The 23 Best Toys For Toddlers

The Best Toys For Toddlers: The Playroom Starter Pack

Play isn’t just fun for toddlers – it’s also necessary for their development. Playing with toys helps kids learn about the world around them, discover how things work, and develop important skills.

But not all toys are created equal. With so many options out there, how do you know which toys are best for your child? Which toys will inspire your child to imagine, explore, learn, and have fun?

In my previous life as a toddler teacher, I was responsible for creating an engaging environment for not 1 but 12(!) toddlers at a time. That’s a lot of little ones, all with different skill levels and interests. Over the years, I noticed that some toys led to higher levels of exploration and discovery while other toys hardly left their baskets. The difference? Well, to start –

The best toys have these features in common:

High-Quality: Durable, well-made toys > cheap plastic toys
Purposeful: Children get something out of play – they build a skill, solve a problem, create something, etc.
Age-Appropriate: The toy is not too simple or too difficult for toddlers to use

Surveying all the options can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry – I narrowed down the list for you. Keep reading to get started upgrading your toddler’s playroom!

What makes an amazing playroom?

Your child’s playspace provides countless opportunities for them to learn and build skills through play. So, stocking your child’s playroom with effective and engaging toys is important if you want to make sure they get the most out of playtime.

However, creating the best playroom for your child doesn’t have to mean buying the most expensive toys. And it definitely doesn’t mean buying your toddler every little thing they ask for, either. You want to cultivate a collection of thoughtful toys, not try to cram everything but the kitchen sink into their toy box!

To keep it simple, an amazing playroom has:

A variety of different types of toys – STEM toys, art supplies, pretend play props, musical instruments, etc.
A mixture of open-ended toys (e.g. blocks or dolls) and close-ended toys (like puzzles)
Organization systems that make sense to the child using them
Toys that build different types of skills – like Playdough and manipulatives to build fine motor skills and puzzles and blocks to build spatial awareness

If you need a little help creating the best playspace for your toddler, keep scrolling to shop my time-tested and toddler-approved toy recommendations!

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using these links.

Best Toys For Toddlers: The Playroom Starter Pack

This adorable toddler-sized teepee for those times your toddler needs a little bit of space

Even toddlers need a little bit of space sometimes. This adorable teepee is an awesome option for your child’s alone time, whether they choose to read, rest, nap, or play in their little tent. This one comes with a window, too, so you can peep in and make sure they’re not getting into (too much) trouble in there.

Don’t forget a couple of cozy stuffed animals, like this adorable and super-plush puppy

There are few things toddlers treasure as much as their precious stuffies (and this super-soft puppy is, indeed, precious af). Plus, stuffed animals are so versatile – equally perfect for cozy time and playtime.

And toddler-friendly board books, too!

Books? In the playroom? Oh my gosh, yes, absolutely. Toddlers learn when you read to them, as well as when they “read” to themselves. So, stocking plenty of toddler-friendly books in your child’s playroom is key for those times they want to chill out and cuddle up with a good board book.

RELATED: 8 Fun & Easy Literacy Activity Ideas For Toddlers

PS. This board book set includes shorter, more toddler-friendly versions of a few classic Seuss books. Because, let’s be honest – every children’s bookshelf should have plenty of Dr. Seuss, even if they’re too young to sit still for long.

Definitely invest in these classic blocks that will help your toddler develop spatial awareness (so they stop walking into walls)

Children who have access to more blocks – and a variety of different types of blocks – learn to build more creative, complex structures while they play. Plus, blocks are just generally awesome for skill development (everything from early math concepts to fine motor skills and creativity!)

That being said, these blocks are an awesome starter set for your little architect. They’re classic, high-quality, and fun for toddlers to create with!

And these magnetic building blocks that even grown-ups love

These magnetic Tegu blocks were my all-time favorite toy in my old toddler classroom. (I think I was as excited as my toddlers were when our class was gifted them!) The colors are gorgeous and the blocks themselves are so high-quality! Seriously, I have no complaints about these bad boys except that I don’t have any of my own at home.

(Hint: Add a few extra magnetic wheels to your cart when you buy these – trust me on this one.)

These colorful wooden vehicles for the kid on the go

Toy vehicles are a classic choice when it comes to spicing up your toddler’s block play. I prefer these high-quality, wooden ones to the cheaper plastic kind because they look so much nicer and can hold up better to heavy-duty toddler play. (Also, how cute is that little helicopter?)

