Best Daycare Toys: A Guide to Fun, Safe, Engaging Play

Playtime is essential for healthy child development, and the right toys can spark the development of cognitive, social, motor, and emotional skills. The best daycare toys are not only fun — they also match a child’s stage of development by encouraging the use of their budding skills and imaginations. 

Safety is obviously a top priority when choosing toys for your daycare, but what else should you think about? We suggest building a vibrant collection of durable, age-appropriate, and educational toys, providing endless opportunities for indoor and outdoor play!

Learn how to choose toys that support healthy growth and development for toddlers and preschoolers — and are fun enough to have kids asking, “Can I play for five more minutes?”

What Makes a Great Daycare Toy?

Not all toys are created equal. For example, antique toys that look cute and aesthetic often don’t meet modern safety standards — and other toys that seem boring to adults may keep young children engaged for hours because they can use them in multiple ways. Look for the following features when you’re buying toys for daycare. 

Safe for Play

Safety is the most crucial factor when selecting a toy. Look for the following criteria in each toy type:

• Fabric toys should be flame-retardant or flame-resistant and washable.

• Painted toys should be lead-free.

• Art supplies should be nontoxic. 

• Avoid old toys that don’t meet current safety testing standards. 

• Avoid loud electronic toys. If held close to a child’s ears, they could lead to hearing damage. 

• Large toys should be too large to choke on — at least 1-¼ inches in diameter and 2-¼ inches long. 

• Balls and marbles should be bigger than 1-¾ inches in diameter so they won’t get stuck above a child’s windpipe and block their breathing. 

• Battery compartments should screw closed so children can’t open them. 

• Avoid toys with sharp edges or strings longer than seven inches. 

Durable

When choosing daycare toys, look for those that will last through rough handling and multiple children. Avoid delicate toys or those that have parts that kids could break off. Otherwise, you’ll be replacing toys constantly and spending more money than you’d probably like to.

Encourages Active Play

Physical movement is healthy and promotes balance and gross motor skills as children grow. Toys encouraging active play can set kids up for a lifetime of healthy habits, improve attention span, and promote brain health. 

Promotes Social and Cooperative Play

When children play together with a shared goal, such as playing house or doctor’s office, they learn to work with others. They also develop important emotional skills, such as self-regulation, conflict resolution, and problem-solving. 

Educational

Toys don’t have to teach academic skills to have educational value. Building blocks, puzzles, puppets, and dramatic play toys for playing pretend all help develop the skills children need for success in school. 

Easy to Clean and Pick Up

Learning to put away toys is just as valuable for children as playing with them. Look for toys that will be simple for toddlers and preschoolers with limited attention spans and motor skills to clean up. 

Best Daycare Toys for Toddlers (Ages 1-3)

Toddlers are on the go and into everything. When putting together your daycare toys list, choose a variety of toys that give kids an appropriate challenge, keep them busy, and help them develop gross and fine motor skills.

Stacking and Sorting Toys

Colorful stacking cups are a wonderfully versatile toy. Toddlers can stack them up, knock them down, and play pretend with them. Sorting toys are great for developing fine motor and cognitive skills as toddlers learn to group similar items together. 

Soft Play Equipment

Cushioned ramps, tunnels, mats, and other soft play equipment allow toddlers to get active and build strength in a fun and safe environment. Toddlers should be active for at least three hours every day, and having soft play equipment makes it easier to meet this recommendation. 

Push and Ride-On Toys

Push toys such as shopping carts and ride-on toys like balance bikes give toddlers the chance to exercise and develop their balance and coordination. Even better, kids can take these toys outside and have fun playing in the sun. 

Musical Instruments 

While they may not be ready to play an etude any time soon, toddlers enjoy playing small pianos, maracas, and drums. Musical instruments help them develop fine motor skills and rhythm while playing along with their favorite tunes. 

Best Daycare Toys for Preschoolers (Ages 3-5)

Preschoolers are capable of more sophisticated play as they develop. They’re ready for toys that require increased dexterity. 

Building Blocks and Magnetic Tiles

Building blocks are a perennial favorite because they can be anything children want, from skyscrapers to princess castles. Magnetic tiles make it simple for kids to build elaborate structures since they snap into place. Choose colorful blocks and tiles to stimulate kids’ visual perception and encourage imagination.

Pretend Play Sets 

Preschoolers spend a lot of time in pretend play. A play kitchen and kid-sized table and chairs can support many hours of pretend play as they prepare meals of plastic food and practice manners at tea parties. Add dress-up costumes and props for scenarios such as doctor’s office, pet store, and science lab.

Outdoor Play Structures 

Outdoor toys such as swings, slides, climbing structures, and other playground equipment are always popular with the preschool set. These toys will help them get in enough physical activity each day. 

Water and Sand Play Tables

Water and sand are great open-ended toys that provide a sensory experience. These toys are best for outdoor play areas to keep the mess contained. Add buckets, measuring cups, and dishes for a full-fledged mud kitchen. 

Best Indoor and Outdoor Group Play Toys

Group games encourage cooperation and collaboration — two skills kids need throughout their lives. 

Parachute Games 

A large, colorful parachute is the foundation for tons of fun kids’ games. Bring the group together for classic games like lifting the parachute high and having one kid at a time run underneath.  

Jumping and Climbing Toys

Jumping and climbing toys that are big enough for a group encourage imaginative play and exercise. Options like the Jungle Jumparoo give kids the fun and excitement of a trampoline without the risk of injury. Multiple kids can bounce and play together, and accessories can turn it into a pirate ship, a castle, or anything else they can imagine. 

Sprinklers and Other Water Toys 

Nothing beats sprinklers and water toys on a hot summer day. You can combine these with other outdoor play toys to give new life to older toys and get kids outside when the temperature heats up. 

Tips for Organizing and Rotating Daycare Toys

Rotating toys keeps kids engaged and cuts down on the clutter and cleanup. Try putting out a third of your toys at a time and changing them out every two weeks for extra interest. 

Clean and sanitize toys daily — especially those used by toddlers who put everything in their mouths. You can do this by wiping toys with a weak bleach solution, washing soft toys in the washing machine, or running smaller plastic toys through the dishwasher. 

Choose the Right Daycare Toys for Every Age

The right toys can help children develop necessary skills and lay the foundations for a lifetime of healthy habits. Investing in age-appropriate, quality toys that encourage imaginative play, problem-solving skills, and cooperative learning sets kids up for success in school and life. 

Shop Jungle Jumparoo for Your Daycare Center

The Jungle Jumparoo is a multi-purpose jumping toy that makes it easy for kids of different ages to play together, meet movement goals, and have hours of fun. Check out our full catalog of products for more details, and shop daycare jumping toys today!