Educational ideas for a year 1 child (5.5 years) and a pre-school child (nearly 4)

[Floam6]

Hi all, my children have asked for a few small toys for Christmas but I would also love to get them a couple of educational toys/games/activities. Does anyone have any recommendations for a child in year 1 currently learning to read/numbers/drawing etc and also a pre-school child who will start school next September. Thank you!

Blah blah blah phonics game- any of the orchard games too are a win.

Learning resources have some fun looking games. Also number blocks have some games out too. A jigsaw might be a good idea too. Or maybe something like mangnatiles or Lego that teaches skills like problem solving, patience, creativity, etc

Magnetic tiles! Hours of fun!

Books …

Just books. Not like the ones they read at school. Proper books that you’ll read aloud to them and that they’ll share in the reading of as they’re able.

And maybe board games that involve counting. And learning to lose with grace.

I agree with books and games. Go for books they’ll like- don’t look for educational. For games the little one will probably like Orchard games, there’s loads to choose from. There are also maths Orchard games that are fun but also things like junior monopoly, junior scrabble etc.

Orchard Toys do lots of educational games.

Recognise that ‘educational’ toys are often really limited in what they will teach over more open ended toys which offer so much in terms of learning through play. Any thing like Lego, magna-tiles, playdoh, jigsaws, dolls, sewing/crafts. Games like bingo can help number recognition, anything with dice (especially 2 dice) aids subitising and quick maths.

That’s the point really - they’re small children: every single thing they experience will be ‘educational’, so just do things with them.

Read
Bake
Make pizza
Knit
Get binoculars and watch birds
Go for walks. In cities look at the skyline and what streets are called; in the country - everything.
Take them to museums and art galleries. Repeatedly. Great if they have children’s spaces. Perfectly fine if not.
Take them to orchestral concerts (free at your nearest conservatoire), or choral evensong (you don’t have to be religious to appreciate singing) or organ recitals.
Find out which local theatres put on lots of children’s theatre.
Pick fruit.
Talk, around the dining table, about your own life as a four or five year old. Let them get to know you as a person.

Agree with the magnetic tiles - such a lovely open ended toy.

Science sets have always gone down well with my son who is a similar age to your older one. Simple experiments that they can do with you and see something funny happen. (Just make sure it is a set that comes with everything required... I hate the sets that expect you to have a lot of random stuff in your house already).

Art gifts as well, great for learning the motor skills needed for drawing/writing. Loads of choice of "fun" art sets/gifts/toys

Also musical gifts are good because they are fun to play with when opened, but have real value. Drums, Xylophones, Small electornic synths, Handpans etc.

I'll be honest, I've bought a lot of "learning" stuff for my son, but generally I don't do it for Christmas, because I want them to be excited in their presents - a lot of the "learning games" for me are better given throughout the year. For example, I've got the Blah Blah Blah phonics game mentioned above and it is great, really good for reviewing phonics, after they have learned their basic sounds. Giving to him on a random Thursday in an normal led to excitement and lots of play.. Had he been given it during the excitement of Christmas, toys and playing? I think it would have gotten completely overlooked.

I second science kits! Even my almost 4 year old is getting a Galt rainbow lab for Christmas and I know will absolutely love it. All my children have had that one. I think they suggest 5+ for that one but this is the youngest child who has seen older siblings get science kits and do experiments for birthdays / Xmas etc, loves watching and specifically asked for one!

Have similar aged children, second the recommendations for Orchard Toys, Learning Resources and numberblocks, all very popular here!

Ofher things mine have really liked:

little set of balancing scales with little froggies to weigh. Great for counting and addition/subtraction practice

Learning resources student clock, my eldest loves this and has really got to grips with telling the time using it.

For Christmas this year my eldest (5.5) is getting a leapfrog globe (it’s secondhand but looks brand new).

New yoto cards about various topics.

Ive put some fun looking science kits including a volcano one on their Xmas lists

Second the Galt Rainbow Lab. Mine loved this.
A marble run was also a firm favourite (DCs are now older and like Gravitrax, but had a simple version when they were younger).
A play shop? Again, a favourite here. Lots of role playing plus a till and play money. Ours had a chalk board too, so they could write up the menu/prices.
Lego is great for all kinds of skills and has fantastic longevity.

I mostly agree with the PP who said most toys are educational in some way when they're little, however.

Thanks very much all for the brilliant recommendations.

Another vote here for magnetic tiles.

We have got some sumblox giant wooden numbers which are great for building and playing games and also kapla blocks, lego, marble runs.
Any board games/ cards.
Books - usborne always do some great ones. Mine always liked the wipeable maze books if they still do them.
Craft supplies/ science and nature kits.
Most of mine have come from 2nd hand sites/ charity shops so it's worth hunting out some bargains.