When purchasing a gift for a preschooler, learning often comes to mind. Preschoolers are in preparation for Kindergarten as well as readying for a lifetime of learning. Though there are a lot of strictly fun toys out there for preschoolers like TMX Elmo, educational toys are definitely on the rise as becoming the preferred gift for youngsters between toddler and kindergarten age. Some of the best toys are those which grow with the child or have a longer play life, toys which will entertain beyond preschool years. Here are ten great educational gift ideas for preschoolers:
1. Train Sets – The preschool years are the perfect time to introduce a fun train, and for under five’s, several very nice trains are on the market this year. Whether you want to choose a plastic remote controlled train like Fisher Price Toys® Geotrax or a wooden train set like Brio or even a Thomas the Train set, imagination and adventure are sure to follow.
Geotrax™ trains and railway accessories are specially made for children 2 ½ and up, and are quite sturdy. Geotrax™ has a general railroad set that can be upgraded with several types of add-ons like buildings and extra trains.
Brio tracks are made of wood and the trains that run along the tracks are battery operated. You can recognize Brio pieces of track by the fact that they have balled wooden connectors, not flat or plastic. The great thing about Brio track is that it’s Thomas the Train Compatible.
Thomas the Train is a children’s program and book series geared toward preschoolers. Together with Mr. Conductor, children learn about trains, self esteem, cooperation, and problem solving. Many of the Thomas the Train playsets are plastic, but some are wooden. Most Thomas the Train pieces work well with Brio sets.
2. Toy Kitchen Items – Who doesn’t remember playing cook with a loving caregiver as the recipient of toy green beans and a plastic fried chicken leg? Children learn a lot about how to pretend with tea sets and play food. For more fun, buy a kitchen set with a pretend stove, refrigerator, and sink like the Little Tikes Cookin’ Fun Interactive Kitchen. With this set, your child can pretend to cook, wash dishes, store food, and play just like mommy or daddy. It takes “AA” batteries because the kitchen talks and makes noises.
3. Dinosaurs – Pretend your family room rug is the Jurassic period with a fun group of dinosaurs. Preschoolers and older children love to create prehistoric scenarios with a few plastic dinosaurs. You can buy ninety-six assorted dinos from Oriental Trading Company for $10.95!
4. Toy Animals – Whether they are Schleich, Britains, Ertl, Breyer, Fisher Price®, or dollar store, kids love building their own farms and zoos with toy animals.
Schleich animals are found at most Rural King stores, high-end toy shops, and usually wherever John Deere or Breyer toys are found. These animals are sold by the piece and vary from zoo creatures to detailed frog replicas.
Britains farm toys from the UK have sturdy animals that are perfect examples of specific livestock. You can find them on eBay.
Ertl has a miniature world of farming with tiny, stunning, highly-detailed miniature figures, tractors, buildings, and farm accessories. Be sure to watch for small parts!
Breyer is well known for model horses, but the farm animals like cattle and sheep are quite lovely examples of livestock. Buy a wooden barn to house them like Breyer’s Classic Barn, and you have a sturdy, long-lasting toy set.
Fisher Price® is King of children’s toys. They have several varieties of soft vinyl animals in their Little People Series to entertain youngsters with toys that are just the right size for little hands. From Noah’s Ark to the Fisher Price Little People A to Z Learning Zoo, preschoolers will find hours of learning fun with these classic figures.
5. Interactive Dolls or Stuffed Animals like the new Sesame Street Giggle Gabbers and Rescue Pets allow for hours of entertainment for your preschooler. Whether they are exploring with an electronic friend or just having fun, these toys teach cause and affect, compassion, and imagination.
6. Blocks like Duplo, Magnetix, and classic wooden blocks encourage little ones to imagine and build. For creative girls, Mega Blocks now carries a Cabbage Patch series.
7. Interactive games like Leapster, Leap Frog, and V-Smile are made with preschoolers in mind. From exciting learning games to programs that will make your little one giggle, buying an interactive game platform is like investing in a future of learning.
8. Doll Houses like Playschool’s Dollhouse are a fun way to allow your preschooler to play house in miniature. Playschool offers an entire line of upgrades, dolls, furniture, and accessories all in convenient packs. Your little one will experience hours of fun acting out fun scenarios.
9. Books are a wonderful way for caregivers and children to interact. Some of the best books for preschoolers include One Fish, Two Fish by Dr. Seuss, Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, Curious George by H. A. Rey, and Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister.
10. Play Dough is a classic toy that children of all ages enjoy. With its unique Play Dough smell, its versatility, and traditional soft texture, an afternoon with the squishy clay is often all it takes to chase the grumbles away. Preschoolers hone creativity and coordination with a supply of Play Dough and the encouragement of a growing imagination.
Have fun shopping for your preschooler. After all, a preschooler is like a sponge for learning, ready and eager to take on new discoveries. One of the most essential parts of childhood is creative play. When choosing the perfect gift for your preschooler, it’s important to keep this in mind. Happy Holidays!
