The 25 Best Toys For 18-Month-Olds To Support These Busy Tots

We independently select all products and services. If you click through links we provide, we may earn a commission. Learn more Vetted Kids & Baby Gear The 25 Best Toys For 18-Month-Olds To Support These Busy Tots Elizabeth Mitchell Kadar Contributor Forbes Vetted Contributor Group Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.

Following Oct 26, 2023, 04:41pm EDT | Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Recently mobile 18-month-old toddlers are extra busy. They’re running, walking, talking and trying to get into everything they shouldn’t, so it’s the perfect time to stock up on some new fun stuff just for them. The best toys for 18-month-olds keep toddlers entertained but also support their cognitive, emotional and physical growth by allowing them to practice important developmental skills.

Keep busy toddlers happy with the best toys for 18-month-olds that are sure to pique their . . .

[+] imaginations. Illustration: Forbes Vetted / Photos: Retailers We consulted with early childhood and parenting expert Christine Hernandez , a certified birth doula and founder of Allo Saratoga play space, about what to look for when selecting the best toys for an 18-month-old child. She recommends considering the skills they’re working on and what they’re interested in.

“At this age, it’s great to offer toys and materials that are open-ended, meaning there is more than one way to play with them,” she says. “Toddlers also love to mimic, so giving them child-sized cleaning supplies like a broom or vacuum or a doll, can help them continue to develop their pretend play. ” For safety purposes, avoid any toys with small parts, as children this age may still be tempted to put things in their mouth from time to time, warns Hernandez.

As a mom of three small kiddos myself, I’ve included some of my family’s favorite toys, as well as expert recommendations and toys highly rated by other toddler parents. Read on for the best toys for 18-month-olds you can shop right now. Best Active Toys For 18-Month-Olds A Sleek Scooter That Grows With Them Editor’s Pick Amazon Micro Kickboard Mini 3in1 Deluxe Scooter Micro Kickboard scooters are a staple in our house.

From the time my kiddos could basically run, they were scooting around the block on the Mini 3in1 Deluxe. Perfect for toddlers from ages 1 to 5, this award-winning scooter has three configurations, so it literally grows with them from babyhood to big kid. Start with the sit and scoot, graduate to standing around 18 months and then transform it into the traditional popular Mini Deluxe Kickboard scooter—with the included T-bar—when they’re ready.

It’s great for challenging balance, coordination and tiring them out before nap or bedtime. A Foldable Climbing Gym That’s Stylish Too USA-Made Pottery Barn Kids Lily & River Little Climber With Reversible Rock Climber And Slide If you spend half your day trying to keep your toddler safe and from scaling the walls, not to mention everything else in your house, then this handmade and foldable modular playground is absolutely worth the splurge. It provides a safe place for your curious toddler to climb, explore and work on those all-important gross motor skills, balance and hand-eye coordination.

You can add on exciting accessories, like a reversible ladder and slide or a 2-in-1 rock wall and slide—or both. Not only does it look good in the playroom, but it can be used for many years to come. An Popular First Bike For Little Riders Amazon Ybike Pewi Walking Ride On Toy I bought this little ride-on toy for my daughter’s first birthday, and at age 4.

5 she still occasionally hops on it. Depending on where your toddler is development-wise, they can push it around the house or ride it like a bike using their feet to propel them. It’s super lightweight and a great way to tire them out if you’re stuck indoors or live in an apartment—thanks to non-marking rubber wheels that won’t damage your hardwood floors.

Of course it can be used outside too and is perfect for cruising up and down the driveway and navigating neighborhood sidewalks. A Wooden Toy To Zip Around The House On Target B. Toys Wooden Bee Ride-On Buy From Target Amanda Vierheller, cofounder and COO of Playgarden Online , an online preschool prep program, is a big fan of this wooden ride-on toy for 18-month olds.

“These adorable ride-on toys promote core strength and balance while providing a fun way to get around,” she says. “Children build gross motor skills and strengthen growing muscles as they ride and play. ” The seat is super soft, making it comfortable for little ones to sit on.

Kiddos can use their feet to zip around the house, or parents can push them until they get the hang of it. It comes fully assembled and ready to ride right out of the box. This Portable Balance Beam You Can Easily Put Away Maisonette Little Partners Learn ‘N Balance Set Little gymnasts will have a blast learning to balance on this portable wooden balance beam, which you can fold up fast and stash out of sight when they’re done playing.

