Toys That Develop Problem Solving
Our Top 5 Picks
International Space Rockets Puzzle Adventure
The EuroGraphics International Space Rockets Puzzle is a stellar 1000-piece journey that invites children and adults alike to explore the wonders of space right from the comfort of home. Perfect for cooperative family time or independent play, this puzzle not only enhances fine motor skills and picture recognition but also fosters a love for science and exploration. Crafted from high-quality materials, it is 100% recyclable and printed with safe, vegetable-based inks, making it a responsible choice for eco-conscious families. 8+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
International Space Rockets Puzzle Adventure is a 1000-piece journey that transforms family time into a cosmic exploration, making learning about space an out-of-this-world experience!
Discover The Last Supper Together!
EuroGraphics The Last Supper by Leonard Da Vinci Puzzle is a fantastic way to invite art and history into playtime! As parents and educators, we know that assembling this 1000-piece masterpiece not only sharpens fine motor skills but also enhances picture recognition and cognitive development. With each piece, our kids dive into the world of Renaissance art while developing patience and problem-solving skills. 12+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Discover The Last Supper Together! invites kids to piece together a 1000-piece masterpiece, blending art appreciation with important cognitive skills while bonding over history and creativity.
Adventure Awaits with a Train Set
The KidKraft Ride Around Town Wooden Train Set and Table offers an engaging way for children to explore and learn about the world around them! With 100 pieces including vehicles, people, and colorful illustrations, this set promotes imaginative play, problem-solving skills, and spatial awareness. Perfect for fostering teamwork and social skills, this beautifully crafted train set is a durable and eco-friendly choice for any playroom. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Adventure Awaits with a Train Set features 100 colorful pieces that transform playtime into a bustling world of creativity and collaboration for little engineers.
Enchanting Fairy Tale Castle Puzzle Fun
Melissa & Doug Fairy Tale Castle Jumbo Jigsaw Floor Puzzle invites young learners into a world of imagination and discovery! With 48 extra-thick cardboard pieces, this vibrant puzzle not only dazzles with its lovely romantic color palette but also promotes essential skills like hand-eye coordination and problem-solving. As an educator and parent, we love how it provides engaging, screen-free play for preschoolers aged 3 to 6, enabling them to develop cognitive skills while having tons of fun. 3-6 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Enchanting Fairy Tale Castle Puzzle Fun includes 48 extra-thick cardboard pieces that draw preschoolers into a colorful world of engaging, screen-free problem-solving adventures.
Adventure Awaits with KidKraft Pirate Sandbox
KidKraft Wooden Pirate Sandbox with Canopy is the perfect outdoor play space for our little adventurers! Designed for imaginative play, this sandbox encourages kids to explore their creativity and develop fine motor skills as they dig for hidden treasures. The shaded canopy keeps young pirates cool during sunny summer days, while the captain's wheel and swashbuckling flag transport them to fantastical worlds. 3-8 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Adventure Awaits with KidKraft Pirate Sandbox features a shaded canopy, ensuring our little adventurers dig and discover hidden treasures while staying cool in the summer sun.
Build Creativity with Mega Bloks Mickey's Garage
Mega Bloks Mickey's Garage invites our children to dive into a colorful world filled with creativity and adventure! As they construct Mickey’s car and iconic garage, little hands are practicing fine motor skills while enjoying a beloved Disney theme. With the ability to mix and match Mickey and Donald Duck figurines, our kiddos not only learn about building but also engage in imaginative play that sparks their storytelling abilities. 2-5 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Build Creativity with Mega Bloks Mickey's Garage includes mix-and-match figurines, turning building into a storytelling adventure that fuels creativity and collaboration in little builders.
Magnetic Hangman for Fun Learning
PlayMonster Take N Play Anywhere — Hangman is the ultimate travel game that makes learning as fun as it is educational! This interactive twist on the classic hangman game helps kids aged 5 and up strengthen their spelling and vocabulary skills while fostering critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. With its easy-to-use magnetic components, it’s perfect for car rides, waiting rooms, or family game nights. 5+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Magnetic Hangman for Fun Learning features easy-to-use magnetic components that make spelling practice feel like a game, turning car rides into a vocabulary adventure.
Murder Mystery Puzzle Adventure
The Murder Mystery Party | Classic Mystery Jigsaw Puzzle, Death on The Istanbul Express invites our family to dive into a thrilling whodunit experience! As we piece together the 1,000-pieces, we not only sharpen our problem-solving skills but also enhance teamwork and perseverance. With every clue discovered within the puzzle, our critical thinking skills are put to the test, and the included short story booklet adds layers of engagement. 15+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Murder Mystery Puzzle Adventure includes 1,000 pieces that transform puzzle time into a riveting whodunit, encouraging family collaboration while honing our detective skills together.
