The 56 Best Toys for Toddlers to Keep Them Learning Through Play

Keep littles busy with toys specifically designed for toddler development: climbing and building toys, puzzles, pretend play, ride-ons, and more.

Toddlers learn through playing, so if you're looking to support your toddlers' development , toys are probably the most effective tool. The best toys for toddlers engage their interests while developing their fine motor, gross motor, cognitive, and social skills . Durable, age-appropriate, and easy-to-use toys with different colors, textures, and sounds can engage toddlers in play and support common toddler milestones like walking, talking, and more.

To help you spot the best toys for toddlers, we researched popular options from trusted brands with developmentally appropriate features in mind. We also spoke with an occupational therapist and surveyed 875 parents about the toys their children play and what they love about them. Lastly, a pediatric physician from our Review Board reviewed this article for accuracy and provided input on how to evaluate safe and appropriate toys for toddlers.

Learning Toys for Toddlers

During the toddler years, a wide range of development takes place, from social to physical to educational. Most play that a toddler engages in will naturally have an educational element to it because all kids in this age group learn through pretend play . However, some toys are designed to boost your child's learning in natural and engaging ways, from teaching them shapes to introducing the fundamentals of music to expanding their vocabulary .

Pretend Play Toys for Toddlers

Nearly every toy can become a pretend play toy for a toddler, but we chose these recommendations for their ability to engage toddlers' imagination in different ways, from nostalgic Sesame Street characters to a plush bus just like the one they might see their older siblings ride. And no toddler can pass up an opportunity to bake you a special treat from their very own chef-worthy kitchen set .

Building Toys for Toddlers

The only thing toddlers love more than playing with building toys is gleefully knocking down their creations. But don't worry—both activities are equally worthwhile. To protect little fingers (and maybe your floors), you can also consider supplying tot-sized Godzillas with a foam fort-building set that they can knock down to their hearts' content.

Arts and Crafts Toys for Toddlers

We love craft time with our toddlers , but we also fully support any art solutions that can help keep the mess at bay. For instance, Crayola's Color Wonder Activity kits are, well, a wonder, in keeping marker creations confined to the special craft paper (and off your sofa), while a double-sided storage easel keeps art supplies safely tucked away until inspiration strikes again.

Climbing Toys for Toddlers

Have toddler, will climb—any parent or caregiver to a toddler knows that's the basic anthem to days spent with tots. If you have a climber on your hands, fear not: safe and effective indoor climbing toys can keep active toddlers burning off energy (at least until naptime).

Sports and Outdoor Toys for Toddlers

Whether you have a budding golfer or a small slugger on your hands, or an active tot who just wants to fill their wagon with rocks (seriously, what is it with kids and rocks?), the great outdoors can be a magical place for kids. Plus, getting outside and playing with outdoor toys can help develop toddlers' gross motor skills like jumping, running, and climbing.

Ride-On Toys for Toddlers

As a mom, I can tell you that ride-on toys are crucial for toddlers for one very specific reason: if you don't get your toddler a toy they can climb on and ride, chances are you will become the "toy" they clamor for. Horsey rides around the living room, anyone? If you (or your back) need a break, go with the more spine-friendly option of a dragon , a tiny Land Rover , a classic rocking horse , or a balance bike .

Puzzles and Games for Toddlers

So your toddler probably isn't ready for an intricate puzzle, but a wooden bead maze might be just their speed. And you can spend quality time together playing a Mickey-themed matching game or "monkey" around with a board game dedicated to getting participants up and moving with challenges like balancing, hopping, and marching—and yes, a banana beanbag is included.

Our Review Process and Experts

To select the best toys for toddlers, we first spoke with Meredith Soucie , a North Carolina-based occupational therapist. We then surveyed 875 parents to learn more about what toys their children play with, how they play with them, and why they love them. Moreover, we asked parents and caregivers about their top brands and what makes them well-loved among their families.

After reviewing guidance and insights from our experts and parents, we studied the design and features of more than 70 toys for toddlers on the market. We considered toy safety, age recommendations, ease of use, developmental milestones, and value when reviewing products.

How to Choose the Best Toys for Toddler

• Interests: Toddlers can be very clear about what they like—but their interests can also change quickly. One safe bet is to look for toys that feature some of their favorite characters, like Bluey or Sesame Street friends, or toy versions of grown-up stuff they love (like golf clubs or kitchen tools). Those tend to be a hit because toddlers love imaginative play, especially if they mimic real life. These toys are also good for providing teaching moments when you are playing with your toddler. According to Soucie, adults can help kids learn about the things around them by identifying and labeling objects and then asking and answering questions about their environment while playing together.
• Milestones: Some of the biggest milestones that toddlers will master are gross motor movements like running, walking, and jumping. In the early toddler years, as kids work on these large physical milestones, they are working on strengthening their muscles and gross motor skills. Soucie says toddlers learn how to move their bodies by enjoying playgrounds and other toys that will give them space to make big movements. To support cognitive development, Soucie suggests regular sensory-based activities. Some examples include “finger painting, drawing with crayons, playing in water, sculpting with play-dough, rice play, and gardening/planting activities," she says.
• Entertainment Value: Toddlers are curious, with a lot of energy, and often have little regard for their own safety, which means the most entertaining toys will allow them to explore and move around, but will also keep them safe. Look for toys that get them running and/or jumping around, like a soccer ball or a bicycle, or hands-on toys. Open-ended toys, like building blocks, are often more entertaining than complicated electrical toys because they allow for creative play.

Who We Are

Ashley Ziegler is a freelance writer who covers lifestyle, home, parenting, and commerce for a variety of platforms. She’s a wife to a public school administrator and mom to 1-year-old and 3-year-old daughters. In addition to regularly scouring the internet to find the best things for herself, Ashley spends multiple hours a week researching, comparing, and writing about products specifically for kids and families.

Additional reporting by:

Katrina Cossey is a commerce editor, enthusiastic shopper, and devoted mom. She spent several years in broadcast journalism but found her true passion in writing about the best products for families, pregnant people, and kids of all ages. She’s researched thousands of baby products, toys, gifts, and more and personally tested many of them. In her spare time, you’ll likely find her in the beautiful outdoors of Oklahoma with her husband and 4-year-old son. When Katrina’s son was a toddler, he loved his Strider Balance Bike and LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words Book.

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