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It's that moment when their curiosity runs wild. When something they've been learning finally clicks. THAT'S THE SPARK!

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Playtime is our favorite time

educational books and toys

Kindergartners are just starting to get excited about academic skills, but they still love to—and need to—learn by doing and playing. Give them materials that allow them to have fun and build with this list of our favorite educational toys for kindergarten learning.

(Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)

1. Rainbow Acrylic Blocks

Rainbow Acrylic Blocks with colorful glass

Kindergartners are master block builders, and they’ve got the imagination, patience, and spatial skills to make some pretty awesome creations. Up their block game with some fun additions to a classic set of wooden blocks  like these colorful window blocks. They also invite science exploration of light and color.

Buy it: Rainbow Acrylic Blocks on Amazon

2. Guidecraft Arches and Tunnels

Tan wooden Guidecraft Arches and Tunnels 

These large pieces beg to be added to next-level block creations. Kids can start to investigate shape and balance too.

Buy it: Guidecraft Arches and Tunnels on Amazon

3. PlayTape Black Road Tape

Road tape with child sitting in middle of it

This stuff is amazing! Give kids free rein to create their own peel-and-stick road systems. Use it on the floor or table and inspire racetracks, block towns, map- and sign-making, and more.

Buy it: PlayTape Black Road Tape on Amazon

4. LEGO Classic Basic Brick Set

LEGO Classic Basic Brick Set 

Kindergarten fingers are ready to create with standard-size LEGO. Building sets with directions to follow are fun, but an open-ended, basic set of bricks has exceptional staying power. Add a couple of   baseplates   to keep things structured and organized. LEGO play encourages kids to explore math concepts like measurement and fractions too.

Buy it: LEGO Classic Basic Brick Set on Amazon

5. Magna-Tiles

Magna-tiles box

Magna-Tiles are an investment worth making. Kindergarten kiddos naturally explore geometry and engineering concepts as they make more elaborate structures.

Buy it: Magna-Tiles on Amazon

6. MindWare Marble Run

Colorful Marble play structure

Deceptively challenging but oh-so satisfying, setting up a successful marble run is an ultimate STEM challenge.

Buy it: MindWare Marble Run on Amazon

7. Green Toys Sandwich Shop

GreenToys Sandwich Shop fake burger and toppings

Kindergartners still love to pretend , especially where food is involved. Whether it is a restaurant, picnic, or grocery store, they’re usually down for it. This little set is fun for all ages, but we love how it encourages kindergartners to write down “orders” and think more carefully about ingredients and sequencing. Would you like extra pickles with that?

Buy it: Green Toys Sandwich Shop on Amazon

8. Learning Resources Pretend & Play Cash Register

Learning Resources Pretend & Play Cash Register 

The appealing but not overly annoying beeps and dings make this cash register a perfect pretend-play prop. Plus, help kids work on number recognition and begin thinking about monetary amounts. Cha-ching!

Buy it: Learning Resources Pretend & Play Cash Register on Amazon

9. Learning Resources Wooden Pattern Blocks

Wooden colorful pattern blocks in can

Beautiful in their simplicity, pattern blocks are a true multipurpose math manipulative. Use these sturdy blocks to investigate shapes, fractions, patterning, and design.

Buy it: Learning Resources Wooden Pattern Blocks on Amazon

10. Melissa & Doug My Own Mailbox

educational books and toys

Snail mail, both real and pretend, is the ultimate context for authentic early literacy skills practice.

Buy it: Melissa & Doug My Own Mailbox on Amazon

11. Plugo Count

Still of Plugo Count Game- educational toys kindergarten

This game allows students to work with counting and numbers in a new way! It turns your device into a gaming system, and children go through math adventures that are story-based. There are over 250 progressive levels.

Buy it: Plugo Count on Amazon

12. Hand2Mind 20-Bead Rekenrek

Learn with Rekenreks- educational toys kindergarten

The name of this awesome Dutch math tool means “counting rack.” It helps kids visualize and subitize (break down) numerical amounts into components of ones, fives, and tens using its rows and bead colors. Have kids use it to practice representing numbers, work on addition and subtraction problems, or even keep score during a game.

Buy it: Hand2Mind 20-Bead Rekenrek on Amazon

13. Wooden Geoboard

educational books and toys

This classic classroom tool is a huge draw for kids. Stretch rubber bands to create shapes and pictures while exploring geometry concepts.

Buy it: Wooden Geoboard on Amazon

14. Letter and Number Pop-Its

Fidget toy- educational toys kindergarten

Merge their love of fidget toys with learning. Use these fidgets toys to work on kindergarten skills. Your students will not realize they are learning. Check out other ways to use Pop-Its in the classroom .

Buy it: Letter and Number Pop Fidget Toys on Amazon

15. Magnetic Letter and Number Set

Drawing board with letters - educational toys kindergarten

Alphabet manipulatives help kindergartners focus on spelling without the added burden of handwriting. Magnetic letters are useful for practicing sight words and working with word families. We like the straightforward colors and storage in this set and that it has numbers for representing math problems also.

Buy it: Magnetic Letter and Number Set on Amazon

16. Marbotic Deluxe Learning Kit for iPad

Learning Kit for iPad still

Understanding how a calendar works takes plenty of practice. An engaging, magnetic version encourages kids to manipulate a calendar’s components and create a personally relevant representation of each month.

Buy it: Marbotic Deluxe Learning Kit for iPad on Amazon

17. HUE Animation Studio

HUE Animation studio box

Stop animation in the classroom? Absolutely! From storytelling to working out math problems, your students can use this animation studio to bring their learning to life.

Buy it: HUE Animation Studio on Amazon

18. Smarkids Building Blocks

Incorporating engineering into everyday play is simple with these building blocks. Design, build, and play … all built in one.

Buy it: Smarkids Building Blocks on Amazon

19. Kinetic Sand Playset

Educational Toys Kindergarten

Scooping, squeezing, and creating are important for kindergarten hands. Use this beach-themed set for open-ended creation or for plenty of fun learning activities .

Buy it: Kinetic Sand Playset on Amazon

20. Colorations Lowercase Learning Stamp Set

Educational Toys Kindergarten

The only thing better than squishing dough or sand is stamping in it! Use one of these educational toys for kindergarten learning for kids to learn letter forms and practice spelling in a multi-sensory way.

Buy it: Colorations Lowercase Learning Stamp Set on Amazon

21. QZM Wooden Pegboard Bead Game

Educational Toys Kindergarten

Writing is hard work, and kindergartners’ fine motor strength and coordination have to be up to the challenge. This activity set offers so many practice opportunities. (Every kindergartner we know LOVES tongs.) Encourage spatial thinking by following the pattern cards.

Buy it: QZM Wooden Pegboard Bead Game on Amazon

22. Playstix Construction Toy Building Blocks

This construction set uses color-coded pieces for building. It provides a great bridge between learning and play. Put this set in your STEM center and have the kids turn into little engineers.

Buy it: Playstix Construction Toy Building Blocks on Amazon

23. Tinkertoy

Still of Tinkertoy building tools

Tinkertoys provide the smallest engineers with the biggest imaginations the tools they need to bring their ideas to life! Add Tinkertoys to your morning tubs or for indoor recess to use as educational toys for kindergarten learning.

Buy it: Tinkertoy on Amazon

24. Fat Brain Toys Clip Cloppers

Educational Toys Kindergarten

Kindergartners are still figuring out how their bodies work, and the gross motor challenge of these rope stilts encourages risk-taking and persistence.

Buy it: Fat Brain Toys Clip Cloppers on Amazon

25. E-Know Giant Bubble Wand

Educational Toys Kindergarten

Giant bubbles are tons of fun no matter how you make them, but we love how this set encourages kids to wonder and experiment with changing the shape of the wand. Good clean fun!

Buy it: E-Know Giant Bubble Wand on Amazon

What are your favorite educational toys for kindergarten? Join the WeAreTeacher Deals Facebook Group and let us know!

Plus, check out the best kindergarten books and websites ..

Know a curious kindergartner? These teacher-approved educational toys for kindergarten belong on your shopping list. Fun, hands-on learning!

You Might Also Like

Examples of preschoolers toys

30 Best Educational Toys and Games for Preschool

Teacher-approved picks for creative exploration and play. Continue Reading

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The Best Educational Toys for Toddlers to Combine Fun and Learning

Inspire little minds with building, reading, matching, and more educational toys

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

Educational toys are great for toddlers because they help stimulate learning , whether it’s through stacking blocks or simply reading a book, as young children reach developmental milestones. Look for toys that will add educational value to your child’s playtime and hone in on any of their interests to keep it entertaining. 

To begin our research, we surveyed 875 parents about what toys their children love to play with, how they play with them, and why they love to continuously use them. We also spoke with a pediatrician and reviewed guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on how to buy safe toys and what to expect during the toddler years (ages 1 to 3). Moreover, we reviewed developmental milestones for toddlers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). When reviewing products, we carefully considered age recommendations, toy safety, milestones, design, ease of use, and value . Lastly, a board-certified pediatrician from our Review Board reviewed this article for accuracy on how to evaluate safe and age-appropriate educational toys for toddlers.

  • How We Selected and Tested
  • What to Look For

Why Trust Verywell Family

More toys for kids, best overall, melissa & doug grocery cart push toy and puzzles.

Versatile (several activities in one design)

Wood material is durable and high quality

Push handle isn't adjustable

Why We Recommend It

Melissa & Doug is a well-loved brand among parents we surveyed because of the company’s high-quality materials and educational toys—and this toddler grocery cart is no different. One of our writers received a free sample of the company’s Wooden Shape Sorting Grocery Cart and says the toy is even cuter in person. The cart arrives nearly fully assembled, minus attaching the handle with a screwdriver, which is a piece of cake. 

This toddler grocery cart is all about learning; it features a built-in matching game , two puzzle boards, 12 shape-sorting pieces that double as puzzle pieces, and a play coffee cup with a lid for imaginative play. Whether littles—ages 1 and up—play with the puzzles or sort shapes, the Melissa & Doug grocery cart encourages fine and gross motor skills , color and shape recognition, counting, problem-solving, and more. 

While the handle doesn’t adjust, kids can push the grocery cart thanks to moving wheels that glide on carpet and tile. The beautiful and durable wood is just the cherry on top.

Best Building

Mega bloks 80-piece big building bag.

Budget-friendly

Practices problem-solving and fine motor skills

80 blocks included

Only blocks in storage bag

The Mega Bloks First Builders Bag is our top pick because this set of blocks provides endless playtime possibilities . Blocks provide an opportunity for you and your little one to practice problem-solving and fine motor skills , as well as a great base for non-stop pretend play. 

The top criteria for a good set of blocks are durability, a safe and fun size, and disinfecting ability. The Mega Bloks are a parent favorite because they come with 80 colorful building blocks , including special shapes for under $20. They click into each other nicely without too much pressure (good for little hands) and can be stored easily in the zip bag they come in.

Best Matching

Kidzlane egg toy for kids and toddlers.

Durable case included

Teaches color matching

Easy to grab for little hands

Some eggs don't stay together

May be hard to open for some toddlers

Whether it be with colors, shapes, or even animals, matching is a great skill to work on with toddlers. This affordable egg toy is designed to help your toddler learn to count, sort, and match . The set includes 12 plastic eggs, each of which has a different color and a number of small pegs that match up with another half with the same layout. 

Kids love to click and pull apart these eggs, and they are easy to grab for little hands . They come in a durable plastic egg carton, which also acts as a carrying and storage case. You can even use these eggs with pretend play for a fun learning experience in the play kitchen.

Best for Sensory Learning

Democa quiet book for toddlers.

Nine engaging activities

Machine-washable

Some pages not as engaging

Keeping a toddler busy and entertained is a full-time job. The deMoca Quiet Book makes things a lot easier with nine engaging activities built into a brightly colored fabric, machine-washable book. 

The activities include matching velcro-colored shapes, learning to tie shoes and button buttons, and a clock to tell time. The book is perfect for sensory development and encourages dexterity and spatial awareness . This travel-friendly activity book will keep your toddler busy, and there aren’t any pieces or parts to lose.

Best Flashcards

Learnworx flashcards for toddlers.

101 flash cards included

Large print

No shapes, colors, or numbers

Flashcards are a little bit of an old-school learning method but are much loved by parents, teachers, and toddlers because they’re easy, fun, and great for on the go. We love this flashcard set from Learnworx. The set comes with 101 large-print, extra-thick cards that feature cute and bright pictures of objects and scenes like animals, foods, and household items.

On the back of the cards, prompt questions encourage counting, spelling, and more, like “How many lions do you see?” The cards wipe clean and store easily in a toddler-friendly box.

Best Puzzle

Melissa & doug farm animals sound puzzle.

Realistic animal sounds

Puzzle pieces have peg for easy grasping

Wood is sturdy

Batteries not included

Another solid educational toy for toddlers is this Melissa & Doug Sound Puzzle. Parents we surveyed recommend this educational toddler toy because it promotes fine motor skills , and kids can play with it independently. Each puzzle piece includes an easy-to-grasp peg for little hands. Once children place the puzzle piece into the correct spot, they’ll hear realistic animal sounds . While we love the farm animals theme, it also comes in musical instruments, vehicles, pets, and zoo animals.

