Toys That Develop Early Literacy
Our Top 5 Picks
Sight Words Level A Flash Cards
The Trend Enterprises Sight Words Level A Pocket Flash Cards are the perfect tool for young learners eager to boost their reading skills! Designed for kids ages 4 and up, these handy two-sided cards focus on 108 commonly-used words that help develop fluency and comprehension. As parents and educators, we know how crucial it is for our children to master these essential words that don't always follow phonics rules. 4+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Sight Words Level A Flash Cards include 108 commonly-used words that help little readers build confidence on their reading journey, making each car ride a mini classroom adventure.
Teethe & Read Soft Book Toy Adventure
The Bright Starts Teethe & Read Soft Book Toy is the perfect fusion of fun and functionality for our little ones aged 3 months and up! Not only does it feature soft pages that offer soothing teething corners for those sore gums, but it also encourages early literacy skills with engaging, interactive storytelling. Imagine our baby's delight as they grasp this lightweight book, developing their fine motor skills while enjoying a make-believe adventure. 3 months +
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Teethe & Read Soft Book Toy Adventure features soothing teething corners that turn reading time into a sensory delight, making every page a chance for growth and giggles.
Fairytale Mix-Ups for Creative Storytelling
Fairytale Mix Ups: Create A Story Pre-Literacy Cards invite our little ones to embark on whimsical adventures! These beautifully illustrated cards are not just fun; they support early literacy, critical thinking, and imaginative play. As children mix and match characters, locations, and objects, they learn to craft unique stories that can be logical or delightfully silly. 3+ years
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Why we love it:
Fairytale Mix-Ups for Creative Storytelling includes 36 beautifully illustrated cards that inspire our little ones to weave delightful and imaginative tales, blending logic with silliness.
1st Birthday Balloons Loot Bags Delight
Unique 9" x 7. 5" First Birthday Balloons Loot Bags are the perfect way to wrap up your little guy's big day! These vibrant bags, featuring a cheerful blue '1' and colorful balloons, not only make for eye-catching party favors but also encourage fine motor skills development as curious toddlers explore the goodies inside. Toddler
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Why we love it:
1st Birthday Balloons Loot Bags Delight are vibrant 9" x 7.5" bags that make party favors not only fun but also a chance for toddlers to explore and learn.
Double-Sided Easel for Creative Minds
The Learning Resources Double-Sided Tabletop Easel is the ultimate learning tool for fostering creativity and focus in children aged 3 and up. This versatile easel features a magnetic write & wipe board on one side for endless writing and drawing practice, while the felt board invites imaginative play with letters and numbers. As fellow parents, we appreciate how this easel not only engages our little ones but also enhances their fine motor skills and cognitive development through hands-on exploration. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Double-Sided Easel for Creative Minds features a magnetic write & wipe board that sparks endless creativity, making learning feel like an artful adventure right at home.
LeapReader: Fun Phonics Learning Adventure
Leapfrog LeapReader Learn to Read, Volume 1 opens the door to phonics fun for our little ones! Designed for ages 4-6, this captivating collection features six engaging books that focus on short vowels, empowering our children to hear words sounded out, spoken, and spelled. With each page, kids not only build their vocabulary but also improve their word-blending and spelling skills, setting a solid foundation for future reading success. 4-6 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
LeapReader: Fun Phonics Learning Adventure features six engaging books that turn reading into an interactive quest, ensuring kids develop strong foundational skills while having a blast.
Interactive Learning with Telling Time Clock
Eureka 'Telling Time' Bulletin Board Analog Clock Practice is a fantastic resource for teaching kids how to tell time! We love how this colorful set transforms any learning space—be it a classroom, playroom, or even a cozy corner at home. With its vibrant visuals, children can develop crucial skills in time recognition, improve their math abilities, and boost confidence as they master both analog and digital clock reading. Preschool
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Why we love it:
Interactive Learning with Telling Time Clock transforms any space into a vibrant learning zone, making time-telling tasks feel like a fun adventure instead of a chore.
Engaging Sandpaper Letters for Young Learners
DDidax Lowercase Sandpaper Letters are the perfect gateway to literacy for our little ones! Designed with tactile learning in mind, these engaging alphabet cards make the journey into reading and writing not just educational but fun. Each card helps our preschoolers master the letters through touch, sound, and sight, reinforcing their understanding of both shape and sound. Pre-K to 1st Grade
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Why we love it:
Engaging Sandpaper Letters for Young Learners features tactile surfaces that transform letter learning into a multi-sensory adventure, making reading feel like play for our eager explorers.
