I have mentioned before how big of a fan of learning through play I am and how fun activities and educational toys can help you get your little ones on the correct learning path while enjoying themselves. For that I keep a handful of games and toys that can help me through my kids different learning stages.
More than just play
Setting up fun activities will help you get your kid’s motivated and interested in learning activities…One of those tools that I like to keep on hand is the Learning Minutes Calendar that is available to print for free at the Learning Resources website and which gives me ideas of short fun activities to do with the kids every day.
You earn points with each activity and can earn free toys at the end of the month.
As a matter of fact, Learning Resources does have many different products which are a great resource for kids and parents, and I would like to share a few of my favorites with you that will take you through different ages and learning stages.
Let’s start with the alphabet
Getting the kids used to the different letters of the alphabet as soon as possible, is a great way to get them started in their learning path and I love using letter blocks. Let’s face it, most kids love touching and have an easier time with visual learning, so giving your kids blocks that they can use to make words and learn the alphabet with makes a lot of sense.
You want a good sized block, especially if you have young ones like mine who is two. A block that is big enough to avoid being a choking hazard and avoid frustration and also is large enough to allow the kids to grab and handle the block easier.
The letters are 2”L x 2”H, and the set includes 36 pieces (including 2 of each vowel), and storage bag.
Let’s move on and start with the numbers
For kids 3+ I love the Counting Dino-Sorters Math Activity Set that includes 10 different color eggs filled with a total of 55 dinosaurs.
The eggs are numbered and each one of them holds the amount of dinosaurs to match that number allowing children to learn about number correspondence along with skill development, matching, counting, pattern, addition , sorting, subtraction, fine motor skills and of course hand-eye coordination!
There are lots of activities you can do with the eggs and dinos inside, and the kids will love playing with them.
The eggs can be a bit tricky to close and the dinosaurs are small enough to be a choking hazard, therefore, the recommended age is 3+.
Another great toy that is perfect for kids 3+ and Pre-K grade to learn through play, is the Smart Market.
What kid doesn’t love to play with a pretend supermarket?
The smart market, comes with all that your kids will need for a fun time shopping in the market and includes a shopping basket, 5 grocery boxes, a double–sided shopping list along with, 5 Grocery boxes, 3 Grocery cans and plastic lids, 6 Double-sided price tags, 4 Double-sided coupons, 30 Play bills, and 40 Plastic coins for a complete market experience.
This is a great pretend play set that kids can play with by themselves or with other kids.
Another toy that is just great to learn through play is the award-winning Pretend and Play Calculator Cash Register which is geared for kids 3+ and in Pre-K grade.
The Cash register measures 10.5”L x 9.5”W x 5.5”H and features a solar powered cash register, 30 actual-size pretend bills, 40 plastic coins, 1 pretend credit card, and activity guide…The kids love this handy cash register and as matter of fact, just the other day, I saw 2 kids and a mom with a lemonade stand and the kids were actually using this little cash register to collect their cash… The cash register has large buttons on the keypad which makes it easier for the little ones…The cash drawer makes a “cha-ching” sound when it opens. So cute!
I really like it
I really like this little cash register but more importantly, the kids can learn to identify the different types of coins, use addition and subtraction skills along with bill and coin values and it helps them develop their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and problem solving among others.
Gears! Gears! Gears! Cycle Gears building kit.
This set is meant for kids 4+ and Pre-K grade and your boys will really enjoy building up their own motorcycle…I don’t know about yours, but my little guy loves blocks and this set is one of the most fun block sets you can get your hands on!
The reason is very simple, this set puts a real spin on learning through play and allows little engineers to build their own moving cycles.
Engaging and lots of fun, the kids can build different creations with the 30 piece set that promotes fine motor skills, creativity an eye-hand coordination!
Code & Go™ Robot Mouse Activity Set
Moving on to older kids, this coding set is meant for kids 5+ and it is a perfect way to introduce your kids to coding concepts. The cute little mouse comes with a maze that users put together and then program Colby to find his way through the maze. This is a great deal of fun and provides your kids with many learning indoor activities.
The set comes with a series of cards that the kids can lay down to remember the correct coding sequence then use the arrow buttons, on top of Colby’s back, to program him to go through the maze. Pretty cool.
The 83-piece Robot Mouse Maze Quest Game set includes:
– Colby the mouse
– 16 maze grids
-22 maze walls
– 3 tunnels
-1 cheese wedge
-30 double-sided coding cards
-10 double-sided activity cards.
Kids will be introduced to coding and programming and will exercise trial and error as the maze can be a bit tricky at times, but they will enjoy playing with Colby the mouse and let him try to figure his way using one of his two speeds to race through the maze.
