Looking for toys this holiday season that are as educational as they are entertaining? Toy Insider Senior Editor Ali Mierzejewski stopped by ABC’s World News Now to show off some of the smartest educational toys for the holidays. For more on the items featured in this segment, check out the product notes below, and for our complete rundown of the best gifts for the holidays, check out our complete holiday gift guide.

 

ELMO’S WORLD HIDE AND SEEK (IDENTITY GAMES USA)

  • Elmo Hide and Seek. Elmo wants to play hide and seek. Look at the pictures very closely and try to find Elmo.
  • Your best friend is hiding somewhere around the house – but she won’t be gone for long! Based on a timeless play pattern, Elmo “Hide & Seek” is a refreshing update to the beloved classic and features a sturdy character that chirps out little hints when hidden.
  • One player or parent hides Elmo, while the others use the enclosed clue cards to find her. A cheerful “I am here, I am here!” helps guide the players to the secret hiding place.
  • Age: 1+
  • MSRP: $19.99
  • Available: Amazon

CRAYOLA MY FIRST DRAW ’N DABBLE EASEL (GROW’N UP LTD.)

  • Designed with a low height for new young artists, My First Draw N’ Dabble Easel features a chalkboard surface a large paper clip and an accessory tray and also includes 1 eraser.
  • Your little creative one will have tons of fun dabbling in the arts with this functional easel. It has a large chalkboard surface, an easy-access tray to hold drawing tools, and a fold away design.
  • Age: 18 months+
  • MSRP: $29.99
  • Available: Walmart.com

7 ATE 9 (PLAYMONSTER)

  • Games provide easy ways to get kids to learn!
  • 7 ATE 9 challenges players to quickly add or subtract. It’s a race to get rid of your cards!
  • Players add or subtract 1, 2, or 3 to the number on card pile to see if they have a card that can be played next. Sounds easy, but with everyone racing and playing cards, the numbers are always changing! The first to get rid of their cards wins.
  • For 1 to 4 players.
  • Age: 8+
  • MSRP: $11.99
  • Available: Amazon

HEXBUG VEX ROBOTICS BATTLEBOTS MINOTAUR/TOMBSTONE (HEXBUG)

  • From the hit TV series BattleBots comes Tombstone, the grave maker!
  • Kids can construct their very own version of this champion robot with the VEX Robotics BattleBots Tombstone.
  • Use STEM-based problem solving skills in part with easy snap-together pieces to bring this bot to life. Tombstone comes complete with realistic detail and fully functional spinning blade!
  • Gearbox features a mechanical rectifier that allows the “blade” to spin in the same direction regardless of the direction of the wheels.
  • Age: 8+
  • MSRP: $49.99
  • Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us

Smithsonian Diggin’ Up Dinos T-Rex (NSI International)

  • Excavate and identify with the Smithsonian Diggin’ Up Dinosaurs T-Rex.
  • Chip away with the mallet and dowel on the blocks to reveal a T-Rex Skeleton.
  • This kit includes one sand block with a T-Rex “fossil,” a mallet, a dowel, a pair of goggles, and a brush.
  • Age: 8+
  • MSRP: $12.50
  • Available: Walmart, Amazon

Discovery Underwater Volcano (HORIZON GROUP USA)

  • Underwater volcanoes are known as submarine volcanoes!  With this kit you will create your very own underwater volcano eruption.
  • Set your scene and fill the aquarium with water.  Once filled, add the volcano structure with the fizzing tablet and watch a chemical reaction occur right before your eyes.
  • Eruptions from submarine volcanoes account for 75% of the lava released from the Earth’s core each year!  The underwater eruptions go from a very hot environment to the bottom of the ocean, which is extremely cold. These eruptions form pillow like shapes that harden quickly.
  • MSRP: $19.99
  • Ages: 12+
  • Available: Michaels, 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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