Image: MomJunction Design Team
Toddlers love to explore, learn, and understand the world. So, we have created a list of the best educational toys for toddlers to help kindle their curiosity and make their learning process more fun and engaging. When your child begins to learn new things and develop new skills, they feel more confident. These toys help enhance your child’s cognitive, motor skills, creativity, and thinking abilities. With various designs, colors, and features, these toys are free of harmful materials to ensure your child’s safety. So, take a look at the options listed below to find one that suits your child’s interests.
Top Picks
23 Best Educational Toys For Toddlers
Educational toys for toddlers are a bit different from toys for older kids. These toys are generally designed to help toddlers enhance their motor skills, support cognitive development, and boost their hand-eye coordination and color recognition skills.
1. Best For Stacking: Mega Bloks First Builders Big Building Bag
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 48,382 independent reviewers on Amazon have acknowledged the product's durability and functionality.
Stacking is an activity that toddlers enjoy. And this building set enables them to pile up as many building blocks as they want.
Pros
- Contains 80 colorful blocks
- Helps develop hand-eye coordination and grasping skills
- Helps develop social skills
- Comes with a handy storage bag
Cons
- Some blocks may not fit together
- May not be sturdy enough
"These blocks' vibrant colors grab my daughter's attention. They have been a playtime favorite and are helping improve my child's fine motor skills. Although she unintentionally scatters them around at times, the enhanced creativity makes up for the time spent cleaning up."
2. Best For Hand-Eye Coordination: Orwine Inertia Toy
Brightly-colored transportation toy trucks easily attract tiny tots. These Orwine toy pieces are safe for children as they meet the ASTM F963 & EN71 safety standards.
Pros
- Helps improve hand-eye coordination
- Bright colors provide visual stimulation
- Durable toy trucks are made of ABS plastic and alloy
- Multifunctional
- No battery required
Cons
- May not be sturdy enough
- May be smaller than you expect
"My toddler is in love with this toy vehicle set. I appreciate that they are not battery-powered and have sturdy construction. These hold up despite being tossed around by my little one. The cars sure have made playtime lively and joyful."
Point to consider3. Best For Teaching Colors And Numbers: LeapFrog Scoop And Learn Ice Cream Cart
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The 13,516 positive customer reviews on Amazon attest to the product’s quality.
As babies start to toddle, a little support encourages them to keep trying. This ice-cream cart comes with a handle and wheels that children enjoy pushing as they try to walk. This product testing video can help you make an informed decision about your purchase.
Pros
- Pushing the cart helps develop gross motor skills
- Comes with colorful ice-cream scoops and toppings
- Features six animal order cards that help sharpen memory and sequencing skills
- Audio teaches colors, flavors, and numbers
Cons
- Sound may not be clear
- Plastic cards may be slippery
"This ice cream cart toy has become a cherished item in my household. It's easy to clean and is still in good condition despite constant use and occasional trips outside. The scoop can be a tad difficult to use, but my child adapted to it quickly."
4. Best For Teaching Animal Names: Fisher-Price Laugh And Learn Smart Stages Piggy Bank
Little pink piggy can become your toddler’s friend if given colorful coins to eat. It plays music that teaches phrases and popular kids’ songs. Check out this testing cum review video to learn more about the product.
Pros
- Set includes a piggy bank with ten colorful coins
- Coins come with numbers printed on one side and an animal image on the other
- Helps introduce numbers, colors, and animals
- Pressing the front nose opens the side of the pig’s belly to remove coins
- Consists of two levels of songs to suit growing babies
Cons
- Volume could have been slightly louder
- Songs may be repetitive
"This piggy bank toy is incredibly colorful, and its interactive features assist with counting skills. My toddler loves feeding coins to the pig and enjoys its catchy sounds. It has proven to be sturdy and reliable even after extended use. I highly recommend this toy."
5. Best For Teaching Songs And Phrases: Fisher-Price Laugh And Learn Smart Stages Chair
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Over 11,667 satisfied customers on Amazon have said good things about the product.
Let your little princess or prince sit on this smart chair to learn new songs, tunes, and phrases. It plays songs and tunes according to your child’s age.
