educational toys for 3 year old child

31 Best Educational Toys for Toddlers, Preschoolers and Big Kids

Parents, kids and Good Housekeeping Institute pros agree these learning toys are the most fun!

To find toys that strike the right balance, the Good Housekeeping Institute Little Lab tests toys throughout the year. For parents, they look for quality of construction, ease of use and frustration level. For kids, they make sure that the toys are fun (the most important factor), and something kids return to and are engaged with for long periods of time. They're mostly geared for little ones but there are a few selections for older kids to keep in mind for the future (or for older siblings). If these aren't enough, you can also check the Good Housekeeping Institute's age-by-age guide to toys and gifts for more recommendations, including STEM toys , sensory toys , family board games , and gifts for 1-year-olds and 2-year-olds (including gifts for toddlers and even stocking stuffers for toddlers !) all the way up to gifts for teens .

These are the the best educational toys for toddlers, preschoolers and elementary school students in 2022:

Learning Resources Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog

This cute hedgehog helps with fine motor coordination, since kids have to put the colorful spikes in the holes at different angles. It's also great for counting and color recognition. Parents loved that the quills easily store inside the back so you won't lose pieces! And if the kids become Spike fans, there's now a whole line of Spike toys, including a fidget toy , a sensory playset , a rainbow stacker and a puzzle . Ages 18 months+

RELATED: The Best Sensory Toys for Exploring Different Textures, Sights, and Sounds

Peaceable Kingdom Button, Button, Belly Button Game

Kids learn same vs. different, matching, colors and turn-taking when they play this board game, which challenges players to match their cards to the buttons or bears on the board. Good Housekeeping's testers requested this one over and over again. Ages 2+

RELATED: The Best Board Games for Kids, According to Parents and Experts

Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Piggy Bank

Kids open the piggy bank to remove the colorful, numbered coins. The toy can play more than 40 fun songs, tunes and phrases to interact with your child. In the baby stages, kids use it to practice their fine motor coordination skills while putting the coins into the bank. As they get older, they can use it to learn counting and adding. Ages 6 months+

RELATED: The Best STEM Toys for Kids, According to the GH Institute

LEGO Education SPIKE™ Prime Set

Let your imagination run wild with this open-ended playset. After constructing with colorful Lego building elements (bricks, sensors, motors, etc.), kids can layer on drag and drop coding based on the popular Scratch platform to create endless unique configurations, or use one of the 40+ guided lessons to learn more about the basics. As they develop their coding knowledge, they can explore text-based Python coding. While testing, we saw first-hand how early exposure to engineering and physics can help kids get excited about STEM. These products are a fun way for kids to learn through play, and help reinforce skills like experimentation and problem-solving. Ages 10+

Mega Mega Bloks Big Building Bag

This classic 80-piece building set includes blocks of different shapes and colors for kids to construct whatever their minds' dream up. Testers whipped up everything from towers and trains to castles and animals. This set is great for helping to develop gross motor skills and promotes open-ended creativity . Plus, you can easily store pieces in the travel-friendly bag when playtime is over. Ages 1+

Educational Insights Design & Drill Creative Workshop

This construction kit helps foster STEM learning as budding builders learn about different drill bits (Phillips, socket and flathead) for their motorized drill to use on their colorful bolts. The toy also includes a screwdriver and combination wrench to help complete the activity cards or create their own designs. For younger ones, the Design & Drill Bolt Buddies adds in colorful characters and playsets. Ages 3+

The Learning Journey Count and Learn Cookie Jar

Kids learn to recognize numbers and count to ten with this electronic cookie jar. They practice fine motor skills to insert the cookie and when they do, the jar says the number that's on the cookie, so the number-learning is reinforced. Ages 2+

Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope

Kids can insert the slides to see beautiful, up-close images of wildlife. Then the voice of Bindi Irwin explains what they're looking at , so kids can learn science even if they don't know how to read yet. Ages 4+

Magna-Tiles Magna-Tiles 32-Piece Clear Colors Set

Offering endless hours of fun, Magna-Tiles are a creative way to introduce educational topics like shapes, colors, engineering, principles of magnets, symmetry and more. They're also great for helping develop fine motor skills. Various sets are available with different piece counts and color options (think clear or glow-in-the-dark ). Ages 3+

Melissa & Doug Wooden Peg Puzzles

This set includes three wooden peg puzzles designed for tiny fingers and helps develop fine motor and hand-eye skills . The 10-piece number set has illustrations of each numeral, the 26-piece alphabet set has illustrations of words starting with the letter it corresponds to, and the fish puzzle has the name of the color for each. Ages 2+

Shifu Orboot Augmented Reality Interactive Globe

The best-selling globe on Amazon, this interactive world map pairs with an app that will let kids focus in on any region that interests them and learn more. There are more than 1,000 world facts loaded up in the app for them to explore. Ages 4+

Step2 Great Creations Art Center

This art center has it all: an art desk station with built-in storage, as well as a double-sided easel that has one side chalkboard, and the other a large whiteboard . Ample storage areas allow for crayons, markers, Play-doh, paint and more to be readily accessible and organized. Bonus: Three kids can easily create at once! Ages 3+

HABA Symphony Croc Music Band Set

This cute croc includes a drum with two mallets, a xylophone, a guiro wooden block (played by rubbing stick along notches on snout) and a bell. Multiple kids can play at once to help foster a sense of rhythm while developing motor skills . Ages 2+

LeapFrog LeapFrog Fridge Phonics Magnetic Letter Set

Compatible with any magnetic surface, this set features interactive alphabet tiles. Placing a letter on the bus window enables your kids to hear the letter and related words . Plus, it includes fun, kid-friendly songs like the "Alphabet Song" and "Wheels on the Bus." Ages 2+

Melissa & Doug Learn-to-Play Piano

Have a budding Mozart? With 25 keys spanning two octaves, kids can experiment with high and low notes as well as loud and soft sounds. It includes a color-coded songbook that's great for older kids to use to play real songs. It comes in blue, pink and multi-colors. Ages 3+

Learning Resources Learning Resources Coding Critters

Kids can get into the basics of coding without using a screen. The 22-piece set comes with coding challenges that do things like help the bunny find its carrot or pull the cart. A storybook walks kids through the challenges. In addition, there's a "play mode" where kids can use the pieces for imaginative free play. Different animals are available, including a dog, cat and dinosaur. This year, they've added MagiCoders, which come in the form of a unicorn or a dragon . Ages 4+

ThinkFun Roller Coaster Challenge

This is both a building toy and a board game all rolled up into one. Players pick a challenge card that asks kids to use certain pieces to build their roller coaster track. If they can use them to build one, and then have the car ride from start to finish with no disasters, they win! It helps them develop engineering and logic skills at the same time. Ages 6+

Good Housekeeping Good Housekeeping Amazing Science

Kids get to play the role of at-home scientist, going from room to room and looking into the science behind phenomena like why bathroom mirrors get foggy or how to de-stink shoes. There are more than 80 hands-on experiments for them to try, using items that are commonly found around the house. Ages 7+

hand2mind Numberblocks MathLink Cubes

If you know little fans of Numberblocks on Netflix, they'll love this counting set, a 2021 Good Housekeeping Best Toy Award winner. Kids can build their favorite characters from the show with the linking cubes, practicing counting in the process and also play with the math-based, wipe-clean activity cards included in the set. Ages 3+

RELATED: The Good Housekeeping Best Toy Awards

VTech Get Ready for School Learning Desk

This desk is basically a command center, loaded with parts that let them practice time-telling, track the weather and the days of the week or learn about the alphabet, numbers, counting, music, shapes, colors, the human body. But the true stand-out feature is the light-up projector, which lets kids trace numbers and letters with a stylus on a built-in interactive writing pad. Flip it over and there's also a chalkboard and easel. Ages 2+

Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother . She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.

Rachel Rothman was the chief technologist and executive technical director of the Good Housekeeping Institute for over 15 years , overseeing testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also managed GH's research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems. 

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Home » Recommendations » Toys » 9 Best Educational Toys for 3-year-olds to Promote Development

9 Best Educational Toys for 3-year-olds to Promote Development

Preschool-aged children learn through discovery and exploration in their daily surroundings. Providing access to educational toys for 3-year-olds crates a natural teaching environment. This fosters developmentally appropriate situations where children encounter learning and discovery that promotes the development of cognitive, motor, social and emotional skills.

1. Bath Letters and Numbers by Munchkin

Turn bath time into learning time with Bath Letters and Numbers by Munchkin . Incorporate learning into your 3-year-old’s bath routine with colorful foam letters and numbers.

These foam toys float in the bath and cling to tub walls when wet. Then they come off easily when dry and leave no residue. With 26 letters and 10 numerals in six fun colors, there is plenty of opportunities for children to learn names of the colors, letters, and numbers.

Why We Recommend:

• 36 colorful, floating letters and numbers
• Sticks to bathtub walls when wet
• Made of soft, durable, non-toxic foam
• Introduce colors, letters, and numbers
• Incorporates learning into daily activity

2. Dado Cube by Fat Brain Toys

These educational toys for 3-year-olds and up are an exciting twist on classic building blocks. Dado Cubes are a set of 10 cubes scaled from 1 inch to 5 inches that nest, stack, and connect along slits in their edges. These unique blocks teach kids proportion, balance, structure, and color in a naturalistic teaching environment. Young imaginations engage with the slits in each block that interlock to create 3-dimensional structures.

You can construct vertically, horizontally, diagonally, or nest them together. Dado Cubes promote visual-spacial awareness and problem-solving skills through experimentation and play. These innovative blocks inspire art and STEM as kids explore architectural principals.

• Great STEM toy for preschool classrooms and home
• Open-ended play for individual or cooperative learning
• Improves fine motor skills, hand strength, finger dexterity, and coordination
• Encourages visual-spatial skills, creativity, experimentation, planning, self-esteem
• Nests for easy storage
• Made of durable, BPA-free plastic
• Developed, manufactured, and assembled in the U.S.A.

No products found.

3. MightyMind by LeisureLearning

The innovation of Mighty Mind makes it a singularly amazing toy for 3-year-olds at home or school. This toy promotes the development of essential skills such as creativity, spacial awareness, logic, problem-solving, fine motor, and self-confidence.

Children can learn to solve these mind boosting puzzles before they ever learn to read. The brightly colored shapes can fit onto the shape card in various ways. These educational toys for 3-year-olds and up has received many awards, including Parents Choice Honor Toy, Teachers Choice Award, Dr Toys Best Vacation Toy, and more.

