Today’s newest educational and developmental toys turn playtime into a learning opportunity through games, mazes, puzzles and videos that entertain while helping children improve their cognitive, perceptual, sensory, memory and motor skills.

Building a Better Brain

Anthony Innovations’ newest version of The Touch ($29.99) (ToyShow) challenges players to a test of time and wit while developing fine motor skills, tactile awareness and cognitive memorization. Players race against the clock to match playing cards to detailed game pieces, such as a giraffe, space shuttle, football helmet, etc. to earn points. But there’s a catch – players must reach into a dome and try and find the right game piece using only their hands. The game progresses as each player tries to fill up various categories by collecting and trading pieces. What players don’t realize is that behind all the fun they’re actually building neuro-pathways in the brain while visualizing pieces.

Designed to help infants and toddlers learn basic concepts like colors, numbers, letters and even languages like Spanish, French or German, Small Fry Productions’ Baby’s First Impressions (ToyShow) video series uses bright colors, upbeat music and familiar objects to encourage learning. Three of their newest videos ($15.95) include Shapes, Colors and Animals.

Mazes Twist and Twirl Children toward Learning

Known world-wide for creating superior quality bead and wire mazes, Educo’s (ToyShow) three-dimensional mazes help children develop early learning skills while encouraging cooperative play. Their Spaghetti Legs Table ($144) offers floor level play for toddlers while older children can explore the bead and wire maze at tabletop level. Five play wires form a ring around a figure 8, while three wires hide a row of tiny beads that peaks out from inside a nest of colorful wooden rings in Ring Around a Row-sy ($62.99).

Twinkle Little Star ($55) features four brightly colored play wires that reach toward the sky as children turn the handle of the see-through musical element to hear “Twinkle Little Star.” Children can pull the flower puzzle beads apart, zoom them along the wires and hook them back together again.

• The Educational Toy Market • Myths of Educational Toys • Reaching the Homeschool Market • Recycling Made Fun • Hands-On Learning • Electronic Learning Aids • Unique Educational Toys • Educational Games	• Learning Kits • Educational Tools • Managing Seasonal Inventory • Specialty Store Success • Innovative Skill Toys • Updating Classic Skill Toys • Skill Toys for Every Season • Expert Tips for the Holidays

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