Toys That Develop Early Literacy
Our Top 5 Picks
VTech Musical Rhymes Educational Book
The VTech Musical Rhymes Book sparks joy and learning from the very first turn of its big, easy-to-handle pages. A delightful adventure awaits your little one with 6 classic nursery rhymes and over 40 songs, melodies, sounds, and phrases that engage their developing minds. As parents, we adore how it helps build fine motor skills through playful sliding and twisting activities, while the colorful piano buttons introduce our children to colors and instruments. 6 months to 3 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
VTech Musical Rhymes Educational Book features 6 classic nursery rhymes that make learning music and language feel like a delightful sing-along of discovery for little ones.
Very Hungry Caterpillar ABC Game Fun
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Spin & Seek ABC Game is a delightful way to engage preschoolers in letter-finding adventures! Inspired by Eric Carle's beloved character, this game combines colorful artwork with educational play, allowing kids to practice their ABCs while developing essential skills like letter recognition and critical thinking. With big pieces designed for tiny hands and easy-to-follow gameplay, this screen-free activity is perfect for family game night, making it a fantastic choice for siblings of all ages! Preschool
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Very Hungry Caterpillar ABC Game features colorful artwork and big pieces, making letter-finding fun while nurturing vital skills for preschoolers’ development.
Sip and Learn with Tea Time Fun!
Melissa & Doug 20-Piece Steep and Serve Wooden Tea Set is the perfect gateway to imaginative play and social skills development! As we gather around for tea time, little ones can explore the delightful world of pretend, learning to communicate and take turns while serving tea and treats. With six assorted teas, kids can even enhance their early literacy skills by reading the tea caddy descriptions. 3-6 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Sip and Learn with Tea Time Fun! includes six assorted teas that spark conversation and reading, turning every playdate into a delightful tea party extravaganza.
Go! Go! Smart Wheels Adventure Set
The VTech Go! Go! Smart Wheels Starter Pack offers a thrilling ride for our little explorers aged 1 to 5. 1-5 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Go! Go! Smart Wheels Adventure Set features three engaging vehicles that spark curiosity while promoting early learning through music, sounds, and vibrant interactions.
Engage with Paw Patrol Adventures
The UPD Paw Patrol Sticker Book offers over 300 vibrant stickers spread across 4 engaging sheets! This delightful activity not only sparks creativity but also enhances fine motor skills as children peel and stick their favorite characters. Parents and educators alike love how this sticker pad encourages imaginative play, storytelling, and early literacy by inviting kids to create their very own Paw Patrol adventures. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Engage with Paw Patrol Adventures features over 300 vibrant stickers that turn storytelling into a hands-on activity, inviting kids to create their own exciting adventures.
Engaging Rhyming Fun with Pups!
Learning Resources Snap-N-Learn Rhyming Pups Toy brings a vibrant and playful twist to early language development! As fellow parents and educators, we know how vital it is for children to learn through play. This delightful set of 20 colorful puppies helps our little ones mix and match word beginnings and endings, making it easy to create over 55 rhyming words while developing essential fine motor skills and color recognition. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Engaging Rhyming Fun with Pups! includes 20 colorful puppies to mix and match, transforming language learning into a playful adventure that keeps little ones engaged.
Wipe-Off Learning Adventure Book
The Trend School Skills Wipe-Off Book is a fantastic resource for young learners eager to explore math and reading concepts while having fun. With its interactive wipe-off surface, children can practice essential skills like colors, shapes, and numbers repeatedly, boosting their hand-eye coordination and confidence in a playful way. Perfect for quiet time at home or in the classroom, this book ensures that learning is both engaging and effective, making it an invaluable tool for parents and educators alike. 2-5 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Wipe-Off Learning Adventure Book offers an interactive wipe-off surface, making learning math and reading concepts a delightful, mess-free experience that sparks curiosity and confidence.
Magnetic Letters for Early Learning Fun
The Learning Resources Colorful Magnetic Uppercase and Lowercase Letters set is a fantastic way to kickstart letter recognition and word-building skills for children aged 3 and up. These vibrant, crush-resistant foam letters make learning a hands-on adventure, inviting toddlers to play while mastering the alphabet. Perfect for attaching to whiteboards or refrigerators, each letter fosters fine motor skills and sparks creativity as little ones form their first words. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Magnetic Letters for Early Learning Fun are colorful, crush-resistant foam letters that turn your fridge into a letter playground, inspiring creativity while your little ones master their ABCs.
Underwater Adventure with Water Wow!