Pop For Sight Words Fun and Learning
Learning Resources Pop For Sight Words Game is an exciting way to build early literacy while having a blast! As fellow parents and educators, we know that fostering a love for reading is essential, and this game makes it both engaging and effective. With 92 sight word cards and fun popcorn pieces, kids can compete to grab the most pieces while enhancing their vocabulary and fluency. 5+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Pop For Sight Words Fun and Learning features 92 sight word cards that make building vocabulary lively and competitive, turning reading practice into a popcorn-popping good time!
Magnetic Learning Letters for Literacy Fun
The Learning Resources Magnetic Learning Letters set is a delightful way to jumpstart early literacy skills for children aged 3 and up. With 104 soft, foam lowercase letters that stick to any magnetic surface, this engaging toy not only boosts letter recognition but also introduces kids to letter-sound connections in a fun, colorful way. We love how the color-coded letters help differentiate consonants and vowels, making learning super accessible and enjoyable. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Magnetic Learning Letters for Literacy Fun features 104 soft foam letters that stick to magnetic surfaces, making learning letters and sounds a colorful, hands-on adventure that sparks curiosity.
Engaging Learning with Magnetic Write & Wipe
Constructive Playthings 3 'N 1 Magnetic Write and Wipe Reversible Whiteboard and Felt Board for Toddlers with Stand opens up a world of creative possibilities! This versatile playtime tool not only encourages interactive storytelling but also helps little ones develop essential motor skills and early literacy. Whether they’re drawing on the dry-erase side or creating felt stories, children will be actively engaged and learning in a hands-on way. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Engaging Learning with Magnetic Write & Wipe features both a dry-erase side and a felt board, making storytime a canvas for creativity without the cleanup hassle.
LeapFrog My Own Leaptop Fun!
LeapFrog My Own Leaptop is the perfect introduction to technology for little ones aged 2-4 years. With four engaging learning modes—ABCs, Messages, Games, and Music—this pretend play computer encourages early literacy, fine motor skills, and imaginative exploration. Kids can pretend to email with adorable characters like Scout and Violet, making learning feel just like grown-up activities. 2-4 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
LeapFrog My Own Leaptop Fun! features four engaging learning modes that turn tech exploration into a whimsical adventure where little ones can email adorable characters while developing essential skills.
LeapFrog My Own Leaptop for Learning Fun
LeapFrog My Own Leaptop, Pink is the perfect introduction to early learning for our little ones. Tailored for kids aged 2-4, this adorable pretend play computer ignites curiosity while teaching the alphabet, spelling names, and so much more. With four engaging learning modes, children can tap into a world of messages and musical fun, enhancing their vocabulary and understanding of letters and animals. 2-4 years
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Why we love it:
LeapFrog My Own Leaptop for Learning Fun includes four engaging learning modes that spark curiosity while helping little ones practice their letters and names—perfect for future tech whizzes.
Tiny Dinosaur Dress-Up Fun
California Costumes Kids Tiny Dinosaur Dress is an exciting way for your little one to immerse themselves in imaginative play! This delightful costume not only encourages creativity but also enhances social skills as kids role-play as their favorite prehistoric creatures. Made from soft polyester fabric and featuring a fun zipper front and secure shoe covers, this costume invites hours of adventure, inspiring curiosity about dinosaurs and the natural world. 3-4 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Tiny Dinosaur Dress-Up Fun features a soft polyester fabric and a fun zipper front, making it the perfect outfit for adventures that ignite curiosity about dinosaurs and the natural world.
Sparkle & Squish with Playfoam Fun
The Educational Insights Playfoam Sparkle 4-Pack is a delightful sensory experience for kids aged 3 and up! This colorful, non-sticky dough encourages creative expression while building fine motor skills through squishing, shaping, and molding. Ideal for both home and classroom settings, it transforms learning into a hands-on adventure, allowing little ones to practice letters, numbers, and shapes without any mess. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Sparkle & Squish with Playfoam Fun features four vibrant colors that turn learning letters and shapes into a non-sticky, mess-free sensory adventure perfect for little hands.
Pop for Letters Phonics Game
The Learning Resources Pop for Letters Early Phonics Game makes learning the ABCs an absolute blast for little ones! With 100 die-cut popcorn cards featuring both uppercase and lowercase letters, kids practice alphabet recognition and beginning letter sounds in a fun, engaging way. It's a fantastic tool for developing literacy skills while keeping the joy of play alive—perfect for road trips, family game nights, or simple at-home learning. 4+ years
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Why we love it:
Pop for Letters Phonics Game includes 100 die-cut popcorn cards that make learning letters feel like a fun snack time, turning phonics practice into a memory-making adventure!