ToyVelt Dinosaur Take Apart Toys

Helps with hand-eye coordination

Not recommended for children under 3 years old

Even though the concept of STEM might seem a little advanced for your toddler, encouraging exploration and play that involves invention and problem-solving are all part of it. This colorful set includes three or six dinosaurs and tools .

The idea is for your toddler to take apart and reassemble the dinosaurs using kid-friendly tools. Although this toy may not be right for a 1-year-old, a 3-year-old child will love the process of taking apart and fixing the dinosaurs. They will work on their hand-eye coordination, creative problem-solving, and patience , all while having fun.

Best for Fine Motor Skills

Learning resources spike the fine motor hedgehog.

Quills fit into hedgehog for easy storage

Works on fine motor skills

Does not make sounds/noises

Want to know how to work on your toddler’s fine motor skills? Find a toy that keeps their attention! Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog gets rave reviews because kids love it just as much as parents and grandparents. The brightly colored peg-shaped pieces can be placed in and out of the friendly hedgehog and are easy for kids to grasp. 

With this cute toy, you can also work on color recognition, sorting, and counting skills, then simply store it away as one piece. Good for a young toddler and your budget, and your toddler will love this fun little hedgehog.

Best for Memory

Banana panda suuuper size memory game.

Practice matching, focus, and sorting

Easy to learn

Only animals or vehicles offered

Best for ages 2 and up, this giant Banana Panda memory game is a good way to practice matching, focus, and sorting . The game itself is easy to learn and fun to play. You can also use the cards as flashcards to introduce new words. 

The Banana Panda game has adorable colorful animal illustrations and the pieces are made of thick cardboard and are large enough for a toddler to see and grab. These easily store and are portable for travel or play on the go.

Best for Reading

Leapfrog learning friends 100 words book.

Introduces toddlers to 100 vocabulary words

English or Spanish offered

Batteries required

Touch can be sensitive

You can count on LeapFrog to make an interactive educational toy that both you and your toddler will love. With the Learning Friends Interactive book, your toddler will be introduced to 100 vocabulary words and be able to touch the words and pictures on each page. The book also has fun facts, music, and sounds and can be turned to Spanish for language learning. 

The word categories in the Learning Friends Book include pets, animals, food, mealtime, colors, activities, opposites, outside, and more . Take this book with you in the car or while you grocery shop, and your toddler will be happily entertained.

Best for Art

Betheaces aqua doodle magic drawing mat.

Six drawing templates

No toxic ingredients

Pens may leak

As any parent will tell you, any toddler art activity that doesn’t involve mess is a sure winner. With the Aqua Doodle Magic Drawing Mat, there is no mess, no toxic ingredients, and no ink . The magical pen transforms water into a mess-free color and disappears after a few minutes, so the fun doesn't have to end,

The Aqua Doodle also includes four drawing templates, four pens, and four shape stencils . The water drawing mat itself has a bright and colorful border and is large enough to be shared and played with outdoors (but it also folds up and is easy to take with you).

How We Selected and Tested Educational Toys for Toddlers

  • Expert Input: We spoke with Whitney Casares, MD, MPH , pediatrician, author of “Doing It All: Stop Over-Functioning, and Become the Mom and Person You’re Meant to Be” (releasing January 23, 2024), and founder of Modern Mommy Doc, to find out what to look for in educational toys for toddlers. We reviewed guidance from the AAP on how to buy safe toys and what parents and caregivers can expect during the toddler years, ages 1 to 3. Moreover, we reviewed CDC guidance on developmental milestones for toddlers.
  • Parent Survey: We surveyed 875 parents to learn more about what toys their children play with, how they play with them, and why they love them. Additionally, we asked parents and caregivers about their favorite brands and what makes them well-loved among their families.
  • Design and Features Research: After reviewing guidance and insights from our expert, the AAP and CDC, and parents, we studied the design and features of more than 30 educational toys for toddlers on the market.
  • Safety and Convenience Assessment: We considered toy safety, age recommendations, ease of use, developmental milestones, and value when reviewing products.

What to Look for in Educational Toys for Toddlers

The good news with toddlers is that they are naturally curious, so they can find interest in just about any toy. Also, little ones this age just love to play in general, and since there are so many opportunities to learn through play, that leaves a huge selection of educational toys to choose from.

According to Dr. Casares, toys that facilitate problem-solving, like shape sorters, are a great option for toddlers because of their natural interest in exploring the world around them. Additionally, consider interactive toys and toys that teach natural associations, like a horse in a barn, or a fish in the ocean.

Development is still a major consideration when shopping for toys for toddlers because they’re still working on mastering many skills. Dr. Casares says play helps with every aspect of development, including gross motor, fine motor, social-emotional, and cognitive skills. In order to find the best toys for toddlers, it helps to keep some common milestones in mind when you’re shopping.

  • Cognitive Development : The Kidzlane Color Matching Egg Set is an educational toy for 1- and 2-year-olds that encourages problem-solving. 
  • Fine Motor Skills : Spike the Hedgehog helps toddlers strengthen their fine motor skills, like grasping.
  • Language Development : Naming objects is a milestone for toddlers between 1 and 2 years old, and LearnWorx Flashcards are great for helping little ones learn and identify new objects and expand their vocabulary.

Entertainment Value

While toddlers have a wide range of interests, their attention spans are typically short, so looking for entertaining and engaging toys is essential. It’s important to provide a wide range of activities for toddlers, according to Dr. Casares, so a toy that can be played with in multiple ways is more likely to keep a toddler’s attention.

Additionally, she suggests looking for toys that offer some kind of sensory or imaginative play because they’re not only entertaining for toddlers but also really great for supporting their development.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! During the toddler years , children grow and change rapidly in the areas of cognitive, physical, and social development, and educational toys can help them learn and grow. Toys that encourage building, matching, and moving pieces around help kiddos improve their hand-eye coordination, motor skills, and problem-solving skills, while those that encourage creative or imaginative play will help them learn and identify new objects and build their language and social/emotional skills.

Children start to learn and refine many skills between 1 and 3 years old. These include cognitive skills like reasoning and thinking things through and social skills like asking for help, building independence, and playing appropriately with others. Language skills also take a big step forward during this phase, as kids go from using just a handful of words to connecting words with images, speaking in complete sentences and communicating more complex thoughts.

While it's smart to have a variety of toys that will encourage the development of different skills (such as blocks for motor skills and books for language skills), too many toys can actually lead to overwhelm—and research shows children who have fewer toys played with each longer and played more creatively.

To keep your playroom from getting overloaded , store or give away toys that your child has outgrown, put toys on display (and encourage little ones to put them away at the end of playtime), and make books and educational toys the most accessible.

Deanna McCormack is a freelance writer and creative consultant based in Scottsdale, Arizona. She enjoys working with start-ups and regularly covers product launches in the lifestyle, beauty, and motherhood space. A self-proclaimed expert at baby registries and gift ideas, Deanna has two kids and is the co-founder of Loonie Kid, a Canadian clothing company for kids and toddlers.

Additional reporting by  Ashley Ziegler and Katrina Cossey .

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 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 Best Cleaning Toy Sets
  • The Black-Owned Gift Guide

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Important milestones: Your child by 2 years .

American Academy of Pediatrics. How to buy safe toys.

American Academy of Pediatrics. Ages & stages.

Dauch C, Imwalle M, Ocasio B, Metz AE. The influence of the number of toys in the environment on toddlers’ play .  Infant Behav Dev . 2018;50:78-87.

By Deanna McCormack Deanna McCormack is a beauty, parenting, and lifestyle writer who has written for Bustle, Byrdie, TheEverymom.com, and more.

35 Educational Toys That Will Help Your Kids Learn Through Play

Playing = learning

kids playing with toy microscope

If you buy something from the links on this page, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?

Playtime can easily be turned into learning time with the right toys. The toy market is so vast these days, and there seem to be learning toys for everything. Whether you have a silly scientist who seems to take to biology or a little learner who's an empath at heart, there are toys that encourage intellectual development across the board. And if your kid is looking to conquer basic math and vocabulary or go deep into robotics and engineering, there are toys for them, too.

Maral Amani, pediatric physical therapist, and child development expert at Lovevery , says, "Playing with educational toys is one of the easiest ways a parent can support their child’s development since play is truly how children learn. Children develop skills in a specific pattern, with one skill building on another; for example, the palmar grasp develops (whole palm) and paves the path for the pincer grasp (tips of pointer finger and thumb) to develop. As a pediatric physical therapist, I love to recommend The Lovevery Play Kits to the families I work with because each comprehensive kit is full of playthings that target specific skills in the precise order of development."

Lovevery is not the only toy maker that is killing it in this niche, either. LeapFrog , Melissa & Doug , Educational Insights , and more come out with new educational toys every year that set kids on a path of learning adventure.

Take a look at our favorite educational toys below.

Toddler Microscope

Toddler Microscope

Your kiddo will have a blast using this real working microscope to get a closer look at leaves, flowers, shells, and blades of grass under the magnifier. Designed to fit your toddler's tiny hands and face, they can grab any object to take a closer look and jot down their observations.

More: The Best Toys for Kids

Quadrilla Cliffhanger Wooden Marble Run

Quadrilla Cliffhanger Wooden Marble Run

This is no Rube Goldberg trap — this is a fully functional marble-run kit made of solid wood.

The two kids of the parenting editor here at Best Products absolutely love the Hape (pronounced “hah-pay”) marble-run kits. They're completely malleable, allowing for tons of open-ended play.

Aqua Magic Mat Kids Painting Writing Doodle Board Toy

Aqua Magic Mat Kids Painting Writing Doodle Board Toy

You’re going to wish they made this mat in a grown-up size. This Aqua Magic Mat gives your kids a place to play and color without making a mess. It comes with stencils and writing utensils for clean, magical, artistic fun. Emphasis on the clean.

This particular mat happens to come with a ton of shapes, and has the alphabet on the perimeter of the map, elevating it from a creative art toy to something multidimensional.

36 PCs Wooden Sorting Stacking Balancing Stone Rocks

36 PCs Wooden Sorting Stacking Balancing Stone Rocks

These blocks aren't just fun — they're attractive, too. They are unevenly shaped, requiring kids to figure out how to balance each block to make it stack. The idea of new places to stack each block every time your child takes the bag out is entrancing for little ones. Plus, they're small enough that you can bring a dozen or so when you go out to eat to keep them occupied.

Our block-obsessed kids have these at home and like to bring them on trips since they’re lightweight and small compared to other building toys.

Construction Race Track

Construction Race Track

For toddlers and kids whose lives revolve around vehicles (IYKYK), do yourself a favor and get this construction toy race track. There are 200 pieces included in the set that kids put together themselves, along with six types of construction trucks that move automatically along the track (with batteries).

It’s an Amazon best-seller, so you know it’s good. Our kids love this toy, but it wasn’t until around age 4 that they could put it together without the help of a grown-up.

Lovevery The Planner Play Kit

Lovevery The Planner Play Kit

We’re obsessed with everything Lovevery does, so it feels near impossible to choose just one play kit, but here we are. The Planner Play Kit is designed for kids who are 58, 59, and 60 months — AKA almost 5 years old. It comes with a bunch of fun toys and activities to help them practice thinking ahead, understand the concept of time, and other important skills.

The stage-based subscription boxes ship every 2 or 3 months, and they’re available for 0-12 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, and 4 years.

USA Map Floor Puzzle

USA Map Floor Puzzle

It's never too early to get a jump-start on memorizing the 50 states and capitals. This oversized jigsaw floor puzzle makes it so fun, your kids won't even realize they're learning while putting it together. The 51 sturdy and extra-thick pieces are just right for little hands to hold, and, once assembled, it's a great size to display in their room. It doesn’t hurt that you’ll probably get a refresher on your geography knowledge.

Magnetic Human Body Anatomy Play Set

Magnetic Human Body Anatomy Play Set

Whether you have a budding doctor at home or a kid who is fascinated by how the human body works, this magnetic wooden anatomy set from Melissa & Doug makes for a great learning toy.

From the skeleton and muscles to the happy face once it's complete, this is a wonderful introduction to learning the parts of the body while helping kids visualize the body’s organs and systems.

Osmo — Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad

Osmo — Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad

Our kids are obsessed with everything offered by Osmo. They started out with this Little Genius Started Kit for iPad, which feels like a magical adventure. It's a bit spendier, so it makes for a killer birthday or Christmas gift.

The Osmo learning kit is a fusion of real-life block play with an iPad game and connectivity. It's a completely safe, closed system that helps teach your children things like numbers, the alphabet, and shapes. Whatever your child creates on the pad, Osmo instantly transfers it to the screen, which kids can’t get enough of.

This is the starter kit, which is perfect for kids ages 3 to 5, and it comes with multiple shaping blocks, the Osmo Base and reflector for your iPad, cardboard costume cutouts, and storage for the blocks.

Weather Science Lab

Weather Science Lab

This kit is so much more than just making tornados in 2-liter bottles the way most of us did as kids, although that experiment is also included. In addition to DIY tornados, the kit includes 20 all-weather science activities that are made to inspire your budding meteorologist. Who knows, with these baby barometers, maybe your little one will be the next Al Roker.

Flashing Cube Electronic Memory & Brain Game

Flashing Cube Electronic Memory & Brain Game

We're not going to lie: This game is not easy, but tweens seem to love it. Imagine a Simon memory game, but make it more interactive with a ton more levels. That's what this is. It’s a brain teaser even for grown-ups, so it’ll hold your teen’s attention and yours — even when the tablet is nearby.

