If you have ever played with or observed a toddler playing individually or with other toddlers, then you know that they have an endless supply of energy, are curious about everything, and can have a good time playing with just about any kind of toy. With so many toddler toys out there on the market today, it can be difficult to find the perfect toy to give to a toddler. However, using the tips in this article can help ensure that the next toddler toys you buy will provide hours of educational fun.
Toys geared towards kids this age can be broken down into the following categories: active play, imaginary play, educational toys, and electronic toys.
Active Play
Toddlers have a ton of energy, so giving a toy that requires using that energy is sure to be a hit. Active play toddler toys include bikes, trikes, wagons, climbing gyms, swings, and trampolines. Toddlers love anything with wheels that they can push, pull, or ride on. They also feel like one of the big kids when they are able to go out with older siblings or friends and ride around on their bike too. Climbing gyms can be used both indoors and outdoors and are age and size appropriate for kids at this age. Some climbing gyms include a swing as part of the equipment, but, if not, there are age appropriate swings that toddlers can be buckled into for safety. Finally, a trampoline with a bar to hold onto will thrill any toddler who just can't get enough jumping!
Imaginary Play
Toddlers have great imaginations. Giving toddler toys such as dress up clothes, play kitchens, doll houses, cars/trucks, cash registers, play money, etc. will let them use those imaginations and pretend to do the same things that they see their moms and dads do everyday. Little girls will love being able to dress up like a princess or create their own scenarios with a doll house. Little boys will enjoy "driving" their trucks, cars, and trains around pretending to run errands or do work. Boys and girls alike will have a good time whipping up a gourmet masterpiece in their play kitchens or set up shop and use a cash register and play money to pretend they work at a store. Whatever type of imaginary play toy you decide to give your toddler, they will have a blast using their imaginations and creativity.
Educational Toys
Educational toys include puzzles, blocks, books, shapes, colors, and animals. Playing with these toddler toys will feel less like actually learning something and more like a fun game. But, what your toddler doesn't realize is that he is learning colors, numbers, shapes, letters, and is developing his fine motor and cognitive skills.
Electronic Toys
You may think that your toddler is too young for electronic toys, but certain toddler toys from companies such as Leap Frog and V-Tech are actually geared towards kids this age. Toddlers are able to get a head start on learning numbers, letters, sounds, shapes, colors, and animals all while playing games that keep their attention and make them feel like a big kid.
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