Learning Resources is an American educational toy and learning products brand recognised for integrating play with hands-on education. Established in 1984 in Chicago, Illinois, the company designs toys, games, manipulatives, classroom resources, and STEM or coding products aimed at helping children build foundational academic and developmental skills.1 Its long-standing tagline, “Learning is where we play,” reflects a philosophy that positions play as a method for exploring concepts, practising skills, solving problems, and developing confidence rather than mere entertainment.2

The company identifies as a family-owned educational toy manufacturer, with corporate information listing Vernon Hills, Illinois, as its current headquarters.3

Foundation in 1984

Learning Resources was founded in 1984 in Chicago, Illinois. From its inception, the company distinguished itself from conventional toy manufacturers by focusing on products that combined play, educational concepts, and hands-on manipulation.4 The founding philosophy held that children acquire skills more naturally when actively engaging with physical objects rather than passively receiving information. This approach became the cornerstone of the Learning Resources brand identity.

Expansion into Europe

In 1994, ten years after its establishment in the United States, Learning Resources Ltd. was founded in the United Kingdom under managing director Dennis Blackmore. Based in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, this division assumed responsibility for markets across the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India. This expansion marked a significant transition from a domestic American company to an international brand.2

Acquisition of Educational Insights

A pivotal development occurred in 2006 when Learning Resources acquired Educational Insights, a Los Angeles-based educational toy company originally founded in 1962 by Burt and Diana Cutler. The acquisition integrated an established educational play brand into the portfolio, expanding the company’s range of games and learning products.5

Modern focus on STEM and developmental learning

In recent decades, Learning Resources has expanded beyond traditional counting toys and classroom manipulatives. The contemporary portfolio encompasses STEM toys, coding tools, robotics, critical-thinking games, fine-motor activities, sensory products, social-emotional learning materials, literacy and mathematics resources, imaginative play sets, and teacher resources. The current catalogue features hundreds of products across these diverse categories.6

Learning Resources functions as a bridge between toy manufacturers and educational resource providers. Products are designed to be engaging as toys while simultaneously addressing specific learning objectives. For instance, a pretend cash register facilitates role-play while reinforcing counting and basic mathematical skills, whereas a coding robot introduces programming concepts through sequencing activities. This integration of educational purpose within the play experience is central to the brand’s identity.

Design priorities include durability to withstand frequent use, physical interaction through sorting or building, and accessibility for young children via large pieces, bright colours, and simple controls. Many products support multiple modes of play, allowing the same components to serve various educational exercises.12

Early learning

The company offers an extensive range of products for preschool and early childhood development, targeting skills such as alphabet recognition, numeracy, colour and shape identification, matching, sorting, vocabulary building, and fine-motor development. The catalogue includes items suitable for children as young as 18 months.7

Mathematics

Mathematics remains one of the brand’s strongest categories, covering counting, number recognition, arithmetic operations, fractions, measurement, and mathematical reasoning. Rather than relying solely on worksheets, products like Jumbo Multiplication Cards, Rainbow Multiplication Board, and Skill Builders! Multiplication Quiz Wheel transform abstract concepts into tangible activities.8

Literacy and reading

Early literacy products address alphabet recognition, phonics, spelling, sight words, and reading readiness. The Skill Builders! line, for example, provides targeted practice for letters and foundational reading skills.9

STEM and coding

STEM has become a defining element of the modern portfolio, encompassing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Offerings include engineering challenges, scientific exploration kits, logic games, and robotics. Botley® the Coding Robot, a screen-free device introducing programming concepts, is among the brand’s most recognised STEM products and has received Toy of the Year recognition.9 Other notable lines include Coding Critters™ and STEM Explorers™.

Fine-motor development

Products in this category strengthen physical manipulation skills through grasping, pinching, threading, and sorting activities. These are particularly relevant for preschool and early primary education, as fine-motor development supports writing, drawing, and tool use.

Imaginative and role play

Learning Resources utilises pretend play as a deliberate learning mechanism. The Pretend & Play® Calculator Cash Register exemplifies this approach, enabling children to simulate store operations while practising money concepts, arithmetic, communication, and social interaction. This reflects the principle that effective learning does not require children to perceive themselves as studying.

Social-emotional learning

The portfolio has expanded to include social-emotional learning (SEL) products that help children explore feelings, emotional recognition, cooperation, and self-awareness. This underscores a broader definition of education that extends beyond academic metrics.

