Educational Toys and Games Buying Guide
| Educational games and toys  are important for kids of all ages. By making learning fun rather than like a chore, they enforce what children study in school and keep them interested and motivated for years to come. These items provide painless ways to help get your little one on the academic path to success, but they are also fun for fostering the development of skills in subjects that he or she already enjoys. Below you'll learn about toys and games that are designed to get kids engaged and help them master tricky topics.
Tip: When in doubt about what level to choose, get the higher one so that the child will always be challenged. | 
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Help for Struggling Students Cosmeo Homework Help Subscription by the Discovery Channel
Help a child excel in school with an on-call tutor to assist with math, science, English, health, social studies, and the arts. No matter what time of day or day of the week, students can have online access to an interactive database of educational videos, tutorials, educational games, and more to help with homework, studying for tests, or writing reports. The best part, besides the content, is that it is easy to use and entertaining, too! - Subscription service costs $100 a year--that's potentially hundreds less than hiring a regular tutor.
- This offers a safe learning environment that is backed by respectable educational media companies.
- Kids can search for lesson material based on the state in which they live, or find math problems from their exact textbook.
- Suitable for grades K-12.
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Logic and Math
Algebra? Why bother?
Trigonometry? Snooze!
Kids often disregard math as something they will never need for their futures, but despite their groans about complex formulas and the uselessness of the quadratic equation, there are many reasons for developing mathematical skills. Games focusing on logic and math help with often include these important goals:
- Critical Reasoning: Understanding cause and effect and being able to think ahead.
- Planning, organizing, and using time and resources effectively.
- Collecting and analyzing data efficiently.
- Rational decision making.
- Developing a step-by-step method to solving problems and following through with it to a solution.
Math
- Classic Monopoly , which requires simple addition and subtraction, is a great way to get kids to brush up on their math skills. Of course, negotiating skills that come from wheedling money out of siblings aren't bad either.
- Some other games that use math are Blokus ,Rumis , SuDoku, and GIPF .
- Carmen San Diego Math Detective , Money Bank, and Richard Scarry's Best Math Ever are all good computer programs for developing math skills.
- Schoolhouse Rock is a well-loved educational series. You'll find DVDs and CDs that focus on math concepts.
Read on for more Logic and Math Recommendations.
Verbal Skills
Sure kids learn to talk with relative ease, but it is the mastery of the English language that gives children an edge for future endeavors. Proper expression is crucial for communicating ideas, and a thorough grasp of more advanced vocabulary will make the difference between simple comprehension and the ability to delve into complex issues. While nothing beats books for getting a kid into reading and writing, unfortunately, they aren't always high on a Christmas wishlist. To disguise education as something fun, start light--perhaps even with something as simple as a comic book . Comic books can be a great way to get your son or daughter interested in reading, especially since the pictures help paint the story.
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Reading and Writing - Word games that stress vocabulary building are important for developing spoken and written communication skills (crossword puzzles , for example, are fun and can be challenging for all adults and kids alike).
- Learning systems (more on this later) are great for all ages and can be upgraded as your child advances.
- Picture dictionaries ,nursery rhymes ,and fairy tales are good for learning and entertainment. Curious George Reads, Writes, and Spells ,Blue's Clues ABCs , and the Illustory Book Kit work well for younger kids.
- Galswin and Reader Rabbit both offer grade-specific reading programs for elementary school students. Phonics Excelerator is good for younger children.
- Sometimes, something as simple as a journal with a lock and key can be enough to get a child into writing on his or her own. The younger the author, the better.
- Mad Libs , the hilarious story building game, is tons of fun and helps children use their imaginations.
- Typing games and software, as offered by Mavis Beacon, Slam Dunk for Typing , and Mario Teaches Typing , are good educational tools kids might find fun at these ages. Computer programs keep getting more advanced with both content and graphics, so keep your eye out for new titles.
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Foreign Language
- Language Littles make growing up bilingual a breeze, even for the littlest kids.
- Language Laptop is a kid's laptop aimed towards middle schoolers; it acts as a comprehensive supplement to a child's foreign language class.
- It is immeasurably easier to pick up a language as a child, so a super tool to invest in early on is a foreign language learning program.
Read on for more Language Arts Toys and Games.
