Toys & Gifts Kids & Teens The Best Cleaning Toy Sets for Your Little Helpers Encourage pretend play with kid-friendly vacuums, mops, dusters, and more By Erica Puisis Updated on November 17, 2023 Medically reviewed by Ann-Louise T. Lockhart, PsyD, ABPP Fact checked by Rich Scherr Print We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Verywell Family / Amelia Manley While there are no guarantees that your kids will master all messes with these fun cleaning toys, cleaning sets allow for real-world play, something that'll strengthen the developmental skills used for social connectedness and critical thinking, says Natasha Burgert, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician in South Overland Park, Kansas. We researched the top brands and products if your little helper wants to get involved in every aspect of your cleaning routine, paying attention to the recommended age and accessories of each pick. We also surveyed 875 parents about the toys their children love to play with, asking parents to note how kids play with their toys and why they love them. Moreover, we reviewed guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on the benefits of pretend play for children and how parents can inspire imaginative play for their kids. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Melissa & Doug Dust, Sweep & Mop Set at Amazon ($28) Jump to Review Best Plastic: Learning Resources New Sprouts 6 Piece Clean It Set at Amazon ($25) Jump to Review Best Vacuum: CASDON Little Helper Dyson Toy Vacuum at Amazon ($30) Jump to Review Best for Dusting: Fisher-Price Clean-Up and Dust Set at Amazon ($37) Jump to Review Best for Toddlers: Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Vacuum at Amazon ($20) Jump to Review Best Broom: Schylling Little Helper Broom Set at Amazon ($15) Jump to Review Best Mop: Rocky Mountain Goods Small Mop for Kids at Amazon ($34) Jump to Review Best Laundry Set: Melissa & Doug Laundry Basket Play Set at Amazon ($29) Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks How We Selected and Tested Our Experts What to Look for FAQ Why Trust Verywell Family Best Overall Melissa & Doug Dust, Sweep & Mop Set Amazon View On Amazon $28 View On Walmart $25 View On Wayfair $44 Pros Comes with a storage stand Durable material Works like actual products Cons Young kids may need help putting products onto the stand Why We Recommend It If you have a child who loves to help around the house, this cleaning toy set from Melissa & Doug is a realistic and fun option, earning our best overall spot. The set includes a mop, hand broom, duster, and dustpan, along with a sturdy stand from which to hang each cleaning tool. The top features of this cleaning toy set for kids include the high quality of the components and how much they look like the real deal. Your child will really feel part of the household chore routine when using the real wood handles and other realistic features like a rope mop head or broom bristles. Parents find that kids gravitate towards these toddler-sized cleaning toys, but they’re also functional enough to use in a pinch for sweeping up small messes—a frequent occurrence in a house with children at play. Key Specs: Dimensions: 11 x 4 x 28 inchesMaterial: WoodRecommended Age: 3 years and up Best Plastic Learning Resources New Sprouts 6 Piece Clean It Set Walmart View On Amazon $25 View On Walmart $25 View On Wayfair $30 Pros Easy to clean Six pieces Durable plastic Cons Less realistic items than other sets Why We Recommend It A set of plastic cleaning toys makes a durable and easy-to-clean option for your child’s imagination. This six-piece set includes a plastic hand vacuum, pretend spray bottle, cleaning bottle, dustpan, hand broom, and sponge. Your toddler or young child will enjoy mimicking your every action with these easy-to-grip cleaning toys. When your child’s cleaning session is complete, it’s easy to wash off any sticky substance or dirt. These plastic toys can be cleaned with a quick rinse or a soap-and-water wash. Key Specs: Dimensions: 12.1 x 9 x 4.2 inchesMaterial: PlasticRecommended Age: 2 years and up Best Vacuum CASDON Little Helper Dyson Toy Vacuum Amazon View On Amazon $30 Pros Replica of an iconic vacuum Not super loud Has multiple attachments and ways to play Cons Suction is not as strong as actual product Why We Recommend It This vacuum is a toy replica of the iconic Dyson Cord-Free Vacuum Cleaner but sized just right for kids to use and enjoy. The Casdon Little Helper Dyson Vacuum Toy measures about 28 inches from tip to end and features fun effects like a simulated cyclone action with brightly colored “debris” in the canister and vacuum sounds. Fortunately, the vacuum sounds are not loud enough to disrupt your everyday routine. This toy vacuum for kids also includes various attachments, and you can use it as a handheld vacuum as well—just like the real thing. There is real suction power, although it’s reportedly faint. Keep three AA batteries on hand so this vacuum will always be ready for hours of cleaning fun for kids. If it picks up a little stray pet hair along the way, consider it