June 19 2024
As summer approaches, parents often find themselves searching for ways to keep their children engaged and learning during the long break from school. The best toys for children are educational, promote cognitive development, and prevent summer learning loss while providing endless entertainment. Among the many options available, CreateOn's magnetic building tiles stand out as a versatile and educational choice for summer fun, but there are many categories of toys that can enhance a child's learning and creativity over the summer.
The Best & Most Popular Education Toys
1. CreateOn Magnetic Building Tiles
CreateOn’s magnetic building tiles are a must-have for any child’s toy collection. These tiles encourage creativity, problem solving, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) skills as children build and design their own structures. They can take on different projects and challenges, such as building the tallest tower, creating a maze for a toy car, or designing a unique house or castle. The possibilities are endless, and the learning is unbeatable.
The hands-on nature of these tiles engages children in critical thinking, spatial reasoning, and fine motor development. For example, as they move the pieces around, they learn about the properties of magnets and how certain shapes fit together to make a stable structure. This type of play also encourages collaborative learning when children work together to build bigger and more complex structures. Add these tiles to your daily playtime and get hours of screen free fun and learning.
2. Coding and Robotics Kits
Coding and robotics are becoming increasingly important in this digital age. These kits are a fun way for kids to learn these skills. Most coding toys have easy-to-follow instructions and age-appropriate interfaces, so learning is fun, not scary. They let kids build and program robots or create interactive games and spark an interest in technology and computer science.For example, a kit might challenge kids to build a robot that can navigate a maze or follow a set of commands. This kind of play encourages logical thinking, sequencing and problem solving. Many kits are also compatible with other educational toys, so the possibilities are endless, and kids can experiment with coding in their broader play scenarios.
3. Science Experiment Sets
Hands-on learning is key in science education, and science experiment sets make it easy and fun for kids to explore science. These sets typically have a range of experiments that cover chemistry, physics, and biology. With clear instructions and all the materials included these are perfect for curious little minds. A typical set might let kids create a volcano eruption, grow crystals, or learn about motion through simple experiments.
Parents can get involved by guiding their kids through the experiments, which is a great bonding experience and helps foster a love of discovery and inquiry. Science sets provide knowledge but also help a child to hypothesise, experiment and draw conclusions from their observations – skills for life.
4. Art and Craft Kits
Art and creativity are key to child development, and art and craft kits are the perfect way to express that. Look for kits that come in different themes like painting, drawing and sculpting so they can try different mediums and techniques. These kits encourage not only creativity but also fine motor skills and self-expression.Art projects help children express their emotions and ideas, so they’re a great tool for emotional development. Completing a project gives children a sense of achievement and boosts their self-esteem. Whether your child loves to paint landscapes, sculpt with clay, or doodle on sketchpads, there are so many ways for them to enjoy the process.
5. Puzzle and Brain Teaser Games
Puzzles and brain teasers are great for building critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Look at a range of puzzle and brain teaser games for different age groups. Whether it’s a jigsaw puzzle, a Rubik’s Cube, or a game of Sudoku, these activities make children think critically and develop strategies to solve problems. The skills developed through puzzles are patience, attention to detail, and logical thinking.
Puzzles can also be a group activity and promote teamwork and communication. For younger children, simpler puzzles with bigger pieces can help develop spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination. Older children can do more complex brain teasers and develop the ability to think ahead and anticipate outcomes. These games are educational and fun, so they're perfect for rainy summer days or quiet time activities.
6. Language Learning Toys
Introducing a second language at a young age has many cognitive and social benefits. Language learning toys make it fun and interactive for kids. Look for toys with games, songs, and stories that help kids naturally learn new vocabulary and phrases. For example, a language learning app might let kids match pictures with words or sing along to simple songs in a new language.Many toys use repetition and rewards to help kids learn the basics of a language without it feeling like work. Over time, kids develop stronger memory, better pronunciation, and more confidence in using a new language. Learning a second language can also bring cultural awareness and open new communication and learning opportunities.
7. Musical Instruments
Learning a musical instrument has been shown to have numerous cognitive and emotional benefits for children. Kid-friendly musical instruments are designed to help children develop motor skills, creativity, and self-expression. From simple percussion instruments to more advanced keyboard sets, there's an option for every budding musician.Research has shown that children who play instruments tend to perform better academically, especially in areas like math and reading. Learning to read music helps with pattern recognition, and playing an instrument strengthens hand-eye coordination and concentration. Moreover, music provides a wonderful emotional outlet, allowing children to express their feelings through sound and rhythm.
8. Outdoor Exploration Kits
Outdoor play and exploration are so important for children, and outdoor exploration kits are the perfect tools for learning and discovery in nature. These kits often include magnifying glasses, bug containers, and nature guides and encourage children to observe and interact with the world around them. For example, a nature kit might encourage a child to study insects in the backyard or examine different types of leaves and plants.
These are great for instilling a love of nature and environmental awareness. They can also be a starting point for discussing ecosystems, wildlife, and conservation. Outdoor exploration encourages children to be curious, ask questions, and understand the natural world more deeply.
9. Role-Play Sets
Role play is a big part of child development and helps with social and emotional skills. A range of role-play sets like doctor, chef, and teacher kits give endless opportunities for imaginative play. These sets also help with empathy, communication, and decision-making skills. For example, playing doctor helps children learn about health and well-being, and playing teacher helps with leadership skills.Role-play toys allow children to act out scenarios they may encounter in real life and help them understand and process these experiences. It’s also a fun way for children to explore their future career interests and learn about different professions.
10. Customizable Playsets
Customizable playsets let children personalize their play and be creative. These can be tailored to a child’s favorite colors, themes, or characters. Customizable play means decision-making, self-expression, and ownership of the play.
By being able to choose and change parts of the playset, children feel more invested in what they are creating and more confident in their decision making. Whether it’s building a dream home or designing a theme park, customizable playsets are a unique and fun play experience.
Discover the Best Toys for Your Child’s Summer Adventures
Educational toys are some of the best ways to keep children entertained and learning over the summer. With a wide range of products, from CreateOn’s magnetic building tiles to language learning toys, there’s something for every child’s interests and learning needs. Add these toys to your child’s summer routine and prevent summer learning loss and promote cognitive, social, and emotional development.Summer is the perfect time to try new things, discover new hobbies, and build new skills.
