Toys That Develop Problem Solving
Our Top 5 Picks
Engaging Jumbo Knob Animal Puzzles
Melissa & Doug Animals Jumbo Knob Wooden Puzzles Set makes playtime both fun and educational! With adorable designs of house pets and lively fish, these puzzles are perfect for little hands to explore and discover. Each 3-piece puzzle not only enhances fine motor skills but also boosts cognitive development as kids match pieces with pictures. 12 months to 2 years
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Why we love it:
Engaging Jumbo Knob Animal Puzzles features adorable designs that make matching pieces fun while helping little hands strengthen their dexterity and cognitive skills without screens.
Watercolor Adventures for Little Artists
Melissa & Doug My First Paint with Water Activity Books Set is an enchanting introduction to the world of art for our little creators ages 3 to 5. Each set includes three delightful painting pads featuring vibrant themes like Animals, Vehicles, and Pirates, inviting kids to unleash their creativity without the mess of traditional paints. As they immerse themselves in this interactive experience, children develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and artistic expression, all while enjoying a screen-free, hands-on activity. 3-5 years
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Why we love it:
Watercolor Adventures for Little Artists features three delightful painting pads that let kids explore art without the mess, fostering creativity and fine motor skills in one colorful swoop.
Giant Wooden Dominoes Adventure
Hey! Play! Giant Wooden Dominoes Game Set is a fantastic way to unleash creativity and strategic thinking in your children! 5+ years
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Why we love it:
Giant Wooden Dominoes Adventure includes 28 hand-carved pieces that turn any gathering into a fun-filled game, helping kids build important life skills while they play together.
LeapStart Pre-K STEM Adventures
LeapFrog LeapStart Pre-Kindergarten Activity Book: Pre-K STEM invites our little explorers to dive into the wonders of science, technology, engineering, and math! With delightful characters from the Letter Factory, kids can engage in over 40 replayable activities that make learning feel like a grand adventure. This interactive book is perfect for developing crucial skills, such as reading simple graphs and problem-solving through experimentation. 3-5 years
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Why we love it:
LeapStart Pre-K STEM Adventures includes over 40 replayable activities that turn learning into a thrilling quest, ensuring that our little ones are well-prepared for future exploration.
Engaging 1st Grade STEM Adventure
LeapFrog LeapStart 1st Grade Activity Book: STEM invites our little explorers to dive into the fascinating world of science, technology, engineering, and math! This interactive book is packed with over 30 replayable activities that not only foster creativity but also encourage critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Together, we can guide our children to predict outcomes, test their ideas, and unlock the mysteries of building the perfect robotic solution, all while having fun! 5-7 years
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Why we love it:
Engaging 1st Grade STEM Adventure features over 30 replayable activities that make learning science and math feel like an exhilarating treasure hunt for curious minds.
Classic Playground Fun with Franklin Sports
Franklin Sports Playground Balls are the ultimate addition to any playtime! Perfect for dodgeball, kickball, or simply enjoying the great outdoors, these durable rubber balls promote physical activity, teamwork, and coordination. With their easy grip design, even little hands can get in on the fun, enhancing motor skills as children engage in friendly games. 3+ years
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Why we love it:
Classic Playground Fun with Franklin Sports includes a durable rubber design that handles outdoor adventures, making it perfect for promoting active play and friendly competition.
Looney Tunes 1000-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle Fun
AQUARIUS Looney Tunes Puzzle is an exciting way to bring your family together while sharpening those problem-solving skills! As we piece together beloved characters like Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, we’re not just having fun; we’re also enhancing fine motor skills, boosting concentration, and igniting creativity. This 1000-piece puzzle is perfect for all ages, making it a fantastic bonding activity for game nights or holiday gatherings. 8+ years
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Why we love it:
Looney Tunes 1000-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle Fun invites families to piece together iconic characters while sharpening minds and creating laughter-filled bonding moments around the table.
Hogwarts Express Puzzle Adventure
AQUARIUS Harry Potter Puzzle Hogwarts Express Train is more than just a fun activity; it’s an engaging journey into the beloved wizarding world of Harry Potter. As we piece together this 1000-piece masterpiece, children and adults alike enhance their problem-solving skills, boost their concentration, and enjoy the magic of collaboration. This puzzle is perfect for family game nights or quiet afternoons, allowing everyone to bond while nurturing essential cognitive abilities. 12+ years
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Why we love it:
Hogwarts Express Puzzle Adventure features 1000 pieces that turn family time into a magical challenge, transforming problem-solving into a thrilling journey through the wizarding world.
