Best Educational Toys & Puzzles for EYFS & KS1 (Ages 4 to 6)

Between Reception and the first years of primary school, children are constantly building new skills. Numbers start to make more sense, pencil control develops and sounds gradually become words.

But learning at home doesn’t need to feel like another lesson.

The right books, puzzles and activities can give children opportunities to practise the skills they’re developing at school while keeping things fun, colourful and hands-on.

We’ve picked five favourites for children aged 4 to 6 from our Home Learning collection, covering everything from early numeracy and handwriting to phonics and geography.

1. Junior Explorers Write & Wipe Book: Counting

Suitable for ages 4 to 6

Early numeracy is about more than simply remembering the order of numbers.

The Junior Explorers Write & Wipe Book: Counting explores counting and sequencing from 1 to 20 using pictures, written number words and numerals.

Number lines help children practise counting forwards and backwards, while the wipe-clean format means activities can be completed more than once.

That makes it particularly useful when children are beginning to recognise numbers confidently but still benefit from repetition.

What children can practise

• Counting from 1 to 20
• Number recognition
• Sequencing
• Counting forwards and backwards
• Connecting numbers, words and quantities

A useful one to return to regularly as early number skills begin to develop.

2. School Zone: Learning to Write

Suitable for ages 4 to 6

Once children begin forming letters themselves, understanding where each stroke starts and the order it follows can make a big difference.

School Zone: Learning to Write combines handwriting exercises with clear letter guidance, playful illustrations and activities designed to keep practice engaging.

Each letter includes starting points and numbered strokes to help children understand how it should be formed.

It’s a more focused option for children who are ready to spend a little more time practising handwriting at home.

What children can practise

• Letter formation
• Pencil control
• Following stroke order
• Handwriting confidence
• Fine motor skills

A strong choice for children beginning to move from early mark-making towards more confident letter formation.

3. Flip and Learn Charts

For children learning lots of new ideas at once, having the basics together in one place can be particularly handy.

Flip and Learn Charts brings six colourful learning charts together, covering:

• Alphabet
• Phonics
• Numbers
• Addition
• Colours and shapes
• Times tables

Rather than working through pages in order, children can flip between different topics depending on what they’re interested in or practising at the time.

The alphabet, phonics, numbers and simple addition sections are particularly relevant through Reception and Key Stage 1, while the later content gives them something to grow into.

Why we like it for home learning

• Covers literacy and numeracy in one place
• Easy to revisit individual topics
• Visual format supports quick practice
• Includes subjects children can grow into
• Useful alongside school learning without feeling like a workbook

Keep it somewhere easy to reach and it becomes a useful reference for quick questions, practice and reminders.

4. Write It, Wipe It Spiral Book: 123

Suitable for ages 3+

For children still getting comfortable writing numbers themselves, repetition is one of the simplest ways to build confidence.

The Write It, Wipe It Spiral Book: 123 helps children practise counting and writing numbers from 1 to 20.

Dotted guidelines show how each number is formed, while accompanying activities encourage children to use their counting skills as they work through the book.

The sturdy wipe-clean pages and included pen mean children can trace, wipe and try again without needing a new worksheet each time.

What children can practise

• Writing numbers from 1 to 20
• Counting
• Number formation
• Pencil control
• Repeating activities independently

It works particularly well alongside the Junior Explorers Counting book, with one focusing more broadly on number understanding and the other giving children extra practice forming the numbers themselves.

5. Puzzlebilities World Map 500-Piece Jigsaw

Suitable for ages 6 to 9

For children reaching the upper end of KS1, a more challenging puzzle can introduce learning in a completely different way.

The Puzzlebilities World Map 500-Piece Jigsaw combines a detailed world map with the problem-solving challenge of a 500-piece jigsaw.

Children can begin recognising countries and different parts of the world while working together to complete the puzzle, with a reference image included on the box to help along the way.

At 500 pieces, it’s a bigger challenge than the other activities on this list, so it’s best suited to confident six-year-olds working with an adult or older family members.

What children can explore

• Geography and world awareness
• Visual recognition
• Problem-solving
• Patience and concentration
• Working together on a longer project

It’s the kind of learning activity the whole family can get involved with, rather than something that has to be completed alone.

Choosing Home Learning Activities for Ages 4 to 6

The most useful home learning activities don’t all practise the same thing.

At this age, children are developing literacy, numeracy, handwriting, concentration and problem-solving at the same time, so a mixture of activities gives them different ways to learn.

For a varied home learning selection, try:

• For early counting: Junior Explorers Write & Wipe Book: Counting
• For handwriting: School Zone: Learning to Write
• For phonics and everyday revision: Flip and Learn Charts
• For number formation: Write It, Wipe It Spiral Book: 123
• For puzzles and geography: Puzzlebilities World Map Jigsaw

The key is finding activities children actually want to come back to. A little regular practice through books, puzzles and play can help reinforce what they’re already discovering at school without turning home into another classroom.

About Curious Universe

Curious Universe creates and sources books, toys, puzzles, craft kits and stationery designed to inspire creativity and curiosity in children and grown-ups alike.

Based in Bath, UK, our team has been creating playful, screen-free activities for families since 2007.