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Educational Toys and Games - Brain Building Fun for Kids

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Brain Building Fun Educational Toys and Games for Kids

What's more fun than cool educational toys and games for kids? Geek toys and games for kids! Educational games and toys don't need to be nerdy or boring to inspire learning while providing hours of fun. Choosing the best toys or games for your child can be daunting unless you have a few good resources. And for double the fun, these educational toys and games appeal to adults, too.

Luckily, kids love to learn, and educational toys with a "geeky" side can inspire kids of all ages, including adults, to new heights of creative thinking. This lens will help you find some of the coolest educational toys and games that kids will love, plus resources for parents who take kids playtime seriously. After all, the work of children is play ... so let's make it productive, safe and fun with educational toys and games that build brains.

Get yourself a genuine propeller cap, made in the USA

Life Size Zoo Animals Book

Educational Fun for Preschoolers

Acclaimed wildlife photographer Toyofumi Fukuda visited Japan's premier zoos to capture remarkably vivid and detailed close-up photographs of 21 animals, from pandas and meerkats to giraffes, rhinos, and elephants (adult and baby). Each photograph is accompanied by a profile including body length, weight, and natural habitat, as well as fun facts about the animal.
Life-Size Zoo: From Tiny Rodents to Gigantic Elephants, An Actual Size Animal Encyclopedia

Life-Size Zoo: From Tiny Rodents to Gigantic Elephants, An Actual Size Animal Encyclopedia

Amazon Price: $5.80 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

A zoo tour between covers, this oversize volume brings viewers face to face with a menagerie of creatures, from anteaters to zebras. Each spread features a laser-sharp, actual-size photograph of an animal's body, usually its face, as well as a sidebar that lists a few basic facts in a whimsical, comic-panel format.

Educational Toy Hug the Planet Earth Ball

This soft planet ball makes learning geography fun

This is the famous Classic Hugg-A-Planet Earth is a classic educational toy that's fun for play.
Hugg-a-Planet Hugg-A-Planet

Hugg-a-Planet Hugg-A-Planet

Amazon Price: $19.45 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

A real globe but soft. Over 600 places labeled. 12 inches in diameter, accurate and up-to-date. Children as young as one and two can start but it is not just for the young ones. Parents, educators, professionals from all walks of life have embraced this world. Machine washable.

Educational Fun, Science and Craft Combined ... Cool

Educational activities are tons of fun packed with learning features

I'm a bit of a geek and my tastes in unique toys and crafts tend to be a bit "out there." I love these lenses created by fellow lensmasters who, like me, combine art and science in a most unique manner. Some are traditional crafts with a science theme and others are what I like to call "kitchen crafts. A few of the cool learning lenses here are sciene topic-based and jam-packed with interesting crafts and games that put learning in the right category - FUN.
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Educational Toys fore Older Kids Into Science

My Own Microscope

I had a real microscope as a kid and it was one of my favorite "toys" as a preteen.
Vivitar 40 Piece Microscope Set

Vivitar 40 Piece Microscope Set

Amazon Price: $24.50 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

Getting a close up look at bugs, leaves, even onion skin opens up a whole new world to curious children.

Educational Play References and Resources

Food for Thought, for Parents and Care Givers

Experienced parents and teachers know that play is essential to child development. There's plenty of research available on the topic as well as interesting articles that help parents-to-be as well as families understand the importance of letting children play. This isn't a new thought, but it's one that sometimes gets lost in the hectic schedules of modern families.

"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" ... it's not a truism, it's a reality.
All Work And No Play Makes For Troubling Trend In Early Education
Playtime for children is a "fundamental avenue" for learning. Parents and educators who favor traditional classroom-style learning over free, unstructured playtime in preschool and kindergarten may actually be stunting a child’s development instead of enhancing it, according to e
Non-traditional pre-K school teaches self-learning
Laurie Bailey brought her children up with the belief that they know what they want to learn and how to go about doing it. It was her philosophy. Then about four years ago, Bailey, who has been active in early-childhood education for 18 years, attended a conference on a nontraditional prekindergarten philosophy known as Reggio Emilia. It is an educational philosophy started in Italy that allows children to explore and discover in a supportive environment.
Nontraditional Learning Environments: Do They Prepare Our Students for Life-Long Learning?
This work investigated whether Worcester Polytechnic Institute's (WPI) nontraditional interdisciplinary projects program increased readiness for lifelong learning (LLL) and self-directed learning (SDL) using three methods: a calibrated, validated instrument called the Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale (SDLRS); a nationally normed and calibrated course evaluation system called the IDEA system; and an internally designed student project quality assessment protocol.
Traditional vs. Nontraditional Learning
Nontraditional learning and teaching comes from shifting the image of the instructor that knows everything to the students having some input and sharing their own knowledge in addition to the instructor's findings.
The impact of teacher-directed and child-directed pretend play on cognitive competence in kindergarten children
This is a research digest from the DfES Research Informed Practice Site (TRIPS) that deals with a project looking at the impact of pretend play on young children's cognitive development. The researchers find that both teacher-directed and child-directed play have positive effects and also argue for mixed age classes to enhance children's learning

