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Toddlers are at an amazing age. They want to learn and are so capable of absorbing so much. With holiday season coming up, their toys could be a great way to introduce learning and life skills into play time and they'll actually enjoy it (and will likely have no idea). There are tons of age-appropriate toys out there, especially for younger kids, and we found some that are not just toys but teaching tools, too.
Like TV shows can teach kids new things, cough, cough Sesame Street, toys can do a lot more than just be a kid's plaything. From sensory learning to counting and colors, toys that are old-school, like puzzles and dolls, to toys that are more technology driven, like a toddler iPhone (trust us, it's a thing and super cool) —there is a ton of opportunity to get the best of both worlds: an occupied child, but one who is also learning.
Check out some of our picks below.
Baby Einstein Octoplush
The Baby Einstein Octoplush toy is the perfect combination of stuffed animal and learning. Each of the eight tentacles comes with a different educational feature of colors and music. It also comes in three languages, English, Spanish, and French for trilingual learning.
BABY born Surprise Magic Potty Surprise
One of the most natural and human skills there is is to nurture and help other humans. To take care of something, whether it's a baby, animal or oneself. The BABY born Surprise Magic Potty Surprise helps toddlers learn that skill while also learning about going to the potty themselves.
Personalized Name Puzzle
$27
from
Fat Brain Toys
Puzzles are all the rage with kids and adults alike, but they've long been learning tools for toddlers. Learning to fit pieces together is fun, but also teaches problem-solving. With this name puzzle that can be personalized with the toddler's full name, the little one can also learn how to spell it.
Counting Sheep
$20
from
Learning Resources
They say that counting sheep can help people sleep. And while parents might not be getting much of it, kids can at least use these numbered sheep to learn to count. And maybe put themselves to sleep someday! Each sheep has a color and numbered wool coat that can come off.
New Sprouts Fix It!
$25
from
Learning Resources
Toddlers won't need to fix anything or put up shelving anytime soon, but it's never too early to teach them what tools are actually for. This tool kit also will help them do it while also giving them a good distraction from the real and dangerous tools.
Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Piggy Bank
Toddlers are too young to earn their own money, but it's never too early to teach them how to save. That's where the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Piggy Bank comes in. It not only teaches them baby-level fiances, but how to count, too.
Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope
Kids should never be underestimated, not even toddlers, which is why this Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope is a cool and unusual toy for them to have in their playroom. They may not understand exactly what microscopes do in the adult world, but they'll get an idea with their own in a fun way.
Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Light-up Learning Vacuum
It's always a good idea to teach kids how to clean up, not just for parents' relief but for them to know in their life, especially if it crosses traditional gender roles. The cool thing about this toy vacuum is that it plays music and teaches kids about counting, colors, and more.
G2 Kid Electronic Smart Device
The year is 2020 and whether we like it or not, toddlers will be more used to technology than we ever were at their age. That, and they are obsessed with their parents' phones anyway. That's why the KiddiBuzz G2 Kid Electronic Smart Device teaches them how to use one and gives them tech autonomy without risking mama's iPhone.
Learning Resources Pretend & Play Calculator Cash Register
The piggy bank toy touched upon teaching toddlers money and counting, but this kiddie cash register can really up the ante during make-pretend time. They can learn about transactions and maybe some counting, too. It doesn't hurt that it's super fun.
Wooden Lacing Shoe
$13
from
Melissa & Doug
Learning to tie shoelaces is milestone that every child will pass eventually, but it can be hard for parents to teach. The Wooden Lacing Shoe is a teaching tool as well as a toy that can help make the lesson on shoe tying fun — and encourage practice through play without the kiddo even realizing it.
Toddler-Safe Food Basket
$30
from
Lakeshore Learning
What's a cash register with nothing to buy? Kids love make-pretend, so why not allow them to pretend to be an adult who is buying groceries while also teaching them about healthy and tasty foods. The Toddler-Safe Food Basket is a win-win for parents. Foods included are cheese, bread, veggies, and more.
Learn Play & Go Keys Musical Infant Toy
With kids seeing mom or dad carrying around keys at the time, which make the car start, it's no wonder they want to play with those keys. Give them keys of their own to learn and play with. These play different songs with the touch of a button.
Jumbo Wooden Tool Kit
$40
from
Melissa & Doug
We included a tool kit with baby tools on this round-up but we loved this toddler tool kit, too, and had to include it. It comes with toddler safe tools (like hammers and wrenches) as well as nuts and bolts to also help with fine motor skills.
Match It! Cards
Sometimes toys that get straight to the point when it comes to learning. These Match It! Cards are just what toddlers need to have fun with a puzzle that also teaches them how to sight-read words. Each piece of the small puzzle is a letter that forms one word, along with an illustration.
Pretty Petals Watering Can
$13
from
Melissa & Doug
It's never too early to have a green thumb. Have the kids help with watering the plants with their own watering can. They'll feel independent and also learn a life skill that everyone can benefit from knowing. This watering can uses real water.
No More Wrinkles! Ironing Set
$25
from
Fat Brain Toys
Ironing is a skill that is becoming less of a necessity thanks to advances in fabrics, but it's still one worth knowing, even for a toddler. The No More Wrinkles! Ironing Set allows kids to pretend iron and comes with a small ironing board and wooden iron. No heat necessary!
Multi Bowls
So bowls aren't necessarily toys, but these multicolored bowls can certainly make mealtime fun. They also work for a pretend tea party or picnic. They can teach colors as well as life skills, including setting the table and how to use a bowl.
Giant Button Sewing Kit
Sewing is one of those skills that is becoming less common, but not any less useful for real life. Now kids can learn early as well as sharpen their fine motor skills in the process with these large and colorful giant buttons that come with this Etsy kit.
Tock the Learning Clock
$25
from
Learning Resources
Time is the one thing all kids will need to learn, even if this form of clock is becoming less common. For toddlers, it may not be time et (heh, see what we did there?) but they can be introduced to the idea through this cool Tock the Learning Clock toy. It's a great combination of tech and old-school learning.
First Words Gift Bundle
Learning to talk is undoubtedly a life skill, and learning to speak two languages will only set a child up for success in the future. Canticos has the perfect solution to teach them These bundles enphasizes bilinguality with 35 cards attached to a secur ring for on the go learning. It's perfect for toddlers 2 and up!
