Electronic Learning Toys in the UK: for children of all ages

VTech have a good number of their products in the bestselling electronic toys list. One of them is the Cyber Pocket Blue (with Scooby Doo learning game). For age 5 years and up, this game is compatible with VTech's vast library of VSmile learning games. It is designed to fit in with the National Curriculum and provides age-appropriate learning experiences.

NOTE: This product and the next lot of examples are for anyone from the UK! For our United States friends please see later!

VTech has a number of games in the bestsellers list, but you will need their VSmile Learning System to run the games. Cartridge system used by the system is excellent, producing very clear sounds of the English spoken word. Batteries are needed, but I advise purchasing a 9V adaptor which is available from amazon.

This a joystick based system and at some stage I will be looking at a different system, from another manufacturer, based on a typical computer keyboard input.



If you would prefer to buy a new system (at a higher price of course!) then you might want to try, either Toys R Us, or The Toy Shop

The following learning games are currently in the bestsellers list and have been for a while.

The Go Diego Go game is a learning adventure that teaches vocabulary, animals, directions, shapes, spatial skills, numbers, basic math, logic skills and classification.


In the Scooby Doo Funland Frenzy game children can help Scooby-Doo battle the scary ghosts (what else!) at the Funland Amusement Park. Designed to help with numeracy and literacy, this game is possibly a little difficult for the target age group of 5 years, but okay for those a little older. As always, of course, it all depends on the ability level of your child.

These are the same products as recommended for the UK readers.

The Vsmile Learning System, needed for the games I recommend.


Two good selling toys with positive recommendations, although not in the bestsellers list at Amazon.com!

I have already shown examples of one of the more popular sets of learning games, from VTech. But this is not the only series worth considering when looking for suitable electronic learning toys for your child.

Some people are quite rightly suspicious of these type of learning games because they have experienced some of the original versions. Someone has coined the term 'edutainment', with the intention, I think, of deriding some of these type of learning games. The cristicism has been that some of the earlier games were just too pedantic in nature and actually put off the child rather than encouraging them to learn. I think it is fair to say that these type of games have greatly improved and nowadays the good ones really get the child so interested, and excited, that learning takes place without them realising it!

An excellent example of the successful 'edutainment' games are the ones from LeapFrog.

Learning games from the LeapFrog series are so popular because they are fun and provide rewards through the possible online link. They are also popular with parents because of the possibility of using the online facility to follow their child's progress.

I noticed recently that LeapFrog had 5 games in the top 20 bestselling Electronic Toys at Amazon UK. Their games are obviously very popular and receive very positive reviews from parents. To buy the initial learning system (handheld console) is possibly slightly expensive, but not too bad because the consoles are quite sturdy. Recommended age is 4 years and above.

The LeapFrog Leapster2 Learning Game System can be obtained in two colours, green and pink.

The games that are included with the learning system, and about 15 extra games that you can buy, teach skills in a range of subjects, such as language arts, reading, mathematics and science.

Parents can connect online to the LeapFrog Learning Path to see their child's learning progress and get insight into the skills and activities their child is exploring.

The Leapster2 system is one of three new LeapFrog Connected learning systems that connect to the LeapFrog Learning Path, a free online tool that offers insights into a child's learning.





Below are two of the most popular LeapFrog Learning Games.

Mr Pencil's Learn to Draw and Write Game teaches writing letters and numbers, drawing techniques, colours, forms and sequencing. There are actually more than 100 lessons to help your child learn to draw, write and create.


The Sonic X Game is all about solving problems in order to help Sonic save his friends from the evil Dr Eggman! Teaches numbers, counting, sequencing, addition and subtraction.

The learning systems are the same as show-cased for UK readers.





I have chosen two different games for US readers. Mainly because of the extremely positive reviews both games have received.

The Pet Pals game is about helping your dog to win rewards at the Fling and Fetch Competition by preparing your dog for the show and solving early mathematics problems.Teaches numbers, mathematics, reading skills, writing skills and following directions.
I must say that is not often you find no negative comments at all - reviews for this game are all very positive.


In 'Go Diego Go' the child is asked to join Diego on missions in the rainforest, desert, and Antarctica. By helping animals your child learns about numbers (1-100), skip counting (by 2s, 5s, and 10s), addition, subtraction and matching skills.