I discovered Elemental Science's Sassafras Science Adventure series while searching for science curricula to use with my oldest child during his first grade year. It has become one of the few things that I've used all year long without modification. We like it so much, I plan to continue the ...
Kids
Detective Club: Mysteries for Young Thinkers
This site uses affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!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
This site uses affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!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. ...
Middlebury Interactive Languages K-2: A Review
This site uses affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!Over the past year, my kids and I have worked our way through Middlebury Interactive Languages Elementary Spanish 1 (Grades K-2), which we've completed, and the first few units of Elementary Chinese 1 (also for grades K-2). Additionally, we've been longtime users of Little Pim, and recently started ...
Illustrated Chore Chart
This site uses affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!I can't promise this illustrated chore chart will make your kids do their chores. If the idea of picking up their belongings and depositing them in an appropriate receptacle leads to full-blown resistance, then, well, you're not alone. I honestly don't know where I went off the rails when it comes ...
Brothers Desktop Scanner
This site uses affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!This device would probably be a huge waste of money for families that don't homeschool or families that only have one or 2 kids, but for a big homeschooling family like mine, this device has been AMAZING. It allows me to quickly, easily, and conveniently save digital versions of my oldest child's ...
Magna-Tiles
This site uses affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!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
This site uses affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!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 ...
Binding Machine
This site uses affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!Product: Fellowes Binding Machine (Star+ 150) Company: Fellowes Price Range: ~$60 Amazon Product Page (Affiliate Link) Comments: On my own, I probably never would have thought to buy a binding machine. One day I was complaining about how expensive blank drawing books were for my kindergartner and ...
Review: Scotch Thermal Laminator
This site uses affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!Product: Scotch Thermal Laminator (TL901C-T) Company: Scotch Price Range: ~$25 Amazon Product Page (Affiliate Link) Comments: It's disgusting really, but I don't know what I would do without my laminator. Back in the day, when my first child was a toddler, I used to love "laminating" things with ...