40 Children's Toys That Give The Gift Of Learning

Because they don't need another video game.

1. Sophie The Giraffe, $22.99

toysrus.com

This classic teething toy is also terrific for stimulating a baby's senses during playtime. Find it here. 3 months+

2. Tiny Love Gymini Lights & Music Super Deluxe, $53.99

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Activity gyms are outstanding for developing a baby's sensory and motor skills. Find this one here. Ages 0-12 months.

3. Stack 'n Learn Alphabet Blocks, $36.33

amazon.com

Toddlers develop coordination while learning colors, shapes, and letters of the alphabet. Find it here. 12 months+

4. Learn To Dress Monkey, $27.64

amazon.com

This cute monkey teaches kids how to zip, snap, and button their clothes. Find it here. 18 months+

5. Wood Barnyard Block Set, $28

These homemade toys are perfect for tiny hands, and help develop fine motor skills. Find them here. 18 months+

6. Eggspressions Learning Emotions Play Set, $22.49

educationaltoysplanet.com

This book and play set is egg-ceptional at teaching toddlers about feelings. Find it here. 2+

7. ABC Carrybag, $34.95

youngexplorers.com

Learning the alphabet has never been so easy as with this travel bag, which is packed with soft sculptures representing each letter. Find it here. 2+

8. Hungry Pelican Learning Toy, $24.99

melissaanddoug.com

Feeding this cute pelican helps to develop a baby's physical, cognitive, and social skills. Find it here. 9 months+

9. ABC Cookies, $17

yoyo.com

It's four games in one, and who can resist those adorable alphabet letter cookies? Get it here.

10. Hear Myself Rhyming Sound Phone Center, $15

lakeshorelearning.com

Helps kids learn rhyming skills as they talk into the phone receiver and hear back every sound they make. Great preparation for reading and writing. Get it here. 3+

11. Wee You-Things Blocks, $65

weesociety.com

"Solve three different puzzles, or stack the mix-and-match blocks to build a whole new crew of quirky, colorful friends." Beautifully designed and made from replenishable basswood — this is definitely an "artisanal" toy.

12. Pop! Pop! Piano, $24

amazon.com

How adorable is this toy piano? When you press a key, a star pops up. Develops cognitive learning, sensory development, emotional development. For ages 12 months +.

13. Doc McStuffins Write & Learn Doctor Bag, $20

toysrus.com

The real voice of Doc McStuffin leads toddlers in learning their ABCs, how to write, and a whole lot more. Get it here. For ages 3-6.

14. Nathalie Lête's Giant Domino Set, 16€

en.smallable.com

This absolutely beautiful set will teach toddlers about matching. Get it here. 2+

15. Fingerprinting Art Set, $11

momastore.org

Kids can get creative while playing with their hands. Get it here.

16. LeapPad2, from $79.99

shop.leapfrog.com

These award-winning tablets for kids teach a wide variety of subjects with fun educator-approved apps, games, and eBooks. Parents can even track their child's development with the Learning Path app. Get it here. For ages 3-9.

17. World Landmarks Sand Building Toys, $2.89 each

educationaltoysplanet.com

Turn a day at the beach into a fun lesson in geography and history. Find them here. 18 months+

18. Muji Funny Face Stamp Set, $20

momastore.org

Guaranteed to help your kid make the most bizarre art possible. Get it here.

19. Storytelling Flashlight, $18

rompstore.com

"This little LED flashlight projects 24 adorable and dynamic images onto whatever canvas you choose: a sheet, a wall or just a simple piece of paper." For the child with an active imagination. Ages 4+. Get it here.

20. Giant Live Butterfly Habitat, $28.97

educationaltoysplanet.com

Little nature lovers get to watch the amazing process of caterpillars transforming into butterflies right before their eyes. Find it here. 4+

21. Memory Match 16, $32

acorntoyshop.com

This cool matching game will help with pattern recognition along with letters and numbers. Get it here. Ages 3+

22. Alphabet Snake Puzzle, $28

acorntoyshop.com

Get it here. Ages 3+

23. Musical Drum Set, $60

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These drums really work, and actually sound pretty nice so no one will be driven helplessly insane. Get it here. Ages 3+

24. Gem Crayons, $5

target.com

So pretty, they're practically decor for your home. Kids will love the chunky feel and the pretty shades of these crayons. Get them here.

25. Hoberman Sphere, $34

momastore.org

momastore.org

It magically expands and contracts, like a super advanced version of our childhood Koosh balls. Get it here. 3+

26. The Perplexus Maze Puzzle Game, $18

target.com

This will remind you of the marble games you played as a kid, and you might just end up loving it, too. Get it here.

27. Squishy Human Body, $23.22

smartlabtoys.com

Kids learn about the human body from the inside and literally see how it all works. Find it here. For ages 8-16.

28. Passport To Culture, $27.95

fatbraintoys.com

This fun game takes kids around the world as they learn about geography, culture, and different languages. Find it here. 10+

29. Golf/Pool Indoor Game, $80

hearthsong.com$50-$100/golf-pool-indoor-game.htm

Here's a portable and more inexpensive way to bring the games of pool and golf into your home. Recommended for 6 and up. Available from Hearthsong.

30. Great Minds Puzzles, Set of 5, $20

uncommongoods.com

Gorgeously designed, this is a great logic puzzle game for the 7+ set.

31. Edible Chemistry Kit, $16

fatbraintoys.com

For the budding chemist or gastronomist. Get it here. Ages 9+.

32. LEGO Architecture – The White House, $45

architecture.lego.com / Via geekalerts.com

LEGO loving kids learn about history and design when building this exact replica of the White House. Other landmarks available in the series include The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Sydney Opera House, and Big Ben. Get it here. 12+

33. Rubik's The Void Puzzle, $13.99

toysrus.com

This next level Rubik's cube helps to develop higher level thinking skills. Find it here. 8+

34. Friends 4 Ever Bracelet Kit, $22.95

fatbraintoys.com

If your kids are sick of the Rainbow Loom already, this alternative kit will help them explore their creativity and design talents. Find it here. 8+

35. Archaeology Pyramid Dig, $21.37

Kids learn about archaeology while excavating a secret mummy's tomb! Find it here. 8+

36. Spot It! Party Game, $11

amazon.com

It's a high-speed, frenzied game of visual perception for the whole family. Playing this game will help to develop focus, visual perception skills, speech-language skills, and fine motor skills, while encouraging family bonding at the same time! 7+

37. Spa Science, $21.95

fatbraintoys.com

Kids learn the science behind the creation of fragrances by making their own! Get it here. 9+

38. Carnivorous Creations Dome Terrarium Kit, $22.95

d1jqecz1iy566e.cloudfront.net

Grows over ten types of meat eating plants. That's right. Meat eating plants. Find it here. 7+

39. Snap Circuits Jr., $20.15

amazon.com

Learn about electronics by doing over a hundred experiments including making a working lightbulb and doorbell. Find it here. Ages 8-15.

40. Kid's Pottery Wheel, $80

hearthsong.com

This pottery wheel is made safe for kids to use so they can get down to finding their inner potter. Find it here. 8+