The best gifts for toddlers according to a mom
What they'll play with again and again (and again).
By
Nicole Cammorata
on
Nicole Cammorata
Director of Special Projects
As Director of Special Projects, Nicole Cammorata helps guide Mashable's editorial innovations, licensing programs, and specialty series. Previously, she was the site's Executive Editor and its very first Shopping Editor before that. Nicole is also Mashable's resident gifting expert and gets a thrill out of helping readers find the perfect present. She received a B.S. in Journalism from Boston University and an MFA in fiction writing from The New School. She lives in Maine with her husband, their three young children, and a backyard full of flowers.
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As a mom of two, I've spent many hours playing with my kids. I pay close attention to which toys and books bring them joy — and which get tossed into a corner. So when compiling this list of the best gifts for toddlers, I went right to the source. Part of our bigger series dedicated to finding the Best Gifts For Everyone, what follows is a list of the best toddler gifts, according to my 4-year-old and 1-year-old. What you won't see here is any distinction between genders: All toys are for all kids. Every single thing here is something that my kids play with often. And while the best gifts for big kids and teen girls can be heavily influenced by trends, the best gifts for toddlers are more timeless, encouraging open-ended play and learning. Every item here would make an excellent gift, whether it's Christmas, Hannukkah, a birthday, or otherwise.
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Credit: Sereed
Balance Bike
Best for wheeling around
Since there aren't any pedals, this bike is really easy to ride with essentially no learning curve. Kiddos can straddle the bike and walk while they ride along, but once they get more skilled they'll naturally pick up their feet and cruise. My son is obsessed with this bike and erupts in laughter each time he takes off.
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Credit: Magna-Tiles / Amazon
Magna-Tiles
Best for creative play
Each plastic tile contains a series of strategically-placed mini magnets, which allow kids (and their parents, let's be honest) to create structures that are just as fun to knock down as they are to build. Magna-Tiles are the kind of toy that will span a wide range of ages and grow alongside kids.
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Credit: Melissa & Doug / Walmart
PROMOTED
Ice Cream Counter Play Set
Best for playing chef
Though intended for children who are at least 3-years-old, the truth is that a range of ages will get a kick out of this kid-sized ice cream counter kit from Melissa & Doug. Encourage pretend play and imagination alongside other cognitive skills with the 28-piece wooden playset that includes a scooper, two cones, and a mix of flavors and toppings.
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Credit: Brio / Amazon
BRIO "My First Railway" train set
Best for building fine motor skills
Connecting the pieces in this wooden set by BRIO takes a certain amount of finesse. Kids are so proud of themselves when they figure it out and can spend large swaths of focused play time getting everything set, lining up the trains, and running them along the tracks.
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Credit: Toomies / Amazon
Hide and Squeak egg carton
Best fidgety toy
This is the kind of toy I would have questioned until I watched my own kids play with it. What's so special about an egg carton full of plastic eggs? My kids love taking these out and "cracking" them on their heads, uncovering the hidden shapes, matching up the little shell hats, and — of course — making them squeak.
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Credit: Educational Insights / Amazon
Kid-sized binoculars
Best for little explorers
Whether you're outside hunting for bugs or simply need to keep tabs on the garbage collectors, these kid-sized binoculars are a big hit. The super big lenses are spaced a bit closer together to accommodate little faces and there's a breakaway neck strap to prevent cord-wrapping accidents.
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Credit: YBIKE / Amazon
YBIKE Pewi Elite
Best for walking and riding
The best thing about this bike is that it spans a wide range of ages. My son started by pushing it around the house when he was learning to walk, then graduated to riding it. The 360-degree wheels mean it'll never get stuck, either. Out of everything on this list, this bike is the item I've gifted the most to other toddlers — and it's always a hit.
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Credit: Fisher-Price / Amazon
Linkimals Sea Turtle
Best for younger toddlers and babies
If you can handle a toy that makes noise, then rest assured knowing that this is a particularly good one. The Linkimals collection by Fisher-Price features a lineup of interactive characters who talk, sing, and play off each other when they are synced up and in range. The content is mostly learning-based (like simple numbers, colors, shapes, etc) with songs that are actually cute.
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Credit: IVENRXIU / Amazon
Doctor Kit
Best for pretend play
If you have a kid who likes to play doctor, then opt for a kit like this one that includes a real stethoscope. The plastic ones don't hold up and they're simply not as fun. (Trust me, we have both.) This set also includes a bunch of great tools for daily check-ups and an assortment of X-rays.
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Credit: Casdon / Amazon
Dyson vacuum replica
Best for little helpers
Kids love copying mom and dad, and this kid-sized replica of the Dyson Ball Vacuum is on heavy rotation in our house. Four C batteries will power a whirring sound, some movement in the chamber, and will even create a small amount of suction so that it actually works. The only drawback is that the sound gets annoying after a while, but it's easy to turn off.
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Credit: VTech / Amazon
Push and Pop Bulldozer
Best for silly fun
Push the bulldozer to scoop up the balls, then keep pushing to lift the balls into the basin of the toy. Keep the movement going and the bulldozer will gently pop the balls out from the hole on the top — to the delight of everyone around. Lots of repeat fun with this one. Just make sure not to lose the balls.
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Credit: TOYK / Amazon
Water Doodle Mat
Best for mess-free sensory play
This oversized mat turns colors when activated with water, allowing kids to brush, finger paint, and stamp to their hearts' content. After they're done, simply hang it up to dry and it'll return to its original white. Apart from the occasional water puddle, this is a really great option for sensory play with minimal mess.
