What do kids love about Sesame Street?

Sesame Street has a variety of fun, colorful characters that children are drawn to. They especially love the character of Elmo, as his unique speaking voice is relatable and keeps children's attention.

What is the ideal age range for Sesame Street?

The TV show Sesame Street is a great option for children ages 3 to 5 to help with their developing vocabulary, counting, reading, and problem-solving skills.

What can kids learn from Sesame Street?

Sesame Street teaches a variety of subjects, such as numbers, counting, letters, shapes, and more. They also teach children about real-life issues, friendship, healthy eating, and emotions.

The 10 Best Sesame Street Toys of 2023

Sesame Street has captured the hearts of kids for decades with its colorful and unique characters that help teach kids educational and emotional skills. A great way to continue learning with these colorful characters offscreen is with a Sesame Street toy. The best Sesame Street toy will be age-appropriate, inspire your child's imagination, and can help them learn numbers, colors, shapes, and more.

Picking the best Sesame Street toy is highly personalized. While there are plenty of toys that feature all of the show's characters, don't be afraid to choose a singular character toy if they have a specific favorite. Also, consider their budding hobbies since there are dolls, musical toys, and many other types of toys to engage them. The toy you choose should also be durable, safe, and easy to clean. We researched popular toys with these helpful features in mind.

Here are the best Sesame Street toys for your little cookie monster.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Sesame Street Talking ABC Elmo Figure at Amazon

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Best Budget:

Sesame Street Playskool Collector Pack at Amazon

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Best for Babies:

GUND Big Bird Take Along Stuffed Animal at Amazon

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Best for Toddlers:

Sesame Street Feed Me Cookie Monster at Amazon

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Best Stuffed Toy:

GUND Peek A Boo Elmo at Amazon

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Best Learning Toy:

Sesame Street Elmo's On the Go Letter at Amazon

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Best Active Toy:

Sesame Street Elmo School Bus Ride-On at Amazon

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Best Hands-On:

CreateOn Sesame Street Colors with Elmo Magna-Tiles at Amazon

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Best Portable:

Sesame Street Cookie Monster's Foodie Truck at Amazon

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Best Musical:

Sesame Street Rock and Rhyme Elmo at Amazon

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In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Verywell Family

Amazon

Pros

Sings, talks, and giggles
Safe for children 18 months old and up

Cons

Requires two batteries (not included)

We love this Elmo doll for its overall value. Made for kids 18 months to 4 years old, this doll teaches them their ABCs with a catchy and fun song and 14 different phrases in Elmo's signature voice when you press its stomach.

The doll itself is made of soft material that's huggable and tested for safety and durability. Dressed in a cute sweater, jeans, and sneakers, it's the perfect take-along friend every little Sesame Street fan will adore for pretend play. It stands 13 inches tall and runs on two batteries that, unfortunately, are not included. Still, parents love how this toy makes learning fun and is easy for their kids to carry.

Price at time of publication: $44

Amazon

Pros

Includes several Sesame Street friends
Lightweight

Cons

No storage case included

All their favorite Sesame Street characters come in this one low-priced package of toy figures. There’s Elmo, Grover, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, and even that grumpy, but loveable grouch, Oscar—a whole gang of friends ready for some awesome pretend play anytime, anywhere. Because there are so many figures, this set is great for independent play.

These toys are small enough to take on the go and work at the pool or beach, in the car, or anywhere little ones play. Recommended for ages 18 months and up, parents say kids of all ages love them.

Price at time of publication: $12

Amazon

Pros

Safe for children 12 months old and up
Features embroidered details

Cons

Only surface washable

The tiniest tots will love this soft and sweet Big Bird stuffed animal from Gund. Recommended for ages 1 and up, it makes for cute room decor until they’re on the move and ready to take Big Bird along with them. Big Bird's features are embroidered on, so there are no worries about loose eyes or other features coming off and creating a choking hazard for little ones who tend to put everything in their mouths. He measures 12.5 inches high, and his arms and legs are soft, floppy, and perfect for snuggling.

Price at time of publication: $18

Amazon

Pros

Makes sounds, phrases, and shakes
Interactive

Cons

Requires two batteries

He wants a cookie, and a cookie he will get, as toddlers feed the included plastic one into his big, blue, furry mouth. He responds with sounds, shakes, and phrases that let you know just how much he likes them. He’ll even sing a song. Cookie Monster measures 15 inches tall, and he requires two AA batteries (only demo batteries are included).

He’s recommended for kids 18 months to 4 years of age. Similar to Tickle Me Elmo, this toy is fun, interactive, and a great addition to playtime.

Price at time of publication: $30

Amazon

Pros

13 phrases
Soft and cuddly

Cons

Blanket may occasionally get stuck

It’s hard to get much more adorable than loveable, squeezable Elmo. This plush toy from Gund features everyone’s favorite red monster all nestled below a snuggly blanket, ready to play peek-a-boo. As kids pull the blanket up and down, Elmo responds with one of 13 phrases. Soft and cuddly, he requires three AA batteries, which are included, so he’s ready to go right out of the box. Designed for kids ages 18 months and up, he’s 15 inches tall, which is just the right size for cuddling.

