The educational toys you need for your toddler, and why they will aid in their learning and development.
Based on my post-secondary studies in education, teaching experience, and as an everyday toddler mom.

My son loves all things that go vroom, but vehicles should have more than buttons and flashing lights to encourage engaged play. Look for openings, ways for them to attach/detach, accessories, ramps, and characters. Toys should offer multiple ways to play to stimulate imaginative and independent experiences.

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Pictured above are Green Toys which are 100% recycled and of amazing quality. Here’s a similar garbage truck by Battat, a slightly more economical brand.

Let’s talk toys, again!

I had previously put together a post on my top educational toy recommendations for infants and toddlers 0-15 months (you’ll find the button below). This time, I’m focusing on just toddlers. Specifically educational toys for toddlers aged 15 months to 2.5 years.

Best Toys for Toddlers Under 2.

Educational Toys for 15-18 Months

• Race Track/Ramp: a great toy for this age as they become more curious about motion and direction. This junior race ramp is not only a suitable size for this age range, but the design is simple and aesthetic, utilizing sustainable resources, water-based paints, and recycled packaging. You should also check out this model and this wooden variety for toys that will satisfy the same interest.
• Pincer Grasp + Irregular Shape Puzzles: if you read my post on toys preceding this one, you already know that there is a strategy to the order in which puzzles are introduced. This is the next logical step in the order of puzzles if you’re child has already played with small-knob puzzles and learned that the pieces may require rotation. If not, you may want to opt for larger knobs with simplified pieces, or one like this, before introducing something more complicated.
• Threading: this builds on fine motor skills that require two hands, as your child is required to thread pieces onto a string. I like this toy as a first introduction, as the shapes are interesting and easy to hold. You may need to assist by holding on to the string for them. Or, you can purchase a toy with more pieces and strings, and simply put some away to pair down the options. Lastly this one is more challenging as each shape is more irregular with the holes in different places. What’s great about threading toys is that they have longevity. As they grow, they’ll enjoy making patterns with these pieces as well. If you prefer however, you can also totally do this with large pasta and string as a DIY!

Threading toys build fine motor skills that require two hands, as your child is required to thread pieces onto a string. I like this toy as a first introduction. Or, you can purchase a toy with more pieces and strings and simply put some away at first to pair down the options.

• Pegboard: pegboards are like blocks, with the added challenge of requiring precision as your child has to manage to fit a small object into a specific space. They also offer the option of building towers and making patterns, which means your child will remain engaged for that much longer. This one is a simpler version, while this one is slightly more complex in it’s building capabilities since the pieces are thinner.
• Bead Maze: Great for fine motor skills and much more. It’s a toy for the ages! You can of course introduce a bead maze much earlier with a simplified version such as this one (large beads and even suctions to the surface so it’s not moving around on them). If your child is over 15 months I’d go with this model. Bead mazes are the types of toys that your child will play with for a very long time. Depending on their age, they can use one to race beads along the track, identify shapes and colours, and discuss long, short, fast, slow, up, and down.

Pegboards are like blocks, with the added challenge of requiring precision. They also offer the option of building towers and making patterns, which means your child will remain engaged for that much longer. This one is a simpler version, while this one is slightly more complex in its building capabilities since the pieces are thinner.

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Educational Toys for 19-21 Months

• A Latches Board: this toy allows your child to try to figure out a mechanism, which can be absolutely fascinating for a toddler. It is also great for this age as toddlers gain independence. You may have noticed that they refuse help when you offer it, and a toy like this allows them to explore on their own at their own pace. They’ll enjoy opening and closing the doors, and if they do need help (they may seem to get frustrated at first) you can show them how to open the locks slowly with a few demonstrations. This latches board, or this one, will equally allow your toddler to explore this skill set.
• Chunky Puzzles: A puzzle without handles at all, that requires your child to handle a 3D shape, not just a flat one. This challenges their spatial reasoning skills, while also further developing motor control. If they like trucks as much as my kids, this one may be a hit.
• Simple Flashlight: your child may start showing an interest in making forts, so providing them with a toddler-friendly flashlight that’s easy for them to handle and turn on and off just makes it more fun! Don’t get anything with a lot of bells and whistles, you want them to be able to turn this on and off and navigate their secret hideout with ease. Too many buttons and parts will only cause confusion. This is another good option. These are also useful as an alternative to a night light when they move into a “big kid” bed or need to navigate to the potty, as they can be turned on and off easily.

