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Educactional toys for learning through play

Educational toys encourage your little one to discover, learn and grow while playing. It's not only fun, but also promotes experiential learning.

Here you'll find educational and sustainable toys by age:

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A multicolour UNDERHÅLLA 40-piece wooden building block set
A playful children's room features a wooden train track on the floor next to a box of toys and drawings, a desk lamp on a stool, and a wall with colorful dots.

What are educational toys?

Educational toys help children learn through play and discover new skills. Little ones develop their creativity, concentration and fine motor skills while having fun and exploring the world around them.

A lot of educational toys are based on open-ended play: there is no fixed way to play, so children can discover and experiment by themselves. This helps them develop step by step, at their own pace, without pressure or distraction.

You play an important role in this journey of discovery. Observe your little one closely and step in with guidance where needed. That way, you can find the right toy together for every moment and every stage of development.

Here you’ll find educational toys grouped by age. Remember: the best choice always depends on your child’s developmental stage.

0 – 6 months: sensory discovery

This phase certainly isn't about playing more, but it is about them discovering themselves and their environment. You'll see constant learning and sensory development. Babies are sponges and their little minds absorb everything. It's a great time to start stimulating their imagination!

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A grey/blue GULLIGAST rattle
A multicolour GULDVÄVARE mobile
A multicolour GULLIGAST baby gym
A multicolour LEKA baby gym with bright coloured hanging rings and shapes on top of a green playmat in a baby’s bedroom.
A bunny/beige DVÄRGHARE soft toy

6 - 12 months: movement and exploration

This is when babies start getting curious about the world around them – they don't stop exploring and laughing! They do more and more with their hands, and use their fingers and palm to grip things. This is mostly a stage where they're always moving – they start to sit up and move around in their own way. It's constant development!

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A multicolour UPPSTÅ toy hammering block
A multicolour UPPSTÅ stacking rings
A multicolour UPPSTÅ bead maze

12 - 18 months: first steps and words

Your little one will be walking soon. They're sure to be eager to take their first steps. They express themselves better and better, they start to say more words and, most crucially, this is when they begin to explore and entertain themselves.

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A multicolour UPPSTÅ toy hammering block
A multicolour UPPSTÅ stacking rings

18 - 36 months​: experimenting and helping

How big you've got! They're developing more and more, and getting increasingly curious about their surroundings. So they need toys to help them experiment, have fun and learn. They'll also want to help with household tasks like sweeping and dusting. They love imitating us! It's important to keep stimulating their fine psychomotor skills with textures and shapes, and by fitting objects together and building.

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Top shot of a breakfast table set with a plate of waffles and several bowls. A toy train track snakes between them.
A beige SANDARED pouffe in the childrens room
A FJÄLLVRÅK domino game in the kitchen

3 years+: creativity and concentration

Now's the time to use toys that match their needs and interests, and satisfy their curiosity about things and moments, with a constant focus on stimulating their creativity, concentration and imagination.

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A multicolour UNDERHÅLLA educational wooden clock
Close up shot from above of table where two children are playing with UNDERHÅLLA cards on white table.
A FLISAT doll’s house/wall shelf
A FLISAT children's table in the childrens room
A MÅLA drawing paper roll

Organise your Montessori toys

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Two light white stained pine TROFAST frames with a tabletop make a desk in a children’s room with a FLISAT stool in front.
A TROFAST room divider in the middle of a children’s shared bedroom holding orange, lilac and mesh boxes, with toys on top.
A pine FLISAT children’s table with a TROFAST storage box in its top stands under some FLISAT wall storage on the wall.

Order is another important factor for giving kids the autonomy they need. So let us give you some ideas for organising your toys. Make sure toys are accessible and visible at their height, so they can reach everything and get their toy independently. Rather than jumbling them all together, keep your toys on rotation. That way, you can avoid jumbling them up, refresh your organisation and spark your little one's interest. A reading corner at their height, and with the covers visible, lets kids choose the children's books that they're most interested in at that moment. We know that everyday life can leave your house looking not how you want it, but don't worry!  But it does help kids take more care of their things and put things away before getting another toy out.

Child safety

All safety is great

When it comes to babies exploring during every stage of their development, we also need to protect their possible movements and be aware of hazards, because anything can happen in the blink of an eye!

At IKEA, you'll find a selection of protectors, safety latches and everything else you could need.

Child safety

Benefits of educational toys

Children learn best by playing, discovering and experimenting. Educational toys nurture this natural curiosity and help your little one develop skills through their own imagination and creativity. These toys keep your child engaged for hours and encourage them to explore the world with all their senses. Choose toys that match your child’s age and stage of development for maximum play value.

Learning through open-ended play

Toys are more than just fun – they’re a learning experience too. A key feature of open-ended toys is that they are inspired by real life rather than fantasy. They spark imagination and creativity while children discover, practise and learn.

Explore our arts and craft materials as well for even more creative discovery moments.

Tips for an educational play space at home

Create an environment that supports open-ended play:

  • Use low storage units so children can reach their toys by themselves, such as the TROFAST system
  • Rotate toys regularly to avoid boredom and keep curiosity alive
  • Limit the amount of toys to prevent overstimulation
  • Create a calm, clutter-free play corner with plenty of natural light

Combine educational toys with practical children's rugs for a comfortable, safe play area where your little one can move around freely.