Parents say little ones go crazy for this toy, and that it’s a realistic representation of the TV character. Most find it to be well-made, and while some note the blanket gets stuck from time to time, most say it’s a great choice for kids who love Elmo.

Price at time of publication: $45

Amazon

Pros

Contains all letters of the alphabet
Storage case included

Cons

Does not include numbers

Oh, let us count the ways toddlers will love this set of on-the-go letters. There are 26, as it contains all the letters of the alphabet in one handy-dandy carrying case that features Elmo’s sweet face on the front. Each letter fits into its own slot, and beneath are more familiar characters and items that start with each letter.

For example, below “A” is a picture of Abby Cadabby, while “Y” features a yo-yo. It’s a great way for kids to learn letters and sounds, and as they progress, the letters can be used to create words and promote early reading skills. Recommended for ages 2 to 4, it’s a great way to combine fun and learning.

Price at time of publication: $23

Amazon

Pros

Realistic engine sounds and steering wheel
Flashing lights

Cons

Bulky
No off button

For Sesame Street fun on the go, there’s this ride-on school bus, driven by none other than Elmo himself. Beep! Beep! This toy features flashing lights, lively music and realistic engine sounds for revved-up fun and learning. Kids power it with their feet and can turn gears and the steering wheel for imaginative play. It’s recommended for kids ages 12 months to 3 years, and it runs on two AA batteries, which are included.

Price at time of publication: $73

Amazon

Pros

Hands-on learning
Colorful pieces

Cons

Not recommended for children under 3 years old

Recommended for children ages 3 and up, these magnetic tiles are perfect for hands-on learning. Discover colors, numbers, geometric shapes, and more through magnetic building. Children can simply take the magnetic pieces and connect them together to make their favorite Sesame Street friends, like Elmo and Big Bird.

Price at time of publication: $40

Walmart

Pros

Teaches shapes
Back of truck opens for easy shape removable

Cons

Only six shapes included

Children can tap into their imaginative play by pretending to be Cookie Monster and Gonger as they go on a foodie truck adventure together. This shape-sorting toy not only teaches little ones about shapes, but each shape also features a food. From an apple to carrot, kids are also exploring foods while matching shapes to their cut-outs. And, kids can take the foodie truck everywhere they go, as all shapes fit in the truck for easy storage.

Price at time of publication: $35

Amazon

Pros

14 phrases and five songs
English and Spanish included

Cons

Requires four batteries
Guitar is not removable

Rock and rhyme with Elmo as he makes music with his guitar! With 14 phrases and five songs, Elmo sings music favorites, like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, in both English and Spanish. Recommended for children ages 18 months old to 4 years old, Elmo requires four batteries and weighs less than two pounds.

Price at time of publication: $42

Final Verdict

For a budget-friendly Sesame Street toy, check out the Sesame Street Playskool Collector Pack (view on Amazon). There’s Elmo, Grover, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, and even that grumpy, but loveable grouch, Oscar—a whole gang of friends ready for some awesome pretend play anytime, anywhere. There’s also the GUND Peek-A-Boo Elmo (view on Amazon) for some fun play time with Elmo. As kids pull the blanket up and down, Elmo responds with one of 13 phrases.

What to Look for in Sesame Street Toys

Age-Appropriate

It's important to check the age range for any toy you plan to buy. This is mainly for safety reasons, as certain toys may have very small parts that pose choking risks to young babies. You should also make sure the toy is appropriate for their current skill levels, so that it provides a bit of a challenge without being frustrating.

Your Child's Interests

When choosing a Sesame Street toy for your child, think about how often they might engage with it. Will they still enjoy it after a few weeks, or will they be tired of it after a few days? Are they fondest of Elmo, Big Bird, or Cookie Monster? The best toys to keep them engaged are ones that grow as they do. Look for ones that will still be fun as they develop and go through different phases.

Imagination and Learning

Pretend play is so important! According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it helps build your child's negotiation, communication, and language skills. Look for a toy that gets their imagination pumping and brings out their creative side. You should also lean towards toys that help your child boost thinking and problem-solving skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do kids love about Sesame Street?

Sesame Street has a variety of fun, colorful characters that children are drawn to. They especially love the character of Elmo, as his unique speaking voice is relatable and keeps children's attention.
What is the ideal age range for Sesame Street?

The TV show Sesame Street is a great option for children ages 3 to 5 to help with their developing vocabulary, counting, reading, and problem-solving skills.
What can kids learn from Sesame Street?

Sesame Street teaches a variety of subjects, such as numbers, counting, letters, shapes, and more. They also teach children about real-life issues, friendship, healthy eating, and emotions.

Why Trust Verywell Family

Katrina Cossey has been a digital content producer and news and feature writer for more than six years. She has covered local and national news as well as writing and researching parenting topics. Katrina recommends the Sesame Street Elmo’s On the Go Letters (view on Amazon) for children who love Sesame Street. Not only do children learn their letters, but behind each letter is a Sesame Street character.

More Toys for Kids

When it comes to toys for kids, our team has you covered. The Verywell Family team of editors (who are parents or have nieces and nephews of their own) have tested, gifted, and personally recommend every item we feature. Find more of our top toy picks for every developmental stage and personality phase here: