55 Best Educational Toys Gift Guide [For 2026]

Check out this Educational Toys gift guide to find the perfect gift ideas for the child who loves learning in your life! These are some of the best toys available that encourage kids to learn and explore. And, everything you see comes recommended by veteran homeschool families. Click any of the pictures to add them to your Amazon cart… or your child’s wish list!

Pin this to save for Christmas shopping!

This post contains affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.

Educational Toys For Math:

Sum Swamp Game

This math fact board game gets high marks from homeschool families for making math facts fun. Kids can practice their addition and subtraction facts as they move around the game board.

Pizza Fractions

This pizza fractions set makes learning about fractions fun… and delicious! Encourage imaginative play while your child explores different fractions in a fun environment.

Balance Scale

This balance scale is awesome for hands on math and science practice. Weigh common household items in the large buckets or use weights.

Fun Counters

These fun counters are useful for all sorts of math problems. Kids can practice their fine motor skills while they work, too!

We love to use a variety of counters for big and small sorting activities, or for making math fun.

Pattern Blocks

These sturdy wooden blocks are great for learning basic skills including shapes and pattern recognition. They can also be used for making designs.

Linking Cubes

These linking cubes are the best option because they have a different shape on each side and a rubbery texture that’s easy to grab. These are great for practicing lots of different skills in math, including addition and subtraction, measurement, comparing, patterns, and more.

Base Ten Blocks

These base ten blocks are so helpful for teaching hands-on math lessons in homeschool. They can be used to help kids understand a variety of math skills, including place value, addition and subtraction, and much more.

Magnetic Ten Frames

These magnetic ten frames are used in many math curricula to help kids see numbers easily. When kids can play with a magnetic set like this, it will give them a head start when they see ten frames in their math lessons!

Cash Register

This cash register plays games with kids to teach them the values of the coins. Pretend play with a cash register is a simple way to help kids learn about money, counting coins, and making change- while practicing math facts too.

Money Game

This money game will teach kids important skills about math and money, including the values of coins and how to make change, while having fun at the same time!

Wikki Number Building

With this number-building set, kids can use Wikki Stix as a hands-on way to learn how to write numbers. Younger children will enjoy this hands-on introduction to numbers.

Math Wrap Ups

These math wrap ups are great educational toys because they make practicing math facts really fun. Wrap the string around the key to practice addition facts. These are self-correcting, so kids can check their own work when they are done.

Learning Clock

This learning clock is a great tool to help kids learn to tell time. Extra helps on the side make it simple for kids to read the clock.

Time Telling Set

This time telling set comes with a clock and lots of activities to help kids practice telling time. The materials are durable and will hold up to lots of use by little hands.

Kids Cooking Set

This kids cooking set has everything you need to help your kids get started with cooking and baking. Using kitchen sets like this can help kids practice fractions, measurement, and more in a real life application.

Tech Toys Kids Love:

Smart Tracking Watch

If you’re looking for a safer alternative to a cell phone, this kid-friendly smart watch for kids ages 5-12 offers calling and texting, plus a GPS tracker and pedometer. Learn more about the Cosmo JrTrack 2 Kids Smartwatch here.

Educational Toys For Science:

Science Experiment Kit

These science kits include all the supplies kids need to complete the experiments on the included activity cards. The supplies can be used again and again for science experiments in the future, too.

Animal Guessing Game

This animal guessing game is 20 questions with an animal themed twist. Games like this one are great for helping kids develop social skills, in addition to learning about animals.

Talking Microscope

This talking microscope is a perfect introduction to science for young children. It teaches kids about what they are seeing and plays games too.

Portable Microscope

Older kids will love this portable microscope. It is small enough to take on walks and has a light to help kids see their tiny finds.

Plant Growing Kit

This unique plant growing kit will allow your kids to watch their plants as they grow. This toy is sure to inspire science experiments in biology as kids discover the world of plants.

First Big Book of How

This fascinating book provides answers to lots of the questions that kids love to ask. And, reading is a great alternative to screen time.

Butterfly Garden

This butterfly garden kit includes everything you need to raise Monarch butterflies at home, and a coupon to send away for the caterpillars. Raising butterflies at home is a fun and memorable educational experience that all kids should try at least once.

Body Flap Book

This body flap book is perfect for kids who are curious about the human body. This book has over 100 flaps that are perfect for small hands to look inside at the body systems.

Botley the Coding Robot

This programmable robot is a fun interactive toy that gets great reviews for making coding easy for kids. Children can program Botley to complete challenges just by pressing buttons on the remote. Kids who enjoy video games will love this toy!

Marble Run

This marble run set includes all the pieces your child needs to design an intricate race track. The pieces are opaque so kids can watch the marbles travel through the tunnels. This set also comes with glow in the dark marbles and a learning guide for parents.

Educational Toys For Reading:

Zingo

This highly rated bingo game teaches matching and early reading skills. Although the age range is listed as 4 and up, kids of all ages will enjoy this simple game.

Spelling Bricks

These spelling bricks are compatible with Legos to make word building a fun game. This 200 piece set includes enough bricks to spell a whole list of spelling words, or to write a message or two.

