As a mom, grandmother and educator, when I look for toys, I want something more than just something that will be played with for the first 15 minutes of Christmas morning, and then pushed off to the side never to be seen or heard from again so that is why year after year, I have come to count on a small handful of companies that I know will promote creativity and imagination and are toys that children will come back to time and time again thus giving children the valuable gift of play.

Discovery Toys  the premier learning toy company dedicated to helping children learn and grow through Pure Play. A trusted brand for over 35 years, we specialize in premium quality, kid-powered learning products for newborns through school aged children. The company began when an early childhood educator first brought together a group of dedicated teachers, mothers and parents to take on the important topic of education for children through play.   Discovery Toys combines multiple levels of learning in every toy with safety and quality standards beyond the national standards. As many of our customers and educational consultant representatives can testify, a Discovery Toys product is not a typical educational toy that you can find at your local toy shop.  Each Discovery Toys product incorporates multiple “Layers of Learning” to: Engage a child’s multiple senses and all three learning styles and Empower the child to grow and advance with the product.

Educational Insights are quite simply  play enthusiasts.They aim to create experiences filled with sheer joy and uncontrollable laughter. Educational Insights are champions of curiosity and those “eureka” moments of discovery. In addition to inspiring creativity, imagination, good sportsmanship, and out-of-the-box learning, their inventive line of kid-powered toys and engaging games are packed full of fun, designed to delight, and are certain to satisfy kids’ natural curiosity.  Their motto quite simply is  “Where work is play.”  Their love of play transfers into the toys and games we create, making many learning experiences, well, more playful.

This year we were lucky enough to receive a wide assortment of products from our friends at Discovery Toys and Educational Insights to help us pick out our favorites and them share them with you. But for us, we took it one step further and we have made the decision to donate each and every product we were given for review purposes over the holidays to help brighten the day of families and their children from all over Northern California. 

Our Favorites From Educational Insights:

Design & Drill Flower Power Studio: 

Brilliance blossoms with this cute and colorful design studio! Girls love the action and sound of the kid-friendly power drill as they arrange and drill the designer plates and bolts into gorgeous, garden-worthy patterns and designs. When it’s time to pack up the fun, everything fits neatly into the fold-up board for no-mess creativity – and learning – on the go!

• Perfect for STEM learning
• Grows kids’ hand-eye coordination, patterning, and problem-solving skills
• Encourages creativity and imagination, while building confidence
• A treat for little plant and flower admirers

Magic Moves Rainbow Jam

Join our color groovin’ jam session! Mini maestros touch a color to hear its musical note, touch multiple colors to compose their own masterpieces or sing along to nine jammin’ color songs! Different musical styles – from rock and Latin to jazz and country – keep kids engaged and learning. So play the blues, riff some reds, and shred those yellows! Features two modes of play and a 16-page musical activity book.
RainbowJam™ works with color objects in the real world, too! Just switch it to Song Mode, touch an object around you, and you’ll get a melodic surprise!

• Reinforces color learning
• Offers opportunity for music creation and real-world musical play
• Enhances listening skills
• Perfect for little music lovers

Puppet-On-A-Stick

Meet the original, award-winning Puppet-on-a-Stick crew: Lex (Orange), Kai (Green), and Fez (Purple)! This wacky trio inspires endless dramatic play with their googly eyes, vivid colors, and hilarious expressions.

• Encourages self-expression
• Inspires dramatic and creative play
• Develops communication skills

GeoSafari Jr. Jungle Crew Lab Set

Roar into scientific exploration with this sturdy, 6-piece, animal-themed science set. Fun animal-shaped scientific tools introduce preschoolers to the wild side of science, and 10 hands-on activity cards offer fun, simple ‘experiment’ ideas using ingredients found in your kitchen or backyard!

• Perfect for STEM learning
• Introduces key scientific principles and processes
• Supports early math skills and understanding of measurement
• Activities provide hands-on experience with physical science, the senses, and more

Our Favorites From Discovery Toys:

Animal Planet Animals of the World Learning Pad:

• Learn all about 100 animals and 10 habitats around the world
• Interactive quiz mode helps reinforce learned concepts to children
• Three “AA” batteries are required and included (PULL TAB in back compartment to activate battery)
• All cards store neatly in the built-in storage compartment in back
• Kid friendly features include carry handle, auto shut off and volume control

Build and Play Construction Fort:

• Includes 72 pieces
• Sturdy rod and custom connector set
• Custom connectors allow for quick and easy assembly of nearly any structure a child an imagine
• Sturdy rod set for building large structures including playhouses, forts, castles and more
• Ages 5 and up

Animal Planet Interactive T-Rex

Beware! The Animal Planet Interactive T-Rex is ready for action. This fiery-eyed, interactive dinosaur has 8 different sounds! Your t-rex can: walk, stomp, snore, purr, chew, burp and even fart! This super cool Tyrannosaurus Rex also comes equipped with 2 different roars. Grab yours today! Great for ages 3 and up.

Discovery Kids 14 in 1 Solar Robot Kit

This 14-in-1 Solar Robot is fun and educational. This solar-powered robot can be transformed into 14 different modes, including vehicles and bugs. Movement is powered by a solar panel. No batteries are required.

• Age Range: 6 years and up
• Chargeable solar robot
• Transforms into 14 different modes
• Movement is powered by a solar panel
• No batteries are required

Give your child the gift of creativity and imagination-give the gift of play through Discovery Toys and Educational Insights

Disclosure: We were given products   for the purposes of this review however all opinions expressed here are our own.  We donate all product that we have received to local charities for children.