Category Archives: Games

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Scratch Your Itch for Art with Scratch Kits

Zionsville toy storeDo you remember the do-it-yourself scratch art when you were growing up? If memory serves us correctly, we would draw a picture using markers or crayons and then color over it using black crayon. Then we would use a paper clip, pen lid or our fingernail to scratch off the layer of black crayon to reveal the pattern underneath.

Well, that was really fun, but a lot of work. Nowadays, Melissa & Doug makes it so easy for kids with its Scratch Art series. Earth Explorer Toys carries a lot of Scratch Art kits, aka Scratch Magic, which are perfect for just about any age. And we’re expecting more kits this spring and summer.

Here’s how it works: Each kit comes with several pages of paper (it ranges depending on the kit you choose). Each page is coated with a black surface, but all you have to do is scratch off the black coating with the included wooden stylus to reveal glitter paper, rainbow paper, patterns, swirls, holographic colors and more!

Scratch Art kits come in a bunch of different themes, ranging from simple doodle sketch pads to elaborate sketch kits to create and apply body and nail art!

The Stained Glass kit is really cool. It comes with four Scratch Art Light Catcher sheets that reveal translucent colors when you draw or trace your designs with the wooden stylus. Also included are hang strips so you can stick them on a sunny window and see the artwork glow – just like real stained glass!

We also have a fun Scratchin’ Fashion kit that comes with Scratch Art stickers on which kids can design the latest fashions and then stick them to the included models. It comes with more than 150 Scratch Art stickers and eight picture stands so kids can display their work when finished.

Traveling? Pick up our Travelin’ Scratchin’ Fashion kit, which includes 150 Scratch Art stickers and eight real postcards. Kids can create Scratch Art fashions, stick them to the models on the postcards and then mail the postcards to friends. Don’t forget to pick up one of our traveling trays, which can be personalized in the store and are the perfect surface for Scratch Art projects and snacks, too!

As you can see, Scratch Art has really been updated in the last few decades (but who’s counting!). So, if your kids have the itch for art, you should scratch it with this series.

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Cold Day Activities for Kids

Indianapolis toysKids have energy to burn, whether it’s 75 degrees or -5 degrees outside, and cold days can often make for long days when kids are stuck inside.

To keep kids from bouncing off the walls (and furniture), you might want to pick up the Fold and Go Trampoline ($89.99) from Earth Explorer Toys. It’s easy to set up. All you have to do is attach the legs and handle to the trampoline base, and it’s ready to go.

Try setting up the trampoline next to some kid-friendly music and let your little jumping beans bounce and dance to their heart’s content. The Fold and Go Trampoline is great for independent play and develops motor skills. It’s also ASTM safety approved and holds one child up to 150 pounds at a time.

Or, you could always let the kids play hockey inside – Tabletop Air Hockey, that is! This indoor toy is not only packed with action, it’s also great for developing cooperative play skills and motor skills. TableTop Air Hockey ($29.99) has authentic arcade action that allows pucks to glide on a smooth cushion of air. It has a manual scorekeeper and includes three pucks and two paddles. Batteries required. Makes for hours of fun entertainment with little to no mess!

Earth Explorer Toys thinks choosing either of these toys (or both!) is a win-win for parents and kids struggling through the long winter days. What do you do to stay busy inside on cold days?

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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. ;-)