The Best Monkey Toys

Buying Guide for Monkey Toys

Why buy monkey toys?

Young children have been affectionately compared to monkeys for so many generations that it shouldn’t surprise anyone how much a kid loves them. They have a few things in common, after all. They both love to howl at odd hours of the day. They have a strong inclination to climb as high as they can, even when others are clamoring for them to come back down immediately. And they both love to snuggle up in their parent’s arms to end the night.

What should you consider in monkey toys?

• Age-Friendly Nature: The monkey toy you’re after should reflect the age of the child you’re buying for. If you want to purchase a toy for a young child or toddler, then your best bet is to buy something simple. Think cuddly plush toys rather than plastic figurines that feature battery-powered operation, which would be a better option for kids of an older crowd.
• Safeguarding: On the other side of what’s appropriate for certain age groups are safety concerns. Of course, toys that include small pieces which can easily be swallowed will include an advisory suggesting no child under a certain age should handle it. Another concern to take note of is the material construction of a toy. Certain material ingredients in a toy’s design may affect a child’s health when tampered with. Some plastic figurines feature chemical additives that can be exposed when burned, while dirt and unfavorable germs can latch onto fabrics and potentially trigger allergies.
• Multi-Fun: There will always be a toy with a degree of difficulty a child won’t be able to handle alone. However, you shouldn’t rule out the perfect opportunity to bond with a parent, sibling, or friend. Younger kids will always appreciate the chance to work with something that’s seemingly beyond their age, which could teach them a lot, and if they can share that toy with an experienced player or just as a clueless friend, then they’ll always enjoy the challenge.

How do monkeys express affection?

Monkeys express affection by picking bugs and dirt out of one another’s fur. Fun fact: that’s where the term “nitpicking” comes from! Monkey toys, on the other hand, express affection by being cute and sometimes cuddly and by having expressive faces that children love—no bug-picking required.

Our Picks for the Best Monkey Toys

Pros: Cute as a button and plush all around, this sweet stuffed monkey is perfect for playtime and works well as a nursery decoration. This stuffed monkey features embroidered eye and nose detailing, not plastic pieces glued onto the surface, so it’s safe and soft. It’s a fuzzy, immensely huggable toy that you won’t have to worry about earning a few stains because they’ll come right off in the wash, thanks to its machine-friendly construction. And have you noticed how cute that head of hair is?

Cons: The tight packaging may make the monkey look a bit deformed for a bit until it puffs out fully.

Bottom Line: This adorable monkey is everything your kid will want in a stuffed animal. It’s not too big or too small, it makes a great decoration, and it’s lightweight. Plus, for parents, it’s well-constructed and machine washable.

 

Pros: Bathtime is much more fun with a little monkey friend to keep your little one entertained. This little tub toy is perfect for kids 1 year and older. All your little one has to do is pull the string to wind the propeller and set the sub in motion. It’s an easy way to learn cause and effect, and it helps your baby or toddler sharpen their motor skills. This monkey bath toy is safe and phthalate-free, so you don’t have to worry about little ones putting it in their mouths.

Cons: This toy can be a bit difficult to clean thoroughly.

Bottom Line: If your child loves bathtime and also loves things that move around, this adorable pull-string monkey submarine toy may be just what you’re looking for. It comes from a well-loved brand of children’s toys. And it doesn’t have any small parts that would cause a choking hazard.

 

Pros: Gifting the toys of your youth to children of a new generation is a bit of a double-edged sword: you get to soak in all the nostalgia that comes with your child playing with your favorite toy, but then you have to deal with the “you’re really old” children’s jokes that follow. This Barrel of Monkeys Game is the exact kind of classic entertainment for everyone to piece together in the living room, so you won’t mind shouldering a few parent digs throughout the night. There are 12 monkeys included in a barrel, with product color varying between Elefun blue, hippo orange, and cheeky purple. And best of all, this is a lower price toy that’s affordable for most.

Cons: It’s not as high-quality as the original game, and it may be difficult for people with limited mobility in their hands to create a chain.

Bottom Line: This is a great game for kids who are developing their fine motor skills. The monkeys are adorable and fun to look at in bright, vivid colors. And the rules are nice and simple, perfect for a family game night.

 

Pros: Looking for an easy-to-use and hysterically entertaining toy? This flying monkey toy understands that kids love swinging their toys around the house, so you might as well give them one that’s intended to be launched from one corner to the other. It’s the ultimate daredevil primate, featuring a real self-slingshot function that allows it to be stretched from head to toe. Upon crash landing, the monkey will howl with excitement, cueing the equally uproaring laughter from your child, too.

Cons: It’s difficult to change the battery once it dies. There’s no Velcro, so you would have to open up the stitching and sew it back shut—or you could simply replace the whole monkey. Also, this toy can get quite loud. So maybe the batteries dying wouldn’t need to be fixed.

Bottom Line: Kids absolutely love this screaming, flying monkey toy. It’s 11 inches from head to tail, so it’s big enough for kids to grasp without being too big. Plus, this is fun for adults—a perfect white elephant or gag gift.

 

Pros: This brightly colored game is perfect for stimulating learning in little ones. It teaches basic counting and beginning math skills and encourages retention through stimulating multi-level math games. It’s recommended for children ages 3 and up and is the ideal teaching tool for parents and caregivers. Also, it’s quick and easy to set up and comes with instructions that are easy to follow. The 64-piece toy set includes 19 monkeys, numbers 1 to 10, 30 double-sided cards, a monkey scale, the base, and two scale pans. Plus, the cute graphics will keep little ones engaged so they can learn while they play.

Cons: The small monkeys may present a choking hazard and should be kept away from children younger than 3.

Bottom Line: Little ones love this fun and colorful game. The scale balances well, so children can learn simple motor skills. And it helps children recognize and recall numbers.

Final Thoughts

Monkey see, monkey do! Little ones love adorable monkeys because of their expressive faces and cute fuzzy bodies. There are a variety of monkey toys on the market for kids of any age, and some are even fun for adults to play with.