If you are on the lookout for the best animal toys for your little one, you have come to the right place. Children love animal and farm-themed toys, and they are sure to collect all the animals to play. These toys are adorable and act as excellent educational tools for kids. The more toys you introduce to your child, the more it will help them learn about the animal kingdom and the different sounds they make. They also encourage children to explore, imagine and be creative. Animal toys are often crafted with great detail that helps create curiosity in little ones and keep them engaged for hours. With plenty of options to choose from, you can either opt for fuzzy animal-themed soft toys or choose wooden toys, stickers, puzzles, and more. To help you find the perfect toy for your munchkin, we have compiled a list of the popular toys beloved by children.
13 Best Animal Toys
1. Best For Children Above Three Years Of Age: ValeforToy Animal Figures
The 54-piece animal set gives your child myriad possibilities to use their imagination while playing alone or with friends. It comprises 32 mini jungle animals, 17 fences, four sets of grass, and a coconut tree. Made of environmentally-friendly PVC and it’s ideal for children above three years of age. Each toy measures about 2.2 inches and includes animals like an elephant, cheetah, giraffe, gazelle, tiger, lion, hippo, gorilla, and zebra to name a few. These animals are perfect as party favors, birthday gifts, and even as a cupcake topper. Get this set and let your kid spend hours imagining they are on a jungle safari! Pros
Solid mold-free design Painted with non-toxic paints Safety tested Easy to grasp
Cons
Grass and fence may be flimsy Some animals may not stay up
2. Best For Developing Cognitive Learning: Bolzra Safari Animals
The vibrant colors of these 12 plastic jungle animals are sure to attract any child. They include a tiger, panda, lion, cheetah, lioness, elephant, gorilla, camel, elk, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, and cheetah, measuring between 5 to 6.3 inches. Made of eco-friendly ABS which is durable and of premium quality, this animal set is safe for children above the age of three years. These African jungle animals serve great as play props and develop creativity, cognitive learning, language skills, and imagination. They can reduce your child’s screen time and can also be used as a bath toy, gift, or cupcake topper. Give your child an immersive experience of the wild with these safari animals. For more information about the product, click this video. Pros
Enhances vocabulary Realistic details Doubles as a bath toy Well-crafted finish
Cons
Some may be flimsy May be lighter than expected
3. Best Soft Material: Funcorn Toys Ocean Animals
Let your toddler swim with the sea animals that come in this set of 46 animals, and six sets of intricately detailed grass made of premium and 100% safe, non-toxic plastic. Each animal is about two inches big and includes marine life like octopus, seal, crab, starfish, crab, otter, seahorse, turtle, dolphin, whale, lobster, and jellyfish to name a few. These realistic-looking animals encourage curiosity and imaginative play and are ideal for kids above the age of three years. This animal set makes great party favors, bath toys, giveaways, birthday gifts, and cupcake toppers. Pros
Doubles as a party decor Safe to use for school projects Fine detailing Flexible and soft
Cons
May have a slight chemical smell May be smaller than expected
4. Best Engaging: Boley Farm Animal Figurines
Your child is simply going to love this set of 15 adorable toy farm animals with their young ones that are intricately detailed and realistic looking. They include a cute looking pig and piglet, a cow and calf, a rooster and chicken with chicks, a horse and foal, two geese, an adult and baby mule, and a sheep and lamb. Made of durable and safe plastic, they are beautifully painted, and have a textured surface for enhanced sensory stimulation. They are sturdy enough to withstand quite a bit of rough play and follow strict safety standards that are approved by ASTM, ICTI Care, and Sedex. These barnyard animals are sure to delight your toddler and keep them engaged for hours together. Pros
Develops fine motor skills Enhances vocabulary Encourages sensory learning Introduces storytelling technique
Cons
Some animals may not stand as expected Paint may chip off
5. Best For Improving Language Skills: YouCute Animal Toys
