Best Educational Toys 2011-2012

Creative play is the easiest, most effective way for kids to learn. The Best Educational Toys for the Christmas season of 2011 into 2012 will help guide you by appropriate age group to the top choices.

These were selected from those showing top recent sales figures and also from general consumer comments. Here are the top 3 picks:

LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet - for kids 4-9 years of age:

The LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer is hard to beat for the number 1 spot in a number of catagories. This interactive device is sleek and kid-friendly with a 5" color touch screen and is sturdy enough for a child's rough handling. It has a built-in camera and will even shoot video allowing kids to share their own creative art and animation. Four apps come with initial purchase of the LeapPad Explorer. There are over 100 more cartridges available and sold separately which cover a wide range of subjects like math, reading, art and science in a fun interactive way. Kids will love to learn at their own pace and according to their individual interests.

Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 - for kids 8-12 years of age:

Your child can learn how electricity works and actually build working devices with the Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 - for kids 8-12 years of age. This basic set includes over 30 pieces and will build 101 different electronic projects. All the pieces snap together easily so no soldering is needed. All pieces are color and number coded and by following the simple, illustrated guide, you child will learn to read and follow directions to complete the different projects such as a light switch, two-speed fan, police siren, clap-controlled sounds and more. Pieces included are snap wires, slide switches, a speaker, alarm circuit and a music integrated circuit. Two AA batteries are needed.

Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Baby's First Blocks - for kids 6-36 months:

The Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Baby's First Blocks - for kids 6-36 months is perfect for encouraging eye-hand coordination, identifying and matching shapes and colors, problem solving, improving dexterity and motor skills. The multi-color box with handle for take-along play, has 10 brightly colored blocks of different shapes. The box lid has openings in the different block shapes so tot can learn to match and deposit blocks back into the bucket. Blocks may also be stacked and sorted, developing some creative thinking and imagination. Made of sturdy, safe plastic and easily cleaned with soap and water.

Help your child gain an edge on learning with one of the Best Educational Toys 2011 into 2012 Christmas season.