Barbie Has a New STEM Kit! Latest Story at Quartz

For those of you who missed it, check out my latest story about the new Barbie STEM Kit at Quartz! Was I fair? Unfair? Are you applauding or heckling or not feeling sure what to say?

Curious? Want to try it out yourselves?  Use my Amazon link and support Toys as Tools! 

Crowdfunding Alert! CZUR: How one super scanner can help all students achieve more

WHAT: Czur- the kind of tech that can solve so many problems for students and teachers everywhere! 

So I'm breaking my rule.  I rarely report on crowdfunding projects but this time I am making an exception.  If your child has a hard time reading, sustaining attention when reading, and maybe even writing, this is a piece of ed tech news you don't want to miss...

Got a problem? Brick It Out - LEGO Serious Play at Quartz

I know I'm biased but Quartz makes reading about business the most interesting news category EVER!

WHAT: Your company's got problems? No worries... Brick It Out!

My latest story at Quartz!!!

Catch me on Note to Self Talking About LEGOs!

WHAT: Discussing the good, bad, and fun and not so fun about LEGO with Manoush Zomorodi
It's a podcast!  No reading!  Yeah!

Active Summer Giveaway Part 2: Don't Miss This

WHAT: THE SECOND HALF of my follow up to my post at Forbes
This one is all about ACTIVE FUN too but for kids over 5!
TOOLS: Express Yourself, Think Like a Scientist Engineer, My Body Needs to Move
This giveaway is brought to you by Toys Are Tools, nay Forbes.com

We are dividing this feature into two parts because this post and giveaway will focus on active toys for kids over 5 years of age.  The previous post with its very own giveaway focuses on active fun for kids under 5.  DON'T MISS!  You can enter both!

Giveaway! Last-Minute Mother's Day Gifts For You!

Okay, we're not giving this dress away but I am going to tell you how to get closer to reaching this goal.  The Bay Area Maker Faire is next week, May 16 and 17.  Buy Mom a ticket if you are in the area.

This giveaway is brought to you by Toys Are Tools, not Forbes.com- just to be clear.

WHAT: A follow up to my post at Forbes and HUGE giveaway!!! Over hundreds in value AGAIN!

Goodbye laundry machines and dishwashers, those are not presents to mom, we still want productivity tools though but it's all about working smarter for us.... in whatever we do!

Need Help with the Science Fair?

WHAT: My story at Quartz about Science Fairs and extras at Toys Are Tools (here)

Read my story at Quartz and then come back here if you are looking for Science Fair project ideas and resources.  

Storing LEGOs? Product Recommendations and Some Perks

The 1 x 2 brick:  The Candy of Creativity photo courtesy: Megan Rothrock

WHAT: Product Recommendations for LEGO storage after writing my story at Quartz
DOES: Could drive you crazy but could inspire awesome creativity in your kid! And maybe rid some anger against the toys you buy for them.
INVEST: $2 and up
AGES: 5+
TOOLS: Express Yourself, Like an Executive, Foment the Love of Language (no kidding, there might be a little bit of speech and language therapy here)

Holiday Gift Guide on Robots at Quartz- I Now Speak Robot and Will Translate for You!

WHAT: At Quartz- the Complete Guide to Buying a Robot for Your Kids

Yes, I am late at making a best toy list but I have been publishing it elsewhere.  I am assuming that you are all following my Facebook page but just in case.... don't miss this guide.

What, you already bought a robot?  What, it's not on my list?

Uh, do you still have the receipt?

Just kidding, but read this. It will help you enjoy what you will buy or have already bought!

Happy Holidays!

Click here for the rest of the Complete Robot Guide story.

Disclosure:  Toys are Tools was not compensated by the manufacturers of anything mentioned here for the publication of this review.  The reviewed items were provided to Toys are Tools to facilitate a review.  Reviews are never promised

Giveaway and Review: Holiday Best Toys: The 2014 Best Play Invention of the Year is...

The Toys Are Tools Play Invention of the Year 2014 is.....

Dare to Be Different This Halloween: Batteries Not Included

Halloween will be super fun this year!

