Bored, try a board game, or Bingo, or a book! Just a handful of suggestions.

There are thousands of games out there, and obviously I can feature but a handful of them, though I will be working--albeit slowly--at expanding this list (and transferring them to my page dedicated to board games). I wish to highlight some popular games, but most of the games that I find appealing (as fun and, therefore, subtle learning tools for my children) are not always readily available.

The games that I play with my older daughter always have a feature of some kind that appeals to me (if the game is cooperative, or based on history, or has a certain level of strategy, and enables us to imagine scenarios and chat, then I'm enthused about playing, too!). I'm not yet playing board games with my younger daughter, though she does excel at sweeping into the room as we're playing a game and then swaggering off with the necessary pieces, applauding herself for her incredible sniper techniques--she's fast and accurate in aim. This can be frustrating!

HORSE BINGO and other BINGO GAMES by Lucy Hammett (only the Bird Bingo is Prime Eligible)

Here, I am speaking specifically about horse bingo, but as you see, there are many variations. So, without further ado, if you have a child in your family who absolutely adores horses, then this game is likely to be a hit. I purchased this for my daughter shortly before she turned six; she is now closing in on eight, and we are still playing it.

The game is meant for 2-6 players. It comes with plastic chips, 42 information/bingo calling cards, which arrive on a few sheets of a light-weight card stock and have perforated edges that need to be carefully ripped apart, and six picture bingo boards, also made of a light card stock. So, the quality of the materials is not first-rate, but it's not a terribly expensive game either.

The plus side: you do learn a great deal about horses. The front side of each bingo playing card portrays a different breed of horse, or depicts an act or piece associated with horseback riding (like the Western Saddle, or show jumping), while the back of each card gives a brief history of the horse and its attributes, or a definition of an item associated with whatever aspect of horsemanship is being shown. Example: "The Lipizzaner is a breed renowned for its association with the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, Austria. They are intelligent and have docile temperaments. Lipizzaners are usually gray, though some families produce browns and bays."

The game is fast to play, and easy to learn. You can make it as educational as you want: pore over the cards and learn what you can about the horses--even use them as quiz decks, if you so choose--or just have a rollicking horse-themed bingo game.

The colored illustrations (real photography--no cartoon imagery) make it easy for children to learn to distinguish horse breeds even if you don't spend much time discussing the history, etc.

Final note: Lucy Hammett Games have received at least three Parents' Choice Awards over the years, and she has bingo games on many, many topics, including Space Bingo, Reptile Bingo, etc. Lots of choices!



Geo TOYS WORLD GEO BINGO GAME (and a bit more):
As a family, we're all about educational games that are also fun to play. This one is a definite hit with my seven-year-old (and my husband and I enjoy playing it as well). In this game, you receive 50 country cards (constructed of a fairly durable and laminated cardstock), wooden bingo chips, and eight bingo boards. You also have the option of playing more than one bingo board at a time.

As for the chips: they are made of wood--won't break! The boards are fairly durable, but should do well if returned to the box after playing the game. The country cards are sturdy and can be shuffled with ease without them instantly developing creases, etc. A few nice features of the cards, apart from the vivid colors that illustrate the country (and those surrounding it): they mention the capital as well as the general population of the designated country; the top of each card, which labels the country you're searching for, is highlighted in purple, pink, green, or orange--this color categorization "illustrates" the continent on which the country belongs.

The game DOES have some problems, but as we know, we only have 50 country cards, so not every country out there is depicted. One example of an issue that I had with this game: the Americas are designated as one continent, though in English speaking countries (since post World War II), one distinguishes between North and South America. There are similar issues with some of the other countries with respect to their continent associations.

From Worldglobes.com (with free shipping)

SOLUTION (potential): Pull out a map or a globe while playing the game and use it to enhance game play and allow you/your child to get a more definite sense of where each of the countries found in this game are located. While the cards themselves are visually descriptive, the nature of the game does not give you a sense of where you really are. Having a map on hand solves this issue. We actually pulled out another one of our games (the map is decent, but not spectacular on this game, since everything is made small-scale so as to fit on the board) called Name That Country (mentioned below) so that our daughter could get a better sense of where the country was truly located. We are now using a real map, though, as you get better illustrations. Once we started doing this, our daughter immediately began to get a better sense of "where" she was, and is doing better at identifying the countries and their continents.

Essentially, this game can be extremely educational or fairly educational. It all depends on how far you're willing to take it. If you just play Bingo, you'll learn a bit, but if you also take the time to glance at a map, take note of the capitals (and then, on the drive or walk to school or during dinner, do spontaneous, pressure-free quizzes about what continent the country is associated with, the name of its capital, what countries are nearby, etc., it is HIGHLY educational). Another fun thing to do is to talk about the shape of the country and to see if your child can come up with an image that locks the shape of the country in his/her mind. I had done this before, but after reading The Little Man in the Map (link to book is above), which deals exclusively with the United States and attempts to create visual imagery of each of the states (fairly well done, though the rhymed verses help considerably), our family has adopted this strategy. We all remember that Italy is a boot, but Chile could be a snake that's shedding its skin, and inside of Canada is a little bunny with large ears.

Definitely a great, unobtrusive teaching tool where you and your child learn together while having fun. We're learning a lot too, and it's a pleasure to see geography transformed from something daunting and intimidating to something fun and imaginative--a game she wants to play!


Name That Country (above):  
It's one of the easiest games that we've ever played, in context of the very well-written directions. My sole complaint: the map is tiny! But again, this problem can be resolved by purchasing a map to use as a reference. We make this game a lot of fun, and relate the various countries to places we have been, and to places about which we have read. I really try to turn on the humor and cast NO judgement about what my little girl can easily identify or not: the point is to get her engaged and make her think of geography as fun, so we make observations about the size of the country, what the country is shaped like, etc. And, like with some of her other geography games, I later quiz her (informally) about what we have learned. Another strategy: let your kids know when you don't instantly know something, or, how you learned to identify it. I think this is especially important when you have a child who is a perfectionist, and feels that she/he should know something simply because the knowledge is out there, and feels defeated when she/he doesn't.

Made for Trade:
Well, our family loves to play it (pulled out of the game cupboard at least once a week). My daughter is seven, and I've used this game to get her feet wet regarding early American history.

