Toys That Develop Early Literacy
Our Top 5 Picks
Color-Coded AlphaMagnets & MathMagnets Set
The Educational Insights Color-Coded Uppercase & Lowercase AlphaMagnets and MathMagnets set is a treasure trove for curious minds aged 3 and up! With 214 vibrant magnetic pieces, this set not only makes learning enjoyable but also sparks a deep passion for reading, writing, and math. We love how the color-coding helps little learners differentiate between consonants and vowels, as well as visualize number sentences through engaging play. 3+ years
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Why we love it:
Color-Coded AlphaMagnets & MathMagnets Set includes 214 vibrant magnetic pieces that turn learning into a colorful adventure, making reading and math feel as playful as a game.
Match Me Game – Alphabet Fun
Match Me Game – Alphabet is the perfect tool for introducing young learners to the exciting world of letters and sounds! Designed for children aged 3 and up, this engaging game enhances matching and memory skills through fun and interactive gameplay. With large, sturdy pieces that are ideal for little hands and two-sided game boards that cater to varying skill levels, we love how it keeps kids engaged while fostering both cognitive and motor skills. 3+ years
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Why we love it:
Match Me Game – Alphabet Fun features large, sturdy pieces that are perfect for little hands, making letter learning a delightful adventure and a fun bonding experience!
Fun Learning with Colorful Flash Cards
The Trend Enterprises Colors, Shapes & Numbers Skill Drill Flash Cards provide a vibrant and interactive way for young learners to grasp essential concepts. With 96 cards featuring bright photos, these flashcards help children recognize colors, shapes, and numbers, laying a strong foundation for their early education. Ideal for home, school, and travel, they make skill-building exciting and engaging for kids aged 3 to 6. 3-6 years
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Why we love it:
Fun Learning with Colorful Flash Cards includes 96 vibrant cards featuring bright photos that transform learning into a joyful exploration of colors, shapes, and numbers. Watching little ones enthusiastically identify a red apple and a blue square can turn any living room into a mini classroom, all while they think they’re just playing! Plus, they’re perfect for on-the-go learning—road trips just got a whole lot more educational and a lot less ‘are we there yet?’
Uppercase Lacing Alphabet Fun
The Learning Resources Uppercase Lacing Alphabet is a delightful educational tool for our little learners ages 3 and up! With 275 colorful pieces, including 260 uppercase letters and 15 durable laces, this engaging set offers a hands-on way to enhance fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. As we guide our children in lacing together letters, we're not only fostering their early literacy skills, but also igniting a love for learning through play. 3+ years
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Why we love it:
Uppercase Lacing Alphabet Fun includes 275 colorful pieces that make learning letters an interactive experience, turning every lacing session into a playful adventure in literacy.
Fun Learning with Alphabet Beanbags
The Educational Insights Alphabet Beanbags are a playful way for toddlers to learn letters while having fun! This set of 26 lightweight, washable felt beanbags is perfect for tiny hands and is designed to make learning the ABCs engaging. With both uppercase and lowercase letters displayed, plus games included in the activity guide, this toy nurtures not only letter recognition but also essential motor skills and social interaction. 3+ years
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Why we love it:
Fun Learning with Alphabet Beanbags includes 26 lightweight, washable felt beanbags that make mastering the ABCs both playful and engaging for little learners.
Engaging Learning with Lauri Phonics Center
Lauri Phonics Center Kit — Word Families is a delightful educational adventure designed to ignite a love for learning in our little ones! This all-in-one kit introduces 26 different word families, making it easy and enjoyable for kids to connect rhymes and explore language. As educators and parents, we appreciate how it promotes essential phonics skills while keeping the learning experience hands-on and fun. 4-8 years
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Why we love it:
Lauri Phonics Center introduces 26 different word families, making learning phonics an enjoyable adventure—who knew connecting rhymes could be this fun and organized?
Engaging Learning with Barker Creek Magnets
Barker Creek Learning Magnets are a fantastic resource for our young learners! This set includes 38 uppercase letters, perfect for hands-on spelling, alphabet recognition, and creative play. As parents and educators, we can watch our little ones boost their literacy skills while enjoying the tactile experience of magnetic letters. 3+ years
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Why we love it:
Engaging Learning with Barker Creek Magnets includes 38 uppercase letters that turn learning into a fun hands-on adventure, making spelling as playful as it is educational.
Explore Learning with WonderFoam Big Letters
Chenille Kraft WonderFoam Big Letters are a fantastic resource for parents and educators eager to inspire creativity and learning! With 26 jumbo foam pieces measuring 4" x 4", they’re perfect for little hands to explore. These vibrant letters are not only great for tracing and art projects, but they also encourage letter recognition and fine motor skills. 3+ years
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Why we love it:
Explore Learning with WonderFoam Big Letters includes 26 jumbo foam pieces that transform learning into a tactile and colorful adventure, making literacy fun and engaging for little hands.
