Learning through play is an effective way to connect the textbook to the real world. Educational toys can provide a pressure free atmosphere for a child to have fun learning. To inspire a life time love of learning a child must develop a curiosity about the world around him. The right educational toys will spark the imagination as opposed to preprogrammed one dimensional play. To inspire a child to learn and explore use the following list as a guide to the best educational toys on the market today.
1. Electricity Science Kit by Science Wiz: Flipping the switch to reveal light will turn from a mystery to an engaging science lesson with this kit. The kit includes 18 activities such as making a loop, sending a message in electric code, connecting a switch, checking an object’s conductivity, and many more. With the exception of one D-cell battery all the materials are provided in the kit. This will make a fun activity for parents and kids on a rainy Saturday afternoon. The basic skills taught are physics, electricity, and thinking skills. The toy has been given multiple awards including Top Ten Children’s Toys, National Parenting Magazine Award, The Parent’s Choice Seal of Approval, and Creative Child Magazine Award.
2. Wikki Stix: Made from hand knitted yarn enhanced with a microcrystalline food-grade, non-toxic wax, these little unassuming toys will provide hours of play and learning. A child can bend, mold, and stick the Wikki Stix together or to items with no mess and no glue. Wikki Stix peel completely off to avoid damage to surfaces. You can purchase a set of Wikki Stix in multiple colors or kits including Alphabet Cards, Basic Shapes Kit, Workboard Set, and more. Wikki Stix have multiple uses including outlining maps, spelling, math manipulatives, tracing the route Columbus took to the route of the circulatory system!
3. Bilibo: Made in Switzerland, Bilibo, is the recipient multiple awards worldwide. Bilibo takes a child on journey of exploration. This toy has no rules and is wide open to a child’s imagination like Harold’s purple crayon. It is surprising to witness how many uses a child can think of for this simple toy.
4. Playful Math Blocks by Beyond 123: To build a solid foundation in math within a child one must connect the concept to the physical world. Math manipulatives provide that essential link. Playful Math Blocks lasts through years of development by design. The skills taught include basic math, fractions, spacious thinking, and building skills. The set includes 55 blocks, 4 large double-sided activity cars, and a storage tray that flips over to use as a platform for playing. The blocks have fraction markings to make teaching fractions easy and natural.
5. AnimaLogic: Can your child help the colorful animals cross a bridge one at time? Even with the raging river making the animals antsy? This game of logic will keep children entertained and engaged until their task is complete. AnimaLogic is full of twists and turns which cause a child to reassess and rethink strategy as he plays. Animalogic has three stages of advancement and includes 16 sturdy wooden animals, game board and spiral-bound notebook with 60 full color puzzles and solutions. AnimaLogic received the Gold Winner in the Parent’s Choice Awards Fall 2009 Games. A wonderful game to challenge the entire family.
Products mentioned were not part of a review.