Three of the Best Educational Toys for Toddlers

2015's Top Toddler Educational Toy Picks

We have all heard the saying—monkey see, monkey do—which is the perfect way to describe the learning process for most toddlers. Little tykes have sponge-like brains that soak up all the information they can, preparing these cuties for their childhoods and beyond.

For this reason, educational toys are a must-have, as they enhance brain development and imagination, while teaching your child the how-tos simple subjects, such as introductions to letters, numbers, shapes, and colors.

When considering the best educational toys for toddlers, learning is important, but fun makes everything better. The three following educational toddler toys combine the best of both.

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ABaby Personalized Name Puzzle

Spelling and reading are two essentials during childhood development. Thousands of parents are worried over how they can get their kiddos interested in spelling, reading, and recognizing different words, but their names are high on that word list.

This puzzle puts their name in bold, beautiful letters, and the length depends on the length of their first name. Of course, this puzzle is customizable, and parents can get their kiddo’s favorite colors for the letters.

The entire puzzle is constructed from strong, durable wood.

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VTech Spin and Learn Color Flashlight

This flashlight is a great nightlight but the Spin and Learn components are awesome, too. There are several sing-along songs available at the press of a few buttons, and the light shines through a slideshow of different color-changing lenses.

One minute your kiddo could be listening to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star with a lovely blue light to shine on the walls, and the next minute your youngster could be listening to a sweet lullaby with the room bathed in soft yellow.

For little ones who are dozing off into dreamland, this flashlight has an automatic shut-off after 45-seconds of inactivity.

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LeapFrog Fridge Phonics Magnetic Letter Set

As a kid, I was always underfoot when my parents would make dinner. They would get exasperated and frustrated with my being RIGHT THERE all the time—so magnets were placed on the fridge to keep me close but occupied.  That is the general idea for the Magnetic Letter Set, too.

Kiddos are kept close enough to satisfy their urge to be near mom and dad, while still learning something to keep them engaged and attentive.

The Fridge Phonics set include 26 interactive letters, as well as an interactive letter reader that repeats the alphabet for tykes to memorize.

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The 3 Best Educational Toys for Kids in 2015

2015's "Best Of" Kids' Educational Toys

Yes, the best educational toys are subjective, which means every child is a bit different than the last and next. This difference comes with similarities though, as most kids love learning (fact), using their imaginations, and being creative. Colors are a nice touch too, as vibrant, contrasting hues hold their attention, making kids more interested and intrigued when it comes to solving challenges, piecing together puzzles, or expanding the horizons of their flourishing minds.

On that note, I have hand-picked a collection of three among the list of the best educational toys for kids, all with the differences and similarities of modern kiddos in mind. The gadgets vary in educational range, but they are all fun, colorful, engaging, and fascinating, even for adults.

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Perplexus Epic

Equal parts epic and perplexing. The Perplexus Epic is a sphere of ever-changing mazes, complete with twists, turns, flips, and stairs. It reminds me of an iconic scene from the movie Labyrinth (favorite film of all time). The mazes change and interlock in new ways when the sphere is rocked and rolled.

Kids and adults alike must focus, using concentration and hardcore coordination to hone their maze-solving skills and guide a little silver marble home. This is the ultimate challenge for natural-born puzzlers and wonderers.

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Kinetic Sand – Sandbox & Molds Activity Set

I think at least 90 percent of my childhood summers were spent in a sandbox – you know, the one that resembled a very green turtle. Unfortunately, when summer and warm weather ended, so did playtime in the sandbox for another year.

Now, kids at heart and sandbox-loving youngsters can mold, create, and build with purple sand whenever they want. Kinetic Sand is different from regular sand. Sure, it comes in cool colors, but it also sticks to itself instead of sticking to hands or tabletops. This makes it easier to clean up (you’re welcome, moms), and each set comes with a collection of sandbox molds. Plus, a tray for building and playing, of course.

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Uncle Milton Star Theatre Pro

I am a total lover of everything Uncle Milton comes up with, especially the astronomy toys. I have the Uncle Milton Moon hanging in my bedroom, and it is the most soothing, mesmerizing little gadget. Truly relaxing. Which is why I am adding the Star Theatre Pro to my Christmas wish list.
This projector displays beautiful constellations by the thousands.

There are well over 10,000 stars, moons, planets…entire galaxies, all projected onto your walls. Plus, for the sake of ambiance, a CD of serene Planetarium tunes is included.

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Educational Toys That Make a Difference

What are the most important qualities of educational toys? Other than the obvious (educational) – I would think the next best, most important quality would be entertainment. Youngsters would rather play as normal and secretly boost their intelligence than slave away at a desk all day with nothing fun in front of them. This is why I am such an advocate for homeschooling and continued learning anywhere – because kids can learn, flourish, and grow anywhere!

For those who think in similar ways, I have hand-picked a top-notch 3 of the best educational toys for little boys and girls. These toys make a difference because they positively impact a kid’s intellect and overall learning experiences. Plus, they encourage giggling, imagination, creativity, and fantastic fun!

