If your toddler seems bored, is suffering from cabin fever after being stuck indoors, or you’re being driven to distraction by noisy toys, it might be time to invest in a few new playthings. Here are some great toy ideas for little ones full of educational value and guaranteed to keep them entertained – helping busy parents regain some sanity.
Open-ended toys
A toddler’s grasp of skills and concepts develops exponentially – it’s a magical time of discovery and growth. When shopping for educational toys for toddlers, it’s essential to keep this in mind. While it’s tempting to buy toys for their current ability level, you’ll get better value from toys that will grow with them so you can use them for a long time.
This is where the magic of open-ended toys comes in – toys with no specific design or purpose that your toddler can manipulate in any way they choose. Open-ended toys are brilliant because their use is limited only by your toddler’s imagination. The toys can be played with in many different ways and with increasing complexity as your child develops.
Duplo
Place a large box of Duplo bricks in front of a toddler and you’ll be amazed by what they create. The great thing about Duplo is that it can be used to build almost anything! Regardless of your child’s interests, Duplo is guaranteed to be able to tie in with their passions.
Whether your child enjoys creating patterns or building something more elaborate, Duplo will entertain them for hours. Duplo bricks can be used to create train stations, houses, schools, zoos, and playgrounds – the list is endless. There is also an official Lego Duplo Youtube channel with fun, animated, singalong videos using these very same sets that your child can play with at home. While they are playing, they are also learning colours, shapes, numbers and even engineering concepts without even realising it. Start your collection with a block box and the alphabet truck and number train for teaching early numeracy and literacy.
Magnetic tiles
These tiles are just as much fun for the adults as they are for kids – there’s something exceptionally satisfying about the way they snap together. Like Duplo, magnetic tiles will develop your toddlers into mini architects and engineers. Younger toddlers might start creating 2D patterns and then move on to towers and more advanced creations as they get older.
Magnetic tile builds are only constrained by the number of tiles you have in your collection, so it’s a good idea to buy a large set. Some brands also offer ball run sets for extra fun for older kids. Don’t forget, you can also play fun games by attaching them to your garage door or fridge!
Wooden toys
Quality wooden toys have had a renaissance in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. Their beautiful design and colours are a beacon for young children. There is something to delight every toddler, from rainbows to large block sets and small parts play. Brands like Grimms and Grapat have become synonymous with quality wooden toys, but many other companies make wooden toys at varying ends of the price spectrum. Wooden toys and loose parts play are great for developing fine motor skills and can also be used for developing numeracy and problem-solving skills.
Train tracks
If you have a little one who’s obsessed with trains, a train set is a must. Wooden tracks, battery-operated engines and carriages can be sourced from many brands, and most are interchangeable, making it easy to build an extensive collection. If they love Thomas the Tank Engine, a Thomas set should be on your inspo list! Even a basic selection can be used to build interconnecting tracks, and you can also buy 3D-printed connectors that let you combine Duplo and train building for even more fun.
Montessori
Other great toys for this age group encompass the Montessori concepts of practical life and “shelf work”. It’s a common misconception that magnetic tiles, wooden rainbows and the like belong to the Montessori method. In fact, Montessori toys are close-ended, meaning they are designed with a specific use and purpose. However, many such toys are built with varying difficulty levels, making them brilliant educational toys for toddlers. The term “shelf work” comes from the typical display of such toys on open shelves, inviting your child to play with them at their leisure.
Practical life skills are the lesser-known side of Montessori, but they teach your child valuable lessons and help with dexterity and independence. Toy brooms and other cleaning equipment, play kitchens and gardening tools are toys that help develop these abilities.
Puzzles
Even if your toddler hasn’t attempted a puzzle before, you’ll be surprised how quickly their skills grow. Puzzles are great for building problem-solving skills, logic and resilience. Start with a basic nine-piece puzzle in a frame that has the picture at the back. Once they have mastered that, move on to puzzles where they are copying a picture on the box and then start to increase the difficulty level by choosing puzzles with more detail and more pieces. Soon they’ll be shocking you by accomplishing 24 or 36-piece puzzles. When you introduce a new puzzle, you may need to model it for them and help them complete it, but it will only take a few times before they want to work on it independently.
When buying new toys for your toddler, a great rule of thumb is to think about what will occupy them now and grow with them in the future. Look for open-ended toys made from quality materials and toys that will help build their independence and life skills and your whole household will be happier.
Check out this post for another 21 great ways to entertain your toddler.
