Unlock Your Child's Potential with the Best Educational Toys

Top Educational Toys Under $40

This adorable plushy from Target is a hit among kids. It plays 16 different phrases and four songs from the popular Ms. Rachel show, encouraging them to imitate sounds and sentences. Intended for 6 months and up and requires batteries (included).

For babies looking to develop fine motor skills without frustration, these ring toys from Amazon are a popular choice. With thick rings for baby hands to grasp and unique textures for tactile play, they're suitable for 6 months and up and require no batteries.

The Amazon toy with 224 illustrations is great for communication. It offers three learning methods - verbally with an audio button, visually with colored illustrations, and written with clear printed words. Intended for 1 year and up and recharges via USB-C (no batteries needed).

Best Educational Toys for 1-Year-Olds

An interactive dinosaur toy from Amazon helps teach kids about numbers, colors, shapes, and food. It responds with encouraging phrases and flashing lights when kids feed it plastic coins or press numbered buttons. Intended for 1 year and up and requires batteries (included).

The LeapFrog Learning book is a clever choice for parents who can't always read to their kids. It contains 100 images and words that play out loud when tapped. Intended for 18 months and up and requires batteries (included).

Best Educational Toys for 3-Year-Olds

Kid-friendly binoculars from Amazon encourage kids to explore their surroundings and appreciate the outdoors. With a breakaway neck strap and padded lenses, they're suitable for 3 and up and require no batteries. As PEOPLE editor Kayla Kitts mentioned, these binoculars kept her son entertained.

This toddler-friendly Lego kit from Amazon comes with everything needed to make five characters with different facial expressions, helping kids identify emotions. Intended for 3 and up and requires no batteries.

The Story Dream Machine from Amazon allows kids to take control of their bedtime stories. It projects illustrated stories onto the wall and reads them aloud, making it easy for adults and kids to use. Intended for 3 and up and requires no batteries.

A compact audio player from Yoto is one of the best toys we've tried. It's screen-free and allows kids to play music, stories, and custom recordings. Intended for 3 and up and is USB-C rechargeable (no batteries needed).

This kid-approved tablet from Amazon comes pre-loaded with 20 educational apps to improve various skills. Kids can play games, create art, and surf kid-friendly websites. Intended for 3 and up and includes a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

For the budding scientist, the talking microscope from Amazon allows them to explore outer space, inspect critters, and learn science facts. Voiced by Bindi Irwin, it's intended for 3 and up and requires batteries (not included).

Encourage kids to get their hands dirty with this diggable diorama toy. It comes with 10 "dino" eggs, a cardboard diorama with stickers, and a rock hammer for kids ages 4 and up. No batteries required.

Best Educational Toys for 8-Year-Olds

A circuit toy from Amazon is a safe way to introduce kids to electricity. They can follow an instruction booklet or free-play to create working circuits that turn on lights and play sounds. Intended for 8 and up and requires no batteries (not included).

The slime kit from Amazon allows kids to do science experiments and create their own slime, adding a creative learning component. Intended for 8 and up and requires no batteries.

A robot-building kit from Amazon comes with a solar panel, allowing kids to build creations that move with the power of the sun. It has an instruction book with entry-level and senior-level projects for kids 8 and up. No batteries required.

Choosing the Right Educational Toys

Each toy on our list is labeled with an age of use provided by the manufacturer, considering factors like safety and difficulty. While these designations are helpful, parents know their child best and should use their discretion. Dr. Jill Campbell shares general information on children's developmental stages to help choose the right toy.

For babies, simple, tactile toys are recommended. More passive toys that allow the child to use their senses are preferred over flashing lights and screens.

Toddlers around 3 years old become more interested in collaborative play. Dr. Campbell suggests toys like puzzles, nesting bowls, and water play.

Preschoolers benefit from toys that inspire imagination and creativity, such as dress-up and dolls. Puzzles and Legos are also great options.

Elementary schoolers enjoy musical instruments, building toys, and puzzles to encourage problem-solving and creativity.

Behind the Scenes

Some of the toys in this story were personally tested by PEOPLE editors and their kids. We evaluated them for ease of setup, durability, and enjoyment. The adults set up the toys according to instructions and noted the process. During play, we observed the durability of the materials. And when giving the toys to our kids, we noticed their choice and attention span.

Why Trust PEOPLE?

Cai Cramer, a shopping writer at PEOPLE with 10 years of experience as a nanny and camp counselor, spoke with a clinical psychologist to find recommended educational toys. Real-life testing by editors and their kids provided in-depth feedback on setup, durability, and enjoyment. Cai also scoured Amazon's popular toy section.

Our expert, Dr. Jill Campbell, is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 25 years of experience in parenting and early childhood development. She has appeared on various programs and is a frequent panelist.

Our shopping experts, including Alyssa Brascia, Cai Cramer, Erin Johnson, Genevieve Cepeda, Kayla Kitts, and Madison Yauger, bring their experiences with kids to help you find the best toys.

What Is PEOPLE Tested?

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the best products. Our unique methodology tests products in three labs and with home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, and ease of use. We regularly re-review categories to ensure the best products are recommended. Companies can't buy our recommendation; products must earn it.