The sequence of numbered patterns gets increasingly difficult as children manipulate 32 geometric shapes and build pictures. The first 20 puzzles provide prompt and clues in the picture to assist a child in selecting the correct shapes, but the last 10 are without clues and are the most challenging of them all. Children can also get creative with their own designs using the 32 vibrant Mighty Mind colored shape tiles.

• Teaches kids how to build and solve puzzles.
• Unique program designed to build a child’s confidence
• No reading or language required
• Distributed worldwide in 26 countries
• Develops essential critical analytical thinking skills
• Structured or open-play for individual or cooperative learning

4. Inchimals by Fat Brain Toys

Inchimals by Fat Brain Toys take children on a mathematical safari adventure. These precisely-sized animal blocks help with learning math concepts such as measurement, numbers, addition, subtraction, and pre-algebra. These 12 beautifully crafted wooden blocks range from 1 to 12 inches in hight. Each features a different animal, inch line segments, written numerals, and representative dots corresponding to the actual hight of the block.

These fun, colorful blocks allow for measurement exploration and visual representations of addition and subtraction. The set comes with a write-on, wipe-off puzzle book to introduce pre-algebra concepts and balancing equations. Great for use in schools or at home for early math education.

• Multiple ways to learn and explore – structured and open-play
• Introduce vocabulary – shorter, taller, hight, length, distance
• Teaches addition and subtraction concepts
• Stacking blocks promotes motor control
• Encourages creative thinking, spacial reasoning, and dramatic play
• 12 animal blocks and a write-on, wipe-off puzzle book
• Use in home or classrooms

5.Robot Engineer (Level 1) by Kids First

Level 1 Robot Engineer Kit by Kids First includes a storybook and 51 large, colorful plastic building pieces that are easy for small hands to manipulate. Children can construct robots with arms that spin while they learn about simple machines. Kids can have a blast constructing the simple, non-motorized robot models based on the robots in the included storybook.

Little Engineers can follow along with Ty and Karlie in the silly storybook as they build and repair robots and solve problems in a candy factory. The book and construction kit are a fun way to introduce simple engineering concepts to 3-year-olds.

• Introduces simple machines and gears
• Develops STEM-related skills – science, math, visual-spacial, reasoning, and problem-solving
• Engages children with simple engineering concepts
• 53-piece building set
• Durable Storage Case
• 32-page storybook

6. Rhyming Words Match & Learn Puzzle

This box set of Rhyming Words Match & Learn Puzzles make great educational toys for 3-year-olds. The self-correcting puzzles have real-life pictures with the associated word underneath. Flip the pieces over and the associated word only is on the back for more advanced gameplay for 2 games in one.

The rhyming part of each word pair is highlighted in matching colors to help early learners identify correct rhymes. Children improve fine motor skills through manipulating the puzzle pieces. Pieces are large enough for little hands to grip and manipulate.

• Introduces rhyming words
• Self-correcting puzzles
• Fine motor skills
• Real-life pictures and associated words
• 2-in-1 game

7. 2-in-1 LeapTop Touch by LeapFrog

The 2-in-1 LeapTop Touch by LeapFrog is a touch-screen learning toy for preschoolers that transforms from a laptop-style device to a tablet. The screen flips to convert from keyboard to tablet mode. This computerized toy comes loaded with 26 fun animals that teach letter recognition and letter sounds. Five learning modes include ABCs, numbers, games, music, and messages.

Children can also have a blast pretending to be mom or dad sending emails on the computer. The 2-in-1 LeapTop Touch introduces basic computer literacy skills to young children in an age-appropriate and entertaining way. Children role-play typing on a laptop and tapping on a tablet to play fun games and activities that teach letter sounds, counting, and animals.

• Teaches Letters and Numbers
• Encourages Social Skills
• Makes learning fun with music and rhyme
• Boosts basic computer literacy
• Dramatic play and role-playing

8. Wooden Latches Board by Melissa and Doug

Keep your 3-year-old busy and entertained with the Wooden Latches Board for Melissa and Doug. Children can undo locks and latches to swing open the numbered doors. Fun pictures hide behind each door. Build fine motor skills while learning colors, numbers, animals and more with this educational toy.

• Promotes fine motor development
• Introduces colors and numbers
• Encourages problem-solving
• Learning to open latches promotes self-help and daily living skills
• Promotes independence and self-confidence

9. My Magnetic Daily Calendar by Melissa and Doug

Maintaining their own calendar gives children a greater sense of independence, self-reliance, responsibility, and control. Each day your 3-year-old can help post on My Magnetic Daily Calendar by Melissa and Doug. This calendar provides a visual facilitation to talk to your child daily about the day of the week, date, weather, and special events.

There’s even a space to post their moon which encourages open communication and emotional awareness. Preprinted magnets make updating the calendar simple and fun. There are even two dry-erase magnets to make your own custom tiles.

• Promotes independence and responsibility
• Teaches calendar skills — days, dates, months
• Teaches weather, seasons, and holidays
• Promotes social-emotional wellness
• Practice fine motor skills daily by moving the calendar pieces
• Solid wood construction

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28 of the best toys for 3-year-olds, from a mess-free painting set to an indoor basketball hoop

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

• The best toys for 3-year-olds encourage their development while being fun and engaging.
• We spoke to toy experts and a psychologist to round up some of the best toys to gift 3-year-olds.
• Still looking for a gift? Check out our list of the  All-Time Best products we've ever tested .

At 3 years old, children enter a new world of imaginative and pretend play, and the selection of toys to inspire their play is virtually endless. If you're shopping for a holiday gift for a 3-year-old, consider this list of toys that we narrowed down after talking to two toy experts and a developmental psychologist.

All of our experts emphasized the importance of considering a 3-year-old's interests when buying them a toy, whether that's their favorite activity, TV show, or animal. If there's a hot toy that you know they'll love, we recommend buying it now to avoid potential price increases and stock shortages due to supply chain issues .

With our experts' advice in mind and our own research and testing, we've compiled our favorite toys for 3-year-olds. From active toys to art projects and everything in between, we found something that's bound to delight the child on your shopping list.

Here are 28 of the best toys for 3-year-olds that are educational and fun:

A simple and open-ended dollhouse.

Haba Little Friends Dollhouse, $99.99, available at Amazon

Some of the best toys for kids are open-ended and require them to use their imagination. Three-year-olds will be encouraged to create their own play world when they open this furnished dollhouse. My 3-year-old often reenacts parts of her day in this house. Note that you'll need to purchase dolls separately.

Recommended ages: 3 to 8 years old

Magical sand that easily molds

Kinetic Sand Sandwhirlz Playset, $13.49, available at Amazon

As opposed to typical dry sand that falls apart, kinetic sand keeps its molded form, providing an excellent sensory experience. Charlton said that open-ended toys engage the imaginations and critical thinking skills of 3-year-olds. When they're given this kit with 2 pounds of sand and 6 shapeshifters, kids will have no choice but to imagine and create their own play world.

Recommended ages: 3 to 12 years old

A basketball hoop just their size

Little Tikes Easy Score Toy Basketball Hoop, $23.97, available at Walmart

Most 3-year-olds are ready to refine their throwing and catching skills — there's no better time than now to get them a basketball hoop. You can adjust this hoop from 2.5 to 4 feet, so it can grow with them and always stay at an ideal height. Perfect for indoors or outdoors, this gift will help them channel some of their seemingly never-ending energy.

Recommended ages:  18 months to 5 years old

A dinosaur set for creative play

Melissa & Doug Play, Draw, Create Reusable Drawing and Magnet Kit, from $12.50, available at Amazon , Target , and Macy's

Three-year-olds who love dinosaur toys will grow their creativity and fine motor skills with this activity set they can revisit over and over. It comes with magnets, dry-erase markers, and an erasable drawing board and activity book with facts about dinosaurs, drawing games, and more.

Recommended ages:  3 years and up

A sensory bin for space exploration

Creativity for Kids Sensory Bin: Outerspace, $15.97, available at Amazon

Kids are always exploring their environments. With this sensory bin, they can explore outer space through sight, touch, and hearing. The set comes with outer space rocks (instead of typical sand), glowing stars, an astronaut, a squishy alien, tongs, and a scoop.

A set of aquatic pets made for coloring

Crayola Scribble Scrubbie Ocean Pets Lagoon Playset, from $19.99, available at Amazon and Michaels

These four aquatic pets are perfect for 3-year-olds to color. Kids can decorate them with the included markers, wash them off when they're ready to make a new design, and then start all over. "Kids can go on imaginative adventures with their pets based on their looks and get to totally customize their experience," said Maddie Michalik , senior editor of The Toy Insider. This set comes with shark, octopus, whale, and clown fish figures, six markers, and a scrubbie tub.

Recommended ages: 3 years and up

A beloved TV show combined with a classic building toy

CreateOn Magna-Tiles Sesame Street Cookie Monster's Shapes, $44.95, available at Amazon

Elmo, Big Bird, Oscar, and of course, Cookie Monster all make an appearance in this 17-piece Magna-Tiles set. Bronwyn Charlton, PhD, developmental psychologist and cofounder of Seedlingsgroup , recommends Magna-Tiles as a toy that can be used in a variety of ways, and this one can be combined with other CreateOn Magna-Tiles sets.

A Paw Patrol set for rescue by land and air

Paw Patrol, Chase's 5-in-1 Ultimate Cruiser, from $68.99, available at Amazon and Target

Kids who love "Paw Patrol" will delight in taking Chase on rescue missions by truck, helicopter, and motorcycle. The most exciting part of this toy is the dual-launching motorcycles. Just press a button on the cruiser and the bikes pop out the sides.

A doll that encourages handwashing

Doc McStuffins Wash Your Hands Doll, $19.01, available at Walmart

Doc McStuffins is a toddler favorite, making this doll an accessible way to encourage kids to wash their hands and wear their mask. The doll comes with an interactive stethoscope, face mask, doctor's bag, thermometer, and otoscope. As part of the doll's launch, Disney and Just Play donated funds for two million meals to Feeding America.

A climbing tower to channel their energy

Toy Bars Eezy Peezy Monkey Bars Climbing Tower, $149.99, available at Amazon

If you know a 3-year-old who can't help but climb furniture, this tower will give them an appropriate and safe place to get their climbing fix. Charlton recommends the Monkey Bars Climbing Tower to get kids moving, even in a small space. This durable tower can withstand up to 150 pounds, so multiple kids can play together.

