Wooden toys are eco-friendly [1], and sensory toys [2] are a great way to broaden your little one's mind, but when it comes to keeping my toddlers entertained [3] for longer than 15 seconds, I'll always turn to light-up toys. Light-up toys are fun and often educational, with many of them also singing songs, teaching numbers [4] and shapes, and encourageing socialisation [5]. These toys definitely keep my kids more engaged than watching TV [6] does. From mini laptops to colourful mixing bowls to glowing bath toys, there are plenty of fun light-up toys for your toddlers! Check out a few of my favourites in the slides ahead.
LeapFrog Spin & Sing Alphabet Zoo
Toddlers can learn letters, sounds, animal noises, songs, and more with this LeapFrog Spin & Sing Alphabet Zoo [7] ($18) that features a spinning wheel that lights up!
Vtech Brilliant Baby Laptop
Who says work-from-home is just for grown ups? Set up your toddler at a workstation right next to you, featuring this fun Vtech Brilliant Baby Laptop [8] ($13, originally $22). It's made with nine bright shapes and a moveable mouse that interacts with the light-up screen.
Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn So Big Puppy
Toddlers can cuddle, dance, and sing along with the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn So Big Puppy [9] ($14, originally $20), which lights up at his button in the centre. This puppy also teaches the alphabet, counting, colours, friendship skills, and more.
Fisher-Price Laugh ‘N Learn Blue Smartwatch
For when your little one wants to be just like you, get them this Fisher-Price Laugh 'N Learn Blue Smartwatch [10] ($7). This pretend watch lights up, makes noises, plays songs, and more.
Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Magic Colour Mixing Bowl
Cook up a batch of pretend brownies with the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Magic Colour Mixing Bowl [11] ($15, originally $20), which lights up and plays music. It comes with toy ingredients including chocolate, an egg, cherries, milk, measuring cups, and a mixing spoon.
JASNKKONT Light Up Floating Rubber Animal Toys
Take the light-up fun into the bath with these JASNKKONT Light Up Floating Rubber Animal Toys [12] ($14). The box includes eight different animals that light up automatically when they enter the bathtub or swimming pool.
HLXY Store Bath Toys for Toddlers
How cute are this light-up mermaid and her friends? The HLXY Store Bath Toys for Toddlers [13] ($8, originally $12) has flashing colourful lights that glow when they encounter water.
VTech KidiBeats Drum Set
Encourage your little one to start a one-man band with this fun drum kit. Bang on the three drum pads and cymbals to make music and a light show with this VTech KidiBeats Drum Set [14] ($16, originally $22). Your future rockstar will love it.
LeapFrog Blue’s Clues & You! Skidoo into ABCs Book
The interactive LeapFrog Blue's Clues & You! Skidoo into ABCs Book [15] ($19) encourages toddlers to "skidoo" to the farm, a gift shop, a haunted house and more, all while learning letters and playing games in this light-up book inspired by Blue's Clues & You!
Minnie Mouse Light-Up Bubble Wand
This pretty pink polka-dotted Minnie Mouse Light-Up Bubble Wand [16] ($23) lights up and fills the air with bubbles. It's the perfect way to keep kids entertained — and running around chasing bubbles — all summer long.
Sorcerer Mickey Mouse Light-Up Wand
A magic wand has never felt more powerful! This Sorcerer Mickey Mouse Light-Up Wand [17] ($23) is inspired by the classic movie Fantasia. It lights up and projects an image of Sorcerer Mickey.
VTech Drill and Learn Toolbox
The VTech Drill and Learn Toolbox [18] ($19) comes with everything little helpers need to drill, screw, hammer, and more. And it's more fun than your average toolbox, since it lights up and plays fun songs.
Crayola Ultimate Light Board
Discover your inner artist with the Crayola Ultimate Light Board [19] ($24, originally $26). The built-in LEDs will illuminate your art for a cool effect.
VTech Spin and Learn Colour Flashlight
Kids love playing with flashlights, and the VTech Spin and Learn Colour Flashlight [20] ($10) is an age-appropriate version that will keep them entertained for hours. Toddlers can turn the ring to see five different colours, as well as listen to counting and animal sounds, play music, and more.
LeapFrog Chat and Count Emoji Phone
"Hello? Toddler speaking!" This adorable LeapFrog Chat and Count Emoji Phone [21] ($14) encourages little ones to have pretend conversations with the light-up digital Scout. It also features videos, emojis, numbers, and games.
Bstaofy Creative Musical Glow Twinkle Star
During the day, your little one can play with the cuddly Bstaofy Creative Musical Glow Twinkle Star [22] ($21, originally $31), and at night, they can be soothed by the glowing lights and soft lullabies.
VTech Bright Lights Football Ball
She shoots, she scores! When toddlers kick the VTech Bright Lights Football Ball [23] ($13, originally $18), it makes silly sounds and plays music. They can also press the friendly face button when they want to make it light up!
TOMY John Deere Monster Treads Lighting Wheels Tractor
Roll the TOMY John Deere Monster Treads Lighting Wheels Tractor [24] ($28) forward or backward to turn on the awesome green motion-sensor lights! Toddlers will love pushing this all over the house.
LeapFrog My First Learning Tablet
Grown ups aren't the only ones who can play games on a tablet. Introduce your toddler to their first tablet with the LeapFrog My First Learning Tablet [25] ($20). It allows kids to "talk" to their friend Violet; learn about weather, sports, health, numbers, letters, shapes, and colours; and play music.
Fisher-Price Linkimals Cool Beats Penguin
Toddlers can dance and play with this darling Fisher-Price Linkimals Cool Beats Penguin [26] ($30). The penguin flaps its flippers, bobs side to side, plays music and lights up. Plus, it's able to connect with other Linkimals toys, too!
Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Babble & Wobble Hub
Your toddler can play with their very own version of Alexa with this Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Babble & Wobble Hub [27] ($12, originally $15). The smiley hub has four buttons that make the toy light up, talk, and play music.
My First Plane Bump ‘n Go Learning Aeroplane Toy
The adorable My First Plane Bump 'n Go Learning Aeroplane Toy [28] ($21, originally $22) can do it all. It lights up, talks, makes aeroplane sounds, and plays music, and on top of that it's able to roll on its own and change directions when it hits a wall or object.
BEST LEARNING Mushroom Garden
The award-winning BEST LEARNING Mushroom Garden [29] ($32, originally $35) has light-up mushrooms in all colours of the rainbow to teach toddlers numbers, colours, and music. This brainy toy aims to teach little ones through memory games and patterns, logic puzzles, and hand-eye coordination games.
Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Light-Up Learning Vacuum
My kids love their Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Light-Up Learning Vacuum [30] ($17, originally $20), which looks like a mini version of their parents vacuum, complete with (quieter) vacuum sounds, educational phrases, and colourful lights.
Bstaofy 11” Light Up Dinosaur Stuffed Animal
The cuddly green Bstaofy 11" Light Up Dinosaur Stuffed Animal [31] ($22, originally $31) will make your kid wonder why they were ever afraid of the dark. The combined stuffy and night-light is soft and snugglable, with colourful lights that make it glow. This sweet toy is perfect to help little ones drift off to sleep, and its auto-timer means it only stays lit for 15 minutes at a time.