Parents face difficult decisions at this time of year when it comes to buying children’s toys for the holiday season: do you go along with this year’s ‘cool’ toy on your child’s list for Santa, or do you ignore all the background noise and select toys that have an educational value?

The answer is that it is possible to find toys that meet both your child’s criteria (popular and hot this year) and your goal to promote learning experiences while teaching other life skills, such as creativity and critical thinking. According to learningtoys.ca , an on-line site dedicated to “learning at the speed of fun”, the best toys help children develop, grow and learn – all at the same time.

The goal of the site is to provide classic educational toys, but this doesn’t mean just block sets and puzzles (but they carry those too!). On the contrary: the unique toys are specially selected to combine play and creative learning. How about a cash register to teach counting? What about a gourmet kitchen? A “Space Chaos” motorized Meccano set?

A guided toy search on learningtoys.ca helps parents find the right toy for their child based on age, themes, teaching value and brands. Or, if you prefer, you can browse more than a dozen categories, ranging from “Early Years’ and “Let’s Pretend” to “Science for Kids” and “Create & Build.” You can jumpstart holiday shopping with a “Holiday Gift Guide” which provides recommendations when the choices are overwhelming.

If you are not sure what kind of a toy will appeal to your child, the site offers educational information on how children learn and what toys would be appropriate at different stages beginning with infant (birth to 12 months) and progressing through to mid-school (ages 8 to 11).  Links to age-appropriate toys selected by learningtoys.ca provide a wide selection of choices.

Learningtoys.ca also provides insights into the essential learning skills that children develop as they mature, including social and communication, physical, thinking and creative. Explanations about the type of age-appropriate childrens’ toys that correspond to each skill set are provided to guide parents in their choices.  Toys for special needs children are also included in this section.

Learningtoys.ca wants to know how the toy fared with the toughest critic of all: your child. Parents can share their child’s feedback and provide observations on toys they have purchased. These evaluations are available on-line so that other parents can consult product reviews before making their toy purchases.

The fun and learning from a toy should continue long after the wrapping is gone.