Investing in the right toys during the holidays can give your child months (or even years) of fun and learning.
Here’s our ultimate list of recommended educational gifts by age for the holidays!
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Babies
The holidays are a great time to get gifts that start building your baby’s skills to help him or her reach developmental milestones. From gross motor skills like crawling, standing, and walking, to speech and language skills like babbling and first words, here are some great toys that can help your baby stay on track!
Lovevery Hide & Find Drop Box Baby Toy
As your baby drops a ball in the top of the box, then opens to find it is still there, he or she learns object permanence - an important cognitive concept.
This fun toy also helps develop your baby’s pre-language skills like understanding cause and effect.
Fisher-Price Rattle ‘n Rock Maracas
A fun twist on a classic rattle, these maracas provide sensory input with different textures and sounds and bright colors. Hold one and give one to your baby as you shake and stop together to help him or her develop the concept of imitating!
Sassy Peak-A-Boo Book in Black/White
When it comes to introducing books to your child, the earlier the better! The crinkle textures of the book keeps little eyes and ears engaged. Teach your child new vocabulary words by naming the simple black and white pictures. Encourage first words by saying words like, “peak a boo!” and “open!” repetitively.
Toddlers
Melissa & Doug Wooden Fruit Crate Cutting
Pretend play benefits your child’s social and emotional development. Set up a pretend picnic at home that your child helps prepare!
Shape Sorter Truck by Green Toys
Not only will your toddler love pushing around this truck, he or she will learn concepts like matching, shapes, and colors.
Melissa & Doug Farm Animals Jumbo Knob Wooden Puzzle
Encourage your child to imitate animal names and sounds to promote speech development with this classic puzzle.
Preschool: 3-4 Year-Olds
If your child started preschool this year, you’ll want to keep the learning going at home! These toys help teach early academic concepts. They also promote creativity, problem solving, and pretend play.
Smart Snacks Number Pops by Learning Resources
Slide the toppings onto the popsicle with the matching number to practice early math skills.
Picasso Tiles
This bigger gift is an investment that your kids will love and learn from for years!
Kindergarten: 5-6 Year-Olds
Alpha-Bots by Lakeshore Learning
These transforming alphabet figures help your child grow their literacy skills while engaging in imaginative play.
Green Toys Indoor Gardening Kit
Here’s a rewarding hands-on activity that teaches your child science concepts. Gardening has also been proven to grow children’s cognitive skills and boost academic performance!
7 Year-Olds and Up
Get your child’s critical thinking skills going during screen-free fun with these toys and activities!
Botley 2.0 the Coding Robot Activity Set by Learning Resources
According to research, coding can help kids become better problem solvers and increase their analytical reasoning skills.
National Geographic Geology Kit
Older children will love acting as geologists as they break open and study geodes. This STEM toy also includes a learning guide that your child can use to answer the “why” and “how” questions related to minerals!
Continue Learning Year-Round
TherapyWorks offers Speech Therapy, Occupational and Physical Therapy both in person (in Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio) and through teletherapy (nationwide). If you would like to learn more, or discuss your child’s specific needs, please don’t hesitate to reach out to TherapyWorks!
