Toys That Develop Critical Thinking
Our Top 5 Picks
Discover Black Beauty's Timeless Tale
Breyer Classics Black Beauty Horse and Book Set invites young readers into the heartwarming world of Anna Sewell's classic tale. This beautifully crafted 1:12 scale model of Black Beauty not only sparks imaginative play but also fosters literacy and a love for storytelling. As children engage with the book, they'll develop their reading skills and deepen their understanding of empathy and compassion towards animals. 8 years and up
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Discover Black Beauty's Timeless Tale includes a beautifully crafted 1:12 scale model of Black Beauty, perfectly blending imaginative play with important lessons on empathy and compassion.
Unleash Creativity with Wild Savanna Puzzle
Springbok's 400 Piece Family Jigsaw Puzzle Wild Savanna is a delightful way to engage the entire family! As parents, we know how important it is for our children to develop problem-solving skills, and this puzzle encourages critical thinking and teamwork as everyone contributes to the stunning savanna scene. With larger pieces on the outside for little hands and smaller pieces for experienced puzzlers, it creates a beautiful bonding experience across all ages. 8+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Wild Savanna Puzzle features 400 pieces that engage the entire family in critical thinking while fostering teamwork—turning family time into a delightful bonding adventure!
Calico Critters Grocery Market Adventure
The Calico Critters Grocery Market invites children into a vibrant world of shopping and imaginative play. This delightful set not only encourages role-playing and social skills but also fosters creativity and critical thinking as kids navigate their very own grocery experience, from scanning items at the cash register to organizing the food stand. Parents will appreciate how it sparks curiosity while enhancing fine motor skills through engaging activities, ensuring playtime is both educational and fun! 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Calico Critters Grocery Market Adventure includes a cash register for scanning items, turning everyday shopping into a fun learning experience that sparks curiosity and enhances social play.
World of Knowledge Puzzle Adventure
The EuroGraphics The Greatest Bookstore in The World 1000-Piece Puzzle offers a delightful journey into the world of literature and geography. Ideal for both parents and educators, the puzzle encourages critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and teamwork as children of all ages work together to fit the pieces and reveal a vibrant scene. It's a fun way to spark conversations about stories, cultures, and the magic of reading in a beautiful visual format! 10+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
World of Knowledge Puzzle Adventure includes 1000 pieces that inspire family bonding while exploring stories and cultures, turning puzzle time into a delightful learning experience.
Monopoly Card Game: Fast Fun Learning
Winning Moves Monopoly The Card Game merges the classic fun of Monopoly with the strategic gameplay of Rummy. Designed for players aged 8 and up, this engaging card game promotes critical thinking, decision-making, and social skills as children learn to draw, trade, and organize their cards into color groups. It's an exciting way to bond with family or friends while fostering strategic skills in a fast-paced environment that's perfect for today’s busy lifestyles. 8+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Monopoly Card Game: Fast Fun Learning merges classic Monopoly fun with strategic gameplay, making family game night a thrilling way to foster teamwork and problem-solving!
LeapFrog My First Learning Tablet Adventure
LeapFrog My First Learning Tablet, Violet is an exciting introduction to educational play for our little ones! With vibrant colors and interactive features, it teaches essential skills like letters, numbers, shapes, and even greetings in multiple languages. Watching our toddlers engage with Scout and Violet encourages role-play and curiosity while they explore various learning modes and create musical masterpieces. 12+ months
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
LeapFrog My First Learning Tablet Adventure introduces vibrant colors and interactive features to make learning letters, numbers, and languages an engaging and playful experience for toddlers.
Disney Vintage Movie Posters Puzzle Adventure
Ravensburger 19874 Disney Vintage Movie Posters 1000 Piece Puzzle invites you into a world of nostalgia and creativity! As parents and educators, we know that puzzles are not just a relaxing pastime—they also enhance critical thinking, patience, and problem-solving skills. Each uniquely-shaped piece fits together seamlessly with Ravensburger’s Softclick Technology, ensuring a satisfying experience with each connection. Adult
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Disney Vintage Movie Posters Puzzle Adventure features 1000 uniquely-shaped pieces that transform family time into a delightful mix of nostalgia and brain exercise, sparking conversations about classic films.
Mental Blox Go! - Fun Learning Anytime!
Mental Blox Go! is a fantastic way to keep our little ones engaged and learning whether we're at home or on the go. This portable puzzle set is bursting with opportunities for kids to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and imaginative skills. 5+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Mental Blox Go! features ten different puzzle types, transforming car rides into imaginative think tanks and keeping curious minds busy anywhere, anytime.
