Parents will want the best for children, even when it comes to the types of toys they will play with. As such, picky parents don’t just want to buy any old toy for their kids; They want to get good educational toys that will keep them entertained, even if it helps enrich their minds. This article lists some tips you can follow to help you choose good learning toys for your children and provides some of the best toys available on the market today.
Tips when choosing educational toys
Just because some toys are labeled as educational toys doesn’t automatically make them a good choice for your children. Some of the factors you’ll want to consider when shopping for these toys include:
- Safety. The most important thing you’ll want to consider when choosing which toy to give a child, educational or not, is safety. Make sure the toy does not pose any health hazards to the child, from potential choking hazards to toxic materials that may have been used to produce it.
- Age appropriateness. Some toys are only appropriate for children when they reach a certain age, not only for safety reasons, but also because the purpose of the toy must match the developmental stage of the child. Be sure to check the label to see if the toy is age appropriate or not.
- Goal. What goal do you want to achieve with the toy? Do you want the child to know more about science or math? Do you want him or her to develop her reading skills? Be sure to choose a toy that fits the goal you have in mind for your child.
A look at the best toys
There are several top rated educational toys on the market today. These include:
- Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Baby’s First Blocks. Nothing beats the classics, which is why the block game remains popular with parents and babies alike. Made for children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years, the toy can be used to help children develop their knowledge of colors and shapes.
- Vtech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker. Designed for children 6 months and older, this walker will not only help children develop stability while walking, but also teach them about different sounds, colors, shapes, and numbers.
- Playskool Alphie. Made for children ages 3 and up, this toy has been designed to teach children about letters, numbers, and other basic lessons. The fact that Alphie is a fun companion adds to the appeal of this toy.
- Leap Frog Leapster 2 Learning Game System. Designed to look like and function like a kids’ mini computer, this educational toy teaches kids math, science and reading through 30 different fun games. This toy was designed with children ages 4-8 in mind.
- Insect Lore’s Live Butterfly Garden. This toy is designed for older children, such as those between the ages of 4 and 14. This toy allows children to appreciate the value of life by teaching them the life cycle of the butterfly.
There are many learning toys available on the market. If you want to make sure you get the best educational toys for your children, feel free to do your research on these products to see what they can offer you and your children.