And this multi-tasking garage playset that’s cute and educational

This toy will help your child learn their colors and shapes while they fine-tune their fine motor skills. (And hopefully they’ll surrender your car keys now that they’ve got their own!)

This bright neighborhood set to enrich your child’s block play

This super-cute and colorful set is such a fun addition to your toddler’s block area. Plus, it will encourage them to engage in more creative block play, too!

This versatile easel that even has storage space for your kid’s art supplies(!) – genius

This is by far the best designed easel I’ve ever seen for children. In the product picture, you can clearly see the chalkboard, which is cool, but – surprise! – the other side has a magnetic dry erase board! You can even hang paper from this bad boy, which can be such a struggle to do with other easels.

The easel is also a great height for your growing toddler (as in, they won’t outgrow it in a month, like some toys). AND, again, did you see that storage space underneath??

This classic playdough that will help your toddler develop fine motor skills

Playdough is a necessity in any playspace, and the Play-Doh brand is still the best kind I’ve used with toddlers to date. This stuff is non-toxic, but you’ll probably want to supervise your little one with this anyway, at least until you’re confident that the Playdough will stay safely at the table (and not in your pet’s fur!)

PS. Did you get the memo that fine motor skills are a big deal for toddlers? There are so many simple activities you can do with playdough to strengthen your toddler’s fine motor skills. Keep this stuff (the good stuff) on stock and start introducing your toddler to different ways to play!

And don’t forget the playdough tools!

There are tons of benefits to using playdough without tools, but these tools are a great option to extend your toddler’s play!

This rocking boat toy that doubles as an indoor climber

Okay, so this movement toy is genius. As you can see in the product pic, one side of this bad boy is a rocking toy. The other side? It’s a little bridge with stairs! It’s low enough where you won’t freak out about your toddler falling and getting hurt, but high up enough where it feels kind of risky and fun for your little one.

Yes, this toy will help your child develop some gross motor skills (and have fun), but also it provides a safe and acceptable way for your toddler to climb indoors! So, the next time they’re climbing up the bookshelf, you have a solid alternative to redirect them to.

These awesome stepping stones that will help your toddler improve their balance and coordination

These stepping stones are awesome because they’re so versatile and they’re light enough for your toddler to move and set up on their own. Plus, you can stack them together to store them, which is super convenient if you’re low on space!

I love using these stepping stones to set up toddler-friendly obstacle courses – they’re awesome indoors or outside! Try making your own obstacle course with these the next time it’s too rainy to go to the park, but your toddler can’t stop bouncing off the walls.

These musical toys that active toddlers love!

Boomwhackers are such a fun way for toddlers (or anyone) to explore music! If you haven’t seen these before, each tube produces a specific musical note when you hit it against a surface. Toddlers (and adults, tbh) love experimenting with these to try to produce different sounds.

A play kitchen that won’t ruin your home’s ~aesthetic~ (it even comes with an ice cube dispenser!)

This play kitchen is approximately 100 x more attractive than any other play kitchen out there (peep the HGTV-worthy backsplash!) and comes with unique interactive features, like an ice cube dispenser!

It doesn’t hurt that “playing kitchen” is an awesome way for toddlers to develop important skills – like vocabulary, communication, and social-emotional skills – either.

Or this brilliant, fold-up play kitchen that doubles as a pillow when your child’s done playing!

This creative kitchen playset folds up into a pillow(!) when your toddler is done playing. Nothing like flowing smoothly from playtime to naptime, right? (There’s also a doll house playset and a doctor’s office available, if those are more your toddler’s speed!)

This super cute kitchen accessory set

Just like real kitchens, play kitchens need accessories – and your toddler will love this simple, high-quality set. (PS. Don’t forget the play food!)

This realistic baby doll your toddler will love to care for

If I know one thing, it’s this: Toddlers love babies. And a good baby doll is one of the most important things to invest in for your toddler’s playroom. This one gets bonus points for being pretty realistic without crossing over into the uncanny valley.

Note: This doll is safe for toddlers age 2+. For a younger toddler, check out this adorable baby doll that comes with its own pacifier and smells like lavender!

This skill-building board that will help your child strengthen their fine motor skills

Toddlers are basically just really cute escape artists. Plus, they love figuring out how things work. If that sounds like your little one, this skill-building board – complete with locks and latches for them to explore – is a natural choice. (They’ll love seeing who’s behind each door as they play, too!)

This popular toddler-friendly puzzle animal lovers will roar for

I always recommend Melissa and Doug puzzles, like this safari-themed one, for two reasons: (1) The images are always bright and full of character, and (2) the chunky wooden pieces are perfect for little hands.

