The Basics: Educational Toys

An educational toy is designed to help children learn a certain skill or set of skills as they play. In addition, an educational toy can teach children about a particular subject or help children think creatively.

When shopping for educational toys, those that encourage open-ended play are generally a safe bet. Look for classic toys like building blocks that can entertain children for hours without draining your budget for the cost of batteries. In addition, building toys like Legos or scale models like dinosaurs or airplanes promote a variety of skills, including dexterity, critical thinking and patience.

For building toys with bells and whistles, look to robot construction systems. Check out the VEXplorer by Revell, for example, which lets kids assemble a remote control robot in less than an hour, then take it apart to create dozens of other configurations.

Interactive electronic toys in general are often labeled "educational." VTech offers a number of interactive educational toys, including laptop-inspired toys for older children and plug-and-play educational activities for younger children. In fact, brands that we've seen on the market for years, such as Mattel's Hot Wheels, are now lending their names and images to interactive electronic toys. The Hot Wheels Fast Track Laptop not only offers kids educational games that promote math and reading skills, but also includes a way to clock a Hot Wheels' speed. Some companies, like Educational Insight, make laptop-inspired toys with a science theme, as well as hand-held math skills games that follow a video game format.

At-home chemistry sets, toy microscopes, weather trackers and even replica volcanoes can make science fun. Learning Resources offers a number of science-minded educational toys, as well as pretend-play toys -- like a talking cash register -- that encourage school-readiness skills for preschoolers.

Child-size musical instruments, such as Woodstock Music's electric guitar or calypso drum, encourage fun and learning. A new generation of interactive piano keyboards complements the traditional student/teacher lesson, offering a video game-inspired way for children to play songs.

Expect to pay anywhere from $20 to more than $200 for an educational toy. The most expensive educational toys are those that blend technology and learning, such as child-friendly "laptops." Keep in mind, however, that we found $50 interactive learning boards that were easier to handle, performed better and kept children engaged longer than their $200 counterparts. At-home scientists can find educational toys ranging from $20 to $100, while junior virtuosos can expect their musical toys to cost a bit more. Many child-size instruments range from $40 to $200. Construction and pretend-play educational toys are a good bet if you're on a budget. Classic construction sets costs less than those with electronic components, and pretend-play toys -- like cash registers and dress-up costumes -- can be found for less than $30.

How to Shop

First, don't believe all the hype. Many educational toys come in brightly colored packaging littered with phrases touting their benefits, and it isn't long before even the most independent-minded parent begins to feel they must have a certain educational toy to give their child an edge. Before you grab for your wallet, however, take a good hard look at the actual product. Most packaging, particularly when it comes to interactive electronic learning boards or laptops, has a "demo" button. Push it. You may notice that the "laptop" actually has a liquid crystal display (LCD) the size of a deck of playing cards, and that the remainder of the "screen" is actually comprised of brightly colored graphics or stickers. It's also a good way to learn if the toy's activities would challenge or bore your child.

Likewise, a handheld game for preschoolers that simply plugs into a television may offer the fun of a video game, but is it really educational? Sure, a popular cartoon character prompts your child to identify circles and squares, but flash cards or coloring pages may be just as effective while costing a fraction of the price of said electronic device.

Keep in mind that if your household is like many, there's probably already a computer (or two, or three) at hand. By the time children enter school, many already are using a parent's computer for educational games. In this case, investing in some educational software aimed at childhood learning may be a good bet.

Child-sized musical instruments can foster an early interest in music, something that can become a life-long pursuit. The key is parental interaction -- if you buy a $200 guitar and simply hand it to your child, he or she will likely have some fun pretending to be a rock star before the guitar finds a permanent home in the closet; if you take the time to help your child learn a few chords and play a simple song, however, you may create a starting point for music lessons.

Some of the simplest (and often least expensive) educational toys don't have flashy packaging or marketing hype. A fossilized dinosaur replica encased in plaster that prompts kids to use a digging tool to excavate the bones was a hit with our testers, who spent hours acting as junior archeologists. Likewise, a talking cash register can help preschoolers learn to identify coins and their respective values, as well as practice sorting skills.

It's important to note that educational toys are most valuable when used in conjunction with parent-guided learning time. Educational toys, particularly sophisticated interactive electronic toys, often require parental supervision for children to use them to their fullest potential. At least initially, plan to use an educational toy with your child.