A toddler flashlight that can be easily turned on and off. Too many buttons and parts will only cause confusion. This is another good option. These are also useful as an alternative to a night light when they move into a “big kid” bed or need to navigate to the potty, as they can be turned on and off easily.

• Pouring Toys: I suggested you purchase a small pitcher for your child to begin to practice pouring in the 0-15 month blog post, but that doesn’t mean they won’t’ still be practicing those skills and highly engaged in pouring different and stacking materials at this age, my 2.5 year old still uses his! Pouring continuously helps them to learn about size and spacial relationships. Of course, you can use the pitcher in the bath, with stacking cups like these, or these, or even these ones if you prefer neutral colours. You can of course also take them out of the bath and play with them outside, on a tray, or with materials like macaroni or rice. Your child may also want to explore stacking, pouring, and observing the flow of water with different shapes other than cups now that they’re gaining more dexterity. Provide them with something like these boat-shaped toys, that also come in this colour.

Stacking cups (or these ones) and a small pitcher are key in and out of the bath/water play! Children love to observe and experiment with the flow of water. Stacking/pouring toys in different shapes can also offer further exploration of size relationships. You can also pair the pitcher and cups with a tray of rice or macaroni to allow them to test out pouring with different materials.

These stacking cups and pitcher are from Lovevery. If you’re interested in ordering their kits, you can find them here (and using my link supports me, so thanks!)

You may also have noticed in the images above that I provided Lucas with a shelf in the bath. It’s from the dollar store and is meant for relaxing, but it also works great as a surface for bathtime play!

My son loves this hammering toy, which is harder than it may look for a child this age. Hammering toys develop strength, accuracy, and hand-eye coordination while allowing your child to explore cause and effect.

• Hammering/Hand-Eye Coordination: This educational toy is a classic! It helps your child play independently, develop their hand-eye coordination, and explore cause and effect. Going in order of complexity, this hammering toy includes the least amount of targets (and is the most inexpensive) and should keep their attention as the pegs repeatedly pop up on their own. I purchased this one, as the pegs are held in with rubber, so it’s more challenging than it looks. Once complete, it can be flipped over to be played with all over again. Lastly, this variety is the most complex and your child may require some assistance with it at this age, so you can play alongside them or purchase it once they become more confident with their hammering. It is more challenging as children have to hammer the balls then put them back in their place (this material can be enjoyed until the age of 3-4 as a result).
• More Complex Stacking Toys: Your child may already have a ring stacker, and at this point, they may be more interested in slightly more complex stacking toys. Stacking blocks onto pegs like on this truck is far more challenging as they have corners and can prove challenging to fit together. The truck provides a goal (filling up the truck) to help the child feel accomplished and zoom away once they have succeeded. My son personally loved this train, and the various shapes allowed him to try out different combinations that may or may not work together in order to fill the train. He has to rotate the pieces to match the hole to the peg. The beauty of this train, in particular, is that it can be paired down from 1-3 cars. You can introduce it with just one and a few easy shapes, and make it harder as they progress.

At this age, it may be time to introduce a more complex version of a ring stacker, this time with varying shapes and corners. These provide challenges as the shapes may not always fit together depending on their combinations, but filling the truck or train will provide a sure sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.

This train is particularly great for this type of learning as it can be taken apart. As an introduction, you can remove train cars and more complex pieces. Eventually, you can introduce the entire toy, allowing the child to scaffold their learning as they play.

