Buy Educational Games and Toys for Kids

Children learn through play. That’s why playing educational games and interacting with toys is a great way of helping them build the skills that are essential to their development. Engaging the mind and body, games and toys can help improve your child’s communication, problem solving, reading, and mathematical skills, while building healthy bonds between friends and family. And at the end of the day, they’re just fun!

How to Know if an Educational Game is Suitable for Your Child

Knowing which board games and toys to buy for your child can be a challenge. There’s so many options available it can be difficult to work out which would be most suitable, particularly when buying games online where you can’t physically touch or inspect them

To help you make the right decision when buying games online, most of our educational games and toys come with a recommended age range. But there are more things to consider than just your child’s age when purchasing an educational game online:

Identify the Skills Your Child Needs Help With

Recognising what skills your child might be struggling with is a great way of deciding the best games and toys to buy. Here are some examples of the kinds of games that target specific learning:

• Problem solving: educational puzzle games such as Roundabout, Asteroid Escape, and Colour Catch
• Mathematics: maths games, including Monkey Math, Monkey Subtraction, Mind Block , and targeted Super Genius Games
• Reading and comprehension: reading games include Super Genius: First Words, and Reading 2
• Cooperation and teamwork: co-op games such as Bye Bye Mr Fox!, Double Shutter, and Slide Quest
• Memory and recall: memory and matching games such as ConeZilla, ‘Bouta Face, Pengoloo, and Gobblet Gobblers
• Coordination and motor skills: building block toys such as Castle Logix, the Smart Car, and the Brain Train

Consider Your Child’s Interest

Your child is only going to benefits from educational games and toys if they actually want to play with them. No one knows your child better than you do, so it’s important to consider their interests before making a purchase. Many games feature different themes while targeting the same skills.

For example, educational puzzle games such as Atlantis Escape are great for teaching problem solving skills. But if your child is more interested in cars, they may prefer the Parking Puzzler. If they’re passionate about dinosaurs, you can keep your budding paleontologist's mind active with games such as Mystic Islands

The best way to get the most out of your child’s educational games and toys is to buy something that’s within their interests.

Benefits of Board Games in Early Childhood

Educational games make learning fun for kids. Here are just some of the benefits of board games in early childhood:

• Fun, competitive board games are a great way of teaching kids how to be a good sport. These games give you the chance to teach your child not only how to win, but how to lose as well.
  
  
• As we’ve already discussed, educational games can target a range of different skills, including maths, patterns, memory, and reading to make learning fun for kids.
  
  
• You can’t win all the time, and that’s where board games can help build resilience. Multiplayer games help kids learn how to keep going, even when faced with setbacks and losses.
  
  
• Children with learning difficulties often benefit from board games. Children with autism, for example, may find the structure and rules of games particularly attractive as they help to remove the nuances for children who struggle while interacting with others.
  
  
• Board games can help teach kids how to follow instructions, which will be a vital skill when they enter their schooling years.
  
  
• Playing educational games encourages children to assess their situation and come up with solutions. This can help to develop essential problem-solving skills that will benefit your child throughout life.
  
  
• Multiplayer games encourage conversation and interaction. This not only helps to build the bonds between family and friends, it can also enhance your child’s communication skills in a fun and relaxed setting. This can make interactive games a particularly good option for shy children, as it can help to bring kids out of their shell.
  
  
• In this fast-paced world of instant gratification, learning to slow down and maintain focus is an important life skill for every child. Games can help to increase a child’s attention span, encouraging them to focus on a single task while also learning patience as they are forced to wait their turn.

Psychological Benefits of Playing Board Games with Your Child

Beyond the obvious learning benefits of playing board games in early childhood, games can also have psychological benefits:

• Children don’t just learn through play, they also connect through play. That’s why, in a world dominated by screens, setting aside some time away from the TV, iPad, or phone is a great way of strengthening relationships within your family. Family board game nights are a great way of showing your kids that you value your relationship with them while also helping them get to know you.
  
  
• This may come as a shock to anyone who’s ever played Monopoly, but studies have found that playing board games can lead to reduced stress levels and increased feelings of calmness.
  
  
• For children who struggle with interpersonal relationships or anxiety, board games can help build friendships through play. If your child has trouble making connections with people, a light-hearted board game may be just the icebreaker they need to get the conversation started. The structured nature of board games also helps kids know what’s expected of them, giving them a solid headspace for confidently starting friendships with others.
  
  
• Board games are fun! Encouraging your kids to play and have fun is a great way of boosting serotonin levels in the brain, increasing happiness and decreasing depression.

Why Educational Toys are Important for Kids

Just as with games, educational toys help to encourage learning through play. Here are some of the reasons educational toys are essential for early learning

• While it’s important to teach your child to play well with others, it’s also vital that they be able to play independently. Toys are a fabulous of way of building independence and teaching children to ‘make their own fun’.
  
  
• Educational toys that require lifting, turning, and manipulation, such as building blocks and rotating puzzles, can help to develop motor skills while strengthening the muscles your child will need as they grow.
  
  
• With the development of technology leading to more and more time spent in front of a screen, kids are spending less time on physical play and creativity. Toys that encourage kids to explore, experiment, and build their own worlds are a fabulous way of inspiring creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. Playsticks, GeoSmart, and Mix or Match toys are just some examples of creative toys that support playful experimentation.
  
  But don’t forget, your child’s mind and creativity can go a long way with just a piece of paper and some colourful markers!

Don’t forget to share your creations with us by tagging @riotartandcraft on your latest creations on Instagram!