This bouncy horse hopper has been one of the most played with toys in our house for nearly 4 months. Everyone from the 18 month old to 10 year olds that come visit always want to ride it which it makes it's desirability off the charts, even though we now own two. Product: Horse Hopper Company: ...
Gifts for Kids
Invisible Ink Pens
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I've just discovered something so AMAZINGLY awesome that I didn't even know existed until today. For Christmas, my detective-loving son received invisible ink pens that come with a blacklight on the cap that makes the ink from the pen glow. How cool is that?! A pair of secret agent buddies can each ...
Detective Club: Mysteries for Young Thinkers
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I don't think I can overstate how valuable this book has been for my 7 year old. We all want to raise critical thinkers. We want kids who don't give up when they encounter a challenge. Instead of shutting down and complaining, "This is too hard," we want them to say, "This is tough, but I'm going to ...
On-the-Go Colorblast! Review
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I'm going to give a much-more-detailed-than-you-want account below, but in case you're in a hurry, take my word for it: This product is fantastic. Also, Melissa & Doug's customer service is incredible. I hesitated to buy these for my kids, because I'm cheap and they're one-time use only. ...
Magna-Tiles
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This widely recommended magnetic building toy is very cool, but unfortunately also very expensive. However, the tiles will last a long time and they are great for a wide range of ages, making them an excellent family toy. I'm grateful that we received the 100 piece set as a gift, but I don't think I ...
Wooden Peg Dolls
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I'm so glad I bought these plain wooden dolls for my kids. They are so simple and yet my kids are having so much fun making their own characters. Given how inexpensive they are and how much my kids like making them, quite a few family members are going to get personalized dolls in their Christmas ...
Kinetic Sand
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It may not seem like much for what you pay for, but at least in our family, this little package of fun has provided long-lasting entertainment for my 2, 4, and 6 year olds, even after 2 months of near daily use. Product: Kinetic Sand Company: Spin Master Website: www.spinmaster.com Recommended Age ...
Zoologic
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Oh my goodness. I love this game. Prior to purchasing Zoologic, Rush Hour Jr. was my favorite single-player puzzle game for my 5 year old. However, now they are at least tied. If anything, I like this game slightly more. I think Zoologic will last several years and requires more critical thinking ...
Three Little Piggies
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My 3 year old really enjoyed this fun, spatial reasoning puzzle game based on a popular fairy tale, but it was not very challenging for my 5 and a half year old. Product: Three Little Piggies Company: SmartGames Website: www.smartgames.eu Recommended Age Range: 3-4 years Price Range: ~$25 Amazon ...
Catan Junior
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This is an entertaining game for families with kids 5 years and up. It's one of the few games I really like to play with my kids. Catan Junior teaches many useful concepts such as abstract math through the acquiring and trading of resources to purchase pirate ships and lairs. It's also a good first ...
Michelle has a PhD in Engineering from Stanford University and a Bachelor's Degree from the California Institute of Technology. 