Toys That Develop Problem Solving
Our Top 5 Picks
Build Your Own Life-Like Trains!
Life-Like Trains N Scale Building Kit is an exciting way to engage your child's imagination and creativity! As we connect tracks and build intricate layouts together, we’re not just having fun; we’re also developing essential skills in problem-solving, fine motor coordination, and spatial awareness. This hobby-grade product encourages patience and focus, providing a rewarding experience as we watch our creations come to life. 8+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Build Your Own Life-Like Trains! comes with intricate layouts that turn family time into a delightful engineering adventure, sparking creativity while honing essential skills.
Swing-N-Slide Hangers for Active Play
Swing-N-Slide WS 4888 Extra Duty Steel Swing Hangers for Wooden Beams are the perfect way to elevate your child's outdoor playtime! Not only do they support up to 250 lbs, allowing for enthusiastic swinging fun, but they also promote teamwork and build core body strength. As parents and educators, we know how vital physical activity is for development, and these hangers make it easy to set up a safe and sturdy play environment. 4+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Swing-N-Slide Hangers for Active Play support up to 250 lbs, making it easy for kids to swing their hearts out while building strength and collaboration with friends.
Enhance Racing Fun with Carrera Straights
Carrera 20601 2-Pack of 13. 58-in. Straights add on Expansion Accessory Pack Set is a fantastic way to expand your child’s racing universe! 6+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Enhance Racing Fun with Carrera Straights includes two 13.58-inch straight pieces for limitless racing track configurations, turning every race into a creative engineering challenge.
Perler Beads Pet Parade Craft Kit
The Perler Pet Parade Deluxe Fuse Bead Craft Activity Kit inspires creativity while teaching kids about colors, patterns, and fine motor skills! With 5020 pieces, this engaging craft helps kids aged 6 and up develop patience, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving skills as they design their own delightful animal crafts. Parents and educators will appreciate how this fun activity fosters artistic expression and encourages animal appreciation through crafting. 6+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Perler Beads Pet Parade Craft Kit comes with 5020 pieces for endless creativity, turning crafting into a colorful journey of expression and fine motor development.
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
Develops skills:
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.
Unlock Fun Learning with Number Magnets
Melissa & Doug 37 Wooden Number Magnets in a Box is a delightful way to make learning numbers an exciting adventure for our little ones! With vibrant colors and generous sizing, these quality wooden magnets provide a tactile experience that captures children's attention. Encompassing numbers from 0 to 20 and five essential math signs, this set encourages early numeracy skills and fosters a love for math through hands-on play. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Unlock Fun Learning with Number Magnets includes 37 colorful wooden magnets that transform counting and math into a hands-on adventure, making learning feel like playtime.
Magnetic Pattern Blocks Adventure
The Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden Magnetic Pattern Blocks Set is an exciting tool for sparking creativity in young minds, perfect for children ages 3 to 6. With 120 vibrant magnets and a sturdy playboard, children can easily explore geometric shapes and colors while matching them to delightful visual patterns on double-sided cards or crafting their own unique designs. This hands-on, screen-free activity not only fosters problem-solving and fine-motor skills but also encourages shape and color recognition, making it a favorite in our playrooms for educational fun that travels well! 3-6 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Magnetic Pattern Blocks Adventure comes with 120 vibrant magnets, allowing kids to explore their imagination while mastering important geometric concepts without a screen in sight.
Creative Canvas Drawing Pad for Kids
The Melissa & Doug Drawing Pad is a wonderful tool for sparking creativity in young artists! With 50 sheets of premium heavyweight bond paper, this drawing pad provides the perfect spacious canvas for children to express their ideas and emotions through art. It encourages fine motor development and critical thinking as they explore different techniques with various art supplies, from crayons to markers. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Creative Canvas Drawing Pad for Kids comes with 50 sheets of heavyweight bond paper, inviting endless artistic exploration while letting parents showcase their child's unique masterpieces.
Magformers Rainbow Magnetic Building Set
The Magformers Rainbow 14 Piece Set transforms playtime into a vibrant learning adventure for children aged 3 and up! With its delightful combination of 6 squares and 8 triangles, this set not only sparks creativity but also cultivates essential problem-solving skills and shape recognition. As we watch our little ones explore and create their own structures, it’s heartwarming to witness their confidence and independent thinking flourish. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Magformers Rainbow Magnetic Building Set includes 14 colorful pieces that ignite creativity while effortlessly teaching shape recognition and problem-solving through imaginative play.
