Shopping for learning and educational toys [1] has never been easier. Whether you have a young toddler who's just starting to master blocks and is loving exploring the world, or an older kid who's well into STEM projects, science experiments, and robots, we found the leading 40 toys that will continue inspiring them to learn.
Qwirkle
A combination of Sequence and Dominos, Qwirkle [3] ($23) helps kids develop their problem-solving skills while competing against their friends.
Lovevery The Block Set
The Block Set [4] ($90) by Lovevery is an expansion of its stage-based line. It's a neat and tidy kit of blocks, shapes, wheels, and other pieces — all nontoxic — that in total creates 20 different challenges for kids, each one more advanced than the next.
Scientific Explorer Mind Blowing Science Kit
If your kid has a curious mind, this Scientific Explorer Mind Blowing Science Kit [5] ($10) is perfect. It helps your child to explore and learn the basics of science, from chemical reactions to the use of scientific tools.
The Moodsters Feelings Flashlight and Storybook
The Moodsters Feelings Flashlight and Storybook [6] ($8) helps children navigate their feelings and learn how to express themselves.
B Toys Symphony in B Orchestra
A virtual orchestra pit, B. Toys's Symphony in B [7] ($55) is preprogrammed with 15 songs and symphonies. It comes with 13 instruments that can be added one at a time to the "stage" to actually create the music. So if the tuba, piano, and violin are on stage, the song sounds different than it does if the sitar, cymbals, and clarinet are there.
Briarpatch I Spy Eagle Eye Game
This Briarpatch I Spy Eagle Eye Game [8] ($15) comes with 30 cards, four boards, and a bell. The better you get at the game, the faster you can play.
DK Games: Silly Sentences
Boost your kid's spelling skills with this entertaining DK Games: Silly Sentences Kit [9] ($10). Children learn how to build proper sentences with pictures and colours.
Laser Maze Logic Game
Lasers make everything — especially learning — a lot cooler. By using sequential reasoning and planning skills, kids line up tokens to successfully shoot a laser at the target in this single-player Laser Maze Logic Game [10] ($25, originally $32).
ThinkFun Gravity Maze Marble Run Logic Game and STEM Toy
The ThinkFun Gravity Maze Marble Run Logic Game and STEM Toy [11]($230) contains 60 challenges, some multilevel.
LittleBits Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit
The LittleBits Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit [12] ($99) gives your Star Wars-lover a leg up when it comes to technology and engineering skills. Once built, the droid's "missions" inspire creativity and aid kiddos in teaching their R2-D2 lookalike new skills.
Pop Bottle Science
Experience science through 79 experiments that can be done with a soda bottle when you gift your child the Pop Bottle Science Kit [13] ($7).
Primary Mix and Measure Set
Send him on a scientific journey with the Learning Resources Mix And Measure Activity Set [14] ($25). Using the tools and some simple ingredients, kids can create puffy paint, slime, and more fun projects.
Roominate Studio
Roominate Studio [15] ($14) was created by engineers out of Caltech, MIT, and Stanford. It encourages girls to learn how to use circuits to make their self-built dollhouses more realistic with moving lifts, working lights, and anything else they can create.
IQ Twist
Don't limit educational toys to the house. This on-the-go IQ Twist Game [16] ($10) gets kids thinking with 100 solvable brainteasers.
Educational Insights Design & Drill See-Through Creative Workshop
Build fine motor skills and introduce your kids to STEM early with the Educational Insights Design & Drill See-Through Creative Workshop [17]($30).
Snap Circuits Alternative Energy Kit
Show her how science can save the planet! This Snap Circuit Kit [18] ($53, originally $80) teaches kids how to make the world a greener place using their brains.
Rocket Science
Don't let the name mislead you. Rocket Science [19] ($35) brings physics to life with a series of easy experiments and games.
Lego Mindstorms EV3
For the kid who's already got the basics down, Lego's Mindstorms EV3 [20] ($350) may be the ultimate programmable robot. Kids (and grown-ups) can build the robot into one of five different versions and then program it to walk, talk, and think. Don't just want it to move on its own? Grab the remote control and help it move that way, or download a free app and move it with your phone or tablet. Either way, the robot will do what your child instructed it to do!
Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Discovery Kit
The Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Discovery Kit [21] ($22, originally $35) gives curious children hands-on experience working with electrical circuits.
Plan Toys Marine Puzzle
Teach your toddler about marine life while getting their hand-and-eye coordination working with this Plan Toys Marine Puzzle [22] ($22).
Lego Architecture Studio
If your teen shows a serious interest in architecture, invest in Lego's studio [23] ($170). With more than 1,000 bricks and a 272-page guide, he will build — literally — on his maths, design, and engineering skills.
LeapFrog Scribble and Write
LeapFrog's Scribble and Write [24] ($22) helps little ones learn their letters and numbers.
