25 Best Educational Toys For Kids, Reviewed In 2024

Children are perceptive and learn from their surroundings quickly. So, we have compiled a list of the best educational toys for kids to help them reach their developmental milestones. Playing with toys helps enhance creativity and encourages problem-solving and cognitive skills to aid their overall development. Your child can learn new things and hone hidden abilities through fun playtime.

With multiple features, designs, colors, and more, choosing the right toy for your child may be challenging. So, go through our list of the best-selling products to find one that suits your child’s interests.

Top Picks

In This Article

25 Best Educational Toys For Kids To Enhance Their Skills In 2024

1. Best Building Block: Mega Bloks First Builders Big Building Bag

4.7
Mega Bloks First Builders Big Building Bag Image: Mattel

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

It's no wonder that this quality product has earned over 48,382 positive reviews on Amazon.

This award-winning building block set helps kids create tall towers and buildings while trying to maintain the perfect balance. The 80 brightly colored blocks are designed to develop fine motor skills. Check out a tester’s experience in this review video to know more about this product.

Age: One to Five years

Item Weight: 1 pounds | Product Dimensions: 5 x 12 x 14 inches

Pros

  • Designed for tiny hands
  • Storage bag included
  • Encourages hands-on play
  • Can be combined with other Mega Bloks preschool toys

Cons

  • Blocks may fit together loosely

2. Best Stackable Tile: Magna-Tiles 32-Piece Clear Colors Set

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

Join the 10,326 satisfied buyers on Amazon who have said the product meets their needs and expectations.

This highly durable magnetic 3D tiles set allows your kid to stack and match 32 different tiles in different shapes and build anything, enabling hours of imaginative play. Here is an informative review video that tells you more about the product.

Age: Three years and above

Product Dimensions: 11.73 x 2.13 x 10.04 inches | Weight: 2.67 Pounds

Pros

  • Tiles are made of food-grade ABS plastic
  • Promotes imaginative play
  • Helps develop creative thinking
  • Helps develop STEM skills

Cons

  • Magnets may not be powerful enough

3. Best CPSC-Compliant: LiKee Wooden Pattern Blocks Animals Jigsaw Puzzle

This wooden pattern set comes with various shaped blocks to create different figures. It consists of flashcards with images that your child can refer to recreate using the blocks. The puzzle features an iron box for safe storage and easy transfer. To know more about this puzzle game, watch this video

Age: Three years and above

Item Weight: 1.07 pounds | Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 10.7 x 1.4 inches

Pros

  • Includes 36 wooden blocks and 60 pattern cards
  • CPSC-compliant
  • Made from non-toxic materials
  • Develops spatial awareness and pattern recognition
  • Helps teach shape and color recognition

Cons

  • Wiring may not be well connected
  • Instructions may seem technical to some
protip_icon Did you know?
John Spilsbury, an English mapmaker invented the jigsaw puzzle in 1766. It comprised a map of Europe that had been created to teach geography and was called a dissected map.

4. Best Non-Toxic: Uncle Goose Periodic Table Blocks

If your child finds memorizing different scientific elements difficult, this periodic table set might help them out. It contains 20 blocks, and learning the periodic table through a game is a lot more fun than learning with a pencil and paper.

Age: Two years and above

Shape: Square

Pros

  • Made from basswood
  • Made from non-toxic paint
  • Lead-free
  • Can help develop interest in science

Cons

  • Cannot be used to make periodic table as cubes contain elements on all six sides

protip_icon Trivia
Apart from natural elements, the periodic table also features artificial elements with Technetium being the first ever man-made element to be incorporated into the table.

5. Best STEM Learning: SmartLab Toys Smart Circuits

Your little engineer may often bug you with questions about the workings of electronic devices. This engineering toy can help you clarify their doubts in a fun way. It contains wires, boards, a microprocessor, and just about everything that engineers require to build a functional electronic board.

