Toddler Educational Games

Benefits of Educational Games

When children are young, they are constantly learning new things. Think of them as little sponges that absorb knowledge with each activity they do. Learning through play, is one of the best ways for toddlers to learn. Using educational toys for their play is said to have the following benefits:

• Improves spatial development
• Helps to develop cognitive skills
• Improves large motor skills
• Helps to develop fine motor skills
• Increases creativity
• Aids in developing problem solving skills

Toddler Educational Toys by Age Group

Buying an age appropriate toy is just as important as the type of toy you buy. Here is a short list of educational toys and games for toddlers, broken down by age.

Ages One to 18 Months

• Fisher-Price Little People Discovery Toys – The Discovery Toys Series from Fisher-Price are interactive toys and games come in all shapes and size from their Amazing Circus to their Surprise Sounds Zoo.
• Leap Frog Fridge Farm Magnetic Animal set – Your child will learn all about farm animals as well as develop fine motor skills with this fun and educational game from Leap Frog.
• Large Wooden Puzzles – These simple puzzles help your toddler to develop both large and fine motor skills as well as help to develop cognitive and problem solving skills.
• Bright Tots Educational Toys – Bright Tots offers educational toys for a variety of age groups.
• Creativity Institute – This toy company offers all sorts of educational toys from puppets to pianos.

Ages 18-24 Months

• Leap Frog Phonics Radio – This "radio" helps your child develop cognitive skills by introducing them to the look and sounds of the letters of the alphabet.
• 4 The Kids Toy Store – This online toy store offers building block toys, wooden toy games, arts and crafts games and many other educational toys.
• Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Series – This series offers educational toys and games for children ages 6-36 months.
• Smart Start Baby – This company specialized in educational toys offered by a variety of well know toy manufactures such as Baby Einstein and Leap Frog.
• Learning Express – Check out their Lift Off Rocket and Barnyard Blast toys to cultivate your child's imagination.

Ages Two to Three

• Jump Start – Educational games offered by Jump Start are interactive CD's and DVD's and books.
• Baby Scholars – Find a large selection of preschool aged educational toys like their My First Dino Kit and Wacky Monkey Magnetic Puzzle.
• Fisher Price – Check out Fisher Price's Learn Through Music, Fun 2 Learn and Imaginext toys and gamesfor this age group.
• Toys to Grow On – Buy your child alphabet practice books and building block tables to help cognitive development and spark their imagination.
• Educational Toy Planet – Get an Express Preschool Laptop or a Match It! Sequencing Educational Puzzle game for your budding genius.

Ages Three and Up

• Genius Babies – This company offers a wide variety of learning toys and games perfect for your preschool aged child.
• Toy Prodigy – Your children won't even know they are learning while playing with these fun, educational toys and games.
• Educational Toys and Puzzles – Continue developing your children's fine motor skills with these fun puzzles.
• A Child's Toy – Choose from "Award Winning Toys", "Science Toys" and many other categories from A Child's Toy company.
• e-Beanstalk – The Hopscotch Floor Tiles and Color Me Floor Puzzle will provide hours of fun and learning for your children.

Conclusion

Toddler educational games are fantastic way to augment your children's cognitive, motor skill and problem solving development, but toys alone will do not completely educate your child. Children love playing and love playing with their parents most of all. So, buy educational and then sit down and spend time playing your children. Taking the time to play with your children can sometimes be difficult with the chaos that is today's modern society. After you get home from work, pay the bills, take a shower, do the laundry and balance your checkbook after your child goes to bed. Both you and your child will get immense satisfaction by spending time together that no toy can ever give either one of you.