It all happens so fast. While it might feel like they just came home from the hospital, before you know it, your child will have progressed out of infancy and into their toddler stage. Once they reach that preschool-age, you’ll want to do everything you can to ensure their early childhood education is on track. But this doesn’t put an end to fun and games; in fact, you can do so by choosing the right toys for your little one. Use the following guide to navigate your next toy shopping trip.

What Makes an Excellent Educational Toy for Preschoolers

To keep your little one engaged, you’ll want to provide them with a toy that encourages or even requires their interaction. For example, toys with objects they can pull, rotate, or fit into place are much more exciting than simply sitting and watching a mechanical toy operate on its own.

In that same vein, you’ll want to choose toys that provide more than just one function—such as how blocks can be used to count, match colors, or build a fortress for imaginary play. For preschool-age children, it’s also important that toys are durable, so you can let your little one be as active as they please without getting hurt or frustrated.

Educational Toys for Preschoolers

Bead Maze

You might remember this toy from when you were a kid—and it’s no coincidence that they’ve been around for so long. This contraption encourages children to use their senses and employ their motor skills by touching the wooden beads, and it shows them how gravity works when moving them in a certain direction. Since it doesn’t require batteries and can’t be taken apart, this is a durable and practical option for keeping your son or daughter entertained.

 Magnetic Drawing Board

To encourage the artist in your child, gift them this reusable drawing pad. If they make a mistake, they can easily erase their work without creating a mess. Once your child starts to recognize letters and shapes, they can practice them on the drawing board. Plus, it’s compact enough to take in the car.

Wooden Peg Puzzles

This sturdy problem-solving toy serves multiple purposes. While your child will be eager to fit each piece back into its slot, they can also engage in imaginary play with the pieces outside of the puzzle, especially if they’re animals or characters.

The pegs in the center of each piece are important for training your child’s grip and will prevent them from squishing their fingers into the wooden openings. If you opt for one of the letter or number puzzles, you’ll also contribute to your son or daughter’s reading and writing skills.

If your little one is ready for the perfect mix of play and education that preschool affords, turn to The Preschool at Discovery. This Gilbert, AZ, program is focused on Christian ideals and play-based learning activities. Their team has over 50 years of combined experience and boasts a low student-to-teacher ratio, so you can rest assured your child will receive the best care possible. To learn more about their curriculum, visit the website or call (480) 999-4245 today.