Enhance your child’s cognitive development, imagination, creativity, and language skills with this animal set of 15 wild animals that make excellent play props. Your child can play with animals like a gorilla, zebra, tiger, lion, elephant, crocodile, bison, panther, camel, bear, hippo, wolf, rhinoceros, hyena, zebra, and giraffe that range between 8 to 16 inches in size. It also includes three trees, a zoo playmat made of non-woven, soft, and durable fabric, and a storage case. Made of premium ABS plastic, they are ideal for children above three years of age and make a great gift for all occasions. Pros
Encourages pretend play Stimulates creativity Enhances vocabulary Includes a manual
Cons
Some may have sharp edges Paint finish may not be proper
6. Best For Safety: Melissa & Doug Farm Friends
Your child is sure to love this assortment of ten miniature collectible farm animal toys which vary from 0.75 to three inches in size. They include a duck, horse, pig, chicken, cow, goat, donkey, sheep, rooster, and border collie, and give you some interesting fun facts about each of these animals. They can be stored in a sturdy, divided wooden tray which simulates a fenced farm and measures 15.5 x 13.5 X 1.75 inches. Ideal for children above three years of age, you child can spend hours of creative playtime with these cute and realistic looking farm animals. The felt-covered animals have minute details like the duck has webbed feet and the horse a flowing mane, and all these toys adhere to the strictest safety standards. Pros
Detailed description at the back Stimulates imagination Encourages pretend play Animals stand easily
Cons
Furr may shed off May have a chemical smell
7. Best Cake Toppers: Terra By Battat Farm Animals
These miniature toy farm animals come in fun shapes and vibrant colors that will keep your kid enthralled. There are 12 different animal toys such as roosters, chickens, pigs, sheep, cows, bulls, geese, and cats, all extremely realistically crafted. This animal set has 60 animals altogether and is ideal for a goodie bag, or as a cake topper. It provides an ideal prop to develop imagination and curiosity about animals as well as compassion and love for them. Ideal for children above three years of age, these toys greatly reduce screen time as they keep children completely engaged. Each figurine measures about 1.5 to 2.5 inches and is 1 to 1.5 inches long. Pros
Comes with a transparent storage container Has bold colors and an accurate design Helps learn vocabulary Ideal for animal-themed party
Cons
May not be suitable for children below three years May not be suitable for indoors
8. Best For Improving Creativity: Wodmaz Woodland Animal Toys
The handmade forest animals are made of premium-quality and non-toxic ABS plastic. This set includes an elk, fawn, doe, brown bear, raccoon, lynx, bear cub, wolf, buck, and a greater kudu, to give your toddler hours of joy. This woodland animal toy set can enhance your child’s concentration, creativity, and imagination and helps them learn about various animals. They are great as party favors and birthday gifts and are recommended for children above the age of three years. Pros
Durable construction Realistic details Lightweight Safe to use for school projects
Cons
May be smaller than expected Might not be flexible enough
9. Best Long-Lasting: Fun Gift Sea Animal Toy Set
Introduce your kid to marine life with this animal toy set that comprises 12 realistic and detailed sea animals like a shark, whale, penguin, sea lion, turtle, seal, and dolphin. Each figurine is made of BPA-free, flexible, durable, and long-lasting vinyl, and is painted with premium, non-toxic paint. Your kids can use their imagination and create a number of games with these sea animals, both alone and with friends. They can create a world of fantasy that can boost their creativity and hand-eye coordination. Perfect for children above three years of age, these toys conform to strict safety norms. Pros
Hard plastic Well-crafted design Burr-free edges Safe and non-toxic Doubles as bath toys
Cons
May be less suitable for toddlers Colors may be darker than expected
10. Best For Developing Observation Skills: OuMuaMua Mini Ocean Animal Toys
Your toddler will enjoy this value pack of 42 detailed and realistic ocean animals which include 36 marine animals, four sets of grass, and two corals. Your kid will be introduced to marine life like dolphins, octopus, sharks, whales, sea slugs, snails, sea lion, penguin, walrus, seal, crab, squid, star fish, sea horses, and sailfish among others. As children learn their names, it helps expand their vocabulary and observation skills. These sea animals are great as bath toys and as a teaching model. They are quite vibrantly colored and are made of completely safe plastic vinyl material. This animal set is sized between 1.18 to 3.14 inches. Pros
