At two years old, children like to pretend to do the things they see the people around them doing such as writing and talking on the phone. At three years old, pretend play can include having adventures with dolls, trucks, animals and other toys or playing dress up. They are also more interested in exploring the world around them and are eager to learn new things.

Look for the newest toy innovations by reviewing the late award winners. Art supplies and accessories are a great choice for creative toddlers. Classic toys are perennially popular and educational toys are always evolving to make the education process more fun for children.

Award Winners

Two of the major awards in the world of toys are the Parents’ Choice Award and the Toy Industry Association Toy of the Year Award. These annual awards are broken down by age group and give parents, friends, and relatives a look at the best toys of the year. Past years can also be viewed for even more ideas. For this age group Parent’s Choice award winners include the Smart-Trike, Garden Cart & Wheel Barrow, and Double Sided Dominos. Toy of the Year award winners include the Sing-a-ma-jigs, Dance Star Mickey, and Tonka Chuck and Friends Chuck’s Stunt Park.

Art

At ages two and three, art is more about the process of exploration. Different textures and art mediums are a fun way for children to learn about art. Washable finger paints and large sheets of paper can provide hours of fun. Crayons and a coloring book featuring a favorite character, such as princesses or trains, are an excellent choice for this age group. Play-doh allows the child to blend colors together and build objects from their imagination.

Accessories such as dough cutters or scissors also help children build hand strength and increase dexterity. Be sure to read the labels carefully and choose products that are washable, because at this age the children will need to be cleaned up after their artistic expression. To minimize messes you can buy a vinyl art smock to go with their new art supplies.

Classic

Some toys are just classics that have been popular for generations; how they are getting new life as they are re-invented by today’s toy companies. Balls, blocks, and tricycles are available in many shapes, sizes, colors, and materials, and will never go out of style.  These letter and number blocks from Melissa & Doug are made from solid wood and come with a storage pouch. Large beach balls, T-ball sets, basketball goals, or any other child safe ball that can be easily thrown and caught by the child will be an outdoor favorite for years to come. Tricycles are a great way to introduce children to the joys of biking at a young age. Some models are available with sun shades and handles for parents to hold onto for longer rides.

Educational

Some of the most exciting educational products to be developed in many years are the new electronic devices by VTech and Leap Frog. Both companies have a variety of toys that will teach your child academic skills and let them pretend to play with items that are child-sized versions your smart phone, computer, and tablet devices. There are also more traditional display methods such as drums that teach letters, and interactive story books. Low tech options include books, musical instruments, and lacing cards. Books should be board or cloth books, because this age group can still be a bit too rough for traditional paper pages that tear easily.

While children this young aren’t necessarily ready for real musical instruments or music lessons, child size hand drums, bells, whistles, keyboards, rainsticks, or xylophones will allow children to learn more about rhythm and tone. Lacing cards are available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. These toys encourage hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity. They are a great choice for a quiet activity to help children keep from becoming over stimulated by too much noise and activity.

Finally, chunky puzzles that feature letters, numbers, or shapes will be fun and increase the dialogue between adult and child about these concepts.

Pretend

Pretend play is arguably the most enjoyable part of childhood. Children can suspend their disbelief and pretend they are a princess, exploring a jungle, or riding on their favorite train. When you give a child a toy to expand their imagination, take the time to play with them and show off your imaginative skills as well. These toys lend themselves well to adult interaction; you can start telling a story, and the child can run with it. Dress-up trunks are a great way for a child to instantly become whatever he or she wants – whether it’s a superhero with magical powers or a real-life hero like a fireman. They come in all shapes, sizes, themes, and price ranges. The more elaborate trunks may include a variety of costumes or you can buy interest specific dress up trunks for your little princess or mechanic.

Puppets are another great way to encourage pretend play with your favorite child. Finger puppets or the traditional hand puppets will help children focus their imaginations. Have children make the animal noises for animal puppets or act out their favorite stories with doll-like puppets. Junior chefs will enjoy a play kitchen and food. A little handyman will get a kick out of having his own tools to build his own projects. The possibilities for pretend play are endless!