How to Choose Educational Preschool Toys
I earn a commission from products purchased through links in this post.
Sometimes it can be difficult to choose gifts for kids. No one wants to give toys that will end up ignored and forgotten in the toy chest. I want to give gifts that are fun, but the teacher in me loves it when toys are also educational. My experience as a classroom kindergarten teacher and homeschool mom of two has helped me identify truly educational preschool toys.
Kids learn through play. A toy doesn’t need to be labeled as educational or win awards from education companies to help preschoolers learn. They are learning through all of their daily experiences and activities.
Our job is to provide materials that help them learn a variety of skills while still having fun.
How to Choose Educational Preschool Toys
When you are trying to choose educational preschool toys, look for a few things:
- Open-ended play opportunities
- Requires creativity
- Support every area of intelligence
Most people are familiar with the first two bullet points but are not familiar with the idea of multiple intelligences. The theory of multiple intelligences is that there are different ways of being smart. I learned about this theory when I was in college and tried to apply it to my classroom and homeschool choices.
The 8 intelligences are:
- Visual-Spatial
- Linguistic-Verbal
- Logical-Mathematical
- Bodily-Kinesthetic
- Musical
- Interpersonal
- Intrapersonal
- Naturalistic
Not sure what to choose? I used my experience as a kindergarten teacher and homeschool mom to create a gift guide full of educational preschool toys.
17 Favorite Educational Preschool Toys
- BEAUTIFUL & EDUCATIONAL WOODEN CASTLE BLOCKS: This set of castle blocks includes 75PCS durable and safe interchangeable building blocks.Your little…
- NATURAL AND SAFE MATERIALS: This wooden castle building blocks Made of 100% natural pine wood, sturdy wooden construction, Hand-polished edges make it…
- FUN LEARNING TOY: Build the most fascinating castles, asridges, arches & towers by using the 75 durable and safe interchangeable building blocks! help your…
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
All blocks are great for building, but castle blocks are extra fun. My kids had a set when they were in preschool and used them quite a bit. They built castles and other buildings using the unique shapes of these blocks.
- What’s Included: 100 translucent geometric shapes in 6 different colors. This set includes Squares (4 Large, 50 Small) and Triangles (20 Equilateral…
- What Makes It Unique: You’re looking at the original and most celebrated set in magnetic construction Features 100 classic geometric shapes in primary…
- Developmental: Certified STEAM toy, per Dr. Gummer’s Good Play Guide, in partnership with The Toy Association, for aiding in the development of fine…
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Magnatiles always seem to be a big hit with the preschool crowd. Kids can use them to build 3-D buildings, but they can also use them to design flat pictures.
- TODDLER KITCHEN PLAYSET: Little chefs can’t wait to whip up some fun with the Step2 Best Chefs Kitchen Playset. The stylish, open design and fresh colors…
- INTERACTIVE FEATURES: Kids’ kitchen set features various interactive features to enhance pretend play. Little ones will love the working oven…
- EASY STORAGE: When playtime fun is done, multiple accessory hooks and shelves along with the recycling bin help store the 25 included play kitchen…
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The kitchen center was one of the most popular centers in my kindergarten classroom. The kids would sort the pretend food according to different characteristics, follow pretend recipes, and even make cute little grocery lists. Those math and language arts skills are why a play kitchen is one of my favorite educational preschool toys.
This play kitchen is similar to one that my kids enjoyed. It has a little extra storage space and features realistic lights and cooking sounds.
- ALL-IN-1 ART TOY: Double sided easel with blackboard, magnetic whiteboard and paper roll on top
- IDEAL FOR CRAFTS: Perfect for painting, writing, or drawing
- REFILLABLE DRAWING PAPER: Refillable Paper roll attached at the top for quick and easy reach
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
I love an art easel that offers space for a few different types of art creation as well as storage. This easel has:
- Chalkboard
- Whiteboard
- Paper roll
The storage baskets make it easy to store washable markers, crayons, paintbrushes, etc. Just make sure that anything stored low is something you don’t mind the kids being able to access.
