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20 Best Indoor Toys for Active Toddlers

Updated 6 July 2022

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Author
Author avatar Danny Ashton

Danny is the father of a 5-year-old who loves video games and a very active 2-year-old who is always playing outside. He has made plenty of mistakes buying toys in the early years of parenthood, so hopes he can help others avoid the same fate.

Toddlers are naturally curious, excitable, and forever on-the-go. Their energy is perfectly suited to playing and learning outdoors, but it‘s not always possible. Keeping them physically active and entertained indoors can be a challenge, but with high quality indoor toys, you can make inside play just as fun as outside. 

There are so many toys to choose from, so we combed through them and picked out the ones most highly recommended by parents. We filtered out any fake reviews so you can be sure that the toys in this list are highly rated by the parents who have purchased them.

Here are the 20 best indoor toys for active toddlers.

Don’t let a lack of $$ stop you from having fun with your toddler we produced a list of indoor toddlers activities that don’t cost a damn thing.

1Kids Musical Instrument Sets – Best Budget Indoor Toy

Music can be a fundamental part of a child’s development as it encourages areas such as critical thinking, coordination, memory, and self-expression. This Kids Musical Instrument Set is a wonderful way to aid in their growth. It comes with 12 pieces so that toddlers have a large range of instruments to have hours of fun with.

What we love

  • Nice variety of instruments so toddlers are exposed to different sounds and shapes
  • Easy for toddlers to use as they are lightweight and simple to carry around

What We Don't Like That Much

  • Some of the instruments could benefit from better tuning
Kids Musical Instrument Sets – Best Budget Indoor Toy

2Very Hungry Caterpillar Foam Floor Tiles for Infants – Best Quality Indoor Toy

Toddlers can learn and play with the Very Hungry Caterpillar Foam Floor Tiles. This mat is designed for kids of various ages and stages of development. Toddlers can mix and match each foam square tile that has a center that pops out. This encourages toddlers to create various patterns and puzzles, and this can work well for their development.

What we love

  • Easily appeals to young toddlers thanks to the large size, cute cartoons, and the vivid color patterns
  • Developmentally beneficial as it teaches tots problem solving and shape matching

What We Don't Like That Much

  • Could use more of a grip on the top and bottom
Very Hungry Caterpillar Foam Floor Tiles for Infants – Best Quality Indoor Toy

3LAVIEVERT 9-in-1 Play Cube Activity Center – Best Eco-Friendly Indoor Toy

If you’re looking for an environmentally-friendly option, and you can’t go wrong with this 9-in-1 Play Cube Activity Center. Toddlers will be instantly attracted to its bright colors and adorable animal characters drawn throughout. It also offers numerous areas to play in, stimulating their minds in various ways for hundreds of play possibilities.

What we love

  • Several different types of games and activities toddlers can play for brain stimulation
  • Some of the pieces can detach so that tots can take their favorite parts with them

What We Don't Like That Much

  • Smaller pieces may be a bit difficult for younger ones to handle
LAVIEVERT 9-in-1 Play Cube Activity Center – Best Eco-Friendly Indoor Toy

4Jacone Portable Cute Hexagon Playpen Children Ball Pit, Indoor

No toy is quite as timeless as the ball pit and this Cute Hexagon Playpen from Jacone captures the essence well enough. It is straightforward and safe for small tots. The hexagon ball pit itself is made using polyester fabric while the see-through mesh material that surrounds it is designed for breathability. This can work well to keep toddlers contained for endless fun.

Related product: Best Playpens for Babies

What we love

  • User-friendly for parents to set up and put away thanks to the included storage case
  • Large enough to contain more than 300 balls

What We Don't Like That Much

  • The frame could be heavier to handle tons of rough play
Jacone Portable Cute Hexagon Playpen Children Ball Pit, Indoor

5YZNlife 52 pcs Sponge Paint Brushes Kits

This is a paint kit that is sure to ignite the creative portion of a toddler’s mind. There are 52 pieces in total and even comes with a waterproof apron so parents don’t have to worry about spills on clothes. The sponges are even easy to clean for great reusability.

