Toy Insider Senior Editor Jackie Cucco joined Afternoon Live on KATU Portland to show off some great educational toys that have zero screen time. For more on the items featured in this segment, check out the product notes below, and for the complete rundown of the best toys of the spring and summer, be sure to check our complete Toy Insider Spring and Summer Gift Guide


SHAPES & SHARING PICNIC BASKET

Learn about colors, shapes, manners and more while on a pretend picnic with the Shapes & Sharing Picnic Basket. Lift the lid to hear cheerful phrases and unpack the 15 play pieces, including colorful plates, forks, cups and food. The interactive shape sorter on the lid recognizes the food pieces and says the shape and…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $24.99; $29.99 CAD
  • Age:
  • 6 MOS.+

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COCOMELON LEARNING BOOK

Kids can join JJ and his friends on the farm with this interactive book that has more than 50 learning phrases and three play modes: music, number, and animal sounds. Press the three colorful buttons to select a mode and flip through the pages to see JJ with farm animals.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $21.99
  • Age:
  • 18 MOS+

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FISHING PLAY SET

Kids can go pretend fishing from home with this 21-piece, role-play set. The set includes two wooden rods; six double-sided, wooden fish; four play worms; and a net. Kids can learn which fish they caught with the included fish guide and activity cards.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $33.29
  • 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.

MARBLE RUSH ULTIMATE SET

Roll through challenges and stunts with this 145-piece, color-coded building set. Build up the set and then drop 10 marbles into action. Features a spinning Ferris wheel, ramps, fast tracks, and more. Roll through challenges and stunts with this 145-piece, color-coded building set. Build up the set and then drop 10 marbles into action. Features…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $47.99; $79.99 CAD
  • Age:
  • 4+

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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.

SNAP CIRCUITS GREEN ENERGY

Kids can make their own real-working circuits and learn the basics of electronics and alternative energy with this set. With more than 45 parts and 125 projects to explore, kids will gain knowledge about clean energy concepts, including the science behind electric cars, windmills, and hand-generated power.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $104.99
  • Age:
  • 8+

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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