Dominoes for Kids: Fun and Learning

Double Six Dominoes:  Educational Games for Kids

One of my favorite educational game choices is dominoes. A simple set of double-six dominoes is perfect for provoking kids to use their mental math skills. Cooperative skills come into play as people challenge each other. In our large household, the fact is that there have to be teams for everyone to be able to participate, adding to the learning experience. While there are lots of game choices for kids, the simple and standard choices can be among the most pleasurable. Add a set of double six dominoes to a holiday or birthday gift, or make it a standard family game night choice!

LeapPad Explorer 2: A New Version of The Popular Touchscreen Toy for Kids

LeapPad Explorer 2 is now available for preorder
and is an updated version of the popular kids touchscreen tablet toy.

If you are thinking about a touchscreen toy for your elementary or pre-school aged child this year, you will be excited about the updated version of the LeapFrog tablet toy. Beginning Aug. 1, 2012 the iPad like toy will be available, though preordering is already in progress. With slightly updated case design, the colors are more pronounced. Front and back cameras are particularly fun for your youngsters and more apps and activities than before will make this an exceptional choice in children's electronic learning gadgets. Find the LeapPad Tablet online.

Toy Tablets for Kids: Touchscreen Toys and Tablet Computers vie for a Share of the Market

When you are thinking ahead to birthdays and holiday gifts for your kids, the tech world can't be avoided.  Touchscreen toys are hot, and the market is ever more competitive.  Last year's LeapPad Explorer tablet for kids was nearly impossible to find by Christmas, and only recently has it regained a spot on my local Walmart's shelf.  Likewise, the InnoTab from VTech was a hot item, a little less rich in features and a little easier on the budget.  Both companies are introducing updated versions of their tablets for children with LeapPad Explorer 2 due to hit the shelves in mid-August and with the InnoTab 2 due out in the fall.

LeapPad Explorer 2 and InnoTab 2 are due out in coming months,
making it possible to obtain older versions at a discount through various sources. 
Even now, InnoTab prices have dropped at Amazon.

This is excellent news on many fronts.  First, LeapPad will include lots of new free content.  In my previous assessments, I felt that there was almost as much value in tablets like Kindle Fire for older kids because of the content costs associated with toy tablets.  LeapFrog provides more value in its coming edition.  InnoTab 2, meanwhile, will include added features and memory.  A camera was lacking in the first model and that plus video cam are part of the new version.  The older models may see some price reductions as releases near for new toy tablet games for kids, so if your budget is crimped, you should watch with eagle eyes for deals. 

Both companies have a tendency to appear as Black Friday doorbusters.  I've picked up things from both brands in the post-Thanksgiving shopping deals and loved the products.  Keep your eyes open and plan now if you need to budget.  Watch eBay, too, as the older versions are likely to be sold second hand to make room for new items.  Excellent if new isn't a priority in your home.

Keep your eyes open for the Meep Tablet for kids, coming later this year from Oregon Scientific.  This tablet may change the landscape dramatically as it includes parental controls and is specifically crafted for kids.


Keep your kids' interests in mind.  A toy that pretends to be a tablet may not suit older children in spite of the claims of companies that they are great for the age group.  My 8 year old distinctly rejected this idea for his birthday and preferred Legos.  If you are looking at the 8-9 year old age range, real tablets may be a better choice.

Dealing with the possibility of touchscreen toys for youngsters, keep your eyes out and be ready to act when items release, especially if you are intent on having these quality toys for the holiday season.  You can keep up with LeapPad products and InnoTab devices for kids at Amazon, among other retailers.

Kindle Touch as an Educational Gift

Kindle Touch is an Excellent Electronic Educational Gift

Ereaders have really provided an interesting opportunity to encourage our kids to read, and my daughter's receiving a Kindle Touch for her birthday seals my approval. I like Kindle in terms of it's usability across different devices and apps, making it possible to access a book on your smartphone or pc.


The Kindle Touch was easy to setup, easy to operate, and I am particularly thrilled with the clarity. I use my own smartphone app to access my Kindle downloads, but the sharpness and contrast on my daughter's new ereader really captured my attention. I can't say enough how much I love the clarity and sharpness. My younger children also found it exciting.


While I recognize that my youngsters can get excited about anything for a short time, I think this is an excellent tool for the child that enjoys reading. With my youngest children, I spend a lot of time reading and misplacing material. I see much value in having one device to manage. There is a lot of free reading material for Kindle. Amazon's Kindle Publishers often place their materials in promotional offers for short periods, making it worthwhile to keep an eye out for inexpensive reading options.