There are many levels of play for this game. To this point, we have played two levels. 1) At the tourist level: if you're able to land on a shop "enter" space, you can enter the shop and, again, if lucky enough to roll the dice and score the number/price for which the object in that shop is being sold, you gain the item--assuming you have enough shillings, but... Ah! There's the rub. Often you don't have enough money/shillings to pay. What do you learn from this? My daughter and I have spoken of how difficult it was to gain items during this period; we've pretended we had a bad harvest, or that England taxed us, etc. True, we're dealing with luck (in the game), but in early times, you were lucky to have the shillings to pay for essentials and had to wait some time to earn them. This level of game play goes fairly fast and no event cards are used. 2) At the Trader level (you start as an indentured servant with NO rights to enter shops unless so directed by an Event card, and become a free citizen. You become a free citizen through luck: rolling certain numbers, drawing an event card that frees you, or by passing the entire board once. What have we learned? On the most basic level, she understands that it was hard to be an indentured servant, and that if you don't have shillings to pay fines, you spend a lot of time in gaol (jail: this led us to how spelling has changed over the centuries). Being in gaol has led us to imagine why, for those times, we were in jail. Once you become a free citizen, you get your 6 shillings, and apart from "harvest day" and one other day, you draw no income unless you get an Event card that gives you some--again, lesson learned is that it was hard to accumulate possessions, even necessities. As a trader, you're given an inventory, based on the character you choose, and you have to accumulate those items. The marketplace and bartering (and math) come into play more at this stage, as does some basic history. For instance, you learn about smallpox, theatrical productions, etc. Very basic, but the game is meant for young children after all, not those who have already studied American History.

Overall, I am pleased with this product. Yes, the issue with how the directions were written has driven me a bit mad, but we've worked through it. When we play, we call each other "Miss, Mr., etc.". We've started listening to music from the period as we play so as to become more familiar with what was then considered popular. The game pieces are sturdy cardboard construction, and if we lose a piece, we can go to early American costume books and find a character that interests us. We can make new inventory lists, we can make new EVENT cards that demonstrate other aspects of early American history. In short, we are turning this into our own game and my daughter is quite taken with the idea of researching to add new Event cards, and looking through costume books to find additional characters so that we can make new inventory cards. So yes, the game has its limitations, but this inadequacy leaves you able to do what you will with it. This game can be incredibly fun: my daughter loves imaging she's from the time and we even try to use language from the period when we are playing the game.

I love the game and all of its possibilities. Yes, it has problems, but with a little imagination... a little imagination goes a long way and leads to this having endless possibilities. I would certainly purchase this game again and am always happy to play it with her. A book that compliments this game fairly well is Independent Dames: What You Never Knew About the Women and Girls of the American Revolution. One of my favorite quotes/insights: "Sybil Ludington was sixteen years old when she rode forty miles though a rainy night to spread the news of a British attack and round of four hundred militiamen to fight back. (Remember Paul Revere? His ride was only sixteen miles long.)" Anyway, the book is a nice addition to any young person's personal library.

CONS About the Game:
Poorly written directions;
Limited Events;
Items are not from one period (but stretch past the Victorian era);
Limited level of strategy.

PROS About the Game:
Sturdy materials (not near a toddler);
If you lose a shilling or a piece, you can use a penny or find your own characters to photocopy;
You can create your own Event cards to teach or enforce certain parts of life;
You can create your own Inventory lists (and add to the inventory);
You can listen to music from the period while playing;
You can role play as if you're from that period.


10 Days in Europe Game:
I have not yet played this game (or any of the others in this series), but was attracted to the concept--10 days to tour Europe or another continent by plane, foot, ship, or train, using your connection and destination tiles, and a bit of luck mixed with some strategy, to get all your destinations locked in before your fellow travelers. I've ordered the one focused on Europe as a Christmas present for my seven-year-old. I'm really looking forward to playing this with her, as the Europe version allows for "ship" travel! But, unlike some of the other games highlighted above, does not allow for rail travel. Apparently, you can also add the individual games together, though I do not yet understand how. I suppose you need a couple of these games to figure it out. We shall see. :)
Everyone of these games has gotten phenomenal reviews by parents (including some who claim it's that much more fun when you're playing with other adults). Each one of these games has won the Parenting Seal of Approval, the Parents Choice Gold Award, the Major Fun Award, the Mensa Award, etc. Hoping it's a winner, but feeling quite confident about it, since I've read a remarkable number of reviews on the entire series, which is why I mention it to you!

I know, I know, it sounds like the only games we play are geography ones! Not true. My daughter, husband, and I play lots of varied board games, and I'm working on showcasing them, but wanted to put this one up so I could wrap it. :)

Imagination Celebration!

The toys that celebrate imaginative play are some of my favorites. Naturally, there is some overlap when it comes to this category (building toys, for example, encourage one to imagine scenarios as well as encourage motor skill development and logic/planning) but in this post, I will focus on those toys that promote imagination before all else. A few quick examples: dolls, costumes, kitchen and similar sets. With such toys, your little ones can pretend they are other people (like mini versions of you and others in your family, or, they may imagine they are from some realm filled with magic and mystery).

Image credit: 247-play-doh-imagination-poster

Note: The item is currently going, on Amazon, for $97.19, and if you're a Prime Member, this includes the free shipping. I did check out Oompa's site, and they are selling the same product for $117.99 (including shipping). The store "My Toy Box" is selling the same item for $89.99 (with free shipping). The retail value of this item is about $150.

(Link to My Toy Box: http://www.mytoybox.com/  They are also having a promotional sale on all HABA items, enabling you to take an extra 10% off if, during checkout, you use the following coupon code: HABA10.

Educo My Creative Cookery Club: 

Admittedly, this item is pricey, but I actually purchased it a few years ago for my daughter, who is now seven. She got about three years use from it (and then decided she was too old for such things!). After three years of use, it still looks new. Now that my youngest is almost two, I'll be pulling this set out of storage and am anticipating getting another two-four years of imaginative play in before I donate the item to a local charity.

When I view the price in terms of long-term play value, I think it's worth it, but that's just me. I suppose that if you have a two-year-old and a baby, or plan on having another baby (and have a toddler), then this is a great deal that can be used for many years to come. If the price still seems outrageous, there are so many other ways of encouraging imaginative play, some of which cost nothing at all: hand over some wooden spoons and pots and let them get to work!

Note: I checked out the Melissa and Doug store and they are selling the item for $99.00, including free shipping. I'll be looking at other sites to give you a chance to price compare... 

Melissa and Doug DELUXE Wooden Folding Castle:

GRRR! :) Had written a few paragraphs on this, but it did not save! Alas. First, this is the deluxe castle (large, and takes a lot of space). I had purchased a deluxe castle for my now seven-year-old when she was three, and here is what I learned: despite the number of rooms and staircases and added flourishes, most of her playing experiences occurred "outside" of the castle proper. Yes, since the castle unfolds all the way, the playing was mainly done around the borders of the castle. Don't get me wrong, she adored the castle, but despite the size of the rooms, the interior was mainly used for posing characters: she could not easily maneuver her "people", for the rooms were tiny (think of little hands and motor skills at this age group). Frankly, the staircases got the most use as far as play is concerned. If you have an older child, I'd say give it a try, but for your toddlers, this may not be the prime option. My final words: the castle was tremendously huge and really dominated her room when it was open, which was most of the time, which attests to its popularity. If you have loads of space, go for it! If not, there are so many other options. That said, so many parents have given this item rave reviews and adore it. Since you can add items to it (think of figurines, etc., you do expose your children to loads of possibilities when it comes to imaginative play: dragons, princesses, knights, elves, etc. You choose your accessories (sort separately, of course!) :)

Melissa and Doug Fold and Go Wooden Castle: 

Perhaps it's the neutral colors of the castle, but this product seems to be popular with the parents of little boys (as I noticed by reading many, many reviews). I opted to buy it for my little girl. :) As I mentioned above, after buying the Deluxe version of the castle, where I noticed that most of the playing occurred outside of the walls, this time around, I opted for the more economical and compact castle. 

What I like: It is compact and can be easily stored on a shelf (place a small basket nearby with any additional accessories that you may choose). The exterior is neutral, so you can add any kind of figurine that you want, and there are even little windows. The two sections of the castle are well hinged, making it easy to open and close, and you don't need to worry about little fingers getting caught in the hinges, for a lot of attention seems to have been paid to this particular aspect.

What I do not like: Although the exterior is "finished", some of the interior parts (floors) may have been assembled upside down. What do I mean? Some of the floors are nice and smooth, but a few pieces in "my castle" have floors that have not been sanded down (were they meant to be ceilings?). The staircases, four in all, are ultra slim and have not been sanded and one, in particular was poorly cut--I actually see wisps of wood. AND I DO see some of the glue work... Still, for now, especially for the price, I am pleased with this product.

I cannot truly say if I will love it or not: that will depend upon the play-value of the item. And that's when I will write a concise review.

More on all of this (and more!) tomorrow! I also added a bit more about citiblocs on my previous post, and have some other products in mind that I'd like to highlight there.

Let go of my Legos! Back away from my Blocks! Oh, the joy of shopping.

Well, now that we've launched into the biggest shopping season of the year, I thought that I'd start gathering a list of potential toys for your little and not so little ones.

Image taken from FunnyJunk.com

Please note that I will update each post throughout the weeks to come, but I do intend to focus on a different toy zone (imaginative play, arts and crafts, etc.,) each time I write something new, so be sure to look at my previous posts--you will find that additional material is being added onto previous sections, for I will update regularly.

Today's focus: Legos and OTHER building toys (more legos and building toys will be added later today and tomorrow--you get the picture!). Yes: Let go of my Legos and Back away from my Blocks. Sound menacing? It is, a bit (but that's the toddler for you). Still, I'm not going to go into sharing here, though I will venture into this terrain at some point, for I have encountered some interesting experiences and attitudes/excuses as I have taught (and continue to teach) my children how to share. And I cannot forget this line, which I have misquoted, from Bill Cosby: "Da-ad, the baby took my toy and won't give it back." Cosby's response: "Shut up. She [that would be the two-year-old] has my stuff, too." Cosby goes on to explain that adults, as they raise their children, cease to care--at every moment--about what is fair: adults seek quiet. Legos and construction toys do provide you with just that, a certain level of peace. The sounds, after all, come from your children rather than from implanted electronic devices that say very little FAR too frequently. Enough said, and onto the goods!

Legos and other building toys help with imagination, logic, and motor skills. I have fond memories of legos and am thrilled to see that they have made a comeback. Such toys enable you/your children to build and then to imagine scenarios. Yes, that picture, that one on the right, looks like a jumble, but just think of what your children can create with it--endless possibilities: cars (need wheels!) to houses, or maybe even some imagined mermaid's cove. Kids just need encouragement, and the tools!

These days, many lego products are sets, sets that your children, especially as they get older may feel that they cannot dissemble (and reconstruct) once they've built the model. Not true, I say! Legos are not meant to be static, so construct, deconstruct, and then construct again--even if you are building the same model. I know, I know: generally, sets are not reassembled--rather like 1000 piece puzzles. But do remember that you can buy basic sets, and that you can visit the online lego store (link is below) to purchase special pieces like wheels, doors--whatever spins your child's imagination to new heights.

Still, the sets can be grand. Unfortunately most are extremely expensive: the brand of the character transforms something that would be priced at $50.00 to $100-200. YIKES. But sometimes we opt for the brand, for the character (Hello, Mr. Potter, sir) and pay the premium because we know our children will be that much more thrilled with the present. Side note: have to say that I wish I had purchased Hogwart's Castle a few weeks ago when it was listed (on Amazon) at $115.00. Now, the price has escalated, depending upon the seller, to between $140-180. And it's getting more expensive by the day. Really outrageous--sorry, Mr. Potter, but the tuition for Hogwart's is out of my league at present, but I am still searching for a deal/scholarship so my daughter may feel that she is attending your school.

