Updated November, 2023
Your toddler isn’t really a toddler anymore. In fact, mine likes to remind me constantly that they are a Preschooler now. They are growing up, acting on their own, and testing their boundaries. Engaging them in play can help them find new limits for themselves. This is my list of educational toys for 2.5 year olds.
Books
It’s time to start striking a balance between board books and older books. With some support and supervision, this is a great time to really show your child how to care for their books and other materials.
Top Picks
- The Wonky Donkey
- Rainbow Fish
- If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
- Best Diversity Books (Link)
- Best Books for Preschoolers
For the artistically inclined, these can be made just as easily as they can be bought. Pairing felt pieces with a felt board can bring your child’s favorite stories, songs, and nursery rhymes to life. They are especially great if your child is having a hard time transitioning to longer stories with more details.
Dramatic Play
Animals are some of our inevitable favorites right now. Lions, sheep, zebras, anything at all that you can think of. Your child will likely end up loving them. This is only going to be the start of their creative exploration.
Table Toys
Memory is so much fun at this age. An easy game for adults, it can challenge a young child for a long time. This game can often be played alone or with other people, giving you either a break or something fun to do together. It’s also easy to scaffold for them, so you can start by giving them only 2 or 3 matching pairs and have them work up to the full set.
It’s time to move up into the world of challenging puzzles. No more pictures that show your child where the piece goes. Now they really have to practice moving their pieces around and understanding how the picture fits together. Yes, these will be hard and your child may not be able to do them right away. But it’s time to start practicing!
Blocks
Big animals for your child to play and explore with are a great open ended option for them at this age. I always like to put these animals near blocks to help encourage the idea of pairing the two together. It is especially fun to make zoos or build some sort of jungle or habitat for them.
A similar concept to animals, these large dinosaurs are fun and open ended, leaving your child with endless opportunity to create and imagine. These open ended materials tend to be fun even as your child continues to grow.
Large Motor
Your child is ready to join you in the fast moving world of wheels. Offering them a three wheel scooter to race along next to you with can provide them with hours of fun as they master this new skill. I also suggest helmets and pads in case they fall.
