Some toys get played with for a week and then live the rest of their lives on the same shelf never being touched again. Others somehow keep finding their way into daily play over and over again.
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I’ve pulled together a list of toys that my 18 month old AND 3 year old both genuinely enjoy regularly.
They work for different stages, different types of play, and they grow with your kids’ imagination. Bonus: most of these survive the “toddler test” of being stepped on, chewed, and used in ways the manufacturer never intended (this is my 3 years old’s specialty and equally frustrating and impressive)
Now if you’d just like to browse the list, here it is for you. BUT if you are interested in hearing WHY they withstand the ages, keep reading. Click here to see!
#1 – Battat Playspace collection
Why we love it: Sturdy, colorful, and great for keeping little ones engaged, plus the covers are machine washable. We build forts, towers, obstacle courses, and just relax and read on/in it. It is probably our most used toy.
Why it’s good for both ages: While my 18 month old can’t exactly build forts, he sure can enjoy them with no issue. These are sturdy enough that they can withstand the wild toddler but soft enough that when they fall there is no injuries. They both love to lay on them, climb on them, get into forts we build, and whatever else we can do with these, there is nothing that both of them haven’t been able to do.
Bonus on this toy: It’s also great for mom or dad to sit comfortably in while the kids play and it encourages the kids to play together building and jumping.
Click here for the collection: Playspace collection
#2 Ride on toys
Why we love them: These can be so fun for both ages. We have an indoor bumper car style and an outdoor Jeep, our kids absolutely love both. These are so fun for them to feel like little big people (who didn’t love toy cars as a kid) My sister and I had a mini Barbie Jeep we were obsessed with, so I always wanted to have something similar for my kids. Most cars now also come with a remote parents an override the steering with (hello safety and not having to chase them down) and the jeep we have also connects to Bluetooth so you can play them some tunes.
Why it’s good for both ages: I don’t know that I can say a specific reason both my kids love it other than its fun to ride around in. My 18 month old is obsessed with cars so he will even just sit in it and pretend to drive without going anywhere.
#3 A Quality water table
Just trust me, don’t buy a cheap one thinking they are the same. With heavy water and toddler play, I promise, its going to fall apart on you.
Why we love them: Water play engages all the senses, encouraging exploration and curiosity. Scooping, pouring, splashing and dunking help refine fine motor skills and hand–eye coordination, as well as learning cause and effect. Water play also has a calming effect, making it a great reset activity for busy little minds when the house gets chaotic. Whether indoors (sometimes in the fall or winter placing it in the tub or shower) or outdoors, a water table offers endless opportunities for open ended and screen free fun. Also, you can put fun things in the water like animals, colors, or gems and it can make it new and exciting again.
Why it’s good for both ages: Water play is good for all ages of kids. My kids have played with this since they have been able to stand (supervised of course) Splashing, feeling the cool or warm, giving animals a bath, you name it. Water has no age limit, even I play with it with them.
#4 Little food sets
Ones that are specific like the Melissa and Doug Ice cream shop or Sandwich maker shop are the biggest hits for us, but in general pretend food is fun.
Why we love them: This can make playtime with your kids so much more fun and build connection with you and each other. They will make me food, ice cream, sandwiches dinner, etc. play restaurant, play something we call “hot spicy” where they serve us food but its somehow all too spicy to eat, or we make them food with wacky things in it.
Why it’s good for both ages: Food sets provide a lot of open ended play. Play food blends seamlessly with dolls, play kitchens, tea sets, playing “house” and even outdoor picnics. When you join with them playing with food sets can help build language skills and manners at the same time “can I have the vanilla ice cream?” “oh no, I spilled. Could I have a napkin please” It’s a great opportunity to bond with your kids and teach at the same time. You can also use it as a tool for color recognition “The strawberry ice cream is pink” “The brown bread” “Lettuce, green” etc. etc. When not playing with them they often mimic behavior they see from you and it provides a great tool for independent play.
#5 The big pretend play sets
A house, a kitchen, a grocery store. These provide endless opportunities to play as babies and beyond. Plus, if you are like me, you go crazy for watching your little people pretend to be big people and what their imaginations can come up with.
Why we love them: I’m not sure this one even needs an explanation but these sets are so much fun, if I had to choose just one, I would say a kitchen is the best investment. My personal opinion is that while the plastic sets aren’t as cute as the wooden ones, for toddlers, they last a lot longer and are not nearly as easy to damage or break.
Why it’s good for both ages: These are going to be good for years and years. My babies started out by just experimenting with cause and effect and object permanence (opening/closing) putting toys in the cabinets and sink. Then they grew their imaginations from there, pretending they were little parents (they like to play “grandpa, grandma” where the basically do all the normal things but they are old), restaurant, just making dinner, throwing parties, etc. etc. My 18 month old probably has no idea he is playing these games with his sister but he will soon and he’s just happy she’s involving him.
#6 Ride on cars (The kind propelled by little feet)
My kids basically travel by tiny car in our house.
Why we love them: My kids travel by these little cars. All day long the zoom around the house. My biggest reason for loving these is just that they keep my kids entertained for a good amount of time, especially the one with a wagon they can put their little toys in.
Why it’s good for both ages: They both started playing with these before they were one. My 3 year old still zooms around on hers and they chase each other on them, drive to the “store”, “drive thru” in the kitchen to pick up food, car race and play crash into each other.
#7 honorable mentions
Pretend washer, laundry, or cleaning tools: Great for both ages. Pretend play is great for imagination and cleaning tools are their favorite for “helping” me around the house.
Little people sets (or other cheaper versions): I don’t know why, but kids just go crazy for these, particularly the farm sets. They love to set the little toys on the platforms, in the cars, etc. etc. They are just really cute open ended toys that allow for imaginative play.
Climbing sets/pikler triangle: If you have the room these are really great skill builders and improve your kids confidence with active play and climbing. Plus it builds muscle and hand eye coordination. We bought this one on Etsy 2 years ago and we still love it.
Balance/coordination building toys: These are so good for coordination and development and can really be played with toddler-preschooler, if not longer.
Overall you don’t need any of these but these are all toys I would invest in again and again. They have continuously been used
Here is a quick recap of all the links, I hope you find something for your little ones you really like. Leave a comment with what you would add to this list or if this helped you!
Don’t forget to pin this so that you can come back later! Or share on Pinterest so that it can help others find something!
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