Letter Beads

These letter beads are great for making necklaces and building words too. Kids can practice their hand-eye coordination while they learn their lowercase letters!

Spelling Boards

These spelling boards are a fun way for kids to practice their reading and spelling skills. This is a great toy for kids who are learning to read as it will help them gain confidence in spelling and reading.

Spelling Puzzles

These spelling puzzles are a lot of fun for kids, while still providing a great educational value. As kids put together the picture, they will also be spelling the word at the same time.

Word Book

This word book is a fun way to learn new vocabulary words, and is great for language development in older kids. This one has engaging cartoon illustrations that make kids want to keep reading.

Letter Stamps

Letter stamps like these are a great way to practice spelling words. Kids can stamp their list on a sheet of paper, or write a message to a friend.

Pop Up Tent

A pop up tent like this one is perfect for making a cozy reading nook in your house. Kids will love reading inside the tent, and toys like this are great for encouraging open-ended play as well.

Educational Toys for Social-Emotional Learning

Conversation Cubes

These conversation cubes have an open-ended question on each side, and are great for building conversation and language skills.

Educational Toys For History, Geography, and Culture:

World Cultures Book

This world cultures book tells the story of a day in the life of seven different kids around the world. It is recommended for 3 to 7-year-olds but could be a great read for the whole family to share together as well.

United States Puzzle Map

In this United States puzzle map, the puzzle pieces are shaped like the states so kids learn how they fit together. Working puzzles is great for brain development and spatial thinking. This one teaches geography at the same time.

World Geography Puzzles

Learn geography with these puzzles with pieces shaped like the countries. These puzzles get rave reviews from homeschool families because they are such a fun way to teach world geography.

Geography Game

This fun card game teaches kids about world geography as they race around the globe. It’s recommended for the 7 and up age group, but younger kids can participate too as a part of a team.

You can also check out my Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals for Homeschoolers here!

Art Supplies:

Art Caddy

This art caddy includes all the supplies you need to encourage your young minds to get creative. Everything can be stored in the caddy to keep supplies together.

Dot Markers

These dot markers are a great introduction to art for older toddlers. The markers in this set are washable and come in a variety of colors.

Oil Pastels

Quality art supplies like these oil pastels make art more fun! This set comes with 24 different colors so kids will have plenty to choose from as they draw.

Art Smocks

Protect your kids’ clothes (and your sanity) with these waterproof art smocks. These have long sleeves and are the perfect size for 2-6 year olds.

Craft Supplies

This kit includes a variety of fun craft supplies that are sure to inspire a craft project. This has lots of small parts, so it’s best for older todders, preschoolers, or school aged kids.

For Active Kids:

Balance Ball

This balance ball is a great alternative to a chair for little kids. They can use it while working at a desk or table. It is also a lot of fun to use for hopping around the house!

Gymnastics Mat

With this gymnastics mat, you can turn your living room into a safe place to practice all those tricks. This one folds for easy storage when it’s not in use.

Bilibo

This rocking seat is perfect for young kids that just need to move all the time. Use it as a fun break from lessons, or turn it into an exciting spot to sit and read.

Climbing Blocks

These climbing blocks are durable but soft. The best part is that they encourage kids to imagine and create. They could be a fort or an obstacle course or whatever your child can imagine!

Scooter

This scooter is just as much fun as you remember from gym class. This one is durable and holds up to 175 pounds, so it will last for years of use.

Balance Beam

This balance beam is the perfect way for kids to practice their gross motor skills, even if they are stuck inside. This one folds for easy storage when not in use.

Yoga Activity Cards

Kids can teach themselves yoga poses with this deck of yoga activity cards. These flash cards include step by step instructions with pictures. Each card also has follow up questions to encourage creative thinking.

For Your Homeschool:

Single Sheet Laminator

This affordable single sheet laminator is a useful tool that every homeschool family needs. You can turn any consumable worksheet into a re-usable resource that can be written on with a dry erase marker. This laminator is also great for protecting precious art projects and SO much more!

Pencil Sharpener

This pencil sharpener is fast, durable, and quiet, which makes it perfect for homeschool use.

Crayon Sharpener

This crayon sharpener is made just for crayons. Bring the bright colors back to life with this tool that makes old crayons new again!

Supply Caddy

Use this supply caddy to keep all your homeschool supplies together so nothing gets lost. You can encourage your child’s creativity by having art supplies at the ready when inspiration strikes.

Paper Cutter

This paper cutter cuts 10 sheets at once in perfect straight lines. This is great for art projects, creating flashcards, and cutting out materials for your lessons with ease.

Looking for recommendations on the best school supplies for your homeschool? Check out my essential homeschool supplies list!

Looking for more Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals for Homeschoolers? Check out my full list here!

Similar Posts

19 Comments

  1. I love this list. I’m all for educational toys for my kids and will definitely save this for the holidays.

  2. Great suggestions! We have a couple of these already so I’ll have to keep a few of these others in mind for Christmas this year! Thanks so much!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *