
With the current state of the pandemic, millions of parents have had to get more creative when it comes to their children’s education.
Add in the madness of the holiday season and Christmas shopping, and mom and dad sure have a lot on their plates this year.
In a pinch trying to find the perfect gift? Instead of just giving a child another meaningless toy, it’s actually quite simple to intersect a gift with education.
Here’s a secret I’ll let you in on… Most of the kids’ toys out on the market today are educational in one way or another. Although, I will say there are certain toys that have more instructional value and really hone in on developing certain skills and milestones — depending on your child's age. There’s plenty of options out there for all age groups that prove learning doesn't have to be boring. And wrapping education up as a Christmas gift sure makes it a hack of a lot more fun!
Catherine Workman, M.D., a developmental pediatrician at NYU Langone’s Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital had the following to say:
"The best toys for toddlers are ones that encourage unstructured, creative, interactive play, as this helps stimulate cognitive and language skills."
Educational toys tend to engage your child for a longer time, too, as they neurally stimulate their brain. More importantly, the impact of an educational gift can last a lifetime. These gifts provide the opportunity for a head start in reading, math, and science.
So you may be asking “How exactly can I ensure that fun and learning collide this holiday season?”
I’ve compiled a short list of the latest and greatest fun, educational toys and gifts that are available online. There will surely be one that will serve to benefit your child’s growth and learning, all while having fun.
Making a List, Checking it Twice
#1 It's Raining Gifts on Your Meteorologist-in-Training
Little one's will love learning about the weather with this cute and educational weather station. This toy is called “My Little Weather Station” and can be found here on Bug and Beans Kids website.
Move the weather meter, turn the dials, slide the thermometer. This fun, educational, and interactive toy has four movable parts and five weather symbols to display — all so little meteorologists can report and forecast the weather.
This toy is recommended for ages three and up and is made of solid beech wood from sustainably certified forests and non-toxic paint. Making this a safe and ecologically-friendly gift and super easy to clean.
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#2 Loading… The Perfect Treat for Your Future IT and Programmable Specialist
This isn’t just one-singular toy — you have choices! Soooo many choices. Dig through homesciencetools.com for buildable robot kids for all ages! On this site, you can find top-selling science products based on your child’s age and interests. “It’s as easy as 1-2-3!”
The easy-to-use filter system on this website allows you to find a gift within your price range, your child’s age, and even how many stars other customers rated them. This will save the headache of searching for the perfect gift.
What’s more, this site expands way further than just robots. You can find gifts that cover chemistry, biology, and more in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) realm!
#3 Looking to the Stars for an Out-of-this-World Gift
The little builders in your life will fall head over heels for this Lego Creator 3-in-1 Shuttle Transporter building kit. With the 341 pieces in this box, your child can head for the launch site, featuring a truck and trailer with vertical exhaust stacks, roof-mounted horns, tinted windshield and 10 sturdy wheels with chunky tires, plus a space shuttle with large engines, opening payload bay doors, working crane and a satellite. Transport the shuttle and set out on daring space missions. With LEGO Creator 3-in-1 sets you get 3 different build and play experiences. Build the Shuttle Transporter, and then rebuild it to create a futuristic Helicopter Transporter, or a Car with Caravan for further fun and adventures.
The realistic-looking shuttle transporter includes vertical exhaust stacks, roof-mounted horns, and a tinted windshield. The shuttle itself also looks realistic, with large engines, opening payload bay doors, working crane and a satellite.
The finished product will surely feel great — all while keeping your child busy! And let's be real, you can never go wrong with LEGO's.
#4 A Green Thumbs Up on Inspiring a Budding Gardener or Interest in Botany
If you have a young gardener in your life, you know the joy of seeing them discover the secrets of growing their own plants. Even if your little one hasn’t been visited by the gardening bug yet, you can aid in their interest with kid-centered garden tools and activities. Any aspiring young gardener will be delighted with this gift.
They can explore the wonder of nature and science with the Grow 'N Glow Terrarium Kit! This indoor activity for kids allows you to craft, plant, water and grow your own mini ecosystem. Just add water for a unique science experience!
The kit includes everything a young botanist needs for two plant life cycles! Science kit features:
Plastic mason-style jar
Potting mix (vermiculite)
Organic chia and wheat grass seeds
Glow-in-the-dark forest figurines
And more!
This activity mixes science and art and allows children to create their own terrarium, all while learning responsibility and nurturing.
We all know patience is a virtue, and luckily the terrarium will begin to grow in as little as 3-4 days. Even better, this garden kit for kids features non-toxic arts and craft supplies and is recommended for ages six and up.
I wish you and yours a very-Merry Christmas and happy holidays!
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