The Best Toys for Toddlers of 2024
Discover a world of wonder with our carefully curated selection of toys for toddlers. From interactive learning games to cuddly companions, check out a diverse range of options to stimulate creativity and foster developmental growth. These toys are crafted with safety in mind, ensuring peace of mind for parents while their little ones explore, learn, and play. Whether it's building blocks to spark imagination, musical instruments for sensory exploration, or soft plush toys for comforting snuggles, we have something to captivate every young mind. Let's embark on this enchanting journey of discovery and joy together, as we nurture the boundless potential of our youngest adventurers. Check out our top choice, the National Geographic Motorized Marble Run Kit, for a top-notch learning experience for your little scientist curious about how the world works.
Toys for Toddlers: Buying Guides
Enhancing your baby’s motor skills can be a challenging task. With so many toys to choose from, it can be difficult to know what will suit your baby’s needs. To help make the selection process easier, below is a comprehensive buyer’s guide which covers all the features you need to consider when choosing the best toy for your toddler.
Things to Look for Before Buying Toys for Toddlers
Safety
When buying a toy for your toddler, safety should be your number one priority. Look for toys made from non-toxic materials and check for any sharp edges or small parts that could pose a choking hazard. Make sure the toy also meets any applicable safety standards.
Age appropriateness
Choose a toy that is appropriate for your child’s age and developmental level. Look into toys that help children learn letters, numbers, and problem-solving skills. If they are starting to walk and run then you can look into different types of push and ride-on toys. Also, look for toys that are durable and flexible enough to adapt to their growing skill set.
Educational value
Look beyond traditional toys and explore educational games and activities which promote learning in problem-solving, language development, and motor skills. Select toys that have been designed specifically with toddlers in mind, as this will increase their engagement with the product and ultimately help them grow.
Flexibility and variety
Toys with multiple functions can be used for various activities or reused in different ways. For example, some blocks can be used to build structures but can also become part of a larger game or puzzle. Toys that offer different uses are great as they keep children engaged and help them learn through play.
Durability
Purchase toys built to last so they can be used again and again. Quality materials such as wood or plastic will outlast cheaper alternatives, ensuring your toddler has something safe to play with for years to come.
Size
When thinking of size, consider how much space you have available to store the toy away after use. If you have limited space, select toys that are easy to store away, such as stackable blocks or foldable slides. Learning mats or walkers may not be feasible if you have little space at home, however, you could opt for pop-up play tents instead as these are easily folded away when not in use.
Price
Set a budget suitable for the family budget but keep in mind the quality, durability, and educational value of the toy before making a purchase decision.
Availability
Make sure the toy is available in stores near home if purchasing locally; most major retailers will stock a wide range of products suitable for toddlers but smaller shops may sell niche items not found elsewhere. It is worth enquiring locally first before making an online purchase.
Reviews
Check reviews from parents who have bought the same toy before making a purchase decision; these reviews are invaluable as they provide insight into what experiences other parents have had with the product, highlighting any pros or cons associated with it. Reading multiple reviews is recommended so you can get a better feel of what people think about the product before making a final decision on whether or not it is appropriate for your toddler’s needs
The Best Toys for Toddlers
National Geographic Motorized Marble Run Kit – Best Overall
Introduce your little one to the captivating world of physics and problem-solving with the National Geographic Motorized Marble Run Kit. With 95 pieces, this marble maze kit offers an enriching blend of entertainment and education, fostering motor skills while sparking curiosity. Unlike fleeting distractions, this kit provides enduring engagement, standing out as a top choice for interactive fun.
The motorized spiral lift brings the principles of perpetual motion to life, sending marbles on an exhilarating journey through loops and twists. Designed for durability and longevity, the kit ensures countless hours of exploratory play. Complete with 20 marbles, a convenient storage bag, and various exciting elements, it offers a multifaceted play experience that keeps young minds enthralled.
Through active participation, toddlers not only play but also learn and develop crucial skills. Maneuvering marbles through the dynamic maze enhances problem-solving abilities and fine motor skills in an enjoyable manner. This marble run transcends mere entertainment; it’s an educational tool suitable for children of all ages. Whether as a gift or for everyday play, it seamlessly blends fun with learning, making it our best overall choice for enriching playtime experiences.
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Fun and educational
- Durable and well-made
Cons
- Small pieces, needs adult supervision
Stairslide Mounted Indoor Staircase Slide – Great for Stairs
The Stairslide Mounted Indoor Staircase Slide is how everyday activities become thrilling adventures. This innovative slide transforms ordinary staircases into sources of joy, excitement, and boundless fun. Crafted with safety and exhilaration in mind, this slide provides a unique way to descend from one floor to another, making every trip downstairs an unforgettable experience.
