Educational Toys for Every Stage

Table of Content

Childhood is a magical time. You get to watch a child go from new baby to big kid in what feels like a flash. During those short years, a lot of your child's development takes place. In fact, the human brain grows more in the first five years of life than in any other period.

Because childhood is such a critical developmental stage, it's important to support them with the right foods, environment, and stimulation. Educational play is a big part of this. Play is a gateway for mental growth and should be embraced at every stage. Whether you need educational toys for 2-year-olds or games for bigger kids, take a look at some of the best playthings for your little ones.

The Importance of Children's Educational Toys

In a world filled with tablets, smartphones, and other tech, regular toys can seem old-fashioned. In reality, these types of toys can provide great practice for your child to learn to be creative, to figure out how to solve problems, and to support their cognitive development and motor skills.

Early Learning and Brain Development

The toys you give infants and toddlers become tools in their early brain development. It gives them a way to engage their senses, providing their nervous systems with important stimuli while making intellectual connections. They learn how to manipulate items and begin to understand spatial awareness.

Creativity and Imagination

The best educational toys also encourage a child's imagination. When children are given toys, art sets, and building blocks, they get a chance to let their minds create a new story. They draw and build, relying only on their own ideas. This gives them a chance to express themselves while also composing stories.

Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving

Learning to be a critical thinker can take a child far in life, serving them well into their careers. You may not realize it, but the foundation for these skills can start with children's educational toys. Puzzles and logic-based toys help children solve problems, make connections, and recognize patterns. Even educational toys for 2-year-olds and other small children can set them on the right course.

STEM Education

Knowledge of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) concepts is becoming increasingly important for the next generation. The children of today will need skills in these areas and can start building those abilities through play. You can find robotics kits, coding games, and experiments that prepare kids for a future in science in a fun and interactive way that is intuitive.

Social and Emotional Development

Socialization is a critical part of a child's development. Playing can encourage children to interact. There are plenty of toys and games that are made for group play for toddlers and little kids. They get to learn how to work together, how to communicate, and how to resolve conflicts. These early play sessions can set the foundation for their relationship-building skills.

Screen-Time Balance

In today's digital age, many parents and health experts have expressed concerns about screen time, with experts recommending limits for young children. Despite this, we know televisions and tablets can be easy ways to keep a child occupied.

Educational toys for kids can be a great offline alternative. Children are able to interact with their entertainment on a deeper level when they have physical toys and games. This develops their senses and reduces worry about adverse effects of technology, such as shortened attention spans.

Tailored Learning

Children's educational toys also allow parents and teachers to control lessons for kids. There is a set of toys for every age group, so whether you need educational toys for 1-year-olds or educational toys for 6-year-olds, you can find something that fits.

You can also tailor your toy selection to your child's interests or needs. Whether a child is interested in art, science, music, or sports, there are educational toys that will match their passions and help them grow their talents.

Different Types of Educational Toys

With all the benefits of educational play and toys, parents can explore and investigate to discover what are the best educational toys. To get started, it's good to know about the different types of toys, games, and activities that are available and how they help your child grow.

Arts & Crafts

One category of toys to choose from is arts and crafts. These are toys that encourage children to draw, paint, and sculpt and allow them to express themselves in their own unique way. Aside from building their creativity, these types of toys and activities also help children develop their fine motor skills as they try to handle and use paintbrushes or crayons. Children learn problem-solving skills as well as they make decisions about colors, shapes, and patterns in their art.

Puzzles

Puzzles are another category of toys that really engage a child's mind. Children have to learn how to solve problems and recognize shapes to figure puzzles out. They also have to put their fine motor skills to the test to be able to handle and place the puzzle pieces. Puzzles can be a bit of an emotional educational toy as well; children have to learn patience when a puzzle isn't working out for them.

Activity Sets

For hands-on learning, activity sets are some of the best educational toys. These toys involve multiple parts and pieces that can be used together or separately for learning. Kids can build projects and try other tactile activities that will help them understand how things work. Some activity sets may require a bit more in the way of problem-solving, so they may be better for older toddlers and big kids.

Games

Games aren't always the first thing people think of when they consider what are the best educational toys, but games are great for children who are developing. Board games and card games teach children important social skills like taking turns, cooperation, and good sportsmanship which are skills they'll need at every stage of life. Playing games is also a good way to get children to learn individual skills such as counting, negotiating, and strategic thinking.

Play Sets

Play sets are good tools to get your child's creativity going while teaching them good habits and social norms. A play set such as a doll house or kitchen scene lets a child imagine themselves or their favorite characters in that setting. Often, children will act out things they've seen in their family life, such as cleaning, cooking, and getting ready for work. Setting up items in a play set also supports spatial reasoning and organizational skills.

Books

Books can be great toys for kids of every age. Even before they are able to actually read, children can learn how to recognize stories that are read to them, supporting their imagination and storytelling skills. Their cognitive development is also positively influenced as they learn to follow the narratives. Exposing children to books early on enhances their enjoyment of reading later, which could improve their academic and professional performance.

Baby Toys

When it comes to children's educational toys, don't forget about the infant phase. Baby toys are more than just cute; they allow children to start working on their motor skills. Gripping rattles and soft toys helps babies learn how to use their hands while the sensory stimulation grows their minds.

