Reviews for 8-11 years old
Pentago CE Mindtwister Travel Game$19.95 at Amazon.com |
Pentago is a mindtwister strategy game from Sweden, where most designs are clean and simple, yet smart and sophisticated. The rules can be learned almost instantly by most age groups (5 years and up), yet similar to Chess, layers of strategy can be practiced for years by “master” players. Pentago is like Tic-Tac-Toe — the goal is to get 5 marbles in a row, in any direction, before your opponent does. When a player places one marble on the board, he or she then twists 1 of 4 game blocks 90 degrees, in either direction. You can twist any game block — not just the one where you placed your marble. So it is with this twisting and constant changing of the game board that things get interesting and continuously challenging. Your grandchild (and you!) will practice spatial and hand-eye coordination, not to mention logic and problem solving. We especially like the design and packaging of this new travel edition, because the blocks turn easily but are still all connected — and there’s a cover to keep all of the marbles contained. Or you may prefer the solid birch editions (in either natural or red), where the blocks detach completely. Pentago has won plenty of awards, including Dr. Toy’s Best Vacation Award, Mensa Select Award, and Creative Child’s Game of the Year Award. This is a thought provoking intergenerational activity that you can share with your grandchild for years.
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This one’s actually for you, grandparents! Forward this along to your children or purchase it yourself and share it with them. It’s a new, simple way for you to instantly see photos of your grandchildren on your computer. One great example of its use is when your children and grandchildren are on vacation. They can take photos using their cell phone and then email the photos from their phone to their Kangadoo account. As a member of the family’s Kangadoo account, those photos will then instantly be available to you on your own family’s homepage! And if you choose to have Kangadoo as your “Start Page,” (a simple click of a button if you use Internet Explorer), the latest photos will instantly pop up when you start your web browser. Each family’s homepage is private and secure, and you can invite anyone you like to have access to it via email — yet you do not need to use a password. If you’re interested in signing up for Kangadoo or having your children sign up, just click on our “Learn More” link and when on the Kangadoo homepage, click on “Product Tour” and “Instruction Guide” to learn more. You can purchase the product by clicking “Purchase” and following instructions. (Note: You don’t need to enter your “Activation Code” when you’re first purchasing Kangadoo). Enjoy every moment and every photo!
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Dazzlin Dough was essentially developed for the educational market, but we found it for you at the 2008 Toy Fair. It’s far superior to other play dough or modeling dough, and it’s a great activity to do with your grandchild. When stored properly, its shelf life is longer than any other dough out there. And that means fewer dried-out messy crumbs! It comes in many vibrant colors and 10 different long-lasting fruity scents (our kids love to guess the smell!). And for budding artists, it can be air-dried, microwaved or oven-baked, and then painted with watercolors or acrylics — yet it’s completely non-toxic! This assortment set includes patties of five colors and scents, each in one-pound buckets. Those are the facts — you and your grandchild can take it from there!
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We played Numbers League for the first time at the 2008 Toy Fair and were impressed for many reasons. Associating math with superheroes is a genius idea, since boys (and some girls!) are fascinated by this genre. The heroes are all-new and unique to Numbers League — you won’t find Superman or Spiderman in this game, but you will find expertly illustrated characters, both male and female, who will capture your grandchildren’s imagination and get them excited to practice their math skills in a fun and creative way. Numbers League: Adventures in Addiplication is meant for 2-4 players ages 8 and up. Very simply put, the superheroes must defeat the villains by exactly matching their number using basic math. There are two levels of play. You can also purchase a Numbers League Infinity Level Expansion Kit, which raises the age level to 11 and up and the number of players to 6. It includes multiplication of simple decimals and multiplying by negative numbers. We’ve linked to Bent Castle Workshops, the independent manufacturer of this and other creative card games. You can purchase directly from their website, or search through their list of retailers for a local game store near you.
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Deglingos are the most creatively designed plush stuffed animals on the market today. Whether you choose familiar creatures, like Nonos The Dog, Ronronos The Cat, Lapinos the Bunny or Milkos the Cow — or less traditional friends, like Molos The Lobster (see photo), Pikos The Hedgehog, Ratos The Rat, BigBos The Wolf, or Chikos The Hen — be prepared to adjust your thinking on what plush toys, or stuffed animals, are all about. Yes, Deglingos are perfect for cuddling, but they’re also conversation starters. These animals have personalities (sense of humor included), giving you and your grandchild a starting-off point for imaginary play. We could go on and on about the wide varieties of colors and quality fabrics used to create these unique designs and personalities, but you should see for yourself. Deglingos are sure to delight!
