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The 24 Best Educational Toys for Preschoolers | Top Learning Toys 2021

Updated January 2021
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The mind of a preschooler is wide open and eager for learning. They are ready to explore, to experiment, to try new things, and to expand their knowledge of letter formation and vocabulary. You need to be very careful during the preschool years when selecting toys and activities to give to your child because their minds are very moldable at this age.  
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Though every preschooler is different, if you buy them unnaturally proportionate fashion dolls, they may be more inclined to fall into the trap that unrealistic beauty and expensive clothing are very important. If you buy them a toy doctor’s kit or a baby doll, the nurturing and empathetic personality traits of your child may be engaged. If you buy them an art supplies and an easel, they may learn to excel in creativity and imagination. Construction sets may encourage their growth in engineering and architecture. You get the idea. Gift your preschooler something that is going to encourage the parts of their personality that you want to shine. Ask them what they are interested in and help encourage their growth in all areas with appropriate educational toys. 
Magnetic alphabet tracing sensory board toy by Magnatab for sale on Amazon
The Best Educational Alphabet Tracing Toy for Preschoolers
Button to see the Magnatab alphabet tracing sensory toy for preschoolers on Amazon
• This popular alphabet tracing toy by Magnatab is a great way for your preschooler to learn the proper way to write letters.   
• By using sensory-based learning, the stylus pulls up magnetic beads that children can see, feel, and hear so the learning is reinforced. 

• A unique toy for at home or in the classroom. 
• A lowercase board and a numbers board are also available. 

Read more...
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Wooden tetris inspired puzzle by Coogam for sale on Amazon
The Best Educational Wooden Blocks Puzzle for Preschoolers
Button to see the Coogam wooden blocks puzzle on Amazon
• This wooden puzzle by Coogam makes a great educational toy for preschoolers and kindergarteners alike. 
• Improves attention, concentration, and logical thinking.
• Built from high-quality wood, this toy puzzle is non-toxic and lead-free.
Read more...
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20-piece periodic table wooden buliding blocks by Uncle Goose for sale on Amazon
The Best Periodic Table Wooden Building Blocks Toy for Preschoolers
Button to see the Uncle Goose wooden periodic table of elements building blocks on Amazon
• This 20-piece wooden block set by Uncle Goose represents the entire periodic table of elements.
• This educational toy for preschoolers is handmade from sustainable Michigan grown basswood.
• Encourages developmental play, and helps develop fine motor skills. 
• Printed with non-toxic, lead-free, and child-safe inks. 
• ​Made in the USA
​Read more...
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The Smarty Pants question cards for preschoolers by Melissa and Doug
The Best Educational Question Cards for Preschoolers
Button to see the Melissa and Doug Smarty Pants question cards for preschoolers and pre-k on Amazon
• The Melissa & Doug SmartyPants Preschool and Pre-K Genius set features 120 brain-building cards with questions, puzzles, and games. 
• This educational game was developed with the input of educators to support the curriculum of the preschool grade level.
• ​Makes a great gift for 3 to 5 year olds.
​Read more...
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Brio wooden train track with pvc-free plasic accessories for sale on Amazon
The Best Educational Train Set Toy for Preschoolers
Button to see the Brio train set toy on Amazon
• The Tender Leaf Toys train track sets offers preschoolers hours and hours of open-ended, imaginative play.
• This train set toy features a durable train track, along with adorable accessories including wooden trees, vehicles, animals, and a log cabin.
• Building different train track layouts allows your preschooler to learn about construction and their environment in a fun way. 
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• Made from eco-friendly sustainable rubberwood.
• Formaldehyde-free and colored with non-toxic paint. Meets European, American, and Australian toy safety standards.
​Read more...
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Wooden My Weather Station toy by Moon Picnic for sale on The Natural Baby Company
The Best Educational Weather Station Toy for Preschoolers
Button to see the My Weather Station wooden toy by Moon Picnic on The Natural Baby Company
• The My Weather Station by Moon Picnic links all aspects of climate into a simple educational board. It teaches children how the various seasons can have typical weather patterns.  
• This fun learning toy for preschoolers has 4 moveable parts and 5 weather symbols to display so little meteorologists can report and forecast the weather.
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• Made from solid beech wood from sustainable certified forests.
​Read more...
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LeapFrog Go LeapStart educational system with Sampler book for sale on Amazon
The Best Portable Educational Learning System for Preschoolers
Button to see the LeapFrog LeapStart Go Learning System on Amazon
• The LeapFrog Go System engages kids through video and audio for an experience that reinforces learning and helps preschoolers better understand educational concepts. 
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• A computer with internet is required for setup but is not needed after that unless you purchase more books. 
​• The LeapFrog Go books (sold separately) introduce your preschoolers to the concepts of basic math, reading, and many other subjects. 
​• See the Preschool 4-in-1 Activity Book Bundle here.
​• See the Learn to Read 6 Book Bundle here. 
​Read more...
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Preschool girl dressed up in a Cinderella charecter princess dress by Little Adventures
The Best Character Inspired Dresses for Preschoolers
Button to see the Little Adventures website
• If your child is into theater education or the arts, they will love these character inspired dresses by Little Adventures. 
• With multiple character options available, they come in sizes to fit 1 year olds all the way to adults. 
• These popular costumes for girls and boys are extremely affordable and are sure to encourage hours of open-ended play and enhance your child's imagination. 
​Read more...
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Educational monarch butterfly life cycle puppet by Folkman's for sale on Amazon
The Best Educational Monarch Life Cycle Puppet Toy for Preschoolers
Button to see the Folkman's monarch butterfly life cycle reversable puppet on Amazon
• This educational, reversable puppet by Folkman's allows your preschooler to animate the life cycle of the monarch butterfly.
• Ideal for stage and puppet theater, storytelling, role-playing, and teaching. 
• Use the zippers of this learning toy to tuck and reveal the metamorphosis of the butterfly, use your hands to flutter the transformed monarch's wings. 
• Constructed from high-quality materials with exceptionally realistic details. 

