Top 10 Educational Toys for Toddlers in 2022

Best Toddler Educational Toys

 

Ready, set, action – and curiosity! Your 2- to 3-year-old is ready for action and curious about how things work. Instead of solo play, he is becoming more interactive with other children. But what toys are best for this age group?

According to Claire Green, executive director of Parents’ Choice Foundation, toys that encourage imaginative play, such as make-believe, dramatic play and creativity, should be at the top of the list. “At 3, children are learning social skills, language use, eye-hand coordination, dexterity and a sense of balance. Curiosity abounds,” says Green. “Give them toys that encourage group play and help them learn about the real world. They’ll be looking for products to help them recreate their ‘world’ and enrich their experiences.”

With a child’s introduction into the world of learning, there comes a certain sense of adventure. And with the right educational toys, you can really see toddler-aged children come to life, which is where the list on this page comes into play.

The top 10 educational toys for toddlers is a wonderfully-comprehensive list featuring all kinds of goodies for your precocious toddler. There’s a plush bowling game complete with monsters as the ball and pins from Melissa & Doug, a dance/movement game, sound puzzle, dump truck…the list goes on. Your toddler will have fun and take those first steps in his or her education…what is not to be thrilled about?

Browse this list…and give your toddler a foundation in learning. Enjoy!

 

Social Development
Two- to 3-year-olds are starting to develop social skills and are now becoming interested in playing with other children. Tonya says to encourage play, give children toys that require more than one child.

What’s here: This fantastic compilation of the 10 best educational toys for toddlers was created by real moms and educators. Numerous types of toys are included in the list to keep your youngin’ stimulated.

For shoppers: Purchasing any of these high-quality toy options is easy–just visit Amazon! Please note that we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links.  Also, note that our recommendations are 100% made because we love the companies and products and are never influenced in any way by any commission we may receive.

Toy Safety
As always, safety is consideration No. 1 when buying a toy. “Respect ages marked on toy boxes,” says Tonya. “While they may cover a wider age span than is realistic, they are there for your child’s safety. After all, if a toy is not developmentally appropriate for your child, it is probably not safe for your child.”


What’s Here:

1. Fisher-Price Dance & Move BeatBowWow
2. Personalized Primary Name Puzzle
3. VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker
4. Melissa & Doug Monster Plush Bowling Game
5. VTech Touch and Learn Activity Desk Deluxe
6. VTech Drop and Go Dump Truck
7. Fat Brain Toys Tobbles Neo
8. VTech Ring and Learn Cash Register
9. ALEX Toys Little Hands Ready, Set, ABC Touch and Feel Cards
10. Melissa & Doug Vehicle Sound Puzzle


1. Fisher-Price Dance & Move BeatBowWow

Ages: 9 mos to 3 years

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Fisher-Price Dance & Move BeatBowWow comes in at 1st place among the 2017 top 10 educational toys for toddlers.

Adorable and sweet. This pup, nicknamed Beat Bow Wow, is an ear-wigglin’, head-bobbin’, tail-waggin’ cutie with rainbow-colored, soft ears and an LED-lighted tail. When kids press the buttons, this friendly pup sings, dances, and teaches with numbers, colors, and sounds.

Check it out on Amazon

 


2. Personalized Primary Name Puzzle

Ages: 1 and up

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Another exrremely popular toddler educational toy this year is the Personalized Primary Name Puzzle.

Simple, effective, and fun. This puzzle teaches kids how to recognize and piece together the letters of their own name. Eventually, with puzzle practice, toddlers will be able to spell out their name on paper. Customizable for 9 colorful letters.

Check it out on Amazon


3. VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker

Ages: 9 mos to 3 years

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And in the #3 spot of the best educational toys for toddlers 2017 and into 2017 is the VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker.

From those creative folks at VTech, the Sit to Stand is a colorful walker with lots of functions for different toddler stages. For crawlers, the front buttons provide plenty of learning and music. For walkers, the handlebar provides comfort-grip balance.

Check it out on Amazon

 


4. Melissa & Doug Monster Plush Bowling Game

Ages: 2-4

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Holding the next spot on the list – Melissa & Doug Monster Plush Bowling Game.

What an adorable and awesome idea! The Monster Plush Bowling Game uses too-cute “monster” plushies as pins, and a rollin’ monster as the bowling ball. Take aim and see how many pins you can knock down! Includes self-balancing weighted bottoms.

Check it out on Amazon


5. VTech Touch and Learn Activity Desk Deluxe

Ages: 2-5

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Another wonderful toy from VTech hits the 5th spot among the 2017 best toddler educational toys with the Touch and Learn Activity Desk Deluxe.

VTech has a knack for toys that feature double functions. The Touch and Lean is a deluxe desk that can become an easel and a chalkboard. Desk mode is learning mode, so there are 5 pages of fun activities that explore numbers, colors, letters, sounds, shape, music, and artsy stuff.

Check it out on Amazon


6. VTech Drop and Go Dump Truck

Ages: 6 mos to 3 years

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Next up – VTech Drop and Go Dump Truck.

The Drop and Go is a pint-sized dump truck with a adorable cat and a hat-wearing dog in the driver and passenger seats. So cute, fun, and educational. The truck comes with 3 “rocks” that kiddos carry, dump, and reload. There are lots-a buttons that teach numbers, songs, and actions.

Check it out on Amazon

 


7. Fat Brain Toys Tobbles Neo

Ages: 2 and up

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Love this one! The Fat Brain Toys Tobbles Neo also manages a spot among the top toddlers’ educational toys this year.

I love this brand—Fat Brain. That name is so creative! Their toy, the Tobbles, look like cracked eggs that wiggle, wobble, roll, topple, stack, and spin. The exteriors are super-soft and super-grippable, perfect for hours of imaginative play.

Check it out on Amazon


8. VTech Ring and Learn Cash Register

Ages: 1-3

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So fun! The VTech Ring and Learn Cash Register is another among the favorite educational toddler toys for 2017 and into 2017.

Can you tell that I am really diggin’ the VTech line-up this year? Dubbed the Ring and Learn, this cash register teaches numbers and counting through sounds, actions, songs, and lights. Includes a colorful register, “credit” card, and plastic foods.

Check it out on Amazon

 


9. ALEX Toys Little Hands Ready, Set, ABC Touch and Feel Cards

Ages: 2-5

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ALEX Toys Little Hands Ready, Set, ABC Touch and Feel Cards make it to #9 on our list this year.

The ABC edition of Little Hands is a touch-and-feel book of 13 alphabet-themed cards. Each card is two-sided and features a colorful illustration of something that begins with the letter on the card. For instance, A is for alligator, with his shiny scales. This is a great introduction to reading!

Check it out on Amazon


10. Melissa & Doug Vehicle Sound Puzzle

Ages: 2-4

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The final pick among the top ten educational toys for toddlers this year is a long-term favorite – Melissa & Doug Vehicle Sound Puzzle.

This sound puzzle is a unique, light-activated peg puzzle with sounds to match the vehicles. When your kiddo picks up a puzzle piece, the light activates the respective vehicle sound. For example, the plane creates a WHOOSH of air.

Check it out on Amazon

 

 

Great Gifts for 2- to 3-year-olds

  • Dress-up clothing
  • Outdoor equipment: jungle gym, see-saw, swings
  • Tricycles and other ride-on toys
  • Board games
  • Pretend play toys: dishes, play food, kitchen, play lawnmowers, tools
  • Small and large blocks and construction sets
  • Puppets
  • Art supplies and age-appropriate craft kits
  • Dollhouse
  • Books
  • Music audiotapes and CDs