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Credit: LeapFrog / Amazon
LeapFrog Learning Friends book
Best tablet replacement
For parents trying to cut back on screen time, it can be hard to keep kids occupied for long stretches without the TV or tablet. We love this line of battery-powered learning books from LeapFrog. Each page features a collection of touch-activated pictures in both English and Spanish.
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Credit: Fisher-Price / Amazon
Little People "Caring For Animals Farm"
Best for hands-on play
This little barn has seen a lot of action in my house. Send animals down the central shoot to activate various sound effects and songs. Stall doors open and close, plus a central button bumps up the play to new age-specific levels as needed.
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Credit: Amy & Benton
Push and go cars
Best for wheel-obsessed toddlers
A giant, toddler hand-friendly push button sends each car rolling across the room, much to the delight of kids everywhere. This is also one of the toys my kids will successfully play with together for long stretches, as one launches the car and the other retrieves it.
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Credit: Melissa & Doug / Amazon
Stack and Sort Board
Best for learning shapes and colors
From beloved wooden toy brand Melissa & Doug, there is a lot more to this toy than you may think. As little ones work to fit the pieces onto the pegs, they're building hand/eye coordination and dexterity while also learning to match colors, sort shapes, count, and more.
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Credit: Mega / Amazon
Mega Bloks
Best for creative play
Little hands love these oversized blocks, which work exactly like Legos. With 80 blocks total in this "starter pack" bag, kids can let their imaginations run wild with all the possible combinations. Though let's face it: they're gonna build a tower and then knock it down about a hundred times. We're here for it!
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Credit: Step2 / Amazon
Whisper Ride Cruiser
Best for strolling around the neighborhood
When a stroller is too much, this push car is just right. My kids are obsessed with getting rides around the backyard, honking the horn and revving the engine. A simple lap buckle keeps toddlers from climbing out while on the move, and I especially appreciate the cup holder in the handle. (For coffee, of course.)
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Credit: HABA / Amazon
Magnetic busy board
Best for focused play
Tucked behind the clear plastic of this board are a collection of tiny metal balls in all different colors, which kids can manipulate using the attached magnetic wand. This is a great toy to keep kids still while potty training and is also excellent for road trips.
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Credit: Melissa & Doug / Amazon
Solid Wood Building Blocks
Best for imaginative play
A village? A house? A ginormous tower? The possibilities are endless with this simple set of wooden building blocks from Melissa & Doug. In contrast with all the bright plastic toys strewn about my house, I especially love how muted these are. If I squint I could almost pass them off as intentional decor.
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Credit: Melissa & Doug / Amazon
Water Wow! re-usable coloring books
Best for sitting still
I keep a few of these stashed in my bag for when we go out to eat, as they buy us just enough time to keep the kids occupied while we wait. Each book can be drawn on using water (there's a special brush included) to reveal the hidden pictures, and then after they dry you can use them again and again.
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Credit: YEEBAY / Amazon
Flower garden building toy
Best whimsical building toy
A fun spin on blocks, this flower garden building kit includes an assortment of stems, flowers, and pistils so kids can get creative and assemble a row of blooms in whatever manner they see fit. The included base provides holes for the first row of stems, then each corresponding part nestles in on top.
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Credit: Editors of Phoenix International Publications / Amazon
"World of Eric Carle, Turn, Crank, Zoom!"
Best for gearheads
A collection of vehicles parade past with directions to turn the corresponding gears anchored to the side. Doing so produces various sounds to illustrate the moving wheels, making it more of an interactive toy than a book. It's from the world of Eric Carle, who is perhaps best known for his book "The Very Hungry Caterpillar."
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Credit: Candlewick Press
"Where's the Duck?"
Best flap book for toddlers
There isn't a toddler on the planet who doesn't lose their mind for a hidden flap book. But once those flaps get ripped out, it's game over. I love this series of books by illustrator Ingela P. Arrhenius because the flaps are made from felt instead of paper, making them super easy for tiny hands to manipulate.
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Credit: Nosy Cow
"Make Tracks Book: Farm"
Best for hands-on reading
My son cannot get enough of these kinds of books, which have small pieces he can move along through the page. He happens to be in a big vehicle phase at the moment, so this entire series of "Make Tracks" books really slaps. I think Santa may bring him a few more. (Shhh.)
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Credit: Greenwillow Books
"Tap the Magic Tree"
Best for getting silly
This book takes "interactive" to a whole new place. Start by "tapping" the tree and then follow the simple instructions for something else to do (shake the tree, blow the leaves, and so forth) that results in a change to the picture on the following page.
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Credit: Walker Books Ltd
"Peck Peck Peck"
Best for bird lovers
Follow along as a young woodpecker makes holes in everything it sees, each tiny divot reflected by a puncture in the book's actual pages. Little fingers will love tracing the cutouts and older toddlers will appreciate the simple rhyme scheme. A bedtime staple in our house for sure.
As Director of Special Projects, Nicole Cammorata helps guide Mashable's editorial innovations, licensing programs, and specialty series. Previously, she was the site's Executive Editor and its very first Shopping Editor before that. Nicole is also Mashable's resident gifting expert and gets a thrill out of helping readers find the perfect present. She received a B.S. in Journalism from Boston University and an MFA in fiction writing from The New School. She lives in Maine with her husband, their three young children, and a backyard full of flowers.