​Read more...
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Puppet show theater by Guidecraft for sale on Amazon
The Best Puppet Theater Toy for Preschoolers
Button to see the Guidecraft Puppet Theater on Amazon
• Let your little performer's spirit shine by coordinating and presenting a show to an audience of people (or stuffed animals).
• This open-ended educational toy by Guidecraft doubles as a toy store or a market store with interchangeable signs.
• Comes with a blank chalkboard for original themes. 
​Read more...
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Wooden marble run race track by Hape Toys for sale on Amazon
The Best Wooden Marble Run Toy for Preschoolers
Button to see the Hape toys wooden quadrilla marble run on Amazon
• The Quadrilla Wooden Marble Run by Hape Toys is a high-quality heirloom toy that can be passed down from generation to generation. 
• One of the best educational toys for preschoolers, this marble run teaches engineering and STEM principles.
• Made from FSC certified sustainable wood, and a strategized production process to minimize environmental impact.
• Colored with non-toxic water-based paints.
​Read more...
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Hoot Hoot Owl educational board game by Peacable Kingdom for sale on Amazon
The Best Educational Board Game for Preschoolers
Button to see the Hoot Hoot Owl board game by Peacable Kingdom on Amazon
• The Hoot Hoot Owl educational board game encourages players to work together to get all of the owls to the nest before the sun comes up. 
• Helps preschoolers learn the concept of strategy while helping teach them how to follow direction and take turns.
​Read more...
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Wobbel wooden balance board for sale on The Natural Baby Company
The Best Balance Board Toy for Preschoolers
Button to see the Wobbel wooden balance board on The Natural Baby Company
• Multi-purpose wooden balance board by Wobbel doubles as a bridge, a hut, a step, a racetrack, or anything else your preschooler can imagine.
• Teaches physical education skills, coordination, and creativity. 
• Built with wood from strictly controlled plantations where replanting is guaranteed.
• Contains a child-friendly water-based translucent 
lacquer.
​Read more...
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Wooden parts of the body puzzle for preschoolers by Kidzlane for sale on Amazon
The Best Parts of the Body Educational Puzzle for Preschoolers
Button to see the Kidzlane parts of the body wooden puzzle on Amazon
• This wooden parts of the body puzzle by Kidzlane is one of the best educational gifts for preschoolers.
• This multi-layer stacking puzzle features bones, muscles, organs, skin, and more. 
• Promotes body positivity and confidence while teaching children about anatomy. 

• These puzzles come in both male and female versions and they do show all body parts including privates. 
• View the boy's puzzle here.
• View the girl's puzzle here. 