Wacky Wheels STEM Challenge Fun!
Learning Resources Wacky Wheels STEM Challenge promises endless fun while building essential STEM skills! As fellow parents, we know how crucial it is to engage our kids in activities that spark curiosity and critical thinking. This exciting science game helps children grasp concepts like speed, angles, and distance through hands-on challenges, all while using a kid-powered paddlewheel—no batteries required! 5+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Wacky Wheels STEM Challenge Fun! includes a kid-powered paddlewheel, making learning about speed and angles energizing and hands-on—what a playful way to ignite curiosity!
Gears! Gears! Gears! Machines in Motion
The Learning Resources Gears! Gears! Gears! 5+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Gears! Gears! Gears! Machines in Motion features 116 colorful pieces that transform learning about mechanics into a delightful engineering adventure for young creators.
Crashapult: Launch into Learning Fun!
Learning Resources Crashapult STEM Challenge is an engaging gateway to critical thinking and engineering skills for our curious kids. This fun-filled catapult game invites children to explore angles, trajectories, and the principles of physics through hands-on challenges that grow in difficulty. With 13 interactive pieces, including adjustable catapults and fun targets, the opportunities for creativity and experimentation are endless. 5+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Crashapult: Launch into Learning Fun! includes 13 interactive pieces to encourage hands-on experimentation and giggles, turning physics into a delightful playdate for young minds.
Pendulonium: Fun Engineering STEM Challenge
Learning Resources Pendulonium STEM Challenge transforms playtime into an exciting exploration of physics! With this engaging set of 16 pieces, kids can dive into the world of angles and trajectories while developing critical thinking and engineering skills. What we love is how the challenges vary in difficulty, encouraging our little ones to experiment, learn from their mistakes, and find creative solutions on their own. 5+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Pendulonium: Fun Engineering STEM Challenge includes 16 exciting pieces that let kids explore physics while they tackle varying challenges, making every play session a unique learning adventure.
Code & Go Robot Mouse Adventure
Learning Resources Code & Go Robot Mouse Board Game is a delightful introduction to coding for our little adventurers! As they draw coding cards to guide their mice towards tasty cheese wedges, they use critical thinking and problem-solving skills that can help them in so many areas of life. This game is perfect for fostering teamwork, communication, and a love for STEM without any screen time. 5+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Code & Go Robot Mouse Adventure features coding cards that make learning STEM concepts a fun challenge, turning family game night into a creative coding workshop!
Jumbo Reptiles & Amphibians Adventure
The Learning Resources Jumbo Reptiles & Amphibians set invites our little explorers to dive into the captivating world of nature. Perfect for sparking curiosity and imaginative play, this collection encourages foundational learning in science while developing critical thinking and fine motor skills. With durable, dishwasher-safe figures and an engaging activity guide filled with fun facts, it’s an exciting way for toddlers to discover the wonders of reptiles and amphibians! 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Jumbo Reptiles & Amphibians Adventure features durable, dishwasher-safe figures that make exploration and learning about these fascinating creatures just as fun as playtime.
Code & Go Robot Mouse Math Expansion Fun
Code & Go Robot Mouse Math is an exciting way to combine coding with essential math skills! As parents and educators, we've seen how engaging our kids in hands-on activities like this fosters their love for learning. With this expansion pack, children will dive into the world of addition, subtraction, and number sequencing while navigating fun coding challenges. 5+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Code & Go Robot Mouse Math Expansion Fun engages kids with coding challenges that weave in essential math skills, making learning feel like a captivating game.
Kanoodle Head-to-Head: Puzzle Battle!
Kanoodle Head-to-Head Puzzle for 2 Players is the ultimate brain teaser game that brings families and friends together for an exciting challenge! As educators and parents, we can’t help but love how this game promotes problem-solving, critical thinking, and spatial reasoning skills—all while having a blast! With 80 unique challenges to conquer, it encourages healthy competition and teamwork, making it perfect for kids, teens, and adults alike. 7+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Kanoodle Head-to-Head: Puzzle Battle! includes 80 unique challenges that spark friendly rivalry while sharpening minds, making it an engaging way for families to bond and think creatively.
Didax Reading Skills Puzzles: Opposites
Didax Reading Skills Puzzles: Opposites are a fantastic way to engage young learners in the joys of language and critical thinking! With 30 durable, beautifully illustrated puzzles, our kids can explore the fascinating world of opposites while enhancing their reading skills. These self-correcting puzzles not only make learning fun but also build important cognitive skills and increase vocabulary in a playful, interactive way. Grades 1-3
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Didax Reading Skills Puzzles: Opposites feature 30 beautifully illustrated puzzles that transform learning into a delightful adventure, making language exploration both fun and interactive.
