Back to School with Learning Resources

Learning Resources is one of my favorite places to get educational toys for my son. I wanted to let you know about a some of our favorites toys just in time for Back to School. You can order any of the items below at their website www.learningresources.com. They have a great clearance section for parents and teacher and $5.75 shipping on all orders over $75! Enter code FS109WT at checkout. Not valid with any other offers.

Funny Phone™ Early Listening Game

Ages 4-12

Calling all jokesters! Laughter’s always on the line in this group game that gets players of all ages giggling. This game is a great resource to teach memory and listening skills. It was a bit difficult for our 5 year old, so you need to play the games with younger ones.

Invites players to dial in, hear their challenge…and prepare to be silly!

• Offers over 300 individual and group questions; you never know what Funny Phone™ will ask you to do, and it’s never the same game twice

• Provides 9 hilarious kinds of challenges, including tongue twisters, rhyming, singing, drawing, acting and more

• Features automatic shut-off, adjustable volume for both speaker and handset, and break-away safety cord

• Includes Activity Guide and 50 tokens that store in the built-in drawer

• For 2+ players

• Measures 8.7″ in diameter x 7.6″H

• Requires 3 AA batteries, not included, or AC Adapter (LER 6989), available separately

• Ages 4+

Let’s Tackle Kindergarten™

Ages 3-6

$44.99

Our tackle box is packed with fun activities that help prepare your child for early success in school. I love the organization of keeping everything in the tackle box and Nolan loves playing school. There are a ton of learning tools to utilize with you child in this kit.

• Engages kids in practicing 10 key kindergarten readiness skills: social skills, personal well-being, listening and speaking, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, reading, handwriting, math, thinking and problem solving, and creativity

• Features appealing hands-on activities, that ease the transition to learning different skills and subjects in school

• Allows you to track and reward progress using the checklist included in the 24-page Activity Book

• Includes 10 double-sided photo cards, 4 stacking cups, 60 plastic links, bean bag, 2 foam dot dice, 8 attribute blocks, 26 uppercase letters, 26 lowercase letters, 20 numbers, 16 pet counters, write & wipe board and 2 sticker sheets

• Plastic tackle box with sorting tray and carrying handle measures 13″L x 7″W x 6″H

• Ages 3+

Snap ‘n’ Learn Color Caterpillars

Ages 2-5

Colors and creepy-crawlies come together! Your little one build on fine motor skills, learn shapes, and colors. Plus they are so cute!

• Features chunky, snap-together pieces that are easy for little hands to manage as they build adorable caterpillar friends and fine motor skills simultaneously

• Includes resealable plastic storage bucket with carrying handle for easy clean up and play on the go

• Encourages kids to make patterns and create with mix-and-match pieces in different colors and small, medium and large sizes

• Includes 15 pieces that make 3 caterpillars (head, tail and 3 body pieces each)

• Sturdy plastic pieces wipe clean

• Each caterpillar measures 7.75″L x 3.75″W x 3.75″H when assembled

• Ages 2+

Pretend & Play® Bakery Set

Ages 3-6

Stir up a good time! Perfect for involving kids in baking for special occasions, holidays and more. We have had tons of fun pretending to bake and Nolan especially loves to crack open the eggs.

• Invites kids to imagine holding a pretend bake-off, making special treats for company, running their own bakery or entering the school bake sale

• Offers a realistic, hands-on play experience with egg that cracks open to release the yolk, cookies in 4 shapes to cut out and more

• Introduces parts of a whole with sliceable 3-piece loaf of bread and pie with three 2-piece slices kids can fill with fruit

• Provides a measuring cup and spoon so kids can be sure they’ve added all the right ingredients

• Set of 31 durable plastic pieces includes favorite baked goods and all the utensils a baker needs

• Largest piece (rolling pin) measures 8.5″L

• Ages 3+

Got It!™ Reading & Math Game

This is our favorite! The reading and math games are fun and Nolan hasn’t been frustrated that it is too difficult for him (he is five). I like the unique design for the game too.

Ages 5-8

Gobble up answers before the hungry monster—or your opponent!

