Review: My Doodle Chair: Playing Around with Form and Function

Build AND decorate?  What could be more fun?  photo: Jupiter Creations

WHAT: My Doodle Chair by Jupiter Creations
DOES: excellent quality cardboard chair that is easy to build and you can decorate twice (both sides); total surface is blank; birthday party solvinator 3-5 years old; biodegradable; chair holds up to 150 lbs.- 'tis true (parents' butt-tested)
INVEST: $14.99
TOOLS: Express Yourself, My Body Needs to Move, Think Like a Scientist/Engineer

Review and Giveaway: Travel Qwirkle: Transfer Skills from Games to Academic Work

This travel size really makes sense for playdates and vacations, but it can also be great for smaller playspaces too!  photo: Mindware

WHAT: Travel Qwirkle by Mindware
DOES: bring all 108 Qwirkle pieces anywhere!; play Qwirkle in less spacious areas- same number of pieces; simple rules allow for easy and fluid starts;  game scenario is ever-changing thus forcing you to be flexible and challenges your working memory
INVEST: $14.95
TOOLS: Flexibility is My Superpower, Remember to Learn, Lose and Win Gracefully
EXPERT OPINION included:  Heather Goldman, PhD, Child Psychologist & Psychology Consultant, The Quad Manhattan
Giveaway Details below

Review & Giveaway: Grow Your Own Sunflowers Kit: Pride Comes From the Work

 

Easy to start and small enough for your windowsill!  photo: DuneCraft

WHAT: Grow Your Own Sunflowers Kit by DuneCraft
DOES: teaches children that they can't control everything but they can impact outcomes, sprouts come with "hats"; grows fast- over 8 feet tall but will mature in three months; worth the patience after easy-invest (that's the hook); "work" becomes a great kinesthetic learning opportunity
INVEST: $9.99
TOOLS: Fertilize Responsibility and Courtesy (water it!), Work Experience (plant and then transfer later), Think Like a Scientist/Engineer (problem-solving), My Body Needs to Move (planting is greats for hands-on learner)
Giveaway Details below- It ends this Friday 6/29/12 12:01 AM!!

Review & Giveaway: Qwirkle: Strategy 101

Simple rules and simple tiles allow for very complex play, especially if your opponent is skilled!  photo: Mindware

WHAT: Qwirkle by Mindware
DOES: simple rules allow for easy and fluid starts;  game scenario is ever-changing thus forcing you to be flexible
INVEST: $24.95
TOOLS: Flexibility is My Superpower, Remember to Learn, Lose and Win Gracefully (because points are on the side, you don't really tally until the end, so you're focused on shifting strategies instead)
EXPERT OPINION included:  Heather Goldman, PhD, Child Psychologist & Psychology Consultant, The Quad Manhattan
Giveaway Details below 

Review and Giveaway: MotivAider: What Walking the Walk Can Really Accomplish

For the price you might want it to play music or flash messages but I think that single-function gadgets are highly effective and very classroom-friendly.   photo: Behavioral Dynamics Inc.

WHAT:  MotivAider
DOES:  simple tool can be worn on your person and send you reminders via vibrations at a timed interval of your choice; single-function gadgets can be simply powerful.
INVEST: $59.50 (prices may vary with retailer)
TOOLS: Family Fix-its, Fertilize Responsibility and Courtesy, I Can Take Care of Myself, Remember to Learn
EXPERT OPINION: Beverly Whalen-Schmeller, School Psychologist, Metro Nashville Public Schools
See Giveaway Details Below

Review: SmartMax- Finding Flow in Creative Play

When SmartMax arrived at our home, my son told me,  "I always wanted these."  Huh? This was news to me. Maybe it is because we never went shopping together in a store that carried these.  But they're kinda new to the U.S. though..  Kids baffle me.  photo: Smart Toys and Games

WHAT: SmartMax Basic 25 by Smart Toys and Games
DOES:  thoughtfully designed magnetic rods and metal balls make building easy and tweaking even easier; colors are pleasing to the parental eye; signature silver balls effectively highlight a structure's definition; very sturdy and very beautiful
INVEST: $49.99  (prices may vary with retailer)
TOOLS: Think Like a Scientist/Engineer,  Holiday/Birthday Build-Uponner, More Make-Believe Please, Flexibility is My Superpower, Social Scene Helper - be the first to have them and make sure they share! EXPERT OPINION: David Wells, Curriculum Developer, New York Hall of Science

