Toys That Develop Cognitive Skills
Our Top 5 Picks
Schylling Wooden Xylophone: Music for Little Hands
Schylling Wooden Xylophone is the perfect introduction to music for our budding little musicians! With its vibrant colors and embossed metal keys, this xylophone not only produces delightful tones but also helps little ones build their musical ear. Each key is labeled with its corresponding note, encouraging kids to associate sounds with letters, which enhances their cognitive skills while they play. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Schylling Wooden Xylophone features embossed metal keys that produce delightful tones, making it a joyful introduction to music that sparks creativity and musical exploration for little ones.
Magical Disney Princess Memory Game
Wonder Forge Disney Princess Matching Game invites your little ones into a world of magical memory fun! With beloved characters like Belle, Ariel, and Elsa, this captivating matching game helps kids develop essential cognitive skills, including focus and memory. It’s incredibly easy to learn, making it perfect for family game nights or engaging preschool learning activities. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Magical Disney Princess Memory Game features favorite characters like Belle and Ariel, making memory-building feel like a royal adventure every family game night.
VTech Lil' SmartTop Learning Laptop
The VTech Lil' SmartTop Early Education Toy is the perfect introduction to learning for our little ones aged 18-48 months. With its interactive working screen, keyboard, mouse, and even piano keys, kids can explore engaging activities that teach letters, phonics, music, shapes, and stories. It’s not just fun; it promotes essential cognitive and motor skills while mimicking the tech we use every day. 18-48 months
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
VTech Lil' SmartTop Learning Laptop features an interactive screen and keyboard that turns learning into a fun tech adventure, making education both engaging and personal for our little ones.
Spark Creativity with Happy Handle Stamps!
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Happy Handle Stamp Set is a fantastic way for kids to express their creativity while developing essential skills. With 10 charming stamps, 5 vibrant colored pencils, and a 6-color washable ink pad, children can dive into imaginative play while enhancing their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. This set not only encourages artistic expression but also fosters counting and cognitive skills as they play and identify shapes and colors. 4+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Spark Creativity with Happy Handle Stamps! includes 10 charming stamps and a 6-color ink pad, making art feel like a colorful adventure filled with learning and imagination.
VTech 3-in-1 Racing Adventure
The VTech 3-in-1 Race and Learn is an exhilarating toy that offers three exciting modes of play: car, jet, and motorcycle! Kids can zoom across nine vibrant courses while they explore letters, spelling, numbers, and shapes, making learning incredibly fun. With a gear shifter that plays genuine racing sounds and a vibrating controller that simulates the thrill of driving, this toy not only entertains but also builds critical cognitive skills and motor development. 2-5 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
VTech 3-in-1 Racing Adventure features three modes of play that transform learning into a thrilling race across nine vibrant courses, making education feel like a grand adventure.
Engaging Baby Einstein Soft Blocks
The Baby Einstein Explore & Discover Soft Blocks are a delightful introduction to the world of education for your little one, perfect for ages 3 months and up. These multi-textured blocks not only engage your baby’s senses with various fabrics but also provide auditory stimulation through the chime ball in the animal block. As they play, babies will discover colors in English, Spanish, and French, while the peek-a-boo mirror encourages self-recognition and confidence. 3 months +
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Engaging Baby Einstein Soft Blocks feature various textures and a chime ball, making playtime an exciting adventure for sensory discovery and language learning in multiple languages.
Explore Fun with Match and Build Blocks!
Melissa & Doug K's Kids Match and Build Soft Blocks Set is the perfect blend of fun and learning for our little ones. These soft, lightweight blocks are designed to help infants and toddlers engage in matching activities that enhance their sensory and fine motor skills. As they pair numerals with quantities or match animal halves, our kids will naturally develop communication and cognitive skills through hands-on play. 9 months to 2 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Explore Fun with Match and Build Blocks! features soft, lightweight blocks that turn matching activities into delightful sensory experiences, fostering crucial skills without a single screen in sight.
Ravensburger World Map Puzzle Adventure
The Ravensburger World Map Jigsaw Puzzle is a delightful way for kids to embark on an educational adventure right from their living rooms! With 60 unique, sturdy pieces, this puzzle not only enhances concentration and cognitive skills but also sparks their creativity as they piece together the world. Crafted from premium materials for a glare-free image, it's designed to be as engaging as it is educational—making it an ideal gift for birthdays or holidays. 6+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Ravensburger World Map Puzzle Adventure features 60 unique, sturdy pieces that transform learning geography into a fun family activity while sharpening young minds.
