Toys for Children: Active Toys for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Find toys for children that encourage fitness and physical activity.

If your family loves Animal Scramble (compare prices) or Hyper Dash (compare prices), check out the latest offering from Wild Planet. 1-2-3 Stomp promotes both physical play and counting/pre-math skills. When the game asks "What comes after 5?", kids must grab the number 6 and return it to the game's base to score. Includes 4 different 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.

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."

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.

Introduce preschoolers to five different sports with this all-in-one unit: Shoot the basketball into the (adjustable-height) hoop, throw the baseball or football into the pitchback net, or shoot the soccer ball or hockey "puck" into the goal. Five balls and a hockey stick included.

Here's a fun new 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.

Zippity is an interactive, TV-based system featuring Disney characters. Its games encourage kids to run, dance, jump, and move, while the "bopper" and mat record their efforts and cue responses from favorite characters. Games are designed to teach skills such as letters, numbers, colors, and so on. The system comes with eight games, each with two skill levels; additional games are also available for purchase.

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.

Look out: Here comes the bumblebee! Kids chase, dodge, and hop over and around a friendly-looking bee, for a physically active play session that challenges their timing and balance abilities. Choose faster or slower music depending on your child's skill and energy level.

Young children can rock, bounce, and move on this clever, inflatable horse--and as they grow, you can add more air to make the horse bigger. Rody comes in many bright colors and is made of a soft, sturdy, latex-free vinyl. Supply your own hand or foot pump. You can also buy a base to turn Rody into a traditional rocking horse.