Reviews for 8-11 years old
Create Your Own Fairy Garden/Butterfly Garden$8.50 at Garden Chick |
Gardening is such a perfect intergenerational activity. Planting seeds, nurturing seedlings, and watching them grow into mature plants, is so satisfying, whether you are a seasoned gardener or a child trying it out for the first time. Mackenzie’s Garden gift kits for kids, created and sold by Karen Creel (a.k.a. “Garden Chick”), can help you make this experience even more magical for you and your grandchild. Gardening with her own grandchild inspired Creel to start her line of enchanted kids gardening kits. You can choose from a Create Your Own Fairy Garden kit or Create Your Own Butterfly Garden kit. Each kit comes in an attractive purse-like gift package (no wrapping necessary!). The Fairy Garden kit includes a variety of seeds from sun-loving plants that attract “fairies” or fairy-like creatures, such as dragonflies, butterflies, etc. It also includes a card with instructions for planting your garden and some fun info. about fairies. As a bonus your grandchild will receive a little Garden Fairy paper doll sticker book. The Create Your Own Butterfly Garden kit is almost identical — seeds for growing colorful sun-loving plants that attract butterflies, growing instructions, and a booklet containing butterfly kids tattoos. In the Mackenzie’s Garden section of the Garden Chick website you can also purchase a Fairy Dust Cookies cookie-making kit (with fairy, dragonfly and flower-shaped cookie cutters, recipe, and “fairy dust” to sprinkle on top of the iced cookies), as well as a Flower Fairy Tea kit for tea parties (with tea bags of organic chamomile flowers, lemon balm, honeysuckle blossoms, hibiscus flowers, and spearmint). Each of the kits are under $10 yet they offer the prospect of a memorable and, quite possibly, enchanting experience with your grandchild.
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MunchMats Nutrition for the Brain$19.95 per set at MunchMats |
MunchMats educational and interactive learning placemats have my kids completely engaged in what I would call “school work that’s fun.” They are essentially a version of what restaurants sometimes provide — disposable paper activity sheets that double as placemats. But MunchMats are full-color and bursting with outstandingly-designed curriculum and learning objectives. MunchMats are sold in sets of 30 original sheets for 3 different age groups and 3 different themes: colors, shapes, letters and numbers for ages 3-6; the alphabet for ages 4-7; and U.S. geography for ages 8-12. As you can imagine, in the 3-6 year-old placemats, there is a lot of tracing of letters and numbers encouraged, along with coloring, counting and number sequencing activities, word searches, mazes and much more. In the alphabet-themed MunchMats for ages 4-7, there’s a great Pictionary Matching game, where a word definition can be read by your grandchildren (or you can read it to them). They then draw a line from the definition to the picture of the word, and then a line from the picture to the actual word. There are also fun fill-in-the-blanks activities, hidden picture puzzles, rhyming activities, and on and on. Regarding the geography-themed mats for ages 8-12, combing through each of the sheets is like taking a virtual cross-country trip (complete with great pictures) with a lot of extra information, such as facts about each region, famous landmarks, map-reading (including latitude and longitude), state abbreviations, common road signs, locations of famous people and events, etc. Each MunchMats 30-pack is printed using vegetable ink, and comes with a parent (or grandparent) lesson plan, a review page, and certificate of completion. It also comes with a large sturdy plastic zip-lock carrying case for storage in the car, at home, etc. I can think of so many uses for MunchMats. Aside from simply encouraging quiet learning time at home, they are invaluable for travel, in restaurants, etc. You can even tear off a sheet or two, fold it up and keep it in your purse for when the need arises. For an additional $12.95, you can purchase a MunchMats lap board that enables your grandchild to work on the activities in the car, on a plane, or anywhere where a table is not available. This is such a great opportunity for many hours of interactive learning time with your grandchild — and it’s fun!
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HEXBUG Micro Robotic Creatures$9.99 - 19.99 at HEXBUG |
We were delighted — and not the least bit squeamish — to be introduced to our little HEXBUG friends at Toy Fair in New York last month. HEXBUGS are beautifully designed and affordable micro robotic creatures appropriate for ages 8 and up. Currently there are three models available for purchase — the “bug,” the “inchworm,” and the “crab” — while the newest “ant” will be available this spring. We’ve fallen hard for our green inchworm, the only HEXBUG that is controlled by a tiny infrared remote control unit. What’s fascinating about it is its steering capabilities, and its ability to pirouette in place when stopped on its center pod foot. The HEXBUG crab reacts to light and sound, hiding in shaded areas until a loud sound or exposure to light chases it out into the open. The original bug reacts to touch and sound, and the newest ant has legs and wheels that allow it to move faster than the others. Each HEXBUG comes with button cell batteries included and are available in a variety of fun colors. Your grandkids don’t need to be robot fans to enjoy HEXBUGS — anyone, including adults, will have fun with them. Their affordability makes them great surprise gifts, and, unlike real bugs, anyone would be happy to have them roaming around the house!
