When you were a child, chances are you had a few favorite toys. Maybe it was a stuffed animal, a doll, or a set of blocks.
Whatever it was, those toys were more than just objects to play with—they were also your first introduction to the world around you.
Each time you played with them, you were learning something new about the world and developing important skills that would serve you well later in life.
Today, there are more educational toys on the market than ever before. Thanks to advances in technology, these toys are more interactive and engaging than ever before. With so many options available, it can be tough to know which ones are worth purchasing.
Educational toys are important because they help children learn about the world around them in a fun and safe environment. They also help children develop important skills that they will use for the rest of their lives.
When choosing an educational toy for your child, it is important to select one that is age-appropriate and aligned with your child’s interests. There are many different types of educational toys on the market, so take some time to research different options before making a purchase.
There are many different award-winning educational toys on the market today.
Some popular options include the LeapFrog LeapPad Ultimate Tablet (which features over 1000 learning games and activities), the Vtech Touch & Teach Word Book (which teaches kids how to read through interactive touch screen pages), and the Melissa & Doug Deluxe Standing Art Easel (which promotes creativity and self-expression).
These are just a few examples—be sure to do your own research to find an educational toy that is perfect for your child’s individual needs and interests.
Educational Toys Are Important for Children’s Development
There’s no doubt about it—educational Toys help children learn about the world around them in a fun and safe environment while also developing important skills that they will use throughout their lifetime.
Parents often want to give their children the best start in life, and one way to do this is by providing them with toys that will help them to learn and grow.
Educational toys can help children to develop important skills such as literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving. Developmental toys, on the other hand, can aid in the development of fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and even social skills.
Whatever type of toy you choose, it is important to ensure that it is age-appropriate and that your child will enjoy playing with it. After all, learning should be fun!
Baby and toddler toys are more than just objects for entertainment. The best toys for infants and toddlers are those that help them to develop key skills such as fine and gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem-solving, and language development.
While baby dolls and toy cars are classics for a reason, there is a wide range of educational toys on the market that can provide enrichment in all of these areas.
From simple puzzles to more complex construction sets, there are endless possibilities for learning and fun. When choosing toys for a young child, it is important to consider not only what will hold their attention but also what will help them to grow and develop.
Top 4 Tips on Buying the Best Educational Toys
The best toys are carefully designed to promote and encourage learning through play, with proven benefits including:
- Developing motor skills and cognitive skills
- Boosting problem-solving skills through gaining an understanding of cause and effect
- Encouraging creative thinking and innovation
- And promoting social skills such as sharing and compromising, along with discovering independence.
Parents want to tap into the well-documented benefits of toys, but when faced with a bewildering array of toys all proudly displaying the word “educational” on the box, how is it possible to know which ones represent the best buys?
Well, the answer lies in asking yourself four important questions….
1: Is the toy appropriate to your child’s age?
Ever found yourself uttering the words “advanced for his/her years” when discussing your little one? It’s not uncommon for children to be given star or prodigy status by proud parents, but when it comes to buying toys specially made of wood, it’s important to pay attention to the recommended age bracket. Toys that are unsuitable for very young children often contain small parts that represent a choking hazard, and toys deemed suitable for age 8+ years may not inspire or hold the attention of a 6-year-old. All children develop at different speeds, but the best buy will always be the one that’s designed to appeal to the child’s stage of learning & not the ego of the buyer.
Grimm’s Puzzle
Children of all ages from 3+ can explore the principles of geometry and then let their imaginations run wild as they create their own shapes and designs
2: Is the toy going to grow with your child?
Why buy a toy that’s only going to be enjoyed for a short window in a child’s development when you can buy a toy that’s designed to grow with them, offering new learning at each new stage. Think about it; how many mass-marketed & “must have” toys for Christmas are still being played with come February?
Long-life Choices:
Goula Calendar Clock
This calendar clock offers on-going learning beyond telling the time. Featuring days of the week, dates, months, seasons and weather, it’s something that can be set to be of long-term interest.
Plan Toys Beehives
This popular toy appeals to young children learning how to colour match and count. It maintains its appeal as they grow and develop fine motor skills, and then takes on a new lease of life as they begin creating their own games. It may be cliche & cute, but the only limit of a fun playtime lies on your child’s imagination.
3: Is the toy fun?
From a child’s point of view, this is by far the most important question to answer. They’re not interested in how educational a toy is, their only concern is how much fun it is.
The writing on the box may wax lyrical about the educational learning provided by the toy, but if it’s not fun to play with, children will quickly ditch it in favour of playing with the box it came out instead.
Take a moment to read reviews provided by those with real-life experience and decide if it’s something your kid would enjoy.
Tried and Tested Choices:
Plan Toys Timber Tumble
What could be more fun than trying to save the beaver from a fall? This popular game can be played by all the family, helping children to develop social skills along with promoting concentration and coordination. A whole lot of learning neatly disguised in a fun package.
Plan Toys Fraction Blocks
Who knew fractions could be this much fun? Putting the blocks together and learning about fractions through creating endless shapes is a hands-on and truly fun way to get to grips with numbers and maths, the perfect early learning toys.
4: Are developmental toys destroying the planet?
The final question to ask yourself is what the cost of your purchase of toys will be on the planet. No matter how educational the toy is or how much fun it is to play with if it’s not being produced ethically and from sustainable sources, what value will it be to your child as they grow up in a messed-up global environment?
It may not be the first thing you think about when buying toys, but what better way for children to learn than through example?