Recommended ages: 3 to 6 years

The ultimate PJ Masks toy

PJ Masks Transforming 2-in-1 Mobile HQ, $67.99, available at Amazon

Jim Silver , CEO of TTPM (Toys, Tots, Pets & More), said that the PJ Masks HQ is the ultimate toy for fans of the show, and it's easy to see why. In HQ mode, the toy is 3 feet tall and has five levels, and in Seeker mode, it's ready to roll to take Catboy on a mission. The toy comes with Catboy and one Cat-Car as well as a compartment to trap villains.

A monthly activity box for 3-year-olds

KiwiCo Panda Crate, from $15.95/month, available at KiwiCo

This subscription activity box brings a new adventure for curious kids every month. Each box has themed educational activities and games that allow kids to explore topics like ocean life and visiting the doctor's office. The items are chosen by developmental psychologists to keep kids interested and learning long after opening the box.

Recommended ages: 2 to 4 years

A watercolor set with minimal mess

Melissa & Doug Paint With Water, $18.29, available at Amazon

These watercolor books are an excellent introduction to painting for 3-year-olds. They can wet the included paintbrush and use it to activate the colors on the paint palette at the top of each page. Learning to use a paintbrush helps hone fine motor skills. Charlton recommends toys such as this that strengthen finger dexterity, a precursor to writing.

A bike for beginners

Little Tikes My First Balance, $69.99, available at Target

This balance bike skips training wheels, as kids learn to balance with their feet on the ground before learning to pedal. "Prioritize toys that encourage your child to be active," Charlton said. Once toddlers get the hang out it, this will be a go-to toy for getting energy out. The seat and handlebars are adjustable to grow with the child, and the tires are made of foam that won't go flat.

Recommended ages: 2 to 5 years

A set of jigsaw puzzles

Melissa & Doug Vehicles 4-in-1 Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles, $9.16, available at Amazon and Walmart

This set includes four wooden jigsaw puzzles: a firetruck, a train, a school bus, and a race car. The sturdy wooden pieces and included storage box minimize the risk of pieces getting destroyed or going AWOL. Charlton recommends puzzles for 3-year-olds because they encourage exploration and problem-solving.

A tree house play set

Timber Tots Tree House, $57.49, available on Amazon

The Timber Tots Tree House packs a lot of play into a small package. The set comes with two Timber Tots, a tree house that closes up for easy carrying, a working elevator, three rooms, a swing, a hideaway, a car, and nine pieces of furniture. It's an ideal set for 3-year-olds who are beginning to explore pretend play.

Recommended ages: 2 years and up

A sweatshirt that turns into a stuffed animal

Cubcoats Hoodies, from $20, available at Amazon and Macy's

Cubcoats can be transformed from a sweatshirt to a stuffed animal in less than a minute. Choose from popular characters from their favorite TV shows and movies, like "Paw Patrol" and "Star Wars," as well as animals like a puppy, cat, sloth, and panda. The quality of the fabric and the hoodie's easy layering are convincing enough , but the stuffed animal transformation makes this a truly special purchase.

Available sizes: 2T to 10

A game about emotions

Janod Emotions Magnetic Game, $29.99, available at Amazon

Learning to identify and regulate emotions is difficult for toddlers, but this game makes it easier. Recommended by Charlton, the Emotions Magnetic Game helps kids build social-emotional skills. It encourages them to identify 10 feelings by matching them with situations from everyday life and even includes a mirror to practice emotional faces.

A kids' book that explores different cultures

"A World Together," from $10.28, available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

This new book was written by Sonia Manzano of "Sesame Street" to spread the message that although all of our lives look different, we're really all the same. This message is beautifully illustrated through real photographs of people around the world. The pictures are sure to spark conversation about different cultures with curious kids.

Recommended ages: preschool to grade 2

A play appliance just their size

Little Tikes First Appliances, from $19.77, available at Amazon and Target

Surprise a kid with a miniature version of a major appliance. Michalik said that an ideal gift for a 3-year-old is one that centers around role-play. Kids get to pretend they're using real appliances with these toys that have interactive features, including as a washer that spins, a sink with a working faucet , a stove with play food and burners that light up, and a fridge that dispenses plastic ice cubes.

Jungle animal figurines

Learning Resources Jungle Animal Counters, $24.99, available at Amazon  and Walmart

This collection is an ideal springboard for creative pretend play. Kids will find 60 figurines from across 12 animal species, including giraffes, lions, elephants, tigers, and zebras. These toys help teach early learning concepts like counting, sorting, compare and contrast, addition and subtraction, and pattern recognition.

A vacuum that picks up 'dusties'

Leapfrog Pickup and Count Vacuum, from $24.96, available at Walmart and Target

Three-year-olds can help around the house with this vacuum that comes with "dusties" for them to pick up. A conveyor belt in the vacuum sucks them up, and the talking toy challenges kids to pick up specific colors or to suck them all up as quickly as possible. Toddlers will enjoy engaging in the challenges while "helping" with chores. 

An environmentally friendly version of an old classic

Mr. Potato Head Goes Green, $6.99, available at Amazon

Mr. Potato Head has gone green in this new iteration made from plant-based plastic. Kids will love mixing and matching his body parts to create silly face combinations. It comes with 14 accessories, including some new additions like a worm, flowerpot, and plant sprout.

A baby that grows into a big kid

Baby Alive Baby Grows Up, from $47.99, available at Macy's and Target

When kids open the box, they'll find a surprise newborn baby that will grow into a big kid with lots of love and care. Michalik said toys that develop social and emotional skills are of the utmost importance for toddlers. Kids will get to feed the baby her first bottle, hear her first word, and help her stand for the first time.

A Baby Yoda doll to snuggle

The Child Plush, $9.99, available at Target

The only thing more adorable than Baby Yoda is a 3-year-old cuddling Baby Yoda. Officially named The Child, this 8-inch plush version is just the right size for a toddler. It has a weighted bottom so it can stand upright, yet the entire toy is soft and huggable.

A classic game with a twist

Don't Break the Ice, Disney Frozen II Edition, $19.99, available at Amazon

"Frozen" fans will enjoy this new twist on a classic game as they try not to break Elsa's ice. In addition to being a fun family game, it will challenge 3-year-olds to practice patience and motor planning. They'll also feel a sense of accomplishment as their ice-tapping skills improve.

A 3-story Lego Duplo house

Lego Duplo Modular Playhouse, $59.99, available at Amazon

Playing with Lego bricks helps 3-year-olds develop their fine motor skills and inspires creativity. "Toddlers love to take apart, put back together, pull out, put in, add on, and build up," said Charlton. This 129-piece set includes extra building ideas so kids can create their own unique houses. Some of the pieces include a fridge that opens, a guitar, a rocking horse, and a pet dog.

Sensory dough they can help make themselves

The Dough Project DIY Mix, $12, available at The Dough Project

This DIY kit includes ingredients and simple instructions to make a batch of play dough. Kids can help combine the dry mix with water and oil before it's cooked on the stove. The dough is a breeze to make and surprisingly not messy. One package makes a generous 15 ounces of dough and is available in red, yellow, or blue.

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The Best Educational Toys for Toddlers to Combine Fun and Learning

Inspire little minds with building, reading, matching, and more educational toys

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Verywell Family / Amelia Manley

Educational toys are great for toddlers because they help stimulate learning , whether it’s through stacking blocks or simply reading a book, as young children reach developmental milestones. Look for toys that will add educational value to your child’s playtime and hone in on any of their interests to keep it entertaining. 

To begin our research, we surveyed 875 parents about what toys their children love to play with, how they play with them, and why they love to continuously use them. We also spoke with a pediatrician and reviewed guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on how to buy safe toys and what to expect during the toddler years (ages 1 to 3). Moreover, we reviewed developmental milestones for toddlers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). When reviewing products, we carefully considered age recommendations, toy safety, milestones, design, ease of use, and value . Lastly, a board-certified pediatrician from our Review Board reviewed this article for accuracy on how to evaluate safe and age-appropriate educational toys for toddlers.

• How We Selected and Tested
• What to Look For

Why Trust Verywell Family

More toys for kids, best overall, melissa & doug grocery cart push toy and puzzles.

Versatile (several activities in one design)

Wood material is durable and high quality

Push handle isn't adjustable

Why We Recommend It

Melissa & Doug is a well-loved brand among parents we surveyed because of the company’s high-quality materials and educational toys—and this toddler grocery cart is no different. One of our writers received a free sample of the company’s Wooden Shape Sorting Grocery Cart and says the toy is even cuter in person. The cart arrives nearly fully assembled, minus attaching the handle with a screwdriver, which is a piece of cake. 

This toddler grocery cart is all about learning; it features a built-in matching game , two puzzle boards, 12 shape-sorting pieces that double as puzzle pieces, and a play coffee cup with a lid for imaginative play. Whether littles—ages 1 and up—play with the puzzles or sort shapes, the Melissa & Doug grocery cart encourages fine and gross motor skills , color and shape recognition, counting, problem-solving, and more. 

While the handle doesn’t adjust, kids can push the grocery cart thanks to moving wheels that glide on carpet and tile. The beautiful and durable wood is just the cherry on top.

Best Building

Mega bloks 80-piece big building bag.

Budget-friendly

Practices problem-solving and fine motor skills

80 blocks included

Only blocks in storage bag

The Mega Bloks First Builders Bag is our top pick because this set of blocks provides endless playtime possibilities . Blocks provide an opportunity for you and your little one to practice problem-solving and fine motor skills , as well as a great base for non-stop pretend play. 

The top criteria for a good set of blocks are durability, a safe and fun size, and disinfecting ability. The Mega Bloks are a parent favorite because they come with 80 colorful building blocks , including special shapes for under $20. They click into each other nicely without too much pressure (good for little hands) and can be stored easily in the zip bag they come in.

Best Matching

Kidzlane egg toy for kids and toddlers.

Durable case included

Teaches color matching

Easy to grab for little hands

Some eggs don't stay together

May be hard to open for some toddlers

Whether it be with colors, shapes, or even animals, matching is a great skill to work on with toddlers. This affordable egg toy is designed to help your toddler learn to count, sort, and match . The set includes 12 plastic eggs, each of which has a different color and a number of small pegs that match up with another half with the same layout. 

Kids love to click and pull apart these eggs, and they are easy to grab for little hands . They come in a durable plastic egg carton, which also acts as a carrying and storage case. You can even use these eggs with pretend play for a fun learning experience in the play kitchen.

Best for Sensory Learning

Democa quiet book for toddlers.

Nine engaging activities

Machine-washable

Some pages not as engaging

Keeping a toddler busy and entertained is a full-time job. The deMoca Quiet Book makes things a lot easier with nine engaging activities built into a brightly colored fabric, machine-washable book. 

