11 Best Toddler Toys, Tried and Tested by Kids

Crowned the Best of the Bump winner, this pick by Avenlur is the gold-standard of toddler toys. In fact, our product tester and her child loved this toddler climbing toy so much, she awarded it a perfect 5 out of 5 score across all categories, praising it as a durable, highly entertaining toy that offers excellent value for your money.

The three-piece set includes a climbing triangle, a dual-sided slide and an arch that doubles as a rocker. Minimal assembly is required—our tester nailed it in five minutes flat—and it can be configured many different ways so kids never get tired of playing with it. Described by our tester as “incredibly stable, safe and appealing,” this wooden toy is built to last. Better yet, it folds away for easy storage when not in use.

But what makes this toy so appealing to young children? Toddlers have a natural urge to move and explore, and climbing toys give them a safe outlet to do so. This was on display for our product tester, who said, “my daughter didn’t need any explanation when she first saw the climbing set—she even asked for her own configurations and played with it for over an hour!” With three climbing surfaces to scale, this toy helps kids develop gross motor skills, practice problem-solving and gain confidence. Early walkers can use it to pull themselves upright, toddlers can gradually find their way over the top and slide down the ramp, and older children can use it to climb, build forts and more.

With so many great features, it’s no surprise this toddler toy was chosen as the overall best toddler toy of 2023. (A full list of this year’s Best of The Bump winners can be found here.)

Age range: 1 to 5 years | Dimensions: 59.5" (L) x 19.7" (W) x 17.7" (H) | Weight: 23.9 lbs. | Batteries required: No

Melissa & Doug is known for its top-quality toys, and this playset is no exception. This pretend ice cream shop is a feast for the eyes and the imagination. “My children love it!” said our product tester, who gave it a perfect 5 out of 5 score across a broad range of categories, including play and entertainment value, learning and skill-building benefits, and her childrens’ reaction.

Crafted from FSC-certified wood, this counter comes pre-assembled—the whole playset only took our product tester about six minutes to set up from start to finish, so “the kids were able to start playing with it right away.” The candy-colored ice cream shop is decorated with an assortment of frozen treats and comes with tons of accessories. It’s large enough for multiple kids to play with at once, but has plenty of engaging activities for solo play too.

The primary function of this set is imaginative play, and boy does it deliver! It comes with 42 accessories, including play food, kitchen utensils and more. With the built-in ice cream dispenser, kids can drop wooden “scoops” or plastic “swirls” in the top, place a cup or wooden cone underneath, press the lever and watch the pretend soft-serve drop down. There’s even a spot to display flavors of the month and a credit card machine to finalize purchases.

Aside from open-ended play, this toy offers plenty of learning opportunities. As kids act out the roles of shop owner or customer, they’ll practice counting, build their vocabulary and further their social skills. Our tester agreed that this toy was perfectly pitched to her kids and helped them build key communication skills. “It shows them how to order something, pay and enjoy,” she shared. “It has so many fun features, like a pay area with a fake debit card, all the toppings you can think of and even a punch card to ‘earn free ice cream,’ which keeps them wanting to come back and play.”

Age range: 3 to 7 years | Dimensions: 24.4" (L) x 8.4" (W) x 10.2" (H) | Weight: 7 lbs. | Batteries required: No

Want to help your busy tot burn off some energy? Ditch the screens and invest in a couple of outdoor toddler toys. There are so many options to choose from, but you can’t beat a classic swing set. Babies, toddlers and bigger kids alike love the thrill of soaring through the air—and this Baby Shark-inspired swing by Delta Children is our pick of the bunch. It was a big hit with our product tester’s daughter, who “loved playing with the swing and kept asking to be pushed.”

Assembly is required, but it comes with everything you need to install the swing on an existing jungle gym. Our tester said it took about 20 minutes to set up and noted that “the instructions were very clear and informative.” It’s made from a durable, weather-resistant plastic, meaning it’ll withstand the elements for years to come. The comfortable bucket seat has a high back, providing added support for kids who like to lean back while they swing. And, because safety is key, a three-point harness ensures your child stays securely in place. (The swing also meets all ASTM safety standards.) Once your kid outgrows the harness, it can be removed for added longevity.

