A Ninang and Ninong's Guide to Gifting Educational Toys

You're browsing the toy aisle for a gift for your inaanak, and it’s overwhelming. You're looking for educational toys that are fun, engaging, and help kids learn new skills while playing—a great way to support children’s developmental stages.

But how do you pick the right one for their age? Whether you’re shopping for a baby’s baptism, a toddler’s birthday, or a preschooler’s Christmas present, this guide helps you pick toys that encourage learning and growth.

What Makes a Toy "Educational"?

The best educational toys are often the simplest ones. They actively engage your godchild's cognitive abilities and motor skills, helping them build key skills like problem-solving and creativity.

Before buying, check the age label and safety instructions on the packaging. Toys with small parts, strings, or detachable pieces can pose a choking hazard for younger kids.

When you're in the toy aisle, keep these simple ideas in mind:

Look for open-ended play.

Open-ended toys are great because they can be used in different ways. Think of building blocks: they can become a castle, a bridge, or a garage. This is different from a closed-ended toy, like a car that only moves when you press a button. This type of creative play boosts imagination, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

Think about the skills the toy builds.

You can tell what a toy teaches by the action it requires. A 2017 review from The LEGO Foundation suggests that different types of play are associated with a variety of skills, as you'll see below:

• Construction play: Toys like puzzles and building blocks are linked to better problem-solving, spatial skills, and even future math abilities.
• Pretend play: A toy kitchen, puppets, or costumes fosters imagination. This type of play is also linked to social skills and self-regulation.
• Physical play: Toys that get the body moving, like balls or a climbing toy, are clearly linked to motor development and social skills.
• Language play: Picture books and even simple nursery rhymes are strongly linked to language development and the skills needed for reading.

Look for toys they can explore on their own.

When your godchild can figure out educational toys on their own, they build creativity and confidence.

Educational toys promote exploration and trial-and-error, instead of just following a specific set of rules.

If a toy is too complicated or forces kids to follow just one path, it's not truly child-led. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) even points out that when an adult directly instructs a child on exactly how a toy works, the child is less likely to discover new, creative ways to use it on their own.

The goal is to find something your godchild can figure out for themselves, such as building blocks, modeling clay, magnetic tiles, and nesting cups, building their confidence and creativity.

The Godparent's Guide to Educational Toys by Age

Picking the right toy is all about a child’s developmental stage. This guide is based on the official milestones from the AAP and CDC (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) to show you why certain gifts are a great fit. Here’s what to look for.

For young babies (0 to 6 months): It’s all about the senses

At this stage, babies are just figuring out their bodies. They're working on key skills like holding their head steady, following things with their eyes, and discovering their own hands.

What they're learning: Visual tracking, cause and effect (e.g., "Kick and it jiggles!"), and basic motor skills

Gift ideas:

• High-contrast (black and white) flashcards or soft books
• An activity mat or play gym
• Lightweight rattles and textured teether toys
• A baby-safe, non-breakable mirror securely attached to the crib or mat

For older babies (7 to 12 months): Exploring and moving

Your godchild is likely learning to sit up on their own, rake small objects toward them, and maybe even pull themselves up to stand. They now understand "object permanence" (knowing a toy is still there even when you hide it).

What they're learning: Object permanence, hand-eye coordination (like pinching), and movement skills (sitting, crawling, pulling up)

Gift ideas:

• Stacking rings or large, soft blocks
• Sensory balls with different textures
• "Peek-a-boo" or "lift-the-flap" soft books
• A simple push-toy (for babies close to walking)

For toddlers (1 to 3 years): Building independence

As kids grow, their play evolves from sensory exploration to stacking blocks and sorting shapes.

This is the ‘I can do it myself!’ stage, where toddlers master big new skills—stacking blocks, kicking balls, and starting to draw. The ideal educational toys for toddlers help them explore, build, and make sense of their world.

What they're learning: Hand and body coordination (stacking, scribbling, walking, running), spatial reasoning, language, and early problem-solving

Gift ideas:

• Stacking rings and large building blocks
• Simple puzzles (like large knob or 3 to 4 piece puzzles)
• Shape sorters (great for problem-solving)
• Push-or-pull toys to help with coordination
• Washable crayons and paper for scribbling
• Pretend-play sets, like kitchens or toolsets—great educational toys for 3-year-olds

For preschoolers (4 to 5 years): Exploring big ideas

Preschoolers have booming imaginations. Their play becomes more complex, social, and creative as they learn to tell stories, draw people, and play games with rules. They love to ask "Why?" about everything.

What they're learning: Social skills (sharing, taking turns), advanced creativity, basic logic, pre-reading, and pre-math concepts

Gift ideas:

• Complex building sets (like LEGOs or magnetic tiles)
• Simple board games or card games (milestone-approved!)
• Craft and art supplies (crayons, safety scissors, modeling clay)
• Costumes and "prop boxes" for imaginative storytelling
• Montessori educational toys, like lacing cards or dressing frames

For school-aged kids (6+ years): Solving complex problems

Once they're in grade school, a child's world expands. They’re becoming more independent, developing real friendships, and learning to navigate rules and teamwork. Their thinking is also more logical—they can understand simple math, tell time, and read on their own.

What they're learning: Logic, following rules, strategy, social negotiation (teamwork, fairness), and more complex problem-solving

Gift ideas:

• Strategy board games the whole family can play
• Beginner STEM kits, like a crystal-growing set or a simple robotics toy
• More complex construction sets
• Logic puzzles
• A read-aloud chapter book based on their interests

A Final Tip: When in Doubt, Ask!

If you’re ever unsure about what gift to give, just send a quick message to your godchild's parents. Remember, being a ninong or ninang isn't about buying the most expensive present; it's about showing up. Choosing the right educational toys is a simple, meaningful way to show your love and support as your inaanak learns and grows.

Connect with other amazing parents and godparents on the ParentTeam Moms and Dads Facebook group and share your own favorite educational toys and gift ideas!