This staircase slide offers a playful twist on the mundane routine of climbing the stairs. Designed with safety features and a sturdy build, the slide’s simple installation process makes it easy to set up this slide. As a fusion of playfulness and innovation, the slide is a functional way to add fun and exhilaration to your everyday life. From its secure design to its compact installation, this indoor slide can redefine the way you live your life.
Pros
- Opens the door to unlimited entertainment
- Secure installation and safety features
- Space-saving and compact solution
Cons
- Requires a lot of available space
WOW! STUFF Peppa Pig’s Clever Car – Most Engaging
The WOW! STUFF Toys for Toddler is an exceptional toy for children of all ages. The car offers automatic collision avoidance sensors, which allow it to detect obstacles and change directions to avoid any bumps or bangs. This is great for teaching your kids how to navigate their way around obstacles in a playful way. The car also comes with lights and sounds, including working headlights and flashing seats, as well as 25 different character phrases and car sounds. This makes the toy quite interactive and fun for your child.
In addition, the car comes with four figures of the entire family: Peppa, George, Mummy Pig, and Daddy Pig. This makes it even more engaging for your kids, as they can pretend to be playing different characters in the car. It works best on smooth surfaces like wooden floors or tile floors. This is one of the best toys on the list for children of all ages as it offers enjoyable learning experiences with its safety features and fun character phrases and sounds!
Pros
- Easy and intuitive to use
- Engaging toy that encourages imaginative play
- Self-driving feature provides an opportunity
Cons
- Car only operates on flat surfaces
Melissa & Doug GO Tots Wooden Schoolyard – Most Lightweight
The Melissa & Doug toys for toddlers is an exciting and engaging activity set for young children from 12 months to 2 years. It encourages screen-free play and exploratory learning. The set includes four double-sided GO tots disks (featuring eight characters), as well as a wooden schoolyard that has a slide, swing, seesaw, spinner, and desks. The double-sided playground has two themes: Playground and classroom.
The disks have diverse characters and appealing shapes and textures that encourage connections and skill-building play. The wooden schoolyard also features a built-in handle that makes it easy to carry when going out or traveling with your child. What sets this activity toy set apart is that it is made with FSC-certified materials that support responsible forestry.
Pros
- Great for independent play
- Durable and sturdy wood material
- Lightweight and easy to carry around
- Great size and shape for learning colors
Cons
- May be too bulky for some households
BEST LEARNING My Spin & Learn Steering Wheel – Most Durable
The BEST LEARNING Toy for Toddlers is an award-winning interactive and educational toy that has been designed to stimulate your little one’s hand and eye coordination. This fun and durable learning toy offers three modes of play, including learning about colors, shapes, and feelings, and playing lovely songs and music. With this toy, toddlers can enjoy the fun, as it requires just a simple tap on the colorful shapes or a spin of the wheel to get started.
This educational toy for toddlers has been specially designed to help babies develop fine motor skills, logical thinking, and dexterity skills. To operate the toy, you will need three AAA alkaline batteries, which are included in the package. The toy is suitable for infants, babies, toddlers, and early learners aged between six to 36 months.
Pros
- Stimulates development in various areas
- Variety of sounds, lights, and songs to capture the attention
- Three learning modes for a variety
Cons
- High price point
VTech Spin and Learn Color Flashlight – Most Fun Learning
The VTech toys for toddlers are an excellent educational learning tool for toddlers between the ages of 1 to 3. This kid’s toy provides excitement, with fun songs and music that teach about animals, colors, and numbers. The ladybug button on the flashlight activates sounds and interacts with your child, which will keep them entertained.
The flashlight comes with over 50 sing-along songs, music, sounds, and fun phrases. The five changing light colors, though bright enough to keep your child’s attention, are not too bright to not distract or hurt their eyes. It also teaches them to count and learn the numbers 1, 2, and 3. When the toy is inactive for 45 seconds, it will automatically turn off, which conserves battery life. The toy is distinctively designed to appeal to young children. With great sound quality and a durable design, this toy will have both parents and children happy with their purchase.