Classic Mancala: Strategy Fun for Everyone
Classic Mancala brings the timeless joy of strategy gaming to your family game night! With its beautifully designed birch wood board and colorful glass stones, this game not only captivates players but also sharpens critical thinking and decision-making skills. As parents and educators, we love how easy it is for both kids and adults to jump right in, fostering social interaction and friendly competition. 7+ years
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Why we love it:
Classic Mancala features a beautifully designed birch wood board that turns family game night into a fun-filled lesson in strategy and friendly competition, all while keeping engagement high!
Fun with Janod Baby Forest Blocks
The Janod Baby Forest My First 4 Blocks Baby Animals Wooden Puzzle Set is the perfect combination of fun and learning for our little explorers aged 12 months and beyond. Not only can these adorable blocks be used to complete delightful animal puzzles, but they also serve as building blocks for busy hands eager to create! As our babies stack and sort, they are developing crucial fine motor skills and cognitive abilities—all while enjoying imaginative play. 12 months+
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Why we love it:
Fun with Janod Baby Forest Blocks features adorable animal illustrations that turn stacking and sorting into a delightful adventure, making learning through play as charming as it is impactful.
Happy Atoms: Explore Chemistry Creatively!
Happy Atoms Magnetic Molecular Modeling Complete Set is an engaging way for kids to dive into the fascinating world of chemistry! With the ability to create thousands of molecules, our children can explore and understand the building blocks of everything around them. Not only does this set encourage creativity and critical thinking through hands-on play, but it also enhances problem-solving skills as they build, scan, and identify different atoms and bonds. 8+ years
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Why we love it:
Happy Atoms: Explore Chemistry Creatively! is a hands-on set that lets kids build thousands of molecules, turning learning about chemistry into an imaginative adventure.
Defend Hogwarts: A Magical Deck Experience
USAOPOLY Harry Potter Hogwarts Battle Cooperative Deck Building Card Game is a fantastic journey for our little wizards and witches! As parents and educators, we love that it encourages teamwork, critical thinking, and strategic planning as players collaborate to protect Hogwarts from dark forces. With over 140 unique cards and progressively challenging adventures, it unveils essential problem-solving skills while immersing kids in the enchanting world of Harry Potter. 13-18 months
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Why we love it:
Defend Hogwarts: A Magical Deck Experience features over 140 unique cards that transform learning into an enchanting adventure, teaching kids essential skills while having a blast with their favorite characters.
Magformers Sweet House: Build, Learn, Shine!
Magformers Sweet House is an enchanting way for our little builders to dive into the world of STEM learning! With 64 colorful magnetic pieces, including squares, triangles, and more, our kids can craft their dream homes while enhancing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The engaging step-by-step educational booklet ignites creativity, supporting color and shape recognition as they construct imaginative spaces complete with staircases, balconies, and even LED lights! 3+ years
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Why we love it:
Magformers Sweet House comes with 64 colorful magnetic pieces that spark creativity while teaching kids the fundamentals of STEM through imaginative building—plus, they get to add fancy LED lights!
MAGFORMERS Window Plus: Build & Learn!
MAGFORMERS Window Plus 40 Pieces Rainbow Colors is an extraordinary way to ignite your child’s creativity and critical thinking! With a blend of triangles, squares, and window shapes, children can explore geometry while having endless fun building. These magnetic tiles not only stimulate brain development but also enhance problem-solving skills through hands-on learning. 3+ years
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Why we love it:
MAGFORMERS Window Plus includes 40 vibrant pieces that transform geometry into a colorful, hands-on adventure, encouraging imaginative play and brain development in every build.
Doll Travel Backpack for Imaginative Play
The Badger Basket Doll Travel Backpack is perfect for your little one's adventures with their favorite dolls! Designed to fit 14. 5 to 18 inch dolls, this adorable backpack encourages imaginative play, nurturing skills, and organization as children pack their doll's essentials and their beloved plush pets. 3+ years
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Why we love it:
Doll Travel Backpack for Imaginative Play features adjustable straps and smart storage pockets, helping kids practice organization while sparking their creativity on the go.
Triumph Large Tumble Tower Fun!
Triumph Sports Triumph Large Tumble Tower brings a delightful twist to family game night! With 54 sturdy wooden blocks made from durable New Zealand pine, this engaging game encourages teamwork and strategic thinking. As kids and adults alike gather ‘round to stack and unstack, they develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and critical problem-solving abilities. 3+ years
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Why we love it:
Triumph Large Tumble Tower features 54 sturdy wooden blocks that turn family game night into an engaging way to develop critical thinking while sharing a few laughs.
