Top Learning Toys for Toddlers

When toddlers discover their legs and leave babyhood behind, it’s time to introduce them to some of the top learning toys for toddlers.

With the newfound ability to walk and run, there also comes a longer attention span and an increased ability to focus. Why not take advantage of these with some entertaining learning toys that will keep your little one planted for a few minutes?

Oh and also, you no doubt want them to learn a thing or two. 😉

Our list of the top learning toys for toddlers centers on toys that promote congnitive skills in your little runner. These toys help toddlers develop specific pre-preschool skills, like:

Language skills
Object recognition
Shape, color, number and letter recognition
Thinking and perception

Here are our picks of toddler toys that encourage these skills and will help your toddler’s brain cells develop as quickly as those leg muscles!

To help you find the best educational toy for the little one in your life, we’ve divided our list into two categories. The first is non-electronic toys and the second is electronic learning toys for toddlers. Each toy offers a valuable learning experience for kids between 1 and 3 years old.

Heads up that the links below take you to Amazon, Target, or other retailers where noted. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I am also a participant in the Target Affiliate
Marketing Program. That means if you buy something through these links, I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can learn more here. I hope you enjoy our toy and gift suggestions!

Before we share our favorite learning toys for toddlers, here’s a few very popular, big sellers in toddler toys that teach the skills little ones need to prepare them for preschool. These are all educational, entertaining, and judging from sales and ratings, parent-approved. These include both simple and electronic learning toys for toddlers.

Alphabet Truck Pull and Sing Puppy Interactive Wall Chart Learning Carrier Shapes Picnic Basket Wood Shapes Puzzle

And now, scroll on down for our own top picks with some details about why we recommend them.

Quick Links preview list of toys

LEGO DUPLO All-in-One-Box-of-Fun

LEGO DUPLO Blocks for Toddlers

Blocks have been among the best learning toys for toddlers for generations. It takes some cognitive thinking skills to stack those puppies just right!

This set of LEGO DUPLO blocks are perfect for toddlers because they’re designed for small hands and are easy to connect and separate. Here’s a few more reasons why this set is a great learning toy for toddlers:

Helps with color recognition
Has numbered blocks for number recognition
65 pieces for lots of fine motor skill practice
Includes toy figures for some imaginative play too

The DUPLO blocks have been around for ages, but they are still one of the top educational toys for two year olds!

Age: 18 Months – 5 Years

Mega Bloks Build ‘n Learn Table

The Mega Bloks Build ‘n Learn Table provides a nice, large, sturdy surface for toddlers to build on. Plus, it comes with colored blocks featuring letters and numbers that are similar to the DUPLO blocks. You can check it out below.

Age: 12 Months+

MEGA First Builders Build 'n Learn Table Build 'n Learn Table

Portable, folding table building set with a tabletop track and 1 rolling...
30 pieces include big building blocks to match and count to learn colors...
Ideal for ages 1+, and endorsed by Fisher Price, First Builders toys are...

Other Educational Blocks for Toddlers

Playing with blocks helps toddlers develop their hand-eye coordination, color, number, and shape recognition, and even learn about gravity.

Below are some other block sets that are excellent learning toys for toddlers.

These Oaktown Wooden Blocks have numbers, letters and objects on them to help little ones with word recognition. These are nice too, because they are a little larger than other wooden blocks.

And the Match and Build Soft blocks have peek-a-boo surprises and picture matching games to further toddlers’ thinking skills.

Match & Build Soft Blocks Wooden Blocks

Hape Country Critters Wooden Activity Cube

Country Critters

Activity cubes that include beads, shape sorters, mazes, and other games are both entertaining and educational toys for 2 year olds and younger toddlers.

Little ones learn problem-solving and logic skills, as well as perseverance and concentration as they work through the challenges.

The Hape Country Critters Play Cube is adorable with its animal theme and each side features something for little ones to tap, turn, spin, or push. It has excellent reviews from parents and offers a variety of learning opportunities and entertainment for toddlers.

Age 1+

Melissa & Doug Counting Caterpillar

M&D Counting Caterpillar

The Melissa & Doug Counting Caterpillar encourages that repetitious play that toddlers love so much.

Little ones can remove and place the cute caterpillar’s colored parts to their heart’s content, while learning at the same time. Here’s some of the reasons this simple toy makes our list of the best educational toys for 2 year olds and older toddlers:

It’s colorful and intriguing
Teaches number recognition and counting
Teaches colors
Helps fine motor skills
Durable wooden toy that will last!

On top of all these pluses, this cute little learning toy is inexpensive too!

Age 2+

Below are a couple more learning toys for toddlers that help with color recognition, counting and other skills.

DUPLO Number Train for Counting, Dexterity & Colors Fat Brain Tobbles for Colors, Stacking & Sensory

Melissa & Doug Wooden Puzzles for Toddlers

M & D First Shapes Jumbo Puzzle

Wooden puzzles are marvelous learning toys for toddlers! The Melissa & Doug wooden puzzles made for littler kids will capture your toddler’s attention with their bright, happy colors. Here’s a few reasons I love these puzzles for toddlers.

