Most parents and grandparents gravitate towards electronic learning games when it comes to buying a toy or gift for a child.  One important goal for toys and gifts we buy is that they offer some long term benefit while also fun for the child.

It is easy to buy presents that are immediately interesting and provide a quick bout of excitement and electronic toys and games fit well withing that role. But, rather than offering straight forward entertainment for toddlers and young children, who are in the prime learning years of their lives, we have the chance to take advantage of their natural enthusiasm to learn by offering a gift that is both engaging and educational at the same time.

Educational toys for children offer a compromise for parents who want their children to be technologically savy but without the potential for pure mind-numbing escapism and distraction. Electronic learning games such as the Leapster or Tag Reader are designed to be highly entertaining but are also dedicated to making sure they have a significant educational component as well. By applying simple game structures to essential learning principles these educational devices can impart knowledge with no overt "education", just play.

One way we have been able to teach is through playing physical games that teaches the children essential life skills and basic literacy. These games for children teach numerous of specific skills without being blatantly about it. One example of this is hopscotch, this game is full of learning while hopping on numbered squares?

Board games take this play learning to another level and give it more structure. Monopoly and Scrabble are two of the most obvious examples of games where children have fun learning about reading and math without realising they are being educated while they play. Interactive educational toys take this concept top the next level by engaging kids with sounds and moving images and asking them to respond to specific commands.

Interactive toys have always been one of the most popular toys for kids, so make sure you offer them one with long-term benefits.