Best Learning and Educational Toys From Amazon
14 Top-Rated, Best-Selling Amazon Toys That Make Learning Fun
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If you're having a hard time finding the perfect gift for your child, you can't go wrong with something educational. Educational and learning toys are fun to play with and also help develop cognitive and motor skills, among others. With so many options bombarding us everyday, it can be hard to focus on which toys are best for nurturing their growth. Luckily, Amazon has a whole section dedicated to bestselling, top-rated educational and learning toys, which makes it easier to find exactly what you need.
If you have a newborn, setting them up for tummy time with a play mat that isn't overly-stimulating, encourages them to practice lifting their heads while also helping to develop cognitive, visual and motor learning. For crawlers, an activity cube they can flip around to explore various sides and even bat and throw around can encourage movement. For walkers, a piano mat can engage them musically by exploring the connection between movement and sound. For older toddlers, a pet care learning kit can foster imaginative play as they pretend to feed and care for an animal. For young children, a science activity set can inspire curiosity as they experiment with cause and effect.
Whatever age your little one is, you're sure to find a toy that meets them at their developmental stage. Check out some of our favorites ahead!
— Additional reporting by Angela Elias
Best Fort-Building Toy
Fun Forts Glow Fort Building Kit ($38)
This glow-in-the-dark fort-building kit is Amazon's best-selling kids' playhouse, and it's easy to see why. With the ability to build a variety of structured shapes, you can create everything from a glowing tunnel to a rocket ship. Just drape a light sheet over it to create a tent-like feel. It includes 53 glow-in-the-dark rods and 28 connector spheres. It can also be stored in its box, which comes with a handle.
Best Interactive Book
LeapFrog 100 Animals Book, Green ($12, originally $20)
This animal book will keep little ones entertained on the go. They'll learn about animals and build fine motor skills by sliding and twisting the play pieces. It's intended for age 18 months and up and is Amazon's bestselling toddler learning toy.
Best Building Toys
Magna-Tiles Classic 32-Piece Magnetic Construction Set ($50)
These magnetic tiles come in a mix of squares and triangles in various sizes to create all sorts of forms, from castles to creatures. Throw in some toy cars, animals, dinosaurs, or people and the tiles become a backdrop for open-ended imaginative play. If you think your little one will be into these, you can buy larger sets that include even more shapes or opt for themed sets, but this is a fantastic starter option. Our editor gave these to her kids for Christmas a few years back and says they're the "most-used gift" she's ever bought them. For more details and photos, read her Magna-Tiles review.
Best Sticker Activity Book
Cupkin Sticker Book ($17)
If you have a sticker-obsessed child, indulge them with this activity book that's packed with over 500 stickers. The stickers are already cut so they won't easily rip. The book lays flat on their lap while open and is perfect to take on road trips and flights. It's ideal for ages 2 to 4.
Best Drum Set
VTech KidiBeats Drum Set ($13, originally $22)
If your child is a budding musician, get them this drum set. The drum pads and cymbal have their own unique sounds for sensory development. Intended for kids from the ages of 2 to 5, they can play along to nine different tunes and switch between modes of free play, letters, numbers, and follow-along. This also happens to be Amazon's bestselling kids' drum and percussion instrument toy.
Best Activity Mat
The Play Gym by Lovevery ($140)
This play mat will take your little one through their first year, offering Montessori-inspired learning zones they can experiment with as they grow. Its "reveal or conceal" set-up prevents overstimulation, and teaches focus, sound making, exploring colors, and more. Our editor tested it out with her baby and writes about the experience in this The Play Gym by Lovevery review.
Best Time Activity Set
Learning Resources Time Activity Set ($16, originally $18)
This time activity set is a great way to help your kid tell time on an analog clock, match analog to digital, and write time in analog and digital. It'll also teach them problem-solving skills, fine motor skills, and more. It's intended for ages 5 and up.
Best Science Kit
Scientific Explorer Mind Blowing Science Kit ($11)
This science kit is perfect for a child with a curious mind. It helps your kid explore and learn the basics of science, from chemical reactions to the use of scientific tools. It's intended for ages 6 nd up.
Best Pet-Care Learning Kit
VTech Care For Me Learning Carrier ($28, originally $35)
This is great for teaching your little one to care for others. They can open and close the door to hear playful phrases and learn opposites, and the light-up buttons will introduce colors, shapes, pet care, and more. It's intended for ages 9 months to 3 years.
Best Driving Game
VTech Turn and Learn Driver ($20, originally $41)
Your little one will love pretending to drive with this steering wheel. It will teach them about animals, vehicles, and opposites and encourage imaginative play with a traffic light. It has a signal lever that triggers fun sounds and music. It's intended for ages 6 months to 3 years.
Best Piano Mat
M Sanmersen Kids Musical Piano Mat ($23)
If your little one loves music, they'll love playing with this interactive piano mat. It has eight instrument sounds, and they can interact with different notes and dance on the mat. It's intended for ages 1 to 3 and is Amazon's best-selling kids' piano and keyboard toy.
Best Interactive Word Poster
Just Smarty 100 Words Interactive Poster ($20, originally $35)
Enrich their vocabulary with this interactive poster. A great alternative to screen time, it will keep them entertained and active. It's intended for ages 1 to 3.
Best Activity Cube
VTech Busy Learners Activity Cube ($18-$26, originally $20-$26)
Your kiddo will develop motor skills with this activity cube that has five different sides with various play and learning themes. They'll learn colors, shapes and more. It's intended for ages 6 months to 3 years.