Has detailed paint Easy to grasp CPC- and ASTM-certified Mold-free design
Cons
Some may not float Some may be smaller than expected
11. Best For Developing Imagination: Yeonha Toys Animal Figures
This animal toy set comprises 12 wild animals that are made of durable plastic and are painted in a detailed manner with non-toxic paint. They include a lion, tiger, elephant, giraffe, leopard, zebra, two trees, and four sets of grass. Children learn to recognize different wild animals and these toys are a great learning resource. They also help your tiny tots learn how to use their imagination and develop creativity. Each animal measures about eight inches and is suitable for children above the age of three years. Pros
Environmental protection PVC material Encourages storytelling Easy to hold Free of lead and BPA
Cons
Trees and grass may be flimsy May seem small to some
12. Best For Improving Social Skills: Joyin Mini Animal Toys
Available in a pack of 24 mini plush toys, each animal measures about 2.5 to three inches. These adorable soft animals can be used as party favors, Easter egg fillers, in pinatas, as key chains, or as gifts. They come in attractive, vivid colors, and are made with premium, soft cloth. Every animal imaginable is present in this animal set— a duckling, cow, bunny, monkey, bear, dinosaur, and dog to name a few. Children love the feel of these soft and cuddly toys which positively influence their cognitive behavior, creativity, and social skills. Pros
Easy to hold Soft to touch Hanging loop Lightweight
Cons
May not be suitable for children below three Joints may need restitching for some
13. Best For Learning About Marine Life: Terra By Battat Assorted Miniature Sea Animals
Give your toddler a glimpse into the underwater world with 12 miniature sea animals and a total of 60 fish toys in all. These small animals are boldly colored and realistically designed with six different kinds of fish and six crab toys. They are ideal for a fish-themed party or to fill into a goody bag and are a great learning experience as well. They provide information about marine life, boost imagination, and promote compassion for animals. Your child can build their own fantasy underwater aquarium at home and this marine animal set will pique their curiosity about oceans and the animals found in it. Ideal for children aged three and above, these animals are made of plastic and measure about 1 to 2.5 inches x 1.5 to 2.5 inches. Pros
Comes with a storage case Builds curiosity Lightweight Doubles as bath toys
Cons
Some may have sharp edges May have some repetitive toys
Now that you have been through our review of the 13 best animal toys, here are a few points to keep in mind while choosing one for your child so that they not only have fun but it also becomes an educational experience for them.
How To Choose The Right Animal Toys
Color
Always try to go for vividly colored animal toys as children find them more attractive. Also, they should look realistic so that children can recognize them easily and are able to relate them to a real life experience.
Size
The animal toys should be small enough so that your child’s tiny hands are able to grasp them easily, but not so small that they become a choking hazard. Also ensure that there are no small buttons or removable eyes on them as all these can be potentially dangerous.
Safety
Make sure the toys are made of completely safe and non-toxic plastic or other material. Children often put toys into their mouths and you cannot expose them to hazardous material. The paint also should be non-toxic so that you don’t have to worry every time your child puts it into their mouth.
Stimulating
The primary purpose of any toy is that it should be fun, but it’s always better if it can provide an educational experience as well. Toys should ideally also promote eye-hand coordination, cognitive development, language skills, creativity, and imagination. It should help your child build a world of fantasy while being educational at the same time.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Priti Bose is adept at reviewing children’s toys and gifts. She provides detailed information on products based on customer reviews and in-depth research. In this post, she has compiled a list of the best animal toys that are durable and made of premium material. Further, Priti has provided a detailed description of each product and included a handy buying guide to help you pick the right animal toy.
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