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Toys That Keep Toddlers Busy Longer Than 5 Minutes

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Toddlers are nonstop, but these toys spark focus, creativity, and independent play. A gift guide full of toys parents will genuinely thank you for.
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Toddler Toys for Independent Play

Toys toddlers can explore on their own.

 
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A favorite in our household! Little hands stay busy. Colors, numbers and fine motor skills.
Melissa & Doug Wooden Latches Board Toy
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Classic for a reason. Buys real independent play time.
Amazon Basics Wooden Shape Sorter & Rainbow Stacker
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Love the quiet focus that this toy enables!
Ggiibro Peg Board Toy Set 101Pcs STEM Kids
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Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Toddlers never tire of this!
FCSONU Montessori Coin Box Toys for Toddlers
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Perfect first puzzles without the frustration and so many variations to choose from!
Melissa & Doug Pets Jumbo Peg Wooden Puzzle

Open-Ended Toddler Toys

No batteries. Endless possibilities.

 
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Build, knock down, repeat all day!
Wooden City Construction Blocks Set for Toddlers
 
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Always a hit! One bag of scarves = hundreds of options for imaginary play!
Scarves for Kids Play - 14 Juggling Silks
 
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One of the toys that has grown with my kids. I love playing with them too! So many varieties to choose from.
42PCS Magnetic Tiles Farm Animals STEM Toys
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Our favorite wooden doll house!
All Seasons Kids Wooden Dollhouse by Hape
 
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The family we use in our wooden dollhouse.
Wooden Doll House 8 Figures & 2 Pets Set
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Big builds without the noise.
Giant Foam Building Blocks, 50 Pieces, Safe
 
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I had these as a kid so of course I had to buy them for mine. Endless hours of fun!
Bankers Box Jumbo Cardboard Building Blocks, 40 Pack

Quiet Toddler Toys for Focus

Low noise, high engagement.

 
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All the fun without any of the clean-up.
Horizon Group USA Bluey Aqua Art Reusable Water Reveal
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Peel, stick, repeat.. a parent favorite!
Stick4Ever Jelly Waterproof Reusable Sticker Book (Farm)
 
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Perfect for car rides and calm moments.
Busy Board Montessori Toys for Toddlers Green
 
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My kids loved toting books around that also doubled as play items!
Montessori Felt Busy Book for Toddlers Ages 2-6
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Learn while playing!
Trend Enterprises T-36008 Shapes Fun Puzzles
 
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Learning + sensory exploration!
Melissa & Doug Poke-a-Dot Old MacDonald Farm
 
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I love adding animal figurines into a shallow container for the kids. Think – ice or water + polar bears and penguins. Endless hours of fun!
Sumind 12 Pcs Realistic Polar Animal Figurines
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Toddler Books That Actually Hold Attention

Thoughtful, interactive books made for slow moments and little hands. These are the toddler books I genuinely enjoy sharing again and again.

 
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Short, sweet, and begged-for again.
First Words - 12 Board Book Set
 
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You can never go wrong with a lift-a-flap book!
Where's Spot?: A Lift-the-Flap Book
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We read this again and again! One of my favorite books I had on hand as a nanny and mom!
See, Touch, Feel: A First Sensory Book
 
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Hands-on reading toddlers actually love. Super cute illustrations and many variations.
Noisy Baby Animals with 6 Sounds & Switch
 
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We love this series. We have read it so much, my kids as toddlers would “read” it to me!
Never Touch a Porcupine!
 
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Our FAVORITE book! It's great for all ages. This is the one book I gift most often. I loved this show as a child. This book is filled with so many words for your child to learn.
Richard Scarry's Best Word Book Ever