The activities include matching velcro-colored shapes, learning to tie shoes and button buttons, and a clock to tell time. The book is perfect for sensory development and encourages dexterity and spatial awareness . This travel-friendly activity book will keep your toddler busy, and there aren’t any pieces or parts to lose.

Best Flashcards

Learnworx flashcards for toddlers.

101 flash cards included

Large print

No shapes, colors, or numbers

Flashcards are a little bit of an old-school learning method but are much loved by parents, teachers, and toddlers because they’re easy, fun, and great for on the go. We love this flashcard set from Learnworx. The set comes with 101 large-print, extra-thick cards that feature cute and bright pictures of objects and scenes like animals, foods, and household items.

On the back of the cards, prompt questions encourage counting, spelling, and more, like “How many lions do you see?” The cards wipe clean and store easily in a toddler-friendly box.

Best Puzzle

Melissa & doug farm animals sound puzzle.

Realistic animal sounds

Puzzle pieces have peg for easy grasping

Wood is sturdy

Batteries not included

Another solid educational toy for toddlers is this Melissa & Doug Sound Puzzle. Parents we surveyed recommend this educational toddler toy because it promotes fine motor skills , and kids can play with it independently. Each puzzle piece includes an easy-to-grasp peg for little hands. Once children place the puzzle piece into the correct spot, they’ll hear realistic animal sounds . While we love the farm animals theme, it also comes in musical instruments, vehicles, pets, and zoo animals.

ToyVelt Dinosaur Take Apart Toys

Helps with hand-eye coordination

Not recommended for children under 3 years old

Even though the concept of STEM might seem a little advanced for your toddler, encouraging exploration and play that involves invention and problem-solving are all part of it. This colorful set includes three or six dinosaurs and tools .

The idea is for your toddler to take apart and reassemble the dinosaurs using kid-friendly tools. Although this toy may not be right for a 1-year-old, a 3-year-old child will love the process of taking apart and fixing the dinosaurs. They will work on their hand-eye coordination, creative problem-solving, and patience , all while having fun.

Best for Fine Motor Skills

Learning resources spike the fine motor hedgehog.

Quills fit into hedgehog for easy storage

Works on fine motor skills

Does not make sounds/noises

Want to know how to work on your toddler’s fine motor skills? Find a toy that keeps their attention! Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog gets rave reviews because kids love it just as much as parents and grandparents. The brightly colored peg-shaped pieces can be placed in and out of the friendly hedgehog and are easy for kids to grasp. 

With this cute toy, you can also work on color recognition, sorting, and counting skills, then simply store it away as one piece. Good for a young toddler and your budget, and your toddler will love this fun little hedgehog.

Best for Memory

Banana panda suuuper size memory game.

Practice matching, focus, and sorting

Easy to learn

Only animals or vehicles offered

Best for ages 2 and up, this giant Banana Panda memory game is a good way to practice matching, focus, and sorting . The game itself is easy to learn and fun to play. You can also use the cards as flashcards to introduce new words. 

The Banana Panda game has adorable colorful animal illustrations and the pieces are made of thick cardboard and are large enough for a toddler to see and grab. These easily store and are portable for travel or play on the go.

Best for Reading

Leapfrog learning friends 100 words book.

Introduces toddlers to 100 vocabulary words

English or Spanish offered

Batteries required

Touch can be sensitive

You can count on LeapFrog to make an interactive educational toy that both you and your toddler will love. With the Learning Friends Interactive book, your toddler will be introduced to 100 vocabulary words and be able to touch the words and pictures on each page. The book also has fun facts, music, and sounds and can be turned to Spanish for language learning. 

The word categories in the Learning Friends Book include pets, animals, food, mealtime, colors, activities, opposites, outside, and more . Take this book with you in the car or while you grocery shop, and your toddler will be happily entertained.

Best for Art

Betheaces aqua doodle magic drawing mat.

Six drawing templates

No toxic ingredients

Pens may leak

As any parent will tell you, any toddler art activity that doesn’t involve mess is a sure winner. With the Aqua Doodle Magic Drawing Mat, there is no mess, no toxic ingredients, and no ink . The magical pen transforms water into a mess-free color and disappears after a few minutes, so the fun doesn't have to end,

The Aqua Doodle also includes four drawing templates, four pens, and four shape stencils . The water drawing mat itself has a bright and colorful border and is large enough to be shared and played with outdoors (but it also folds up and is easy to take with you).

How We Selected and Tested Educational Toys for Toddlers

• Expert Input: We spoke with Whitney Casares, MD, MPH , pediatrician, author of “Doing It All: Stop Over-Functioning, and Become the Mom and Person You’re Meant to Be” (releasing January 23, 2024), and founder of Modern Mommy Doc, to find out what to look for in educational toys for toddlers. We reviewed guidance from the AAP on how to buy safe toys and what parents and caregivers can expect during the toddler years, ages 1 to 3. Moreover, we reviewed CDC guidance on developmental milestones for toddlers.
• Parent Survey: We surveyed 875 parents to learn more about what toys their children play with, how they play with them, and why they love them. Additionally, we asked parents and caregivers about their favorite brands and what makes them well-loved among their families.
• Design and Features Research: After reviewing guidance and insights from our expert, the AAP and CDC, and parents, we studied the design and features of more than 30 educational toys for toddlers on the market.
• Safety and Convenience Assessment: We considered toy safety, age recommendations, ease of use, developmental milestones, and value when reviewing products.

What to Look for in Educational Toys for Toddlers

The good news with toddlers is that they are naturally curious, so they can find interest in just about any toy. Also, little ones this age just love to play in general, and since there are so many opportunities to learn through play, that leaves a huge selection of educational toys to choose from.

According to Dr. Casares, toys that facilitate problem-solving, like shape sorters, are a great option for toddlers because of their natural interest in exploring the world around them. Additionally, consider interactive toys and toys that teach natural associations, like a horse in a barn, or a fish in the ocean.

Development is still a major consideration when shopping for toys for toddlers because they’re still working on mastering many skills. Dr. Casares says play helps with every aspect of development, including gross motor, fine motor, social-emotional, and cognitive skills. In order to find the best toys for toddlers, it helps to keep some common milestones in mind when you’re shopping.

• Cognitive Development : The Kidzlane Color Matching Egg Set is an educational toy for 1- and 2-year-olds that encourages problem-solving. 
• Fine Motor Skills : Spike the Hedgehog helps toddlers strengthen their fine motor skills, like grasping.
• Language Development : Naming objects is a milestone for toddlers between 1 and 2 years old, and LearnWorx Flashcards are great for helping little ones learn and identify new objects and expand their vocabulary.

Entertainment Value

While toddlers have a wide range of interests, their attention spans are typically short, so looking for entertaining and engaging toys is essential. It’s important to provide a wide range of activities for toddlers, according to Dr. Casares, so a toy that can be played with in multiple ways is more likely to keep a toddler’s attention.

Additionally, she suggests looking for toys that offer some kind of sensory or imaginative play because they’re not only entertaining for toddlers but also really great for supporting their development.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! During the toddler years , children grow and change rapidly in the areas of cognitive, physical, and social development, and educational toys can help them learn and grow. Toys that encourage building, matching, and moving pieces around help kiddos improve their hand-eye coordination, motor skills, and problem-solving skills, while those that encourage creative or imaginative play will help them learn and identify new objects and build their language and social/emotional skills.

Children start to learn and refine many skills between 1 and 3 years old. These include cognitive skills like reasoning and thinking things through and social skills like asking for help, building independence, and playing appropriately with others. Language skills also take a big step forward during this phase, as kids go from using just a handful of words to connecting words with images, speaking in complete sentences and communicating more complex thoughts.

While it's smart to have a variety of toys that will encourage the development of different skills (such as blocks for motor skills and books for language skills), too many toys can actually lead to overwhelm—and research shows children who have fewer toys played with each longer and played more creatively.

To keep your playroom from getting overloaded , store or give away toys that your child has outgrown, put toys on display (and encourage little ones to put them away at the end of playtime), and make books and educational toys the most accessible.

Deanna McCormack is a freelance writer and creative consultant based in Scottsdale, Arizona. She enjoys working with start-ups and regularly covers product launches in the lifestyle, beauty, and motherhood space. A self-proclaimed expert at baby registries and gift ideas, Deanna has two kids and is the co-founder of Loonie Kid, a Canadian clothing company for kids and toddlers.

Additional reporting by  Ashley Ziegler and Katrina Cossey .

When it comes to toys for kids, our team has you covered. The Verywell Family team of editors (who are parents or have nieces and nephews of their own) have tested, gifted, and personally recommend every item we feature. Find more of our top toy picks for every developmental stage and personality phase here:

• The Best Christmas Gifts for Kids
• The Best Developmental Toys for Babies
• The Best Tummy Time Toys
• The Best Active Toys for Toddlers
• The Best Outdoor Toys for Toddlers
• The Best Toys for Toddlers
• The Best Phonics Toys for Preschoolers
• The Best Toys for Learning Letters and Numbers
• The Best Musical Toys for Children of All Ages
• The Best Montessori Toys to Encourage Thoughtful Play
• The Best Sesame Street Toys
• The Best Outdoor Toys for Kids of All Ages
• The Best Dinosaur Toys
• The Best Toys for Fine Motor Skills Development
• The Best Toys for Independent Play
• The Best Snow Toys for Kids
• The Best STEM Toys for Kids
• Best Laptop Toys for Kids
• The Best Social Emotional Learning Toys
• The Best Robot Toys
• The Best Ride-On Toys
• The Best Cleaning Toy Sets
• The Black-Owned Gift Guide

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Important milestones: Your child by 2 years .

American Academy of Pediatrics. How to buy safe toys.

American Academy of Pediatrics. Ages & stages.

Dauch C, Imwalle M, Ocasio B, Metz AE. The influence of the number of toys in the environment on toddlers’ play .  Infant Behav Dev . 2018;50:78-87.

The 14 Best Educational Toys For 3-Year-Olds & 7 Factors To Help You Choose

What Kind Of Toys Should A 3-Year-Old Have?

Plenty of 3-year-olds love to socialize and play with new friends, but don’t be surprised if your little one prefers to play on their own. Kids develop at different rates and have varied personalities.

According to child development experts, preschoolers (3-4-year-olds) begin to develop their social skills at this age. When they notice other children playing, most are likely to readily join these other kids even if they don’t know them. (1)(2)

Toys for this age group are ideally those that can be shared and played with other children, such as jumbo building toys for little hands, simple board games, interactive toys for pretend play, and age-appropriate learning activities.

You might also notice that many developmentally friendly toys for 1-year-olds and 2-year-olds are still great for 3-year-olds.

