Finding the best gifts for toddlers is no easy feat. This holds especially true for little ones in that 1-year-old to 3-year-old age range, since they’re not yet old enough to communicate their wants and needs. Despite their age, this group of kiddos love interaction and have likely started showing affinity towards certain toys, characters and comforts.
Not sure what to buy the toddler in your life? No problem. We consulted Marissa Silva, editor-in-chief at The Toy Insider, about what toddlers need the most. I (Stessman) have also been covering toys for five years now — specifically writing about some of the latest and greatest releases for kids of all ages, so I added some of my top picks for the season.
While celebrations are not all about the gifts, we’ve compiled a list of some of the coolest toys for toddlers that our editors recommend. These picks are bound to keep your child’s attention long after they’re done unwrapping them.
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What type of gifts should you be buying toddlers?
Silva says the most important thing to remember when buying gifts for littles is that they're age-appropriate. "Kids under 3 are at a much larger risk for choking hazards. Typically toys that are designed for kids ages 1-3 have much larger, chunkier pieces," she says.
She also encourages choosing presents that are useful gifts for toddlers and developmentally-friendly. "They should help kids develop some of those early skills like fine motor skills and gross motor skills, color recognition, matching, first words and letters, all that good stuff."
Toddler gifts for 1-year-olds
Watch sea creatures come to life in full color in the tub with this waterproof book. It has six pages that’ll help them get familiar with our aquatic friends.
Help your toddler work on their fine motor skills with this silly hedgehog designed with multicolored quills to help with color recognition and sorting. Plus, when play time is over, clean up is easy! All of the quills can be stored inside of Spike’s shell.
These chunky paint sticks prove to keep couches, children and car seats clean and mess-free. Easy to take on-the-go, this paint set requires no water and leaves spaces spot-free, every parent’s dream.
While Mom and Dad are grilling burgers, they can put their very own together with this LeapFrog set. As they’re building their burger, they’re also building coordination skills and becoming familiar with different textures and words printed on each piece.
For children who are starting to become more aware of and differentiate colors and shapes, this sorting game takes it one step further, by incorporating solid foods that are most likely already in their diet.
From bananas to apples, broccoli and a bunch of grapes, they’ll be able to sort produce into bins based on their vibrant colors.
When this toy debuted a few years ago, it was on all the hot toy lists — and it’s still a bestseller on multiple retail sites. Part of its lasting popularity, I think, is thanks to social media. There are a number of viral videos featuring the table. It’s pretty funny to see toddlers making their own beats at a mini DJ stand.
However, I think one of the best things about this toy is that it grows with your kids. They can start with the basic buttons and sounds, and then as they grow, it’ll help teach them about colors, shapes, numbers and counting as well as Spanish words and the alphabet.
For those in the transitional age between baby and toddler, this 4-in-1 learning robot makes the best gift. Each section of the robot is a different toy, equipped with over 120 different songs, sounds and phrases.
Associate editor Kamari Stewart-Jackson saw and immediately knew it would be perfect for her 4-year-old nephew — though it would work just as well for younger kids. "He’s a big Spiderman guy and loves being independent, so this chair is perfect for him," she says. "I love that it flips out so he can really lay and get cozy. Plus, it’s small enough to fit almost anywhere easily."
This four-in-one toy was featured in The Toy Insider's Hot 20 toy list this year — and it's perfect for the little ones who are celebrating their first holiday season. "You can use it as an activity table flat, can angle it up if kids are not yet standing. You can turn it into an easel with tons of storage for art supplies. So it does a lot,” Silva told us about the multi-purpose toy.
Lalo Play Boxes are comprehensive and thoughtful, curated to include age-appropriate toys that encourage development and new skills. This box will entertain them through 15 months, helping one-year-olds tackle major milestones like walking, speech and independence.
So many parents (including both celebrities and Shop TODAY editors) count themselves as fans of this screen-free toy. And this year, the brand released a new version, which is designed with rounded corners and more squeezability, so kids can get in on the fun from an even earlier age.
This starter set comes with a puppy Tonie that will play classic children's songs when they put it on top. But there are plenty of other characters for you to collect, from Ms. Rachel to farm animals.
