Finding the best educational toys for toddlers (2 to 3-year-olds) that are both fun and beneficial can be tough. Most toddler toys are either too noisy and distracting or not very educational. And many of the so-called “educational” toys are nothing more than just glorified plastic toys. I've done the research for you and compiled a list of 28 of the best educational toddler toys. These toys promote growth and development while being fun and enriching.
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What Are the Benefits of Educational Toys for 2 to 3-Year-Olds?
Educational toys help toddlers learn new skills and concepts.
They provide a fun way for 2 to 3-year-olds to explore the world around them while teaching them essential skills like counting, colors, letters, and more.
Educational toys can also help toddlers develop their fine motor and problem-solving skills. And last but not least, educational toys are more fun for toddlers than non-educational toys!
That's why every toddler should have at least one educational toy.
How to Pick the Right Educational Toys for 2 to 3-Year-Olds?
When choosing an educational toy for 2 to 3-year-olds, it's essential to consider their interests and what they're currently working on developmentally.
If your children are interested in animals, you might want to choose a wooden puzzle with animal shapes.
If your children are working on learning their colors, you might want to select a shape sorter with colored shapes.
The most important thing is that the toy is developmentally appropriate and that your children will enjoy playing with it.
Here are a few more tips for choosing the right educational toy for 2 to 3-year-olds:
- Choose toys that are made of natural materials whenever possible. Wooden puzzles, shape sorters, and nesting blocks are all great choices. They're durable, safe, and environmental friendly.
- Avoid toys with small pieces. Choose toys with larger pieces that are easy for toddlers to grasp. You don't want your toddlers putting small parts in their mouths and choking on them.
- Look for toys that can grow with your children. They can start out simple and add more pieces or challenges as they age. Some educational toys, such as building sets and magnetic tiles, can be used differently as your children grow.
- Avoid toys with a lot of battery-operated lights and sounds. These types of toys are often very distracting and not educational. Choose toys that are quiet and have a limited number of moving parts.
If you're not sure which educational toys are right for your 2 to 3-year-olds, ask your children's doctor or a developmental therapist. They can give you specific recommendations based on your children's needs.
28 Best Educational Toys for 2 to 3-Year-Olds That Will Make Learning Fun!
There are a variety of toys to teach your 2 to 3-year-olds. After that, I'll go through 28 toys that will encourage development while adding attractiveness to the room.
Best Building Blocks
1. Educational Building Blocks for 2 to 3-year-olds
Wooden blocks are a staple of early childhood education because they're versatile, durable, and perfect for little hands. Plus, they offer endless opportunities for creative play. Children can build towers, houses, pets, and more with wooden blocks. Your 2 to 3-year-olds can learn shapes, colors, and numbers using this educational toy set.
Best Posting Toy
2. Learning Play Kit for 2 to 3-year-olds
The 4-for-1 play kit includes Object Permanence Box, Montessori Coin Box, Carrot Harvest Game, and Matchstick Color Drop Game. These educational toys are also good for 2 to 3-year-olds.
Best Threading Toy
3. Learning Lacing Beads for 2 to 3-year-olds
Educational toys for 2 to 3-year-olds don't have to be boring! These lacing beads are great for helping toddlers with their fine motor skills. The bright colors and different shapes also help with shape and color recognition.
Tracing Boards
4. Wooden Alphabet & Number Tracing Boards for 2 to 3-year-olds
These educational toys for 2 to 3-year-olds are great for learning the alphabet and numbers. They come with a stylus and are wipe-clean, so your children can use them continuously. Your toddler will love tracing the letters and numbers, and you'll love watching them learn! These educational toys for toddlers are sure to become a favorite in your home.
Pegboard and Elastics
5. Wooden Geoboard Material
2 to 3-year-olds toddlers will love the challenge of getting the elastic through the tiny hole on the board. This educational toy is excellent for motor practice!
Sorting Toy
6. Stack and Sort Board
This educational toy is a great way to teach your 2 to 3-year-olds about shapes, colors, and matching. It is also great for developing fine motor skills.
Your toddler will love stacking the wooden pieces on the sorting board. They can also use the sorting board to sort other objects, such as toy cars or blocks. This educational toy is a great way to encourage your toddler's creativity and imagination.
Matching Cards & Objects
7. Farm Animal Toy Figurines with Matching Cards
This educational toy for 2 to 3-year-olds is perfect for helping them learn about animals. The Montessori Animal Match comes with 24 miniature farm animal figurines and matching cards. It's an excellent way for toddlers to learn about animals while having fun.
Balance Bike Toy
8. Strider Balance Bike for 2 to 3-year-olds
This balance bike helps 2 to 3-year-olds learn how to balance and ride a bike. It is also a great way to get them active and moving. The bike has a sturdy frame, adjustable seat, and foam tires. The padded seat and handlebars make it comfortable to ride. Remember to always wear a helmet!
Best Movement Gym
9. Triangle Climbing Ladder with Ramp
This educational toy is perfect for your 2 to 3-year-olds who loves to climb. The triangle climbing ladder with the ramp is a great way to encourage gross motor skills and improve coordination.
Your toddler will have hours of fun climbing up and down the ladder, and they will also be improving their physical development.
The ladder is also great for developing problem-solving skills as your toddler tries to figure out how to get to the top.
Balance Toy
10. Wooden Balance Board
This educational toy for 2 to 3-year-olds is perfect for helping them develop their sense of balance and coordination. The wooden balance board is also a great way to encourage active play.
Ball Set
11. Pack of 4 Sports Balls
These balls are soft, safe, and perfect for toddlers to play with indoors and outdoors. I would recommend using the balls outside to have enough space to play. Taking different balls out encourages rolling, strength, coordination, kicking, and fun.
