Choosing Islamic toys: ideas by age and learning goal

Islamic toys is a broad name for games, puzzles, cards and materials featuring, for example, Arabic letters, Islamic knowledge or familiar themes. They can support learning, but good toys still start with one simple question: does the child want to play with it?

So use age and interest as your first filter.

Young children: recognising, building and puzzling

Tangible materials often work well for young children. Think of simple puzzles, shapes, magnetic letters and play materials that require little reading.

A magnetic Arabic alphabet board, for example, can be used to find, sort and name letters. The Arabic alphabet train puzzle combines letter recognition with puzzling.

Primary school age: language and stories

Once children start reading, you can combine play with books and simple activities. Activity and play books are handy for children who like drawing, writing or puzzles.

Have a look at the Activity & play books collection or at Islamic children's books. English titles such as the Ramadan Activity Book (Little Kids) and the Amazing Islamic History Sticker Book are also available.

Older children: quizzes and knowledge games

For older children, a quiz can offer more of a challenge. Play in teams, add a time limit or let players briefly explain their reasoning after each answer.

The Islamic quiz cards collection contains different game formats. In English, the Hajj Fun Game: Little Steps to Makkah is a playful way to learn about the pilgrimage.

What should you check before buying?

• Age indication: does the difficulty suit the child?
• Safety: with young children, watch out for small parts and read the product information.
• Language: can the child understand the instructions independently, or will you play together?
• Replay value: does the game stay fun once the answers are known?
• Interest: a child who loves building may get more out of puzzle material than out of cards.

Don't make learning the only goal

If every play session feels like a lesson, motivation can quickly disappear. Let children also use materials in their own way. A letter board can suddenly become part of a guessing game, and quiz cards can be the start of a conversation.

More toys and games

For the full current range, see the Toys & games collection.

So don't choose the toy with the most learning goals on the box, but the material that suits the child's age, interests and way of playing.

Further reading: also see our tips on discovering through play with Islamic toys and how to use an Islamic quiz in a fun way without turning it into a test.