Ultimate Buying Guide: Best Toys for Toddlers

Ultimate Buying Guide: Best Toys for Toddlers

May 1, 2025

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It can be exciting to choose the perfect toy for a toddler. When you get it right, the joy on their face is priceless.

At the toddler stage, kids have started to develop critical motor skills, cognitive abilities, and social awareness. Some of the best toys encourage hands-on learning. They also stimulate curiosity and foster creativity.

You can find a huge variety of toys from Safari that are sure to support your young child’s growth, all while they make playtime fun. It really makes no difference if you’re looking for a gift or if you want to expand your own toddler’s toy collection. Safari’s toys for toddlers are sure to provide hours of enriching entertainment.

Best Montessori Toys for Toddlers

Montessori toys are made to promote independence and problem-solving through hands-on exploration. Many modern toys grab attention with flashing lights or sounds, but Montessori-style toys really encourage kids to think critically. They also help them develop coordination and even learn to engage with their world around them.

African Wild Dog Toy | Wildlife Animal Toys | Safari Ltd.
African Wild Dog Toy | Wildlife Animal Toys | Safari Ltd.

African Wild Dog Toy

$5.53
(10)
Fox Toy | Wildlife Animal Toys | Safari Ltd.
Fox Toy | Wildlife Animal Toys | Safari Ltd.

Fox Toy

$4.61
(9)
Smilodon Toy | Dinosaur Toys | Safari Ltd.
Smilodon Toy | Dinosaur Toys | Safari Ltd.

Smilodon Toy

$7.80
(12)
River Otter Toy | Wildlife Animal Toys | Safari Ltd.
River Otter Toy | Wildlife Animal Toys | Safari Ltd.

River Otter Toy

$4.23
(4)
Gray Wolf Toy | Wildlife Animal Toys | Safari Ltd.
Gray Wolf Toy | Wildlife Animal Toys | Safari Ltd.

Gray Wolf Toy

$5.77
(5)

World’s Best Bug Jar

It’s only natural for toddlers to be curious about the creepy crawly critters they see outside. The World's Best Bug Jar is the perfect way to nurture that healthy curiosity. It’s a clear, durable jar that has a magnifying lid. That way, little explorers can observe insects from close up.

This is a superb introduction to the natural world, and an excellent teaching tool for kids to learn about bugs. Whether capturing ladybugs, watching ants, or studying caterpillars, toddlers are sure to develop important observational skills as they learn how to care for living creatures. Plus, the sturdy design means the World’s Best Bug Jar can withstand outdoor play.

Life Cycle of a Monarch Butterfly Figure Set

The Life Cycle of a Monarch Butterfly Figure Set is perfect for young learners who are fascinated by nature. It serves as an effective and fun way to introduce basic science concepts to the youngest children. The colorful set includes realistic figurines for each of the four stages of a monarch butterfly’s life: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and adult butterfly.

Toddlers will love that they can physically manipulate each piece as they learn about life’s classic metamorphosis. With durable figures, the entire process becomes real and tangible for kids. It’s a great supplement for nature walks, butterfly books, and other hands-on learning experiences.

More Montessori Toys

Safari Ltd. features a wide variety of Montessori-style toys to encourage hands-on learning. A few of the more popular options include:

  • Animal Figurine Sets – Beautiful and realistically detailed animals help kids learn about different species and their habitats in a simple way.
  • Life Cycle Collections – Life Cycle of the Butterfly is only one of many in this collection. Kids can learn about the development of creatures like frogs, salmon, and ladybugs.

Sorting and Stacking Toys – These toys are great for improving fine motor development. They also help introduce early math concepts.

Best STEM Toys for Toddlers

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) toys are great to help toddlers build problem-solving skills. Scientific toys also help them develop spatial reasoning, and kids even learn to explore the concepts of cause and effect. STEM Toys teach young minds about the fundamentals of math, science and engineering in an engaging and accessible way.

