Curious About: The New Sifteo Cubes- Gen 2.0

Gen 2.0 can accommodate up to 12 cubes.  I wonder how many people will be able to play?  photo: Sifteo

WHAT:  Sifteo Cubes 2.0
DOES: new type of video game platform that brings in a never-experienced before method of kinesthetic learning- (English: you are NOT laying down with eyes glued to a screen).  Visual motor skill building opportunities abound.
INVEST: $129.95
TOOLS: Tools will be discussed if there is a review.  This post is news information only.

Double Giveaway! Time Timer + DRL Auditory Timer

photo: Time Timer LLC

WHAT: GIVEAWAY: Time Timer 3" and Different Roads to Learning Auditory Timer
DOES: Two fabulous timers will be shipped to ONE winner!
INVEST: $30.00 + $6.95  (MSRP)  
TOOLS: Family Fix-it; I Can Take Care of Myself

NYIGF 2012: Curious About: Edtoy

you can take the plastic locks off the side to let it roll!!!!!!!!!!!

New York International Gift Fair 2012
WHO: EDTOY

TOOLS: Tools will be discussed if there is a review

NYIGF 2012: Curious About: Juratoys

New York International Gift Fair 2012
WHO: Juratoys

TOOLS: Tools will be discussed if there is a review

NYIGF 2012: Curious About: P'kolino

While the true test happens with children, I find the color pencils to be quite unique.

New York International Gift Fair 2012
WHO: P'kolino

TOOLS: Tools will be discussed if there is a review

NYIGF 2012: Curious About: Chispum

Re-stickable wall art from Barcelona....  comes in inches too... but ugh, when will we ever make the change?   Could that question be part of the upcoming presidential debates?   Maybe not.. sigh....

New York International Gift Fair 2012
WHO: Chispum
TOOLS:  Tools will be discussed if there is a review.

NYIGF 2012: Curious About: GeoToys

When I look at this, I think about all the things I wanted for my children before they were born.

New York International Gift Fair 2012
WHO:  Geotoys
TOOLS:  Tools will be discussed if there is a review

NYIGF 2012: Curious About: Fat Brain Toys

New York International Gift Fair 2012

WHO: Fat Brain Toys
TOOLS:  Tools will be discussed in a review

NYIGF 2012: Curious About: Funnybone Toys

WHO: Funnybone Toys
TOOLS: Tools will be discussed if there is a review

NYIGF 2012: Curious About: Grow Studio (Lille Huset)

eco-friendly modular houses

New York International Gift Fair 2012
WHO: Grow Studio
TOOLS: Tools will be discussed if there is a review.

NYIGF 2012: Curious About: Peaceable Kingdom

New York International Gift Fair 2012
WHO: Peaceable Kingdom
TOOLS:  Tools will be discussed when there is a review

NYIGF 2012: Curious About: Tegu

Always the prettiest booth on the block.

New York International Gift Fair 2012
WHO: Tegu
TOOLS:  Tools will be discussed if there is a review

NYIGF 2012: Curious About: Popar Toys

Images seem to bounce off the screen!

New York International Gift Fair 2012
WHO: Popar Toys
TOOLS: Tools will be discussed if there is a review

NYIGF 2012: Curious About: eeBoo

I am really very curious about "community games" now.  This is "Community" by eeBoo

New York International Gift Fair 2012
WHO: eeBoo
TOOLS:  Tools will be discussed

NYIGF 2012: Curious About: Partswecan (Wanted Bricks)

PartsWeCan Says Yes to Kids Building Their Own Toys and Furniture

WHO: Partswecan Company Limited (Wantedbricks.com)
TOOLS:  Tools will be discussed if there is a review.

NYIGF 2012: Curious About: Mastro Geppetto

Believe it or not, this is a bath toy.  These are made from wood that is used for the relaxing and luxurious spa bath places in Japan.

New York International Gift Fair 2012
WHO: Mastro Geppetto
TOOLS:  Tools will be discussed if there is a review.

NYIGF 2012: Curious About: Doodle by Stitch

New York International Gift Fair 2012 Coverage
WHO: Doodle by Stitch
TOOLS: Tools will be discussed following a review

NYIGF 2012: Curious About: Plus Plus

Have you seen Plus Plus?  It's quite new. 

New York International Gift Fair  2012 Coverage
WHO:  Plus Plus (Geared for Imagination)
TOOLS:  Tools will be discussed if there is a review

NYIGF 2012 Coverage: Curious About: Geomag

Some kids love to spin stuff.  My son can't get enough of it. Like catnip to cats.....

WHO: Geomag

TOOLS: To be discussed if there is a review.

NYIGF 2012: Curious About: Beyond 123

This thing is so awesome. I have no words to describe it.

WHO: Beyond 123
TOOLS: To be discussed if there is a review.

NYIGF 2012: Curious About: Kid O

An exercise in depth perception or a storytelling tool?  You tell me.

NY INT'L GIFT FAIR 2012 COVERAGE:
WHO:      Kid O
TOOLS:  Tools will be discussed if there is a review.

NYIGF 2012 Coverage: Curious About: Areaware

So cute and is excellent for fidgeting, right?

NY INT'L GIFT FAIR 2012 COVERAGE:
WHO:  Areaware
TOOLS:  Tools will be discussed if there is a review.

