Just because toys are education doesn’t mean that kids can’t have tons of fun while still learning. Toy Insider Senior Editor Ali Mierzejewski stopped by Better Family on Better Western Massachusetts to show off some of the smartest educational toys of the season. For more on the products featured in this segment, check out the notes below, and for more on the hottest new toys of the season be sure to view our Spring and Summer Toy Guide.


Kidz Delight Bilingual Farm Stacker (KD Group)

  • The fun and colorful Farm Stacker introduces baby to animal names and sounds, shapes, numbers and letters in both English and Spanish.
  • It comes with three stackable colored pieces, each with an instrument and a cut-out shape,
  • It also has a windmill top that spins.
  • In Quiz mode, baby is asked to stack a specific color, shape or instrument. Once all pieces are placed on top of one another, baby can also listen to educational nursery rhymes.
  • Farm Stacker is perfect for developing fine motor skills.
  • Ages: 12 MOS+
  • MSRP: $17.99
  • Available: Toys “R” Us, Babies “R” Us

LeapStart Preschool & Pre-Kindergarten System and LeapStart Kindergarten & 1st Grade System (LeapFrog)

  • Jam-packed with school and life skills for curious kids ages 2 to 7, the LeapStart activity books are designed to help build key skills and challenge kids to get ready for their next step in learning.
  • The system works with a library of 16 re-playable activity books that get kids excited about a multitude of concepts from the ABCs, numbers, shapes and colors to reading, writing, social skills, science, technology, engineering, math, and many more.
  • Both LeapStart platforms work with all four levels of activity books for complete interchangeability and ability to find just the right level for each set of skills.
  • The LeapStart interactive learning systems include a portable kid-tough device with a downloadable Parent Guide that fosters the development of kids ages 2 to 7 with tips, tricks, and activities that parents and kids can do together.
  • Each system comes with a sampler book: Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten designed for the younger platform and Kindergarten and 1st Grade designed for the older platform.
  • Ages: 2-4+ and 5-7+
  • MSRP: $39.99
  • Availability: Toys “R” Us, Walmart

Brain Games Kids (Buffalo Games)

  • It’s a Cerebellum Showdown as teams compete for mental supremacy!
  • Take the conservative approach by choosing lower difficulty challenges and move slow and steady towards the finish line. Or, choose challenges that have a high degree of difficulty in hopes of charging ahead for the win!
  • If there are not enough players to form at least two teams, players may work independently.
  • If your team wins the challenge, you may move your pawn the exact number of spaces equal to the level of difficulty shown in the heading of that card.
  • The game features mind-bending categories: Body Language, Brain Benders, and Puzzling Pictures
  • Ages: 8+
  • MSRP: $24.95
  • Available: Toys “R” Us, Amazon, Walmart

Rube Goldberg The Acrobat Challenge (Spin Master)

  • The Acrobat Challenge features STEM-based principles of gravity and spring forces to make the acrobat fly. Arrange the contraptions in just the right place to trigger an amazing chain reaction.
  • Build it, test it, and complete the challenge until it is just right.
  • The set includes: 1 Base, 1 Flag Pole, 1 Monkey, 1 Snake, 3 Pole Braces, 4 Poles, 1 Seesaw Base, 2 Helping Hands, 1 Ramp, 1 Wagon, 1 Seesaw Ramp, 1 Cannon, 1 Racket Pole, 1 Flaming Hoop, 1 Acrobat Rube, 1 Peanut, 1 Basketball, 1 Circus Ball, 1 Tightrope, 2 Support Bars, 1 Instruction Guide
  • Ages: 8+
  • MSRP: $14.99
  • Available: Target

Rubik’s Build It, Solve It (Winning Moves USA)

  • Ever wanted to know how a Rubik’s Cube is made? Now you can make your own and learn how to solve it at the same time!
  • It’s the DIY craze with a new twist.
  • Includes instructions on how to Build It and a “You Can Do The Rubik’s Cube” Solution Booklet.
  • Ages: 8+
  • MSRP: $23.95
  • Available: Amazon

Super Strike RotoShot Blaster Building Set (K’NEX)

  • Rotating blasting fun is what you will get with the K-FORCE Super Strike RotoShot Blaster Building Set from K’NEX!  The Super Strike RotoShot blaster allows you to build an amazing blaster, and then fire off five shots without reloading!
  • Set includes a RotoChamber, five foam darts, a quick-fit grip, a preload ring, and downloadable instructions for four additional custom blasters and targets.
  • This blaster is compatible with the entire K-FORCE Build and Blast line. Models can be built one at a time.
  • Ages: 8+
  • MSRP: $39.99
  • Available: Walmart, Target, Amazon

About the author

Bill Reese

Bill Reese

Bill Reese is Business Operations Manager at Adventure Media & Events, where he's worked since 2014. A former editor at Playbill and graduate of SUNY–Purchase, he spends most weekends rooting for the New York Red Bulls pro soccer team and making subway systems out of Brio trains with his little boy Jonah.

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