What Are the Best Toddler Educational Toys?
Whether you’re searching for a Christmas gift or a birthday gift- this list of useful gifts for toddlers is sure to help you find something for the special little one you’re searching for.
This post contains affiliate links. Please see our disclosure for more details.
They are going to be overloaded with stuff at holidays and birthdays, why not be the stand out gift giver that gave something fun and educational?
If you’re in a hurry-
This is by far the best educational gift for toddlers.
This list is for toddlers ages 1-4. Keep an eye out for ones that are perfect for the toddler you’re buying a gift for!
Some of the links included are for Amazon Exclusive members. All that means is that they’re reserved for those with a Prime Membership- you can try out Amazon Prime for free through this link.
PLAY KITCHEN
Play Kitchens make such great gifts for toddlers because they won’t outgrow them for quite some time.
Creating food and pretending will happen as they grow and these vintage inspired kitchens will last through childhood and beyond.
FIRST BUILDERS BUILDING BLOCKS
We got Building Blocks given to us for a gift when my first child was a toddler. They lasted through 3 kids and are still going strong!
They’re big enough for uncoordinated hands to manipulate and easily pull apart and stack together. This set comes with a learning table and 80 blocks.
Building Blocks provide hours of fun and help to build fine motor skills.
AGES 1-5
LIKEE WOODEN PATTERN JIGSAW PUZZLE
Kids can use hand eye coordination by looking a picture and recreating it with the right shapes. Likee Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles are made from real wood and are non toxic! A perfect gift for developing fine motor skills. This jigsaw puzzle comes with a handy tin carrying case making it great to bring along.
AGES 3+
SOFT ALPHABET CARDS – ZOO ANIMALS
Soft Alphabet Cards have animals corresponding with the letters with a picture on one side and the word on the other. They are made from a durable cloth material and are completely washing machine safe!
These Alphabet Cards come with a carrying case so your toddler can take them anywhere.
AGES 1+
MELISSA AND DOUG WOODEN BUILDING BLOCKS
My kids have these wooden building blocks and LOVE them. My son is 3 and my daughter is 5. I think my daughter is more capable of building more intricate designs but my son still has a blast building towers and he likes to ‘balance’ the blocks and takes pride when he creates something that stays up.
These wooden blocks are castle themed with doors, draw bridges and towers. Super cool!
AGES 3-8
JASONWELL MAGNETIC TILES MAKE GREAT GIFTS FOR TODDLERS
These magnetic tiles might be the best toys for toddlers and young kids EVER. If you haven’t seen or tried these yet, I can assure you they will be a hit!
Both my son and daughter love building things with these. Check out the video below to see the kind of stuff you can build.
Some things are too advanced for young toddlers but even just sticking these magnetic tiles together is satisfying for my 3 year old. They’ll last forever and grow with your child.
AGES 3-8
DREAMPARK WOODEN JIGSAW PUZZLES
These jigsaw puzzles are made from high quality wood with rounded edges, these are perfect for small hands. They come in a pack of 6 cute animals (crab, owl, bee, bear, butterfly, and ladybug) and are perfect for small toddlers.
AGES 1-3
WHEELYBUG
Wheelybugs are seriously awesome! My kids love our Wheelybug. (Dare I say… TOO much. It gets fought over a lot.)
A Wheelybug is perfect for some screen free physical activity for toddlers!
AGES 3+
EDUCATIONAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
This set of instruments comes with 22 pieces. Some that are included are a tambourine, maracas, wrist bells and more! They’re made from wood and won’t break easily.
Musical instruments are a perfect gift for a curious toddler! Let them explore a whole new world of sounds.
AGES 3+
SPIKE THE FINE MOTOR HEDGEHOG
Spike the Hedgehog is great for fine motor play. Trying to fit chunky spikes into Spike’s back will help develop hand/eye coordination as well.
AGES 2+
MELISSA AND DOUG LEARN TO PLAY PIANO
This Learn to Play Piano comes with a color coded songbook so that your toddler can actually learn to play the piano!
This piano is made from colorful wood and high quality materials.
AGES 3+
LEAPFROG SCOOP AND LEARN ICE CREAM CART
Toddlers can learn memory and sequencing skills with the Scoop and Learn Ice Cream Cart.
There’s also fun ways to learn about colors and numbers while scooping ice cream!
This Ice Cream Cart encourages valuable skills that kids need for school- it makes a great learning gift for toddlers.
AGES 2-5
ART SUPPLIES
This is actually one of my favorite things on this list. You cannot go wrong with art supplies!
Here are some ideas:
- Crafting Supply Kit
- Jumbo Crayon Set
- Water Wow Books– mess free coloring
- Finger Painting Kit
- Super Art Coloring Kit
Every time I’ve ever gotten or given an art supplies gift– it’s a hit!
ART DESK/EASEL
This art desk is so cute!! It comes with all sorts of storage, a place to stand and paint or sit and draw with cute places to hang up and showcase their art!
A little sitting bench is included with the art desk. Add some art supplies and what a perfect gift for a toddler!
AGES 3-6
FRIDGE PHONICS
Fridge Phonics have been in our house since my daughter was around a year old. This toy has been through the ringer with 3 kids and held up GREAT.
It sticks to the fridge and has all the letters as separate magnets that plug in to it to play a song about that particular letter.
Fridge Phonics is such a good learning tool for the alphabet. The parents might get sick of hearing the songs but it’s totally worth it for their kids learning.
AGES 2-5
WOODEN PEG PUZZLE SET
These peg puzzles are just so perfect for toddlers. They can get so frustrated with a puzzle that’s too advanced for them. This guarantees them a win and helps build confidence!
This Wooden Puzzle Set also comes with a stacking rack to keep them organized.
AGES 2-4
What is the best gift for a toddler?
Toddlers are SO curious, they naturally want to explore and find out HOW things work and WHAT happens when they do certain things. They have no shame or worry of ‘failing.’ They just try and try again.
So why not give them something that allows them to do that and is fun and safe?
As a mom who is becoming more wary of the toys that do the thinking for my children, I’m always on the lookout for ones that will last for a long time and encourage the use of their imagination!
***
Did you find any educational gifts for toddlers on your Christmas list? Please leave a comment and let us know if you have any other gifts for toddlers that are total hits!
LOOKING FOR MORE GIFT IDEAS?
- Gifts For The Mom Who Has It All
- Gifts For A 1 Year Old Boy
- How to Make a New Dad Survival Kit
- Best Gifts For Dads Who Want Nothing
- 19 Subscription Box Gift Ideas For Moms
