Are you looking for some toy recommendations for that toddler in your life? Well, you’ve come to the right place then! Below you will find our gift guide of fun toys for toddlers!
At the end of every year, I go through all our toys and evaluate which ones have survived my active group and still get constant use. During that inventory there always seems to be the same set of toys that never end up in the donate pile, they are constant favorites throughout the year and are toys that grow with my group of toddlers.
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Fun Toys for Toddlers!
Between my daughter and the daycare kids, I have kids that are 13 months, 18 months, two 24-month-olds, and a 36-month-old. Toddlers are my life right now! Ha! This list is full of toys that have withstood heavy use and lots of hands-on play in my daycare. These are also toys that can grow with toddlers as they become preschoolers, not toys you will toss out in a few months.
Jumbo Jungle Animals & Farm Animals
These are a HUGE hit in our house! Seriously the most used toys in the house and they are loved by all ages! They have withstood the constant use (and some abuse as well) without deforming or breaking. These also are available in zoo, pets, ocean, & forest animals. We currently have the zoo, pets, and farm versions and my daughter will be getting the forest animals from Santa.
Guidecraft Rainbow Blocks Set
Another favorite! We love these blocks! We use them from general building to color matching games to shadow play. They are quality items, sturdy, and made to last, and I highly recommend them! They also have beads, sand, and mirror blocks.
Building Blocks for Kids
Blocks are a must-have in my opinion! We have two sets, Melissa & Doug 60-Piece Standard Unit Blocks, and Brain Blox Building Blocks. Both are awesome! I’m a bit on the fence when it comes to Melissa and Doug sometimes but the unit blocks are great. I highly recommend them. The Brain Blox my kids love just as well! They tend to use the unit blocks for the bigger builds and the Brain Blox more for precision builds, most of the time these are combined builds 🙂 The things they create with these are so creative and fun!
Plan Toys Doll Family
If your children are into dolls or people then pick up one of these family sets. They are well-made people that feature bendy arms and legs, colorful clothing, are the perfect size for small hands, and are made from all natural organic recycled rubberwood.
Wooden Counting Set 1-10
This set is great for number practice. The colors are bright and the wooden ‘cards’ are well made. The cards have an indent, like a puzzle, for the number to fit into and each number sits securely into each outline. We use these often, the kids really enjoy them.
WOW Poppy’s Pony Adventure
We love WOW toys! This toy gets TONS of use! We’ve had this set for about a year now and it still works fine, the friction drive has never failed and all the pieces are still in great shape. I wish we had more of these sets!
Baby Bear Sorting Set
These sorting bears have many uses! My daughter and the daycare LOVE these bears and use them for more than just color sorting. They count, sort, make patterns, & play with them like dolls 🙂 I introduced them at about a year and a half to my daughter and she’s loved them ever since, but be aware they all small parts.
Hape Color and Shape Sorter
A great classic shape sorter activity from Hape. Well made & non-toxic materials make this my favorite sorter. I usually give this as a gift to all the toddlers I know 🙂
Pacific Play Tents 6ft Tunnel
Tunnels are awesome! We have two different ones and no matter the age they are so loved. Pacific Play Tents make many different types of tents and tunnels but they are all of great quality. I’ve had other brands that don’t hold up as well to heavy use, these do!
Playmobil 123 Large Zoo
Yay for Playmobil 123 sets! We have a few and they are great for toddlers! Well made and meant to last. We also have the Forest Countryside set and the kids use them all the time. I’d say they are some of the kid’s most favorite playsets.
Tall-Stacker Pegs & Pegboard Set
Great toys for little hands! We love to stack and build with these!
Ultra-Thin Portable Light Panel
This is the light table that we have and it gets TONS of use! Light Tracers are a more affordable alternative to the light panel but they are smaller and I haven’t tried them personally. There is so much that can be done with the light panel and so many things you can use on it! Some of our favorite things to use on the light table are transparent counters, pattern blocks, Gems, & water beads.
KidKraft Vintage Kitchen
This never gets old for my kids, the kitchen set is one of the most loved and classic toys. At least once a day there is some sort of dinner being created and served. We have the red version of this, it replaced a bulky and unstable plastic one, and I’ve had no issues with it. All the cabinets open easily for little hands and it is very sturdy. We have this Fruit and Veggie Tote and Healthy Dinner Set as well as these dishes and this cookware set.
The toys shown above are my picks based on the skill and development of my daughter and the children in my daycare. Some toys may have smaller parts or may not be suitable for all children, you know your child’s ability best. I always recommend close supervision for any activity or item shown on this blog. 🙂
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