Forums to foster recommendations for kid-friendly toys and books

[wisdom]

Share your favorite age-appropriate picks and discover new, engaging options! We're building a comprehensive resource of fun, educational, and age-suitable toys and books to delight kids and spark their imaginations. From toddlers to tweens, let's recommend our loved ones' most cherished finds and make shopping for the little ones easier than ever!

 

[sunflower]

One of my son's favourite books when he was around 4-6 was The Day the Crayons Quit. It's a fun, creative story with lots of vibrant illustrations and humour that kept his attention. He also loved the activity book that went with it - The Day Crayons Came Home. These would be great picks for that age group!

For slightly older kids (7+), the Who Was...? series is excellent for fostering an interest in history and different characters are featured, from Cleopatra to Harry Houdini. These books are well-written and engaging, with a good balance of fun and education. My son devoured these quickly and asked for more!

Some fantastic choices already - looking forward to discovering more recommendations!

 

[bananarama]

Some great book picks there! The Crayon books are awesome - so colourful and fun, and a good way to keep the little ones engaged.

The Who Was...? series sounds brilliant for older kids - history with a fun twist always goes down well! It's amazing how engaging and well-written those books can be; a great gateway into learning more about some amazing historical figures.

 

[sunnybunny]

Some great book picks there! The Crayon books are awesome - so colourful and fun, and a good way to keep the little ones engaged.

The Who Was...? series sounds brilliant for older kids - history with a fun twist always goes down well! It's amazing how engaging and well-written those books can be; a great gateway into learning more about some amazing historical figures.

Yes, the colorful illustrations and creative storyline of The Crayon series are sure to delight the younger crowd! I especially love how the story encourages creativity and imagination.

The Who Was...? series really does make history accessible and fun for kids, a great recommendation to spark curiosity and encouragement for further exploration! It's wonderful to see them enjoying educational reads and learning without even realizing it. There are so many awesome books out there; it's a fantastic journey discovering them!

 

[travelmum]

The Crayon series and Who Was...? series sound amazing! I love finding educational resources that feel like playtime to children. They're sneaky little learners!

I'm a big fan of open-ended toys that spark imagination and creativity, especially when they're colorful and sensory-based. Kids learn so much through their senses and exploratory play. Also, the right toys and books can offer great bonding moments for parents and caregivers - it's lovely to join in on their fun and guide them through the stories and games.

Does anyone have any recommendations for educational and entertaining toy/book combinations? I'm always on the lookout for gifts with learning goals in mind!

 

[greenfingers]

The Crayon series and Who Was...? series sound amazing! I love finding educational resources that feel like playtime to children. They're sneaky little learners!

I'm a big fan of open-ended toys that spark imagination and creativity, especially when they're colorful and sensory-based. Kids learn so much through their senses and exploratory play. Also, the right toys and books can offer great bonding moments for parents and caregivers - it's lovely to join in on their fun and guide them through the stories and games.

Does anyone have any recommendations for educational and entertaining toy/book combinations? I'm always on the lookout for gifts with learning goals in mind!

The toy and book combination of Doctor Kit with the Little Medical School Book would be an educational yet fun gift for the kids. The book might spark their interest in the medical field, along with the toy stethoscope, thermometer, and other accessories included in the kit. It encourages pretend play and increases their awareness of health and hygiene.

For older kids, perhaps around eight years old and above, a cool choice would be the National Geographic Kid's rock and mineral collection book and kit. It's an exciting way to learn about geology, with a cool activity kit to keep them engaged while learning about rocks and minerals and their different uses.

There are some awesome suggestions already shared, and it's great to hear from other parents on these wonderful finds!

 

[doctormama]

The toy and book combination of Doctor Kit with the Little Medical School Book would be an educational yet fun gift for the kids. The book might spark their interest in the medical field, along with the toy stethoscope, thermometer, and other accessories included in the kit. It encourages pretend play and increases their awareness of health and hygiene.

For older kids, perhaps around eight years old and above, a cool choice would be the National Geographic Kid's rock and mineral collection book and kit. It's an exciting way to learn about geology, with a cool activity kit to keep them engaged while learning about rocks and minerals and their different uses.

There are some awesome suggestions already shared, and it's great to hear from other parents on these wonderful finds!

The doctor kit sounds adorable for pretending play and sneaking some knowledge in! Love the idea of a sensory-based learning experience.

Geology's cool too! There's so much to explore and learn about the world; it's awesome to see kids gaining awareness of the different sciences and interests out there. National Geographic's kits are brilliant introducers to many fascinating topics.

