Find the best toddler toys and gifts to make shopping for the kids so much easier—and faster—and on a budget, too.

best toddler toys in grid of 6

I’m on a mission to narrow down the most common toddler toy categories to the top picks to help all of us busy parents make fast choices that deliver on quality and affordability. Shopping for toys and gifts is fun, but shouldn’t require a rabbit hole of internet searching every time we want to pick up a new set of bath toys!

Here are my very favorite toys for toddlers, toddler Christmas gifts, kids birthday gifts, toddler stocking stuffers, outdoor play, getting kids in the kitchen, and more.

With budget-friendly bikes, play kitchens, play food, tea sets, dollhouses, magnetic tiles, bath toys, cooking sets, and more, this is a great place to start for the holidays and birthdays.

Why This List is the Best

Every item on this list has been vetted by real parents and real kids for fun, durability, ease of use, and affordability.

(You may also like my Salt Dough Ornaments, Christmas Cookies for Kids, and Christmas Pancakes.)

Table of Contents

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Hape kitchen set red

Best Play Kitchen

Hape Gourmet Kitchen Kid’s Play Kitchen

Priced at under $60, this kitchen set manages to be both modern and retro. So if you want something with a burst of color, but that’s not too bright and flashy, this is a good option.

I love Hape products as they are made of solid wood, are super durable, and are easy to clean.

Shop here

TIP: Find more options for kids play kitchen sets.

Melissa and Doug food groups play set

Best Play Food

Melissa & Doug Food Groups Set

Learning about food groups while having fun? That’s a definite win! This set of 21 hand-painted foods (cheese, watermelon, tomatoes, fish, and much more) comes with four wooden crates for sorting, storing, stacking, and fine motor skills development.

And it’s usually under $20.

Shop here

TIP: Find my full list of the best play food.

Green-Toys-Dish-Set

Best Play Dishes

Green Toys Dish Set

Party of four, your table is ready! This set of four place settings includes cups, plates, bowls, forks, spoons, and knives—so your kids have everything they need to set a table that looks just like the real deal.

The set is all also BPA, phthalates, and PVC-free and made from recycled plastic. (They’re even dishwasher safe, in case your kiddo happens to eat a real snack off them, too.) Plus, it’s under $30.

Shop here

TIP: Find my full list of toddler play dishes and pots and pans picks for more recommendations.

hape-shopping-cart

Best Toddler Shopping Cart

HAPE Kids Wooden Shopping Cart

If you’re looking for a wooden cart, you can’t beat this one from Hape. The frame is made from certified-sustainable wood that’s colored with water-based paint, and the wide-set wheels and heavier construction make it a great buy for beginner walkers.

I love the design and the colors! (And the price–it’s usually less than $80.)

Shop here

TIP: Find my 6 top toddler shopping carts.

Green-Toys-Toddler-Tea-Set

Best Toddler Tea Set

Green Toys Tea Set

This plastic tea set (available in two color options: the one shown here and red and blue) is made with recycled, BPA-free, and phthalates-free material so it’s safe for the kids. It includes 17 pieces in total with a teapot, sugar bowl with lid, 4 teacups and saucers, a creamer cup, and 4 spoons.

It’s incredibly durable, perfectly sized for toddlers, and inexpensive (about $25). I love it because you can use it for pretend with dolls or stuffies, AND real play! 

Shop here

TIP: Find my full list of the best toddler tea sets.

hape-wooden-dollhouse

Toddler Dollhouse

Hape Wooden Kids Dollhouse

This is my favorite dollhouse and the one that we’ve had for years. It’s incredibly durable with its wood construction, easy to wipe clean, and has a lot of options for play with all of the included accessories. It’s a great gift for 2-year-olds an up.

It may be an investment, but it will last.

I also love that it’s seriously easy to pick up and move—you can hold it with one hand through the two little holes at the top. There are a ton of accessories to go with it, too.

Shop here

TIP: Find my full list of toddler dollhouses for every budget.

manga-tile-100-pieces-set

Best Manga Tiles

Magna-Tiles Clear Colors 100 Piece Set

These magnetic tiles are my absolute favorite kids toy. I love them because they are insanely durable and impossible to break, are incredibly versatile, are easy for kids of all ages to use, and inspire so much creativity. Little fingers can move and stack the tiles of this play set easily. (And they’re large enough that they’re not considered a choking hazard.)

