Mel here! This is one of my very favorite ages to shop because your kids really start developing specific interests and it's so fun to watch their personality develop. They are also usually easily pleased which is a bonus. We've rounded up some of the BEST toys for this category. Take a look!
1. Schleich Figurines: Farm animals are so interesting to our small kids, and once they can identify them as cartoons or stuffies, they’ll be excited to see more detailed versions of them! I love the Schleich animal figurines because they are so incredibly detailed and realistic, perfect for animal lovers who have outgrown more cartoonish animals.
2. Stapelstein Mini: The Staplestein Elements are a forever toy that are meant for physical and mental stimulation! They are great for balancing, color sorting, and world building. I love that they designed a mini set. The smaller pieces are perfect for smaller hands and easier to store than the original! Same magic, same creative potential, smaller size. They are the perfect size for my 4 year old who is obsessed with anything mini right now!
3. Peg Dolls in Bowl: I get so excited when I find new ways to teach my kids colors and sorting, and these wooden peg dolls have been the best. The bows the dolls come in are open-ended; use them as a doll holder, or as a stand for the dolls, or stack them! My 4 year old has mini accessories that just so happen to fit the wooden dolls, so she will occasionally dress them up and use them for pretend play.
Code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS will save you 10% at checkout.
4. Wooden Sit N Spin: If your kiddos enjoy any teacup or spinning ride at the parks, like mine do (to my dismay), this is the toy for them and you. Small and compact, the Sit n Spin provides the most dizzying fun a child can ask for. It is of the utmost importance for kids to get the most out of spinning while they can! It can fit up to 250 lbs and two kids, so my 4 year old and 6 year old have a blast riding on it together.
5. Sarah’s Silks Streamers: Introduce your littles to the beauty of Sarah’s Silks as soon as possible! The streamers are an incredible introductory toy because of how straightforward and intuitive it is, and kids who just started walking and running absolutely love to have a rainbow following them as they go! The streamers encourage dancing and running, twirling and imagining. It helps encourage creativity and gross motor skills.
6. Tonie Box: The Tonie Box is such a creative new way to listen to stories, music, and even get some education! I wanted to replace screen time with something just as fun and exciting without being over-stimulating. By engaging just the sense of hearing, my kids are able to disappear into a world of their own creation. Each Tonie Box comes with a character that initiates sound when set on top of the box! Such a creative interactive idea. Collect different characters for different experiences!
7. Musical Instruments: Pianos, guitars, violins… kids learn to recognize those instruments early on, but what about all the other countless instruments that they may never see or get to play? I am obsessed with this deluxe wooden band set because it comes with 10 instruments that you don’t get to see everyday! I couldn’t even name every instrument inside the box, but your kids will be able to, and they’ll have so much fun making their own music with this special toy.
8. Learning Puzzles: The classic letter puzzle has been rejuvenated! These washable, chewable, silicone puzzle pieces are ideal for toddlers, with bright colors and multiple uses. Of course you can stick with placing the pieces in the puzzle and teaching the alphabet, or you can take out the letters and use them for sensory games or art projects! Get it for your home or classroom and let the kids run wild with it- the pieces can be thrown in the dishwasher when they need to be cleaned.
9. Ice Cream Puzzle: We love multifunctional toys in our household because they hold children’s interest longer, and they can take the place of multiple toys! The ice cream wooden magnetic puzzle is so fun because not only can your kid learn matching skills, but they can also turn on their pretend play brain and make ice cream sundaes, cones, and cups! The magnetic scooper is such a cute detail that adds so much to the imagination of it all.
10. Flocked Puzzle: The Rubbabu animal shape sorter is a great sorting option for your toddler. It is made out of biodegradable, soft rubber foam that is a sensory delight! The animals are all so colorful, and they can even set up their own little nature scene once all the pieces are out of the mold. My 4 year old has outgrown this toy but she still pulls it out to teach her little brother different colors and animals!
11. Balance Starfish: Combine a love for the ocean and balancing and what do you get? The Sea Life Starfish balance board is one of the cutest balancing toys I’ve seen, and can be played with in a variety of ways. My 4 year old likes to practice her balance on it while playing with other toys, and uses it as a backdrop for a lot of her pretend play scenes. She even named it and has it play a role sometimes!
12. Magnetic Play Wall This play wall was a godsend in our lives. My girls love magnetic toys but I was so sick of them sticking magnets to my refrigerator and scratching it! It was so easy to install onto the wall. It is so open-ended, compatible with magnets, chalk, dry-erase markers and water-based washable markers, crayons and paints. The arch design is beautiful as well as functional, so I had no qualms sticking it right up in the middle of my living room! Code: SISTERS will save you at checkout.