a bonus. Key Specs: Dimensions: 9.25 x 3.94 x 27.95 inchesMaterial: PlasticRecommended Age: 3 years and up Best for Dusting Fisher-Price Clean-Up and Dust Set Amazon View On Amazon $37 View On Walmart $24 Pros Usable as real broom Washable parts Includes items to sweep Cons Broom handles can bend easily Why We Recommend It This Fisher-Price dusting set for kids is super soft and includes both a small duster and a dust mop, so your child can be a dust buster, both high and low. The dust mop includes a removable, washable cleaning pad, which comes in handy since this little dust mop picks up dirt and dust hiding around the room. Adding to the imagination of this cleaning toy set are the included felt cobweb and dust bunny that your child can clean up any time. Key Specs: Dimensions: 14 x 2.5 x 11 inchesMaterial: PlasticRecommended Age: 3 years and up The 9 Best Play Kitchens That Will Make Even Professional Chefs Jealous Best for Toddlers Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Vacuum Amazon View On Amazon $20 View On Walmart $20 View On Zulily.com Pros Educational Interactive Suitable for young kids Cons Users found it smaller than expected Doesn't actually clean Why We Recommend It Little ones will love to play with this cleaning toy for toddlers, an interactive and educational vacuum cleaner. The Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Vacuum is designed to engage children with songs and sounds that teach colors, shapes, counting skills, and opposites. It also has a vacuum-only mode that revs up typical vacuum sounds if your tot wants to use a vacuum that sounds like the real thing. The versatile modes of this cleaning toy for toddlers ensure that it won’t become boring any time soon. Whether your child enjoys using it in learning mode or "cleaning” mode, this vacuum for toddlers is sure to be a big hit. Key Specs: Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 16.3 inchesMaterial: PlasticRecommended Age: 1 year and up The Best Educational Toys for Toddlers to Combine Fun and Learning Best Broom Schylling Little Helper Broom Set Amazon View On Amazon $15 Pros Lightweight Brooms have handles for storing Actually cleans Cons Broom handles can be flimsy Why We Recommend It Many kids love to grab the household broom and tackle dirt piles, real or imagined. But standard brooms feature a long handle that can become a hazard in the hands of a small child and knock over anything in sight. A child’s broom, like the Schylling Littler Helper, is a great solution. This realistic-looking broom set includes both a soft-bristle broom for general sweeping and a smaller, handheld broom for small tasks. The dustpan makes it easy for little ones to capture any dirt they’ve swept up and dispose of it. It clips onto the handle of either broom for secure storage. The larger broom has a 30-inch handle and features long, soft bristles that are surprisingly good at handling real messes, too. Key Specs: Dimensions: 33 x 10 x 1.5 inchesMaterial: PlasticRecommended Age: 3 years and up Best Mop Rocky Mountain Goods Small Mop for Kids Amazon View On Amazon $34 Pros Lifetime warranty Works like a real mop Durable materials Cons Not machine washable Why We Recommend It For a mop that looks just like the real deal but is sized right for little hands and shorter heights, consider this kid-size mop from Rocky Mountain Goods. It features a cotton mop head and a wooden handle that measures 36 inches. We love that it's sturdy enough to handle even robust play. While you won’t be able to detach the mop head for machine washing, it’s easy enough to spot-clean the mop if a section becomes dirty. Key Specs: Dimensions: 32 x 2 x 1 inchesMaterial: WoodRecommended Age: 3 years and up The 31 Best Toys for Toddlers to Engage in a Learning and Entertaining Playtime Best Laundry Set Melissa & Doug Laundry Basket Play Set Amazon View On Amazon $29 View On Walmart $36 View On Melissaanddoug.com Pros Multiple pieces for play Durable materials Perfect addition to a washer and dryer play set Cons Dryer sheet box can bend easily Why We Recommend It This Melissa & Doug cleaning toy set for kids includes laundry essentials, like an iron and ironing board, to tackle pretend wrinkles. Kids will also enjoy the other accessories, like detergent and softener bottles, that round out this toy laundry set, along with a box of pretend dryer sheets. A small plastic laundry basket completes the set and is a great landing spot for freshly “ironed” doll clothes. This cleaning toy set for kids is great for little ones who want to help on laundry day, and it's also popular when paired with a washer and dryer play set. Key Specs: Dimensions: 8 x 7 x 11 inchesMaterial: Plastic, wood, and fabricRecommended Age: 3 years and up How We Selected and Tested Cleaning Toy Sets To select the best cleaning toy sets for kids, we spoke with a pediatrician and toy expert and reviewed guidance from the AAP on the benefits of pretend play. We also surveyed 875 parents to learn more about what brands their families love to buy and why. Additionally, we wanted to know their kids' favorite toys, how they play