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Educational Toys for 22-24 Months

• Tweezer Toys: kids love squeezing tweezers so they may just love that part alone! But learning how to use a tool like a pair of tweezers is key to their development of fine motor and concentration skills. You can purchase tweezers and pair them with cups/bowls and some felt food/small felt pieces (the IKEA felt food could also work if you have that) and see if they can squeeze the pieces into the cups to start. They may also enjoy a toy like this one, where they will first start with simply picking up and placing the bees, but later can even match the correct colour. Having different kinds of scoops, tweezers in a set like this is great to have on hand for sensory play activities as well. You can provide different beads, rocks, pebbles, or pasta for them to attempt to manipulate in a container.

Learning how to use a tool like a pair of tweezers is key to their development of fine motor and concentration skills. Having different kinds of scoops and tweezers in a set like this is great to have on hand for sensory play activities as well. You can provide different beads, rocks, pebbles, or pasta for them to attempt to manipulate in a container.

• Sticker Books: A great fine motor and dexterity activity. My son still loves sticker books, and I find this series has versions that appeal to different interests and are the perfect size and level of difficulty to start at this age. You can also head to the dollar store and grab some stickers and a notebook to use for art (I use the same one for colouring and will put it away as a keepsake). Get different sized stickers and start with larger ones, showing your child how to peel and stick them on to the paper. You can lift the edge of the sticker to help them get started, eventually allowing them to remove them independently. Sticker books also find opportunities to introduce new words and expand their vocabulary (different animals, flowers, shapes, and colours) depending on what kind of stickers you can find.
• Toddler-Sized Furniture: you may already have a table and chair set (a plain one is most versatile, I have this one) for your toddler to sit and work at, but if not, now is a great time to purchase one as they’ll learn to maneuver on and off the chair on their own. You can place different toys on the table in engaging ways to encourage independent play, set up sensory activities, or introduce your child to playing house (providing them with a play kitchen/sink at a later date). Providing your child with a play high chair, doll crib, or stroller encourages imaginative play and through modeling, you can show them how to take care of their stuffies (feed them, put them down for a nap, etc). They will love to see their own lives reflected in this way, especially if they see you doing the same with a younger sibling!

I introduced my son to a toddler-sized table and chair set before adding a full play kitchen/sink, or other pretend-play accessories such as a play high chair, doll bed and stroller. A plain play table is useful even before imaginative pretend-play skills develop, as they can be used as a work surface. Later, they can be used for tea parties or playing house too.

And boys can certainly also take care of their babies or push their favourite stuffies around in a stroller. Here’s a video of my son totting around the block with his Lovevery stroller.

• Play-Doh: you can make your own play-doh or purchase a set of colours like this one. At this age, I wouldn’t recommend a lot of tools such as cookie-cutters and scissors, simply because of their complexity. You can instead opt for a simple set like this one that isn’t too complicated for this age. It is also included in this bluk price set which includes the tools you might need later. For right now your child will be fascinated by just learning how to manipulate the material. You will also have to work on teaching them not to eat it, throw it, or run around with it! Tools can be added at a later date. For now, grab some bowls, accessories from their play kitchen set, or plastic forks/safe kid-friendly/plastic knives from your kitchen. You can also provide them with an old comb, some seashells (that you can hide inside for them to dig out), and some dollar store animals for them to experiment with.

You don’t need all the play-doh tools at this age, but you can opt for a simple set, or purchase at this bulk price that provides a secondary set for later use. To start, let your child learn how to manipulate (and not eat or throw) the material with a set of colours like this one. For now, you can give them some plastic bowls, accessories from their play kitchen, safe utensils, an old comb, plastic animals, and some seashells to experiment with. That’s all they need at this age!

Hide some seashells (you can of course also use small toys, blocks, or rocks) inside the play-doh and show them how to find it. A great activity for focus and dexterity.

• Crayons/Easel: they may become more interested in arts and crafts at this age, so provide them with easy-to-hold crayons, or egg-shaped crayons if you prefer/feel your child won’t be as gentle in their approach. I just pair these with a dollar-store drawing pad and crayon case. You can also use an easel and chalk to encourage them to try to draw their first lines and circles by imitation. You can also do this outside with sidewalk chalk as well.
• Building Tiles (PicassoTiles, Magformers, Magna Tiles): I vividly remember children of varying ages playing with all of these for hours on end when I was teaching, and couldn’t wait to get them for my son. Why are they so great? Because they provide endless possibilities for play and can keep up with their development and imagination. Anything can be constructed with them, and they’re high quality and easy to use. I highly recommend purchasing these, especially if you have more than one child as they are the perfect material for cooperative play. They will be engaged in play with these for an extraordinarily long time, I’ve had folks tell me their pre-teens play with them! If you purchase only one building toy, let it be one of these.