Text to speech and audio books add to the attractiveness of this device. As we get more opportunity to enjoy the new tool in the house, I'm sure that there will be more discoveries. If you select a Kindle for a child, it's important to consider an accident protection plan, offered with Kindles sold through Amazon. It's also wise to invest in a cover so that the device is protected.


Instruct your youngsters in proper care and storage, and help them to understand the costs associated with the system. (Read more about Kindle Touch, including customer reviews)

Make Your Own Dry Erase/White Board

DIY Dry Erase

A dry erase board is a useful tool in any household, and location is key to it's being useful or useless. Dry erase boards are a great alternative to chalk boards for children's art projects, letter practice, or working out math problems. For the older child, a dry erase board is a great place to work through that tedious algebra equation. And for the parent, it can be the perfect way to keep information at hand for kids, babysitters, and your spouse. Various sizes can be purchased in stores, but sometimes, it's nice to be able to customize the dry erase board for a specific need or space, without spending a fortune. There is a method that is really quite simple and inexpensive.

White Contact Paper

With a roll of white contact paper, you can make your dry erase board lightweight, and inexpensively. The most simple method is to simply cut to the size you need, and thumb tack to the wall. For a sturdier backing, adhere the contact paper to a piece of posterboard, and tack up. If you want to be a little fancier, you can certainly use a piece of thicker material, such as plywood, and wire the board for mounting. Regardless of the sturdiness or size, the covering is simple enough. This can also be used as a wet erase board, in combination with a set of Vis a Vis markers.

More Alternative Wet/Dry Erase Surfaces

The refrigerator can be used for both wet and dry erase. Work the problems or make the notes, and when finished, wipe clean.


Your bathroom mirror will function as a wet or dry erase board. Leave a reminder for the kids to pick up the wet towels. Or, leave a love note for your spouse. Wipe clean when the note is no longer needed.


Windows, likewise, work as wet or dry erase surfaces. Any glass surface, really. I don't suggest the television screen, though. That might be getting a little carried away!
For a portable surface, a plastic covered binder. Or, make a book cover from the white contact paper, and the book now has a nice surface for doodling or working those algebra problems. Don't remove the adhesive from the contact paper, though, when covering the book. Rather, tape corners of the contact paper together on the inside cover. You really don't want the cost of text book replacement, after all.

Fun Pretend Play with Little Tikes Role Playing Toys and Furniture

Pretend Play

Role playing toys are a great source of inspiration in the pretend play of young children, in that a well designed role playing toy doesn't do everything for the child, but rather opens the door to using the imagination. While many toys lend themselves to role playing, the best pretend play, I think, is very open ended, giving room for a child to express his or her interests and talents in the use of their toys. Little Tikes makes many play sets and items which adapt to individual interests, providing a simple, sturdy source of hours of childhood entertainment.
Whether it's a Little Tikes car, a Little Tikes Kitchen or Little Tikes Shopping Cart, or a Little Tikes Swing Along Castle, your youngsters can have hours of interactive pretend play. Furthermore, Little Tikes is known for the sturdiness of its materials, lasting beyond your first child.

Strong and Sturdy

Little Tikes has served our family well through the years. Some of the most popular pieces are Little Tikes Toy Boxes, shaped as miniature furniture pieces. My daughter's pink Little Tikes Toy Box Couch is still in use in our home for storage, some 16 years after its purchase. It's easy to clean, and has stood, not only the test of time, but also the rough and tough treatment of active children. The furniture aspect has made it great as a part of role playing activity, whether the kids played house, or rocked their baby dolls while Mom rocked a new baby. They have covered this, and accenting pieces, with blankets and books to make tunnels and tents. Little Tikes Storage, and Little Tikes Furniture, work into pretend play, without doing it all for your kids.

Little Tikes Playhouse Sets

Little Tikes Playhouse Sets are great doors to pretend play, as children are free to create their own adventures, based upon their favorite characters, or creating their own. These Little Tikes sets provide a loose theme, upon which children easily expound. Youngsters can simply act out the everyday routine of parents, with a cottage style playhouse, or they can rescue damsels in distress in their Little Tikes Castle. These are role playing toys which provide for safe pretend play, as the materials are solid, and the themes, fun. The designs of Little Tikes Play Sets are creative and colorful, at times combining the house portion with swing set features. The sets last for years.

Little Tikes Playground Sets

Little Tikes Playground Sets are decorative enough for indoors, in many cases, sturdy enough for outdoors. I have a friend whose living room was half consumed with such a playground climber, an indoor play area during her kids' early years. Our outdoor Little Tikes Slide is still sturdy and useful, after nearly a decade of rough and tough use. Jungle Gyms and Playground sets are fun places for role playing activities of childhood, and foster fun pretend play in kids.

