Like most moms, I cannot stand toys that make noise. Especially toys that make the same noise over and over and over. When I started to think about all of our favorite toys, I realized that they’re all non-electronic toys. They don’t need batteries, and they require a toddler to use imagination to play!
I remember reading an article about toddler toys (I couldn’t find it but will link it here if I do find the link!) that talked about the importance of imaginative play. Many electronic toys and games claim to be interactive, but it’s passive (vs. a toddler pushing a toy train, for example). The article’s argument is that the best toys are those with which a child has to create or build or move.
These are our favorite toys, none of which require batteries or lots of noise!
We LOVE Richard Scarry books. There’s so much to look at on each page! What Do People Do All Day is a new favorite.
DUPLO is another favorite… Especially when it involves trucks!
This Melissa & Doug shopping cart is one of the things our daughter plays with on a daily basis. She even takes it outside to pick up the mail! We had a different version that was not as expensive as this, but it was really easy for her to lean too much on it and flip it. This one is super sturdy, and even new walkers should be perfectly fine using it.
These magnetic train cars are so cute. What kid doesn’t love trains?
Ah, the Cozy Coupe. We had a (much) older version of this when I was a kid, and I remember playing with it all summer. We got one last fall and it has been a huge hit. (I’ve had to hide it sometimes when we’re in a rush to get somewhere and don’t have the time to stop to “drive” around the yard a few times.)
We keep one of the WaterWOW books in our car, and we always take one when we travel by air, too. They help teach fine motor skills (holding a brush, moving it around) and don’t make a mess – win-win for when you can’t break out the finger paints.
One of E’s big gifts for her birthday is a play kitchen, which we’ll set up once we get back into the house. She always runs to the play kitchen at the library and our friends’ houses, so I’m sure this will get a ton of use at home.
I have to be honest… I did not think E was ready for a bike at 20 months. BUT my dad bought this bike as a surprise for her, and I’m amazed at how well she balances. She LOVES riding it around my mom’s neighborhood, using the little bell and storing treasures in the front pouch. And it has a handle on the back that steers, so even if she forgets to turn the handlebars, I can do it for her.
Today I’m linking up with some fellow moms, who are all sharing their favorite toddler toys.
You can check out their posts: Maggie | Aubrey | Stefanie
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