Choosing the right toys for your child can feel overwhelming. How do you find something that’s fun, engaging, and supports their development? At Milestones Early Learning, we’ve done the research for you.
This guide highlights the best educational toys for kids aged 0–5, backed by expert insights and aligned with our Lifelong Learning Curriculum. Whether you’re shopping for a baby discovering textures, a toddler mastering puzzles, or a preschooler building with STEM kits, these toys are designed to inspire learning through play.
Let’s dive in and find the perfect toy to bring joy and learning to your child’s world.
Why Educational Toys Matter
Educational toys do more than entertain - they help children build essential skills, explore their creativity, and support their developmental milestones. At Milestones Early Learning, we use toys like these to:
- Encourage exploration: Toys like sensory mats and STEM kits inspire curiosity.
- Build critical skills: Activities like puzzles and balance bikes strengthen cognitive and motor abilities.
- Foster social connections: Pretend play and musical instruments teach teamwork and communication.
The best part? These toys make learning fun and engaging, setting your child up for success in school and life.
Best Educational Toys for Babies (0–1 Year)
Babies are little explorers, constantly learning through sight, sound, and touch. These toys stimulate their senses and help them reach important developmental milestones.
1. Sensory Play Mats
- Why it’s great: With textures, bright colours, and sounds, sensory mats encourage babies to explore their environment and develop motor skills.
- Expert insight: “Sensory play strengthens brain connections and supports early learning,” explains Dr. Carla Hannaford.
- Where to buy: Find the Tiny Love Meadow Days Gymini Dynamic at Baby Villiage.
2. Soft Cloth Books
- Why it’s great: High-contrast patterns and crinkly pages keep babies engaged while introducing them to early literacy.
- Research says: Reading to babies as early as six months can improve language development.
- Where to buy: Find the Animal Tails Cloth Educational Book for Babies at Baby Stalk.
3. Stacking Rings or Cups
- Why it’s great: Stacking toys encourage problem-solving and hand-eye coordination as babies learn to build and balance.
- Activity tip: Use them during bath time for added fun!
- Where to buy: Find the Lamaze Pile and Play Stacking Cups at Big W.
Best Educational Toys for Toddlers (1–3 Years)
Toddlers love to explore, move, and figure out how things work. These toys channel their energy and curiosity into valuable learning experiences.
1. Wooden Puzzles
- Why it’s great: Puzzles teach toddlers about shapes, colours, and spatial relationships while developing patience and problem-solving skills.
- From the expert: Dr. Sarah Kruger notes, “Puzzles are a fun way to build fine motor control and critical thinking.”
- Where to buy: Find the Melissa & Doug Farm Peg Puzzle at Ed Resources.
2. Musical Instruments
- Why it’s great: Instruments like tambourines, maracas, and xylophones help toddlers explore rhythm and sound while supporting motor development.
- Research says: Musical play enhances memory and brain plasticity (Frontiers in Psychology).
- Where to buy: Find the Djeco Animambo Set Of 3 Musical Instruments at Discount Toy Co.
3. Push-and-Pull Toys
- Why it’s great: Push-and-pull toys improve balance and coordination, helping toddlers develop gross motor skills as they learn to walk and run.
- Where to nuy: Find the PlanToys Pull-Along Snail on Amazon.
Best Educational Toys for Toddlers (1–3 Years)
Preschoolers are imaginative and eager to learn. These toys build critical thinking, creativity, and school readiness.
1. STEM Kits and Building Blocks
- Why it’s great: STEM kits introduce preschoolers to basic engineering and problem-solving concepts through hands-on play.
- Learning tie-in: These toys support the Lifelong Learning Curriculum’s focus on critical thinking and exploration.
- Where to buy: Find the 100 Piece Magna-Tiles Classic Set at Big W.
2. Pretend Play Sets
- Why it’s great: Pretend play encourages creativity and social skills as children role-play real-world scenarios.
- Expert insight: Dr. Sandra Russ explains, “Pretend play helps children process emotions and develop problem-solving abilities.”
- Where to buy: Find the 13 Piece Wooden Tea Playset at Kmart.
3. Balance Bikes
- Why It’s Great: Balance bikes promote physical confidence, coordination, and independence, preparing children for bike riding.
- Where to Buy: Find balance bikes at Little Nation.
FAQs About Educational Toys
Educational toys encourage skill development in areas like motor skills, critical thinking, and social-emotional growth.
Select toys that match your child’s developmental stage. Babies benefit from sensory play, toddlers from problem-solving toys, and preschoolers from STEM kits and pretend play.
Yes! All recommended toys can be purchased from Australian retailers like Big W, Kmart, Amazon, Ed Resources, and Discount Toy Co.
Inspire Learning, Build Skills and Spark Creativity Through Play
Educational toys aren’t just playthings - they’re powerful tools that inspire learning, build skills, and spark creativity. From sensory mats for babies to STEM kits for preschoolers, these toys align with our Lifelong Learning Curriculum to help children grow and thrive.
At Milestones Early Learning, we incorporate many of these toys into our daily routines, giving every child the chance to learn through play.
Ready to see how we make learning fun? Book a tour at your nearest Milestones Early Learning Centre today and discover the difference we can make in your child’s early education. Find your nearest Milestones here.