Between kids' parties in fall and the gift-giving season that is the holidays, this time of year is filled with opportunities to give kids toys. And by opportunities, we mean obligations. Thankfully, toddlers are a fun age to buy for because they're old enough to know what they're playing with but young enough not to care. There are no "it" toys for toddlers. As long as it sparks their imagination or is something they can touch, they'll love it. Now, there have been lots of toy predictions out there for kids for the upcoming holiday season. From Barbie to Paw Patrol, toys include classics as well as brand new concepts. We tried to compile the toys that are somewhat ageless. Some parents might even recognize these toys as the ones they grew up with.
At least in the toddler category, there are lots of toys to choose from. Some help kids learn their letters, numbers, or shapes. Others are just fun and spark their creativity. The toys can be less about pop culture and simply about being a kid. Think about it: This is the age where little ones can put on a smock and enjoy painting or drawing. They can carry around a purse and pretend to be like mama. They can zip around on a little trike and pretend it's a car. Honestly, their minds do all the work; the toys just make it a bit more fun.
From Melissa & Doug to Easy Tikes, we found classic, new and educational toys that toddlers will love. Some can be played with in a quiet way, whereas others are more active (or noisy). And lots of them can help toddlers get out their energy. And whether they receive toys from Santa or for Hanukkah, they'll be able to enjoy them all year.
Melissa & Doug Pounding Bench
Hammering is fun, no matter what age a child (or adult) is, which is why this Melissa & Doug pounding bench makes for a wonderful toddler toy. It can also help kids hone their fine motor skills.
Melissa & Doug Pounding Bench ($10, Amazon)
Easy Tikes Basketball Set
This toy has become a classic, and it's truly worth getting considering how long it's lasted throughout the generations. Kids can put the ball through the hoop from the time they're tikes until they outgrow the net (which can be adjusted).
Easy Tikes Basketball Set ($35, Amazon)
Toy State CAT Mini Machine Construction Toy Set
Speaking of classic toys, the dump trucks in this CAT construction set make the list. Kiddos can pretend to build and dig with each piece of construction equipment. (This epic set comes with five, making it perfect to share among kids.)
Toy State CAT Mini Machine Construction Toy Set ($25, Amazon)
VTech Click and Count Remote
Remotes are basically adult toys, so it's no surprise toddlers want to play with them too. Give them (and the grownups watching TV) the best of both worlds with a "click and count" remote of their own.
VTech Click and Count Remote ($10, Amazon)
Zoo-Ominoes
Apart from being an interesting game in itself, much of the fun of playing with dominoes comes from lining them up only to push them down. Kids can do that now with these zoo-themed "domino" blocks.
Zoo-Ominoes ($30, Fat Brain Toys)
Take Along Shape Sorter
Learning shapes is a lot more fun when it's a game. The shape sorter is a toy that kids love and learn from all at once.
Take Along Shape Sorter ($14, Fat Brain Toys)
My First Purse Play Set
There's that image of little girls (or boys) walking in their mom's heels 10 sizes too big with her purse taking over half of their little bodies. Now they can have a purse of their own that's just their size to carry their essentials.
My First Purse Play Set ($25, Bloomingdale's)
Little Tikes Activity Garden
Foster the world toddlers create in their heads with this activity garden. It comes with a shape sorter mailbox, lookout, toy telescope, and more.
Little Tikes Activity Garden ($80, Bed, Bath & Beyond)
VTech Musical Rhymes Book Classic Nursery Rhymes
Music is fun, and so many children love the idea of singing songs. Combine play and music with a VTech nursery rhymes book.
VTech Musical Rhymes Book Classic Nursery Rhymes ($15, Walmart)
Radio Flyer Kid's Scoot 2 Pedal Scooter
Keep kids active (or tire them out, mom's choice!) with a safe pedal scooter set. The wheels are wide for a stable ride that kids can scoot or pedal around on.
Radio Flyer Kid's Scoot 2 Pedal Scooter ($40, Target)
Step2 Great Creations Art Center Desk
For the creative kiddos out there, this art center desk might be the perfect gift. There's a desk with a bench as well as an easel area for painting. It has built-in trays to store and organize art supplies.
