Best Educational Toys for Elementary School Kids: 3st to 8th Grade
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Educational toys are toys that help children in their learning process. It offers hands-on learning experiences and allows children to explore concepts in a fun and engaging way.
For children in 3st through 8th grade of elementary school, there are various types of educational toys available that help them develop specific skills.
The toys that best suit the learning goals of a large number of primary school classes are these magnetic tiles from Magformers. They are extremely versatile and have multiple options to play with, from simple houses to complex geometric shapes.
Elementary school students make significant progress in several areas of cognitive development throughout their school years. They develop reasoning and logic skills, learn to think critically before making decisions, and expand their understanding by learning from what they hear, read, and experience.
As students reach the highest grades, they develop specific skills that help them grow academically. They learn to write structured answers in response to questions, improve their problem-solving skills and become more independent thinkers and learners.
They focus on finding multiple solutions to problems and become adept at analyzing and evaluating situations. They build on what they've learned and apply it to more challenging and deep learning activities.
Popular toys for elementary school students include building blocks, educational games, STEM toys, art supplies, fidget toys, and puzzles.
Educational toys can promote cognitive development by teaching children new skills and giving them the opportunity to practice those skills in a fun and engaging way.
A study by Phillips, A., Palazolo, P., Magun-Jackson, S., Camp, C., & Schmucker, D. (2002) titled “Powerful Play: Using Toys As Tools In Engineering Education” has shown that toys can be successfully used as a teaching tool in architectural education. So it's very important to choose suitable toys for development.
Here are the best toys for elementary school students by grade.
From toddler to toddler activity book collection
Educational games and coloring pages for 3 to 6 years
Your toddler and preschooler will love this e-book, along with the accompanying printables. He or she can play with it at every stage of development, together with mom and dad.
Buy at Bol.comWhat we discuss in this comprehensive post:
- 1 Best educational toys for 3st graders
- 2 Best educational toys for 4nd grade kids
- 3 Best educational toys for 5rd grade students
- 4 Best educational toys for 6th grade kids
- 5 Best educational toys for 7th grade students
- 6 Best educational toys for 8th grade students
- 7 Best educational toys for XNUMXth grade
- 8 What is popular with elementary school students?
- 9 How can educational toys help their cognitive development throughout the grades?
Best educational toys for 3st graders
Best outdoor toy for 3st grade
Nice for the little explorer who loves the outdoors, and maybe also nice for you together in the wilderness.
Best construction toy for 3st grade
Children love to discover what you can do with it while playing, but also at a later age there are much more difficult things to build with.
Best interactive robot for 3st
Use the free Apple, Android, or Kindle Fire apps to code in a fun 'Quest Mode' that's colorful and engaging, a great introduction to coding for kids from six years old.
Best science set for 3st grade
This building set contains different pieces such as blocks, beams, ramps that are all assembled into complete structures such as buildings and bridges.
In 3st grade children must learn to read, write, calculate and develop social skills. Toys can help them in this learning process. It offers hands-on learning experiences and allows children to explore concepts in a fun and engaging way.
For example, building blocks and STEM toys help develop spatial awareness, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking. For example, you see a lot of magnet toys in this age group of 6-year-olds from 3st grade, because it stimulates spatial insight and engineering.
Outdoor toys are also a must, of course, best if they stimulate curiosity such as binoculars.
In addition, learning to code and create sequences in a fun way can contribute to learning how to use computers and take the first steps for mathematical thinking.
Best educational toys for 4nd grade kids
Best wooden outdoor game for 4nd grade
Are you looking for something that you can play outside with the whole family? Then the Outdoor Play Kubb Game is certainly a classic that will appeal.
Best brain teaser for 4nd grade
Smartgames produced this special game that is really for smart brains. This educational toy has 120 challenges in three play modes.
Best educational set for 4nd grade
When building this Solar System Planetarium, you not only learn how the planets revolve around the sun, but also what they look like up close.
Best geometric shapes for 4th grade
This unique toy can be used in many craft projects to create intricate designs that are sure to turn heads.
In 4nd grade, children really have to start learning. They need toys that can help them with that learning.
Toys that help with motor skills are great, especially if they also encourage outdoor play such as a Kubb game to play together. This also helps with social interactions and following instructions.