A building toy that’s great for engaging more than one child, has endless possibilities, and will be played with long after the toddler years are over? Building tiles such as PicassoTiles, Magformers, Magna Tiles. Some of the most engaging toys I’ve ever witnessed. Great for age 2 and up (and I’ve seen 8 to 13-year-olds enjoy these!)

• Matching Games: these teach your child about similarities and differences and introduce them to the concepts of sorting and categorization (useful life skills). Toddlers can start with simple versions, like this Seasame Street one, or this one in the style of Eric Carle. Start with just a few, and use them face up. Later you can introduce pieces with more complexity and use them for the classic memory game (about age 4 and up). I also like to use magnets, like these animal or these transportation ones to match them to pictures in various books. My son loves running to the fridge to find the right piece!

Matching games teach your child about similarities and differences and introduce them to the concepts of sorting and categorization. Toddlers can start with simple versions, like this Seasame Street one, or this one in the style of Eric Carle. Start with just a few, and use them face up. Later you can introduce pieces with more complexity and use them for the classic memory game.

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Best Toys for Toddlers Aged 2-2.5 Years.

Educational Toys for 25-27 Months

• Play Kitchen/Sink and Play Food: pretend play really starts to blossom around this age. You may observe your child pretending more. They may cook with invisible ingredients, or play a game with imaginary objects. Pretend play is key! It helps children to practice social skills, language, problem-solving, and eventually empathy (as they begin to feel what it’s like to be in another person’s shoes). Provide a play kitchen or a functioning play sink for them to engage in pretend play. Pretend cooking and cleaning is one of the most universal forms of pretend play as children observe these tasks in the home. You can also provide pretend food (I love this set as they can cut and serve it, just as they see you do), as well as any other kitchen accessories you feel replicate their daily surroundings (Melissa and Doug have countless options). Don’t forget about play food! IKEA makes very affordable soft play food that my kids love (as it’s safe for babies too).
• Cleaning Set: in the same vein, children want to do what they see you doing! And why wouldn’t you encourage them to clean up? It teaches them that they are contributing members of the household and to take responsibility. Try to get a cleaning set that resembles what you actually use, whether it’s something like this or a style such as this one (this looks like the mop I use so my kiddo prefers that). You can even purchase a vacuum with suction, because why wouldn’t you want to encourage a little help keeping the house tidy, am I right!?

Try to get a cleaning set that resembles what you actually use, whether it’s something like this or a style such as this one. You can even purchase a vacuum with suction, because why wouldn’t you want to encourage a little help keeping the house tidy, am I right!?

• Train Set: A classic educational toy that will be played with for years to come as it can be used to create all kinds of train track designs. A great toy for more than one child to play with in tandem, or with an adult (our train set may honestly be my husband’s favourite toy). This version is simple and affordable, whereas something like this, or this, is more elaborate but will be played with for longer (I have just introduced it to my son little by little).

I would recommend a more elaborate trainset as an investment because this is an educational toy that your child will play with for years. For this age, you can help them to construct a small track, and/or only provide simplified pieces. As they grow, children will construct endless combinations on their own, continuing to develop their hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, as well as problem-solving as they avoid obstacles and find ways to incorporate bridges, crossings, and tunnels.

• Dollhouses: a way to replicate daily life and engage in pretend play on a smaller scale, dollhouses are a staple. I prefer gender-neutral options as in my experience kids of both sexes enjoy playing house. IKEA makes an affordable dollhouse, and if you’re creative, a very customizable version that fits the bill. Otherwise, check out this larger version that is both suitable for boys and girls while being open-sided, making cooperative play more accessible for multiple children.
• Colour Matching/Patterning: begin developing their patterning skills and sequencing ability with a toy like this one. I particularly like it as they can mimic the picture, but also just use the pegboard to create their own design. The pieces help to develop their fine motor skills and hand dexterity as well. At a later date, you could also introduce something like this (for about 2.5 and up).