Toddler gifts for 2-year-olds
Watch Hoot the Owl flap, squeak, twist and help your little one build their strength, coordination and fine motor skills. Hoot also comes with four coins that will help them learn colors, shapes and numbers.
Parents everywhere love this textured flip fish plush toy from Melissa & Doug. One Amazon reviewer mentioned how much her toddler loved this toy, saying, “She loves to stare at all the colors and will spend 15-20 minutes at a time happily kicking away at the crinkly scales.”
If you are in the market for a sensory toy for your toddler, look no further. The Liquimo from YoYa Toys will captivate your kiddo with its liquid motion bubblers. It comes in a set of three so they can switch up colors whenever they like.
"My son just got this as a gift for his second birthday and his eyes literally lit up when he realized that this entire board of buttons and gizmos was his," shares editor Rebecca Brown. "When he successfully switches something the lights turn on and he gets so excited. He screams, ‘look, look.’ It’s been a wonderful gift and I love how small it is. I toss it into my purse and pull it out when I need to keep him busy."
This 14-piece set is a safe and fun introduction to magnets to your toddler. It enables kids to use their imaginations to create six different animals. They can get creative and mix and match pieces for some wild results!
If your little one loves moving and grooving to the beat, gift them this toy that will incorporate learning into their dance routine. With numbers, letters, colors, songs and more that will encourage their development, this toy will keep them engaged for hours.
Toddler gifts for 3-year-olds
If they’re not scared of creepy crawlies or love to spot brightly colored birds in the backyard, gift them with these binoculars that are no fuss thanks to the lack of a focus knob. They simply have to look through the lens to see a view that’s twice as magnified.
I’ve seen these “kidnoculars” on plenty of hot toy lists through the years and they seem like the perfect gift for adventurous kids who love to learn and explore.
With five different sides full of games and activities to push, swing, pull, spin and interact with, your toddler will be occupied for hours on end with this cube that helps them learn numbers, colors and more through music, dancing animals and a number of noises and phrases.
Do you want a toy that will stimulate your toddler? Try these magnetic tiles they can use to create 3D, colorful worlds right from their imagination.
While Silva advises being careful about toys with magnets inside, she gives Magna-Tiles her seal of approval, noting that the magnets are “safely enclosed in a riveted tile.”
Stewart-Jackson also plans to gift these to her nephew this year, "so he can get some more STEM play at home," she says.
“She is learning a little bit about how to add things up and what coins look like,” said one Shop TODAY editor of this engaging electronic toy that was gifted to her daughter. With a built-in calculator and a drawer that pops open to count change and dollar bills, playing store just became a little more realistic.
While Jennifer Birkhofer, the vice president of commerce for NBC News Group, says that everything on Super Smalls' website makes a great toddler gift, she shares, "My 3-year-old was really into makeup, so we got her this makeup kit and she absolutely loved it."
It includes toddler-friendly "makeup" products like clear mascara and low-pigment blush and lipstick.
"For an older toddler (3+), I love Young + Wild & Friedman kits — these are super cute and come in a million different themes, sizes and price points," says Birkhofer. "My toddler loves mermaids, so I got her this one."
This starter kit is designed to help kids ages three to five build core learning skills in math and reading and foster creativity. This kit features six different games that help kids develop their whole brain, stimulate their appetite for learning and connect learning with fun through hands-on play.
"I absolutely love Wonderbly books and I give my kids a new one for their birthdays or Christmas each year," shares Birkhofer.
To create, your book, all you have to do is add your kid's name and customize their character with their hair color, skin tone and more, so it looks just like them! Within the book, there will be six different versions of them that they can find within the illustrations throughout the book.
This portable two-sided racetrack is modeled for car play on one side and train play on the other. Not only does it have a molded-in handle to make transporting it a breeze, it’s also made with heavy-duty plastic that’ll survive even the toughest of playtimes, according to the brand.
Kids can get right into the splash zone with this fun waterfall play set. As the waterfall drains from the top down into the pond, it activates maze-like spinners, ramps and buckets, according to the brand.
With 10 new rooms to decorate, a slide connecting the top floor to the pool below, a pet palace and more space for Barbie’s outfits, this Dreamhouse will be home to some of their favorite play scenarios, countless dolls and anything else their imagination can dream up.