- 🎵 COMPLETE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT SET FOR KIDS Includes tambourine, castanet, hand drum, hand bells, maracas, flute, wooden block, wood sounder, and chime…
- 🌱 SAFE & DURABLE WOODEN TOYS Crafted from child-safe wood with smooth edges and non-toxic finishes. Designed for kids ages 3 and up, these…
- 🧠 EDUCATIONAL MONTESSORI LEARNING TOY Encourages fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, sensory development, listening skills, and creativity. These…
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Preschoolers love to experiment with music. This musical instrument kit is great because it offers a few different types of kid-friendly instruments (with enough to share). It also has a carrying case for easy storage.
- CLASSIC BEGINNER GAME: Do you remember playing the Hi Ho. Cherry-O game when you were a child. Introduce new generations to the classic gameplay of this…
- FUN COUNTING BOARD GAME: Kids ages 3 and up can have a blast picking pretend fruit from the trees on the game board, and filling their buckets. The spinner…
- SIMPLE GAMEPLAY FOR PRESCHOOLERS: Players take turns picking pretend cherries, blueberries, apples, and oranges from their trees to fill their baskets. The…
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Board games make great educational preschool toys. Not only do kids learn whatever skill the game explicitly teaches (counting, colors, etc.), but they also learn social skills such as taking turns.
There are many fun board games for preschoolers, but Hi Ho Cherry-o was always a favorite in my house.
- MASTER GEOMETRY SKILLS: Build early math confidence through hands-on play with pattern blocks and geometric shapes while creating detailed pictures that…
- PROGRESSIVE PATTERN CHALLENGES: Explore 40 engaging pattern block puzzles that build logic, problem-solving, and math patterns for kids with designs that…
- COMPLETE LEARNING SET: Includes 20 double-sided pattern block design cards and 124 plastic pattern blocks for building colorful creations with 2D shapes…
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pattern blocks are a wonderful way for kids to learn about the foundation of geometry. Kids can build different shapes, pictures, and patterns. They are one of my favorite math manipulatives.
- Magic Doodle Mat Boys Girls Toys – Large Area for Doodle – Size: 40 x 32 inch with letters printed on side, leaving more room for your kids’ doodle art…
- Water Doodle Mat – Reusable – Toddler toys age 2-4 5 6. Fill the magic pen with clean water and draw on the magic drawing mat. After 3-10 minutes, it…
- Aqua Mat – Safe & no mess & easy to clean storage — No paint, Non-toxic, Non-polluting. No mess with water proof backing. Easy Storage, can be folded…
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Aqua Magic Doodle Mats are a fun way for kids to draw using just water. That means there is no mess! Kids use the included pen, filled with water, and just draw on the mat. As the mat gets wet, color shows through.
My kids loved this when they were preschool age. There are a few varieties of Aqua Magic Mats, but I like this one because it includes stencils.
Puzzles can definitely be educational preschool toys. The Melissa & Doug puzzle listed above teaches kids about the solar system, but puzzles are inherently educational. Kids are learning spatial awareness as they fit pieces together.
I like to stick to floor puzzles for preschoolers because the pieces are big. It also lets the kids move around more than a puzzle they are working at a table, which helps keep little ones engaged.
- REAL, FUNCTIONAL BINOCULARS – These childrens binoculars are HIGH QUALITY and fully functional 8×21 binoculars designed especially for kids! The outside…
- HIGH QUALITY & SHOCKPROOF: Roof prism construction and lens coatings deliver clear views, while the sturdy design is easy to focus and adjust and…
- DESIGNED FOR A CHILD – Designed to fit comfortably in the hands of a young child or even a toddler, ages 3+ years, our lightweight binoculars are coated…
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Binoculars are one of my favorite educational preschool toys to gift. They can occupy nature-loving kids for hours! My son always brought his little binoculars to the beach when he was younger, but they usually lived in his nature study backpack.
These kids’ binoculars include:
- Carrying case
- Neck strap
- Lens cleaning cloth
- Bird stickers
- The Butterfly Garden: Includes everything you need to raise 5 baby caterpillars into adult butterflies. A 12” tall habitat, voucher for 5 caterpillars…
- Please Note: This kit does not include live insects. Redeem your voucher when you’re ready to start the project and Insect Lore will ship your Cup of…
- We Grow What We Sell: The originators of caterpillar to butterfly kits, and we raise our caterpillars ourselves in our own facility in sunny California.
