The 18-month mark is an exciting in-between stage for toddlers. At this age, little ones are walking, talking, and starting to communicate their preferences, making it a fun yet tricky time to find the perfect playthings.

The right toys for 18 month olds are those that can captivate their growing curiosity and support their development. To help you out, we have compiled a list of the best toys that inspire movement, imagination, and learning while keeping playtime fun and engaging for toddlers at this special stage. Read on!

20 Best Toys for 18-Month-Olds

Here are the top 20 toys that combine fun and development for 18-month-olds.

1. Alilo Pocket Bunny Portable Story Music Player

A compact audio player and one of the best educational toys for 18 month old children. Preloaded with 120 rich contents, including stories, songs, lullabies, and white noise, it supports developmental milestones for children aged 0-6 years by enhancing listening, imagination, and language skills.

2. Alilo 13.5 Inch LCD Writing Tablet

This tablet features advanced liquid crystal technology that creates lines of varying thickness based on pressure, encouraging creativity and natural drawing. With a radiation-free, glare-free screen to prevent eye strain and a lightweight, portable design, this tablet is perfect for safe, creative play anywhere.

3. Alilo Pocket White Noise Machine for Baby

The Alilo Pocket White Noise Machine is a great pick. It offers 30 calming sounds, gentle night light options, a handy timer, and simple volume control, which can help your baby settle down. Lightweight and compact with a soft silicone strap, it fits easily in a diaper bag and lasts up to 24 hours on a single charge. Perfect for naps on the go or bedtime away from home.

4. Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog

Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog is one of the cool toys for 18 month old toddlers, combining fun and developmental benefits. This cheerful hedgehog helps little ones improve their fine motor and practice color recognition skills as they place the colorful spikes into the holes.

5. Micro Kickboard 3-in-1 Deluxe Scooter

Versatile and durable ride-on toy designed to grow with your child from ages 1 to 5. It transitions seamlessly from a ride-on toy with a detachable seat to a three-wheeled scooter, offering long-lasting fun and support as kids develop their balance and coordination.

6. Lovevery's The Block Set

Thoughtfully designed toy that grows with children through various developmental stages. With 70 versatile pieces, it offers endless opportunities for creative play, from stacking cubes and triangles to threading pieces, building horizontally with planks, and sorting shapes.

7. Fat Brain Toys InnyBin

It is a shape sorter that encourages toddlers to explore and develop key skills. By pushing chunky blocks through elastic bands, children enhance their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and grasping abilities. It also promotes sensory exploration, offering a fun and educational tactile experience.

8. Little Tikes Easy Score Basketball Set

This basketball set is one of the great toys for 18 month old toddlers and preschoolers, offering versatile fun both indoors and outdoors. With its sturdy, water-resistant design, kids can enjoy active play anywhere. It helps develop important skills like balance and hand-eye coordination.

9. Melissa & Doug Wooden Shape Sorting Grocery Cart

The Wooden Shape Sorting Grocery Cart combines imaginative play with learning. Toddlers can push the cart around like a real grocery shopper, complete with a coffee cup for added fun and realism. It also doubles as a shape sorter, where kids match wooden food pieces to the correctly shaped holes on the cart’s sides.

10. Gigilli Bathtub Toys for Toddlers

Bath time gets a whole lot more fun with this cute whale toy that lights up and sprays water. The gentle spray and flashing lights instantly grab your toddler’s attention, making every bath an exciting little adventure. It’s great for the tub, pool, or even a water-play day in the garden.

11. Hape Toddler Kitchen Set

Mini chefs will love this compact kitchen set that brings pretend cooking to life. With clicky knobs, wooden cookware, and a realistic stovetop, it’s just the right size for small spaces and big imaginations. It includes a pot, pan, spatula, spoon, and everything they need to "cook" up fun.

12. Wooden Car Ramp

This simple race track is always a hit with little ones. Toddlers love watching the cars zoom down each level, and while they're having fun, they’re also building hand-eye coordination and visual tracking skills. It’s a great pick for focused, screen-free play.

13. SAVITA 3D Stickers for Kids

If your child loves stickers, this pack delivers big. With over 500 colorful designs, from animals to letters, it’s perfect for crafts, learning, and reward charts. Kids get to explore creativity while feeling proud of their work, one sticker at a time.

14. Playskool Sit ‘n Spin Classic

This timeless spinning toy never goes out of style. Toddlers use the wheel to control how fast they spin, which gives them a mix of excitement and movement while helping improve balance and coordination.

15. Playmobil Junior Moana's Boat Play Set

Little Moana fans will love sailing their own adventures with this toddler-friendly playset. The boat floats, the pieces are easy to grip, and everything is designed with safe, rounded edges. It’s a fun way to introduce storytelling and imagination, even for the youngest explorers.

16. Baby Animals Ring Flash Cards

The Baby Animals Ring Flash Cards are perfect learning toys for 18 month old toddlers, keeping them engaged and entertained while on the go. These cards help improve visual recall and introduce kids to animals and their young. The re-closable ring ensures all the cards stay together for easy portability.

17. Comfy Cozy Monster Hugs Elmo

Shaped like a familiar Sesame Street friend, this 19-inch Elmo plush brings comfort through its gentle, built-in weight. At 2 pounds, it’s ideal for helping toddlers feel calm and secure, especially during naps or quiet time. Soft, cuddly, and thoughtfully designed, it’s a soothing companion for emotional support and relaxation.

18. LEGO DUPLO My First Organic Garden

This engaging set is designed to inspire creativity and foster early STEM learning. It’s an excellent way to nurture curiosity about the environment while keeping little hands busy with colorful, chunky pieces that are easy for toddlers to handle.

19. Step2 Ride-Along Scooter

The Step2 Ride-Along Scooter is built for little riders just starting out. With four wheels for added balance and a foot-powered design, it helps toddlers build confidence as they scoot around indoors or outside. A small rear seat adds extra fun, perfect for bringing along a favorite stuffed friend on every ride.

20. Build-A-Buddy Optimus Prime

Designed with toddlers in mind, this set includes 20 pieces that kids can use to assemble Optimus Prime. The drill provides a hands-on experience, boosting both problem-solving abilities and motor skills.

While these selections are tailored for younger toddlers, it’s also helpful to consider toys for 3-6 year old children, especially if you want toys that can grow with your little one or keep older siblings entertained alongside them.

Conclusion

The best toys for 18 month olds are those that support their rapid development while keeping playtime exciting and meaningful. From music toys like Alilo story music player to motor skill boosters like scooters, each option on this list is designed to match their growing curiosity and abilities. Selecting toys that align with their interests ensures playtime is both engaging and enriching, helping your toddler explore, grow, and thrive every day.

FAQs

What to get an 18-month-old who has everything?

For an 18-month-old who seems to have everything, try something that sparks curiosity in a new way, like sensory toys, magnetic building sets, or a balance bike. Personalized books or name puzzles are also great choices. For a fun, educational option that stands out, consider an interactive toy from Alilo.

What is appropriate play for an 18-month-old?

Appropriate play for 18-month-olds includes helping with simple tasks, navigating soft obstacle courses, reading interactive board books, and practicing fine motor skills with magnets or taped objects.

What are 18-month-olds interested in?

At 18 months, toddlers are curious about physical play, simple pretend activities, books, and social interactions. They enjoy walking, running, imitating behavior, scribbling, and exploring familiar objects.