Read more...
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Educational bug catching toy with mesh case, magnifying glass, tweezers, and magnifying lid by B. Toys for sale on Amazon
The Best Educational Insect Catching Kit for Preschoolers
Button to see the B. Toys Bug Bungalow insect catching toy on Amazon
• This educational Bug Bungalow Bug Catching Kit by B. Toys allows your preschooler to round up their favorite buds and critters for a closer look in their own bug carrier. 
• The 4-piece bug catching playset comes with a mesh critter case, magnifying lid, tweezers, and magnifying glass.
• Tested to meet all U.S., Canadian, and European safety standards.
Read more...
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Rainbow colored playsilk toy by Sarah's Sliks for sale on Amazon
The Best Playsilk Toy for Preschoolers
Button to see the Sarah's Silks playsilk toy on Amazon
• This wildly open-ended toy by Sarah's Silks is both Waldorf and Montessori inspired.
• This gorgeous silk can be used in pretend play as water for a sailboat, fire for a camping stove, a sling for a doll or stuffed animal, a decorative backdrop for a make-believe scene, and so much more. 
• The silk is made with 100% real silk and hand dyed with eco-friendly dyes.
Read more...
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Wooden domino race track toy with accessories by Hape Toys for sale on Amazon
The Best Domino Race Track Toy for Preschoolers
Button to see the Hape Domino Race Track toy on Amazon
• This Dynamo Dominoes race track set by Hape encourages early educational STEM development for 3 to 5 year old preschoolers.
• Includes a bridge and other unique obstacles to add to the racing fun!
• Made from FSC certified sustainable wood, and a strategized production process to minimize environmental impact.
• Colored with water-based paints.
​Read more...
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Pack of educational puzzle sticks by Mudpuppy for sale on Amazon
The Best Puzzle Sticks for Preschoolers
Button to see the Mudpuppy wooden puzzle sticks on Amazon
Button to see the Mudpuppy wooden puzzle sticks on Honey Bug
​Get $25 off of a $100 Honey Bug purchase here using promo code 25OFF100VIP
Some restrictions may apply.
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• This educational puzzle by Mudpuppy is designed for a 3 year old preschooler to 6 year old 1st grader and it includes 24 double sided puzzle sticks that create 6 unique puzzles. 
• Sort the sticks by background color, then use the included tray to arrange the sticks in the correct order to reveal fun animal pictures. 
• Printed with non-toxic ink and adheres to CPSIA, ASTM, and CE safety regulations. 
Read more...
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Wooden lacing board with shapes and string by PlanToys for sale on Amazon
The Best Lacing Board Toy for Preschoolers
Button to see the PlanToys wooden lacing board on Amazon
• This wooden lacing board by PlanToys promotes creativity and helps teach fine motor skills and hand eye coordination. 
• The wooden shapes are colored with water-based dyes, organic pigments, and formaldehyde-free glue.
• Built with sustainably sourced rubberwood and crafted in a factory that utilizes solar energy. 
• A great developmental toy for ages 3 - 5

Read more...
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The Best Digital Camera Toy for Preschoolers
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• This KidiZoom kids digital camera by VTech features a twisting camera lens that lets kids easily take photos from different angles and directions.
• Teaches photography education, creativity, and out-of-the-box thinking. 
• Decorate your photos with over 50 special effects including frames, stamps, and wacky effects. 
• Includes a video recorder and voice recorder for more creative ways to play. 
​Read more...
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Wooden puzzle featuring colorful sticks for learning different shapes and letters by Coogam for sale on Amazon
The Best Peg Board Stacking Puzzle for Preschoolers
Button to view the Coogam peg board wooden stacking puzzle on Amazon
• This colorful peg board kid's puzzle by Coogam features wooden stacking sticks that allow children to form different shapes, letters, and designs. 
• One of the best educational toys for preschoolers, this puzzle encourages creativity, letter and number recognition, and fine motor skills. 
• Crafted from high-quality wood, non-toxic paints and finishes. 
Read more...
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The Little Patient educational doll by Sigikid for sale on Amazon
The Best Educational Doll for Preschoolers
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• This educational toy by Sigikid allows your preschooler to unzip the doll's stomach to reveal it's organs and skeleton.
• Encourages understanding of bodily function and body composition. 
• Removes the stigma and mystery of the body while your preschooler learns about anatomy. 
• Encourages doctor patient play.

Read more...
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3D magnetic building set by Magna Tiles for sale on Amazon
The Best Magnetic 3D Building Toy for Preschoolers
Button to see the Magna Tiles 3D building set on Amazon
• This educational 3D magnetic building set toy engages the mind of your preschooler by fusing together math, science, and creativity.
• Features translucent, colorful shapes that connect together for hours of imaginative open-ended play
• Encourages the development of spatial and tactile skills. 
• Made from food-grade ABS plastic which is BPA-free and phthalate-free.
• Multiple sets available and may differ from item shown.

Read more...
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Rock it Twist educational video game by Leap Frog for sale on Amazon
The Best Educational Video Game for Preschoolers
Button to see the Leap Frog Rock it Twist educational video game on Amazon
• This toy by Leap Frog is the only video game I let my kids play. I am not a huge fan of tablets and I love this toy because it does not use wi-fi.
• Featuring many educational games for preschoolers involving math, puzzles, music, literacy, and creative skills. 
• This game is best for 4 year olds - 6 year olds, however my twin 3 year olds played this and caught on relatively quickly with just a few minor struggles. 
Read more...
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