Image: MomJunction Design Team
The love between kids and toys is truly unconditional. That’s why it’s necessary to buy the best interactive toys for toddlers. These toys are entertaining and give a good mental and educational experience for the kid. Many toys are just for fun, but those don’t help in developing social skills in little ones. So, keeping their age in mind, get toys that are interactive yet fun. You’ll find a wide range of interactive toys in this list that your kid will undoubtedly love. They talk, offer music, dance, and come in vibrant colors as well as familiar animal shapes. Choose a tried-and-tested one and make toy time a fun and learning experience for your kid.
Top Picks
14 Best Interactive Toys For Toddlers
1. Best Eco-Friendly:Nuby Floating Octopus With Hoopla Rings
The best way to ensure your toddler enjoys their bath time is to use an interactive toy to keep them occupied. The Nuby floating octopus is soft and flexible with tentacles that will intrigue your little one. The toy comes with three interactive rings that can be thrown on the tentacles. It’s not just a toy as it aids in developing hand-eye coordination and stimulates the senses. Also suitable for fun narrative play, this cute octopus will make a brilliant toy for acting out make-believe roles to keep your kid engaged. The bright and vivid colors of the octopus are appealing and steal the attention of children. Last but not least, this time-tested toy is made of environmentally friendly materials that are BPA-free and designed for babies aged 18 months and above. Here’s a review cum testing video to help you get a better understanding of the product.
Pros
- Made of safe and durable material
- Free of latex and BPA
- Soft and flexible
- Easy to clean and floats well
- Textured surface
Cons
- Has only six arms
- Might be a little small
"I'm happy this toy helps my daughter improve hand-eye coordination and motor skills. It has also made her bathing experience more pleasurable. Although it takes a while to dry, I'm satisfied with its material and utility."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Over 47,106 satisfied customers on Amazon have said good things about the product.
2. Best For Hand-Eye Coordination:Best Learning Mushroom Garden Educational Toy
At first glance, one can easily notice the bright and lively colors used in the mushroom garden. The colors are well coordinated, and the toy has numbers, music, and games. You can rock it or spin it and follow the colors of the mushroom as they light up. It has basic controls for four different operating modes and a volume control switch. The speaker on the toy is loud enough for children to follow the music and dance. This parent-recommended toy helps develop hand-eye coordination, creativity, logic, concentration, and motor skills. To understand the nuances of the award-winning product in detail, you can check out this review.
Pros
- Curved design
- Made of quality ABS plastic
- Three AA batteries included
- Includes volume control
Cons
- Might not be drop-proof
- Instructions might be a little difficult to understand
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The 5,441 positive customer reviews on Amazon are a testament to its quality and reliability.
3. Best For Interactive Play:Move2Play Talkin’ Sports Crawl Ball
There’s more to this colorful ball by Move2Play than meets the eye. It is equipped with sensors to recognize movements such as a roll, tap, shake, or toss and responds accordingly. It has 30+ animal sounds and songs to help children learn in a fun and interactive way. This safety-tested toy helps children develop motor, memory, and math skills. Making the toy visually appealing is its pictures of different animals printed on the surface. This baby ball is soft and safe for toddlers to play with. It is powered by three AAA batteries.
Pros
- Adjustable volume
- Machine-washable
- Made of recycled plastic
- Free of lead, phthalates, and harmful chemicals
Cons
- Might not be suitable for outdoors
- Batteries might not last long
Quick tipWhy We Think It's Worth Buying
Do not miss out on this product that has earned 6,444 positive reviews on Amazon.
4. Best Easy-To-Clean:G-Wack Fun Bath Toys For Toddlers
Bring a smile to your child’s face with this bath toy set by G-Wack. It consists of a set of toys that are fun and interactive to keep children occupied while having a bath. The waterfall, spinning wheel, rotating eyes, and shower cup are uniquely designed and interactive, making bath time fun. The animated toys radiate happy and positive vibes, making children feel loved and secure. This toy set uses a suction that easily attaches to the bathtub, glass, marble, or even smooth ceramic tiles. The toy set is made of eco-friendly materials that are BPA-free. These are made of thick and high-quality plastic, making them difficult to break.