Children of this age need to begin to understand their routines and/or give a name to big emotions. They may not be able to explain what or how they feel, but they may see it represented in a picture with cards like these which will help them to feel understood and more accomplished in their communication.

• Daily Routine/Emotion Cards: children of this age need to begin to understand their routines and/or give a name to big emotions. Visuals help with this. Etsy has dozens of daily routine cards depending on the style you like. Providing your child with a visual explanation of their day helps them to transition from one activity to the next more smoothly and feel in control of their actions as their sense of independence blossoms. The same is true of understanding their emotions. They may not be able to explain what or how they feel, but they may see it represented in a picture with cards like these which will help them to feel understood and more accomplished in their communication. Using routine cards like these is a very common practice in classrooms, especially with children who may be struggling with their verbal communication skills.

A train set like the one I have comes with magnetized trains, but you can additionally provide cars and trucks that also fit on the tracks. My son likes to utilize these as they don’t have magnets, which he has yet to master. The race car set and town vehicles can be played with in so many different ways on or off the track!

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Educational Toys for 28 – 30 Months

• Tempera Paint Sticks: you can of course introduce your child to paint at a much younger age (there are so many ideas on Pinterest that I save to my Creative Mama board), but in the interest of making painting mess-free and easier to set-up, grab some tempera paint sticks. They are so easy to use and you don’t need water or a brush. They’re easy to hold so you can let your child freely explore a new medium as they develop their artistic skills.
• Paint, Brushes, and Smocks: of course you can get painting the old fashioned way too! Use an easel if you have one, or set up an area on the floor. I would recommend a smock to reduce the mess, but this paint is also washable. I used it while teaching and do so all the time with my toddler as well.
• Play Sets: your child may already have some of these, but if not, their imagination and motor skills are at the point where they may appreciate them that much more. They can either be life-size versions (that they can stand in) or smaller ones with characters. Either way, choose sets that they can relate to and have a reference to in their real-life. For example, a parking garage, a store if they love to grocery shop with you, or a workbench if they see you fixing things around the house. They may also have learned about these experiences in books or on TV, either way, they need a point of reference and understanding in order to engage with a toy like this. Their imagination will take it from there.

When choosing toys for imaginative/pretend play, choose playsets and transportation toys that resemble in real life, such as a store playset, a train, a school bus, or a garbage truck toy. Toys that represent their world allow them to make sense of it through play while elevating their interest and understanding.

• Transportation Vehicles: you may think these are just toys for boys (and my son, in particular, has always shown an interest in them) but all kids benefit from toys like this and enjoy them in imaginative play. They provide an introduction to scientific learning as they explore speed and propulsion. They may prefer transportation toys that they see and resemble their real-life (choose ones they regularly see, such as the garbage truck or school bus). I purchase trucks mainly from Melissa & Doug as well as Green Toys, but Battat is a new brand that has been growing in popularly. Look for options that open and close, come with interchangeable characters, and/or cars that fit from one vehicle to the next. I’m not a fan of toys that just light up and make sounds with the push of a button, because the child simply can’t engage in prolonged imaginative and experimental play when there is so little for them to do. Once they master pushing the button, then what?

I’m not a fan of transportation toys that only light up and make sounds with the push of a button, because the child simply can’t engage in prolonged imaginative and experimental play with only those options. When a toy does more, the child will play with it for longer and in new and creative ways.

We love Melissa & Doug toys because of their versatility, and this train is no different. It can be made to be longer or shorter, cars can be reordered, and it comes with accessories to be placed within. My son loves to also add peg people, animals, and whatever else he desires, engaging him in focused play for that much longer.