Wikki Stix Fun Paks for Creative Minds
Wikki Stix Fun Paks are a delightful way to spark creativity and learning in children! Each pack contains 8 colorful Wikki Stix and a fun connect-the-dot activity sheet that encourages fine motor skills and imaginative play. As parents and educators, we've seen how these versatile tools can transform quiet moments into exciting opportunities for artistic expression and problem-solving. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Wikki Stix Fun Paks include 8 colorful Wikki Stix that transform quiet moments into engaging opportunities for kids to explore their creativity and problem-solving skills.
Explore with the Coast Guard Helicopter!
The NewRay 1/48 US Coast Guard Eurocopter HH65-C Dolphin is not just a toy; it's a gateway to learning about aviation, rescue missions, and teamwork! With its detailed design and authentic US Coast Guard markings, this scaled die-cast model inspires creativity and imagination in children aged 8 and older. Parents will appreciate that it encourages fine motor skills through interactive features like rotating rotors and an opening fuselage door. 8+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Explore with the Coast Guard Helicopter! features rotating rotors and an opening fuselage door, making aviation and rescue mission play much more exciting than a mere flight of fancy.
Build Your Own 1969 Chevy Nova SS
Revell 1:25 '69 Chevy Nova SS Model Kit is an exhilarating way for our young builders to dive into the intricate world of automotive design and engineering. Not only does this kit engage creativity through painting and decorating options, but it also encourages critical thinking and fine motor skills as they assemble the detailed 141 parts. The choice between a stock small block 350 engine or an optional drag race version offers a fantastic opportunity to discuss mechanical functions and vehicle dynamics together. 13+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Build Your Own 1969 Chevy Nova SS includes 141 detailed parts for assembling, making every twist and turn a chance to spark curiosity about cars and engineering.
Unleash Creativity with Original Sculpey Clay
Original Sculpey White is the perfect canvas for little hands and imaginative minds! As parents and educators, we know how important it is to foster creativity and fine motor skills in children. This non-toxic polymer clay allows kids of all ages to explore modeling and sculpting without the pressure of perfection, as it stays soft until baked—no kiln required! 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Original Sculpey Clay stays soft until baked, giving kids the freedom to explore their creativity without the stress of getting it perfect right away.
Space Dome Climber for Active Kids
EASY OUTDOOR Space Dome Climber is a vibrant play structure that transforms your backyard into an adventure zone! Designed for kids ages 3 to 9, this durable climber not only challenges little ones physically but nurtures their social skills as they conquer climbing and balancing challenges side-by-side with friends. We love that it promotes limb strength, balance, and agility while boosting their confidence and comprehension in a fun, interactive way. 3 to 9 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Space Dome Climber for Active Kids is a colorful play structure that turns any backyard into an adventure zone, encouraging physical challenges while building confidence and friendships.
SoftZone Block Set for Creative Play
The ECR4Kids SoftZone Patchwork Toddler Building Blocks are perfect for nurturing little imaginations! Designed for babies and toddlers, this colorful 12-piece set encourages the development of essential motor skills, spatial awareness, and hand-eye coordination through fun, engaging play. As educators and parents, we love how these soft foam cubes inspire creativity and abstract thinking while introducing early math concepts and language skills. 2-5 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
SoftZone Block Set for Creative Play includes 12 colorful soft foam cubes that inspire imaginative building while being lightweight and safe for little fingertips to explore.
T-Rex Birthday Cake Adventure
Wilton Dinosaur Cake Pan brings the excitement of prehistoric times right into your kitchen! Imagine the joy on your child's face when they see a cake that looks like their favorite dinosaur. This fun baking experience not only sparks creativity but also helps develop fine motor skills as kids decorate their mighty T-Rex. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
T-Rex Birthday Cake Adventure brings the fun of dinosaur baking right to our kitchen, making it a delicious way to teach kids about measurements and patience.
Magnetic Checkers for On-the-Go Fun
PlayMonster Take 'N Play Anywhere — Checkers is the perfect portable solution for those moments when boredom strikes! We love how this travel-friendly game encourages strategic thinking and problem-solving skills while keeping kids engaged. With oversized magnetic pieces and a neat tin game board, it’s an excellent way to promote fine motor skills and enhance focus—perfect for journeys or waiting rooms. 4+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Magnetic Checkers for On-the-Go Fun features oversized magnetic pieces, making it a brilliant solution for keeping kids engaged and sharpening their thinking skills while traveling.
