How to Choose the Right Educational Toys for Your Child’s Age (0–6 Years)

Creating a home learning setup for children aged 0–6 can be an exciting yet overwhelming task for many parents and caregivers. With so many toys on the market, how do you choose the right ones that truly support your child’s development especially when it comes to early literacy?

At Edx Education, we believe that learning at home with kids should be joyful, hands-on, and rooted in play. Through our range of award-winning educational toys, downloadable resources, and the Play, Learn & Create with Edx Education podcast, we aim to help families build rich learning environments that nurture a lifelong love of learning.

Why Educational Toys Matter in Early Years

From birth to age six, children go through rapid stages of development. During these critical years, play-based learning not only builds knowledge but also supports cognitive, emotional, and physical growth. The right toys can help children develop early literacy skills, such as letter recognition, phonemic awareness, and vocabulary, all while having fun.

Setting Up a Home Learning Space

Creating a dedicated home learning setup doesn’t mean you need a classroom at home. A small corner with organised, age-appropriate toys and easy-to-reach storage can do wonders. Educational toy storage boxes, labelled drawers, or colourful baskets help children feel in control of their environment and learn to tidy up independently.

Incorporating visual prompts, like alphabet posters or phonics mats, along with tactile toys, provides a multisensory approach to literacy. Keep it simple, accessible, and most importantly—playful.

Top Homeschool Toy Ideas for Literacy Development

When it comes to literacy, toys should encourage letter recognition, sound blending, and the fine motor skills needed for writing. Here are some of our favourite Edx Education products designed with those goals in mind:

1. Junior String Art Set

Ideal for preschoolers, this set lets children thread colourful laces through cards to form letters. It’s not just about letter formation it’s a brilliant activity to build fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. As children trace the shapes of letters with string, they’re engaging in pre-writing skills that will later support confident handwriting.

2. Junior GeoStix® Letter Construction Set

One of our most popular resources for early literacy, this open-ended toy allows children to build letters using curved and straight connectors. It helps children visualise how letters are formed while developing spatial awareness and creativity. Bonus: it’s also great for early maths and problem-solving.

3. CVC Word Builders and Letter Recognition Tools

Introduce phonics with our range of colourful, tactile resources that support children in learning consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words. These toys help children sound out and blend letters into words, forming the foundation of early reading skills. Use them alongside storytime to reinforce new vocabulary.

4. Rainbow Pebbles® and Linking Cubes

While not strictly literacy toys, these versatile resources are perfect for storytelling, sequencing, and language-rich activities. Children can build characters, create scenes, or act out stories, all of which enhance vocabulary and communication skills.

Tips for Choosing the Right Toys for Each Age

• 0–2 years: Focus on sensory toys, picture books, and simple sound-making toys. Look for safe, chewable materials and bright colours.
• 2–4 years: Choose toys that support letter and sound recognition, pretend play, and hand-eye coordination. Think: puzzles, threading toys, and basic phonics games.
• 4–6 years: Encourage early reading, writing, and independent learning. Opt for construction sets, word games, letter building tools, and fine motor skill resources.

Supporting Caregivers on the Learning Journey

We know that parents and caregivers are a child’s first teachers. That’s why Edx Education offers free downloadable resources, activity guides, and expert interviews on the Play, Learn & Create podcast to help you make the most of learning at home.

Every child learns differently, but with the right environment, a sprinkle of creativity, and the best educational toys, you’ll set the stage for your little one’s success.

Let’s create a home where play is learning and learning is play.