Toys that Get Kids Exploring!

As a teacher, I'd often get asked about certain 'kid products' and whether or not they had any educational value. Now that I'm also a parent, I am always on the search for a fun toy or gift that will help my children develop healthy bodies and minds. 

I decided to put together a list of toys that encourage kids to learn, grow, and explore the world around them (and boy, did I have fun choosing my top ones!). 

Each week, I will share one of these lists:

Toys That Get Kids Outside!

Toys That Get Kids Moving!
Toys That Get Kids Thinking!

Toys That Get Kids Creating!
Toys That Get Kids Reading!
Toys That Get Kids Imagining!
Toys That Get Kids Exploring!

Be sure and subscribe to my feed so you won't miss any of these goodies! :)

*** Click on the links to see current prices and customer reviews.


1. Snap Circuits- Follow the directions to connect these circuits and make doorbells, burglar alarms, radios, and more! Winner of Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products and Best Educational Products. Winner of The National Parenting Center-Seal of Approval.

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2. Gears!- Perfect for the small explorer! This toy teaches kids about chain reactions. We had something similar to this when I was younger and we'd spend hours creating new configurations.

3. Geocaching GPS Unit- Ooooo! This one is soooo cool! If you haven't heard of geocaching, here's a short summary: It's essentially a real-life treasure hunt. Folks all over the world (and most likely right in your own town) hide small objects at a certain GPS coordinate. The person who hides it then goes to www.geocaching.com and lists the GPS coordinates and any instructions on how to find it. You look up the coordinates and then use this GPS unit to find the prize! Often, folks will tell you that you can take the little prize as long as you leave a small one for the next person to find. Other times, the coordinates might lead you to an interesting landmark or to a journal that you sign saying that you found this cache.

The best part about this toy is that it gets your family outside, moving, and engaged together (from the youngest to the oldest!) Definitely a winner in my book!!

4. Magic School Bus Science Lab Kits- Each Magic School Bus kit provides your child will all the materials they need to conduct an experiment (the kit shown is their Slime and Polymer Lab). These award-winning kits are based off the Magic School Bus books and dvds. (Which are awesome! Even my 3 year old learns facts from them.)

5. Walkie-Talkies- These fellas could launch a hundred adventures. {Static} Over. Bonus: They reach over 10 miles so adults could use them on family outings too. {Static} Over.

6. Talking Trivia Globe- We used to beg my dad to ask us trivia questions during dinner each night. I have no idea how he managed to come up with new ones, but he did! This globe would have done the job for him had it been around at the time. It asks over 10,000 trivia questions about countries and geography. How 'bout a little family geography show-down this weekend between your 5th grader and dad, huh? ;)

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7. Venus Fly Trap Greenhouse- Perfect for boys or girls, this is a garden like no other! Grow your own mini fly-catching plants and learn a few science lessons along the way.

8. Time Capsule- How much fun wold it be to create a time capsule about your family? You could bury it and dig it up when they graduate high school or just every 5 years to update or add to it.

9. Window Nest Box- As soon as my little ones are old enough to know not to knock on the window and scare the living daylights out of those poor birds, we are so putting one of these at our house! :)

10. Children's Microscope- Attention parents: I am about to throw down some purty nifty info. Ready?....The smallest things can now entertain your children for hours! (ooooh, ahhhh) How, you ask? Well, just have them stick it under the lens of this here microscope and find out what that rubberband from the celery stalks or that piece of grass from the yard look like close up. Take this one step further and purchase a journal that your child can draw their observations in. Way to go, Super Mom! :)

Check out the rest of this series for more great toy and gift ideas that are teacher recommended:

Toys That Get Kids Outside!
Toys That Get Kids Moving!
Toys That Get Kids Thinking!
Toys That Get Kids Creating!
Toys That Get Kids Reading!
Toys That Get Kids Imagining!
Toys That Get Kids Exploring!

Many of you are teachers or parents...do you have a toy you'd recommend that encourages reading?

Toys That Get Kids Imagining!

As a teacher, I'd often get asked about certain 'kid products' and whether or not they had any educational value. Now that I'm also a parent, I am always on the search for a fun toy or gift that will help my children develop healthy bodies and minds. 

I decided to put together a list of toys that encourage kids to learn, grow, and explore the world around them (and boy, did I have fun choosing my top ones!). 