• Features a 2-faced monster character who pits players against each other for head-to-head play with twice the speed and skill challenge

• Offers solo game play option if desired

• Includes reading and math games with bonus rounds for high scores, motivating kids to succeed

• Provides immediate feedback through fun graphics and sound effects

• Allows for quiet play with adjustable volume control and 2 headphone jacks

• Prolongs battery life with automatic shut-off

• Includes Activity Guide

• Monster unit with 2 display screen mouths and 2 joysticks measures approximately 6″L x 9″H

• Requires 3 AA batteries, not included, or AC Adapter, sold separately

• Ages 5-8

Holiday Guide for Children

Our little angel thrives with routine and schedule.  I found this wonderful company called Bee Visual that developed The Choiceworks Visual Support System.
The main board is a 5-step schedule system, complete with magnetic icons to identify it as a morning, daytime, or nighttime schedule. At the bottom of the board are icons for preferred activities that the child may choose when his or her schedule has been completed. Icons are stored on the inside of the easel. When a board is snapped on to it, the icons won’t get easily lost.   There are also two other snap on boards, Waiting and What are You Feeling Boards.   Both of these boards are solution-oriented, and shows the child what he or she can do to cope with these difficult circumstances. There is also a timer, that can be used during the Waiting time.  We also use it during play time, so he learns to moniter his play and switch activities.
The Magnetic pictures are easy for him to understand and engaging to look at.  They cover just about everything, from going to school, brushing teeth, cleaning up, and much more.  The boards are durable and just the right size to take with you on trips.  My favorite is the When I am Upset board, which helps you teach your child appropriate ways to handle their feelings.  The boards also come with a parent guide and booklets you can read with your child.

I HIGHLY recommend the Choiceworks Visual Support System for parents of ASD children.  You can buy it at www.beevisual.com and Amazon.  Details are below:

The Schedule Board [Blue] makes daily routines a lot more fun and easier to do. Supported by 40 visual symbol magnets, your child can get through morning and bed time routines, get ready for school, go to appointments, and more. Your child chooses his/her reward for successfully completing the tasks.

The Waiting Board [Orange] teaches your child the skills for waiting, turn taking and not interrupting. Through pictures your child is shown what they can do while they are waiting. It even includes a convenient timer!

The Feelings Board [Green] supports your child’s ability to gain self-control by providing clear alternatives and expectations. Once they have gained self-control the choice wheels provide options for what to do next.

A parent manual is included which explains how to use the system and provides helpful hints and suggestions.

The Choiceworks™ System includes: 40 Visual Magnets, 1 Universal Storage Easel, 3 Choiceworks™ Companion Books, 1 Dry Erase Marker, 1 Digital Timer, 1 Parent Manual, 1 Wall Mount Hardware

Educational Insights is a great website to find educational toys and games for the Holidays.  You can find some unique and really fun games!  Their mission is to find the highest quality “hands on” learning products that engage minds, and inspire play in the classroom and beyond.  These are some of our favorites!  They are available at www.educationalinsights.com

Safari Undercover

In each brain-teasing logic game, you must arrange the four jungle pieces on the animal-filled game board so that only specific animals remain “out in the open.” Sound easy? You’ll need to stretch your spatial-reasoning and logical-thinking muscles for these wild puzzles. Each challenge has hundreds of possible puzzle-piece combinations, but only one solution. For one player

Royal Rescue

The knight and the princess are locked in separate towers. Can you help the princess build a rescue route, or the knight build a bridge, to get them back together? Children will enjoy days and “knights” of mind-bending fun as they create a path for the royals to reunite! With simple puzzles for beginning builders, to complex puzzles that challenge skilled architects, Royal Rescue is designed to develop spatial reasoning abilities and stretch a player’s logical thinking skills. Includes 11 durable wooden pieces, and a full-color, richly-illustrated booklet featuring 48 multi-level puzzle challenges. High-quality wooden pieces, and a timeless theme, give Royal Rescue the look and feel of a classic children’s game.
For one player.

Goofball Rally

It’s time for Goofball Rally, the fast-paced, color-matching marble race! Place your goofballs on the starting line and get ready to go. On your mark, get set…roll! Launch your goofballs one by one down the winding race tracks. When all of your goofballs have crossed the finish line, hit the red button. The first player to score 20 points is the Goofball Rally Champ! Includes goofball stadium game board, 10 race cards, and 20 goofball racers (in 10 bright colors). For 2 players.

Pixel

Don’t let the situation slide out of control in this fun strategy game of slide, point, align, and win! Move a slider and place your piece in the intersection. But there’s a catch! Only one slider may be moved on each turn. You don’t have to block your opponent—but be careful not to leave those sliders in point blank range. The first player with three in a row wins!  Pixel is the perfect strategy game for the whole family. Includes game board, 95 game pieces in four colors, and game instructions. For 2 to 4 players.