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How'd They Build That - (Fire Truck)?$8.99 at Amazon.com |
We’ve been introduced to a new series of educational kids DVD’s called, “How’d They Build That?”. How’d They Build That – Fire Truck will appeal to aspiring young firefighters (and other children who are generally interested in how things are built) from ages 5 and up. With adult supervision, some even younger enthusiasts will certainly learn a thing or two as well. This particular DVD visits Seagrave Fire Apparatus, in Clintonville, Wisconsin — a company that’s been around since 1881 and makes many of today’s fire trucks. The simple narrated format tells how Seagrave started out as a ladder company, and then, with requests for custom-made ladders from fire departments, eventually began building the trucks to go along with the ladders! The DVD shows some of the components of the vehicles, including various types of ladders (which average 100 ft. long when fully extended!), hydraulic platforms, etc. Fun Facts are also dispersed throughout the 58 minute program. For example, one Fun Fact states that there are between 1,800 and 2,500 parts in an average fire truck. Another one explains that it takes between 1,500 and 3,500 hours to build a single truck. Also, did you know that some parts are held together by very strong tape? Or that fire trucks can actually be any color whatsoever, even though the standard is red? In addition to the Fire Truck DVD discussed here, the How’d They Build That series also includes: Big Truck, School Bus and Concrete Truck.
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Recently my kids and I have had the pleasure of playing with some of the wooden toys handcrafted by Tom Seal, of Bearded Seal Woodcrafts. We especially appreciate fine handcrafted wooden toys, and these are some of the finest we’ve seen. Tom custom-makes each product entirely by hand. He received his earliest inspiration as a child wandering the forests of his native Pacific Northwest. By high school he was crafting wood, and then honed his skills studying fine arts in college. He applies this appreciation of wood, as well as his knowledge of how to expertly craft it, into each of his products — from vintage wooden cars to classic wooden tangram puzzles. My kids have been vroom vroom’ing around non-stop with a gorgeous classic Ford mustang crafted from Makore & Bolivian Rosewood ($32). The tangrams set is crafted using American Black Walnut, and comes packaged in a decorative silk travel pouch, along with plenty of suggested tangram puzzles ($17 for domestic wood or $22 for exotic). We love tangrams, and what a treat it is to be able to play on such a beautiful set. If you and your grandchild enjoy logic puzzles (and also have some pretty good fine motor skills!), Tom also sells several other logic puzzles, such as a Sword puzzle and 2 Ring puzzle (both $7), as well as games, such as Marble Solitaire ($18). Tom’s signature pieces are his line of beautiful handcrafted wooden rocking horses. The Rocking Thoroughbred can be custom-ordered and made with any of the woods Tom uses (average price is $460). Or choose from various designs crafted from Pine and stained as light Golden Pecan to dark Walnut colors ($134). For a small fee, Tom can add a personalized inscription on many of his pieces. All of Tom’s wooden creations make fantastic kids gifts and, incidentally, are sure to delight all of us grownups, too!
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Hop To It! by Playroom Entertainment offers a new twist on memory games. It’s fast paced and appeals to kids of all ages (recommended for ages 5 and up), as well as parents and grandparents. 21 picture tiles are arranged in a row or a circle — although you need to be sure to have a beginning and an end. Then 3 discs are used to cover the first, second, and third (for advanced play) picture tiles. Each player is allowed to briefly view all of the tiles before beginning play, and when ready, the hourglass timer is set and the player must remember what the object on the first tile is. If they guess correctly, another player quickly moves, or “hops” that cover disc onto the third object tile. Then the player must quickly recall and say what the object on the second tile is, and so forth. When the time is up each player collects the picture tiles they’ve recalled and when each player has had a turn the tiles are counted and whoever has the most wins. The next time the game is played the object tiles are mixed up and rearranged. This is definitely one of those games that can be challenging for both children and adults (a great intergenerational activity!), requiring one to exercise and train the part of the brain that controls visual memory. It’s certainly been challenging for this game reviewer and her family! We also like that it’s small and portable — and the affordable price makes it a great gift idea for anytime!
