Best Toys, According to My Toddler

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Calling all parents of toddlers and under! If you’re seeking out the best toddler toys, here’s some solid research-based suggestions from my own toddler.

You can live intentionally with passion and purpose as God’s beloved – even in the messiness of parenting.

Our Resident Expert

Little man has been on the planet for a little over a year. As a newbie explorer, he’s conducted a lot of research into what’s interesting and merits further exploration, often with a taste test.

His investigation has involved tasting, tugging, dragging, pushing, and more. His research is ongoing.

Favorite Toys

After months of closely observing this little scientist, I’ve composed a list of his favorite toys. This is his list of best toddler toys:

• Water bottles – empty, full or in-between; it doesn’t matter.
• Toddler spoons and dishes
• His toothbrushes
• Plastic lids and containers
• Kitchen strainers
• Mama’s old shirt
• Tile coasters, a.k.a. baby cookie coasters
• Diapers and wipes – all the better if he can pull them out of a neatly arranged container
• Hampers and baskets – climbing into them is all the craze
• Books
• Hair clips and combs
• Rocks and leaves – the bigger the better
• iPhones. You have it? This aspiring filmmaker is ON IT.
• Foam roller – a hit since 6 months
• Workout weights. He has a passion for lifting 3 lb-ers.
• Buckets, baskets, books, blankets to put on his head
• His parents, especially if they’re sitting or lying down near him – jungle gym!

Notice anything? None of these items are actually toys. Don’t get me wrong – he has a lot of toys and they get a fair amount of action, but nothing perks the kid up like random objects that aren’t toys. If it’s something his parents are using, that’s his jam.

Not a toy buyer

I’ve felt guilty for not immediately jumping to buy toys for him. In fact, my first toy-related purchase for little man was earlier this year, after he’d turned one.

In case you were wondering, it was a kiddie pool, play tunnel and stacking blocks.

Note: I don’t consider books to be in the toy category. Books I’ve sought out aplenty!

However, Little Man seems to think that the whole world is a gigantic toybox. (Cue our ongoing conversations about not eating rocks and pulling knives out of the dishwasher…)

Parents are the best entertainment

So much parenting advice hits on a key theme – you’re the best “toy” your child could want. The best toddler toy is you.

And… it’s true. Little Man loves to climb on his parents, be swung around, and play with us nearby. He’ll periodically pop into my lap, tap my shoulder, or lean up against me. He just wants to know that I’m there and I’m watching.

Honestly, isn’t that one of the easiest things to do? (And… boring, depending on the activity. More about that another time.)

Just Be Present

So, for my fellow parents of small kiddos, this is your permission slip – you don’t have to get your child the snazziest, loudest (Lord, have mercy, please don’t!) toys. Just be there. Sit with them. Observe what they’re doing. Be silly and laugh with them. They just want YOU there. How awesome is that?!

Now, being okay with “not doing something” while doing something with your toddler – oye ve, I’ve got a lot to learn and am learning. In a future post I’ll share about a few shifts for practicing intentionality.

*Advice provided by an expert parent (one year and counting – so much experience!) and novice SAHM

You can live intentionally with passion and purpose as God’s beloved.