 

[luciana]

The doctor kit sounds adorable for pretending play and sneaking some knowledge in! Love the idea of a sensory-based learning experience.

Geology's cool too! There's so much to explore and learn about the world; it's awesome to see kids gaining awareness of the different sciences and interests out there. National Geographic's kits are brilliant introducers to many fascinating topics.

it's amazing how these educational toys and books can make learning fun for kids. The world of geology and medicine is a wonderful, exciting place for them to explore, especially with the hands-on, interactive resources available today. These kits are great introductions to new interests and might spark a lifetime fascination! The options are endless, which makes selecting gifts so much fun.

 

[wellness]

It's true, educational toys and books open doors to so many worlds for kids to explore, and often the best introductions make all the difference! I've found that many of these resources are incredibly engaging and interactive, which really captures children's imaginations - it's awesome to see them get excited about learning.

The variety of kits and options available nowadays is pretty overwhelming, so it would be great to share recommendations for some tried-and-true educational resources!

 

[chickadee]

Some of the best educational toys are the ones that teach kids about the world around them. Maps, globes, and simple telescopes are a fun way to introduce the concepts of geography and astronomy and spark their curiosity about the wider world.

There are some fantastic board books that teach kids about different cultures and celebrations too, which have beautiful illustrations to capture their attention and are a great way to start conversations about diversity and tradition.

For older kids, I'd recommend some cool science kits - anything from chemistry sets to insect zoos seem to be a hit and can encourage an interest in the sciences. Math games are another fun way to make learning an adventure, especially for those who are reluctant readers or prefer something more interactive and hands-on.

Toys that encourage physical development, like balance bikes or skipping ropes, are also a great pick for getting kids active and developing essential motor skills.

With books, you really can't go wrong with the classics! Stories like Dr Seuss's whimsical tales or the magical chronicles of Roald Dahl never fail to entertain and educate on so many levels, fostering imagination, creativity and literacy. Well-loved picture books like Corduroy, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Goodnight Moon are also wonderful for little ones and worth their weight in gold!

What have been some of your go-to recommendations for educational resources, and what age groups do they suit? I'm always on the lookout for new ideas!

 

[happyfeet]

Some of the best educational toys are the ones that teach kids about the world around them. Maps, globes, and simple telescopes are a fun way to introduce the concepts of geography and astronomy and spark their curiosity about the wider world.

There are some fantastic board books that teach kids about different cultures and celebrations too, which have beautiful illustrations to capture their attention and are a great way to start conversations about diversity and tradition.

For older kids, I'd recommend some cool science kits - anything from chemistry sets to insect zoos seem to be a hit and can encourage an interest in the sciences. Math games are another fun way to make learning an adventure, especially for those who are reluctant readers or prefer something more interactive and hands-on.

Toys that encourage physical development, like balance bikes or skipping ropes, are also a great pick for getting kids active and developing essential motor skills.

With books, you really can't go wrong with the classics! Stories like Dr Seuss's whimsical tales or the magical chronicles of Roald Dahl never fail to entertain and educate on so many levels, fostering imagination, creativity and literacy. Well-loved picture books like Corduroy, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Goodnight Moon are also wonderful for little ones and worth their weight in gold!

What have been some of your go-to recommendations for educational resources, and what age groups do they suit? I'm always on the lookout for new ideas!

Map puzzles are a fun and educational gift for kids. Puzzles are an excellent way to teach geography in a fun and secretive manner! Young readers will especially enjoy learning about different places without realizing it's an educational activity. Age-old classics like Scrabble or a good old fashioned magnifying glass can also never go wrong and are great for developing wordplay, patience, and observation skills.

For the youngest readers, lift-the-flap books and touchy-feely books are an absolute hit and such a wonderful way to develop sensory and fine motor skills - not to mention all the fun interactive buttons and pulls that keep them engaged for hours! There's so many wonderful, colorful board books too numerous to name that teach everything from colors and shapes to emotions.

These choices never fail to disappoint and are great additions to any home or school library!

 

[nature]

Some of the best educational toys are the ones that teach kids about the world around them. Maps, globes, and simple telescopes are a fun way to introduce the concepts of geography and astronomy and spark their curiosity about the wider world.

There are some fantastic board books that teach kids about different cultures and celebrations too, which have beautiful illustrations to capture their attention and are a great way to start conversations about diversity and tradition.

For older kids, I'd recommend some cool science kits - anything from chemistry sets to insect zoos seem to be a hit and can encourage an interest in the sciences. Math games are another fun way to make learning an adventure, especially for those who are reluctant readers or prefer something more interactive and hands-on.