Of course, utilitarian features are all well and good, but the real star of the show is obviously everybody’s favorite musical sensation: Baby Shark. Seeing one of their favorite cartoon characters on the headrest is a sure-fire way to get a kid excited about a new toy. In fact, our product tester awarded this toy a full 5 out of 5 score when rating her 13-month-old's reaction: “she was so excited to sit in a new type of swing with a fun character.”

Age range: 9 months to 4 years | Dimension: 10.6" (L) x 16" (W) x 21" (H) | Weight: 5 lbs. | Batteries required: No

Our recipe for a fun bathtime? Warm water, bubbles and bath toys, of course. The elephant-shaped Bubble Bestie by Munchkin is 100 percent toddler-operated—no batteries needed. To use it, simply wet the cloth, add soap or shampoo then encourage your tot to blow through the one-way mouthpiece. The result? A magical stream of bubbles that flow from the elephant’s trunk.

Our product tester was delighted to find that both of her children were able to use the toy with ease: “They found the handle easy to hold and not too large for little hands,” she told us. “They had lots of fun making bubbles and putting their hands in the foam.” She gave the Bubble Bestie 5 out of 5 scores for entertainment and skill-building, telling us that “it helped them to learn focus as well as being great for sensory play!” For such a simple toy, it provides boatloads of giggles, and it kept our tester’s kid entertained for over 10 minutes—not bad for bathtime!

Still not convinced? This toddler bath toy also received a 5 out of 5 score from our tester in value for money. “It was loads of fun for both our older and younger toddlers,” she said. “I think it would make a perfect gift for a child’s birthday or a baby shower!”

Age range: 3+ years | Dimensions: 7.4" (L) x 2" (W) x 8.5" (H) | Weight: 3.8 oz. | Batteries required: No

This toddler toy needs no introduction, but we’ll give it one anyway. The Little Tikes Cozy Coupe has been captivating the hearts and minds of children since its debut in 1979—and we can see why. The classic ride-on toy is perfectly proportioned for little drivers and is self-propelled, allowing kids to burn off energy and practice coordination skills as they scoot along. Durable front wheels that spin 360 degrees make for a smooth ride, while a handle at the back lets parents help kids out with a push in the right direction. Assembly is required but not overly complicated, and our product tester awarded it 5 out of 5 for durability, noting that “the plastic is solid [and] the pieces all come together sturdily.”

Interactive features like the functioning doors, horn, spinning wheel and a clickable ignition switch let kids imitate Mom or Dad and leave room for imaginative play. We love the iconic red and yellow design and the friendly eyes on the hood, which left our product tester's daughter feeling “ecstatic” and eager to get playtime started. “She loved pretending she was driving, just like Mommy and Daddy,” he reported, giving the Cozy Coupe perfect 5 out of 5 scores for play and entertainment and his child’s reaction. “She got to imitate grownup behavior, but in a welcoming and kid-friendly package. I had one of these myself as a child, and it’s great to watch her enjoy it decades later.” It goes to show, you just can’t beat the classics.

Age range: 18 months to 5 years | Dimensions: 29.5" (L) x 16.5" (W) x 33.5" (H) | Weight: 17.3 lbs. | Batteries required: No

The best way to learn is through play. That’s why we love this KiwiCo pretend baking set that comes with tons of educational activities. “My daughter’s favorite way to play is to have me read the recipe card to her, and she puts all the ingredients together,” our product tester told us, giving Baking and Fractions 5 out of 5 for play and entertainment. “She then bakes her ingredients to get a birthday cake. She loves to give me, her papa and her two sisters a slice of her freshly baked cake.”