Have you heard of The Chocolate Cake Club?  No, it’s not a food club, it’s something a lot lighter on your hips.  It’s a fabulous online shop for unique and fun products to make parent’s life easier.  They sell everything from toys, kids clothing, organic living, organization tools for parents and much more.  Make sure you visit at www.chocolatecakeclub.com. Below are some of my favorite finds for the Holidays.

Transform any room into a starry night sky. The Twilight Turtle by Cloud b is the first and only plush constellation nightlight ever created which gently transforms nurseries and bedrooms into a starry night sky that comforts and calms children and adults alike. Press a button on the turtle’s shell and the Twilight Turtle will project a starry night sky onto the walls and ceiling of any room and keep them glowing for 45 minutes – just enough time to drift off to sleep. It then shuts off to preserve battery life. The turtle comes with three soothing color options green, blue, and amber, each illuminating different brightness levels to create magical, tranquil environments that are ideal for helping children of all ages fall asleep easier.

Twilight Turtle is more than just a soothing bedtime companion, he is also an interactive and educational toy. Within the star pattern are 8 actual constellations. Parents can sit with their children and identify these major constellations using the wonderfully illustrated Twilight Turtle Star Guide.

# The Twilight Turtle won several awards:
2005 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval
# Baby Talk Editor’s Choice

Give your kids’ toys a home. A portable, environmentally-friendly home. These kid-friendly portable cardboard houses by Dutch company Kidsonroof, are perfect for little kids to build, color, and customize a house for their dolls or guys. Constructed out of 100% recycled and biodegradable cardboard, you‘ll feel good about them playing with this toy!   Imagine what your child could make of this fixer-upper house with crayons, colored pencils, markers, stickers, or even fur or fabric. Watch your kids turn this house into a work of art.

Playful Chef Cooking Kits
Looking to have some fun with your kids and teach them the joy of cooking? The Playful Chef Kids Cooking Kits will help you tap into your kids’ eagerness to help in the kitchen. These kids cooking kits provide the nutritional know-how, kid-sized cooking tools, and fun recipes you’ll need to get your little one cooking! We can’t think of a better Chocolate Cake Moment than to have fun in the kitchen making Chocolate Mountain Lava Cakes (recipe included in kit.)  They have kits for both younger and older children.

# 5 delicious, easy-to-follow laminated recipe cards that follow a ten-system plan complete with helpful illustrations and color-coding
# An overview of how to teach your child in the kitchen
# Child sized cooking tools: whisk, spoon, spatula, pastry brush, mixing bowl, timer, baking pan, and safety scissors. Tools are all dishwasher safe.
# A cool, red tool belt apron for easy tool storage and handy access that is adjustable for all sizes
# A set of color-coded measuring spoons
# A set of color-coded measuring cups
# A kid-sized baking pan for baking special treats
# A kid-sized mixing bowl for mixing magic
# A vinyl kid-sized Playful Chef backpack that’s chock full of fun just waiting to happen! There’s space on the back of the backpack for your child to write in his or her name.

Carson-Dellosa sent over some wonderful games and we love playing games, and are thrilled to let you know about their company and the games.  As you know, I try to buy toys that are fun but also educational.  Carson-Dellosa Publishing Company takes pride in providing teachers, parents, and children around the world with the best possible educational materials.  You can buy the following games at www.carsondellosa.com. They have a ton of other great educational items too!

Pirates’ Gold Game
Price: 14.99
1 game board, 5 ships, 40 playing cards, 3 dice – Grades 2 – 6
Search out buried treasure in this swashbuckling, high seas adventure! Travel from island to island battling other players and collecting the most gold coins to win. Build strategic-thinking abilities while practicing skip counting, basic counting, and addition skills. 2 to 4 players.

All Around the Farm | Game
Price: 14.99
1 game board, 4 player pieces, 24 cards, 2 dice – Grades 1 – 6
Moo, cluck, and oink your way to victory with this noisy game for all ages! Be the first to fill your wheel barrow with food and return to your animal in the barn. Strengthen strategic-thinking, counting, addition, and subtraction skills. 2 to 4 players.

Where Do I Live? | Game
Price: 14.99
12 Home Cards, 12 Animal Cards – Grades PK – 2
Everyone has a home and it’s the players’ job to get them there in this colorful memory-matching game. Twelve homes complement 12 animals to strengthen visual distinction, classification, and recollection skills. No reading required. 2 to 4 players.

Chicken Count | Game
Price: 14.99
6 piece coop, 52 playing cards – Grades PK – 5
Flip cards to collect chickens, outfox the fox, and construct the coop in this easy-to-play collecting game! Player with the most chickens when the coop is built wins. Strengthen counting, adding, and sorting skills. No reading required. 2 to 6 players.

