Toys That Develop Literacy Development
Our Top 5 Picks
Interactive Alphabet Express Puzzle
The Melissa & Doug Alphabet Express Jumbo Jigsaw Floor Puzzle is a delightful 10-foot adventure into the world of letters and creativity! Perfect for preschoolers aged 3 to 5, this extra-thick puzzle encourages hands-on, screen-free play while helping little ones develop crucial hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills. As kids piece together vibrant letters and fun illustrations, they're not just creating a puzzle; they're also laying the groundwork for literacy and early learning in a fun, engaging way. 3-5 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Interactive Alphabet Express Puzzle is a vibrant 10-foot jigsaw that turns letter learning into a fun, hands-on adventure—perfect for sparking little imaginations and early literacy skills!
Cozy Cow Pillow Pets Companion
The Pillow Pets Originals Cozy Cow is an absolutely delightful addition to any child’s toys! With its soft plush exterior and friendly smile, this cuddly companion not only provides comfort during playtime but also transforms into an inviting pillow for cozy naps and reading adventures. As parents and educators, we adore how this multifunctional toy encourages imaginative play, emotional support, and relaxation. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Cozy Cow Pillow Pets Companion features a soft plush exterior that transforms from a cuddle buddy into a cozy pillow, making nap time and story time feel extra special.
Organized Learning with Classroom Keepers
The Classroom Keepers Sturdy Cardboard Book Shelf offers a fantastic solution for keeping educational materials organized and accessible. This three-tiered shelf not only helps in cultivating a love for reading by making books and resources easily reachable, but it also boosts organizational skills and responsibility in young learners. Constructed from recycled materials and made in the USA, parents and educators alike can feel good about choosing a product that combines quality, sustainability, and child-friendly design. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Organized Learning with Classroom Keepers features a three-tiered design that makes books easily accessible, turning reading into a delightful adventure while teaching kids the value of tidiness.
Melissa & Doug Dress-Up Baby Book
The Melissa & Doug Soft Activity Baby Book - What Should I Wear? is a delightful journey into the world of dress-up for little ones. Packed with engaging scenes from beach fun to snowy escapades, this cloth book not only sparks creativity but also fosters essential skills like decision-making and imaginative play. 0-3 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Melissa & Doug Dress-Up Baby Book features a removable dress-up doll that fosters creativity while sparking essential conversations about what to wear for any occasion—fun and educational, all in one!
Magnetic Learning Toy for Little Artists
The VTech Write and Learn Creative Center is a delightful way to spark creativity while teaching essential writing skills! Designed for children ages 3 to 6, this engaging magnetic drawing board transforms learning into a fun adventure with animated demonstrations that guide our little ones through proper stroke order for both uppercase and lowercase letters. As parents and educators, we love that it not only helps our young learners write their names step-by-step but also fosters their artistic abilities by progressing from simple shapes to drawing over 26 distinct objects. 3-6 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Magnetic Learning Toy for Little Artists features animated demonstrations that guide kids through writing letters, making learning a colorful, hands-on adventure while nurturing their creative side.
Classic Magnetic Letters for Engaging Learning
The Teacher Created Resources 2-inch Black Classic Magnetic Letters empower children to explore the world of words through hands-on learning. Perfect for the classroom or home, this vibrant set of 87 letters is designed to captivate young minds and encourage phonetic and literacy skills development. By manipulating these magnetic letters on any metal surface, kids can experiment with spelling, word formation, and even simple sentence structure, making it an essential tool for budding writers and readers. All Grades
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Classic Magnetic Letters feature 87 vibrant pieces that turn fridge doors into spelling boards, making literacy a fun hands-on adventure your budding wordsmiths will enjoy!
Build-A-Sentence: Fun Sentence Building Game
Build-A-Sentence is more than just a game; it's an engaging way for our kids to enhance their literacy skills! Designed for children aged 6 and up, this interactive board game encourages players to construct sentences in a fun and competitive way. As we spin the spinner and collect colorful cards, we get to watch our kids grow in confidence as they master sentence structure, reading, and grammar. 6+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Build-A-Sentence features colorful cards and a spinner that turns language learning into a fun, competitive adventure for kids, making sentences feel like building blocks of creativity.
Green Toys Train & Storybook Adventure
Green Toys Train & Storybook Set is the ultimate playtime companion that combines imaginative journeys with developmental learning! Perfect for little conductors, this eco-friendly toy helps children enhance their motor skills while sparking their creativity and storytelling abilities. Made from 100% recycled plastic and free from harmful materials, we feel great about choosing this safe, sustainable option for our kids. 2-5 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Green Toys Train & Storybook Adventure includes an eco-friendly train set that inspires creativity and enhances storytelling, making playtime both fun and educational for little ones.
Engaging Fun with Easy-Grip Foam Stamps
Colorations® Easy-Grip Foam Stampers are the delightful way for our kids to dive into the world of letters! These colorful, durable stamps empower children to learn the uppercase alphabet while boosting their fine motor skills. The easy-to-handle design, featuring clear visibility and a comfy grip, invites repeated exploration and play. 3-7 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Engaging Fun with Easy-Grip Foam Stamps includes colorful, durable designs that make learning the alphabet a hands-on adventure, marrying fun and education seamlessly.
Phoneme Phone for Speech Mastery
The hand2mind Phoneme Phone is a fantastic tool designed to transform how our little ones experience speech development. As parents and educators, we know how vital phonemic awareness is for effective communication, and this innovative toy amplifies their voice, ensuring they hear every sound clearly. Perfect for all ages, this engaging device not only aids in speech therapy and literacy but also sparks joy in learning through pretend play. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Phoneme Phone for Speech Mastery amplifies kids' voices, turning speech practice into a playful experience that makes learning to communicate fun and engaging.