Snap Circuits Extreme: Build and Explore
The Snap Circuits Extreme SC-750R Electronics Exploration Kit is an incredible introduction to electrical engineering for children aged 8 and up. With over 750 fun projects to build—from radio tuners to homemade lie detectors—this kit is designed to spark curiosity and enhance problem-solving skills. Parents and educators will appreciate how hands-on learning fuels creativity and reinforces STEM concepts, making it a top choice for bridging theoretical knowledge with real-world applications. 8+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Snap Circuits Extreme includes over 750 fun projects to build, turning kids into mini engineers while igniting a passion for STEM and creativity in a hands-on way.
Vibrant Crayola Yellow Tempera Paint Fun
Crayola Tempera Paint, Yellow Kids Paint, 32oz, is an absolute must-have for our little artists! This bright and richly pigmented yellow paint sparks creativity and enhances fine motor skills as kids squeeze, blend, and paint their masterpieces. Perfect for a variety of surfaces like paper and wood, it's ideal for both school projects and those spontaneous art sessions at home. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Vibrant Crayola Yellow Tempera Paint Fun comes in a generous 32oz bottle, making it perfect for endless art projects at home that spark creativity without any worry!
Vibrant Crayola Tempera Paint for Young Artists
Crayola Premier Tempera Paint Red, 32-oz. Size, is the perfect introduction to the world of color for our little creators! This creamy and vibrant paint encourages kids to explore their artistic side, develop fine motor skills, and experiment with color mixing in a fun and engaging way. 4+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Vibrant Crayola Tempera Paint for Young Artists, with its creamy and vibrant formula, invites kids to unleash their imaginations while developing essential artistic skills without any mess!
Crayola Air Dry Clay: Creative Fun Awaits!
Crayola Air Dry Clay for Kids is a fantastic resource for sparking creativity in young artists! As parents and educators, we know the importance of hands-on activities in nurturing fine motor skills and self-expression. This pliable white clay not only allows our little ones to mold and shape their imaginations into tangible forms but also dries solid for lasting creations. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Crayola Air Dry Clay: Creative Fun Awaits! offers pliable white clay that transforms little imaginations into solid masterpieces—perfect for minimizing mess while maximizing fun!
Walthers Machine Shop Kit Magic
Walthers, Inc. Machine Shop Kit is an exciting opportunity for young minds to dive into the world of engineering and creativity! This meticulously crafted kit allows children to build their very own machine shop, fostering skills like problem-solving, fine motor coordination, and spatial awareness. 8+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Walthers Machine Shop Kit Magic includes everything needed to build a machine shop, turning family time into an engaging session of creativity and engineering exploration.
DIY Wind Chime Art Kit
The 4M Make A Wind Chime Kit invites children to create their own special wind chime that not only looks beautiful but also sings a melodious tune when the breeze passes through! This hands-on activity nurtures creativity, as kids can paint and personalize their project while also developing fine motor skills through the assembly process. By engaging in this fun DIY project, children will learn about sound and wind, merging art with science for an enriching educational experience. 4+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
DIY Wind Chime Art Kit includes everything needed for kids to paint and assemble their own chime, turning creative expression into a breeze-singing science lesson.
Crazy Fun with Crazy Soma Cube
Crazy Soma Cube is a delightful puzzle that transforms playtime into a brain-boosting experience! With 19 unique geometric configurations to create, children will not only hone their problem-solving skills but also develop spatial awareness and critical thinking. Made from high-quality hardwood, this durable toy is a fantastic choice for families who value creative learning and long-lasting enjoyment. 6+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Crazy Fun with Crazy Soma Cube offers 19 unique geometric configurations, turning puzzle-solving into a delightful family bonding experience that ignites creativity and critical thinking.
Kwik Stix: Creative Fun in a Stick!
