The Best Toys for Toddlers and Preschoolers [Gifts for Ages 1 to 4 Years]
The Best Educational Toys for Toddlers and Preschoolers
The best toys for toddlers and preschoolers are going to be simple, open-ended toys that can span multiple age ranges. Here is a simple gift guide that focuses on more open-ended toys that are suitable for toddlers and preschoolers and promotes more active play.
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Keep in mind that many times toys that are labeled “educational” actually aren't all that educational. The best types of toys will allow children to get into the flow of creative and imaginative play. This age group typically loves all things small-world play; so items like dolls, dress-up, and cars are usually a big hit.
You'll also notice your child starting to work on building with a variety of materials as well as developing their gross motor skills ( so you'll see our favorite foam mat for rough and tumble gross motor play on here!).
13 Gifts for Toddlers and Preschoolers
This mat is designed to look like a rug, but with the bonus of being made from durable, long-lasting materials, it’s perfect for any room in your house – including the nursery or playroom. The memory foam layer provides cushioning and comfort, while the geometric pattern is modern and stylish. The bonus is when you flip it over there is a road printed on the back which makes for awesome car and truck play!
The Little Gymnast is a beautifully handcrafted hardwood children’s low beam designed to help balance and coordination. This incredible product boosts physical activity and gross motor skill development while also benefiting playtime imagination and creativity. Perfect for ages 18 months to 8, the Little Gymnast is an essential addition to any active little one’s life! Plus, it features simple flat storage, so you can easily keep it stored away when not used. Made with natural premium birch hardwood, the Little Gymnast is built to last.
These stepping stones are the perfect way to encourage your child's natural sense of balance and coordination. Made from premium hardwood, they're lightweight and durable, making them ideal for indoor or outdoor use. Plus, they come in various colors to expand your child's creativity. Little steps are more than just a toy - they're a valuable tool that will help your child build confidence and muscle growth.
This sturdy, wooden climbing dome is the perfect addition to any playroom or backyard and is sure to become your child's new favorite activity. Not only is the Little Dome Climber super fun, but it's also great for developing essential motor skills and improving balance control.
The Figgy play couch is a piece of furniture that will encourage your child's imagination and provide endless hours of fun. This versatile piece can be a raft for imaginary high-seas adventures, a rocket ship for out-of-this-world journeys, or simply a comfortable place to read or lounge. It's easy to clean and fits perfectly into any living space, making it ideal for homes with limited space. And best of all, it won't hurt if your little one steps on it! The Figgy play couch will become your child's favorite hangout spot.
Grapat Loose Parts is the perfect way to encourage creativity and imaginative play in your child! These natural wooden toys are designed to be used however your child wants, encouraging them to use their imagination and explore their creativity. The core range includes peg dolls, cups, bowls, balls, and blocks in beautiful earthy shades with the wood grain left visible. The natural materials and simple designs are perfect for little hands and minds, and the smell and feel of the wood add an extra layer of sensory exploration.
Looking for a unique, one-of-a-kind toy for your child? Holdie Folk are perfect! They're handmade from cotton and wool with polyester filling, so each one is unique. Plus, they're fully poseable, making them perfect for playtime. All Holdie Folk are handmade, meaning some variation will occur, making each one unique and special. Holdie Folk packaging is 100% plastic free.
These handmade dolls are super soft and huggable, making them perfect for bedtime snuggles. But they're also great for open-ended play. Your little ones can dress them up and down. And because they're made from organic cotton fabrics, you can rest assured that they're non-toxic and safe for your child to play with.
We believe that every child is special and deserves their unique doll that represents them. This is why we are so excited about the Miniland Dolls collection! Each doll in this collection is anatomically correct and made of high-quality vinyl in Spain. But what we love most about these dolls is that they represent the beauty of our differences, respecting every child, regardless of race, sex, or ability. They are a great way to promote inclusion and acceptance through the fun and value of play.
