10 Toys That Get Toddlers Talking

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Toddler language goes from a handful of words to sentences in about two years. It’s wild to watch.

Toys don’t teach kids to talk. People do. But the right toys give you more to talk about, and give your toddler more reasons to try new words. These ten are great at that.

What Helps Toddlers Learn to Talk

Back-and-forth conversation matters most. When you name things, ask questions and respond to your toddler’s babbles, you’re building their language. Toys that invite pretend play, naming and storytelling make that conversation easy. Toys that talk at kids usually don’t.

The 10 Best Toys for Language Development

1. Melissa and Doug Farm Animal Figures

Best for: Naming, animal sounds

Moo, baa, oink. Animals are often among a toddler’s first words.

Check the price of Melissa and Doug Farm Animal Figures on Amazon →

2. Fisher-Price Little People Farm

Best for: Pretend play, vocabulary

A barn with animals and a farmer. Endless naming and storytelling.

Check the price of Fisher-Price Little People Farm on Amazon →

3. Indestructibles Baby Books

Best for: Reading together

Chew-proof books with simple pictures to point and name.

Check the price of Indestructibles Baby Books on Amazon →

4. LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words Book

Best for: Vocabulary

Press a picture, hear the word. Best when you repeat words back together.

Check the price of LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words Book on Amazon →

5. Melissa and Doug Play Food Set

Best for: Food words, pretend play

Toddlers love feeding you. Name every food as they serve it.

Check the price of Melissa and Doug Play Food Set on Amazon →

6. Melissa and Doug Hand Puppets

Best for: Conversation, storytelling

Shy toddlers often talk to puppets before they talk to people.

Check the price of Melissa and Doug Hand Puppets on Amazon →

7. Toy Phone for Toddlers

Best for: Back-and-forth talking

Pretend phone calls are perfect conversation practice.

Check the price of Toy Phone for Toddlers on Amazon →

8. First Words Peg Puzzle for Toddlers

Best for: Naming objects

Each piece is a word to say as it goes in.

Check the price of First Words Peg Puzzle for Toddlers on Amazon →

9. Baby Doll with Accessories

Best for: Daily routine words

Feeding, washing and bedtime all come with lots of words.

Check the price of Baby Doll with Accessories on Amazon →

10. Toniebox Starter Set

Best for: Listening, songs

Screen-free stories and songs that build listening skills.

Check the price of Toniebox Starter Set on Amazon →

Quick Comparison

Simple Ways to Build Language During Play

Narrate what they’re doing (“you put the cow in the barn!”). Add one word to what they say (“car” becomes “red car”). Pause and wait for them to fill in the blank. And read every single day.

If you’re concerned about your child’s speech, talk to your pediatrician. Early help makes a real difference.

FAQ

What toys help toddlers talk?
Toys that invite naming and pretend play, like animal figures, play food, puppets and picture books.

Do talking toys help speech?
Not much on their own. Research suggests electronic toys can reduce conversation between parents and toddlers. Simple toys and books do more.

How many words should a toddler say?
It varies a lot. Your pediatrician tracks speech milestones at checkups and can tell you if anything needs a closer look.

What’s the best thing for toddler language?
Talking, reading and playing together. Every day.

Keep reading: pretend play toys, best Christmas toys for 1 year olds and why open-ended toys win.