We have it in our house and it’s easily enjoyed by all our kids. It can hold up to 200 pounds of weight, so multiple kiddos can walk on it at once. It includes four colorful stepping stones and, unlike traditional balance beams, can be adjusted to create a straight line, a square or a zig-zag for obstacle course fun.

My kids like using it as a race track or place to set up their other pretend play figurines. It’s also Greenguard Gold certified meaning fewer off-gassing concerns and made of sustainably-sourced wood so you can feel good about bringing it into your home. A Bubble Mower To Keep Them Busy For Hours Amazon Sunny Days Entertainment Bubble-N-Go Deluxe Lawn Mower Buy From Amazon This toy lawn mower combines two things toddlers love most: bubbles and pushing things.

The best part is, there’s no bubble mess solution for parents to clean up (or toddlers to dump) because it’s all contained in the mower. Little ones will love the realistic mowing sounds it makes as they push it through the grass or down the driveway. The chance to try and pop as many bubbles as possible could keep them entertained for hours.

It comes with 4 ounces of bubble solution, but you want to invest in more, as they’re likely to go through a lot fast. Best Pretend Play Toys For 18-Month-Olds A Cute Cleaning Set You Can Use Too Melissa & Doug Melissa & Doug Let’s Play House Toy Cleaning Set We’ve had this adorable little mini broom and mop set since my first was probably a year old, and it’s still in great shape. It gets used often to sweep actual messes up, and is great for toddlers who want to “help out” while you get some real cleaning done.

The set comes with a nice wooden pretend play broom, mop, duster, dustpan and brush, plus an organizing stand to neatly store everything when not in use. A Very Special Handmade Doll Gives Back Cuddle + Kind Cuddle + Kind Violet The Fawn Doll (13 Inch) A Cuddle + Kind doll is a special gift. These animals and dolls are hand knit with Oeko-Tex certified cotton by local women artists in Peru, and the purchase of each one delivers 10 meals to children in need.

They’re oh so soft and cuddly, and the details like the pinks on the inside of Violet the Fawn’s ears and her ruffled skirt are simply delicious. Kids can snuggle them, collect them and enjoy all sorts of imaginary play with these beautiful handmade dolls. They come in two sizes: a 20-inch doll ($87) or a 13-inch doll ($66).

A Super Soft Doll To Care For And Cuddle Amazon Manhattan Toy Wee Baby Stella Doll Buy From Amazon This doll has the snuggly benefits of a stuffie plus removable and interchangeable clothes perfect for dress up, and comes with a magnetic pacifier for pretend soothing. The ultra-soft Wee Baby Stella Doll is available in a variety of skin tones and hair types. There are also plenty of accessories sold separately, such as a bath or feeding set , to take their pretend play up a notch.

Their New Best Friend Amazon Gund Muttsy Dog Gund stuffed animals come in all creature varieties and sizes—but all are soft and exceptionally huggable. This shaggy pooch is sure to win over your tot with its soft coat and soulful eyes. It’s sized just right for carrying too (14 inches), so kids can include their new friend in games and imaginary play wherever they go.

An Interactive Tea Set That Sings And Lights Up Amazon Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Toddler Toy Sweet Manners Tea Set Get the tea party started with this adorable interactive tea set that lights up and plays more than 30 songs, sounds and learning phrases as your little one pretend pours. It comes with 11 role play pieces, including a teapot, a couple of cups, a sugar bowl, spoon and five treats that fit into the tray like a puzzle to challenge toddlers. There are also three different smart stages of learning that can teach your tot everything from good manners and sharing, to counting and colors.

Just sit back, relax and let them serve you. Best Books And Puzzles For 18-Month-Olds The Perfect First Puzzles For Your Little Animal Lover Melissa & Doug Melissa & Doug Jumbo Knob Wooden Puzzles Set Hernandez calls these jumbo knob puzzles one of the most developmentally appropriate toys for an 18-24-month-old. “They’re the the perfect size for tiny hands and help develop fine motor and cognitive skills,” she says.

The knobs are easy to grip and feature colorful, matching pictures of the animals underneath when lifted. You can try repeating the names of each animal as your little one plays, to help them work on speech and recognition. 10 Board Books That Are Just Their Size Amazon My First Library: Boxset Of 10 Board Books From colors and counting to farm animals and fruits, this little board book set covers all the basics in a fun and easy to grasp (literally) way.

The books are small enough for toddlers to hold and explore on their own, with bright images and just one word per page. They’re also super durable, so they can stand up to your toddler dropping them repeatedly. A Toddler-Ready Shape Sorting Puzzle Amazon Mushie Shape Sorting Box This Denmark-made shape sorting box is the perfect early introduction to puzzle solving, not to mention shape and spatial learning.

