Children are ever evolving and there will be opportunities for them to learn things every day; so when you can, it's nice to make learning fun for them too. Besides, if they're having fun they're more likely to retain the information.
It's never too early to start challenging their development - but if you want them to make the most out of their new toys, it's best to establish the areas of development you want to focus on.
For example, in really small children you might want to look at simpler skills and early development, which is different than what you would for an older child of reading age.
Whatever your child's age, we've listed some of the best toys for learning below.
Best educational toys for 2019
1. Early Learning Centre Wooden Shape Sorter
This shape sorter is perfect for children aged 12 months to three years old and helps to develop their problem solving skills from early on.
It will help them to be able to identify shapes, colours and fine motor skills that are essential in the early learning stages.
Price: £20, Early learning centre - buy here now
2. VTech Touch & Learn Activity Desk
This activity desk from VTech is a great gift overall, not only does it provide little ones with their own learning space; it also gives them some pretty advanced lessons too.
The desk includes an interactive desktop, stylus and 4 double-sided touch pages - making it as fun as a tablet or mobile, just without the screentime.
The touch pages teach letters and phonics, numbers, music, colours and much more. When you don't want to use it as a desk, it folds up to display an easel and chalkboard, perfect for imaginative student/teacher play.
£60 isn't a bad asking price for the set either, it's an affordable learning and play option with all the interactive trimmings.
Price: £60, Argos - buy here now
3. Fisher-Price Linkimals Smooth Moves Sloth
Get your baby moving and grooving, whilst learning the fundamentals like the alphabet and learning numbers.
This dancing sloth has soft material arms and large buttons making it perfect for little hands to operate. Choose from over 85 songs and medleys with flashings lights and lots for them to get excited about.
The interactive sloth recognizes other Linkimals friends, they come together to create a synchronized music and light show, have your own little learning concert.
Suitable from nine months old.
Price: £24.99, Smyths toys - buy here now
4. National Theatre Play In A Box
This box encourages imaginative and creative play - nurture their magical world of pretend with this Play in a Box from National Theatre.
Inside you'll find everything you need to put on your own show, whether in a group or performing singally. It includes ideas and inspiration for characters, plot and top tips for costume, make-up, props, sound and lighting too.
Explore the different areas of the creative industries, including directing, acting and all the bells and whistles that go into a real play.
Perfect for kids of reading age of six and above.
Price: £12.99, National theatre - buy here now
5. LeapFrog Alphabet Adventures Book
This activity book is ideal for little ones learning their alphabets, take them on an interactive alphabet adventure.
The book has over 300 interactive points and combines learning about school and life skills.
At £15 it's a great option for early interactive learning.
Price: £15, Argos - buy here now
6. Learning Resources Bugnoculars
As they get older they're going to become more curious with all of the little things in life, bugs included.
These 'Bugnoculars' allow them study, learn and explore little critters in a safe and convenient way. The design features air holes for the bugs and is sealed with a water tight bottom.
Price: £11.48, Amazon - buy here now
7. Primo Toys Cubetto Playset - Screenless Coding Toy
This playset has quite the price tag, which is certainly one to consider before jumping into. However, if you've got a little one who loves screens to any degree - you can nurture that interest and teach them the fundamentals of programming.
Suitable for children aged three to six years old, this toy takes kids away from screens and puts the code into a real language you can touch.
Kids help Cubetto, a friendly wooden robot, find his way home using hands-on blocks to write their first programs.
Price: £195, Amazon - buy here now
8. Children's Bird Watching Kit
Help your children to be able to identify bird types and peak their interest while they are young.
Bird watching is an interesting hobby that get children involved and more in touch with nature. If it can keep them away from a screen for a little while, that's always nice too.
The kit comes with information cards to identify birds, along with dietary information that allows them to lure birds to the back garden with ease.
A notepad and a pair of binoculars let you take notes whilst you're observing.
Price: £11.95, Natural collection - buy here now
9. LeapFrog Magic Adventures Globe
Unleash their inner little globetrotter, explore the world through this interactive map.
Featuring a 7cm integrated video screen, animations and live-action videos fully immerse kids into the world, from the comfort of their own homes.
Using a stylus pen, kids can touch parts of the learning globe and will be given information on languages, cultures, animals, geography, habitats and much more.
Price: £79.99, Smyth toys - buy here now
10. Fisher-Price Little People Take Turns Skyway
This toy is suitable for children aged one to five years old and encourages group play as well as learning about sharing and taking turns.
The structure has three different tracks and is three feet tall. It has an launcher as well as cool racing sounds and phrases.
There are easily grasped vehicles and pretend play stops like repair stations, toddlers can use their imaginations to create stories as they play.
Price: £30, Amazon - buy here now