Melissa & Doug Shape Sorter
This cute and classic Melissa & Doug Shape Sorter [25] ($20) helps toddlers to learn about colour-matching and problem-solving.
Tinker Crate Subscription
Kiwi Crate entered the STEM education genre with the introduction of the Tinker Crate [26] ($20 per month for three months) for kids ages 9 to 16 and up. These boxes are filled with projects that encourage problem-solving skills while kids create things like trebuchets and motors following step-by-step (and age-appropriate) instructions. While the projects sound complicated, they're anything but! They're designed to build confidence and encourage kids without frustrating them. Each month, a box will arrive with all the materials kids need to complete the project and a blueprint for getting there. An accompanying magazine, called Tinker Zine, features cartoon strips, science-based stories, and additional activities kids can do with their completed projects.
Guidecraft Memory Caps Game
Starting for kids ages 3 and up, this Guidecraft Memory Caps Game [27] ($34, originally $40) helps stimulate hand-eye coordination.
DISCOVERY KIDS Mindblown STEM 12-in-1 Solar Robot Creation 190-Piece Kit
The DISCOVERY KIDS Mindblown STEM 12-in-1 Solar Robot Creation 190-Piece Kit [28] ($29) will keep them busy and encourage them to solve complex puzzles.
M.A.X. Robotic Interactive Toy With Artificial Intelligence
M.A.X., Meccano's Robotic Interactive Toy With Artificial Intelligence [29] ($100, originally $150), gives younger kids insight into the worlds of engineering and robotics with this adorable little robot who learns through AI but can also be programmed by your child (hello, coding skills!).
National Geographic Volcano Science Kit
Who doesn't like to see a model volcano explode? With the National Geographic Volcano Science Kit [30] ($10), kids can decorate their volcano before adding vinegar, bicarbonate of soda, and pebbles to it and watching it erupt.
Alex Toys Let's Pretend School
Alex Toys Let's Pretend School [31] ($14) is a 255-piece set that has everything you need to run your own classroom.
Foxmind Architecto
With Foxmind Architecto [32] ($25), kids will be challenged to build 3D structures using geometrical blocks.
MindWare Q-Ba-Maze Big Box
All marble runs are not the same. With MindWare Q-Ba-Maze Big Box [33] ($34, originally $40), kids not only design their mazes themselves but they can create them in animal, geometric, or virtually any shape they like.
Cue Robot
Using play to teach coding, Wonder Workshop's Cue Robot [34] ($146, originally $200) is a witty little robot who operates on emotive AI and can be customised with one of four avatars that each has its own depths of personality. When used with the app, tweens can chat with Cue, control its movements, create reactive sensor behaviours, and code interactions using JavaScript.
Lego Boost Creative Toolbox
You've never seen Lego play quite like this. Lego Boost Creative Toolbox [35] ($160) fuses brick building and iPad play by helping kids to construct one of five multifunctional robots then control them with easy-to-use coding blocks on their tablet.
Tenergy Dynamo Lantern Educational STEM Building Toy
Kids can learn how electricity works with this Tenergy Dynamo Lantern Educational STEM Building Toy [36] ($15). The clear tool is powered by hand cranking it, so they can see the process working.
Mirari Pop! Pop! Piano
This Mirari Pop! Pop! Piano [37] ($24, originally $33) features stars inside that pop up when you play music on the keyboard. This teaches babies cause and effect, while increasing self-expression through musical creation.
Puzzlets
Puzzlets [38] ($100) is designed to teach preschoolers how video games are programmed. Using a board that connects to a computer or tablet, kids place puzzle pieces into the board to help the characters find solutions to their puzzles. So when you want the character to jump, you place the jump piece into the next available slot, and when you want him to run faster, you place the fast piece on the board. When strung together (like a code), the pieces instruct the characters how to move.
Learning Resources Botley the Coding Robot Action Challenge Accessory Set
TheLearning Resources Botley the Coding Robot Action Challenge Accessory Set [39] ($10) includes dominos, swinging hammers, rolling balls, and more.
Magna-Tiles
Give your architect-in-training a gift he'll use every day. Magna-Tiles [40]($60 for a 32-piece set) are a fun alternative to basic building blocks and a great way to teach kids basic geometry.
GoldieBlox and the Spinning Machine
Not all fairy tales are about princesses, as GoldieBlox and the Spinning Machine [41] ($30) proves. Part of a construction toy and book series for girls, GoldieBlox shows little ladies that engineering and fun aren't mutually exclusive. The story's star is a young inventor who fashions a belt drive out of pegs, axles, wheels, and ribbon, right alongside her readers.
K'NEX Solar Energy Building Set
The go-to educational toy, K'NEX's Solar Energy Building Set [42] ($59, originally $70) goes beyond engineering. Each of the machines in this set require light to function, teaching kids the importance of solar energy.