Learning Resources Review

About Learning Resources

For many kids, the best way to learn is to play. While many kids can be perfectly happy in a regular classroom setting where information is demonstrated to them, others excel when their learning is more hands-on. And when it comes to developing abilities like motor skills and hand-eye coordination, thoughtful play is integral. 

Learning Resources is a manufacturer of educational toys that fuse play and education, targeted to babies and kids from preschool to late elementary school.

My Learning Resources review will introduce you to this decades-old brand whose products are helping kids all around the world get a fun jumpstart on learning. 

The brand’s wide-ranging line of bright, well-crafted toys and activity sets have helped them build a strong social media presence, with 189k Instagram followers and an even more impressive 237k follower count on Facebook. 

The brand has also received attention from media and their peers alike. They’ve been featured in PR Newswire, their CEO has been interviewed by University Games UG Studios, and Learning Resources has won a variety of Toy of the Year honors.

Think Learning Resources might be your new go-to for fun ways to both entertain and educate your little munchkins? Keep reading my Learning Resources review for all the details about their philosophy, best-selling products, promos, and feedback from real customers who’ve experienced these skill-building toys in action. 

Overview of Learning Resources

Learning Resources was founded in 1984, and is one in a long lineage of businesses owned by the family of current President and CEO, Rick Woldenberg.

Based in Vernon Hills, Illinois with manufacturing in China, Learning Resources Inc. the brand started out selling to the US, before expanding to the UK, continental Europe, and the Middle East by 1994. Since then, the brand has released more than 1,000 different educational toys and games to over 80 countries worldwide. 

Everything about these products is meant to make learning fun for kids while helping them develop their basic learning skills and discover new aptitudes. As their tagline says, Learning Resources wants to help parents and teachers with “Building someone amazing.” 

Learning Resources’ product line covers everything from problem-solving, spatial and motor skills, reading, basic math, time, social-emotional learning, and even STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Mathematics) learning. 

Whether you’ve got a kid who is only a year-and-a-half-old or they’re just on the cusp of breaking into middle school, Learning Resources has approachable, fun, highly interactive toys to get your little ones hyped for learning about the world and give them the skills to make the most of every learning experience.

Now that this Learning Resources review has learned a bit more about the brand’s goals, let’s check out some of the highlights of what make them such a great resource for parents and classrooms.

Highlights

• Colorful and fun products that engage your kids in learning
• Includes instructions that are easy to follow for assembly and use 
• Encourages kids to explore their own possibilities about how to use and engage with their toys
• Facilitates development of motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem-solving, reading, math, engineering, technology, and sciences
• Can order replacement parts
• Ships internationally
• Free shipping on orders over $65
• 365-day guarantee
• Great customer reviews

Toys, board games, books; there’s so much we could cover in this Learning Resources review. To give you a sense of their massive catalogue, my Learning Resources review will focus on the brand’s best-sellers, which include gadgets that will help inspire some future engineers, scientists, and all-around brainiacs.

Time to put on those thinking caps!

Learning Resources Toys Review

Learning Resources toys range from the very simple – intended to teach toddlers how to count or sound out letters – to complex activities that challenge young minds to find solutions to all sorts of projects and problems. 

This Learning Resources review will look at products that cover a range of ages and disciplines, including their popular Beaker Creatures line, gear sets, block games, pendulums, and pie – the food, not 3.14159265…

Learning Resources Beaker Creatures Liquid Reactor Super Lab Review

If you’ve got a future chemist or biologist on your hands, or just want to augment school science with something more interactive, the Beaker Creatures Liquid Reactor Super Lab is a great way to play around with mixing liquids and classifying creatures.

The Beaker Creatures Liquid Reactor Super Lab features the brand’s lovable Beaker Creatures, mischievous, colorful monsters that help build science skills in many Learning Labs toys.  

In this playset for kids ages 5-10, you’ll find 3 beakers to hold water (or any other scientific substance), a base with integrated tubing and 2 plunger pump systems, some tweezers to handle your materials, creature classification ID cards, and 2 mysterious pods. 

To unleash the creatures within the mystery pods, simply:

1. Pop a pod in the cylindrical beaker
2. Place said beaker on the base and fill the plunger pumps with water
3. Pump the water into the beaker.
4. Watch the creature emerge from the dissolvable pod

This kit also comes with some posters, a quiz, and a detailed manual. In addition to cleanup instructions (a bonus for parents!), the manual contains experiments to create slime, mix colors, learn about substance density, and make cool little whirlpools. 

Your kids will have a blast with the Beaker Creatures Liquid Reactor Super Lab for just $25.

Learning Resources Beaker Creatures 2-Pack with Bio-Home Review

If your little biologists want to have more fun with Beaker Creatures for scientific study – or because they’ve been firmly attached to the Pokemon franchise lately and they’ve just “gotta catch ‘em all” – then they’ll adore building a set of the Beaker Creatures 2-Pack with Bio-Home.

A perfect toy for kids to collect, classify, and discover, this Beaker Creatures 2-Pack with Bio-Home comes with instructions that prompt kids on how to figure out which of the 35 Beaker Creatures toys they’ve picked up. They’re prompted to examine their creatures and assess what they observe against a set of classification criteria. 

Included are 2 creatures – one in a pod and one without – classification cards, fun posters with quizzes and images, and a little terrarium habitat with an integrated magnifier embedded in the glass to keep the creature creeps under wraps for study. 

Beaker Creatures 2-Pack with Bio-Home retails for just $10

Learning Resources Gears! Gears! Gears! Machines in Motion Review

If you’ve got a builder coming into their own who needs something to construct, then you’ll want to get your hands on the Gears! Gears! Gears! Machines in Motion set. 

Intended for kids from ages 5-9, this playset is an open-ended, interactive kit of building supplies that is a great introduction to STEM concepts, teaching trial and error learning, as well as how to use simple machines. 

Within this 116-piece collection, you’ll find gears, base plates, levers, chains, bands, wheels, propellers, and so much more.

The instructions will get your mastermind started with the blueprints for a tank, a crane, and a few other vehicles. But, like LEGO, what you can do with it is all up to your kid’s imagination. 

For a $45 investment, Learning Resources’ Gears! Gears! Gears! Machines in Motion is a versatile toy that can grow with your children as they learn. 

Learning Resources Mental Blox Go! Review 

You might have noticed that a lot of popular educational toys are big and bulky, and those that are small and portable don’t always have the staying power to keep a child’s attention. 

Luckily, there’s the Mental Blox Go! set. Think of this portable puzzle game as a bento box containing a little 4×4 grid inside and 16 game pieces of varying shapes and colors. It’s easy to travel with, but has great tactile appeal for small hands and enough built-in versatility and changeability to keep everyone interested. 

With it and its accompanying guidebook, your kids will find 10 varieties of over 30 puzzles and games to challenge their visualization, math, and problem-solving skills. 

Whether you’ve got a thinker playing solo games of altered sudoku or a pair facing off in a mini version of chess, the Mental Blox Go! contains both single and multi-player games. It’s nothing but fun for all kids ages 5-9. 

Enjoy Mental Blox Go! at home or on the go for $17.

Learning Resources Pendulonium STEM Challenge Review 

If you’ve got a kid angling to join NASA down the line, they’ll need a strong foundation in basic physics like centrifugal force. To get your future astrophysicist off on the right foot, check out the Pendulonium STEM Challenge set for ages 5-9.

This colorful kit of toys, consisting of pylons, an arch, cups, balls, and a 3-piece pendulum, is designed to help your kids with motor and hand-eye coordination skills. It can also develop problem-solving and trial and error learning strategies.

At first, kids are encouraged to explore and discover how these toys work on their own, getting familiar with concepts of force and momentum. Then, they can use the included booklet to explore more advanced builds and challenges that build on their initial skills. 