Fun with AlphaMagnets & MathMagnets
The Educational Insights Multicolored Uppercase & Lowercase AlphaMagnets and MathMagnets set is an exciting way to engage young learners in a world of letters and numbers! With 126 colorful pieces designed for ages 3 and up, these versatile magnets not only make learning fun but also support early literacy and math skills. We love how these magnets can be used on fridges or personal lap boards, promoting interactive learning and creativity at home or in the classroom. 3+ years
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Why we love it:
Fun with AlphaMagnets & MathMagnets includes 126 colorful pieces that transform our refrigerators into vibrant learning hubs, making literacy and math as playful as a game of refrigerator Tetris.
Interactive Alphabet Nesting Blocks
Melissa & Doug Deluxe 10-Piece Alphabet Nesting and Stacking Blocks are a delightful way to introduce the world of letters to our little ones, ages 2 to 4. Each sturdy cardboard block showcases not only vibrant letters but also familiar pictures that spark curiosity and conversation. As kids stack and nest these blocks, they improve their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination while diving into creative play. 2-4 years
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Why we love it:
Interactive Alphabet Nesting Blocks showcase vibrant letters and familiar pictures, making building skills in literacy feel like an exciting adventure—no screens required!
Unlock Learning with Alphabet Sound Puzzle
Melissa & Doug Alphabet Sound Puzzle invites children to explore the joy of letters like never before! This vibrant 26-piece wooden puzzle not only helps little hands grasp the colorful uppercase letters but also brings them to life with delightful sound effects. As our preschoolers engage in hands-on, screen-free play, they're also developing crucial skills such as letter recognition and fine motor coordination. 3-5 years
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Why we love it:
Unlock Learning with Alphabet Sound Puzzle features 26 vibrant wooden letters that make delightful sounds, transforming letter learning into a playful symphony that sparks curiosity and joy.
Fun with Alphabet Magnets
Melissa & Doug 52 Wooden Alphabet Magnets in a Box is a delightful way for our little ones to explore the world of letters! Perfect for toddlers and early learners, these vibrant uppercase and lowercase letters encourage hands-on engagement, supporting essential skills in letter recognition and spelling. We love how they inspire creativity, allowing kids to create words and messages on the fridge or any magnetic surface. 3-7 years
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Why we love it:
Fun with Alphabet Magnets comes with 52 colorful wooden letters that transform the fridge into a canvas for word play, blending education with creativity in a delightful way.
Bilingual Fun with Colors & Shapes
Trend Enterprises Bilingual Colors & Shapes Flash Cards are a fantastic way to engage young learners in both English and Spanish! With vibrant photographs that depict real-life examples of ten colors and ten shapes, these cards not only make learning fun but also enhance vocabulary in both languages. As educators and parents, we appreciate how durable and easy-to-handle these cards are, making them perfect for solo practice or interactive group lessons. 3-5 years
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Why we love it:
Bilingual Fun with Colors & Shapes features vibrant photographs that make learning colors and shapes in both English and Spanish a delightful visual feast for young learners!
Boost Reading Skills with Sight Words
Edupress Sight Words in A Flash (Set 1) is an essential tool for parents and educators who want to foster a love for reading in young learners. This engaging set helps children master foundational sight words, significantly improving their reading fluency and comprehension. With a classic design that encourages both fun and learning, these cards make practice feel like a game, promoting confidence in early readers. Preschool
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Why we love it:
Boost Reading Skills with Sight Words includes engaging flashcards that turn learning sight words into an exciting game, making reading feel like a triumph for our little explorers.
Ace Sight Words with Flashcards Fun!
Edupress hand2mind-65500 Sight Words in a Flash is the perfect tool for our little learners to master essential sight words! With its innovative color-coded system and bold visibility, these flashcards not only make learning fun but also provide a structured approach that helps build reading confidence. We love that the rounded corners are safe for little hands, and the durable design ensures they last through all the learning adventures our kids embark on. Grades 1-5
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Why we love it:
Ace Sight Words with Flashcards Fun! features an innovative color-coded system that turns learning essential sight words into an engaging adventure for little readers.
Rhyming Fun with Early Childhood Puzzles
Trend Fun-to-Know Early Childhood Puzzles, Rhyming bring a delightful twist to learning! As fellow parents and educators, we know how vital early literacy skills are, and this engaging puzzle set helps our little ones grasp the magic of rhyming words with both short and long vowel sounds. Each self-checking puzzle piece encourages confidence, making it a rewarding experience as they see their progress in real-time. 3-7 years
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Why we love it:
Rhyming Fun with Early Childhood Puzzles features 24 interactive puzzles that make learning rhymes a delightful and confidence-boosting adventure for our kiddos.