Step2 Great Creations Art Center Desk ($87, Walmart)
Airport Playset
Airports aren't usually fun for adults, but they can be for kids. Have them pretend to be pilots with this airport playset that also comes with a baggage cart and terminal.
Airport Playset ($60, Fat Brain Toys)
VTech Go! Go! Smart Wheels Launch and Chase Police Tower
Ready, set, vroom! That's what kids will be able to do on this Smart Wheels Launch and Chase Police Tower. It's interactive with lights, sounds and "multiple tracks levels, dual ramps, trap doors, switch tracks and road barriers."
VTech Go! Go! Smart Wheels Launch and Chase Police Tower ($28, Target)
Melissa & Doug Wooden Beauty Salon Play Set
It's only a matter of time before toddlers want to hit up mom's makeup bag. Give them one of their own with this wooden beauty salon play set from Melissa & Doug.
Melissa & Doug Wooden Beauty Salon Play Set ($42, Target)
Melissa & Doug Examine & Treat Vet Set
Plenty of little kids love animals, so why not introduce them to the veterinarian life early on? The set comes with items such as a stethoscope, doctor's bag, surgical tools, and a cute (stuffed) pup. This one can be personalized with the kiddo's name.
Melissa & Doug Examine and Treat Vet Set ($35, Personal Creations)
Veggie Garden Set
It's never too early to have a green thumb. Set toddlers on a path to gardening success with their own veggie kit with felt vegetables.
Veggie Garden Set ($39, Pottery Barn Kids)
Little Tikes 3-in-1 Sports Zone
OK, back to sports. If basketball isn't enough, maybe this 3-in-1 sports zone playset will be the right fit. It comes with a tike-sized basketball hoop, soccer net, and bowling set.
Little Tikes 3-in-1 Sports Zone ($35, Google Express)
Magic Cabin Wooden Magnetic Toolbox Trolley
If HGTV is on in the house, a toddler may need a toolbox of her own. This one comes with a kid-safe hammer, screwdriver, and wrench, as well as a mix of play construction materials.
Magic Cabin Wooden Magnetic Toolbox Trolley ($105, Google Express)
VTech -- Smart Shots Sports Center
Here's another sports set for more active kids. This one comes with a basketball net and soccer net, but also has a scoreboard to keep things competitive and teach counting skills.
VTech – Smart Shots Sports Center ($30, Google Express)
English Word Learning Machine Puzzle Toy Letters Machine
If learning is the priority for a toddler toy, this toy letters machine is a good choice. It helps kids match letters to the word on the flashcard for educational fun.
English Word Learning Machine Puzzle Toy Letters Machine ($6, Wish)
Mega Bloks Ride n' Chomp Croc
All it takes is a quick scoot, and the blocks are gone down Crocodile's mouth. And kids can build with their Mega Blocks on the croc's rear and snout! It's perfect for little ones who are active and like to build things with their hands.
Mega Bloks Ride n' Chomp Crocs ($29, Amazon)
Rescue Heroes Transforming Fire Truck with Lights & Sounds
Get ready to fight fire (or should we say, pretend to fight fires) with this toy truck that goes from zooming across the ground as a truck to a large fire-fighting machine with the pull of a lever. It's a fun toy for kids 3 to 6 years old.
Rescue Heroes Transforming Fire Truck with Lights & Sounds ($30, Walmart)
WowWee Pinkfong Baby Shark Interactive Plush Toy
We know, we know — Baby Shark is still everywhere. But instead of fighting the infectious tune, why not lean into it with this — let's face it — pretty cute plushy puppet. And yes, it does play the song.
WowWee Pinkfong Baby Shark Interactive Plush Toy, ($15, Amazon)
BeginAgain Elephant Family Puzzle
This starter puzzle for ages 2 and up is educational. This sweet little elephant puzzle was also designed with the environment in mind, and helps tots with their fine motor skills and spatial awareness.
BeginAgain Elephant Family Puzzle, ($13, Amazon)
Learning Resources Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog
Work on fine motor skills with Spike. All kids need to do is place the chunky, peg-shaped pieces into one of the spots on Spike's back, and the different colors can help kids with color recognition, sorting, and counting.
Learning Resources Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog, ($13, Amazon)
Lego Duplo My First Number Train
Numbers can be tough, but they don't have to be. The Lego Duplo My First Number Train makes it so much easier for toddlers to learn their 1-2-3s — and their 4, 5, 6, 7, 8s.
