Shopping for toddler learning toys can be just as fun for parents as it is for kids; there are so many cute little gadgets and games to choose from that the occasional disappointment is almost inevitable.

How do you know which learning toddler toys are a blast, which will last, and which will fall flat?

Read the quick guide to the best toddler learning toys below, and you’ll be able to pick them perfectly much more often.

Toddler Learning Toys Kids Love

Choose toddler learning toys that “set the scene”. Flashing lights and loud noises are cool for a few days, but a versatile toy useful for storytelling and imagination play can often be used for years. This is because the basic a toy is designed, the more room the child has to invent creative ways to play with it – simple toys like blocks, farm animals, and doll houses grow with your child’s intellect.

The best toddler learning toys are those that you can play with alongside your child because, in reality, there are no toys that are capable of “teaching” children through independent play alone. Toddlers still need direction, and what’s a better way to connect than with games that mommy or daddy can play?

Think of toddler learning toys like stuffed animals with pockets for hiding safe candies, or tea sets to learn table manners.

Finding a great toddler learning toy for the curious tots in your life may take a little brainstorming, but thankfully there are thousands of great time-tested designs out there to choose from.

Use your best judgment as a person that actually knows the toddler (after all, you know better than some advertisement or trend!) – the best toddler learning toys are those that were picked out with kids’ minds in mind!

Finding online toddler learning games isn’t easy – the majority of Internet games are created for teens and adults, and very few children’s games are designed to be understood by such young developing minds.

But with a little bit of creative searching, you can find fun, interactive activities that you and your toddler can enjoy together! Keep reading to find out how…

Scouting Out the Best Online Toddler Learning Games

The best sources for online toddler learning games are websites hosted by organizations that already cater to young children – like The Sesame Workshop (creators of Sesame Street), Nickelodeon’s Nick Jr., and PBS Kids. Not only are these websites designed with colorful images, captivating video, and interactive elements that delight toddlers, but the games are available for every age range so that your older children can have a chance to play too.

But what happens if your child doesn’t enjoy these games? You might have to look for other sources of free, age-appropriate toddler learning games online. Depending on the age of your toddler, he or she probably won’t be able to actually do much of the computing.

In this case, look for games that you can assist with or search for options that require minimal motor skills. Online coloring books are a fun choice, and so are “choose your own story” e-books. Although not technically games, these can definitely improve skills like creativity and decision-making.

Other Online Toddler Learning Games

Another fun type of online toddler learning games is music-creation. Kids who recognize and enjoy music from a young age often show have an easier time developing advanced creativity and active listening skills later in life.

Search Google for “online synthesizer” or “online guitar” or even “online drum machine” and find one suitable for your toddler. She will be able to click on different buttons and explore the sounds they make, and most of these games even support the ability to create and save the songs you make together.

If you don’t find anything that works just keep looking!

There are plenty of fun interactive games, apps, videos, and e-books that present a variety of unique learning opportunities – one of them is bound to suit your needs.

Remember to use this opportunity to demonstrate safe Internet habits, and only use games from trusted or reputable websites. Online toddler learning games are great, but the time spent together is the most valuable part!

There aren’t very many sources for free learning games for toddlers on the internet, but the ones that do exist are absolutely fantastic!

Online games are a great way to spend quality time with your child, building skills and using technology that is sure to come in handy in the future. The following websites are considered to be the most trusted sources for free learning games for toddlers – but please look over each website beforehand to make sure that you approve like you would with anything else.

1. Nick Jr.

Nick Jr. is full of free learning games for toddlers and parents exclusively – there is no need to worry about overly complicated activities on this website. Everything is designed to the interests and skill sets of developing toddlers.

Your child can fly on a unicorn with Dora the Explorer, take “classes” with Bubble Guppies, or go trick-or-treating with The Backyardigans. There are plenty of games to choose from, and each one is just as colorful and interactive as the last.

2. PBS Kids

PBS Kids is a great website for parents and children alike. It has a healthy mix of activities that were created for education and ones that were made just for fun. Popular topics include dress up games, animal games, dinosaur games, and healthy eating games. Explore the world of numbers, words, colors, shapes, and noises with this incredible, colorful website.

3. Sesame Street Games

The Sesame Workshop is instantly engaging – the first thing that appears on the screen is a video of Elmo talking, it seems, directly to your toddler. This website features a whole slew of free online learning games for toddlers that promote counting skills, healthy hygiene habits, wordplay, and active listening among others.

Some games are more complicated than others, but almost all of them are great for toddlers as long as mom or dad is there to navigate.

The above websites were built specifically for children, but there are thousands of others out there that have games meant for teens and adults only. You don’t want to end up on a website with inappropriate advertisements or violent imagery, so stick to the ones that you know are safe (like Nick, PBS, and Sesame, and other child-centric websites).

These free learning games for toddlers are fun and exciting, but the real joy is watching skills develop and confidence blossom.