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 enthusiasm for learning. 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.
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 develop their motor and cognitive skills, and improve coordination and color recognition.
1. Best For Stacking: Mega Bloks First Builders Big Building Bag
Stacking is an activity that toddlers enjoy. And this building set enables them to pile up as many blocks as they want. Pros
Contains 80 colorful blocks Helps develop hand-eye coordination Improves grasping skills Comes with a handy storage bag
Cons
Some blocks may not fit together May not be sturdy enough
2. Best For Hand-Eye Coordination: Orwine Inertia Toy
Brightly-colored 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
3. Best For Teaching Colors And Numbers: LeapFrog Scoop & Learn Ice Cream Cart
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 video will 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
4. Best For Teaching Animal Names: Fisher-Price Laugh & 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 product review video and pick the best-suited one for your needs. 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
5. Best For Teaching Songs And Phrases: Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Chair
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 it 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
Cons
Switching the modes might seem tricky Volume may be loud
7. 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 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
8. Best For Fine Motor Skills: Learning Resources Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog
This cute little hedgehog enables children to develop fine motor skills by placing colorful spikes on its back. It is easy to play with and lightweight. Pros
Helps strengthens fine motor skills 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
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 Can be used for teaching the letters of the English alphabet, numbers, colors, shapes, days of the week, months of the year, weather, and basic words 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
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. 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
Cons
Letters might seem flimsy Sound quality could have been improved
11. LeapFrog Number Lovin’ Oven
Let your little chef improve their counting and vocabulary skills while baking with this LeapFrog Number Lovin’ Oven toy set. 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
12. 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
13. Coogam Wooden Lacing Apple Threading Toy
Want to keep your naughty child busy? Hand them this engaging threading block puzzle. 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
14. HABA Snug-up Doll Luis
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
15. Best Learning Whack And Learn Mole
This multipurpose toy helps your child learn the letters of the alphabet, colors, numbers, and even music. It 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
16. VTech Smart Shots Sports Center
This sports center not only encourages babies to play, but also teaches them numbers, letters of the alphabet, and short phrases. Pros
Develops gross motor skills 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
17. 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 Activities promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Cons
Might be slightly small Quality of the microphone could have been better
18. 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
19. CozyBomB Magnetic Wooden Fishing Game Toy
Made of non-toxic natural wood, this magnetic fishing game helps preschoolers learn counting and letters of the alphabet. 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. 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
Cons
Confusing colors May be slightly heavy
21. 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
22. Melissa & Doug Shape Sorting Cube Classic Wooden Kids Toy
A shape sorting toy helps toddlers learn to differentiate between shapes. And this 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
Cons
Edges might be slightly sharp Lid may not be tight enough
23. Top Bright Wooden Activity Cube
This 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
Cons
May not be stable enough Lid design may not be great
How To Choose The Right Educational Toy For Toddlers?
Consider the following factors when choosing the best educational toy for your child.
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 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 gift them toys that are highly engaging and attractive, so that they play with them for longer.
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