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.
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
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
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
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
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:
4-6 Years
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:
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
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,
New here? Learn more about us on this page!