From the moment they wake up until it’s time for bed, all the little monkeys want to do is play, learn and sometimes cause a little havoc. To keep them out of trouble, there’s no more popular primate to play with than Curious George. Like them, he’s cheeky and full of mischief, so it’s no surprise that many fun toys are out there. But which ones would Curious George play with, and which would end up discarded at the bottom of the tree?
You don’t need to be the Man in the Yellow Hat to know that young kids need tactile toys like wooden cars, touch-and-feel books, costumes, plush toys, jigsaws and moonlight to keep them safe and happy at night. We’ve filtered out all the fake reviews to ensure there’s no monkey business, and you can trust that these toys will be top bananas.
1. Curious George at the Zoo: A Touch and Feel Book (Best Budget Option)
This Curious George at the Zoo book readily interests older babies and toddlers. It combines both a look-and-find with a touch-and-feel style board. On every single page, George is hiding somewhere. This encourages kids to stay on the page long enough to find the smiling and lovable animal.
Meanwhile, they can touch different spots on the page to feel a new sensation based on the animal. For instance, they can feel a soft and fuzzy zebra mane. Or they can feel something far rougher, like a rhino’s skin. It is a wonderful way to introduce new feelings to young tots and teach them about the animals you can see at the zoo.
What we love:
- Includes textures of different items rather than just animals
- A good size for young children to hold
We don’t like this as much:
- Some of the vocabulary may be advanced for the intended age-group
2. Curious George Jack in the Box (Best Quality Option)
The Curious George Jack in the Box takes the classic design of a jack in the box and adds a cute twist to it with the famous cartoon character. It is designed to delight kids of various ages for years to come. On the outside of the metal box is gorgeous artwork of Curious George to appeal to children instantly. Everything else is designed relatively the same as other jack-in-the-boxes.
All that’s needed is to spin the little handle and listen to the well-known musical tune. In seconds, the “pop” will sound and send out a cute plush figure of George, that is always smiling. It can instantly delight children and keep them wanting to push it back down, close the lid and play it all over again.
What we love:
- Designed with a durable metal tin
- Music’s quality is high
We don’t like this as much:
- Some kids might need help pushing the plush George back into the box.
3. Curious George Wooden Car (Best Eco-Friendly Option)
This Curious George Wooden Car is one of the 12 best Curious George toys for parents who want a more eco-friendly option for their child. It is built well using solid wooden material, and it features a bright red color with George’s name on the side. The car itself has a classic design that goes well with the natural materials used to make it.
Inside is George, who is excitedly grinning as he drives off. The car is made in a nice size for young children to hold with ease. It has bright yellow wheels that instantly stand out, but the wheels have rubber tread on them so that they won’t cause damage to any floors. This way, kids can take George and his car just about anywhere in the house for hours’ worth of fun.
What we love:
- Wheels are smooth and work well on various types of floors
- Build quality is durable and withstands rough use
We don’t like this as much:
- George might occasionally fall out of the car.
4. Moonlite – Curious George Reel for Moonlite Story Projector
Moonlite is a magical device to make storytime more exciting for kids, and this Curious George Reel is perfect for children who love the friendly monkey. It works seamlessly with Moonlite storybook projectors. Parents can easily clip the projector to their smartphone so that these exciting and beautiful illustrations can be projected onto any surface.
This Curious George story is great for its versatility since anyone can enjoy reading it and seeing quality illustrations from babies to older kids. Great sound effects can pleasantly accompany the in-app story text. Since it connects to a smartphone, no batteries are required so kids can read it anytime.
What we love:
- The sound effects add another layer of fun
- The app is intuitive and easy to learn.
We don’t like this as much:
- The story may seem a bit dated.
5. Animal Adventures | Cuddle Bundles | Curious George
Sometimes a plush toy and a blanket are all kids need to be happy, and this Cuddle Bundles Curious George set may be the perfect gift. As it is based on the iconic character, any fan will love to cuddle up to this plush. George comes with a cute red shirt with his name on it, and as always, the monkey has a permanent smile.
This plush toy is ultra-soft, too, so kids will feel more comfortable carrying it around, playing with it, and even sleeping with it. Besides the plush toy, this also comes with a remarkably cozy blanket that is colored brown and red to match George better. This blanket is even machine-washable to remain fresh and clean for longer.
What we love:
- The material on the blanket and toy feels good against the skin.
- Stitching is high-quality and long-lasting.
We don’t like this as much:
- The toy could do better at resembling the real Curious George.
6. My First Tackle Box Playset Plush and Board Book Curious George Goes Fishing Set
Kids can have fun with a book and some plush toys with this bundle set. The book Curious George Goes Fishing features classic illustrations of the famous character. As a board book, it is designed to withstand any rough use from young children and toddlers. It is the perfect tool for parents to teach kids new words and bond over a favorite character.
But the book isn’t the only standout feature here. This is one of the 12 best Curious George toys with a lot of fun thanks to the included tackle box that fits the fishing theme. It is a 5-piece set that comes with a squeaky fish toy, a crinkle worm toy, a fish that makes a sound and a rod that has a touch and close fastener to catch the fish.
What we love:
- The tackle box is a good size, so all the included toys fit inside.
- Features super soft material that’s gentle for babies and young toddlers to play with
We don’t like this as much:
- The material on the fishing rod might stick to itself sometimes.
