Reviewed by Wendy What it is: For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) is a nonprofit offering a collection of programs created to encourage kids and teens to participate more in science and technology. The four main programs are FIRST LEGO League (grades 4-8), FIRST LEGO League Jr. (ages 6 to 10), FIRST… read more
Reviewed by Wendy What it is: An educational but fun website for young kids (ages 3 to 5 or so) offering more than 150 games, plus storybooks, printables, videos, recipes and activities. The site offers some of the most popular PBS cartoon characters as themes throughout the various activities. Brain Benefits: Numerical fluency, problem solving,… read more
Reviewed by Wendy What it is: Billed as “the royal game of India,” Parcheesi is old family board game that is still sold today. Supposedly, the game was first played in the United States in the late 1860s, but I remember it being really popular during my childhood (1970s and 1980s). The object is to… read more
Reviewed by Wendy What it is: “The world’s largest collection of books, toys and movies for smart, confident, and courageous girls.” Brain Benefits: because the site has information across multiple platforms (books, toys, movies, etc.), the brain benefits are nearly endless! What I love: This site is a nice one-stop-shop for “girl-power” parenting advice, book releases, movies, toys and… read more
Reviewed by Wendy What it is: [Amazon Product Description] “Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls” is a children’s book packed with 100 BEDTIME STORIES about the life of 100 EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN from the past and the present, illustrated by 60 FEMALE ARTISTS from all over the world. Each woman’s story is written in the style of a… read more
Reviewed by Wendy What it is: “The Everything Kids’ Puzzle Book: Mazes, Word Games, Puzzles & More!” (book) [Amazon Product Description]: Wind your way through pages of endless fun! Decode a secret message using the phases of the moon. Wind your way through a pizza maze. Find hidden presidents, borrow some drachmas, and unscramble an invention… read more
Reviewed by Wendy What it is: I’ve always loved brain teasers, word puzzles, optical illusions, trivia and the like. My dad was an English major and later became a writer, so we’ve always geeked out on stuff like this together. He bought me a subscription to Games magazine and I remember taking turns yelling out spoonerisms… read more
Reviewed by Brittany What it is: [Amazon product description] A board game and card game in one! The object is to get a “sequence,” meaning a row of five poker-like chips on the game board. Play a card from your hand, place a chip on a corresponding space on the game board when you have five in a… read more
Reviewed by Brittany What it is: [Amazon product description] Once you start popping, there’s just no stopping! These fun, tactile books help kids learn to count–without losing count! Raised buttons pop in on every page so kids can press them as they count in this casebound book with ten spreads and 30 poke-able dots. Out in the ocean… read more
Reviewed by Wendy What it is: [iTunes store description] Join the numbers and get to the 2048 tile! Swipe to move all tiles. When two tiles with the same number touch, they merge into one. Get to the 2048 tile, and reach a high score! Brain Benefits: visual processing, attention, planning, strategy What I love: Sudoku fans will probably… read more