If you really need that Hogwart's Castle, check out Target's website: they are not selling the large version online (yes, there are two versions), but they do allow you to do a zip code search to identify stores near you that carry the massive Hogwarts product. I would advise calling the store to see if they still have the item in stock (and check the price, since Target says that the prices may vary from store to store) before you make a trip. 
Also, it appears that (for a limited time) Toys R US is having a buy one lego set, get another at 50% off (remember, you're paying for the more expensive item and getting 50% off the more affordable one). The funny thing about the Hogwart's Craze (it has nearly 1300 pieces), which isn't surprising considering that the last movie of the series is now out on DVD, is that Diagon Alley, which has over 2000 pieces, seems affordable! Hogwarts is more expensive--both are backordered on the Lego online site but there, at least, you get the real retail value without customer inflation coming into play! One class at Harvard might be more affordable before the end of this season. But, 'Tis the Season of Giving and Greed. Unfortunately.

Thankfully with Legos, there are loads of sets and combos from which to choose. I have reviewed a few items and will continue to add to the list. If you're interested in the product and wish to purchase it, please hit the picture, which will send you to Amazon. Again, as I have said, there are other sites out there and sometimes you can find better deals. If I know of them, I'll lead you there. If not, I'll lead you to Amazon, where you can price compare.

I'll start with a few sets that I have purchased for my children. With these sets, I'm providing you with reviews that I have written based on what I have observed while watching my kids play/interact with them. Later in the post, I'll showcase items that I have never purchased but that have gotten phenomenal reviews from parents across the country. Please pay attention to my notes, for there I reveal price increases, etc., if I happen to notice them.

Note: Prices vary from seller to seller. With Amazon, please remember to place the item in your shopping cart (and if it's sold by another vendor/store to also add the same items from other sellers since sometimes the link you're given is not the best price, and sometimes another seller opts to have a sale) and monitor its price fluctuations. After a few days, you get a sense of the levels between the highest and the lowest price for a single item---this changes if that seller sells all of his/her items and you're redirected to another seller. Also, remember to add the shipping cost to the overall cost of the item--sometimes this is true even if the item is Prime Eligible and you have Prime.... yes, sometimes you save a few dollars by paying shipping rather than going with Prime. UPDATE: This is WAY over-priced. Only buy from Amazon if you can get it for about $25.00--I paid about $25.00 for it. You  can buy it on the lego site right now for $25.00 (don't know what the charge is for shipping--will look into this).
Above: LEGO DUPLO MY FIRST ZOO:  Don't pay more than $25.00 for the product (not including taxes, etc).
This is a sturdy set. I purchased it in October for my baby, who shall be two in late December. This isn't her favorite set (Winnie the Pooh still holds that record), but she does enjoy the animals, and she absolutely adores the car (definitely the favorite item in the set). She's still not much of a builder, but when I (or my husband) take the initiative and start taking out pieces to build things, she quickly toddles over to imitate to the best of her abilities. She sometimes has difficulties assembling the legos, but at her age, it is to be expected. Still, the bright colors of the legos (and enthusiasm from the family) keep her trying until she succeeds at "connecting" three-five pieces. She's not building zoos, at present, but considering that these Duplos are significantly smaller than the Megablox set that she has become quite proficient with, I'm pleased that she's getting challenged. An added bonus is that her big sister (7), who was NEVER into building toys, has finally determined that building with legos can be just as fun as playing barbies (yes, hello, Mr. Potter), doing science experiments, or reading, etc. Now she, too, plays with legos (but those aimed at older kids).
 
Like the other Duplo sets that I have purchased, this is of exceptional durable quality (quality that far exceeds what I have seen/experienced from the Megablox, but that is subjective), and can be easily washed in the top rack of the dishwasher, should it be necessary to clean them. As for the toy's educational value, my little one is learning the names of and sounds that a few animals make (while giggling hysterically), and she's doing basic construction (though she prefers to take apart what others in the family have assembled). She likes to wander off with the animals, so they wind up near her animal puzzles, allowing her to see/notice differences between two dimensional and three dimensional objects, and the adorable Duplo zoo animals are sometimes used by her when she's playing with her blocks, which leads me to think of the figurines and the car in this set as not limited to the world of legos--they are being mixed by her own associations/whims with her other toys. Again though, the winning piece of this set is the car: it gets the most use by far, and she attempts to place her characters from some of the other Duplo sets inside. This (since the seat of the car has lego grooves, and the figurines have their own attachments) allow her to work at fairly intricate fine motor skills. It's easy enough for me to lock a figurine into a car, but for her it takes time and effort, which just goes to show how fascinating the car and its workings are for her. For a little one, and they do tend to be easily distracted, this one object/skill activity really retains her attention: possibly she relates to the car because it is part of her real life, but who knows.

 I would certainly buy this set for another child, but I would choose it for a child ABOVE age two, just as the box recommends rather than for one who is 18-20 months old. Still, a great buy with loads of play value: I believe my little one will find this zoo increasingly interesting as her imagination and motor skill abilities flourish. 

Note: If the price stays below $30.00, you're getting a decent deal--but remember shipping costs!
Above: LEGO DUPLO WINNIE'S HOUSE
True, you do not get Tigger or Rabbit, but chances are that your 18 month-24 month is not aware of this "deficiency" since children of this age generally aren't ardent admirers of characters. If they do not care, I do not think the lack of Tigger is a deficiency. Generally, the love for a character happens later--unless you have REALLY exposed them to the characters and they have begun to identify with the character as a part of daily life. But even if this is the case, they do get Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, and Eeyore. That said, I do agree that the separation of the characters (you have to buy two sets to have both Winnie and Tigger in your crowd of friends) was an advertising/sales ploy to induce parents/adults to spend more money in order to have a comprehensive character set. But enough about that. Now onto the actual set.
 