• Our favourite transportation toys include:
  • This delivery truck with blocks because it is also a shape sorter. We can work on that together or he can place the blocks (and whatever else) into the back. The drivers are also interchangeable with other Melissa & Doug vehicles.
  • This train comes with characters and accessories. It can be made to be longer or shorter, and my son loves to customize his cargo with other toys and people I strategically rotate at the same time.
  • I love this airplane with people because it can be mixed and matched with people from other sets, like our school bus.
  • This big rig truck is also a building set full of tools, but my son fills it with blocks, people, and even cars too. It keeps him busy as there is more than one way to play with the same toy.
• Tea set/dishes: more pretend play, which is key for this age. I would recommend any dishes, cutlery, a tea set, and kitchen tools your toddler regularly sees you using (for example, my son loves making pancakes with me, and he mimics this activity with his own whisk and flipper). You can purchase many at the dollar store, but be sure to select tools that are an appropriate size. IKEA sells sets like this one, otherwise, you can find a more comprehensive set (this one is great for more than one child too) or this one that comes with food. In the least, I would suggest a few pots and pans such as this set and if you prefer wood you can opt for something like this. Tea sets like this one, or this one also strengthen imaginary play, encouraging sharing and taking care of others (whether they’re real friends or stuffed ones). Show your toddler how to use these and play alongside them. Before you know it they’ll be preparing you a cup of pretend tea on their own.
• Glue, Shapes, and Brush: Believe it or not, learning how to apply and stick on glue requires a lot of hand-eye coordination, fine motor, and planning skills. Cut out basic shapes with construction paper, provide some school glue, and perhaps a small paintbrush/large popsicle stick (if you have a child that doesn’t like to get their hands sticky, like my kid) and let them explore the materials. It’s a great sensory activity as they learn about the concept of stickiness.
• Climbing/Movement Toys: toys that work those large muscle groups and help them burn some energy! These are especially worth making room for if you live in a cold climate and can’t always get outside (as is the case for me). If you have space, a rope climber or rope ladder is great for this age and will be used for years to come. You can make a DIY rock climbing wall easily with an affordable set, or purchase soft play equipment for the indoor construction of forts or gymnastics sessions (the options for what can be created with them are endless). A toddler trampoline, such as this one is enjoyed both indoors and out by us. Lastly, if you don’t already have one (as they are popular and can be introduced once your child is confidently walking) a pikler triangle such as this one, or better yet one that has a ramp and a slide is a fantastic play structure. My son loves to climb on it, over it, and even construct forts underneath it. Lastly, a balance bike or ride-on-toy are great ways to get them moving indoors or out. Simpler designs without added features encourage focus and concentration with distraction.

Don’t forget toys for physical play to develop those large muscle groups. A rope climber or rope ladder will be used for years to come. You can make a DIY rock climbing wall easily with an affordable set, or purchase soft play equipment. Jumping bean? Try a toddler trampoline that can be used indoors or out. A pikler triangle such as this one, or one that comes with a ramp and slide can be used for years by multiple children. Lastly, a simple balance bike or ride-on-toy are great ways to get them moving.

Did I miss anything? If your kiddo has a favourite educational toy I didn’t mention, I would love to learn about it and share it with the STRUCKBLOG community. Please feel free to comment below this post or get in touch via Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.

Mama, you may also like these posts:

• The toys you need for 0-15 months: what materials do you need to help foster development? Check out my list of recommendations which walks you through the toys you need for baby from month to month.
• Maternity Fashion Tips: What, Where, and Why: What you actually need, when and where to buy it, and why. Now that it’s my second time around the baby bump block.
• Common Questions about Toys and Play: answering your questions when it comes to toy rotation, how to come up with engaging play ideas, and how to bring Montessori into your home.
• Advice for New/Expecting Moms: 20 different women provide their advice for surviving the first year of motherhood.
• What Do I Need in my Nursery: I’ve used mine for 22 months, so I wanted to share the items, organizational tips, and decor inspiration behind my gender-neutral nursery.
• Teaching & Learning with Loose Parts: How to create a loose parts basket of interesting/household, natural, and dollar store objects for baby to explore time and time again.
• Find it all and more in MamaSTRUCK!

Anna

My Top Toy Picks

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