Best toys for 18- to 24-month-olds

The Cozy Coupe is a classic ride-on toy that captures children's imagination with its realism. It has doors that open and close, a functioning steering wheel (with a working horn!), an ignition switch that clicks, and a hinged gas cap for mesmerizingly true-to-life play. Kids operate it by sitting inside and scooting along with their feet, which gives them great practice coordinating their body movements. They can also hold onto the big grab bar on the back of the car and push it along. 

I worked in my daughter's preschool for more than two years, and this was, bar none, the most popular toy. Teachers set up a small driving range on the patio, and there would always be at least five or six young "drivers" in their coupes. Other children would use the cars to pretend to  deliver the mail, pick up trash, and drive to work. 

Caregivers appreciate that the Cozy Coupe can be played with in a variety of ways. Karen Sly, Finance Director of BabyCenter, says at her daughter's daycare all the kids, her daughter included, love the Cozy Coupes and take turns pushing each other around, as well as using them for their own made-up games. 

Many parents say that their children use this toy for years, right up until the point when they can no longer fit inside. So expect this mini car to hang around for a while; luckily, it's so solidly built that you'll probably pass it on to a younger relative rather than throwing it out. 

Heads up 

This toy is a beast to store; you’d better have a garage or basement to do it in. 

Parents say 

"My son got one for his first birthday and still likes to play with his Cozy Coupe in the house. He 'drives' from room to room, goes in circles, puts 'gas' into it, loves to open and close the door, and get in and out. When it's not in use, we store it in his closet or in the garage and pull it out when he asks for his car."

"My son just turned 4. He still loves his Cozy Coupe and squeezes himself into it."

"My little one still loves it. He can roll it backwards, he loves to open the door, get in and get out, honk the horn, etc. Now the door has broken off thanks to superhuman toddler strength, but he still plays with it. He's gotten a lot of use out of a toy I figured would be pretty useless."

"My little one rides in her Cozy Coupe almost every day. She loves it. Other kids love to play with it when they come over, too."

Specs 

• Dimensions: 29.5 x 16.5 x 33.5 inches

• Weight: 17.25 pounds

• Maximum weight: 50 pounds

• Age range: 18 months-5 years

You'll feel the difference between this high-quality Green Toys Dump Truck and cheaply made imitators the moment you touch it. The wheels are solid, not shaky, the chassis is well-balanced. The truck's bed lifts up smoothly, and settles down with a satisfying clunk. It's a toy constructed with care that can star in many different pretend games. "I love that it is quiet and great for open-ended play," says Melissa Bykofsky, Everyday Health's Executive Editor, Editorial Strategy & Growth, who also appreciates that this toy is sturdy and well-built: "in it for the long haul." 

Shelley Gingrich, BabyCenter's Executive Director, Brand Solutions, appreciates that this truck is made of recycled materials and that they encourage “good old fashioned play.” She adds that these dump trucks are safe for indoors or outdoors, and her family likes using them on the beach. When the truck gets dirty, you can wash it in your dishwasher; it comes out looking new again. 

Heads up

This truck comes in eight different color schemes, and a version with Minnie Mouse inside the truck's cab. 

Parents say

"I have [Green Toys'] car carrier, dump truck, fire truck, recycle truck, rocket ship, red and blue train, pink and green train, orange tractor, pink tractor, barn, and I think something else but can't think of what it is….As you can see I'm obsessed."

"We have this brand in a trash truck and it holds up well to a 1.5 and 4.5 y/o. We also have green toys dump truck and cement mixer and they are great quality too."

Specs 

• Dimensions: 10 x 7.5 x 6.75 inches

• Weight: 1.33 pounds

• Maximum weight: N/A

• Age range: 1 and up

Toddlers love to spin, which is precisely why Playskool’s Sit 'n Spin has been popular since it was first introduced in 1973. The toy is delightful for little ones because it whirls them around so quickly and smoothly with relatively little effort. Children simply sit down on the round disc, then push off from the pole in the center. The faster they push, the quicker they twirl, and the whole time they're building up their balance and many different muscle groups.

Alexandra Bisonó, Senior Art Director for Everyday Health Group, says the Sit 'n Spin is her toddler's current obsession: "She looooves making herself move and having all the power and control," Alexandra says, adding that her daughter often pretends she's driving a car. She also says that though this toy is bulky and doesn't fold, it's easy to push under a chair when not in use, so storage isn't a pain. 

Heads up

Assembly is required.

Specs

• Dimensions: 4.02 x 18 x 17.99 inches

• Weight: 3.15 pounds

• Maximum weight: 42 pounds

• Age range: 18 months-6 years

Bouncing is a great energy-drainer, and helps your little one learn to stabilize and balance themselves — key for gross motor development. iLearn Unicorn Bouncy Pals is a beloved toy that can easily help in developing these skills, while also entertaining kids for the better part of an afternoon bouncing around. You’ll love how easy the unicorn is to inflate or deflate with the included hand pump. The thick rubber material is suitable for indoor or outdoor play, and simple to wipe clean. Should your bouncer get really dirty, it's machine-washable. 

