by Angela V 
Having a hard time finding toys that are both educational and fun for your toddler? We have put together a list with some tips to help you find great toys that your child will love and will help him learn and grow while he plays!
- First Durability and Safety: When choosing a toy for your child be sure to pick toys that are durable, shatter-proof, easy to clean, age appropriate and safe.
- Creative Play: Look for toys that encourage imaginative and creative play. Getting toys that can be used in a variety of ways help them use their imagination while playing. For example, building blocks, dolls, puppets, play-dough, vehicles and little play people.
- Interactive Toys: Toys that can help develop hand-eye coordination, teach shapes, colours, matching and sorting skills are all great ways for them to learn while they play. Some toys make sounds, have lights or repeat words that can also help with vocabulary and learning cause and effect.
- Active Play: Physical activity helps with child development and motor skills, outdoor toys like tricycles and balls are all great ways to keep your little one active and healthy!
- Long-Term Play Value: Find toys that can be used in many different ways to avoid boredom, if the toy will keep your child’s interest for a long time then it is a must-buy. Toys that can be used by more than one child at the same time are also great for teaching them how to share and take turns.
Playtime is very important and it often sets the foundation for a lifetime of learning!
THE GIVEAWAY
Win it: Fisher-Price® is offering one of my lucky Canadian readers the chance to WIN a Little People® Animal Friends Farm! ($40 value). This iconic toy has been around since 1978 and it is the perfect example of a fun toy that encourages creative play while helping develop matching and sorting skills. I bought the Little People® Animal Friends Farm for my eldest son when he was a toddler and he played with it all the time, the farm is now being used by my 1-year-old and he LOVES the animal sounds and opening the barn door and gate.
This is a toy that has definitively brought learning and joy to my little ones so I am super excited for one of YOU to win it as well.
Fisher-Price® is also offering great saving coupons during April at Walmart and Toys“R”Us stores. Coupons are available in aisle for $5 off Farm & Home, $10 off any purchase of $55 or more, and $15 off any purchase of $75 or more!
Enter to win below via Rafflecopter. Good Luck!
Disclosure: This post was brought to you by Mattel . All views and opinions are my own.
56 Comments on “How To Find Educational Toys For Your Little One {Giveaway}”
My favorite childhood toy was a Punky Brewster doll, but you can’t find it in stores anymore 🙁
My fav. toy growing up was the FP toy phone and I still have it. I have seen the same toy at chapters!
With 5 siblings, we always seemed to have an abundance of Fisher Price Little People and I believe we shared the Garage with the drive thru as I recall. And then there were Barbies… 🙂
My favourite was my Fisher Price record player. I don’t think that it’s in stores any more but I have never looked, so I’m not 100% sure.
A walking doll. I don think its made anymore
I had a little doll names Katy. I still have her and my kids play with her.
My favorite toy as a child was a clown that had a wind-up nose which played music,i dont think its still available in stores
I actually remember playing with fisher price farm as a child! I loved it!
I loved Barbies! I played with them everyday!
Powderpuff doll house. I don’t think this is something that is around anymore.
my favorite childhood Fisher Price toy was the activity center but I have not been able to find that one anymore. wish my grandma would have kept it
I had a baby oopsie daisy doll, I loved her more then anything ! You cant find it in stores today but there are a lot of similar toys like her 🙂
my favorite toy was the talking telephone and yes yoi can still find it
My favourite FP toy from my childhood was the Sesame Street play set. Its definitely NOT in stores anymore, but can be found for extremely exorbitant prices on ebay lol. I wish I had kept it 🙂
My favourite was a pull along cow. You can not find that in stores anymore but I still have one! Its tail is missing, and the pull cord has long ago ripped off, but my youngest son still plays with it! Thanks for the chance.
My favorite toy when I was younger was actually my brothers and I was totally jealous of it. It was a giant Fisher Price castle that came with knights, a cannon and it had secret passages and great things like that. It begged you to use your imagination. My parents still have it and my kids play with it. Its not in stores anymore but you can buy one on ebay for small fortune.
My favorite toys were my Fisher Price Little People garage, school and playground! I’m not sure if they’re still available in stores.