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I Heart My Wii! PopStar Guitar Giveaway!

We love our Wii! Here a some fantastic game recommendations for this Holiday Season!

Game Factory Games makes fantastic games and they have two brand new fun Wii games just in time for Christmas!
Build A Bear Workshop is based on the store’s bears, and your child can build the bears and have them go on adventures.  This is a fun game for ages 3- 6.  Rated E for Everyone.   My four year old loved it! He liked finding the puzzles and building the bears.  There are 8 different Bear characters you can customize: Dimples Teddy, Mocha Bunny, Pink Poodle, Playfull Puppy, Velvet Teddy, Friendly Frog, Marvelous Monkey, Sassy Kitty.  It is just like the store.  The graphics are engaging and the bears are adorable.   Product details are below.
Product Description
Your furry friend is invited to a great party at the Castle Island by Bearemy and Pawlette. In order to cross the sea and reach the party, Bearemy and Pawlette offer you the Friend Ship. Explore new islands on the way and take time to meet and interact with the furry friends who live there. They love playing games too, so on each island you get to play mini games, help them out, and find the puzzle pieces needed to recreate the map that will lead you to the next island. Finally you reach the Castle Island where a big party awaits you. Choose, name and customize your very own furry friend at the start of the game. Then join it as it explores the islands, meets the inhabitants, helps its friends and has a blast in the process. Buy at any major retailer and Amazon.
If you like puzzles and brain teasers then Rubik’s World is the Wii game for you.  It is based on the Rubik’s cube from the eighties craze.  The puzzles are challenging and very addictive!  Ages 6+ and 1-4 players. Rated E for Everyone.  Made by Game Factory Games. Product details are below.
Product Description
Welcome to Rubik’s World – an abstract environment populated by “cubie” which make up the game’s DNA. Rubik’s world takes the shape, functionality and concept behind the famous Rubik’s Cube but twists and turns the rules to transform it into a unique game experience for players of all ages. Get ready for a collection of games that will change your intellect while incorporating the mental twists and moves that made the original Rubik’s Cube such a hit.  Cubies behave like living and learning beings. Play and interact with them as you educate and entertain them Compose your own music Post and share screen of your creations with your friends using the online Wii feature
Buy at any major retailer and Amazon. They also have a Nintendo DS version that you can buy at Amazon.
Do you like racing games?  Penny Racers Party is a fun racing game for all ages.  Our four year old didn’t have any problems winding his car around the roads while racing dad.  The racing courses are fun and exciting.  Ages 4+ rated E for Everyone.  And is made by Tomy Games.
Product Description
Welcome to the Penny Racing Party! Where else can you race a customized Pop Up Pirate alongside officially licensed cars? Exclusively on the Wii, Penny Racers Party brings buckets of fun with 50+ vehicles to customize; from Nissan, Toyota, Honda and more, to crazy concoctions like the rubber ducky or the groovy panda! Easy to learn controls mean 1-4 players can race head to head through wild and wacky courses, or test your skills with mini-games like bowling or wind-up dash! So charge your batteries it’s Penny Racing time!
Buy at any major retailer and Amazon.
We are a huge game playing family and Hasbro has developed Family Game Night for the Wii!  I was so excited to try this out!  They put all the classics on it and the games are for all ages so everyone in the family can join in the fun.  Our favorite is Battleship.  Imagine
it come to life. Mr. Potato Head is you host too!  Ages 6 and up. Rated E for Everyone.
Product Details
Join your host Mr. Potato Head as you play classic Hasbro games as well as exciting new versions. Hasbro Family Game Night features family favorites such as CONNECT FOUR, BATTLESHIP, YAHTZEE, BOGGLE, SORRY! and the all new, SORRY! Sliders

Play the classic games that you know and love.  Exciting new ways to play every game like CONNECT 4 Power Chips, BOGGLE Portal Cubes, Reverse YAHTZEE and BATTLESHIP Barrage!  Choose the game room theme that’s right for you.  Earn new game-themed trophies, furniture and decorations to customize your game room.  Quickly build a custom Party Game by choosing your favorite games, number of players, and time you want to play.You can purchase at retailers everywhere and Amazon.

