The Best Toys for Preschoolers/Little Kids 18 months to 3 years 2023: Hot Holiday Gift Guide
This is a fun age. It is also an period where kids are either exploring their personalities or are the opposite and feel determine to only play their favorite things. And that is okay as the toddler years are about learning what they love and building on their curiosity and imagination.
Check out our list of toys and gifts for ages 18 months to 3 years!
Pop Out Space Travel: Read, Build, and Play on a Trip to Space
Pop-up books are the OG interactive tool, which makes them perfect for this age set. Board books are sturdy enough to be rough and tumbled and are fun. This space book will take your little one on a galactic adventure, allowing them to build all the space essentials such as a station, astronaut suit, and more. Recommended reading age 2-4. $7.89, amazon.com.
Psst…The Best Toys for 8 + year olds: Holiday Gift Guide 2023
Lena by Naturalistas Littleistas Lena
This adorable LITTLELISTAS is designed by Purpose Toys, who offer toys in the black and brown community. LITTLELISTAS doll has gorgeous curly hair that she styles with a signature ‘Wear-and-Share’ Gold Crown. Ages 2 Years and Up. $24.99, Target.
All the Feels Puzzle by Nolja
Did you know that puzzles produce dopamine? This All the Feels Puzzle, by fitting pieces with illustrations of emotions like calm, sad, and lonely, helps your little one learn about emotions via these artful illustrated puzzle pieces. $25, Ages 3+ nolja.com.
Family board games are fun but only sometimes geared for the pre-k set. This Picnic Spinner Game is fun to play and easy and comprises 28 die-cut sturdy food, silverware and plate pieces, and a colorful tablecloth because it is a picnic! Ages 3 +. $24, eeBoo.com.
Laugh & Learn Mix & Learn DJ Table
Little musicians will love to work their fine motor skills while rocking out to Puppy’s freshest beats with the Laugh & Learn Mix & Learn DJ Table activity center. Parents will love that this interactive learning toy and activity table features a piano with three ways to play, plus 12 fine motor activities, 100+ sounds, songs and phrases, and 3 Smart Stages learning levels to keep the learning fun going as baby grows. Parents will also love that they can keep the table legs off for sit-at floor play, and then attach when your baby is ready to stand up and DJ. Ages 5 months+, $44.66, amazon.com.
Sesame Street Elmo Slide
Little ones will love to dance, sing, and play along with their fun-loving, plushie pal ! Simply squeeze this adorable Elmo’s right hand to play the “Elmo Says” game and try to follow along. Then squeeze his left hand to see him sing, sway, flap his arms, and glide from side to side to the super-catchy “Elmo Slide” song. It’s so much fun that kids of all ages will not be able to sit still when Elmo prompts them to dance with him. Parents will love that Elmo is interactive, speaks and sings in English or Spanish, has two ways to play and he brings big smiles while getting everyone up and dancing. Ages 2+,$39.97 , amazon.
Wooden Racer by Battat
This indoor wooden rid-on is pure fun, perfect for th3 cold weather months or when staying inside is on the day’s agenda. The car is designed with a soft seat and a handle to hold onto. The best part is that no assembly is required, so it is ready to go as soon as it arrives. Ages 18 mo +, $40, amazon.com.
Melissa & Doug Wooden Work & Play Desktop Activity Board Infant and Toddler Sensory Toy
If you are trying to get your baby to not always chill with your phone or the iPad, this Work & Play Desktop Activity Board Sensory Toy
will keep their fingers working just as much. This wooded laptop will let your little one pretend to work; they can type on the keyboard button while checking themselves out on the peekaboo mirror. It is a great sensory toy with texture and sounds when used. Ages 12 months to 2 years, $18, target.com
L.O.L. Surprise! Magic Flyers
Kids will love to unbox the fantastic flying toy for a magic surprise (including lights and action) and an interactive experience. Kids will have the best time unleashing a fairy that flies and is guided by the palm of a hand. Parents will love that kids can repeat the magical unboxing experience and release the fairies, letting them fly for up to four minutes and creating lots of magic and wonder. Ages 3+, $24.99, target.com.
Tonka Chuck, My Talking Truck
This adorable smiling, friendly truck will delight kids for hours with over 20 exciting phrases and sound combinations. Parents will love that their construction loving kids will love this walking and talking truck and can activate one of his four sensors and watch with delight as he comes to life with animated motors in his mouth and dump bed. Load up your haul, and then press his helmet to see Tonka Chuck roll across the floor over 5 feet to transport his cargo. This truck is packed with surprises – and leads to lots of creative and constructive imaginative play! Ages 3+, $29.99, amazon.com.
Squishville Mystery Mini Plush
The ever-popular and loveable Squishmallows have some new holiday fan favs. Damien the Dino and Pikachu are sure to top wish lists along with all of the holiday and other squads. Families will also love the smaller, budget-friendly Squishville Mystery Mini Plush. This adorable and squishy assortment features everyone’s favorite Squishmallows plush characters in a mini 2-inch size. Kids will love to collect a growing assortment of ultra-soft Squishmallows with their unique names and personalities. Ages 3+, Starting at $5.99, amazon.com.
Little Tikes Story Dream Machine
Families will make bedtime extra special with the Little Tikes Story Dream Machine that brings sweet bedtime stories to life by projecting the story so they can watch, listen and read along to their favorite stories in a fun and unique way. Parents will love that kids are learning reading skills and word recognition, and that the Story Dream Machine features colorful lights and sound effects to enhance the story, plus it doubles as a white noise machine and nightlight for children at bedtime. Ages 3+, $59.99, amazon.com.