Viking Toys Re:Line - Sandpit

The Viking Toys - Re:Line - Sandpit set teaches about creativity and promotes sensory play. It’s an eco-friendly set made with recycled plastic that includes a sand pit with a path for water and boats, as well as another one for roads and cars. It also features two mini chubbies and mini boats. The toy is great for both inside and outside use.

The set lets toddler dig, build, and explore different textures to promote their fine motor skills and problem-solving abilities. When young children play with sand, it helps them develop imaginative thinking. It also helps them understand early engineering concepts while they build small structures and experiment with scooping and pouring.

Cogwheel Game

The Cogwheel Game game is a colorful and interactive toy for toddlers that introduces them to basic engineering concepts. The series of interlocking gears can be arranged by kids. Then they can spin the design to see how movement transfers from one piece to the next.

This simple and engaging activity teaches toddlers about cause and effect and spatial awareness. It also helps them develop problem-solving skills while it strengthens hand-eye coordination. Of course the vibrant colors and rotating motion is sure to keep toddlers engaged while they make learning so much fun.

Balancing Game - Chairs

When toddlers play the Balancing Game - Chairs, they learn to develop patience, dexterity, and strategic thinking. The game challenges tots to stack tiny chairs on top of each other without toppling the tower of seating.

It’s an activity that promotes concentration, fine motor skills, and even problem-solving since kids have to figure out the best way to balance the pieces. It doesn’t hurt that the bright colors and playful design make this balancing game a beloved addition to any child’s toy collection.

The Color Monster Set of 8 Figurines

The Color Monster Set features eight unique figurines. Each one represents a different emotion, as inspired by the beloved children’s book, The Color Monster. With these figures, toddlers get to explore and understand different emotions through play. That makes them excellent tools for developing early emotional intelligence.

The set also encourages storytelling, social and emotional learning, and imaginative role-playing. It’s a hands-on way to discuss feelings with wee ones in a non-intimidating manner.

Little Moppet Stacking Shape Sorter

Looking for a fantastic tool that teaches early problem-solving and fine motor skills? The Little Moppet Stacking Shape Sorter is a colorful wooden toy that features different shapes for toddlers to fit into corresponding slots. The activity teaches young children about shape recognition and spatial reasoning. Plus, the stacking element encourages better hand-eye coordination and patience. It’s an educational and entertaining toy for young minds.

Best Outdoor Toys for Toddlers

Playing outside is such an essential part of early childhood development. It gives toddlers the chance to explore, stay active, and develop coordination. Outdoor toys for toddlers encourage play that builds strength, balance, and social skills. The toys also help foster an appreciation of nature.

Safari Ltd. has a wide range of outdoor toys that are sure to inspire adventure and creativity. They make the outdoors both educational and fun.

Animal Soaker - Shark

The Animal Soaker - Shark is a fun and interactive water toy – perfect for warm days or even bathtime. The water blaster is shaped like a friendly shark, easy for small hands to grip and operate. Toddlers especially will love splashing around, cooling off, and playing pretend with their very own sea creature-themed water toy. The shark also strengthens hand muscles and kids’ coordination.

Inflatable Giant Sprinkler: Sonny the Sea Creature - Neon Orange

With their Inflatable Giant Sprinkler Sonny the Sea Creature, toddlers can have a blast in the backyard. Sonny the Sea Creature is an oversized sprinkler that creates an exciting splash zone with a colorful sea creature design. Water sprays in multiple directions, which makes this toy the perfect centerpiece for summertime play. It encourages active movement as kids run through the sprays, which helps develop gross motor skills and coordination.

Kids Ring Toss

The Kids Ring Toss toy is a fun and interactive game that helps toddlers with their hand-eye coordination, focus, and motor skills. This take on a classic game features sturdy, animal-themed pegs that make the activity visually appealing to young children. The brightly colored rings are easy for young kids to grasp, so it’s a great way for them to develop dexterity and precision in their little hands.

This entertaining game can be played both inside and outdoors – a great option for birthday parties, rainy day entertainment, or backyard playdates. Toddlers can really challenge themselves as they increase their throwing distance. Plus, the ring toss game teaches young children to have patience and take turns – both valuable social skills.

