Educational toys for a 4 yo?

[RainandRedemption]

We got totally bombarded with toys for Christmas. DDs birthday is in a few weeks and ppl usually ask me for ideas for presents, so Im trying to put together a list of ideas. We homeschool so Im really wanting things that would be good for her at this stage that would be considered (by me) to be more of an educational thing than just a toy.

Some of the things I have listed so far are a handful of books, a set of bells differently colored with different tones, a prism thing for the window to throw rainbows all over the room, fabric animal mask set, etc.

Any other ideas for a little girl turning 4?

[FindingMercy]

My 4-year-old adores some scarves she has (similar to play silks), schleich animals, preschool workbooks, play food, and a wooden Haba rainbow she got for Christmas.

You could also request things like a zoo or museum membership or children's magazine subscription.

My DD also loves the air popcorn popper and YoNaNas ice cream maker (you just put in frozen fruit and it turns it into an ice cream consistency treat) that we have for snacks.

[danner]

A puppet, a lyre, a glockenspiel, recorder, some kumon books, blocks, play food, watercolor pencils and watercolor paper, broom and dust pan, a nesting doll, perhaps one that comes with a story that pertains to the nesting characters. As you know, children learn through open-ended play, so these items should spur plenty of good times. Maybe check out forsmallhands.com and palumba.com

[danner]

Let me tell you, these music boxes were a HUGE hit with my 4 year old and my 18 month old. Only $5 each!

[escapethevillage]

These pop beads are challenging, but not impossible for a four year old. Under four may be a little too young. But, around age four, they really enjoy them.


http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS.../chrisficti-20

My four yr old twin daycare girls love these "color counts" books they bring over. All the other kids hate them though.


http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS.../chrisficti-20

[escapethevillage]

I want to buy these. But, then i'll want a light table, and then i'll want other toys for the light table.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS.../chrisficti-20

[melfinn]

The one to ten counting cans and the alphabet soup sorters are two items on my list for my DS next year. I think he would like the numbers one right now but the letters may be too much so at four both these learning toys would be good. Both made by Learning Resources. I also like the smart snacks made by the same company. We just bought The Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Game for Christmas and that is a lot of fun. And there is that fruit stand game that looks cool!

[RainandRedemption]

Great ideas!

FindingMercy Im looking for a YoNaNas, that sounds awesome. The haba rainbows a great idea too I think she's love that

Thanks danner for the ideas, love the websites, esp the first one! Added a game from there. Trouble is my kids have sooooo much, and they haven't learned to take the best care of their things, unfortunately. So a lot of those thing they've already had and I packed it up or got rid of it cause they just weren't taking very good care of them, and in a lot of cases even playing with them.

escape the village, LOVE the pop beads, those are cool I'd love a light table for them too... maybe I should put that on the list.... hmmm....

melfinn Ill look into those games, I love learning resources

[melfinn]

I love Kumon workbooks! I keep all games and puzzles that I want kept in good condition up high and leave toys and games that can handle the playing down lower for DS. I also switch out what games I leave lower. But even at 3 yrs old he knows to ask to play with certain toys and knows to pick up all the pieces and put them back. We are trying to find a happy medium between letting him play and be a kid and teaching him to take care of his things. it is hard bc I am a little obsessive about taking care of everything and I know he has to be able to learn and explore as a kid.

[l_Kimmie_l]

Small bean/rice bags to play hop scotch or games?