Pros
- Comes with three levels of songs to suit your growing toddler
- Illustrated flipbook and light-up button add to the fun experience
- Plays over 50 songs and phrases that introduce numbers, shapes, colors, and much more
- Sitting on the seat activates songs
Cons
- Chair legs may not be durable
- Hard surface may not be comfortable for the baby
6. Best For Improving Vocabulary: LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words Book
This audio wordbook is a great way for toddlers to learn new words and identify animals, colors, and more. Your child can play with this activity book independently while learning new words.
Pros
- Contains 100 new words for toddlers
- Teaches words from different categories such as animals, colors, food, and fruits
- Touching the words on the pages activates the audio
- Light-up star button plays two songs
- Teaches in both English and Spanish
- Supports language development
Cons
- Switching the modes might seem tricky
- Volume may be loud
"The book has helped me kickstart my child's learning journey. Its thick, sturdy, laminated pages are easy to flip, and the buttons and other interactive features keep her occupied. It has even sustained a few falls, and the bilingual learning option is a big plus."
Quick tip7. Best For Matching And Sorting: Skoolzy Rainbow Counting Bears With Matching Sorting Cups
Stacking helps toddlers develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. This tried-and-tested toy comes with dice, sorting cups, and little teddy bears. Your child has to roll the dice and place each teddy in its respective color cup.
Pros
- Helps children with color recognition
- Promotes counting skills
- Non-toxic and free of lead, phthalates, and BPA
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Tiny pieces might pose a choking hazard
- No instructions included
"The counting bears set has made it easy for my little girl to differentiate between colors. Though stacking the bears requires a certain knack, it doesn't deter from its appeal. The grabbing tool also helps my toddler improve her hand-eye coordination."
8. Best For Fine Motor Skills: Learning Resources Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The whopping 42,504 positive reviews on Amazon reflect the superior quality of this product.
This cute little hedgehog enables children to develop the ability to grip, hand movement, and strength by placing colorful spikes on its back, making it a complete fine motor skill toy for toddlers. It is easy to play with and lightweight.
Pros
- Supports motor skill development
- Helps improve color recognition skills
- Teaches counting and sorting
- Spikes can be easily stored inside the hedgehog’s body
Cons
- Thin quills
- May be smaller than you expect
"I have gifted this sensory toy to many children in my family as it is ideal for fine motor skills practice. The spikes could be sturdier, but guess what? Even infants found joy in assembling and disassembling this colorful toy."
9. Best For Teaching Preschool Concepts: Toddler Learning Poster Kit
This poster kit follows the traditional way of teaching tiny tots through posters. It is similar to classroom teaching, so your toddler does not feel confused later when learning at school.
Pros
- Contains ten laminated posters
- Helps teach numbers, colors, shapes, days of the week, months of the year, weather, and basic words
- Aids alphabet learning
- Can be hung on walls for the toddler to read frequently
- Bright and attractive colors and patterns
Cons
- Posters might seem thin
- May not be durable
"I found these educational posters excellent to keep my child engaged at home. I hung them on her bedroom wall. I love that we can sing and learn together during her playtime."
10. Best For Teaching The Alphabet: LeapFrog Fridge Phonics Magnetic Letter Set
Teaching the letters of the alphabet could not have been more exciting than with this magnetic letter set by the trusted brand Leapfrog. The letters sing songs and speak to teach children new words.
Pros
- Set contains 26 magnetic letter tiles and a magnetic tile reader
- Colorful letters speak and sing to help children learn easily
- Helps build vocabulary and promotes reading skills
- Designed to fit into tiny hands
- Promotes language development
Cons
- Letters might seem flimsy
- Sound quality could have been improved
""My child cherishes this product, and it keeps her entertained as I cook. It sings various educational songs. Its single-letter slot hinders sharing. However, it comes with batteries and offers volume control to make up for it.""
Caution11. Best For Vocabulary Skills: LeapFrog Number Lovin’ Oven
If you’re looking for a fun yet compact learning toy for toddlers, this LeapFrog Number Lovin’ Oven toy set is exactly what you need. It helps your little chef improve their counting and vocabulary skills while baking.
