Children are so much fun to buy gifts for – parents look forward to Christmas morning as much as children do, especially when you know you’ve chosen a gift the kids are sure to love. These toys deliver fun for kids, and parents can feel confident buying them since they are also educational.
For very small children, play IS their education. Toys that represent real life things give children an outlet for expression and exploring how things work. Dollhouses with lots of common household items and figures can inspire hours of fun play. Farm sets with many animals and fences are fun as well, and can spark discussions of what jobs animals can do, where our food comes from, and much more. Train sets with a wide variety of types of pieces pair building exercises with imaginary play. Dramatic play can be inspired by dress-up clothing and accessories, and life-sized accessories such as play kitchens and food as well as dolls and stuffed animals.
Slightly older children are ready for building. Legos and wooden construction blocks with many shapes are ideal for them. Discovery Toys also makes a marble run that can be put together in hundreds of configurations. Craft kits and crafting supplies are great for exploring how things go together too, but pay attention to the suggested age on the craft kits to avoid frustrating children.
The older children become, they more difficult it is to engage their interests in educational toys, but this is where knowing the child well pays off. Perhaps a model of the human skeleton to be assembled would be fun for them, or maybe they would be more interested in digging for fake fossils. More detailed craft and artistic pursuits may be the key, or a junior version of a musical instrument for the musically inclined.
Whatever the age level and interests of the child, there are worthwhile purchases sure to excite them and satisfy adults that the money was well spent. Check for local educational toy stores for a broad range of options, and remember that books make a great gift too, when tailored to the child’s interests.
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