friends. There are over 30 flaps, and the book has received stellar reviews from parents.
Personal Perspective
VTech KidiBeats Kids Drum Set
Best Drum Set for Toddlers
Toddlers love toys that make noise, and with this drum set from VTech, they can make some sounds of their own. The set consists of three drum pads and a cymbal. Drum sticks are included so your toddler can play along to nine melodies in different genres, including pop, rock, and dance.
The set offers four modes of play — Free Play, Numbers, Follow-Along, and Letters. As they hit the pads, they’ll activate flashing LED lights.
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Betheaces Water Drawing Mat
Best Drawing Board for Toddlers
No wall or bookcase is safe once a toddler discovers how to use a pen. Keep scribbles off the walls and onto this innovative water drawing mat. Made from non-toxic, soft polyester, it works magic with water markers.
Fill them with clean water, then have the tot draw on the mat. After three to ten minutes, the doodles magically disappear, allowing your little one to draw more. Measuring 40 by 28 inches, it’s suitable for budding artists aged 3 years and up.
First-Hand Impression
RenFox Kids Musical Mat
Best Musical Mat for Toddlers
If your little ones love making noises and music, then you can’t go wrong with a musical mat, and this one from RenFox is a good example. This mat measures 14.2 by 43.3 inches and contains eight instrument sounds. Along with the sounds, there are various modes, even a record and playback.
The musical mat is soft and comfortable to play with and easy to clean. The material is a high-quality, non-toxic fabric. There’s even a volume control to save your ears.
User Experience
Radio Flyer My 1st Wagon
Best Toy Wagon for Toddlers
For the tiny adventurers, this Radio Flyer wagon is a nostalgic nod to the classic red wagon, allowing them to haul their favorite toys around.
It includes a steel-stamped body, no-scratch edges, and molded wheels for added durability.
The wagon is small and suitable for children aged 18 months and up. There’s enough room for a few toys as the interior measures 15 by 7.5 inches.
Personal Perspective
Best Toddler Toys for Travel
Busy Activity Board for Toddlers
Best Toddler Activity Board for Travel
A brilliant solution to those long car rides is an activity board. This two-sided board from Esjay can keep your little one entertained for at least a few miles.
It’s Montessori-inspired and includes snaps, laces, buckles, and letters. There’s also a pocket where you can keep the letters and numbers. It’s suitable for toddlers aged 12 months to 4 years.
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Melissa & Doug Take-Along Shape-Sorter
Best Traveling Shape Sorter
This padded shape-sorter from Melissa and Doug is ready to hit the road. Its dual-sided design offers one side for sorting nine tactile blocks, each varying in shape and color.
The other side has crinkly flaps where your little one can discover everyday items and matching shapes.
First-Hand Impression
Buckle Toys - Belle Turtle
Best Road Buckle Toy for Toddlers
This adorable plush turtle is a fantastic tool for mastering the art of buckles. The turtle consists of six toddler-friendly fasteners in different clasp styles. Your child can exercise fine motor skills while also familiarizing themselves with numbers and shapes, thanks to the decorated pocket.
The turtle measures 9-by-6 inches. It’s easy to hang on the stroller or car seat.
User Experience
Playskool Explore 'N Grow Busy Gears
Best Travel-Friendly Gears for Toddlers
Gears are lots of fun for toddlers, and this board has 11 of them. Toddlers can turn the gears and watch them swirl and whirl while playing sounds, as well as lighting up. The board includes a convenient carry handle, and it’s recommended for ages 1 year and up.
Personal Perspective
Number Maze Magnetic Game by Haba
Best Maze Toy for Traveling Toddlers
My toddler is into magnetic toys at the moment, so I had to include this. The Haba Number Maze has received outstanding reviews from parents, praising how great it is for traveling.
The toy is made of laminated wood and comes with a pen and safely contained magnets, so there are no choking hazards.
Toddlers must use the included wand to match the balls with the corresponding animals. It’s excellent for ages 2 years and up.
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Dot to Dot for Tiny Tots
Best Drawing Toy for Travel
Give a toddler a marker, and they can entertain themselves for hours. This activity book is fantastic since it has a wipe-clean design. Kids can draw and then wipe it off to start again — it also saves a ton of paper.
In the activity book, there are numbers, mazes, and puzzles. Users can practice problem-solving skills and number recognition. The dry-erase marker comes included, too.
First-Hand Impression
Fisher-Price My First Fidget Cube
Best Fidget Cube for Travel
With an activity block such as this one from Fisher-Price, toddlers can explore different textures, keeping their fingers busy. The cube consists of six sides with metal and rubber buttons. It’s a good size for traveling.
User Experience
Playskool Classic Dressy Kids Boy Plush Toy
Best Plush Toy for Travel
Transform travel time with this plush playmate, offering five dress-up activities for hands-on fun. From zippers to buckles, it’s a tactile treat for toddlers.
Its travel clip ensures easy attachment to seats or a diaper bag. Plus, being machine-washable, it promises hassle-free cleaning and is ideal for ages 2 years and up.