Be aware that Colby is powered by 3 AAA batteries that are not included with the set.
Win it:
Reading for some learning through play fun? Learning Resources has kindly offered one lucky Born 2 Impress reader, the chance to win any two toys in this review. That is right you pick your tow favorite toys!
To enter this giveaway, please use the Giveaway Tools form below:
I’d like to get the New Sprouts® Garden Fresh Salad Set for my great niece and great nephew 🙂 They would learn about healthy foods and eating through playing mealtimes with each other 🙂
I love the shape sorting cupcakes also! Thank you for reviewing such wonderful toys that encourage learning!
I that that playing is the best way to learn when they’re little! The Smart Snacks® Number Pops™ are really cute!
I would like the Primary Science Big View Telescope for my boys. They would enjoy looking at the night sky.
I would also love to get hte Ocean Wonders Build & Spin.
My grandson would love the Gears Gears Gears 150 piece building set. He loves color and art and also building things with his hands. It would make a great gift!
I’d love to have the Primary Microscope for my granddaughter who just turned 7. I think she would have fun examining things on slides. Learning Resources makes so many toys and games that help children learn through play.
I think learning through play is an excellent idea.
We would like to try The Pretend & Play® Teaching ATM Bank. I think learning through play is fundamental in a child’s emotional development. To my opinion, touching reduces stress and enhances the fine motor skills. Thanks for the chance to win such an amazing giveaway.
I like the Gears! Gears! Gears!® Lights & Action Building Set. I think toys that this are great, cause kids learn manual dexterity and how to think think things through.
I think play is the best way for children to learn. I love to play games with my son. He loves to listen to new music from different countrieds.
I like the teaching cash register. I think learning through play is a great way to teach kids. When they have fun doing something they will want to do it over and over again which reinforces their learning. Children won’t get bored learning through play either.
My son would love to have and try Gears Gears a 150 piece building set. He loves the color and he like to try art type things but not great at it, but he tries and also building things with his hands like his hundreds of lego pieces. It would make a great gift for him to try.
Reply
I lile the Gears! Gears! Gears!® Build & Bloom Building Set! I think this way of learning is great for kids. It is really hands on and I thnk most children learn well that way.
I’d like to get the Gears! Gears! Gears!® Lights & Action Building Set. I think it would make a great gift
I love the 1-2-3 Build It™ Car-Plane-Boat. It would be so cute for my son! I think he would really enjoy it
We love learning through play! My daughters don’t even catch on that mom is teaching them reading or math concepts- they just love playing! Sum swamp is on my oldest wishlist and the healthy lunch basket sets are on the list for my youngest.
I want their Primary Science Metal Detector for the kids. I am a big believer in making learning fun. Kids don’t learn well when material is stale
i would like to try sight words swat. Learning through games makes it easier to learn while having fun
I like the Puzzle Globe. Great for the 4 yr old or 8 yr old. I’m a big fan of STEM toys, especially prior to starting any formal education.
Learning is best when you’re at a relaxed state, so learning through play is a great concept. It works! Pretend & Play® Healthy Lunch Set is a nice one
My son is autistic and these would be perfect for him. Awesome giveaway!
I really like the teaching cash register. I am all about saving money & looking for the best bargain to be found. #18
I think my two and a half year old would love the Gears Hears Hears set and the sorting pie. Super cute toys! I didn’t know about these. I might have to get some for Christmas and birthdays coming up.
It’s hard to choose. I would pick the Ruff’s House Teaching Tactile Set. Thanks for the chance to win.
I choose the 1-2-3 Build It™ Car-Plane-Boat because my husband is a professional pilot. I think learning through play is very valuable and most likely the best way for a child to learn. It”s good to learn who your child is and then make purchases and encourage their interests.
I love the Alphabet Acorns. My oldest was obsessed with acorns when he was younger. As a mom and a K-1st teacher, I believe play is the work of a child.
Learning through play is the best way to learn new things! Their sorting pie looks really cool! My daughter would love sorting the colours and counting the pieces.
I*d be interested in the Primary Microscope. I got one when I was a kid, and it opened up a whole new world for me. It really opens up one*s eyes to the wonders of the world.
I really like The Smart Snacks® Number Pops™ . I think Leaning through play is great and really important.
I would like to try the Simple Machines Set for my kids. I think learning through play is very important and I love seeing my kids play with these types of toys and games.
It’s great they have been doing this for over 30 years! I like th Snap & Learn number turtles. I’m enjoy watching my grandsons learn New things while playing!
I’d like the giant inflatable solar system. I love outer space and everything related to it and can’t wait to introduce it to my kids.