13. Shape Sorter: Most of us and our kids have played with a shape sorter in our lifetime, and they still hold up! Mandy’s toddler just started playing with this toy and she has a ball trying to fit the shapes into the holes! She gets so excited when she gets it right, and her older siblings are so sweet and encouraging as she learns this new skill.
14: Sorting Ring Tree: The Sorting Helper Tree (sold separately from the rings), is a colorful and sturdy way to store and sort your wooden building rings, teaching your littles color recognition and fine motor skills. That isn’t all it is good for, though! It can be used to hold accessories like bracelets, scarves and hats, playsilks or hair ties. My 4 year old just started trying to toss the rings onto the tree, and it’s actually been such a fun game for all of us!
15. Alpha Pops: Popsicles are such a joy in childhood, and so shaping this learning toy as a popsicle was genius! Your littles will not only exercise their grip strength and hand muscles, but they can learn color and letter matching, differentiating between upper and lower case letters. It is perfect for toddler and pre-k kiddos, at home or in the classroom!
16. Stacking Turtles: There isn’t much in the world cuter than turtles, so Moes knew exactly what they were doing when they made their foam turtles. These adorable stepping stones can be added to your stepping stone collection, used for a sensory balancing experience, or imaginary play. My 4 year old thought they were the cutest things when we opened them, and now turtles are her favorite animals. They can be played with in or out of the water, and are washable and recyclable.
17. Lego Duplo: People often associate LEGO with older kids, but toddlers can experience the wonderful world of LEGO themselves with the Classic Duplo set. It includes an array of colorful pieces carefully sized for small hands. They can build familiar objects like cars, trees, and houses, helping stimulate their minds and make both physical and mental connections. I have so much fun watching my 4 year old engross herself in this set as she builds worlds for her dolls and dragons!
18. Doorbell House: How often do your kids ask to ring the doorbell when you go over to someone’s house? They love pushing buttons and learn so much about the world through that simple task. This adorable wooden house comes with four dolls, four doors, each with its own doorbell, and four sets of locks and keys! It is great for teaching fine motor skills and prepares them for real world, doorbell pushing experiences.
19. Yoto Player: We love the Yoto Player in our home, and use it almost every single day. My kids have made it a part of their wind-down routine to listen to stories or guided meditations. It can be controlled physically or on the app, and is multifunctional! It is not just an audio player but a nightlight, alarm clock, and room thermometer. It is so simple to use, by inserting Yoto cards to begin, and taking them out to stop!
20. Yoto Story Cards: Collecting Yoto Cards is a must when you have a Yoto player. I am so impressed with the variety of cards they offer, from adventure stories to music to meditation. The meditation cards have been implemented into our daily routine, and I employ the stories cards to help my kids enjoy screen-free entertainment! You can buy each card separately or get a pack to maximize your purchase.
21. Noriter Board: We are honored to have a Toy Testing Sisters special bundle reserved for our TTS family only! This art bundle has everything your littles could need, including a double sided chalk/magnetic board, fruit felts, magnetic letters, cute animal erasers, and more! My girls are into playing school with their friends, and this set has provided them the perfect pretend learning and creative space to let their imagination run wild!
Code: TTSBUNDLE gives $50 off the bundle linked.
22. Interactive Recipe Book: Oh my gosh I found one of the cutest children’s book to hit the market. The Cookies! Interactive Recipe Book is not only extremely informative, but it is interactive enough for kiddos to imagine they are really baking. If you want a kid that will bake for you when they are older, start them early with this incredible book. Sifting flour, mixing ingredients and taking cookies out of the oven are just a few of the ways your kids can do while reading.
23. Disney Character Puzzle: Before a family Disneyland trip, we wanted to nail down all the characters that we could run into in the park. I thought this Disney Character Puzzle was the perfect way to do it, with 25 of some of the most popular characters included. The wood pieces are sturdy and easy to place, making it fun for all ages to enjoy! It was particularly fun for my 4 year old, who couldn’t place a character until she remembered the name. It worked beautifully!
24. Elefun Game: My kids and their friends go bananas for the Elefun game. The elephant plays music while it shoots butterflies through its trunk, and the goal is to catch as many butterflies as you can! It is so fun to play indoors and outdoors, and I love how it keeps kids up and active. My 4 year old always asks her older sister to play with her or invites the neighbors over and it keeps them running around for ages!
25. Plip Links: I go crazy for a building toy that is also a sensory toy that is also open-ended.and made of silicone There are literally millions of ways these silicon sticks and arches can be built, allowing kids of all developmental stages complete freedom and creativity. I will sometimes steal a couple of pieces just to put them together and pull them apart as a fidget toy. The “pop!” sound is so satisfying when you separate them.