Amazing Two Potato Clock

7 years & older

You may know potatoes as a good source of potassium, but did you know they can be used to power an alarm clock? This kit contains a digital clock and the instructions and everything you need (except the spuds) to run it.
Toysmith 4 M Potato Clock # 4568

Toysmith 4 M Potato Clock # 4568

Amazon Price: $7.95 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

The two Potato Clock allows you to generate enough electricity to run a digital clock using potatoes! Just push the zinc and copper electrodes into the potatoes causing an oxidation/reduction reaction that is converted to low voltage.

Educational Games For the Love of Learning

Five Education Lenses I Really Like

I'm not an education professional, I'm not a homeschooler, and I don't have the credentials to call myself an eductor. I am a parent and a self-educated grandmother with strong convictions about the value of play for children and adults. I tend to fall someplace between homeschool and unschool approaches in where I think the best learning experiences happen.

I've found delight and inspiration in these learning lenses created and written by other lensmasters. I think you'll find them interesting, eye-opening, and ... well, educational.
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Brain Building Educational Toy, 21st Century Rubik's Cube Game

Electronic TouchCube Electronic Game

Fascinating touch sensitive graphics respond and move as you manipulate the squares around the cube just as in the old school Rubik's Cube version of this brain building game.
Rubik's TouchCube

Rubik's TouchCube

Amazon Price: $55.99 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

Rubik's TouchCube blends technology with the world's #1 3D logic puzzle to create the first completely electronic, solvable Rubik's Cube game.

Cool Tools for Learning

Toys and Games that Build Brains

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Skidum Mechanical Wind up Kids Toy Robot Gear Box

Skidum Mechanical Wind up Kids Toy Robot Gear Box

Skidum is the reincarnation of a certain 'found ob more...0 points

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Elenco Air Jet Rocket

Elenco Air Jet Rocket

Build your own remote control robot controlled by your more...0 points

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Engino Mechanical Science: Pulleys

Engino Mechanical Science: Pulleys

Learn how pulleys can be used to transfer force wi more...0 points

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Nerdy Baby ABC Flashcards for Very Young Scientists

Nerdy Baby ABC Flashcards for Very Young Scientists

Is your baby a nerd? Of course not, there's no suc more...0 points

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Minecraft Note Cube

Minecraft Note Cube


* Great for any Minecraft fan * Brand new0 points

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Educational Fun for Kids: Robotic Arm Kit

This Robotic Arm Kit is For Kids 10 and Older

Build a robotic arm that really works.
OWI Robotic Arm Edge

OWI Robotic Arm Edge

Amazon Price: $55.95 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

Construct your Robotic Arm into a bionic marvel, then command the gripper to open and close, twist at the wrist, rotate on its base or extend at the elbow to retrieve objects. Special features include a five switch wired controller, five motors, five joints and audible gear safety indicators to prevent potential gear damage during operation. Assembled size about 9 inches long x 6.3 inches wide x 15 inches high. Uses four D batteries, not included.

Gifted Kids Survival Guide

Challenges for Parents, Teachers, Friends

Gifted children need special understanding and nurturing. Parents and educations must present opportunities and challenges appropriate to a gifted child's age level and aptitude, then ensure they offer gentle guidance to help a child blossom. This book explores the common misconceptions about children with intellectual and artistic gifts and shows ways for parents to find, create and protect the right learning environment for their gifted child. It provides insight into how to nurture a gifted child's full potential and help him/her grow to happy adulthood as well as how to advocate within the school system to ensure their child's educational needs are met.
The Survival Guide for Parents of Gifted Kids: How to Understand, Live With, and Stick Up for Your Gifted Child

The Survival Guide for Parents of Gifted Kids: How to Understand, Live With, and Stick Up for Your Gifted Child

by: Sally Yahnke Walker Ph.D.

Amazon Price: $4.46 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

This book helps you learn what giftedness is (and isn't), what makes gifted kids so special, how kids are identified as gifted, and why some kids fall through the cracks during the identification process. You'll discover encouraging practical tips for living with your gifted child-and handling the endless questions, high energy, and too-smart mouth that often go along with giftedness. You'll find out how to keep from raising a "nerd," how to prevent perfectionism, and when to get help. And you'll learn how to advocate for your child's education at school and in your state.

Squidoo Features for Kids

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Great Geek! Educational toys for girls and boys

I Think, Therefore I Can. Brain building begins with educational games and toys.

Kids who love to learn grow into thinking, creative adults. Spark, kindle and fan the flame of the love for learning in your child with games, toys, crafts, books and activities for smart kids of all levels who love to learn through play.