Robot Face Race: Color Matching Fun!
Robot Face Race is an exhilarating game that brings families together through fast-paced color recognition and matching challenges. As parents and educators, we know how crucial it is for children to develop essential skills like teamwork, patience, and focus in a playful environment. In this delightful game, kids will flex their cognitive muscles while having a blast finding the right robot heads to match the randomizer’s prompts. 4+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Robot Face Race features fast-paced color matching challenges that turn family game night into a hilarious way to develop critical thinking and teamwork skills.
Kanoodle Genius: Ultimate Puzzle Challenge
Kanoodle Genius is not just a game; it's a fantastic way to engage our minds while having fun! With over 200 brain-teasing challenges, this game helps sharpen critical thinking, problem-solving, and spatial reasoning skills in kids and adults alike. Whether we’re enjoying family game night or traveling, this compact 3-D puzzle brings everyone together for hours of learning and laughter. 8+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Kanoodle Genius includes over 200 brain-teasing challenges that keep our minds engaged, turning family game night into a riot of laughter and learning.
Enchanted Forest Treasure Hunt Adventure
Enchanted Forest is an enchanting treasure hunt game that invites children into a world of fairy tales and exploration. As fellow parents, we know how valuable it is to find games that foster cognitive skills and problem-solving abilities while keeping our children engaged. This board game not only sparks imagination but also strengthens memory and puzzle-solving skills, making it a delightful educational experience. 4+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Enchanted Forest Treasure Hunt Adventure encourages imaginative exploration as kids embark on a magical quest that transforms family game nights into engaging storytelling experiences.
Transformative Fun with Caterpillar and Butterfly
The KIDS PREFERRED World of Eric Carle, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Butterfly Reversible Stuffed Animal Plush Toy engages children in a delightful transformation from a cute caterpillar to a vibrant butterfly. This dual-purpose plush not only sparks imaginative play but also fosters cognitive skills by encouraging kids to explore concepts like metamorphosis, colors, and nature. Perfect for cozy snuggles or storytime, this cuddly companion serves as both a nurturing friend and a playful learning tool that parents can feel good about. All Ages
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Transformative Fun with Caterpillar and Butterfly features a reversible design, allowing kids to explore the magical journey from caterpillar to butterfly while snuggling up in cozy comfort.
Cuddle Up with T-Rex Adventure
Wild Republic T-Rex Plush is not just a cuddly companion; it's a gateway to the exciting world of dinosaurs! As parents, we know that imaginative play fosters creativity and cognitive skills in our little ones. This exquisitely soft and realistic T-Rex encourages storytelling and learning together, from prehistoric facts to the fun of role-playing. 2-10 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Cuddle Up with T-Rex Adventure features an exquisitely soft texture perfect for snuggles, making learning about dinosaurs a cozy and engaging storytime experience.
Cuddle Up with Learning Fun
The Wild Republic T-Rex Plush is a delightful 12-inch stuffed animal that encourages imaginative play and learning about prehistoric creatures. Perfect for sparking curiosity, this sassy T-Rex not only makes for a snug companion during playtime but also serves as a fun introduction to the fascinating world of dinosaurs, enhancing storytelling and cognitive skills for young minds. Choose this charming plush for a playful way to engage kids in curiosity-driven exploration of history! 2-6 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Cuddle Up with Learning Fun features a delightful 12-inch T-Rex plush that transforms dinosaur facts into fun stories, making history irresistible to little explorers.
Whimsical Learning with Whose Feet?
The Melissa & Doug Soft Activity Baby Book - Whose Feet? is a delightful way to engage toddlers' senses while fostering early literacy and cognitive skills. Through its simple text and engaging, dangly feet, this book not only encourages grasping and tactile exploration but also sparks conversations and observation between caregivers and little ones. 0-3 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Whimsical Learning with Whose Feet? features engaging, dangly feet that spark meaningful conversations and foster bonding moments between caregivers and toddlers during delightful learning adventures.
Chomp & Count Dino: Fun Learning Adventure
The VTech Chomp & Count Dino is a delightful way for toddlers to explore the world of colors, shapes, and counting! With its vibrant food pieces and engaging responses, this playful dinosaur makes learning feel like a feast of fun. As your little ones answer Dino's questions, they develop essential cognitive skills, including problem-solving and hand-eye coordination. 1-3 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Chomp & Count Dino features over 130 songs and melodies, making learning colors, shapes, and counting a lively adventure your child will dance through!
