Tile it on!
January 1, 2009
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What’s in a name? In the case of Magna-Tiles , the answer is, "A perfect description!"
Magna-Tiles are a series of flat shapes with magnetic sides or edges. The tiles can be used to build 3-dimensional structures or can used on a flat surface in an endless combination of designs. Talk about gratification; take a series of small, flat objects and turn them into an amazing creation!
We love Magna-Tiles because while they’re building, kids are also learning math concepts including geometry and calculus.
We sell the Magna-Tiles 32-piece Clear Colors set , and the Magna-Tiles DX 48-piece set , which also includes wheels, a door, curved and holed pieces.From learning basic shapes to the creation of advanced multi-dimensional structures, Magna-Tiles are a wonderful toy to help develop patterning, shape recognition, building and motor skills.
Magna-Tiles , offering hours of open-ended fun and exploration, are ideal for children three and older, and are made by Valtech.
Click here for more info or how to buy from The Learning Tree .
Gears Gears Gears Gear up for fun!
December 17, 2008
Do you have a builder - a child who likes to take things apart, put them together, figure out how to make things work? Imagine their sense of delight and satisfaction when they get to do what they love - and are then rewarded with motorized movement and real lights!
The Gears! Gears! Gears!® Lights & Action Building Set is a wonderful construction toy that combines gears-and-cranks building with a power motor, flashing lights, glow-in-the-dark stickers and more.
The Gears! Gears! Gears!® Lights & Action Building Set comes with its own storage tub and works fully with other Gears, Gears, Gears sets . It is the perfect next step for kids who have the Basic Building Sets (or would be a great companion to the Basic Building Set if your child hasn’t experienced the fun of these great construction sets!).
From Learning Resources, Gears! Gears! Gears!® Lights & Action Building Set is ideal for ages 5-10.
A Hop, Jump & A Blast Pad!
December 2, 2008
- Ah, the power of launching a missile, just with a jump!
One good hop onto the Blast Pad® sends one of the three Metalix™ missiles high into the sky - the jump forces air through the launch tube to vault the missile into space! We think there are lots of good things here:
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The flex launch tube extends almost 3 feet, points safely away from children and only launches in the vertical position.
- To make the missiles launch, it takes a jump - that’s action , people! Kiddos playing with this toy have to get their hops on and be active, making the Blast Pad a great toy - it’s fun and promotes physical activity.
- The action continues, as the jumpers or their friends have to run, walk, skip or hop (or any other way to get from point A to point B) to reclaim the missile after it returns to earth.
- All of the parts store neatly into the base.
- The Blast Pad includes 3 missiles and comes in three different colors: Comet Tail Red, Electric Extra Terrestrial Green and Exploding Sun Yellow.
The Blast Pad Advanced Launch Missile System is recommended for ages 8 to 11 but big kids like us have a great time with it too!
The Amazing Bilibo
November 14, 2008
When we say that Bilibo is an open-ended play kind of toy, boy, do we mean open-ended!
If Bilibo has taught us anything, it’s that children’s imaginations truly are amazing things and that, given the chance, their minds can come up with some pretty inventive things to do with Bilibo. Things, that quite frankly, our adult minds never even came close to dreaming up!
There is no "one way" to use Bilibo , and that’s its magic. What the children dream to do with it is dependent only on their age and interests. And, speaking of age, there’s no one age for Bilibo - as they grow, children will discover new uses for Bilibo .
Click here for a link to our product page and a fun video showing how kids play with Bilibo.
Available in a selection of bright colors, Bilibo is one of our favorites; a toy full of possibilities powered solely by a child’s imagination, invention and creativity. How wonderfully simple, yet amazingly multi-faceted!
Created by a Swiss designer and a team of child development experts, Bilibo is recommended for kids from 2 to 7 but we’ve found that older and slightly younger kids can have fun with it also. It comes from Kid O.
The Teaching Cash Register helps kids learn about money the fun way!
November 3, 2008
How many quarters does it take to make a dollar? Is a dime bigger or smaller than a penny? Just how do credit cards work?
The Learning Resources Teaching Cash Register takes playing store to the next level by helping children learn about money through play. This talking, interactive toy is one of our favorites here at The Learning Tree . From its real-size coins and bills to the working scanner, the register helps turn sometimes difficult concepts about money into tangible lessons.
Play store, count the change, use the 4 interactive math games that come with the toy or weigh grocery items and learn about the value of items with this toy that we think is worth a million bucks, but doesn’t cost that much!
Zingo! - A Bingo Game for All Ages!
October 21, 2008
What does it say about a game when people who work at the toy store keep buying it to give as a gift? It must be a winner!
Zingo! is one of our most popular games. Even though it is intended for kids 4 to 8, adults have been known to say they’re going to play just one game…only to keep playing! One staffer gave the game to a family adopting two children and the parents-to-be reported in their thank-you note that “ My hubby and I have already spent over an hour playing Zingo! ”
A Bingo-style game, Zingo’s game cards are complete with nine squares with pictures (for those too young to read) and their matching words (for those learning to or already reading). Plastic tiles are released by a fun plastic dispenser and players race to match the tiles to pictures and words on their game card. The first to fill his or her card wins!
One of the best features of Zingo! is the two different boards which put younger players on an even level with more skilled older players. The younger kids have just as much chance of winning, which is good for their morale.
Zingo! is fast-paced and a fun way for children to use their observation skills; it assists with shape and pattern recognition, as well as nurturing short-term memory and more…but best of all, it does that and more while being a blast to play!
My First Purse Holds Lots of Fun For Toddler Girls
September 2, 2008
If you’re looking for a cute gift for a toddler girl, here is a great choice for you…
….My First Purse by International Playthings is a fun, bright, accessory filled handbag for girls ages two and up.
Just like mom’s purse, it includes a cell phone, lipstick, flower-framed mirror, cash card, makeup and car keys. Everything a little girl needs to play and pretend. My First Purse is lots of great toys in one and the bag itself is a surface washable polyester and vinyl so spills and dirt are no problem.
It’s one of our faves here at The Learning Tree and a long time bestseller. My First Purse sells for $12.99 and we ship anywhere in the US.