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Perplexus Epic

For starters – I want to explore the complex, awesome name of this toy, because (to me) it makes the biggest impression right out of the box. Epic, of course, can mean amazing, unique, and super-cool. Combine these attributes with perplexing – a word that means challenging, exciting, and difficult – and you have a labyrinth-style puzzle of mind-bending fun and curious amusement.

Kids twist, turn, and flip the see-through sphere, pinging and ponging a silver ball across the walls, through stairways, and within the inner workings of an ever-changing maze. The objective is simple enough… solve the puzzle.

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Scientific Explorer My First Mind Blowing Science Kit

I have said it before and I shall say it again… Science is AMAZING!

There are dozens of Mind-Blowing Science sets, but this one focuses on all the awesome, unique, inventive firsts of exploring science for the first time.

Eager, creative thinkers can complete projects that cause chain reactions, produce sparkling, cave-style crystals, and uncovers the ins-and-outs of nature’s most miraculous events. Additionally, youngsters learn basic concepts, simple theories, and what makes science tick.

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LeapFrog Fridge Phonics Magnetic Letter Set

When I was a kid – the refrigerator was the end-all, be-all of everything we strived to be. If artwork or good grades were magnetized to the fridge, we knew we had made it – and that was something to be proud of. This fascination has continued for decades after that, as it did decades before, and LeapFrog has taken it one step further.

Now kiddos can learn while standing in the kitchen! The scenario? Someone is fixing dinner and a youngster is bored, but then they see the magnetic reading system on the fridge.

Through phonics, your child learns letters, basic reading, and writing in minutes of waiting for you to get done with supper preparations.

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Find more top picks in educational toys for kids - updated each year:

http://top-10-store.com/top-10-educational-toys/

LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table - Educate To The Tunes!

Deserving of a higher rank on the list of the best educational toys 2012, the LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table is more than a toy. It's also a tool -- one that allows children from ages 6 months to 4 years learn about different sounds and essential skills needed to live a fulfilling childhood.

There are 4 ways in which this device teaches and entertains:
1. Introduces kids to colors and shapes. Instead of setting a child down in front of an instructional video or pulling out the flashcards, parents have left the LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table in control of a child's recognition skills. While it's imperative for children to still learn from their parents and loved ones, this ensures kids can be educated at all times -- during play or serious home-based preschooling.

2. Teaches the alphabet and counting. These are necessary activities that will get a child engaged in learning. Rather than struggle through a boring A-Z booklet or go through the trials of going from 1-20 on fingers and toes, this toy offers children the opportunity to learn and grow on their own time. When an activity is amusing and fun, it's easier to educate because children who are having a great time are more likely to absorb a lesson.

3. Sings nursery rhymes. The LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table utilizes 40 musical melodies to sing nursery rhymes and moral lessons in a way children will understand them. Kids can sing along and develop favorites while dancing and jamming out to new tunes.

4. Shows positive cause and effect. Toddlers will find that when they pull a lever or twirl a toggle, something else happens. The LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table provides cause and effect games that show children all their actions will have a reaction. While parents know not all case and effects in life are good, this toy gives a child positive reaction to their initial action.

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Where to buy it online:

• Find it @ Amazon.com Toys

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For more info on this and other hot sellers among educational toys for 2012, visit:

http://www.squidoo.com/top-10-educational-toys

Top 3 Educational Toys 2011-2012

Creative play could be the quickest, most effective way for the kids to learn. The Best Educational Toys for the Yuletide season of 2011 into next year may help direct you by ideal age group to the top selections.

These were picked from those revealing top notch latest product sales statistics and also from typical buyer responses. Listed here are the top three picks:

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Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Baby's First Blocks - for children 6 mos to 3 years:  The Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Baby's First Blocks - for youngsters 6-36 months is great for stimulating eye-hand coordination, figuring out and matching shapes and colors, problem solving, enhancing dexterity and motor skills. The multicolored box along with handle for take-along play, has 10 brightly colored blocks of different shapes. The box lid has openings in the different block shapes so tot may discover how to match and deposit blocks into the bucket. Blocks can also be stacked and classified, creating some creative thinking and imagination. It is made of durable, safe plastic and easily cleaned with soap and water.

Where to buy online:

• @ Amazon Toys

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LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet - for kids 4-9 years old:  The LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer is quiet difficult to defeat for the top rated spot in numerous types. This interactive unit is modern and kid-friendly that has a 5" color touchscreen display which is sturdy enough for a child's harsh touching. It comes with a built-in camera and will even record video clip permitting children to present their particular inventive skill and animation. Four applications are offered with the initial purchase of the LeapPad Explorer. There are around 100 more cartridges obtainable and sold individually which include an array of subjects such as mathematics, reading, science and art in a fun interactive approach. Little ones will like to learn at their particular pace and based on their particular pursuits.