Pros
- Comes with 16 ingredients for fun play
- Oven doubles up as storage case
- Musical oven sings numbers and speaks phrases
- Attractive print
Cons
- Battery may run out quickly
- Toy set may be smaller than you expect
"My daughter is often seen playing with this toy with super catchy songs and phrases. Although some nonsensical lyrics are a bit of a let-down, all in all, it's a beloved plaything that keeps her entertained for hours."
12. Best Easy-To-Fold Mat: Toyard Doodle Mat
Every tiny tot starts scribbling each time they are handed a pencil or crayon. This doodle mat comes with water markers so your child can scribble and doddle all day long.
Features:
- Mat made of non-toxic, eco-friendly soft polyester
- Set contains stencils to help with writing letters of the alphabet and numbers and creating new shapes
- Water markers safe for kids to use
- Easy-to-fold mat can be used indoors and outdoors
- Helps develop hand-eye coordination and color recognition skills
"This under-the-sea-themed craft pen and drawing mat has captivated my toddlers. They no longer try to paint or color the walls in the house. It not only engages them in finding hidden fishes on the doodle board but also brings joy to me, with minimal cleanup needed."
13.Best Engaging Threading Block: JCREN Wooden Lacing Apple Threading Toy
Want to keep your naughty child busy? Hand them this engaging threading block puzzle for toddlers. It is made following safety standards set by ASTM, CPISA, EN71, and CPC.
Features:
- Made of wood and non-toxic paints
- Caterpillar-shaped needle moves smoothly through the holes on the apple
- Helps develop fine motor skills
- Improves hand-eye coordination
"My child loves stringing the wooden caterpillar and the apple around. Its vivid colors and sturdiness make it an excellent gift for preschoolers. Some may find it slightly heavy, but the fun and learning it brings make it a worthy purchase."
14. Best Doll For Toddlers: HABA Snug-up Doll Luis
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Over 1,526 satisfied customers have left positive reviews about the product on Amazon.
Snuggly dolls are must-haves for toddlers. This doll by Haba can provide much-needed comfort and warmth to your toddler and teach them the importance of friendship.
Pros
- Made of soft plush fabric for cuddling
- Can be made to sit up by bending at the waist
- Easily washable in a washing machine
- Safe and chewable
- Embroidered eyes
Cons
- Might be smaller than you expect
- May not be very durable
"My little one was captivated by this doll as soon as she saw it. Although skeptical about its size, it has been the perfect fit for small hands, and its washable nature makes it mother-approved too. Plus, its softness and cuteness make it even more recommendable."
15. Best Multiplayer Toy: Best Learning Whack And Learn Mole
It is one of the best alphabet and number toys that helps your child learn the letters of the alphabet, colors, numbers, and even music. This multiplayer toy has also been designed to help with your toddlers’ physical development.
Pros
- Pressing the toy activates different activities indicated by various colors
- Emits soft night light and plays music for the toddler to sleep peacefully
- Comes with volume control and a quality speaker
- Free of BPA, phthalates, and PVC
Cons
- Colors may fade
- Battery compartment may not be durable
"This toy has won the hearts of my son and daughter. It's educational and cute and a superb learning aid for teaching colors, numbers, and letters. Make sure you do not place it on a thick carpet, as the sound can get muffled."
16. Best To Develop Motor Skills: VTech Smart Shots Sports Center
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The 27,030 positive reviews on Amazon are proof that this product meets customers' expectations.
This sports center by a tried-and-tested brand not only encourages babies to play, but also teaches them numbers, letters of the alphabet, and short phrases.
Pros
- Promotes gross motor skill development by encouraging children to score a basket
- Scoreboard displays and reads the score aloud, enabling children to learn numbers
- Makes a sound when the soccer ball is kicked into the net, thereby teaching cause and effect
- Push buttons, turning gears, and flip pages introduce shapes and letters
Cons
- Might be a bit small
- May not be sturdy enough
"My kids are fascinated by the lights and sounds, and I love that it aids in developing their coordination skills. They also learn to count while having fun dunking balls. Although battery power may not be satisfactory, this interactive toy has brought joy to my family. Recommend!"