Plui Rain Bath Toy

Plui Rain Bath Toy

If you have a kid who thinks it’s super fun to splash in the bathtub, much to your dismay, this rain bath toy will bring both of you some joy with a lot less cleanup.

Your little one submerges it under water and then pulls it up, and as air makes it inside, it starts to rain. It introduces the ideas of clouds, condensation, and rain to your child, and also keeps them busy in the tub.

Montessori Screw Driver Board for Kids

Montessori Screw Driver Board for Kids

Nothing like getting your kid started on their DIY journey early. This tool toy provides a ton of sensory input as well as providing them with the opportunity to learn how to use tools properly and safely.

The wooden sensory board comes with real tools, including insert screws, a double-sided screwdriver, a hex key, and a wrench. Now they’ll finally be able to help you build IKEA furniture.

My Own Leaptop

My Own Leaptop

Little ones don’t need their own laptop, but they’ll feel like they’re a big kid with the LeapFrog My Own Leaptop. Our kids have this one, and as parents who work from home, it’s a fun way for them to sit alongside us and feel connected.

The adorable device offers four learning modes: ABCs, messages, games, and music. It’s easy enough for your kids (it’s designed for ages 2 to 4) to figure it out on their own after just a couple of times using it.

Flower Garden Stacking Set

Flower Garden Stacking Set

While this flower garden building set is technically designed for toddlers, even our elementary school-aged kids have a blast with it. Kids can create their own flower designs and stack them as high as they can until they topple over — which they’ll hopefully do on their own, and not at the hands of a sibling.

The toys can be stored in a convenient green carry box because the company clearly cares about you as parents.

Light-Up Dinosaur Terrarium Kit

Light-Up Dinosaur Terrarium Kit

This terrarium kit includes everything kids need to build their own dinosaur habitat with real plants. It’s super fun to put together while giving your child a sense of responsibility in making sure the plants don’t die.

We bought this terrarium for our kids with the hope that they have more of a green thumb than we do. They do not.

Boost Robot Building Set

Boost Robot Building Set

Using coding, this robot can be built and animated. Designed for kids ages 7 to 12, they’ll spend literal hours working, playing, and learning. A tablet with access to the app is required. There are five different versions to be built: Vernie the Robot, Frankie the Cat, Guitar 4000, M.T.R. 4 (a truck), and Autobuilder, an automated production line.

Straw Constructor 600-Piece Set

Straw Constructor 600-Piece Set

Kids will use their creativity to build large or small constructs out of colorful straws and multi-directional connectors. The opportunities are endless in what your little engineers can build. We have this set at home, and our kids spend hours working together to build some pretty impressive structures. Full disclosure: Even with 600 pieces in the set, they still fight about who gets more, because siblings.

 Word Game

Instead of Words With Friends, we call this one Words With Kids. This popular crossword puzzle game is perfect for kids 7 and up. It’s a race to see who can use up all of their letters first by creating words.

The water-resistant tiles pack up neatly into the banana-shaped tote for trips to the park, and its compact size doesn’t take up too much space at all.

Fridge Phonics Magnetic Letter Set

Fridge Phonics Magnetic Letter Set

The wheels on this cute bus don’t go ‘round and ‘round, but the whole magnetic set will allow your kids to explore the alphabet.

Place it on your fridge and let your tot insert any of the magnetic letter tiles into the open window. Press it once to hear the letter’s name and sound, and press it again to hear that letter used in a word and sentence. Hit the music note to sing along to the “Alphabet Song” and “Wheels on the Bus.”

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The best educational toys for kids

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  • Children learn by playing, and educational toys encourage the development of essential skills like creativity, thinking outside the box, and problem-solving.
  • STEM toys, in particular, enhance divergent and innovative thinking, help children develop hand-eye coordination, and better promote spatial skills. Not surprisingly, the educational toys in this guide are all STEM.
  • Of all the expert-approved educational toys, the Magna-Tiles Clear Colors 100-Piece Set is our top pick. This must-have toy is deceptively simple, but it's packed with fun.

Insider Today

Like it or not, the toys we choose to buy for our kids can make a difference in their development. During your child's growing years, it is important to provide them with educational toys that allow them to learn while they play. Different types of toys require children to use different skill sets and tap into different learning areas of the brain. 

While any toy can offer value to a developing brain, there are certain toys, usually referred to as educational, learning, or instructional toys that provide specific value to children. The beauty of educational toys is double fold, as they appeal to both children and parents. At their core, they are still toys, so they don't seem like homework or a burden to children, yet they conveniently, almost secretly, provide learning benefits.

That's why we've done the research to find the best educational toys for kids of all ages. Before we get into our picks, here are some scientific benefits to educational toys. 

Benefits of Educational Toys

  • Innovative and creative thinking: When playing with educational toys and games, children can develop perception, intuition, and reasoning as they partake in a creative activity.
  • Cognitive skills: Educational toys can help children connect to their thought processes and further develop their capabilities to think freely. Common toys that help boost cognitive skills include puzzles and number games.
  • Motor skills: With the right educational toys and games, children develop their motor skills in conjunction with their cognitive skills.
  • Soft skills: By giving children a well-guided play experience, children develop what are considered softer skills such as appropriate social interaction (dictated by social values, principles, and sentiments), language skills, and emotional development (i.e. handling certain situations, such as losing a game, helps them learn to accept challenges, to overcome them, and to gain mental strength).

We've handpicked five of the best educational toys that provide a firm foundation for learning and education, thereby giving your child a good start early in life. Certainly, different learning toys are best for certain age groups, but rather than focus on individual age groups, we sought to present the best toys on the market hands down, regardless of age. Most toys on our list are suitable for children six years and older, although some may be used by children as young as 3 years old.   

All picks ended up being STEM toys, not by intention, simply by nature of finding the best products out there for educational purposes, from science experiments and engineering toys to robots and apps . Our selections are based on online research and hands-on reviews ranging from parenting bloggers to tech analysts as well as independent expert rankings. In this category, we also took into consideration the type and number of awards and recognition the toys received from educational institutions and researchers. Read more about our top educational toys in the following slides.

Here are the best educational toys for kids:

  • Best educational toy overall: Magna-Tiles Clear Colors 100 Piece Set
  • Best educational toy for learning about electricity: Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Discovery Kit
  • Best educational toy for learning about science: Scientific Explorer Mind Blowing Science Kit
  • Best educational toy robot: Wonder Workshop Dash Robot
  • Best app-based educational toy: Osmo Genius Kit

Prices and links are current as of 4/03/2020. 

The best educational toy overall

educational books and toys

The Magna-Tiles Clear Colors 100 Piece Set is loved by children, educators, and parents for its ability to develop spatial, fine motor, and creative skills.

Magna-Tiles come in various sizes, shapes, such as right, equilateral, and isosceles triangles, and colors. Each tile has magnets along the edges and the unique ability to attract to other tiles even when they are flipped, which provides seemingly endless possibilities for use.

The tiles allow children to create anything they can dream up on either a flat surface in three dimensions. The tiles are great for all kids above the age of three. Younger children learn basic shapes by stacking and creating objects such as hexagons, while older children develop math and science skills by perfecting patterning, shape recognition, building, spatial, and fine motor skills.

As children grow, they can proudly transition to become Magna-Tile architects building more complex projects. The set comes with 100 pieces of translucent tiles to create cubes, pyramids, and other geometric shapes, but they are also compatible with other Magna-Tile sets. The more pieces or sets you combine, the more complex objects children can make. The company shows off kids' creations on its site, including skyscrapers, rocket ships, tea party tables, and more. 

The tiles are translucent, so your child can build a structure and put it in direct sunlight to get a colorful reflection, use them on windows to create illuminated window decals, "look" inside 3D shapes with a flashlight, see through them with a light table, or use them with a projector to seemingly enlarge the sizes of pieces and projects.

Magna-Tiles have received numerous awards and accreditations , including the Global Educator Institute Seal of Endorsement, which recognizes the very best in classroom-tested, teacher-approved learning products using a rigorous assessment process. The tiles have also won the Purdue University Engineering Thinking & Design Toy Award, the Brain Child Award by the Tillywig Toy & Media Awards, the commended medal in the construction category in the 2014 Independent Toy Awards, and an "Excellent" play's accreditation by the research of Jørn Martin Steenhold, C.Phil. Wirecutter also recommends Magna-Tiles in the Building Toys category of its top educational toys. 

If the 100-piece set doesn't fit your budget, check out the more affordable 32-piece set with fewer pieces. That way, you can add to your collection over time instead of paying so much upfront.

Pros: Spans various age groups, can be used in countless activities, hands-on, nearly no learning curve to start using them, enhances various skill sets

Cons: Pricey

The best educational toy for learning about electricity

educational books and toys

The Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Discovery Kit will fill your child with knowledge about how basic electronics function.

The Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Discovery Kit gives kids a hands-on education in electrical circuits so they can better understand the devices they use every day. The kit comes with 30 parts, including snap wires, slide switches, an alarm circuit, a music integrated circuit, and a speaker. It includes kid-friendly instructions to build more than 100 projects, such as a sound-activated switch, a musical doorbell, a voice-controlled lamp, a flying saucer, a lighted police siren, and more. 

The projects build on each other and allow children to advance at their own pace, starting off with a simple electric light and switch, and advancing to more complex projects. Along the way, kids get to build replicas of real circuit boards found inside televisions, radios, and other electronic devices.

Beyond teaching valuable lessons about wiring that some adults may not even know, the STEM learning toy promotes building skills and teaches kids how to follow instructions. So as to not be overwhelming or discouraging to any child, the kit conveniently comes with a project manual that features large, colorful illustrations and simple directions for each project. Additionally, each of the 30 pieces is numbered and color-coded for easy identification. Intended to be a DIY toy that does not require parental supervision, there's no soldering or additional tools required. Rather, as the product name suggests, the pieces just snap into place.

The beauty of buying this starter kit is that it's a toy that progresses as your child grows. While more than 100 projects will certainly take a good amount of time to complete, the learning doesn't stop there. Once children have mastered several of the techniques introduced in this kit, they can use the components along with a little creativity to experiment and create their own customized circuits and electronic devices.

Additionally, all Snap Circuit kits are fully compatible, meaning once this junior set has served its purpose, you can upgrade your kit to the Snap Circuits SC-300 Original Discovery Kit , Snap Circuits Sc-500 Pro , or Snap Circuits SC-7500 Extreme . You don't even have to buy an entirely new toy with each upgrade, as Snap Circuit conveniently offers more affordable 'upgrade' kits.

Keeping your budget in mind, since all modules are fully compatible, purchases of additional kits only grow, rather than replace, your child's Stem Circuits collection.  

Snap Circuit products have been recognized by The National Parenting Center with a Seal of Approval, and it has racked up more than 30 awards from the likes of the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA), Tillywig, and others. In addition to the plethora of awards Snap Circuit kits have received, they are also featured in Wirecutter . 

Pros: Cost-friendly, easy to expand your set rather than replace it, gives kids a hands-on learning experience with electricity, various add-on options to complement each child's unique interests

Cons: Pieces may not be super sturdy, batteries required

The best educational toy for learning about science

educational books and toys

The Scientific Explorer Mind Blowing Science Kit teaches kids all about chemical reactions, which is less scary than it sounds.

The Scientific Explorer Mind Blowing Science Kit allows kids aged six and up to make "magic" (aka science) appear in front of their eyes, by teaching them about how chemicals can be added together to create reactions.

The kit consists of open-ended tools to construct, engineer, explore, and experiment with. It comes with "chemicals" that are all kid-friendly and safe, such as red cabbage powder, citric acid, baking soda, three color tablets, a cross-linked polyacrylate copolymer, vegetable oil, and cornstarch. You'll also get tools, including two cotton swabs, three test tubes, three plastic cups, pipette, two measuring scoops, and an activity guide.

To learn the basics of chemical reactions, with this starter kit, kids can create 11 different hands-on, fun, and educational experiments such as a sunset in a test tube and a color-changing volcano. To complete experiments, you will need some in-home products such as water and baking powder.

Once kids have had their fair share of fun with this popular starter kit, there are a long list of  other Scientific Explorer kits  from the same company that your child can upgrade to for more science-learning fun, such as the  Scientific Explorer Disgusting Science Kit , the  Scientific Explorer My Own Perfumery , or the Scientific Explorer Ice Cream Science Kit .

Pros: Price, multiple supplementary kits and add-ons to accommodate each child's unique interest, hands-on, safe  

Cons: May not entertain or excite children not interested in science, many projects/lessons could be done or taught without the purchase of the kit

The best educational toy robot

educational books and toys

Make learning to code, solving problems, and developing patience fun for kids with the Wonder Workshop Dash Robot .

When this Robot was first launched, our own Matt Rosoff  got a chance to test out the robot collection with his kids and they enjoyed it. Intended for kids aged six years and up, the Wonder Workshop Dash Robot works with free mobile apps. Your child uses the apps to make the tiny robot dance, light up, make sounds, avoid obstacles, and react to their voice. 

The robot is responsive to its world, so your child can really bring it to life through the hundreds of diverse coding adventures and projects available. As a plus and major time saver, it comes fully assembled and features built-in learning tools like the Go App, so your child can begin to learn and play with Dash right out of the box.