Kids love to play Nerf Guns and now Electronic Arts have saved parents from kids running around and shooting.  They can shoot at the television screen now!  Nerf-N-Strike to the rescue!  I tested Nerf-N-Strike out on my nephews and they loved it!  The cartoon graphics and voices are impressive and you can earn more guns and different levels of shooting.  Ages 10+ and rated E for Everyone.
Product Details
The Search for the N-Strike Elite Begins… Through the din of a popular arcade, one player has emerged as the best N-Strike gamer his friends have ever seen. But even as Shane smashes through the game’s record, something far more mysterious is happening: his success is being tracked and recorded. Shane is the perfect candidate for an ultra-exclusive invitation to become an N-Strike Elite. Later that night, he’s awakened to find the Nomad C Series Recruitment bot hovering silently over his bed. “B.O.B.” has a challenge for Shane. Join the quest to become an Elite Striker and he’ll have access to Top Secret Blasters. It’s all the incentive Shane needs, and as the one controlling Shane, it’s your opportunity of a lifetime….
You can purchase at retailers everywhere, Electronic Arts and Amazon.

Boogie Superstar combines your love of singing and dancing.  I loved this game.  It is a bit complicated to get the hang of dancing and singing at the same time, but you have tons of fun trying and get in some great exercise!  The song list is incredible!  It has very current pop songs including Kanye West, Rihanna, Alicia Keys and Fergie.  You can sing by yourself or in a duet. I didn’t try the duet or the band.  The graphics are amazing too!  A fun Christmas gift for the pop song lover and the closet singer and dancer.  Made by Electronic Arts.  Ages 10+ and rated E for Everyone. It comes with the microphone.
Product Description
Combining the hottest hits from around the world with the coolest dance moves and total character customization, Boogie SuperStar provides the ultimate gaming experience: to sing and dance your way to superstardom. In Boogie SuperStar, you don’t just play along, you create the show and you are its star
Be “discovered” and whisked away to a secret, tropical island where you learn what it takes to be a star. Customize your character to create a performer who represents your unique style. Build your singing and dancing skills by performing in posh environments fit for a star. Have a blast playing with or against your friends, belting your favorite tunes into the microphone, and performing real dance moves that are captured on screen using the Wii’s motion-sensing technology. Once your skills are perfected, perform for the judges in the ultimate competition, the Boogie Star Show.
Buy at major retailers anywhere, Electronic Arts and on Amazon.

Finally Wii has got on the guitar bandwagon.  Just like the other addictive guitar games, Pop Star Guitar has you compete to be the lead guitar player to see if you can make it to the Battle of the Bands.  Basically,   PopStar Guitar is a lot like Guitar Hero but much simpler for the younger crowd! No guitar needed! Comes with 2 Air Guitar Peripherals!  They have all the latest songs including songs by Fall Out Boy, Rihanna, Good Charlotte, and 3 Doors Down.  Ages Teen and up.  Rated T for Teen.  Made by XS games, they have a fun website for more information and samples of the songs at www.popstarguitar.com.
Product Details:
PopStar Guitar takes the beat to a whole new level! Whether you’re going to be the next Rihanna or Jonas Brothers sensation, the road to fame and glory begins with PopStar Guitar. Be the lead guitarist grinding chart-topping hits as you head toward Pop Stardom.
*  JAM TO THE HOTTEST HITS: Touch and strum your way to stardom by performing at 25 world venues.
* FIND FAME AND FORTUNE: Over 50 Pop Hits including Masters performed by the original Artists.
* GLAMORIZE: Form a band and customize by shopping for the latest fashions and coolest instruments.
* STEP UP TO THE CHALLENGE: Get a quick blast with single player and multi-player mini games.

This would make a great Christmas gift.  You can buy PopStar Guitar at major retailers and Amazon. You can win it right here!

Two People Can Win PopStar Guitar with 2 Air Guitars For Your Wii!  Happy Holidays!

TO ENTER: PLEASE VISIT MY HOLIDAY GUIDE AND COME BACK HERE AND LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE OR WILL BUY ANY OF THESE GREAT GIFT IDEAS THIS YEAR.  I’M JUST CURIOUS LIKE THAT!  THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT!  I REALLY APPRECIATE IT!

FOR SECOND ENTRY: STUMBLE, TWITTER, FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER, SUBSCRIBE(NEW ONLY) AND IN A SEPARATE ENTRY LEAVE ME THE LINK.
THIS CONTEST WILL END DECEMBER 15TH AT MIDNIGHT AND I WILL E-MAIL THE TWO RANDOM WINNERS!  GOOD LUCK AND DON’T FORGET MY KEURIG AND V-TECH GIVEAWAYS!  ANOTHER GIVEAWAY TOMORROW!