Educational Toys and Games Buying Guide

Educational games and toys  are important for kids of all ages. They enforce what children study in school by making learning fun rather than like a chore, keeping children interested and motivated for years to come. Below you'll learn about toys and games that are designed to help improve a child's skills in a certain area of school that he or she may have trouble with or may not enjoy studying. They are painless ways to help get a kid on the right academic path to success. They are also fun for developing a child's skills in a subject that he or she already enjoys. When in doubt get a higher level so that the child will always be challenged.

Logic & Math

Why are logic and math so important? Kids often disregard math as something they'll never need for their futures. Algebra? Why bother? Despite kids groaning over complex equations and the uselessness of the quadratic equation, there are in fact many reasons for developing mathematical skills besides just knowing how to balance a checkbook. Some of the things that games focusing on logic and math help with include:

• Understanding cause and effect and being able to think ahead. Critical Reasoning.
• 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.

Logic Typical logic games include puzzles,  chess,  backgammon  and strategy games.  SuDoku  is another popular logic game that is fun for both kids and adults. Certain card games,  like Magic  or Pokemon  can help a child use their imagination and engage the problem-solving skills they have developed in school without even realizing it. Mastermind  and Clue  are also good board games for this purpose. Zoo Tycoon,  a computer simulation game, helps a child learn basic budgeting skills. Some computer programs that may be helpful are Logic Quest 3D Collection.  Other logic puzzles include Logical Journey of the Zoombinis  (and sequels), The Lost Mind of Dr. Brain  (and other Dr. Brain games ) and Day of the Tentacle.  Math Classic Monopoly,  which requires simple as adding and subtracting, is a great way to get kids to brush up on their math skills. Of course, negotiating skills that come from Monopoly playing 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 program games for developing math skills. School House Rock  is another brand with a series of DVDs and CDs that focus on math help, as well as a lot of fun.

More Logic & 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 of oneself is crucial to make your ideas understood and a thorough grasp of more advanced vocabulary will make the difference between mere comprehension and the ability to delve deeper into pertinent issues at hand. While nothing beats books for getting a kid into reading and writing, unfortunately, they aren't always high on a child's 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 a child interested in reading since the pictures help paint the story.

Reading & Writing Word games  that stress building vocabulary are important for developing spoken and written communication skills (crossword puzzles,  for example, are great vocabulary builders and can be challenging for all ages). Learning systems (shown below under Learning Systems) 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 Illustory Book Kit  work well for younger kids. Galswin  and Reader Rabbit  both offer grade specific reading programs for elementary school. Phonics Excelerator  is good for children at an early stage as well. Sometimes, something as simple as a pretty journal  with a lock and key can be enough to get a child into writing on their own. The younger they start, the better. Madlibs,  the hilarious story building game, is great 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, keep your eye out for new titles.  Foreign Language Language Littles  make growing up bilingual a breeze even for the littlest kids. Language Laptop  is a look-alike kid's laptop aimed towards middle schoolers that acts as a comprehensive supplement to a child's foreign language class. A great tool to invest in early on is a foreign language learning program since it is easier to pick up a language as a child.

More Language Arts Toys & Games...

History & Geography

In an increasingly globalized world, knowing about the world outside the classroom is of utmost importance. Learning about history gives children a deeper sense of curiosity, patience, and teaches them to form connections through time and space. While they may not be able to travel back in time or even get across the Atlantic, games that make learning about history and geography fun, give children a way to travel to places that they never could have imagined.

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 of 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 kids since they both integrate history into a competitive game. Geography & Social Studies Globes,  3D maps  and compasses  are just a few things to help a child's geography skills. Interactive computer games like Where in the World is Carmen San Diego  are an exciting way to learn both geography and culture. Spark a child's interest in the world with a National Geographic  magazine subscription.

More History & Geography Games...

Science & Nature

Why is the sky blue? What makes the sun set? From the simplest to most complex questions, science explains all. Children can quench their eager minds with the facts that make this world turn and more. Science is hands on, interactive, and never fails to amaze. When choosing toys that emphasize science, remember that it's not all just about biology and chemistry, but that there are so many areas that speak to children's curiosity such as anatomy, astronomy, electricity, geology, physics, and robotics.

Biology Games and toys that teach children about nature are often toys that can make for a good parent/child activity. Butterfly kits,  plant growing kits,  dinosaur kits  and ant farms  are just a few of the things that will help engage a child in learning about the ecosystem. Of course, with the living kits, make sure your child treats them with respect. Computer programs for improving science skills are made by School House Rock  and the Magic School Bus.  Chemistry, Physics, and Others Telescopes, microscopes, chemistry kits  and rocket kits  are all fun toys that even a grown-up an appreciate while helping out a youngster learn. These were favorites of many of the ShopWiki staff as children.

More Science & Discovery Toys...

Other Areas of Importance

• Children should get plenty 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 their motor skill development and hand-eye coordination. See Outdoor Toys for more information. Learning proper physical fitness early will enable them with skills to properly regulate their weight as adults.
• Spatial recognition is fueled by building and construction projects, which are important for developing memory, fine motor skills, and a sense of visual-spacial relations. After building something, kids will have a tangible finished product to show for all of their hard work. Go to Building Sets & Construction Kits for more details.
• It is never too soon to get a child engaged in the arts. It is crucial for teaching a child to be creative, think outside the box, and engage in mental exploration. Not only that, but finishing a piece of art 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 for children. Not only does it teach children 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 focus on language arts, math, and sometimes even history and other subjects, all in one convenient device. Despite being fun for kids, they're also practical and educational. They are particularly useful on car rides or waiting on line at the doctor's offices. Most come with one basic system with upgradable levels that will help the unit grow with your child.

Leap Frog

Infants and Toddlers
Baby Tad  Math Music & Creativity Also available in Spanish.	Learn Along Leap  Reading & Language Also available in Spanish.	Learning Friend  Logic Math Motor Skills Music & Creativity Reading & Language Social Development	LittleTouch Learning System  Logic Math Motor Skills Music & Creativity Reading & Language	StoryBlock Book  Logic Math Music & Creativity

Preschool and Kindergarten
Imagination Desk Learning System  Logic Math Motor Skills Reading & Language Science Social Development Social Studies	Leaps Phonics Library  Reading & Language	LeapPad Plus Writing Learning System  Motor Skills Reading & Language	Leapster L-Max Learning Game System  Math Music & Creativity Reading & Language Grows with children throughout elementary school.	My First LeapPad Learning System  Logic Math Reading & Language Science Social Development

7 to 12 Years
	Fly Pentop Computer  This hit toy has won numerous awards and has proven to be hot, hot, hot. Interchangeable cartridges for learning math, science, reading, and Spanish. Besides the educational aspect, it also acts as a scheduler, calculator, and music player. It also plays games! This is a must see award winning "smart" pen perfect for "tweens" between 8 and 13 years.

VTech

Vtech Touch Teach Busy Books  (9 Months and Up) Letters Shapes Colors Sounds Available in French.	Write & Learn Letter Book  (3 Years) Letters Numbers Colors Vocabulary Writing and Handwriting Phonics	VTech VSmile  These are a series of TV learning system consoles (except for the Pocket version shown above). V.Smile Baby (9 months to 2 years) V.Smile Console  (3 to 7 years) V.Smile Pocket  (5 to 9 years) V.Flash  (6 years and up)	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 progress with a progress report.

International Resources

For this resource in your home country, please see:
FR: Jeux et jouets
DE: Pädagogisches Spielzeug