droolicious : activities

Creative Writing Kit

Lisa Mulcahy — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 21:10:00 GMT

Just think how proud your budding novelist will be when he drafts his first copy of a major masterpiece. Founded by Blue’s Clue’s developer Alice Wilder, this company gives kids all the tools they need to think, write and create.

Think It Ink It’s Creative Writing Story Kits, $9.95, each comes with a professionally illustrated workbook, pencil, sticky note pad for rough drafts, creative writing tips, and suggested vocabulary. If you want to take it to the next level, the company even has a custom publishing option. For just $29.95 your child can create a hardcover book complete with his own story, byline on the cover and an “about the author” blurb on the back.

Keep 'em Busy: Chalk Mats

AmandaHill — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Chalk Mats are the handiest products. They are easy to unroll in the car or restaurant. They have a nifty little pocket that stores the chalk and the eraser. When your little one is finished, you just roll the Chalk Mat up and pack it up. Click behind the fold to find out where the mats can be purchased.

Chalk Mats can be purchased at Baby Browns. They come in a variety of colors and patterns.

Fingerprint Kit

Lisa Mulcahy — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:28:00 GMT

It’s not the kind you’re thinking of. This fingerprint set is purely for fun.

The ultimate in personalized art, the Fingerprint Art Kit, $10, teaches kids to turn fingerprints into animals, shapes and whatever else they can dream up. Set includes 4 inkpads in different colors, 12 rubber stamps, and 6 coloring pencils.

Give the Gift of Gardening

Lisa Mulcahy — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:28:00 GMT

I always remember a little something that Martha Stewart said, “You don’t plant gardens for yourself. You plant them for your children.” She’s not referring to the sentimentality of it, but the practical. It takes time for something like a tree to grow. A gift like this is not only a fun family project, but it also teaches kids that Christmas trees just don’t sprout up every December.

The Yule Tree-To-Be kit, $24, includes everything needed to grow a noble fir: seeds, pot, soil and complete instructions. It’s a great indoor activity to watch the seed sprout over the winter and eventually you’ll be able to transfer it to the yard. But somehow I suspect that after all the TLC and time it takes to mature, you and the kids may not what to chop it down for Christmas future.

For the Fashionista

Lisa Mulcahy — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 14:30:00 GMT

Even before there was Project Runway, kids (especially tween girls) have been drawn to fashion design. I have fond memories of the fashion plates of yore. I wish this professional looking set was around when I was tracing models with colored pencils.

Ideal for girls 9-12 years, the Fashion Design Studio, $29.95, comes with expert tips, sketch book, 12-inch black velvet mannequin, white satin “starter” dress to embellish, fabric, glue, and sewing basics including scissors, tape measure, needles, thread and pins. Start saving for that FIT tuition.

Indoor Fun: Safari Mini Golf

Lisa Mulcahy — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:30:00 GMT

Here in New York it’s getting pretty chilly. Personally I don’t mind the cold, but now that I have a rambunctious toddler I’m desperately searching for indoor activities that will get us through the winter. This mini golf set might be the perfect occupier that also unleashes some energy.

With obstacles like a swinging monkey and a giraffe head, the Safari Adventure Mini-Golf Set from Kid Galaxy is a great way to recreate the fun of a full-blown mini-golf course at home. All parts are made of foam so the damage should be minimal.

$26.39 at Amazon.

Look Ma, It’s a Luge

Lisa Mulcahy — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 21:58:00 GMT

I’m done lamenting about summer (and now fall) being over. Now I can’t wait for the white stuff, especially when there are so many cool sleds like this “Mini Luge” out there.

Inspired by the Olympic sport of luge, the Zipfry Freestyle Mini Luge, $39.99, is equipped to safely handle all types of terrain. Its feet-first design allows for easy braking and the lever helps with stability and turning. The best part … although the recommended age is five and up the manufacturer gives adults the go-ahead as long as you weigh less than 250 pounds!

Acting Out (In A Good Way)

Lisa Mulcahy — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:30:00 GMT

Most kids like to be the center of attention. Here’s a way to create an amazing venue for a budding actor, performer, or puppeteer. The Super Star Theater, $170 at FAO Schwarz, features a "main stage" with backdrop and front curtains, ticket booth with pockets for cast photos and show theme signs, tickets and showtime clock, a light-up wipe-off marquee with dry-erase marker to write cast names, concession stand with popcorn bags, dressing room with mirror, echo microphone, puppet show panel to convert stage into puppet theater with three hand puppets. Hopefully this all adds up to a lot of occupied time and maybe some video-worthy performances.

Baby Boot Camp

Lisa Mulcahy — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:58:00 GMT

Who needs those germy Gymboree classes when you can create your own obstacle course at home?

If you have the space to spread out these chunky foam blocks (a padded mat comes in handy too) baby will build plenty of motor skills while crawling and climbing. The pieces come in a variety of geometric shapes and bright colors and store in a sturdy vinyl bag with handles.

$199 at Target (online only).

Bargain Hunter: Craft Table

Lisa Mulcahy — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:58:00 GMT

You can’t beat this one for the price. Find out how much and where to get it.

Sometimes I think JC Penney gets a bad rap for being one of those staid department stores of the 80s, but I think they’ve done a good job of re-launching itself. Ok enough waxing poetic about my secret liking of JC Penney, this little craft table is a great buy at only $34.99! It has a holder for a roll of drawing paper and I love the cup holders for painting.

The Dark Side of Design

Lisa Mulcahy — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:30:00 GMT

Before you get too depressed because the sun is setting earlier and earlier these days, just think of all the family fun that can be had in the dark. Check out this new glow-in-the-dark art set.

Crayola’s Glow Station is a smooth surface canvas that’s made of a light sensitive material. Instead of crayons, kids “draw” with a light wand and stencils. It’s designed to hang on the wall in a dark nook (unless you’re a photography buff with your own dark room). The Glow Station can also be a fun outdoor activity for camping trips or backyard sleepovers.

The only downside is that the images are temporary, but the set does include transparency paper for tracing must keep creations.

$23.99 at Amazon.

Have Baby, Need Activities?

Lisa Mulcahy — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:22:00 GMT

Walking out of the hospital, with firstborn in hand, we all look for some type of “instructions.” Low and behold, someone, well two people, did it. They wrote The Baby Owner’s Manual. But being past that first stage, I’m more intrigued by their second venture, a book about ways to entertain and teach baby new tricks.

I’m feeling a little guilty about all the tube my tot has been watching over the winter, so I’m glad to have discovered The Baby Owner’s Games & Activities Book by Lynn Rosen and Joe Borgenicht. It’s chock full of fun ways to help babies 0-36 months old develop their physical and mental skills.

$11.50 at Amazon.

Mercifully, There Are 'I Can Do That' Games

Kelly Mills — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 18:07:00 GMT

As one member of a super-dorky board game playing family, I have noticed that aside from the old classics, the vast majority of "bored" games for kids are halfhearted versions of Candyland with some themed character slapped on the box. This is why I'm so thrilled by three of the Seuss-themed games from I Can Do That: You to the Rescue, Sing Your Heart Out, and the namesake game, I Can Do That. The games are absolutely creative, and here's a rarity: the playing pieces are quite clever, like the Horton visor-thing from You To the Rescue, the foam fish bowl and bent rake from I Can Do That, and the musical sled from Sing Your Heart Out. The company was founded by a former Cranium guy, and the games are $19.99 apiece, a very small price to pay for something that will save your ass next time it rains.