29 Fun Toys That Can Help Your Child Learn New Skills

1. The Tock Learning Clock is an adorable and effective way to teach kids how to read time. This toy encourages children to align the clock hands with the digital time shown, and rewards them with a catchy tune once they get it right. It also doubles as a regular clock when not in use as a learning tool!

2. If your child has a classic streak and is eager to learn how to make their own blankets, scarves, or purses, a Melissa & Doug loom is a fantastic choice. Set it up on the kitchen table, and watch them weave away while picking up a new skill for a creative hobby in no time.

3. Botley The Coding Robot 2.0 from Learning Resources is an engaging activity set that introduces children to coding without needing a screen. They can program Botley to follow a series of up to 150 steps. The fun intensifies as they watch the robot navigate obstacles and complete courses they've designed for it.

4. Here’s a DIY robot kit designed to spark interest in STEM from an early age. Your child will be thrilled to build their very own robot and watch it roll across the floor. And the best part? No need to rush to the store for batteries — it’s solar-powered!

5. Introduce your child to the world of math with the Hand2mind Numberblocks MathLink Cubes activity set. These fun, colorful blocks, inspired by the popular BBC series, are a perfect way to build counting and basic math skills. They’ll have a blast stacking them high and exploring new ways to play!

6. If your child is always eager to help with DIY projects, the 14-piece, nontoxic Hape wooden tool box and accessory play set will be perfect. They'll learn valuable skills such as hammering, using a screwdriver, and tightening with a wrench, all while improving their hand-eye coordination through fun "fixing" activities!

7. For the budding musician, a three-string Loog Mini acoustic guitar is a great start. With chord diagram flashcards and access to the Loog guitar app, your child can begin learning how to play at a young age. Watch out, there's a rock star in the making!

8. Let them channel their inner detective with a "Role Play Fingerprint Kit". Perfect for little sleuths who dream of being Nancy Drew or the Boxcar Children, they can search for and collect fingerprints all around the house. Just a heads-up: they’ll quickly discover who really ate the last cookie from the jar! (We’re looking at you, pops.)

9. For a fun and creative challenge, try the Craft-tastic "Make a Fox Friend" craft kit. It provides everything needed to craft a cute fox stuffie, complete with a wardrobe of clothes and accessories. This hands-on kit will teach them the basics of sewing and even comes with a tote to store all their newly made creations!

10. Help them master the important skill of tying their shoes with a Melissa & Doug wooden lacing shoe. They'll feel a great sense of accomplishment once they can tie their own shoes — and you'll be amazed at how proud they’ll be when they finally do it all by themselves!

11. If your little star-gazer is always asking questions about the universe, the Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. talking telescope is the perfect gift. With built-in NASA photos, 240 facts, and quiz questions to fuel their curiosity, this telescope also speaks in four different languages!

12. For a fun and educational activity, try a set of handcrafted, nontoxic constellation blocks. These blocks allow kids to learn about constellations while building and stacking towers. When evening falls, they'll be excited to point out their favorite constellations in the sky, recalling everything they've learned!

13. Help kids improve their spelling with a fun puzzle that challenges them to master common four-letter words. This activity also enhances problem-solving skills as they figure out which puzzle pieces fit together to form the word and its corresponding illustration!

14. For the little athlete, a sports center is a great way to practice skills. They'll work on their gross motor abilities as they shoot goals, make slam dunks, and get excited by the LED scoreboard. Plus, the center plays over 50 songs, sounds, and phrases to keep them entertained while they play.

15. The Melissa & Doug activity book is a great way for kids to snip, cut, and craft their way through creative projects while building those essential fine motor skills.

16. A light-up tracing pad for the little artist in your life who is ready to take their masterpieces to the next level. Watch in amazement as their drawing comes to life as they trace along the lines of the picture below.

17. A toy cash register so they can learn basic math skills as they play a game of pretend grocery shopping with their siblings or friends. I had one of these as a kid, and I still remember the thrill I would get when I would get the change exactly right!

18. For the child who enjoys crafting and learning new skills, a kids' origami kit is a great choice. It includes instructions for 54 different paper projects and all the paper they'll need to start mastering the calming art of paper folding. Paper cranes are just the beginning of their creative journey!

19. With a beginner microscope STEM kit, your young scientist will feel ready to explore the world up close. Equipped with all the tools necessary to study tiny creatures, leaves, and other small objects, this kit will spark their curiosity and open their eyes to the wonders of the microscopic world.

20. If your child is eager to master reading, a sight word Bingo game will make the process both enjoyable and effective. They'll be able to recognize sight words quickly and easily, helping them breeze through picture books in no time!

21. The Fat Brain 2-in-1 musical "Jump 'n Toss" game helps your child develop essential motor skills and hand-eye coordination. They can have a blast jumping over the slowly spinning pole or taking a shot at a ring toss, ensuring hours of entertainment for them and the whole family.

22. A sensory swing that's not only a blast to play in but also a fantastic tool for enhancing balance and motor skills. The unique spring mechanism at the top adds an extra level of fun by letting your child bounce up and down, offering an exciting and playful experience!

23. A glow-in-the-dark fort-building kit to keep young builders occupied. They’ll have endless fun creating new designs for castles, igloos, or rockets — the options are limitless!

24. A National Geographic geodes kit for any young geologist who enjoys hands-on learning. They’ll have a blast cracking open rocks with a hammer (under parental supervision, of course) to discover the hidden gems inside. After exploring, they'll be amazed at the variety of geodes they can identify!

Meet Spike the hedgehog, a delightful toy that will captivate your toddler just as much as it will you. They'll have endless fun placing the colorful "spikes" into the hedgehog's back, while you'll love that this toy helps them practice counting and enhances their fine motor skills.

If your little one is fascinated by space, the Educational Insights "Design & Drill Bolt Buddies" rocket is the perfect choice. They can create and customize their own rockets using a child-safe electric drill — a fun way to boost their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities while engaging with STEM concepts.

The Pixicade mobile game maker is a must-have for young gamers, as it allows them to create their own video games from their own drawings. This innovative set helps children develop their creativity and drawing skills, all while introducing them to the exciting world of game design.

This delightful piggy bank is the perfect tool for teaching your child about numbers, counting, and colors. With two "Smart Stages," it adapts to your child's learning needs, even introducing basic Spanish words. Plus, pressing the pig's snout activates over 40 fun songs, sounds, and phrases to keep them entertained and engaged!

For the little scientist in your life, the Ada Twist scientist on-the-go lab set is the ultimate starter kit. Complete with goggles, a beaker, a flask, test tubes, and more, this set encourages hands-on learning in the scientific method, helping your child practice measurement, follow directions, and conduct their own experiments.

You cheering on your child as playtime seamlessly transforms into an engaging learning experience.