Pros
- Smooth edges
- Develops fine motor skills
- Lead-free material
- Available in four colors
- Easy to clean and maintain
Cons
- May be smaller than expected
- Suction cups may not stick for long
5. Best For Classroom: Qiaojoy Alphabet Wall Chart
The interactive and colorful wall chart by Qiaojoy can ease the process of teaching numbers and the alphabet to your children. Suitable for children aged three and above, this chart can be used for homeschooling and professional classroom setups. It covers over 100 words, demonstrates numbers from one to ten, 800 fun facts, has three game modes, and includes 56 talking cards to make learning fun. Suitable for speech therapy, you can also play games such as finding the missing or matching the alphabet with the help of this poster. Moreover, the chart is portable and can be hung on a wall or placed on a table.
Pros
- Facilitates multilingual learning
- Improves hand-eye coordination and cognitive skills
- Encourages social interaction
- Comes with a magic wand stylus
- Available in multiple themes
Cons
- Some might find it difficult to use
- May be larger than expected
"Teaching the alphabet to my kid has become a breeze with this interactive toy. Although the included pen feels flimsy, it's still going strong despite being used regularly. Besides, the little facts on the sheet encourage her to explore the toy by herself."
Caution6. Best For Sensory Stimulation:Kidoozie Whirl ‘N Go Ball Tower
The ball drop toy by Kidoozie can help children build their cognitive and motor skills by engaging in hands-on play. This five-level tower toy comes with six colorful stackable parts and four balls. You can adjust the tower height by adding as many stacks as possible, considering your child’s height. The ball is dropped at the top, and it descends to the whirl tower making a rattling sound that catches children’s attention, keeping them engrossed. In addition, it enables them to understand the concept of cause and effect as they observe the ball going down in rounds upon dropping it on the top swirl level. It is a fun and engaging skill-building toy for children aged nine to 24 months, which can contribute to the kids’ overall well-being.
Pros
- Vibrant colors
- Easy to assemble
- Balls are sized for easy grip by little hands
- Balls are filled with colorful beads
Cons
- Tower may fall apart if moved or touched
- Balls might fall over the edge instead of rolling down
"My kids love this toy! It's engaging and colorful and has been useful in introducing the concept of cause and effect. Although the tower falls apart upon extreme rough play, reassembling it hardly takes me any time. The best part is that my children can use it for both independent and group play."
7. Best Durable:Melissa & Doug Vroom & Zoom Dashboard Steering Wheel
The steering wheel and dashboard toy set by the trusted brand Melissa & Doug is realistic and gives children a hands-on experience of what it would be like to drive a car. The steering wheel is mounted on a durable and steady dashboard that is constructed from wood. The set features a key start, gear shift, radio with four stations, loud-sounding horn, air conditioner and heat vents, headlight indicators, countdown timer, and a gas cap. While playing, parents can educate kids on how they work in real-time to inculcate basic science skills.
To make it even more interactive, children can steer the wheel to move in the direction indicated by the GPS. The GPS automatically shuts off after five minutes to save battery life. This fun toy helps in building hand-eye coordination and motor skills.
Pros
- Sturdy design
- Realistic engine sound
- Ideal for gifting
- Encourages pretend-play
- Ideal for children within the age range of three to seven years
Cons
- Might not be lightweight
- May be smaller than expected
"This toy’s color may not be the most vibrant, but its features, especially the realistic sounds, are very interactive. It's also sturdy, and the functional steering wheel facilitates imaginative play. I found some alerts repetitive, but my child does not seem bothered by it."
8. Best Wooden:Kidwill Montessori Wooden Hammering Pounding Toy
This safety-tested hammering toy is designed to aid children’s motor development and has a versatile three-in-one setup consisting of a classic pounding bench, musical xylophone, and number maze puzzle. It is made from high-quality wood with fine print patterns and consists of two lightweight hammers and mallets.
Pounding the popping hamsters on one side of the toy develops hand-eye coordination and improves arm muscle strength. The music from playing the xylophone on the other side encourages sound recognition. Moreover, the number maze has an interactive display that helps children with number recognition and improves memory. Puzzles are a great way to develop critical thinking in kids as they have to actively brainstorm how to solve them correctly. With several developmental advantages, the pounding toy can be a suitable birthday or holiday gift for toddlers within the age range of one to three.