If your child doesn't particularly enjoy unicorns, this toy comes in other animal versions, including horse, T. rex, and a two-headed dragon. Bouncy pals hold up to 100 pounds, so don't be surprised (or alarmed) if older kids want to get in on the fun. 

Heads up

It's easy to tumble off this toy, especially when first learning how to bounce, so supervision and soft surfaces are good ideas. 

Parents say 

“She loves it — she walks over and tries to get her leg over it! I help her on and bounce her — she can't touch the ground with her feet. My 3-year-old nephew also loves it, so I imagine it'll get lots of use as she grows up!”

Specs

• Dimensions: 22 x 11 x 22 inches

• Weight: 3.8 pounds

• Maximum weight: 100 pounds

• Age range: 18 months and up

Legos are a durable and mesmerizing toy for children, but toddlers shouldn't play with classic Lego bricks. "This is still an age where children are prone to putting things in their mouths (normally ending around 2 years) so we still need to be very vigilant about small pieces," says Peretz. Instead, opt for Lego’s larger Duplo bricks, which are easier to grasp and don't pose a choking hazard. 

This set comes with 65 bricks in all of the colors of the rainbow, and a few accessories, like windows, Lego people figures, and flowers. When your little one is done building and sorting, wrap up playtime by tucking everything into the convenient carry case shaped like — what else? — a giant Lego. Karen Sly says Duplos are one of her daughters' favorite toys: "They can keep her entertained for longer than most toys," she says, adding that her daughter mostly builds towers and has no trouble putting the bricks together and taking them apart. 

Heads up 

Some parents wish there were more long blocks in this set instead of so many singles. 

Parents say

"The Duplos are better for bigger buildings."

"My six year old still gets out the duplos once in awhile to play with in the tub. I don’t let him bring regular legos in the tub bc it would be too many pieces to collect. My kids (ages 8 and 6) will also sometimes use them along with their regular legos to make larger creations. A 2x4 LEGO brick will attach to a duplo block. So, they can build a wall with duplos, then line the top with 2x4 bricks, and then add LEGO elements to that."

"One of the reasons my ODS preferred Duplo blocks- easy to build really big towers when the blocks stay together."

"DS loves his Duplos but doesn’t follow instructions on building, they’re still too young at this point for that. He mainly builds towers and stuff like that, just stacking as high as he can without them falling over."

Specs

• Dimensions: 7.09 x 14.57 x 7.09 inches

• Weight: Not listed

• Maximum weight: N/A

• Age range: 18 months and up

Play-Doh is an excellent sensory experience for tots. Your little one will love exploring the sensation of the modeling clay as they squish, smoosh, and mix it. As they grow, they’ll even start to engage in more imaginative play with the arts and craft, making shapes and building creatures. This set of 10 2-ounce cans has enough color variety to inspire all kinds of creations, and if your child happens to put some in their mouth, it's non-toxic. 

Over the years, you can add complementary accessory sets, like the popular Fun Factory tools, to your Play-Doh collection to expand its possibilities. But this simple introductory set is plenty of fun for little ones, who will spend long periods of time squishing it between their fingers (or even throwing it on the floor to step on!) before learning how to pinch and shape it. 

Heads up

Make sure your little one doesn’t use Play-Doh near your rugs or furniture; it can be very hard to clean off of these surfaces. 

Parents say

“My 2-year-old daughter has recently become obsessed with Play-Doh.”

"Nothing convinces him to sit at the kitchen table longer than when I bring out the playdoh." 

"Play doh is a great toy to play with children who have sensory disorder."

Specs

• Dimensions: Each can: 2 x 2 inches

• Weight: 20 ounces

• Maximum weight: N/A

• Age range: 2 and up

Your toddler is just beginning to understand that they can do the things you do (or at least, will be able to do them with some practice). So it's no surprise that play kitchens are so mesmerizing: A small version of the place where parents make food entices toddlers to get in there and try their own hand at the job. 

Most kitchen playsets are rated for children 3 and up, since they contain small parts that could be choking hazards. But Step2's sturdy and tricked-out kitchen is aimed at toddlers 2 and up, with lots of realistic details that will keep their attention. Parents say their kids love the oven with a door that opens and closes, knobs that click, and a light-up burner that makes sizzling sounds. Kids also appreciate the coffee-making station, with a pretend coffee pot they can lift to pour you a cup of imaginary caffeine. There are hooks for the included spatulas and spoons, storage space where kids can stack and sort dishes (also included), and even a recycling bin so kids can haul out the faux trash. 

Heads up

Assembly is required. 

Specs

• Dimensions: 34.4 x 11.5 x 35.8 inches

• Weight: 44 pounds

• Maximum weight: N/A

• Age range: 2 and up