Need some ideas to play at-home with your preschoolers? Here are game and product ideas from the National Parenting Product Awards (NAPPA), which evaluates and tests all these play-ready for families.
Preschool Genius A set of dry-erase activities and games with a genius twist. Includes beautifully illustrated activities that cover core learning outcomes as well as offering challenges like code-breaking and mapmaking that stimulate open-ended problem solving and creativity. $27.95, ages 3-6, Find at various retailers
Unlock It! Number Match
These corresponding keys and locks give children hands-on practice with number recognition, matching and counting from 1 to 20—while building motor skills. Match the number on a key to the number word or stars on a lock to open for instant reinforcement. $39.99, preschool-first grade, lakeshorelearning.com
My First Puzzle – Dinosaur
The perfect first puzzle for kids. The number of pieces is increased step by step to promote learning and engagement. $13.99, ages 2+, toiworld.com
Lift & Learn Inside of Me
Kids can use their own x-ray vision to look inside the human body with this puzzle. As you peel away the layers, kids will be introduced to the body’s organs, muscles, the skeletal system and more. $14.99, ages 3 and older, tlji.com
Play Smart Challenging Series
Help children develop the skills necessary to thrive with problem-solving in different ways, independence and awareness of environmental issues. $7.95, ages 2 and older, gakkenplusna.com
Hazel’s Helpers
This game helps develop decision-making, construction craft and planning capabilities in young learners. Play while practicing fine motor skills. $34, ages 4 and older, simplyfun.com
Techno Tiles
Gives kids creative freedom in building their own masterpieces they can play with. From rockets to castles, vehicles, and abstract structures, imagination is limitless. $19.99, ages 4 and older, tlji.com
Design & Drill Toolbox
Kids can build anywhere with this super creative learning set. The bolts and drill fit easily inside the bucket for on-the-go fun. $64.99, ages 3 and older, Find at various retailers
Numberblocks MathLink Cubes Activity Sets
Use the special edition set to build your own friendly characters. Through building, children see how numbers really work as they master counting, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing through hands-on discovery play. $24.99, ages 3 and older, Find at various retailers
Musical Farm Playset
Sing, spin, dance, and play with these barnyard friends. Great for developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. $29.95, ages 2 and older, battattoys.com
Ironing Time Learning Set
Press into learning about shapes, colors and counting. This interactive iron plays songs, silly phrases and sound effects when kids move it back and forth. 10 plus learning activities. $14.99, ages 18 months and older, store.leapfrog.com
Poppy the Count & Stack Flower Pot
Grow all new fine motor, color identification and counting skills. Each flower comes with different colors and numbers for added learning fun. $14.99, ages 18 months and older, Find at various retailers
100 Things That Go
Take a road trip to the land of learning with the interactive book. Hear 100+ words about modes of transportation from dog sleds and dump trucks to skates and school buses.
$14.99, ages 18 months+, store.leapfrog.com
Luca & Friends
Combine learning and fitness via cutting-edge AI motion technology. Using basic movements, players might stretch or jump in order to “touch” or “catch” the right answers. $14.99/month or $99.99/year, ages 4, lucafriends.com
Tac Tac Jack
Be the best lumberjack by hitting the tree with the axe to gather bark blocks. But be careful not to remove the core blocks.
$24.99, ages 3 and older, foxmind.com
OuiSi Nature
A set of 210 visually-connecting photo cards. Features activities that foster creativity and ignite curiosity about our beautiful planet. $35, ages 4 and older, shop.ouisi.com
Toniebox Starter Bundle
Using magnetic figures, toddlers and young children can navigate storytelling and music independently, opening up their world to a library of education and entertainment. Filled with content from premium partners including National Geographic, Penguin Random House and Levar Burton. Plus original content offering hours of storytelling, songs, mindfulness activities and more. $129.99, ages 3 and older, us.tonies.com