KidKraft Deluxe Wood Easel In Espresso

 

KidKraft Deluxe Wood Easel In Espresso $149.99

It's good for children to have an outlet where they can allow their creative juice to follow and express themselves. I have a wood easel similar to the kidkraft for my three kids where they can practice maths as well as draw anything that comes to their mind and above all it provides them with bonding experience between them whilst doing role play.

For those based in the UK, you could try this:

Millhouse Traditional Wooden Easel £55

Goldie Blox: Toys for Future Innovators

The idea behind creating GOLDIE BLOX is to shake off the motion that girls are only good for certain type of jobs. The company is doing this "disrupting the pink aisle" through doing construction toys for girls the right way by combining stories with building skills and keeping the color pink down to reasonable level.

According to the founder and CEO Debbie Sterling, there are only 13% of female engineer and 87% of male engineer worldwide.

There are 3 different types of books targeting different aspects of promoting Toys for Future Innovators.

The first one is GoldieBlox and the Spinning Machine $29.99. It is a book series plus construction set starring Goldie, the girl inventor. The book will help to builds spatial skills, engineering principles, and confidence in problem-solving. Also comes equipped with 16 design ideas and unlimited building possibilities.

The second book is GoldieBlox and the Parade Float $19.99 series plus construction set introducing Ruby, Goldie's best friend and princess-turned-engineer. This books helps to builds spatial skills, engineering principles, and confidence in problem-solving. Also comes equipped with 9 design ideas, a DIY project, and unlimited building possibilities. It is compatible with all other GoldieBlox toys.

The third one is GoldieBlox and the Dunk Tank $19.99 series book series plus construction set where Goldie and friends devise a plan to get Nacho clean in time for the carnival. This book helps to builds spatial skills, engineering principles (hinges and levers) and confidence in problem-solving. Also comes equipped with 3 design ideas and unlimited building possibilities. It is compatible with all other GoldieBlox toys.   


Lawnmower Push Toy By Brimful

Lawnmower Push Toy $40 

If you are regular reader of this blog, you would already know that I love wooden toys. Apart from being sturdy and long lasting, it has this old fashion look about it that I truly enjoy. I have just discovered this wooden lawnmower push toy which I truly love and I can it becoming a starting point for conversations each time you have a guest or family visiting.

The handmade wooden toy measures 24 inches long and comes with  six brightly coloured balls that tumble as the wooden cage rolls.

Map of Britain Jigsaw By Alphabet Jigsaws

Map of Britain Jigsaw By Alphabet Jigsaws £40 at Gift Library

Suitable from ages 7+

This would make a beautiful gift and its unusual in the sense that they have been very innovative using the shape of Britain to create an educational jigsaw.The puzzle is a great educational tool to teach counties of Britain as well as helping with eye to hand coordination, and fine-motor skills. Comes complete with a cotton bag to store the pieces.

Planet Puzzels by Janod

Planet Puzzels by Janod £16.95 at Amazon UK

Looking for an interesting and educational way to get your child or children to have knowledge of other countries around them? If yes you need to purchase this puzzle. 

It is made up of 208 pieces and has Europe, Africa, North America and South America on one side and Asia and Australasia on the other side. -Two puzzles in one!

Children can learn about the location of countries and see which animals that can be found in different areas. The puzzle can also help children to pinpoint important landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty to the Eiffel tower in Paris and Ayers rock in Australia.

Fill In The Blank: These Hape Lacing Skate Are........................................................

Is there any cuter way to teach your kids how to tie their shoe laces? Why not get them to practice  with these lacing skate shoes by Hape.

Hape Lacing Skate $5.74 at Amazon US

Below are three reasons why Lacing Skate in Red Felt by Hape is good for your child:

1. Practice tying a bow or a knot
2. Great educational value
3. Hape toy finishes are all non-toxic, child safe, and of the highest quality

Back To School: Fraction/ And Percentage Tower Cubes

Fraction/ And Percentage Tower Cubes £11 at Great Little Trading Co

Every child learn different and therefore it is ideal to use the appropriate educational aid to help get the best out of each child. If your child learns more visually then using something like tower cubes will help him or her understand fraction better as well percentages.   