I bought this for my little one when she was 20-months-old. It was her very first Lego set (have bought some others since then--as you know), and she loves it, and her love for it has generated some enthusiasm for legos from my 7-year-old who never showed any interest in building... until now. Siblings! :) 
Truth is, my little one doesn't know how to build very well (though her building skills are improving by the week), but if she gets a lego on a lego, I call it a success, especially since the pieces are far smaller than those of her megablox set. For now, she's a phenomenal deconstructionist: she will cheerfully dissemble anything you build, but she ADORES Piglet and Winnie. Unfortunately, (for me), she has clung to the word "Pooh" but has garbled that to "Poop." But she's trying to learn the names, and this set was her first exposure to these characters.
I have all of her legos in a basket, and all I have to do is ask her where Winnie the Pooh is or where is Piglet, and she's off to the basket searching for them. For now, at this age, what seems to attract her (apart from MY obvious enthusiasm for those characters--I know that my enthusiasm for something channels hers) is the little crib/bed, the window that opens and closes, and the door, which does the same. She can spend 15-20 minutes (if I'm supervising and encouraging), trying to take Piglet through the door, putting Winnie to bed and trying to seat each of them in the chairs. Through this set, apart from learning the names of some characters, she has learned the difference between a window and door (though both open and close in the same way), learned how to say chair and that she should try to let her characters sit down on the chair (also challenging because of the grooves), and learned to say cake and honey. So, she's learned a few words, and is starting to understand VERY basic construction on a significantly smaller scale than the megablox, at which she has become fairly proficient as these are significantly larger.


These legos are highly durable and are easily cleaned (throw them in a bottle/tip cleaner in the top rack of a dishwasher), if necessary.
 
As for me, I chose this set because Winnie the Pooh and his friends--though some are moody--are generally polite, etc., and these are the kind of characters I'd like her to get to know. Obviously, what one person deems as a sweet and charming character, another could deem as obnoxious and annoying: interpretation of characterization is entirely subjective. But, the legos are built well, and she has learned from this set, and continues to play with it daily (she's had it for about two months, and her building skills are becoming increasingly sophisticated--for a not quite two-year-old).
 
I think the window, door, chairs, and bed make it a bit special, though it also comes with honey, flowers, a cake, and a slide. She loves it, so I am thrilled, and would certainly purchase this for another child around the same age as mine. Lovely toy. I like playing with it, as does her sister and father, and that's what makes the difference: if you buy a toy that enchants you on some level, you're more likely to get your baby/toddler enthused since so much of what they want to do at this age revolves around you and imitation.

Note: Retail value is $10.00 (I don't believe in anything that's #.99), but is currently going for $7.51 with free shipping if you have Prime.
Above: LEGO DUPLO BUILDING PLATES:
If you're buying any Duplo set, you should consider adding some additional building plates, for such plates enable your little one (or you!) to join bricks/legos together and thus make a larger structure. I won't bother to review it, for one reviewer (on Amazon) gives you all the information you may need. Will simply add that I have purchased additional plates and have found that they do enhance the overall play experience--also allow more than one person to build a structure at the same time!

Note: If this goes over the $40.00 mark (including shipping, you're not getting a good deal--The bus, yes that little bus was being sold for $60.00 just a few days ago, and it's worth about half that price).
Above: LEGO HARRY POTTER HAGRID'S HUT:
My 7-year-old daughter, who is a devout Harry Potter fan, begged for this and other Harry Potter sets for many months, so, despite her distaste for lego toys (this has been true for more than three years), I finally caved in, took a chance, and purchased it. I have NO regrets.

I took a chance AFTER noting her acknowledgement that legos MIGHT be fun after I had purchased the Winnie the Pooh Set (and the zoo set, etc), for her now almost 2-year-old sister: I fully credit her younger sister for helping make my 7-year-old realize that building/constructing might be worthwhile, especially if a favorite character was involved, so she could then revert to imaginative play. But back to Hagrid's Hut...

The pieces are tiny, and can be easily lost, so it's vital that you open and build the mini packages as directed, and work in an area that is free of clutter or patterns (like those found on rugs, etc.). Also, the pieces--unless properly interlocked, which can be difficult for younger children, will fall apart on you, making it necessary to redo a section of the hut many times. This meant that my daughter and I worked on the set together, with her doing initial assembling and with me talking her through the process, and (at times) redoing her handiwork. We got to spend many quality hours together, and it was a thrill watching her anticipation mount as each section of Hagrid's hut neared completion. We spent a great deal of time reviewing (again and again) the directions--and talking about the importance of reading directions carefully before jumping into something, and somehow we managed to relate this task to a science project: don't let the project blow up. We laughed over our favorite scenes in the books (she has read books 1-4 and has seen those movies) and bemoaned Ron's fear of spiders, and especially of Aragog. Essentially, we discussed everything from directions to all things related to Harry Potter. She also pretended, at my suggestion, that she was a builder, following the direction of an architect, which led us to talk about architecture, etc. It was all splendid fun, and despite issues with finding pieces, etc., the building experience remained positive and upbeat.

ONE PROBLEM WE HAD: The colors in the directions do not necessarily completely correspond to the colors of the legos, so you may think you're searching for something black when you're really looking for something dark grey--not terribly troublesome, but helpful to know in advance.

Also, as I mentioned, the pieces are tiny, so could be easily lost, misplaced, and this factor also makes it a little difficult to use the set for imaginative play once it has been built. That said, my daughter has kept the directions and goes back to her little set and is currently rebuilding it--yes!--just for fun, and to see if she can do it completely on her own. We also bought the Harry Potter Knight Bus and she had great fun building this one as well.
All in all, these are expensive but wonderful purchases (just remember to compare seller rates and monitor them), and can also be rebuilt, so there is lots of play value (and learning value here). They also look great on a shelf since they are compact, so don't take much room!
We are planning on using these sets as extra decor for her 8th birthday party, which is going to be all about Harry Potter and wizardry/dragons. I have to admit, I'm a Harry Potter fan too, so I had fun building this set as well. 


To visit the real online lego store, follow this link: http://shop.lego.com/en-US/

BLOCKS and Other Building Materials:

Just one example of what you can build!

Citiblocs (images are below): 
Generally, when one starts to talk about blocks, HABA (sometimes Djeco) or Melissa and Doug are the first mentioned. Now that I've done that, I have to spotlight Citiblocs because I have been intrigued by them since this summer. These blocks have won 30 toy industry awards, including by Oppenheim, and are evenly cut so that each block shape is the same shape and size as the others, which makes for easier construction. The blocks come in different hues (each hue sold separately--naturally), and I have to admit that I am attracted to the "cool" colors, that is, the blocks shaded in blues and greens, but these blocks come in natural or red/orange tones as well. And are eco-friendly, as the wood comes from sustainable forests located in New Zealand.

