Top Toddler Toys

Here are some great toys for kids ages 16 months and up. Alaina my 19 month old is currently really into these things. She really doesn't play with toys all that much; she's always preferred little stolen objects from around the house. So the fact that she's really into these things (and her interest has lasted for more than a fleeting moment) signifies to me that they must be pretty good toys. Note: she has an Elmo obsession so many of these toys are Elmo-related.

1. Aquadoodle
This is just a great product! You can feel free to let your toddler doodle with no worries
about whether the fish tank will end up crayoned. And it's really neat technology, too. For
those of you who aren't familiar: it's a mat that comes with a marker, which you fill (and
can refill, and refill) with water. The drawings fade after a few minutes, making room for
more drawings. Comes in various colors and versions: the Disney Princess version is
a pink mat and the pen writes in pink. Regular version writes blue. There are also
accessories such as shapes, plus mini character pages (we have an Elmo set).
2. a fish tank
I know this isn't a toy, but I highly recommend a fish tank for curious toddlers. I noticed
that my daughter was really into fish whenever we saw them outside the home. So I
got her a simple 10 gallon tank with 4 fish. It's a little bit of work but it's really one of the
best "toys" we have because she still loves it. She talks to the fish, says "night night" to
them every night, bye when we leave the house, etc. Plus sometimes she will just sit still
and watch the fish swim.
3. Avon body paints
Avon sells little bottles like roll-on deoderants that come in various colors and scents.
Your toddler can roll them over her body, leaving colorful trails. My daugher also really
enjoys coloring me when the opportunity arises.
4. cardboard construction blocks
Every toddler needs a set of these cheap but sturdy cardboard construction blocks (the
kind that look like bricks). If you get at least 2 sets, you can make cool forts which your
toddler will love destroying.
5. chicken dance Elmo/ Hokey Pokey Elmo
Alaina used to be afriad of her Hokey Pokey Elmo because of the grinding gear sounds.
But since she's been about a year old, it's been a favorite. I think she love Chicken Dance
Elmo even more, though. It gets her up and dancing every time, and it's hilarious when
she tries to make the chicken wings.
6. Fisher Price classical stacker
I don't remember the exact name of this toy because we've had it since before she was
even born. It's a plastic stacking tower with a star on top which plays music when pressed
down. She just really started getting into this toy a month or so ago, despite how long it's
been around. Now she's loves it.
7. jack in the box
No matter what character pops out, toddlers LOVE these things. Alaina was frustrated
at first because she found it hard to crank at first. But she practiced and now can do it
well herself. But she never ceases to be esctatic when the bunny pops out, like it's a new
surprise each and every time.
8. crayons, coloring books (and optional mini desk and chair set)
Although it can be a pain for us parents who have to scrub the crayon off the walls, they
seem to love nothing more than coloring. Alaina's grandmother has a small desk for her
to sit at for coloring and she is thrilled by that, and actually behaves much better at their
house--meaning she sits at her desk to color and doesn't draw on the walls. I also
recommend carrying a mini coloring book and crayons in the diaper bag for while you're
waiting for your meal at a restaurant. It's a great way to entertain them while waiting.
I also highly recommend washable crayons and Mr. Clean magic erasers.
9. bath tub Dora
This was Alaina's first favorite toy, which she took everywhere. It's a set of a plastic Dora
and small Boots squirt toy. Dora comes with a vest and flippers--the vest changes color
when wet. We took it on vacation, in the pool, in the lake, etc.
10. Bee Bop Band set
This is a drum which comes with several other instruments inside, as well as drums sticks.
Alaina loves to drum all over (she doesn't use the drum yet) but I'm pretty tolerant of
letting her make music wherever as long as she isn't hitting people or animals.
11. Mini Photo Album
Get a mini photo album and inside put photos of your child's family members, pets,
friends, favorite characters. You can even clip photos of other babies from magazines
because they love to look at other babies. I started out with a plain album but then found
a soft, fuzzy Elmo face album which is a huge hit. I keep it in the diaper bag and use it all
the time while waiting in line, waiting at a restaurant, etc.
12. Mini plastic animals
I started a small zoo of plastic animals for my daughter. We started with farm animals,
then got some more exotic ones. At 17 months old she could already pick out a tapir and
an okapi. If you're local, a great place to get accurate looking plastic animals is at the
Lehigh Valley Zoo (or probably other zoos).
13. Fisher Price A to Z Zoo
This is an interactive mat that comes with an animal for every letter of the alphabet. The
child can hear the animal's noise, name, and associated letter. It's also another good way
for your child to learn how to identify animals and learn their noises.
14. realistic mini piano
We have an antique mini spinet piano that was Alaina's grandmothers originally. It looks
like the real thing but is toddler size with 10-15 keys. She loves to jam on it (and its
usually the first thing her little friends play with when they come over).
15. Silly Parts Elmo
Like a Mr. Potato Head but with an Elmo, with costumes he wears in his shows, and it makes sounds.
16. stupid little things that make great toys:
--ice cubes: put a few on top of their high chair or freeze a chunk for the tub. They love
to watch them melt and disappear.
--empty spices bottles--I guess some would say this is not a safe toy, but if your
child can't open the top... But I put safe things inside anyway, such as rice
grains or other food objects that are safe--in the event she would get it open
open. They make great shakers.
--add water, food coloring, sparkles, beads or other objects to a small empty soda bottle
(a clear plastic bottle) and glue the cap on. Child can shake and watch the water move,
sparkles swirl around, hear beads shake, etc.
--old cell phones, old portable phones (they seem to like these real things better than any
kid phones you can buy)
--plastic easter eggs (they're still around, all over, months after Easter because Alaina
loves them nad has them all over the house, even in the bathrub where we fill them
with water)

Things that also make great toys for toddlers at this developmental level:
1) chunky simple puzzles, especially if shapes have textures (e.g. a sheep with wooly fur)
2) shape sorters--although I've found that the more basic it is, the less interesting it seems
3) things to make music and sounds (if all else fails while you're trying to make dinner, give um
a pot lid, wooden or plastic spoon, pan, etc.)
4) various size cups, colanders, empty water bottle, etc. for the tub



***I will add more as I think of them (I'm sure I forgot something!)
***sorry for the formatting, I don't know why this is so messed up!