Melissa & Doug On The Go Water Wow! Reusable Water-Reveal Activity Pad - Under The Sea is a delightful gateway for our little ones to explore their creativity! As educators and parents, we know how crucial it is to promote fine motor skills and early literacy, and this activity pad offers just that. 3-5 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Underwater Adventure with Water Wow! includes a chunky water pen that reveals vibrant colors, transforming quiet moments into exciting artistic exploration anytime, anywhere.
Nursery Rhymes Sound Puzzle Fun
The Melissa & Doug Nursery Rhymes 2 Sound Puzzle invites little ones to explore classic nursery songs while enhancing their skills! This beautifully crafted wooden peg puzzle doesn’t just captivate with delightful melodies but also promotes hand-eye coordination and problem-solving abilities. As your child places each piece, they not only learn song lyrics but also develop crucial auditory processing skills in a fun, engaging way. 2+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Nursery Rhymes Sound Puzzle Fun features delightful melodies that help little ones learn lyrics while enhancing their problem-solving skills—making music and learning a playful adventure!
Giant Magnetic Letter Builder
The Giant Magnetic Letter Construction set is an innovative way to engage young learners in the art of letter formation! This exciting set includes 21 oversized magnetic pieces, perfectly designed to encourage hands-on exploration for children aged 4 and up. As we use these bold curves and lines on any magnetic surface, we not only enhance fine motor skills but also promote early literacy and letter recognition in a fun, interactive manner. 4+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Giant Magnetic Letter Builder includes 21 oversized magnetic pieces that make letter formation feel like a hands-on adventure, turning reading and writing into a fun game!
Engaging Sandpaper Letters for Early Readers
Didax Sandpaper Letters Boxed Set is a fantastic tool for igniting your child's passion for reading and writing! With 54 tactile alphabet cards, this set beautifully combines sight, sound, and touch to make letter learning both fun and effective. We love how each durable card features directional arrows that guide little fingers, helping them master letter shapes while reinforcing muscle memory. Pre-K to 1st grade
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Engaging Sandpaper Letters for Early Readers features 54 tactile alphabet cards that make letter learning a hands-on adventure, turning early literacy into an exciting journey for little hands.
VTech Call and Chat Learning Phone Fun
VTech Call and Chat Learning Phone is the perfect way for little ones to engage in imaginative play while learning vital skills! This brightly colored, smart toy smartphone includes ten real-life apps that help children explore numbers, letters, and time concepts through interactive games. As parents, we know that role-play enhances learning, and with features like a pretend phonebook and playful ring tones, kids can simulate calling family and friends. 2-5 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
VTech Call and Chat Learning Phone features ten real-life apps, making learning numbers and letters feel like a fun chat with a friendly animated bird.
Youniversity: A World of Learning Fun
The Youniversity Wooden Activity Cube is a vibrant, engaging toy designed for toddlers aged 12 months and up. With six educational sides featuring the alphabet, numbers, colors, and shapes, this activity center makes learning feel like a playful adventure while enhancing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Parents and educators love its safe, sturdy design that encourages exploration and creativity, setting the stage for lifelong learning. 12+ months
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Youniversity: A World of Learning Fun features six educational sides packed with engaging activities that turn every moment into a playful journey of discovery.
Unlock Learning with Letter Sound Readers
Junior Learning Letter Sound Readers Fiction Toy is a delightful way to introduce children to their first 21 letter sounds through engaging stories! With 12 vibrant and colorful readers, we can see our little ones gain confidence as they tackle tricky words with the 'point and say' pages. This series not only fosters early literacy but also encourages essential listening and speaking skills that lay the groundwork for a brighter educational journey. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Unlock Learning with Letter Sound Readers includes 12 vibrant and colorful readers that turn letter sounds into a joyful adventure, making reading a delightful shared experience for us and our little ones.
Water Wow! Fun on the Farm
Melissa & Doug Water Wow! On The Farm is an exhilarating way for our little ones to explore their creativity! With four vibrant farm-themed coloring boards, this product not only keeps kids engaged but also promotes essential skills like fine motor coordination and early literacy. 3-6 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Water Wow! Fun on the Farm includes four vibrant farm-themed coloring boards that turn mess-free coloring into a magical experience, perfect for creativity on the go!