Note: The links above lead to 100-piece sets; you can also buy 50 or 200 piece sets.


Stackadoos Bristle Blocks and Spinaroos: (images are below)
Recommended for children aged 24 months plus, but I think if your child is in the 18-20 month range, these could still work really well. I purchased this for my little one, who is not quite two, and though we have not opened the box--this is going to be a birthday present--she has seen them (as, considering her age) I have not yet wrapped them! She keeps returning to the little box, and sitting by it and looking at all of the colors inside. She's even toted the item around the room with her, so she's definitely intrigued, though we'll see how she responds once she gets to play with them.
Here are a few things that appealed to me about the toy: soft bristles that offer flexibility, making them easy to connect while also giving your little one a strong sensory sensation; loads of building potential, for the shapes of the pieces are incredibly varied: make faces, vehicles, towers, robots. Also, if these building toys are knocked down, unlike wooden blocks, for instance, it's unlikely that your little one will get hurt. I love wooden toys, but I do feel the need (with the young ones) to be vigilant in my supervision, as wood can hurt! Alternatively, try out the Spinaroos, which won the Parents Choice Award, and no wonder: I think I'd like to play with it and get my imagination spinning with figures shaped like heads (that have faces) and pieces shaped like arms and legs. Purchased together or separately, you may find your little one building with the energy of a blizzard!

Oh, Starbucks, why, oh why, did you release your holiday cup just a day or two after Halloween?

RANT regarding release of RED CUPS...Starbucks, you said you'd wait until November 15th. HUMPH.

I remember when six years ago, you held back until days before Thanksgiving before giving us that glorious show, that magnificent, much-awaited, anticipated cup that beamed like a red lantern in the hands of people who walked by. Seeing that bright, bold color against the dreary grays and dirtied snow raised my spirits, and made my heart soar with feelings of Christmas/holiday splendor.

This year, I spied your cup within days after Halloween. Again, humph, and frankly, I throw at you some bah-humbug, too. When you waited until after November 15th, what was supposed to be your official release date this year, those red cups lasted past Christmas day, and even--generally--got us through the New Year. And if someone ordered a tall, or a venti, these cups could be glimpsed throughout the month of January. I sometimes ordered the size I did not want, simply to hold that red cup in my hand. And why?

To catch a glimpse of a vibrant red, of a color so rich and bold, means so much more for me as we sink further into Winter. The winter: its skeletal, brittle trees that snap branches or shards of ice when the wind shifts, cold that hooks you like a leach, and the lights, just about everywhere, going out.

After the holidays, people take down their trees and lay them on the sidewalks to be thrown into a dump truck; people remove the candlestick lights from their windows; they toss out or pack away their ribboned wreathes, and strip the garlands from gates and fences.

And in the streets, the festivities dim, the smiles thin, the niceties slim.

It would be nice to see a red cup, when the holidays end, that's all I mean.

Table Topics and Toppers for your Thanksgiving Dinner

A few days ago, I wrote a post about things that you may want to buy/do to help minimize the aggravations of traveling as you head to your Thanksgiving destination.

Today, I have a few suggestions for what you might do when you get there, or, if the dinner will be hosted by you, ways in which you can get your children involved, as well as some special decorations that you may find appealing.

Table Topics: Family Gathering--I have to admit that I am exceptionally curious about this range of Table Topics. You can get it from Amazon, or, you can look elsewhere.

Essentially, this group of cards consists of questions meant to spawn conversations to bridge generational gaps frequently encountered at large family gatherings, and allow those who might not otherwise connect to learn about each other. Some sample questions, as provided by the manufacturer: "what's the biggest technological change you've seen in your lifetime?" And "who in your family met someone famous?"

Judging by the limited reviews on this particular product, it's generated conversational material allowing for mature family members to teach youngsters from their own memories without sounding as if there is a moral to the story. It also enables people to talk about those things that may be, if not nudged at through a question, forgotten--memories that otherwise might be lost. I have not purchased this set, so cannot attest to it being phenomenal, but the concept intrigues me, for apart from being a great conversation starter, it seems like it would be a very helpful toolkit for those who like to write/journal.

As I mentioned in my previous post, there are many variations to these Table Topics. Should you like the idea of a slightly structured conversation starter, find a kit that suits your needs. Some of their topics include: Table Topics Family; Table Topics Original--but they also have topics for girls' night out, etc. Something out there for just about anyone!

Toppers for your Table (apart from the food, the glorious food):

New England Settlers

I simply adore Rye Pottery, which is very well know throughout the UK, but hasn't quite made it in the USA. At least these days, they are best known for their line of Canterbury Tales figurines. But then there are the "New England Settlers". And they have an amazing collection of pastoral figurines. Hard to find in the US, but generally speaking, when you do, it's going to be on Ebay, unless you wish to spend significantly more than $100. I've collected about 10 of the Canterbury Tales figurines through Ebay--only purchased one in England.

Simply lovely, and understated. Here's a look at their website: Rye Pottery, where you'll see some extraordinarily beautiful figurines that can be handed down from generation to generation.

On another note, you could get your children involved with decorating that table!

1) Have your little one/s draw a picture for each guest invited to your meal. Roll the drawing up like a scroll, tie it with a ribbon, and place across the plate or in a glass. It could be as simple as a picture, or could be a thank you note for coming to stay!

2) You've planned the menu: now let them design it. Then display it on your table, or on the buffet. If you have more than one little one, let each one create a menu. Perhaps they can set one at each place setting. Make sure they write the date on it, for you're most likely going to want to keep this item as a memory of the day.

That's all for now! Will be having my little one create a menu, and perhaps, if she'll allow me, we'll showcase it.

Will be writing within the next few days about my preparations for the forthcoming birthday party.

Toddler talk leads to power walks

Today, I bring you into the world of my children--how they express themselves, and inadvertently embarrass or surprise me.

Scene 1: Arianna, nearing age two, calls a "hat" an "ass." She sees me, her father, or her sister put on a hat, and screams out, "ass, ass!" Thank you, little darling, for learning to mispronounce this word, despite our persistent efforts at correcting you. Thank you for using, practically daily, a word that I prefer NOT to say, and double thanks for taking the time, as we go on our walks, to point to others with hats on their heads and shout out "ass." Your excited tone and avidity at pointing this feature out, has seriously transformed our daily walks.