Pros
- Smooth, burr-free finish
- Unscented water-based paint
- Ten colorful hamsters
- Easy-to-grip hammers for small hands
- Suitable for cooperative play
Cons
- Xylophone may not have correct musical notes
- Number sorting maze may get stuck
Point to consider9. Best Educational:VTech Learn And Dance Interactive Zoo
Introduce your children to the numerous zoo animals through animal sounds using this toy set. The highlight of the zoo set is the large-sized money that can be controlled through the joystick. The arms of the monkey swing and the body twists from one side to the other to make it interesting and engaging for children. Alongside the monkey, it also consists of four different animal-themed buttons and a toucan, which when touched, begins to sing. The educational turtle roller included with this set is a fun way for children to learn numbers and counting, also acting as a foundational stone for developing math skills. The zoo set requires two AA batteries and has a built-in automatic shut-off function to save battery life.
Pros
- Plays 40-plus songs, sounds, and phrases
- Helps develop fine motor skills
- Great for introducing colors to children
- Durable build
- Teaches cause and effect
Cons
- Volume might not be adjustable
- May require frequent battery change
"In addition to being entertaining, this toy also helps improve my kid’s motor skills. The lack of volume adjustments was a letdown, but its melodies and songs are mostly pleasant. Plus, it has proven durable enough to withstand her rough use."
10. Best Multifunctional:Joyin Dancing And Walking Duck Baby Toy
The battery-operated dancing and walking duck toy has several features to keep your child entertained and engaged for hours. It has five different buttons, including a start and pause button, a melody button, a heartbeat button, a sound effects button, and a voice button. In addition, it features a small baby duck at the front in the pouch that sings. The button at the top can make the duck dance, blink, swing, walk, and sing.
The volume controls allow you to adjust the volume per your needs, and it has rotatable wheels at the base. The duck’s waddling movements encourage your child to crawl after it. This multifunctional dancing toy duck is a complete package of fun and entertainment for children with buttons and interactive lights. It is possible that your child will get attached to this baby duck and find a new friend in it, which automatically helps build empathy in them.
Pros
- Can play seven melodies
- Made of child-safe ABS plastic
- Easy to use
- Long-lasting
- Encourages sensory development
Cons
- May be smaller than expected
- Battery may not last long
11. Best Long-Lasting:KiddoLab Chappa The Lion, My First Tablet
Learning should be fun, and that’s precisely what KiddoLab has achieved with its lion alphabet tablet. The interactive learning book is packed with numerous activities to encourage learning and instill a love of reading at an early age. The activity book is in tablet form, and children can turn from one page to another. It consists of 11 pages vibrantly decorated with bright and attractive colors and has content revolving around farm animals, wildlife, food, musical instruments, and everyday objects. To make the alphabet learning experience a treat to the ears, each letter has a different sound effect. The tablet offers volume control options and even has a quiz mode.
Pros
- Plays 26 songs
- Develops memory
- Power-saving mode
- Free of BPA
- Fun and educational
Cons
- May be smaller than you expect
"This compact and portable book keeps my child engaged at home and on the go with its cute designs and captivating sound effects. It also serves as an educational tool; I have noticed an improvement in my child’s vocabulary and language skills. So, I'm pretty happy with this purchase!"
12. Best Versatile:Tiny Love Soothe ‘N Groove Mobile
The Tiny Love baby mobile is a versatile toy that stays with children as they grow out of their cribs. You can install the musical toy in your child’s crib to keep them entertained or give it to your toddler to play with as a music box. It can play six different kinds of melodies ranging from calming tunes for bedtime to energetic music while playing. The toy has high-quality speakers and a sound control feature for an improved experience. Moreover, it also comes with a shuffle feature for a fresh listening experience and requires no additional equipment for installation.
Pros
- Soothing motion for a calming effect
- Plays 40 minutes of uninterrupted music
- Can play 18 melodies
- Equipped with soft nightlight
- Easy to operate
Cons
- Nightlight may be dim
- Volume button prints may smear over time
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Over 3,804 Amazon shoppers have left good reviews about this product, citing its quality features and benefits.
13. Best For Vocabulary:Saxtrem Flashcards For Babies
This educational and interactive toy for children consists of 112 flashcards and an electronic dock that makes it interesting. The flashcards have smooth edges and are made of environmentally friendly materials. Each flashcard consists of a word and a corresponding picture to help visual learners. Insert a flashcard into a dock, and it generates an image and pronounces the word.