Pick up the Pendulonium STEM Challenge for $22 

Learning Resources Super Sorting Pie Review

Need a fun way to help a young mind develop basic math skills while building their familiarity with sorting colors and shapes, and categorization? The Super Sorting Pie offers a highly tactile way of building these skills in a really unique package.

This 2-piece pie is intended for ages 3-7. It comes with a base and a latticed top that comes off to reveal 5 sorting compartments. Inside, there are 60 different fruit and vegetable-shaped counters in 5 different colors. 

The Super Sorting Pie comes with 2 pairs of oversized tweezers and a set of double-sided classification cards your young learner can use to help categorize and sort their counters. 

Grab the Super Sorting Pie off ledge (or store shelf) for just $34.

Who Is Learning Resources For? 

Fun ways for kids to learn like those provided by Learning Resources are invaluable for teachers and caregivers alike. 

If you’re teaching a class and want to give students a break from reading or verbal lessons, or want to ignite their curiosity and develop problem-solving skills by practice, these toys are ideal.

Learning Resources toys allow kids to get familiar with instructions, and also play around and figure things out for themselves. 

At home, these toys can be a great way to play without feeling like you’re learning. But, they’re also a great supplement to the classroom. 

Maybe regular lessons aren’t enough for information to stick. Or, maybe you have a prodigy that desires more learning opportunities outside of school where they can put what they’ve learned into application.

These toys are a great way to give all kinds of kids something to do that will keep them entertained while still being a productive tool for their development.

Learning Resources Reviews: What Do Customers Think?

When checking out what real customers had to say about the brand for this Learning Resources review, we expected to find a range of responses given that every kid learns in a different way. 

It’s understandable when you hear about a few uninterested, unengaged kids in the Learning Resources reviews. That said, the majority of reviews we found had positive impressions of the brand.

Kids are generally enthused and enjoy the products, and customer impressions suggest the brand is delivering on their promise to make learning fun. 

On the Learning Resources official site, we noticed customers commenting on the products’ ease of use and opportunities for fun learning. 

In a Learning Resources review of the Beaker Creatures Liquid Reactor Super Lab set, a customer says: “Very easy to use with lots of information for children to classify the creatures. Easy child led science experiments with Wow factor. Great fun for children to collect, share & play!” 

This Learning Resources review also noted some high star ratings for the best-sellers in our review:

• Beaker Creatures Liquid Reactor Super Lab – 4.9 out of 5 stars based on 34 reviews
• Beaker Creatures 2-Pack with Bio-Home – 4.8 out of 5 stars based on 5 reviews
• Gears! Gears! Gears! Machines in Motion – 4.9 out of 5 stars based on 29 reviews
• Mental Blox Go! – 4.7 out of 5 stars based on 24 reviews
• Pendulonium STEM Challenge – 4.6 out of 5 stars based on 29 reviews
• Super Sorting Pie – 4.9 out of 5 stars based on 27 reviews

Reviews on the brand’s Facebook page also suggest customers are pleased with these learning tools, especially when supplementing learning at home.

Facebook users rank the brand with 4 out of 5 stars overall, with one customer saying: “Learning resources products have made our elearning possible!” 

This Learning Resources review noticed that even adults are eager to join in the imaginative play. A number of reviews from Amazon mentioned that Learning Resources toys make learning a fun family experience. 

One customer’s Amazon Learning Resources review of the Gears! Gears! Gears! Machines in Motion set says: “I got one for my neighbor’s 8 year old son and he couldn’t wait to […] create things with it. He got created and started making things not shown in the instructions. It is great and makes me want one too!” 

