Playing with toys has never been this enjoyable! Whether it's delving into physics principles or simply having a blast, here are our favourite educational toys for kids!
Toys aren’t just for fun – it’s a great way for the kiddos to learn without all the dread of actually studying. To keep up with the tiny fidgety fingers of today, there are a lot of educational toys that offer a super interactive experience while also teaching them a variety of topics. To satiate the little one’s thirst for knowledge and fun, we have sussed out our favourite educational toys that check off all the right boxes.
Educational toys for kids in Singapore
1. Innovate your own tech with CircuitMess
Suitable for ages 7+
If you have wee ones with an inclination to invent and DIY, the CircuitMess STEM Adventure Box Set is a fantastic kit to keep their fidgety fingers busy. We love that the box is packed with three different STEM toys for the kiddos to explore, each with their own learning points too. The BIT lets them build their own game console, the 9 Wacky Robots each with their own personalities and objectives, and Sparkly the robot car that detects light!
2. Smart cubing with GoCube Edge
Suitable for ages 8+
This cube could easily pass off as a fancier version of a Rubik’s Cube. But guess what? It’s much more than that! The GoCube Edge cube is a smart cube that elevates cubing to the next level with its interactive features. You can play and practice using multiple mini-games, accurately measuring your progress to level up your skills. Psst, you can even take your game to the next level with the GoCube app and compete on the global leaderboard online!
3. Creative coding made fun with Chibitronics
Suitable for ages 13+
Chibitronics has unveiled an incredible kit that turns coding into an absolute blast for young tech enthusiasts. The Love to Code Creative Coding Kit introduces an exciting concept through paper electronics, letting kids craft functional circuits directly on the pages of an included storybook. How cool is that? On top of that, kids get to master the basics of electronics and coding with the guidance of fun characters like Fern the Frog and Sami the Seal. Oh, how we wish we had programming toys like these when we were growing up!
4. Learn about potential & kinetic energy with SpringBots
Suitable for ages 6+
The Thames & Kosmos SpringBots STEM Kit is a great way for kids to grasp the fundamentals of physics and mechanics while having a blast. This 3-in-1 engineering kit empowers young learners to build three awesome robots, wind them up, and witness them in action, much like the workings of old-fashioned clocks! So, roll up those sleeves and dive into the world of physics, where springs and gears hold the key to unlocking exciting possibilities. It’s hands-on fun that makes learning a real adventure!
5. Learn more about space with the Future Explorers Lunar Gateway
Suitable for ages 8+
Are your little ones interested in space, how electricity works, and the power of solar energy? The Future Explorers Lunar Gateway introduces them to this NASA project, teaching them about each of their modules’ functionality and purposes. It also has internal lighting, a motor to move the solar panels, a voice-recorded player, and even a projector to display NASA-produced images – a great educational toy for those interested in exploring the vastness of space!
6. Build your own race track with Ravensburger GraviTrax
Suitable for ages 8+
The Ravensburger GraviTrax interactive track system is an absolute blast for kids, as it lets them design and construct their very own marble race tracks. The best part? Your young ones will dive into the world of engineering, gravity, magnetism, and kinetics as they strive to send that ball zooming to the finish line. With over 200 pieces and nine ready-to-go track instructions included in the kit, the creativity and fun are boundless as they create their custom tracks. Let the marble-racing adventure begin!
7. Build your own tablet with Kano’s computer kit
Suitable for ages 6+
If the kids are using technology and getting some screen time, we might as well be getting them to learn a new skill while they’re at it. Check out Kano’s Computer Kit Touch, where the little ones can not only learn how to code but build their own tablet, too. Plus, you know they won’t get bored with the tablet after when there are more than 100 step-by-step creative challenges and projects to work on.
8. Explore tech possibilities with Lego
Suitable for ages 3+
We’re not going to hide our love for Lego – it’s a favourite in our households! From Duplo sets for the little ones to the larger, more complicated Technic sets for the older kids (and the young ones at heart), Lego offers plenty of opportunities for the kids to use their imagination and creativity. And, turns out there’s plenty more to do than build cars, buildings and trains. Check out Lego Education, where the young ‘uns can learn through play and develop their holistic skills. You can even build your own robot! Now, who says STEAM education isn’t fun?
9. Gaming made fun with Nintendo Labo
Suitable for ages 6+
It’s no surprise that handheld and console gaming has been on the rise since we’ve started self-isolating. Well, turn gaming time into a fun learning opportunity with Nintendo Labo. This educational toy for kids is basically a series of sturdy cardboard creations (read: almost indestructible) that allow the kids to make their own toy-cons and play along! Think: a racing wheel, remote control cars, a motorbike and even a piano! It’s so fun, we want a set of our own, too.
10. Learn your numbers and simple maths with this nifty tech
Suitable for ages 6+
Check out Fun Math Games for Kids!, a cool app that makes learning numbers and math super fun! It’s perfect for K-4th graders and helps them practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division in an engaging way. Plus, there are fun elements like monsters, weapons, and accessories to keep them entertained while they learn. Say goodbye to boring math and hello to math adventures!
11. Programme your own robotic ball
Suitable for ages 8+
As huge Star Wars fans, our kids were ecstatic to meet BB-8, a quirky circular droid in the latest sequel trilogy. And if you managed to snag a roving BB-8 from the folks at Sphero back when The Force Awakens was released, you would’ve heard of a similar product: the Sphero SPRK+. It’s a programmable spherical robot that allows kids to learn how to code and have fun at the same time. Not only that, it’s also an incredibly fun piece of tech for kids to play with, and we’re sure the kiddos won’t be able to put it down once they get started, making it one of our favourite educational toys for the kids. Be prepared for whizzing robot balls around the house!
12. Arts and crafts, with a side of tech
Suitable for ages 6+
Imagine if you could make your drawings come to life – not in a sinister way like in the movies, but with a 3D pen that prints your creations as you’re designing them. 3D pens like the ones from 3Doodler are a good way to engage the kiddos’ creativity and gross motor skills, though it’s certainly not as easy as it looks! We love this educational toy for kids because it’s affordable and the possibilities of creating anything you want are endless. Plus, YouTube has plenty of tutorials and ideas that you can draw from, too.
13. Sketch and draw these Pixar characters
Suitable for ages 5+
Does your young ‘un dream of being a Disney or Pixar animator in the future? If so, you’ll want to check out Osmo’s Super Studio! The little ones can not only draw their favourite animated characters, but use their creativity and imagination to animate their own Disney shows, too. Even if your kids aren’t the best at drawing, it’s a great tool to help them gain basic drawing skills. The best part? Osmo has different iterations of the Super Studio for your kiddo to pick out: from The Incredibles to Frozen II, Disney princesses and more! We wished we could’ve had this educational toy as kids…
There you have it – learn hard, play even harder, and have fun with these educational toys!