Each week, I will share one of these lists:

Toys That Get Kids Outside!

Toys That Get Kids Moving!
Toys That Get Kids Thinking!

Toys That Get Kids Creating!
Toys That Get Kids Reading!
Toys That Get Kids Imagining!
Toys That Get Kids Exploring!

Be sure and subscribe to my feed so you won't miss any of these goodies! :)

*** Click on the links to see current prices and customer reviews.

1. Play Silks- Kids can dress up as pirates, princesses, or superheroes with these versatile play silks. Throw in some clothespins and rope and create a fort or an explorer's tent. I love how they can be whatever little minds come up with!

2. Road Rug- My little guy has one of these and it has been the source of hours of imaginative play for him. As a die-hard fan of the Cars movie, each of his car must also talk and Lightning McQueen is always the "yine-yeeder" (aka- line leader).

3. KidCraft Dollhouse- I used to pour over the dollhouse furniture books last year um when I was younger and dream about how I would set up each of the rooms. What I love about this doll house is that it's easy for little hands to move around the larger-sized pieces of furniture. It's also the right size to use with Barbies if that's a phase your daughter ever goes through.

4. Design-Your-Own Superhero Cape Kit- Customize your own superhero cape! Choose a name, a logo, and you're on your way to starring in your own comic book adventure. We actually did something similar to this for my son's Halloween costume last year and he was super cute (says his totally unbiased mother). :)

5. Doorway Puppet Theater- You all know what a fan I am of toys that are simple and easy to store away when not being used. This one fits the bill on both counts! Kids can act out any of their favorite stories with these cute puppets...or they could get creative and make their own out of bags, popsicle sticks, or socks!

6. Reusable Wheels for Boxes- How fun! These reusable wheels are designed to be used on cardboard boxes. They can be used to create cars, wagons, trucks and pretty much anything that goes!

7. Playmobile Castle- Playmobile always delivers a truckload of imaginative play with each of their products and the castle is no exception. I always thought of castles as a boy's version dollhouse (though I certainly dominated some play castles too in my time!).

8. Magnetic Paper Dolls- This gift would be a lifesaver in the car! Ashley over at Make It and Love It shows us how to make this cute gift with just a few craft store supplies. If you are looking for an easier approach, check out these magnetic paper dolls from Melissa & Doug.

9. Color and Wash Animals- The magic of this toy comes in the fact that after you decorate it, you can just throw it in the wash and it comes out white again! Change the designs and pictures as many times as you want!

10. Wooden Rocket Ship- Now this is definitely the boy's version of an amazing dollhouse! Complete with characters and furniture, boys (and girls!) could spend hours imagining different adventures with this set.

Check out the rest of this series for more great toy and gift ideas that are teacher recommended:

Toys That Get Kids Outside!
Toys That Get Kids Moving!
Toys That Get Kids Thinking!
Toys That Get Kids Creating!
Toys That Get Kids Reading!
Toys That Get Kids Imagining!
Toys That Get Kids Exploring!

Many of you are teachers or parents...do you have a toy you'd recommend that encourages reading?

Gifts That Get Kids Reading!

As a teacher, I'd often get asked about certain 'kid products' and whether or not they had any educational value. Now that I'm also a parent, I am always on the search for a fun toy or gift that will help my children develop healthy bodies and minds. 

I decided to put together a list of toys that encourage kids to learn, grow, and explore the world around them (and boy, did I have fun choosing my top ones!). 

Each week, I will share one of these lists:

Toys That Get Kids Outside!

Toys That Get Kids Moving!
Toys That Get Kids Thinking!

Toys That Get Kids Creating!
Toys That Get Kids Reading!
Toys That Get Kids Imagining!
Toys That Get Kids Exploring!

Be sure and subscribe to my feed so you won't miss any of these goodies! :)

*** Click on the links to see current prices and customer reviews.

1.Read All About Me!- I used to love to create my own books. I'd come up with the stories and painstakingly draw illustration to match. Then I'd make my parents read them. Over. And Over. And Over. This fun gift can give you that joy too ;) It's a complete book kit where your child is the star!

2. Write Me a Story Books- This series of picture books comes with images, but not words. Kids are encouraged to use the blank pages and included stickers to create their own version of the story.

3. Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Books- Y Do you remember these from your childhood? Well, they are back! I love these updated versions that allow kids to decide how the story plays out by choosing which directions a character will go. I read these books over and over because every new combination of choice resulted in a completely different book!

