2024 Best Toys and Developmental Gifts for Toddlers

Micro Kickboard

You know how your child insists on scooting down the road and around the block, then halfway through, declares they are tired and does not move a step further? Yep. I remember that, too. This 3-in-1 scooter folds up to be easily stored in the stroller. (Thank you, Micro!)

CO-OP Balance Bike

Between the pedaling toys listed in this outdoor toy list and the balance bike, my boys took off the second they were ready for a big kid bike. Skip the training wheels and build confidence on this bike.

We love this balance bike and used it with all three boys.

Radio Flyer Tricycle

I watched having a tricycle, and a balance bike allowed my boys to hop on their pedal bikes once ready to try it. They had the balance down from the balance bike and the pedal movements from the tricycle.

Mud Kitchen

When the boys were little, they loved playing in the rain. This Hape kitchen is a great way to take outdoor play to the next level, rain or shine. (I can also see it being super fun in the snow!)

Ride-on Tractor

Another toy coming in from memory lane! My brother gifted my oldest this years ago, giving us years of fun. This ride-on tractor is a great introduction to learning how to pedal as you cart things.

Roller Coaster

Okay, can we talk about the kid’s roller coaster? We were gifted this gem shortly after my youngest was born; dare I say, it stayed in the house a little longer than it needed to. I will take all the child-led entertainment I can get with a new baby. Moving it outside elevated the fun and brought the neighborhood together for some epic play.

Step 2 Push Toy

This push toy is a fun alternative when walking in the park or on the sidewalk. Invite your child to take their stuffie on a walk to improve coordination and gross motor skills.

Cozy Coupe

This Cozy Coupe lives in our backyard. Nope. I am not ready to pass it along any time soon. It has created many memories, and watching my three boys play with it is never dull. When the boys were toddlers, they rolled around the house with it as my husband pushed them from room to room. I am tearing up just thinking about it! Such fun times had everyone belly-laughing. This is a fun toy for active play.

Wooden Block Set

Every great toy collection begins with a set of unit blocks. These blocks are part of our forever toys because we brought them home at two years old, and my boys still play with them at seven—the perfect starter set with lots of three-dimensional shapes to stack and build. Wooden toys are an excellent addition to your child’s collection.

Blockaroo Bath Set

Have you tried this ultimate bath toy? This magnetic toy lets toddlers construct and build at bathtime, a fun way to change up your bath routine.

LEGO Duplos

Duplos also fall into our forever toy category. These bricks are another toy that all three of my boys still play with. Duplos are the perfect gift for your toddler, and children will use them for years.

LEGO Duplo Cargo Train

This cargo train is the steam train leveled up. It has a similar train with more features. 

Super Cityscape Transport Bucket

One of Hape’s top sellers is this cityscape transport bucket. It is excellent for small spaces and can be packed and taken on the go. Loved by toddler boys and girls.

Squigz

These. Are. Fun. Stick these little suckers on many surfaces to keep toddlers entertained for dinner prep! A child’s imagination is endless with Squigz.  

MEGA BLOKS

Mega Bloks are a lot like Duplos. The best part? You can toss them in the bath and have an afternoon activity as your child builds with the small muscles in their hand. Mega Bloks are simple toys your toddler will play with for open-ended play.

Bilibo

I was super impressed meeting the founder of Bilibo at the NY Toy Fair. He knew more about early learning and open-ended play than anyone I spoke with. Get this balance toy and let your child take the lead.

Balance Pods

Is your floor lava? Rather than tossing all the pillows on the floor, grab these stepping stones for a new way to play. Balance practice is excellent for brain development and helps children strengthen their core as they play. These stepping stones are a favorite and come in vibrant colors.

Shopping Cart

Did you know you can BYOC to the grocery store? Well, maybe this isn’t a straightforward invitation by the grocery store, but it has been so helpful in keeping my son focused as we shop. But that’s not all! This cart is also a great toy to keep at home to inspire imaginary play. It is a winner in our house that I plan on keeping for other generations to come. 

Stacking Buckets

Give me all the things that stack for my toddler to explore and problem-solve. These buckets also make a fun addition to bath play. Remember, the best educational toddler toys are the simple ones!

Motorized Trains

Suggested for ages 3+ 

These trains still get played with!!! Kids enjoy building paths with wooden train tracks and watching Thomas chug around the loops. Highly recommended and under $15.

Bruder Skid Steer

Suggested for ages 3+ 

If you are looking for a real-life truck, Bruder is your brand. This skid steer is one of their top sellers.

Bruder Flatbed Truck

Suggested for ages 3+ 

This is a large flatbed truck that will last for years. It is another best seller for Bruder and great for your transportation-loving child.

Magic Tracks MEGA SET

Suggested for ages 3+ 

This Magic Tracks set made our Christmas morning come to life when my boys were toddlers. We turned it on, the boys came downstairs, and memories were made. Christmas morning was magical with this simple toy. The lights and the movements are a huge wow factor for gift-giving. 

Pilot Dashboard

I played with this interactive dashboard in the Melissa and Doug showroom at the NY Toy Fair and was amazed by it! You can even record your voice for take-off.