Wildkin Zippered Pencil Case Adventure
Wildkin Kids Zippered Pencil Case is the perfect companion for budding young learners! With its vibrant Trains, Planes, and Trucks design, this pencil case isn’t just a stylish accessory; it's a tool to enhance organizational skills and foster creativity in the classroom and beyond. Measuring just the right size for school supplies or travel essentials, it's a fantastic way to teach kids about responsibility and keeping their materials tidy. 5-10 years
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Why we love it:
Wildkin Zippered Pencil Case Adventure features a vibrant design that transforms tidying up school supplies into an exciting exercise in responsibility and creativity.
Discover Imagination with Li'l Woodzeez Owls
Li'l Woodzeez – Owl Family Set with Storybook invites our little ones into the whimsical world of Honeysuckle Hollow! This delightful 5-piece set not only provides hours of engaging, pretend play but also fosters creativity, storytelling, and social skills. Watching our children explore different scenarios and articulate their adventures with Owen, Delores, Peep, and Pete is heartwarming and enriching. 3+ years
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Why we love it:
Discover Imagination with Li'l Woodzeez Owls includes a delightful storybook that inspires kids to engage in pretend play while exploring themes of family and friendship.
Ready 2 Learn Vegetable Stampers Fun!
READY 2 LEARN Giant Stampers - Vegetables are the perfect introduction to both creativity and nutrition! As fellow parents and educators, we love how these easy-to-hold foam stamps inspire kids to explore the world of vegetables while developing their fine motor skills. With vibrant designs featuring broccoli, carrots, and more, children can create colorful art projects while learning about healthy eating. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Ready 2 Learn Vegetable Stampers Fun! includes easy-to-hold foam stamps that spark creativity while teaching kids about healthy eating—art and nutrition in one vibrant package!
Unlock Reading Success with Phonics - Blends DVD
Phonics - Blends DVD is an exciting way to immerse our little ones in the world of reading! This engaging program not only teaches essential phonetic blends but also fosters critical early literacy skills that are crucial for lifelong learning. As parents and educators, we understand the importance of building a strong foundation in reading, and with this DVD, children can enjoy learning through fun visuals and catchy songs. 4-7 years
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Why we love it:
Unlock Reading Success with Phonics - Blends DVD features fun visuals and catchy songs, making learning those tricky phonetic blends an enjoyable adventure our kids will crave.
Brighten Learning with Truck Lamp
Fantasy Fields Kids Small Table Lamp is a delightful addition to your child's room that combines education and imagination seamlessly. This charming lamp features a sturdy dump truck base and a whimsically designed helicopter shade, sparking conversations about transportation and the wonders of flight. As a parent, we appreciate how this lamp not only provides soft, comforting light for bedtime stories but also enhances spatial awareness and creative thinking through its playful theme. 2-7 years
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Why we love it:
Brighten Learning with Truck Lamp features a sturdy dump truck base that brings storytelling to life, transforming bedtime into a fun and imaginative adventure.
Engaging Vocabulary Picture Words Cards
The Trend Enterprises More Picture Words Skill Drill Flash Cards are a delightful resource for building vocabulary in kids aged 6 and up. Each of the 96 sturdy cards features vibrant photos that make learning fun and interactive, helping young learners grasp new words effortlessly. These cards not only align with language-development educational standards but also cater to English-language learners, ensuring that everyone can thrive in their language journey. 6+ years
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Why we love it:
Engaging Vocabulary Picture Words Cards include 96 sturdy cards with vibrant photos that make learning new words feel like a fun visual treasure hunt!
Dive into Dinosaur Adventures
The Fantasy Fields - Dinosaur Kingdom Thematic Kids Wooden Bookcase with Storage is an enchanting addition to any playroom, encouraging a love for reading and exploration. Its vibrant, hand-painted dinosaur design captures children's imaginations, while the ample storage space promotes organization skills by making it easy for kids to put their books and toys away. Crafted with care, this sturdy bookshelf not only nurtures a clutter-free environment but also fosters responsibility and creativity in young minds. 3-6 years
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Why we love it:
Dive into Dinosaur Adventures features a vibrant, hand-painted design that inspires a love for reading while encouraging kids to keep their space tidy and organized.
Crafty Cottage Art Playhouse
The Easy Playhouse Blank Crafty Cottage invites your child into a world of imagination and creativity! This unique cardboard fort isn't just for playing; it’s a canvas for artistic expression. As our little ones color, draw, and decorate their very own cottage, they develop fine motor skills, creativity, and the confidence that comes from personalizing their space. 3+ years
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Why we love it:
Crafty Cottage Art Playhouse invites kids to color and decorate their very own cardboard fort, turning art and play into a personalized adventure in creativity!