What we love

  • Great size so that toddlers can hold onto them well without assistance
  • Comes with numerous patterns to help guide tots along the way

What We Don't Like That Much

  • Brushes and apron could be a bit tougher for less careful tots
YZNlife 52 pcs Sponge Paint Brushes Kits

6Liberry Kids Bowling Set

This Kids Bowling Set is an easy way to help tots develop balance, hand-eye coordination, and improve on their general gross motor skills. Best of all, they can learn all these things while having fun. This comes with 10 pins that are tall enough to give toddlers an easier and more realistic target to strike.

What we love

  • Features a more realistic design, yet it is still kid-friendly with colorful bowling balls
  • Pins can set up well on hard floors as well as a low carpeted surface

What We Don't Like That Much

  • Finger holes on the bowling balls could be a bit deeper
Liberry Kids Bowling Set

7Zoordo Bath Toys Bathtub Basketball Hoop

Bring the indoor fun to the bathroom with this Bath Toys Bathtub Basketball Hoop kit. Setting it up is quick and easy. Just stick the hoop to the bathtub or a tiled wall, give toddlers one of the three balls, and watch them go. This hoop can stick to any smooth surface so you can take the fun anywhere.

What we love

  • Adorable and small enough for toddlers to use without difficulty
  • Suction cups on the hoop are strong and can fit in various places

What We Don't Like That Much

  • If used in the tub, the balls might take in a bit of water
Zoordo Bath Toys Bathtub Basketball Hoop

8Bedwina Knobby Balls

These inflatable Knobby Balls come in a pack of six and an assortment of colors. They are an easy way to entertain toddlers stuck in the house without causing havoc considering how soft the balls are. Tots can grip and toss or bounce them around as they are lightweight and just the right size.

What we love

  • Doubles as sensory toys because of the interesting texture on each ball
  • Enough depth to the balls that they can bounce well without damaging the furniture

What We Don't Like That Much

  • Doesn't come with any pump system so you must purchase one separately
Bedwina Knobby Balls

9Cubbie Lee Premium Wooden Building Blocks Set

A traditional way to entertain toddlers indoors is with the joys of building. These Premium Wooden Building Blocks Set can be a good place to start. They are classic in design and are smooth to the touch and feature rounded edges. Tots get 100 pieces in all, giving them enough room for their imagination and creativity to shine through.

What we love

  • Good variety of shapes and sizes for toddlers to use
  • Constructed well with sanded and finished surfaces for safety

What We Don't Like That Much

  • Could use more grip when it comes to stacking them
Cubbie Lee Premium Wooden Building Blocks Set

10Janod Zigolos Pull Along Duck Family

Consider this Pull Along Duck Family to keep up with a busy toddler and also aid their development along the way. This multicolored toy focuses on teaching kids about cause and effect. Whether they pull it or push it, the ducks’ feet flap about in response. It’s also made from sustainable wood and features synthetic leather for safe play.

What we love

  • Inspires toddlers to stay moving in order to see the feet flapping
  • Made from high-quality wood and features bright, attractive colors

What We Don't Like That Much

  • Pull string could be a bit longer
Janod Zigolos Pull Along Duck Family

11SainSmart Jr. Wooden Tool Workbench

This Wooden Tool Workbench is a fun way to spark a toddler’s imagination and role-playing skills. It is perfectly tot-sized while still giving kids enough tools to work with including a wrench, hammer, saw, and screwdriver. Not only can tots pretend to hammer and cut stuff, but they can also use the other wooden items to build unique creations.

What we love

  • Workbench and tools are relatively easy for toddlers to play with
  • Wood is designed with a smooth surface and is reliable and sturdy

What We Don't Like That Much

  • Some of the extra pieces such as the nails are smaller than expected
SainSmart Jr. Wooden Tool Workbench

12Schylling ABC Big Blocks

With the Schylling ABC Big Blocks, toddlers may not realize how well they’re developing their minds while playing. This classic set contains 48 blocks in order to complete the entire alphabet allowing parents and toddlers to play together as you help teach them about each letter. It’s the perfect way to play and learn.

What we love

  • Each block is vividly colored using bold primary colors
  • Come in a sturdy storage box with a see-through lid

What We Don't Like That Much

  • The storage box’s lid could be a bit sturdier
Schylling ABC Big Blocks

13Melissa & Doug Deluxe Pounding Bench

This Deluxe Pounding Bench from Melissa & Doug is based on the classic wooden pounding toys with an added, cute twist. Toddlers can enjoy beating the pegs like usual, but they also get the joy of playing peek-a-boo. This can be a fun way for toddlers to practice their fine motor skills and also get a laugh in the process.

