The Best Toys For Girls Of All Ages

With Christmas right around the corner, our minds are whirling around gift ideas. What do our kids need? How can we encourage their educational growth with the right toy? And what makes one toy better than the other?

If you're shopping for your daughter, niece, or granddaughter, you're likely looking to purchase a toy she'll both love and benefit from. With an absolute plethora of toys on the market today, it can be hard to know which one to choose. So, to guide you in your decision-making process, we've created a comprehensive list of toys for girls broken down by age from 1 to 12. Let's dive in!

Best Toys for 1-Year-Old Girls

At this age, your baby is learning to explore on a whole new level! As your infant moves from crawling to walking, they may find more interest in playing with things around the house instead of a pile of new toys. It's best to purchase something that's simple and aligns with their current developmental stage. Best toys for this age group include books, interactive toys, and riding toys. Here are 10 of the best toys for 1-year-old girls.

Best Toys for 2-Year-Old Girls

Life with a 2-year-old can be sweet and spicey! Two can be such a fun age as your child is learning to socialize with others and is moving from the baby stage into the toddler stage. This age can also be challenging as they learn boundaries and a new level of independence. Toys for 2-year-olds should be simple and boost your child's development. Popular items include Melissa and Doug toys, a play kitchen, a doll with a stroller, and puzzles. Here's a complete list of the 13 best toys for 2-year-old girls.

Best Toys for 3-Year-Old Girls

3-year-olds are growing in independence and ability which opens the door to more toy options. Open-ended play is still great at this age, as well as a few electronic toys, educational toys, and even dress-up costumes and accessories. Because this age group is better able to communicate with you, their parent, grandparent, etc., you may also start realizing what their interests are. Here's a full list of some of the best toys for 3-year-old girls.

Best Toys for 4-Year-Old Girls

At this age, a child's imagination is largely at play. You may find that your 4-year-old begins copying what she sees around her. She may want to join you in the kitchen to cook with you or pretend to be a parent, teacher, or princess. Likely, she will want to be involved in whatever you're doing, too. Imaginative play is taking flight at this age so popular toys include play tents, dollhouses, and building blocks. Here are 5 of the best toys for 4-year-old girls.

Best Toys for 5-Year-Old Girls

Imagination, creativity, and energy are all at play for a 5-year-old girl. She may be loving anything from princesses to puzzles at this age, and she's learning new skills, too. This age group can also have a lot of energy so toys that help them focus and stay active are always great choices. They're also likely gaining more interest in and engaging with more age-appropriate board games. Here's a full list of some of the best toys for 5-year-old girls.

Best Toys for 6-Year-Old Girls

6-year-olds love to lean into their creative side! They're also learning more each day, making educational gifts fun and exciting. Gift ideas for this age group include bracelet-making kits, Crayola products, and a water doodle mat. Additionally, slime kits are a hit, and if you're looking to purchase something more educational, consider adding science projects or even a microscope to your cart. Here is a complete list of the 10 best toys for 6-year-old girls.

Best Toys for 7-Year-Old Girls

There's a wide range of directions you could go when it comes to shopping for 7-year-old girls. From educational to creative, to group activities, there's so much on the market to choose from. This age group is also growing in their social skills and may enjoy gifts that involve making something together such as a gardening kit or soap making. If you're curious what to buy, here are 12 of the best toys for 7-year-old girls.

Best Toys for 8-Year-Old Girls

8-year-olds are a fun group to shop for because they're growing in independence, but still like to play pretend and use their imagination. Girls this age are learning new social cues and love to play with others, too. The best toys for this age group include Hatchimals, Squishmallows, and Magic Mixies, along with various dolls and electronic devices. Here's a complete list of the best toys for 8-year-old girls.

Best Toys for 9-Year-Old Girls

When thinking about what to purchase for a 9-year-old girl, start with what interests her. There are toys in various different categories including STEM, art, and make-believe, along with other items. This age group is also continuing to learn about friendship so social skills are continuing to increase as well. Some of the best toys for 9-year-old girls include a kid's camera, a fidget purse, nail art, and a chemistry set. Here's a list of the 10 best toys for 9-year-old girls.

Best Toys for 10-Year-Old Girls

Your 10-year-old is likely leaning more and more into her independence. She's also discovering what she likes and doesn't like. You may also find that she's showing more interest in mature toys that are geared for pre-teens. As you think about a toy for a girl this age, consider getting her something that aligns with her interests. Popular toys include Tamagotchi, a robot or remote control cars, a smartwatch, and play makeup. You can find a complete list of the best toys for 10-year-old girls here.

Best Toys for 11-Year-Old Girls

11-year-olds can be challenging to shop for as this age group is continuing to grow in independence and may begin valuing friendships over time with the family. However, that doesn't mean shopping for 11-year-olds can't still be fun! Consider purchasing something that helps her practice being confident and strong in who she is as an individual. Popular toys for this age group include baking kits, nail and fashion accessories, and cameras to use with friends. Here are 10 of the best toys for 11-year-old girls.

Best Toys for 12-Year-Old Girls

Age 12 typically marks the beginning of adolescence and teenage years. Independence is more important to this age group and that can make toy shopping a challenge. When looking for gifts, first think about what your daughter is interested in and what can foster her creative side and help her become confident in her own skin. DIY kits and tech gadgets are always hits for this age group. Here is a complete list of the best toys for 12-year-old girls.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to gift-giving, keep in mind that what interests one child may not interest another. Just because a toy has great reviews doesn't necessarily mean your child will love it. You can always start by identifying what interests your daughter before deciding what to purchase. If you're truly stumped, Psychology Today has a quick list of what to look for when purchasing the next toy for your child.

With numerous toys on the market today, we hope this guide will help you in your gift-buying process. Happy shopping!

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