26. Disney Train Set: After our Disneyland trip, I wanted to give my girls a way to remember the experience. We loved the train that goes through the park so much that I decided this Princess Castle and Train set would be a good way to remind them of that! The wooden pieces are high quality, and it comes with a few princesses to enjoy the ride. The set is expandable, so if your kiddos are big on train sets, they can combine any BRIO sets with this one to rev up the creativity.
27. Orchard Game: My and Mandy’s family always played games growing up. It was such an integral part of our childhoods that we wanted to bring that joy into our kids' lives as well, and the sooner the better! This First Orchard board game is such a good choice for introducing your little to board games. It has a simple premise, including color sorting, counting, and learning to follow instructions.
28. Make It Mix It Pie Kit: If your child is ready to step up from the plastic play food and have a more hands-on, realistic experience, the Make It Mix It Pie Kit is what they need! The kit comes with a recipe card, utensils, and interactive “ingredients” made out of play sand. It isn’t edible, but they can really mix, roll and knead the “dough” and add the included toppings to make the pies of their dreams!
29. Unirider: Family walks just got so much more fun. If your kid is a little too small for their own bike or scooter, but big enough to want that independence, then the unirider may be the perfect vehicle for them! It is super lightweight and easy to maneuver as the adult driver, while the child feels that they are in control, giving them that independence and helping them feel like a big boy or girl!
30. Little People Garage: I get so excited every time I find a toy that teaches my kiddos about the real world, and the Little People Garage Playset does exactly that. It also has three different Smart Stages, meaning it grows with your toddler! It lasts far longer that way, and the educational and entertainment value cannot be overstated! We have loved having this toy in our house to provide endless fun.
31. Trampoline: This personal trampoline is pure joy for your young kids. Its neutral colors are so cute, and the bar gives mama peace of mind knowing that they are staying safe as they jump. It is so important for gross motor skills to learn to jump and the bounce of the trampoline is so fun for them! My 4 year old used hers all the time before she upgraded to a big girl trampoline outside. It is great exercise, and the best part is that the bounce comes from elastic ties rather than springs, which is both safer and quieter for indoor jumping.
32. Mandala Puzzle: Mandala puzzles make my heart sing because of their geometrical beauty and incredibly bright colors! This is such a fun toy for you to enjoy with your kiddo, or for them to figure out on their own. The puzzle base has an outline to help guide your child in finding the correct placement for the pieces, but there is an element of freedom in deciding on how to arrange the colors! It has limitless options and a masterpiece is created every time!
33. Balance Tree: Stacking just got an upgrade with the wooden Balance Tree by Fisher-Price. The woodland characters are too cute and so fun for little hands to play with, balancing them on the tree or stacking them on top of each other. They can also create a pretty scene for their dolls to play in, contributing to pretend play and creativity.
34. Wooden Rainbow: If you do not have a wooden rainbow in your toy room, click this link as fast as you have ever clicked and get one! This open-ended toy has limitless potential. The pastel colors are bright and the way the pieces fit together is mesmerizing. They are great for practicing balancing and stacking skills, a pretty toy room centerpiece, and can become anything your kid imagines! They come up with way better ideas than I do.
Code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS will save you 10% at checkout.
35. Duplo Water Town: If your child loves LEGO and also loves bath time, then I have the perfect toy for them. The Duplo Water Park includes a floating island, with interactive water park features and characters for pretend play, and is meant for building their fine motor skills. If your kiddo does not love bath time, they will now after you get them this!
36. Wooden Princess Blocks: Blocks have come such a long way since I was a kid, and this Disney Princess Castle set is to die for. The color scheme screams princess, and it even includes a few princesses to enjoy the castle your child builds! They can keep the castle small or combine this set with other blocks they have and build a fortress for their princesses. The creativity potential has no bounds.
37. SMOL Slide: I have said it before and I will say it again: toddlers need a personal slide! The Smol Slope is designed for both indoor and outdoor play, foldable, and easy to clean! Mandy’s toddler just got to the age where she can really enjoy it, and she will tune out everything else out and just slide over and over and over again until Mandy has to physically remove her!
Code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS will save you at checkout.
38. Stand and Sit Scooter: Who said scooters could only be enjoyed by big kids? I love this 2-in-1 scooter that grows with your child. Plop your 2 year old in the seat, and they can keep up with their older siblings! Once they outgrown the seat, you can easily remove it and it becomes a regular old scooter. The light-up feature is especially exciting, and automatically turns off after a period of inactivity. It is height-adjustable and comes in multiple color options.
39. Light Table: This educational Light Box Playset is a dream for your kiddos who are learning their geometry, colors, and who want to shine some light on their education! My 4 year old is obsessed with changing out the light hues depending on what kind of scene she wants to create. The transparency sheets help guide her to match the colorful shapes to what's on the picture, and if she is running low on ideas, the play guide helps her think of new and exciting sensory activities to do!
