This is something I considered getting for my son for Christmas, but wasn’t sure. If you don’t mind having ants in your house, your child might love it. Fascinations Antworks Illuminated is filled with a blue, translucent, illuminated, nutritious gel that feeds the ants who tunnel through it. It requires no food, water, or maintenance, and says it lets children study ants over a period of weeks. A few customers, however, have said that the kit arrived with dead ants, so be prepared. If it would work, it would be a fun learning tool. It says it’s recommended for ages 8 and up, but I could see my 5 year old enjoying this with parental supervision. You can view and purchase it for about $30 at Amazon.com.

Count Octopus by ImagiPLAY is a natural, eco-friendly, fun way to teach kids to count. Made of plantation-grown rubberwood, this octopus numbers puzzle is safe for ages 3 and up. It is handmade and hand-painted with child-safe paints as well. Recently chosen as one of the Top 10 Eco-Toys of 2009 in the 2009 Eco-Friendly Toy Test by Goddard Systems and Eco-Child’s Play, Count Octopus measures 6.5″ x 4″ x 1″ and sells for $17.99 at ImagiPLAY.com.

This looks like the perfect gift idea for my 5 year old son. He loves his globe, but also likes to treat it as if it’s a ball, or a seat, which, unfortunately, has damaged it. Hugg-a-Planet seems like it could easily withstand this treatment, while still teaching kids about geography at the same time. It can be hugged like a stuffed animal, tossed like a ball, and studied for hours (or for as long as your child will sit still!) Hugg-a-Planet was also chosen as one of the Top 10 Eco-Toys of 2009 in the 2009 Eco-Friendly Toy Test by Goddard Systems and Eco-Child’s Play. You can purchase this unique gift for $24.95 at HuggAPlanet.com.

I Cherish Planet Earth is a great book and matching game designed to teach the whole family about appreciating the planet on which we all live. It comes with a 48 piece matching game, a love letter to Mother Earth, affirmations, and game extensions, all in earth-friendly packaging and a cotton drawstring pouch to hold game pieces. Made in the USA, it’s printed on recycled paper and cardboard with vegetable oil-based inks. This game teaches values children of all ages should learn. You can purchase it at Amazon.com for $16.49.

If you’re tired of the usual Halloween costumes based on TV characters and old standbys such as ghosts and goblins, you might want to consider something that will be a learning tool as well as a fun dress-up costume. This Abraham Lincoln costume looks cute and educational at the same time. It comes complete with stovepipe hat, beard, and coat with attached vest (child must wear his/her own pants). In addition to Halloween, this would be appropriate for school plays or history lessons. You can purchase it for just $19.99 at HalloweenMart.com, where it’s available in sizes from 4-6 up to 12-14.

Learning Curve is having a sale on some of its most popular toys and other baby/children’s items, such as this “Getting Started” Thomas the Tank Engine for just $4.99 (regularly $10.99). Other items on sale include the Bob the Builder Build Along Electronic Tool Bench for $9.99 (regularly $19.99) and the Magna Light Travel System, including stroller and carseat, for $169.99 (was $269.99). Visit LearningCurve.com to see all of the steals and deals available.

Leap Frog is currently having its Spring Clearance, with prices up to 75% off. This is a great time to buy some educational games for your child’s My First Leap Pad or Leapster. For example, the My First Leap Pad Dora the Explorer To The Rescue book and cartridge is on sale for just $8.99 (was $12.99). Another great buy is the Fridge Phonics Fridge Talk Magnetic Wordplay Recorder, regularly $21.99, on sale for $14.99. View all the great buys at LeapFrog.com.

As children get older and more independent, parents become increasingly more concerned about their safety. My son will turn 5 in a week, and that’s what can keep me awake at night: worrying about strangers accosting him, or even kidnapping him. Everyone says that things were different when we were growing up, and it might sound like a cliche but I really believe it’s true. We just weren’t aware of the number of child predators and other potential dangers back then.

Safety Tots is a company that creates aids to help teach children about safety. This CD-Rom entitled “What’s The Safest Thing To Do?” is designed for children ages 3 to 8, and presents situations to them in fun, non-threatening terms they can understand. In addition to dealing with stranger awareness, the CD-Rom also addresses drowning prevention, poison control, firearms safety, drug and alcohol prevention, and fire prevention. Winner of a Parents Choice Gold Award in 2002, this product is recommended by educators and parents. It could be used at home to teach your child about safety in a way that’s fun and that he’ll remember, or even in a classroom.

You can purchase this unique CD-Rom for $24.95 at SafetyTots.com. I’m sure it will be worth every penny for the valuable lessons it will teach your child.

I tutor children in math. One of the most important concepts for them to learn is the mechanics of counting, which leads right into multiplication. Visual and tactile aids add so much to their understanding of mathematical concepts. These Counting Blocks by Haba are a perfect tool for helping your child with her math homework. It’s much better than counting fingers.Visit KangarooBoo.com to view and purchase this item, priced at $38.99.

Computers are such an integral part of our lives today, and no one is a better example of that than our children. My son had computer lessons during his first year of preschool, when he was just 3 years old! He was able to teach me how to use the touchpad when I got my new laptop. It’s a new world, and GeoSafari realizes that. Their Laptop for Kids is designed especially for kids ages 3-7. It has adjustable time limits for games, so that your child doesn’t spend too much time on the computer, reading exercises, alphabet, science, phonics, sight words, and more. It comes with 63 laptop cards containing 2000 questions in 126 lessons, and additional cards are available for purchase.

This laptop is an award-winner, having won the Dr. Toy 10 Best Educational Products and the Seal of Approval 2001 from the National Parenting Center. You can purchase this educational toy for your child at DiscoverThis.com, where it is currently on sale for $57.95.

 This Laugh & Learn Learning Puppy by Fisher-Price will provide plenty of fun for your little one. They’ve really utilized every inch of this little puppy to give you several learning/play options. Your child will be introduced to the alphabet, numbers, parts of the boyd, and colors. It also plays games and sings songs. Having this puppy, you almost wouldn’t need any other toys.

I’d probably take this little puppy along on long drives to make the trip a little less stressful on baby. Kids can get a littled stressed by long car rides and traffic and the back of your head. Take a few minutes to bring a few toys along or just bring the Laugh & Learn Puppy by Fisher-Price. You’ll be glad you did. Visit babyearth.com to view this item, priced at $21.95.

These Brightlings Matchers by Leap Frog will reward your child by twirling, chiming, and shining whenever he correctly matches the halves of the toy. Your child will be responding to colors and motion and learning about matching and sequencing all at the same time. Of course, he’ll think he’s just having fun playing with these Brightlings Matchers.

You can view this item at babyearth.com, where they are priced at $7.95 each. It would be a great gift idea for baby’s shower. The baby who receives these Brightlings Matchers will be getting a real head start.

These Brightling Dancers by LeapFrog will help teach your baby the principal of cause and effect. Each time your baby bats or pushes one of these Brightlings, it responds with a wobble, a whirl, and a spin & shine movements. These are so bright and colorful, they’d be a pretty addition to a baby shower gift.

Visit babyearth.com to view these little Brightlings by Leap Frog, where they are priced at$7.95 each.

This is a fun toy to surprise your baby with. Just pull the little red nose and the Motor Ball from Kathe Kruse will begin wiggling, jiggling, and shaking. Your baby will be anxious to get his little hands on this soft cotton and cotton terry ball.

Designed and made in Germany, you can purchase the Motor Ball at oompa.com for just $12.99. The bright colors and friendly smile are an eye catcher and invites a child to play. And while he is playing he is also developing his fine motor skills as he reaches out to manipulate the nose, which leads to recognizing cause and effect - pull the nose and the ball wiggles.

The Parents Busy Zoo toy is a great option for moms and dads who want to find high-quality, educational toys this holiday season.  I bought one of these for my toddler when she was about 18 months old, and it has really been very well-received at our house.  My daughter still plays with it, and other children who have come over to our house have been drawn to it as well.

Designed for children ages 12 months and up, this wooden toy features a bead maze, cute animal alphabet spinners , peek-a-boo doors (a favorite in my experience), and much more.  The colors are attractive and appealing and the toy adds a bit of cheer to any child’s bedroom or play room.  With so much play value, it does not surprise me that the toy has received a Parents’ Choice Award (2006).

You can purchase one of these fun toys for $49.95 at Target.com.