with them, and why they love them. After reviewing guidance from the AAP, speaking with our experts, and surveying parents, we studied the design and features of more than 30 cleaning toy sets on the market and researched reviews from customers and competitors. Moreover, we monitored shopping trends to bring you the best and most up-to-date offerings on cleaning toys for kids. When reviewing products, we considered toy safety, age recommendations, ease of use, design, material, features, and value. Our Experts Natasha Burgert, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician in South Overland Park, Kansas Kristin Morency Goldman, senior advisor of strategic communications for The Toy Association American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) What to Look For in a Cleaning Toy Set Recommended Age: Check the manufacturer’s recommended age before hitting the purchase button. These guidelines are there for a reason, and they’re a great indication as to whether the item is suitable for your child—both in safety and in engagement. In general, cleaning toys that don’t have much true function will satisfy a younger child, but probably won’t keep a toddler entertained for long. For this age group, look for something with working buttons and lights, so they’ll feel more like the toy is working the way your own cleaning equipment might.Safety: When it comes to cleaning toys, safety is important, because some are heavy or long and awkward for little ones to handle well. You’ll also want to be particularly mindful of toys labeled 3+, as these toys might have small parts which can be a choking hazard for children under three and for those who still mouth toys, says Goldman.Accessories: Though there are some standalone products, many cleaning toys come in sets. In general, the sets are worth the investment, since they’ll hold your child’s attention for longer: They’ll get the opportunity to mimic more of your own actions, from sweeping to mopping and beyond. Frequently Asked Questions How do you play with a cleaning toy with a child? One of the most popular ways to use cleaning toys with a child is to include them in your housekeeping routine. Toddlers and young children often enjoy "helping" with tasks like dusting, sweeping, mopping, or vacuuming. As you move from room to room, make your child feel like they have a job to do along with you. And in the case of some cleaning toys with functional features, your little helper may actually be capturing dust and debris! You'll also be surprised at the fun and surprising ways your child uses his or her imagination to interact with everyday items like a broom, mop, or duster.“Although playing with a cleaning set may not seem very complicated to an observing adult, the skills a child uses during pretend play are foundational for social and emotional growth," Burgert says. Can these toys double as real cleaning products? While all of the options on this list are toys made for children, many of them do function as actual cleaning products. The brooms and mops can be used to gather dirt or toys and the toy vacuum does have a little bit of suction for picking up dust. However, none of these toys operate as well as real cleaning products and should not be used to replace any household cleaning sets. How do you clean plastic toys? Plastic toys can be washed with dish soap and water in the sink. Some toys are also dishwasher-safe, but if you want to clean toys this way, it's a good idea to only place them in the top rack of the dishwasher to avoid the risk of melting. Why Trust Verywell Family Erica Puisis is a freelance writer with areas of expertise in small home appliances and vacuums. She loves sharing her insights on top trending and mainstay products for the home (even for pint-sized family members). Additional reporting by: Julia Fields is a lifestyle writer who covers toys, gifts, and the holidays. She's previously covered similar topics, including toy reviews, product roundups, expert-focused articles, and more. 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: The Best Christmas Gifts for Kids The Best Developmental Toys for Babies The Best Tummy Time Toys The Best Active Toys for Toddlers The Best Outdoor Toys for Toddlers The Best Toys for Toddlers The Best Educational Toys for Toddlers The Best Phonics Toys for Preschoolers The Best Toys for Learning Letters and Numbers The Best Musical Toys for Children of All Ages The Best Montessori Toys to Encourage Thoughtful Play The Best Sesame Street Toys The Best Outdoor Toys for Kids of All Ages The Best Dinosaur Toys The Best Toys for Fine Motor Skills Development The Best Toys for Independent Play The Best Snow Toys for Kids The Best STEM Toys for Kids Best Laptop Toys for Kids The Best Social Emotional Learning Toys The Best Robot Toys The Best Ride-On Toys The Black-Owned Gift Guide 1 Source Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Academy of Pediatrics. Pretend play: ways children can exercise their imagination. Updated by Julia Fields See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Helpful Report an Error Other Submit