Not all toys are created equal. Some toys simply entertain. Others open doors to creativity, connection, and critical learning. That’s the real value of educational toys. They take something as natural as play and turn it into something deeply meaningful.
I want to speak directly to you, as a paediatrician and as a parent, about why these kinds of toys matter. Let’s unpack what happens when a child plays, and how we can support that kind of learning without needing anything fancy, loud, or battery-powered.
Why play is essential for child development
In 2018, a landmark article highlighted just how important play is in a child’s development. In fact, it recommended that healthcare practitioners actively encourage play when assessing children. That paper was reaffirmed in January 2025, with this line standing out to me:
“Play is not frivolous: it enhances brain structure and function and promotes executive function (i.e. the process of learning, rather than the content), which allows us to pursue goals and ignore distractions.”
I’ve always believed that one of my roles as a doctor is to help parents raise children who can reach their full potential. And that’s why I talk about play so often. It’s not something we fit in between real life — it is real life, especially for small children.
Play helps kids:
- Manage stress
- Build life skills
- Explore emotions
- Practice problem solving
- Develop language and focus
But I want to move beyond academic terms like “executive functioning” or “cognitive processing.” Let me show you what this looks like in real life.
A Wendy house and a world of learning
In my garden stands a little wooden Wendy house. It’s been there since my daughter was small. Inside are toy pots, pans, plates, a pram, a scruffy doll and a little blanket. There’s even a dressing table with wooden brushes and bottles.
Years ago, it was her world. Now, I watch with joy as my granddaughter, just 22 months old, steps inside and fills it with activity. Any willing adult is quickly roped into the scene.
At this age, she plays by imitating what she sees. And through that, she’s learning more than we often realise.
What children learn through play
1. Language
Each item in the Wendy house has a name. I’ll hear:
“You’ve got a pot and a spoon — are you going to cook for baby?”
She’s absorbing language, responding to it, and using it to make decisions.
2. Organisation and memory
She doesn’t like mess. If the plates are on the floor, she’ll say “away” and put them back. She’s not just tidying, she’s using her memory and visual perception to recreate order.
3. Problem solving
She’ll try different lids on pots until one fits. That’s matching, spatial reasoning, fine motor control, and perseverance.
4. Empathy
She wraps the doll gently in a blanket, offers a bottle, and even rocks it when she pretends it’s crying. She’s practising care and learning to recognise emotion.
5. Self-awareness
At the mirror, she giggles at her reflection, makes faces, and points at her eyes or nose. This is where social-emotional learning begins. She’s building confidence and identifying herself as her own person.
6. Interpersonal skills
The time we spend in that Wendy house is sacred. No screens. No distractions. It’s just her and me, bonding through shared attention. That’s the kind of play that builds language, focus, and trust.
So, which toys should we choose?
Here’s the good news: toys don’t have to be expensive or flashy to be educational.
In fact, many of the toys that light up and sing actually reduce the child’s chance to speak, imagine, or explore. If the toy does all the talking, the child doesn’t have to. And when a screen replaces a parent or sibling, it takes away the emotional back-and-forth that builds language and empathy.
Here’s what I recommend:
Blocks and puzzles
These help with:
- Fine motor control
- Spatial reasoning
- Visual perception
- Problem solving
A puzzle on a screen might teach one or two of those skills, but the real thing engages the whole child, not just their eyes.
Balls and large toys
They develop:
- Balance
- Coordination
- Strength
- Body awareness
Sedentary play, especially when overused, can lead to issues like poor muscle tone and childhood obesity.
Dolls, cars, farm animals
These classics:
- Spark imagination
- Encourage storytelling
- Help children act out real-world scenarios
- Support emotional growth and social learning
They let children take the lead, rather than reacting to what a toy says or does.
Choosing toys that are safe and age-appropriate
Just a quick note here: always check that toys are:
- Non-toxic
- Free of sharp edges
- Too big to be a choking hazard
The best toys are the ones you can hand over without worry, knowing they’ll be used in a hundred different ways.
Final thoughts from Dr Rico
Any toy can be “educational”, if it creates space for play, connection, and imagination. You don’t need batteries or Bluetooth. You need time, attention, and a little room to explore.
A cardboard box becomes a spaceship. A jungle gym becomes the Amazon. That’s how children learn, by living inside their own imagination, with the support of someone they love.
By offering these opportunities, we’re preparing them not just for school, but for life. Problem-solving, creativity, resilience and empathy — these are the real gifts of play.