I like the Alphabet Marks the Spot™. I do really like educational games because they teach the child and we have fun at the same time
The crocodile floor hop and the gears would be great. my son would love them!
So many great learning items! I’ve got my eye on the Alphabet Acorns Activity Set. My kiddo would really enjoy learning with this set!
I always go straight for the board games. Even “educational” ones are so much fun. “Go to Press!™ A Grammar Game” caught my eye.
i also like the Pretend & Play Work Belt Tool Set. i think my son would enjoy the Code & Go Robot Mouse Activity Set.
I like the Crocodile Hop Floor Game, I’m sure my daughter would too! ha ha It looks like so much fun I think we’d both enjoy it. I think that learning through play is really the only way to get my daughter to learn things. You can “hide” learning in so many fun games that kids don’t even know they are learning and, for a lot of kids, it’s better than just sitting still and staring at a chalkboard. Plus, if it’s fun and helps you win, they want to learn so they can play the game!
My son would love the New Sprouts Smoothie maker. He loves watching me make my smoothies so he would get a kick out of it.
I would love to try the Crocodile Hop Floor game! That looks like an amazing game for gross motor skill development. I homeschool both of my boys and we try to learn through play most of the time. I think that they retain more of the information and are more excited about learning when it occurs through play. I’m constantly looking for new games and activities to give them more opportunities to learn through play.
I’d love to try the Code & Go Robot Mouse Activity Set. These are great toys. I think learning through play is a wonderful thing.
I also like their Super Sorting Pie because it would help my grandson with his motor skills and hand-eye coordination. I love how my grandsons can learn through educational toys and play. It’s the most fun way to learn when you’re having fun, and most of the time my grandsons don’t even realize that they’re “learning” something.
I really like their Primary Science Metal Detector. My son is obsessed with anything and everything science related. I can only imagine the fun he would have with this toy. They have some great learning products on their site!
I love the Primary Science Big View Bug Jars! My son loves science & bug collecting. Learning through play is so important. Children truly learn if they are having fun.
our daughter would love to get the crocodile hop floor game. it would be a lot of fun.
I think learning through play is one of the best concepts ever. Children learn better through engaging activitiesa and mimic everyone and everything around them. I would love to try the Dive into Shapes geometry set.
I’ve been looking at getting the cash register for my daughter. I just love it!
I like their Simple Machines Set. Learning through play is the best way to learn. They don’t even realize that they are learning new things!
This is very important. It encourages imagination.
I like the New Sprouts Fix It toy! I think children should definitely play to learn. It makes it learning so much easier when they are doing something they enjoy.
I LOVE the Teaching Cash Register. I’m a nanny & always teach money. I think that’s very important to learn early. Thanks for the chance to win!
I really like the New Sprouts® Waffle Time! I think it’s super cute and the kids would have a blast playing with it. I love toys that teach.
I like the gears! Gears! Gears! It’s awesome to teach kids how things work!
Learning thru play is very important. Children love to play and don’t realize they are learning.
I like the pizza fraction game because this would be a fun way to learn for my son. He would also love the super magnet set. I also like the robot mouse maze quest game.
I also like the Primary Science Big View Binoculars. The site is great. I like that these toys make learning fun.
I love the Ocean Wonders Build and Spin. It’s cute but it also teaches gears, motion, and how one thing impacts another. Play and learn is the only way because kids love to play and you can’t really learn if you aren’t enjoying the process.
Learning through play is a creative way of education. It maintains a child’s interest. The combination leads to grasping a new concept while having fun.
I would also love to try the Primary Microscope. My son would love it, he loves science and learning toys! I love that this has slides, tweezers and a stir stick!
I would love to get the Primary Microscope for my granddaughters. I think they would also like the Code & Go Robot Mouse Activity Set. It seems kids today will benefit from learning coding at an early age.
I think my toddler would love the New Sprouts Serve It! set. His friend has something similar in her play kitchen and he is all about it.
I also like the Code & Go Robot Mouse Activity Set. Learning through play is a great idea.
I also like the Skeleton Floor Puzzle that looks like fun.. I think learning through play is awesome. I always tried to buy my kids educational toys when they were young. Might as well kill 2 birds with one stone.
I also like the Gears! Gears! Gears! Lights & Action Building Set.
I love games that also teach. They are fun to play with the kids.
Love the concept! Learning through play is he best way for kids to learn. Hands on every day life turned to fun.
I also like the giant inflatable solar system. I believe that kids do learn from playing and figuring things out.
I like the Lowercase Alphabet Stamps. I also like the New Sprouts® Bake it!.