droolicious : 7 days of educational toys

7 Days of Educational Toys: Lace and Trace Pets

elizabeth leach — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 12:00:00 GMT

We had Lace and Trace games at my Montessori preschool. Montessori is a method of teaching that supports learning through individual exploration instead of classes led by a teacher. Your child can experience the Montessori method even if she doesn't attend a Montessori school by giving her the tools like these classic lace and trace cards.

This Melissa and Doug set comes with six jumbo, double-sided cards and six color coordinated laces. And like most Melissa and Doug toys, this one comes in a wooden storage case. Purchase Lace and Trace Pets ($9.97) and many other Montessori toys at Wonder Brains.

7 Days of Educational Toys: LeapFrog Didj

Aaron Burgess — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:04:00 GMT

It's being promoted as an educational device rather than a Nintendo competitor, but one look at LeapFrog's new Didj Custom Gaming System makes it pretty clear this gadget is aiming to knock that DS Lite out of your grade-schooler's hands.

LeapFrog has traditionally been known for going lighter on graphics, but the Didj makes improvements both visually and educationally: Kids used to higher-end handheld gizmos will feel right at home with the system's high-resolution visuals, and the games' learning functions also aim to keep Mom and Dad in on the experience.

Though there's no wireless element, the Didj's computer connectivity (via an included USB cable) allows you to keep a short leash on how and what your kids are playing. You can choose the math and spelling skills you'd like the games to focus on, create custom spelling lists so Junior can practice for upcoming tests, and go online to track the kids' progress.

The LeapFrog Didj is $89.99, with accessories and games -- including Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Indiana Jones, Nancy Drew and SpongeBob Squarepants -- starting at $23.99 each. Visit the LeapFrog store to stock up, and if you buy two or more games before Aug. 31, enter promo code FL8DJA at checkout to knock $10 off your order.

7 Days of Educational Toys: Original Memory Game

Heather Kuldell — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:57:00 GMT

OK, call it my own nostaglia, but I still dig Hasbro’s Original Memory Game even though you can get Dora, Spider-Man, Sponge Bob, Disney ... and who knows how many other versions.

Need a refresher? Memory is a card game that can be played solo or with multiple players. Find matching pairs of picture cards and at the end of the game, the player with the most matching pairs wins. The game practices those same brain muscles as when you ask, “Where is your other shoe?” No promises, but I like to think that extended play will help kids figure out the answer.

Available at Hasbro.com for $6.99. For ages 3-6.

7 Days of Educational Toys: Count and Learn Cookie Jar

SunnyChanel — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:30:00 GMT

What makes learning fun? Cookies! Fortunately there won’t be any issue with sugar rushes, empty calories or cavities with the talking Count and Learn Cookie Jar. This education non-edible toy includes cookies numbered one through ten and features a “friendly” cookie jar that says things like “can I have another?”. This is recommended for kids two and up and is a yummy way to get them to learn to count. Hopefully along with their 1, 2 and 3s, they won’t gain a sweet tooth too. ($21.95 here)

7 Days of Educational Toys: Banking Basics

Lisa Mulcahy — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:35:00 GMT

Even though it’s going to be a while before your kids will truly understand the value of money and investing, here’s a fun way to kick off lessons in coins and counting.

I (um, I mean my son) can’t get enough Melissa & Doug puzzles and games. As soon as he decides that coins don’t taste so great we’re going to start going for the goals with this clever soccer themed bank.

$14.99 at Amazon.

7 Days of Educational Toys: LEGO Mindstorms NXT

Erin Behan — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 17:49:00 GMT

This is for the kid who loves LEGOs but needs a little something ... extra. Like a 32-bit microprocessor, three interactive Servo motors, a sound sensor, an ultrasonic visual sensor, a touch sensor, a light sensor ... I could go on, but the point is that this is one bad-ass way to computerize LEGOs. In layman's terms, the Mindstorms allows you to build your own robot and then program said robot to do whatever you'd like, including command the robot with a mobile phone via Bluetooth technology. Looking to get your kids excited about computers (as in how they work, not what games they can play)? This is the toy! All this technology doesn't come cheap, of course: $249 at Lego.com.