Chunky shape is easy for small hands to grasp
Pieces stand up on their own for more ways to play
Helps fine motor skills and dexterity
Helps toddlers cognitive skills as they fit the pieces
Quality wooden toys made to last!

It’s hard to find good wooden puzzles for toddlers. Most wooden puzzles are rated for ages 3 and up because the small pegs on the pieces could come off and pose a choking hazard.

But the Melissa and Doug Jumbo Knob Wooden Puzzles have extra large pegs, safe and easy for little hands to grasp. These are rated for toddlers age 12 months and up.

There are also the Melissa and Doug Wooden Chunky Puzzles which have chunky pieces that are raised up, so they are easy to grasp without a peg and perfect for toddler hands. These are rated for toddlers age 24 months and up and are excellent educational toys for two year olds. Below are two popular ones.

M&D Animal Chunky Puzzles Set M&D Nature Chunky Puzzles Set

The Learning Journey Puzzles for Toddlers

The Learning Journey brand also makes quality learning puzzles for toddlers. Their puzzles are very thick cardboard with bright, appealing pictures.

Their My First Match It puzzles are 2 piece puzzles where toddlers have to match two parts to create the whole object. There are several different categories, like colors, pets, foods, etc. Each set comes with 15 puzzles in a box.

These are getting great reviews and are very well priced, putting them on our list of the best learning toys for two year olds. Below are two of their popular sets.

Colors and Shapes Heads and Tails

Shape Sorters are Classic Learning Toys for Toddlers

A good ‘ole fashioned shape sorter is a great learning toy for toddlers. They not only teach shapes, but also colors, motor skills and how to reason (Oh, so pounding the shape isn’t going to make it fit!) 😉

Melissa & Doug make two highly rated shape sorters that I love. One is the top-selling classic Shape Sorting Cube and the other is their Dump Truck Shape Sorter which is a fun vehicle toy and shape sorter in one.

This Tomy Barnyard Shape Sorter is a winner too, because it also has animal shapes and a handle to carry it. It’s a great price too!

Brand new on the market just this summer is the Fat Brain Toys Shape Factory early learning toy for toddlers. This one is unique because little ones can turn the top and change the shape of the opening, adding an additional challenge and learning experience to their play.

Shape Sorting Cube Shape Sorting Truck Barnyard Shape Sorter Shape Factory

Shape sorters come in all, well…shapes! You can check out a wide selection of shape sorters here, to find the right one for your toddler.

First 100 Words Board Books

First 100 Board Book Set

What’s better than snuggling with your little one for story and learning time? The First 100 Words Books are terrific to teach young ones objects, colors, numbers and other concepts.

I know first-hand this one is a winner with toddlers and preschoolers because I read it about 54281 times to my niece and nephew, who were 2 and 3 years old at the time. Every time we finished, they wanted to read it again, unless I got lucky and they fell asleep first, which was usually the goal 😉

I love the board book style because they are durable enough for little ones to look at them alone, if mom or dad aren’t available. And they are just the right size for little hands.

You can buy the books separately, or get all three in this boxed set, which is really nice. These are one of my favorite learning toys for toddlers.

Age 12 Months+

Little Tikes Tasty Jr. Bake ‘N Share Kitchen

Tasty Jr. Bake ‘N Share Kitchen

You might not think of a play kitchen as a learning toy for toddlers, but they provide so many wonderful learning experiences for little ones. The Little Tikes Bake ‘N Share Kitchen is one of the few play kitchens designed for little ones under the age of 3. Here’s some features and lessons of this toddler play kitchen.

Adjustable height to grow with your child
Large enough for multiple kids
Includes 40+ play food and accessories
Little ones can learn shapes, colors, and objects just from playing
Teaches cooperative play, sequencing, motor skills, problem solving, and many other skills

This little toddler play kitchen is a real bargain, considering all of the accessories that come with it, and the fact that it grows with your child!

Age: 12 Months +

Below are two more highly-rated play kitchens designed for little ones ages two years old and up. They come with lots of accessories to help young ones learn through imaginative play, making them top educational toys for two year olds.

Electronic Learning Toys For Toddlers

Along with the classic toddler learning toys, electronic educational toys have their place in the toddler learning experience too. They are wonderfully entertaining which is very helpful when mom or dad need to accomplish something without their little one demanding attention.

At the same time, parents should be mindful of signs of overstimulation in their toddler from the lights and sounds of these toys. Also, parents should make time to share in the child’s learning experience with these toys by interacting with their child while playing.

That said, here are our picks for the top electronic learning toys for toddlers, based on research, consumer ratings, and our own experience as parents.

VTech Touch and Learn Activity Desk Deluxe

Touch and Learn Activity Desk

The Deluxe Touch and Learn Activity Desk by VTech holds tons of learning opportunities for toddlers!

Here’s just a few of the engaging learning features of this toy:

Teaches 100+ vocabulary words
20+ Learning activities
Desktop converts to chalkboard and easel!
Expansion packs available for more focused learning
Great for families with multiple young kids
Best learning toy for 2 year olds!