4. Anna Banana Jump Roping Book- Pair this book with a brand-spankin' new jumprope and you've got the perfect gift: one that encourages reading and being active! This book teaches a bunch of new rhymes to say and play when your kids are jumping rope.

5.Huggle Pod Swings- I already introduced you to these fun swings here, but I thought they would also make a great place to curl up and read a good book.

6. Highlights Magazine- Oh my! I loved getting this magazine in the mail every month! I remember checking the mailbox for it every day to see if it had arrived. My brother got Ranger Rick (which I loved just as much!). I was excited to see that they also have a version for preschoolers called High Five and one for toddlers called Highlights Hello. Needless to say, these went straight on my kids' Christmas lists!

7. Sparkle Stories- This is a monthly subscription to an online audio story site for kids. They create the cutest stories that you can download and listen to in the car, doctor's office, or as a nice way to end the day as a family. My favorite ones are their Martin and Sylvia series. Sign up for their newsletter to receive free downloads from time to time!

8. My Own Mailbox- This gift not only encourages reading, but writing and creating as well! Get one for each child in your house and you'll have letters flying back and forth before you know it.

9. Create-Your-Own Book Kits- Here's another great open-ended gift that encourages reading, writing, and creating all in one!

10. Reading Canopy Fort- What little girl wouldn't love her own cozy place to read- inside or out?! Just hang, throw down some soft pillows, and you've got an instant reading oasis!

Check out the rest of this series for more great toy and gift ideas that are teacher recommended:

Toys That Get Kids Outside!
Toys That Get Kids Moving!
Toys That Get Kids Thinking!
Toys That Get Kids Creating!
Toys That Get Kids Reading!
Toys That Get Kids Imagining!
Toys That Get Kids Exploring!

Many of you are teachers or parents...do you have a toy you'd recommend that encourages reading?

Toys That Get Kids Creating!

As a teacher, I'd often get asked about certain 'kid products' and whether or not they had any educational value. Now that I'm also a parent, I am always on the search for a fun toy or gift that will help my children develop healthy bodies and minds. 

I decided to put together a list of toys that encourage kids to learn, grow, and explore the world around them (and boy, did I have fun choosing my top ones!). 

Each week, I will share one of these lists:

Toys That Get Kids Outside!

Toys That Get Kids Moving!
Toys That Get Kids Thinking!

Toys That Get Kids Creating!
Toys That Get Kids Reading!
Toys That Get Kids Imagining!
Toys That Get Kids Exploring!

Be sure and subscribe to my feed so you won't miss any of these goodies! :)

*** Click on the links to see current prices and customer reviews.

1.Magnetic Doodler- This mama loves her no-mess art stations! This makes a great addition to our car trips. My favorite part? The pen is attached, so no more tearing the house apart or doing yoga moves in the car to find it! WooHoo!

2. Car Assembly Kit- With this kit, you can create your own car that really moves by using wound-up rubber band propulsion. Get two and you have an instant race!

3. Washable Window Markers- You should have seen the look on Little Man's face when I handed him a marker and told him he could draw on the windows. Heehee- he was either thinking My mom has finally lost it! or What kind of damage could I do with these babies?!

We've practiced our ABC's on our windows, drew Thomas the Train (over and over and over), and created masterpieces....then we just wiped it off with water and started all over again!

4. Kiwi Crate- With a Kiwi Crate subscription, kids will get a different craft kit in the mail each month with a new project to complete. It's the gift that keeps on giving! We have the Tinker Crate for my oldest and he LOVES it! Use this link to get $10 off your first order.

5.Super Saxoflute- Oh man, foster a creative love of music with this fun toy. Kids can create  a different instrument each time they assemble the pieces....and you never know what sound that shape will produce!

6. Fleece Knot-a-Quilt Kit- I love that this is not only a gift that could entertain for hours (seriously, that's a lot of knots!), but it can also be used for years to come for Family Movie Nights!

7. Aquadoodle: Travel- We were the super lucky recipients of an Aquadoodle Travel Mat at my son's last birthday and it has made our road trips go much more smoothly! With just a simple marker filled with water, kids can create pictures, which disappear after a few minutes. The marker leaves a dark, solid line with just a slight touch to the mat, so even my 1-year old can color to her heart's content...without Mama stressing out over potential scribbles ending up on my couch. (Do you know how hard it is to remove scented marker from a tan couch?! Ask me how I know.)