Brainteaser toys, if suitable for the 7-year-olds of 4nd grade, are also great for stimulating strategic thinking. They also start exploring the universe and the solar system at this age.
Finally, you can of course let them be creative by, for example, having them draw. In this age group they learn a lot from tracing of how geometric shapes can be drawn. So, that's a perfect activity for children in this grade.
Best educational toys for 5rd grade students
Best science toy for 5rd grade
A great way to introduce children to the basics of electrical engineering in a safe and fun way.
Best thinking game for 5rd grade
Gravity Maze combines logic, a marble run and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) in one game. It comes with 60 challenges from beginner to expert level
Best math toy for 5rd grade
The instructions are clear and easy to follow, with a quality manual. You can start playing immediately.
Best geography toy for 5rd grade
The globe features LED lighting that shows 88 constellations, constellations and the Milky Way, making it a great way to introduce children to the world of astronomy.
In 5rd grade, children have to further develop their learning to read, write, calculate and social skills.
They can now handle more complicated science toys, which can stimulate their development even further. Electrical circuits become really fun for the 8-year-olds in 5rd grade, and extensive brainteasers or toys to learn math are also very educational.
They're becoming more and more interested in the world around them, so geography toys like a globe are great fun.
Best educational toys for 6th grade kids
Best educational puzzle for 6th grade
There are 70 shapes to experience, which actually makes it a fidget toy, but also a puzzle.
Best construction toy for 6th grade
13 fully functioning replicas of real bridges. This helps them learn more about bridge infrastructure and the different bridge types.
Best biology toy for 6th grade
This is a fun and educational toy for children of this age learning about anatomy and the human body.
Best STEM meteorology toys for 6th grade
What could be more fun than learning about the weather and then giving the family their evening weather report?
The 9-year-olds of 6th grade are certainly getting a mind of their own. Toys can increase children's involvement and motivation and stimulate their interest in various subjects.
For example, challenging and educational puzzles can stimulate more thinking, and they are often done with the construction toys of the past, but challenging constructions can be a nice new addition to regain this enthusiasm.
They are also beginning to learn about how their bodies work, and toys that teach anatomy can be a useful tool.
Best educational toys for 7th grade students
Best coding robot for grade 7
Robot can even be customized with Makeblock extensions and legos as they evolve in the Arduino open source ecosystem, so they can create the robot of their dreams!
Best solar system aesthetic toy for 7th grade
The names of the planets are clearly visible, making it a great educational tool for a realistic look at the planets.
Best construction toy for 7th grade
The kit allows children to dive deep into the world of prehistoric creatures and discover how they lived, roamed and ruled the earth.
Best puzzle for 7th grade
Brain teasers are always fun to give to school children. It challenges them to think and think in terms of solutions.
By challenging children and sparking their curiosity, educational toys can help 7th graders develop their knowledge and skills while having fun.
Children in this group are already part of the upper years of primary school and hopefully they are just as curious as when they were little.
The right toy, such as a coding robot that really challenges, can introduce children to basic programming, problem solving and creativity in a fun and interactive way.
In addition, they're certainly not done exploring the world around them, so a solar system toy is still a suitable option. But they're now also looking more at aesthetic toys to display than purely to play with.
If your child still shows an interest in the ancient world, then the combination of dinosaurs with a building kit might be just the motivation they need to learn about engineering, and brain-teasers are always good to keep their young minds sharp.
Best educational toys for 8th grade students
Best technology toy for 8th grade
Let them use our 3D pen to take their artistic skills to a whole new level by giving them something they seem to live for – the 3rd dimension.
Best coding robot for 8th grade
This entry-level STEM robot can throw, lift, kick, draw and much more simply by attaching the programming buttons to the programming wheel.
Best brainteaser puzzle for 8th grade
I am talking about brain puzzles to take with you. For 6 to 10 year olds there are Perplexus puzzles. They are now making a small Perplexus mini which is a bit more suitable for 4 year olds and older.
Best LEGO for 8th grade
An amazing 716 pieces in total and with one kit, any budding architect has everything they need to create their own replica.
Hands-on toys, such as building blocks and science sets, help develop spatial awareness and problem-solving skills, especially in 11 year-olds from 8th grade.
If they've always been interested in LEGO, for example, you can take it a step further and introduce a truly educational building set.
Skill-building toys, such as educational games and puzzles, help develop math and reading skills, and there are even programmable robots specifically for this older age group.
