From puzzles and scavenger hunts to ball games and water play, there’s lots of fun ways you can help develop key skills with simple, creative and engaging activities.
Toys for brain development
Expand their learning
Help them think about cause and effect through simple activities like water and sand play, turning the pages of a book, and pressing buttons. Build routines and introduce instructions - learning through play is the best way.
Activities to try...
Play with puzzles
Expand their curiosity with more complicated puzzles – think bigger pieces, different patterns and incorporate their favourite characters.
Activity toys
Learn and play toys help development in lots of ways. From colour recognition, fine motor movement to figuring out how the different parts move and fit together.
Building blocks
By using bricks, blocks and other shapes, your toddler can think about what they're building and how to achieve it. How high can they go?
Toys for physical development
Fine & gross motor skills
From picking up small things with their fingers to running and jumping and using their whole body, developing motor skills through movement is super-important for healthy growth.
Activities to try...
Step up with sports
Any kind of sport is great for hand-eye coordination, space awareness and general movement. It’s also a great way for them to work as a team and discover new hobbies.
Driving tracks
Wheeled toys are a great way to get your toddler moving. Build a track with junctions and roundabouts, and let them steer their cars around.
Play some musical instruments
Drums, guitars, mini pianos and tambourines – let them work on their fine motor skills by hitting the right notes and build their bigger muscles with their dancing moves.
Toys for social development
Communication & friendship
Their independence and curiosity is growing as they make new friends. Activities such as reading, singing and roleplay, will help your child understand the world around them – expanding their knowledge, language and imaginations too.
Activities to try...
Role play
Let them set up their own shop or become their own head chef. By recreating real life scenarios, it’ll help them understand the world around them.
Playsets
From farms and fire stations, to dolls houses and Playmobil – let their imaginations run wild as they create characters and stories with their toys.
Interactive toys
With age-approved designs, electronic toys allow children to learn and interact with everyday words, helping them develop their own vocabulary.
New and popular toys for 2 to 3 year olds
Get them learning, moving and talking with the help of toys that encourage fun. Whether you're looking for everyday toys or the perfect gift, here are some of our favourite toddler toys.
Other key development
Potty training
Typically a child will begin to show signs that they are ready to begin potty training between 18 months - 3 years of age. Here are some signs to look out for to help you know when they're ready:
- They are aware when they have a wet or dirty nappy.
- They will tell you when they are going to the toilet.
- They know that they need to go and will say so in advance.
- They may fidget or hide when they need to go.
Activities to try...
Teach a toy
Have your little one teach their favourite toy how to use the potty. Children find learning through play much more stimulating and they are more likely to remember why and when they should use the potty by doing so.
Blowing bubbles
Using a potty is not a very comfortable process to begin with. Your little one may fidget about and not want to stay on it for long. Having them blow some bubbles while sat on the potty is a great distraction. There is also the added benefit of it working their abdominal muscles as they blow, which in turn will help them push when they have a poo.
Potty training chart
Print out a potty training chart with key potty training steps on it; such as, 'sat on the potty', 'did my business in the potty' and 'washed my hands'. Every time your little one completes one of these steps, let them put a sticker on their chart. It's a great way for them to learn all of the things they need to do when using the potty.