If your kids had to choose their own gifts, most choices would be “phase toys”. Toys that are used for a short period and then replaced with something else with more appeal.
There is nothing wrong with picking a trendy fun toy for your child. However, when picking out presents you can combine fun and educational value. Your toddler may not be quite ready to start school, but it is never too early to start him on the road to reading whilst having a whole lot of fun. Below is my suggestion of 5 of the best Christmas gifts for toddlers to teach them to read.
Product: VTech Touch and Learn Activity Desk Deluxe
Price: 57.99$
Cheapest Place TO Buy: Amazon
Manufacture Recommended Age: 24 months – 5 years
Returns: within 30 days of receipt of shipment
My Rating: 4.7 out of 5
About This Item
- The Touch and Learn Activity Desk Deluxe is an interactive desk and includes five activity pages to explore that are filled with engaging content.
- Extend the fun with expansion packs (each sold separately) that include a wide curriculum; LED display illustrates letter and number stroke order and how to draw basic shapes.
- Transforms from a desk into an easel and chalkboard with storage space for art supplies to encourage play and discovery; stool included.
- For more ways to play, pretend to make a call on the toy telephone or listen to fun tunes on the music player; Progress Button reports on child’s progress.
- Features 100 plus vocabulary words, 20 plus activities and 20 plus songs and melodies.
The 3-in-1 desk encourages creativity and learning with an interactive desktop, chalkboard and easel. Flip the desktop up to reveal compartments for easy storage for art supplies and masterpieces. Five included activity pages contain more than 200 touch and learn spots and help introduce letters, numbers, music, colors and more. The desk also comes with a stool perfectly sized for kids.
Pros
Very well-designed, intuitive to use, and sturdy enough to handle a toddler.
Automated guidance. A fun, interactive toy.
Cons
Volume can be loud when turned all the way up
May be a bit too advanced for 24months.
Product: VTech Little Apps Tablet, Black
Price: 14.95$
Cheapest Place TO Buy: Amazon
Manufacture Recommended Age: 2 years – 5 years
Returns: within 30 days of receipt of shipment
My Rating: 4.6 out of 5
About this item
- Color changing screen; letter buttons and piano keyboard.
- 12 learning activities with progressive learning levels.
- Volume control and automatic shut-off to save battery.
- Intended for kids 2 to 5 years old.
Go on learning adventures with Cody the Smart Cub on a pretend tablet! Introduce learning skills like counting, letters, basic math, words and more with 12 interactive activities.
A learning tablet for little hands. Features large A-Z letter buttons, a cute Bear mode slider, a piano keyboard for music play, and large arrow buttons for easy game play controls. Includes 8 activity buttons for learning letters, letter order, numbers, counting, puzzles, words and more. Also, features 4 special interactive activities with the Bear, including music play, a calendar activity, a pretend camera game, and a fun question and answer chat feature. Landscape orientation of the tablet allows for larger play area and easy lap play for kids.
Pros
There is an incredible amount of functions and activities for this tablet. Many different color screens as well. I suspect that toddlers are going to get quite a bit of play out of this as well. ABCs, 123s, Rhyming games, Spelling games, Music Games, so much more.
Cons
Too advanced for a 2-year-old. The screen is small and the display quality could be a little better.
Product: VTech Light-Up Baby Touch Tablet Amazon Exclusive, Blue
Price: 17.99$
Cheapest Place TO Buy: Amazon
Manufacturer Recommended Age: 9 months – 3 years
Returns: within 30 days of receipt of shipment
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5
About this Item
- Teaches letters, numbers, shapes and more; 10+ pretend apps and activities that will engage your child in imaginative play.
- Has a swipe and tap light up screen; 160+ playful songs, melodies, sounds and phrases are included.
- The toy opens up pretend email and checks the weather. Has bright light-up screen
- Toddlers can tap on Cody the VTech Smart Cub to interact with him as they play; allows kids to swipe back and forth between screens
Pros
Well priced and very durable. Good content. Bright light-up screen.