Age: Eight years and above

Item Weight: 1.39 pounds | Product Dimensions: 13 x 11 x 2.5 inches

Pros

  • Comes with illustrated manual with step by step instructions for 50 projects
  • Enables kids to create custom games and gadgets
  • Perfect STEM toy for kids interested in engineering
  • Helps understand the basics of electronics

Cons

  • Connector holes may be small
  • Connections may be loose

6. Best Problem-Solving: Kid K’NEX – Budding Builders Building Set

A building set challenges kids to think beyond the usual and create something unique and interesting. It puts a child’s problem-solving skills to the test. Promoting STEM and creative thinking, the building set contains 100 colorful pieces for countless creations and includes an instruction manual with 50 different building ideas.

Age: Three years and above

Item Weight: 2.64 pounds | Product Dimensions: 13.75 x 8.75 x 7.63 inches

Pros

  • Develops fine motor skills
  • Improves dexterity
  • Sharpens hand-eye coordination
  • Comes with a reusable storage tub

Cons

  • Pieces may be a bit brittle

7. Best Circuit-Making Educational Toy: Snap Circuits Beginner Electronics Exploration Kit

4.6

Building a circuit is not an easy task, but some kids still want to learn it. This kit contains 14 different parts mounted on plastic modules. If your little one is interested in building electronic circuits, then they can start with this fun and interesting beginner’s circuit set. 

Age: Five to Nine years

Batteries: 3 AA batteries required | Item Weight: 13.6 ounces | Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 2 x 7.4 inches

Pros

  • No tools required
  • Comes with extra safety measures for kids
  • Can be used to make numerous projects
  • Easy to follow instructions and manual

Cons

  • Pieces may be smaller than expected

8. Best Word-Learning Educational Toy: Liwin Let’s Go! Spelling Game

Liwin Let’s Go! game includes 28 double-sided word cards and 52 colorful lowercase letters that can help develop a child’s letter recognition skills and encourage them to learn. With vivid pictures and bright colors, this easy-to-use Montessori toy can improve your child’s hand-eye coordination and vocabulary.

Age: Three to eight years

Item Weight: 11.2 ounces | Product Dimensions: 9.84 x 8.27 x 1.57 inches

Pros

  • Enhances language development
  • Includes a storage bag
  • Rounded design for safety
  • Safe and non-toxic
  • Easy to grasp

Cons

  • Cards may be thinner than expected
  • Paint may chip off

9. Best Easy-To-Follow: Learn & Climb Mega Magic Tricks Set for Kids

4.4
Learn & Climb Mega Magic Tricks Set for Kids Image: Learn & Climb

Does your child have a keen interest in magic? This magic set lets your child perform their very own magic tricks. The magic wand included in the set helps with effective role-play. Two-level box contains 28 props to perform various magic tricks and also includes a two-drawer magic performance table.

Age: Five years and above

Item Weight: 1.3 pounds | Product Dimensions: 14.33 x 10.39 x 4.09 inches

Pros

  • Comes with a step-by-step DVD from Master Magician Leif Davis
  • Props made from safe quality materials
  • Picture-only instructions included for better understanding of tricks
  • Two drawer magic performance table included for better storage

Cons

  • Pieces may not be durably built

Our Reviewer's Experience

"I love how engaging this magic kit is; it is also made of good-quality materials. The mix of easy and elaborate tricks and the well-detailed instruction manual make things simple and entertaining for my child. Overall, it's a great buy, and I will recommend it for young aspiring magicians!"


protip_icon Quick fact
The Federation Internationale des Sociétés Magiques or International Federation of Magic Societies is the world’s biggest association of magicians with members from about 55 countries.

10. Best For Strategy-Learning : Chess Armory 15-inch Wooden Chess Set

Ask for a brain developing game and a regular shopkeeper will hand you a game of chess. This board game involves tremendous strategic thinking in order to master it. The board comes with felted bottoms to protect the surface area from scratches, interior straps to hold pieces together, and the wooden pieces come housed in a classic foldable wooden box with hinges.

Age: 3 years and above

Material: Wood | Item Weight: 2.1 pounds | Product Dimensions: 15 x 15 x 1 inches

Pros

  • Suitable for new and seasoned players
  • Portable chess board with durable design
  • Promotes critical and logical thinking
  • Improves memory and concentration skills

Cons

  • Squares may be misaligned
  • Chess pieces may be prone to toppling

11. Best For Motor Skills: Eti Construction Engineering Building Blocks Set

4.5
ETI Toys STEM Learning Building Blocks Image: Eti Toys

A construction-based building game allows your kid to use their imagination to its maximum extent. The 101 building block set brings their creativity into play and promotes fine motor skills. With an easy-to-follow instructions manual and a plastic box for storing it safely, the tried-and-tested developmental toy helps improve logical thinking as well.