In addition to teaching children to code, the Wonder Workshop Dash Robot helps them develop patience and build problem-solving skills, as there are endless possibilities for freeform play. Dash also won't tire out as quickly as other toys, as apps accommodate different age groups, learning levels, and playing styles.

For example, the Blockly app introduces kids to fundamental programming concepts including algorithm design, command sequences, flow controls, and creative problem-solving. The Xylo app introduces children to programming through music and helps foster skills such as algorithm design, command sequences, and control flow, and loops.

To ensure children never get bored, the robot comes with various optional add-ons for further learning, including a  Wonder Workshop Launcher for Dash Robot , which turns the robot into a programmable launching machine, and the  Wonder Workshop Build Brick Extensions , which lets kids use Legos to build the robot into anything they can dream up.

The Dash Robot has received numerous awards from the likes of Dr. Toy, the National Parenting Publication, Good Housekeeping, and more and holds high reviews on established tech sites, such as an 8-out-of-10-star review on Digital Trends and a 4-out-of-5-star review on PCMag . The robot is also featured in Wirecutter and The New York Times .

Pros: Makes coding fun, guided setup and learning process, hundreds of use cases, multiple apps accommodate different learning styles

Cons: Best for a certain age range, reports of trouble pairing the product with certain mobile devices

The best app-based educational toy

educational books and toys

The Osmo Genius Kit enhances skills from math to drawing and incorporates hands-on digital learning.

The Osmo Genius Kit allows you to transform your iPad into a hands-on learning tool for your child. This starter set includes five games that foster creativity and problem-solving skills through hands-on and screen-based play, although additional games are available as add-ons for continual learning.

Designed for kids ages 5 through 12 years old, you can pick the type of learning that is best for your child based on the apps you give them. For example, Tangram lets kids arrange wooden puzzle pieces to match on-screen shapes to encourage visual thinking, while Newton, a drawing game that allows you to place any object in front of the screen and manipulate falling balls on the screen into the target zones to recreate the object, encourages problem-solving with 60 different levels of difficulty.

We really like that you can completely customize the learning kit to your child's particular learning structure and although there are only nine core games, the games have so many levels they can adapt to your child at any stage of learning within the intended age levels. 

The kit turns core subjects into fun games. Kids can tackle math with the app Numbers, which has kids arrange physical tiles, including dots and digits, to make numbers and complete levels. Meanwhile, the spelling-focused Words app has 150 puzzle images that ask kids to guess and spell out the hidden word on screen by tossing down real-life letters.

The Osmo Genius Kit comes with the basic Osmo stand and reflector, as well as five core apps and games: Masterpiece (drawing skills), Numbers (math), Tangram (spatial thinking), Words (spelling), and Newton (creative problem-solving).

The learning toy has received rave reviews from dozens of online experts ranging from   Consumer Reports and Wirecutter to Wall Street Journal . Osmo was listed as one of Time's 25 Best Inventions of 2014 , was a Toy of The Year Finalist is 2015, and the company was listed as one of Fast Company's  10 Most Innovative Companies In Education 2017 . 

Pros: Lessons (games) build on each other for continual learning as your child grows, various apps with hundreds of levels to advance to, teaches various skill sets and schools of study, uniquely incorporates hands-on learning in a digital environment

Cons: No detailed instructions for use, price, requires a tablet.

The importance of play, educational toys, and STEM

educational books and toys

What makes a toy educational?

To be considered an educational toy, the toy must meet certain criteria. It must also be designed to stimulate learning or provide educational value, such as helping a child develop a certain skill or learn about a specific subject. Generally, educational toys claim to enhance intellectual, social, emotional, and/or physical development. Many are designed to target developmental milestones within appropriate age groups. Most importantly, educational toys encourage kids to play.

Play increases the size of the prefrontal cortex, meaning that the brain is more efficient at making plans, solving problems, and regulating and identifying emotions — basically all things required for a successful life.

Play is so important, in fact, that it's recognized by the United Nations as a human right for children. The importance of play for children wasn't thoroughly researched or even really considered until the second half of the 20th century but we can sum the research that has resulted thus far with the famous proverb, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."

How to pick an educational toy

Here are some basic questions to ask yourself when picking an educational toy for your child:

  • What areas of learning will this toy allow my child to tap into?
  • What new skills will my child develop by playing with this toy?
  • Are there different ways for my child to play and engage with the toy?
  • Will the toy grow with them and last for years to come?
  • Can the toy be played with independently and cooperatively?

Why are STEM toys so popular?

Recently, the big buzzword surrounding educational toys is STEM learning. STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, and STEM Toys are learning toys developed with an educational focus in one (if not more) of those four principal areas of study.

The idea here is that more jobs will be coming out in future years that require science, technology, engineering, and/or math skills and thus introducing children to these concepts at an early age can give them a leg up on their fellow students — aka future job candidate competitors. STEM learning is becoming so popular that earlier this year, that brands like KiwiCo deliver monthly educational toys to children.

The benefits any STEM toy provides depends on the subject matter it is intended to teach, but in general, STEM toys go a bit further than regular educational toys to enhance divergent thinking, enhance innovative thinking, help children develop hand-eye coordination, and better promote spatial skills.

However, just because these toys are STEM-focused, that doesn't mean they're not creative, artistic, or educational in other ways, so don't get hung up on the labels. As long as your kids have fun and are learning while they play, that's all that matters.

Check out our other great toy guides

educational books and toys

The best STEM toys

STEM toys are not only enjoyable to play with, but can also teach skills that will help kids excel in careers later in life. Many STEM toys lead to development of more than one ability, honing skills in mathematics, logic, problem-solving, and more.

The best wooden toys

While it's admittedly not as easy to find wooden toys in today's sea of plastic as it once was, they're still out there and they're still going strong. We've gathered up our favorite wooden toys and games for all ages.

The best beach toys

Whether it's you and the kids or you and the crew headed to the beach, we've assembled a list of some of the best beach toys for ensuring you have a great time. We found toys for playing in the sand, water fights, kite-flying, and more.

educational books and toys

You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here . Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected] .

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The Best Educational Toys To Keep Kids Engaged And Learning

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Playing is learning—the two activities go together like peanut butter and jelly. That’s why it’s important to equip your kids with the best educational toys for their downtime, whether it’s between naps or after their schoolwork is done for the day.

“The right toys can help spark creativity, critical thinking, and imagination, as well as promote skills like emotional regulation, problem-solving and other soft skills to help kids thrive later in life” notes Alanna Gallo, founder and CEO of Play. Learn. Thrive . According to the mother of four and former teacher, toys that encourage active play, where the child does the majority (90%) of the “work” are optimal. These toys are often the most basic too, with no singing, dancing or lights to distract little learners.

The best educational toys for kids are open-ended, help them explore a variety of interests and ... [+] teach them something new.

Open-ended toys like building blocks, balls and simple dolls offer children a variety of ways to play and will grow with them. “A toddler might throw blocks or put them into a truck and zoom them around, for example, while a 12-year-old might build a city with the same set,” says Gallo. “A baby will roll a ball back and forth, which can be used for teens to play catch.”

For older, tech-savvy kids, there are so many cool toys and gadgets to help them learn robotics and computer programming, work on math and logic skills and nurture their creative instincts.

Of course, the best educational toys are the ones that speak to your kids’ interests. That’s why we’ve rounded up a wide assortment of toys to help engage their intellect while entertaining them at the same time. After reading this story, you may want to check out more of our toy and gift articles like the best gifts for teens or the best toys for 1-year-olds .

Best Educational Toys For Babies

A set of soft, sensory-rich blocks.

Follies Playsets

Follies Baby Bauhaus Soft Blocks

These beautifully-made soft blocks, designed for your little ones’ developing brain, engage your babe from the newborn stage all the way into the early toddler years. Spoiler alert: My baby loves these. They’re super soft and sensory-rich with high-contrast graphics, tags and a rattle to entertain and develop those fine motor skills and pattern recognition.

Not only do they look nice in the playroom, but they also come with free Montessori-inspired activities for parents to make the most of awake time. Babies will enjoy looking at them (and themselves in the block’s mirror), tossing them, stacking them, rolling the ball and shaking to hear the rattle.

An Extraordinary Play Gym That Grows With Them

The play gym.

If you’re looking for a play gym to practice tummy time or to keep your little one content while you get things done around the house, the Lovevery Play Mat is my absolute favorite for the first year. There’s so much for babies to do and explore, with five developmental zones, detachable activity toys and teethers and high-contrast images to capture their attention and support visual development. It also comes with a play guide with stage-based tips and suggested activities to help parents play with a purpose with their kiddos, which as a busy mom, I really appreciate.

Once they’re a little older, throw the play space cover on top to turn the mat into their own tiny toddler fort and let the fun continue.

Silicone Sensory Stacking Cups

LOULOU LOLLIPOP

Loulou Lollipop Stacking Cups

My baby pretty much has one of these stylish sensory stacking cups in his hand at all times. They’re made of 100% food-grade silicone that’s soft and won’t hurt when he inevitably launches one across the room. You can stack them, put snacks and other small stuff inside, and even take them into the bath.

Stacking cups are an amazing open-ended toy that helps promote hand-eye coordination, teaches spatial relationships, cause and effect and supports the development of gross and fine motor skills. As children become more sophisticated with their play, they can practice counting, sorting and size recognition.

They'll Have A Ball With This Six-Piece Set

Infantino textured multi ball set.

Ball. It was my oldest child’s first word, and from the time he could sit up, it was one of his favorite things to play with, whether he was throwing it, kicking it or watching it roll across the room. This top-rated sensory ball set from Infantino includes six different-sized balls that are bright and easy for infants to grab with a soft, textured design to help babies develop their tactile senses.

While seemingly super simple, a basic ball can teach babies so much, from visual tracking to hand-eye coordination and encourage their fine and gross motor development. The best part? They’re incredibly inexpensive and kids love them.

Best Educational Toys For Toddlers And Preschoolers

To help them work through all those big feelings, solobo emotions montessori coin sorter.

Encourage natural speech development through play, and help little ones identify and communicate their own emotions from a young age with this durable, wooden Montessori-inspired Coin Sorter. It comes with 30 brightly colored coins that showcase six emotions: happy, sad, angry, surprised, silly and anxious. In addition to being an excellent social emotional learning tool, this toy will help boost your toddler’s hand-eye coordination, memory building, language development, fine motor and problem-solving skills. They’ll also learn to count, identify colors and match the emotion to the coin as they get bigger.

Pretty Play Silks To Get The Creative Juices Flowing

Sarah's silks earth playsilk.

Play silks are quite possibly the most versatile and best educational toy you can purchase for the playroom. While they’re essentially a simple piece of soft, silky fabric (Sarah’s are sustainably made), these play silks provide children with a world of pretend play opportunities. A quick Google search uncovers hundreds of ways littles can use them, but chances are, your kid will come up with more than enough creative ideas all on their own—from using the silks as a superhero cape to turning them into a picnic blanket or tying them together to create a river or rope. They don’t take up a ton of space in the playroom either, which is great if you’re trying to minimize the toy clutter.

A Solid 100-Piece Wooden Block Set

Melissa & doug wooden building set.

It doesn’t get more classic than wooden blocks. In four colors and nine shapes, this durable 100-piece block set from beloved toy brand Melissa & Doug is a wise choice for parents looking for the best educational toys that’ll stand the test of time (aka your kid won’t be over it in two days). Aside from creating cool towers and mazes to race toy cars through, kids learn so much from playing with blocks, including social skills, problem solving, mathematics, science, spatial perception, language and the development of literacy skills and abstract thinking.

Realistic Dolls Representing A Diverse Spectrum Of Kids

Miniland baby doll.

A number of studies have found dolls a beneficial plaything, especially when it comes to empathy and social and emotional skills. The tough part often is finding a baby doll that looks like your child, which kids tend to love. Miniland dolls address the issue, along with a few other brands, by offering a diverse selection of anatomically-correct dolls—handmade in Europe—that represent various ethnicities, hair types, skin tones and disabilities. They’re incredibly well-made and realistic looking. While they come dressed in simple white clothes, you can purchase extra accessories so your kiddo can play dress up, from sleep sacks to baby carriers and plenty of outfits, too.

Five Magnifiers For Closer Scientific Examination

Brainstorm outdoor adventure bug viewer.

Toddlers especially seem to have such a natural fascination with spiders, worms and all things creepy-crawly. This Bug Viewer allows kids to gently collect insects outside and inspect them up close and personal, from all angles, with five magnifiers.

The lid is completely escape-proof and there’s a watertight bottom section to take a peek at water creatures—it even has breathing holes to ensure no animals are harmed in the process. For budding gardeners, this viewer can be used to take a better look at plants and flowers too.

Best Educational Toys For Kids Ages 5–8

Hands-on play meets digital fun with this genius kit, osmo genius starter kit.

No screen time simply isn’t realistic for most families. While digital, Osmo uses tangibles to engage the spacial center of your kids’ brains too. It’s a series of educational games and activities in an app for your Android tablet or iPad, but the games cross over into the real world so your kids interact with actual physical game pieces—instead of only going cross-eyed staring at a screen.

You get an accessory that clips to your tablet and a base for the tablet to stand on. Your kids will complete puzzles, challenges and games using real-world game pieces and see them interact with the game environment on the screen.

