With so many kids’ toys on the market, how do you know which ones to pick? With so many commercials telling you that your kid needs this toy or that toy, it can be hard to filter out the good from the bad. The truth is, finding the best educational toys for your child takes time and research — but it doesn’t have to take years of graduate school! Here are some guidelines to help you sort through all the options and make an informed decision that will result in hours of fun (for both you and your child). 

What is an Educational Toy? 

If you’re thinking about buying a new toy for your child, you should take a moment to consider what an educational toy is. Contrary to what you might think, educational toys are not limited to puzzles and flash cards. There are many toys that can teach children both large and small lessons in history, geography, math, science and more. To learn more about these great toys that may be available at your local toy store or online, keep reading!

Benefits of Educational Toys

Educational toys provide much more than mere entertainment. Many playthings are designed to help kids learn essential skills that they’ll need as they grow up, such as problem-solving and self-expression. Young children also benefit from having educational toys around during playtime because these types of games foster creativity and imagination, helping them discover new ways of thinking. Plus, a number of edutoys encourage children to be active and get outside; in fact, these are often some of their favorite toys!

Age Range

The first thing you should consider when choosing an educational toy is what age group it’s intended for. All children develop at different rates and have different interests, so knowing whether a toy or game is suitable for your child’s specific developmental level will help you find just what they need. It’s important that toys are enjoyable as well as educational; if a toy isn’t something a child is interested in or able to master, it likely won’t be helpful in their learning process.

Best Materials to Use in Educational Toys

Learning through play is vital to a child’s development, so it’s important that you choose educational toys wisely. Many people don’t consider which materials are used in their child’s toys, but you should. There are three types of educational toys: those made from plastic, soft plastic and wood (which can be painted). Each of these materials has its own benefits; it just depends on what your preferences are.

Are They User-Friendly?

Toys can get really complicated really fast, especially for younger children. Before you purchase a new toy, give it a test run at your local toy store or at a friend’s house if you can. You want to see if your child is able to pick up on how they’re supposed to play with it and also determine if it has small parts that might pose as choking hazards.

Cost Varies by Type and Brand

As with any product, it’s difficult to determine an exact price range because there are different types of educational toys out there and they vary in price based on brand and more. The materials that are used in each toy will also play a role in price. However, you can generally expect that educational toys will cost anywhere from $10 to $200 or more, depending on what type of toy you purchase.