Image: MomJunction Design Team
Playing with toys can contribute to your child’s physical, cognitive, and emotional development. So, we have created a list of the best animal toys for toddlers to keep your child engaged for hours. Toys depicting animals are intriguing for children as they find their colors and features cute and want to play with them. You can also weave several interesting stories with different animals and demonstrate their characteristics and activities. It is a fun way of helping your child get out of their comfort zone and participate in playtime. So, check out the different best-selling products to choose the right one.
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10 Best Animal Toys For Toddlers
1. Best For Improving Imagination: Battat Big Red Barn
Get this farm animal toy by Battat, which opens to a large farm with doors and windows, allowing your little one to peek inside and learn more about animals. This six-piece toy set consists of a horse, a cow, a pig, a sheep, and a farmer doll figurine, offering a wide range of options for animal lovers to play with. The big barn is equipped with a carrying handle for ease of transportation. It has a stable for each animal, and the doors are big enough to access all the animals. The second floor features a cozy nest for animals to rest. Your child will be able to learn about different animals and their activities, thereby improving their imagination. If you need more convincing, feel free to take a look at this YouTuber’s video on the merits and demerits of the tried-and-tested product.
Pros
- Encourages role-play
- Foldable and portable design
- Improves concentration
- Develops social and motor skills
- Easy to grasp
Cons
- Some parts may be fragile
- May not make sounds
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The tried-and-true product has earned over 12,391 good reviews on Amazon.
Did you know?2. Best Realistic Design: Boley Farm Animal Figurines
The unique 15-piece set of small assorted farm animals is crafted from lab-certified plastic and is safe for your children. It has adorable barnyard animals with the young ones. The animal set includes cow and calf, pig and piglet, horse and foal, and sheep and lamb, making it a perfect gift for your little munchkin to explore. It also has a rooster, chicken with chicks and a donkey with a baby mule. All these figurines are well crafted to look realistic.
Pros
- Develops fine motor skills and vocabulary
- Encourages self-learning
- Made to withstand rough play
- Meets ASTM and Sedex standards
Cons
- Some toys may not stand upright
- May be a bit small
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The 2,882 positive reviews on Amazon are proof that this product meets customers' expectations.
3. Best For Bathtime: SplashEZ Bath Toys
Let your child have quality bath time with SplashEZ toys as they are safe and secure to play with. The airtight design helps prevent any mold formation, and they are CPSE-tested and approved. Loved by many reviewers, these colorful toys will let your child remember the names of animals and colors, thereby increasing their concentration and imagination. The set includes wild animals (a lion and a tiger), domesticated animals (a quail and a frog), and an imaginary animal like a unicorn. These toys meet American safety standards.
Pros
- BPA-free material
- Solid, hole-less design
- Features fade-resistant paint
- Improves imagination
Cons
- May have a slight chemical smell
- May not be suitable for children under three years due to potential choking hazard
"My grandkids enjoy playing with these perfectly sized fun toys. They always take them to the shower, and I'm glad they do not have holes in them, which prevents mold buildup--it's one less worry for an overprotective parent like me."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 2,655 independent reviewers on Amazon have acknowledged the product's durability and functionality.
4. Best For Learning : Play22 Plush Talking Stuffed Animals Jungle Set
Designed to introduce children to animal sounds, this jungle animal set includes a set of talking animals. The six-piece set of stuffed animals consists of an elephant, tiger, lion, zebra, and monkey. They are cutely packed in an enclosed jungle-like round box with a big handle to carry. Each animal makes a sound similar to a real animal, making it an excellent gift idea for your children. The toys are designed to meet safety requirements.
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Door has a hook-and-loop fastener
- Soft and cuddly texture
- Encourages sensory development
Cons
- Animal sounds may not be very realistic
- May run out battery quickly
"This plush animal set is my toddler's favorite, and the soft, playful toys have made her pretend play sessions more fun. She loves weaving stories as she plays with them."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Over 1,824 satisfied customers have left positive reviews about the product on Amazon.