Nemo Sunglasses for Creative Play
Sun-Staches Disney Official Nemo Sunglasses bring a splash of fun to imaginative playtime! Perfect for fans of all ages, these playful glasses encourage role-playing and storytelling, enhancing creativity while teaching about marine life and friendship themes found in 'Finding Dory. ' With UV400 protection, they inspire outdoor adventures while ensuring bright, sunny days are safe for little explorers. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Nemo Sunglasses for Creative Play add a splash of fun to outdoor adventures while teaching essential themes of friendship and marine life—perfect for imaginative little explorers!
Exciting Word Family Flashcards Set
The Junior Learning JL216 Word Family Flashcards are a fantastic resource for nurturing early literacy skills in our kids. This comprehensive set includes 162 beautifully illustrated cards that delve into prefixes, root words, and suffixes, making learning fun and engaging! These cards promote fast, automatic recall, allowing our little learners to grasp the building blocks of language effortlessly. Preschool
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Exciting Word Family Flashcards Set includes 162 beautifully illustrated cards that make learning language fun and spark a lifelong curiosity for words in our little ones.
VTech Touch and Learn Activity Desk Deluxe
The VTech Touch and Learn Activity Desk Deluxe 4-in-1 Pre-Kindergarten Expansion Pack Bundle is the ultimate addition to your little one's learning journey! Designed for ages 2-4, this interactive and engaging bundle includes four themed expansion packs that introduce foundational concepts like numbers, nursery rhymes, and animal facts. Each vibrant, double-sided activity page is durable and easy to clean, allowing children to practice essential skills such as critical thinking, language development, and early literacy. 2-4 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
VTech Touch and Learn Activity Desk Deluxe comes with four themed expansion packs that turn educational concepts into playful adventures, making learning feel like fun instead of homework.
Engaging Learning Adventures Await
Melissa & Doug Smarty Pants - Preschool Card Set is the perfect companion for early learners. With 120 colorful cards packed with questions and activities, children build essential skills in critical thinking, language, and social interaction while having fun! This entire set not only enriches their minds but also strengthens their confidence in learning, making it an excellent choice for parents and educators alike. 3-5 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Engaging Learning Adventures Await includes 120 colorful cards that turn learning into a fun game, making those ‘light bulb’ moments happen while they giggle and think!
Rock and Bop Music Player Fun
VTech Rock and Bop Music Player is not just a toy; it’s a gateway to a world of musical discovery for our little ones! With over 100 songs, sounds, and phrases, this engaging music player introduces essential concepts like letters, numbers, animals, and instruments through enjoyable melodies. We love how it encourages fine motor skills by letting kids interact directly with the screen while they explore different music styles like classical, hip-hop, and rock. 3-6 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Rock and Bop Music Player Fun features over 100 songs and sounds, turning musical discovery into an engaging adventure that keeps little ears safe while they explore the rhythms of learning!
Magical Learning Fishbowl Adventure
The Fisher-Price Baby & Toddler Toy Laugh & Learn Magical Lights Fishbowl is an enchanting way for infants aged 6 months and older to explore early learning concepts. This interactive toy engages little ones with vibrant lights, joyful tunes, and charming educational phrases that teach the alphabet, shapes, and numbers, all while nurturing essential fine motor skills through easy put-and-take play. With its adorable aquatic friends and wobbly base, this fishbowl is not just fun; it beautifully introduces young minds to the wonders of cause and effect. 6 months to 3 years
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Why we love it:
Magical Learning Fishbowl Adventure features vibrant lights and cheerful tunes, making early learning feel like a delightful underwater party that sparks curiosity and joy in little explorers.
Exciting Alphabet Puzzle Cards for Toddlers
The Learning Resources Alphabet Puzzle Cards make mastering the ABCs an adventure for our little ones! With 26 self-correcting puzzles featuring vibrant images and engaging themes, children will delight in connecting letters to their sounds through delightful visuals like a unicycle and a playful robot. This tactile experience encourages not only letter recognition but also fine motor skills as kids manipulate the big, bold pieces. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Exciting Alphabet Puzzle Cards for Toddlers feature 26 self-correcting puzzles that make learning the ABCs a vibrant and engaging adventure for little hands and curious minds.
Colorful Alphabet Learning Blocks
The Learning Resources Letter Blocks are a delightful way for children aged 2 and up to explore the world of letters and words! These vibrant blocks are not just toys—they are learning tools that foster letter recognition and support early literacy skills. Designed for little hands, each durable block enables children to mold and stamp their own letters, enhancing fine motor skills while they play. 2+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Colorful Alphabet Learning Blocks, with a complete set of 36 pieces, turn the journey of learning letters into a dazzling adventure that sparks creativity and builds a strong reading foundation.