For the UKMUMS.TV Baby & Pre-School Awards, we called in the help of our trusty families and teachers to put some of the best educational toys to the test! With ever more research to suggest the effectiveness of learning through play, there is a growing number of educational toys on the market. But with so many great products to choose from, where do you start? Our mums/teachers reviewed the best of the best and these are the toys that came out top in the Best Educational Toy category:
- Joint Gold – FunPlay Range (RRP from £21.99) by EDX Education
About the product: “The FunPlay range is a STEAM maths manipulatives home learning range that teaches essential early maths skills through learning through play, a method of teaching proven to be highly effective in the early years. The range supports classroom learning and teaches essential maths basics such as counting, addition, subtraction, sorting, patterning, matching and measuring. Each set includes engaging activities which encourage creative play, problem solving, the development of fine motor skills and critical thinking.”
What our tester said: “This is a great range of brightly coloured, safe, educational toys. The range of toys seem really durable, which is what you need in a class environment. My children loved playing with them and learning alongside their play.”
- Joint Gold – PAW Patrol Ryder’s Alphabet Tablet (RRP £17.99) by Trends UK
About the product: “This interactive first tablet encourages the child to learn whilst having fun with Ryder and the Pups. Ryder lights up and asks the child to find a letter or an object or to identify the first letter of a particular word. This develops skills like letter and early word recognition, listening and understand plus responding to questions. The under £20.00 price point represents excellent value for money considering all the learning activities included. Suitable for kids aged 3+ years, it features five different activities related to the alphabet, sounds and words, so kids can learn whilst having fun with Ryder and the Pups. The PAW Patrol Ryder’s Alphabet Tablet is Good Toy Guide Recommended.”
What out tester said: “This is the perfect toy for a child who loves PAW Patrol. Our son struggles with letters and this has been great for getting him to engage!”
- Silver – MathLink Cubes Numberblocks 1-10 Activity Set (RRP £20.00) by Learning Resources
- Joint Bronze – 272 Classic 60 pces (RRP £31.22) by Geomagworld
- Joint Bronze – 271 Classic 42 pces (RRP £27) by Geomagworld
- Shortlisted – Shapes Animals (RRP £22) by Geomagworld
- Shortlisted – Shapes Wheels (RRP £29) by Geomagworld