Art Supplies
12. Pure Beeswax Crayons
These eco-friendly and non-toxic crayons are 100% pure beeswax. They're perfect for toddlers just starting to explore their artistic side.
Art Supplies
13. Sidewalk Chalk
These non-toxic chalk sticks are perfect for your toddler to draw on the driveway or sidewalk. The chunky chalks can fit easily in your toddler's hands and provide a large surface like the sidewalk. A large surface can involve movement of the whole arm as they practice using the chalk.
Nuts & Bolts Toy
14. Montessori Screw Driver Board
The Montessori Screw Driver Board is a great educational toy for 2 to 3-year-olds. It teaches them about screws and how to use a screwdriver.
Loose Parts
15. Rainbow Color Wooden Loose Parts
Loose parts are significant for 2 to 3-year-olds. Toddlers can use them to build towers, sort by size or shape, or play with them in whatever way they want. There are no rules with loose parts, which is why they're so perfect for educational purposes.
Building & Problem-Solving Toy
16. Learning Wooden Train Set for 2 to 3-year-olds
This is a great way to teach 2 to 3-year-olds about colors, shapes, and numbers. The Tiny Land Wooden Train Set includes a locomotive, three cars, thirty-six track pieces, and seventy-five wooden blocks. Your 2 to 3-year-olds will love building the tracks and watching the trains go around. This educational toy is also great for developing fine motor skills.
Construction Toy
17. Connetix Tiles
Connectix tiles are a fun and educational toy for 2 to 3-year-olds. They help to teach children about colors, shapes, and sizes. Plus, they're a great way to promote hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills.
Best Puzzle Set
18. Wooden Peg Puzzle – 6 Pack
These educational puzzles are perfect for 2 to 3-year-olds! The Melissa & Doug wooden peg puzzles are great for helping little ones develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. The six themes include animals, transportation, numbers, shapes, and more. Each puzzle consists of high-quality wood, and the pegs are sturdy and easy to grip.
Tools
19. Sensory Bin Tools
Transfer, Scoop, and Play! This set of toddler-sized wooden kitchen tools makes a perfect addition to any toddler's sensory box. Play with these wooden toys, and your sensory bin favorites like beans and colorful rice support the development of hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and a child's confidence.
Playdough Tools
20. Playdough Tools for 2 to 3-year-olds
Complete Play Dough Kit Comes With Craft Board: No messy colored dough all over tables & floors. This Tools Set includes its wooden board – perfect for Playdough, cutting, rolling, stamping, etc.
Best Piano Toy
21. Hape Playful Piano
This educational toy for 2 to 3-year-olds is a great way to get them interested in music. It is made of wood and has a beautiful multicolor finish. It is also a great size for toddlers to play with.
Best Musical Instruments Set
22. Music Instruments
This musical instrument set includes striking, shaking, and blowing! It is a great way to teach your toddler rhythm, melodies, and sound.
Pretend Play & Imagination Toy
23. Sarah's Silks Enchanted Playsilks
Playsilks are inspiring toys that children will play with again and again. There are many purposes when playing with play silks, from dressing up and playacting to building forts and tents to creating beautiful art. The possibilities are endless!
Pretend Play Toy
24. Kitchen Sink Play Set with Running Water
This educational toy for 2 to 3-year-olds keeps them entertained while they learn. The running water feature is especially great for teaching cause and effect. Plus, it's just plain fun!
Pretend Play Toy
25. Hape Kitchen Toy
This educational toy for 2 to 3-year-olds is perfect for the budding chef in your life. The Hape Gourmet Kitchen Toy features an oven, stovetop, sink, and cupboards that open and close. It also comes with play food and utensils.
Pretend Play Toy
26. Folkmanis Puppets
This Raccoon in a Garbage Can hand puppet is made with high-quality materials designed for 2 to 3-year-olds. It's perfect for stage and puppet theater, storytelling, teaching, daycare, pre-school playtime, or gifts! Your little one will love making this cute raccoon pop out of the trash can and wave its paws around.
Cleaning Set
27. Toy Cleaning Set
The 6-piece cleaning set is perfect for hours of pretend play housekeeping. It includes a broom, mop, duster, dustpan, brush, and storage stand. All pieces are durably made and sized for kids. The dust pan snaps onto all handles for easy storage. It is made from sturdy wooden construction.
Read more: Lovevery Play Kits: What You Need To Know (Complete Review)
Best Subscription Kit
28. LOVEVERY PLAY KITS
Lovevery Play Kits are right for parents who are looking for a way to make playtime more educational and fun for their children (including 2 to 3-year-olds). Lovevery kits come with a variety of age-appropriate toys, books, and play guides that will help your child learn about the world around them. Lovevery Play Kits are also made with high-quality, sustainable materials
Read more: Lovevery Play Kits: What You Need To Know (Complete Review)
FAQ on Educational Toys for 2 to 3-Year-Olds
Conclusion: What You Need to Know About Educational Toys for 2 to 3-Year-Olds
We have listed 28 of the best educational toys for 2 to 3-year-olds.
While this list is certainly not comprehensive, it should give you a good starting point when looking for the perfect toy to help your little one learn and grow. And remember, the benefits of educational toys go beyond academics.
In addition, they can help promote social and emotional development, creativity, and imagination.
How do you pick a suitable educational toy for your toddler? It depends on their interests and what stage of development they are in. Overall, you can look for age-appropriate toys, encourage exploration and play, and offer lots of opportunities for learning through trial and error.
Do you have any personal recommendations to add? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