5. Best For Creativity: Mini Tudou Safari Animals
Denoting an African wild park, this Safari animal toy figure set by Mini Tudou comprises 12 wild animal figurines—lion, tiger, giraffe, hippo, panda, elephant, orangutan, cheetah, rhino, crocodile, elk, and camel. These hand-painted animals come with a large play mat or rug made of non-woven fabrics that feels soft. The 57x 38.6-inch mat can accommodate up to four to six players. As per reviews, this best-selling game encourages longtime imaginative play and cognitive development and helps keep technology at a distance.
Pros
- Non-toxic and long-lasting ABS plastic
- No choking hazard; animal figures are large
- Includes a storage box
- Promotes creativity and imagination
Cons
- Some might find the toys smelly
- Giraffe figurine may have trouble standing up
"This safari playset captivates my toddler with its realistic-looking animal figurines. The mat is thinner than I expected, but the set, overall, has been an excellent tool for creative play and has managed to keep my child away from the screens."
6. Best For Easy Storage: Plush Creations Plush Dog House Carrier
The adorable dog house by Plush Creations comes with four stuffed, plush puppies that can bark and talk. Each can say, “I am a dog” and make a realistic barking sound, making it a fun gift idea for your children. This interactive set helps promote pretend play, creativity, knowledge, and bonding with parents or friends. Additionally, these squishable puppies are lightweight and can be easily stored and carried. It can make a great picnic or play-time companion as the dog house measures 6.5 x 5.5 x 8 inches, and each puppy’s height is four inches.
Pros
- Vibrant colors and attractive design
- Made of soft, safe, and non-toxic materials
- Easy to wash and clean
- Easy to hold
Cons
- Some may find the dog sounds repetitive
- Dog house may seem unstable
7. Best For Safety: Boley Safari Animals Bath Toys Bucket
Crafted with child’s safety in mind, this educational toy set from Boley is designed to withstand even the roughest play. Suitable for ages two and above, these toys have smooth rounded corners to protect your children from getting hurt. The set includes 12 cartoon safari animal toy figures in bright colors. They are well packed in a handled bucket to ensure safety and storage. Loved by many reviewers, these toys can also be used in the bathtub to encourage fun learning.
Pros
- BPA-free
- Improves hand-eye coordination and vocabulary skills
- Develops fine motor skills
- Meets ASTM and Sedex standards
Cons
- May not squeak
- Toys do not float on water
"I love seeing my little one playing with these vibrant, fist-sized animals, especially the birds. She has also learned to keep them organized in the container after each play session."
8. Best Easy-To-Hold: Munchkin Farm Animal Squirts Baby Bath Toy
Make bathing fun and educational for your little one with these eight-pack Munchkin’s barnyard animals. These cute, squirting animals set is a great gift idea and can help develop children’s fine motor skills. Your baby can also spot, guess, or learn the names of different animals and their sounds. These durable and fun farm animal toys will keep your child occupied and amazed while you bathe them.
Pros
- Small-sized animal toys to fit in small hands
- Vibrant colors and cute designs
- Strong build and non-breakable
- Floatable and light
- Good for hand-eye coordination
Cons
- Some may find them difficult to clean
- May take time to dry after use
"My child's bath time is incomplete without these cute animal squirts; they foster learning in an enjoyable and playful way. I'd suggest sealing the bottom holes of every toy to prevent mold buildup."
9. Best For Solo And Collaborative Play: Learning Resources Jumbo Farm Animals Toy Set
Learning Resources’ Jumbo Farm Animals are designed realistically to keep your child’s vivid imagination and little bank of knowledge alive. This trusted set can act as a simple learning tool about animals and farms for young minds. It can be played by your child alone and gives a wider scope for peer play. The farm animal toy set contains a pig, cow, sheep, horse, goat, goose, and rooster, allowing young animal lovers to play numerous imaginative games.