STEM Toys

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) toys are designed to teach kids about these disciplines in a hands-on way. Robots and building toys designed for children allow kids to learn about how things work and the science of construction without excessive screen time. There is a wide variety of toys that can teach about coding and problem-solving, even for young toddlers

Science Projects

Science project kits allow kids to conduct experiments and explore scientific concepts. These projects promote curiosity, hypothesis testing, and data analysis. They also introduce kids to the scientific method, fostering a love for science and inquiry-based learning. Many of these projects are meant to be completed with the help of a parent, so they are a bonding experience as well.

Educational Toys by Age

Not only is there a variety of the types of educational toys you can choose from, but there are different toys for different age groups. This makes sense because the needs of children change. Educational toys for 2-year-olds may not hold the attention of a 7-year-old.

Educational Toys for Babies & Toddlers

Educational toys for babies and educational toys for 1-year-old children need to be designed just for them. They often focus on developing motor skills and learning to respond to stimuli.

• Clutch Toys: Clutch toys provide babies with opportunities to practice their gripping and are good educational toys for 1-year-old children. Ones to try: the Color Interplay Clutch Toy and the Petal Clutch Toy.
• Activity Sets: Infant activity sets usually have colorful, dangling toys that children can interact with in a free-form way, improving hand-eye coordination. One to try: the Little Moppet My First School Bus Activity Truck.
• Teething Toys: These toys pull double duty for teething babies. They are made from safe, chewable materials to provide relief to sore gums. One to try: the Popping Flower Silicone Teething Toy.
• Interactive Toys: Interactive toys for babies often feature buttons, lights, and sounds that stimulate the senses, supporting healthy development. One to try: the Stacking Tower Animals of the World w/Wood Animals.

Educational Toys for Toddlers (1-3)

When you start looking at the best educational toys for 2-year-olds and the best educational toys for 3-year-olds, new types of toys are available.

• Montessori Toys: Montessori-inspired toys focus on open-ended play and exploration. Think of wooden puzzles, shape sorters, and stacking toys that encourage problem-solving. Ones to try: the Headu Tactile Puzzle Montessori and Headu Flashcards - Tactile Montessori.
• Games: Simple board games like memory matching games or counting games are great for toddlers. They teach important skills including turn-taking and basic counting. Ones to try: the Bunny Boo Peek-a-Boo Preschool Puzzle Game, and Little Memo My First Game.
• Interactive: Toddlers are naturally curious and love to explore the world around them. Interactive toys, such as talking dolls or playsets with buttons that produce sounds or music, help toddlers learn new words and develop social skills. Ones to try: the Plan Toys Assorted Fruit & Vegetable, the Activity Table, and Bath Toy Organizer Set with Stackable Cups and Boats.
• Books: Board books with bright, colorful illustrations and simple text are perfect for toddlers. Reading together not only builds early literacy skills but also strengthens the parent-child bond. Ones to try: 100 FIRST SCIENCE WORDS, Noisy Diggers and What Do You See?
• Incredible Creatures: Animal figurines allow toddlers to create their own stories and scenarios, developing language and social skills in the process. Safari LTD has a great selection so you can find your toddler's favorite animal.

Educational Toys for Children (3-6)

For the best educational toys for 4-year-olds, the best educational toys for 5-year-olds, and the best educational toys for 6-year-olds, try some of these ideas.

• Realistic Animal Toys: Detailed figurines or animal playsets encourage curiosity about wildlife. Children can learn about animal habitats and behaviors, and even start to classify species. Pick from our selection: Realistic Animal Toys.
• Games: Board games become more complex for older children, encouraging them to become more strategic. Ones to try: Spot it! Junior Animals Card Game, Three Little Piggies - Deluxe Preschool Puzzle Game, and the Seek-a-boo Mix-and-Match Memory Game.
• Interactive: Interactive educational toys at this stage include science kits, building sets, and electronic learning devices that challenge children's problem-solving abilities and logical thinking. Ones to try: the Space Themed Torch and Projector, the Dinosaur Eggs Beeswax Crayons, and the Magna-Tiles Clear Colors 48-Piece Deluxe Set
• Activity Sets: Activity sets encourage hands-on exploration, experimentation, and creativity. Such sets are not only fun but also teach children valuable skills such as following instructions. Ones to try: the Daisylane Dining Room, the SmartMax My First Dinosaurs, and the Little Moppet Playset - Doctor.

Help Your Child With Educational Toys

Toys have a valuable place in your child's development, so find the right ones. When you need to know where to buy educational toys, head over to Safari LTD and choose your favorites.

Sources:

• https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/smart-toys.html
• https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/how-play-helps-childrens-development
• https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/10-things-every-parent-play
• https://www.raisesmartkid.com/educational-toys-and-gifts
• https://emeritus.org/blog/career-what-is-critical-thinking/#
• https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Children-And-Watching-TV-054.aspx
• https://www.parents.com/fun/toys/kid-toys/toys-for-all-ages/
• https://www.firstthingsfirst.org/early-childhood-matters/brain-development
• https://www.safariltd.com/blogs/toys-that-teach/leave-boring-behind-playful-adventures-await
• https://www.safariltd.com/blogs/toys-that-teach/fostering-the-6-stages-of-play

Related Posts:

• Educational and Entertaining: How Farm Animal Toys Foster Learning
• Why Choose Highly-Detailed and Anatomically Correct Animal Toys?
• Fun Ways for Kids To Learn About History
• 30-Day Toys That Teach Challenge - 30 Days of Fun Play Ideas
• What Children Learn from Block Play
• Teaching Science with Safari Ltd.
• Teaching Social Studies with Safari Ltd.
• Learning Math with Safari Ltd.
• Building Literacy Skills with Safari Ltd.
• Top Educational Toys for Toddlers