50 Best Toddler Gift Ideas That Will Make Playtime So Much More Fun
Shop educational, budget-friendly, and unique gifts and toys for girls and boys.
Every item on this page was chosen by a Woman's Day editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
Getting to watch a toddler open up a gift is a gift unto itself. Their tiny fingers scrambling to open the wrapping paper, their eyes lighting up when they see what's inside — what's not to love? It's heartwarming. But finding the best gifts for a toddler? That can be challenging. Gifting for the toddler stage means you're thinking about presents for kids between one and three, and there's a huge developmental gap between those ages. The best toys for 1-year-olds are way different than the best toys for 2-year-olds and the best toys for 3-year-olds. Not to worry, we've included a broad range of educational products that will help little kids walk, talk, balance, and just have fun.
Ahead, you'll find unique, thoughtful gifts from some of the top brands like Melissa & Doug, Playmobil, Step2, and Fisher-Price, as well as some more under-the-radar companies. After all, there are hundreds of thousands of exciting products readily available online, many of which have pretty good reviews. Best of all? There are so many budget-friendly options (even some under $20) you can buy on Amazon.
Don't waste your time scrolling endlessly when I've already done it for you! While I've spent hours perusing rave reviews, my two young kids — one of whom is, in fact, currently a very discerning toddler — have personally tested many of the products I'm recommending. If you don't see something you like, check out our guide to the best gifts for kids of all ages.
Fubbles No-Spill Big Bubble Bucket
Here's a fun thing about toddlers: They spill everything. But guess what they can't spill? The bubble juice in this bucket from Fubbles. This is an MVP in our yard, even with a 2-year-old constantly waging war on it. Ages 3+
RELATED: Best Outdoor Toys
LeapFrog 100 Words About Places I Go Book
LeapFrog's 100 Words electronic book series is forever a favorite among single-language and bilingual households because each book allows kids to switch between English and Español. Even if they're not learning a second language, it's an excellent tool for early readers. Ages 18 months+
Radio Flyer Scoot 2 Scooter Toddler Scooter
Get them flying across the blacktop with Radio Flyer's toddler scooter, which starts as a ride-on toy for younger kids and transforms into a super-stable scooter. This is a great option to get for a first birthday because it'll stay in use for years. Ages 1-4
RELATED: Best Presents for All Kids
I sing the praises of the Yoto to everyone I know with small kids. Not only does it tell stories via collectible cards, it has a "Yoto Daily" function where kids hear the date, some jokes, and "Happy Headlines," a portion of the show in which kids talk about good things happening to them that day. There's also an eight-bit display on the front that shows images in coordination with the story card. It's basically a talking nightlight that wards off bad dreams. Ages 3+
Dealing with a kid who hates the car? Create a basket of toys they can only play with during car trips, and start with a couple of Bizyboo bags. These hide-and-seek games challenge kids to find everything on the attached card, and will keep them engaged for at least a few minutes of blissful silence. Ages 2+
Plus-Plus building sets are all the rage, but the regular version has parts that are too small for toddlers. Instead, go for Plus-Plus BIG, which features jumbo-sized pieces. They can build whatever their heart desires, or get inspired by one of the suggestions on the box. Ages 3+
Thousands of parents on Amazon praise the Strider bike for instilling confidence and improving balance in their toddlers. There are no pedals; it's all about gliding! Once they conquer the Strider, they'll be onto a big-kid bike in no time. Ages 18 months+
MAGNA-TILES Builder 32-Piece Magnetic Construction Set
I can't recommend MAGNA-TILES enough — it's the one toy both my 2-year-old and my 5-year-old will quietly play with together. If they don't have any MAGNA-TILES yet, opt for a starter set with 32 basic pieces. After that, this construction set gets the most use in our household. And yes, the recommended age starts at three, but these pieces are large and our younger toddler has been safe playing with them under adult supervision. Ages 3+