Cons
Needs more interactive functionality. Older kids could get bored.
Product: VTech Tote and Go Laptop, Orange
Price: 24.99$
Cheapest Place TO Buy: Amazon
Manufacturer Recommended Age: 3 years – 6 years
Returns: within 30 days of receipt of shipment
My Rating: 4.4 out of 5
About this item
- Offers 20 learning activities that teach 60+ words, spelling, shapes, logic and animals; has progressive learning levels
- The pre-K learning center plays 30 popular rock, country, or jazz style melodies; puzzle and logic games.
- Has an attached mouse that introduces basic mouse skills; customize the kids computer with a name, age, favorite food, avatar and more.
- Has a computer screen, but it is not backlit; screen can be manually adjusted for contrast based on light levels of surroundings
Pros
Learn and grow on the go. This kids’ Laptop offers 20 interactive activities with progressive learning levels that teach a variety of subjects. Children can also customize it with their name, age, avatar, favorite tunes and more. Very durable toy
Cons
Screen is not backlit and a bit on the small side.
Product: VTech Alphabet Apple, Red
Price: 24.99$
Cheapest Place TO Buy: Amazon
Manufacturer Recommended Age: 24 months – 5 years
Returns: within 30 days of receipt of shipment
My Rating: 4.7 out of 5
Eight learning activities teach animals, objects, words, phonics, letters, spelling and more. Press the light-up alphabet buttons to learn the name and sound of the letters and hear 26 melodies and sound effects. The learning toy also features a cute, interactive worm that sings songs. The movable clock hand introduces time concepts. The leaf-shaped handle makes it easy for on-the-go learning fun.
Developmental Benefits
- Language Development
- Independent Play
- Visualization and Memory
- Discovery and Exploration
Pros
Interactive durable educational toy. Kids will love the lights and the sounds. There are multiple play modes.
Cons
The power is controlled by a button on the front which looks similar to the other toy buttons. Kids will inadvertently switch the toy off. In my opinion the machine talks a bit too much.
I love these interactive and fun toys. Not only will they provide your toddler with hours of fun, these toys will also improve his reading skills. The best Christmas gifts for toddlers should not only be fun, but provide educational value as well.
Related Article: how-to-teach-your-kids-to-read-at-home
Daniel Tshiyole
I have nephews and nieces and Christmas is coming up. I did not know what to purchase them but this has given me an idea of what to get them. I will be sure to look into it. Maybe there is something in this article that they will love. I also like the fact that they are educational games.
Leslie
Hi Daniel
Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
Even if you do not find something for your nieces and nephews on this list , there are plenty of exceptional and fun educational toys available for kids these days.
Happy shopping.
Regards
Ann
I love it when we can combine education and fun. And toddlers learn super fast. I have two toys I liked a lot. The first is the VTech Touch and Learn Activity Desk Deluxe. I wish I had one of these when I was a kid, LOL. And the other is the VTech Tote and Go Laptop for my younger daughter. The first one may be too advanced for her.
Leslie
Hi Ann
Thank you for your comments.
I agree that toddlers learn very fast. However teaching them to read should not be forced but rather it should be a fun activity.
Phakama
It is good to know that here online, now you can get things that can help parents to buy toys that help their children to get a feel of the school before going there. It is that time when we have to buy them gifts and Christmas presents, I am very touched to know that instead of buying fun toys for my grand children, I’ll heat two birds with one stone. It won’t only be fun toys, but also educational, because I’ll be able to teach them how to read and write, while in the process of playing. This will also give parents and their children more time to spend together and enjoy each other’s company, while teaching them a thing or two.
Thank you for the information, this is one of the most important articles, because its about the love of your children, and knowing that there are toys that can bring closeness between children and their parent and grand parents.
Phakama
Leslie
Hi Phakama
Thank you for your comments.
Play time is essential for a toddler everyday, both structured and un-structured. If play time also incorporates an educational element, then all the better. If kids are having fun whilst learning, then they are likely to stay more engaged for longer periods.