Search for Educational Toys

Search Amazon's wide collection of learning toys and games

The best toys for kids are the ones they love - so look for toys that inspire learning and engage kids to play with them. You can check out a huge collection of the best kids games and toys right here.

About Pastiche

Mother, Grandmother, Lifelong Learner

I am a partial product of public school education; my children attended public schools. Most of the time my experiences with public school education were positive, however there were definite limits to what I and my daughters learned in a classroom setting. I was "identified" as a gifted child, as were both my children. Our learning experiences, however, were not mainly nurtured through the formal educational process.

In reality, I learned more on my own, or from my father and mother, than I did in formal classes. In fact, although I left high school after completing my freshman year, I managed to have a highly successful career in the "normal" business world. I'm now self-employed with a comfortable income and plenty of time to play and learn. I graduated from college with high honors, and even that experience was non-traditional and on my own terms. If radical unschooling and homeschooling had been available to my children I'm sure I would have jumped at the opportunity.
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Links for Learning - Toys, Games, Puzzles

Play is How Kids Learn

Educational games, projects and activities to inspire young thinkers!

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Brain Teaser Games, Puzzles & Toys for Kids and Adults

The best Brain teaser games and toys for children more...0 points

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Solve the Rubik's Cube

The Rubik's cube or Magic cube as it was known bac more...0 points

Bringing up Geeks

Bringing Up Geeks: How to Protect Your Kid's Childhood in a Grow-Up-Too-Fast World

Bringing Up Geeks: How to Protect Your Kid's Childhood in a Grow-Up-Too-Fast World

by: Marybeth Hicks

Amazon Price: $2.10 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

Viewpoints on Radical Unschooling

The pro and con and somewhere in between

Unschooling is the polar opposite of public or private education and it's less formally organized then homeschooling. These video clips will give you a taste of different opinions on this unique learning and educational model that feels like all play and no work (earning) - or is it?
What is Unschooling?
by DaynaLeighMartin | video info

195 ratings | 19,307 views
curated content from YouTube

Radical Unschooling

Dayna Martin's "Delight-driven Learning"

"It's not uneducating, it's just a total different belief in how children learn. "

Dayna's been interviewed and featured on national US television programs to talk about how internally motivated children learn best.
Radical Unschooling - A Revolution Has Begun

Radical Unschooling - A Revolution Has Begun

by: Dayna Martin

Amazon Price: $11.97 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

Dayna feels that true learning comes from internal drive and that children have a natural desire to learn, explore and experience.

Classic Educational Toy: Rubik's Cube

Ultimate Brain Training Toy for Kids and Adults

I had one, my kids had them, and we still enjoy working the Rubik's cube 3D puzzle. There's a method to solving the puzzle, or you can just while away the hours trying to get all the sides to a single color through trial and error. Keep on twisting ... remember that the center square on each side never moves.
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Got a Comment? Go for it!

Kids Thrive with the Right Inspiration

Do you have a suggestion for a unique educational toy or activity that spurs a child's imagination and learning while engaging him or her in a totally absorbing and fun experience?

  • OldStones Nov 26, 2011 @ 9:21 am | delete
    I would have loved to get that robotic arm when I was a kid. Excellent selection of smart gifts.
  • KM9999999 Nov 20, 2011 @ 11:48 pm | delete
    I want the potato clock!
  • AngelDey Jul 14, 2011 @ 10:30 pm | delete
    I fell in love with /www.squidoo.com/unschooling-plan">unschooling when I first learned about it. It wasn't like I wasn't unschooling already, but the more I embraced it, the more delightful our school days have become. My son is dyslexic and learning from a book just isn't as effective for him as learning by doing. Thank you for a great lens.
  • kristindg Jul 13, 2011 @ 10:49 pm | delete
    gotta say I'm much more in your camp than the tiger mom's! Love the potato clock;)
  • nolinel Jun 27, 2011 @ 6:58 am | delete
    You have some really interesting ideas here, thank you...
  • GonnaFly May 29, 2011 @ 1:24 am | delete
    As a homeschooling Mum, I love geeky toys =D
  • TapIn2U May 4, 2011 @ 9:40 am | delete
    Love this lens. This would make children more wiser and intelligent. Children would love this.
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Rubik's Cube Collectibles

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On the Flip Side: Tiger Mom

No play and all work make children successful

This mother wrote about her successful methods for raising successful children. Her book is a hot topic in most education and parenting circles. Her methods are radically strict - totally the opposite of popular childrearing philosophies including attachment parenting and unschooling.
Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother

by: Amy Chua

Amazon Price: $11.39 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

The book and topic have been widely discussed since its release and climb into Best Seller status. I don't agree with her ideas or methods ... but it does give one a reason to think about where to find balance between totally laid-back and rigidly strick parenting.

by

Pastiche

I'm 60 years old and proud to say I learned more on my own than I did in a classroom after I hit my teens. I thank my parents' "benign neglect" and wi... more »

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