Classic Toys for Toddlers

As your child grows from a baby to a toddler you will be fascinated with how much the world around her intrigues your little one. Toddlers are bundles of energy and curiosity and learn about the exciting world around them through interactive play. Read on to discover some kid tested classic toddler toys that are bound to be a hit with your child.

Blocks

Blocks are wonderful gifts for toddlers. Boys and girls both enjoy stacking and building. Youngsters love repeatedly building up a tower and then watching it tumble down. Of course, for many children the fun comes in knocking them down. Fisher-Price Peek-a-Blocks are a modern spin on the old fashioned wooden block. Peek-a-Blocks are designed to stimulate your child’s learning by including features that appeal to the eyes, ears, mouth, and hands. There are many different varieties which include tactile, noise features, animal themes, an alphabet set, a number set, and even a Christmas set. In addition, there are manipulative toys which compliment the blocks such as an interactive storage table and a colorful storage wagon, both of which contain light and sound features.

Trains

Another great toy set for toddlers is magnetic wooden train sets such as Thomas the Tank and Brio. Small boys and girls love to explore the science of magnetism while attaching train pieces to one another and then pushing them around the track. It best to keep the track simple for toddlers by helping them build a large circle track for them to sit inside while playing with the trains. Be sure to include a few bridges so your little ones can explore the concept of gravity. Building a simple train track, connecting trains together, and pushing the trains around will help toddlers improve their fine motor skills.

Balls

Balls are a wonderful way for little ones to practice hand and eye coordination. Playskool Busy Balls are durable, colorful, sensory balls that toddlers love to play with. Roll a ball back and forth with your child or make up a ball game. Fisher Price makes Roll-a-Rounds with fun characters and animals inside like Peek-a-Blocks. A wonderful ball toy is the Busy Ball Popper machine which was a huge hit with both of my boys when they were toddlers. In fact, my preschooler still plays with it. Both boys and girls are captivated by the balls being blown into the air and then rolling down through a chute to start the process all over again. Children quickly figure out how to manipulate the start button to get the motor blowing and the music playing again.

Little People

Activate your child’s natural inclination for imaginative play at this age by giving him Fisher-Price Little People toy sets. In addition to the classic Little People sets like the barnyard, school bus, and airplane, Fisher Price offers holiday versions for Christmas, Hanukkah, Halloween, Easter, Saint Patrick’s Day, and Thanksgiving play sets. Each set includes appropriately dressed Little People and manipulative accessories with connector pieces to attach them to other Little People play sets. The Three Wise Men set and the Inn at Bethlehem play sets compliment the chief Nativity set. Some of the larger Little People sets include light and sound effects as well as manipulative doors and levers. These features will stimulate your toddler’s senses and help him develop motor skills like hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.

Sit ‘n Spin

An active toddler will appreciate a Sit ‘n Spin. With the speed and spinning motion determined by the effort you child exerts, a Sit ‘n Spin is a great toy for practicing gross motor movement of the arms and hands. Children will quickly learn cause and effect as they spin themselves and then feel dizzy when they stop.

Puzzles

Wooden shape puzzles help develop a toddler’s motor skills and cognitive abilities. This classic educational toy can be found in jigsaw, peg, and knob styles. Some toddler puzzles even feature sounds when the puzzle piece is matched against the picture. Melissa and Doug wooden puzzles include countless styles from ABC, 123, maps, animals, and fish. One puzzle that was a favorite for both of my boys was an ocean themed one that included a magnetic wooden “fishing” pole. They could move the puzzle piece off the board or back on by “fishing.” Puzzles for toddlers should not be too complicated nor include too many pieces. Encourage your child as she fits puzzle pieces together and talk about the picture and/or shape of the puzzle with her.