The last thing any parent wants is to buy gifts that will only be shoved aside and forgotten. Here you will find the best Christmas gifts for kids. Below you will find play-based learning toy ideas and what aspects of learning they facilitate.
My kids’ toys seemingly reproduce overnight. There are toys in every room upstairs, toys in the living room, and toys shoved into the-impossible-to-reach crevices in my car. In an effort to tidy up, I lug what I can down to the basement. There, the copious amount of plastic meets the same fate. Instead of the lower floor becoming the makeshift playroom I’d hoped, it is the place where many toys sit forgotten, collecting dust.
We donate. I rotate toys. I’ve asked family members to buy less. But let’s be honest, new toys are still going to make their way into our home. In anticipation of Christmas, LOLs, Hatchimals, and Nerf guns cutouts are glued to construction paper and affixed to our kitchen fridge. And I will indulge my kids to a certain extent. I want to get them a toy or two for Christmas.
But, I also want them to:
- appreciate what they get/ already have,
- get value out of their gifts and potentially years of play.
Related reading: How to Buy Christmas Gifts for the Kid who has Everything
What research says makes for the best toys
Research shows that within the context of play, children use more elaborate vocabulary, problem-solving skills, test out early numeracy (math), and demonstrate skills needed for early literacy (symbolic thought, fine motor skill practice, reading signs and symbols). But… not all toys are created equally. In fact, some toys undermine these benefits.
The benefits of play-based learning vast, and so are the ways a parent can help develop facilitate it in the home. What is accessible to children plays a big role in learning through play. Important elements creating an environment of play-based learning in the home include the structure of children’s day, the amount of time they spend on a tablet or watching TV, the parents’ role, and the types of toys they have.
Related reading: How to Facilitate Play-Based Learning at Home
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These toys undermine play-based learning
- Anything that requires batteries or buttons to get its play-value is typically not a good toy. While brands such as LeapFrog and Vtech have educational content programmed into their toys, these toys aren’t great for early childhood learning. You can procure many of the same benefits by playing children’s songs and providing your child with magnetic letters or manipulatives.
Often these toys are marketed as “developmental” because the toy has so many different functions. Unfortunately, this often has the opposite effect for the child. The more a toy does, the less your child has to do. If your child can sit and watch the toy “perform,” then it is likely more entertaining than educational… The more children have to use their minds and bodies to make something work, the more they learn. – Zero to Three
- Over-scheduling your child’s day takes away from the richness of their childhood. When children have the ability to explore and discover at their own pace, the magic of play-based learning comes to life. Give your child as much free time to play as possible. Having friends over or setting up invitations to play are great.
- When building on their play, take their lead. When joining in their play, ask the questions about what they’re doing or are learning. If they’re working on numeracy you can remove, two Shopkins and ask how many are left. If they’re playing store, you can ask for a certain amount of money in exchange for an item.
- Turn off the TV and tablet any chance you get. The less screen time the better. Read more from WebMD here.
Best Play-Based Learning Toy Ideas for STEM Learning
STEM refers to Science Technology Engineering and Math Learning. Why is STEM learning so darn cool? It promotes innovation, creativity, hypothesis testing and exploration. It has also been found that, in grouping the four together, STEM bridges the gender gap in traditionally more male-oriented learning. Read more here.
Here are some incredible STEM play-based learning toy ideas
Thames & Kosmos Amusement Park Engineer (pictured)
Magformers Walking Robot Set (pictured)
Goldie Box Invention Mansion (pictured in image at the very top of the post)
Learning Resources Pretend and Play Cash Register (pictured)
LEGO Friends Amusement Park Roller Coaster (pictured)
Best Play-Based Learning Toy Ideas for Pretend Play
Because of its open-ended nature, pretend play’s benefits are limitless. Some of the many benefits of pretend play include more complex language use, increased problem-solving skills, better social and emotional understanding, and a stronger imagination. The last one is crucial for early literacy because children start to understand symbolic thought as well as other important elements. To read more, click here.
Here are gorgeous pretend play-based learning toys.
Melissa and Doug Scoop and Serve Ice Cream Counter (pictured)
KidKraft Disney Princess Cinderella Castle (pictured)
Melissa and Doug Simply Crafty Super Hero Masks
Melissa & Doug Doctor Dress Up (pictured)
KidKraft Enchanted Belle Castle
Melissa and Doug Let’s Play House! Dust, Sweep & Mop
Learning Resources Pretend Play & Play Fishing Set (pictured)
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Best Play-Based Learning Toy Ideas for Fine Motor Skills
If you follow my Instagram closely, you will notice I set up activities and encourage my kids to use their fine motor skills. The truth is, fine-motor skills do not come easily to most early learners – my daughter especially. Because fine motor skills are requisites for printing, colouring, cutting, and so much more, I have included toys below that help with hand-eye coordination, writing, and pincer grip.
Here are some of my favourite toys to promote fine motor skills.
Melissa and Doug Wooden Double-Sided Tabletop (pictured)
Crayola Wonder Mess Free 2 in 1 Tote
Playmobil NHL Arena (pictured)
Shopkins (pictured)
Melissa and Doug Simply Crafty Marvelous Masks (pictured)
Melissa and Doug Simply Crafty Super Hero Masks
Best Play-Based Learning Toy & Book Ideas for Language Development & Literacy
I love kids books, so I could’ve made this list a mile long. Reading increases vocabulary, letter recognition, and your child understanding of the world and their empathy through perspective taking. For more benefits, click here.
Here are some of my favourite toys and books to promote language development and literacy.
Melissa and Doug Wooden Double-Sided Tabletop (pictured)
Mix it Up (pictured)
Press Here Game (pictured)
52 Wooden Alphabet Letters (pictured)
Melissa and Doug Alphabet Puzzle (pictured)
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus Game (pictured)
Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late
Best Play-Based Learning Toy Ideas for Gross Motor Skills
To be active, fit, and burn off energy, children need well-developed gross motor skills. On top of this, there are also innumerable benefits to promoting their development in kids. The development of gross motor skills helps to increase body awareness, sensory processing, muscular strength and endurance, as well as balance, coordination, and so much more. Read more here.
Here are some of the best toys I can recommend for improving gross motor skills.
Joovy Balance Bike (pictured)
Plasmacar (pictured)
Little Tikes Easy Score Basketball Net
Little Tikes Easy Hit Golf Set (pictured)
Paddle Tether Ball (pictured)
I hope you and yours enjoy these toys as much as I did researching them!
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