Our three children have gotten a few gifts over the years that have fallen flat. You know the ones that sit in the closet and collect dust. They swore they wanted it and said they would play with it. Maybe you thought it was a great idea, but that idea did not align with their ideas.
Yes, we have had plenty of those, but we have had a few wins too. Toys that are played with over and over and passed on from one sibling to the next. Toys that all three of our kids have loved . Toys that have stimulated their imagination and keep them entertained and engaged.
With Christmas fast approaching, I thought I would share few of those wins in our Best Toys for Toddlers and Preschoolers gift guide.
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These toys all rank high in my book Because:
- They have been loved by all our kids (both girl and boy).
- They are durable (have withstood 3 kids).
- They have longevity (most of these toys have been around with all 3 kids).
- They offer lots of opportunity for imaginative, creative, and open ended play.
Best Toys for Toddlers & Preschoolers
(Items are numbered according to the picture above. For more information click on the highlighted name of each item.)
1. Fisher-Price Little People City Skyway
Ours was a little different than this one, but same concept. It is sturdy and easy to pick up and move around. It comes with two of the wheelies cars. Additional Wheelies would make great stocking stuffers.
2. KidKraft Waterfall Mountain Train Set and Table
Our oldest was obsessed with Thomas the Train. He got a train table very similar to this one when he was two. It worked great with his wooden Thomas the Train engines. All three of our kids enjoyed the table.
3. Fisher-Price Little People Animal Friends Farm
This is a classic. I think we had it growing up. Of course it has changed over the years, but t is still a great way to help kids learn animal sounds.
4. Mega Blocks First Builders Big Building Bag, 80-Piece
Mega Blocks are another classic that we have had with all three kids. There is so much you can do with these mega blacks.
I snagged a coupe car at a yard sale when the oldest was a toddler. I got a really good deal, but for the amount of time the kids have spent playing with this, it would have been so worth buying new. The kids use their feet to move around in this car.
We bought our first set of Magformers before they were popular. When our oldest was about kindergarten age, I was searching for a toy that had magnets for him. The problem was we had a baby and a toddler in the house, so we needed big pieces. I found these in a catalog and ordered them. Over the years we have added more sets, because they are so popular with all three kids. Our kids are 3, 6, and 9 and they all still love them,
7. Fisher Price Little People A to Z Learning Zoo Playset
We have a couple zoo lovers in our house. This set comes with 26 animals, a zoo keeper, a car, fence pieces, waterfall, cave, tree with swing, and playmat. There is an animal for each letter of the alphabet. Kids can press the letter to hear either the first letter of the animal’s name or the animal sound. They can also hear the ABC song with animal songs.
8. Melissa & Doug Shopping Cart
This was a later addition to our collection of toys. Our youngest got this from the grandparents a couple of years ago. We also have the Step2 Little Helper’s Shopping Cart
9. Learning Resources Pretend & Play Calculator Cash Register
Our kindergartner received this a couple of years ago from the grandparents. The kids use this to play grocery store all the time. Grocery store is the most played pretend play activity in our house.
10. Kidkraft Deluxe Let’s Cook Kitchen
This is another item that we have had since our oldest was two. Our youngest two still play with it all the time cooking up meals for us, their dolls, and stuffed animals.
Bonus items:
All 3 kids have loved their power wheels. The recommended age starts at 3, so more for preschoolers than toddlers. I don’t remember for sure when our kids started driving it; probably between 2 and 3. I was a little concerned when they got this that they would never ride their bikes, but they love their bikes and ride them all the time.
We don’t have this particular brand, but we love the kids’ little trampoline that the grandparents got them a few years ago. This is a lifesaver in the winter to keep kids moving and active when it is too cold to get them outside and tire them out. If you have room in your house, this is a must for winter. You will be so glad you got it.
We do not have any Magna-Tiles, but I have read so many great things about them. Not sure we can justify them since we already have the Magformers. Does anyone have both? 
Need more ideas for Christmas? Check out these 75 gift guides for kids.
What toys have been a big win at your home? Share in the comments below.
