Best Toys for Active Toddlers

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• Learning & Exploring New Movements (12-18 Months)
• Climbing & Exploring (18-24 Months)
• Running & Jumping Comes into Play (2-3 Years)
• More Complex Social Play (3-4 Years)
• Active and Group Play for Preschoolers (4-5 Years)
• How about Safety?

What do we know about toddlers? First, they grow up at the speed of light. Second, they are constantly striving for autonomy. And…they have a lot of energy. They enjoy jumping, climbing, and running, but at the same time, munchkins are happy sitting with a book, gadget, or a puzzle. In no time, they switch from a peaceful activity to a hyperactive one that (well, who would doubt?) requires a new set of tools…

Today, at Child-Universe, we’ll talk about the best toys for active kids that help parents keep tots both entertained and occupied.

Learning & Exploring New Movements (12-18 Months)

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It’s just the beginning of everything. Your child is just learning to walk, roll over, climb, and explore the environment where everything is unknown. They’re more focused on coordination and balance, which means you should add items to their arsenal that encourage and help boost gross motor skills and movements. We believe the best toys for active 1 year old include the options below:

• Push toys. Push-along wagons and walkers are among the best gifts for active kids as they provide a strong sense of security and help boost balance and strengthen their leg muscles.
• Ride-on toys. At this age, small ride-on toys help rug rats develop better coordination while they enjoy the ride.
• Softballs. When in need of the best gifts for active toddlers, lightweight, throwing soft, kicking, and rolling balls should be on the list because they help practice body control and hone hand-eye coordination.

Climbing & Exploring (18-24 Months)

The authors of the “Learning Toys Production Guide for Early Childhood Care and

Education (Ecce) Centres/Preschools and Home Play” remind us that kiddoes learn by doing. In other words, they “need lots of experience playing with and “manipulating” solid objects before they will ‘understand’ new concepts.” At this age, active littlies tend to push boundaries, which means you have to provide them with a safe and comfy place to feel some doze of control. In other words, let them be the boss, whether they’re engaged with wooden toys for toddlers or cars. The best toys for active 2 year old are the items that challenge their growing agility non-stop and keep them safe. The ideas to check at this stage:

• Balance bikes. A balance bike that is not equipped with pedals is one of the best toys for active toddlers that is helpful when it comes to learning to balance and steer. If you need to prepare munchkins for biking in the future, this option rocks.
• Structures to climb. Soft playsets or low climbing toys with slides, steps, or/and tunnels are famous because of their effectiveness in encouraging active play in a safe environment. 
• Obstacle course sets. The easiest way to create the simplest obstacle courses for your little explorer is by arranging foam or/and soft blocks and stepping stones in different ways. Let the navigation begin!

Running & Jumping Comes into Play (2-3 Years)

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According to the “Toys for Infants and Toddlers: An Analytical Study,” play increases in complexity  and imagination,  from simple imitation of common experiences,  such as shopping and putting baby in bed  (at  2-3  years of age),  to more extended scenarios involving singular events, such as going to the zoo or going on a trip (3- or 4-years age).

Boys and girls are full of energy! They’re ready to face physical challenges, and your job is to provide them. Keep in mind that at this point, your pumpkin is developing better strength and coordination while their imagination becomes the cornerstone for all activities. 

Browse the best active toys for 2 year olds or 3 year olds that combine both creativity and physical activity. Our best active toys for 3 year olds include the following picks:

• Mini trampolines. In this case, choose toddler-safe, small trampolines that are equipped with handles. They help fidgets enhance leg strength and balance while burning off a whole bunch of energy.
• Tricycles. See how they enjoy pedaling and steering! It is an excellent opportunity to develop both coordination and leg strength.
• Sets for pretend play. There’s a great assortment of play kitchens and playhouses designed to encourage children to move (carry stuff and run) while using their imagination to have an entertaining and useful make-believe. The next generation loves to cook meals or build things while staying active. 

More Complex Social Play (3-4 Years)

This stage is known as transitioning since toddlers are about to become preschoolers. They enjoy playing with their pals and get more socially aware. At our ChildUniverse blog, we’ve already discussed the importance of this part of a kid’s development and the presence of things to play with. 

The best toys for active 4 year olds include playthings designed to refine motor skills and encourage cooperative play. At this stage, go for the top toys for active kids, like:

• Scooters. A simple ride on a 3-wheeled scooter helps develop balance and coordination while staying active and having fun.
• Sports equipment. No need to purchase extra-expensive sports tools! Pick simple stuff like T-ball sets, basketball hoops, soccer goals, etc., to ensure they’ll have an active play. This equipment will help improve hand-eye coordination and learn to participate in teamwork-based activities.
• Outdoor sets. Now that you know about the best indoor toys for active toddlers, browse pretend-play outdoor sets that imitate activities that adults are usually engaged in. Gardening, lawnmowing, or/and camping gear can spark make-believe and physical activity at the same time.

Active and Group Play for Preschoolers (4-5 Years)

Preschoolers talk a lot! You can hear tons of questions that require immediate answers. They’re polishing up their physical skills and intensively developing both cognitive and social abilities. They like to experiment and are always ready for cooperative play with pals. Activities like jumping and running are part of the routine due to more advanced coordination. Top ideas for toys to consider:

• Problem-solving activities. For example, puzzles that include 12-20+ fragments, small objects to sort by certain parameters (quantity, shape, height, length, etc.), and fun-to-connect blocks will 100% engage active preschoolers.
• Kits for team sports and ball games. Get a whole pack of basketball hoops, soccer balls, and bowling sets to guarantee effective teamwork, refine motor skills, and increase stamina.
• Playsets for outdoor fun. If your active preschooler loves to jump, run, and explore non-stop, slides, swing sets, and climbing frames can make their day. Not only do they motivate them to move more, but they also help with coordination and strength.
• Toys to engage in moving and dancing. The items that incorporate movement and music tend to involve music-based games, dance mats, and other playthings suitable for active play. At the same time, they help boys and girls get a better idea of what rhythm is and get more creative.
• Bicycles equipped with training wheels. Chances are that your preschooler is ready to say goodbye to the balance bike and welcome the pedal bike with training wheels. Thus, they are not only going to get used to pedaling, but they will also develop coordination and balance.

How about Safety?

Whether you are trying to find the best toys for active babies, toddlers, or schoolkids, do not forget about safety. No splinters or sharp parts are allowed! Plus, every plaything should be shatter-proof and covered with nontoxic paint, if any. Are you more into electric toys? Make sure they’re UL-approved. Finally, if your pumpkin is under age 3, it is crucial to choose products that have zero small pieces or parts that they could try to chew, swallow, and suffocate as a result. Do not forget that because of wear and tear, any toy can become dangerous, which means you should regularly check out their belongings and get rid of old, unused ones. Investing in quality, earth-friendly, and safe toys that match each stage of your kiddie’s developmental stage serves as a solid foundation for an active (i.e., healthy) lifestyle from the very start.