If I made Kardashian money, I would buy a closet full of Stonz for my toddler. These are the greatest shoes for little feet! They are lightweight, washable, and feature an adjustable nylon fastener over the top. They're perfect for early walkers or older toddlers who have been running for months. Sizes 6 Toddler - 11 Toddler
RELATED: Best Baby Shoes for New Walkers
Melissa & Doug Dust! Sweep! Mop! 6-Piece Pretend Play Set
Put that toddler to work! Melissa & Doug's insanely popular cleaning set — please see its 4.8 rating from over 48,000 reviews — will encourage little ones to "help" mom or dad with the household chores. They may not fully grasp the concept of mopping, but I'll tell you my kid has become quite a wiz with the duster. Ages 3+
Melissa & Doug Wooden Mickey Mouse Character Magnets
I cannot overstate the amount of time both my small children have spent arranging, then rearranging, the myriad of magnets on our dishwasher. Little kids are fascinated by magnets! And if they love Mickey and company, too, they'll be obsessed with this 20-piece set from Melissa & Doug. Ages 2+
Melissa & Doug Wooden Scoop and Serve Ice Cream Counter
Think your town's ice cream spot has the longest lines? The lines to play with this Melissa & Doug toy at our local indoor playground rival those at Salt & Straw on the hottest day of July. Toddlers go bananas for this wooden set, which comes with magnetic ice cream scoops, toppings, a menu, play money, and tools for scooping. Ages 3+
VTech Chomp and Count Dino Green
I have unsuccessfully tried to give this toy away multiple times. We cannot part with it; they love it too much! At this point, this chomping, flashing, carrot-counting dinosaur will stay in our home for our grandchildren to play with 30 years from now. Ages 1-3
Fisher-Price Corn Popper Push Toy
Fun fact: Fisher-Price bought the design for its iconic push-toy from an inventor in 1957 for only $50! Decades later, it's still one of the most popular toys for those in the learning-to-walk stage. Ages 1+
The Nugget isn't just a couch; it's a whole afternoon of fun. The sturdy pieces come apart to form different configurations: forts, obstacle courses, tables, and more. It's an ideal addition to a play area and parents will be thrilled that the cushion covers are easily washable. Ages 1+
Cottage Door Press Take-Along Storyteller: Fairy Tales
This Take-Along Storyteller lives in my toddler's crib and will probably be there until the end of time. The toy spins tales and sings songs, and when he's old enough to be trusted alone with actual paper, we'll give him the books to read along. The Fairy Tales version is timeless, but the Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood edition is even more popular. Ages 2-5
Fisher-Price Little People Airport Playset
Fisher-Price's Little People series is a huge hit among toddlers, thanks to easily grippable characters and imaginative playsets. The newly released airport set is part of the brand's "Everyday Adventures" series, but if you want to get more fantastical, go for the Disney Princess Magical Lights & Dancing Castle or Moana & Maui’s Canoe. Ages 1-5
Pottery Barn Kids Anywhere Chair
Who doesn't want their own, personal chair? The Anywhere Chair from Pottery Barn Kids comes in three sizes — My First, Kids, and Oversized — and endless aesthetic options. Seriously, look at the search page. Gray is a standard color, but there are chairs with ruffles, chairs with unicorn horns, chairs that look like bears, and chairs that fold out into loungers. Why Pottery Barn doesn't make these in adult sizes is beyond me. Ages 1+
Squirt toys are great ... until toddlers learn how to squirt them in mom's face. This highly rated set of tubes and gears from Boon will keep them occupied while teaching them about water and gravity. The best part is that you can swap the bits around for a new experience every time they're in the tub. Ages 1+
Just Play Sesame Street Elmo Slide
Elmo has moved way past the tickling days and now he just wants to do the slide. This little guy sings, dances, waves his arms, and comes in frustration-free packaging — mom and dad will be so pleased. Ages 2+
After over a decade as a digital editor, Maggie Panos is navigating freelance writing and full-time parenting. She covered entertainment for POPSUGAR from New York and San Francisco before setting down roots in tree-covered Portland and focusing on local journalism. A self-proclaimed "okay baker", Maggie is interested in all things lifestyle — especially if those things involve Bravolebrities.
30 Best Gift Ideas for 14-Year-Olds
30 Unique and Fun 30th Birthday Celebration Ideas
100 Bar and Bat Mitzvah Well Wishes
50 Thoughtful Questions to Talk About as a Family
