As adults, we want to provide the best opportunities for the children under our care to grow. Learning is a continuous process and children keep learning new things as they grow up. However, it is up to us as adults to provide them with the necessary tools for meaningful learning. With careful intervention, we can project children’s learning path from an early stage.
Birthdays offer the opportunity to give them these tools in the form of birthday gifts that will help foster early learning. The goal, while selecting birthday gifts for toddlers, should be to find the ones that combine fun and learning in an interactive way. This small initiative can work wonders in early childhood development with positive effects that can be seen throughout life.
You can use these birthday wishes with your birthday gifts to make them more appealing.
Here we have compiled a list of 6 birthday gift ideas that are sure to encourage learning through play while simultaneously making a memorable birthday.
Educational Puzzles
While looking for birthday gifts for toddlers to foster learning in them, look for educational puzzles. Studies have found puzzles to be highly effective in cognitive development. They encourage problem-solving skills and promote critical thinking among kids.
You can find number and alphabet puzzles that look like letters or numbers. These can help a lot in recognizing letters and numbers as a basis for further learning. Color sorting puzzles are also available where kids have to sort out different color slots. They are found to be improving hand-eye coordination among children. Or, you can go for simple jigsaw puzzles. Make sure the pieces are large and few in the beginning.
Always go for puzzles made out of some durable material. Another precaution would be to avoid puzzles containing small parts as children can choke on them. Always go for themes for which the child shows some prior interest like his favorite characters.
Here are some educational puzzles your kid will love, and will be excited to learn from.
| Products | Description | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 | Melissa & Doug Rainforest Floor Puzzle | The jumbo Rain Forest Floor Puzzle by Melissa & Doug is a 48-piece, 2x3 foot puzzle with rainforest artwork. It enhances kids' motor, coordination, and cognitive skills. FSC-certified, it's ideal for ages 3+. | Buy Now |
 | Melissa & Doug Self-Correcting Wooden Number Puzzles | Melissa & Doug's wooden number puzzles teach numbers 1-20 through matching, aiding independent learning and interaction. Suitable for ages 4-6, they come with a storage box and promote screen-free play. | Buy Now |
 | Melissa & Doug Classic Wooden Peg Puzzles (Set of 3) - Numbers, Alphabet, and Colors | The Lift & See Peg Puzzle Set by Melissa & Doug includes alphabet, numbers, and colors puzzles with easy-grasp pegs. Ideal for ages 3+, it enhances coordination and motor skills, offering durable, screen-free play. | Buy Now |
 | Large 3 Pk Wooden Toddler Puzzles | Perfect size for toddlers. Comes with 3 different themes. Made from real wood and coated with water-based, non-toxic paint. Passed small objects test on ASTM F963-I7 | Buy Now |
 | 6 Pack Wooden Peg Puzzles for Toddlers with Storage Holder Rack | Wooden Puzzle and Rack Set introduces letters, numbers, animals, sea animals, vehicles, and shapes, it helps your child prepare for school. Comes in colorful and vivid image designs. | Buy Now |
Building Blocks Sets
Block sets can be fantastic birthday gifts for toddlers. There are numerous proven benefits of building blocks on the development of children.
First of all, it triggers their creativity and imagination to construct whatever comes to their mind. The possibilities are simply endless. Simultaneously, their motor skills are also being developed as they work on the pieces to make some sense. Blocks offer infinite arrangement possibilities and that is crucial for developing problem-solving skills in them. The challenges he will encounter won’t allow him to get bored easily.
Another benefit will be the language development if you enquire about what they are building. Since building block sets are versatile, you can find them in all shapes, sizes, textures, colors, and patterns to stimulate the toddler’s curiosity.
A list of some interesting building blocks sets for your kids is provided below. Check it out.
