Educational Christmas gifts for children

Play time; it really is a crucial factor in the development of your child's cognitive ability. Not only does play time help develop good social skills through bonding with parents and friends, it can also improve decision-making skills and subject specific knowledge, depending on the toy or game.

Kerri Atherton, of the British Toy and Hobby Association, said: "If you want to spark an interest in a particular educational subject area, then educational toys can enhance children’s understanding of it by providing a fun and entertaining play experience to learn in. Educational toys retain children’s interest for the subject by engaging them in a way they naturally enjoy.”

With stores regularly stocking a range of toys and games specifically designed to get children engaged in a particular subject, learning at home has never been easier. To help, here is our Christmas gift guide to some great options.  

1. 56 piece building blocks

Encourage learning with this set of building blocks of different shapes; featuring numbers, letters, pictures and colours to encourage imaginative play and improve the hand-eye coordination skills of children. Use the blocks to make up sums, words, pictures and stories to inspire learning at play time. These blocks are also great to use in group play, to show children how to successfully work as a team whilst improving social skills. 56 piece building blocks, £16.99, Educational Toys

2. Kid O Sort Shape House

Inspire children to learn the names of different shapes and colours, as they match the solid blocks to the cut-out shapes of the play house; all colour co-ordinated. Children match each form to the coloured cut-outs to assemble a chimney, the windows and doors, and successfully build the play house. Kid O Sort Shape House, £28.95.

3. Big Jigs Triangular Activity Centre

This wooden triangle activity centre has no detachable pieces, which makes it ideal for travelling. With five sides, the toy is multifunctional, with each side sporting a different type of learning activity in the style of a game. One side teaches sorting and counting by matching animals. There is also a side of chalkboard to practice writing. The activity centre also features an abacus, and letter and picture blocks for alphabet practice. Big Jigs Triangular Activity Centre, £28.99, Big Jigs

4. Light and Sound Drum

One for all the senses; children can roll or bang the drum to discover fun sounds and brightly coloured lights. The drum stimulates the senses and encourages crawling and walking, making it great for physical development and hand-eye coordination skills. Light and Sound Drum, £15, Early Learning Centre

Ages three to five years

1. Code & Go Robot Mouse Activity Set

The Code & Go Robot Mouse Activity Set has won two awards since being released in January. The toy introduces children to maths, engineering, science and technology using 'Colby', a robot mouse, for hands-on learning. Children program the mouse to a sequence through maze formations to get the cheese. Code & Go Robot Mouse Activity Set, £50, Mothercare

2. Pop to the Shops

Great for ages five and up, this interactive shopping game introduces children to personal finance. By handling fake money and coins, children learn through practical activities. In the game, children are shopkeepers, while the objective is to complete a shopping list without over-spending, they pick up a card and move from shop to shop buying items on the card until they have collected everything they need. Pop to the Shops, £10, Orchard Toys

4. Janod Garden Maxi Activity Centre

More suitable for three to four-year-olds, there is a shape sorting side for children to develop their recognition skills, a side featuring moving animals and a puzzle to test children’s cognitive abilities. Janod Garden Maxi Activity Centre, £49.95, The Toy Centre

Ages five to eight years

1. BrainBox Maths Memory Game

Developed by a primary school teacher with over 30 years experience in the classroom, BrainBox Maths Memory Game is designed to improve your child’s memory, a fundamental tool in learning. It's also designed to make the sometimes difficult concepts of mathematics fun and easy to remember for children. BrainBox Maths Memory Game, £9.99, John Lewis  

2. LeapReader Reading and Writing System

A good introduction to reading and writing for your child. Use the interactive pen to guide letter strokes and sound out words while reading along with the story,  children touch pages or words to hear them read aloud, sound out words and play words to build vocabulary and comprehension. It also gives stroke-by-stoke guidance by tracing letters, numbers and words on special paper for mess free writing. The books range from Disney to LeapFrog own titles and have lively character voices and fun sound effects. LeapReader Reading and Writing System, £29.99, Smyths