Play is the foundation of early childhood learning. From their first steps to their first words, children between 1 and 3 years old develop rapidly, and the right toys can support this critical growth.
Whether you’re looking for toys to encourage movement, problem-solving, or imaginative play, this guide will help you choose the best options for your little one.
In this post, I’ll explore what to look for in toys for 1-3 year olds, the best types of toys for this age group, and specific recommendations to support your child’s development.
In this post:
- What to Look for in Toys for 1 to 3-Year-Olds
- Best Toys for 1 to 3-Year-Olds
- How These Toys Benefit Child Development
- Tips for Choosing the Right Toy for Your Child
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What to Look for in Toys for 1 to 3-Year-Olds
Not all toys are created equal! When selecting toys for toddlers, keep these essential factors in mind:
Safety First
- Choose non-toxic, BPA-free materials.
- Avoid small parts that could be a choking hazard.
- Look for rounded edges and sturdy construction to withstand toddler energy.
Developmentally Appropriate
- Fine motor skills: Toys that promote grasping, stacking, and hand-eye coordination.
- Gross motor skills: Toys that encourage movement like climbing, pushing, or pulling.
- Language and cognitive growth: Toys that introduce words, colors, numbers, and problem-solving.
- Social and emotional skills: Toys that encourage pretend play and interaction.
Engagement and Longevity
- Choose open-ended toys that allow for multiple uses and encourage creativity.
- Look for toys that grow with your child, offering new ways to play at different stages.
Best Toys for 1 to 3 Year Olds
Here are some of my favorite toys for 1-3 year olds!
I’ve divided them into sensory, fine motor, gross motor, imaginative play, and building/problem-solving toys.
Sensory Play Toys
Toddlers explore the world through their senses! And this includes more than just touch!
These toys help build sensory awareness and fine motor skills:
1. Sensory Balls
Great for grasping, squeezing, and developing tactile senses. Plus, the balls are lightweight and can be thrown inside without wreaking havoc!
2. Playdoh
Perfect for creative play and building strong hand muscles. So step back and allow kids to mix the colors as much as they want!
Add a few tools such as knives and cookie cutters or animal figurines to further extend the play.
3. Kinetic Sand
Kinetic sand is a moldible sand with a super fun texture that kids love to explore!
Note: it can get a bit messy so I recommend keeping it away from carpeted areas.
4. Musical Instruments
Sensory experiences include sound as well as touch! Introduce rhythm and sound exploration with simple instruments.
- Check out all my favorite music and movement activities!
5. Guidecraft Sensory Table
This table provides a great amount of space for sensory exploration! No need for a fancy or themed set up; simply add a filler and a few tools to the bin and let kids explore!
Change it up by changing temperature, texture, and smell:
- wet sand vs. dry sand
- hot water, cold water, ice
- add spices and baking extracts to change the smell!
Is this sensory table expensive? Yes.
Is it worth it? 1000% YES!
- Check out all my favorite sensory bin filler ideas!
Fine Motor Skill Toys
Developing hand strength and coordination is essential at this stage.
1. Lacing Beads
Kids build focus, concentration, and fine motor skills! Bonus: the beads can be used creatively during loose parts play!
2. Lacing Cards
Lacing cards are another simple way for kids to further refine their fine motor skills.
3. Sorting Jar
A sorting jar helps toddlers develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and early math concepts by encouraging them to grasp, sort, and match colorful pieces.
4. Geo Board
Kids develop fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and early math concepts as they stretch rubber bands to create shapes, patterns, and designs.
Young toddlers can simply practice stretching the rubber bands, while 2 and 3-year-olds can make their own pictures.
Gross Motor Skill Toys
Toddlers are on the move! Gross motor toys encourage physical activity, balance, coordination, and so much more!
- Check out my full post with all the best gross motor toys for 1-3 year olds!
- Check out all my favorite scooters for toddlers!
- Check out all the best pikler triangles for climbing!
Imaginative Play Toys
Pretend play is key for social and emotional development. Kids make sense of their world by taking on roles during play.
Some great options include:
1. Play Kitchen
Encourage creativity and role-playing with this simple play kitchen! Stick with just a few kitchen accessories to keep it from getting cluttered and chaotic.
2. Dolls
Support emotional bonding, role playing, and storytelling!
3. Animal Figurines
Perfect for open-ended imaginative play that builds storytelling and language skills.
4. Construction Vehicles
Cars and vehicles spark imaginative play by allowing toddlers to role-play as builders, enhancing their problem-solving skills, creativity, and understanding of cause and effect through hands-on exploration.
Building and Problem-Solving Toys
Toys that encourage building, critical thinking, and creativity:
1. Stacking Boxes
Kids learn size relationships as they stack and nest the boxes. Bonus: the boxes can be used in many fun and creative ways in play!
2. Blocks
Blocks are an amazing building toy because they encourage creativity, problem-solving, and spatial reasoning while strengthening fine motor skills and offering endless open-ended play possibilities for young children.
- Check out all my favorite sets of blocks!
3. Knob Puzzles
Great beginner set of puzzles with knobs. Helps build spatial awareness and fine motor skills.
4. 15-Piece Puzzle
A 15-piece puzzle is a great way to challenge toddlers’ problem-solving skills, hand-eye coordination, and patience while helping them recognize shapes and patterns in a fun, engaging way.
How These Toys Benefit Child Development
Toys aren’t just for fun—they play a huge role in early development!
- Cognitive skills – Puzzles, building blocks, and interactive books enhance problem-solving.
- Physical development – Ride-on toys, climbing structures, and push toys strengthen muscles and balance.
- Social-emotional growth – Dolls, dress-up clothes, and pretend play sets foster empathy and communication.
- Language and literacy – Interactive books, musical toys, and pretend play toys all foster language and literacy
By choosing the right toys, you’re supporting your child’s growth in all these areas!
Tips for Choosing the Right Toy for Your Child
✔️ Consider your child’s interests – Are they more active or do they enjoy quiet play?
✔️ Choose open-ended toys – Blocks, playdough, and pretend play sets offer endless possibilities.
✔️ Rotate toys – Keeping a small selection available at a time keeps playtime fresh and engaging.
Final Thoughts on Toys for 1-3 Year Olds
The best toys for 1 to 3-year-olds are safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate. Whether your child loves to climb, stack, build, or pretend, there’s a perfect toy to support their learning journey.
What are your toddler’s favorite toys? Share in the comments below!
- Want more play-based learning tips? Check out my entire course on fostering creativity through play!
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