Ultimate List of Learning Gifts for Kids of All Ages
Buying gifts for kids is hard.
When a celebration rolls around that requires a gift, I feel a mix of emotions.
I want the gift to be exciting for the little one receiving it… but I also want it to get used. It can be tricky finding a toy or game that does both.
For this HUGE list of gifts, I looked for toys and games with an initial wow factor, as well as longevity and just for fun I tried to make sure they had an element of learning too.
I’ve included links to the recommended products where it was possible. Those links are affiliate links which means when you purchase from them I will receive compensation. Thanks!
You’ll notice one educational toy made it onto almost every list and I whole heartily agree. A nice set of wooden blocks can be used for so long and used in so many ways… it’s an investment you won’t be sorry you made! Our set came from Lakeshore Learning but there are a lot of other choices out there.
16 Educational Toys and Games for Kids Ages 0-2.
- Attentive parents and family members, good old quality time, and cuddles.
- Paint swatches from a home store. They are a great tool to start introducing colors, matching, patterns, counting etc. And they are free!
- Books
- Block Set
- Shape Sort
- Nesting Cups
- HABA Magica Rattle
- A collection of different sized cardboard boxes hopefully one big enough to climb inside.
- Anything in the treasure basket – household items, natural materials, unusual textures.
- Red (pinto) beans after the “put everything in your mouth” stage is over.
- Washable Jumbo Crayons
 on different surfaces.
-  A baby gym with foam play blocks and challenges, crawlers get pleasure from mastering challenges.
- Small objects and a container with a hole in it.
- Doll
- Brio Train Set
- Corrugated Blocks
24 Educational Toys and Games for Kids Ages 3-5.
- Magna-Tiles
- Mr. Potato Head
- Play-Doh
 and accessories
- Hi Ho Cherry-O
- Hot Wheels
…great for hands-on counting, addition, subtraction, division, social concepts.
- LEGO Juniors
- Classic Tangoes
- Busy Bags of all kinds
- Sensory Bins
- Cardboard boxes
- Art Supplies
- Gears! Gears! Gears!
- Dress up clothes!Fire Chief
 & Chef
- Sandbox
- Puzzles. Here are three Solar System Puzzle
, Wood Puzzles
, Farm Puzzle
- Block Set
- A Kitchen Stool so they can help with cooking!
- Easel
- Kid Size Table and Chairs. YES! YES! YES! We’ve always had one, now our creative table is a little bigger though.
- Cash Register
- Calculator
- Anything related to their current interests.
- Safe Outside environment.
- Safari Ltd Zoo Animals These are great for play dough, playing in the sandpit, in the bath, sorting, counting, memory games and imaginative play, of course!
 16 Educational Toys and Games for Kids Ages 6-10.
- Sports Equipment
- Children’s Tool Kit (with REAL tools)
- Art Supplies
- Science Kit
- Models to Build
- Jewelry Making Supplies
- Snap Circuits Lights Physics Kit
- Marble Run
 (Big M loves the Weird and Wacky Contraption Lab.)
- Architecto Game
- Structures Building Set
- MindWare Q-Ba-Maze Big Box
- Kinetic Sand
- LEGO Bricks
- Block Set
- Ceaco Toons Puzzle
- Labyrinth Board Game
13 Educational Toys and Games for Kids Ages 10-14.
- Perplexus Epic
- ThinkFun Rush Hour
- Blokus Game
- Ticket To Ride
- LEGO Building and Coding KitÂ
- Crystal Growing Experiment
- LEGO Chain Reactions Kit
- Loopdeloom Weaving Loom Kit
- Wood Burning Kit
- Fashion Plates Design
- Laser MazeÂ
- Sick Science Solve This Science Kit
- The Earth 3D Puzzle
If there is an educational toy or game that your family loves… add it in the comments!Â
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I’m an art teacher. My personal favorite for the older children is ZOMETOOL and I am honestly surprised that it is absent.
That is so cool! Thanks for adding it to the list. I’ve never seen them before. Here’s a link for anyone else who might be interested – http://zometool.com/
I didn’t see magnets on the list. My 2 year old loves them.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000ENW5ZG/ref=mp_s_a_1_sc_2?qid=1384895588&sr=8-2-spell&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70
Spot It is a great card game. There are different sets, like a Jr edition, and there are 5 different ways to play with one set of cards.
Not sure where you would like to post this gift idea but, I do believe it is worth mentioning. It’s for the entire family really – and great variety of options on Amazon – search for “Family Conversation Starter cards”! My teenagers loved them and they are a great way for the family to connect !
Such a great idea! Thank you, Kimberly.