Review: Spy Gear: All Good in the Name of Pretend

This is the latest version of our goggles.  I guess they are always updating their products.  photo: Wild Planet

   
WHAT: Spy Gear Viper-Blaster  and Night Go
DOES:  Excellent pretend play
INVEST: $13- $15  depending on retailer
TOOLS: More Make Believe Please,  Foment Love of Language (you are making up and telling stories), My Body Needs to Move (this pretend play item requires walking around your house)

Review & Giveaway: Mine Shift: You're the Master of Your Domain

Mine Shift won the Mensa Select award yesterday!  This game is non-stop strategic action.  photo: Mindware

WHAT: Mine Shift by Mindware
DOES:  flexes skills in schematic and strategic thinking, you can practice thinking ahead using visual-spatial skills; kids are moving pieces around constantly- lots of action!
INVEST: $19.99 MSRP
TOOLS:  Lose and Win Gracefully (kid testers showed little frustration and more anticipation to play again); My Body Needs to Move (your body doesn't move much but movers/shaker kids will very likely love this game; Think Like a Scientist/Engineer (you are building skills and refining your technique). Flexibility is My Superpower

Recast the Spotlight: Tetris Link: Where a Diversity of Smarts Can Flourish

Improve skills in flexibility, moving objects with your mind's eye, and good ol' fashioned arithmetic  photo courtesy: Techno Source

WHAT: Tetris Link  (NOT a video game- for real)
DOES: capitalize on your strengths as you improve any of the following skills: being flexible, mentally moving objects before moving them in real life, and math skills
INVEST: $26.99 MSRP
TOOLS: Lose and Win Gracefully, Social Scene Helper (if you are great at this game and like teaching), Think Like a Scientist/Engineer (for thinking spatially)



Why the spotlight on Tetris Link?  Today it was announced as one of the five Mensa Select Award winners for 2012.   I have another Mensa Select award that I just love and will be reviewing in the near future with the help of two experts- not just one which is what we usually aim for here ('cause it was a Mensa winner and I was intimidated.)  Additionally, tomorrow's new review will feature a newly named Mensa Select award for 2012.  It must be a Mensa week here. 
So far, my experience with the Mensa Select awardee games has been very positive.  First, I don't see their gold sticker label pasted everywhere and that helps me because I get overwhelmed when there is too much on the menu.  Quite honestly, I haven't seen the list of all their games but it might be safe to say that until yesterday, I only owned one recent awardee game and we really love that one.  But as of today, we own three and I have to say, we really love all three!   Soon we'll publish our next review of a game that you will JUST LOVE and just happens to have been selected too.   And we're going to be giving it away so that will be fun!

Until then, in case you missed it, here is the Tetris Link review.  As I read it over, I can't believe I found this winner on Black Friday floating around in a lone Pennsylvannia toy store without a shelf for a home... probably because they had all been snatched away.......

Prang Chalk: The Bolder the Better

These colors really stand out! 

WHAT: PRANG Hygeia Assorted Chalk
DOES:  Brilliant colors of chalk really stand out; words and pictures are clear.
INVEST: $ 0.99 and up depending on the retailer  (I found them at Staples for $0.99!)
TOOLS: Express Yourself, My Body Needs to Move (your body is likely not sitting when you use chalk)

Read more about our Magnetic Wall of Magic: Here
Read more about our Awesome Neodymium Magnets and giveaway for four winners: Here

Magnamagic Part 2: New Space Brings New Potential

Number 1 will make a crazy maze for the ones he loves.  He made three here. I like that they are curvy.

WHAT: Magnamagic Magnetic Wall Chalkboard Paint
DOES: promotes out-of-the-box-thinking, helps strengthen your body to promote better skills in handwriting and even paying attention
INVEST: $39.99 for a quart (has both chalkboard and magnetic features in a single can!)
TOOLS: Express Yourself, Family Fix-its (saves space), More Make-Believe Please, My Body Needs to Move, Think Like a Scientist Engineer

Giveaway for Super Strong Pushpin Neodymium Magnet Here

Cont'd from: Magnamagic Part 1: Show Them Anything is Possible

Magnamagic Part 1: Show Them Anything is Possible

I never imagined we could have something like this in our own home but with chalk, magnets, and a bit of wall space, ANYTHING is possible.

WHAT: Magnamagic Magnetic Wall Chalkboard Paint
DOES: promotes creativity, you won't yell at them for writing on this wall, wall-writing is actually key for two VERY important academic learning skills
INVEST: $39.99 for a quart (has both chalkboard and magnetic features)
TOOLS: Express Yourself, Family Fix-its (saves space), More Make-Believe Please, My Body Needs to Move
Giveaway for Super Strong Pushpin Neodymium Magnet Here

The Busy Box: How to Teach Productive Waiting

Place this near your door and refer to it as you are all getting ready to leave the house. It reduces yelling (by me).

WHAT: THE "BUSY BOX"
DOES:  prevents arguments and frustration (for both child and parent) as you are about to leave the house
INVEST: $1 and up
TOOLS: 
Family Fix-it (gives kids something fun to do that is easy to transition away from);
I Can Take Care of Myself (kids recognize they need to keep busy while they wait); 
My Body Needs to Move (hands and eyes will move and help bring focus on chosen toy)
Fertilize Responsibility and Courtesy (because they need to keep the flow going too- it's not all up to me)

BUSY BOX TOOL: Pocket Etch-A-Sketch

photo courtesy: Ohio Art   (ours is light blue with chartreuse knobs)

BUSY BOX TOOL (click for The Busy Box Idea HERE)
WHAT: Pocket Etch-A-Sketch by Ohio Art
DOES: Excellent Busy Box Tool
INVEST: $9.99 or more/less depending on the retailer.
TOOLS: Family Fix-it, My Body Needs to Move (to cater to finger fidgeting and eye wandering needs), Social Scene Helper (when you are required to wait quietly), Express Yourself

BUSY BOX TOOL: Fifteen Puzzle by Think Fun

photo courtesy: Think Fun

BUSY BOX TOOL (click for The Busy Box Idea HERE)
WHAT: Fifteen Puzzle by Think Fun
DOES:  An Excellent Busy Box Tool
INVEST: $9.99 or more/less depending on the retailer.
TOOLS: Family Fix-it, Social Scene Helper (when you are required to wait quietly), Express Yourself (make your own patterns), Think Like a Scientist/Engineer (move with your eyes first)

eeBoo's Drawing Book with Melissa Sweet: Encouraging Success By NOT Defining It

Can't draw for your life but you want to teach a kid how to draw?  You have to get this book. photo: eeBoo

WHAT: Drawing Book with Melissa Sweet by eeBoo
DOES:  a teaching workbook that inspires you to continue working even after you have completed the page; open-ended style leaves less room for disappointment and more room for new ideas
INVEST: $ 6.00 depending on the retailer
TOOLS: Express Yourself, Think Like a Scientist/Engineer (draw with the mind's eye)