Pros
- Comes with new batteries
- Ideal learning toy for toddlers
- Promotes fun, interactive play
- Helps kids understand cause/effect relationships
Cons
- Poor sound at times
Ehome Musical Instruments – Best Gift
The Ehome musical instruments toys for toddlers are an ideal toy choice for any family. It is made with high-quality, non-toxic wood that is CPC-approved. The design of the set includes 27 pieces of peripheral instruments, including a clapper, sounder, wrist bell, xylophone, maraca, tambourine, a triangle with sticker, bird whistle, shaker egg, trumpet, castanet, face bell, and rainbow column. All of the instruments come packed in a storage bag that makes them portable for outings such as camping or trips. This is also a great way to keep everything organized and stored away when not in use.
Not only do these toy instruments offer kids fun and entertainment but they also serve as a Montessori toy set to help children improve their cognitive and perception skills. They aid in the development of a child’s sensitivity to vocals as well as their artistic sensitivity. This set is perfect for any occasion and is an ideal gift choice for boys or girls of any age.
Pros
- Variety of instruments
- Adorable painted designs
- Storage bag included
- Lots of shakers that toddlers enjoy
Cons
- Tamborine is too small
LeapFrog Pick Up and Count Vacuum – Best Playtime
The LeapFrog toys for toddlers are great for young children aged 2+ years. With its engaging learning games, it’s sure to keep your child captivated for hours. This vacuum allows your child to pick up 10 play dust pieces of different colors. The vacuum can recognize the different colors of the dust pieces and counts them accordingly. Your child can also learn about numbers, colors, and counting with six learning games. As a bonus, this vacuum also has a light-up panel and bouncing balls in the vacuum canister which add an audio and visual element to playtime.
The tiltable handle of this vacuum can be adjusted to multiple heights so that your child can grow with the toy. The attached dust bin also collects all of the pieces as they are picked up and all of the details fit inside for easy storage.
Pros
- Great for pretend play
- Entertaining birthday or holiday gifts for kids
- Instant bonding opportunity
- Easy to use and assemble
Cons
- Requires supervision when being used
CozyBomb Wooden Number Puzzle – Most Engaging
The CozyBomb toys for toddlers are an excellent choice for toddlers aged 1 year and up. These toys can provide hours of educational fun through the various activities they come with, such as learning colors, counting pieces, and stacking blocks.
The wooden pieces themselves are made from 100% natural wood and have been sanded down to make them safe to use. They are also covered with multiple layers of non-toxic, water-based paints that are friendly to the environment. This means you can trust that the product is safe for your child. The 3-in-1 set includes sorting rings by color, counting pieces, and stacking blocks. This makes it a great way to teach your toddler about numbers and colors, as well as encourage creativity and imaginative play. This set is also great for developing hand-eye coordination in young ones, as toddlers must carefully sort each piece into its respective ring or block. With enough practice, your child might even learn to recognize the shape of each piece without having to look at it first!
Pros
- Great for visual and physical learning
- Made from durable material
- Highly engaging and entertaining toy
- Good product packaging
Cons
- Pins need to be glued
People Also Asked
A: The best motor skills toys for toddlers include push-and-pull toys, puzzles, play dough, blocks, stacking rings, activity cubes, bean bags, balls, and foam shapes.
A: These motor skills toys help babies and toddlers learn to use their hands, feet, and eyes in coordination with manipulating objects. The different textures and shapes of the toys can also help develop the baby's tactile senses while they are exploring and having fun.
A: Most of these motor skills toys are easy to use and understand even for babies and toddlers who are just beginning to explore their environment.
A: Yes, these motor skills toys are generally safe for babies and toddlers to play with as long as there are no small parts or sharp edges present. It is recommended that parents inspect the toy before use and only purchase items from reputable brands with high safety standards.
A: By using motor skills toys, toddlers can practice using their coordination, learn new problem-solving skills, boost physical development, and even develop language skills through social interaction when playing with other children or adults.
A: Other than enhancing their motor skills development, playing with motor skill toys can also help your toddler become more independent in their learning process by allowing them to explore different materials and activities on their own.
A: Choosing the right motor skills toy can be a difficult decision as there are an array of options available on the market today. When selecting a toy for your toddler, it’s important to consider age-appropriate activities that will keep your child engaged while promoting physical and cognitive development at the same time.
A: Yes, motor skill toys come in a range of prices from low-cost options designed for younger babies up to more advanced options designed for older toddlers who have mastered some basic skills already.
A: Yes, there is plenty of advice available online such as blog posts and videos from experienced experts on how to use these motor skill toys effectively with your baby or toddler. You must follow any instructions provided when using these products with your little ones to ensure they get the maximum benefit from playing with them safely.
