The holidays are fast approaching, which means trips to the toy department in search of the perfect gift for those children in your life. With the holiday shopping season in full swing and parents scrambling to find something that will not only entertain their kids but serve some greater purpose as well, I thought this was a great time to do a little research on behalf of parents every where and present you with a list of toys that will be both fun and educational.

Many toy manufacturers have spent a lot of time and money on creating toys for children of all ages that not only let them play and have fun, but encourage learning at the same time. Below is a list of toys I found that combine fun and learning.

• KidDesign Fantastic 4 Electronic – a laptop computer that helps your child learn their ABCs. This toy allows your child to feel like they are just like mom or dad with their little laptop. For children 3 and up.

• Laugh & Learn Cuddly Learning Puppy – a cuddly stuffed toy that helps young kids learn their ABCs, 123s, and parts of the body. This cuddly little toy is designed for babies and toddlers aged 6-36 months.

• Genius Notebook – another fun laptop toy. This one is for the older kids in your life and uses games to help them learn math, grammar, and phonics among other things. This toy is designed for children ages 4 to 8.

• Dino Math Tracks Value Game – this board game not only encourages and helps kids learn simple math like addition and subtraction along with the names of prehistoric animals, but it also encourages families to play together. You can spend time with your child playing a game that is fun and helps them learn. Designed for kids ages 6-9, but fun for the whole family.

• Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Toolbench – this is a fun interactive toy that helps your child learn their ABCs and shapes. Not a quiet toy! Designed for kids 6-36 months.

• Gears, Gears, Gears Superset – little gears and connectors encourage creativity. Your child can spend hours developing new and different designs. For children 4-10 years.

• Ricky Speaks Spanish Doll – this doll helps teach your child another language. The language dolls come in boy and girl versions, they also come in several different languages, like Spanish, Russian, French, and Japanese. For kids 3 and up.

• Totally Gross the Game – this game, designed for kids 6-14 years, is a fun board game that encourages your child to learn understand the many aspects of science.

• Thinkativity Little Storyteller – this interactive toy is designed to encourage your toddler’s creativity and imagination. Sounds, blocks, and pictures encourage your child to develop their own little story. Designed for kids age 6 months to 3 years but good for up to 5 years (the older toddlers will likely get more benefit out of it).

• Glow in the Dark Solar System – this glow in the dark solar system can be put up in your child’s bedroom or play room. Designed for kids of all ages, but older children would like get the most benefit.

• GeoSafari Talking Microscope – this is a great toy for the future scientists in your life. The microscope comes with 12 prepared slides, and the microscope will give off facts about the slide as your child looks at it. There is also an interactive quiz mode. Designed for kids 5-7.

• The Learning Journey Smart Learning Book – this plastic book is designed to help your child build their vocabulary and assist with word, sound and object recognition. Great for babies and toddlers as they learn how to speak, as well as children with speech problems.

These are just a few of the many great toys I found that may be a fantastic addition to your shopping list. Kids get so many toys, especially during the holiday season. By including toys that combine fun and learning under the tree your child gets an added benefit to their playtime.

What toys does your child have in their collection that you feel really help them learn and grow? What recommendations do you have for other parents who are busy shopping for the perfect toy this season?