Best Educational Toys 2018
21 Educational Toys So Fun, Your Kid Won't Even Know They're Learning
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Learning from play is an important part of child development, and as parents, the pressure is on to shop for smart products that foster development. Whether you want to boost your baby's motor skills and hand-eye coordination or you have a curious toddler or kid on your hands who'd love to see what STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) toys have to offer, we rounded up some of the most popular options available. From playing with slime to science kits, check out some of our favorites for children of all ages.
1 Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Discovery Kit
The Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Discovery Kit ($22, originally $35) gives curious children hands-on experience working with electrical circuits.
2 Tenergy Dynamo Lantern Educational STEM Building Toy
Kids can learn how electricity works with this Tenergy Dynamo Lantern Educational STEM Building Toy ($15). The clear tool is powered by hand-cranking it so they can see the process working.
3 The Moodsters Feelings Flashlight and Storybook
The Moodsters Feelings Flashlight and Storybook ($8) helps children navigate their feelings and learn how to express themselves.
4 Electro Dough Plus
The Electro Dough Plus ($35) comes with six pots of conductive dough and everything your little one needs to make fun shapes and even simple circuits.
5 Alex Toys Let's Pretend School
The Alex Toys Let's Pretend School ($22) is a 255-piece set that has everything you need to run your own classroom.
6 Magna-Tiles
Give your architect-in-training a gift they'll use every day. Magna-Tiles ($50 for a 32-piece set) are a fun alternative to basic building blocks and a great way to teach kids basic geometry.
7 LittleBits Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit
The LittleBits Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit ($89, originally $99) gives your Star Wars-lover a leg up when it comes to technology and engineering skills. Once built, the droid's "missions" inspire creativity and aid kiddos in teaching their R2-D2 look-alike new skills.
8 Parker: Your Augmented Reality Bear
The future of playthings, Seedling's Parker: Your Augmented Reality Bear ($20, originally $60) combines a cuddly stuffed animal with today's tech. Your child can act as Parker's doctor through an app, which lets them know if Parker is feeling sick and how to make him feel better. Along with being a leader of the pack when it comes to children's AR toys, Parker helps kids build on a variety of skills, including basic biology, digital literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
9 Spell Educational Toy Set by Coerni
Your little ones will become grammar stars with this Spell Educational Toy Set by Coerni ($10).
10 DK Games: Silly Sentences
Boost your kid's spelling skills with this entertaining DK Games: Silly Sentences Kit ($10). Children learn how to build proper sentences with pictures and colors.
11 Primary Mix and Measure Set
Send them on a scientific journey with the Learning Resources Mix and Measure Activity Set ($25). Using the tools and some simple ingredients, kids can create puffy paint, slime, and more fun projects.
12 Educational Insights Design & Drill Robot
Featuring a kid-friendly screwdriver, this Educational Insights Design & Drill Robot ($13) teaches little ones how to build with multicolored bolts.
13 M.A.X. Robotic Interactive Toy With Artificial Intelligence
M.A.X., Meccano's Robotic Interactive Toy With Artificial Intelligence ($67, originally $150), gives younger kids insight into the worlds of engineering and robotics with this adorable little robot who learns through AI but can also be programmed by your child (hello, coding skills!).
14 Scientific Explorer Mind Blowing Science Kit
If your kid has a curious mind, this Scientific Explorer Mind Blowing Science Kit ($17) is perfect. It helps your child to explore and learn the basics of science, from chemical reactions to the use of scientific tools.
15 VTech Click and Count Remote
This VTech Click and Count Remote ($10) includes 45 sing-along songs, melodies, sound effects, and phrases. Toddlers can pretend channel-surf through nine different channels, including weather and news. The interactive role play is excellent for early education.
16 Learning Resources Mathlink Cubes
Children will improve on their counting and numbers knowledge when they use these Learning Resources Mathlink Cubes ($10).
17 IQ Twist
Don't limit educational toys to the house. This on-the-go IQ Twist Game ($9, originally $12) gets kids thinking with 100 solvable brain-teasers.
18 LeapFrog Scribble and Write
LeapFrog's Scribble and Write ($22) helps little ones learn their letters and numbers.
19 Manhattan Toy Birdhouse
This soft Manhattan Toy Birdhouse ($37, originally $42) includes a rattle, squeaker, bell, and crinkle paper, which will help babies learn sounds. It also features bright colors and patterns, which are visually stimulating for a baby.
20 Guidecraft Memory Caps Game
Starting for kids ages 3 and up, this Guidecraft Memory Caps Game ($34, originally $40) helps stimulate hand-eye coordination.
21 Plan Toys Marine Puzzle
Teach your toddler about marine life while getting their hand-eye coordination working with this Plan Toys Marine Puzzle ($22).