Best educational toys for XNUMXth grade
Best Lego car for XNUMXth grade
It is a real Ford Mustang GT from the 60s and the doors of the car really open. The trunk and hood can also be opened.
Best marble track for XNUMXth grade
If both you and your child like a challenge to build things up, for example already assembling models or want to do this together as a first project, this is a perfect job for you.
Best construction toy for 12th grade
One of the best parts of this book is that it provides step-by-step instructions for recreating these engineering marvels with LEGO bricks.
For kids going to XNUMXth grade, many things suddenly aren't cool anymore. With a new transition also comes new toys if you can still get them interested.
They can also find new ways to use old toys, such as difficult constructions with LEGO.
What is popular with elementary school students?
Things popular with elementary school students include building blocks, educational games, STEM toys, art supplies, fidget toys, puzzles, and outdoor toys. Also, aesthetic things, including toys, but also other things are becoming more and more important for decorating their rooms or themselves.
The children around them on the elementary school will largely determine what is popular and what is not.
How can educational toys help their cognitive development throughout the grades?
Educational toys can promote cognitive development across different grades. The best educational toys for a child aged 6 and up should be attractive, innovative, yet simple enough for proper exploration by the young explorer. Appropriate toys for 6-year-olds should add value to your child's personality, emotion, intellect, cognitive and social skills.
For kindergartners, toys like shape sorters and puzzles promote fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving skills.
For elementary school children, building blocks, educational games, and art supplies help develop attention, memory, logic, and information processing.
Middle school students can benefit from toys that promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills, such as puzzles and programming games.
Educational toys offer children the opportunity to learn and practice new skills in a fun and engaging way.
How are educational toys divided by age group?
Educational toys are divided by age group to ensure they match children's developmental stages and abilities.
For babies, toys are designed to stimulate the senses and promote physical development, such as soft cuddly toys and rattles.
Toys for toddlers stimulate physical and cognitive development, such as building blocks and shape sorters. Toys for kindergartners focus on social, emotional and cognitive development, including puzzles and crafts.
Educational toys challenge skills and support mental and physical development, such as building blocks and educational games.
Educational toys for high school kids promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills, such as puzzles and programming games.
Toys are divided according to different characteristics including motor skills, cognitive skills, social skills, imagination, creativity and safety for each age group.
How are Montessori toys different from most other schools?
Montessori toys differ from most other toys because they are specifically designed to support the philosophy and learning methods of Montessori education.
These types of toys often focus on self-directed learning and discovery, and they encourage children to experiment, solve problems and develop their creativity. Montessori toys are usually durable, simple in design and made with natural materials, which aligns with the core values of Montessori education.
How are Waldorf toys different from other schools?
Waldorf toys differ from toys at most other schools in that they align with the philosophy and teaching methods of Waldorf education. In contrast to many traditional schools, where structured and learning-oriented toys are used, Waldorf toys all about free play and the development of social and emotional skills.
What cognitive skills should elementary school students learn?
Elementary school students should learn these important cognitive skills:
- Attention: They must learn to pay attention and concentrate on tasks, such as listening to instructions and reading.
- Working Memory: They must learn to hold and manipulate information in their memory to perform tasks such as mental arithmetic and following multi-step instructions.
- Processing speed: They must learn to process information quickly and accurately, such as reading fluently and solving problems efficiently.
- Long-term memory: They must learn to store and retrieve information from their long-term memory, such as facts, concepts, and procedures.
- Visual Processing: They must learn to process visual information such as reading and interpreting graphs, charts, and diagrams.
- Auditory Processing: They must learn to process auditory information, such as listening to instructions and following conversations.
- Logical Reasoning: They must learn to use logical reasoning to solve problems and make decisions, such as identifying patterns, making predictions, and evaluating evidence.
The biggest cognitive development the child goes through when he or she is between 6 and 8 years old.
Always something to do for the holidays or rainy day?
Play Choice now has the ultimate activity book collection, with over 60 pages of fun coloring pages and educational puzzles.
Joost Nusselder, the founder of Speelkeuze.nl is a content marketer, father and loves trying out new toys. As a child he came into contact with everything related to games when his mother started the Tinnen Soldaat in Ede. Now he and his team create helpful blog articles to help loyal readers with fun play ideas.
