My children are at a stage in their life where they just have too much junk. As I sift through the things in their playroom, I mumble to myself, “What IS this? Why do they have all of this stuff? Do they even play with this?” It didn’t take me long to realize that when it comes to toys, QUALITY is way more important than QUANTITY.
From that moment on, I decided that I would be very intentional about the toys that we bring into this house. I want them to have toys that expand their minds and imaginations, not just get thrown all over the floor. Here are some of our favorite toddler toys that we have found are best for toddler development.
>> SIGN UP :: Get Collin County Moms News and Events in Your Inbox <<
Fine Motor Development Toys
Learning Resources Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog :: A sensory and fidget toy all in one, this hedgehog can be used to learn color recognition, sorting, and counting. The thick pieces are great for tiny fingers and help children build important fine motor skills.
Wooden Lacing Apple :: This Montessori-style toy helps children form fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination as they weave the worm through the 13 holes.
>> RELATED READ :: A Roundup of Toy Stores in Collin County <<
Cognitive Development Toys
Matching Eggs :: This sorting puzzle toy is a simple and budget-friendly tool that can teach important problem-solving skills. Children start identifying shapes and colors as they learn to match the pieces of the eggs together.
Button Art :: This educational mosaic pegboard is a great combination for toddler learning. It promotes the building of fine motor skills, cognitive development, and even some art skills. This one takes some teaching and supervision at first, but it will be an independent toy in no time.
>> RELATED READ :: Best Boutiques for Children’s Clothing in Collin County <<
Gross Motor Development Toys
Kids Bowling Play Set :: Made of sturdy foam, the pins are easy for kids to set up independently. They will learn how to roll and throw a ball at a target, while building gross motor skills and ensuring hours of fun.
YBIKE Pewi Elite Bike :: This walk and ride-on toy can be used as a push toy as early as nine months old. It transitions to a ride-on toy teaching children to scoot, push, and turn. This is great for indoor use on hard surfaces but also durable enough for outdoor use.
Little Tikes Toddler Slide :: This is great for both indoor and outdoor use. Outdoors, put it on the edge of a kiddie pool for some summer fun! My kids run around in circles for hours going up the ladder and down the slide.
>> RELATED READ :: 12 Vintage Toys that Make Great Gifts <<
Art Toys
Paint Daubers :: Also known as dot markers, these daubers are the happy medium between messy finger paints and skillful painting. The daubers allow your toddler to make beautiful works of art with minimal mess; plus, if a mess is made, they are washable. That’s a mom win in my book!
Crayola My First Double Doodle Board :: This two-sided board lets your toddler draw with washable crayons on one side, or use his or her finger to draw on a mess-free gel on the opposite side. This is a great option to throw in a diaper bag to use in the car or at restaurants.
>> RELATED READ :: Taming Toddler Tantrums <<
Language Development Toys
LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words Book :: Your toddler can press on 100 interactive pictures to learn words in both English and Spanish. With cute sound effects and songs, this one is sure to hold your toddler’s attention. 
The Learning Journey: Count and Learn Cookie Jar :: Counting cookie jar introduces early math skills and vocabulary. It will help children recognize numbers, colors, and count to 10. Most importantly, children are encouraged to listen carefully to directions and practice problem-solving skills.
>> RELATED READ :: Savvy Swap :: How to Host a Kid’s Clothing Swap <<
Outdoor Play
Little Tikes Fish ‘n Splash Water Table :: This one is a family favorite in our backyard. Kids love splashing and playing the water. As they pour water in different parts, children learn about cause and effect.
Step2 Up & down Roller Coaster Ride On :: My twins’ school had this toy on its playground area, and they were obsessed. They loved it so much that Santa just had to bring one to our house. This toy has the added bonus of teaching our kids to be patient and take turns. Another mom win!
Did we miss any? What are your toddler’s favorite toys?
These are great! Thanks for sharing!