Reviews for Imaginative Play
We love trying out products invented by parents who were inspired by their kids. In this case, it’s Little Capers — spawned from a mom whose toddler boy went through a typical superhero phase, set on wearing dish towel capes clipped to his shirt… anywhere. She had to do something! Many of us moms can relate, often feeling compelled to placate our young heroes with very un-original, un-stylish, and un-comfortable polyester costumes of superheroes who shall remain un-named. Alas, there is hope for our little heroes! Little Capers are 100% cotton, stylish T-shirts (with velcro-attached matching shiny capes) adorned with original positive hero-like images, such as a star, the earth, a peace sign or a thunderbolt. The shirts come in both short and long sleeves, and girl and boy colors and styles. Better yet, they’re made in Los Angeles, U.S.A. in a “non-sweatshop” facility. Choose from infant sizes (without capes), on up to size 8. My daughter loves her black with pink and sparkly silver star shirt, and I love that it’s stylish and can be worn with our without the pink sparkly cape. I also love that the message it sends is nonviolent and noncommercial — almost impossible these days. With this gift, you and your grandchild will both be heroes!
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When I first played with Think-ets at the 2008 Toy Fair in NYC, what initially interested me was the game’s tiny size and simplicity — a travel pouch that easily fits in a pocket, filled with 15 intriguing little objects gathered from around the world. However, after playing it for a while with my kid-testers, I soon realized that although the game is small, and it’s materials simple, the brain-exercising activities they promote are endless. Think-ets includes a small pamphlet describing 11 games, including “What’s Missing,” where 5 or more trinkets are laid out, one player looks away while the other takes a trinket away. The player who looked away needs to guess which object is missing. In another game called “What’s Your Story,” imagination rules. The first player chooses from a few trinkets and begins a story highlighting that item. Then the next player chooses another trinket and continues the story using that item as the next subject, and so on. The inventors encourage kids and their families to devise new games and email them along to the company. The trinkets in Think-ets are purposely timeless (a tiny copper goblet, satin flower, wooden alphabet block, donut, gold band, etc.) making it a thoughtful game that transcends generations — perfect for playing with your grandchild. You can choose from one of 3 games, each with a different-colored pouch containing different trinkets — or buy all 3! The manufacturer recommends ages 8 and up (and of course, advises you to keep the game away from children under 3), but Think-ets are also fun for younger children, whose memory skills are constantly being developed and whose imaginations run wild. The game’s size makes it wonderful for restaurants and vacation travel — or for fun, thoughtful time at home with your grandchildren. Enjoy!
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Project Table Two Stool Set$375 at Ecotots |
We’re always looking for children’s products that are made here in the U.S. using eco-friendly materials and practices. Ecotots kids furniture, including this table and stool set, are all that and more! First, every one of this company’s pieces are beautifully designed for aesthetics, function, and ease of assembly. The parts are made from 100% formaldehyde-free renewable birch Smartwood, and fit together in minutes without any hardware, tools or glue. Ecotots’ patented Lip & Groove and Slide Lock assembly system also makes disassembly, storage and transport easy. We love the clean, modern look of the furniture, as well as the colors to choose from (fire, leaf, cocoa and clear) — each derived from non-toxic water-based stains with U.V. cured finishes to minimize greenhouse gases. Ecotots takes their environmental practices seriously, and are Forest Stewardship Council accredited, Rainforest Alliance certified, and a member of the Sustainable Furniture Council. The pieces also come with a lifetime construction guarantee. Ecotots produces upscale and stylish children’s furniture that is also practical and environmentally responsible — this is a gift you can feel great about giving!
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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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Zolo Linko (by Kushies)$32.00 at Kushies |
These Zolo Linko teethers by Kushies are a nice interactive set because they include little Zolo creatures your teeny grandchildren will enjoy holding and hugging. These creatures are the soft additions among other interesting textures and shapes that can satisfy an array of finicky little fingers and gums. You’ll find raised dots and stripes, highly polished and matte finished plastic rings and unique shapes. One pretzel-shaped teether has squiggly etched lines, and if the colors were brown with off-white (read, milk chocolate drizzled with white chocolate…), instead of white with black, it would look good enough to eat! Of course, the contrast of black and white together is now known to be helpful in infant development (three of the links are black and white). Kushies has also included plenty of other fun, vibrant colors perfect for your playful tot. All of the individual teethers link together to make a long chain, or can be parceled into smaller chains for strollers, car seats, restaurants, etc. The Zolo Linko set is “Parents’ Choice Approved.” and makes a great gift!
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