7. Ravensburger Curious George: Fun Giant Floor Puzzle
For the kids that love all-things puzzles, this giant floor puzzle can keep them entertained more than the normal smaller table puzzles. Every puzzle piece has a unique design and fits well into one another. They are all made from extra-thick cardboard material with an anti-glare surface, making them easier to see under any lighting condition.
There are 24 pieces, and they are the perfect size for older toddlers to use alone. It is a great tool to help develop a child’s motor and problem-solving skills. Best of all, a sizeable puzzle can be done with the entire family. So, kids are not regulated to play just by themselves.
What we love:
- Puzzle pieces match well together so young kids can slide them together easier
- Images are high quality
We don’t like this as much:
- The cardboard could be sturdier to hold up against frequent use
8. Schylling Curious George Pinball Toy
Introducing the Curious George Circus Pinball Toy! Join Curious George in a thrilling circus adventure and score points with this captivating pinball game. Perfect for ages 3 and above, it provides simple fun for long car rides or rainy days. Pull back the lever, release, and watch the points add up as the ball bounces off obstacles in the vibrant circus-themed playing field. This high-quality toy promotes hand-eye coordination and offers hours of engaging play. Bring the excitement of the circus home with the Curious George Circus Pinball Toy!
What we love:
- Great non-screen fun that can be used while traveling
- Curious George themed but also a fun game for those kids not interested in the world of Curious George
We don’t like this as much:
- They have been putting a sticker on the front that is hard to remove.
9. Rubie’s Boys Curious George Costume
This costume is the best choice for kids who love playing dress-up or want to be their favorite character for Halloween. It comes in small and medium-size, so kids of different sizes and ages may play with it just as well. This is made from 100% polyester material, along with a plush headpiece of the smiling George that may add a layer of comfort.
As for the entire costume, it is a fleece hooded jumpsuit that zips up in the front for easy dressing and undressing. There are also attached hand and foot covers. This way, kids can become even more immersed in the character and embody George completely. It is a simple way to dress up as George and enjoy monkeying with friends and family.
What we love:
- Material is high in quality
- With the straps for the hands and feet, they stay in place well
We don’t like this as much:
- Kids might not have to wear anything underneath as it can run hot.
10. Curious George Monkey Plush
This Curious George Monkey Plush is perfect for kids who love stuffed animals. It is the best companion, featuring soft textures throughout, even on the monkey’s shirt. The red shirt features George’s name so younger kids can always learn who he is. It is an officially licensed product, too, so parents know they are getting something that is well-made.
As a traveling pal, it is 8 inches tall. This makes it a great size for kids to tuck under their arms as they’re on the go. They can even sleep with it without it getting in the way. The face always smiles, and the extra-soft fur is completely huggable so that kids can keep it for years.
What we love:
- Material is designed well so kids can keep it in their lives for a long time
- It is a wonderful size for small toddlers
We don’t like this as much:
- The redshirt may not be as durable as the rest of the monkeyss.
11. Curious George Pull-Down Plush
The Curious George Pull-Down Plush is one of the best Curious George toys for babies to enjoy. It is great as an on-the-go activity toy as it has a c-clip that can attach to a stroller or car seat. This way, babies remain distracted and entertained no matter where they are. It can hang low enough for kids to reach and play with it too readily.
There are many things that babies can do with this toy too. With its many textures, babies can discover new things as they play. If they pull down on George’s feet, George will vibrate and retract back up into his oversized yellow hat. It is a great way to teach about cause-and-effect for kids as they will learn how to associate the movement with the reaction. It is also a great toy to develop fine motor skills since they will continue to reach for each texture and feature.
What we love:
- Easy to care of as it lasts through a surface wash and hanging to dry
- Features a safe teether attachment so the toy can grow along with babies
We don’t like this as much:
- It might benefit from playing music.
12. Curious George Classic Collection
The Curious George Classic Collection is the perfect gift for anyone who loves everything about the famous cute animal. This is because, as a classic collection, it contains several stories. So, older fans and those new to the series can enjoy reading it together. It is ideal for preschool-aged children up to 3 years old, but parents can read along with children of multiple ages for great bonding time.
This doesn’t just come with classic illustrations; there is also downloadable audio so kids and parents can sit back and enjoy the stories. There are seven original stories in all: Curious George, Curious George Goes to the Hospital, Curious George Learns the Alphabet, Curious George Takes a Job, Curious George Gets a Medal, Curious George Rides a Bike, and Curious George Flies a Kite.
What we love:
- The books and the box they come in are sturdy
- Features classic and fun illustrations
We don’t like this as much:
- A lot of the material can come across as outdated.
How to find the right curious George toy for your kid?
Consider these factors when choosing a Curious George toy:
- Age appropriateness: Pick a toy the suitable toy for your kid’s age – many of the books will require them to be able to read.
- Safety: Ensure it’s made of non-toxic materials and meets safety standards.
- Quality: Look for durable, well-made toys.
- Educational value: Choose toys that promote problem-solving, creativity, and motor skills.
- Authenticity: Buy licensed and genuine Curious George toys.
- Type of toy: Consider the child’s preferences and interests. Can you get their favorite toy in a curious George theme?
- Price: Set a budget and compare prices.
- Personalization: Check for options like adding a name or customizing features.
- Additional features: Look for interactive toys with sounds or lights.
