Work a Maze and Master Balance at the Same Time!

Steady, steady. This balance board game, featuring three different insert games, is a fun and challenging way to increase kids' (or parents') sense of balance. Hey, your life is already a balancing act, you might as well enjoy it.

• Includes figure 8, maze and mouse games
• Inserts are easily changed and feature varying levels of difficulty
• Athletic shoes recommended

Age and weight range

• 3 and up; up to 265 lbs.

"Maze" Gift Card - Can't Have It - Til' Ya Get It!

Sometimes there's a dark side to me...can I help it if I find a bit of satisfaction for making my child work for his gift card?  As we've been talking mazes since yesterday, I wanted to fit this one in...hammer not included.  (Holds any standard size gift card).

A-"Maze"-ing Addicts

In grade school, one of my favorite friends used to draw mazes with a challenge to get through them.  Though sometimes frustrated, I grew to love the exercise my brain engaged in.  Before I knew it, I was drawing my own mazes.  Besides developing problem solving and memory skills, the lack of a set pattern or rules invites a child to think outside the box and find creative answers.  As many of our children are already out for the summer, I found Print Activities - a site that offers free printable mazes and other beneficial worksheets that your child may enjoy throughout the summer.

See:  The A-"Maze"-ing Flip Flop by Reef Kids

Get Out (and Stay Out).

Summer Fun at The Land of Nod

The Land of Nod is just getting warmed up. If you are lacking in ideas of what your summer will be filled with this year, check out some of the wonderful summer time fun you can have right in your own backyard.

Kid News: Will Computer Games Help Children with Cystic Fibrosis?

I came across an interesting article by James Gallagher, who is a Health Reporter for BBC News.  Will Computer Games Help Children with Cystic Fibrosis?  When U.S. doctors noticed  young patients were choosing to play video games instead of doing their breathing exercises -- they combined the two.  I think you'll enjoy the read, as children use a spirometer as their game controller.  Breathing takes them through the game challenges -- and the kids are actually playing it!

Gobblet Gobblers by Blue Orange Games - Available from EduFunToys

I came across an interesting game for children today.  Gobblet Gobblers is based on the traditional tic-tac-toe game...but better.  You start by setting up a grid.  Each player is given a set of 6 Gobblet Gobblers that come in different sizes.  The first player starts their move by placing a Gobbler of his choice in a square.  

The second player has a choice to either eat up the first move (if his Gobbler is bigger) or place one in a different square.  And just like traditional tic-tac-toe, the object of the game is to get 3 in a row.

Gobblet Gobblers encourages critical thinking, problem solving and memory skills. Younger players will learn dimensional skills as they discover only a larger gobbler can gobble up a smaller one.  Here's a video that will show you how fun and educational this Blue Orange Game can be.  

Check out all the great educational toys available from EduFunToys.com

Play This Way Every Day Language Learning Toy

WORK ON YOUR CHILD'S LANGUAGE AT HOME!  THE U-PLAY MAT DESIGNED BY A PEDIATRICIAN FOR CHILDREN 1-5. 

It was an "aha!" moment for Dr. Jen, pediatrician and mother of two sets of twins, while watching her son with his speech therapist. He was focused and engaged playing a simple interactive floor game involving a large paper poster and picture cards. As a typical toddler would, he crawled on top of the paper poster during the game, nearly ripping it and causing the cards to fall off. He became frustrated, and Jennifer thought, is there some way to replicate this easy and wonderful play in a more toddler-friendly manner?

Immediately, the light bulb went off! Dr. Jen thought, "We should have the mat curve around the child - rather than the child sitting on the mat!"

This patent pending idea sparked the creation Play This Way Every Day - a company built from scratch, with a lot of careful thought and a tremendous amount of knowledge and love.

Play This Way Every Day was founded in 2008 with the goal of enhancing interactive floor play between toddlers and parents. Although there are many educational wonderful toys on market, very few provide guidance for parents and caregivers on how to play together. All products are designed by Dr. Jen with consultation from speech or occupational therapists in order to assure optimal design and instructions for use. The products are fabulous for children of all abilities. 

Available from:  Play This Way Every Day

Frecklebox Personalized Stories and Gifts for Kids - Available at Kitsel

I grew up with one of those names that was never on the personalized book marker at the gift store.  Today, there are so many options.  I love the personalization from Frecklebox offered at Kitsel.

 *The lunch boxes are made of .30 millimeter tin (lead free) and covered with printed, laminated high-tack adhesive on all sides.

*They have a chalkboard on the inside lid for writing notes to your loved ones.

Frecklebox “Men At Work” Personalized Chore Chart.  Frecklebox Chore Charts make doing chores more fun for kids! Each chart is 11.5"w x 11"h, made out of durable plastic with a dry erase finish, includes one dry erase pen, velcro and magnet tape for hanging.

