• About
  • Our Favorites
  • Free Resource Library
  • Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

Smith, Party of 6

December 3, 2020 ·

60+ Best Educational Gifts for Young Children (By Age)

Kids & Family

2 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

Inside: Great ideas for educational gifts for kids, sure to spark their interest in learning. Includes gifts for children from infancy up to 8 years old.

60+ Best EDUCATIONAL Gifts for Young Children | Holiday Gift Guide for Educational Toys By Age

DISCLOSURE: Some of the links included in this post are affiliate links, meaning at NO additional cost to you, I earn a small portion of the sale when you click the link and make a purchase.

While not all gifts need to be educational, it’s a mom win when we can find something for our children that they can enjoy and aids their learning in the process. Below, I’ve compiled a list of some of the most beneficial educational toys and other gifts for young children. Many of the items listed below are ones we own or have used and are kid-approved.

50 educational Gifts for Young Kids

I’ve divided these gift ideas by age group to better help you find what you need for your child quickly. In each section, I’ve also included a short list of the types of educational toys you want to look for based on development level.

If you have any questions, feel free to drop them in the comments or shoot me an email at audriana@smithpartyof6.com!

0-6 Months

0-6 Month educational Gift Ideas for Kids

What to look for at this age:

  • Monochromatic colors (the contrast helps baby’s brain development)
  • Simplicity
  • Cuddly / warm toys
  • Toys that help them practice their grip
  • Mirrors
  • Things that can be mouthed

KiwiCo “Panda” Subscription Box (STEAM for ages 0-2)
Black and White Crinkle Books
Melissa & Doug Flip Toy Fish We personally had this fish for Arwyn and Aspen, and they both loved it. At age 2, Aspen still brings it to me some mornings to tell me the colors of all the sea creatures hidden under the fish’s fins.
Wrist and Sock Rattles
Yoee Soft Sensory Teether – Fox


6-12 Months

6-12 Month Educational Gifts for Kids

What to look for at this age:

  • Continued development of grasp
  • Toys that have a bit of movement
  • Stacking and other gross motor skills

KiwiCo “Panda” Subscription Box (STEAM for ages 0-2)
Infantino Sensory Balls & Blocks
mushie Stacking Cups
Manhattan Toy Wooden Teething Rattle and Grasp Toys
Baby Einstein Piano
The Play Gym by Lovevery


1-2 years

1-2 Year Old Educational Gifts for Kids

What to look for at this age:

  • Early education concepts (colors, shapes, animals, letters, numbers, etc.)
  • Beginning fine motor skills, continue gross motor skills
  • Making music
  • Role play
  • Creative play
  • Sensory play

KiwiCo “Panda” Subscription Box (STEAM for ages 0-2)
cossy Wooden Learning Walker
Montessori Wooden Letter, Number, and Shape Puzzles
Size & Shape Sorting “Carrot Harvest” Game
Melissa & Doug Geometric Stacker
Hape Mini Wooden Rainmaker
Melissa & Doug Lacing Beads


2-4 Years

2-4 Year Old Educational Gifts for Kids

What to look for at this age:

  • Early reading skills practice (sound recognition, rhyming, patterns, etc.)
  • Counting and number recognition
  • Simple addition
  • Piqued interest in science
  • Continued gross and fine motor skills
  • Continued musical play
  • Role play
  • Creative play
  • Sensory play

KiwiCo “Koala” Subscription Box (STEAM for ages 2-4)
Osmo Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad (Phonics)
Lydaz Wooden Counting and Adding Puzzle
WOOD CITY Bee Hive for Fine Motor Skills
Montessori Busy Board

Letter Acorns
Stoie’s International Wooden Music Set
Hape Creative Cookery Wooden Kitchen
Little Passports Early Explorers Subscription Box
FUNNY SUPPLY Curved Wooden Balance Board

Melissa & Doug has lots of early role playing sets as well such as:

