Our Favorite Toys for Kids 2-5 Years Old

The Best Toys that are Still Played With by Multiple Ages

Toys That Grow With Your Child

Our family is on a budget, and that means we aren’t buying toys that aren’t going to last, even if it was from a thrift store. I want the biggest bang for my buck, which means we are getting toys that I know will last a long time. This also means we don’t have to have so many toys. The kids can get out a box of hot wheels, and I know everyone will play with it. Our 18 month old can play with hot wheels, and our 6 year old enjoys hot wheels. They just play with them differently, which is fine. So, here is the list that I know can be used for littles, and also the not-so-littles.

Our Favorite Toy List for Ages 2-5 Years Old

Hot Wheels. Since I already mentioned Hot Wheels, I better start with them. All of our kids love cars, really a kind of car. But, the metal Hot Wheels definitely last longer than their plastic counterparts. And they aren’t just for boys. Little Miss 4 loves her cars too, she has a few pink and purple ones. Our family has chosen NOT to do tracks for cars. They take up so much space, and the kids love playing just fine without the tracks.
Quality Animal Figurines. Trust me on this, quality matters with animal figurines. We have discovered Schliech and Safari ltd to be the best brands. If you buy quality animal figurines they will last forever. I love how realistic looking they are, and they are played with constantly in our house.
Lego. Lego is a true classic. Our family has both Duplo Legos and regular Legos and both are played with every day. Our Duplo box is great for everyone from babiest of babies, but can still be very much enjoyed by our six year old. At around 2.5 years old we start letting our kids explore regular Legos, and everyone loves them, even as parents!
Magnet Tiles. We LOVE magnet tiles in our home. We do toy rotation, but the tiles are out every single time based off the request of our kids. Magna Tiles are definitely great, we have some, but Picasso Tiles from Amazon blend really well with them and that is what is frequently on our Christmas or birthday list from family. Just make sure you have a TON!
Play Couch. This is another one that gets used every single day. We keep our play couch out in our living room. It matches our couch, so it is used as an ottoman, a coffee table, launch pad, a slide, a climbing dome, a tent, etc. It is long enough that it has even been used as a bed for guests. I can see it even being used when the kids hit the teen years, as a couch in a room that can be turned into other things.
Wooden Train Set. Our oldest loves to make complex train track patterns all over, and the younger kids play while he builds. It’s perfect. Melissa and Doug have a train set, skip it. Their bridge is too hard and frustrating for younger kids. Make sure whatever brand you get has solid bridges.
Kid Knives. Our kids thoroughly enjoy helping in the kitchen. It helps time pass so much easier when they can be included. Even our two year old helps chop cucumbers and small carrots. One thing our kids love making completely by themselves is a salad.

Additional Thoughts

Those I just mentioned were the big ones. The ones we play with day in and day out. But, here is a short list of other items that you just have to have at this age.