Toy Insider Senior Editor Maddie Michalik joined Afternoon Live on KATU in Portland to show off the best educational toys to help keep kids’ brains sharp during summer vacation. For more on the items featured in this segment, check out the product notes below. To learn more about the season’s best new toys, be sure to check out Toy Insider’s Spring and Summer Toy Guide.  

SOLAR SYSTEM FLOOR PUZZLE

Kids will need lots of space to assemble this beautifully illustrated 48-piece puzzle of our solar system! Extra-thick cardboard jigsaw pieces are built to last, and their easy-clean surface keeps this puzzle looking new. Features beautiful, original artwork. 2 feet x 3 feet when assembled. Kids will need lots of "space" to assemble this beautifully…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $12.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

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LEAPFROG ACADEMY

LeapFrog Academy is an interactive learning program for kids 3-6 years old that guides them on more than 1,500 fun Learning Adventures they can play on a variety of devices. Learning Adventures prepares kids for the classroom with a preschool through first grade curriculum that includes activities in fundamental subjects such as math, reading, and…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $7.99 per month; $24.99 for 6 months; $39.99 for 12 months
  • Age:
  • 3+

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The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

OSMO GENIUS STARTER KIT FOR IPAD

This interactive game combines physical pieces with digital apps. The Starter Kit includes five game appsthat promote visual problem-solving, puzzling, math, freehand drawing, and listening skills. Kids can learn physics, spelling, and vocabulary through a variety of levels that range in difficulty from beginner to expert. Real-time audio and visual feedback helps kids learn through…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $99.99; $119 CAD
  • Age:
  • 6+

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CANDY CLAW MACHINE

Build a working model of the classic arcade game. Learn how the gears, levers, belt, screws, hydraulics, linkages, cranks, and claws work together to pick up, move, and drop prizes. Includes 10 lollipops and decoys to grab. Build a working model of the classic arcade game. Learn how the gears, levers, belt, screws, hydraulics, linkages,…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $39.95; $56 CAD
  • Age:
  • 6+

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The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

PIXICADE

Kids can draw a game on any white surface, take a picture with their device on the Pixicade app, then play their unique game on-screen. Kids can also share their creations and play other kids' games in the arcade. Kids can draw a game on any white surface, take a picture with their device on…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $19.99
  • Age:
  • 6+

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The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

SCIENCE4YOU

Through play, kids  develop a variety of cognitive skills. They are more likely to feel motivated and rewarded while learning and that's why Science4You combines fun experiments with educational content, all while building curiosity through experimentation and exploration. There 12 sets to choose from. Kids ages 4 and up can learn from Discovering 5 Senses,…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $24.99-34.99
  • Age:
  • 4-8+

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The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

GRIDBLOCK

Players take turns placing their game pieces onto the grid. The rules are simple – Pieces of the same color must touch, and pieces of the same shape must not touch. Meanwhile, kids also want to keep as many pegs adjacent to their game pieces open as possible. Be clever. Be creative. Whoever places the…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $24.95
  • Age:
  • 8+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

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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