Keeping your toddler entertained while you’re working remotely, doing housework, or simply needing a few minutes to yourself can be challenging. Thankfully, there are a ton of both distracting and educational toys on the market that promote independent play.

Toddlers are bundles of boundless energy and curiosity, and finding toys that encourage independent play can be a game-changer. In this article, we’ve rounded up the 12 best toddler toys available on Amazon in 2023 that will inspire creativity, imagination, and hours of fun for your little one. So, let’s dive in and discover these game changers!

1. LEGO DUPLO Classic Deluxe Brick Box Starter Set

Ah, the timeless appeal of LEGO! The LEGO DUPLO All-in-One Box of Fun is a fantastic way to introduce your toddler to the world of building. With chunky, colorful blocks that are easy for little hands to grasp, this set sparks creativity and fine motor skills. Watch as your toddler’s imagination takes flight while constructing towers, houses, and more.

Pros:

• Encourages creativity and fine motor skills.
• Chunky, easy-to-grasp blocks.
• Introduces basic engineering concepts.

Cons:

• Limited to building and stacking, may not engage toddlers as long as some other toys.

2. Melissa & Doug Water Wow! Reusable Coloring Books

Say goodbye to the mess of traditional coloring books! Melissa & Doug’s Water Wow! coloring books are the perfect solution for creative, mess-free fun. Simply fill the included pen with water and let your toddler’s artistry shine as they reveal vibrant colors on the pages. The best part? The pages dry, and they can be used again and again.

Pros:

• Mess-free coloring.
• Reusable pages for extended play.
• Promotes fine motor skills.

Cons:

• Limited to coloring, may not offer as much variety in play.

VTech Touch and Teach Word Book

The VTech Touch and Teach Word Book is an educational treasure trove. Your toddler can explore colors, shapes, animals, and more through interactive pages. It’s a fantastic tool for teaching vocabulary, while the touch-sensitive buttons add an extra layer of engagement.

Pros:

• Interactive learning tool.
• Teaches vocabulary, shapes, and more.
• Engaging touch-sensitive buttons.

Cons:

• Requires batteries (though they last a long time).

Fisher-Price Little People Animal Friends Farm

The Fisher-Price Little People Animal Friends Farm is a classic favorite among toddlers (including mine!). This playset offers endless opportunities for pretend play, with animal figures, a working gate, and fun sound effects. Your little ones can let their imagination run wild as they create their farm stories.

Pros:

• Classic, timeless play.
• Sparks imaginative storytelling.
• Includes sound effects for added fun.

Cons:

• Limited to farm-themed play, may not appeal to all toddlers.

Green Toys Shape Sorter

Green Toys are all about sustainability, and their Shape Sorter is both eco-friendly and entertaining. Toddlers can explore shapes, colors, and problem-solving as they match the pieces to the corresponding holes. Plus, it’s made from 100% recycled materials, making it a win for the environment too.

While this may seem like a baby toy, my 2-year old is way more interested in these types of toys now than even a year ago.

Pros:

• Eco-friendly and durable.
• Encourages shape recognition.
• Easy for little hands to use.

Cons:

• Limited in terms of play variety.

CENOVE Pretend Flower Garden

The CENOVE pretend flower garden toy set is crafted from eco-friendly materials that are BPA-free, non-toxic, and completely odor-free. Toddlers get to learn all about plant parts while having a blast with these bright, colorful STEM garden toys. They get to build, match, sort, and craft beautiful bouquets, mixing and matching pieces to create the most wonderful flowers. And the best part? They’re picking up early STEM support skills. It’s like fun and learning all rolled into one awesome toy for your toddler to play with independently.

While the recommended age for this toy is 3-5, I can personally attest that this is a great toy for my two year old!

Pros:

• Crafted from eco-friendly, BPA-free, and non-toxic materials
• Easy to clean, and it comes with a handy green carry box for organized storage.
• Promotes creativity and fine motor skills

Cons:

• The toy’s focus on floral arrangements may not appeal to children who prefer more diverse play options.

Hape Pound & Tap Bench with Xylophone

Musical fun meets fine motor skills with the Hape Pound & Tap Bench. Toddlers can use the mallet to pound the balls through the holes, creating a delightful xylophone melody. It’s a fantastic combination of play and learning, all in one beautifully crafted toy.

Pros:

• Combines music and motor skills.
• High-quality wooden construction.
• Teaches cause and effect.

Cons:

• Can be a bit noisy for some parents.

Mess-Free Water Doodle Mat

This doodle drawing mat is a generous 40 x 28 inches in size and comes with a bunch of goodies in the package, including pens, drawing molds, templates, a drawing booklet, and even a jigsaw puzzle.

What’s even more awesome is that it’s an educational toy that’s clean and safe. No ink, no paint, and it’s totally non-toxic and non-polluting. Plus, the back of the mat is made from water-resistant nylon material, so it’s a breeze to clean up.

Pros:

• Allows kids to draw and create without any ink or paint, making it a mess-free option for parents.
• Promotes creativity, hand-eye coordination, and color perception
• Large size
• Made from non-toxic and safe materials, ensuring it’s suitable for children.

Cons:

• Requires clean water to function, limiting its use to areas where water is readily available.
• Drawings disappear after a few minutes, which may disappoint some children who want to keep their creations.

Battat Wooden Activity Cube

The Battat Wooden Activity Cube is a multifaceted toy that promotes a range of skills, from motor development to problem-solving. With five sides of interactive play, it offers bead mazes, shape sorters, and more. It’s like having several toys in one, providing hours of entertainment for your little ones.

Pros:

• Multifaceted toy with multiple activities.
• Encourages problem-solving and motor skills.
• Durable wooden construction.

Cons:

• Takes up more space than single-activity toys.

Fat Brain Toys Dimpl Digits Number Learning Toy for Toddlers

The Fat Brain Toys Dimpl Baby Toy is a sensory delight for little fingers. Designed with colorful silicone bubbles, it’s perfect for fine motor skills and tactile exploration. Your toddler will love pushing, popping, and discovering the joy of cause and effect.

Pros:

• Sensory play for toddlers of all ages.
• Encourages fine motor skills.
• Promotes tactile exploration.

Cons:

• Limited in terms of variety compared to other toys

Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Toddler Toy Song & Story Learning Chair

The Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Toddler Toy Song & Story Learning Chair is not just a seat; it’s a learning companion. This interactive chair introduces your toddler to shapes, numbers, and phrases. As they sit and play, they’ll discover a world of fun and education.

Pros:

• Interactive learning chair.
• Teaches shapes, numbers, and phrases.
• Offers comfort and entertainment.

Cons:

• Requires batteries.

B. toys Bristle Block Stackadoos

The B. toys Bristle Block Stackadoos offer a unique twist on traditional building blocks. These bristle blocks stick together in all sorts of creative ways, making them a versatile toy for open-ended play. Your toddler can stack, connect, and build to their heart’s content.

Pros:

• Versatile and open-ended play.
• Encourages creative building.
• Sticks together in unique ways.

Cons:

• May not be as durable as some other toys.

Imaginative Adventures in Toddler Independent Play

There you have it—12 fantastic Amazon toys that will keep your toddler happily engaged in independent and imaginative play. From building and learning to art and imaginative adventures, these toys cover a wide range of developmental needs while ensuring hours of entertainment.

Remember, each child is unique, so feel free to mix and match these toys based on your toddler’s interests and developmental stage. It’s all about fostering their creativity, curiosity, and independence. Plus, for work from home moms, these toys are a game changer for getting things done!