Little Tikes Cozy Coupe

The Cozy Coupe by Little Tikes is a classic, and young adults of today may have fond memories of this first set of "wheels"! A little less stressful on Moms and Dads than real driving, its fun to watch your youngsters scoot around and rev and roar in these popular ride on toys.

Little Tikes Tool Bench

Unless you have a youngster who insists on real tools, a Little Tikes Tool Bench is a fun role playing toy for boys who want to build. Daddy would much rather they had their own tools, and these are much safer. Inspire your future architect with great pretend play.

Pretend Play with a Little Tikes Kitchen

Little Tikes makes many clever play kitchen sets, and these are all fun for inspiring your daughters. As a role playing toy, this is a childhood favorite theme, and pretend play in a real looking kitchen setting is so much fun. It's not a new concept, but Little Tikes kitchen sets are so much more durable than the brittle plastic kitchen sets of my childhood. Little Tikes stands the test of time!

10+ Flying Toys for Kids

15 Flying Toys Boys and Christmas means fun. Even the big boys need their toys, and flying toys are a sure fire way to encourage the pilot or astronaut in each one. Further, the flight themed toys are not restricted to boys, but are also great fun for many girls, and there are even those which are specifically designed to appeal to young ladies.


There are many fun options on the market, some remote controlled, some requiring adult supervision, some highlighting simple aerodynamics in one of the oldest flying toys known to youngsters. Regardless of your selection, you can rest assured that your Christmas morning will be a blast with an aerodynamic element!

Stomp Rockets

Stomp Rocket Super HighPerformance Stomp Rocket







A fun version of a favorite childhood theme, Stomp Rockets are safe, requiring no fuel or engines. Youngsters send the rockets skyward by jumping on the stomp pad, which sends air through a hose, to project the rocket into the air. Glow in the dark rockets make this a fun night activity!

Estes Model Rockets



Estes 810 220 Swift FlyingModel Rocket Kit

Probably the biggest name in model rockets, Estes provides a variety of levels, from beginner, to enthusiast. Spur your future rocket scientist's passion! My tween son enjoys the thrill of the launch, and the only drawback is the lack of foresight in purchasing enough engines to keep the fun going! My younger brother loved rockets in his upper elementary years, and even had the opportunity to a rocket camp one summer. Later, he went on to achieve his aerospace engineering degree! You never know what kind of future a flying toy, such as rockets, can inspire.

Remote Control Helicopters (Air Hogs)

Air Hogs Havoc Heli - ColorsMay Vary

These are tremendous fun for older children, teens, tweens, and dads, too! My husband's set of Air Hogs is a load of fun, for operators, and observers. It's a little advanced for younger children. I actually picked up the set featured below for my husband, and the chaos with two copters flying through the house is crazy...fun for the boys, but it might make mom think twice!

Radio Controlled Airplanes



Estes Xenox RC

You see them at the park, or even on a special airstrip as you are out for a Sunday drive. Remote control airplanes seem amazing, and they must be. Most of the time, it's grown up men flying them! The planes attract the attention of all the boys...including the grown up ones! Airplane withMotion Sensing Control

Kites

Prism Flip Rotor Kite,Spectrum

So much fun to watch, definitely fun to fly! Early springtime appearance of paper kites in stores is fun...for the older kids, and definitely for tweens, teens, and adults, specialty kites can be tons of fun! For educational applications, take a little time to read about the history of kites, or to actually explore a kitemaking book.

Frisbees and Boomerangs



Ultimate Bundle - 6

Not just for kids, frisbees are great therapy and exercise for people of all ages. Frisbee golf, or disc golf, is a great activity, and many parks have courses. Grandpas and grandsons can enjoy the activity together. If you have space at home, set up an obstacle course, or through the neighborhood, with some cautions for windows, of course! DiscraftUltra Star Ultimate Discs

Remote Controlled Tinkerbell



Wow Wee Flytech TinkerbellIndoor

If you have a little girl, or not so little, who loves Tinkerbell, or Disney Princesses, then a flying remote controlled Tinkerbelle could be a huge amount of fun.

Flyer Fold N Fly Paper Airplanes Kit

Nova Design Airglider 40 -Blue/Orange

Set of 4 Guillow's GuillowBalsa Wood Airplanes & Gliders

Flingshot Sling shot fun, with animal humor!

Playmaker Toys FlingshotFlying Animal - Flying CowWith Mooing Sound, Model# 4551