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Toys for Children: Active Toys for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Find toys for children that encourage fitness and physical activity.

By , About.com Guide

For little kids, toys are essential to growth, learning, and development. When you choose toys for children this age, make sure you select some active toys along with ABC books and cuddly toys for pretend play. Active toys for children help build motor skills and encourage kids to get their daily dose of physical activity. Many of these top toy picks can be used indoors or out.

1. Learning Resources Crocodile Hop

Learning Resources Crocodile Hop Floor GameLearning Resources
With this floor game, kids hop across the river and learn colors, shapes, and numbers while they play. Better yet, they can play alone or with friends. The game comes with large, inflatable dice which are easier for kids to manipulate—and harder for them to lose.
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2. Manhattan Toy Company Boysterous Boys

Manhattan Toy Company Boysterous Action Figure Goalie GavinManhattan Toy Company
From Goalie Gavin, shown here, to Slope Shreddin Sean, these active action figures each have a sport they adore and the gear to go with it. Choose from soccer, skateboarding, hockey, snowboarding, or football. Each figure has bendable arms and legs and an accessory that he can hang onto (thanks to magnetic magic). Also available is a Zip-bin, a playing field floor mat that doubles as a storage bin. Suitable for kids ages 3 to 8.
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3. Dance Star Mickey

Fisher-Price Dance Star Mickey MouseFisher-Price

Rock Star Mickey may be newer, but Dance Star Mickey does a better job at encouraging your child to move and groove. He can walk, talk, and dance to seven different tunes. Kids ages two and up can play.

4. Woody's Run Around Roundup

Toy Story 3 Woody's Run Around RoundupWild Planet

Challenge your Toy Story 3 fan to an active game of seek-and-find. Scatter the familiar characters (Woody, Jessie, Buzz, Rex, and Ham), then follow the commands of the electronic tagger to tag the right character—fast! Kids can play alone or with up to 5 other friends, and multiple play modes keep the game interesting.

5. Sesame Street Wii Games

Ready Set Grover Sesame Street game for Nintendo Wii and DSWarner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

Young children get their chance to play Wii games with several Sesame Street titles: Ready Set Grover (new for 2011; compare prices), Elmo's A to Zoo Adventure (compare prices) and Cookie's Counting Carnival (compare prices; these games are sold separately). These games teach preschool basics like letters and numbers, and the Grover game emphasizes healthy habits—including being active and eating well. For Wii, the games come with a special fuzzy cover for the Wiimote. This makes them easier (and more fun) for little kids to use, and covers buttons they don't need. The games are also available for PC and for the Nintendo DS platform, but Wii versions require more physical activity of players. If your child prefers Nickelodeon characters, check out Nickelodeon Fit for Wii (compare prices), starring Dora, Kai-Lan, and pals.

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6. Curious George Hide and Seek at the Zoo

Curious George Hide and Seek Zoo board game by I Can Do That! GamesI Can Do That! Games

This cute game, featuring everyone's favorite curious monkey, encourages players to play a quick round of hide-and-seek during the course of play. It's an unexpectedly active twist to a normally sedentary activity. Plus, kids can use the included walkie-talkie and animal masks for active pretend play even without the board game.

7. ALEX Beanbag Toss-n-Tote

ALEX Beanbag Toss N ToteALEX Toys

Spread out the colorful, 3' by 3' mat indoors or out for a simple game of beanbag toss. Four beanbags are included in the attached, zippered bag. Flip the mat over for a second game called "Feed the Fish."

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8. Diggin Active Shoot-n-Scoot Soccer

Diggin Scoot-n-Shoot Soccer toyDiggin Active

Build soccer skills inside with this innovative toy (recommended for ages 4 and up). The "ball" has a flat side designed to slide across the ground into the special low-profile goal (included). Since the ball is easier to control, kids can practice dribbling and shooting skills with more success.

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9. Giraffalaff Limbo

Hasbro Giraffalaff LimboHasbro

Here's a fun take on the classic how-low-can-you-go? party game. This battery-operated game requires only two players (but more can join in!). Spin the dial to try one of the six limbo styles: classic, crabwalk, crawl, giraffe walk, forward, or backward. Sneak under without knocking down the giraffe—but if you can't, no worries. He'll just laugh, and your child will too.

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10. ALEX Monster Clompers

Alex Toys Monster ClompersALEX Toys

Looking for a cuter (and maybe quieter) version of home-made coffee can stilts? These fab feet are made out of sturdy foam with rope handles, so kids can stomp inside and out.

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