Engaging Letter Sound Flashcards
Junior Learning JL202 Letter Sound Flashcards are a delightful way to introduce young learners to the world of phonics! These engaging flashcards focus on beginning, middle, and final sounds, making them a comprehensive tool for building essential reading skills. By using these flashcards, parents and educators can foster a love of reading and support language development in a fun, interactive way. 3-6 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Engaging Letter Sound Flashcards focus on beginning, middle, and final sounds, making phonics feel like a playful adventure that lays a solid literacy foundation.
Tuff Tools Engine Overhaul Set Fun
Lanard Tuff Tools: Engine Overhaul is the perfect gateway for little mechanics to dive into the exciting world of motorcycle engines! With 25 assorted pieces, including authentic tools and dazzling lights and sounds, this playset doesn't just entertain—it's designed to spark creativity and enhance cognitive skills. As our kids take on the challenge of disassembling and reassembling the engine, they're also learning problem-solving skills and fine motor coordination. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Tuff Tools Engine Overhaul Set Fun includes 25 assorted pieces that transform problem-solving into a mini repair shop adventure, sparking creativity while keeping tiny hands busy.
Transform Your Play with Rescue Bots
Transformers Playskool Heroes Rescue Bots Energize Chase The Police-Bot Action Figure is a fantastic way to engage young minds aged 3-7. This toy not only inspires creativity through imaginative rescue missions, but also develops fine motor skills as children effortlessly convert between robot and vehicle modes. Perfectly designed for little hands, it encourages problem-solving and cognitive skills while providing hours of fun inspired by the beloved Transformers series. 3-7 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Transform Your Play with Rescue Bots features a design perfectly suited for little hands, turning rescue missions into exciting ways to develop essential skills through play.
Corvette Evolution Puzzle Adventure
EuroGraphics Corvette Evolution Jigsaw Puzzle (1000-Piece) invites you to dive into the thrilling world of classic cars while enhancing cognitive skills. This engaging puzzle not only sharpens problem-solving abilities but also fosters patience and fine motor development as we piece together this stunning automotive history. Ideal for family bonding time or a quiet weekend activity, it sparks discussions about innovation and design—making learning fun and interactive. 8+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Corvette Evolution Puzzle Adventure features 1000 pieces that transform family time into a collaborative journey through automotive history—perfect for sparking creativity and conversation.
My First Purse Playset Adventure
The Baby GUND Play Soft Collection, My First Purse 5-Piece Plush Playset, is a delightful way to introduce sensory exploration to our littlest learners. With engaging features like crinkling sounds and a mirror, this playset helps babies develop essential cognitive and motor skills while fostering imaginative play. It's a fantastic addition to any nursery, making playtime not just fun, but also a chance to grow and learn! 0+ months
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
My First Purse Playset Adventure features crinkling sounds and a mirror, turning playtime into an exciting sensory journey that sparks creativity and skill development.
Enhance Memory with Pete the Cat Fun!
Edupress Pete the Cat Meow Match Game is the perfect tool for enhancing your child's memory while having a blast! With its vibrant Pete the Cat design, kids will be excited to play and engage in this fun-filled activity. Not only does it provide a delightful experience, but it also fosters essential cognitive skills like memory retention and pattern recognition. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Enhance Memory with Pete the Cat Fun! features a vibrant design that captures kids' attention, making memory-building feel like a fun game with friends.
Explore Creativity with Ocean Labyrinth Fun!
Ravensburger Ocean Labyrinth is the perfect family board game that promises endless fun and learning for kids and adults alike! As we navigate through the twists and turns of this underwater world, our problem-solving skills and strategic thinking are put to the test. This engaging game not only fosters teamwork as we collaborate to uncover hidden treasures, but it also enhances spatial awareness and cognitive skills. 7+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Explore Creativity with Ocean Labyrinth Fun! is a family board game that turns solving puzzles into an exciting underwater adventure, ensuring game nights are filled with laughter and collaboration.
Textured Stacking Rings for Growth
B. toys – Stacking Rings is the perfect blend of fun and education for your little one! Designed to captivate curious minds, this toy supports early development by enhancing dexterity and cognitive skills. 6 months - 2 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Textured stacking rings feature five unique textures for little hands to explore, making learning colors and shapes a playful adventure that keeps tiny minds engaged and curious.