Engaging Alphabet Puzzles for Kids
TREND ENTERPRISES Fun-to-Know Puzzles are a delightful way to introduce children to the exciting world of letters! This set of 26 colorful puzzles, featuring both uppercase and lowercase letters, not only captivates young minds but also lays a strong foundation for literacy skills. Ideal for pre-kindergarten to grade 1, these puzzles encourage cognitive development while promoting letter recognition, fine motor skills, and problem-solving abilities. 3-7 years
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Why we love it:
Engaging Alphabet Puzzles for Kids features 26 colorful puzzles that make learning letters a playful adventure, turning early literacy into a fun and tactile experience.
Nuby Bath Fun Time Book: Learning Splash!
Nuby Bath Fun Time Book is a delightful and practical tool for making bath time an exciting adventure! Designed for infants and toddlers, this charming bath book cleverly combines learning with enjoyment, helping our little ones establish good hygiene habits while exploring the vibrant world of colors and animals. Each page turn unveils bright illustrations and an unexpected squeaker that keeps our children engaged, bolstering their cognitive development and visual perception. 0 M+
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Why we love it:
Nuby Bath Fun Time Book: Learning Splash! features bright illustrations and a squeaker in each page, transforming bath time into a joyful learning adventure for our little ones.
Boost Learning with Giant Alphabet Stampers!
READY 2 LEARN Giant Stampers are a delightful way for kids to explore the alphabet! With 56 vibrant, easy-to-hold stamps featuring both uppercase and lowercase letters, kids can express creativity while reinforcing literacy skills. We love how the rounded handles fit snugly in little hands, making stamping fun and accessible for all ages. 3+ years
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Why we love it:
Boost Learning with Giant Alphabet Stampers! features 56 vibrant stamps that make exploring letters a fun, messy art project, turning learning into an imaginative adventure.
Fun Learning with Alphabet Bean Bags!
Champion Sports 5 Inch Alphabet Bean Bag Set is an exciting way for our little ones to blend physical activity with early literacy skills! These colorful, double-reinforced bean bags, each showcasing both upper and lowercase letters, make learning the alphabet a fun experience through tossing and catching. As our kids engage in bag toss games, they're developing essential motor skills while also enhancing their letter recognition. 3+ years
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Why we love it:
Fun Learning with Alphabet Bean Bags! features colorful, double-reinforced bean bags that turn learning the alphabet into a lively game of toss and catch for active little learners.
What Comes Next? Engaging Learning Puzzles
What Comes Next? Fun-to-Know Puzzles from TREND Enterprises, Inc. is an exciting gateway into the world of learning for our little ones! 4-6 years
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Why we love it:
What Comes Next? features 45 sturdy pieces across 5 puzzles, making learning engaging and perfect for sparking curiosity in young minds while sneaking in some valuable brain workouts.
Dive into Learning with Sea Life Memory!
Stages Learning Materials Picture Memory Sea Life Card is an incredible way to introduce our little ones to the wonders of the ocean while boosting their memory skills. This engaging concentration game features real photos of 25 pairs of vibrant sea life animals, making it visually captivating for toddlers and adults alike. With no reading required, it's perfect for building early sight-reading skills as they learn the names of these fascinating creatures. 2-6 years
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Why we love it:
Dive into Learning with Sea Life Memory! features real photos of 25 vibrant sea life animals, making learning about the ocean a fun family adventure that sharpens memory skills.
Unleash Creativity with Giant Alphabet Stampers
READY 2 LEARN Giant Stampers - Alphabet - Uppercase is the perfect way to make learning the ABCs an exciting adventure for our little ones! These oversized, easy-to-hold foam stamps not only make art projects come alive but also help kids develop fine motor skills and letter recognition at their own pace. We all know how important it is for our children to engage with letters in a fun way—these stampers encourage creativity while solidifying foundational literacy skills. 3+ years
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Why we love it:
Unleash Creativity with Giant Alphabet Stampers features oversized, easy-to-hold foam stamps that turn learning the ABCs into a fun art extravaganza, sparking creativity and foundational literacy.
Engaging Alphabet Floor Mat Adventures
The Learning Resources Alphabet Marks The Spot Floor Mat is a delightful way to dive into the world of letters and sounds for children aged 5 and up. This interactive game not only promotes language skills and early literacy but also enhances school readiness through playful movement and group participation. With various alphabet games and activities, kids will develop important cognitive skills while having a blast learning their ABCs! 5+ years
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Why we love it:
Engaging Alphabet Floor Mat Adventures includes interactive games that turn letter learning into a lively adventure, making the ABCs an exciting journey instead of just another lesson.