Recently in Educational Category

I am not one of those competitive moms who push my tots to excel academically above all else. I think kids should be kids and I do not want to take away from them the short precious years when they can just play and be free! But I also think it doesn't hurt to give them a head start before they enter preschool and to reinforce what they are learning once they are in preschool. As long as you keep things fun!

The Grasshopper Preschool Prep Kits come with games that are just that, fun! Who doesn't love to play games? Each kit comes with different games, like picking up letters with a magnetic worm for letter recognition, squeezing a frog's mouth open to feed him to help developing hands learn motor skills needed for writing and craft projects that all tots enjoy. They won't even realize they are learning with these truly innovative methods. There are no pencils, electronics or workbooks.

There are 4 different kits, each focused on different skills. Comes with a guide book for parents. Kits 1 and 2 come in an organized spill proof carrying case for $49.95 (for both), kits 3 and 4 are $29.95 each and will fit in the carrying case you already have from kits 1 and 2.

I really wished someone inspired me with how fun and interesting science is when I was a tot. Instead, I grew up in fear and trepidation over anything that sounded like physics or calculus. It wasn't until my early 20's (and out of school) when I watched Stephen Hawking's Universe on DVD that I became utterly fascinated with science, specifically how the universe was created (cosmology is now a side hobby of mine). This DVD set is a bit advanced for tots but a fun science kit, like the Thames and Kosmos Little Labs: Stepping into Science is an absolute must to kick start the curiosity of young minds ready to soak in and accept knowledge. Experiments in five key areas of science (nature, physics, chemistry, air, and water) allows hands on learning and a chance to explore these fields. It is recommended for ages 7 and up but younger tots would also benefit with a little help from a grown up. Easy to do and is the perfect way to spend the days off from school during the holidays. At Saks Fifth Avenue for $35.00

ThreeJars is an online piggy bank that tracks your tots allowance in a fun and interactive way. You set up an account for your tot and input the allowance amount. Your tot then decides how much to spend, save or share (to charity). You approve all the decisions before anything is done. All the money actually stays in your pocket, this just keeps track of it. But if he/she decides to buy gift cards as their form of spending, or share with ThreeJar's participating charities, the amount will be charged to your credit card. The "ATM" is actually you. But the program will calculate the amount saved with interest, which is a relief for me since math is not my strong suit =) I love this idea, I might use it for myself! The easy graphics allows you to see where all the money is going and hopefully encourage your tot to save more than spend. You can give incentives to save - my mom used to double my savings at the end of every year! I should ask her if she wants to start that up again now that the stakes are higher =) You can get entrepreneurial and have them use their spending on a lemonade stand to make even more money. You can start your own miniature business school. There are so many benefits to this system, the most important one being the ability to talk to your tot about money in a meaningful and understandable way. The fee for the entire family is $30 per year. Go to ThreeJars for a free trial.

Any thing and any way to get a tot to be interested in science is a good thing! And who isn't intrigued by Star Wars and all the technology and mystical powers (which, after all, are forms of science)? I am sure your tot will be thrilled and excited to do a Star Wars experiment especially when it involves oozing lava and cool effects! This Mustafar Volcano erupts while Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anikan Skywalker fight their infamous first battle. And in the midst of all the excitement, your tot will learn how volcanoes really work! At Amazon for $19.48. For the ultimate experience, get the Hooded Jedi Robe, $22.37.

I am officially on vacation (yay!) but I saw this today while shopping with my tots and had to share. This Solar Print Kit comes with a special paper that will make imprints of whatever you put on top onto the paper when you put it in the sun. The chemicals in the paper develop like photos! You can use the stencils that it comes with or for more fun, find things from nature like leaves, bugs and flowers. It is educational, artistic, crafty and super FUN! It comes with a plexi-glass that you place on top of your objects to keep it weighed down. The Solar Print Kit is $12.39 but it only comes with 3 sheets so you might want to get the Solar Paper Refill for $12 along with it.

The memory game is a favorite for tots but add water and it becomes the best thing ever! These clams hide objects inside and the objective is to find 2 matching ones. These are great for the kiddie pool or the bath. But even if you are on dry land, these are still fun and good for flexing the brain muscles. When they become bored of them, just put in your own little treasures in there to switch things up. We have been playing, "Guess what's in the box" where my 4 year old hides something in a box and gives clues as to what is inside. This simple game is great for processing information and developing communication skills. It also gets the entire family involved and is fun for grown ups, too. Now we can play "Guess what's in the clam". Smart Splash Memory Match Clams at Amazon for $14.94.

When I first saw this at my neighborhood toy store, I thought it was just another one of those rubber things that get bigger in water. But the sales associate informed me that it was REAL fish, this package contains freeze dried fish eggs that will hatch and you will have real fish swimming around. Wow, ok, of course I had to get it. But once I got home and read the instructions, it was a bit more complicated than "Just Add Water". You have to get the water just right, then you have to also hatch shrimp to feed the fish. It is more like a 12 step process but if you have the patience, this is an incredibly fun and educational experience for you and your tots. Magic Fish Instant Fish Kit at Amazon for $14.95.

Looks like any other puzzle, right? But you flip it over and it is a whole new game, it has the same puzzle without color to be interpreted and colored in by your tot. Creative and brain flexing all in one! This is perfect for travel because you are getting a puzzle that can be done again and again, as well as a coloring project! I try not to bring too much on trips, I am not one of those moms who packs an entire suitcase full of toys, not even on long trips. This will definitely be in my suitcase though! It comes with oversized crayons. Made of thick, sturdy cardboard and printed with non-toxic ink. Puzzle has 24 large pieces for ages 4+. Enchanted Kingdom, On The Farm as well as other designs, available at Child Trek for $13.95.

Lincoln Logs are fantastic, I love them. But why not expand your tot's architectural inclinations with a pyramid building set? This 3-D building block set also develops their spacial understanding. Besides, it is just so cool. They get a full view of the interior chambers as they learn the techniques the Egyptians used to build the actual pyramids. There are small parts, for tots 3 and up. At Lollipop Rascals for $39.95.

Getting ready to buy shoes with laces? If it was totally up to me, I would always stick to velcro strap shoes, why bother with complicated laces? But as a responsible parent, it is up to me to teach my tots to tie shoe laces. I just don't want to deal with dangerous tripping laces while the learning process occurs. The Alex One, Two, Tie My Shoe is a fun way to learn before you graduate to the real thing. It also teaches hand eye coordination without deferring to video games for that skill. At Amazon for $11.20.