Preschool age kids are at an exciting age - they are still young and curious, but also ready to embark on new adventures, from reading and writing to learning to play instruments and riding bikes. So this holiday season get your little preschooler a gift that will stretch their horizons and get them even more prepared for their wonderful future ahead!
We've compiled a list of our favorite toys for a preschooler, but we want to hear from you -- what toys did we miss? What are your little preschoolers playing with these days? Let us know in the comment section below!
1. Kiwi Crate
The Kiwi Crate is the new buzz in preschool-aged activities. Don’t worry about your kids getting sick of the same old activity – with Kiwi Crate, an entirely new crate of art projects, science experiments, and imaginative play will be sent to your house every month. The materials and inspiration are already taken care of, all your kid needs to do is play! You can select a subscription length of 3, 6, or 12 months, and each month your lucky gift recipient will receive a wonderful, brand-new surprise at their doorstep.
Cost: $19.95 per month.
Online: kiwicrate.com
2. School Bags for Kids
School Bags for Kids was created with the truest spirit of giving. With every bag sold, the company sends a schoolbag filled with school supplies to children in need around the world. While some companies up the charitable side for the holidays, School Bags for Kids maintains its mission all year round, giving kids in need supplies on a constant basis. Schoolbags have already been delivered to children in Thailand, Belize, and India. Buy one of these nifty bags for your preschooler and explain the meaning of giving to your youngster.
Cost: $54.99
Online: schoolbagsforkids.com
3. Leapfrog’s Scribble and Write
This Scribble and Write toy is a fabulous gift option for those preschoolers on the verge of picking up a pencil to write their very first words. Your little ones can trace the lights on the screen to learn how to write. It also has activities to give the little ones practice drawing simple shapes and pictures. They can then graduate to learning upper- and lowercase letters with step-by-step guidance. Your kids will be inspired to learn on their own and get super excited for school to come!
Cost: $29.99
Online: leapfrog.com
4. Garden Treasure Box
This magical box gives your kids a special place for their garden treasures. When it's a nice day, get the little ones involved in gardening and nature by prompting them to collect as many different objects as they can! With little drawers made specifically for flowers, leaves, acorns, flowers, and seeds, your little explorer will be inspired all afternoon long! The box can be a work in progress, something your kid can add to throughout their youth.
Cost: $50
Online: rompstore.com
5. Wolfgang Amadeus Jr. Piano
Land of Nod had created the littlest, and most adorable, piano yet – all for your preschooler! Bring out their inner Beethoven with this beginner, 18-key piano that your little ones will enjoy for years. The piano has steel music rods and removable educational color strips behind the keys to help kids learn piano. It also includes a basic song book to get your kids going. This mini piano is music to our ears!
Cost: $79
Online: landofnod.com
6. Sing-a-ma-jigs
These adorable stuffed toys do much more than snuggle, they also sing to your kids! After choosing one of three ways to play, squeeze its hand or tummy to make its mouth open wide (funny little teeth and tongue inside!) for each note or word. It can sing its own song, or sing in harmony with the others, or talk and jibber jabber chatter. Your kid can start with one and slowly collect more to create their very own choir group! Each one has its own scale and high or low pitch, so when the Sing-a-ma-jigs sing together in any combination, they all harmonize perfectly!
Cost: $13
Online: thesingamajigs.com
7. Teach My Preschooler
Teach My Preschooler is an award winning, all-in-one preschool kit. Filled with preschool activities, this kit prepares children for kindergarten and encourages early reading. Teach My Preschooler aims to teach 3 and 4 year olds to read, print, count to 100, and prepare for math. With these amazing tools and encouragement from parents, kids are able to get ahead of the game and be readily prepared for school.
Cost: $49.99
Online: teachmy.com
8. Little Passports
Is your little one 5 going on 25 and ready to jet set away? Well, tell them bedtime is still 8 o'clock but with Little Passport they can be a world traveler at last! Their starter kit will include a travel suitcase with an intro letter from the explorers themselves (Sofia and Sam), a world wall map, travel passport, stickers, activity sheets, and access top online games. Then, each month, your kid will receive a package from Sam and Sofia as they travel to a new country. With souvenirs, photos, passport stamps, and boarding passes coming from each country, your preschooler will feel like a real adventurer! Traveling is expensive, but giving your kids valuable cultural experiences from other countries need not be. Recommended for ages 5 to 10, your kid can travel for years to come!
Cost: Price varies
Online: littlepassports.com
9. Early Lingo DVDs
Early Lingo DVDs are all about making learning fun for your kids. Their box DVD sets let your little ones approach learning a foreign language in a fun and engaging way through immersion and repetitive learning techniques. Instead of a confusing experience, learning a foreign language will be a rewarding one as the Early Lingo DVDs provide playful animation, live action video, and native speakers. Plus, there's no shuttling the kids to and from language classes since the DVDs can easily be popped in the player in the comfort of your own home any time of day.
Cost: 6 DVDs for $99.99
Online: earlylingo.com
Let us know what your favorite toys for a preschooler are!!
-- Jessica Abelson