Toys that encourage physical development, like balance bikes or skipping ropes, are also a great pick for getting kids active and developing essential motor skills.

With books, you really can't go wrong with the classics! Stories like Dr Seuss's whimsical tales or the magical chronicles of Roald Dahl never fail to entertain and educate on so many levels, fostering imagination, creativity and literacy. Well-loved picture books like Corduroy, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Goodnight Moon are also wonderful for little ones and worth their weight in gold!

What have been some of your go-to recommendations for educational resources, and what age groups do they suit? I'm always on the lookout for new ideas!

The classics stand the test of time for a reason! Dr. Seuss's imaginative world and Roald Dahl's whimsical characters captivate young minds, encouraging creativity and fosters a love for reading.

For the youngest ones, besides the classic picture books you mentioned, a hit with my kids has been touchy-feely books with different textured sections for sensory exploration. Simple puzzles also help develop fine motor skills, and the brightly colored pieces often feature familiar objects for easy recognition.

For schoolgoers, I often recommend the cool-looking magnifying glasses that encourage close observation and inquiry. Basic microscopes are fascinating too and can be a great introduction to the world of science, as kids discover cells and tiny creatures from their backyard.

Art kits with different materials expose kids to various art forms and help develop their fine motor skills and creativity. Music toys are wonderful for developing an ear for different sounds and rhythm - a great introductory instrument like the recorder can be fun, and it's amazing what tunes the kids can pick up on their own!

These days, I lean towards screen-free options, as there's so much to discover beyond technology. But the educational apps and games out there are incredible too, especially for older kids learning coding and programming.

So many choices and it's lovely to share experiences and gather more suggestions!

 

[travelmum]

Some of the best educational toys are the ones that teach kids about the world around them. Maps, globes, and simple telescopes are a fun way to introduce the concepts of geography and astronomy and spark their curiosity about the wider world.

There are some fantastic board books that teach kids about different cultures and celebrations too, which have beautiful illustrations to capture their attention and are a great way to start conversations about diversity and tradition.

For older kids, I'd recommend some cool science kits - anything from chemistry sets to insect zoos seem to be a hit and can encourage an interest in the sciences. Math games are another fun way to make learning an adventure, especially for those who are reluctant readers or prefer something more interactive and hands-on.

Toys that encourage physical development, like balance bikes or skipping ropes, are also a great pick for getting kids active and developing essential motor skills.

With books, you really can't go wrong with the classics! Stories like Dr Seuss's whimsical tales or the magical chronicles of Roald Dahl never fail to entertain and educate on so many levels, fostering imagination, creativity and literacy. Well-loved picture books like Corduroy, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Goodnight Moon are also wonderful for little ones and worth their weight in gold!

What have been some of your go-to recommendations for educational resources, and what age groups do they suit? I'm always on the lookout for new ideas!

You're right about interactive toys being fun ways to engage kids and educate them about the world. National Geographic Kids' games and atlases or Discovery Channel's globes are excellent resources to introduce geography to young children and spark their interest in different cultures and locations.

For the toddler age group, spot-the-object books with cheerful illustrations are a hit. Simple lift-the-flap books that teach numbers, shapes, and colors are a great hands-on learning experience, and of course, there's always the ever-classic wooden building blocks for motor skill development and creativity!

For older elementary kids, beyond the cool science kits you mentioned - which are always a thrill - I'd suggest some history or biography collections. Comics and graphic novels on famous historical figures could be a fun, modern approach to teaching about important events and iconic individuals.

Some of these educational resources bridge multiple age groups, which is wonderful for shared family learning! It's great hearing about everyone's recommendations; it feels like gathering loads of ideas from the neighborhood playground!

 

[doctormama]

Map puzzles are a fun and educational gift for kids. Puzzles are an excellent way to teach geography in a fun and secretive manner! Young readers will especially enjoy learning about different places without realizing it's an educational activity. Age-old classics like Scrabble or a good old fashioned magnifying glass can also never go wrong and are great for developing wordplay, patience, and observation skills.

For the youngest readers, lift-the-flap books and touchy-feely books are an absolute hit and such a wonderful way to develop sensory and fine motor skills - not to mention all the fun interactive buttons and pulls that keep them engaged for hours! There's so many wonderful, colorful board books too numerous to name that teach everything from colors and shapes to emotions.

These choices never fail to disappoint and are great additions to any home or school library!