| Products | Description | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 | MEGA BLOKS First Builders Toddler Blocks Toys Set | This 150-piece set of brightly colored big building blocks by Mega Blocks encourages imaginative play and fine motor skills in young children. Easy to assemble and clean up, it includes a handy storage bag. | Buy Now |
 | Giant Plastic Blocks Jumbo | The Mass Bricks Jumbo Building Blocks set features brightly colored, large blocks for young kids. Easy to assemble and disassemble, they promote creativity and motor skills. Ensuring learning while playing. | Buy Now |
 | Dimple Large Building Blocks for Toddlers/Kids | This 600-piece building block set includes vibrant blocks in various shapes, five vehicle bases with wheels, and a storage bag. Made from durable, lightweight plastic, it's ideal for kids ages 3+, promoting creativity and imaginative play. | Buy Now |
 | burgkidz Big Building Block Set | The burgkidz Building Blocks set includes 214 large, colorful pieces compatible with major brands, promoting creativity, motor skills, and coordination in children aged 3+. Made from non-toxic plastic, it's perfect for safe, imaginative play. | Buy Now |
 | Marble Run Building Blocks Kid Toys | The Couomoxa Marble Run Building Blocks Set includes 233 pieces with exclusive track parts, promoting STEM learning for ages 3-12. Made from safe ABS material, it features a waterwheel elevator, piano, and various funnels. This Montessori toy supports creative building, problem-solving, and spatial imagination, offering educational fun for all ages. | Buy Now |
Art Supplies
Art is another avenue where the creative abilities of the toddler manifest themselves. Consider gifting art supplies on his birthday to provide him with opportunities to learn in a fun way. Colors attract kids and they feel comfortable with them. Psychologists also see patterns of self-expression in the selection of colors by a toddler.
Artful activities also foster cognitive development since they require creativity and decision-making about artistic expressions. Children tend to manifest their imagination on paper with colors. So, crayons, pencil colors, markers, and paints can have a healthy impact on toddlers. Additionally, art activities can provide an opportunity for guardians to bond with children. All of this makes art supplies a valuable, screen-free entertainment option, promoting a hands-on, creative learning experience.
Though so many items can be classified as art supplies, here we have compiled some of the most interesting ones to ease your way.
| Products | Description | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 | All-in-One Wooden Kid's Art Easel with Paper Roll and Accessories | The Hape All-in-One Easel features a magnetic whiteboard, erasable chalkboard, and refillable paper roll. Adjustable height, sealable paint pots, and a large tray make it ideal for young artists. | Buy Now |
 | Kwik Stix Solid Tempera Paint Sticks | Kwik Stix are mess-free, washable paint sticks for kids. They dry fast, work on many surfaces, and are safe & non-toxic. Great for toddlers & young artists to explore their creativity! | Buy Now |
 | Step2 Great Creations Art Center for Kids | Great Creations Art Center is a toddler art station with a double-sided easel (whiteboard & chalkboard), storage for art supplies & artwork, and cup holders for easy access to tools. | Buy Now |
 | Arteza Kids Tempera Paint Set | Arteza Kids tempera paint, 16 colors, 13.5 fl oz each, washable, non-toxic. Matte finish, 400ml bottles. For kids, indoor use on paper. | Buy Now |
 | Colorations Chubby Crayons for Kids | Big boxes of chunky crayons in bright colors. Great for toddlers (18mo-3y) with easy grip & large coverage. Perfect for classrooms & low priced! | Buy Now |
STEM Toys
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. STEM toys can be a wonderful gift choice to introduce toddlers to basic concepts of these disciplines. A wide range of STEM toys are available for toddlers including stacking cups, building blocks, magnetic tiles, water play toys, and puzzles among others.
The rationale behind these toys is to provide first-hand exploration and experimentation for active learning. Problem-solving is at the heart of these toys to invoke critical thinking by analyzing solutions and coming up with creative solutions. STEM toys are found to encourage curiosity among toddlers, prompting them to ask questions and look at the world with excitement.
Modern education is all based on STEM and these toys serve the crucial purpose of introducing toddlers to them in a fun way. These toys attempt to establish a direct connection between their everyday experiences and major concepts. Moreover, they will also help judge the natural aptitude and inclination of children.
Have a look at these STEM toys for your toddler.
| Products | Description | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 | Mega Builds, STEM Building Set | Mega Builds is a 235-piece STEM building set that allows kids to engineer their own creations. It includes gears, wheels, treads, and more, and can be used to build robots, cars, and other machines. The set also comes with an activity guide that kids can follow along with, or they can use their imaginations to create their own designs. | Buy Now |
 | Space Mission Rocket Ship Toy | Explore space with this playset! Includes figurines, spaceship, planets, rover, telescope & playmat for adventures. | Buy Now |
 | Indoor/Outdoor Play Fort Playset | Crazy Forts are award-winning building toys with rods and balls that connect for endless fort creations. Imagine caves, igloos, pirate ships - all covered with blankets for imaginative play! | Buy Now |
 | BRIO Builder Construction Set | The 34587 Builder set (136 pieces) is a construction toy with tools for kids to design & build anything they imagine. It helps develop motor skills, problem-solving, and creativity - a perfect STEM toy! | Buy Now |
 | Plugo STEM Pack by PlayShifu - Count, Letters & Link (3in1) | STEM Wiz Pack combines 3 learning games (counting, letters, building) with a tablet app for fun STEM education. Kids learn math, vocabulary & build problem-solving skills through interactive games. | Buy Now |
Musical Instruments
Music if used properly can work wonders in early childhood development. Musical instruments can be fantastic birthday gifts for toddlers which combine entertainment and learning. They directly affect sensory development by engaging hearing and touch. Toddlers exposed to music are also found to be emotionally intelligent and better equipped to express themselves.
