Shopping for kids toys can be tough. Even with age-range guidelines, it's not always clear who a toy is best suited for—after all, though a toy may be recommended for ages 3 and up, a toy designed for a 3-year-old may not be quite as engaging to a 6-year-old.

To make it easier to figure out which toys are best suited to toddlers' and growing kids' developing skills and interests, we've provided specific recommendations based on age group.

Toddler Toys (12 Months–3 Years)

12–18 Months

Toddlers around this age are walking, so toys like ride-ons support that growing coordination. Since kids are also now vocalizing, it's a good time to start introducing them to concepts such as letters, numbers, and household routines. Play sets with themes—think farm, zoo, princesses—help teach basic sounds, ideas, and words.

Recommended toys: toys with wheels that can be pushed; battery powered ride-on toys; play tables and panels; toys that help teach letters, colors, and numbers; themed play sets

18–24 Months

At this age, kids have a vocabulary of about 50–200 words, and can follow basic directions, walk and run, and express a range of moods. It's important at this age to foster the imagination, and vehicle toys can spur creative play. Meanwhile, educational toys—especially those designed for language development—help improve vocabulary while encouraging connections between words and objects.

Recommended toys: cars, trucks, trains, and other vehicles; stacking toys and blocks; ride-on toys for toddlers; simple puzzles and shape sorters; educational books and activity toys that talk and teach

2–2.5 Years

Most toddlers of this age thrive on independence and exploration. They've developed pretty strong hand-eye coordination and a whole host of other skills, and can't get enough chances to use them. Ride-on toys help these little ones explore their independence, and themed toys teach them basic concepts, words, and sounds.

Recommended toys: battery-powered ride-on toys; dollhouses and doll accessories; themed play sets; cars, vehicles, and RC toys; educational books and activity toys that talk and teach

2.5–3 Years

Toddlers are speaking in simple sentences and developing a sense of control around this time. They're also hopping, jumping, and climbing stairs one step at a time and recalling simple instructions. Ride-ons and play sets keep their imaginations sparked while allowing them to make choices and set boundaries. You can also introduce things like art supplies to further encourage creativity.

Recommended toys: roller skates; cars, vehicles, and RC toys; themed play sets; battery-operated ride-ons; art supplies, household items; backyard gym equipment

Preschool Toys (3 Years–5 Years)

3 Years

Not only are three-year-olds constantly on the move, their imaginations are running rampant, too. In addition to helping them develop fine motor skills and improve balance and coordination—with toys like RC cars, vehicles, and ride-ons—it's also important to encourage learning by exposing kids to a wide range of topics. Dress-up clothes and action figures inspire pretend play, and art supplies and play sets let kids express themselves.

Recommended toys: battery powered ride-ons; play sets and action figures, cars, vehicles, and RC toys; art supplies; play household items; backyard gym equipment; dress-up clothes; toys and books that talk and teach

4 Years

Many four-year-olds love playing make-believe, and may also develop friendships and begin to understand that people have different experiences and feelings. Character toys inspire pretend play that supports this. With improved coordination and a longer attention span, it's also an ideal time to introduce kids to basic sports and new activities such as board games, which help them develop problem-solving skills.

Recommended toys: dollhouses and doll accessories; cars, vehicles, and RC toys; battery powered ride-on toys; dragons and dinosaurs; dress-up clothes; art supplies; backyard gym equipment; simple board games

5 Years

At five, many kids can solve problems, write their names, and finish activities without waiting for directions, so items like books or puzzles support this kind of growth. Five-year-olds also benefit from more developed physical coordination, and may be ready for sports and other games.

Recommended toys: play sets and action figures; cars, vehicles, and RC toys; battery powered ride-ons; dollhouses and accessories; arts and crafts/learning kits; fashion dolls; tabletop sports; video and board games

Kids Toys (6 Years–12 Years)

6–9 Years

School-age children may be more interested in toys that require strategy and skill, such as video and board games. Their fine-motor skills are also developed enough for the small, varied pieces in art kits and fashion-doll sets. And they may also have the physical strength and coordination to begin partaking in more advanced sports.

Recommended toys: sports equipment; arts and crafts/learning kits; fashion dolls and accessories; tabletop sports; video and board games

9–12 Years

Kids at this age are beginning to develop lifelong interests and hobbies, and may also be more involved in active play and team sports. More advanced art, construction, and science toys challenge them and pique their interests, while sports equipment, tabletop games, and electronic toys are great for interacting with friends.

Recommended toys: sports equipment; arts and crafts, magic, and science kits; remote-controlled cars and electronic toys; tabletop sports games; video, board, and card games