Best Gender-Neutral Toys for Toddlers
If your toddler has opposite-sex siblings, it’s never too early to learn to share!
I’m a big believer in educational toys. There’s so many great ones to choose from today, there’s no reason to not pick a toy that will simultaneously develop your baby’s skills while having fun.
Below are my Baby Lists-approved picks for 2009’s best toys that are perfect for either boys or girls.
1. LeapFrog Fridge Farm Magnetic Animal Set
The LeapFrog Fridge Farm Magnetic Animal Set received the prestigious Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award in 2004.
The Magnetic Animal Set attaches to the refrigerator or can be played with on the floor. This is a great toy to have if you’re working in the kitchen and want to keep your toddler busy and in sight. This toy teaches your toddler all about animals, as it plays learning songs, fun facts, and sounds.
Toddlers can make up to 25 combinations with this magnetic puzzle. When two matching pieces are inserted into the farm, a cheerful electronic voice says the animal name. If the pieces mismatch, the toy creates a silly name for that animal. Matches are positively reinforced and the toy makes mismatches seem funny rather than wrong.
When set to music mode, Farmer Tad plays five banjo tunes for a real barnyard ho-down. All pieces store on the back of the barn and a carry handle allows easy transport from place to place. This toy is recommended for ages 1 to 3 years old.
2. Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Learning Letters Mail Box
Amazon.comThe Laugh & Learn Learning Letters Mail Box comes with three letters and a package for slotting and put-and-take play. When baby opens up the door he will hear the friendly mailbox character or play peek-a-boo by looking through the mailbox.
Slide the address roller to learn all about numbers and lift the mail flag to learn about opposites to learn about music and phrases. The mail box is surrounded by and activities including a jiggly bat-at bird who interacts with baby, and a silly slider snail and butterfly to develop baby’s motor skills. This toy is recommended for ages 6 months to 3 years.
3. Manhattan Toy Put and Peek Birdhouse
Your toddler will love playing with this little birdhouse which won the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award in 2005. Four colorful rattling birds all have different textures, and the easy-open roof and door are perfect for tiny hands.
Classic “fill-and-pour” play encourage development of motor skills and cause-effect understanding. This toy is recommended for ages 9 months and up.
4. Fisher Price Animalville Town Center Play Set
Amazon.comI love this toy because there are so many things for your toddler to do. Once your toddler visits the town center he will want to spend the day. He can visit the post office, the salon, the doctor’s office, or the restaurant.
Mechanical features include a drop-through mail delivery system, a rolling food preparation site, a clicking hairdressing chair and a slide out x-ray machine. Also includes a gas pump, a traffic light, an umbrella table and a mail delivery truck. This toy is recommended for ages 1 year and up.
5. Infantino Matching Colors & Textures Puzzles (ages 12 to 36 months)
Amazon.comThis is a great toy for parents and child to play with together. It develops sensory skills and hand-eye coordination. It helps young children learn first words, develop matching skills and early problem solving. The 20 two-piece puzzles are sturdy and fun for young children to hold and handle.
One piece of the puzzle has a picture and name of a color or texture, and the second piece has a picture and the name of a familiar object, such as an animal or food. Children look for the two puzzle pieces that fit together and words for clues as their skills increase. This toy is recommended for ages 1 to 3 years old.
6. iPlay Nest & Stack Buckets
Amazon.comI know toddlers love to stack things way up high and then knock them down. These brightly colored Nest and Stack Buckets is the perfect toy for doing just that.
A bright storage bucket with a handle includes ten stacking and nesting cups, plus four fun shapes for sorting. Stack them up to make a tower over 3 feet tall. This toy is recommended for ages 12 months to 4 years.
7. Lego Duplo 5380 Building Set
Amazon.comA toy collection is just not complete without Lego building blocks. This set won the 2008 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Blue Chip Award.
Legos are ideal for construction play. Your toddler can dive into this tub of Lego bricks and use his imagination to build all kinds of things. This set comes with building plate, wagon base and figure to help inspire role-play fun. New container allows for easy clean-up and efficient storage. This toy is recommended for ages 18 months to 5 years.
8. LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table
Amazon.comThe LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table is not only a great source of entertainment but is also a learning resource for your toddler. There’s so much to do, this bilingual activity table will entertain your baby for hours. There are songs, melodies, twinkling lights, and real instrument sounds, plus lot of things to spin, roll, slide, open and close.
The table plays over 40 songs and melodies. When toddlers turn the center page, the activity table switches modes and transforms musical discoveries into learning activities where each instrument plays a learning song.
The Learning table sits flat on the floor for babies to play at while sitting. You can attach the tables legs to adjust it to accommodate toddlers play while standing. This little table requires 3 AA batteries, not included. This toy is recommended for ages 6 months to 3 years.
9. Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Baby Grand Piano
Amazon.comThis 2008 Child Magazine Best Toy Award winner will encourage your child to develop a liking for music. Now your toddler can have his own Baby Grand Piano that teaches numbers and colors in addition to presenting musical concepts such as tempo, pitch and styles.
Choose from three modes: Learning, Musical Fun and the new Imagination mode where your toddler experiences full piano play. Your toddler is encouraged to play and learn with the 8 light-up keys and 4 activities with musical songs.
A friendly dancing character and his magic music book, come to life as your toddler plays, leading the singing in 4 songs. Baby Grand Piano requires 3 C batteries, not included. This toy is recommended for ages 9 months to 3 years.
10. Little People Animal Sounds Farm
Amazon.comThe Animal Sounds Farm teaches your toddler all about animals and the sounds they make. What fun discovering what a busy place a farm can be: “neigh” says the horse, “baaa says the sheep, “cluck” chirps the chicken, “moo” says the cow, “oink” squeals the pig. They’ll even discover what some of the animals feel like when they pet the “cottony” cow, “hairy” horse, “wooly” sheep, and the “squiggly” piggly tail.
The farm includes farmer Jed, cow, sheep, horse and pig. The chicken stays attached to the barn. All pieces store inside. Animal Sounds Farm requires 3 AA batteries.
This toy is recommended for ages 12 months to 4 years.