Fun but slightly educational gifts for a whirlwind butterfly 2.5 yr toddler

[BurningBriquette]

I would like to use this Christmas to stock up on gifts for my toddler DD - with an educational twist. Which would hopefully last and be enjoyed for the next year or so. I think number games, puzzles, clocks, maps, calendar s,and arts and craft type things would be perfect.

Does anyone have any suggestions and maybe links to products which your Dcs have loved. My dd(as with most toddlers I think), is a whirlwind of energy - and will not sit down. Ever. So I'm on the hunt for toys which others have found really capture their child's attention and imagination. Help Christmas is looming!

Have a look at babipur website. They have a whole educational range.
Also there's a new coding game for 3yr olds it a caterpillar. I think it's called codapiller by fisherprice

My 3yr old loves duplo too

Silk squares from myriad toys. Sounds unlikely but they are a brilliant spur to the imagination. They have been pirate hats, tents, flags, ballet skirts, rivers, baby slings etc etc. I got three in different colours when my dc were two and one, and they are still being played with now they are eight.

Have a look at Imagido website. Loads of fantastic stuff in all price brackets.

Bright Minds is another nice website. And Melissa and Doug toys are often discounted on Amazon. We loved their wooden butterfly and dinosaur jigsaws.

Outdoor toys. A bike. A football and mini goal.

If she won't sit down ever then jigsaws are probably not a great idea.

Mine absolutely loves the Orchard games, especially pizza pizza, go go dragons, farmyard dominoes, and the rocket game. She's also loving learning phonics with her reception starter big brother

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00I0D3RE0/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481374082&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=my+first+microscope&dpPl=1&dpID=418dTgti28L&ref=plSrch

What about something like this

Megasketcher - not sure why they find it so appealing, but they do! And anything that gets them practicing mark-making is great.

Whiteboard type surface is also good. I'm assuming you already have plenty of pens, crayons, paint, chalk, paper, stickers, playdough, cutters, rolling pin, glittery bits, child safe scissors etc.

Bug hunting kit (magnifying box and id book)

Magnetic letters for fridge

Puzzles really are important to build up spacial manipulation skills (not all children are naturally drawn to them - but if you do it with them and make it fun they'll get into it). Start with 3- or 4- piece foam ones in the bath in characters/themes she likes

2.5 is the perfect time to get her a scooter if she doesn't already have one.

Orchard Toys games (cupcakes one seems to have particular appeal!).

Toy till with pretend money and pretend food. Other role play things like hats, doctors kit.

One of the best things we got given about that age was a child's table and chairs - makes sitting down for long enough to do something like crafts, puzzle etc much more appealing for them. I didn't see how it would be any different to using floor/kitchen table, but it really was!

Go to lidl!

My 2.5year old is a whilwind but will sit down for jigsaws, she really loves them. She also loves baking so we got her a little rolling pin and some cookie cutters (great way to get them thinking about numbers etc). We got her toy kitchen last year, and will get her a till with toy money this year. I think they learn through all sorts of play (and helpingbout at home etc) at this age so I wouldn't worry too much about it being educational.

Thank you for all the excellent suggestions - much appreciated. Now sitting with Amazon app stocking up on a few gifts - which will include Orchard Toys and a baking set.