Nearly any toy could be educational if it engages a child’s imagination. At first glance, even a ball of dough could technically be an educational toy. So what makes a toy truly “educational”?

Learning Toys and Child Development

Educational toys should enhance some aspect of the child’s development including these areas: intellectual development, physical development, social development, and emotional development.

Sometimes the parent or caregiver will be required for a certain amount of help in guiding the play and promoting the interaction, especially when first playing with the toy or when two players are required. So when you are searching for an educational toy, the first question to ask is what aspect of development do I want to promote today?

Deciphering Age Levels for Learning Toys
These learning toys are often divided by age grouping, such as “3 and up” or “8+” so be sure to find the one in the appropriate age range. Skill level is also an important factor, and to determine this there is need for familiarity with the child.

Some 4 year olds can handle puzzles marked “5+” others need to stick with the “3+” for a while longer. Be sure to encourage the child to keep trying and be aware that all children develop at different rates – these classifications are guidelines only. Remember, if it isn’t fun and engaging for the child it won’t teach anything.

There are many types of learning toys and games. From building blocks to LeapFrog games, the types are as varied as the children that play. Here is our expert breakdown:

Types of Educational Toys

Manipulative toys to develop hand-eye coordination and spacial relationships. These alone are said to increase scores on intelligence tests, but children also love them as much as parents. Included in the manipulatives are building blocks, puzzles, construction sets and clay. Many of the “classic toys” fit in this category.

• Dress up is wonderful for girls and boys, an assortment of basic props requires the child to use imagination to turn the scarf into a ball gown, cape or baby blanket. Playing dress-up can send children to fantasy lands, and it can be an important tool when working through a troubling time at school or home.

• Board games are available for all ages and continue to educate even into adulthood. The ones for early players focus on taking turns and sharing. Later they incorporate colors, letters, matching, and counting.

• Card games are versatile since no board is required and these have become more popular lately with the introduction of games like Mensa Awarded Apples to Apples. This game teaches vocabulary and social development while creating a fun atmosphere for learning. Other card games use colors and numbers as the basis and expand beyond that depending on skill level.

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  The infamous Mozart Cube

  Musical instruments are al...