What Are the Best Toys to Get My Toddler Talking?

No discussion of development or learning can be done without a discussion of play. Play is how young children learn — it is their full-time job. As such, it is one of the best ways to work on language with toddlers. With the right toys, strategies, and techniques, you can work on ALL the different foundational language skills needed to get your child to words.

As an Early Childhood Interventionist, I've been carrying a bag of toys into families' homes for nearly three decades. In that time, I've learned which ones get kids engaged, imitating, and communicating, and which ones end up in the bottom of the toy box. I break my favorites into four categories: manipulatives, pretend play, active play, and books.

But first, let's talk about why play matters so much for language...

Why Play Builds Language

Toddlers learn words through back-and-forth interactions with the people they love. Play gives you natural chances to take turns, model words, and wait for your child to respond. Each of those turns is a circle of communication, and the more circles we build into play, the more language we can teach.

Play also builds the foundational skills that come before words: engagement, imitation, comprehension, and initiation. A simple game of rolling a ball back and forth works on almost all of them at once!

Match the Toy to Your Child

Every child plays a little differently. Some toddlers are busy movers who want to climb, push, and throw. Others love to sit and fit pieces together. Some are sensitive to noise and get overwhelmed by toys with lots of lights and sounds.

The best toy is the one that keeps YOUR child engaged with you. If your little one loves to move, active play may get you more words than a puzzle. If they're cautious and like routine, pretend play with familiar objects like cups and spoons may be the perfect place to start.

Strategies: My Favorite Kinds of Toys and How to Use Them

Manipulatives. These are toys your child can put together and take apart, like stacking cups, shape sorters, blocks, and simple puzzles. Hold onto the pieces and hand them over one at a time, so your child has a reason to ask for each one. Model words like "in," "out," "more," and "uh oh!"

Pretend play. Baby dolls, play food, toy dishes, and animals let you model everyday words your child hears all day. Feed the baby, stir the pot, and put the animals to bed. Keep it simple and use the same words over and over.

Active play. Balls, bubbles, and movement games are great for kids who love to be on the go. "Ready, set... GO!" games are one of my favorites. Pause before "GO!" and wait for your child to fill in the word, make a sound, or look at you.

Books. Choose sturdy board books with simple, clear pictures. You don't have to read every word. Point to pictures, name them, make animal sounds, and let your child turn the pages.

No matter which toy you use:

• Get face to face on your child's level.
• Follow their lead and join in with what they're interested in.
• Pair sounds and words with your actions.
• Take a turn, then wait.
• Keep it fun. The more positive feelings tied to an activity, the stronger the learning.

I go more in depth on this topic in my YouTube video, including how I use each type of toy to work on language. You can watch it here.

Get My Free Speech Milestones Checklist

Want to know which skills to work on during play? Grab my free Speech Milestones Checklist.

If you have concerns about your child's speech, reach out to your local early intervention program. You can find your state's program here.

The Bottom Line

As we close, a reminder that play is how toddlers learn, and the right toys give you natural chances to take turns, model words, and build the skills that come before talking. My four favorite kinds of toys are manipulatives, pretend play, active play, and books. The best toy is the one that keeps YOUR child engaged with you, so match the toy to how your child likes to play. Whatever you choose, get face to face, follow their lead, pair sounds with your actions, and keep it fun. Play truly is a child's work.

Quick Answers

What kind of toys help toddlers talk? Simple toys that you can play with together work best, like blocks, stacking cups, play food, baby dolls, balls, bubbles, and board books.

Do I need to buy special toys to help my toddler talk? No. Many everyday items work just as well. What matters most is how you play together: face to face, taking turns, and modeling simple words.

How do I use toys to teach my toddler words? Follow your child's lead, name what they're playing with, pair sounds with actions, and pause to give them a chance to respond.

All my best, Jill

Jill Urbane, LCSW, is an early childhood interventionist with nearly three decades of experience working in the homes of families with young children.