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Butterfly kits are a fun way to learn about the life cycle of butterflies. This kit comes with everything needed except the caterpillars. To get the caterpillars, just use the included voucher.
My family has observed butterflies growing several times. The habitat can be reused, so we just buy new caterpillars at our local science store.
Related: Learn About Butterflies
- Easy To Play: The Hapinest scavenger hunt card game is suitable for ages 3 and up. Our scavenger hunt game includes 35 beautifully illustrated cards and…
- Explore & Learn: Each card features an engaging illustration, sparking curiosity and encouraging kids to discover new things in their environment…
- Versatile Entertainment: Ideal for travel, road trips, and family outings, this game fits neatly in its drawstring bag. Perfect travel car games for car…
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Scavenger hunt cards make great educational preschool toys. There are two ways I would use them:
- Keeping kids engaged while on walks. This gives them something to focus on once their little legs start getting tired.
- Find and seek indoors when you want to sit with a cup of hot coffee. Kids can run all around the house finding things to match the cards (yellow, fuzzy, cold, round, etc.) while you sit down for a few minutes.
- RUN, JUMP & STOMP: Experience hours of screen-free fun with Stomp Rocket’s Jr. Multi Color Rocket Launcher! Take turns launching multi color rockets with…
- LAUNCHES UP TO 100 FEET: With the help of your stomps, Stomp Rockets can launch up to 100 feet into the air. Soar into the sky at the park, the beach, the…
- LEARN THROUGH PLAY: The launch stand allows kids to play while experimenting with gravity and force. Send Rockets soaring straight up into the sky or…
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
I have yet to meet a preschooler who didn’t giggle with delight when a stomp rocket went soaring into the air. My son had a set when he was little, and it was always a favorite during play dates.
This toy is very simple. Kids stomp (or jump) on the pedal, which shoots a burst of air into the foam rocket. That blast of air sends the rocket into the air.
There are tons of dress-up options for preschoolers, but I like to include career-based costumes whenever possible. It is unlikely that any of our kids will grow up to be a princess or prince, but they might decide to be a veterinarian.
This veterinarian costume is great for any child who loves animals. They can provide ‘medical care’ for all of their stuffed animals.
- Now even younger children can follow the little green caterpillar as he eats his way to becoming a beautiful butterfly in this sturdy board book
- Great for early development
- Children will enjoy this delightful tale
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Books might not seem like educational preschool toys, but I included books on this list because they make great gifts! There are so many great book options available, but I tend to like the classics. Any book by Eric Carle is a winner.
Related: Activities for The Very Lonely Firefly Book
- INSPIRE IMAGINATION: Unleash boundless creativity by combining items, characters, places, and animals to craft and share unique tales.
- ECO-FRIENDLY PACKAGING: Now in eco-conceived packaging without plastic, housed in a tin box for sustainable storytelling adventures.
- PORTABLE ENTERTAINMENT: Perfect for storytelling on the go – ideal for travel, school, camping, and restaurant waiting.
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Kids do not need to wait until they can write to create stories. These story cubes are a great way to come up with wildly creative stories.
Kids roll the dice and then base their story on what they roll. For example, if they roll a lightning bolt, they might choose to set their story on a dark and stormy night. Adults can choose to write down the story while preschoolers dictate, but it is also fun to just tell stories together.
- Meland marble run set includes 113 marble building pieces, 30 glass marbles and 10 led lighted marbles. Marble tracks include action pieces, squiggly…
- No fixed shape, kids can create models freely. Easy mode, medium mode, hard mode – they can create different marble run toy shapes as they like according…
- Educational Toy STEM Building Marble Run. This construction marble toy set comes with an easy assembly manual, kids need to think about the track…
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Marble runs are great fun! Kids practice their building skills while also learning about physics.
I like this marble run kit because it contains a variety of pieces as well as 4 special LED light-up marbles and a storage bag. The storage bag helps keep everything together so that pieces are not lost.
Keep reading . . .
- Gifts for Kids Who Love Science
- Gifts for Kids Who Love Animals
- How to Homeschool Preschool: The Complete Guide for Parents
- The Best Preschool Homeschool Curriculum Options for Balance
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.