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Toddler Toys that are multi-purpose and promote developmental skills!
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items If you are in the same stage of life that I am in with 2 toddlers, the amount of toys you accumulate on birthdays and holidays can be very overwhelming! In my house, we have started to be more selective about what toys we have for a toddlers – often the criteria is: 1) they have to have more than 1 purpose (can be used in many ways to encourage creativity); 2) they have to promote development of a mo... Check out my list of favorite toddler toys below – each description states the age range I would use this and what it promotes developmentally speaking!
Sections
3
Gross Motor Toys
Fine Motor Toys
Items for your Home (that your toddler will be excited about!)
Gross Motor Toys
These items will encourage big body movements that will help your toddler gain full body strength, coordination, and balance!
18 months up to 4 years old – promotes motor skills, cognitive skills, and language skills! Fun for the entire family.
MindWare Seek-A-Boo! - Early Learning - 72 Pieces
18 months up to 5 years+. Can us to work on balance standing in place or use to create obstacle courses!.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC 10 Colorful Foam Stepping & Balance Stones for Kids & Toddlers
I love a multipurpose toy! This can be used for around 18 months and older and converts from a balance beam to seesaw. Great way to get energy out indoors and it is super cute!
Avenlur Willow - Rainbow Seesaw and Balance Beam
Setting up obstacle courses is one of my FAVORITE gross motor skills for toddlers, and these are the perfect addition to any obstacle course!
JumpOff Jo RockSteady Balance Stepping Stones for Kids, Promotes Balance & Coordination, Set of 6 Balance Blocks, Tall Set
Start them on this modified balance bike as soon as they start walking and see balance/coordination skyrocket!
Babyjoy 4 Wheels Baby Balance Bike Children Walker No-Pedal Toddler Toys Rides PinkBlueOrange
I usually try to introduce a balance bike between the ages of 2-3, but this is dependent on your child's individual gross motor development. I like balance bikes over trikes for my kids! Teaches balance and coordination needed before getting on a real bike!
Strider Classic 12" Kids' Balance Bike
Introducing a scooter around the age of 2 is another great way to work on balance, coordination, and strength! And this one is very stable and easy to learn to ride on.
Radio Flyer Grow With Me Beginner Kids' Kick Scooter
I mean, a Cozy Coupe is a must in childhood, right?! Great outdoor toy to have and introduces some of the concepts needed for scooter and bike riding.
Little Tikes Cozy Coupe
One of the best ways to end an obstacle course – line up a balance beam or stepping stones in front of the hoop and have your child place balls/stuffed animals in the hoop!
Little Tikes TotSports Basketball Set - Non Adjustable Post
Love this for children who are a little later to learning how to walk – you can load this up and use as a push toy! Also great for very active, sensory seeking toddlers – load it up with weight and have your child push it all over the house!
Melissa & Doug Toy Shopping Cart With Sturdy Metal Frame
If I had to choose one toy to keep out of all the toys we own, this would be it! My kids started playing with the water table as soon as they started pulling to stand and my 3-year-old still loves it! When it is too chilly for water, fill with sand or oats and dig for buried treasure!
Step2 Rain Showers Splash Pond Water Table
I know the price tag can be daunting, but this is some of the best money I have ever spent for my kids. I bought ours for my son's first birthday – it can be used at any developmental stage, and I feel like we will use this until the kids are teenagers! Also, mama likes to lay on it when the kids aren't using it :)
The Nugget - Daybreak / A misty agave in microsuede
Have a toddler who likes to spin and flip upside like I do? This is a super simple way to get some of that swinging/flipping/spinning input when you can't get to the park!
bilibo by MOLUK - Best Active Play for Ages 2 to 3 - Fat Brain Toys
Another kitchen set option that is a bit more aesthetically pleasing! Another bigger ticket toy option but your child will use it for years! Encourages gross motor, fine motor, and cognitive development!
Little Chef Medium Wooden Kitchen Set w/ 11 Accessories
I recommend wobble boards for older toddlers (3 and up) if they struggle with balance. This is a fun way to work on balance (and honestly I use this to work on balance too!) Can also add to an obstacle course.
Balance, Rock & Wobble Board | Kids
Have a lot of space in your basement? Here's an easy way to keep an obstacle course set up all the time!
Banasuper Wooden Balance Beam For Kids Toddlers Gymnastics Beam Stepping Stones Children Balance Boa
Another scooter option that will last you a bit longer than the Radio Flyer beginner – I would suggest for ages 3 and up!
Maxi Deluxe Foldable LED Scooter
Another cute balance bike option! I introduced a balance bike to my son at 2 and will likely introduce a bike with pedals around 4.5-5 years old.
Balance Bike
Another perfect item if you have a big basement – so great for winter months when you can't get to the park! And so many ways to set this up!
Climber Pikler Triangle Set
I love this for outside if you don't have room/want to shell out for a traditional play structure – so many ways to climb, crawl through, hang, jump off! And throw some blankets overtop for a fort.