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We know you love it already, but it’s possible to make cooking with your grandchild even more fun, as well as a perfect teaching moment. Just as you feel comfortable cooking with your own set of kitchen tools, so will your grandchild with this kid-tailored set. Included are 5 age-appropriate laminated recipe cards, an overall guide to teaching children how to cook, and pint-sized dishwasher-safe utensils (whisk, spoon, spatula, pastry brush, mixing bowl, timer, baking pan, safety scissors, measuring cups and spoons color-coded to match each recipe), as well as a denim tool belt apron and a vinyl backpack on which you grandchild can write his or her name. Of course, this experience wouldn’t be complete without a recipe featuring our favorite ingredient… chocolate! You and your grandchild will indulge in baking — and eating — delicious “Chocolate Mountain Lava Cakes!” The kit is appropriate for 3 – 10 year olds, and when they’re not using the kit “professionally,” younger grandkids can use it to whip up fabulous imaginary meals. It’s called the Playful Chef Kids Cooking Kit, but it takes intergenerational cooking time seriously. Some great lessons, such as nutrition, food safety, measuring, and following directions, are built into the set, not to mention the obvious — priceless time together creating delicious treats and lasting memories.
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Our young mechanically inclined son has been aching to learn more about electronics and how things work. Snap Circuits Jr. are a perfect fit for him and other children like him, who enjoy building, creating, and learning. Snap Circuits electronics kits have been a huge hit with kids and parents since they were introduced a few years ago. Although the recommended age is 8-12, younger children (like our son) still love the projects but need some assistance from an adult. What makes Snap Circuits so accessible and fun for most children is that the electronic components are neatly packaged within Lego-like blocks that are easy to manipulate and seem more like “play” and less like “learning.” Yet learn they do! Children can configure the 30 Snap Circuit pieces to build a.m. radios, burglar alarms, doorbells, and other electronic gizmos. Most importantly, the kit is safe, powered only by 2 AA batteries. And who can resist the price? It’s a wonderful value considering the hours of delightful learning it provides. We weren’t surprised to find that the kit has won several awards, including the National Parenting Seal of Approval and Dr. Toy’s Best Children and Educational Products awards. Larger kits that enable more projects are also available.
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Quadrilla Marble Railway - Twist & Rail$119.00 at Amazon.com |
Perfect for the child who already loves marble runs or construction toys, this set by Quadrilla takes marble running to a new level. Rather than the typical “follow directions to assemble and drop ball” experience, kids invest time and creative brainpower into designing challenging runs with multi-directional layouts. While most marble runs are plastic (and sometimes flimsy), this set’s 147 curved, straight and funnel pieces are made from solid wood. Although children as young as 4 can design with the Twist & Rail, in many cases, they’ll need help from a parent. However, there is enough challenging fun to keep mom or dad entertained. Older kids (up to 11, or even older, depending on interest), will also enjoy the set, which, in addition to the building pieces, includes 50 marbles, a “Smart Design Booklet,” and “Play Tips DVD.” The Twist & Rail is Quadrilla’s best selling set, and has won numerous awards, including the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award for 2006 and the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association’s “Best for Kids” Toy List for Holiday 2007. If you simply want to try the system out without making a big commitment, Quadrilla also sells the Marble Railway Basic Set for $44.99.
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This art kit by Ooz and Oz is an outstanding gift, and a winner of 16 National Toy Awards. It re-introduces a 500-year-old art form called Anamorphoscopes — yup, that’s what it’s called! The kit inspires 5 to 14 year-olds (and grown-ups, too) to create art, and explore science and magic. Curved mirror decoders transform secret squiggles and swirls into astonishing reflections. The kit comes with 48 optical antics including: morphed pictures, “finding” games, a maze, and a “4-Dot Challenge.” It also comes with 2 child-safe mirror decoders, crayons, and instructions, all in a portable “desk”. Of course, this is perfect for children interested in art or magic, but most anyone, even you, won’t be able to stop making these fun and educational crafts!
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This is a gift that keeps giving… all year if you wish! Different craft kits are mailed to your grandchild each month, based on the child’s age, gender, and interests. You can choose from standard or deluxe kits, and purchase 3-, 6-, or 12-months worth. The first shipment is sent 1-3 days after an order is placed (unless it is a holiday advance order) and subsequent shipments are made around the 1st or 14th of each month, depending upon when the initial shipment is sent. You can choose the kits yourself, have ChildCrafter select the kits based on information that you provide, or include a survey in your grandchild’s first shipment. Examples of kits include soap-making, candy-making, sewing, needlepoint, painting, coloring, jewelry-making, decorating, and more. Kit manufacturers include ALEX, Curiosity Kits, Quincrafts, and Dimensions, all reputable and kid-tested companies. Shipping cost is additional. Recommended for kids ages 4+.
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