Toddlers are one of the most exciting age groups to give presents. However, they also have really short attention spans and get easily frustrated, so finding a gift for toddlers that can keep their attention can be difficult.
If you’re trying to find a gift for everyone on your list, keep in mind that toddlers can be one of the most fun groups to buy for – if you choose a great gift that’s appropriate for the age group.
When buying toys for toddlers, these are some tips to keep in mind:
- Try to find gifts that encourage eye-hand coordination and fine motor skills but won’t frustrate them.
- Look for toys that are sturdy and encourage exploration and imaginative play.
- Pretend play toys that teach kids about their environment are also great at this age.
The list of the best gifts meet the toddler-approved requirement, but they’re also tip picks to promote child development.
These toys are also age-appropriate for open-ended play for young kids, sturdy enough to withstand “the toddler years,” and aren’t obscenely expensive.
Happy shopping!
1. Bath toys
Bath toys are always fun, regardless of the child’s age. My elementary school son and toddler play with the same bath toys. 😉
Toddlers especially love toys that move in the bathtub, like this mermaid. Basketball sets and bath crayons are also fun.
Bath cups are also great to use in the bathtub, but we’ve had a lot of spills (and my toddler loves to drink the bath water). Although cups are fun for toddlers, they may not be the most parent-approved toys due to the mess factor.
2. Ride-on toys
Toddlers love to ride around the house, bashing into everything. Fun, right?!
We’ve enjoyed both motorized and non-motorized ride on vehicles.
My favorite ride on vehicle is the Cozy Coupe. It has a handle on the top and a removable floor, making it the perfect vehicle to “grow with the child.” Parents can easily push younger kids around and then later remove the floor so that older kids can ride around Fred Flintstone-style.
A balance bike is also the perfect gift for little kids. We’ve given several, and parents have assured us that these ranked among the kids’ top toys.
3. Blocks or Magnetic Tiles
Mega Bloks are great for toddlers. There are many different sets at all price points.
Many sets come with instructions to build a specific display, which is a great activity for parents to do with their toddlers. As the toddlers age, they can get creative and build their own scenes.
Magna tiles are also one of the best toys to promote gross motor skills and creativity.
4. Shape sorters
Shape sorters may cause some frustration the first few times a toddler uses them, but they’re the perfect way to teach toddlers their shapes in a hands-on approach.
Many shape sorters will teach kids about numbers and colors in addition to shapes. Also, there are some, like this fun picnic basket, that are a little less frustrating to sort but can still be used to discuss the differences between circles, triangles, and squares.
Shape sorters are also a great way to work on eye-hand coordination.
5. Books and flash cards
Board books are great at this age, especially for kids who have shorter attention spans. My kids even take board books to bed with them since the pages won’t get ruined.
The First 100 book series is great to have discussions about the child’s environment, and you can also find many Dr. Seuss books in board book format.
6. Wooden puzzles
Wooden puzzles, especially the kind with pegs, are perfect for toddlers. They aren’t easily damaged, and they’re simple enough so that the child won’t get frustrated when trying to put them together.
We have animal sets and alphabet sets (although our sets don’t have pegs).
Many of these puzzles are great learning tools. As your child puts the puzzle together, have conversations like, “cows live on a farm,” “cats are pets,” “the letter T is for ‘Tori,'” etc.
7. Play kitchen and “perfect size” activity centers
Kids of all ages can have hours of fun and independent play time with an ice cream counter, food truck, or play kitchen. These open-ended toys are perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.
From wooden activity centers to plastic play houses, activity centers are fantastic toys to keep toddlers occupied and engaged for extended periods of time.
Many plastic play houses play music, teach numbers and ABCs, and provide kids a chance to learn about their environments.
Old fashioned wooden activity centers are a quieter alternative that teach kids eye-hand coordination.
Both wooden and plastic activity centers are great tools for developing toddlers.
8. Activity magnets
Activity magnets are today’s version of paper dolls. 😉 My toddler has magnetic dolls that she can dress up. It’s a great toy, similar to puzzles, without the frustration of tiny puzzle pieces that don’t always fit together with little fingers
There are also “occupation” magnets and options for boys.
We’ve also used reusable stickers from Melissa & Doug to learn about animal habitats and more.
9. Sensory toys and outdoor toys
Stem toys and other outdoor toys like a water table are a fun way to entertain toddlers, but they also play a crucial role in a child’s cognitive and emotional development. From textured blocks that invite exploration to fidget spinners designed for tiny hands, sensory toys engage multiple senses—sight, touch, and sound—and encourage creative play.
Their ability to adapt alongside a child’s growth is what truly makes them timeless; as toddlers evolve into preschoolers, these toys can transform into tools for learning color recognition, shape sorting, and even basic problem-solving.
Outdoor toys that inspire adventure and physical activity are simple yet effective. Items like chalk sets or balance bikes can lead to hours of imaginative play while enhancing motor skills and promoting outdoor engagement.
Unlike many trends that fade quickly amidst the ever-changing landscape of childhood preferences, these classic gifts are a fun addition to foster lifelong enjoyment of nature and movement.
Ultimately, investing in well-crafted sensory and outdoor toys not only provides immediate joy but also paves the way for cherished memories as your little ones discover their world with unbridled enthusiasm.
10. Tents
Kids love tents, but many tents aren’t as high-quality as you would expect. Over the years, we’ve had many different types of tents and tunnel systems, but they only last for a couple years (at most).
If you’re going to buy a tent system for a toddler, look for one that has a reinforced floor, sturdy connections, and a tunnel that won’t easily collapse on the toddler.
These 10 toddler gift ideas work well for any price range. Best of all? These toddler toys are tested by young children and toddler parents approved! 😉
Leave a comment below with your favorite toddler gift!