17. Best Six-Sided Cube: WolVol Educational Musical Activity Cube Play Center
A six-sided cube, this toy offers 15 different activities for toddlers. It plays music and melodies, and flashes lights.
Pros
- Comes with an in-built microphone to record the toddler’s voice
- Colorful buttons and levers help enhance hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills
- Ideal problem-solving toy with activities that promote critical thinking skills
Cons
- Might be slightly small
- Quality of the microphone could have been better
"My son is thoroughly captivated by this interactive toy. The steering wheel could have been a bit sturdy, but overall, the toy continues to bring him joy."
"My son is thoroughly captivated by this interactive toy. The steering wheel could have been a bit sturdy, but overall, the toy continues to bring him joy."
18. Best Tactile Development: VTech Baby Lil’ Critters Roll And Discover Ball
Toddlers enjoy chasing after their favorite toy. This musical and colorful ball helps with the tactile development of toddlers.
Pros
- Multi-colored surface is visually stimulating
- Comes with animals and numbers printed on it
- Soft body makes it comfortable to hug and play with
- Helps sharpen fine- and gross motor skills and cause and effect
Cons
- May be slightly noisy
- May not be very engaging
"I've found this ball toy with pleasant colors and adorable animal prints both engaging and educational for my younger relatives. At times, I did wish it had an off button for those moments when I needed a bit of quiet. However, It makes for a lovely addition to any play area."
19. CozyBomB Magnetic Wooden Fishing Game Toy
Made of non-toxic natural wood, this magnetic fishing game is an ideal preschool educational toy as it helps toddlers learn counting and the letters of the alphabet while playing.
Pros
- Wooden figures come with smooth edges
- Non-toxic paint for safe play
- Helps develop color recognition and counting skills
- Improves hand-eye coordination and cognitive skills
Cons
- Tiny fish toys
- May not be very durable
20. Best For Spatial Reasoning: Teach My Toddler Learning Kit
Designed especially for toddlers, this 68-piece learning kit aids in teaching children letters of the alphabet, numbers, and so on.
Pros
- Set contains board books, posters, puzzles, and flashcards
- Includes a guide to ensure smooth teaching
- Includes a big box to store all pieces safely
- Makes teaching and learning easy and fun
- Supports language development and alphabet learning
Cons
- Confusing colors
- May be slightly heavy
"I bought this for my toddler, who absolutely loved it. It's educational but also fun, making learning engaging. The puzzles and books are quite handy. Although the foam letters are tricky to clean, I still adore this amazing educational tool."
21. Best Multiple Musical Instrument: Ehome Toddler Musical Instruments
Love for music is not limited by age. Even newborn babies react to sounds. Your toddler can develop a love of music with this set of multiple musical instruments.
Pros
- Includes 15 different musical instruments
- Comes with a tote bag for convenient storage
- Made of non-toxic, child-safe material
- Helps identify the toddler’s favorite musical instrument
Cons
- Tiny objects may pose a choking hazard
- Paint may contain lead
"I got this set for a child’s birthday. The musical set was a hit among the celebrant and the other children. Although not the best for babies, it has something for older children and can keep them intrigued and entertained for a long time."
22. Best Wooden Blocks: Melissa & Doug Shape Sorting Cube Classic Wooden Kids Toy
A shape sorting and color recognition toy helps toddlers learn to differentiate between shapes and identify different colors. And this expert-approved set comes with colorful wooden blocks that help older babies to learn colors as well.
Pros
- Wooden pieces are easy to grasp
- Pieces make a “clunk” sound when dropped into the cube
- Helps hone problem-solving skills
- Promotes shape recognition
Cons
- Edges might be slightly sharp
- Lid may not be tight enough
"I got this for my one-year-old and three-year-old nephews. Like any other toddler, they have a knack for investigating their surroundings and stuffing things into every possible nook and cranny. Hence, it was a win-win for us."