Who says classic style has to be boring? The Ollie Ella Luggy Buggy is a timeless piece that will never go out of fashion. This beautiful rattan buggy is handwoven with a charming vintage design, making it the perfect accessory for your little one. It's perfectly sized to store and carry your child's most prized possessions and comes with a removable lining for easy cleaning.
Looking for a charming little basket that can be used for Easter eggs, toy storage, or collecting treasures on outdoor adventures? Look no further than the Olli Ella Rattan Berry Basket! This sweet basket is handwoven with 100% natural rattan, making it sturdy and durable. It's also Fairtrade so that you can feel good about your purchase. Plus, it's easy to clean with a damp cloth - no need to wash it!
Milton and Goose dairy play food is perfect for your child's play kitchen. We love the simplicity of the Milton and Goose play food. It’s natural wood and super well made. Remember less is more when it comes to play food!
The Raduga Grëz Fruits Set is a perfect way to encourage healthy eating habits in kids while promoting imaginative play and vocabulary skills. Made of sustainable linden wood and including a pineapple, pomegranate, apple, pear, cherry, strawberry, banana, lemon and orange, this set is both fun and educational. The un-varnished finish and velvet-soft feel of the wood makes it safe and pleasant for kids to play with, while the lack of plywood or glue makes it an eco-friendly choice. Plus, the included storage bag helps keep everything organized.
These beautiful, magical toys are perfect for any child who loves to imagine and create. The open-ended nature of playsilks encourages incredible creativity in children, letting them explore and express themselves in endless ways. The only limit is their imagination!
If you're looking for a high-quality mud kitchen that will bring more outdoor time and sensory experiences to your child's play, look no further than Monarch Studios. These mud kitchens are handmade in Edgartown, MA, from the highest quality materials and are designed to withstand years of active play. Sensory play is crucial for children's development, and these mud kitchens provide the perfect platform for kids to explore their senses.
This awesome set features shiny, stainless steel finishes - perfect for both boys and girls who love to cook. The functional and interactive accessories in this set include 1 pot, 2 frying pans, 1 spoon, 1 spatula, 1 whisk, 1 oven mitt, and 4 plates.
The Teamson Kids Little Chef Philly Play Kitchen is a modern-style kitchen set perfect for any playroom and is sure to enhance playtime. This kid-sized kitchen set's functional features will light up your child's imagination and creativity. Plus, its stylish design is sure to complement any home décor.
The Wiwiurka Jungle Gym Bars Combo is the perfect addition to any indoor or outdoor space! Drawing inspiration from Pikler, Montessori, and Waldorf, this jungle gym will instantly transform any indoor or outdoor space into an epic play center. Perfect for developing gross motor skills, the Jungle Gym will also spark creativity as your child, siblings, and friends create their own unique ways to hang, swing, climb, and twirl on these bars.
Gonge River Stones are the perfect way to encourage balance, coordination and motor skills in kids of all ages. These vibrant stones can be used for anything from free play to specific therapy and structured training, making them a versatile and valuable addition to any family's home. With their non-slip design, Gonge River Stones are safe for little ones to use, giving parents peace of mind as their children explore and learn. Whether your child is honing their motor skills or just having fun, Gonge River Stones are sure to provide hours of entertainment.
Magnatiles are the perfect building set to get creative juices flowing! These magnetic tiles are perfect for little ones who want to create and construct anything they can dream up. The possibilities are endless! They are great for sparking hours of imaginative play and helping develop important math, science, and spatial skills.
This mama-owned business offers amazing machine washable (YES! WASHABLE) coloring cloths. They have adorable patterns like the animals above and "Around Town." Just make sure you use Crayola's Ultra-clean Washable Crayons/Markers.
This little magical box is an imagination-building, screen-free digital listening experience that plays stories, songs, and more. Kids can place a "tonie" in the box to change up what is played, and it's set up so even younger kiddos can play their tonies independently.