WHAT: Say NO to flimsy Halloween costumes that your child will outgrow!  All you need are some batteries and some lights. 
Starring: Wearable Electronics by Kate Harmon published by Make Media
              EL Wire
              Blacklight Dimensional Fabric Paint and Blacklight Facepaint
              Electroninks (drawable circuits)
              Recording Module from Radio Shack
             

DOES: Inspires, Educates, Illuminates Halloween and Beyond!!!!!!!!!
INVEST: $4.99+   Prices vary
AGES: 5+?  Please help the little ones. But let them help in making it.
GIVEAWAY PRIZE: Get Blacklight Dimensional Fabric Paint + Blacklight Face Paint + your very own copy of Wearable Electronics by author Kate Hartman!!!!
 

Why Your Child Should Play with Paper (Ages 4-8)

Glue Dots and eeBoo Corrugated Fancy Paper  How amazing is this?

WHAT: FOLDING PAPER- Why everyone should do it!  Including You! 
 
Starring: Storygami by Tuttle Publishing
              eeBoo Fancy Paper-Corrugated
              eeBoo Play Papers
              eeBoo Fancy Scissors
              with special guest: GLUE DOTS!!!- Removable, Poster, Craft, Craft Mini

DOES: Sharpen fine motor skills, hand-eye skills, designing skills, spatial skills, math skills, and maybe a little existential thinking too? Seriously, I kid you not.
INVEST:  Your time + prices of product ranging from $1 to $17 (eeBoo scissors are $4.99, Papers are $12.99 and $7.99; Storygami boxed set is $16.95, Glue Dots range from $1 and up)

AGES: 4+? This is hard to say.  Apparently children are supposed to know how to use scissors by age 3.  Either way, be prepared to help out.  There are still lessons to be learned if we learn to help them "just enough"... believe me!

GIVEAWAY PRIZE: $100 Approx Value!  Super Paper Craft Basket of Awesomeness for One LUCKY Winner!  (Storygami + eeBoo Fancy Corrugated Paper + eeBoo Play Paper + eeBoo Fancy Scissor + OMG 4 Value Packs of Glue Dots- a total of 2,400 dots! [Craft,Craft Mini, Removable, and Poster])

Announcement: Your iPad Can See You Now- More Photos

WHAT: More Photos Re: Announcing Crowdfunding Campaign: OSMO by Tangible Play
I rarely write blog posts about such campaigns or even iPad games but OSMO is different.  Read my post at Forbes but check out extra pictures below.

Read it right away.  You don't want to miss the incredible deal.

 

 

Lucky kid gets to meet the co-Founder Pramod Sharma.

 

Former Google Engineers, now co-founders of exciting new ed tech game! Jerome Scholler and Pramod Sharma.

Disclosure:  Toys are Tools was not compensated by the manufacturers of anything mentioned here for the publication of this review.  The reviewed items were provided to Toys are Tools to facilitate a review.  Reviews are never promised. 

 


 

Review + Giveaway: Remote Control Machines: Play Like An Executive

WHAT: Remote Control Machines by Thames and Kosmos
DOES:  Learn remote control machine functions easily with this kit and then make your own crazy contraption
INVEST: $84.95

AGES: 8+  
TOOLS: My Body Needs to Move, Think Like a Scientist/Engineer, Like An Executive

GIVEAWAY PRIZE: You will get your own Remote Control Machines Kit mailed to you!!!

There are only two times that I have actually apologized to my kids for not having bought them something.  The first was a book that I thought my son obsessed over way too much but he loved it.  (It actually ended up inspiring a lot of art work- some of it was sold!)

The second time was to Tester #1 and I did this last week.  I told him that I was sorry that I didn't buy this set for him sooner.  I thought it was out of my price range and now that I think about it, I have spent that kind of money before and on toys that are not even half as awesome as this set.

Earth Day Review + Giveaway: Savor the Details of Life: LEGO Creator Animals and eeBoo What Do You Know Bingo

This is a BRAND New way to play with LEGO- Super exciting!

Building models will impart much learning in these animal kits!