Duncan Quick Cube: Fun for All Ages
The Duncan Toys Quick Cube 3x3 is not just any puzzle; it’s a fast-paced brain game designed to challenge and excite! With its effortless corner-cutting design, kids and adults alike can enjoy seamless, quiet turns, making it easier to improve skills like problem-solving and critical thinking. We love how this puzzle encourages friendly competition and brain development, allowing our little ones to grow their cognitive abilities while having fun. 6+ years
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Why we love it:
Duncan Quick Cube's effortless corner-cutting design means fun, fast spins for everyone, fostering friendly competition while giving young minds a workout in problem-solving.
Mini Beach Cars Playset for Creative Play
The B. Toys 3 Mini Toy Cars Water & Sand Playset is an exciting trio designed for children to explore and learn through imaginative beach play. This vibrant set not only sparks creativity but also enhances fine motor skills as kids load, dump, and navigate with the trucks and boat in sand or water, bringing hands-on learning experience into any environment. 2-5 years
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Why we love it:
Mini Beach Cars Playset is a vibrant trio that invites kids to load, dump, and navigate in sand or water, making learning feel like a beach day adventure!
Dynamic John Deere Vehicle Play Set
The TOMY John Deere Vehicle Set is the perfect gateway to imaginative play for little builders aged 18 months and up! Featuring a vibrant dump truck and versatile tractor with a functioning loader, this set is designed to inspire creativity while enhancing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Whether they’re constructing their dream sandbox farm or navigating the sidewalk, children will develop problem-solving skills and understand basic mechanics through hands-on play. 18 months and up
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Why we love it:
Dynamic John Deere Vehicle Play Set includes a vibrant dump truck and functioning loader, turning every sandbox into a mini construction site where creativity knows no bounds.
ARRMA BLX4074: Hands-On Engineering Fun
ARRMA BLX4074 4-Pole 6S Brushless Motor, 2050Kv is not just an impressive piece of technology; it’s a gateway to learning for our children! By exploring the intricacies of this powerful motor, kids can dive into the world of engineering and physics while gaining a hands-on understanding of mechanics. Watching how this motor works can spark curiosity and inspire creativity, leading to valuable skills in problem-solving and critical thinking. 10+ years
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Why we love it:
ARRMA BLX4074 4-Pole 6S Brushless Motor invites kids to explore engineering principles hands-on, making learning mechanics feel like an exciting remote-controlled adventure.
Li'l Woodzeez Garden Playset Adventure
The Li'l Woodzeez 31 Pieces Garden Playset is a delightful opportunity for children to explore the joys of gardening while nurturing their creativity and imagination. With a charming sheep figure and an array of colorful vegetables and gardening tools, kids can engage in pretend play that enhances their fine motor skills and encourages storytelling. This playset, compatible with all your Li'l Woodzeez figurines, invites kids to experience outdoor fun indoors, fostering an appreciation for nature and the environment. 3+ years
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Why we love it:
Li'l Woodzeez Garden Playset Adventure comes with 31 colorful pieces that inspire kids to dig into gardening while nurturing their creativity and a love for nature.
Dynamic Building with Gundam Fun
BANDAI Hobby HGBC Jigen Build Knuckles Round Finger Gundam Build Fighters Building Kit invites young builders into a world of imagination and creativity. With its unique wrist joint featuring a special hinge, this building kit allows kids to create dynamic gestures, fostering fine motor skills and spatial awareness as they assemble their Gundam. Designed for curious minds, this engaging toy encourages problem-solving and critical thinking through hands-on play. 8+ years
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Why we love it:
Dynamic Building with Gundam Fun includes a unique wrist joint with a special hinge, making assembly an exciting way for kids to develop creativity and confidence.
Magical Battery Powered Railway Fun
The Hape Railway Battery Powered Train captivates young minds with its interactive features and compatibility with popular wooden track sets. This delightful train promotes problem-solving skills, teaches cause and effect through its forward and reverse functions, and encourages imaginative play, making it an ideal choice for parents seeking enriching play experiences. Whether zooming along the tracks or connecting with other wooden railway pieces, kids will enjoy hours of creative exploration while fostering social skills through cooperative play. 3+ years
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Why we love it:
Magical Battery Powered Railway Fun features interactive forward and reverse functions that spark creativity and teach young ones the joy of collaboration while playing together on the tracks.
Hape Jungle Journey Train Adventure
The Hape Award Winning Railway Jungle Journey Train Set invites young explorers on a vibrant safari filled with friendly jungle friends! This delightful train set not only sparks imaginative play, but also enhances cognitive skills such as spatial awareness and problem-solving. Parents and educators will appreciate its compatibility with popular train systems, ensuring endless hours of creative storytelling while using non-toxic materials specifically designed for safe play. 2+ years
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Why we love it:
Hape Jungle Journey Train Adventure invites little ones into a vibrant safari with friendly jungle friends, turning storytelling into a colorful journey packed with creative learning.