Early Development Toys: 20 products

Give your children a head start with early learning toys

You want to give your kids the best chance at a bright future, and that starts the day they are born. You've checked diet and loving care off the list of things to do, and now it is time to help your child develop with early learning toys that entertain and educate all at the same time. From simple baby toys that encourage visual tracking and hearing to interactive electronic reading and writing toys, educational toys give your children the chance to learn and grow through play, rather than flash card drills.

For babies, early learning toys are quite simple. Place a high contrast mobile over the head of your newborn to encourage the development of visual skills like focus and tracking. As she gets older, a play gym with bright colors is the perfect toy for batting shapes and grabbing onto dangling rattles and bells. By the end of the first year, your baby will learn about simple concepts like gravity as she throws a ball or knocks over a tower of blocks. And of course, plenty of reading time is essential to develop a love of language and stories.

Toddlers and preschool-age children love to learn through play, which is why many preschool toys are just that; play toys. They don't need flash cards to learn language when they can practice their language skills during pretend play with peers. A large dress-up box is great for promoting imagination, problem-solving skills and language development. Early science kits like bug collection gear and toy volcano sets will encourage a love for science and discovery while letting your little one get in on the action. Musical toys teach ABC's, counting and animal sounds through song and rhyme with easy to learn and catchy tunes. Building toys are perfect for budding engineers and architects who are learning how the world fits together.

As your children approach school age, they will become interested in the technological wonders around them. Television, video games and computer time will all be competing for their attention, so why not give them a toy that teaches them all the skills they need while allowing a little screen time? Electronic learning systems form LeapFrog and VTech teach your children a variety of skills through games and apps that are fun and easy to play. Reading, writing, math and science are all explored in the wonderful variety of games and video shorts you can download to your device. Family games are also great for teaching counting and other skills; your children must count spaces in Chutes and Ladders, manage money in Monopoly Jr. and learn colors in Candyland.

When it comes to early learning, it is best to let the kids play. If they don't know they are being educated, then they will want to explore more and more without feeling like they are stuck in a classroom. If your child is ready for a few fun early learning toys, stop by Kmart. We have a large selection of learning toys for every age, from newborn babes to school-age children. Browse through games, electronic toys and more to pick out the perfect item to educate and entertain your little one.