Pros
- Activity guide attached (Animal facts and information)
- Lightweight and long-lasting
- Made of non-toxic plastic
- Easy to clean
- Suitable for visual and tactile learners
Cons
- Toys may not be water-resistant
- Smell may be off-putting for some
10. Best Interactive Toy: Kidoozie Old MacDonald Had A Farm Toddler Toy Tractor
Kidoozie’s cute toy farm tractor contains miniature-sized yet realistic farmer and animal figurines. The five animals produce sounds similar to real animals when they are placed in their allotted seat. The time-tested tractor is operational and promotes interactive learning. Toddlers can tap the funnel to start the engine. The vehicle automatically activates and moves forward for ten seconds. This is an effective toy for learning and fun, allowing young animal lovers to develop their critical thinking skills while role-playing with the farmer, chicken, horse, pig, sheep, and a cow.
Pros
- Made of safe and high-quality materials
- Includes three AA batteries
- Suited for toddlers and preschoolers above one year of age
- Appropriate size
Cons
- Tractor’s gear mechanism may get worn out over time
- May require adult supervision
Quick tipHow To Choose The Right Animal Toys For Toddlers?
Here are a few tips to consider before you purchase animal toys for toddlers.
- Safety features: Read the description of the components that the baby toys are made of. It should meet all the safety standards designated by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
- Real figures: Farm animal toy figurines that resemble real animals are easier for children to relate to. They should be bright and colorful to attract the child’s attention.
- Brand:It is advisable to choose a good brand over cheap toys. A good brand will ensure the safety of your child by using safe and high-quality materials.
- Lead-free paint: Make sure the paint used on the toys is lead-free as lead is toxic for your children’s health.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When should I introduce animal toys to my baby?
While there is no specific age for introducing animal toys to babies, they make more sense to them by the time they reach the one year mark. Apart from being fun, animal toys encourage interaction in toddlers as they learn to imitate fun sounds and to identify and know about them.
2. Are animal toys safe for toddlers?
Animal toys come in a wide range of sizes and are made with different materials. Age-appropriate animal toys designed with non-toxic and high-quality materials are safe for toddlers to play with. Whereas, animal figures that are tiny and not safety-certified may not be as safe for toddlers.
3. Can animal toys go in the bath?
It is best to check the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure that particular animal toys are safe to play with in the bath.
4. How should I clean animal toys?
If the animal toy is made of hard plastic, you may use baby dishwashing liquid to wash the toy. Some plastic toys may be hollow, so it is not recommended to soak or place them under running water, as the water may enter and get stuck in the toys. Wipe-cleaning is the best way to clean such toys. However, if you have plush animal toys, you can gently wash them in the machine or wipe them with soap water solution using a cloth.
The Bottom Line
Playing with animal toys can make your child aware of the different shapes, sizes, and colors of animals. It may also enhance their cognitive skills and make them more considerate towards animals. However, while choosing the best animal toys for toddlers, ensure they are made from high-quality materials that are non-toxic and BPA-free. Make sure they also do not contain small parts that can pose a choking hazard. Keeping these in mind, we recommend the Battat Big Red Barn Animal Farm Playset, which fosters creativity and role-play, and the Boley Farm Animal Figurines, which promotes fine motor abilities in children. The Munchkin Farm Animal Squirts Baby Bath Toy set has adorable animals that are non-breakable and lightweight. These best-selling choices support your child’s developmental milestones and offer an environment that encourages learning, creativity, and enjoyable exploration.
Infographic: How To Play With Animal Toys?
Now that you’re familiar with the best animal toy sets available, it’s time to look at how your little one should engage with them for wholesome entertainment. Animal toys can also enhance their cognitive development in addition to their empathy, vocabulary, and imagination. Go through this infographic to explore different easy-to-play animal toy games. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References
Why Trust MomJunction?
Priti Bose has a flair for writing about children’s toys and games. Her experience helps her identify products that children love. Here, Priti has compiled a list of the best animal toys for toddlers. These trusted toys make perfect gifts as they are engaging and entertaining for your little ones. Our writer has ensured that these products are child-safe and has provided a buying guide to help you select the best of these adorable toys.
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