There are different starter packs aimed at different ages. The Osmo Genius Starter Kit, for example, is aimed at kids age 6 to 10. Various games help build visual problem-solving skills, including puzzles, math and freehand drawing, just to name a few. Kids also gain listening skills, improved spelling and build their vocabulary over time. Kids seem to really love Osmo, and they’ll never run out of activities because you can purchase expansions to build on your starter set.

STEAM-Based Projects Delivered Direct To Your Door Monthly

Kiwico kiwi crate.

For busy parents, there’s no greater gift than educational activities magically showing up on your doorstep monthly—for those days they’re bored and you just can’t even. KiwiCo makes a number of our favorite subscription boxes for kids , delivering enriching art projects, science experiments and more for children each month.

You choose the line of boxes according to their age and interests, from geography and culture to cooking, science, art and more. With the Kiwi Crate STEAM kit, for example, kids can create their own arcade claw with pom-pom prizes or build a kite and stomp rockets to fly. Every kit comes with illustrated kid-friendly instructions too so it’s mostly DIY.

Let Their Imaginations Run Wild With This Modular Building System

Wundernook core collection.

Kids are constantly creating, turning a blanket and chairs into a fort or an old Amazon box into a playhouse. To foster those STEM skills and encourage even more pretend play, we love this clever modular building system from Wundernook, which allows children to plan, construct and bring to life whatever wooden structures they can dream up—from a play kitchen and lemonade stand to a puppet theater.

It comes with 11 Baltic birch panels and a whole slew of accessories, including connectors, hinges, a stainless steel sink, play faucet, handles, magnetic door latches and more. Parents can also purchase extra accessories, such as a fabric kit and decals, to expand their kid’s pretend play options.

Create The Coolest 3D Structures

Clixo rainbow 42-piece pack.

If your kid is obsessed with Magna-Tiles like mine, they’ll love the creative flexibility (literally) Clixo offers. Instead of being rigid squares and triangles, Clixo can bend every which way, allowing kids to flex their mental muscles, sharpen fine motor skills and improve spatial reasoning by constructing 3D airplanes, towers, crowns, bags, jewelry and honestly anything.

The entire 42-piece pack weighs in at less than a pound so it’s the perfect lightweight, open-ended toy to take on airplanes, vacation or to restaurants in place of an iPad. You can snag the 60-piece set for even more building options—or grab a few and combine them.

Make Slime, Glow Worms And More

Crayola color chemistry set.

A few decades ago, home chemistry sets for young kids were popular, but shockingly irresponsible considering the chemicals that were included to help little ones conduct their experiments. The Crayola Color Chemistry Set is a modern, safe take on those chemistry sets of old, and it’s aimed at kids from 7 to 10 years old—though can safely be done with a parent for younger elementary-age children.

Kids can make an erupting volcano, homemade slime, glow worms or a lava lamp, for starters. The kit comes with everything you need to perform 16 experiments right in the box, and it includes instructions for another 34 experiments with supplies you likely already have around the house.

Best Educational Toys For Kids Ages 9-12

This kid-safe 3d printing pen, 3doodler start+ essentials 3d pen set.

Art enthusiasts will freak out for this futuristic 3D pen, which is essentially a sort of glue gun you can make 3D structures with—as you draw in the air with the pen, it extrudes a plastic filament that becomes rigid up more or less instantly. But that’s also the reason most 3D pens aren’t good for kids: The freshly extruded plastic is too hot to touch. This is where 3Doodler Start+ comes in. With no hot parts and a freshly extruded plastic that’s cool to the touch, it’s the only kid-safe 3D pen you can buy.

Good for kids ages 6 and up, 3Doodler Start+ lets young kids create 3D art, sculptures and models as simple or complex as their imagination. It’s also compatible with a mobile app that teaches your kid how to make 3D projects, which they can follow along with in real time to make their own version.

Polish Rocks And Their Earth Science Skills

National geographic rock tumbler kit.

This one is perfect for the mini rock collector and gemstone lover in your life. There’s something about watching a grimy, mundane stone transform into a fascinating gem that can be awe-inspiring for kids and adults alike—and spark a lifelong passion for polishing gems and studying earth sciences.

This rock tumbler is built to last with a durable motor and a barrel that’s surprisingly quiet. It’s battery-powered, so you can set it up anywhere, including the garage. In addition to the tumbler, you get a collection of rocks to start polishing right out of the box, as well as a supply of rock polisher to give your stones a gorgeous sheen.

Get Their Brain In Gear With This Epic 3D Wooden Model Kit

Ugears globe.

A lot of kids love to build models, but the excitement is often over the moment the model is complete. Ugears models, on the other hand, have serious staying power. The company describes its models as “3D puzzles.” They’re not, really—it’s hard to describe something as a puzzle when it comes with step-by-step instructions—but the laser-cut wooden pieces can feel a little puzzle-like.

Suitable for kids 8 and up (and even their parents because these things are very, very cool), there are  a lot of models in the Ugears catalog , and many of them actually feature moving parts and working mechanisms. This globe spins with the help of a complex gear assembly, rubber band motor and features a lever to set it in motion. Two satellites (Sputnik and a space shuttle) orbit the spinning globe.

A Safe And Exciting Introduction To Electrical Engineering

Elenco snap circuits jr. sc-100 electronics exploration kit.

This award-winning kit (and a 4.8 out of 5 with more than 16,000 reviews on Amazon) comes with everything curious tweens need—including snap wires, slide switches, music-integrated circuits and more—to make over 100 different electronic gadgets as they learn the nuts and bolts of basic electrical engineering. Each piece comes numbered and color-coded so identifying everything is a breeze, and large color illustrations with easy-to-follow instructions set them up for success.

Kids can create working circuit boards just like the ones found inside their own TVs and devices at home. Some other cool example projects include a musical doorbell, a voice-controlled lamp, flying saucer and a light police siren.

Best Educational Toys For Teens

Take their rubik's cubing to the next level, gocube edge.

In many ways, a Rubik’s Cube is the perfect childhood toy. It’s a 3D puzzle that teaches logic, problem-solving and persistence, and once your kids master the basics, they can turn it into a competitive sport, honing their hand-eye coordination and reflexes. So how do you improve on perfection? With the GoCube Edge, of course.

The GoCube is a connected, electronic Rubik’s Cube that talks to a mobile app on your phone via Bluetooth. And that means this cube has all sorts of capabilities that your childhood Rubik’s Cube couldn’t dream of. It can interactively teach your kid how to solve the puzzle, for example, breaking the process down into easy-to-follow mini-steps. The app knows the state of the cube and even how you’re holding it, so it’s impossible to get “lost” in the instructions. Once your kid masters the basics, the app tracks their performance with timed challenges. GoCube Edge can match them with other players for real-time Rubik’s Cube competitions or they play head-to-head with other GoCube-equipped friends.

A Classic Lego Set You Can Do Together

Lego ideas home alone set.

Lego is a timeless toy with staying power. For older kids, they can be a great alternative to screen time, improving teens’ focus and concentration, dexterity and creative problem solving skills—especially when working on a set with a sibling, friend or parent. They’re also a great way to unwind and focus kids’ minds on something else other than the daily stresses of school and friends.

While the Classic Creative Gift Box for ages 4 to 99 is always a wise choice, this Home Alone -themed set is too good to pass up. Kids can build the McCallister house alone or with parental help (consider it bonding time), and once you’re done it doubles as a decoration for the holidays.

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The 10 best eyebrow gels, according to makeup pros, how we chose the best educational toys for kids.

To help curate this list, I spoke with Alanna Gallo, a play expert with a Master’s degree in Education, a former public school teacher with 10+ years of classroom experience and a mom to several busy kids herself, four to be exact, to discover what she looks for in educational toys. She’s also the founder of Play. Learn. Thrive., where she helps fellow parents raise confident, independent and critical-thinking children by using play and other educational tools. So to say she knows her stuff when it comes to the best educational toys for kids is an understatement.

As a mom to three littles myself, I also used my own experience with several of the picks on this list, including only toys I felt brought lots of learning and longevity (in terms of how long it kept my children’s attention) to the table. I also made sure to include lots of open-ended and STEM toys, which have been proven to have tons of educational benefits for children.

And lastly, I looked at reviews, age-appropriateness and overall ease-of-use to be sure the toys included were worth purchasing.

Elizabeth Mitchell Kadar

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Mommy Maker Teacher

Mommy Maker Teacher

From Pregnancy To Toddlerhood

75+ Best Educational Toys and Gifts for 2-Year-Olds

Photo of author

As a certified K-12 teacher, I am all about educational toys! My core value as a teacher was to “sneak the learning in.” I wanted to make learning so much fun that my students didn’t realize they were learning in the process!  So, I wanted to do the same regarding my own kids.

two year old playing with beading toy

Now that I’m a seasoned toddler (boy) mom, I have also picked up a few tips for choosing the best educational toys for two-year-olds, which I’ll share.

Feel free to browse the list visually–that’s how I find ideas for my own kids–or read the little blurbs with each toy to see how I use them for teaching. Stick around at the end for important developmental milestones to look for at this age and my recommendations to meet them! 

This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through one of these links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for the support!

⚠️ SAFETY WARNING: Always supervise your children when playing. Many of these toys contain small parts that could be choking hazards. Do not play with toys with small parts if your child still puts things in their mouth. Anything that fits through a toilet paper tube is considered a choking hazard. Many of these toys are rated for 3+ and while my child is developmentally ready for them, your child might not be. Always read the manufacturer warnings and labels to understand age requirements.

Tips For Choosing Educational Toys

Often, I go to friends’ houses and see their dolls and trucks scattered all over the house while the puzzles, flashcards, and books collect dust on the shelf. It’s so important to carefully choose your educational toys with these tips in mind so that they become the *most* used toys in the house!

  • Toys you want to play with: You will spend the most time with these toys. If you think it’s awesome, your kid will too. 
  • Multipurpose: Find toys that can be played with in many different ways (I’ll give examples). 
  • Your child’s interests: My older son (4) has always loved blocks. Instead of changing his interests, we broadened his idea of what blocks are. We have Magnatiles, Duplo, Lego, Squigz, Tinkertoys, Melissa and Doug construction blocks and MegaBloks.
  • Brand trustworthiness and durability: If you’ve got a toddler at home, I’m sure you’ve been burned by discount toys that have broken within a few uses. At this point in my career and parenting, I go with brands I trust (you’ll start to see a pattern with my recommendations!) and opt for the most durable option. Educational toys are an investment , so you want them to last. 
  • Ignore gender stereotypes: Your little girl might love dolls, and your little boy might love trucks, or the opposite might be true. At this age, it’s all about creating a well-rounded human who feels confident as an independent problem-solver, leader, and caregiver as they age.
  • Variety: You shouldn’t expect to hear Beatholven on a mini piano at two years old… But you should explore music , science, art, and literature with your little one to tap into their uncovered interests and talents. 

Pro Tip: Looking for toys and activities for babies and toddlers of other ages ??

Check Out My Other Toy and Activity Guides:

  • Activities For A 4 Month-Old
  • Toys And Gift Ideas For 9 To 12 Month Babies
  • Activities For a 14-Month-Old Busy Toddler
  • Educational Toys and Gifts for 2-Year-Olds
  • Outdoor Toys for 2-Year-Olds
  • Airplane Toys for Toddlers
  • Music Players For Toddlers

Side Story: I recently got weird looks at my son’s birthday party when his gifts were about nurturing. I got him a baby carrier for his doll, a feeding set (you know, those “magic” bottles), some doll clothes, and diapers. Of course, his other presents included Hot Wheels, Spiderman, and a GIANT garbage truck. He barely looked at my toys while we were at the party. And everyone assumed that he would never play with dolls, even if I wanted him to… But guess what? As soon as everyone was gone, the *first* thing he did was find his baby, put him in the carrier, and feed him a bottle. These are the nurturing skills that I want to teach my children! Regardless of what everyone else thinks ?. 

Books 

You might think your two-year-old has no interest in books, probably because you haven’t found the right ones yet!

My two-year-old is obsessed with books … But it wasn’t until recently. He discovered one of my older son’s Pop-Up Peekaboo books, one of his favorite things to do since. Before that, he would try and tear the pages or chew on the spines!

These interactive books captivate little learners.

  • Huge, detailed pop-up displays.
  • Cute story lines.
  • Themes for all interests (animals, vehicles, trucks, holidays, and more).

Pop-Up Peekaboo! Baby Animals

The pages are filled with pokable dots (they remind me of the push tabs on soda cups!).

At 2-years-old these books are great for engaging toddlers and developing hand-eye coordination.

As your child ages, Poke-a-Dot books have hidden games and challenges to do (like counting, Eye Spy, and more).

Melissa & Doug Poke-a-Dot: An Alphabet Eye Spy

  • Every page has a unique texture to feel.
  • Children are eager to turn the pages.
  • Teaches kids about their sense of touch.

Baby Touch and Feel: Animals

I love these lift-a-flap books because your toddler can hold on to them themselves without worrying about ripping or tearing the page.

Each page has a hidden object to find that goes along with the storyline.

Babies Love Lift-a-Flap Book Colors (Chunky Lift a Flap)

  • Doubles as a search and find.
  • Lets children learn authentic sounds of animals, automobiles, nature, and more.

Kidsbooks Animals Sound Book

Puzzle books are new to the scene and so much fun for little kids.