Flash Double Giveaway & Review: Time Timer App: Two is Better Than One (Ends 8/22 12:01 AM EST)

Mom's Best Friend? You have to try it to know what I mean.  photo: Time Timer LLC

WHAT: Time Timer iPhone App by Time Timer
DOUBLE GIVEAWAY: Two App Codes to Be Given Away, Ends 8/22/12 12:01 AM EST- See details below
DOES:  Turns your iPhone into a Time Timer; has added bonus of self-restarting timer thus you can program it to sound an alarm every five minutes (time interval of your choice), allows you to have benefits of Time Timer anywhere you go
INVEST: $3.99
TOOLS: Family Fix-its, I Can Take Care of Myself

Review: SmartMax Drive and Fly: Building Stories on Top of Structures

WHAT:  SmartMax Drive and Fly  by Smart Toys and Games

DOES:   smartly designed car and plane attachments give rise to storytelling during building time, expands play potential, decreases the forced feelings of having to buy more magnetic rods

INVEST: $21.99 MSRP

TOOLS:  Foment Love of Language, Holiday/Birthday Build-Uponner, More Make-Believe Please, My Body Needs to Move

EXPERT Opinion Included: David Wells, Manager, Creative Making and Learning, New York Hall of Science

 

Review & Giveaway: Acuity Game: Sharpen Your Scanner, Speed Up Your Register

photo: Fat Brain Toy Co.

WHAT: Acuity game by Fat Brain Toys

DOES:  sharpens how you register the information that your eyes collect; allows you to practice "scanning" as quickly as possible, encourages you to move things with your mind's eye

INVEST: $ 19.95 MSRP

TOOLS:  Flexibility is My Superpower, Think Like a Scientist/Engineer, Remember to Learn

GIVEAWAY Details Below

Review-Giveaway: Contraptions Catapult: Real Live Angry Birds

We couldn't help it.  We had to put Angry Bird in our Catapult.  Wouldn't you?

WHAT: Contraptions Catapult by Mindware

DOES:   allows children to learn about basic physics principles through play; offers an opportunity to build something from raw materials via clear and well-illustrated directions

INVEST: $ 24.95 MSRP

TOOLS:  Think Like a Scientist/Engineer, Work Experience

EXPERT Opinion Included: Alison Berkley,  expert educator and co-owner of Emerge and See Education Center
GIVEAWAY Details Below

Friday Mindfeed: Catalog Shopping With Children Sets the Family Up for Success

I wouldn't buy a swing like this from just anywhere but I trust Abilitations & Integrations. It costs less than $110 too.  If I only had more space in our home!!!!  This is the Superhero Swing.   photo: Abilitations & Integrations   p. 123 Fall 2012 catalog

WHAT:  Catalogs From Good Stores that Sell Good Stuff

DOES:   be proactive about toy shopping WITH your child; choose from catalogs that sell things YOU like and they'll like too; give your child an opportunity to surprise you; find out what he/she wants for the holidays or birthday; cut down on computer time; cut out the pics for goal charts (prizes to earn)

INVEST: $Your.Time

TOOLS: Family Fix-its

Review: Smart Car: Seeing All the Cues

The wood is cool to the touch.  It's heavy but not clunky.  It feels special.

WHAT:  Smart Car by Smart Toys and Games

DOES:   practice sequencing and sharpen your visual perception: both are helpful in supporting reading skills, moving cars around is a great exercise to support core trunk stability

INVEST: $24.99 MSRP

TOOLS:  Flexibility is My Superpower, Think Like a Scientist/Engineer

Expert Opinion: Aimee Prainito, Occupational Therapist, Prainito Pediatric Therapy

Reivew and Giveaway: Amazing Dinosaur Plant: Novelty Can Inspire Inquiry

Unfolding of Selaginella lepidophylla when watered. All the animation took 3 hours (the snaps are taken in 5 minute interval).  photo: Free Software Foundation as found in Wikimedia Commons

WHAT:  The Amazing Dinosaur Plant by DuneCraft

DOES:    Allow you to safely and casually carry out scientific play.

INVEST: $9.99 MSRP

TOOLS: Think Like a Scientist/Engineer

Review and Giveaway: Make Your Own Snowman World: Good Science Can Be Silly Too

WHAT:  Make Your Own Snowman World by DuneCraft

DOES:  Allow you to safely and casually carry out scientific play.

INVEST: $9.99 MSRP

TOOLS:  Express Yourself, More Make-Believe Please, Think Like a Scientist/Engineer

Review: Travel Tangoes: Benefits of Breaking Down

I love how the people look like they are moving.    photo: Smart Toys and Games

WHAT:  Travel Tangoes Object, Travel Tangoes Animals, Travel Tangoes People by Smart Toys and Games

DOES:   learn to see shapes within a shape, learn to see how shapes come together to make a new shape

INVEST: $9.99 each (other retailers may vary)

TOOLS:  Flexibility is My Superpower, Think Like a Scientist/Engineer

Expert Opinion: David Wells, Manager, Creative Making and Learning, New York Hall of Science

Review: Sandosaurs: New Waves in Beach Play

photo: Think Of It

WHAT:  SandOSaurs T-Rex Dino Molds by Think-of-It

DOES:   for those who need more than a sandcastle bucket; maybe just a change of pace at the beach

INVEST: $20.00 approximately (other retailers may vary)

TOOLS:  More Make-Believe Please, My Body Needs to Move, Social Scene Helper, Think Like a Scientist/Engineer

Inventor Profile (& Giveaway!): Melissa Sweet: I Do Believe Anybody Can Draw

I would say there might be a difference between looking at something and actually seeing it and when you draw, you have to see it.  - Melissa Sweet   (all photos courtesy of Melissa Sweet unless otherwise noted)

Oftentimes when discussing a toy with an expert, we wonder who designed such an amazing product.  What were they thinking?  Whenever I find that out, I tell my kids.  Their faces light up.  After I tell them about the inventor, they look at their toy differently, as if an uncle had made it for them.  There is admiration but more importantly, there is appreciation.