Play School Bus

Get ready for Kindergarten with this school bus! This bus is a fun toy to begin discussions about what it is like to ride the bus, and then my older children can reenact bus conversations through play.

Toy Train

Green Toys for the win again with this made-in-the-USA train! 100% Recycled Plastic and dishwasher safe. We will have this train for another handful of years! The bears that come with the train are small, so you may want to take them away and save them for when your child is older. 

Wooden Car Transporter

My children almost always take an interest when seeing a car transporter go by on the road. Look, mom! Look at all those cars!  This toy car makes an excellent gift for the holidays or birthdays for your toddler.

Fire truck

I chose the fire engine because this is on our wish list. We currently have a recycling truck, a dump truck, and a helicopter. The quality is excellent and typically makes its way into imaginary play.

CAT Dumptruck

Looking for a dump truck? This truck is a noteworthy one to add to your vehicle collection. CAT has a variety of trucks that are ready for little toddler hands to play with. 

Noodle Knockout

We LOVE Noodle Knockout. It is a simple yet fun game that helps children understand sequencing, taking turns, and fine motor development.

Build a Robot

I adore everything Eeboo! This Build a Robot is enjoyable for ages 3+ and encourages patience, sequencing, and imaginary play.

Memory Match

We played many memory-matching games in the early years, and sadly, I almost always got beat. (I admit this to you, my closest.) This is an enjoyable matching game by Skillmatics.

Large Crayons

Let’s inspire our little artists with some chunky crayons! It makes a good stocking stuffer and a simple activity for sitting with your toddler and making lines and curves over the holidays. 

Paintbrushes

These paintbrushes are also chunky and work well with small chubby hands! 

Watercolors

These watercolors are my FAVORITE! They are so bright and colorful. If you are looking for watercolors, add these to your cart. You will not be disappointed. 

Kwik Stix

Paint that doesn’t involve a mess? Yes, please. These Kwik Stixs were a hot seller for last year’s gift guides. Perfect for what to do after all the gifts are open. Who needs a fresh set?

Washable Paints

We used this paint set when I first began painting with my boys. This paint set is perfect for those venturing into painting with kids!

Easel

Looking for a wow gift for your little creative kiddo? This easel is well made and has two sides to encourage and inspire art. 

Kidnoculars

These Kidnoculars are highly recommended. They are perfect for taking a walk, exploring the house (hello, indoor play), and spending time outdoors for a scavenger hunt.

Toniebox Audio Player

I wish these were around when my boys were toddlers. I have many friends with toddlers who enjoy their Toniebox, and I have played around with them at the NY Toy Fair this September—a great toy for quiet time, on the go, and preparing for bed.

Cash Register

After my third was born, this cash register was given to my oldest—again, another forever toy! They keep it by the play kitchen and have daily sales. Creative play meets math in its simplest form!

Toddler Wooden Grill Set

The meat cooks! Well, okay. It doesn’t actually cook. But it makes it look like it did! I saw this grill set in the Melissa and Doug showroom, and she mentioned that it cannot stay in stock. Families are loving this!

Design and Drill

This design and drill set are enjoyable ways for three- and four-year-olds to play independently as they practice focus, hand-eye coordination, and following two-step directions.

Ages 3+ (Small parts)

Ice Cream Set

We ADORE our ice cream scoop set. Everyone that walks through our door is handed a menu and an ice cream. This set makes the perfect ice breaker for children to begin conversations with new family and friends.

Ice Cream Set 2.0

If the ice cream set had a family, this would be it. A pretend ice cream maker, register, and more additions to the traditional ice cream set exist. – Both options are a big win IMO.

Wooden Tool Kit

We’ve had this toolkit for years, and just when I think the boys have finished playing, and it comes back out! It is another toy we purchased in our toddler years and continue to use five years later. 

Wooden Cut Fruit

Learn how to cut fruit with this play food set. The pieces are large enough to hold with one hand and cut with the other. Like most of this list, we still have and use this cut fruit!

Wooden Kitchen Set

The simplicity of this kitchen set officially won me over. There are no over-the-top lights or buzzers, just a classic kitchen where my kids can cook a creative snack to offer their grandparents—who apparently will eat anything.

Scoopers

Use these scoopers with sensory play! Great to have around to scoop rice, small toys, or water. The open and close movements help with fine motor, cause/effect, and hand-eye coordination. We also added scoopers to our favorite bath toys for kids.

Jumbo Droppers

Gosh, I love this toddler toy list because it brings back so many memories of toys we’ve had for years. These jumbo-eyedroppers have always been a hit. Use the droppers to mix colors or water play—a fantastic tool to strengthen small hands and prep for writing down the road.

Fat Brain Toys Dimpl Digits

A fun toy to press! Easy for little hands to grab and squeeze. Problem-solving as they play! Add them to the bath for water play, or put them on the table while you finish making dinner.

Old Macdonald’s Farm (Poke-a-dot)

I love these Poke and Count books. These books are a great way for early learners to reinforce number symbols with total amounts. These books are a must for toddlers!