As a school psychologist and unexpected homeschool mom, I am always searching for high-quality educational resources and materials. In my world, the best toys are those that:

Are well-designed and durable
Appeal to both boys and girls and a range of ages
Something my kids can’t resist
Are open-ended and can be used in different ways
Encourage creativity, imagination, cooperation, and build academic skills

Well, let me tell you. I have been drooling over Spielgaben for years... but I always wondered whether the set was worth the price tag. (And, psst… stay tuned because Spielgaben has a special offer for GeekMom readers!)

Is Spielgaben Worth the Splurge?

*Disclosure: I received a Spielgaben set in exchange for a review. I was not required to write a positive review and, as always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

What is Spielgaben?

Spielgaben is based on Frederick Froebels’s “play gifts,” which were originally developed in the early 1800s. Froebel was a German educator and founder of kindergarten, and he created his “play gifts” to be used in his kindergartens. Froebel believed that young children learn best through play and hands-on discovery.

Spielgaben is a modern-day version of Froebel’s “play gifts” and it is beautiful.

Recommended for ages 3-12, Spielgaben includes 14 play sets housed in an 8-drawer system. Spielgaben is made from non-toxic and sustainable materials.

This comprehensive and beautifully-engineered set comes with a wealth of learning resources. These play guides, play invitations, and activity sheets help parents to facilitate play and learning. The play guides include simple, easy-to-follow instructions, complete with photos. The company website offers additional play inspiration.

Spielgaben is designed to complement your child’s natural development. The sets are intended to be used chronologically. The more you play with this set, the more you realize its limitless possibilities. This is a resource that will grow with your family.

I’ve already mentioned what I look for in educational toys and resources. I’m happy to report that Spielgaben delivers on all counts, just as I thought it would.

The learning opportunities with Spielgaben are endless. Here are just a few of the skills your children will work on when they play with this set:

Real-world math skill development
Boost communication skills
Grow imagination and creativity
Early STEM skill development
Cooperation and problem solving
Other areas of development covered in the Spielgaben learning resources include: History, Geography, Music, Science, and Social Studies

To be honest, Spielgaben has me happily overwhelmed. I have so many Spielgaben-inspired plans for our homeschool. I have more ideas than I have hours in the day!

Furthermore, my children (ages 9, 7, and 5 years old) have spent countless hours lost in play since its arrival. As an educator and mom, it has been amazing to sit back and watch the learning unfold.

All that said…

Is it worth the price?

The answer to this question depends on your unique family, your current educational plan, and finances. Spielgaben costs $499.50 and that is no small amount. Yes, you could take to Pinterest to compile your own “play gifts” based on Froebel’s original sets. Or, you could consider this set an investment.

Here are some points to consider. Let’s start with the cons first. As I’ve already mentioned, Spielgaben is pricey. In addition, this is a solid-wood kit. It is heavy and takes up some space in the home. Price, size, and weight should be considered when thinking about this investment.

Now, for the pros. There is absolutely no question about quality. This is a beautifully designed and comprehensive set and it is made with non-toxic and sustainable materials. And while the price is high, it is comparable to several of the popular boxed curricula on the market… and it will last longer than one year. This is a set that will grow with your family. It appeals to boys and girls from ages 3-12 and beyond. And, as I’ve already mentioned, the possibilities are endless with this set. It’s a teacher’s dream come true.

Special Offer for GeekMom Readers

For a limited time, Spielgaben is offering a 10% discount to GeekMom readers. In order to receive the discount, send an email to info@spielgaben.com and mention GeekMom. Not only that, Spielgaben will also offer LayBy Payment Plan if you do not need the product right away. You can pay in 3 monthly installments, and orders will be shipped as soon as final payment is made.