Raising a bilingual child is not an easy task and as a parent, you have to use every opportunity you can to expose them to the language. Research shows that there are many benefits to raising bilingual children, including making them smarter and offering the opportunity to earn more income as adults. Exposing them to the language is key, whether it's reading to them, speaking to them, having them watch programs in another language, music, and yes play. In my case, I teach my daughter Spanish and I try to make teaching fun, after all, she is my biggest critic! Here's my list for:
Best Bilingual Toys That Will Make Learning Spanish Fun
Despite the fact that Toy's R Us is gone, there are still places to find toys, but who has the time to look for them? You probably don't, so I've searched for the top rated toys, offer reviews of the ones I've owned (or similar), and provide direct links to make your shopping easier. You need a break, right?
*All items are based on my own personal experience and my daughter's play habits.
Bilingual Building Blocks by Kids Korner
Recommended Ages: 2+
These Bilingual Building Blocks are great for kids as young as 18 months. My daughter has similar building blocks and now we still do letter or figure recognition games. As she grows older we can start word building. It's a classic game that will teach kids spacial awareness, improves fine motor skills, enhances logical thinking capability, provides mental stimulation and teaches kids cause and effect. A winner in my book! For a Spanish only and more Deluxe set try the Uncle Goose Spanish Blocks, they are beautiful but I prefer the brighter ones. The newer version even has a matching game with it.
Discovering Music Activity Table by Baby Einstein
Recommended Ages: 6-36 months
Melissa & Doug Spanish Alphabet Sound Puzzle (27 pcs)
Recommended Ages: 3+
Toddlers and preschoolers love puzzles. They are great for fine motor skills, gross motor skills, memory, shape recognition, problem-solving, and even setting small goals. We have the regular ABC version from Melissa and Doug but now they have one with sound in Español, which is definitely a great one to have. The only downfall of these puzzles is that they don't come in a box so the pieces are very easy to lose, especially with little ones around the house. We keep them in labeled ziplock bags. A great way to learn and save space!
VTech Count and Learn Bilingual Turtle
Recommended Ages: 2-5 Years
I found this turtle, very similar to a toy that my daughter had (which I bought in Mexico), that teaches counting. For me, it was the car ride toy. It kept my daughter entertained for 20-30 minute drives and stayed in the back seat. It's important for kids to listen to Spanish on a daily basis if you want them to be bilingual. The age says 2-5 but I think it's more for like 18 months to 3 years. I still think it's a good one.
LinguaciousAward-Winning AROUND THE HOME SPANISH Flashcard Game with Audio
Recommended Ages: 2+
Flashcards are a great learning tool. I stumbled upon these flashcards. They have a QR code on the back of the flashcard where you can scan and listen to the pronunciation on your phone. It's great if your Español is not that great or as an entertainment element. Plus, they have over 30 suggested games. Not bad at all. If you prefer Flashcards that you can print at home, I'm developing new ones every month that I use with my daughter. You can laminate them or use on your tablet if that's your preference. Check out the Bilingual Printables Shop to see what's available.
LeapFrog Scout and Violet 100 Words Book Bilingual (Amazon Exclusive)Recommended Ages: 18 Months - 2 Years
Many many years ago, the Leap Frog LeapPad system allowed you to put Leapfrog books into this reader and it came with cartridges. I found a used one on eBay and I use it with my daughter. The new Leap Pads are tablets, which I personally do not care for, simply because of the addiction aspect to them. However, this year Leapfrog has an exclusive with Amazon and have come up with this book, which I really like because it is stimulating, has nice pictures and says the words out loud. It may be more for the early learner but I can see this transitioning into toddler and preschool years. It's also very reasonably priced.
Baby Alive Sweet Tears Baby (Brunette)
Recommended Ages: 3+
I wanted to get this doll for Victoria, my daughter, but she's just not into dolls, like at all. She's into more Barbie-like dolls, but babies, well "are just for babies" in her words. However, I saw this doll at the store and loved it. If your daughter loves dolls she'll love this one. She cries real tears and has 35 phrases in English or Spanish! She works with her accessories. It's a great doll to teach nurturing and if they learn Español, even better!
Voice & Sound Talking Cash Register
Recommended Ages 4+
Available on Young Explorers
My daughter still loves to play grocery shopping with her register and she is 3 and a half. I love to play with her because it is a great way for her to learn about counting in Spanish, money recognition, and she learns about foods en Español with our MiLegasi Picnic Shopping List. It's great pretend play. This register (different than ours, but way cooler) includes a lot of pieces and is Tri-lingual (English, Spanish, & French). Also a great gift for boys. I mean, who doesn't love money?
Classic Mexican Pirinola Toma Todo
Recommended Ages 4+
Pirinola is a classic Latin American game, played in many countries like Mexico, Colombia, Chile, and Argentina. I remember growing up and playing this with my family for hours. The game is simple and uses simple phrases like Pon 1 (Put One), Toma 2 (Take 2) or Toma Todo (Take All) to refer to take one coin, one piece of candy, one card, or anything that can be exchanged after the player puts the Pirinola for a spin. The players take turns until players with no cards or coins cannot continue to play. The game ends with 1 player that has it all. It is a fun, interactive game, that helps children learn to count and learn the various phrases of the Pirinola side. This is a great game for the older kids, plus it's a family game that everyone, even abuela can play, just watch out for the cheaters!
Don Clemente Authentic Loteria Card Game Gift Box Set
Recommended Ages 4+
Lotería is a Mexican game of chance similar to Bingo. Cards with pictures are drawn instead of numbers on ping pong balls. Each player has a card or tabla with different picture combinations. The caller randomly draws a card and announces it to the players. The first player to get 4 images marked in a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal row yells "Loteria" and wins. This is another fun and great game for the whole family to enjoy.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON BILINGUAL TOYS
Raising a bilingual child take effort and dedication. It's up to us to make it fun, engaging, and entertaining so they can look forward to learning the language and that includes Spanish toys. Finding good bilingual or Spanish toys is not easy, believe me, I look all the time and who has the time to spend countless hours looking for a good toy? So if you're a parent that has found a good toy let us know, we will appreciate them!
Want more ideas for bilingual Spanish toys? Check out our previous posts:
2020 Best Bilingual Toys7 Fun Games for Bilingual Families
2019 Toys to Teach Your Child Spanish
Toys and Books that Celebrate Hispanic Heritage and Latino Icons
2017 Bilingual Toys to teach Your Child Spanish
If you are a parent interested in raising a bilingual Spanish child connected to their roots see how I can help you with more resources.
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