Educational Toys for Toddlers in 2025: Nurturing Young Minds with Purposeful Play

Many studies today claim that children create knowledge when they play. If you ask children what they like to do the best, there is only one single answer that one can get i.e.: to PLAY. Various researchers have explored the concept of play from different perspectives. researcher like Mason and Barton describe the meaning of the play as "Play is what children do with toys that engage their attention and interest, regardless of whatever else is going on and whoever else is present.” Whereas Zimmerman and Calovini define a toy as a learning material, which simulates children to discover relationships.

A research done by Dau in 1999, emphasizes the role of play in early childhood development and how play helps in developing certain skills like problem-solving, creativity, and social interaction. Toys can be used in various situations, which would impact the nature and content of play. At the same time, different styles of play can also impact the use of toys as a resource. There are around 6 types of play, namely; unoccupied play, Onlooker play, Solidarity play, parallel play, Associative play, and cooperative play. According to research done by Loy Chee Luen, the type of toys children interact with can significantly influence their cognitive and emotional growth across various domains of intelligence.

When a toy is designed keeping in mind certain developmental milestones that the child need to achieve at certain age; it’s called as an “Educational toy”. They are not meant just for entertainment but must promote certain learning through play. Following are certain key aspects which makes a toy educational one which are;

• Educational toys target certain specific developmental areas like; language skills and communication, fine or gross motor skill development, social skills, cognitive skill etc.
• Educational toys are mostly open ended toys which means these toys can be used in multiple ways by the children and there not “a method” of playing with them. For example Montessori bowl and spoons or lacing beads and threading shapes by Toy Trunk.
• Educational toys are mostly age appropriate offering right level of challenge to help them develop.
• Educational toys encourages children to ask questions, experiment and discover various relationships like cause and effect. Like the ring stacker by toy trunk which allows the child to discover the correct sequence of stacking the rings in correct order unlike other plastic stackers where rings can be inserted in specific order only. 

In short educational toys are the ones which combines fun with learning and developing curiosity, confidence and various core skills required in future life.

Toy Trunk a company founded by Architects and mothers, Priyanka and Minu, where they focus on getting truly educational toys for your child (www.thetoytrunk.in). Their toys are built upon studies in child development, sensory learning and ergonomics. Toys—like ring stackers, different types of rattles, push pull toys and flashcards—are made from eco-friendly, non-toxic materials and intentionally crafted to encourage active, open-ended play during early childhood period. Rooted in traditional Indian craftsmanship, each toy also supports local artisans, blending cultural heritage with modern child development principles to offer meaningful, safe, and skill-building play experiences.

Toy Trunk toys are also best option for birthday gifting ideas as they are specifically designed and curated keeping child’s age and developmental stage in mind. Each toy is designed to nurture essential skills like motor skill development, social skills, sensory skills and various other skills which are developed in first 8 years after birth. Their beautiful, eco-friendly wooden designs add a premium, handcrafted touch, perfect for special occasion birthdays, baby shower or naming ceremony gifting options. With combinations like stacking toys and flashcards in themed gift sets, they offer a perfect blend of play and purpose. As gifting Toy Trunk toys means giving a child not just a toy, but a lasting developmental experience as the company firmly believe in that “Playing is learning”.

So if you’re on the lookout for the best toddler toys in 2025, or if you simply want to give your child a beautiful beginning, explore the world of Toy Trunk. Because every child deserves a trunk full of treasures that help them grow, learn, and play with purpose.

To know more or shop the collection, visit www.thetoytrunk.in

- Priyanka Mangaonkar Vaiude

Architect | M.Arch. (Crafts & Technology) | Ph.D. Scholar (Design)

Co-Founder, Toy Trunk Pvt Ltd.

(Priyanka Mangaonkar Vaiude is a qualified Architect with a Master’s degree in Interior Architecture and Design with specialization in Crafts and Technology. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Design, with a focus on child development and role of toys in early childhood period, toy design sustainable design, etc. She is also co-founder of Toy Trunk Private limited.)