8. Build-a-Road- What I love the most about the wooden railway sets is how the pieces can create a different path every time you play. This Build-a-Road is the car and truck equivalent. I can see these roads traveling up and over my couch and straight through the kitchen!

9. MarbleWorks Marble Run- Oh, how many hours did my siblings and I spend playing with this game when I was younger. And guess what? It's still a hit at our house today! One great thing about this toy is that there are all sorts of little add-ons and fun pieces you can purchase as a small birthday gift or stocking stuffer in the future.

10. Domino Race Set- A toy that perfect for both boys and girls, these dominos could be set up in a countless number of configurations. The add-ons that come with this set really take this to the next level.

Check out the rest of this series for more great toy and gift ideas that are teacher recommended:

Toys That Get Kids Outside!
Toys That Get Kids Moving!
Toys That Get Kids Thinking!
Toys That Get Kids Creating!
Toys That Get Kids Reading!
Toys That Get Kids Imagining!
Toys That Get Kids Exploring!

Many of you are teachers or parents (or both!)...do you have a toy you'd recommend that encourages creative play?

Toys That Get Kids Thinking!

As a teacher, I'd often get asked about certain 'kid products' and whether or not they had any educational value. Now that I'm also a parent, I am always on the search for a fun toy or gift that will help my children develop healthy bodies and minds. 

I decided to put together a list of toys that encourage kids to learn, grow, and explore the world around them (and boy, did I have fun choosing my top ones!). 

Each week, I will share one of these lists:

Toys That Get Kids Outside!

Toys That Get Kids Moving!
Toys That Get Kids Thinking!

Toys That Get Kids Creating!
Toys That Get Kids Reading!
Toys That Get Kids Imagining!
Toys That Get Kids Exploring!

Be sure and subscribe to my feed so you won't miss any of these goodies! :)

*** Click on the links to see current prices and customer reviews.

1. Learn To Dress Monkey- We have this little guy at our house and he has been dressed and undressed more times than I can count! With zippers, snaps, buttons, shoelaces, and more, this monkey is a great way for young children to learn how to dress themselves.

2. Blokus- I have spent countless hours playing this totally fun intellectually stimulating game with my cousins at every Christmas family gathering. We start with just the four players and by the end of the game, almost every kid (and adult) in the room had gravitated over to lend their strategizing advice. The goal is to use as many of your tiles on the board as you can, while trying to block anyone else from using theirs. This will be a family favorite!

3. Magna-Tiles- These magnetic tiles can be configured to make anything your imagination can conjure up! Promotes problem-solving, logical thinking, and math reasoning.

4. Rush Hour Jr.- Kids have to use problem-solving skills and strategy to steer their ice cream truck through the traffic jam. Perfect for solo play or for a group to work together to solve the puzzle.

5. Tin Can Robot- Budding scientists can create a robot using this kit that actually moves! This is a great activity for the family to do together as adult help will most likely be needed.

6. Bath Foam Ball Run- Kids can build water runs, ball runs, water falls and more in the bath with these foam ball runs. This toy has received the Oppenheim Gold Award. 

7. Cash Register- This cash register really works! It can provide hours of pretend play while slipping in a few math skills on the side.

8. Tangrams- This classic puzzle is still around and still just as effective in teaching problem-solving and spacial skills. For some fun, new shapes to try to create, check online for free tangram patterns.

9. Colorku (Sudoku with color)- I may or may not be addicted to Sudoku. It's more like a once-I-start-I-can't-stop-playing kind of addition. I love that this board would allow me to pass on my addiction love for all things Sudoku.

10. Rack-O- I have played this game for as long as I can remember. I loved it when I was a child and I love it just as much today! For those who haven't heard of Rack-O, the goal of the game is to get ten cards in numerical order. It's a great family game that teaches problem-solving skills and number order.

Check out the rest of this series for more great toy and gift ideas that are teacher recommended:

Toys That Get Kids Outside!
Toys That Get Kids Moving!
Toys That Get Kids Thinking!
Toys That Get Kids Creating!
Toys That Get Kids Reading!
Toys That Get Kids Imagining!
Toys That Get Kids Exploring!

Many of you are teachers or parents...do you have a toy you'd recommend that encourages thinking and problem-solving?