Minnie Bow RC: Joyful Racing Adventures
Jada Toys Disney Mickey & The Roadster Racers Minnie Bow RC/Radio Control Toy Vehicle is a delightful way to spark your child’s imagination! Not only does it zoom around in vibrant hot pink, but it also features a fun spin function that encourages hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills as they maneuver around obstacles. With options to move forward and reverse, kids can develop critical thinking as they navigate their racing pathways. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Minnie Bow RC's fun spin function provides an exciting way to develop motor skills while racing and collaborating, making every playtime an adventure in teamwork.
Avro Lancaster B III Model Kit Adventure
Airfix Avro Lancaster B III 1:72 Military Aviation Plastic Model Kit A08013A is the perfect gateway for young aviators and history buffs alike! As we dive into building this iconic WWII bomber, we not only explore the fascinating world of military aviation but also enhance critical thinking and fine motor skills. This detailed kit encourages teamwork and patience, as we learn about historical contexts and the engineering marvels of the time. 8+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Avro Lancaster B III Model Kit Adventure includes a detailed plastic model kit that transforms history into a hands-on project, making learning about WWII aviation both fun and engaging.
Exciting Airfix Quickbuild Beetle Adventure
Airfix Quickbuild Volkswagen Beetle Yellow Brick Building Model Kit is the perfect gateway into the captivating world of modeling! As fellow parents, we know how crucial it is to engage our kids in hands-on activities that spark creativity and critical thinking. This kit promotes fine motor skills and spatial awareness while allowing children to express their individuality with decorative stickers. 6+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Exciting Airfix Quickbuild Beetle Adventure is a hands-on model kit that allows kids to express their individuality with decorative stickers while building critical thinking skills—plus, who doesn’t love a rolling Volkswagen?
Cuddly Hammerhead Shark Adventures
The Wild Republic Hammerhead Shark Plush is not just a cute stuffed animal; it's a gateway to the ocean's mysteries for kids! At 13 inches, this lifelike toy inspires imaginative play and curiosity about marine life, encouraging children to learn about ecosystems and ocean conservation in a fun and engaging way. As parents, we appreciate how this plush toy offers comfort while sparking educational discussions about the incredible creatures that swim in our seas. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Cuddly Hammerhead Shark Adventures is a 13-inch plush that not only provides snuggles but ignites curiosity about ocean ecosystems and conservation like a cozy little ocean explorer.
Unleash Coding Fun with Robot Mouse!
Learning Resources Code & Go Robot Mouse Classroom Set introduces children to the world of coding through hands-on, screen-free fun! As parents and educators, we know the importance of fostering sequential coding skills, and this engaging set allows kids to explore math concepts like addition and subtraction while guiding their robot mouse on exciting adventures. With interactive challenges that promote problem-solving and teamwork, it's a fantastic way to spark curiosity and creativity in our little learners, all while they chase cheese across a colorful game board! 5+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Unleash Coding Fun with Robot Mouse! allows kids to engage in screen-free coding adventures while practicing addition and subtraction on a vibrant game board—making learning as fun as chasing cheese!
Educa 4000 Piece Puzzle Adventure
Educa - 4000 Piece Puzzle for Adults | Lighthouse in Rock Bay is an engaging and expansive challenge perfect for families and friends to tackle together! This stunning puzzle not only promises hours of entertainment but also stimulates fine motor skills, visual memory, and creativity as you work on piecing together the breathtaking lighthouse scene. With Educa’s lost pieces service, you can dive in without concern for interruptions and enjoy the satisfaction of completing such an impressive piece of art. 14+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Educa 4000 Piece Puzzle Adventure features a breathtaking lighthouse scene, offering families a delightful bonding experience while sharpening their minds piece by piece.
Educa - Entering The Bedroom Challenge
Educa - Entering The Bedroom is not just a puzzle; it's an engaging way for older kids and adults to hone their problem-solving and critical thinking skills. As we work to fit together its impressive 6000 pieces, we boost our patience, focus, and creativity—qualities that are essential in today's fast-paced world. Plus, with Educa's lost part service, we can tackle this giant without the anxiety of missing pieces, allowing for uninterrupted fun and satisfaction. 14+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Educa - Entering The Bedroom Challenge features an impressive 6000 pieces that transform puzzle time into a masterclass in patience and creativity for all ages.