This toddler learning toy includes a mixer, play food, cooking utensils, a play mat and recipe cards—all of which help little bakers practice kitchen math. Our product tester’s youngest daughter “was able to learn how to follow instructions and also [improve] her counting abilities.” And best of all, this is the kind of learning toy that stays with your child as they grow. Even our tester’s 7-year-old was able to get in on the fun—she used the play set to learn about fractions and percentages in a real-life context. Small wonder our product tester gave Baking and Fractions 5 out of 5 for learning and skill-building! A grown-up guide helps parents (and kids) get the most out of playtime, with fun bonus activities that reinforce counting skills and more advanced math. And while the educational benefits of this toy are great, it also dishes up a healthy serving of pretend play. As kids whip up a storm in the kitchen, they’ll imitate adult behavior, exercise their imagination and gain confidence through role-play.

The toy itself is mainly made from wood, which is durable enough to withstand rough toddler play. Our tester also loved the fact that the shipping box doubles as a pretend play oven. Talk about reduce, reuse, recycle!

Age range: 3+ years | Dimensions: 9" (L) x 4" (W) x 8" (H) | Weight: 4.6 lbs. | Batteries required: No

The best toddler toys play to your little one’s interests, so if your kid is a locomotive fanatic, they’ll go choo-choo over this train set. It comes with 32 pieces that combine to create a 15-foot train track and is super easy to assemble. Our product tester gave this toy 5 out of 5 scores for ease of use, entertainment value and her kids’ reaction, saying that her 2- and 4-year-old sons played with it for “a solid hour.”

One reason that this toddler train set was such a big hit? The configuration options. The set includes interchangeable track pieces, a bridge and tunnel, a motorized train and a cargo car toy that can be rearranged multiple ways. Our product tester loved that the track pieces could be mixed and matched, telling us, “it encourages [my children] to think of new designs for the track.” She raved about how her older son could “change the track to look however he wants, and do it without any help,” and how her 2-year-old could work on his fine motor skills by connecting the pieces together and running the vehicles along the track. Another aspect we like about this toddler train set is the interactive features. When the train chugs through certain “SmartPoint locations” on the track, it plays three sing-along tunes and melodies.

Due to its large size, this toy is perfect for cooperative games with siblings, but works perfectly for solo play too. Kids can put their engineering skills to the test by building daring railway tracks or use their imagination to take a train ride along new and exciting routes.

Age range: 1 to 5 years | Dimensions: 3.9" (L) x 5.1" (W) x 7.8" (H) | Weight: 10 lbs. | Batteries required: Yes

Finding age-appropriate toy cars that don’t have tons of small, potentially hazardous pieces is trickier than you might think. Enter the Magnetic Car Set by KiwiCo. Made from beech wood and decorated with water-based paint, the set includes three cars that can be played with separately or linked together via built-in magnets to create a train. Our product tester said this toy was perfectly suited to her 2-year-old son, giving the Magnetic Car Seat a 5 out of 5 for both learning and skill-building and her child’s excitement. “He was smiling and jumping when I first showed him the box,” she said, adding, “he snatched the toys as soon as I started unboxing them!”

Designed for hours of open-ended play, each car has a unique feature that encourages a different developmental skill. For example, the first and second cars have moving parts that promote visual tracking while the final car has a slot for “coins” to help with hand-eye coordination. And it’s safe to say these features were an unqualified hit with our product tester’s son—this toy earned top 5-out-of-5 marks for play and entertainment potential. Our tester told us her son tends to change toys every three minutes, but, “He played around 10 minutes nonstop. [Then] he grabbed more toys, but continued to play with it on the side.” And she loved the learning activities called out in the instructions, noting how her son picked up on cause and effect while playing: “He learned that one of the cars had little balls inside that would move only when the car moved. This applied to the moon/sun car as well—he loved seeing the moon and sun go in circles.”

Age range: 12+ months | Dimensions: 14.5" (L) x 3.25" (W) x 7.5" (H) | Weight: 2.9 lbs.| Batteries required: No

Trying to create a peaceful nighttime routine? Try this toddler sleep aid. Parents have raved about Tonies since the company first came on the scene a few years back, and the Sleepy Sheep accessory lives up to the hype. On its own, it works as an adorable, rechargeable night light. But when connected to a Toniebox, it turns into a noise machine to help soothe your little one off to slumberland. Our product tester and her kids adored this little lamb, and gave the Sleepy Sheep 5 out of 5 scores for durability, value for money, ease of use and entertainment factor. “This is a great toy for winding down at night,” our tester told us. “My daughter can use this toy as a music box or as a nightlight.”