I had a ride on toy I loved that is no longer around, but this farm was a huge favourite of mine. Not built the same at all compared to the one I had though.
It’s such a long time since I was a child (sigh) but I do remember that I was more of a tomboy and didn’t play with dolls but rather climbed trees etc. My children loved all their Fisher Price toys, especially the farm, record player, sandpit toys and the chatter phone. 🙂
probably my glow worm, I took it with my everywhere. and yes you can find them in stores but they are much different looking now- very updated.
My favorite toy as a child was a doll dress in a wedding gown – I’m not sure if it would be in stores now because I haven’t looked lately! My doll was quite old fashion looking about 57 years ago. Thanks!
I used to love my Little People camping set!
My favorite toy was this space station that had little space guys and aliens. Alas, not available in store. I did fine one on ebay but they wanted a heck of a lot of money and it didn’t have all the stuff.
The only toy I had that I remembered was a doll.
I loved all the Playmobil I could get my hands on. And absolutely it’s still around, and better than ever!
My favourite is the corn popper and it’s still available in store
My favourite was my Jem dolls. Not available anymore but I am looking forward to the movie!
Barbie is still available
my holly hobby easy bake oven and I still have it.
My fave toy as a child was actually a book! A really cool puzzle book that was actually given to my brother but I loved it soooo much! I wish I could remember the name of it…I would love to have a copy. My brother always got the coolest gifts! I got hairbrushes and stuff, lol.
My favourite was ballerina Barbie!
My favourite toy from my child hood was poly pockets. I see them in the store all the time which is excellent.
my favourite toy was my Barbie! Had so much fun with them!My mom made them clothes and my dad made all the furniture for them! Yes, Barbie’s are in stores! Overwhelming the different types now!
My favorite childhood toy was the doll I received from Santa. I had 3 sisters and I think we all played with this doll. Back then, we did not receive the gifts that most children do now. I was always very happy with the doll I received each year from Santa until he decided I was too old for dolls.
My favourite toy growing up was a doll and a cradle.
I loved Barbie when I was growing up! And yes you can still find Barbie in stores – I have to admit I still check out the Barbies from time to time!
I used to love Popples- but I’m not sure if they’re around anymore!
i really liked the telephone lol and yes i can still find it in stores 🙂
My favorite toy was my doll which I still have and I doubt is in stores!
My favourite toy when I was little was the Fisher Price Little People hospital. You can’t find it in stores any more, but luckily my mom saved it, because my girls love playing with it too. I think that should be the next set they re-make!
I loved the Fisher Price record player when I was little. Now, my own little ones play with the re-released version!
My Care Bears were my favorite and yes they still make them 🙂 Love it!
My favourite toys were my barbies, and of course they are still around today.
My favourite toy was a Barbie. And of course, they are still around!! :o)
I loved the original little people. They aren’t in stores any more but I have a bunch of sets in my basement.
I had a Whoopsie Doll. When you pressed her tummy her pigtails went up. I don’t think you can buy her anymore.
I did love my easy-bake oven…
I played with my fisher price house, people, and farm animals all the time! They sure look a lot different than they did when i was a kid! I also had these Quints (by Tyco) that I played with all the time
Hey Angela,
I commented (http://www.onesmileymonkey.com/tips-2/parentingtips/how-to-find-educational-toys-for-your-little-one-giveaway/#comment-182158) but can’t see my comment on your blog. When I came back to check, it put in someone else’s Name and Email (by default) in the “Leave a Comment” box.
I entered a few of your giveaways and wanted to make sure that you got my comments.
Besos, Sarah
Journeys of The Zoo
I played with teddy bears. Still plenty of them in stores.
Lego! But in my day it was the plain Lego blocks that you had to use your imagination with, not all these fancy sets that are out these days!
My favourite toy was my stuffed bear, I still have him
It was a log building set and i haven’t seen them in stores for years.
It was the Slinky. Haven’t seen for a while
My favourites toys were dolls and I am sure they will never go out of style
My favourite toy from my childhood is the Fisher Price pulley dog & I think you can still buy it or maybe it’s the pulley telephone, I’m not sure. Either were fun.