So may ways to play and so incredibly beautiful

 
WHAT:   Forest Animals and Furry Creatures by LEGO Creator and What Do You Know Bingo by eeBoo (illustrator: Melissa Sweet)
DOES:  Celebrate Earth Day by examining the amazing animal details and other aspects of nature
INVEST: $19.99 for LEGO and $15.95 for eeBoo Bingo game

AGES: 7+ for LEGO; 5+ for eeBoo
TOOLS: Express Yourself, Fertilize Responsibility and Courtesy, Think Like a Scientist/Engineer, Flexibility is My Superpower

GIVEAWAY PRIZE: Everything you see featured here!  Both LEGO sets AND the eeBoo game!!

Review & Giveaway: Clumsy Thief + Last Letter: Teach Opportunistic Test-Taking Skills

Focus! Think Fast!  Act Faster! Then Relax!

Use Working Memory & Speed Reading to Win This Game.

WHAT: Clumsy Thief (Math Game) by Melon Rind and Last Letter (Word) Game by ThinkFun
DOES: Why "be tested," instead, let them test themselves. These games arouse the hunt and gather instinct in our young humans.
INVEST: Clumsy Thief $13.99; Last Letter $12.99

AGES: Clumsy Thief (box says 9+ but definitely can be played by young kids if they are big on math and mature enough to have their stuff stolen from them)  Last Letter (8+ but definitely can be played by younger kids if they are big on visual scanning and/or spelling)
TOOLS: My Body Needs to Move, Think Like a Scientist/Engineer, Family Fix-it, Foment the Love of Language, Flexibility is My Superpower

GIVEAWAY PRIZE:One Winner Wins BOTH Games!!! 

Last Post on #TF14: The Greatest, Most Interesting, Most Important Puzzles and Games of Toy Fair 2014

Gravity Maze by ThinkFun.  Oh how darling. What a motivating way to think several steps ahead. 

WHAT: Toy Fair Coverage 2014 Most Exciting Games and Puzzles at Toy Fair 2014
INVEST:  Prices and availability will not be listed. Some will come out in the Spring or even later.  Some are available now!
WHAT YOU CAN DO: Make a comment if you want to see it reviewed and/or sold at a store near you.  Sign up for newsletters from the company that manufactures the toy to find out when your toy will be available.

Toy Fair 2014: Can Tech Toys Inspire Creativity & Problem-Solving?

Tester 1 is talking about the Sphero 2B nearly EVERYDAY. UGH!!!  Still, I have figured out that if he wants the opportunity to test this one, it's gonna cost him. I am soooo evil. The Sphero can give milk. Who knew! Just don't tell them that it's educational! ha!

WHAT: Toy Fair Coverage 2014 Can Technology-Based Toys Inspire Creative Play and Problem Solving?
INVEST:  Prices and availability will not be listed. Some will come out in the Spring or even later.  Some are available now!
WHAT YOU CAN DO: Make a comment if you want to see it reviewed and/or sold at a store near you.  Sign up for newsletters from the company that manufactures the toy to find out when your toy will be available.

Toy Fair 2014: Can Shapes Teach Problem-Solving to Kids?

I love when building rods are of one solid color. This is Geomag. You can see what you are making.  David Wells, director of creative making and learning at the NY Hall of Science once told me that it's so much better to have just one color and that metal balls are great because your eyes have a place to stop.  It's like the architectural comma.

WHAT: Toy Fair Coverage 2014- Can Shapes Teach Kids How to Solve Problems?
INVEST:  Prices and availability will not be listed. Some will come out in the Spring or even later.  Some are available now!
WHAT YOU CAN DO: Make a comment if you want to see it reviewed and/or sold at a store near you.  Sign up for newsletters from the company that manufactures the toy to find out when your toy will be available.

Toy Fair 2014: Trend- Why "Tell" Stories? Build Them Instead!

WHAT: Toy Fair Coverage 2014- TREND- Magnetic Toys Are Crafty Storytellers Too
INVEST:  Prices and availability will not be listed. Some will come out in the Spring or even later.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: Make a comment if you want to see it reviewed and/or sold at a store near you.  Sign up for newsletters from the company that manufactures the toy to find out when your toy will be available.