These toys can grow with your child, and you might be surprised that they’ll find new ways to play with these old toys. Older kids (5-7-year-olds) might even find these toys interesting, especially educational toys that continue to challenge their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.

Why Should You Choose Learning Toys For 3-Year-Olds?

Your child is getting ready for preschool or might already be in school at three years old. One way of encouraging them to learn is to make the experience fun.

The best learning toys can be used to develop their cognitive skills and learn basic math, science, and language concepts.

That’s why STEM toys (science, technology, engineering, and math) are among the best learning resources and toys you can pick for your child.

These will introduce them to the basic concepts and let them develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills as they prepare for preschool.

Our Top 14 Picks For The Best Educational Toys For Three-Year-Olds

You can find our top 14 recommendations for the best learning toys for three-year-olds and other young children, grouped based on:

• STEM & Montessori -inspired toys
• Educational building sets & blocks
• Words, ABCs, numbers, & colors
• Puzzles & matching toys
• Imaginative play & role play
• Musical toys
• Toys for learning life skills
• Creative & sensory toys for learning new skills

Continue reading to learn more about each toy below.

STEM & Montessori-inspired Toys

Melissa & doug my first daily magnetic calendar.

• Pros & best features: Magnetic calendar with 80 magnetic pieces to teach kids the basic concepts of date, weeks, months, special events, and weather
• Materials: Not disclosed on the company product page
• Type of toy: Learning materials
• Educational value: Basic math and time concepts,
• Recommended age range: 3+ years (still ideal for up to 8-year-olds or even older)
• Extra features: Fabric-hinged (sturdy cord), dry-erase boards (for the calendar template and magnet storage
• Certification: FSC, US, and EU (European Union) conformity certificates
• Product recall: None
• Cons: Some complaints on Amazon about the magnets being too weak and the pieces easily falling off the board

Skillmatics Educational Game: Search & Find

• Pros & best features: Set of learning materials (write and wipe activity mats) for different learning concepts
• Product safety: Passed US child safety tests
• Materials: Certified child-safe
• Educational value: Reflective thinking, problem-solving , reading and comprehension, writing skills, focus, and attention
• Recommended age range: 3-6 years
• Extra features: Includes duster cloth and pens
• Certification: ASTM and CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act)
• Cons: Some complaints over the product being too pricey 

Osmo Little Genius Starter Kit + Early Math Adventure

• Pros & best features: Introduces core kindergarten subjects (including shapes, counting, early literacy, language, and communication) with fun games for kids
• Materials: Silicone, plastic
• Type of toy: Learning material set designed for use with a compatible device (iPad or Fire)
• Educational value: Fine motor skills, cognitive development, social-emotional skills, and early literacy
• Recommended age range: 3-5-year-olds
• Extra features: Learn 300+ words
• Cons: The set can be pricey and requires a compatible electronic device.

Educational Building Sets & Blocks

Dado fat cube toys.

• Pros & best features: Hollow building blocks that can be connected using slits along the sides
• Materials: BPA-free plastic
• Type of toy: Building blocks set
• Educational value: Planning, engineering, visual-spatial skills, fine motor skills, creativity, experimentation, and self-esteem
• Recommended age range: 3+ years old
• Extra features: Deluxe pieces that add a twist to the classic building blocks
• Cons: Some complaints about sharp edges. It’s made of plastic.

Soyee Magnetic Blocks (100pcs)

• Pros & best features: 100 magnetic block pieces with different shapes, number blocks, and alphabet blocks
• Materials: ABS plastic
• Educational value: Architecture, STEM toys, hand-eye coordination, and physics spatial reasoning
• Recommended age range: 3-6 year-olds or even older kids
• Extra features: Ferris wheel components
• Cons: Some complaints about weak magnets and missing pieces. It’s made of plastic.

Gigi Bloks 100 XXL Building Blocks

• Pros & best features: Jumbo building blocks to create child-sized forts, castles, etc.
• Materials: Strong, durable, and finished cardboard made of unbleached softwood pulp
• Educational value: Imaginative play, architecture, engineering, gross motor skills, and spatial awareness
• Extra features: Paper-based materials that your child can draw or paint on Certification: Certified food-safe
• Cons: The blocks need adult assembly

Words, ABCs, Numbers, & Colors

Lego duplo my first alphabet truck.

• Pros & best features: Building blocks set with 36 block pieces, a toy truck, and small people
• Materials: ABS plastic (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
• Educational value: Role play, cognitive skills, and learning ABCs
• Recommended age range: 1½ years old and over
• Extra features: Small people and a bear are included in the set
• Certification: US and EU standards
• Cons: Some complaints about duplicates or missing letters. It’s made of plastic.

Inchimals by Fat Brain Toys

• Pros & best features: Blocks with 12 pieces that have exact inch segments and cute prints for the representative animals
• Materials: Wood
• Type of toy: Wooden blocks and STEM toys
• Educational value: Math and pre-algebra skills
• Extra features: Comes with a write-on-wipe-off puzzle book with 100 puzzles
• Cons: Some complaints about the wooden blocks arriving with some paint already chipping

Puzzles & Matching Toys

Thames & kosmos robot engineer (level 1) by kids first.

• Pros & best features: Multi-award toy set with 53 pieces designed for STEM learning by making non-motorized but movable robots (with a matching storybook)
• Product safety: With safety warning for choking hazards for kids under three years old
• Materials: Plastic
• Type of toy: Building set
• Educational value: Fine motor skills, visual-spatial skills, science and math skills, and reasoning and concept development skills
• Recommended age range: 3+ years old (can also be ideal for 6-year-olds or older children)
• Extra features: Storybook
• Cons: Some complaints about the pieces not staying together like they’re supposed to. It’s made of plastic.

Educational Insights Design & Drill Take-Along Toolkit

• Pros & best features: 60 big, colorful bolt pieces with three screwdriver bits to create different patterns on the board
• Product safety: With safety warning as a choking hazard for children under three years old
• Type of toy: STEM toy
• Educational value: Fine motor skills and creativity
• Extra features: The screwdriver bits have different designs (flat head, Phillips, and socket)
• Cons: The screwdriver piece requires batteries, but some parents complain on Amazon about the toy not working even with fresh batteries. It’s made of plastic.

Imaginative Play & Role Play Toys

Lovevery the storyteller play kit.

• Pros & best features: Montessori-based materials to introduce different learning concepts
• Materials: Sustainably harvested FSC-certified wood, water-based paint, and finishes
• Educational value: Engineering, problem-solving skills, imaginative play, and real-life skills
• Recommended age range: 40-42 months
• Extra features: Puppet theater set and child-sized squeeze & spray mop
• Certification: FSC
• Cons: It can be pricey.

Musical Toys

Hape learn with lights electronic ukulele.

• Pros & best features: Playable ukulele with flashing lights as a guide to teach your child how to play music
• Product safety: Passed all toy safety tests (sharp point, bite force, tensile, small parts, drop, and chemical tests)
• Materials: Solid wood, plastic toy finishes are non-toxic according to the brand’s product page
• Type of toy: Musical toy
• Educational value: Pretend play and musical learning
• Extra features: With instruction sticker, booklet, and handle for easy carrying
• Certification: ASTM
• Cons: Requires batteries

Toys For Learning Life Skills

The big dig sandbox digger excavator crane.

• Pros & best features: Working crane designed for little hands to shovel and move dirt, sand, snow, etc.
• Materials: Metal, base with capped ends
• Type of toy: Pretend play
• Educational value: Logical thinking, reasoning, imaginative play, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills
• Extra features: Seat for your little worker
• Cons: Some complaints about the metal being too soft and easily bending

Creative & Sensory Toys For Learning New Skills

Step2 flip and doodle desk with stool & easel.

• Pros & best features: Activity center with medium and large-sized bins for art supplies
• Product safety: Free from heavy metals and phthalates
• Materials: Polypropylene and/or polyethylene plastics
• Educational value: Fine motor skills, creativity and visualization, self-expression, and coordination
• Recommended age range: 2+ years but also ideal for 3-6-year-olds
• Extra features: Easel flips down to turn into a desk
• Cons: Requires assembly, made of plastic

How To Choose The Right Educational Toys For Three-Year-Olds?

Here are seven factors to consider in choosing your little one’s toys:

Recommended Age: What Does A 3-Year-Old Need?

Although kids develop at different rates, most toys tend to be ideal for different ages. Three-year-olds (or around the same age) need education toys and learning materials to introduce them to basic learning concepts while they’re having fun.

Child development experts acknowledge that kids can learn a lot through play. Your child can develop any or a combination of the following: (3)

• Social skills
• New vocabulary
• Cognitive skills
• Literacy skills
• Physical abilities

Learning Ability, Interests, & Skills

It’s good to pick toys that fit their developmental milestones, learning abilities, skills, and interests.

Developmental milestones for 3-year-olds include the following: (1)(2)

• Running and jumping easily
• Stacking 10+ blocks
• Walking upstairs unassisted
• Easily drawing straight lines or copying circles
• Concentrates on tasks for 8-9 minutes
• Say around 500-900 words
• Makes two or three-word sentences
• Names colors
• Knows some numbers and letters
• Joins other kids in play

Kids also have different interests, sometimes depending on their gender. For example, some toys for 3-year-old girls might not seem interesting to boys of the same age.

Skills Development & Benefits

Kids this age might already recognize colors, shapes, numbers, and letters more quickly than younger ones. These new skills can make them more interested in educational toys.

Note that many educational toys for 2-year-olds can still be a great option for 3-year-olds and older kids.

Safe To Play

Although most toys with small parts have warnings that indicate they’re unsafe for children under three, avoid choosing them if your child still loves to put things in their mouth even at 3+.

Choosing toys made of child-safe materials free from toxic chemicals like lead and other heavy metals, phthalates, and BPA is also good.

Engagement & Fun

It’s tempting to give “advanced” toys to help your kids learn more. However, toys that offer too much information or have many different things going on might seem too complex for your child.

They could lose interest if they don’t grasp the essential elements of a certain activity. 

Sometimes, it’s best to pick a fun and engaging toys that are simple and fit for their age but let them use their imagination.

Educational Value

Consider offering your child toys with different educational values so they can develop various learning aspects and find new ways to have fun.

Building toys, musical instruments, crafting kits, and other learning materials can let them learn without sacrificing entertainment.

Value For Your Money

Will your kids outgrow the toys after just a few months? Thankfully, that might be true for some toys for 1-year-olds , but many educational toys for older children might still be interesting as they grow older.