Best active toddler toys
Treat your kiddo to an at-home bumper car experience, featuring their favorite TV show character — Bluey! Don’t worry, the small kart only reach 1.5 MPH but still offers thrills like 360-degree spinning and flashing LED lights. This car was also featured on The Toy Insider’s Hot Toy list for 2025.
This retro-style bright red roadster has chrome handlebars and tassels and has a low center of gravity, making climbing on and off easy and safe.
Cruise along the track of this kids’ roller coaster toy, designed for fun rides and big thrills. This roller coaster easily comes apart for convenient and compact storage. There's even a version where kids ride a unicorn.
Best stuffed animals and dolls for toddlers under $50
If you’re eager to introduce them to the wizarding world, start with a Squishamallow. Available in all four houses, will they grow up to be brave, wise, kind, cunning? Or a mix of all of the above? This toy was also listed on Amazon’s Toys We Love list in 2024.
This Mini Mimble is an adorable plushie that your toddler can squeeze, snuggle and style. Each doll has soft hair that toddlers (and adults!) can shape into a variety of eye-catching hairdos. Mother-son duo Julia and Theo Chambers designed the Mimbeball and see it as a perfect listening companion and cuddle buddy for people of all ages.
Best books for toddlers under $20
Gift a classic with this board book by Eric Carle that introduces young readers to the days of the week and counting. You can pair it with a very hungry caterpillar stuffed animal for more fun. If I'm shopping for books for kids, this will always be my first choice. I have so many special memories of reading it with my parents growing up and it's so fun to give it to someone else, knowing that they'll be able to create their own.
In this accordion-style board book, babies and toddlers will be introduced to objects such as buttons, a banana, chairs, a cat and many more. With over 8,600 5-star ratings, reviewers say they love this book because it's "useful for tummy time," and it encourages babies to engage with it, thanks to its high contrast.
Associate editor Erica Marrison recently bought this book set for a friend and couldn't believe that you get 12 books for under $10. Each one will help them learn about something new, from colors to letters.
Similar to pop-it fidget toys, this board book consists of buttons for children to practice fine motor skills with, all while naming animals and letters. Cruise through the alphabet with examples like T for turtle, L for lion and more with this 20-page book.
Said to be “colorful and engaging,” you can introduce the world of Frank Lloyd Wright to your child with this board book. “I think it’s the cutest — great quality, perfect for baby,” one reviewer said.
Explore the fun world of color with these board books, which point out items in each color. "They are very well made, and the cardboard is much thicker than other board books, so it's been difficult for her to wreck them," one reviewer said, adding "They are the perfect size for her little hands.
Clothing and accessory gifts for toddlers
Since we won’t be able to see a unicorn in real life, we’ll have to opt for its marine sibling — the narwhal. This whimsical backpack for toddlers includes an insulated pouch for snacks and adjustable bottle pocket.
It may no longer be Croctober, but Crocs shine all year long. Not only is the shoe podiatrist-approved, but the little one you’re shopping for can customize them with Jibbitz.
Uggs are trending again, and these toddler-sized mini Uggs are too adorable to pass up. The toddler Uggs also feature a zipper for little ones who are still learning to put on their shoes.
Meet the expert
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on a given topic. We also ensure that all expert guidance and recommendations are provided independently and without any undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Marissa Silva is the editor-in-chief at The Toy Insider, a toy review and news website.
How we chose the best gifts for toddlers
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the products that would make great gifts for toddlers. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers. I (Stessman) have been covering toys and holiday gifts for the last five years and often speak to experts about the top picks for every age group.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
Don’t forget to check out Shop TODAY’s other gift guides for everyone on your list including gifts for pre-teens, ones for the brand-new host or hostess, for the tech-obsessed kid in your life and more.
- Our top picks
- What type of gifts should you be buying toddlers?
- Toddler gifts for 1-year-olds
- Toddler gifts for 2-year-olds
- Toddler gifts for 3-year-olds
- Best active toddler toys
- Best stuffed animals and dolls for toddlers under $50
- Best books for toddlers under $20
- Clothing and accessory gifts for toddlers
- Meet the expert
- How we chose the best gifts for toddlers