Select Educational Toys for Your Child
Match educational toys to your child’s age and stage of development. Several of these age-appropriate toys are available from Melissa and Doug, LeapFrog,, Anatex,, Guidecraft,, Infantino Toys,, babybumblebee,, and other favorite brands.
Remember: Safety first! Read all the information about safe use and appropriate age levels before allowing your child to play with any toy.
Baby toys (0-12 months) During a baby’s first few months, encourage early stages of perception with mobiles, music boxes, crib mirrors, stuffed animals, and other toys in a variety of textures and sounds. A play mat or activity gym with bright graphics and interesting features will keep little ones engaged until they start crawling. The models from Infantino toys and babybumblebee videos are perennial baby shower favorites.
Once babies can sit up and begin to use their hands, they’ll be able to learn from building blocks, baby books, and stacking toys. The LittleTouch™ LeapPad® Learning System brings storybooks to life and introduces infants to the ABCs, numbers, colors, and other early development skills.
Toys for toddlers (12 months to 2 years) Give toddlers ample opportunities to explore art and music with crayons, Play-Doh, and musical toys that encourage dancing. Puzzles with big pieces invite investigation, and LEGO Duplos or other construction toys provide valuable hands-on experience with basic math concepts and help kids fine-tune motor skills.
Toys for preschool and kindergarten students (3 to 5 years) Bolster early school learning with educational toys and electronic games that help kids work on their numbers and letters. The V.Smile TV Learning System with educational video games makes lessons exciting, and the V.Smile Pocket™ version keeps kids learning even when they’re on the go. Or get started with the Leapster L-Max™ Learning Game System, which can be adapted to fit your child’s skill level. Choose from a library of interactive, action-packed games based on popular stories that cover pre-K through fourth-grade subject areas.
For an easy way to get kids acquainted with science and nature, try pretend-play props such as kid-sized cameras, toy telephones, magnets, and toy binoculars. Melissa & Doug offers a wide assortment of educational floor puzzles, so kids can learn about the alphabet, the solar system, and more while developing problem-solving skills. Climbing gyms, playhouses, and dollhouses are other age-appropriate ways to promote early social skills.
Toys for grade school students (6 to 12 years) Select more complex toys to reinforce the three Rs: reading, writing, and arithmetic. The innovative FLY™ Pentop Computer puts a calculator, translator, music player, and more at your child’s fingertips. Or consider upgrading to the LeapPad® Plus Writing Learning System, which adds a writing mode to the original platform. A teaching toy cash register, spelling games, and other electronic quizzing games are great ways to incorporate math and verbal skills into playtime.
Help kids discover the fun side of science with activity kits that also fine-tune motor skills such as model airplanes, jewelry kits, chemistry sets, and Erector sets. Or encourage them to explore with telescopes, microscopes, and magnifying glasses. Talking globes and map games can create fun opportunities to study geography.
Choose Toys for Kids With Special Needs
Select toys for children with special needs based on their play stages, rather than ages. All children reach specific stages of learning that are reflected in how they play with their toys: exploration (examination of the toy through touch, sight, and sound), discovery (realization of the toy’s uses), and interaction (creative, imaginative use of the toy).
Although some toys are designed or modified for special-needs children, specialized toys are not always necessary. Many toys have multiple uses and special-needs children learn through the process of playing. Consult with your pediatrician or education specialist about your child's specific needs and keep a few features in mind when selecting toys.
Find Educational Toys on Educational-Toys-Mart.com
Once you know what type of educational toys you want, go to Educational-Toys-Mart.com, and start searching for items you need.
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