Formative fun: Six educational toys for your preschooler

Learning should be fun, and what better way to teach your child the basics than with good educational toys?

Early learning is essential for giving children confidence prior to starting school.

From learning colours and numbers to essential life skills, these toys are sure to enrich their imaginations.

Here are six of the best brain-boosting toys on offer for your preschooler:

1. Little Henry Vacuum Cleaner

Kids love playing house and pretending they are cleaning up. This is the specifically designed vaccum cleaner, so they can feel like they are helping out around the house whilst they are cleaning

€24.99, available at Smyths Toys.

2. Chad Valley Post Office

This fab toy is designed to educate children about the workings of a real post office. Children will learn numerical skills through weighing and counting, while the office allows them to pretend they are real post masters/ mistresses.

€18.99, available at Argos.

3. Lamaze Octotunes

This melodic octopus will have your child lyrically in-tune before starting school. The toy is designed to stimulate children’s imaginations through bright colours and textures. The toy is paired with a sing-along book.

€36.99, available at Boots. 

4. The Complete Learning Pack

These colourful cards will assist in teaching your child about colours, shapes, numbers, letters and animals. Simply show them the cards and sound out the letters for them. They will be well-prepared for starting school with these flash cards.

€16.99, available at MotherCare.

5. Learning Globe

Give your child an understanding of the world’s shape and geography with this illustrated globe. Children will learn where they live, and the distances between various countries.

€27.99, available at Mothercare. 

6. Building Set

This 60-piece building set is sure to inspire the next generation of engineers. With 28 gears, 14 pillars, 13 six-way axles and four interlocking bases, this set encourages critical thinking and problem solving – important skills for school and the working world.

€25, available at Debenhams.