Toy Insider Editor-in-Chief Ali Mierzejewski joined News 8 in New Haven to show off the smartest educational toys of the new school year. 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 spring and summer seasons, check out our complete Toy Insider Spring and Summer Gift Guide.


SNAP 2 IT

Each player races to be the first to snap a path between their light and the communal battery. Build the circuit path solo or play competitively with up to four players as everyone learns the basics of electricity.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $39.99
  • Age:
  • 7+

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Battery Requirements

Energizer is the official battery partner of The Toy Insider.
  • Type:
  • AA
  • Quantity:
  • 2

SORT, STOCK, SELECT WOODEN VENDING MACHINE PLAY SET

Fill the wooden vending machine with nine double-sided play food packages, insert a color-matching play coin or bank card, and receive the selection.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $79.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

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.

STEM EXPLORERS SUPER HERO SCIENCE SET

Kids learn the science behind magnetism, levitation, color mixing, and other STEM feats when they explore and complete the superhero-themed experiments.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $24.99
  • Age:
  • 6+

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.

WORLD ART & HISTORY VR SETS

With these virtual reality sets, kids can learn about art, people, places, and events that have made history. The sets also include interactive DK books and additional world-building items and accessories.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $59.99 each
  • 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 former editor at Playbill and 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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