There are so many entertaining ways to learn with this one little desk, that toddlers will never be bored with it and parents have great things to say about it too. For all of these reasons, it makes our list of the top electronic learning toys for toddlers.

Age: 2-5

View on Amazon

Electronic educational toys come in all sizes. Below are two popular toys that teach counting, letters, words, colors and a variety of other things. They have great ratings and are sized to be portable.

Spin & Learn Flashlight 2-in-1 LeapTop

LeapFrog 100 Words Book

The LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words book fosters language and communication skills in toddlers and was a Toy of The Year finalist in 2019. This interactive book keeps toddlers captivated as they listen and react to the words and songs.

Here’s a few reasons why it’s one of the top electronic learning toys for toddlers:

Teaches over 100 words
12 Colorful pages
3 Modes of play plus songs
Plays in English or Spanish
Engaging early education tool!

Besides all the instructional value of this top educational toy for 2-year-olds, it’s also a great price!

Age: 18 Months – 4 Years

Below are two more electronic educational toys that help toddlers with language skills and color and letter recognition. These are all getting great feedback from parents.

VTech Touch & Teach Fisher-Price Storybook Rhymes

Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Servin’ Up Food Truck

Servin’ Up Fun Food Truck

Fisher-Price consistently releases top electronic learning toys for toddlers and one of their newest additions is the Laugh & Learn Servin’ Up Food Truck.

This toy combines pretend play with learning activities for a super entertaining and educational toy that toddlers are loving! Here’s some great features of this toy.

125+ Songs and phrases
20+ play food pieces and accessories
Cash register for numbers and counting exercises
3 age settings
Teaches word and letter recognition
2-sided play for multiple kids

There are so many ways toddlers can play and learn with this toy, that it’s our current favorite learning toy for toddlers!

Age: 18-36 Months

Below are a a couple more electronic learning toys for toddlers from the Laugh & Learn line that are similar to the Food Truck. They are all loaded with learning activities that help toddlers learn colors, counting, letters and more.

Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Learning Home

Loaded with activities inside and out for immersive, 360-degrees of play
So much to explore: interactive “hub”, crawl-through door, porch...
Home office area with light-up thermostat, office light, and...

Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Song & Story Learning Chair,...

Interactive musical toy with "magical" seat that rewards toddlers ages 12...
Tap the light-up lamp to turn the lights on and off and to hear fun music!
Press each of the crayons to hear a colorful song

VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker

VTech Learning Walker

The VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker is a HUGE seller! When toddlers get tuckered out from pushing it, they can take a breather and absorb all the learning activities it has to offer. Here’s some reasons why this top electronic learning toy for toddlers is getting such great reviews.

70+ Songs, sounds and phrases
Teaches shapes, colors, numbers and animals
Speed control feature
Works on tile or carpet
Develops fine motor skills
Removable panel for floor play!

This toy has so many educational and fun features, it’s no wonder parents and toddlers are absolutely loving this toy!

Age: 9-36 Months

I like toys with multiple functions because it’s like having several toys in one, so you really get more bang for your buck. Below is another electronic educational toy for toddlers that is also both a walking and ride-on toy.

VTech Sit-to-Stand Ultimate Alphabet Train, Blue

This VTech sit-to-stand ultimate alphabet train is an online exclusive...
Learning toy comes with 10 activities including a storybook, clock, gears...
For toddler role-play toy fun, the included walkie-talkie and number pad...

VTech Magic Star Learning Table

Magic Star Learning Table

Activity tables, like the VTech Magic Star Table, offer tons of learning opportunities for toddlers. Most of them convert to a floor toy for younger babies too, which is nice.

We love activity tables for toddlers and babies because they are so versatile and offer so many learning opportunities in one toy. Here’s some features of this VTech activity table that make it one of the best learning toys for toddlers.

65+ Songs, sounds and phrases
Teaches letters, numbers, colors and more
6 activities to help fine motor skills
Speaks in both English and Spanish

Users love this activity table! And because it’s rated for babies as young as 6 months and on into toddlerhood, parents get lots of use out of it!

Age: 6-36 Months

Below are a two more highly-rated activity tables that are popular electronic learning toys for toddlers.

On Sale!

Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Around The Town Learning Table

4 fun places for baby to visit Puppy’s home, the market, the zoo and the...
Press the interactive phone button for fun phrases that add to the...
9 lights and more than 120 songs, tunes & phrases

VTech Touch and Learn Activity Desk Deluxe (Frustration Free...

The Touch and Learn Activity Desk Deluxe is an interactive desk and...
Extend the fun with expansion packs (each sold separately) that include a...
Transforms from a desk into an easel and chalkboard with storage space for...

Toddlers learn important lessons from all kinds of play, so just about anything can be a learning toy for toddlers. But the toys listed here will give your toddler a good start to learning the basic concepts taught in preschool – namely, colors, letters, numbers, object recognition, language, reasoning, and social skills.

And they might just slow your little runner down for a hot second so you can catch up! 😉

**Details: Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.

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Top Learning Toys for Toddlers (for less toddling and more thinking!)