It’s also good to check for the toy’s quality because some toys might be cheaper but can be unsafe or easily break and get damaged.

What Can I Buy My 3-Year-Old Daughter?

Dolls and toys for imaginative play are popular for 3-year-old girls, but you can also pick building blocks, musical instruments, learning sets, cooking sets, and other unisex toys.

If unsure, you can always ask them to pick the ones they like before you checkout.

What’s The Best Gift For A 3-Year-Old Baby Girl?

The answer will usually depend on the child’s interests. But because kids this age are getting ready for preschool, you can never go wrong with picking educational toys.

Is A 3-Year-Old A Toddler Or Preschooler?

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), 3-year-olds are preschoolers. Toddlers are kids starting from 1-year-old until they turn three. (4)

Can 3-Year-Olds Write?

Although some can already write a few letters or numbers, most 3-year-olds can’t do that yet. However, many might show interest in holding a pencil or any writing material to create lines. (5)

How Far Should A 3-Year-Old Count?

Most 3-year-olds can count up to four objects, while some can reach up to 10. (2)

What Should A 3-Year-Old Draw?

Kids this age can draw straight lines and copy circles. (2)

How Do Educational Toys For 3-Year-Olds Differ From Those For 2-Year-Olds?

Many learning toys for 3-year-olds can have more numbers, letters, or features than educational toys for 2-year-olds .

Toymakers might also design these toys for sharing and socialization because 3-year-olds are developmentally ready to improve their social skills by sharing and playing with others. (1)(2)

Other Learning Toys For Different Age Groups

• Best educational toys
• DIY Montessori toys
• Educational toys
• Educational baby toys
• Educational toys for toddlers
• Educational toys for 2-year-olds
• Educational toys for 4-year-olds
• Educational toys for 5-year-olds
• Educational toys for 6-year-olds
• Educational toys for 7- year-olds
• Educational toys for 8-year-olds
• Montessori baby toys
• Montessori climbing toys
• Montessori toys
• Montessori toys for toddlers
• Montessori toys for 1-year-olds
• Montessori toys for 3-year-olds
• Montessori toys for 4-year-olds
• Montessori wooden toys
• Outdoor toys for 1-year-olds
• Toys for 1-year-olds
• Toys for 2-year-olds
• Toys for 6-year-old boys
• Wooden educational toys

Toy Recalls To Monitor

• Calico Critters recall (2023)
• Kids Preferred recall (2023)
• Target Toy recall (2022)
• Haba recall (2022)
• Kidoozie Play Tent recall (2022)
• Monti Kids recall (2022)

REFERENCES:

(1) https://www.understood.org/en/articles/developmental-milestones-for-typical-3-year-olds

(2) https://www.choc.org/primary-care/ages-stages/3-years/

(3) https://www.unicef.org/sites/default/files/2018-12/UNICEF-Lego-Foundation-Learning-through-Play.pdf

(4) https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/positiveparenting/preschoolers.html

(5) https://www.pbs.org/parents/learn-grow/age-3/literacy/writing

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The Top 10 Educational Toys for 3-Year-Old's That Will Spark your Curiosity and Foster Learning

Are you looking for educational toys that will engage and inspire your 3-year-old while fostering a love for learning? Okay. In this article, we have compiled a list of the top 10 educational toys that are perfect for sparking your child's curiosity and helping them develop essential skills.

From interactive puzzles and building blocks to imaginative playsets and STEM toys, these toys are designed to provide a fun and meaningful learning experience. Each toy has been carefully selected based on its educational value and ability to captivate young minds.

With these toys, your little one will be able to explore their creativity, enhance their problem-solving skills, improve their hand-eye coordination, and develop their language and social skills. Not to mention, these toys offer endless opportunities for imaginative play and can help cultivate a love for lifelong learning.

So, whether you're looking for a birthday gift or simply want to enhance your child's educational playtime at home, check out our list of the top 10 educational toys Categories  for 3-year-olds. Invest in these toys and watch your child's curiosity soar!

The Importance of Educational Toys for 3-Year-Olds

During the early years of a child's life, their brain is like a sponge, absorbing everything around them. This is a critical time for learning and development, and educational toys play a crucial role in stimulating their growing minds.

Educational toys provide a structured and purposeful play experience that promotes cognitive, physical, and social development. They offer a hands-on approach to learning, allowing children to explore and discover the world around them in a fun and engaging way.

By introducing educational toys at a young age, you are setting a strong foundation for your child's future academic success. These toys help build important skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and communication.

Benefits of Educational Toys for Child Development

• Cognitive Development : Educational toys challenge children to think, reason, and problem-solve. They promote cognitive skills such as memory, attention, and logical thinking. Puzzles, for example, help improve spatial awareness and shape recognition.
• Physical Development : Many educational toys encourage physical activity and fine motor skill development. Building blocks, for instance, enhance hand-eye coordination and fine motor control. Art supplies like crayons and playdough foster creativity and improve fine motor skills.
• Language and Communication Skills : Educational toys that involve storytelling and pretend play stimulate language development. Dollhouses and animal figurines, for instance, allow children to create narratives, develop vocabulary, and improve their social skills.
• Social and Emotional Development : Educational toys promote social interaction, cooperation, and empathy. Board games, for example, teach children about taking turns, following rules, and being a good sport. This helps them develop important social and emotional skills.

How to Choose the Right Educational Toys for Your 3-Year-Old

When selecting educational toys for your 3-year-old, it's important to consider their interests, developmental stage, and learning style. Here are some factors to keep in mind:

• Age Appropriateness : Choose toys that are specifically designed for 3-year-olds. These toys are tailored to their developmental needs and abilities.
• Educational Value : Look for toys that promote learning in multiple areas. Toys that encourage creativity, problem-solving, and fine motor skills are ideal.
• Open-Ended Play : Opt for toys that allow for open-ended play. These are toys that can be used in multiple ways and encourage imagination and creativity.
• Safety : Ensure that the toys you choose are safe and non-toxic. Check for any small parts that could be a choking hazard.

Now that we have covered the importance and benefits of educational toys, and how to choose the right ones, let's dive into the top 10 educational toys for 3-year-olds.

The Top 10 Educational Toys for 3-Year-Olds

• Building Blocks : Building blocks are a classic toy that never goes out of style. They help children develop fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and creativity. Look for blocks that come in different shapes, sizes, and colors to enhance learning opportunities.
• Puzzles : Puzzles are not only fun but also great for cognitive development. Choose puzzles with age-appropriate difficulty levels and themes that your child finds interesting. Puzzles help improve problem-solving skills, hand-eye coordination, and patience.
• Art Supplies : Encourage your child's creativity with art supplies such as crayons, markers, and finger paints. Let them explore different colors, textures, and techniques. Art activities help develop fine motor skills , hand-eye coordination, and self-expression.
• Play Kitchen : A play kitchen is a fantastic toy for imaginative play and social interaction. Children can pretend to cook, serve meals, and engage in role-playing scenarios. This helps develop language skills, social skills, and creativity.
• STEM Toys : STEM toys introduce young children to concepts in science, technology, engineering, and math. Look for age-appropriate STEM toys that involve hands-on experimentation and problem-solving. These toys encourage critical thinking and logical reasoning.
• Musical Instruments : Musical instruments such as drums, xylophones, and keyboards are not only fun but also help develop rhythm, coordination, and a sense of musicality. Let your child explore different sounds and create their own music.
• Shape Sorters : Shape sorters are excellent toys for learning shapes, colors, and problem-solving. Children have to match the correct shape with the corresponding hole, enhancing their fine motor skills and cognitive abilities.
• Memory Games : Memory games are a fun way to improve cognitive skills. Choose memory games with colorful pictures or matching cards. These games help improve concentration, memory, and visual recognition.
• Dress-Up Sets : Dress-up sets allow children to explore their imagination and engage in pretend play. They can dress up as different characters and act out various scenarios. This helps develop language skills, creativity, and social-emotional skills.
• Building Sets : Building sets such as magnetic tiles or LEGO blocks are perfect for fostering creativity, problem-solving, and fine motor skills. Children can build structures, vehicles, and more, expanding their imagination and spatial awareness.

Investing in these top 10 educational toys will provide your 3-year-old with endless opportunities for learning and growth. These toys will spark their curiosity, foster a love for learning, and set them up for success in their educational journey.

In conclusion, educational toys are essential tools for the holistic development of a 3-year-old child. They offer numerous benefits, including cognitive, physical, language, and social-emotional development. By selecting the right toys, you can provide a stimulating and enriching environment for your child's growth and learning.

So, whether you're looking for a birthday gift or simply want to enhance your child's educational playtime at home, consider investing in these top 10 educational toys at Smart Kids Planet. Watch as your child's curiosity soars.

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Playful Learning: Best Educational Toys for 3-Year-Olds

Educational toys play a crucial role in the development of 3-year-olds, fostering their cognitive, social, and emotional growth during this critical early stage. 

Through interactive and engaging play, these specially designed toys stimulate curiosity, enhance problem-solving skills, and promote learning, making them an indispensable tool for a child’s holistic development.

In this brief article, we will explore the significance of educational toys in shaping young minds and the myriad benefits they offer for 3-year-olds’ overall progress.

Table of contents

Benefits of educational toys for 3-year-olds, building blocks and construction sets: building structures and skills, shape sorters and puzzles: exploring shapes and patterns, educational board games: fun learning in a group setting, art and craft supplies: nurturing artistic expression and fine motor skills, science kits for kids: introducing simple scientific concepts, math manipulatives: early math concepts made fun, musical exploration: introducing rhythms and sounds, sound puzzle boards: learning through auditory cues, engaging with educational toys: learning together as a family, encouraging independent play: fostering a love of learning, frequently asked questions.

Educational toys play a crucial role in a child’s development, especially during their formative years. For 3-year-olds, these toys offer a range of benefits that lay the foundation for their future growth. Let’s explore some key advantages:

1. Cognitive Development: Educational toys engage young minds in problem-solving activities, puzzles for kids, and online games for kids that promote critical thinking. As they explore and manipulate these toys, they sharpen their cognitive skills and develop a better understanding of cause-and-effect relationships.

2. Fine and Gross Motor Skills: Educational toys help 3-year-olds improve their physical coordination by encouraging them to grasp, stack, and move objects. These activities for kids contribute to the development of fine and gross motor skills, which are essential for daily tasks and overall physical development.

3. Language and Communication: Through interactive educational toys, children can enhance their verbal and social abilities. Engaging in pretend play with dolls, action figures, or toy sets fosters language development, as they narrate short stories for kids and engage in imaginative conversations.