The sweet sheep emits a warm white glow and has four brightness levels to keep scary shadows at bay. When placed on top of a Toniebox, it can play 90 minutes of beautifully composed melodies to help your little one drift off to sleep. Our tester appreciated the calming music, and said it “helps my child learn to self-regulate before bedtime.” Her children certainly appreciated it too—she told us, “My toddler was so excited to receive this toy. She immediately put the sheep on her Toniebox and had the biggest smile on her face. My older toddler was actually very jealous, and wanted his own after seeing his sister’s!”

Ready for the best part? With the mytonies app, you can record your own bedtime stories, songs or gentle shushing sounds, meaning you can even soothe your children from afar.

Age range: 3+ years | Dimensions: 6" (L) x 3.7" (W) x 6.5" (H) | Weight: 1 lb. | Batteries required: No

Here at The Bump, we’re big fans of wooden toys. After all, what’s not to love? Wood is a natural material that's durable, non-toxic and aesthetically pleasing. The Hape Pandas’ Bamboo House is a prime example, offering fun for multiple siblings in a timeless wooden package. “The possibilities for play were endless,” our product tester told us, as four of her seven children each played with the Pandas’ Bamboo House simultaneously and independently.

The Pandas’ Bamboo House is made from FSC-certified wood, renewable bamboo and eco-friendly plastic derived from sugarcane, while pretend solar panels on the roof encourage thoughtful conversations about environmental responsibility. That’s all great, of course, but let’s not forget that the Pandas’ Bamboo House is also fun. The well-designed toy received 5 out of 5 scores for entertainment factor and for our tester’s childrens’ extremely positive reaction when they unboxed it. “The joy and excitement could not be contained when the box arrived,” our product tester told us. “As soon as they saw the picture on the box, the screams were deafening. I'm quite positive the neighbors were aware of the treehouse's arrival!” Our tester noted that the toy more than lived up to their kids’ expectations: “There was laughter immediately following assembly. It was like Christmas morning.”

Spread across three tiers and inhabited by an adorable panda family, this playset is perfect not just for toddlers, but also preschoolers and older children. “My kids (ages 3, 5, 6 and 8) love this treehouse. They play with it daily for hours at a time! Even my 8-year-old is obsessed,” gushed our product tester. The house itself has a built-in slide, swings, a rope bridge and even a functional elevator, which is “a very popular feature” among our product tester’s children. It comes with tons of accessories and four poseable panda figurines that can sit, stand and even grip the accessories with their hands. How cute is that?

Age range: 3+ years | Dimensions: 23.4" (L) x 13.4" (W) x 24" (H) | Weight: 15.5 lbs. | Batteries required: No

Looking for an affordable toddler toy that still packs an educational punch? Go back to basics with a jigsaw puzzle. Aside from being a great rainy day activity, puzzles help develop fine motor skills, problem-solving and pattern recognition in children. Plus, kids get a thrill when they successfully complete a puzzle, which acts as an immediate confidence boost.

This puzzle set by Mudpuppy includes four puzzles with varying difficulty levels. Our product tester said it challenged her 2-year-old daughter in the best way possible: “We had fun finding the correct puzzle pieces, and she loved being able to connect the pieces together. She kept celebrating ‘I did it!’ when she matched two alike pieces—it was the best!” She gave the Level Up! sets 5 out of 5 for play and entertainment and learning and skill-building; and we love a toy that educates and entertains!

The sturdy cardboard pieces are large and easy for little hands to grasp. “I truly think they will withstand my daughter’s rough play and will hold together for a while,” our tester said, giving the Level Up! 5 out of 5 for durability. Plus, the colorful illustrations instantly captivated her child. Once playtime is done, you can pack them away into a single box for easy storage.

Age range: 3+ years | Dimensions (each puzzle): 8" (L) x 6" (W) | Weight: 1 lb. | Batteries required: No