Best Toys for Toddlers | Top Toddler Toys

The Best Toys And Gifts For Toddlers

2018-11-01 by Melissa & Doug

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The best toys and gifts for babies and toddlers are those that stimulate their senses, inspire hands-on exploration, and help them discover more of their world. Here, we have compiled 10 of our favorite skill-building toys and gifts for 1- and 2-year-olds. The best part? These are gifts that both kids and parents will love – kids because they are fun, parents because they look great, last for years, and develop essential skills!

First Play Pets Wooden Bead Maze

First Play Pets Wooden Bead Maze
Age: 12+ months
Why it’s great: A classic first toy, this pet-themed wooden bead maze inspires kids to explore the twists and turns of the pathways while learning animal names, colors, and shapes.
Sweet detail: Suction cups keep the maze secured to tabletops, high chairs, or wood floors!
Skills at play: Fine motor development, color & shape recognition
First Play Wooden Jumbo Knob Safari Animal Puzzle

First Play Wooden Jumbo Knob Safari Animal Puzzle
Age: 12+ months
Why it’s great: Babies and toddlers will delight in matching pieces to pictures on the sturdy wooden puzzle board.
Sweet detail: The oversized noses double as easy-to-grasp knobs!
Skills at play: Fine motor development, color recognition
First Play Roll & Ring Ramp Tower

First Play Roll & Ring Ramp Tower
Age: 12+ months
Why it’s great: Kids will have fun dropping a car at the top of the tower and watching as it makes a chime ring at each turn!
Sweet detail: Cars flip over at the bottom of each ramp as they zoom to the next one!
Skills at play: Fine motor development, color & shape recognition
First Play Friendly Frogs Pull Toy

First Play Friendly Frogs Pull Toy
Age: 18+ months
Why it’s great: These friendly frogs will follow kids anywhere as they maneuver the sturdy rolling wooden pull toy all around!
Sweet detail: The frogs appear to chase and race each other!
Skills at play: Gross motor development, color & shape recognition

Best Gifts That Wow for Toddlers
Turtle Ball Pit

Turtle Ball Pit
Age: 9+ months
Why it’s great: This friendly turtle comes filled with 60 squeezable, multi-colored balls that are easy to grasp, toss, and roll. It also features holes to push and pull balls through, crinkling feet, squeaking button, textured ring, mirror, silky fabric tags, and attached soft ball rattle.
Sweet detail: When zipped up with balls inside, the turtle doubles as a pillow!
Skills at play: Sensory development, gross motor development
Beep-Beep & Play Activity Toy

Beep-Beep & Play Activity Toy
Age: 9+ months
Why it’s great: This sit-in play car features a clicking steering wheel, light-up dashboard, rear-view mirror, and an engine that plays music when the key is inserted.
Sweet detail: There’s even a cup holder on the side!
Skills at play: Sensory development, fine motor development
Mine to Love Baby Dolls

Mine to Love Baby Dolls
Age: 18+ months
Why it’s great: The 12-inch Mine to Love baby dolls feature soft, cuddly bodies, a removable outfit and matching cap, and eyes that open and close. Choose Gabrielle, Jenna, or Mariana, each with a different skin tone.
Sweet detail: The dolls can suck their thumb or the included pacifier.
Skills at play: Social-emotional development, empathy
First Play Chomp & Clack Alligator Push Toy

First Play Chomp & Clack Alligator Push Toy
Age: 12+ months
Why it’s great: The three alligators click and clack as kids push this colorful wooden toy!
Sweet detail: Three wooden buggy beads can be slid and spun for extra fun!
Skills at play: Gross motor development, sensory development
Big Roscoe Vanilla Teddy Bear

Big Roscoe Vanilla Teddy Bear
Age: 3+ months
Why it’s great: Covered in ultra-snuggly cream-colored plush, Roscoe has an oversize huggable body that kids will love all year round.
Sweet detail: Touch the velvety nose!
Skills at play: Social-emotional development

Best Stocking Stuffer for Toddlers
Soft Activity Book

Soft Activity Book
Age: All
Why it’s great: Squeaking, crinkling cloth books, such as Itsy Bitsy Spider and Wild Animals, are durably constructed to last through playtime, story time, and the washing machine, too!
Sweet detail: Adorable artwork will inspire vocabulary-building conversations!
Skills at play: Language & letters, sensory development