Monkey Bars Climbing Tower
For about a year I told myself I was going to build a DIY mud kitchen in our backyard – but then I remembered I wasn't very handy and found this one I could buy instead. My 3-year-old LOVES the mud kitchen – great sensory play!
Mud Kitchen & Play Sink
If you have a child that likes to play in the garden like mine, this is another great option that will help with coordination and core strength! My son loves to load this with rocks and push it around – keeps him occupied for a long time!
CAT Wheelbarrow
Yoga cards are an AMAZING way to improve overall strength and balance in your child. And you will be shocked at how quickly they catch on to some of these poses! My 3-year-old's attention only lasts for maybe 5 cards, but he is a yoga-pro!
Yoga Cards
Another option if you don't have room for the Pikler triangle set up!
Collapsable Toddler Slide
Fine Motor Toys
perfect way to begin working on spelling their name! and super cute to display in their bedroom.
Personalized Name Puzzle - Best Early Learning Toys for Ages 1 to 4
I get stressed out with sensory play – so I love a good sensory bin that I can purchase with everything we need! And then it all gets put away when we are finished.
Sensory Bin Construction Zone - Best Imaginative Play for Babies
The most EPIC block set you can buy – will keep your toddler occupied at different stages and work a variety of fine motor skills.
The Block Set
My toddlers love to help in the kitchen – keep this in the kitchen and they can help you “cook” without the mess!
Little Chef Play Kitchen Set
Love the simplicity of this beach set for travel and for the sandbox!
Alto Beach Set
Fun twist on coloring – I use this a lot with my 3-year-old when he wants to “paint”! I get stressed with real paint :)
Tempera Paint Sticks - Set of 30
Perfect for coloring but also great for working one early letter recognition and spelling! And I can set this up at the table for my older child and his little sister can't wreck his work.
Double-Sided Tabletop Easel
I refuse to go on a long car ride without these! We also keep a few of these in a bag that we take into restaurants to keep the kids occupied. I think they are soothing for myself as well :)
Magic Water Reusable Color-in Pad - Space
Another great option for spicing up coloring time! I love using these myself too!
Juicy Fruit Dot Art Markers - Set of 6
Another must have for long car rides and trips to restaurants for my family!
Fox Magic Drawing Board
My son is OBSESSED with building with his magnetic tiles – and I love that this set has a bunch of different shapes!
Magnetic PowerClix Frames - 48 Pieces
Did you know being able to string beads is an important fine motor milestone to work on between the age of 2-3? This another great option to pull out for working at the table for my older son.
Primary Lacing Beads
This are absolutely adorable – my 3-year-old is really getting into puzzles/games and this activity challenges his concentration/motor skills! And great for visual processing to try to match the cards!
Wooden Animal Balance & Stacking Blocks
Another great option for working on early spelling/letter recognition for your pre-K child or kindergartner! And I am always pro magnets or velcro – keeps everything in place!
ABC Expedition Magnetic Set
I am a sucker for a good busy board – easy way to work on all the fine motor skills your toddler needs in one place! I love bringing out busy board when we travel.
Basic Skills Puzzle Board
A fun variation to a puzzle that adds even more fine motor work! I love using this puzzle in my obstacle courses – place the fish in a “pond” at one end, and then the board on the other end of the obstacle course!
Fishing Magnetic Puzzle Game
This set is ADORABLE and really encourages creativity while also working fine motor skills.
100% Recycled Build-a-Bouquet Set
Nothing like a good work bench to work on those fine motor skills! My son loves to put together all sorts of different “projects” – I love seeing him use his creativity while also improving his fine motor skills.
Workbench & Painting Table with Accessories
Recommend for a child 4-6 years old – a unique take on a puzzle! And you can also use these animals to stack and build towers on a table.
Animal Parade A to Z Puzzle
Another great way to start working on visual processing! This is another option I pull out when my son is working at the table
Animals and Shapes Wooden Puzzle & Game
Another option for a busy board that is BEYOND adorable. I plan to buy this one for my daughter on her second birthday.
Kindlytoys Custom Pastel Girl Busy Board For Toddlers, Kids, Wooden Toys, Montessori Toys, 1st Birthday Gift Baby, Gift For Girls BB10
Items for your Home (that your toddler will be excited about!)
lifesaver for a picky toddler :) This motivates my son to try new foods and he really mastered using utensils with this set.
Construction Plate & Utensils | Kids Dinnerware Sets
If your backyard isn't the most usable, this sandbox is perfect – it doesn't take up a ton of space, it offers shade, a place to climb/pretend, and of course sand to dig in! It is so much cuter than those big hunks of plastic ones!
Pirate Ship Play Boat & Sandbox
My 3-year-old loves to help me in the kitchen and he is always dragging a chair in stand on. This solves that problem! And he can stand here and eat snacks too.
Sit & Stand Kitchen Tower
A well-fitting desk/chair is crucial for fine motor work – love this adorable option that has storage and a chalkboard surface!
Chalkboard Desk & Chair