  • Move the puzzle pieces to their slots throughout the book and become part of the story.
  • Use the book as just as puzzle.

Melissa & Doug to The Rescue Book and Wooden 6-Piece Puzzle Play Set

$25.99 N/A $19.32

Curious George Classic Collection

Pro Tip: Get your books from the library! Especially if you’re not sure what kind your child likes. Check out a few different types, see what they like, and invest in that series. 

curious george stuffed animal

Puzzles 

Recently, I’ve been loving puzzles that double as other things (like that Melissa & Doug puzzle book!).

Puzzles can teach pattern and shape recognition, fine motor skills, and problem-solving. Puzzles can also be a bit boring for toddlers . Look at these puzzles that teach your kid all the skills while maintaining an element of play. 

  • Use the magnetic spoon to pick up scoops and toppings and place the scoops into the cones and bowls! The cone and bowl pieces have slots to stick ice cream.
  • Give your child custom ice cream orders and watch them make it.
  • In the end, solve the puzzle to clean up!

Note: I was disappointed that the entire puzzle isn't magnetic (that would make storing it so much easier!). Only the ice cream scoops and toppings are magnetic.

Melissa & Doug Wooden Magnetic Ice Cream Puzzle & Play Set

  • Fish with the included magnetic fishing rod!
  • Practice colors and name recognition with your toddler ("can you catch the blue one?" or "can you catch the turtle?").
  • When you're ready to clean up, complete the puzzle to put it away.

Melissa & Doug Magnetic Wooden Fishing Game and Puzzle

You might not think of Velcro food as a puzzle, but it is! Recognizing the shapes and colors that go together and connecting the pieces is what puzzles are all about.

Teach your child fine motor skills associated with cutting and preparing food as well.

Melissa & Doug Wooden Cutting Fruit Set

This is a quality set and another example of a hidden puzzle. The menu lets your child see pictures and recreate the cones. They can also see which pieces fit together and which don't.

Melissa & Doug Wooden Scoop and Serve Ice Cream Counter

Coding and STEM Toys 

Do you wish you knew Javascript and or HTML? Me too! (although I’ve had to learn a lot as a blogger over the years). Teach your child coding and immerse them in science and engineering with my favorite STEM toys .

  • These little guys are the cutest (see their fox and lizard also!).
  • Create paths using PUZZLE pieces.
  • Coding Critter will follow your path.
  • Teach engineering symbols like straight lines, loops, turns, and wavy lines.
  • Open-ended play: Coding Critter will follow any black line. Grab your masking tape and create tracks all around your house!

Learning Resources Coding Critters Go Pets Dipper the Narwhal

  • Things I love: It's super-simple (only goes forward and only turns left), never runs out of battery, and is virtually indestructible.
  • Things I don't love: It's super simple (yes, this was also something I originally loved!). Once my son got a little older, he outgrew this toy. I prefer toys that last a little longer. The range is short. Stand too far away, and your car won't go.

Final Verdict: Although my son outgrew this in about a year, I would still purchase it again. The simplicity made it easy for him to learn the controls in one sitting. The speed was perfect, and it is heavy-duty but never scuffed my walls!

John Deere Radio Controlled Johnny Tractor Toy

I have to admit, I might have a little too much fun with this toy as a 30 year old woman!

Take the car apart and build it back together with the functioning drill.

Teacher Take: This drill wins over some of the others on the market because it has a novice-level drill bit that makes it easy for even little hands to operate.

It also has a reverse function (for taking apart or fixing mistakes).

Finally, you can use the toy car for pretend and imaginative play.

Educational Insights Design & Drill Bolt Buddies Race Car Toy

The fun of tools, without the worry of small pieces for toddlers still putting things in their mouth.

Teach your child how to use different tools and the motions associated with them.

Learning Resources New Sprouts Fix It!

Each card has a theme with several learning modes and games.

  • Teach your child about touch screens and buttons without screen time.
  • Only offer one card at a time to make the toy seem new and exciting for each user.

Note: This is not a toy that I own or have used. I found it online while looking for another toy. I think it's really awesome and might become a birthday present in the near future!

LeapFrog LeapTab Touch

Musical Instruments 

  • Strum mode lets you strum the strings like an actual guitar.
  • Turn off strum mode and "play" pre-made songs.
  • The buttons on the guitar neck play musical notes.
  • Select between acoustic, electric, and "barking" guitar sounds.

My kids have a blast with this guitar. They can make their own songs or play along to existing ones!

B. toys- Woofer- Interactive Dog Guitar

If you haven't yet bought this for your child, now is a great time!

Not only does this double as a musical instrument and pull toy, but you can also practice colors by having them hit the colors as you say them. Teach them songs this way!

Fisher-Price Toddler Pull Toy Classic Xylophone

My kids can't get enough of this music player ( one of many we own ).

They can sing pre-recorded Cocomelon classics or sing their songs through Bluetooth. It teaches kids about music and singing for joy.

eKids Cocomelon Karaoke Machine with Built-in Cocomelon Songs and Microphone for Kids

All of the fun of a drumset without the noise!

  • Play the drums by hitting the pads with the drumsticks.
  • Several modes allow your child to play their own songs, stick to a beat, recall patterns, and more.

VTech KidiBeats Kids Drum Set

We have an actual piano at home that my two-year-old loves to play. We can play simple songs together.

I love this kid's piano: It has color-coded keys matching the included color-coded songbook. The color-coded notes are shown on a lined sheet of music and identified with a color and letter. Kids can learn music notes by color first, letter second, and finally on sheet music.

Melissa & Doug Learn-to-Play Piano

I can't say enough good things about the Tonie player. It's a top music player for children, and they've now introduced audiobooks!

We have a Toniebox and a Yoto player . I love them both, and so do my kids.

The Toniebox is great for younger children with shorter attention spans (shorter tracks) and who are more clumsy (it has soft sides that land with a soft bounce).

  • Buy character song soundtracks and audiobooks.
  • Listen through the speaker or connect headphones.
  • Creating your own characters lets you upload custom playlists with infinite possibilities.
  • Record your voice and "read" stories to your child.

Toniebox Audio Player Starter Set

I have the Yoto Mini , but I recommend the Original Yoto player for children under 3. It's bigger and can sit on a shelf, vs. the Mini, which could be easily dropped or lost. We also have a Toniebox player , which we love, but Yoto offers more variety and customizability for parents.

  • Listen to endless free content (daily podcasts and radio stations are free!)
  • Create your own Yoto Cards with up to 100 tracks.
  • Control the Yoto player remotely from the parent app.
  • Connect headphones with a wire or Bluetooth.
  • Set daytime and evening parameters (including turning it off after bedtime).
  • Use it as a white noise player.
  • Built-in alarm clock.
  • Built-in okay-to-wake clock (lets children know when it's time to be in bed and when to get up with different colored lights).

Yoto Player (3rd Gen.)

Arts and Crafts 

Arts and crafts can be messy, time-consuming (to prepare and to make), and elaborate. OR they can be simple to set up, mess-free, and require no parental help. We enjoy both types of arts and crafts in my house, so I’ll give you my favorites for each!

$22.99 $18.80 $12.95

Crayola Washable Finger Paints (6 Pack), Toddler Arts & Crafts Supplies, Gifts for Kids, Ages 1, 2, 3

Practice colors, shapes, numbers, patterns, and stringing beads with this kit.

Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden Lacing Beads Ages 3+

Teach sewing skills with this lacing toy.

4 Pack Wooden Lacing Toy

The board is velcro-like (although dust and debris don't stick to it ?) and comes with colored cords of different sizes that stick to it.

Tracing cards come with it, or you can use the blank cards to create your own design.

I love that the cards and cords are stored within the board, making it easy to store.

Melissa & Doug Rainbow Cord Picture & Pattern Maker

$44.99 $12.99 $16.97

Play-Doh Play 'n Store Table Toy, Arts & Crafts Activities for Kids 3 Years & Up, Over 25 Play-Doh Accessories, 8 Modeling Compound Colors (Amazon Exclusive)

Paint sticks are so much fun!

They go on buttery-smooth and have a paint-like feel, but they are half as messy as traditional paint.

Crayola Quick Dry Paint Sticks 12 Count

Does your baby Hercules have a habit of snapping ordinary crayons in half?

Or wind up eating more than they are coloring?!

These twistables have hard plastic outer shells, so no more snapping!

Crayola Mini Twistables Crayons (50 Ct)

Some two-year-olds aren't ready to hold pencils and crayons. These eggs fit right in their hands and make for a traditional coloring experience.

Crayola Toddler Crayons in Egg Shape (12ct)

Designed just for toddlers, these easy-grip markers teach proper finger placement.

Are all kids in love with markers? Or is it just mine!?

Crayola Tripod Washable Markers

If your little one has mastered holding markers and you're ready for the real deal, these are my top recommendations because they don't dry out!

Bic Kids Visa XL Colouring Pens (Wallet of 8)

  • Chunkier than standard dot markers (perfect for tiny hands).
  • Washable (from a trusted brand!).
  • 30 activity pages included to practice numbers, letters, shapes, and pattern recognition.

Crayola Washable Dot Markers Activity Set

Pro Tip: Stock your craft supply kit with foam shapes, stickers, tempura paint, paint brushes, glue, construction paper, and more from Dollar Tree. They have a great selection of kid-friendly supplies for $1.25 each!

I could go on and on about how much we love Water WOW products from Melissa & Doug!

  • Fill pen with water.
  • Color pages.
  • Watch the picture appear.
  • Watch it dry and fade back to white.

Melissa & Doug Water Wow! Paw Patrol (3-Pack)

$7.98 $7.42

Melissa & Doug Paint With Water - Farm Animals

If you're tired of your toddler dumping over paint pots or your paints always drying out, switch to Pop & Paint. It has a self-moistening paintbrush, eight paint colors, a palette, and a cleaning disk.

It's not the same as traditional paint, but we love this set for quick craft sessions!

Crayola Watercolor Paint Set, Pop & Paint Palette

$7.70 $14.97 $54.88 $7.97 $16.99

Crayola Baby Shark Color Wonder Pages

Parent-to-Parent: I love the Crayola Mess-Free system much more than my kids. There is a 1-2 second delay between using the colorless ink, and it appearing on the special paper. For my oldest, this was a deal-breaker. He never created with these. For my second, he’s more receptive to it but prefers traditional coloring and painting. They make great travel activities that you don’t have to worry about making a mess.

  • Color, paint, stamp, and doodle with water
  • Colors appear when wet and disappear when dry

Teacher Take: This mat stands out to me from others because of all of the extras that are included: pens, rollers, stamps, foam shapes, etc. It's also from a brand that I know and trust. 

Chuckle & Roar - Doodle Mat

Sorting and Stacking 

Teach hand-eye coordination, building, balance, and more with blocks galore.

Battat Education Piggy Bank

I love this toy so much.

  • Stack the cars on top of each other
  • Recognize colors
  • Count how high the cars go
  • Lift the exit gate and pull the cars out by the little pegs
  • Match the car colors to the levels
  • Play with the cars all on their own

Melissa & Doug Stack & Count Wooden Parking Garage

Sort, count, and stack all in one.

Melissa & Doug Stack and Sort Board

  • Learn shape placement and recognition
  • Fine motor skills to put the pieces in the peg
  • Teach body parts

Mr. Potato Head Marvel Spider-Spud

  • Practice stacking

Play with the animals in their barns to encourage pretend and imaginative play.

Melissa & Doug Nesting and Sorting Barns and Animals

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Blocks 

Are they creative toys? Engineering? Fine motor? Gross motor? Blocks are everything ! We have so many blocks that I think my head might explode. If you’ve never branched out beyond traditional blocks, you’re in for a treat!

WARNING: Many of these block sets have small pieces that are choking hazards. Remove any pieces that fit through a toilet paper tube. They could be choked on.

Fat Brain Toys Squigz Starter Set, 24 Piece

and was even featured in with tons of ideas for ways to play and teach your child with Duplo.

$19.39 $44.99 $18.79 $9.99 $9.99

LEGO DUPLO My First Number Train

I am a huge Lego Duplo advocate and was even featured in Parent's Magazine with tons of ideas for ways to play and teach your child with Duplo.

LEGO DUPLO Classic Deluxe Brick Box

Everything you need (including a storage case) to start building with Duplo. Dozens of designs that are ready to make or create your own! Encourage pretend play and imagination with all of the characters included.

LEGO DUPLO Town Farm Animal Care

Are they expensive? Yes.

Are they worth it? Yes.

The name brand is worth it here. Knock-off brands don't have the magnetic power for building. If you stack too many together, the creation will collapse from the weight.

I love our particular set because you get the car base, some road pieces, functional cranes, and spinning bases. These can be used as pictured or re-configured into your designs.

Pro Tip: When looking for Magnatiles for 2-year-olds, look for sets with mostly square shapes . Triangles are tricky to build, while even young toddlers can grasp building with squares.

MAGNA-TILES Builder 32-Piece Magnetic Construction Set

Full Disclosure: We don't own them, and I've never played with them, but I see them all the time and think they are so cool as a block-alternative for children who aren't interested in traditional blocks. 

Flower Blocks

Trains are blocks, too!

They encourage problem-solving, building, connecting, engineering, and more.

We have all BRIO trains and tracks. Just like Magnatiles, I feel the brand is important here. We experimented with several other train sets that crack, splinter, or don't fit well together.

