What to Get Busy Toddlers

Gifts that will get used and used and used.

From age one to three, you have a curious, busy, excited, bombastic toddler on your hands. Their brains are developing rapidly, they’re getting more confident in their bodies and sense of self, and literally go from crawling to running in these years. When looking for toys to occupy these little wonders, the best advice comes from Dr. Roberta Golinkoff, professor of child psychology and author of Becoming Brilliant: What Science Tells Us About Raising Successful Children: “Don’t constrain them”. Toddlers need open-ended toys that allow them to explore and invent. A quick explainer: open-ended toys are ones that can be used in a multitude of ways e.g. a doll can be a baby in a stroller, a monster terrorising LEGO people, or a cafe customer. Close-ended toys are ones that have a set purpose and goal, like a puzzle or paint-by-numbers kit. These also have a developmental purpose in teaching specific skills or educating them about something, it can lead to them getting really good at something and give them a challenge, but these toys best come into play from the pre-school years. Taking Dr. Golinkoff’s advice, ahead, some of the best toddler gifts to develop their imagination, discover their own ways to have fun and occupy them for more than a few minutes.

Wishbone Mini-Flip Walker

It's a walker, rocker and ride-on in one. Wishbone Mini-Flips are made from sustainably-sourced materials and in-line skate wheels — which don't mark floors and roll easily, so little riders don't get stuck, or have to try very hard to get moving, and if you’ve seen your toddler become disenchanted with a trike or ride-along because they can go faster on their feet, you'll know why that's important. The rocking setting is very fun, and remember, it’s a small window (one to three) in which you can enjoy a rocking horse. Developing confidence, motor skills and burning maximum energy, it provides so much to a toddler.

SHOP NOW

Lennart Doctor Set

Role play is so important for toddlers, it helps them learn and understand more about the world so that can approach things that can be hard: haircuts, bed times or doctor's appointments, with confidence. This Liewood set is made from flexible silicone and can be easily packed away in their (very cute) doctor's bag.

SHOP NOW

Flexa The Kitchen

This kitchen has all the functions, all the cuteness in a thoughtfully small space. Let your little one get inventive in the kitchen with the addition of some pots and pans and a few choice veggies, and indulge when they ask you to come taste something or place an order at their cafe.

SHOP NOW

My Weather Station

This cult-favourite toy from Californian company Moon Picnic is something very special. If you have a child curious about what kind of day it will be, how or cold, rainy or sunny, this is a great way for them to turn that interest into an activity.

SHOP NOW

Olli Ella Rattan Casa Clutch

One of the best things about this simplistic dolls house is that it could be a home with a family, or an animal hospital, or a monster's lair, or a fairy kingdom… the only limit is their imagination. It’s small and light, so great for them to take with them on outtings.

SHOP NOW

FLEXA Cash Register

Flexa is the brand that lets little kids play at being grownups and there's nothing like a cash register to them feel grown up. It's a great way to mimic what they've seen in the real world, help to understand it and feel like part of it. We're particular fans of this one because it has coins and a credit card, which is a very 2022 way to roll.

SHOP NOW

Petit Menhir Wooden Educational Game

Blocks that you’ll enjoy too. They look so beautiful and colours are lovely, and . And, you know how toddlers feel about blocks, similarly to how you feel about a Real Housewives of Beverly Hills reunion ep, they freaking love it.

SHOP NOW