Age: Three years and above

Item Weight: 2.35 pounds | Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.2 x 10.4 inches

Pros

  • Promotes teamwork
  • Lead-free
  • Washable pieces
  • Certified for safety by Independent Third Party Lab

Cons

  • Parts may come off easily

12. Best Durable: USA Toyz LED Constellation Globe For Kids

Gone are the days when a globe would show just the geographical locations of continents and places. This 3-in-1 globe additionally displays constellations and emits a soft glow at night. The kit includes a durable steel globe stand and a power cord.

Age: Three years and above

Material: Alloy Steel | Color: Multicolor | Item Weight: 1 pounds | Product Dimensions: 9 x 9 x 13.9 inches

Pros

  • Bright illuminations
  • Suitable for teaching astronomy and geography
  • Well-illustrated constellation booklet included for learning about stars
  • App included for enhanced learning

Cons

  • Maps may not be accurate enough
  • Globe may not spin smoothly

13. Best For Brain Buidling: Melissa & Doug Smarty Pants Preschool Card Set

4.6

Let your kid rack their brains in a fun way with this card set containing various puzzle , tongue twisters, vocabulary builders, and much more. The trusted cognitive toy set comes with 120 cards containing various questions, puzzles, and activities in a wacky pants shaped case.

Age: Three to five years

Material: Paper, Plastic

Pros

  • Content made to suit different grades
  • Appealing design
  • Encourages screen-free time
  • Developed with the help of educators

Cons

  • May be a bit challenging for preschool levels

14. Best For Science Exploration: Learn & Climb Kids Science Kit

4.5

Science exploration, though complicated, can be fun when done through a game. This science kit comes with several science experiments using just regular household items, so your kid enjoys science a little more. It includes 55 pieces of instruments and apparatus required to conduct more than 60 experiments.

Age: Five years and above

Item Weight: 3.3 pounds | Product Dimensions: 2.13 x 2.13 x 1.65 inches

Pros

  • DVD included for better understanding
  • Comes with a manual for instructions
  • STEM-certified experiments for mental stimulation
  • Shatter-resistant equipment

Cons

  • Measurements may not be accurate
  • Projects may occupy a lot of space

15. Best For Terrarium Adventure: Dan&Darci Light-Up Terrarium Kit For Kids

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

The tried-and-true product has earned over 14,154 good reviews on Amazon.

A mini garden in your child’s room sounds cool, right? This little jar holds a little plant that grows inside it while the lid of the jar emits light. The kit contains a USB cable for power, a terrarium jar, vermiculite soil, blue sand, river rocks, wheatgrass, chia seeds, and other essential items to create a mini garden. It also includes two figurines, a bunny, and a mushroom house, for hands-on learning.

Age: Six years and above

Color: Terrarium | Shape: Cylindrical | Material: Plastic | Batteries: 1 Lithium Polymer batteries required | Item Weight: 8 ounces | Product Dimensions: 4.5 x 4.5 x 7 inches

Pros

  • Helps develop a love for nature in kids
  • User manual included
  • STEM-authenticated educational product
  • Contents in the jar can be customized

Cons

  • Does not come with seeds
  • Requires consistent attention for the plant to grow

16. Best For Numeracal Skills: LeapFrog 2-In-1 Leaptop Touch

Kids’ laptops are made for easy learning of the alphabet, numbers, and more. This laptop cum tablet doubles as a math toy and comes with a swivel screen that makes playing with it more fun. It Includes five modes — ABCs, numbers, games, music, messages, and games for language development and numeracy skills.