Teacher and classroom resources

Teachers and schools constitute a significant customer base. Products include classroom manipulatives, activity sets, intervention materials, assessment supports, and bulk kits. The UK division notes that educators worldwide use these resources for hands-on learning and intervention.11 This dual focus on home and classroom use distinguishes Learning Resources from mainstream toy companies.

Historically focused on young children, the U.S. product catalogue spans from approximately 18 months through early elementary levels (8+), with particular strength in the 3–7 age bracket.10 Primary audiences include toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarten and early elementary students, parents, and educators.

The company’s approach rests on five core tenets: learning should be enjoyable; hands-on manipulation is superior to passive instruction; play can be intentionally designed to teach real skills; children should discover concepts through environment rather than direct instruction; and education encompasses creativity, problem-solving, and social-emotional development alongside academics. The stated mission is to foster a lifelong love of learning and equip children with skills for school and beyond.11

Learning Resources occupies a distinct position between traditional entertainment-focused toy companies, textbook publishers, and classroom supply vendors. Its competitive advantage lies in embedding educational objectives directly within the play experience. While traditional toys prioritise fun and textbooks prioritise instruction, Learning Resources integrates both. This differentiates it from digital learning apps and pure STEM experimentation kits as well.

• Botley® the Coding Robot: A screen-free robot introducing programming concepts; recipient of Toy of the Year recognition.9
• Pretend & Play®: A line centred on imaginative role-play, including the Calculator Cash Register.
• Farmer’s Market Color Sorting Set: A hands-on sorting activity combining pretend play with colour recognition and early maths, cited as one of the brand’s best-known products.13
• Coding Critters™: Screen-free products introducing computational thinking.
• Skill Builders!®: Focused on foundational academic skills including maths and literacy.
• STEM Explorers™: Centred on science, technology, engineering, and mathematical exploration.

Educational Insights operates as a separate brand within the Learning Resources family following its 2006 acquisition. Founded in 1962, it maintains its own product identity while sharing the parent company’s emphasis on educational play. This acquisition broadened the overall business scope beyond the Learning Resources-branded line alone.

Learning Resources is a global brand with products sold in more than 80 countries. According to its UK corporate history, the portfolio exceeds 1,000 products. International operations, managed partly through the UK division established in 1994, cover Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India.211

The company describes itself as family-owned and privately held. Corporate headquarters are located at 380 N. Fairway Dr., Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061, northwest of Chicago.38

In 2026, Learning Resources gained significant public attention beyond the education sector. In May 2026, it was named to TIME’s 2026 Most Influential Companies list and the 10 Most Influential Manufacturing and Logistics Companies list.9 This recognition was linked to the company’s involvement in the U.S. Supreme Court case Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, which concerned tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). According to the company, the Supreme Court ruled on 20 February 2026 that IEEPA did not authorise the president to impose those tariffs. This legal engagement positioned the educational toy manufacturer within a major constitutional and trade law dispute.

Brand strengths

• Educational identity: Education is central to product development rather than a marketing overlay.
• Teacher connection: Strong presence in classroom and educator resource markets.
• Hands-on approach: Provides a physical alternative to screen-based learning.
• Developmental coverage: Serves children from toddlerhood through early elementary years.
• STEM leadership: Coding and robotics are integral to the modern portfolio.
• Longevity: Over four decades of experience since 1984.8
• Global reach: Distribution in over 80 countries.11

Considerations for consumers

• Aesthetic prioritisation: Some products resemble classroom materials more than mainstream entertainment toys.
• Skill specificity: Children may outgrow certain products upon mastering the targeted concept.
• Age focus: The strongest offerings target early childhood and elementary levels rather than teenagers.
• Price point: Specialised educational design and durable materials may result in higher costs compared to generic plastic toys.

These characteristics stem directly from the brand’s educational positioning rather than representing inherent deficiencies.

1. Learning Is Where We Play | Learning Resources
2. Our Story
3. Learning Is Where We Play | Learning Resources
4. Learning Resources® | Educational Toys & Learning Games for Kids
5. Default Category
6. Learning Resources® | Kids Educational Toys & Learning Games
7. Press Room | Learning Resources® News & Media
8. Learning Resources | LinkedIn
9. Learning Resources® | Press Room – Recognized in Two of TIME’s Most Influential Companies Lists
10. Learning Resources® | Kids Educational Toys & Learning Games
11. Join Our Team | Careers at Learning Resources UK
12. Learning Resources® UK | Educational Toys & Learning Games for Kids
13. Learning resources — DDI Group – Living and Childhood brands