Christmas is right around the corner, and toys are on every parent’s mind as they prepare for a fun-filled Christmas morning! While gearing up for the season, I’ve been reviewing my daughter’s toys, noticing which ones have stood the test of time. Some of her favorites have lasted for years and were even popular with the kids I taught in the classroom. Here’s a roundup of her favorite, long-lasting toys that continue to entertain and educate.
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Disclaimer: You know your child best and what they can play with successfully. These are my opinions and what has worked for our family. Please use your own instincts and knowledge for your family before purchasing.
Our Tried-and-Tested Toddler Toys
Melissa & Doug Pet Vet Set
If your toddler loves animals, like my daughter, this pet vet set is a fantastic choice! My daughter has always been interested in caring for our dog and observing him at the vet. We knew this toy would be perfect for her. Initially, she only played with the dog and cat that come with it, but as she grew, she started learning how each piece could help “heal” the animals. She even began using it to play doctor with her other toys.
This is also a toy I used in my classroom. The preschool children loved being able to take care of the animals and use their imagination. It was always interesting what they came up with and how they cared for the animals in the Pet Vet.
Parent’s Perspective:
This toy has held up well over time and encourages imaginative play. It’s plastic, so easy to clean and durable, with no tiny pieces to worry about. Most importantly, it has helped my daughter learn compassion in a fun, hands-on way. According to the manufacturer, it’s recommended for ages 3 and up.
Melissa & Doug Cleaning Set
This cleaning set was a Christmas hit before my daughter turned two. Since she loved to mimic my cleaning routines, it was a perfect fit. Now, she’s cleaning alongside me, and her younger sister has even started to join in! We have even used this set in some of our educational activities! This set was a staple in my classroom, too; kids love playing house and using the cleaning tools.
Parent’s Perspective:
I’m a big fan of Melissa and Doug toys because I have found they last and are solid. Everything is made of wood and I like how it has a stand with it for easy storage. This cleaning set has been perfect for my children and has taught them responsibility and introduced household chores. There are many times, my daughter will go and get her broom and dust pan to clean up small pieces.
This toy is recommended for ages 3 years and older according to the manufacturer.
Magna Doodle
The Magna Doodle has been perfect for drawing practice without wasting paper. My daughter had a smaller one for the car and she loved being able to draw on it. She received a larger Magna Doodle for Christmas before she turned three, and she quickly fell in love with drawing, writing letters, and playing with the shape stamps.
Parent’s Perspective:
This toy is excellent for fine motor skills and has helped my daughter practice writing and drawing. It’s durable, though it has a couple of small magnetic parts, so supervision is key. Recommended for ages 3 and up.
Educational Toys that Grow with Your Child
Leapfrog 2 in 1 Laptop and Tablet
When my daughter went to a friend’s house to play, they had this Leap Frog Laptop. My daughter took to it and loved playing with it and acting like she was typing. I decided it would be a fun gift to give her. She has loved this little laptop/tablet! Every time she would see her Daddy working on his laptop for work, she would go and get hers to work alongside of him. She still plays with it 2 years later!
Parent’s Perspective:
This toy offers a variety of educational activities, from typing to letter and number recognition. My daughter learned to spell her name and became interested in letters through it. There is a feature where parents can plug their child’s name into laptop so every time they press the first letter of their name, the laptop will spell their name for them. This laptop/tablet has been dropped several times and still works well after 2 years of use. Recommended for ages 2 and up.
Puzzles (With and Without Pegs)
When my daughter was one, she received a puzzle with large pieces and large pegs. This was perfect for her developmentally because she was able to grasp the pieces and move them to the correct spot. As she got older, she played with puzzles that had pegs but they were a little smaller pieces since she was working towards having more fine motor control. Finally, she moved onto puzzles that didn’t have pegs. There has been a progression and it has worked well with her. She has always enjoyed sitting and down puzzles and figuring it out. We would practice together and then she’d be able to do them on her own after some time.
Parent’s Perspective:
I love puzzles! They are a good way to help with fine motor skills, critical and cognitive thinking skills. We have several wood puzzles and they have all held up over time.
Puzzles we love:
- Melissa and Doug Jumbo Pet Puzzle — Recommended Age: 1-2
- Melissa and Doug Peg Farm Puzzle – Recommended Age: 2 (We have one similar but ours doesn’t make noise)
- Melissa and Doug Safari Puzzle – Recommended Age: 3-5 (This one has taken a minute for my daughter to master, we have worked on it quite a bit)
Imaginative Play Essentials for Toddlers
Dolls & Accessories
One of my daughters most loved toys is her baby dolls! She had gotten several when she turned one but it was until she was closer to 18 months that she really started to play and take care of them. She was given a baby stroller around that time and it fostered more play and her learning to take care of them. The older she has gotten the more she has played with them, especially with the pet vet mentioned before. She loves to “take the babies to the doctor” and try to help them feel better. She also loves making them food and setting up little picnics for them.
Parent’s Perspective:
Dolls are a great way to foster empathy and caregiving skills. My daughter uses them to act out her daily experiences, making them an invaluable play tool.
A Baby Doll we love and my daughter received when she was one!
Wooden Blocks
We gave our daughter Melissa and Doug blocks for Christmas before she turned 2. These blocks are wooden and sturdy. She loves to use them to build houses and other fun creations she comes up with.
Parent’s Perspective:
Blocks inspire creativity and introduce simple engineering concepts. They’re durable and offer endless play opportunities, from color sorting to imaginative builds. My youngest daughter has started playing with them as well and loves to knock down towers her sister builds. This is a long-lasting toy in our home! Recommended for ages 2–8.
Classic Developmental Toys
Shape Sorter Toy
A shape sorter is a simple yet engaging toy that has remained popular with both of my children. They love dumping out the shapes and matching them back, and as they grow, they use the shapes in creative ways, like for paint stamping.
Parent’s Perspective:
This toy teaches critical thinking and shape recognition. It’s also extremely durable, made from hard plastic, and has lasted us four years.
Kitchen Set
Before she turned three, we gifted our daughter a play kitchen with food accessories. She loves preparing “meals” and often mimics my cooking steps. She often asks what ingredients she needs for certain meals. This kitchen includes fun features like lights, sounds, and a fan, which add to her interactive play.
Parent’s Perspective:
I researched to find a wooden kitchen that could grow with her, and this one has adjustable legs to adapt as she gets taller. The additional features make it even more realistic and engaging. We did wait for prime day to make it a little less but we felt this was going to be a toy she and her sister would use for years to come so we were willing to invest. My husband was able to put it together in about 2 hours. Recommended for ages 3–7.
Parent Tip: Keep batteries on hand for the extra features!
Art Materials for Creative Toddlers
If you’re looking to encourage artistic skills, consider adding some of these art supplies as stocking stuffers:
- Twistable crayons
- Jumbo crayons
- Large markers
- Coloring books
- Watercolor paints
- Playdough
These options are a great way to introduce creativity and keep your toddler engaged!
Disclaimer: Please use with caution and monitor your toddler. Again, you know what is best for your children.
With these gift ideas, you’ll find something perfect for every toddler in your life. Each of these toys offers long-lasting play value, helping toddlers develop skills that will benefit them for years to come.
Do you have toys that are long lasting? Share below in the comments!
What toys do your kids love?