13 Gifts For Kids That Are Both Fun And Educational
Parents everywhere are all bracing for impact as the great toy apocalypse, also known as the holidays, is rapidly approaching. Why not give the kids in your life a leg up? Get them toys that are really cool, but more importantly might actually teach them something, too.
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We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite learning toys that are sure to delight the young and old. Check them out!
1. Gravity Maze
This toy combines logic, puzzles and laws of gravity. Kids use reasoning and visual perception to build a maze that will carry their marble from beginning to end through a series of challenges. Recommended for ages 8-15.
2. Fisher Price Think & Learn Code-A-Pillar Toy
This caterpillar is more than just a cute plastic toy. Code-A-Pillar features easy-to-connect segments that kids can arrange in a variety of ways to “tell” it how to move forward, left, right, wiggle and dance. Kids can even figure out sequences that will create a path for code-a-pillar to reach targets they place in the room. Thus, teaching kiddos problem-solving, sequencing and early programming. Recommended for ages 3-8.
Fisher Price Think & Learn Code-A-Pillar Toy, $38.88
3. Theo Klein Service Station
The Theo Klein Service Station may give kids an edge when it comes to cars by giving them a peek under the hood long before they ever drive. The life-like toy is great for imaginative play, allowing kids to tinker with a car engine. The car has many realistic functions and parts including removable tires, a pull-out oil stick, working headlights and horn. Recommended for ages 3-7.
Theo Klein Service Station, $103.99
4. Osmo Pizza Co. Game
Who doesn’t love pizza and math? Ok, well at least we can all agree that we love pizza. This game requires the Osmo Game System, but it teaches math, money and social skills as kids attempt to build their own pizza empire. Recommended for ages 5-12.
5. GoldieBlox Girl Inventor Zipline Action Figure
Goldie Blox is a female engineer action figure. Her kits come with all the parts your kid needs to tinker, create and explore an engineering project from start to finish. This zip line kit is fun for the whole family too. Recommended for ages 4 and up.
GoldieBlox Girl Inventor Zipline Action Figure, $24.95
6. Little Red Riding Hood Deluxe
Described as a great brain game for kids, Little Red Riding Hood asks young children to use their cognitive skills to solve 48 different challenges to help Little Red get home. Recommended for ages 4-7.
Little Red Riding Hood Deluxe, $24.99
7. My First Bananagrams
This is a great word game for preschoolers just starting on their reading journey. This game uses lowercase letters and combo letter tiles to help kids create words. With multiple activities and games, kids will love this version until they are ready for big kid Bananagrams. Recommended for ages 4 and up.
8. The Book Of Impossible Objects by Klutz
This book comes with everything you need to experience 25 impossible illusions and tricks all backed by science. Plus, the cover alone has us mesmerized. Recommended for kids 8 and up.
The Book Of Impossible Objects, $17.95
9. LEGO Education Animal Bingo
Great for preschool age children, this twist on an old classic will teach shape and color recognition as well as matching objects. It is also a fun first game for teaching social skills like taking turns and following directions. Recommended for ages 2-5.
LEGO Education Animal Bingo, $34.95
10. Science Wiz Cool Circuits
Recommended for children ages 8 to 80, Cool Circuits challenges players to solve 40 unique puzzles to light up the board. This puzzle game puts an emphasis on spatial reasoning and abstract thinking, plus it’s really cool!
Science Wiz Cool Circuits, $24.99
11. Wonder Workshop Dash Robot
Dash is a robot that comes to life when your kids program it on a downloadable, free app. As kids teach Dash new tricks, they learn early coding and programming skills. There are all kinds of add-ons to increase the fun with Dash too, including LEGO sets. Recommended for ages 8 and up.
Wonder Workshop Dash Robot, $119.99
12. 3Doodler Start Essentials Pen Set
This kid-safe 3D pen allows your child to safely practice their design, building and spatial understanding skills while making some really cool 3D creations. Recommended for ages 8 and up.
3Doodler Start Essentials Pen Set, $49.99
13. Keva Brain Builders
Brain Builders teaches kids to turn technical drawings into real 3D images using Keva planks. Kids will gain confidence as they bring the images to life using the power of their brains. Recommended for ages 7 and up.