It’s easy for little ones to handle at just 5 x 5 inches and with a lightweight feel. There are 12 interesting shapes to puzzle over. They’ll also have a chance to flex their fine motor skills and hand-eye-coordination as they try to pick up the shapes and fit them into the box.

Although it’s plastic, it’s free of BPA, PVC and phthalates. A Silly Pop-Up Book Amazon The Wide-Mouthed Frog Pop-Up Book At this age, many kids like to get hands-on with their literature, which is why pop-up and touch-and-feel books are so popular with this crowd. Watch their eyes light up as this big, silly frog opens his mouth wide and heads out on a journey to meets new friends, including an alligator and a blue bird.

Each page delivers rich, oversize illustrations with a pop-up feature that’s sure to entrance little readers. The Best Educational Toys For 18-Month-Olds A Colorful Animal Train—And Early STEM Toy Amazon Lego Duplo My First Animal Train Chunky Duplo blocks encourage young kids to take those first steps toward building some amazing creations on their own like this colorful little animal train. You can name the colors as you go, as well as make the animal sounds—or just let them create and build the vehicle sprung from their clever imaginations.

Build, Count And Match With This Animal Stacking Set Fat Brain Toys Fat Brain Toys Farm Blocks & Animals Buy From Fat Brain Toys This colorful stacking toy is full of learning opportunities for little animal lovers. “Children practice building, fine motor skills, identifying colors, counting and learning to match animals with their homes using this charming stacking toy,” says Vierheller. The set offers plenty of pretend play fun too, as toddlers can “take care” of the animals, act like they’re animals (literally) or really whatever they can imagine.

A Subscription Play Kit Designed For Developing Minds Editor’s Pick Lovevery Lovevery The Realist Play Kit Buy From Lovevery If you’re into thoughtfully-designed toys that basically double as home décor, you’ll love Lovevery. This award-winning subscription play kit is shipped to you every two to three months (depending on your subscription) and includes toys tailored to your child’s age and stage of development so you literally don’t have to think about it. Perhaps best of all, each kit comes with a guide to give you lots of creative ways to play with the toys your child receives.

All Lovevery toys are made from sustainably harvested wood, organic cotton, nontoxic paint, as well as baby-safe plastics, and for the most part are durable enough to pass down to siblings or friends. You can skip a toy kit or cancel your subscription at any time too—but speaking from experience, you won’t want to. An Egg-Cellent Gift With A Variety Of Ways To Play MOST POPULAR Fat Brain Toys Lamaze Sort & Squeak Eggs Buy From Fat Brain Toys There are so many ways to play with these eggs, making them a popular choice amongst parents hoping to keep their toddlers entertained for longer.

“They make noise, they come apart, you can match them and as your child’s skills develop they can find new ways to play with them,” says Hernandez, who is a huge fan. It’s a great tool for teaching colors, shapes and emotions too, as each egg features a different face—from sad to happy. The Coolest Magnetic Wooden Blocks For Building Amazon Tegu 14-Piece Magnetic Wooden Block Set Advertised for ages 1 to 99, this 14-piece modern, magnetic wooden block set is truly timeless.

Curious toddlers can use their imaginations to stack, build and create with this open-ended toy. The magnetic ends make these heirloom-quality blocks even more interesting. They’re great to play with at home or take out to dinner and entertain your 18-month-old while they wait on their food.

Plus, the blocks come in a variety of color and design options. There’s Lots To Learn At This Interactive Farm Amazon Fisher-Price Little People Farm Interactive Playset Buy From Amazon If Old MacDonald had a first farm, this would definitely be it. All of my littles—from ages 1 to 6—enjoy this interactive farm play set and regularly use the included little animals and farmer figurine for all sorts of pretend play scenarios.

It has over 45 songs, sounds and phrases, as well as three smart levels to teach counting, animal sounds (of course), colors and more. Don’t be surprised if you hear a lot more mooing and neighing happening around the house. Best Sensory Toys For 18-Month-Olds An Award-Winning Musical Toy That’s Bang On Amazon Hape Pound And Tap Bench With Xylophone Buy From Amazon With tons of ways to play, it’s no wonder this multifunctional musical instrument is beloved by so many babes and their parents—it was also the winner of the 2018 Cribsie Award for favorite first musical toy.

