Okay. I know everyone and their mom has a homemade play dough recipe (or five). I decided to post the one our family uses anyway for a couple reasons. 1) I've read that some people's homemade play dough needs to be kept in the refrigerator or it will go "bad". I honestly don't even know what that ...
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DIY No-Pedal Balance Bike
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I had no idea it was so easy to convert a regular old kid's bike into a Strider-style, no-pedal balance bike. Forget training wheels! This is really the way to learn to ride a bike. I'm hoping this page will be understandable for those like me who are not familiar with bike terminology. In figuring ...
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 ...
Camelot Jr.
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This is a fun single-player game great for 5 and 6 year olds that helps kids learn how to manage their frustration and persevere in the face of difficulty. Product: Camelot Jr. Company: SmartGames Website: www.smartgames.eu Recommended Age Range: 4.5 to 7 years Price Range: ~$25 Amazon Product Page ...
Homemade Oobleck
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If you've read the Dr. Seuss book, Bartholomew and the Oobleck, and are 5 years old, like my son, you will be happy to know that this homemade oobleck is not as terrifying as the substance originating from Dr. Seuss's imagination. In Bartholomew's story, oobleck is a sticky green goo that falls from ...
Homemade Butter Activity
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My husband made butter in a baby food jar as a child and it must have made a strong impression, because he's been saying we should do this for YEARS. (I think even before we had kids.) Well, we finally did it and I can attest that it was just as easy and satisfying (and delicious) as he said it ...
Homemade Wigglebot
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Okay, so technically this is not a robot. It doesn't have any sensors. It doesn't have a controller or computer chip. It isn't responding directly to external stimuli. But, hey, you have to start somewhere and my kindergartener definitely thought our homemade wigglebot was cool. He was so excited by ...
Bunny Peek a Boo
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My 2 year old had a lot of trouble with this puzzle. We had to save it until closer to the third birthday. However, this is an awesome first spatial logic puzzle for older toddlers or young preschoolers. Product: Bunny Peek a Boo Company: SmartGames Website: www.smartgames.eu Recommended Age Range: ...
Rush Hour Jr.
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My 5 year old and I are completely in love with this one-player game. What a great way to get kids to exercise their brains and learn to face a challenge. Product: Rush Hour Jr. Company: Think Fun Website: www.thinkfun.com/rushhourjr Recommended Age Range: 5 to 7 years Price Range: $20 Amazon ...
Michelle has a PhD in Engineering from Stanford University and a Bachelor's Degree from the California Institute of Technology. 