Monthly Archives: January 2012

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Toys With Mad Math Skills

Indianapolis toysIt’s important to expose children to math skills early because they are so important to a child’s success. In our everyday lives, understanding math enables us to do so many things from managing time and money to solving problems and making sound decisions.

And, it’s a plus (no pun intended!) that there are so many ways to expose children to math in ways that are non-threatening. Earth Explorer Toys carries a variety of toys that help kids learn some mad math skills. But, they’ll be having so much fun playing they won’t even realize they’re learning.

We love the Teaching Cash Register ($49.99), which features an LCD screen that displays the tally, and a scanner that “speaks” prices out loud. There’s a coin slot that reads plastic and real coins, a spring scale and coupons, credit card and play money!

Zingo! 123 is great game that encourages number play and math skills. This Bingo-like game also builds concentration skills, supports early readers, teaches good sportsmanship and engages the whole family ($19.99)

0-9 Magnatab Numbers ($19.99) will help your little one learn the fundamentals of number writing. He or she will use a magnetic stylus to trace lines and follow arrows to write numbers 0-9. You simply erase with the tip of a finger.

What ways do you encourage your child’s growing math skills?

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Toys for 7 and 8-Year-Olds – Where Did the Time Go?

It might feel like it was “just yesterday” when your child was playing with rattles and teething rings, but your 7- to 8-year old is growing up fast and is ready for complicated strategy games, reading, writing, sports and even … inventing.

Indianapolis ToysChem 500 ($34.99) is a great way for children to experience more than 30 classic experiments. This introductory kit includes everything your child will need to check out chemical reactions, investigate metals and salts, and discover all the cool chemistry in the world around us. We think you’ll both be wowed!

We also love Schylling’s 6-in-1 Educational Solar Kit ($17.99). This mini solar building kit teaches children the benefits of solar energy. Children can assemble the 22 parts into six different toys, including a puppy, airboat and windmill. Once assembled and placed in sunlight, the solar panel converts sunlight into energy to make the toy move. No batteries required!

Brainstring is a great toy for developing logical thought. This clear ball comes with colored buttons on the outside that are attached by strings inside. Move the colored buttons from hole to hole to place one, two or three of the same color on each surface, but no knots inside! You’ll probably have fun trying to figure this one out yourself!

Indianapolis ToysOne of our silliest toys is the Box of Jokes ($14.99). This is a classic collection of hilarious and timeless practical jokes for your little comedian. It includes eight goofy gags, such as the hand buzzer. Just add a little mischief and let the pranks begin!

These are just a few of the toys we find are perfect for children in the 7- to 8-year-old range. Click here for more! What toys are favorites of your 7-8 year olds?

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Toys to Appease Tweens

Have a child between the ages of 9 and 12? Congratulations! You have a “tween.”

Children this age have excellent gross motor skills and enjoy team sports. They also have excellent fine motor skills and are able to build, sew and write faster than ever. Their social and intellectual skills are really blossoming and they can pretty much do just about anything they put their mind to.

If you’re looking for a toy for a child in this age range, they love fast-paced games, musical instruments and toys that require problem solving, as well as toys that fall in line with their hobbies and interests.

Indianapolis Toy StoreEarth Explorer Toys has plenty of games, including Bananagrams ($15.99), which is a popular game right now. Kids will love this go-anywhere game, as it requires no pencil, no paper and no bulky board. Like Boggle, you make words. Like Scrabble, you create crosswords. Better yet, you all play at once. Draw letter tiles and start building, peeling (drawing) and dumping (discarding) until someone yells “Bananas!” It includes 144 letter tiles zipped into a banana bag. For 2-8 players.

Have a tween who likes gadgets? Inventions ($19.99) is a cool kit that will take him or her on a journey using everyday materials to build a spinning motor, a working radio, a clicking telegraph and generator. Directions are clear and highly visual and allow kids to learn the why as well as the how.

Indianapolis Toy StoreThe Carry Along Keyboard ($34.99) will satisfy your tween’s musical interest whether you’re at home or traveling. It has 24 keys and makes the sound of  eight and four percussion instruments. It also has pre-recorded melodies and record/playback functions. It all comes in a stylish, red, easy-to-carry case.

For toys that fall in line with a tween’s interest, how about giving a budding fashionista the Top of Form House of Fashion Design Studio ($44.99)? The House of Fashion Design Studio includes a light tablet, which forms the basis for all the work. It has a traceable silhouette, 45 clothing and accessory clings, colored pencils, graphite pencils, fabric finder, markers, sketchbook and an instruction book.

Now, if tweens only came with an instruction book. ;-)