We are saying goodbye to the baby stage, and hello to the toddler years! Exciting right? But my goodness was I not prepared for the nuance of having to keep a toddler entertained 24/7. Where did all the naps go, amiright? Toddler years mean active learning and play, so I’m going to share the best toddler toys we’ve found.
If you are feeling stuck on how to entertain your toddler, without only relying on disney+ and tablets, I got you. Trust me, that is a norm for us too so no judgment! But I am really proud of the activities we have immersed our toddlers with for learning and active play.
As a mom of toddlers, I find great joy in finding great toys for them! I am always on the hunt for toys that encourage learning, independent play, and imagination. Toddlers are sponges at this age and they are getting more aware of their surroundings. I have compiled the best toddler toys that promote active learning and play!
This post does contain affiliate links.
Color for Active Learning
First up is a more recent purchase. This chalkboard and drawing board combo was the perfect find for our two toddlers! It allows them to each have a side and explore different ways to be creative. One side is a chalkboard (my favorite for no mess drawing), and the other has a whiteboard and a roll of paper!
Drawing is my favorite activity to encourage my girls. They love colors and have enjoyed discovering crayons, markers, and chalk! Coloring is also one of the best for developing fine motor skills. “The actions, motions and precise grip involved in coloring can aid in the development of the muscles of the fingers, hands and wrist.” from ColorPsychology.org
Doodle Mat for Active Play
On the no-mess train, a water-activated doodle mat is a great activity! Along with developing fine motor skills, water is such a fun discovery. This comes with water markers, stencils, and sponges to reveal the rainbow colors and letters. I love laying this out and giving them an array of pens along with sponge brushes to have fun! You can find the one we have here.
This activity is also great for colder months when you need to be indoors, for travel, and for smaller spaces. It’s large enough for two kids to draw on it without having to fight for coloring space!
Puzzles for Active Learning
Next up is this baby shark singing puzzle. Puzzles are amazing tools for active learning. They teach shape association, concentration, and best of all achievement! This puzzle will sing when you put the piece in the right place, which is perfect for toddlers as they love rewards. It is such a simple toy, but a great one for toddlers.
Puzzles are a great ‘exercise’ for the brain and will help toddlers tackle more complex puzzles down the line. It can also teach patience while having fun, which is a great translation to other activities!
Books for Active Learning
A book corner is a necessity for growing toddlers! They love having books within arms reach to sort through. We got this cute bookshelf from TJ Maxx and it’s the perfect height for them! Books are one of our favorite activities. I love to create voices for the characters and spark their imagination! We have found favorites that they are getting to the point of memorizing and ‘reading’ along with me.
Personally, I love books that have a lesson to learn. They are still young, but having books on working through emotions is a great start for a bright future! I’m excited to expand their love for reading and set the foundation now for that appreciation.
link to chair, toddler girl books, and wall posters.
Nugget Couch for Active Play
Lastly, we love our nugget couch! It was a splurge item that I was hesitant to go for. One day with it and it was immediately worth it! This is a couch that can be transformed into whatever your kid’s imagination thinks up. We love making a slide, as shown, or a fort.
We chose the color Bamboo as it complements our home decor style perfectly. Nugget is a great example of encouraging active play for kids. It is also a wonderful item that they can grow into and use for years to come.
Additional favorites are toy cars and trains, blocks, play kitchens, and bikes.
The toddler stage has been so fun for me so far, as they are discovering so much at this age. It’s been equally as fun for me to discover new activities for them! Did you get any ideas from this post?
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