You cannot even fathom the joy it brings me to see people, who moments before, were smiling at you, realign those smiles into expressions of, to express it politely, extreme disbelief. People who then give me the old glare with that bonus air of suspicion--what are you teaching that innocent child?!! In Arianna's defense, though I wish she'd learn "hat" and spare me the stares, I must say that perhaps we do look a bit strange when we place these things on our heads, and this is why you, little one, vehemently refuse to wear your own.  I foresee an earache in the near future.


Scene 2: Yes. It's Arianna... again. The little Arianna, who is not yet keen on the consonant "t". I'll have to keep working on that with her. Here's part one: She's sitting in her high-chair when she glances out the window, and sees a "cat". "Cack, cack!" she exclaims. "Do you mean cat? Cat?" I ask. "Bravo," she says, applauding both herself, for her brilliance, and I suppose me, for understanding her intention. That's a good moment, and I like those. A lot. The bad moment occurs hours later, and in public, since young children have an innate sense of timing: "cack" loses the "a" and gains an "o" in its stead. "Cack" transforms to "cock."

So there I am, strolling my little want-to-be toddler along the streets of our neighborhood in Washington, DC, and there, on the street, everyone nearby gets to hear her lovely little voice spit out the word "cock." Okay, and this time it wasn't even a cat that she had seen, but a squirrel--we have lots of those, so she said her word a lot. Arianna does not distinguish between cat and squirrel... they both have tails and run. Thankfully, she does distinguish between the cat and the dog, though it sounds like she's saying "duke." But her word for cat, well, let's just say that it's another one of those moments where I dip my head down, and wish I were wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
Please little one, learn to add "T" to your verbal repository.


Scene 3: No, it's not the little one. This time it's my seven-year-old. She's one who likes to rhyme, and this she does, seemingly full-time. As she was getting dressed for the day, here's what she had to say: "Itchy-witchy, Itchy-twitchy, Itchy-bitchy." Then she smiled and cocked her head at me, hoping to see me smile with glee. Instead she got a "What?!" whose tone warned her that her rhyming had put her in a rut. She repeated her rhyme very quickly, her pretty little face beginning to look sickly.

Well, naturally, first I had to ascertain if she even knew what she had said, and with great relief I learned she had no idea what the word meant. I explained the literal meaning of the word, and then informed her that is was both insulting and vulgar to say, that people use this word to hurt, smear or betray. My speech left her pretty face looking ashen. She had never known of the word "b*itch", only that it rhymed with itch and twitch! Have to say that I'm grateful for that, though I'm well aware that as she gets older her knowledge of words and desire to use them will get bolder.


Scene 4: (Coming later today).

Cringing over Thanksgiving Preparations--but have some ideas

When I was a child, Thanksgiving sat between the important holidays: Halloween and Christmas. For me, Thanksgiving was the filler. For my mother, it was (and remains) the center.

These days, I am grateful for Thanksgiving, but I'm still amazed by how much we endure (the weeks devoted to the planning and cooking, the hours spent on gridlocked highways or in packed planes) to show our dearest friends and family that we are thankful for them, and all that we have. I guess I'll feel more sentimental about Thanksgiving once most of the detailed planning and the ever-so challenging scheduling of the calendar (the whens and wheres) have been completed. On Thanksgiving, I'll be thankful, or so past experiences have taught me. On Thanksgiving, I'll get on my warm Norman Rockwell glow. Until then, however, I can't help but obsess on the oncoming deluge of food preparations: those intricate stuffings, which the child I once was hated, the sweet potato variations, and the endless line of pies. And the turkey, naturally, there's the turkey or some other bird that needs basting.

Lovely Julia Child enjoying her
Thanksgiving Preparations.

Mentally, at this point, I am fixated on the horror of making food, and lots of it, and having lots of it made by others who are around me. For apart from on television, I have never seen anyone in the midst of preparing a Thanksgiving dinner look or sound anything other than stressed or harassed.

Chances are, you and your family will either host or attend at least one Thanksgiving Dinner, and it's likely you'll feel compelled to make or bring something. As I mentioned in my last post, I'll be making a macaroni and cheese casserole, something I'm making especially for the kids, as not every dish that we serve for Thanksgiving suits the palate of children, and frankly I have a repertoire of about 20 dishes that I make really well. With that out in the open and established as fact, I've begun to assemble a list of things that may make your Thanksgiving planning and traveling a little less of a hassle:

A Cookbook to Consider:  The Best Casserole Cookbook Ever
Please note this: (Just about all of these links lead to Amazon--does not mean that you have to shop there.) Obviously! Just a great place to read reviews. Personally, I do a lot of shopping from their site, but other times I opt for different places. These links lead you to product reviews that give you a better sense of whether or not the product is right for you.

The book, known as The Best Casserole Cookbook Ever, by Beatrice Ojakangas has more than 500 casserole recipes. These recipes range from casseroles for two, casseroles for crowds, casseroles for breakfast (scrumptious) and there's even a small section devoted to casseroles for kids, though my seven-year-old likes most of the recipes that we have tried from this book. Ojakangas refrains from using pre-made soups to flavor her casseroles, preferring to provide you with her own cream of mushroom soup, etc., making for meals that contain less sodium. And, though most casseroles seem to demand vast quantities of butter or cream, she does have a suitable number of recipes that have no dairy products. Some dishes take 30 minutes to cook, while others can be left virtually unattended for three-four hours. During this time, the scent of your meal sweeps through the house, curling up the stairs and into rooms, so that when the meal is ready--and you've done a dozen other things, like curl up with a book--everyone sits at the table with a hearty appetite. Oh, I do love those moments!

I am sharing her "Mac and Cheese to Beat the Box" recipe, found on page 572. This easy to make dish is the first macaroni and cheese recipe that I have ever found that my seven-year-old feels rivals Kraft's version. Essentially, when this recipe proved a hit I went crazy with the book and have made about 20 of the author's recipes. Some I have never returned to, and others I have revamped to better suit the palates of my family--that's another nice feature: these recipes are easy to use as a base.

