Monthly Archives: October 2008

Aquadoodle Draw N’ Doodle Mat

Age 3-5, Toys, Travel

The Aquadoodle Draw N' Doodle Mat is so cool!  The mat is 32" x 32" and comes with1 Magic Water Pen.  The first day we had the Aquadoodle mat, I took it with us to my sister's condo so the kids would have something to do before dinner.  Noisy toys aren't compatible with a small condo with hardwood floors so I opted for a perfectly quiet, convenient toy instead and the kids loved it!  

Aquadoodle

The mat rolls up so it is easy to carry and take from place to place.  The water pen is great. It doesn't leak, isn't difficult to fill up and holds enough water to last a while.  Madelyn has a blast drawing with the water pen and the drawings last just long enough for her to see what she did.  They don't disapear instantly.  
She thinks it's so cool that she can draw with water and I think it is so cool that there isn't any color, or mess involved!  
Beware.. if your child sneezes on the Aquadoodle Draw N' Doodle mat you will see lots of little specks on the mat.. I'm just saying.  Not that that's happened or anything.  

Price: About $25

You can buy the at Spinmaster Aquadoodle Draw N' Doodle Mat Amazon.com.

Four toddler & elementary age building block sets I love

Age 1-3, Age 3-5, Toys, Wooden Toys

Bamboo Collection Contina blocks

Ages 4+

Continablocks
This is one of my favorite block sets. The eco-friendly bamboo blocks measure 1inch wide, 3 3/4 inches long, and 1/4 thick making them perfect for little fingers. The bright colors give me the perfect opportunity to teach Madelyn but there have been a couple of times when she put one in her mouth and ended up with green dye/ink on her lips. I quickly washed her mouth out, but I am pretty sure that the dye/ink is 100% safe.

Sebastian builds tall towers while Madelyn lays the blocks down in patterns, builds little houses with one color, or lines the blocks up flat one behind the other and plays choo choo.

Price: About $20

Gorilla Blocks
For ages 9 -36 months


Gorilla blocksGorilla Blocks were featured in our special Educational Toys segment.
These quickly became a favorite of our younger product testers. Gorilla Blocks are huge blocks that work like LEGO's. The different block sizes and themes make for endless building possibilities, all the while being an educational tool. How are Gorilla Blocks educational you ask? I can tell you first hand. Madelyn, 18 months, enjoys sorting the blocks by size and color. I was so excited the first time I saw her sorting them, I tried to catch it on video but of course she quit as soon as the camera was rolling.

The blocks can also be used to teach basic math. Take a block that has two dots on it, add a block with three dots.. what do you get? Yes, your kids can learn from Gorilla Blocks! And, the nifty weatherproof factor means that kids can even play in the bathtub. Just don't let the dogs get hold of these!

Price: About $30

Gorilla Blocks 24-pc. Standard Set
are available at Amazon.


Mega Bloks Wonder Builder block set
Ages 12 months – 3 years

Megabloks

Mega Bloks are a classic. Big blocks that snap together. What's better than that to a toddler? The Wonder Builder block set has developmental elements such as knobs to turn, buttons to press, and beads to rattle. The friendly animals include a tiger, a turtle, a squirrelly squirrel, a rattling snake, and a hiding baby kangaroo. Using the star-shaped key, kids can unlock a secret behind a block with corresponding shape and color. I haven't reviewed these myself yet, but based on what I see this looks like a fun set of building blocks for toddlers.

Price: About $30

The Mega Bloks Wonder Builders Bag is available at Amazon.com.


My First LEGO DUPLO Set

Ages 18 months – 5 years

  • Duplo
    Like MEGA Bloks, LEGO's are a classic building toy for toddlers. This DUPLO set has special elements including a window, cat and flower to help jump start imaginations. I love that some of their DUPLO sets come in a sturdy container so I can just throw the blocks in and store them away when the kids aren't playing with them.

Price: About $30

The My First LEGO DUPLO Set is available at Amazon

First LEGO League book

Books,

LegoleagueI was into LEGO's when I was a kid.. big time.   My sister and I had the LEGO space station, lots of house making LEGO's, flowers, and tons of LEGO people.  When I saw the book FIRST LEGO League: The Unofficial Guide I was quickly drawn in.  I wanted to find out all about the first LEGO League competition, who started it, how to start a league and who participates.  I learned that are more.  Though it's a bit on the technical side, both parents and older kids will learn a lot and walk away inspired to build the best LEGO contraption ever.

This book is the go-to source for
coaches, teachers, parents, and students participating in the FIRST
LEGO League (FLL) competition. Written for both rookie and experienced
teams, the book covers a variety of topics, including team formation
and organization, robot building and programming, and the basics of
getting involved with FLL. Filled with practical advice and real
building and programming examples, as well as candid commentary from
veteran teams, this is the book that your team needs whether you're
just starting out or have been competing (and winning) for years.

Price: $20

FIRST LEGO League: The Unofficial Guide
is available to buy at Amazon.

Mrs. Goodbee Doll House

Toys, , , , ,

Mrs. Goodbee DollhouseCaring Corners "Mrs. Goodbee" Doll House is a toy dollhouse, talking dollhouse, and furnished dollhouse all in one.   What more can a little girl ask for? 
Caring Corners Mrs. Goodbee Doll House interacts with children as they play.  With over 400 playful activities, songs, words and sounds, eyes that open, a mouth that lights up and a voice, this doll house  truly comes alive keeping kids entertained for hours at a time.. that's a really good thing.   If a child places a crying baby in its cradle and rocks it, he or she will be rewarded with a lullaby.   This 12 room dollhouse promotes caring and sharing, good manners, and responsibility around the house. 

Fill the doll house rooms with over 12 fun doll packs including a 'family fun night' doll pack and a 'fix it fun' doll pack for the little brother that wants to join in on the fun!

Share the joy of giving with your child by participating in the Carton of CaringTM Donation Program.  Fill the dollhouse box with gently-used toys or laundered clothing and take it to any Goodwill location in the U.S. or Canada.

Age recommendation: 3+

Available at Amazon.com: Caring Corners – Mrs. Goodbee Interactive Dollhouse