Kindergartners are just starting to get excited about academic skills, but they still love to—and need to—learn by doing and playing. Give them materials that allow them to have fun and build with this list of our favorite educational toys for kindergarten learning.
(Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)
1. Rainbow Acrylic Blocks
Kindergartners are master block builders, and they’ve got the imagination, patience, and spatial skills to make some pretty awesome creations. Up their block game with some fun additions to a classic set of wooden blocks like these colorful window blocks. They also invite science exploration of light and color.
Buy it: Rainbow Acrylic Blocks on Amazon
2. Guidecraft Arches and Tunnels
These large pieces beg to be added to next-level block creations. Kids can start to investigate shape and balance too.
Buy it: Guidecraft Arches and Tunnels on Amazon
3. PlayTape Black Road Tape
This stuff is amazing! Give kids free rein to create their own peel-and-stick road systems. Use it on the floor or table and inspire racetracks, block towns, map- and sign-making, and more.
Buy it: PlayTape Black Road Tape on Amazon
4. LEGO Classic Basic Brick Set
Kindergarten fingers are ready to create with standard-size LEGO. Building sets with directions to follow are fun, but an open-ended, basic set of bricks has exceptional staying power. Add a couple of baseplates to keep things structured and organized. LEGO play encourages kids to explore math concepts like measurement and fractions too.
Buy it: LEGO Classic Basic Brick Set on Amazon
5. Magna-Tiles
Magna-Tiles are an investment worth making. Kindergarten kiddos naturally explore geometry and engineering concepts as they make more elaborate structures.
Buy it: Magna-Tiles on Amazon
6. MindWare Marble Run
Deceptively challenging but oh-so satisfying, setting up a successful marble run is an ultimate STEM challenge.
Buy it: MindWare Marble Run on Amazon
7. Green Toys Sandwich Shop
Kindergartners still love to pretend, especially where food is involved. Whether it is a restaurant, picnic, or grocery store, they’re usually down for it. This little set is fun for all ages, but we love how it encourages kindergartners to write down “orders” and think more carefully about ingredients and sequencing. Would you like extra pickles with that?
Buy it: Green Toys Sandwich Shop on Amazon
8. Learning Resources Pretend & Play Cash Register
The appealing but not overly annoying beeps and dings make this cash register a perfect pretend-play prop. Plus, help kids work on number recognition and begin thinking about monetary amounts. Cha-ching!
Buy it: Learning Resources Pretend & Play Cash Register on Amazon
9. Learning Resources Wooden Pattern Blocks
Beautiful in their simplicity, pattern blocks are a true multipurpose math manipulative. Use these sturdy blocks to investigate shapes, fractions, patterning, and design.
Buy it: Learning Resources Wooden Pattern Blocks on Amazon
10. Melissa & Doug My Own Mailbox
Snail mail, both real and pretend, is the ultimate context for authentic early literacy skills practice.
Buy it: Melissa & Doug My Own Mailbox on Amazon
11. Plugo Count
This game allows students to work with counting and numbers in a new way! It turns your device into a gaming system, and children go through math adventures that are story-based. There are over 250 progressive levels.
Buy it: Plugo Count on Amazon
12. Hand2Mind 20-Bead Rekenrek
The name of this awesome Dutch math tool means “counting rack.” It helps kids visualize and subitize (break down) numerical amounts into components of ones, fives, and tens using its rows and bead colors. Have kids use it to practice representing numbers, work on addition and subtraction problems, or even keep score during a game.
Buy it: Hand2Mind 20-Bead Rekenrek on Amazon
13. Wooden Geoboard
This classic classroom tool is a huge draw for kids. Stretch rubber bands to create shapes and pictures while exploring geometry concepts.
Buy it: Wooden Geoboard on Amazon
14. Letter and Number Pop-Its
Merge their love of fidget toys with learning. Use these fidgets toys to work on kindergarten skills. Your students will not realize they are learning. Check out other ways to use Pop-Its in the classroom.
Buy it: Letter and Number Pop Fidget Toys on Amazon
15. Magnetic Letter and Number Set
Alphabet manipulatives help kindergartners focus on spelling without the added burden of handwriting. Magnetic letters are useful for practicing sight words and working with word families. We like the straightforward colors and storage in this set and that it has numbers for representing math problems also.
Buy it: Magnetic Letter and Number Set on Amazon
16. Marbotic Deluxe Learning Kit for iPad
Understanding how a calendar works takes plenty of practice. An engaging, magnetic version encourages kids to manipulate a calendar’s components and create a personally relevant representation of each month.
Buy it: Marbotic Deluxe Learning Kit for iPad on Amazon
17. HUE Animation Studio
Stop animation in the classroom? Absolutely! From storytelling to working out math problems, your students can use this animation studio to bring their learning to life.
Buy it: HUE Animation Studio on Amazon
18. Smarkids Building Blocks
Incorporating engineering into everyday play is simple with these building blocks. Design, build, and play … all built in one.
Buy it: Smarkids Building Blocks on Amazon
19. Kinetic Sand Playset
Scooping, squeezing, and creating are important for kindergarten hands. Use this beach-themed set for open-ended creation or for plenty of fun learning activities.
Buy it: Kinetic Sand Playset on Amazon
20. Colorations Lowercase Learning Stamp Set
The only thing better than squishing dough or sand is stamping in it! Use one of these educational toys for kindergarten learning for kids to learn letter forms and practice spelling in a multi-sensory way.
Buy it: Colorations Lowercase Learning Stamp Set on Amazon
21. QZM Wooden Pegboard Bead Game
Writing is hard work, and kindergartners’ fine motor strength and coordination have to be up to the challenge. This activity set offers so many practice opportunities. (Every kindergartner we know LOVES tongs.) Encourage spatial thinking by following the pattern cards.
Buy it: QZM Wooden Pegboard Bead Game on Amazon
22. Playstix Construction Toy Building Blocks
This construction set uses color-coded pieces for building. It provides a great bridge between learning and play. Put this set in your STEM center and have the kids turn into little engineers.
Buy it: Playstix Construction Toy Building Blocks on Amazon
23. Tinkertoy
Tinkertoys provide the smallest engineers with the biggest imaginations the tools they need to bring their ideas to life! Add Tinkertoys to your morning tubs or for indoor recess to use as educational toys for kindergarten learning.
Buy it: Tinkertoy on Amazon
24. Fat Brain Toys Clip Cloppers
Kindergartners are still figuring out how their bodies work, and the gross motor challenge of these rope stilts encourages risk-taking and persistence.
Buy it: Fat Brain Toys Clip Cloppers on Amazon
25. E-Know Giant Bubble Wand
Giant bubbles are tons of fun no matter how you make them, but we love how this set encourages kids to wonder and experiment with changing the shape of the wand. Good clean fun!
Buy it: E-Know Giant Bubble Wand on Amazon
What are your favorite educational toys for kindergarten? Join the WeAreTeacher Deals Facebook Group and let us know!
Plus, check out the best kindergarten books and websites.