Magnetic Letters for Fun Learning
The Teacher Created Resources Marquee Bold Block 2" Magnetic Letters are a vibrant addition to any learning environment. Perfect for engaging children in letter recognition, these durable and reusable letters can stick to whiteboards, desks, and even bins, making learning accessible and playful. As we explore spelling, vocabulary, and even simple sentences together, these eye-catching letters help develop essential literacy skills in a hands-on way, while adding a touch of flair to our everyday spaces. Preschool
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Magnetic Letters for Fun Learning includes vibrant, durable letters that stick to various surfaces, turning everyday spaces into playful, interactive literacy hubs that spark creativity and confidence.
Charming Cara-Mellow Bear for Cuddles
Cara-Mellow Bear is the perfect first friend for your little one! As educators and parents, we know how important it is for kids to develop emotional bonds and social skills from an early age. This irresistibly soft teddy bear encourages imaginative play, fosters comfort during transitions, and can even support literacy as your child snuggles up for story time. 0+ months
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Charming Cara-Mellow Bear, with his irresistibly soft texture, encourages snuggly story time and fosters a comforting friendship that helps little ones navigate their big emotions.
Cocomelon Musical School Bus Tent Adventure
Cocomelon Musical Yellow School Bus Pop Up Tent is the perfect playhouse for your little ones to unleash their creativity and imagination! As parents, we know how important it is for our kids to have spaces to explore—this tent offers them a delightful escape to pretend they’re riding to school with JJ and all their CoComelon pals. With engaging music and multiple entrances for peek-a-boo fun, children can enhance their social skills and coordination while enjoying hours of pretend play. 2+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Cocomelon Musical School Bus Tent Adventure features engaging music, making it a delightful getaway for pretend play that boosts creativity and social interaction among friends.
LeapFrog LeapStart Bluey Fun Adventures
The LeapFrog LeapStart Bluey Fun and Games Play activity book is a delightful way for kids aged 2-5 years to engage with their favorite characters while building essential skills. With 15+ replayable activities that encourage imaginative play and literacy development, your child will not only have fun, but they'll also enhance their reading comprehension and cognitive abilities. Using the interactive stylus to tap on words and pictures brings each page to life, fostering independence and curiosity. 2-5 years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
LeapFrog LeapStart Bluey Fun Adventures features 15+ replayable activities that transform learning into an exciting journey, making reading a delightful adventure for little learners.
Batman Vinyl Figure: A Collector's Dream
Funko POP! Heroes: DC - Valentines, Batman is the perfect collectible for both kids and adults! We love how this adorable 3. 6+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Batman Vinyl Figure: A Collector's Dream is a 3.75-inch figurine that ignites creativity and comic appreciation while teaching kids valuable skills through collectible organization.
Mini Brands Books Capsules Delights
Mini Brands Books Capsule by ZURU offers an imaginative way for our kids—nay, the whole family—to dive into the delightful world of reading! Each capsule unveils five miniature books that come with real, readable pages, sparking curiosity and encouraging literacy development in a fun and interactive manner. With over 40 iconic titles to collect, including beloved classics and exciting new bestsellers, children can explore different genres, enhance their storytelling skills, and even experience the thrill of discovering rare editions. 6+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Mini Brands Books Capsules Delights unveil five miniature books with real, readable pages, transforming storytime into a treasure hunt that fuels young imaginations and a love for reading.
Rainbow Phonics Heart Words Cards
The Junior Learning Rainbow Phonics - Heart Words set is an exciting tool for teaching core vocabulary to children ages 4 and up. Featuring 93 vibrant word cards with engaging visuals and phonetic sound buttons, this set transforms learning into a playful adventure. Perfect for both classroom settings and home learning, these cards help kids develop essential literacy skills while encouraging independent exploration. 4+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Rainbow Phonics Heart Words Cards include 93 vibrant word cards and phonetic sound buttons, making reading feel like an exciting treasure hunt for young learners.
Unlock Language with ASL Flash Cards!
Carson Dellosa 216 American Sign Language Flash Cards for Kids is a fantastic way to introduce your little ones to the beautiful world of signing! These thoughtfully designed cards not only teach essential vocabulary and everyday phrases but also foster communication skills that can enhance literacy development. With colorful illustrations and clear instructions for each sign, we can support our children’s learning journeys in a hands-on, engaging way. 3+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Unlock Language with ASL Flash Cards! includes colorful illustrations that make learning essential vocabulary a hands-on adventure, fostering expressive skills while connecting with kids in such a unique way.
Mal's Magical Adventure Doll
The Mattel Descendants Mal Isle of The Lost Tenth Anniversary Fashion Doll invites kids into a world where creativity and storytelling come alive! Not only does this enchanting doll inspire imaginative play and role-playing—significant avenues for social skills development—but it also encourages kids to explore concepts of character and narrative as they recreate their favorite moments from the Disney Descendants movies. By engaging with Mal and her infamous spell book, children aged 4 and older can enhance their literacy skills while embarking on magical adventures filled with fun and learning. 4+ years
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Mal's Magical Adventure Doll features Mal and her spell book, sparking imaginative narratives that help kids master social skills while having spellbinding fun.
Lion-O Action Figure: Adventure Awaits!
Lion-O, the Lord of the ThunderCats, is not just an action figure; he’s a gateway to adventure and imaginative play! This 5. 5-inch posable figure, with 16 movable joints and diverse accessories, sparks creativity and storytelling in children as they role-play epic battles between good and evil. 6 years and up
Develops skills:
Why we love it:
Lion-O Action Figure: Adventure Awaits! features 16 movable joints and swappable accessories, turning playtime into a creative storytelling session that sharpens skills while battling evil.