Watering Can - Mint Green

Safari’s Watering Can toy in mint green teaches toddlers about gardening and caring for plants. This child’s version of a real tool has an easy-to-hold handle and a lightweight build, so even the youngest kids can easily water plants and flowers. When they garden, toddlers learn responsibility and patience – all while they improve their fine motor skills. Plus, just by pouring water, kids strengthen their hand muscles and gain an appreciation for science and nature.

Camouflage Luminocular

Part of the Safariology collection, the Camouflage Luminocular gets little adventurers out exploring nature. The child-friendly binoculars offer an excellent way for kids to observe birds, insects, and other wildlife up close. These luminoculars feature 3.5x magnification, a light that shines up to 100 feet, and a precision compass so kids can always find their way home. With a comfortable grip and durable lenses, the toy encourages curiosity about the environment.

Best Educational Toys for Toddlers

Some of the best educational toys for toddlers introduce them to early literacy, numeracy, and problem solving. They do it in a fun and engaging way. These toys also help tots develop better cognitive skills as they’re entertained.

Crazy Animal Mix & Match Wooden Magnets

This Crazy Animal Mix & Match Wooden Magnets game is a fantastic way to introduce toddlers to creative storytelling. Plus, it contributes to fine motor skills development and early cognitive recognition. The play set includes magnetic parts to eight different animals. Kids can either line them all up, or mix and match to create their own unique and silly creatures by combining different heads, bodies, and tails. It’s a great method for toddlers to use their imaginations.

The sturdy wooden magnets are easy for little hands to manipulate, so the toy promotes hand-eye coordination and dexterity. It also helps toddlers develop early vocabulary skills when they identify animal parts and name their creations.

Headu Flashcards - Tactile Montessori

Headu Flashcards - Tactile Montessori is an outstanding sensory learning tool that also helps with early language development. It’s designed with raised textures and bold images, so the flashcards can engage toddlers in a multi-sensory experience that boosts both memory and comprehension. Every card represents its own concept – shapes, animals, objects, etc. – which encourages young children to explore their world through sight and touch.

Parents can use these tactile flashcards to introduce new words and reinforce familiar concepts. The cards also encourage discussion about textures and objects in the real world. They can be used independently or with guidance as a way for toddlers to build early literacy and sensory skills in a meaningful and enjoyable way.

First 100 Numbers & Shapes Bingo

The First 100 Numbers & Shapes Bingo game makes learning math an engaging and interactive experience that’s fun for toddlers. The activity introduces kids to fundamental numerical and geometric concepts, but it does it in a way that feels like play more than school. The colorful bingo cards feature numbers, shapes, and familiar objects. Players will learn to recognize patterns, match symbols, and count numbers.

This game also encourages taking turns and cooperative play. That makes it such a great choice for families or small groups of children. When toddlers call out and match numbers and shapes, they build social confidence all while they reinforce memory and concentration skills.

Chalk & Chuckles Stack a Cake Early Learning Game

An early learning game, Chalk & Chuckles Stack a Cake is a delightful activity that introduces toddlers to coordination, sequencing, and problem-solving. Players must take turns stacking different layers of a pretend cake. They have to carefully balance each piece to avoid toppling the whole thing.

It’s a game that teaches about patience, concentration, and dexterity. It also fosters imaginative play. Stack a Cake is a colorful and visually appealing hands-on way to keep little ones engaged as they’re introduced to engineering concepts.

Toddlers’ Toys Matter

There’s just no two ways about it. When you choose the right toys for your toddler, you’re making a significant impact on their growth and development.

From STEM and Montessori toys to outdoor adventures and educational games, all of the best toys for toddlers have their own unique benefits. They nurture creativity, problem-solving, and motor skills. Indeed, the right toys offer entertainment even as they create new opportunities for learning and exploration.

Want to offer your toddler more meaningful play? Safari Ltd. boats a huge selection of thoughtfully designed toys that perfectly support early childhood development. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a gift or just want to enhance your wee one’s playtime options. You’ll find all the high-quality educational toys you could want in Safari’s collections.

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