The Best Developmental Toys for Preschoolers

Toys that kids will love and that help them learn.

December 23, 2022

By: Amanda Mushro

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Photo By: Halfpoint Images

Encourage Development Through Play

When walking up and down the toy aisles, there are so many choices for preschoolers. But which toys are the best? There are plenty that are connected to tech and come with lots of flashing lights and sounds. But is that what preschoolers really need? Some of the best toys for preschoolers are the most simple and educational. Toys that tap into STEM skills, communication, creativity, and help them grow and learn are always the best choice. We’ve rounded up ten development toys that preschoolers will love.

Doctor Kit

Help your preschooler work through fears of going to the doctor, injuries, and sickness. As they play with doctor kits, they are being creative and feeling more confident about their own doctor visits.

BUY IT: Amazon, $19.99

Cash Register

From early math skills to language skills and creative play, cash registers are a great way for kids to spend playtime learning. This highly rated cash register is a great choice and is highly reviewed on Amazon.

BUY IT: Amazon, $28.49

Dollhouses

When it comes to dollhouses, you don’t need all of the fancy bells and whistles — actually a simple wooden dollhouse is the way to go. For both boys and girls, playing with dollhouses taps into their language, social, and creative skills. Let them use dolls, trucks, superheroes, or dinos to get creative and play.

BUY IT: Amazon, $149.49

Peg Board Sets

Preschoolers need help with their fine motor skills, and activities like peg board sets are a great way to make their fingers and hands stronger. The pegs are oversized which makes it easy to grasp and stack the peg boards and together to build towers as stacking blocks. Plus, they can work on color recognition as they play.

BUY IT: Amazon, $18.97

Puppets

Puppets are a great way to teach kids songs and stories. Puppets help hold their attention while learning, and are a great way for kids to get creative and use those language skills. These puppets from Melissa and Doug are a great gift for your preschooler because they are simple and fun.

BUY IT: Amazon, $20.18

Play Food

When kids are pretending to cook in the kitchen, it helps them practice sequencing: wash, chop, cook, and serve. This four food group play set is sturdy, affordable, and a great gift to get kids playing in the kitchen.

BUY IT: Amazon, $15.00

Board Games

Choose games that are geared towards preschoolers. Sneaky Snacky Squirrel is a great option because it helps kids work on fine motor skills, taking turns, winning and losing, and colors.

BUY IT: Amazon, $16.49

Sorting Toys

Toys that help kids count, sort, practice colors, and learn sequencing are great options. All of these help with their early math skills. These sorting bears are also great for kids to take with them as they play other games and activities.

BUY IT: Amazon, $24.99

Musical Instruments

Playing and listening to music helps kids develop early math and reading skills. It allows them to learn rhythm, counting beats, and patterns. It’s also a great way for kids to learn songs and new skills. This musical set is a great option because it has a variety of instruments and reviewers say it’s super durable.

BUY IT: Amazon, $37.99

Sensory Bins

Sensory play is so important for preschoolers because it encourages learning through exploration, curiosity, problem solving, and creativity. There are so many ways to incorporate sensory play and with sensory bins, everything is contained in one place.

BUY IT: Amazon, $19.99

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