Today we explore what people just like you—Best Buy customers from across Canada, have to say about some of the top educational toys of the moment. If you’re looking for great learning toys for kids of any age, you’re sure to find something here, and you’ll get to see exactly what other Best Buy customers already think about them as well. Read on to see what folks are suggesting (and why) in the realm of today’s top educational toys.
1. Fisher-Price Think & Learn Code-A-Pillar
The Fisher-Price Think & Learn Code-A-Pillar is one of the best and most popular educational toys for kids in the earliest stages of learning. With its 9 separate segments, it teaches kids about concepts such as cause and effect as they arrange the different segments in any order they wish and watch the Code-A-Pillar move as they’ve selected. For example, there are segments with forward, right, left, wiggle, and dance on them, and the toy will perform these actions in whatever order the segments are arranged in from the caterpillar’s head to its tail. This helps teach kids the basic logic of coding while also providing hours of fun. Ideal for children in the 3 to 8 year age range, the Code-A-Pillar features colourful lights, entertaining sounds (at least for kids), and blinking eyes for the perfect caterpillar personality. It’s colourful, educational, fun!
from Sudbury, ON had to say:
Dec 05, 2016
Great toy to teach kids logic, decision trees, cause and effect, etc in a fun way. Kids as young as 2 can enjoy pushing the button to start the Code-a-Pillar and watch it go, and 3 yrs and older can put the Code-a-Pillar together in a different order to change the direction that the unit travels. Each piece joins via a USB connector, and each piece provides different instructions (turn right, go straight, turn left, stop and play music). It comes with 7 pieces, and expansion kits are available to provide pieces with different instructions. The Code-a-Pillar can be expanded to up to 15 pieces. Great toy!
2. Anki Cozmo Robot Collector’s Edition
The Anki Cozmo Robot – Collector’s Edition is a fun little robot with a big, friendly personality and loads of fun and interesting content that’s continually expanding thanks to ongoing app upgrades. Cozmo has the ability to learn from you, play all kinds of cool games with you, and he’ll even teach you some useful lessons about modern robotics. For example, kids get to see real artificial intelligence in action as Cozmo gets to know them better and learn all about them the more and more they play together. Cozmo is also one of the most popular robotic toys to come along this year, and a fiercely loyal little friend that simply everyone that meets him seems to love. You just can’t go wrong with Anki Cozmo!
from Toronto, ON had to say:
Sep 29, 2017
This is a fabulous toy with so much personality and so many expressions it is really [more] like having a pet than a robot. My kids just love it and it has added so much fun in our house for the whole family!!
3. Sphero SPRK+ Robotic Ball
Another hit toy that’s been around for a year or two now is the Sphero SPRK+ Robotic Ball. I’ve actually experienced this one first hand, and I can personally attest to the fact that this thing is all about learning programming. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced programmer, you’re sure to learn plenty from the Sphero SPRK+ and its special Lightning Lab App. The app uses a visual (block based) programming interface for ease of use and learning, and the ball itself features programmable LED lights, a built-in gyroscope, and even an accelerometer to keep it rolling along. Of course, it can also swim and perform all kinds of other interesting actions and is a wonderful STEM learning toy for kids in the 8 and up age range. It even has its own special online social platform that allows you to share your programming prowess with other Sphero enthusiasts from around the world (or, you can learn from the genius of others). This ball is truly one of the most educational toys available today!
from Kingston, ON had to say:
May 11, 2017
We recently bought 12 of these to add on to the 3 we had to make 1/2 classroom set for our school as students were fighting over coding with them. They are great to use for any age and any S.T.E.A.M challenge! LOVE that they are waterproof which makes for some interesting lifeboat rescue challenges. My kids at home (ages 7 and 8) love them too 🙂 [For the rest of Sandy’s extensive comments, check out the Best Buy Canada product page.]
4. Safari 76 x 525mm Reflector Telescope & Binocular Kit
Not all educational toys are necessarily “toys” in the traditional sense. Take, for example, the Safari 76 x 525mm Reflector Telescope & Binocular Kit, which is a great starting point for learning about space and astronomy. This kit comes with both a telescope (light reflecting) and a pair of binoculars (for more terrestrial based viewing) and has everything you need to enjoy both starry skies and beautiful landscapes. Included in the kit are a 76mm aperture, 3 interchangeable eyepieces, a full-sized adjustable aluminum tripod (with Altazimuth mount), and an overall telescope focal length of 525mm (for the ultimate in magnifying power!). This amazing kit represents a great entry point to the world of astronomy for everyone from the aspiring future astronomer to the amateur enthusiastic star gazer.
from Langley, BC had to say:
Jun 22, 2015
For the price, it’s a good unit to start out with. Let the kids play with the binoculars, they will have fun with them. And the telescope is a solid entry level model designed to get enthusiasts into the world of space exploration!
5. Â littleBits Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit
The littleBits Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit is something of a personal favourite for me. Although I review tech toys frequently, I don’t often go out and buy them myself. The littleBits R2-D2 is one of this year’s exceptions for me. This is the toy kit that allows you to build your very own R2 droid unit from a supply of all the necessary parts. From what I’ve learned so far (I’m still pre-build with my own unit), the build is relatively simple and straightforward, and the end result can be driven around via the littleBits Invent App, which works with your existing smart device, allowing you to do all kinds of interesting and educational things with your own astromech droid. Over 20 different missions and activities are available through the app, including drawing, navigation of mazes, standing on guard, dancing, and so much more, not to mention the fun (and educational experience) you’ll enjoy during the build process itself. I haven’t opened my Droid Inventor Kit yet because I’ve been so busy lately, but I just can’t wait to get into it!!
from Toronto, ON had to say:
Sep 1, 2017
This product is exceptional. I got access to it early, and I must say it is fantastic. There is literally hours of fun here, and you feel so proud when you make the kit. The 20 odd activities and missions are pretty awesome as well. My kid loves [it], but so do I. Must Buy!!
Well, there you have it—a selection of some of the top educational toys out there as chosen by you, the Best Buy customer! If you’re currently looking for educational toys and fun learning products, there’s no better way than by reading a few customer testimonials. Some will be positive, some will be negative, but in the end you’ll have a much better idea of the pros and cons of each toy you’re considering. You’ll also be giving yourself the best possible chance of successfully selecting the ideal learning toy for yourself or your child. Happy shopping!
For more educational and learning toys, you can check out the Toys, Drones, and Education page at Best Buy Canada.