This is a great starter set: There are many pieces to build and create with and it’s priced at just about $120. Plus, the set will last so siblings can use them. (They also make less expensive smaller sets like this 32 piece one.)

Shop here

kinderfeets-balance-bike

Best Toddler Balance Bike

Kinderfeets

This sustainably made bike is less than $80 and works as a trike and balance bike so a one year old can safely use it and grow with it until they’re at least 3. This is a perfect pick for a little one who’s eager to ride, but isn’t quite big or coordinated enough for a regular balance bike. This is one of the best toys for 1-year-olds.

My youngest has been OBSESSED with this since 14 months!

Shop here

TIP: Find my full list of toddler balance bikes I also have picks for toddler scooters and push bikes!

pure-fun-ladybug-trampoline

Toddler Trampoline

PURE FUN LADYBUG JUMPER KIDS TRAMPLINE

Here’s a fun, multi-use addition to your playroom! This indoor trampoline, with its covered springs and cushioned handlebar, also features a plush ladybug design that comes off and can be used as a floor pillow.

We love how useful that is for taking your kids from playtime to movie night.

Shop here

TIP: Find more toddler trampolines (with safety tips).

food-play-cover

Best Toddler Cookbook

Busy Little Hands: Food Play!

You know I had to add my cookbook to this list! Each of these easy recipes helps teach kids to have fun and play with food, while laying a foundation for basic kitchen skills and food exposure. It’s bright, easy to understand, and a perfect way to keep the kids busy and well nourished!

Order your copy from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-a-Million, Bookshop, or through your favorite independent bookstore.

Shop here

TIP: Find all of my favorite kids cookbooks, including picks for older kids.

toddler knife and cutter set.

Best Kids Cooking Tools

Tovla Kids Knife and Cutter Set

The zigzag cutter is great for the first introduction to slicing and chopping starting after 16 months, and the knives are great for kiddos 2.5 and up. Both are lightweight and easy to use. Plus, the set is under $20.

Shop here

TIP: Find all of my favorite kids cooking tools.

Guide Craft Kitchen Helper

Best Learning Tower

Guidecraft Kitchen Helper

This is affordable (about $200) and well-made and is durable enough to last for years through multiple kids. It’s slim in design, but sturdy enough to resist being pulled over. And it has a mesh back to help prevent falls.

It comes in a few color options too, so you can coordinate with your kitchen.

Shop here

TIP: Find all of my favorite learning towers.

skip-hop-bath-buckets

Best Toddler Bath Toys

Skip Hop Stack & Pour Buckets

We LOVE this set since each bucket has holes on the bottom, which are fun to drip out, and they’re pretty indestructible. (We also love to use these outside in our toddler pool!) Also, the set is only about $10.

Shop here

TIP: Find my full list of the best safe toddler bath toys.

toddler books in grid of 6

Best Toddler Book about Food

Frankie’s Favorite Food

This book is my favorite book about food because it’s not preachy or actually even about nutrition, but it’s a fun story about kids dressing up as their favorite foods—which are fairly random and silly.

It’s a great, low pressure way to talk about food away from the table that just might inspire some curiosity at mealtime.

Shop here

TIP: Find my full list of favorite 30 toddler books about food.

travel magna tiles in case.

Best Kids Stocking Stuffer

Micromags Travel

These travel Magna-Tiles are SO fun. And they are convenient and easy to take on the go or use at home. We’ve gotten so much use out of them!

Shop here

I will be updating this post throughout the season, so feel free to pin it and check back regularly. You can also see all of my toddler toys and gifts posts.

This post was first published November 2021.

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Comments

  1. COOKING TOOLS: ZIG ZAG CUTTER AND KIDS KNIVES ? are those things safe ?! , thank you and greetings from Romania .

    Reply

      1. Thank you for this list! At what age did your kiddos start playing with Magnatiles? Are either regular Magnatiles or Magnatiles Qubix better for younger kids? We have an 18mo and aren’t sure if he’s ready for these yet.

      2. They started around 16 months. I would recommend the regular ones—my 20 month old loves to stack them, place them side by side on the ground to make “roads” for his cars, to pretend to make houses…they are super versatile and easy to use!