Kiddos can bang on the three colorful balls and watch as they drop down over the xylophone and roll across the room. Prefer to just jam out? Pull out the xylophone and make some noise. This toy promotes fine motor development and encourages musical exploration.

The Perfect First Crayons For Tiny Hands Amazon Crayola Myfirst Jumbo Crayons Buy From Amazon These jumbo crayons that are easy for toddlers to grip but tough to break, according to many parents I spoke to. Let them loose with a fresh piece of paper and this pack of crayons to see what they create. This pack comes with eight crayons in assorted colors and is intended for kiddos 12 months and older who are just starting to scribble.

A Cheery, Kid-Accessible Instrument Amazon Petit Collage Kaleidoscope Lion Wooden Tambourine Petite Collage makes some of our favorite baby and preschooler toys. We love this cheery wooden lion tambourine, because it gives babies that immediate cause and effect satisfaction. Shake or tap the rainbow tambourine to hear a jingle or elicit another musical sound.

It’s also free of lights and batteries, lightweight and easy for little ones to handle. The wooden toy is made with poplar plywood and printed with non-toxic vegetable inks. The Possibilities Are Endless With These Silk Play Scarves Amazon Novelty Place Silk Scarves Buy From Amazon From peek-a-boo games and scavenger hunts to dancing and dress up, there’s a world of possibility when it comes to playing with these versatile silk scarves—and you can totally let your toddler take the lead to see what they do with them.

Blast music and have a twirling dance party, turn them into super hero capes or practice colors and counting. A quick Google search can give you hundreds of fun and educational ideas if you want more inspiration. MORE FROM FORBES VETTED The 8 Best Hotels In San Antonio By Justine Harrington Contributor The 9 Best Heated Mattress Pads To Warm Up Winter Nights By Jamie Ueda Contributor How We Chose The Best Toys For 18-Month-Olds To curate this list of the best toys for 18-month-olds, I relied on my own personal experience as a parenting writer and a mom of three kiddos who has tested and owned tons of toys for this age group.

I also interviewed parenting and childhood experts about what types of toys are most age-appropriate and best support the development of 18-month-olds. My editor, Rose Gordon Sala , also a mom of three, weighed in after touring many new items during the annual Toy Fair trade show in October 2023. Lastly, I scoured top toy websites to see what other parents are purchasing, looked at ratings and only included toys with plenty of positive reviews from fellow moms and dads.

Several award-winning toys made our list too. What Toy Is The Most Developmentally Appropriate For An 18 to 24 Month Old Child? Hernandez is a huge fan of play scarves, stuffed animals and play dough, which she says work on almost every aspect of toddler development all at once. “At 18 months, children go through significant developmental milestones,” says parenting expert Christine Hernandez .

“Physically, their gross motor skills are becoming more refined, and they should be able to walk unassisted. They may start walking up and down stairs with help, pushing and pulling toys while walking, and climbing on and off the couch with or without help. ” And get ready for art time, because little ones this age love scribbling with markers or crayons and doing things like drinking from an open cup or using a spoon all by themselves as they assert their independence.

There’s a huge language explosion at 18 months as well, so don’t be surprised if your toddler is suddenly talking your ear off. “Cognitively, an 18-month-old may engage in pretend play by imitating things they see in their environment,” notes Hernandez. “They are also beginning to problem solve, using simple puzzles or shape sorters.

” When searching for the best toys for 18-month-olds, always check the recommended age of the toy to make sure it’s appropriate otherwise you risk frustrating your little one. Things like jumbo knob puzzles, baby dolls, pretend cookware and food, ride-on toys, stacking sets and books are all excellent for development. How Many Toys Does An 18-Month-Old Need? While there’s no specific number of toys an 18-month-old needs, Hernandez recommends offering a variety of toys but rotating them often.

“Having too many toys out at once can overwhelm a child, making it difficult for them to focus and engage with each toy,” she says. “By only offering a few toys at a time and rotating them out for new ones, it helps keep things interesting. ” What Toys Are Best For Toddler Development? Open-ended toys that offer a variety of ways to play are excellent for toddler development, as they foster creativity, promote pretend play, encourage problem-solving skills and so much more.

Hernandez loves building blocks, shape sorters and pretend play sets (like play food or a tea set) for this age group. Things like busy boards and chunky puzzles are great for fine motor development, while books are always a smart investment, especially those featuring photographs of real children. Active toys, like first scooters and climbing gyms, are not only a good way to get that toddler energy out, but they also support motor development, spatial awareness and more.

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