10 Must-Have Educational Toys When Raising a Spanish ‑ English Bilingual Toddler
- D Siesta House
- Aug 4
- 5 min read
In our household, I speak Spanish with our toddler, and my husband speaks English. Following our pediatrician’s advice, we stick to one language each to give consistency—me in Spanish, him in English. That “one‑parent‑one‑language” approach actually helps toddlers separate the two languages naturally and learn without confusion. It’s a surprisingly effective strategy.
I absolutely love incorporating educational toys into our daily routine. When I need a short break—especially now that I’m pregnant—I sometimes put on Miss Vale on YouTube for guided Spanish play. Miss Vale’s channel, Spanish for Little Ones, is full of catchy songs (numbers, colors, animals) and high-contrast visuals and even incorporates baby sign language. Her videos are perfect for toddlers learning Spanish in a fun, engaging way.
10 Must-Have Educational Toys When Raising a Spanish ‑ English Bilingual Toddler
📚 Table of Contents
Why Bilingual Upbringing Matters: Research‑Backed Insights
Growing up bilingual doesn’t delay language development: While bilingual kids may initially say fewer words in each language, their total conceptual vocabulary (across both languages) matches or exceeds that of monolingual peers. A child with, say, 15 words in English and 20 in Spanish actually knows more words overall than a monolingual child with 30 words.
Cognitive advantages: Bilingual children often show stronger executive control, cognitive flexibility, working memory, and problem‑solving skills. Their brains get regular “training” switching between languages.
Long‑term brain benefits: Research suggests bilingualism may delay cognitive aging and reduce risk of dementia later in life.
Emotional and social strengths: Bilingual children often exhibit better self‑control, emotional resilience, and a richer cultural sense of identity.
Increased prevalence: In the U.S., about 27% of children under 6 are learning a language other than English at home, most commonly Spanish.
All this research underscores that bilingualism is a rich, beneficial gift—not a deficit.
Affiliate Disclosure
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10 Favorite Spanish‑English Educational Toys That Truly Helped Our Toddler Learn
Here are the must-have bilingual learning toys we rely on daily:
These audio flash cards pronounce words clearly in both Spanish and English. Ideal for vocabulary building, early reading prep, and reinforcing language exposure through repetition.
Check out the reviews on Amazon.
Toddlers match letters to pictures—seeing and spelling words in Spanish. It promotes phonics, fine motor control, and Spanish vocabulary.
My almost two-year-old loves these.
Check out the reviews on Amazon.
Ideal for infants and toddlers: basic Spanish words for foods, animals, shapes, etc., reinforced through high‑contrast imagery and simple repetition.
Check out the reviews on Amazon.
Features tactile interactive pages—buttons, zippers, textures—with Spanish labels. Keeps little hands busy while promoting Spanish vocabulary in a Montessori‑style format.
Check out the reviews on Amazon.
High‑quality cardboard cards with sensory textures on one side and printed Spanish/English vocabulary on the other. Great for bilingual sensory and word association.
Check out the reviews on Amazon.
Picture‑rich board book with paired vocabulary in both languages. I read this with our toddler regularly—it’s a sweet take‑home feel to English/Spanish Storytime.
Check out the reviews on Amazon.
Each letter both in Spanish and English (A for “árbol/tree”, B for “ballena/whale”). Engaging letter recognition and bilingual vocabulary in one.
Check out the reviews on Amazon.
A wooden puzzle with 27 Spanish‑language letters including ñ. Bright colors, chunky pieces—perfect for independent play and letter learning in Spanish.
Check out the reviews on Amazon.
A musical Spanish rhymes book that plays Sol Solecito, Los pollitos dicen, and other favorite canciones infantiles. Our toddler loves singing along!
Check out the reviews on Amazon.
A brightly illustrated Spanish counting book/toy that introduces numbers visually and verbally in Spanish—underpins early math and language skills.
Check out the reviews on Amazon.
How We Incorporate These Toys at Home
I speak only Spanish, playing flashcards or reading bilingual books during playtime or meal prep.
My husband responds in English, narrating routines and conversations in his language.
We alternate languages naturally throughout the day while keeping each parent consistent in their own.
When I need a break (especially now being pregnant), I put on Miss Vale—her singing, counting, and high‑contrast visuals keep our toddler engaged and reinforce Spanish through repetition. Her content is specifically geared for 1–4 year‑olds with fun Spanish songs, baby sign language, numbers, and animal sounds. (Please note I try my best to avoid screen time, but you know solo parenting and pregnant).
Research Shows: Why Toys + One‑Language‑Per‑Parent Works
Studies comparing bilingual and monolingual toddlers show no delay in reaching first word or sentence milestones; both groups typically follow the same timeline—8–15 months for first words, grammar following predictable stages.
Vocabulary may seem smaller in each language—but a bilingual toddler’s total vocabulary is on par with monolingual peers.
Regular, playful language input (toys, books, parent talk, music) is shown to be more effective than passive exposure.
Tips for parents Raising Bilingual Toddlers
Consistency matters: Stick to one language when interacting—especially in routines like meals, bedtime, reading, and play.
Use toys daily: Flash cards, puzzles, books—they reinforce verbal language in a multi‑sensory way.
Mix in music/videos sparingly: Miss Vale’s videos are short yet effective tools for Spanish immersion when you need downtime.
Focus on exposure, not perfection: Accept code‑switching—it’s normal. Bilingual brains handle that switching naturally.
Engage emotion and culture: Use Spanish songs, stories, or cultural references (e.g. Los pollitos, Sol Solecito) to bond and reinforce language identity.
Follow milestones, not comparisons: If your child shows significant delay in both languages, it’s worth consulting a speech therapist—but bilingualism itself is not the cause.
Conclusion
Raising a Spanish–English bilingual toddler is a joyful mix of intentional language input, playful learning, and cultural connection. Our daily routine of one parent per language, along with carefully chosen educational toys, helps our child thrive cognitively and linguistically. Miss Vale on YouTube is our go‑to when I need to rest, and all the toys listed above are ones we truly love and keep returning to.
If you’d like to explore more toys or check reviews, the links here are a great place to start. No pressure—just tools I found helpful as a bilingual‑raising mom. Feel free to click through, read reviews, and choose what works for your family.
¡Buena suerte en su camino bilingüe! / Good luck on your bilingual journey!
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