Frecklebox personalized puzzles make great personalized gifts, each uniquely featuring the child’s name in different settings.

Frecklebox personalized story books are all about making your child the star of the story, and are designed to educate and entertain.

Frecklebox’s newest story book begins with a child’s quest to demonstrate love to those close to her. From drawing pictures to sharing experiences, our "Great Big Heart" book brings the meaning of love to life for children.

Frecklebox personalized coloring books are the ultimate party favor. Each fun and unique theme features the child’s name on every page and includes a set of four crayons.

Track their growth from the moment they can stand! Frecklebox personalized growth charts measure up to 60 inches and feature vivid inks on canvas, top and bottom wooden dowels and a matching ribbon for easy wall hanging.

Available from:

Mudpuppy Puzzles and Sticker Books with Cowboy and Horse Theme

Mudpuppy is always a pleasure to present.  Here are a couple of puzzles and a mini play scene with 'vinal' stickers book.

"Cowboy Small" puzzle.  On sale now for $7.00"

"Mr. Small does it all!" reads the jacket copy on a reprint of the Lois Lenski's charming Cowboy Small book. You can see Mr. Small on Mudpuppy's Plane/Train Puzzle, where he appears as a pilot and as an engineer, too.

On this Cowboy Small Mini Cube Puzzle, Cowboy Small, in a ten-gallon hat, wearing chaps, lasso ready, gallops in on his pinto horse Cactus. It's a charmer for all those who have fond memories of westerns.  For children 3+

Puzzle greyboard made of 100% recycled paper. Packaging contains a minumum of 75% recycled paper. Printed with non-toxic inks

"Morning Meadow" 63-piece puzzle

Stocky ponies cavort in a flowery meadow with fantastic trees and bushes and with a cool stream running through it on Mudpuppy's Morning Meadow 63-piece puzzle. Claudine Gevry illustrated the scene.  For children 5+

"On the Farm" Mini Play Scene Sticker Book

Horses, cows, goats, pigs, geese and all the usual barnyard friends cavort on the farm. Have fun arranging them! With over 40 vinyl stickers to choose from, this play scene is not only portable fun for children, it’s educational too! Illustrated by the justifiably popular Clare Beaton in her applique felt style.

Available from Mudpuppy see:  The Power of Puzzles

Mud Puppy - Magnetic Action Figures Robot

It's good to see innovation taking place on so many levels.  We had 'colorforms' when I was a child.  I'd sit for hours arranging little plastic pieces into place.  Fast forward into time and meet these mechanical men, printed in the fine art technique, that Mudpuppy is noted for.  Made from glossy plastics with a magnetic backing and held in a metal tin, your child can let his imagination cyber through. 

Assemble your robots in any manner you please.  There are so many pieces to transform with. Four different scenes are held on two separate cards.  A little notch is built-in to help turn it over.  

My son loves these and I tend to find them around the home -- wherever there is metal.  I found this little guy on the refrigerator.  These are easy to tote for travel. The tin measures about 6-1/4" x 8-3/4".  

Made by:  Mudpuppy

Made of:  plastic/metal

Ages:  6+ (but our 5 yr old loves it)

Price:  around $14.00 - $15.00

Where to buy:  Mudpuppy

*Not for children under 3 years of age.

Crocodile Creek - Barnyard 123 Floor Puzzle

If you think an enchanting depiction is the only thing concealed within childhood puzzles, think again.  Also hidden within this playful activity are many, extraordinary skill building benefits.  In general, puzzles challenge different parts of our brain, which in turn increase a child's comprehension.

This striking portrayal of barnyard animals heightens a desire for puzzle time.  Its' thick, glossy cardboard construction lends well to its uniquely shaped pieces.  All organized tidily within a sturdy and colorful carry case.  This one is a pleasure to piece together with your young child.  An additional benefit of counting is included with this talented design.

Ages:  3-6

Company:  Crocodile Creek 

Construction:  Heavy Cardboard

Where to buy:  I got mine at Padilly

Read:  The Power of Puzzles

Note:  It's important to choose puzzles appropriate to age.  The traditional age starts around 18 months, beginning with peg puzzles.

Advanced Skill-Building Benefits of Puzzles:

*  Awareness/foundation building

    learning the sum of many make a whole

    organizing thoughts & actions

    thinking in steps

    triggering deeper thoughts

    preparation for math thinking skills

*  Recognition/concentration

    identify various colors & shapes

    identify letters & numbers

    preparation for reading & writing skills

*  Develops motor skills

    hand-eye coordination

    pincer grasp

    preparation for writing (holding pencil)

Here are some helpful links:

Life's Little Treasures

Kidsource

asclock

freeducation