10 Educational Toys That Will Keep Kids Engaged (and Learning!) in 2025

If you're after a reliable magnetic tile set, the MAGNA-TILES Classic 32-Piece delivers solid build quality and safe materials — it’s made from food-grade, non-toxic MABS plastic and is compatible with other MAGNA-TILES sets for easy expansion. In our testing the tiles clicked together crisply and supported simple STEM play that helps spatial awareness and fine motor skills for ages 3–99. During our review we found the 32-piece count limits larger builds and, at $34.99, the price felt high compared with similar sets, which is why it earned a middling 7.5/10 in our guide.

We found the Osmo Genius Starter Kit for Fire Tablet excels at blending tactile pieces with tablet games to keep kids actively learning rather than passively watching a screen, and it supports a range of STEM skills for 6–10 year olds. During our review the hands-on interaction improved engagement, but setup was occasionally frustrating—especially with newer Fire tablets that need adapters or removal from cases. For $54.99 it earned a solid 8/10 for innovation and real-world learning, though expect some glitches and extra fiddling to get started.

For preschool PAW Patrol fans, the PAW Patrol Pup Pad offers hands-on rescue play with 18 authentic sounds and missions that build fine motor skills and imaginative problem solving for ages 3–5. In our testing kids loved the character audio and interactive prompts, which encourage creative role play, but our experience shows the toy can wear down—some users report sounds stopping after only a few months—and its large size and limited play variety hurt long-term interest. Priced at $41.99 and scored 6/10, it’s fun short-term but not the most durable pick.

In our testing the PlayShifu Smart Globe mixes tactile exploration with an engaging app to boost curiosity about the world and spatial awareness for kids 4–10, and the interactive activities can make geography feel like play. During our review we liked the learning variety, but our experience shows the app can be temperamental—especially in low light—and the globe’s lack of country boundaries reduces geographic context for deeper lessons. Priced at $37.99 and scoring 6.5/10, it’s a fun, tech-forward intro to maps if you can live with app quirks.

In our testing ThinkFun’s Gravity Maze was a satisfying brain workout that strengthens spatial reasoning and logic with 60 challenges that ramp in difficulty—great for ages 8 and up. During our review the marble-run puzzle proved addictive and educational, but our experience shows some puzzles may be too tough for younger players and the limited piece count can restrict freeform experimentation. At $19.58 and a 7.5/10 score, it’s an affordable, screen-free reasoning toy that rewards persistence and critical thinking.

During our review the Lego Education SPIKE Prime impressed with classroom-ready depth—32 lesson plans map to STEM standards and nurture design thinking—making it a strong choice for older kids and clubs. Our experience shows the set teaches critical thinking, creativity, and problem solving, but at $471.99 it’s a high investment and felt underwhelming as a generational upgrade compared to past models. While not the highest scorer (6.5/10), it’s a robust, high-tech toolkit for ages 10+ if you need structured, curriculum-aligned robotics.

We found Botley The Coding Robot 2.0 to be an excellent screen-free introduction to programming for kids 5–10, offering sequences up to 150 steps that build problem-solving and logical thinking in a very tangible way. During our review the physical programming interface kept kids engaged without needing tablets, which contributed to its strong 8.5/10 score, but our experience shows turning accuracy can be inconsistent and multiple units may interfere with each other on the same frequency. At $61.79, Botley is a playful, high-value way to learn coding fundamentals, as long as you accept occasional navigation quirks.

Our experience shows the Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 is the standout STEM bargain in this guide, earning a top spot with a 9/10 for its clear learning trajectory and snap-together electronics that let kids build over 100 projects without soldering. During our review kids stayed engaged as they explored circuits and problem solving, and the detailed manual supports independent learning for ages 8 and up. While projects can feel repetitive after extensive play and younger learners may need help, this kit’s hands-on approach makes abstract concepts tangible and rewarding.

We found the National Geographic Science Magic Kit to be a charming mix of science and showmanship—15 experiments that double as magic tricks teach pH, hydrophobicity, and optics while sparking curiosity for kids 8 and up. During our review the included wand, gloves, and bonus booklet added theatrical flair, but our experience shows some experiments require common household items not included and can get messy, so prep and supervision are necessary. At $24.99 it scored 7/10 as an affordable, hands-on way to make science feel like performance.

We found the Craft & Carry Supply Station to be a delightful clutter-busting craft kit that includes over 1,000 pieces and a 33-page booklet with 10 projects, making it ideal for creative play sessions. During our review the stackable storage and designated cubbies helped keep materials organized and ready for quick crafting, which is great for kids 5 and up, though our experience shows some children may feel overwhelmed by the sheer variety and would benefit from more guided inspiration beyond the booklet. At $39.95 it scored 7/10 as a solid arts starter kit that encourages dexterity and imagination.