  • Grocery Store
  • Doctor Activity Center
  • Snacks & Sweets Food Cart
  • Vacuum Cleaner
  • Baby Care
  • Beauty Salon

4-6 Years

4-6 Year old Educational Gifts for Kids

What to look for at this age:

  • Reading
  • Simple math games
  • Tangrams & pattern block puzzles (problem solving and visual reasoning)
  • Growing logic and reasoning skills
  • Developing geographical and cultural awareness
  • Scientific observation and curiosity
  • Advancing building skills
  • Exploring musical instruments
  • Continued gross and fine motor skills
  • Role play
  • Creative play
  • Sensory play

KiwiCo “Kiwi” Subscription Box (STEAM for ages 5-8)
Coogam Wooden GeoBoard & Wooden Pattern Block Puzzles
Wooden Stacking “Blocks” that actually look like stones
kizh Wooden Slide Puzzle Brain Teasers
CLUE Junior

Shifu Orboot Augmented Reality Interactive Globe
Little Passports Early Explorers Subscription Box
Little Passports Science Jr. Subscription Box
Brain Flakes Interlocking Discs for Building (Set of 500)

Small Fish Tuned Xylophone & Harmonica with Sheet Music
FUNNY SUPPLY Curved Wooden Balance Board
Melissa & Doug Chef’s Kitchen

Melissa & Doug Role Play Costumes:

  • Chef
  • Server
  • Police Officer
  • Pediatric Nurse
  • Doctor
  • Veterinarian
  • Ballerina
  • Cheerleader
  • Mermaid
  • Princess
  • Spy

Be sure to also check out the other Melissa & Doug Role Playing toys in the 2-4 year old section. There are lots of fun options to choose from!


6-8 Years

6-8 Year Old Educational Gifts for kids

What to look for at this age:

  • In-depth scientific exploration
  • Advancing tinkering abilities
  • Furthering logic and reasoning skills
  • Continued exploration and further understanding of musical instruments
  • Role play
  • Creative play
  • Sensory play

KiwiCo “Kiwi” Subscription Box (STEAM for ages 5-8)
Osmo Genius Starter Kit for iPad
Osmo Coding Starter Kit for Fire Tablet
LEGO Classic Creative Brick Box (Large)
AmScope Kids Beginner Microscope with Prepared Slides Set

Learn & Climb Kids’ Science Kit with 20+ Experiments
Little Passports World Edition Subscription Box
Little Passports USA Edition Subscription Box
Little Passports Science Jr. Subscription Box
FUNNY SUPPLY Curved Wooden Balance Board

Check the 2-4 years and 4-6 years sections for role playing toys from Melissa & Doug!

What great educational gifts for kids did I miss? Recommend your own toys and activities down in the comments to help other parents!

Until next time,

Audriana

New here? Learn more about us on this page!

Previous Post: « The Human Body: a Homeschool Unit Study You’ll Love
Next Post: Overcoming Homeschooling Challenges: Unsupportive Family and Friends »

Primary Sidebar

Hello, we're the Smiths!

W E L C O M E .

I’m Audriana, the mom and writer around here. At Smith Party of 6, I share about cultivating and enjoying life at home, whether it’s homeschooling, family life or homemaking. Read more here!

Categories

Products

  • Teach your children who God is and what He's like Attributes of God Cards $5.00
  • Sunflower Homeschool Planner | Download Sunflower Homeschool Planner | Undated | Digital Download $10.99
  • Preschool Letter Craft Examples Preschool Letter Craft Templates $7.00

Recent Posts

  • How to Plan Your Homeschool Week with Charlotte Mason
  • My Child Doesn’t Get It | A Homeschool Troubleshooting Guide
  • What is a Charlotte Mason Education? | The Basics
  • Pre-K Curriculum Review: The Good and the Beautiful | Newest Version
  • Train Them Up: Ideas and Resources for Family Worship

Archives

  • March 2023
  • January 2023
  • October 2022
  • January 2022
  • August 2021
  • June 2021
  • February 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · captivating theme by Restored 316

2 shares