Toddler Editor’s Picks: Back-to-School 2020 Edition

V-Tech Explore and Write Activity Desk

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Whether you've got a little one that's alway dying to copy their older siblings or a toddler that may be preschooling at home this year, this smart activity table is it. It comes with interactive pages that teaches them everything from colors, numbers, animals, letters, music and more. And when it's time, the desk even comes with a little LED screen that they can practice tracing their letters on — all with fun songs that they'll soon become obessesed with.

Play Animals

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These plastic animals are fantastic for imaginative play and/or sensory bin play. The safari set can easily be taken outdoors into a more real-life environment and you'll get a blast out of listening to your little one "Roar!" all day. This same brand has animal sets in a variety of themes like Ocean,

Sesame Street Magna-Tiles

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Elmo + Magna-Tiles = a win for all. Anyone with a Sesame Street obessed toddler need look no further for a colorful imaginative toy that not only encourages fine motor skill but keeps things educational with colors and numbers printed on the tiles.

Lovevery Play Subscription Box

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If you're always wondering what developmentally appropriate activity to do with your toddler, Lovevery takes the guesswork away for you. These jam packed boxes come with gorgeously designed toys made specifically to help your toddler develop whatever skills they should be focusing on at a certain age. The toys come with a comprehensive guide that tells parents how to engage with their child to really encourage growth in certain areas whether it's fine motor skills, imaginative play or visual recognition. As an added bonus, the toys are so aesthetically pleasing, you won't even feel the need to hide them away when guests come over! The kits are sent out every two months and cost $36/month or you can buy individual ones separately.

Little Partners Learning Tower

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Every toddler hits that phase where they want to help with everything or do everything themselves. This beautiful solid wood tower brings them safely up to counter level so they can do everything from helping mix food to washing their hands to eating. The Limited Edition version even has removable side panels where activity panels can be attached, giving endless options for play.

LeapStart Preschool Success Bundle

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We've always been big fans of the Leap Frog interactive books and this awesome Preschool bundle is all that and more. This system has the classic interactive touch-and-talk pages which include games, puzzles and creative challenges around the subjects of math, reading and more. Little ones interact with an included stylus that's designed just for little hands.

'Zoom Space Adventure' Book

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This adorably illustrated board book takes little readers on a journey to the International Space Station where they will encounter rovers, planets and more.

Gray Malin Opposites Book

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A sweet coffee table book that both parents and toddlers will enjoy is a huge win for us. Famed photographer Gray Malin was so inspired by his own toddler that he put together this gorgeously whimsical book that explores the concept of opposites around the world.

Regalo 2-in-1 My Little Potty Training & Transition Potty

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Potty training is right around the corner and we love this little training potty that looks and sounds just like the adult version. It also has a removeable cushioned seat that can be used on top of a real toilet — and it also means bye-bye to those hard plastic lines around your child's bottom from potty training toilets with no cushion. It even makes a realistic flushing sound when they push the handle down and has a space inside to store wipes.

Pure Organic Layered Fruit Bars

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In these times, when we're all at home all day, every day, and the kids are begging for snacks all day, every day, it's good to have a easy healthy snacks on hand — even better if the kids can serve themselves. That's why we love these fruit bars made of just fruit and veggie puree and juice with no artificial colors or flavors.

WonderSip Straws

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We love resusable straws, but we hate the cleaning of them and peering in them afterwards to see there's still gunk stuck inside. Now, thanks to these innovative straws that click open vertically — so you can clean the entire inside easily — we don't have to deal with that anymore! They're also dishwasher safe, aka every mom's dream come true.

Little Tikes Toddler Trampoline

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While this may be something you normally saw and thought, "not in my house," now's not the time for those kinds of thoughts. This perfect mini-sized trampoline will give your toddler a place to bounce off all that energy and can be used indoors and outdoors — perfect for the colder months to come.

Zoey Naturals Sunscreen

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With everyone spending more time outdoors now than ever, healthy suncreen is a must. We love how this mineral sunscreen is completely free of any harmful chemicals, actually protects sensitive baby and toddler skin from the sun and added bonus: it smells AMAZING.

My First Model Y

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Our favorite little red wagon maker, Radio Flyer, has teamed up with Tesla to create a miniature version of Tesla's popular Model Y. The ride-along car has an actual honking horn, ergonomic seat, black induction wheels and a working steering wheel and will be under $100. If you're looking for a motorized version, they have that too!