4. Creativity and Imagination: Educational toys spark creativity and imagination in 3-year-olds. Whether it’s building with blocks, drawing for kids, or engaging in pretend play, these activities encourage children to explore their creativity and think outside the box.

Types of Educational Toys for 3-Year-Olds

Building blocks and construction sets are more than just fun games for kids for toddlers; they play a crucial role in their development. For 3-year-olds, these toys offer an array of benefits. As they stack blocks and create structures, they enhance their motor skills and hand-eye coordination. 

Shape sorters and puzzles for kids are fantastic tools for introducing children to the world of shapes and patterns. At the age of 3, toddlers are eager to learn and absorb information quickly. These toys provide an engaging way to improve their cognitive skills, spatial awareness, and logical thinking. Through trial and error, kids understand how different shapes fit into corresponding holes, honing their problem-solving abilities.

Board games for kids designed for educational purposes offer tremendous benefits for 3-year-olds. As they engage in gameplay, children learn valuable social skills like taking turns, sharing, and following rules. These interactive toys encourage cooperative play, making them ideal for group settings and family bonding.

Art hub for kids and craft supplies opens a world of creativity for 3-year-olds. From scribbling with crayons to molding clay, these activities nurture their artistic expression and imagination. While they create colorful masterpieces, children also refine their fine motor skills, improving hand dexterity and control. 

STEM Educational Toys for 3-Year-Olds

In the early years of a child’s life, their curiosity knows no bounds. As parents and caregivers, we have a unique opportunity to nurture their inquisitive minds and pave the way for a strong foundation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). 

Science kits for kids offer a hands-on approach to learning and allow young minds to grasp basic scientific principles in a playful and engaging manner. These kits often come with easy-to-follow instructions and child-safe materials to conduct exciting experiments. 

Math can be an abstract subject, but math manipulatives are here to make it enjoyable and tangible for young learners. These toys come in various shapes and colors, helping children understand fundamental math concepts such as counting, sorting, and basic arithmetic.

Musical Instruments and Sound Toys

In the early stages of a child’s development, exposure to music and sounds plays a crucial role in fostering creativity and cognitive development. Musical exploration through age-appropriate instruments and sound toys can be an exciting and enriching experience.

Children are naturally drawn to the rhythmic patterns and melodies they hear in their surroundings. By introducing them to simple musical instruments like tambourines, shakers, and drums, we open a world of possibilities for them to discover and create their own rhythms. 

Sound puzzle boards are an innovative and interactive way to engage young minds while enhancing their auditory perception. These engaging toys combine the excitement of problem-solving with the joy of discovering sounds.

In a sound puzzle board, each puzzle piece emits a unique sound when correctly placed on the board. This auditory feedback not only reinforces the concept of shapes and colors but also sharpens a child’s listening skills. 

Parental Involvement and Educational Toys

When it comes to our children’s education, parental involvement plays a crucial role in shaping their learning journey. One powerful way to engage with our kids and foster a love of learning is through educational toys. 

Educational toys are not only fun factsfor kids but also serve as excellent tools for interactive learning experiences. By actively participating in playtime with our children, we can enhance their cognitive and motor skills while building a stronger parent-child bond. 

As parents join in the play, we can provide guidance and support, reinforcing key concepts and helping our kids grasp new knowledge. This shared learning experience strengthens communication and creates a positive learning environment at home, where children feel encouraged to ask questions and seek knowledge.

While parental involvement is essential, it’s equally important to encourage independent play. Educational toys can be a catalyst for nurturing a child’s creativity and self-discovery. When children engage in unstructured playtime, they have the freedom to explore ideas, solve problems on their own, and build confidence in their abilities.

By offering a variety of educational toys and allowing kids to choose their indoor activities for kids , we empower them to follow their interests and passions. Independent playtime fosters a love of learning, as children become active seekers of knowledge rather than passive recipients.

In conclusion, selecting the best educational toys for 3-year-olds is crucial for their cognitive and physical development. By engaging them with age-appropriate, stimulating toys, we can foster their creativity, problem-solving skills, and overall growth during this critical stage of early childhood. 

Encouraging learning through play sets a strong foundation for their future learning experiences and helps them explore the world with curiosity and excitement.

Join the revolution in education with  Brightchamps . Our courses in robotics, coding, and financial literacy empower kids to become confident and capable learners.

A1. Look for toys that promote problem-solving, creativity, and motor skills development. Educational toys often have age-appropriate learning elements and encourage exploration.

A2. Affordable options for educational toys include building blocks, puzzles, art supplies, epic book for kids , and simple science kits.

A3. Educational toys can complement traditional learning methods, but they may not entirely replace structured education. A balanced approach is usually the most effective.

A4. Quality matters more than quantity. A few well-chosen educational toys that cater to their interests and development are better than an overwhelming number of toys.

A5. Not all electronic educational toys are equally beneficial. Choose ones that engage children actively, promote critical thinking, and limit excessive screen time.

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Learning toys for 3-year-olds

Delivered every 3 months, each Play Kit includes stage-based playthings, activities, and expert tips that help your child learn through play.

Toys for reasoning & problem solving

Letter Sounds Animal Puzzle

A-Z letter pieces fit over each animal to reinforce the letter and first sound of each animal's name.

Wooden Wobble Puzzle

With a base that tilts as pieces are placed, this STEM puzzle is an exercise in flexible thinking and mental rotation.

Pattern Match Boats & Cards Set

Hand-eye coordination, visual-spatial skills, and more all go into translating 2D pictures into 3D objects.

Toys for social-emotional skills

Emotion Book Set

Seeing peers in familiar scenarios in these stories can help your child understand and name what they're feeling.

Wooden Emotion Dolls

Improves emotional literacy with these dolls who's facial expressions represent six different emotions.

Storytelling Puppet Set With Changing Emotion Eyes

Explore different emotions and scenarios your child might be worried about through play.

Toys for early STEM

Modular Playhouse

Gain exposure to architectural concepts through nesting, deconstructing, reattaching, and reconfiguring this home.

Montessori Math Bars & Number Tiles

Learn fundamental math skills with visual quantities to count, line up, and compare.

Color Theory Puzzle

Using color matching, your child will learn to fit the pieces together, which will reveal how colors blend into one another.

Toys for real-life skills

Plan Ahead Weather Board

With this hands-on tool, your child can learn to plan ahead and take ownership over their everyday life.

Squeeze & Spray Mop

Sized just right for little hands, this mop empowers your child to clean spills and care for their home.

First Sewing Kit

Fine motor skills continue to strengthen as your child engages in this Montessori-inspired activity.

More beloved Lovevery products

Encourage independent table setting, creative problem-solving play, and even easy cleanup with these Lovevery essentials.

The Block Set

18 to 48+ months

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2-in-1 Storage Shelf

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28 Best STEM Toys for Kids and Adults to Create a Lifelong Love of Learning

From model cars to geology kits to buildable robots and more.

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?

STEM toys can be a great way to help kids gain a deeper understanding of science and mathematics. But they aren’t just for children: These educational learning tools are also fun for adults who want to keep their minds engaged and can help everyone take a break from screen time.

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Sometimes Art is added as well, making the acronym STEAM. These types of toys are great for developing minds because they can build the basic skills kids would need for everything from computer coding to mastering mechanics. Presenting these complex subjects in a simple, fun way could help inspire a lifelong career or passion.

For Getting the Money Shot

Holy stone drone.

For Mind-Bending Enjoyment

Shashibo shape-shifting box.

For an Unconventional Robot

Wonder workshop dash.

For Car Lovers

Lego technic lamborghini sián.

For Earth Science Fun

National geographic rock collection box.

For Learning Math Skills

Hand2mind numberblocks memory match game.

For Future Astronauts

Learning resources space rover coding set.

For Space Buffs

Lego technic planet earth and moon in orbit building set.

For Energy Education

Thames & kosmos wind power.

For Making Your Own Slime

Fun kidz slime kit.

Below, we’ve rounded up the best STEM toys that hit every interest and budget.

Easy enough for kids to navigate but with enough power for an adult, this is a gateway into a drone obsession. You’ll learn how to operate this hovering device and capture photos with your phone, which can be attached to it.

For ages 13 years and up.

Available in 15 different color combinations, this shape-shifting box uses rare earth magnets to create over 70 different designs. The sensory puzzle is a bit like a fidget toy, but it will test your creativity and spatial reasoning as you figure out how to fold the pieces back together.

While it’s good for kids, you could also keep one on your desk to help you chill out during meetings.

For ages 8 years and up.

We love the bright colors of this rolling robot dubbed Dash. Not only is he super cute, but he also teaches coding. Kids can learn to program Dash to sing, dance, and even respond to voice commands using one of the included apps.

For ages 6 years and up.

While most of us can’t afford to even breathe near a three million dollar Lamborghini Sian, for less than 1% of what the actual vehicle costs, you can get this detailed scale model version. You’ll put together the nearly 4,000-piece set that includes authentic details of the eight-speed sequential transmission, V12 engine with moving pistons, and, of course, the distinctive scissor doors.

For ages 18 years and up.

This kit from National Geographic is jam-packed with over 200 samples of rocks, minerals, and fossils. There’s also a book and magnifying glass so kids can get to work identifying their new treasures.

Using characters from the BBC series Numberblocks, this matching game uses several different representations of numbers so kids can really work on their math and memory.

For ages 3 years and up.

If you want them to learn the basics of coding without needing an app or a screen, this simple set does the trick. It teaches kids to use color-coded cards and matching buttons to make sequences of up to 100 sets for their space rover to explore.

For ages 4 years and up.

Lego has not only mastered the art of building but it’s also branched out into creating toys that tackle other STEM fields. This 526-piece set teaches aspiring astronauts how the earth rotates around the sun and how the moon moves in phases, educating them about the solar system.

For ages 10 years and up.

Thames & Kosmos Wind Power

We love it when toys actually have a function and don’t just take up space, and this one fits that bill. You can build a three-foot working wind turbine that can charge batteries and teach about renewable energy resources.

Making slime may seem like a fun craft, but as kids combine different things like activator and glue to get the right consistency, they’re actually learning chemistry. This kit comes with a lot of fun space-themed add-ons and colors to make their goo really special.

Power Your Fun Fort Building Kit

Building a fort can give kids a leg up in construction, and this kit is made for easy engineering with pieces that simply twist together into whatever shape you come up with. Add your own blankets for a secret hideout.

Thames & Kosmos Mega Cyborg Hand

Even an adult would have a good time assembling this oversized robotic hand. Once it’s completed, you can use it to pick up balls and other objects. Along the way, you’ll learn how to put together hydraulic and pneumatic systems that are all powered without any batteries.