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Ask Magazine, for kids ages 7-10, is one of several kids educational magazines by Carus Publishing (see our review of Muse Magazine). Ask’s articles focus on arts and sciences, answering questions a grandchild might ask (for instance, Why do we sleep?), in articles that are in-depth and appropriate for kids this age. The Case of the Disappearing Bees, an article appearing in the September 2008 issue, discusses the current crisis that is stumping beekeepers and scientists, and scaring farmers, food manufacturers and all of us who eat the crops bees have always dutifully pollinated. The article’s content is challenging, yet not over the top. An adult would probably need to read along with a 7 or 8 year old, and a 9 or 10 year-old would enjoy reading and learning on their own. Another great article, titled, Say Cheese! The Science of Smiling, discusses the many types of human smiles, as well as those of some animals, such as monkeys. Ask Magazine also includes shorter news stories, called, Scoops, as well as comic strips, contests and letters. A subscription to Ask Magazine makes a great year-long birthday or holiday gift idea. Stay tuned for reviews of more great kids magazines, such as: Babybug Magazine for infants to 3 years; Ladybug Magazine & Click Magazine for ages 3-6; Spider Magazine and Appleseeds for ages 6-9; and Cricket Magazine, Dig Magazine (all about archaeology!), Faces Magazine (about people, places and culture), and more, for ages 9-14.
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The TickleMe Plant (Mimosa Pudica from seeds) kids gift is a great science kit for ages 5 and up and fun for the entire family. Kids can experience the joy and responsibility of growing their own TickleMe plants from seeds, and then interact with them. Once the plants’ mature leaves have grown (within a month under the right conditions), you and your grandchild can literally tickle them and watch them move. This kit includes a reusable recycled plastic greenhouse (the gift’s packaging) to help nurture the seeds, as well as 3 TickleMe seed packets (with 10-20 Mimosa Pudica seeds and growing instructions on the back), 6 flower pots, 6 soil pellets and 10 science experiment ideas, such as: Use a toothpick to try to find out which part of the TickleMe Plant is most sensitive to touch. TickleMe plants can be re-potted when they are big enough and brought outside once temperatures don’t dip lower than 65 degrees. Seeds will take longer to grow in rooms that are cooler than 70 degrees. The company’s website has a Growing Tips section with specific instructions for growing, including tips for the Fall and Winter seasons. And for a budget-friendly gift idea under $10, TickleMe Plants sells a Mini greenhouse gift package that includes 1 seeds packet, 1 flower pot and 1 soil pellet for $5.95. This is a great birthday party favor idea as you can purchase 6 mini kits for $29.95. Parents may also want to mention the idea to teachers, as the company sells classroom science kits. TickleMe Plant Company was actually founded by a science teacher and, thus, has that seal of approval. A fun, creative, and educational gift idea!
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The Message Marquee is a portable, wearable or mountable (if desired) light-up message board that can be used for work or play, and that the entire family will enjoy. The concept is simple. Use the black wipe-off marker to write a message on the front white-board of the Message Marquee. Turn it on and little flashing white lights surround the white-board message. Just like a marquee! Your grandchild may decide to hang it on the bedroom door with a “I’m studying” message, or family members can wear a “Happy Birthday” marquee to help celebrate someone’s special day. I’ve been using it to get my kids’ attention on school mornings and urge them to “Get Ready!” It’s a little bit silly but can help get a point across in a fun, smile-provoking way. Perhaps your grandchild could find a use for it during school presentations — or younger kids (with supervision) could use it for dramatic play setups. However your grandchild and family members choose to use it, the Message Marquee gets the point across!
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Think It Ink It creative writing kits for kids are like mini creative writing courses, with tools and templates to help your grandchild get the juices flowing, while gaining a sense of completion and satisfaction as they literally publish their own storybook. Choose from four professionally illustrated wordless picture books — with illustrations that are playful and colorful, and that invoke a sense of wonder. The kit includes a sticky-note pad and pencil for the budding author to write a rough draft of the copy to accompany the illustrations and complete their storybook. There are also plenty of helpful tips for the child authors, as well as for adults who may be helping them. The first two pages of each book are instructions that can be read by your grandchildren or can be read aloud to them. They mainly consist of questions to assist with the creative process. For example, in Phase I, or the “Think It” phase, they may want to ask themselves: Who are the characters in the story? What are their names? What happens in the story? How does the story end? In Phase II, or the “Ink It” phase, they can begin writing or dictating their story onto their sticky notes, which then get placed on the appropriate pages with corresponding illustrations. There are similar questions they should ask themselves to guide them in the writing process, such as: What is happening in this picture? Then what happened? And, so on. Finally, in Phase III, or the “Publish It” phase, there are two options for publishing the storybook. One way is for your grandchild (or a helpful adult) to write, or “ink” the story directly into the template book, where the book’s title and author’s name can be written on the front cover. That is how it works if you purchase one of the Think It Ink It kits for $9.95. Or, for a more professional look, and for $29.95, their story can be written online via the company’s website, and then published into a custom hardcover book that includes the author’s photo and bio on the back cover. Either option makes a wonderful gift and a definite keepsake to mark another step in your grandchild’s understanding of the creative process and the power of words.
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