Kwik Stix Solid Tempera Paint Sticks are the perfect gateway for young artists to express themselves while learning! With their quick-drying formula, our little ones can dive into colorful projects without the usual mess, allowing for spontaneous creativity that we parents cherish. Not only do these amazing, washable paints help develop fine motor skills and color recognition, but they also offer peace of mind with their non-toxic and allergen-free assurances. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Kwik Stix: Creative Fun in a Stick! features quick-drying, mess-free paint that lets toddlers unleash their creativity without the cleanup, ensuring joy for both kids and parents.
Classic Wooden Train Adventure Set
The Melissa & Doug Classic Wooden Figure Eight Train Set is a wonderful way to ignite a child's imagination through hands-on play. With its solid-wood construction and 20 pieces of track, including a bridge, this engaging set promotes fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and problem-solving abilities as kids navigate their trains. Perfect for screen-free play, it encourages creativity and storytelling in children aged 3 to 7, making it an outstanding gift for early learners. 3-7 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Classic Wooden Train Adventure Set features 20 pieces of solid wood track, transforming playtime into an imaginative journey where kids build stories and problem-solve with every turn.
Master Chess with Bobby Fischer Set
Bobby Fischer® Learn to Play Chess Set Board Game is a fantastic tool for building critical thinking and strategy skills in our kids! With its award-winning design and comprehensive instruction, this set makes learning chess engaging and accessible for all ages. The illustrated board simplifies the setup and movements, while the equalizer dice keeps the competition fun and fair. 6+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Master Chess with Bobby Fischer Set features an illustrated board that simplifies learning, making it a fun, engaging way to develop strategic thinking skills while enjoying friendly competition.
Essential Tools for Young Engineers
The E-flite Micro/Mini Heli Tool Assortment is an engaging six-piece tool set designed to inspire budding engineers and mechanics. With ergonomic, easy-to-grip handles and a range of tool types, this set fosters fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving abilities as kids explore assembly and repair activities. Parents and educators can trust this toolkit to ignite creativity while providing a hands-on experience with tools, promoting essential STEM learning through play. 8+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Essential Tools for Young Engineers includes six easy-to-grip tools that make building and fixing feel like a fun adventure, paving the way for future inventors.
Adventure Awaits with Play Tunnel Fun!
Pacific Play Tents 20515 Kids 9' X 28" Institutional Play Tunnel is a fantastic addition to any play space! We love how this colorful tunnel encourages our kids to engage in imaginative play while developing essential motor skills. The sturdy construction and safety features provide peace of mind, allowing our little ones to crawl through with joy. 2-6 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Adventure Awaits with Play Tunnel Fun! is a 9-foot colorful tunnel that inspires imaginative journeys while helping our kids develop motor skills and creative thinking—all without needing a passport.
Engaging Play with Scooter Boards
Champion Sports 16-Inch Plastic Scooter Board is the perfect tool for active play and learning! Kids can develop their gross motor skills while having a blast gliding on these vibrant colored scooters. With non-marking rubber swivel casters, they're safe for indoor use and encourage teamwork and coordination when kids race with each other. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Engaging Play with Scooter Boards features non-marking rubber swivel casters that allow kids to glide safely indoors, transforming physical activity into a fun, cooperative challenge.
Crawl Tunnel Fun for Little Explorers
Pacific Play Tents Institutional 9 Foot X 22" Crawl Tunnel is an adventure waiting to happen! Perfect for sparking imaginative play, this colorful tunnel encourages kids to develop their motor skills and coordination as they crawl, climb, and explore. Whether indoors or outdoors, it’s a fantastic way to promote social interaction and teamwork among little ones. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Crawl Tunnel Fun for Little Explorers is a colorful 9-foot adventure that transforms any space into an imaginative playground while encouraging teamwork and building confidence in little adventurers.
Explore Adventure with KidKraft Train Set!
KidKraft Waterfall Mountain Wooden Train Set & Table with 120 Pieces is the ultimate escape into a world of creativity and imaginative play. As parents and educators, we know the value of fostering early learning opportunities, and this train set does just that! With its premium materials and vibrant visuals, kids not only develop fine motor skills as they connect trains and navigate through the town but also enhance their problem-solving abilities by configuring the tracks in endless ways. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Explore Adventure with KidKraft Train Set includes 120 pieces that inspire imaginative play and collaboration, transforming playtime into a hands-on learning experience for young engineers.