Best educational toys for toddlers

Mini Bilibo

(Ok4kids.com.au, $17)

Finally there's a toy with no sound, no flashing lights and, thank heavens, no batteries! Parents worldwide rejoice! You'll love it and so will your toddlers!. Mini Bilibo is an award winner for kids aged 2 upwards. Bilibo's unique shell shape and vibrant colours encourage children to invent their own games. Mini Bilibo could be a racing beetle, a spinning top, Noah's Ark in the bathtub or a super-sized teacup for giants. The only limits are your child’s imagination. Voted Toy of the Year 2008 by Independent Toy Specialists of Australia.

Fisher Price Laugh & Learn I Can Play Case

(Myer, $30)

Tired of being badgered by your little one to let them have a turn on your iPod Touch or iPhone? With the Fisher Price Laugh & Learn I Can Play Case, you can rest easy knowing your expensive electronics are protected from sticky fingers, dribbles and making unwanted calls. There are lots of great apps available for toddlers which can be downloaded free from iTunes.

My Own Leaptop™ 

(Myer, $60)

With their own Leaptop™, your toddler can pretend computer play without accidentally deleting any important computer files. Download songs for a custom playlist, explore six learning activity stations and personalise up to eight email messages for your child to enjoy! Your child will get an introduction to computers, letters, phonics and pretend play. Parents can connect to the online LeapFrog® Learning Path for customised educational insights and ideas to expand learning. An internet connection is required. Suited for children 2 years and up.

Meet the Kimochis™

(komochi.com.au. 13-inch Kimochis™ from $50 each)

Kimochi™ (KEY-MO-CHEE) means "feeling" in Japanese and Kimochis™ are what come inside each character. Each Kimochi™ character has a special pocket where children can store their "kimochis™" -- or feelings. This is a great way for your toddler to get in touch with their emotions through puppetry and play. There are seven characters to choose from, including Huggtopus. Each 13-inch Kimochi™ character comes in a peek-a-boo box with three child-safe feelings and a how-to-feel guide filled with parenting tips and fun activities written by communication expert, Ellen Pritchard Dodge, M.Ed.CCC-SLP.

Maxitronix -- Small Scientist Bug Garden

(Leisure Learning Educational Games & Toddler Toys, $20)

Introduce your toddler to the fascinating world of bugs. Maxitronix provides a garden for bugs so children can watch and learn about their living habits. The Bug Garden includes a magnifying glass, pipette, tweezers and a plastic bug.

More information

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