What we love

  • Pegs are brightly colored and the cartoon smiling faces can be appealing for young toddlers
  • Doesn't take much effort for toddlers to hammer the pegs through the holes

What We Don't Like That Much

  • May be too easy for older, stronger tots
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Pounding Bench

14Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube

This award-winning toy allows tots to press one of the large, colored buttons to activate various classical musical instruments. Kids can adjust the music, adding instruments in or subtracting some out in an interesting twist on learning math skills and cause and effect. There’s even the option to have the entire orchestra play.

What we love

  • A good selection of classical instruments to cycle through so toddlers learn about different sounds
  • Toddlers are stimulated through sound and sight since the buttons light up to the tempo of the music

What We Don't Like That Much

  • Cube may be a bit too heavy for younger toddlers
Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube

15Giant Foam Building Blocks

Stimulating an active toddler is simple with these Giant Foam Building Blocks. There are 50 pieces that are varied in shape and size so kids have many ways to bring their ideas to life. Among those pieces, six different colors are used, all of them bright enough to capture their attention. These blocks are also waterproof so parents can wash them with ease.

What we love

  • Foam material is soft and gentle enough against a young toddler's sensitive skin
  • Blocks are a comfortable size for toddlers to hold and build with

What We Don't Like That Much

  • Once removed from the storage case, the blocks may not fit back inside the same way
Giant Foam Building Blocks

16Little Tikes Little Baby Bum Wheels on The Bus

The Little Baby Bum Wheels on The Bus is a fun play set that is compact enough to fit inside a bedroom or playroom, yet with enough room to run around and play on. They can climb inside and “ride” the bus, using the stop sign and interactive dashboard for complete role-playing, or they can opt to race down the slide.

What we love

  • Offers various ways for toddlers to play and a good amount of music and phrases
  • Offers developmental learning as well as basics like ABCs, animals, and numbers

What We Don't Like That Much

  • May take some time to assemble properly
Little Tikes Little Baby Bum Wheels on The Bus

17Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Lil Snoopy

With the Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Lil Snoopy, toddlers can discover the joys of having a pet. No batteries are needed to have fun with this toy. All kids have to do is use the leash to pull the puppy along. This activates different sounds and motions from the puppy to educate kids about cause and effect.

What we love

  • Requires no batteries as any sounds or motions are based on the toddler's interactions
  • Light enough for toddlers to easily pull around

What We Don't Like That Much

  • May tip over if pulled too fast
Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Lil Snoopy

18Melissa & Doug Take-Along Folding Wild Safari Play Mat

The Take-Along Folding Wild Safari Play Mat is a straightforward toy that features an attention-grabbing design with animals that are large and soft to the touch. The animals create different sounds as well such as squeaking or rattling noises. It is a versatile and unique way to educate toddlers about these beautiful animals and the safari they live in.

What we love

  • Mat and the animals are designed with rich colors
  • Has a non-skid backing to remain in place while tot’s play

What We Don't Like That Much

  • Velcro could be stronger
Melissa & Doug Take-Along Folding Wild Safari Play Mat

19CoolToys Toddler Toy Workshop Play Set

This Toddler Toy Workshop Play Set can instantly capture a toddler’s eye thanks to the vibrant colors. This workshop not only aids tots in pretend-play, but it also educates them. Each tool makes a different sound so toddlers learn to associate them properly. This workshop also teaches them about shapes, numbers, and letters.

What we love

  • There are plenty of things to do with this workshop to keep their hands and minds active
  • Has a built-in volume control button that ranges from mute, to low, and to a high setting

What We Don't Like That Much

  • The workshop may seem smaller than expected
CoolToys Toddler Toy Workshop Play Set

20Woby Hip Hop Dancing Walking Swing Goose

Toddlers will dance along to the Woby Hip Hop Dancing Walking Swing Goose. Available in three color styles, this bold, adorably designed goose can educate tots as much as it entertains. It delivers encouraging phrases to help them learn to walk and even can help children learn compassion as it will “struggle” when gripped too hard or by the neck.

What we love

  • Highly interactive and useful for toddlers just learning how to walk
  • Has three different styles of hip hop music too so toddlers learn to associate various tunes

What We Don't Like That Much

  • Could be a bit louder
Woby Hip Hop Dancing Walking Swing Goose