Top 10 Educational Christmas Gifts for Children in 2025

Posted by EYR Team on 3rd Nov 2025

Finding a Christmas gift that’s both fun and meaningful can be a bit of a challenge. That’s why educational toys are such a great option — they combine play and learning in a way that delights children and gives you, as a parent/carer, confidence. Below are 10 top picks for 2025, along with areas of the EYFS/curriculum that they support.

Want to see more? Explore our full Educational Christmas Gift Guide

1. Silicone Stacking Cups (stocking filler)

This simple toy is a fantastic stocking filler as babies and toddlers can explore size, colours, nesting and stacking. These activities in turn help to develop hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness and problem solving skills.

Educational benefits: Fine motor skills, spatial awareness, early reasoning

2. Toy Cars

Toy cars, whether battery powered or wooden are always popular with little ones. Children can engage in imaginative play whilst learning about cause and effect, motion, control and other early scientific concepts.

Educational benefits: STEAM, logic, experimentation

3. Role Play Resources

Dress up, Role Play and imaginative play in general allows children to step into different worlds, becoming chefs, shopkeepers or doctors. Role play supports early language, vocabulary, social interaction, empathy and an overall understanding of the world

Educational benefits: Language development, social skills, imagination

4. Building Blocks

Wooden building blocks or themed construction sets are a timeless gift. They encourage children to build, redesign and problem solve. Whether its open ended or guided play, toy blocks can be used effectively to support imaginative and structural thinking

Educational benefits: Problem solving, STEAM awareness, physical development

5. Sorting & Counting Toys

Shape sorters, number puzzles or counting bears are all great gifts that will engage your little ones and introduce early numeracy! Children can enjoy the challenge of matching, sorting and counting as they play.

Educational benefits: Sorting, counting, early numeracy, classification

6. Sensory Resources

Gifts like light up glitter balls, projectors or light up carpets are great for children of all ages. Whether its to help create a sensory den, make night times easier or simply set a calming mood, sensory resources are a great way to help children to self-regulate and process their emotions.

Educational benefits: Understand emotions, self-regulation, sensory exploration

7. STEAM / Engineering Challenge Toys

Toys that challenge children to build circuits, gears, simple machines or basic robotics introduce them early on to engineering and problem solving. Ideal for the slightly older child, these toys are a great step up from the likes of Lego or more simple construction pieces.

Educational benefits: STEM, problem solving, following instruction

8. Bikes, Trikes or Scooters

A classic Christmas gift, bikes, trikes or scooters are perfect for helping children to develop balance, coordination and key gross motor skills whilst keeping them entertained for hours.

Educational benefits: Risk taking, gross motor skills, physical development

9. Dolls & Playhouses

Dolls, doll accessories and playhouses are a great way to spark creativity, storytelling, role play and social interaction. Children can create their own imaginative worlds or act out everyday scenarios that they encounter.

Educational benefits: Communication & language, imaginative play, creativity

10. Outdoor explorer / Nature kits

Gifts like gardening sets for kids or explorer kits are great to engage children in the world around them, combining playtime with discovery. Children can play independently outdoors, learn about nature and spark curiosity.

Educational benefits: Wildlife, animals and minibeast, outdoor exploration, understanding the world.

Why Educational Christmas Gifts Are a Great Choice

Educational gifts are more than just toys — they stimulate curiosity, support development, and make playtime richer. Whether it’s learning early maths with counting toys or building a small world with wooden blocks, these gifts linger long after Christmas morning.

Don’t forget to browse our full Educational Christmas Gifts collection for even more ideas.