(By the way, this farm puzzle is equally adorable.)

And this sensory busy board perfect for curious toddlers

Busy boards are one of the best ways to entertain your curious and energetic toddler. Toddlers LOVE tinkering and trying to figure out how things work! Meanwhile, they’re exploring concepts like cause and effect and refining their fine motor skills. Win-win, right?

These tree blocks that will inspire your nature-loving toddler

These blocks are so simple and beautiful – the perfect way to add a touch of nature to your toddler’s playroom.

And finally, a versatile (and gorgeous!) playsilk for creative, open-ended play

Playsilks are awesome, open-ended toys that encourage active, creative play. Your toddler can use the playsilk as a cape while they play superhero, as a blanket for their baby doll, a movement prop, or anything else they can imagine!

Hint: These wooden play clips can help extend your older toddler’s (3+) play. (Think clipping the playsilk onto furniture to create a fort!)

FAQ: How To Create the Best Playroom For Toddlers

Here are my answers to the most commonly asked questions about choosing the best toys for your toddler’s playroom!

What toys do toddlers really need?

Toddlers need toys that help them develop age-appropriate skills – think language, motor skills, independence, and problem-solving
Toys for toddlers also need to be safe for little ones (no choking hazards or sharp parts)
Toddlers need to solve problems and manipulate objects: Puzzles, busy boards, and skill-building tools (like this awesome whale buckle toy) are good bets
Toddlers also need to develop fine and gross motor skills: Think toys that work their small muscles, like Playdough, art supplies, and manipulatives like this cute beehive toy – as well as toys that help them work their large muscles like climbers, balls, and balance beams
And toddlers need to create and pretend: They like art tools, pretend play, and other opportunities to be creative (like building!)
When in doubt, stick to the basics: Blocks, balls, stacking toys, and dolls are all classics for a reason!

How do toddlers learn through play?

Toddlers learn almost everything(!) through play. When toddlers play, they learn how to do stuff and build new skills, as well as how things work.
When toddlers build, they learn about early math concepts, like spatial relationships, size, and measurement. They also develop fine motor strength and coordination as they manipulate blocks and other building toys.
When toddlers use art materials like crayons and playdough, they develop pre-writing skills, as well as fine motor strength and cordination. They also learn to express themselves creatively and learn to think in more abstract ways.
When toddlers play with puzzles and other close-ended toys, they learn to problem solve. They develop perseverence and learn to try different things to help them accomplish their goals. (Also, surprise, surprise – puzzles help toddlers develop spatial awareness and fine motor skills, too!)
When toddlers play active games (climbing, running, jumping…), they develop gross motor skills, strength, and coordination. They also learn to love movement from a young age!
When toddlers engage in pretend play, they develop vocabulary and language skills. They also incorporate everyday interactions and events into their pretend play scenarios. This helps them develop important social-emotional skills and learn more about the world around them.

RELATED: What Are the Pros & Cons Of Daycare For Toddlers?

How many toys should a toddler have?

There’s no ~ideal~ number of toys your toddler should have at home, BUT there are a few guidelines:
- Fewer toys are better. Toddlers get distracted when they have too many toys. Keeping your toddler’s toy supply more minimal will help them focus better and play more creatively with the toys they do have.
- Quality is more important than quantity. Quality doesn’t always have to mean the more expensive toy. But your toddler’s toys should be in good condition, developmentally-appropriate, and attractive (at least to your toddler!)
Don’t be afraid to rotate your toddler’s toys out every few weeks or so, swapping out toys that aren’t getting much playtime anymore for “new” toys she hasn’t played with in awhile! Keep it fresh!
Every few months, donate old toys your toddler hasn’t been interested in for awhile to avoid accumulating tons of toy clutter.
Focus more on stocking a variety of toys – building toys, pretend play props, and movement toys, for example – rather than filling your toddler’s toybox to the brim.

The Last Thing You Need to Know About Creating a Playroom Your Toddler Will Love

Don’t take it too seriously!

Yes, play is really important for your toddler’s development. And, yes, there are a handful of toys that will take your toddler’s playroom to the next level. But this whole thing should be fun – for your toddler and you. The toddler years are fun and weird and challenging and exciting, and they go by fast. Try to enjoy them!

So, when it comes to toy shopping, sure, check in with the child development guidelines for advice, but ultimately, let your little one’s likes and dislikes be your guide.

♥ Meg