23. Best For Hand-Eye Coordination: Top Bright Wooden Activity Cube
This safety-tested activity cube comes with a bead maze, a shape sorter, spinning gears, a clock, and sliding insects. These activities help your child develop multiple skills.
Pros
- Made of sturdy natural wood
- Smooth edges and water-based paint make it safe for children
- Bead maze helps develop fine movements and hand-eye coordination
- Promotes shape recognition
Cons
- May not be stable enough
- Lid design may not be great
"This toy is very engaging for my son. He's fond of the attached gears and balls. However, the loosely fitted top could use some design tweaks for better stability. Overall, this cherished Christmas present offers endless enjoyment."
How To Choose The Right Educational Toy For Toddlers?
Consider the following factors when choosing the best educational toy for your child.
- Design: Look for educational toys with fun shapes and designs. Usually, these toy pieces are shaped as animals, fun animation characters, birds, and more. Ensure these toys are easy to operate and brightly colored for visual stimulation. They should be appropriately sized for easy grabbing and holding and should fall in their age range.
- Safety: Ensure the toy pieces are devoid of sharp edges and do not have small bits and pieces they may swallow and choke upon. Also, the material used must be safety-tested and free of toxic chemicals.
- Skill development: Choose toys designed to promote creativity and skill development to help your child learn various motor and cerebral skills early on. These toys should have sound, lights, different textures, and more for stimulation.
- Durability: Kids’ toys can be prone to breakage and thus need to be made of sturdy material that can withstand rough play and the test of time. Ensure they are wear- and tear-resistant and can endure rough play.
, a mommy influencer, educator, and play advocate, says, “Rather than merely entertaining children, educational toys are designed to actively engage toddlers and spark their curiosity, creativity, and learning. When choosing educational toys, look for options that can adapt to your child’s changing developmental needs and offer versatile play opportunities.
She adds, “At their tender age, toys can be a great tool to enhance children’s imagination, communication skills, fine and gross motor skills, problem-solving abilities, and more.”
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are educational toys important for a toddler’s development?
Toddlers begin to differentiate shapes and colors, start role-playing, try to speak a few words, and have better problem-solving skills (1). Educational toys like construction toys, shape sorters, and mechanical toys can be helpful in these areas of development.
2. What skills is my toddler learning at this age?
As children enter toddlerhood, you can help develop their motor, hand-eye coordination, language and communication, problem-solving, and socio-emotional skills (2).
3. How many toys should a toddler have?
Your toddler should have ten to 15 toys for their development. Too many toys might create confusion.
4. Are interactive toys good for toddlers?
Interactive learning toys can help your toddler with developmental and language skills. These toys also encourage pretend play.
As toddlers grow, they need to be surrounded by informative playthings that help develop their skills. Interacting with the best educational toys for toddlers can improve their motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and cognitive development. To choose the right educational toys for your toddler, ensure they are designed for their age range and can be easily grasped. In addition, they should help develop certain skills or introduce specific concepts and be free of toxins, lead, and BPA. Further, you can opt for toys that are easy to clean and store.
Infographic: Different Kinds Of Toys That Serve As Educational Tools
In addition to introducing children to numbers, letters, colors, and shapes, various educational toys also foster the development of specific skills while providing an entertaining experience. Explore the infographic below to discover how these toys enrich and engage children in a fun-filled manner.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References
- Smart Toys for Every Age
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/smart-toys.html - Your toddler’s developmental milestones at 2 years
https://www.unicef.org/parenting/child-development/your-toddlers-developmental-milestones-2-years - How Small Batteries Can Become Dangerous to Children
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/Button-Battery-Injuries-in-Children-A-Growing-Risk.aspx
Why Trust MomJunction?
Priti Bose specializes in reviewing toys and games. She has thoroughly researched educational toys for toddlers, focusing on material quality, safety rating, and user reviews. To help you pick the best educational toys for your kid, she has added detailed information about each product. The best-selling products shortlisted in this article are free of harmful materials and can help enhance your kid’s cognitive skills, motor skills, and creativity. Toddlers are likely to have a short attention span. Therefore, it is good to give them toys that are highly engaging and attractive, so that they play with them for longer.
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