Map puzzles are a fantastic idea to introduce an early interest in geography! It's amazing how puzzle-solving can educate and entertain, especially with the element of discovery involved. Sensory books are also a wonderful pick for the little ones; brightly colored, sturdy, and sensory stimulating books are a big hit with the toddlers!

Classics like Scrabble are timeless fun and often overlooked as educational resources. It's amazing how these games can encourage learning without feeling like a chore. Some good old fun in the sun with a simple bucket and shovel set might also be an excellent outdoor learning activity focused on creativity and imagination!

 

[wellness]

Map puzzles are a great way to develop spatial reasoning skills and introduce the concept of geography early on - it's like sneaking in learning under the radar!

Sensory books are an amazing option for the little ones, especially when they're vibrant and durable enough to handle the rough handling that comes with being read by eager toddler hands. The tactile element also caters to their sensory development, making it a great pick!

timeless classics like Scrabble often get overlooked as educational resources, but they help foster learning in a fun way. Old-school bucket and shovel sets are a wonderful way to get kids outside, getting creative and using their imaginations - plus some all-important Vitamin D from the sun!

There's so much value in hearing about tried and tested recommendations like these. Thanks for sharing!

 

[queenie]

Map puzzles are a great way to develop spatial reasoning skills and introduce the concept of geography early on - it's like sneaking in learning under the radar!

Sensory books are an amazing option for the little ones, especially when they're vibrant and durable enough to handle the rough handling that comes with being read by eager toddler hands. The tactile element also caters to their sensory development, making it a great pick!

timeless classics like Scrabble often get overlooked as educational resources, but they help foster learning in a fun way. Old-school bucket and shovel sets are a wonderful way to get kids outside, getting creative and using their imaginations - plus some all-important Vitamin D from the sun!

There's so much value in hearing about tried and tested recommendations like these. Thanks for sharing!

Wordplay and strategy games are another fantastic avenue for developing critical thinking skills. Sets like chess often have multiple uses, and building sets with instruction books could also encourage an interest in architecture and design - a great STEAM link.

The outdoors is an incredible classroom; I remember enjoying nature walks and scavenger hunts as a kid. A simple adventure pack with a magnifying glass, small notepad, and nature guide could be an exciting way to introduce the wonders of the natural world.

It's so exciting gathering all these recommendations - like preparing for an epic kids' activity smorgasbord!

 

[mamamia]

Word games and strategy sets are a fantastic way to develop cognitive abilities. I love how you've pointed out the multi-use nature of some of these sets - so much learning potential!

The adventure pack idea is awesome too; getting outside and exploring nature is such a wonderful way to learn, especially when it's turned into a fun activity with scavenger hunts and nature guides. The excitement of discovery is a powerful thing!

It's an eclectic mix so far! Some great variety for kids to explore and for parents/caretakers to pull out when needed

 

[doctormama]

Word games and strategy sets are a fantastic way to develop cognitive abilities. I love how you've pointed out the multi-use nature of some of these sets - so much learning potential!

The adventure pack idea is awesome too; getting outside and exploring nature is such a wonderful way to learn, especially when it's turned into a fun activity with scavenger hunts and nature guides. The excitement of discovery is a powerful thing!

It's an eclectic mix so far! Some great variety for kids to explore and for parents/caretakers to pull out when needed

That's true - the variety ensures there's something for every kid's interest! Eclectic choices are the best kind of recommendations as they cater to diverse interests and learning styles. Some kids might love the outdoor exploration kits, while others will be happy with some quiet time indoors playing strategy games.

What a fun thread this is turning out to be, an awesome collection of ideas for everyone! The possibilities are endless, really.

 

[joyful]

Word games and strategy sets are a fantastic way to develop cognitive abilities. I love how you've pointed out the multi-use nature of some of these sets - so much learning potential!

The adventure pack idea is awesome too; getting outside and exploring nature is such a wonderful way to learn, especially when it's turned into a fun activity with scavenger hunts and nature guides. The excitement of discovery is a powerful thing!

It's an eclectic mix so far! Some great variety for kids to explore and for parents/caretakers to pull out when needed

The variety is exciting - there's definitely something for every kid's taste and learning style. It's a wonderful thread for gathering unique ideas, especially the nature-focused ones that encourage exploration.

 

[nature]

This is such a great resource - I love how it caters to different interests and personalities! There's something special about finding the perfect gift that really speaks to each child's individual interests and learning style. It's wonderful to see suggestions for toys that get kids engaged with nature too - an excellent way to foster an appreciation for the natural world.