Toys are more than just fun - they’re tools that help young children explore, grow, and develop essential skills. At Kids Academy, we believe in the power of play-based learning to inspire creativity, build confidence, and prepare children for life’s big milestones.
This guide highlights the best educational toys for children aged 0–5, complete with activity ideas to encourage family involvement. These toys aren’t just entertaining - they align perfectly with the developmental needs of babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Plus, they’re all available at trusted Australian retailers.
Why Educational Toys and Play Matter
Play is at the heart of early learning. It’s how children make sense of the world, build critical skills, and form connections with those around them. Research shows that:
- 90% of brain development occurs before age 5: Play stimulates neural connections essential for learning.
- Play builds essential skills: From problem-solving to motor coordination, toys encourage growth in multiple areas.
- Play fosters creativity and social bonds: Role-playing and interactive activities teach communication and empathy.
At Kids Academy, we integrate play into every part of our Lifelong Learning Curriculum because we know it’s the foundation for a lifetime of learning.
Best Educational Toys for Babies (0–1 Year)
Babies learn through their senses - touching, seeing, and hearing everything around them. These toys are perfect for engaging their curiosity and supporting early development.
1. Sensory Play Mats
- Why it’s great: Textures, bright colours, and built-in sounds encourage sensory exploration and tummy time, helping babies build strength and motor skills.
- Family activity idea: Lie down with your baby and explore the mat together, pointing to objects or making sounds.
- Where to Buy: The Tiny Love Meadow Days Gymini Dynamic is available at Baby Village.
2. Cloth Books
- Why it’s great: Interactive cloth books with crinkly pages and bold patterns introduce early literacy and auditory stimulation.
- Family activity idea: Sit with your baby during storytime and mimic the sounds or animals in the book to grab their attention.
- Where to buy: The Animal Tails Cloth Educational Book is available at Baby Stork.
3. Stacking Cups or Rings
- Why it’s great: These toys develop fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and problem-solving as babies stack, sort, and balance pieces.
- Family activity idea: Use stacking cups in the bath to add water play to the mix.
- Where to buy: The Lamaze Pile and Play Stacking Cups can be found at Big W.
Best Educational Toys for Toddlers (1–3 Years)
Toddlers are bursting with energy and curiosity. These toys focus their enthusiasm into learning experiences that build their cognitive, motor, and social skills.
1. Wooden Puzzles
- Why it’s great: Puzzles teach toddlers about shapes and colours while improving patience, problem-solving, and fine motor skills.
- Family activity idea: Work together to complete the puzzle, and cheer them on as they match the pieces.
- Where to buy: The Melissa & Doug Farm Peg Puzzle is available at Ed Resources.
2. Musical Instruments
- Why it’s great: Instruments like tambourines, maracas, and xylophones introduce rhythm, sound, and creative expression.
- Family activity idea: Have a family jam session, letting your toddler lead the rhythm or choose a favorite song to play along with.
- Where to buy: The Djeco Animambo Set of 3 Musical Instruments is available at Discount Toy Co.
3. Push-and-Pull Toys
- Why it’s great: Push-and-pull toys improve balance, coordination, and gross motor skills while encouraging physical activity.
- Family activity idea: Set up a mini obstacle course for your toddler to navigate with their pull-along toy.
- Where to buy: The PlanToys Pull-Along Snail can be found on Amazon.
Best Educational Toys for Preschoolers (3–5 Years)
Preschoolers thrive on imaginative play and hands-on problem-solving. These toys prepare them for school by encouraging creativity, critical thinking, and coordination.
1. STEM Kits and Building Blocks
- Why it’s great: STEM toys introduce concepts like engineering and geometry while fostering creativity and problem-solving.
- Family activity idea: Build towers or shapes together, and challenge your preschooler to make a design that won’t topple over.
- Where to buy: The Magna-Tiles 100-Piece Classic Set is available at Big W.
2. Pretend Play Sets
- Why it’s great: Role-playing with pretend play sets sparks creativity, social skills, and emotional understanding.
- Family activity idea: Join their tea party or play “customer” at their pretend café to encourage imaginative storytelling.
- Where to buy: The 13 Piece Wooden Tea Playset is available at Kmart.
3. Balance Bikes
- Why it’s great: Balance bikes develop coordination, confidence, and physical fitness, helping children transition to pedal bikes.
- Family activity idea: Cheer them on as they practice balance at the park or create a “racecourse” in the backyard.
- Where to buy: Find balance bikes at Little Nation.
How These Toys Align with Kids Academy’s Approach
At Kids Academy, we believe that play is the foundation for early learning. That’s why toys and activities are carefully chosen to support children’s development across multiple domains - cognitive, physical, social, and emotional.
Our centers are proud to implement Affinity Education’s Lifelong Learning Curriculum, which is designed to foster creativity, exploration, and critical thinking in a nurturing and engaging environment. This curriculum incorporates play-based learning to help children develop essential skills for school and life. Here’s how the toys we’ve recommended align with this approach:
1. Encouraging Exploration and Problem-Solving
Educational toys like sensory mats, stacking cups, and STEM kits provide hands-on opportunities for children to explore and discover. These activities are essential for developing problem-solving skills and critical thinking.
- Babies: Sensory mats engage their curiosity as they explore textures, sounds, and colours, building early cognitive connections.
- Preschoolers: STEM kits challenge children to think critically, experiment, and find creative solutions, preparing them for future academic success.
By fostering a sense of curiosity, these toys mirror the emphasis on exploration and inquiry that is central to the Lifelong Learning Curriculum.
2. Developing Essential Skills Across Ages
Each toy type supports a unique set of developmental skills:
- Fine motor skills: Stacking cups, puzzles, and balance bikes enhance coordination and control, which are crucial for writing, drawing, and self-care tasks.
- Gross motor skills: Push-and-pull toys and balance bikes encourage movement, helping toddlers and preschoolers develop strength, balance, and coordination.
- Social skills: Musical instruments and pretend play sets provide opportunities for collaboration, turn-taking, and communication, building the foundation for strong interpersonal relationships.
The Lifelong Learning Curriculum prioritises these skills to help children reach developmental milestones and prepare for the transition to school.
3. Fostering Creativity and Imagination
Imaginative play is a cornerstone of the Lifelong Learning Curriculum. Pretend play sets, like a tea party set or doctor’s kit, allow preschoolers to create stories, explore emotions, and practice social scenarios in a safe and fun environment. For example, a child playing with a pretend tea set is not just having fun - they’re developing language skills, practicing empathy, and building their confidence in social settings.
At Kids Academy, we use toys and activities like these to inspire creativity and help children express themselves in meaningful ways.
4. Making Learning Fun and Engaging
Play-based learning ensures that children are actively involved in their education. Toys that encourage open-ended play, such as building blocks or musical instruments, keep children engaged and excited about learning.
Kids Academy educators incorporate similar toys into daily activities to create engaging learning experiences that feel like play. Through the Lifelong Learning Curriculum, we aim to make every moment count - helping children build skills, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.
So Much More Than Playthings
Educational toys are much more than playthings - they’re tools that inspire learning, build skills, and create lasting memories. From sensory mats for babies to balance bikes for preschoolers, these toys align with Kids Academy’s commitment to play-based learning and early childhood development.
Ready to see how we make learning fun? Book a tour at your nearest Kids Academy centre and discover how our programs support your child’s growth every step of the way. Find your nearest Kids Academy here.