Age: Four to five years

Batteries: 3 AA batteries required | Item Weight: 1.32 pounds | Product Dimensions: 2.05 x 10.08 x 6.1 inches

Pros

  • Comes with role-playing activities
  • Lightweight model for easy handling
  • Laptop is customizable
  • Available in two bright colors to choose from

Cons

  • Screen may not stand upright for long durations

17. Best Problem Solving Skills: Lego Boost Creative Toolbox 17101 Fun Robot Building Set

This STEM robot building set is for kids who like to assemble and dismantle tools. The kit comes with 847 LEGO pieces to build five different models. It also has a detailed guide about the models given in the free LEGO BOOST app. This tested kit also comes with a playmat and a lego boost wallpaper.

Age: Seven to 12 years

Batteries: 6 AAA batteries required | Item Weight: 3.34 pounds | Product Dimensions: 21.26 x 11.1 x 3.58 inches

Pros

  • Improves problem-solving skills
  • Toy Of The Year Award 2018 recipient
  • Compatible with other Lego toys
  • Helps construct and code different figures

Cons

  • Software may experience glitches
  • Coding part is possible only with select-few devices

18. Best For Science Enthusiasts: Sphero SPRK+ App-Enabled Robot Ball

Science enthusiasts will understand why this is not just a regular ball. It is a programmable robot ball that is durably coated with a UV-plastic body. The ball can also perform various functions through codes set via a mobile application.

Age: Five to 14 years

Batteries: 1 Lithium Metal batteries required | Item Weight: 14.4 ounces | Product Dimensions: 2.87 x 2.87 x 2.87 inches

Pros

  • Water and scratch-resistant
  • Sensors include gyroscope, motor encoders, and LED lights
  • Bluetooth-compatible up to 100 feet
  • Suitable for learning coding languages like Java, Scratch, and Swift

Cons

  • Wireless connection may snap occasionally
  • Requires battery replacements from time to time

19. Best For Creativity: VTech Write & Learn Creative Center

Your child’s creativity will have no bounds with this doodling board. Let your child doodle to their heart’s content. The tried-and-tested kit includes a magnetic pen, two magnetic stamps, and eight stencils to enable kids to practice drawing.

Age: Three to six years

Material: Plastic | Color: White | Batteries: 2 AA batteries required | Item Weight: 2 pounds | Product Dimensions: 12.09 x 14.39 x 2.76 inches

Pros

  • Customizable creative center
  • Encourages kids to practice drawing
  • Comes with animated demonstrations
  • Lightweight body

Cons

  • May not suit left-handers
  • Volume may not be loud enough

20. Best For Gifting: Educational Insights Geosafari Jr. Kidnoculars

4.5
Educational Insights Geosafari Jr. Kidnoculars Image: Educational Insights

Your child’s creativity will have no bounds with this doodling board. Let your child doodle to their heart’s content with this learning toy kit that includes a magnetic pen, two magnetic stamps, and eight stencils to enable kids to practice drawing.

Age: Three to six years

Item Weight: 7.2 ounces | Product Dimensions: 7 x 5.75 x 2.8 inches

Pros

  • Focus-free
  • Comes with large eyepieces so kids can look through easily
  • Built to withstand rough handling
  • Travel-friendly

Cons

  • Magnification may not be adequate

21. Best For Creative Construction: Educational Insights Design & Drill Activity Center

4.5
Educational Insights Design & Drill Activity Center Image: Educational Insights

Looking for a creative construction toy that supports STEM learning? This drill activity kit might be what you are looking for. This science center consists of 120 plastic bolts, a kid-friendly power drill, a screwdriver, a combination range, two drill bits, and 20 activity cards.

Age: Three to six years

Item Weight: 3 pounds | Product Dimensions: 3 x 12 x 11.5 inches

Pros

  • Designed and developed by teachers
  • Develops color recognition and design creation skills
  • Builds fine motor skills
  • Helps enhance coordination through drilling

Cons

  • Installing batteries might be a hassle

22. Best Interactive: Learning Resources Super Magnet Lab Kit

4.7
Learning Resources Super Magnet Lab Kit Image: Learning Resources

Interactive toys make learning simple and convenient. This magnetic set too makes it easy for kids to learn the power and effects of magnets.