Lego Duplo My First Number Train, ($16, Amazon)
Dyson Ball Toy Vacuum
It's never too early to get kids into cleaning — or to at least try to. This is a terrific gift for parents who want their kids to be handy around the house, but we promise kids will like it too.
Dyson Ball Toy Vacuum, ($27, Amazon)
Mirco Kickboard
There is nothing better than scooting to the park or racing with a friend down a sidewalk (with a helmet, of course). That is why this Micro Kickboard is bound to be the best Christmas treat for kids who like to get outside.
Mirco Kickboard, ($80, Amazon)
Amazon Echo Glow
Although most grown-ups need their alarm clock to help them get up in the morning, kids need the exact opposite. Enter the toddler clock. The Amazon Echo Glow will help kids know when it's time to run into Mom and Dad's room and when it's time to let them sleep.
Amazon Echo Glow, ($30, Amazon)
Learning Resources Hoot the Fine Motor Owl
Another tool to get toddlers learning their shapes, numbers, and colors even teaches little ones basic scissor skills. Hoot the Fine Motor Owl is for kids ages 18 months and older and is a good educational toy that will keep toddlers engaged.
Learning Resources Hoot the Fine Motor Owl, ($12, Amazon)
Green Toys Tool Set
Time to play with some tools! Some rough and tumble kids like to pretend to build, and this adorably sweet toy allows them to hammer to their hearts content — without getting hurt, of course.
Green Toys Tool Set, ($15, Amazon)
LeapFrog Scoop & Learn Ice Cream Cart
Now this is pretty cool. Every kid LOVES ice cream, and this interactive cart does more than help them learn how to scoop a mean cup of rocky road. The magic scooper and ice cream toppers help teach kids sequencing skills, colors, and numbers.
LeapFrog Scoop & Learn Ice Cream Cart, ($30, Amazon)
HABA Symphony Croc Music Band Set
Some kids are natural born rockers, and this Croc music set is the right way to get them invested in music. The kit includes a drum, xylophone, wood block, and bell, which means there will be plenty of fun to go around during play dates.
HABA Symphony Croc Music Band Set, ($40, Amazon)
Jellycat Bashful Unicorn Stuffed Animal
Jellycat makes hands-down the best stuffed animals. Touchably soft, this unicorn is both big enough to give kids a giant hug, but light enough to take on the car trip to Grandma's.
Jellycat Bashful Unicorn Stuffed Animal, ($22.50, Amazon)
Molly & Doug Old MacDonald's Farm Sound Puzzle
Melissa & Doug Smoothie Maker Blender Set
Just like Mommy and Daddy! This Melissa & Doug smoothie set is an adorable way for toddlers to pretend to make something delicious after a vicious leg day at the gym — erhm or should we say jungle gym.
Melissa & Doug Smoothie Maker Blender Set, ($25, Amazon)
Fischer-Price Laugh & Learn Servin' Up Fun Food Truck
Food trucks have never been more trendy for grown-ups, so this interactive toy for kids makes total sense. Watch as kids prepare and sell their own tasty confections (pretend, of course) as they learn sounds, sizing, and sequencing.
Fischer-Price Laugh & Learn Servin' Up Fun Food Truck, ($50, Target)
Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Smart Stages Puppy
Some kids need a little help expanding their vocabulary and this adorably plush toy does the job. Preloaded with more than 100 words and 75 songs, Sis' hand, foot, and ear light up and respond to Baby's touch.
Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Smart Stages Puppy, ($13, Target)
Barbie Chelsea Camper Set
What would a toy list be without Barbie? Recommended for ages 3 and older, this camper lets Barbie's mini-me, Chelsea, travel (road trip!) in style in her pink camper accompanied by her pup.
Barbie Chelsea Camper Set, ($20, Target)
VTech Touch and Learn Activity Desk Deluxe
This interactive desk lets Little Bub can play-pretend and learn. It is perfect for a child who is just learning letters, numbers, and sounds. The desk also flips over and becomes an easel when it comes time for arts and crafts.
VTech Touch and Learn Activity Desk Deluxe, ($40, Target)
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, CafeMom.com may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
