Disclosure: I was given product samples to facilitate this review.  This post contains affiliate links. The opinions shared here are 100% mine.

  When you’re the child of two educators, it’s a given that you’ll receive some educational gifts.  The good news is that there are LOTS of educational gifts that are disguised as a toy!!   Every teacher knows that if learning is fun, kids are more interested.  So why not make toys that teach?  Here are some great examples that should be on your gift list this year!

Rock N Learn’s Sight Word DVD is one of my first picks.  We reviewed the 3rd DVD in this series a few weeks ago, and recently had the chance to back up and try disk 1.  My kids love watching it.  Even my daughter, who reads several years above grade level, loves the music.  My 4 year old son thinks it’s great fun to read along with the video.  They ask for this all the time when we’re riding in the car.   There are many schools of thought on the best way to teach reading; in my experience, children who have a broad vocabulary are the more successful readers.  I’ve noticed that my students who have excellent sight word recall also tend to be good spellers.  Rock N Learn has so many other excellent DVD options that you’ll find a video for every child on your list!

If you’re in the mood to help your child learning budgeting skills, head over to the Dave Ramsey site.  Even if you’re not a DR Follower, you’re sure to find value in the Junior’s Smart Savers Bank.  Teach your kids that they are in control of their own finances, and you’ve given them a lesson for a lifetime!  This smart set of banks is a visual way to teach children how to prioritize and dedicate their earnings whether it’s from a birthday gift or a weekly allowance.  My niece saw this set of banks on my review table and asked if she could have it.  If that’s not testament to the kid-appeal of these banks, I don’t know what is.  The cool colors make these a decorative item on the shelf, and the fact that they’re clear helps kids to see how far they’ve made it to a goal.   I love that there’s a bank reserved for “giving” and that it’s the same size as the others.  What a wonderful lifeskill to demonstrate for your kids!    If your child doesn’t have a regular income, perhaps you could use this for “found money” around the house.  When you find money in the laundry or save a few dollars using coupons at the checkout, help your children decide in which bank to deposit the money.

Speaking of DVD sets, what about a language DVD making its way into your child’s video library this Christmas?  Check out Boca Beth!    We reviewed the Grande Bag and I loved that there were so many elements that tied the individual pieces together.   Anytime my son learns a new song or action, he wants to sing it all day long.  When it’s in another language it just helps to engage his brain that much more!   The music is upbeat and fun, with catchy tunes that kids can’t help but rock to.  I found the series to be perfect for my 4 year old and will hold his interest for at least a couple more years.   The Boca Beth series is an excellent way to include a Spanish component in your homeschooling curriculum.  It comes complete with everything you need for a basic introduction to Spanish.  The set is affordable and there’s always FREE shipping.  One of the things that impressed me most about Boca Beth was the extremely fast shipping.  I think I even heard the WHOOSH of the package as it flew into my mailbox.  If you’re short on time, this is a great gift to consider because you know Boca Beth will get it there as quickly as possible!   Want to have one of these sets all to yourself?  One lucky winner will receive a Beginner Backpack in the Anything Goes giveaway starting November 16.  Be sure to enter!  Meanwhile, to order your set, use  code SAVE to enjoy 25% off all products on the Boca Beth web site’s store through 12/20/13.  Remember that shipping is always FREE in the United States.

These toys will surely be a hit in your home this Christmas. Your kids won’t even realize they’re learning.  Which toy do you think your kids will like the most?