Age: 3 years and above

Item Weight: 2.44 pounds | Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.8 x 3.3 inches

Pros

  • Helps develop early understanding of physics
  • Contains 119 playable pieces
  • Helps develop fine motor skills
  • Encourages critical thinking skills
  • Clear and simple instructions in activity guide

Cons

  • Small parts can be choking hazards

23. Best Innovative: Klutz Lego Chain Reactions Science & Building Kit

Ever enjoyed playing domino games? Those simple games are based on the principle of chain reactions. Similarly, this kit contains 33 lego pieces built to ten different machines and games that enable kids to build their own set of chain reactions and enjoy the tricks of science.

Age: Eight years and above

Pros

  • Encourages kids to be innovative
  • Comprehensive instruction booklet included
  • Nappa Silver award winner
  • Klutz-certified crystals included

Cons

  • May require extra materials to perform chain reactions

24. Best For Observation: National Geographic Break Open 10 Premium Geodes

Geodes are hollow rocks made of minerals. These rocks are gorgeous, and observing their sparkling mineral-filled inner portion can be fascinating. This set allows kids to observe and learn about geodes.

Age: Eight years and above

Item Weight: 2.14 pounds | Product Dimensions: 14.02 x 4.02 x 10 inches

Pros

  • Comes with a learning guide and and safety goggles
  • Apt for kids interested in geology
  • Develops interest in observation and exploration
  • Natural geodes included

Cons

  • Rocks may be too sandy
  • Geodes may be difficult to open

25. Best Craft Kit: 4M Crystal Growing Science Experimental Kit

*The prices provided in this article are based on the latest available information. However, they may vary due to changes in pricing by the seller and/or promotional offers.

Older kids who love experimenting with complicated things might enjoy this crystal-growing experimental kit. It contains crystal-growing compounds, display domes, and stirring supplies to help you grow crystals in the color of your choice.

Age: 10 to 15 years

Item Weight: 1.05 pounds | Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 9.5 x 3.25 inches

Pros

  • Detailed instructions guide included for conducting experiments
  • Helps develop a liking for science in children and offers sensory stimulation
  • Selected by the University of Cambridge in Cambridge Science Festival
  • Does not need additional supplies

Cons

  • May require adult supervision since it involves experimenting with chemicals

How To Select The Best Educational Toys For Kids?

Here are a few points to consider before buying educational toys for your kids.

Age: Every toy brand mentions the appropriate age category for the toy on the package. The toys are designed considering the cognitive development and physical development of kids belonging to that specific age range. So, always check for the age group mentioned on the package as you would not want your toddler stuck with a card game that they may not know how to use.

Interest: Buying your kids an engineering kit when they have no interest in building new structures is a sheer waste of money. Your child has to be genuinely interested in the game for it to be fun. Choose educational toys your child loves and would like to play for long.

STEM: For older kids, a toy that promotes STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning is usually preferable since it could help them develop an interest in these fields.

Now that you know what to look for in educational toys for kids, have a look at the following toys that we have selected for your child. Playing with these educational toys may benefit your kid in many ways.

Why Trust MomJunction?

The author of this post, Shreya Viswanathan, is interested in writing and reviewing kid’s products including gifts and toys. She fetches the most popular and best-selling products from trustworthy sources for kids. Shreya has considered numerous interesting and age-appropriate features and user reviews in selecting this list of the best educational toys for kids. These tried-and-tested toys promote the overall development of children, besides facilitating a joyful playtime. Also included are a few tips to help you choose the most suitable educational toy for your child.

Children find educational toys engaging, and these toys help them develop different skills and keep them occupied for hours. These toys are usually designed to stimulate the child’s brain while making learning more fun. The best educational toys listed here include a wide range of items, from bags and jigsaw puzzles to color sets and exploration kits. When hunting for an educational toy for your little one, ensure it is age-appropriate and make sure it matches their interests and helps them learn new things about the world in creative ways.

Infographic: Types Of Educational Toys For Children

Educational toys help children learn about the world, themselves, and other academic subjects. They are valuable tools that keep children engaged in learning and improving their skills. Check out the types of educational toys you can purchase for your child to nurture their skills and creativity while making learning more fun.

Types-Of-Educational-Toys-For-Developing-Children’s-Skills (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

Recommended Articles

Was this article helpful?
thumbsupthumbsdown
The following two tabs change content below.