Review and Giveaway: Planets: Create a Solar System Mobile - Galactic Play in a Different Way

Looks painted but it's not!  This is all done by your child's hands!  And don't worry, it's updated, there is no Pluto.  photo: Creativity for Kids

 
WHAT:  Planets: Create a Solar System Mobile by Creativity for Kids
DOES:  great science fair project choice, looks complex but seriously not hard to make, unexpected use: it's a science-themed playset!,  excellent learning option for the kids who like to "learn with their hands."
INVEST: $29.99 (other retailers may vary)
TOOLS:  More Make-Believe Please, Think Like a Scientist/Engineer, My Body Needs to Move
Giveaway Details Below

NEWS: Retailers Like Our Thoughtful Toy and Gadget Reviews!

Thank you Different Roads to Learning for boldly choosing to include 7 feature stories (that's mine up there) within the precious space of your catalog! 

WHAT: News about Thoughtful Toy and Gadget Shopping (pssssst.... that's us)
DOES: Starts Discussion: How can retailers help customers shop with more confidence and information to result in overall satisfaction?  Our answer: www.toysaretools.com
TOOLS: How can we categorize this one?  hmmm....

Review: Lauri Tall Stacker Pegs: Toy Growth Formula Revealed: Toys and their Vacations

All we did was shmoosh them together a little and they make such a pretty design!  I told you these colors were beautiful!

WHAT: Lauri Tall Stacker Pegs (100 pegs-only set)
DOES:  excellent toy that "grows" with your child- use for learning early math, early literacy, and for pretend play- it's multi-everything!
INVEST: $27.99
TOOLS:  More Make-Believe Please, Foment Love of Language, Holiday/Birthday Build-Uponner, Think Like a Scientist/Engineer, Family Fix-it -toys that "grow with you" save you money!
EXPERT OPINION: Emily Andrews, Preschool Director, The Quad Manhattan

Review: Lauri Tall Stacker Pegs and Pegboard Set: Toys that "Grow" as Your Child Grows

Had these but gave them away? First, you have good taste but guess what, you might have to go get them back.

WHAT: Lauri Tall Stacker Pegs and Pegboard Set
DOES:  excellent toy that "grows" with your child- use for learning early math, early literacy, and for pretend play- it's multi-everything.
INVEST: $14.99
TOOLS:  More Make-Believe Please, Foment Love of Language, Holiday/Birthday Build-Uponner, Think Like a Scientist/Engineer, Family Fix-it (toys that "grow with you" save you money!)
EXPERT OPINION: Emily Andrews, Preschool Director, The Quad Manhattan

Review and Giveaway: Scribbles 3D Paint: Pajama PR Campaigns at Home

What message would you like Angry Bird to say to you or your kid every night? "I brushed my teeth! I really did!"? OR  "Stop yelling Mom- use your Inside Voice."

WHAT: Scribbles 3D Fabric Paint 20 Pack
DOES:  Use non-toxic permanent 3D paint to "make" fun pajamas to save money; use paints to draw or write funny "reminders" or even slightly covert "advertisements" to promote preferred games.
INVEST: $19.99  (made 15 pajama-tees and still have paint leftover!) smaller value packs of 6 are $6.99
TOOLS:  Family Fix-it, Express Yourself, Fertilize Responsibility and Courtesy

For $20 or less you can create an effective message campaign on your children (and maybe your spouse?)  photo: ilovetocreate.com

Review: Zibits Power Lab Generates "New and Improved" Creativity

Very simple and very sturdy! Look at the Z-Line!  How cool is that?!

WHAT: Zibits Power Lab by Senario
DOES:  build and play and play and play..  great building set and even greater pretend play set- imaginations will roll!
INVEST: $29.99
TOOLS: Think Like a Scientist/Engineer, More Make-Believe Please, Social Scene Helper, My Body Needs to Move, Express Yourself,  Holiday/Birthday Build-Uponner* NEW