This post features 14 of the toys that my toddler has grown with. Finn has played with these toys consistently through different stages in his toddlerhood, some for well over two years now.
TODDLER TOYS: 14 TOYS MY TODDLER HAS GROWN WITH
Before becoming a mom, I always knew that kids had a lot of toys but I wasn’t prepared for how quickly they could take over your home, especially when you don’t have a dedicated playroom or space for them. This is why I apprecitate toys that stand the test of time and keep Finn’s interest because it can be overwhelming (and expensive) to constantly be bringing new toys home. That said, ask me how many cars we have. I’m certain the number is over 100. They are everywhere – the living room, Finn’s room, in my shower, under the pillows, in my car. 😛
I thought it would be fun to show “then and now” photos for some of the toys and man…I got so in my feels putting the images together. One thing I do NOT regret is how many photos and videos I’ve taken of Finn in his 3.5 years of life! They are so sweet to look back on and everything you hear about the days being long and the years short is 100% true.
I hope you guys enjoy this post and find it useful if you are expecting, have small children or have small children in your life!
1. THE COZY COUPE
The Little Tikes Cozy Coupe has been a favorite of Finn’s since he first started walking. This classic car grows with your toddler because it features a removable floorboard. When they are first starting out, you can push them in the car and once they are a little more dexterous, you can remove the floorboard and they can use their feet to move the car around. There’s a cupholder area in the back of the car that Finn loves to put things in – drinks, toys, play food, books, etc. He gets in this car and tells me he’s going to ALDI or to Florida to visit P-Paw, Meme and Mema. Too cute.
2. BUBBLE MACHINES
What is it with kids and bubbles!? They have captured Finn’s attention since he was a baby and he still goes crazy for them to this day. We’ve had a few different bubble machines but they are always a hit!
3. LITTLE PEOPLE LAUNCH AND LOOP RACE TRACK
My car-obsessed toddler never gets tired of racing his cars down the Little People Launch and Loop Race Track. I really like this race track because I find it to be much sturdier than some of the Hot Wheels tracks. It comes with Little People cars but we use his Hot Wheels and Cars cars on it all the time!
4. FISHER PRICE LAUGH & LEARN CAR
I’ll never forget the day we went over to a friend’s house for a playdate and Finn went crazy for this car! I immediately came home and ordered one and here we are two years later and he’s still playing with it! This is actually a toy that I’ve thought about getting rid of a few times over the last six months but then I find him in it and having a great time.
Some of his favorite things about this car are the music it plays, the buttons he can press, the spaces inside to stash the balls that come with it or other toys, the door that opens and closes and much more.
5. MINIATURE DYSON VACUUM
It’s hard to select a favorite toy from the list but this Miniature Dyson Vacuum just might take the top spot. Finn got this vacuum shortly after he turned one and has spent the last two years vacuuming with me every time I get the big vacuum out. He always says, “I’ve gotta go get my vacuum” and enthusiastically accompanies me around the house while we vacuum together.
6. CARS COLOR CHANGERS
These color changing cars have been THE toy of the last year. They change colors between hot and cold water and let me tell you…Finn never takes a bath or a shower without his “change color cars.” I get a bowl of ice water for him every night so that he can change the colors between the warm bath or shower water and the ice water. He is obsessed with these cars and has been for over a year now!
7. LEAPFROG MY PAL SCOUT
This Scout toy was given to Finn as a gift from one of my friends when he was around a year old and here he is at 3.5 still loving Scout! The cool thing about this toy is that you can personalize it to say your child’s name and favorite food, color and animal. It plays over 40 songs has 15 interactive activities.
8. PLAY KITCHEN
We received a hand-me-down play kitchen from a friend that stays out on our covered patio because it’s sturdy plastic. There is nothing fancy about the kitchen we received but Finn adores playing with it! It’s a great imagination toy and he likes to ask me what I want and go cook it for me. If I had more space indoors, I’d definitely have a nicer play kitchen for him.
Here are some options!
Step 2 Best Chefs Kitchen Playset
Step 2 Fun with Friends Kitchen
KidCraft Vintage Wooden Play Kitchen
Melissa & Doug Pretend Kitchen
9. POP UP TUNNELS AND TENTS
I have vivid memories of playing in these types of tunnels when I was a kid so it’s fun for me to see Finn enjoying them so much too! We have a hand-me-down tunnel and tent from Ikea but I’m thinking I might upgrade to this one for Christmas this year. Best part about them is that they fold into a small storage case!
10. LITTLE TIKES GAS AND GO LAWN MOWER
Finn has a blast pushing this lawn mower all over the yard. It features a pull cord that makes engine noises but doesn’t require batteries – yay!
11. PLAY-DOH
Play-Doh is one of those iconic childhood toys that everyone seems to love. It’s one of the toys that will capture Finn’s attention for the longest. It’s not uncommon for him to spend over an hour playing with it. I have a few different sets but we also get things out of our kitchen like rolling pins and muffin tins to play with too!
12. MUSIC SET
Finn received a toddler music set over a year ago and it’s something that he pulls out frequently. He is a huge fan of singing and dancing and it’s so cute to watch him play with these instruments. There are 15 types of instruments in the set I am linking to so lots of opportunity for experimentation with different sounds! We have a similar kit.
13. MEGA BLOCKS
Blocks are a right of passage as a kid and these Mega Blocks are a great place to start with small children! The pieces are big and easy to put together and also very colorful! You can play all sorts of games with them from organizing by color to building garages for cars to building the tallest tower possible. Hoping to stretch these blocks out for as long as possible before moving to the world of Legos.
14. GUIDECRAFT KITCHEN HELPER
Last but certainly not least is the Guidecraft Kitchen Helper. This one is a splurge but it’s been totally worth it. I asked for it as a gift for Finn and we’ve gotten so much use out of it. It’s designed to safely bring kids up to counter height so that they can confidently be a part of what’s going on in the kitchen. The Guidecraft Kitchen Helper is super sturdy and durable. I never worry about Finn falling out of it. It’s pretty large in size but can be folded and put away. The platform is adjustable and the stool supports up to 125 pounds so this is definitely one that grows with your child!
So there you have it! 14 toys that Finn has grown with over the last 2.5 years. I know every child is different but I can’t emphasize to you enough how much fun and enjoyment he’s gotten out of these 14 toddler toys.
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QUESTIONS
What are your toddlers all-time favorite toys?
How do you manage toy overwhelm? Do you do any type of toy rotation or one-in, one-out kind of thing?
What’s your toddlers favorite outside toy? I’d love to get a few new ones!
I’m getting my 3.5 year old a toy kitchen for Christmas, I’m so excited she’s going to love it! She loves dolls/doll house, and baby dolls with high chairs and cribs. She already “cooks dinner” for her babies by putting toy food in a cabinet and making microwave beep sounds while it “cooks”.
We have a set of nesting / stacking cups that my 2.5 year old has been playing with for probably 2 years! First they were fun to look at and knock over … After many other uses, now they are part of an imaginary smoothie/coffee bar that keeps getting my order wrong! 🙂
For outdoor toys, we get a lot of mileage out of old yogurt cups, takeout containers, and sand toys. Even if you aren’t at the beach, it seems like there is always something that needs to be moved from here to there!
We also have one of the tricycles with a parent handle in the back. The kid loves it, but I hate it – so much more work to push than a stroller and so much negotiating to get him to keep his feet on the pedals and hands on the handlebars. I guess it’s good physical and mental work out for both of us, though!