An educational toy might be anything that helps a child build valuable skills or think creatively. Despite modern technological advances, many time-tested toys are still the best at encouraging children's social and cognitive development. Consider these classic categories when shopping for fun and instructive toys for your child.


Construction Toys

Construction toys are a great choice for encouraging creativity and independent play in your child. They also help develop fine motor skills and an understanding of how things fit together. A set of basic building blocks can hold a child's attention span and inspire imagination even in very young children. And building sets have come a long way since the days of Tinkertoys and Lincoln logs. Many now have battery-powered motorized parts and even sound effects. With specialized LEGO sets, kids can build their favorite characters and act out scenes from movies such as Star Wars and Harry Potter.

When shopping for construction toys, seek out dynamic building sets -- those with no one "right" way to put them together. These kits will have a longer play life than those with a single solution. Lines of action figures, like Bionicle, that a child builds and then customizes for playing are also good bets.

LEGO Bionicle

Arts and Crafts

Drawing and painting are classic activities and some of the best ways for children to express themselves creatively while developing fine motor skills. And art time is no longer a messy undertaking, thanks to innovations such as erasable drawing boards and "magic" markers that mark only on paper. Don't forget the three-dimensional doorways to artistic expression -- clay and Play-Doh. Kids especially love to flatten, cut and mold modeling dough with plastic tools.

In addition to entertaining kids, arts and crafts toys can sometimes help children develop a lifelong skill. For school-age kids, consider activities that produce wearable artwork, such as knitting, weaving, crocheting or jewelry-making. Make sure your child understands that even blunt knitting needles can be dangerous, and keep beads and other choking hazards away from smaller children.


Board Games and Puzzles

Board games can be wonderful educational toys. Different games teach specific skills, like reading, counting or problem-solving. Strategy games like checkers and chess teach persistence and logic. Playing games also encourages social interaction, as kids learn how to take turns and how to be good winners or losers. Look for games that the whole family can play together, as well as some that only require two players

Puzzles come in a variety of types and skill levels. Wood puzzles with thick pieces help toddlers learn shapes and develop fine motor skills. Jigsaw puzzles can provide hours of absorbing fun for school-age children. Pay attention to the suggested age range and to your child's proficiency. Puzzles that are too easy will be discarded due to boredom, while anything too advanced can lead to frustration.


Activity Tables

For infants and toddlers, activity tables help develop motor skills and keep babies entertained. For slightly older children and budding artists, drawing tables are a great choice. When shopping, make sure the table is sturdy and won't fall over when your child pulls up on it, causing the risk of injury. Some tables have detachable legs for floor play, which is convenient, but make sure the legs won't detach when they're not supposed to. If a chair is included, check to see if it topples easily. Look for tables with rounded corners and no sharp edges. For drawing tables, be sure there is a place to store crayons and markers so they don't go rolling every which way. Plenty of storage cups and slots make cleanup easier. A drawer that can hold finished masterpieces is also useful.

Look for tables and chairs with adjustable heights, allowing your child to use them longer. Some activity tables are also convertible, with one side covered in interactive toddler toys and the other a more sophisticated art table for older children.