Beat the summer holiday and weekend brain slump with these fun Lakeshore Learning Toys. Are you looking for educational and fun toys? Whenever I purchase toys I am always on the lookout for something that will last us through many ages and that can grow with us. We love that Lakeshore learning sells toys that are educational and fun. These toys are perfect for preschool and elementary aged kids that contain STEM activities, alphabet letter learning activities, science activities and imaginary play.
Lakeshore Learning Toys
It is no secret that Lakeshore Learning is one of my favorite stores and I am always on the lookout for a good Lakeshore Learning coupon! When I moved back to America (from South Africa) I needed to re-fill our arts, crafts and activity materials. My first stop was Lakeshore Learning. Lakeshore learning is not only a teacher supply store but also a wonderful place for parents and homeschoolers. I have always loved that their toys could be used in a variety of ways and the quality of their products. Their paints are vivid and washable. I have had to tame myself from popping into the store as my wallet would get so much lighter every time we would visit for one of their Saturday Morning free crafts. One year later and we are still using one of our Lakeshore Learning Toys or educational materials every single day.
This summer, when we returned from spending 6 weeks in South Africa, I could already see that my kids were spending way too much time in front of the TV. Trying to sway them from the TV with no moans and groans was tough to say the least. Lakeshore Learning sent me a few toys to try out and review. I was hoping that we could get rid of this summer brain slump. I LOVE that each toy is so adaptable that I will be using them throughout the whole year (and more!)For my Toddler/Preschooler we tried the following toys:
Please note that this post may contain affiliate links.
Fun With Mama’s List of Favorite Educational and Fun Toys by Lakeshore Learning
Alpha-bots
I can say with all honesty, that Alpha-Bots is one of my favorite toys in the house right now. Maybe its because it caught my personal attention and I enjoyed playing with them just as much as all three of my kids did. Besides being educational, it also proves to be a fun toy that is great for imaginary play too.
I do letter of the week activities with my daughter and this will be the perfect addition to our alphabet letters.
Each alphabet letter can turn into a robot. All of my kids immediately built up the robots and played an imaginary game. It was so adorable to watch!
When my kids grow older and are no longer playing with toys as much I love that I can use them as decoration pieces to make words and sayings.
Lakeshore Learning Toys: Alphabet Learning Locks
Toddlers and Preschoolers are obsessed with keys and locks. The Alphabet Learning Letter Locks toy was perfect for my 2 (almost 3) year old. Each lock has an upper case letter and the matching lower case letter key needs to be placed into it.
Each one of them worked together to play with this one.
Obviously, with all these letters, when my 2 year old is playing with this I will need to separate it out so that it isn’t overwhelming for her.
I placed three letters on a tray with the matching key below it. This gives her a visual on what needs to be done and eases her into using the keys with their correct locks.
Every week when we are doing a letter of the week activity I will take the corresponding letter lock and key out and have her work with it. I will also place the previous letters that we have done together in her workbox (or tray) to give her continuous practice and ensure that she doesn’t forget the previous letters.
My favorite educational toys from Lakeshore learning http://bit.ly/2fPK6cq #kids #preschool
As you may have seen in many of my Instagram pictures, we do a lot of activities in trays. This is Montessori inspired and gives my daughter a clear workspace. I also noticed that it keeps me from having to clean up mess because generally everything stays contained into the tray. I have done many painting activities on our trays (on a table on top of carpet) and we have had a few accidents and spills and these trays have saved my carpet from all the paint.
Please note that all Learning Locks from Lakeshore Learning are currently on sale for 25% off until 9/4/16. Lakeshore sells many different types of learning locks: addition, phonics, etc. so it is definitely worth checking out.
These trays from Lakeshore Learning are my absolute favorite! They are the perfect size for most activities and the edges are all raised to contain any accidents or spills.
See what I mean when I say that these toys are educational and fun?
Young Scientist Chemistry Lab
My 7 and 9 year old were super excited to get started on these science activities. The gloves and glasses were the perfect additions to bring out the inner scientists in my kids.
The kit includes 7 science activities for the kids with wonderful step by step directions. My three kids were able to work together to complete each of the activities. Due to the unique names, pictures and ideas you can see how educational and fun toys can be combined together into a fun learning activity.
We started with the bubble activity. I had my Toddler (Preschooler) look at the directions with me and help choose out the materials required. Then my older two got right to work completing the activity.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t capture pictures of us doing the activities. Micro-managing three kids while they are all so excited to play with the materials left me with no hands free to capture these moments, but I have a heart full of joy for having been able to be completely present during these new discoveries.
Create A Chain Reaction
This wonderful STEM toy is organized so well. There are 6 challenge cards that are labeled according to difficulty. The kids are then supposed to follow the directions to build the track. We started with Track 1 and moved our way up while enjoying every single level. The kids will learn how a small change in placement makes such a big difference to the whole apparatus.
We love our Lakeshore Learning Toys and know that this store is going to be a favorite of ours for years to come!
Giveaway Time!!
This giveaway is open 8/29/16 until 9/6/16. it is only open to US Residents.
Lakeshore Learning has graciously offered to do a giveaway for one of these products!
To Enter: Each of the following requirements must be met.
-Follow @funwithmama on Instagram as well as @lakeshorelearning.
– Go to this post on my Instagram Account, press ‘like’ and then leave me a comment on that post letting me know which of the above toys you would like to win.
For Extra Entires:
– Facebook Share about this Giveaway.
– Leave a comment on @lakeshorelearning’s instagram page letting them know that @FunWithMama sent you over for the giveaway and which product of theirs you’d love to win!
– Pin this post on Pinterest.
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