The brand’s overall Amazon ratings showed that the brand has many dedicated shoppers willing to leave a review, and that satisfaction was quite high:

• Beaker Creatures Liquid Reactor Super Lab – 4.5 out of 5 stars based on 1,463 reviews
• Beaker Creatures 2-Pack with bio-Home – 4.4-4.6 out of 5 stars on average for different sets
• Gears! Gears! Gears! Machines in Motion – 4.6 out of 5 stars based on 614 reviews
• Mental Blox Go! – 4.6 out of 5 stars based on 453 reviews
• Pendulonium STEM Challenge – 4.5 out of 5 stars based on 120 reviews
• Super Sorting Pie – 4.9 out of 5 stars based on 2,526 reviews

We also noticed some good impressions of Learning Resources customer service. One review on TrustPilot, where the brand is ranked 3.5 out of 5 stars, says:

“I bought the Code and Go Robot Mouse a couple of years ago for my son, […] The wheels starting to not function correctly recently, so I called to ask whether I could send it to Learning Resources for repair, and they sent me out a new one! Absolutely amazing customer service,”

Is Learning Resources Worth It?

This Learning Resources review would have to give this brand an A+. The toys sold are affordable, and cover a variety of age ranges and subject matter.

Learning Resources products range from basic life skills development all the way up to more complicated concepts in areas like engineering and robotics, and all are just plain fun. 

If the reviews are any indication, these toys are effective and genuinely enjoyed by kids, and can be just as engaging for their parents! 

With parents and kids playing together, these toys could not only facilitate bonding experiences for families, but also help children develop important social skills like how to share and collaborate with others – in addition to the many more strictly academic skills they help develop.

If you’re looking for an educational toy brand that ticks off most, if not all, of the boxes on your learning goals checklist, I highly recommend Learning Resources. 

Learning Resources Promotions & Discounts 

If you’re looking for a great Learning Resources promo code, sign up for their e-newsletter. When you do, you’ll score a coupon code for 30% off your first order. 

You can also get free shipping on orders over $65.

Where to Buy Learning Resources

You can shop the full range of Learning Resources toys on their official website. 

This Learning Resources review found a selection of their toys available at Amazon, Mastermind Toys, Fisher Scientific, Walmart, Toys “R” Us, and Indigo Books & Music – use their store locator to find the closest retail location to you. 

FAQ

Who owns Learning Resources?

CEO Rick Woldenberg is the current owner of Learning Resources. 

Does Learning Resources ship internationally?

Yes, they do! The brand has two websites for the different regions they ship to. The US site delivers orders placed within the US, and their UK branch handles Europe, the Middle East and India. 

Customers outside of these regions are encouraged to contact the company directly and see if shipping can be arranged to their location. International customers may also find Learning Resources products available online through the brand’s partner retailers. 

What is Learning Resources’ Shipping Policy?

Those in the contiguous US can get free standard shipping on orders over $65. Orders to locations within US territories will have to pay an additional $8 shipping fee.

Shipping rates for orders under $65 or orders that require expedited shipping range from $7-$45. The rate will depend on the cost of the order, destination, and if you opt for 2-day or next-day shipping.

After your order has been placed, you should receive an email with tracking info. Delivery time can typically take anywhere from 7-10 business days barring delays and holidays.

Those within Europe, the Middle East, and India can order their items directly from the Learning Resources UK site. Consult their website for all of the shipping information for your particular destination.  

If you live elsewhere in the world where shipping can be arranged, tariffs and other fees applicable to shipping over borders are the responsibility of the customer.

What is Learning Resources’ Return Policy?

Learning Resources offers a 365-day guarantee. That means if you’re unsatisfied with their product for any reason, you have a full year to return it to the company.

To return for a refund or exchange, just call customer service at 1-800-222-3909 to initiate the Return Authorization process. You can also be reimbursed with store credit.

In the event of a return, the customer must cover return shipping. The 365-day guarantee only applies to purchases made from the official Learning Resources website.

How to Contact Learning Resources

If you have any further questions after reading this Learning Resources review, you can get in touch with the company in the following ways:

• Phone: 1-800-222-3909
• Contact Form on their website
• Email: [email protected].

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