Age-appropriate musical instruments like drums, keyboards, or xylophones can have a positive impact on the development of motor skills in addition to hand-eye coordination. Encouraging them to sing songs and rhymes can also enhance language development and articulation. Vocabulary, rhythm, and sentence structures are directly targeted in this way.
Musical instruments encourage creativity on one hand and social interaction on the other. They provide opportunities to collaborate and interact with other kids. Hence, communication skills are also developed. Overall, musical instruments as birthday gifts offer a rich experience to kids and enhance development across various domains.
Here are some musical instruments most loved by kids, according to our research. Choose the one your kid shows interest in.
| Products | Description | ||
 | LOOIKOOS Toddler Musical Instruments | Toddle musical instruments for fun musical activities. Improves hand eye coordination, imagination, and stokes creativity. | Buy Now |
 | Melissa & Doug Learn-To-Play Piano With 25 Keys and Color-Coded Songbook | This 25-key toy piano lets young children explore music with songs, high/low notes, and loud/soft play. It comes with a songbook and helps develop motor skills and creativity. Perfect for ages 3+! | Buy Now |
 | Rock and Roll It - Rainbow Piano | The Mukikim Rock and Roll It is a rainbow colored, portable piano with 49 keys that can be rolled up. It features multiple sounds, recording, and playback. It's powered by USB or batteries and comes with a songbook. | Buy Now |
 | Desk Bells for Kids | Oscar's desk bells are a colorful musical instrument for toddlers and preschoolers. They come with a songbook, carrying bag, and are easy to learn with color-coded notes. Perfect for birthdays and holidays! | Buy Now |
 | TOONIT Jamz Keyboard & Drum Set with Children’s Musical Instruments | Toonit Jamz is a kids' keyboard & drum set with microphone for ages 3+. It features lights, sounds, songs & karaoke for creative musical play & learning. Includes stool, drumsticks & music cards! | Buy Now |
Matching Games and Shape Sorters
Matching games are another type of educational toy for toddlers that require special mention because of the various developmental benefits they offer. Cognitive abilities are directly targeted through activities like pattern recognition, classification, and problem-solving. Shape sorters help identify colors, shapes, and sizes that are necessary for basic literacy.
Spatial awareness is another area that benefits positively from these activities. Successful completion of tasks motivates toddlers and gives them the necessary confidence and independence. Children engaged in such logical thinking activities are found to be performing better than their peers at the early school level.
You can easily find various matching games featuring cards and matching pairs of different items. Similarly, shape sorters are also available in various themes. Make sure that you select the ones according to the child’s interests.
Here are some options to start from.
| Products | Description | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 | Tupperware Brand Shape-O Toy | Tupperware Ideal Lit'l Bowls are spill-proof, dishwasher-safe bowls with lids for toddlers. They're durable and easy to grip, coming in a set of 4 for $48.95. Check out their other toddler products like cups and feeding sets! | Buy Now |
 | Tender Leaf Toys - Wooden Noah’s Ark Animal Shape Sorter | Tender Leaf creates charming wooden toys that are durable and educational. They focus on fun and safety while minimizing environmental impact. Designed by a small team, their toys are ethically made in a family-run factory. | Buy Now |
 | Dailyfunn Montessori Toy - Wooden Sorting Cup & Fishing Game | Sorting educational toys. Can sort by shapes and colors. Made up of rubber wood and beech wood, perfectly safe for toddlers. | Buy Now |
 | Coogam Matching Eggs - 12 pcs Set Color & Shape Recognition Sorter Puzzle for Toddlers | These colorful plastic eggs come in pairs (color & number) and can be opened/closed. They help toddlers learn counting, sorting, matching & motor skills. They're portable and fun for pretend play! | Buy Now |
 | Dailyfunn Montessori Toys - Color & Shape Sorting Learning Matching Box | Sorting and matching toy for children. Fun and interactive for toddlers, can sort by shape or color. Also include color matching and shape matching options. | Buy Now |
A learning environment must be created for kids at early stages where they learn in a fun way. The list compiled above offers insight as to how different toys and games can enhance toddler’s development, specifically targeting cognitive, spatial, and language learning abilities. So, do choose your birthday gifts for toddlers carefully and select the ones that perform the dual function of fun and learning.
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