For ages 7 years and up.

Sillbird 12-in-1 Education Solar Robot Toy

While many of the robot builds out there require some small battery to make them go, this one teaches the power of solar energy by using an included panel to harness the sun’s rays. It comes with 190 pieces which can be used to assemble the robot in 12 different ways.

SQUAREGLES Oggsmore Keep: A Castle Saga

You might already have some magnetic tiles in your house, but these playsets keep the linked fun going into older ages. This 38-piece kit allows you to construct castles in many different ways, like with a drawbridge and towers, and even comes with coloring pages and characters to add an interactive element.

Educational Insights Geosafari Jr. Rocknoculars

Exploring nature is a great way to get kids off screens, and if you send them outside to collect some cool rocks, they’ll learn about their local ecosystem. The binoculars in this set give a 3X zoom, and there’s a compartment where they can stash their collection.

Let’s Start Coding Code Piano

This set comes the educational power of STEM with the art of music. Kids can build a piano, set up the coding elements, and play electronic tunes. It’s suitable for those new to coding, as it has step-by-step directions to get them started.

Abacus Brands Bill Nye's VR Science Kit

This science kit uses VR to bring experiments to life. Download the app and put your phone in the specially designed goggles, and you’ll be in instant VR, without an expensive headset. It’s your old chemistry set brought into the modern age.

Qyugo Color Cube in Acrylic

Appealing to both the artistic and scientific parts of your brain, this deceptively simple cube is an optical illusion that will give you a visual representation of how the color spectrum works. Colors blend and seem to disappear as you twist it, making it a great toy to put on your desk to use when you need a distraction at work.

For ages 5 years and up.

National Geographic Magnetic Marble Run

Turn any magnetic surface (like your fridge or dishwasher) into a constantly evolving maze. This system comes equipped with pieces that will spin or flip your marbles and a motorized marble lift so you can test gravity and more. Let the whole family compete to see who can make the most interesting or complex path.

Rubik’s Rubik’s Cube

Trying to master a Rubik’s Cube has vexed people for 50 years. Figuring out how to realign the colored squares properly requires a lot of logical thinking, so it’s a great educational tool to occupy kids while traveling since it’s very compact.

Angel Madison is a commerce editor for Hearst, covering LEGOs, trending products, toys, plus-size fashion, wellness, home, tech and more. Previously she covered entertainment, pop culture, and parenting for a variety of publications. When she's not at her desk you can find her hanging with her daughter and cat, finding offbeat roadside attractions, or doing crafts. 

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Moscow/Zelenograd and New Moscow

• 1.1 By plane
• 1.2 By train
• 4 Events, Festivals

Zelenograd and New Moscow are two large parts of Moscow city, that lie (often far) outside consolidated residential zone of the city, which lies within and just beyond the MKAD (Moscow Ring Road).

Zelenograd was added in Moscow in 1968 as one of the leading scientific centers. New Moscow was added to Moscow in 2012, forming Novomoskovky and Troitskiy Administrativniy Okrugs with plans of new vast expansion. New Moscow territory is yet to change according to its new city status. Even though suburbial kind construction intensifies in Novomoskovsky Administrativniy Okrug, Troitskiy Administrativniy Okrug still mostly has a rural feel.

Get in [ edit ]

By plane [ edit ]

Vnukovo and Ostafyevo airports are situated in New Moscow proper, though from Ostafyevo airport you still have to go through the "old" Moscow. It is possible to get from Sheremetyevo to Zelenograd without going to the old city - you have to change to 400 minibus on Leningrad highway or on local train on Planernaya. From Domodedovo airport you'll have to go through the old city anyway (the route through Domodedovo and Podolsk will take more time).

By train [ edit ]

Local trains connect Zelenograd with Leningrad Train Station, Tver, Klin and Konakovo. Local trains from Kiev Train Station pass through northern part of New Moscow between Novoperedelkino and Krekshino. To go to Zosimova Pustyn you may want to go all the way to Bekasovo, but trains there are infrequent. It is possible to get to New Moscow through Podolsk, but you'll have to change to bus there.

By bus [ edit ]

Most frequent bus to Zelenograd is bus 400 from Rechnoi Vokzal. It has special pricing. Buses are primary way of public transport to get to New Moscow, new buses are often added. Most buses start from Yugo-Zapadnaya and Tepliy Stan metroes, and Podolsk train station. Troitsk serves as a bus hub.

By car [ edit ]

Zelenograd is accessible by M10 highway. Major highways in New Moscow are M3, A101, Warsaw highway Podolsk - Kresty (joining with A101), first "Beton Ring" A107 and Borovsk highway Peredelkino - Vnukovo - to join with M3. M10 and A101 are often highly congested, M3 may be less prone to it, except Moscow vicinity, and crossing with A107, A107 is congested near M3 crossing, which is northwest of New Moscow; Warsaw highway is congested in Podolsk, and you'll have to pass congested M2 to get there from MKAD.

Connect [ edit ]

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National Research University "Moscow Institute of Electronic Technology" — MIET

Description of National Research University "Moscow Institute of Electronic Technology" — MIET

• Location: Zelenograd, Moscow, Russia
• Year of foundation: 1965
• Language of instruction: Russian
• Forms of education: full-time, full-time, correspondence
• Number of students: more than 4 000
• Type of education: mixed.

The National Research University "Moscow Institute of Electronic Technology" (MIET) is one of the leading technical universities in Russia.  For half a century of existence, MIET has achieved scientific heights in research and innovation, education of specialists. At the moment, about 4100 students study here in bachelor's and specialist's programs, master's degrees. Disciplines are taught by a highly qualified staff of 600 people: professors, candidates of sciences, associate professors.

Demanded departments of the university:

• Higher mathematics
• Military training
• Information security
• Engineering graphics, design
• History of Russia, State and Law
• Integrated electronics, microsystems
• Quantum physics, nanoelectronics
• Marketing, project management
• Economics, Management, Finance
• Philosophy, sociology, political science
• Telecommunication systems
• Physical training.

Programs and prices, tuition fees in National Research University "Moscow Institute of Electronic Technology" — MIET

Bachelor's degree, specialty.

• Age – from 17 years (11 classes of school)
• Duration of training – 4-5 years
• The form in question is full-time.

Some programs:

• Biotechnical systems, technologies
• Infocommunication technologies, communication systems
• Informatics, computer engineering
• Design, technology of electronic means
• Materials Science, Materials Technology
• Applied Informatics
• Applied mathematics
• Legal support of national security
• Software Engineering
• Radio engineering
• Electronics, nanoelectronics
• Linguistics
• Management.
• Age – from 22 years (bachelors, specialists)
• Duration of training – 2 years
• Technosphere safety
• Control in technical systems

Postgraduate study

• Age – Masters
• Duration of training – 3-4 years

Specialization:

• Physics, astronomy
• Chemical sciences
• Electronics, radio engineering, communication systems
• Photonics, instrumentation, optical and biotechnical systems, technologies
• Philosophy, ethics, religious studies.

Accommodation, meals, prices

The campus is located off campus in 15 minutes by public transport. On the territory there are:

• Library, reading room
• Medical center, sanatorium-dispensary
• Classrooms for self-training, computer classes
• Sports halls, dance studio, club
• Guest rooms
• Dining room.

Students live in four 5-storey, one 11-storey building, united in a residential campus for 2000 people. Students live in rooms of 2-4 people.

• The cost of monthly accommodation: from 835 to 1540 rubles, depending on the conditions.

Activities National Research University "Moscow Institute of Electronic Technology" — MIET

Miet sports sections:.

• Team sports: football, volleyball, basketball
• Mountaineering

In the dormitories there are open sections:

• Weightlifting
• Martial arts
• Table tennis
• Dance studio
• Musical groups.

Football, volleyball, basketball, hockey teams of the campus play in the first and highest leagues of the city of Zelenograd.

Creativity at the university is:

• City holidays "Day of Knowledge", "City Day", "International Students' Day", etc.
• Thematic festivals, concerts
• Student Theatre
• Dance groups.

More than 30 student clubs are opened at the university, about 150 events are held per year.

• Military Department, Military Training Center
• Ratings: "Expert", THE World University Rankings, "Interfax", SuperJob, QS University Rankings, Round University Rankings, QS Stars, "RIA Novosti", etc.
• Winner of many competitions, for example, for the right to create a Competence Center for NTI in sensory.

Facilities and equipment at National Research University "Moscow Institute of Electronic Technology" — MIET

The university has been located in the southern industrial part of the city since 1967. On the territory there are:

• Faculty buildings with auditoriums, laboratories and practical classes
• Sports Complex
• Canteens, buffet
• Medical center
• House of Culture.

The sports complex is equipped with:

• Six-lane swimming pool
• Indoor game complex for basketball, volleyball, mini-football, etc.
• Outdoor stadium with football field, running tracks, sports grounds

On the territory of the campus there is a sanatorium-dispensary, providing students in several areas of health care:

• Stomatology
• Physiotherapy
• Electrosleep
• Therapeutic massage
• Cabinet for inhalation

Admission dates and extra charges

In the academic year, two semesters: spring and autumn, each followed by an examination session. Couples are held from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 and last until 20-22 hours, between them there are breaks for rest and visiting the dining room.

Additional costs include:

• Books, consumables
• Medical care
• Personal expenses.

Entry requirements, how to apply, what is required to enrol

Schoolchildren planning to enter MIET can attend courses of preparation for the Unified State Exam, cycles of free classes, special events: "University Saturdays", "Open Day".

For remote submission of documents or obtaining accurate information, each applicant can register in the Personal Account.

Applicants entering the bachelor's degree must provide:

• Application for admission, consent to data processing
• Copies of personal documents (passport, SNILS, medical certificate, etc.)
• Copy of secondary education certificate, scorecard
• Individual achievements in the presence of
• Results of the Exam.

Future masters should be provided with:

• Copies of personal documents (passport, SNILS, medical certificate, etc.))
• Bachelor's degree program, transcript of courses taken
• Individual achievements: publications, research, etc.
• + pass the mandatory introductory test.

Documents should be submitted in June-July.

Scholarships National Research University "Moscow Institute of Electronic Technology" — MIET

Scholarship programs subject to stable academic success and absence of debts:

• State: academic, social scholarships, awards to graduate students - from 2500 to 12 000 rubles per month
• Nominal scholarships, programs of the Government and the President of the Russian Federation, the mayor of Moscow and the Moscow region - from 1400 rubles to 7000 per month.

Institution on the map

Residence permits, citizenship and other services.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision

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