BRIO My First Railway

Nurturing Toys 

Let’s normalize teaching our children to nurture. Some might be naturally nurturing souls, while others think that baby dolls should be used to squirt imaginary explosive poop all over everyone–not that I’m talking from experience ?.

I don't know why this is rated 5+ (let me know in the comments if you know why!) . The bottle doesn't seem like a choking hazard to me. The leash is longer than 6", so it could be a strangulation hazard and should be monitored closely. But you could certainly remove the leash.

We LOVE this lamb. It reacts to being petted, asks for attention when lonely, and drinks its bottle. My boys love feeding her (her name is Toot ?) and listening to her burp!

Little Live Pets - My Pet Lamb Ages 5+

This is rated for ages 6+, and I would use extreme supervision with a toddler doing this activity. You don't want them to eat the dirt or seeds. This would have to be an activity done largely by the parent.

Why I like this set:

  • Teaches patience
  • Nurturing (watering)
  • You can see the plants growing (so it helps our impatient growers!)
  • Teaches life cycles
  • Teaches about cultivating food for eating

Miracle GRO My First Root Viewer Age 6+

Care for sick animals and nurse them back to health.

Melissa & Doug Examine and Treat Vet Set -

Pretend Play

Your fondest memories of playing as a child likely involved pretend play. It’s a chance for children to let their imagination take over and be whoever they want to be. This type of imaginative play should start in children around two years old, but it may take longer for some. 

This also falls under nurturing: preparing food for people.

  • Have your child prepare pretend meals
  • Pretend to clean dishes
  • Take orders from friends and family

Pro Tip: I'll use uncooked pasta or rice (if I'm in the mood to vacuum ?) and let them "cook" with it.

Step2 Best Chefs Kids Kitchen Play Set

Let their imagination (and carpentry skills) soar with this fun workbench!

The power tools actually work and make sounds.

Black+Decker Kids Workbench

Toddlers love creating their own little spaces. Use it as a barn, a reading nook, or a place to be silly!

Pop it Up: Horse Stable - Pop-Up Playtent

Melissa & Doug have dress-up costumes for whatever your child could imagine. Their costumes are well-designed and sturdy and come with fun accessories to let their imagination run wild.

Melissa & Doug Fire Chief Role Play Dress-Up Set - Pretend Fire Fighter

sets for every interest your child could have. It's great to teach them about new interests, careers, skills, and vocabulary related to the different sets. I love that these sets are open-ended with infinite possibilities to play.

$17.28 $30.32 $26.76 $29.99 $35.79 $27.99

Fisher-Price Little People Barbie Play and Care Pet Spa

There are Little People sets for every interest your child could have. It's great to teach them about new interests, careers, skills, and vocabulary related to the different sets. I love that these sets are open-ended with infinite possibilities to play.

Fisher-Price Little People Light-Up Learning Garage

This barn playset also sparked some early independent and creative play with my toddler. We also enjoy singing farm-related songs and making animal noises. I teach him to nurture the animals by feeding them and petting them ?.

Battat – Classic Barn Playset

Independence Tasks 

I’m sure you’ve noticed by now that your two-year-old loves to do everything you do. This behavior is adorable and can be great for teaching your child to become independent and self-reliable. Use these toys and everyday objects to teach young children to care for themselves, their surroundings, and others.

This sink has running water but you don't have to fill the reservoir if you don't want to. The accessories that come with it are too cute. Give your toddler some dishes of their own to clean.

B. toys- Splash-n-Scrub Sink

You'll be happy to know that these toys aren't just for show! The toys actually function so your little one can help with household tasks.

Melissa & Doug Deluxe Sparkle & Shine Cleaning Play Set

Yes, this vacuum will suck up dirt and debris but don't count on it for doing any major cleaning.

Disclaimer: Ours was a different color, and the motor eventually burned out after two years of extensive daily use. We then bought the actual "Dyson" toy vacuum, and that broke after only a few weeks of use, so this is still my recommendation.

BAYMI 3-in-1 Kids Vacuum

$9.89 $11.49 $16.17 $4.79

Folding Step Stool

We have smaller bathrooms, so I love these folding step stools. They can be tucked away when not in use and easily moved from the toilet to the sink.

Munchkin® Sturdy™ Potty Training Seat

We've tried a few potty training seats, and this one seems to have the snuggest fit for our toilets. It's a trial-and-error thing!

Command Forever Classic Large Metal Wall Hooks

We use these command hooks to hang a hand towel and their bath towels at toddler height.

Colgate Kids Battery Powered Toothbrush Bluey

Make brushing their teeth a fun experience with their favorite characters and a spinning toothbrush!

Pro Tip: Kids think washing themselves is a blast, and it’s life-changing when they can dress themselves and brush their teeth! You don’t need anything fancy. A few bathroom additions will set them up for success.

idk if it's just me, but I LOATHE high chairs. When my little one was in a high chair, I felt like I was constantly cleaning clunky trays that got water all over my kitchen. We decided to replace our high chair with this booster seat, and we never looked back. I am actually with this seat for all of these reasons:

no mystery crust and goop in the cushion crevices. there are three height positions. you can slide this seat under most tables so it is out of sight. start your little pushed up to the table with a tray (like a high chair) and eventually remove the tray. the additional trays are and are dishwasher safe. We bought 3 extras (one for each meal of the day plus a backup), which was life-changing! easily take this on and off of any chair. The backrest folds down to save space. The feet are retractable to save space. It even comes with a tray lid to use your tray as a storage container.

A wise mom once told me, never fill your toddler's glass more than you're willing to clean up. It's the best advice I've gotten for .


As the mom of a toddler who threw his plastic plates and high chair trays, I was hesitant to introduce glass plates as a part of ... But we've never had an issue with him trying to throw a glass plate. They understand that glass plates are a privilege, making them more responsible at the dinner table.

$54.98 $37.00 $15.75 $21.75 ($2.72 / Count) $17.18 ($2.86 / Count)

WeeSprout Little Chef Kids Cooking & Baking Set

Get your little ones involved in real food preparation. I love this set because it has two wooden knife options to teach kids to cut soft foods (think banana, avocado, etc.). This set has everything they need to cook alongside you in the kitchen and will grow with them as they get older.

Fisher-Price Baby Portable Baby & Toddler Dining Chair

Mamas, idk if it's just me, but I LOATHE high chairs. When my little one was in a high chair, I felt like I was constantly cleaning clunky trays that got water all over my kitchen. We decided to replace our high chair with this booster seat, and we never looked back. I am actually in love with this seat for all of these reasons:

  • It's plastic: no mystery crust and goop in the cushion crevices.
  • It grows with your child: there are three height positions.
  • It fits at the dining table: you can slide this seat under most tables so it is out of sight.
  • Convertible: start your little pushed up to the table with a tray (like a high chair) and eventually remove the tray.
  • Additional trays: the additional trays are $6 each and are dishwasher safe. We bought 3 extras (one for each meal of the day plus a backup), which was life-changing!
  • Portable: easily take this on and off of any chair. The backrest folds down to save space. The feet are retractable to save space. It even comes with a tray lid to use your tray as a storage container.

Munchkin® Polish™ Stainless Steel Toddler Utensil Set

Make your tiny tot feel like everyone else in the family with utensils that look like grown-up ones.

Libbey 5.5 ounce Juice Glasses, Set of 8

Just like with plates, our toddlers drink from glasses at mealtime. It's important to find glasses that are their size. A shot glass makes a perfect training glass when you're just starting with open cups!

Pro Tip: A wise mom once told me, never fill your toddler's glass more than you're willing to clean up. It's the best advice I've gotten for baby-led drinking .

Corelle Glass Salad Plate Set

You might be surprised to learn that my two-year-old sits at the table with us and eats from a glass plate and drinks from a glass cup at mealtime!

  • Glass plates teach responsibility
  • Grab plates that are 6-8" for two-year-olds
  • These triple-layer plates are shatter-resistant

As the mom of a toddler who threw his plastic plates and high chair trays, I was hesitant to introduce glass plates as a part of baby-led weaning ... But we've never had an issue with him trying to throw a glass plate. They understand that glass plates are a privilege, making them more responsible at the dinner table.

fisher price deluxe portable booster seat

Tips for Teaching Success

If you aim to teach your child skills and concepts with educational toys, here are my recommendations to get the best results.

Avoid Screens, Plastic, and Noise as Much as Possible 

You’ve probably noticed that most of these toys don’t make noise, don’t have screens (in fact, none of them do), don’t have buttons that light up, and are wood as much as possible. 

Don’t get me wrong, if you go digging in our toy closet, you’ll find all those things! You’ll even see my 2-year-old watching his favorite TV shows after nap while he wakes up and has a snack. It’s not that I’m against these things in general; it’s just when it comes to educational toys. 

collage of learning toys for toddlers

Open-Ended 

Educational toys are most beneficial when they are open-ended. I was famous in my school for giving my students problems to solve that I wasn’t even sure there was an answer to! You’d be AMAZED at the things that children come up with when they aren’t given specific instructions, directions, corrections, or looking for a particular outcome. 

Today, your broomstick is a rocket ship; tomorrow, your books are building blocks; and on the weekend, it’s all hands on deck in the “ER” as your child performs surgery with their hard and screwdriver. 

Developmental Milestones For 2-Year-Olds

Remember that 75% of kids can achieve these developmental milestones for two-year-olds  by a certain age . Don’t be discouraged if your little one takes longer to master these skills. 

Mommy Maker Teacher developmental milestones for 2 year olds chart.

  • Social/Emotional Looks at your face to see how you react. | Notices when others are hurt or upset. | Recognizes familiar people. | Happy to see other children. | Wants to be independent. | Shows defiance. | Has episodes of separation anxiety.
  • Language/Communication Points to objects you name. | Says at least two words together. | Knows at least two body parts. | Uses gestures beyond waving and pointing (like nodding, shaking, etc.). | Follows instructions.
  • Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving) Can use both hands at once. | Tries to use switches, knobs, or buttons. | Plays with multiple toys at once. | Begins to stack and sort. | Make-believe play.
  • Physical ( outdoor toys are perfect for this) Kicks a ball. | Runs. | Walks (not climbs) up a few stairs without help. | Eats with a spoon. | Climbs up and down furniture.

My best advice? Let your child play without rules . It can be hard sometimes, but they will learn more by experiencing their toys and learning what doesn’t work independently.

My four-year-old would now tell you that brooms are for sweeping, books are for reading, and tools are for building. He figured this out all independently from learning and exploring the world on his terms.

Don’t damper their imagination by only allowing certain toys to be played with the “right” way. 

57 Best Outdoor Toys for 2-Year-Old Boys of 2023

50 Best Airplane Toys for One-Year-Olds (2023)

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I am the founder of Mommy Maker Teacher and a mom of two toddlers. With a degree in education, 12+ years of experience as a K-12 teacher and curriculum developer, and courses in childhood psychology and language acquisition, I share research-backed parenting tips and advice. I provide helpful content for moms on all stages of motherhood—from trying to conceive and pregnancy to postpartum, breastfeeding, and parenting.

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Learning Activities for Babies

Visit any toy store and you'll find brightly colored, noisy, "educational" toys for babies. Many of these products claim to make your baby smarter or even to teach your baby to read. So what's real and what's hype? Do these educational toys have value?

The truth is that babies develop predictably at their own pace and in their own time. During the first year of life, babies develop large muscle control. They learn to communicate, first through cries, babbling, and gestures, and later, through words. They develop a foundation of trust that will inform their relationships throughout their lives. And, they explore their world through their senses. Babies must achieve these developmental tasks before they're ready to move on to more academic learning, regardless of what the toy manufacturers say.

Keep these child developmental tasks in mind as you buy educational toys or children's books for your baby or friends' babies. Look for toys that encourage large motor growth. Seek out toys and books for babies that support language development, foster positive relationships, and nurture creativity and imagination . Babies love to touch, taste, and pound materials so choose toys that are durable and safe. To help you get started, we've rounded up some of our favorite educational toys for babies below.

Toys and Books to Help Babies Learn

  • Taggies Color Toss and Chime Ball . Designed by an early childhood teacher who noticed that babies seem to love the satin tags on toys more than the toys themselves, this soft, colorful ball is sure to become a favorite. It offers both tactile and auditory exploration and builds muscle coordination. Your baby can shake, rattle, and roll this 8-inch ball, which contains a soft chime. Ages 3 months to 2 years.
  • Melissa and Doug Wiggling Worm Grasping Toy . Made from smooth, hand-sanded wood, this toy features colored blocks strung on an elastic cord. Babies will enjoy twisting and turning the pieces to change the shape of the worm. At the same time, they're building motor skills, developing shape awareness, and discovering cause and effect. Recommended for ages 6 months and up.
  • Plan Toys Baby Walker . This traditional "walker" also known as a push toy gives your baby extra support as she's learning to walk. Later, your baby can stack and build the accompanying blocks. The walker is adjustable to grow with your baby. For ages 10 months to 3 years.
  • Skwish Natural Rattle and Teether Grasping Activity Toy . Our favorite toys are those that do more than one thing. This one has four or five uses. Toss it, shake it, twist it, or pull it. Wooden balls and rods are connected with a durable elastic cord so babies can stretch, tug, and pull it. This clever toy builds muscle skills while strengthening focus. Available in natural or multicolored finishes. For babies 1 month to 12 months.
  • Board Books. Toys come and go, but children tend to remember the books they read with parents. Reading to babies not only builds trust and intimacy; these reading experiences boost language development and early literacy skills while developing a life-long love of reading. Some of our favorite titles for babies include " Baby Animal Farm " by Karen Blair, " Ten Fingers and Ten Toes " by Mem Fox, and " Machines at Work " by Byron Barton.