It helps children learn new words and their pronunciations and also develop communication and language skills. It can be used in preschools and as an effective technique for homeschooling. It is also a brilliant way for parents and children to form a long-lasting bond through teaching and learning.
Pros
- Enhances imagination and memory
- Double-sided cards
- Auto-switch-off feature
- Adjustable volume
- Supports USB charging
Cons
- Flashcards might be a little small
- Might bend with time
14. Best For Hands-On-Learning:Manhattan Toy Safari Zebra Activity Toy
Add some adventure to your toddler’s playtime with the time-tested Manhattan Safari Zebra — a versatile toy that can serve as a motor skill development toy and nursery decor. It is designed to meet the motor skill development needs of children aged 12 months and above. The simple yet interactive toy includes two mini abacus tracks with plastic beads, numbers, peg mazes with delicately designed knobs, flower-shaped dials, and two spinning blocks. These features encourage fine and gross motor skills in children as they explore the knobs and toys using their hands, making it an ideal birthday gift for toddlers.
Pros
- Easy-to-grip knobs
- Rounded corners
- Water-based and non-toxic finish
- Encourages sensory perception
Cons
- May need to be assembled
- May not be sturdy
"This cute toy keeps my munchkin busy for hours. However, the legs detach easily, so I fixed them with some glue, and now my child can play with the toy frustration-free. Thanks to its compact dimensions, storing it is also not an issue. It has been a lovely addition to my kid's playtime."
How To Choose The Right Interactive Toys For Toddlers?
Here are a few factors you should bear in mind when choosing an interactive toy for your toddler.
- Recommended age: The recommended age for a toy is crucial because it is directly related to the utility that the toy provides. For instance, an interactive toy designed for ages 3 and above will be of little value to a 2-year-old child. That is because the toys are designed to meet the cognitive and motor skill level that is expected of a child at a certain age. It’s best to check the recommended age of a toy before purchasing it.
- Safety: Always ensure that the toys are made of non-toxic materials. It’s important to look closely into the material used to ensure that they are BPA-free. Plastic, which is used to make most toys, has often been found to be one of the materials that have the possibility of having the most health concerns. Ensure that the toys are made of high-quality plastic that is environmentally friendly and free from toxins. Apart from materials, one should also check to see if the toy is designed with no sharp edges and rough surfaces as that could be a matter of concern.
- Educational value: Believe it or not but toys aren’t just meaningless games. They offer educational value to kids but in a fun and interactive manner. Some of the crucial things that kids need to learn are numbers, colors, and the alphabet. Most games for toddlers incorporate these elements and strive to develop cognitive skills, hand and eye coordination, and motor skills. Some of these games also help inculcate problem-solving skills in kids as they learn gradually through trial and error. Toys make learning fun and should be chosen wisely to develop individual skills.
- Ease of use and installation: Some toys require close to no effort or installation to set up, while others like alphabet learning charts, require additional tools to be hung up on a wall or door. The ease of installation depends on the kind of toy and the method employed by the company. Many companies prefer to keep the installation procedure simple and include an in-built hanging mechanism. When choosing a toy, ensure that it offers the right balance between easy installation and operation.
Why Trust MomJunction?
In this post containing the best interactive toys for toddlers, we have compiled a list of games after carefully considering the child’s interests, product quality, and durability. We have handpicked games that can also contribute to boost gross and fine motor skills and language development in your child. Such interactive games help in the child’s social and physiological development and also promote literacy from a young age. A buying guide is also shared to assist you in picking the right one.
Interactive toys may help your little ones improve the way they get accustomed to their surroundings through activity-based work and have a positive effect on their mental health and physical development. While picking the best interactive toys for toddlers, ensure that they are made from baby-friendly materials, safe, sturdy, easy to play with, do not cause choking hazards, and suit the age requirements of your little one. They may be fun to play with and improve their motor and cognitive skills and hand-eye coordination, so you might not want your little ones to miss out on this type of toy.
Infographic: Various Kinds Of Interactive Toys For Toddlers
Interactive toys for toddlers engage young minds and foster development through hands-on play, encouraging enjoyable learning and exploration. Understanding the various categories of interactive toys can help determine which type will captivate your child the most. Explore the infographic below to discover different types of interactive toys to help you make an informed choice.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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