40. Stacking Rings: These stacking rings are special because of their flower shape, providing a tactile and beautiful sensory experience for your child. The scalloped edges are fun to hold and stack in creative ways, and the wood is sturdy and beautifully painted in rainbow colors. I found that my toddlers love to smack the pieces together, enjoying the clacking sound that wood makes! Stack the rings on the base or practice balance by stacking them in unconventional ways.
41. Pirate Ship: Ahoy Matey! This interactive wooden pirate ship is a dream for your little pirate. It is such high quality and you can see the care in the details. It includes a functional canon, a plank to walk, a prison, anchor, characters, and more! I anticipate this will be a prized possession for many children this year, proudly on display in their bedroom or playroom! Mandy’s son was so excited to find that the sails glowed in the dark.
42. Finger Puppet: I am giggling while writing this because I know it seems like such a random toy, but the Mini Roly Poly Finger Puppet was a hit in my family! My girls love bugs so much, and Roly Polies are some of their favorite to find. I thought that this finger puppet was too cute to pass up, and my girls have so much fun taking turns playing with it and trying to scare me with it. It is great for stage performances, story time, and pretend play.
43. Finger Print Booklet: The Fingerprint Activities book has completely revolutionized how we do story time. Interactive books are always incredibly engaging and interesting to toddlers, and this one adds an artistic side to it. The book engages the creative mind of your toddler by giving them instructions on how to bring the book to life with their fingerprints! They can learn fine motor movements as well as learn how they can contribute to the world they live in.
44. Wooden Spaceship: If your child is showing any interest in space or being an astronaut, this is the toy for them. It is designed to be as realistic as possible, with an interactive elevator in the center of the ship. Its 4 levels are all full of adventure, and various accessories are included to elevate your kid’s trip to space! Mandy’s son went crazy for this toy a few years ago, and we were all so impressed by the quality and detail that went into it.
45. Medium Bounce House: Can we all agree that we should just cut out the middle man and get our own bounce house for all our birthday parties and special occasions? Smol has designed so many different bounce houses that you can easily set up and store yourself, and I particularly love this once because it is small enough to set up inside during the cold months! We get so much use out of our Tumble bounce house that it makes every penny worth it. Get it in two different sizes and multiple color options!
Code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS will save you at checkout.
46. Make it Mix It Ice Cream Kit: Sundae Funday can be every day at any time with the Make It Mix It Ice Cream Kit. The doable, scoopable play sand mimics real-life ice cream, giving your kids a more realistic culinary experience! My 4 year old is always asking for ice cream, so I sometimes encourage her to make her dream cone or sundae with the play kit instead, which usually is enough to make her forget about real ice cream!
47. Remote Control Race Car: Introduce your young children to the life of speed racing with the BRIO remote control race car! It is meant to withstand the common roughness of toddlers, and is an exhilarating way to teach your kids to control their small hands and learn cause and effect. It is also just a great gift for any car lover of any age!
48. Mickey Train Set: BRIO offers the opportunity to build an entire world that trains can run through, and the Mickey train set is just one piece of that world. The Disney characters included in the set help your kiddos feel like they are in the wonderful world of Disney, enhancing creativity and imagination. The wooden pieces are all so high quality, and the detail on the train pieces is impressive. The set can be combined with other BRIO sets to expand the track and build a diverse landscape!
49. Rody Rider: My 4 year old could not get enough of her Rody Bounce Horse last year, and would bounce around the house for hours. I loved that she was enjoying it so much and getting that exercise that I know she needs. The horse is made of quality materials that can handle the constant bouncing, and the colors are realistic, so littles feel like they are on the real thing! It helped her overcome her fear of real horses and she had no problem getting on a pony for a ride.
50. Minnie and Mickey Blocks: There was a time where Mickey Mouse Clubhouse was constantly playing in my home, and my girls were crazy for all things Mickey Mouse. I decided to give them a way to build their own Mickey Mouse Clubhoue with this block set. It is so colorful, and the characters that come with the set help bring it to life! It turned out to be a great way to transition my 4 year old from watching the show to creating her own version in real life!
51. Robot Snuggle Bundle: The Hugga Buddy Bundle is the ultimate cuddly buddy package. Not only do you get a soft and snuggly baby robot, but you also get a soft and snuggly LARGE robot, a robot story book, a weighted blanket, a birth certificate, an eye mask, and a hardcover journal! These robot plushies are carefully crafted to last a magical lifetime, and I can already tell from having one of our own that it’ll make it through the love of all of my kids! Not into robots? Check out all the fun characters they offer!
52. Little People Barbie: Have I mentioned that my 4 year old is obsessed with mini things? This Little People Barbie playhouse is her dream. The elevator, slide, light-up features and the plethora of music make for an extremely engaging and interactive toy. It is a great option for smaller kids who are just starting to venture into Barbie Land!