Toy Insider’s Chief Toy Officer Laurie Schacht joined ABC 7 in Chicago to show off the best educational toys of the holiday season. For more on the items featured in this segment, check out the product notes below, and for the complete rundown of the best gifts of the holiday season, check out our complete Toy Insider Holiday Gift Guide.


PLAYTAB

Build a unique sensory experience with this modular sensory toy. Grab a board and pop in six of 12 unique, magnetic tiles, which feature fine motor challenges, cause-and-effect discoveries, and more.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $45.95
  • Age:
  • 1+

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NEW SPROUTS PREP N’ STORE KITCHEN ISLAND

Kids can create imaginary feasts with this three-level kitchen island car featuring a “butcher block” style counter. The cart features rolling wheels, a kid-sized handle, and two built-in storage shelves. Includes six pieces of realistic play food, a colander, and tongs.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $64.99
  • Age:
  • 2+

Buy Now

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NATURE BAND RHYTHM KIT

Introduce kids to music with this nature-themed percussion instrument set. Crafted with high-quality materials. Designed to withstand hours of joyful play Comes with five nature-themed instruments.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $29.99
  • Age:
  • 2+

Buy Now

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DUPLO PEPPA PIG BOAT TRIP

Peppa and Grandpa Pig are going on an adventure on his boat. Preschoolers’ imaginations set sail as they role-play a fun day at the coast. They build a sandcastle with the bucket and shovel, go looking for shells and help Peppa put on her flippers when it’s time for a dip. Toddlers can also enjoy…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $29.99
  • Age:
  • 5+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

INSTANT INSANITY

Initially produced in the 1960s, this brain teaser puzzle has almost 83,000 combinations. Players must figure out how to place the cubes together so that all four sides show four different colors.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $5.99
  • Age:
  • 7+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

BILL NYE’S XTREME WEATHER LAB VR

With Bill Nye’s Xtreme Weather Lab VR, kids can immerse themselves in nine thrilling VR experiences, bearing witness to and learning about extreme weather events like hurricanes, thunderstorms, and more. It also includes an interactive 40-page book.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $49.99
  • Age:
  • 8+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

About the author

Bill Reese

Bill Reese

Bill Reese is Director of Operations at Adventure Media & Events, where he's worked since 2014. A proud and profoundly weird graduate of SUNY Purchase, he spends most weekends rooting for the New York Red Bulls pro soccer team and making subway systems out of Brio trains with his little boy Jonah. ↙️↙️↙️

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