Build and Learn with Dodge Challenger Kit
Maisto 1:24 Scale Assembly Line 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 Diecast Model Kit is the perfect blend of fun and education! As we dive into this assembly project together, our kids will develop essential skills such as hand-eye coordination, problem-solving, and fine motor abilities. Plus, they’ll enjoy the satisfaction of seeing their hard work come to life with fully functional, rolling wheels and opening parts. 8+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Build and Learn with Dodge Challenger Kit features fully functional, rolling wheels that reward kids with the thrill of seeing their hard work come to life in a sleek collectible.
Exciting Foam Flying Glider Planes
The Rhode Island Novelty Foam 8 Inch Flying Glider Planes provide an enchanting experience for kids aged 3 and up. This vibrant assortment of 48 gliders nurtures early engineering skills as children explore principles of aerodynamics while launching their colorful planes into the sky. Watching their creations soar not only enhances hand-eye coordination but also ignites imagination and creative play. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Exciting Foam Flying Glider Planes are a vibrant assortment of 48 gliders that let children experiment with aerodynamics while launching their colorful creations—and who doesn’t love a good aerial showdown?
Build, Learn, and Play Ferris Wheel
The Eitech Classic Ferris Wheel Construction Set is a fantastic introduction to engineering that challenges curious minds aged 8 and up. With over 1200 durable steel pieces, this set enhances problem-solving skills, creativity, and cognitive development as kids design and bring their Ferris wheel to life. The included illustrated instructions make building accessible and fun, ensuring it’s a delightful learning experience for both parents and kids alike. 8+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Build, Learn, and Play Ferris Wheel includes over 1200 durable steel pieces that turn engineering into a fun family project, sparking creativity and teamwork for all ages.
Eitech Crane & Windmill Engineering Set
The Eitech Crane and Windmill Construction Set serves as an exciting introduction to engineering and STEM learning for intermediate builders. With over 270 durable steel pieces, this set not only fuels creativity and problem-solving skills but also encourages spatial awareness and cognitive development through hands-on assembly. It’s a fantastic gift idea this holiday season or for any occasion that inspires curiosity and innovation in young minds. 8+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Eitech Crane & Windmill Engineering Set includes over 270 durable steel pieces for hands-on assembly, turning young builders into mini engineers while sparking their imaginations.
Build Your Imagination with Crazy Forts!
Crazy Forts! is more than just a playset; it's an invitation to endless creativity and imaginative play. With 69 durable pieces, kids can construct anything from a cozy cave to a majestic castle or even a pirate ship! 5+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Build Your Imagination with Crazy Forts! includes 69 durable pieces that transform any room into a realm of adventure, making teamwork and creativity as fun as playtime itself.
BRIO Old Steam Engine Magic
BRIO Old Steam Engine invites children into the delightful world of imaginative play! With its authentic piston action, this captivating toy not only sparks creativity but also enhances fine motor skills as kids navigate their very own train adventures. By integrating seamlessly with all BRIO wooden railway sets, it expands the possibilities for interactive learning and storytelling. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
BRIO Old Steam Engine features authentic piston action that encourages children to craft their own magical train journeys while honing their fine motor skills.
Master Strategy with Chessman® Elite Game
Chessman® Elite Interactive Electronic Chess Game offers an exciting opportunity for children and their families to dive deep into the world of chess. With 64 levels of difficulty, it caters to both beginners and seasoned players, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and strategic planning skills. We love how the game features interactive LEDs that illuminate moves and helps players learn the nuances of chess, making each session a blend of fun and education. 7+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Master Strategy with Chessman® Elite Game features interactive LEDs that illuminate moves, making chess an engaging experience while nurturing young minds to tackle complex challenges.
Ignite Imagination with Firefighter Costume
Rubies Child's Young Heroes Fire Fighter Costume sparks creativity and adventure for your little one. As they don this vibrant outfit, kids can engage in imaginative role-playing that enhances their storytelling and problem-solving skills. Not only does it encourage a sense of bravery and teamwork, but it also allows young minds to explore the vital role of firefighters in our communities. 3-7 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Ignite Imagination with Firefighter Costume features a vibrant outfit that turns your little hero into a brave firefighter, inspiring creativity and a respect for real-life heroes in our communities.