NOTE: If you would like to have your children participate in the preparation of this meal, just make a few adjustments for a fairly mess-free experience. First, instead of mixing the cheese mixture directly in the casserole dish, put the contents in a large bowl. Then let them go to it, whisking the various cheeses to their heart's content (this step also enables you to pour the contents into the casserole for a more even layer). They can also help you mix the melted butter with the breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. Again, use a larger bowl. If your children are older, or you feel comfortable doing this, have them help you measure the ingredients: this is a great hands-on and visual experience that helps your children understand aspects of math--just what is half a cup, for instance. This in itself can lead to some interesting discussions. Finally, they can help you drizzle the breadcrumb concoction across the casserole, allowing them to utilize their motor skills. The best part: put on the oven light. Since this casserole does not need to be covered, your children can watch "their" culinary concoction transform into something that looks absolutely delicious.

"Mac and Cheese to Beat the Box"
Serves 4

Ingredients:
2 cups whole-wheat or regular elbow macaroni (or, in a pinch, penne, farfalle, or cavatelli)
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (mild, medium, or sharp)
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese or Neufchatel cheese, cubed
1 cup undiluted evaporated milk
1/2 cup fine dry breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:
1) Preheat the oven to 400F.
2) Cook the macaroni in boiling salted water according to package directions. Drain, but do not rinse.
3) Combine the macaroni with the Cheddar and cream cheese in a shallow 1-quart casserole. Stir until the cream cheese melts into the hot macaroni. Stir in the milk and scrape down the sides of the dish.
4) In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with the melted butter and grated Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle evenly over the macaroni and cheese. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are browned.

My slight variations:
I have made this dish in different ways, and have found that my daughter is put off by the Neufchatel, and prefers the taste of Philadelphia Cream Cheese to any of the other brands.
I do not use the evaporated milk, but substitute it with a cup of whole cream.
I use Panko bread crumbs (not fine)--we prefer the crustier form of breadcrumb for this dish (or make your own).
I combine various cheddar cheeses and actually use more than what is recommended.
Broccoli and/or cauliflower can easily be added to this dish, as can various porks: sausages, diced ham, etc.


The cookbook provides you with many simple, tasty dishes that can be prepared in 20 minutes or less, are easy to transport, even if you will be going on a lengthy road trip, and that can be slid into the oven once you arrive at your Thanksgiving destination.


YIKES: Ready for the traffic jams? Looks like a typical rush-hour moment for me, but if you're sitting in this for hours, it can really take a toll on your nerves, especially when you're on the highway.

Are you Ready?

While on the road, sitting in traffic, you may want your children entertained by something other than DVDs and portable game consoles. If so, here are a couple of game suggestions, two of which are quiet and one that is a family road-game.


Game one, recommended for ages 8+ but I think younger children would like it, too:  Find It: 
If your child has any interest in the Where's Waldo or the Eye Spy forms of games/books, then you might consider buying "Find It". There are many versions of this game, some of which are themed (birds, zoo, the Wizard of Oz--quite a variety). This one has a group of random objects, all of which are contained in a durable plastic shaped cylinder. Your goal: find the penny. Along the way, you'll also search for and discover all the other items listed by shaking that cylinder and peering at it from various directions. Some of the objects are really easy to find, but others are far more elusive, which makes for a nice game rhythm so that young ones don't get instantly discouraged and/or frustrated, as they almost instantly succeed at finding at least a few of these tiny pieces.

Appearance-wise, it's a fairly handsome cylinder and feels solid to the touch. Could also make a nice gift for a family member, or for someone on your list for the forthcoming holiday season.




Game two, recommended for children ages 6+, but I think that's up to you:   Perplexus Original
When you hand your kids this translucent globe, you offer them a world that could possibly awe (or frustrate) a roller-coaster engineer. Enclosed in the ball is a silver, pearl-sized marble that must be maneuvered from start to finish through a series of twisted, spiraling tracks. Each track has its own color and requires a different strategy to keep that ball from slipping off: flip, rotate, shift, and focus, focus, focus! Definitely a toy on which you need to concentrate if you hope to succeed at getting the marble to its final destination (but not as demanding as keeping your eye on the road). Also fabulous for hand-eye coordination--think motor skills. There are three versions of Perplexus so you can get the one that you think would best suit your children. For instance, the junior version, for younger ones.




Game three, recommended for children ages 5+:    
Melissa and Doug License Plate Game
So while you're on the road, viewing license plates from across the country, you might consider adding this magnetic board to help you keep track of the plates found. As you see, you get a map of the US with this game, which can help your little ones learn a bit of geography as they (and you, if you don't get too distracted!) attempt to spot as many plates as possible. You can also flip the plate over and learn the capital of the state. Nice looking family game. Haven't bought this one yet (as I did with the others I mentioned), but intend to for our next one-hour + on the road. Looks like great fun, and it's gotten exceptional reviews. Have fun hunting!

Game four, recommended for kids:
Table Topics: Enter promotion code: FSNOV11 to receive free shipping on all orders
$9.00 for the (Table Topics Conversation Cards--Kids Topics on the Go);
to go the Amazon Route: Table Topics by Amazon Priced (as of now--prices subject to change frequently--$9.07)

Feel like having a conversation with your kids that might be a little different?  I mean, if you were to manufacture toothpaste, what flavor would you choose? That's one example, but there are many, many more conversation topics--40, to be exact. Try out these cards. Personally, I have not, (though I have used other cards to keep my now seven-year-old, then five-year-old from repeatedly asking to be excused from the table--and they worked). These cards are portable. But there are also many additional variations: family gathering, family, teens, girls' night out--to name a few. I'm showing the URL to Amazon, and to TableTopics, the latter which is currently having a free shipping special. Just look over the prices, and determine for yourself what makes the better deal--should you be interested in this item (and the variations).
NOTE: Am also recommending other versions of this "dinner game" for family gatherings: sometimes we just want to talk, other times we want to talk about topics we wouldn't necessarily think of on our own. These types of cards could help you do just that--find something new to talk about so that both young and old can share their opinions/experiences on any given topic. Neat to hear a grandparent talk about a typical school day vs. today's child! Worlds apart, but helps some to share experiences and relate to one another. I'm getting some. But I do like odd, interesting, and surprising questions that make me think and listen to how others think/relate to the world.