Bi-Lingual Flashcard by Deuz

Bi-Lingual Flashcard €19,90  by Deuz

Some parent believes in the use of flashcard i n helping their little to become good with their reading skills as well recognising letters. These bi-lingual flashcard is by Deuz and comes in 26 french/english bilingual flash cards. It features drawings on the front side and then gives indications to guess what is on the back. Suitable from 2 - 5 years old.

Uncle Goose ABC Wooden Blocks by Uncle Goose

I first came across Uncle Goose ABC Wooden Blocks when it was given to my first child almost 7 years ago on his first birthday and since then I have fallen in love with their toy range. And subsequently my two children that followed afterwards have also made use of them including when family friends with kids also visits.

Made from non toxin ink, each of the set of 28 wooden Classic ABC blocks features with animal illustrations, alphabets and numbers in multi-coloured, patterns and prints. The blocks are an exciting way to teach your little one the basics of reading and counting.

The blocks are suitable from ages 2 years plus. The same wooden blocks also comes in other languages such as Greek and Arabic

• Wood Embossed Classic ABC Blocks £45 

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• ABC Wooden Blocks £50

• Greek ABC Blocks £45

• ABC Arabic wooden blocks £45

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• Classic ABC Blocks With Pull Wagon £50

Some Of My Favourites Sets of Building Blocks For Toddlers

Even in this fast paced world of all things technology, nothing beats going back to basics with a beloved classic of building blocks for toddlers. I love old fashioned building blocks because they are timeless as well as encouraging creativity and imaginative play. 

Check out eight great sets for the tot in your life, and have fun building.

USA

Vintage Blocks Pastels $29

The Land of Nod Bucket o' Blocks $99

Bannor Toys Organic Blocks (can be shipped to the UK)

Alphabet Zoo ABC House Blocks by Skip-Hop $43

UK

ELC Wooden Alphabet Blocks £10

Mega Bloks 60 Piece Big Building Bag in Lime £14.99

100 Piece Foam Building Blocks £14.99

Traditional Wooden Building Blocks £11.95

Yellow Moon's Digital Coin Counting Money Jar

I wanted to start teaching my oldest two children all about money and importance of saving. One evening last year around November 2012, I was presented with a Yellow Moon Christmas catalogue as I picked up my oldest child from after school club. On browsing through the catalogue, I came across some creative and unique gift ideas for Christmas which I never even thought of.

But the one that actually captivated me was the self calculating money jar. Wow - I said to myself  that would make an ideal gifts for Xmas - so off I went and I purchase 2 jars). It's been 3 months plus since they got them (and whilst the beyblade and other 10 seconds Christmas presents are either in the dustbin or almost making their way) the self calculating money jar is still a thing of fascination to them because the numbers change each time they insert a coin.

They also try to say the amount they have saved in words too. The only downside if actually it is seen as that is it requires batteries. 

£9.99 from Yellow Moon

Classic Wooden Abacus by Melissa & Doug

Melissa & Doug

I totally love wooden abacus simply because it is one of those hard wearing toys that stand the test of time, even better that those expensive toys you as birthdays and Christmas presents. I bought mine when my first son started reception over 3 years ago and still date my eldest son and his younger siblings have all the abacus for school work and fun games.

It was the same abacus that my daughter used to learn how to count. I bought mine own from Ikea around 2009, whilst I can't remember the exact price I know it was under £10. Right now the same type on sale for £11 at IKEA  and this has to be purchased at the store.

Alternatively, you could try the Melissa & Doug version retailing for £12 at AlexandAlexa.

Mellisa Doug Educational Teaching Clock For Kids

Mummy, Daddy, Please teach me how to tell the time?

Seconds, Minutes, Past The Hour, Quarter To, Hour, O'Clock

Tick Tock Tick Tock Tick Tock!

Last year Xmas when decision was being made on what to get the kids for their Christmas present, it came down to the fact that part of their present must have something educational tone to it. So off I went looking for something that will capture their interest or least for the older two who were at the time 3 and 5 years old.

As I searched on Online, I came across the Melissa Doug toy range on sale at Amazon. I made decision to purchase the Melissa and Doug Shape Sorting Clock based on review. All I can say is that it is a great teaching tool for all ages. For my two oldest children they are always setting the clock  based on what time their favourite children's programme is showing or would be showing.

My youngest child (girl) who is two years old is in love with the various shapes and the colours are brilliant. The toy is very durable.

(my oldest child holding the clock)

£9.56 at Amazon UK