Where to buy online:

• @ Amazon Toys

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Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 - for youngsters 8-12 years of age:  Your kids can find out how electricity operates as well as develop working devices with the Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 - for youngsters 8-12 years old. This basic package includes over 30 pieces and can develop 101 different electronic projects. All of the bits click together quickly so no soldering is necessary. All pieces are color and number coded. By simply pursuing the basic, shown manual, your youngster will be taught to read and follow instructions to complete the different projects such as a light switch, two-speed fan, police siren, clap-controlled sound effects and even more. Pieces included are snap wires, slide switches, a speaker, alarm circuit along with a music integrated circuit. Two AA batteries are required.

Where to buy online:

• @ Amazon Toys

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Assist your youngster gain an advantage on learning with one of the Best Educational Toys for this 2011 into 2012 Christmas season.

Click here to find more on the list of the top educational toys for kids this year:


http://www.squidoo.com/top-10-educational-toys

Top 5 Educational Toys 2010

This season I have covered a number of different types of toys along the lines of the top 5 educational toys (including the top classic toys, top science toys and more) - but these toys are the overall favorites of parents and kids that fall into the category of "educational" or "learning" in general.  And - they are some great picks.  =)

Below, taken from the list of the top 10 educational toys 2010 are the top 5 picks:

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1. LeapFrog Learn and Groove Educational Table

Ages: For kids 6 months to 3 years old

Compare Prices:

• Baby Earth | eBay.com

The LeapFrog Learn and Groove Musical Table is a toy that has been quite popular now for a couple of years. Still one of the very hottest sellers for little ones, and serves to "grow" with a child and their abilities.  Definitely worthy of being one of the best educational kids toys this year.

Merchant Info: Provide a world of learning and musical fun for your child with the LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table. Designed for children ages six months to three years, this innovative toy is chock full of learning and musical activities designed to provide visual and auditory stimulation and motor skill development, as well as opportunities to learn about colors, the alphabet, and opposites for older children -- and much more.

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2. LeapFrog Leapster 2 Educational Handheld Toy

Ages: For kids about 4-8 years old

Compare Prices:

• ToysRUs.com | eBay.com

This hand-held gaming system for little ones already comes with a couple of learning games installed, and there are plenty of other fun games to choose from.

Merchant Info: Put innovative creativity and fun at your kids' fingertips -- and watch them learn in the process -- with the The LeapFrog Leapster 2 Learning Game System. This battery-operated handheld game system goes where your children go, and brings plenty of learning fun along. It comes with two pre-installed educational games, and many more are available: purchase an optional SD card separately for access to additional online games and to take advantage of other online features; or you can purchase game cartridges to add to your Leapster 2 repository. The included games have skill levels suitable for children ages 4 to 8.

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3. Moon in My Room Educational Toy from Uncle Milton

Ages: For kids about 6 years of age and up

Compare Prices:

• WalMart.com | eBay.com

The "Moon in My Room" from Uncle Milton has also been on the "hot" list for a couple of years or more. This toy doubles as a fun light-up wall hanging and educational toy for kids. (Note: There are other similar products now avavilable from Uncle Milton, including the "Solar System" version of the toy.

Merchant Info: The illuminated model of the Moon can display either phase, as well as the other phases of the moon. This detailed model shows the maria, terrae, ejecta, impact craters and other lunar landmark in relief. With a touch from the remote you can advance the Moon through its phases, lit by internal LED lights. It makes a great nightlight, as it will turn on in a darkened room and stay on for 30 minutes. Includes IR remote and a CD audio tour with interesting facts about the Moon. Requires 4 AA batteries and 2 AAA batteries, not included.

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4. Scribble and Write Educational Toy from LeapFrog

Ages: For kids from about 3 to 5 years old

Compare Prices:

• WalMart.com | eBay.com

This toy is another on the list of the top 5 educational toy that "grows" with children's abilities. Starting with tracing and drawing, moving into creating letters and more.

Merchant Info: Light the way to early writing with Scribble & Write Children trace the lights to get practice drawing simple shapes and pictures, then graduate to learning upper- and lowercase letters with step-by-step guidance.

* Light the way to early writing with Scribble and Write
* Four learning modes can help your child progress from drawing simple shapes and pictures, to writing upper- and lowercase letters
* Features a child-sized stylus, single retraceable surface and stroke-by-stroke guidance
* Parents can connect to the online LeapFrog Learning Path for customized learning ideas and insights from LeapFrog
* Children simply trace over the lights with the stylus to form letters

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5. Melissa and Doug See and Spell Educational Toy

Ages: For kids about 4-7 years of age

Compare Prices:

• MelissaAndDoug.com | eBay.com

Here is the See and Spell Educational toy from Melissa and Doug. What I love about this choice is the ability for kids to first learn the shapes of letters and fit them in like a puzzle, then with practice learn how the words are spelled. =) (I Loooooove Melissa & Doug.)

Merchant Info: Place the colorful wooden letters in their proper places to spell words on the cut out two-sided wooden boards. Includes 16 playful pictures with three and four letter words to keep learning fun. Includes over 50 letters.

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There they are - the top five educational toys for kids this year. Some of them are "repeats" from previous years - but hey, I wonder if there is a good reason for that? =D

Additional Resource - Recommended for more choices:

• Top 10 Educational Toys 2010