History and Geography
In an increasingly globalized world, knowing about the world outside the classroom is of the utmost importance. Learning about history gives children a deeper sense of curiosity and patience, and this teaches them to form connections through time and space. While they may not be able to travel back to different eras or even get across the Atlantic, games that make learning about history and geography fun give children a way to visit places that they never could have imagined.
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History
Children's encyclopedias , especially computerized ones, are a good investment because not only do they teach a child how to research, but they also provide an indispensable home resource for enriching a child's classroom studies. Nonetheless, these aren't the most exciting gifts to give a child. - Look for toys and games that emphasize a particular time period or historical event.
- Dinosaurs or Egypt and the Pyramids are popular themes that many kids' toys are based on. They open up children's imaginations while still being informative.
- Oregon Trail and Trivia Munchers Deluxe are great picks for older students since they integrate history into a competitive game.
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Geography and Social Studies
Read on for more History and Geography Games.
Science and Nature
Why is the sky blue? What makes the sun set? Science can explain just about any question, whether it be simple or incredibly complex. Children have a natural curiosity about their world, so help them quench their eager minds with hands on, interactive scientific activities. When choosing these toys, remember that it's not just about biology and chemistry: there are so many areas that speak to children's curiosity, such as anatomy, astronomy, electricity, geology, physics, and robotics.
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Biology
Games and toys that teach children about nature often make for a good parent/child activity. |
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Chemistry, Physics, and Others
Read on for more Science and Discovery Toys.
Other Areas of Importance
- Children should get plenty of exercise through a balanced combination of team sports and active individual activities. Not only is it important for their health, but it is also crucial to motor skill development and hand-eye coordination. See Outdoor Toys for more information. Learning proper physical fitness early will teach young ones how to maintain health as they grow.
- Building and construction projects will fuel spatial recognition, which is important for developing a sharp memory, fine motor skills, and a sense of visual-spatial relations. After building something, kids will have a tangible finished product to show for all of their hard work. Go to Building Sets and Construction Kits for more details.
- It is never too soon to get a child engaged in the arts. Nurturing young artists will foster their creativity, their skills for thinking outside the box, and their curiosity for mental exploration. Not only that, but finishing a painting or an arts and crafts project gives children a sense of accomplishment and pride. For more information, see Arts and Crafts for Kids.
- Musical exploration is also important. Not only does it teach kids about rhythm and beats, but it is also essential for developing good math skills, believe it or not. The Musical Toys guide has more information on the subject.
Educational Learning Systems
Below are some popular brands that offer children's learning systems that are focused on language arts, math, and sometimes even history and other subjects--all in one convenient device. Even though they're fun, they're also practical and educational. They are particularly useful on car rides or while you're waiting on line at the doctor's offices, and most come with one basic system with upgradable levels that will help the unit grow with your son or daughter.
Leap Frog
VTech
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Vtech Touch Teach Busy Books
(9 Months and Up) - Letters
- Shapes
- Colors
- Sounds
- Available in French
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Write and Learn Letter Book
(3 Years)
- Letters
- Numbers
- Colors
- Vocabulary
- Writing and Handwriting
- Phonics
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VTech VSmile
These are a series of TV learning system consoles (except for the Pocket version shown above). |
Nitro Notebook
(5 Years and Up) - Covers all subject areas including foreign language and reading.
- Bilingual.
- Available in a pink version for girls and Nitro Jams that has an integrated piano keyboard.
- Keeps track of child's headway with a progress report.
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Toy Tips
Development is the main focus of all educational toys, whether the object is expanding math skills or aiding with reading comprehension. That's why choosing the right toy is important for your child's educational progression. Here are a few tips to help you pick the right game or toy.
- Safety first: many educational toys are electronic or are composed of small parts, which young children can swallow. Always keep an eye on your kids when they are playing.
- Not all kids learn at the space pace, so choose a toy that is easily understood. (The recommended ages above are merely suggestions; if these items are too advanced or not engaging enough for your child, don't freak out. Try something else.)
- When purchasing an educational toy, do your research. Ask yourself the following questions: how will my child benefit from this? Can I track my child's progress? Is it fun? And of course, can I understand this toy? If you can't, then it might be too complicated for your child.
Related Products
International Resources
For this resource in your home country, please see:
FR: Jeux et jouets
DE: Pädagogisches Spielzeug