Save your sanity and forego noisy, light-up toys. These toys have little educational value and are actually overstimulating for babies. Instead, offer safe, simple toys that provide opportunities for exploration. Build a library of high-quality children's books. Offer your baby simple materials found in your home, such as a wooden spoon or a set of stackable plastic bowls. And most of all, remember that no toy can replace you in your baby's eyes. Explore the world with your baby as you cuddle, sing, play, and read together.

When you purchase any books, toys, music, and more through this dedicated Amazon link , 8% of your purchase will be donated to the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children .

More on This Topic

  • Find our parent picks for favorite children's books for babies from our Family Room bloggers.
  • Here are some less common baby gear that you may want —and other baby items you might not need .
  • Get tips for preparing for the holidays when you have a newborn .
  • Spend quality time with your baby this holiday season—or anytime—using our At-Home Learning Activities for babies .

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Our mission: helping your child love learning and the french language.

My Bulle Toys sells French educational toys and supplies to support your child’s joy of learning. Our founder, Fanny, is a mother of two and French teacher in a French-American bilingual school in Florida. Upon searching for the same educational toys her children had loved in France after their move to the U.S., she was surprised to discover that they simply weren’t available or were only available from niche brands at an exorbitant cost. She set out to create My Bulle Toys to make French educational supplies available at an affordable price point to kids across the U.S.!

Whether this is your child’s first exposure to French or a continuation of their love for their mother tongue, we strive to offer the most enchanting toys and books available to support your child’s natural love of learning.  

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My Bulle Toys helps you make learning fun for your child by offering a variety of enthralling educational tools and toys. We’ve selected the best from beloved French brands like Janod, Djeco, Corolle and Moulin Roty and brought them to the U.S. for you and your child to discover. We carry the most popular French editors such as Nathan, Auzou, Hachette and Bayard and we offer you a product line and experience not available anywhere else in the U.S. Read on to see how we do it!

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The Bible in Public Schools? Oklahoma Pushes Limits of Long Tradition.

The Bible has a deep history in American classrooms, but the state’s provocative superintendent wants to broadly expand its influence.

A man with a beard pores over a notepad at a desk with an American flag behind him.

By Sarah Mervosh and Ruth Graham

Sarah Mervosh reports on education, and Ruth Graham reports on religion.

The Bible has been a presence in American classrooms to at least some degree since before the origins of the country’s public school system in the 19th century.

But the announcement by Oklahoma’s state superintendent on Thursday that all public schools in the state must teach the Bible represented a major effort to expand its role and bring a Christian historical perspective to most all students. Schools have become the arena for an array of moral and cultural conflicts, and conservative Christians are asserting their political muscle even as they decline as a share of the American population.

“In Oklahoma, we are very proud to lead the country on pushing back on the leftists trying to rewrite history and say, No, we will teach from the Bible,” the superintendent, Ryan Walters, said in an interview on Friday.

Mr. Walters, a Christian conservative and former history teacher, said the mandate would focus on fifth through 12th grades, with an emphasis on the Bible’s influence in history and literature, areas where the Bible has historically been accepted in public education.

For example, he said, the Bible could be used in a lesson to understand the preamble to the Declaration of Independence, which says that all men are “endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights,” or in a study of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Letter From Birmingham Jail,” which includes references to Jesus and his teachings.

But he went further, saying that the Bible would also be woven across subjects including math and science, in which students could examine its influence on leading thinkers and ideas. Biblical instruction could also be offered in younger grades when applicable.

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Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters orders schools to teach the Bible

Ryan Walters listens during a meeting

Oklahoma will require schools to teach the Bible and have a copy in every classroom, the state’s top education official announced Thursday. 

Effective immediately, Oklahoma schools are required to incorporate the Bible as part of the curricula in grades five through 12, according to a memo Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters sent to all school districts. Schools are instructed to refer to the Bible and the Ten Commandments for their “substantial influence on our nation’s founders and the foundational principles of our Constitution.” 

“Immediate and strict compliance is expected,” the memo noted. 

Walters said at a state Board of Education meeting Thursday, “We’ll be teaching from the Bible in the classroom to ensure that this historical understanding is there for every student in the state of Oklahoma.”

Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a nonprofit civil liberties group, said in a statement that Walters’ new Bible policy is “trampling the religious freedom of public school children and their families.”

More on Ryan Walters

  • Since he took office in January 2023, Walters has fought to "put God back in schools."
  • Walters publicly vilified an Oklahoma principal with a side gig as a drag performer, who ultimately resigned.
  • Walters pushed an emergency rule this year to prevent students from changing the genders listed on their school files.

“This is textbook Christian Nationalism: Walters is abusing the power of his public office to impose his religious beliefs on everyone else’s children,” Rachel Laser, the group’s CEO, said in the statement. Her organization is “ready to step in,” she wrote, though she stopped short of vowing legal action. The group has already sued to block a new Louisiana law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public schools.

Walters, a former high school history teacher, has built a national profile over his first year and a half in office as a staunch proponent of incorporating Christian beliefs and teachings into state education policy. 

Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican, recently approved a package of regulations put forward by Walters that included time for prayer in schools and expanded the state Education Department’s “ foundational values ” to acknowledge a “Creator” and the existence of good and evil. 

But Walters has also drawn pushback. Stitt issued an executive order this month prohibiting state agencies from entering into sole-source contracts with marketing and public relations firms after Walters hired a public relations firm at $200 per hour to help him get national media attention. 

The state Supreme Court ruled this week that a state contract to fund a Catholic charter school violated both state and federal law and must be voided. It would have been the country’s first religious charter school .

Walters called the ruling “sanctioned discrimination against Christians” in a statement. “This ruling cannot and must not stand,” he wrote.

State Attorney General Gentner Drummond, also a conservative Republican, disagreed.

“This decision is a tremendous victory for religious liberty,” he said in a statement. “The framers of the U.S. Constitution and those who drafted Oklahoma’s Constitution clearly understood how best to protect religious freedom: by preventing the State from sponsoring any religion at all.”

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Tyler Kingkade is a national reporter for NBC News, based in Los Angeles.

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Tuesday, July 2, 2024

Sadtu ‘not happy’ with appointment of DA’s Siviwe Gwarube as Basic Education Minister

Democratic Alliance’s parliamentary chief whip, Siviwe Gwarube, was announced as the new Basic Education Minister. File Picture: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers

Democratic Alliance’s parliamentary chief whip, Siviwe Gwarube, was announced as the new Basic Education Minister. File Picture: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers

Published 18h ago

The ANC-aligned South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu), which is the largest teachers union in the country, has quickly expressed unhappiness over the appointment of Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Siviwe Gwarube as the new Basic Education Minister.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced his Government of National Unity Cabinet after 10pm on Sunday night.

In the May 29 general elections, the ANC received its worst election result since apartheid ended 30 years ago in South Africa. The ANC garnered 40% of the vote, losing its absolute majority in Parliament.

Earlier this month, Ramaphosa was elected for a second term after parties in the GNU - incorporating its decades-old rival, the DA and other smaller parties, including the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), the Patriotic Alliance (PA), GOOD, PA, PAC, UDM,Al-Jama-ah backed him.

Reacting to the Cabinet announcement, Sadtu general secretary, Dr Mugwena Maluleke, said Gwarube’s appointment to lead the basic education department is problematic.

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“This is an affront, the appointment of Siviwe because in the manifesto of the DA, the DA is creating a narrative based obviously on ideologies that the DA believes in, that Sadtu is a stumbling block to quality education.

“The DA has been clear in terms of rejecting those transformational policies that the Department of Basic Education wanted to implement, including rejecting the Bela Bill that basically wanted to help us with issues of language which should be addressed to deal with discrimination in our schools based on language.”

Maluleke said the appointment “of the DA minister who does not believe in transformation, does not believe in equity” has made the union upset.

“We really are not happy, I must indicate, with the department being headed by a person from the DA, irrespective of whether black, white, or brown that is not an issue. The issue is that those (people) believe in the ideology that the DA still has, that the poor and the working class must always accept the inferior status and this white supremacy mentality has governed the DA throughout and we have seen it even in the letters that have been leaked, the statements by Helen Zille – obviously that is their culture, their belief, their ideology and that is the issue,” said Maluleke.

He said Sadtu fears Gwarube will attempt to repeal the Basic Education Law Amendment (Bela) Bill which was passed by the National Assembly and awaits Ramaphosa’s signature.

The Bela Bill was vehemently opposed by the DA.

“We know that she is going to attempt to repeal, to reverse that because the DA did not support it. The president has not signed it, and we wonder why the president has not signed it because the president signed a number of Bills just before the elections, and only left this one out.

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“It leaves us with a question mark on why this one (Bill) was particularly left out.

“The DA has made it clear that its deputies (deputy ministers) are going to be different from other deputies. They will also have the credentials of being in Cabinet. What stops us from believing that the DA will do whatever they want to do with basic education, irrespective of what the president has said,” Maluleke added.

On Sunday night,  Ramaphosa unveiled his new Cabinet that consists of members of the DA, IFP, PA, PAC, UDM, Good and the FF+, who have signed on to be part of the government of national unity.

Despite a last minute push by Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to offer an alternative to the GNU, Ramaphosa struck a deal with DA leader John Steenhuisen that has secured six Cabinet posts for the DA.

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Itech Jr Kids Smartwatch & Headphones - Video Camera Selfies STEM Learning Educational Fun Games, MP3 Music Player Audio Books Touch Screen Sports Digital Watch Gift for Kids (Girls Pink Pom Pom)

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Itech Jr Kids Smartwatch & Headphones - Video Camera Selfies STEM Learning Educational Fun Games, MP3 Music Player Audio Books Touch Screen Sports Digital Watch Gift for Kids (Girls Pink Pom Pom)

Special Feature timer, stop-watch, light, back-up-battery
Connectivity Technology Wireless
Battery Cell Composition Lithium Ion
GPS True
Shape Square
Screen Size 1.7 Inches
Brand Itech
Model Name Junior Watch Headphone
Style Sport
Color Girls Pink Pom Pom

About this item

  • LEARN AND PLAY: This watch combines learning and fun. Help your child learn about STEM, how to tell time, set an alarm, video record, get active and fit, and more—all through the power of play! Kids will be having too much fun to realize they're learning! Plug the matching headphones into the PlayZoom's headphone jack and listen to your favorite tunes, and listen to lulabies and bed time stories before bed.
  • SAFE AND FUN: Unlike other smart technology, our electronic watch is safe for children of any age because we don’t require a credit card, a connection to data or Wi-Fi, or downloading. The watch also features an In Case of Emergency Card on the watch. For your total peace of mind, turn to iTouch.
  • COOL CAMERAS: Our kids' wristwatch has a swivel photo camera and video camera. Toddlers and kids alike will love getting creative by taking photos. The watch can hold up to 50 photos that can be saved and uploaded onto your computer via USB.
  • RECHARGEABLE BATTERY: Your little one can play all day, and you won't have to swap out pesky watch batteries. With your order, you'll receive a USB charging cable that will have your child's digital toy watch ready to go for another day of fun.
  • EXPRESS YOURSELF: These gadgets aren't just great for teaching; they also allow kids to express their unique personalities. Choose from 10+ unique band designs and watch faces! iTech Junior Smartwatches are the perfect gifts for kids of all ages!

Important information

Visible screen diagonal.

2" / 5 cm

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What's in the box, product information.

Product Dimensions 10 x 3 x 7 inches
Item Weight 4.8 ounces
ASIN B09SRKNXZ1
Item model number 900301M-40-320
Batteries 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included)
Customer Reviews
4.6 out of 5 stars
Best Sellers Rank #481,121 in Toys & Games ( )
#1,376 in
Date First Available February 17, 2022
Department Unisex-child
Manufacturer American Exchange
Item Weight 4.8 Ounces
Standing screen display size 1.7 Inches

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Product Description

The iTech Junior Kids Smartwatch with headphones is both an educational and fun gift for your child! It comes with features such as a swivel camera, customizable clock faces, 30 learning and active games, 20 tunes to explore, and so much more! Simply plug in the headphones set included to the headphones jack on the watch so your child can listen to their favorite lullabies, melodies, bed time stories, and songs. Plus the iTech Junior smart watch doesn't connect to a cellular device and comes with an In Case of Emergency (ICE) Card on the watch, so it's free of GPS tracking and completely safe!

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educational books and toys

Facts.net

40 Facts About Elektrostal

Lanette Mayes

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 01 Jun 2024

Jessica Corbett

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

40-facts-about-elektrostal

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

  • Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
  • With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy , materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes , offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development .

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy , with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

Elektrostal's fascinating history, vibrant culture, and promising future make it a city worth exploring. For more captivating facts about cities around the world, discover the unique characteristics that define each city . Uncover the hidden gems of Moscow Oblast through our in-depth look at Kolomna. Lastly, dive into the rich industrial heritage of Teesside, a thriving industrial center with its own story to tell.

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Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.

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  28. 40 Facts About Elektrostal

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