Personal Perspective
The deMoca Quiet Book for Toddlers
Best Soft Book for Travel
This soft and quiet activity book is excellent for long journeys. It’s Montessori-inspired and includes nine activities, including matching, buckling, and telling time. Along with the book, you’ll receive a zippered washing bag so you can throw it in the washer when needed.
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Wellchild Magnetic Drawing Board for Toddlers
Best Magnetic Drawing Board for Travel
This magnetic drawing board is great for traveling. Your toddler can stay busy without you worrying about the car’s upholstery.
Included are the magnet pen, three stampers, and a carry bag. The board is a non-toxic, BPA-free material.
First-Hand Impression
Best Toys for Toddlers Who Have Everything
Fisher-Price Little People Travel Together Friend Ship
Best Figurine Toy for Toddlers
Your toddler can set sail on the seven seas with Little People from Fisher-Price. The Friend Ship is full of treasures that will keep your little one busy — there are realistic sounds and songs, plus fun figurines. All pieces are large and suitable for ages 1 to 5 years.
User Experience
LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words Book
Best Digital Word Book
Dive into a world of discovery with the LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words Book. Guided by endearing characters, Tiger, Turtle, and Monkey, toddlers will encounter 100 relevant words spread across diverse categories like animals, colors, meals, and activities.
This educational treasure is crafted for children 18 months to 4 years.
Personal Perspective
Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Pull & Play Learning Wagon
Best Play Wagon for Toddlers
This Pull & Play toy wagon from Fisher-Price is a good pick for children aged 6 to 36 months. The cart has educational and hands-on play content, including ABCs, shapes, sounds, and light-up buttons. The pull-along wagon can even speak Spanish for bilingual children.
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VTech Touch and Learn Activity Desk Deluxe
Best Toddler Activity Desk
The Touch and Learn activity desk from VTech is amazing. It includes the desk and stool. Your toddler can sit and draw, learn words, and engage in 20 activities and songs.
Under the desk is a hidden chalkboard that flips up when needed. The activity desk will suit children aged 2 and up.
First-Hand Impression
Munchkin Fishin’ Bath Toy
Best Bathtime Toy for Toddlers
Turn bath time into a fishing expedition with Munchkin’s Fishin’ Bath Toy. This beloved bath accessory set for toddlers includes a magnetic fishing rod and three aquatic friends that float with the magnet pointing upwards for an easy catch.
The toy is suitable for ages 24 months and up. However, remember to air dry the rod to prevent rust in the screw.
User Experience
Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube
Best Magic Cube for Toddlers
The Mozart Magic Cube is excellent for music-loving parents. It consists of eight sides, each representing a musical instrument, including a French horn, harp, piano, and violin. It will play up to eight Mozart masterpieces for the user to enjoy while it lights up in bright colors.
Personal Perspective
Wooden Race Track Car Ramp
Best Toddler Racetrack
This wooden ramp race track stands out from the other toys on today’s list. It consists of four brightly-colored ramps that the included cars must race down. At the top, there’s a parking lot to gather the vehicles.
It’s a high-quality wood and BPA-free toy that uses non-toxic paint. The cars are sturdy enough to withstand the rough-and-tumble nature of toddlers.
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Blue Horse Hopper
Best Bouncer for Toddlers
This Blue Horse Hopper from AppleRound is terrific for toddlers who have some extra energy to burn off.
It measures about 11 inches in height and 23 inches in length. It’s stable, and parents praise how much fun it is. The toy includes a pump for inflation.
First-Hand Impression
VTech Touch & Teach Word Book
Best Activity Book for Toddlers
With this activity book from VTech, your little one can learn about words and the alphabet. It includes touch-sensitive pages and six categories of words, making it a fantastic introduction to early education.
Cody and Cora, two tech-smart cubs, guide the reader through the book.
User Experience
Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Light-up Learning Vacuum
Best Vacuum Toy for Toddlers
Getting toddlers interested in vacuuming is the dream for any busy parent. Who doesn’t want a child who pitches in with the cleaning around the house?
Fisher-Price has the toy for that — this learning vacuum is vibrant and fun. It includes an “on/off” switch and canister just like a real vacuum, but this one will play music and sounds.
Personal Perspective
Are Toys Good for Toddlers?
Playtime is a crucial part of childhood — it’s one way that children learn. While toys aren’t always necessary, they often spark the imagination. Finding the right toys can aid a child’s development, help them improve their speech, and better their understanding of the world.
Toddlers need opportunities to play with different types of toys. They must be made of suitable materials and should promote imagination. Since children this age like to put things in their mouths, you must ensure the toys you choose are free from choking hazards (1).
What Kind of Toys Do Toddlers Play With?
Toddlers will play with almost anything, often unaware of a toy’s safety, so it’s essential to pay attention to potential hazards.
The best toddler toys are those that let them discover the world. Here are a few examples:
- Puzzles.
- Shape sorters.
- Push or pull toys.
- Books.
- Toy vehicles.
- Water and sand toys such as buckets and shovels.
- Playsets, such as dollhouses and miniature kitchens.
- Blocks and other building toys.
- Balls.
- Stuffed animals.
- Ride-on toys.
How to Choose Toys for Toddlers
Need a cheat sheet on picking the best toddler toys? Follow these tips, and you’ll be in the clear.