Since 1978, Parents' Choice has championed the search for products that
sharpen young minds, not blunt them. From bookshelves to kitchen tables or
playroom floors, the following suggestions will help awaken imaginations,
cheer on creativity and instigate exploration.
So You Want to Be an
Inventor?
Ages: All Ages
Author: Judith St. George
Illustrator: David Small
Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc., $16.99
This is just the book for kids who like "to tinker with machines that clink
and clank, levers that pull, bells that ring, cogs that grind, switches
that turn on and off, wires that vibrate, dials that spin." etc "If you
want to be an inventor, find a need and fill it," says author St. George.
The author lists necessary attributes of an inventor: be a dreamer; keep
your eyes open; "be stubborn as a bulldog", don't mind being laughed at.
More than three dozen inventors have been well chosen as examples of the
various attributes useful to a would-be inventor.
Imagibricks Giant Building Blocks 40-Piece Set
Ages: 2 - 6 yrs.
Imagiplay, Inc., $32.99
Constructive play begins with the kind of large corrugated cardboard blocks
beloved by generations of children. They are light enough even for toddlers
to carry and stack, big enough to show quick results, and strong enough to
stand or sit on.
101 Rhythm Instrument Activities :
for Young Children
Ages: 2 - 6 yrs.
Author: Abigail Flesch
Connors Illustrator: Deborah Wright
Gryphon House, Inc., $14.95 (Hardcover)
The perfect book to introduce rhythm instruments to young children. The
activities bring music into the home or classroom and offer ways for
children to participate in the music experience, using rhythm sticks, sand
blocks, bells, shakers, and more! Plus, they learn to play the instruments
along with their favorite songs. Book Description
Superstructs Construction Set: Starter Set
Ages: 3 -
7 yrs.
WABA Fun, LLC, $29.95
The Superstructs™ Starter Set is designed to build big rolling fun! The
set includes illustrated, step-by-step plans to create a tractor, dragster,
dune buggy, or monster truck. Or use your imagination - and the
Superstructs building system pieces - to build other great creations!
Product Description
Science is Simple: Over 250 Activities for Preschoolers
Ages: 3 -
6 yrs.
Artist: Peggy Ashbrook Illustrator: Marie
Ferrante-Doyle
Gryphon House, Inc., $16.95
Science Is Simple encourages children to experience our world
fully, and gives teachers learning objectives, items for discovery, related
books and follow-up activities. This comprehensive resource will help you
teach simple science concepts -- simply! Book Description
Supermag 244
Ages: 5 - 10 yrs.
PlastWood
Corporation, $79.99
Connect magnetic rods in two lengths (one inch and one-half inch) with
metal balls to make constructions strong enough to build outward on a
refrigerator. 244 is the total number of rods and balls.
Kidspiration 2
Ages: 5 - 11 yrs.
Inspiration Software, Inc.,
$69.00 (Windows/ MAC)
This software is essentially a hands-on, visual, brainstorming and
outlining workshop for comprehending and writing assignments, or for just
exploring topics. In practical terms, it's an enriching tool for everything
from planning research projects to recognizing connectivity of ideas and
subjects. Using the mind-mapping webs that create and connect concepts,
kids can learn better to synthesize, analyze and evaluate. Sorting,
categorizing, organizing and rethinking are the mental muscles the program
builds as ideas are wrung-out, reworked, kneaded and raised, and finally
translated into a more comprehensive written form, such as a journal,
report or project.
Strange Attractors Starter Kit
Ages: 5 - 12 yrs.
Design
Science Toys, $39.95
The set consists of magnets in the shape of rods that can cling to steel
balls. By experimenting with different shapes and joining techniques, many
different structures can be built. With magnet rods of varying lengths,
this kit can be used to explore geometry as well as the way many different
materials fit together at an atomic scale. A detailed instruction book is
included.
Atollo a240 Flexible Building Kit
Ages: 5 & Up
ATOLLO Systems USA, $25.99
Each Atollo kit contains enough pieces to build the model illustrated.
(And to get you started instructions to show you how). But what else you do
with those pieces is down to your imagination. Models will have poseable
joints, so you can move and flex them just as you like! Product
Description
Kidz Labs/Super Magnet
Ages: 5 & Up
4M Industrial
Development Limited, $9.90
Two extremely powerful bar magnets transform into different gadgets that
combine the science of magnetism with the fun of magnetic games. With the
accessories included, two children can conduct a car race on a tabletop
maze and a yacht race in water, play a fishing game, make magnetic
sculptures, and even check their cereal for iron content! Well-illustrated
five-page folder clarifies everything.
Make-Your-Own Games
Ages: 5 & Up
Made By
Hands, Inc., $18.95
Somehow we as parents have forgotten that toys don't have to beep, talk to
us or do all the work. This inventive, uncomplicated and imaginative kit
includes simple, durable elements: a game board with two blank sides, a
blank spinner, a blank deck of cards, pop out shapes, three blank dice of
different sizes and a glue stick - enough pieces and supplies to create two
games; it even has a carrying case. A thought provoking and innovative way
to play and learn.
Music Ace Deluxe
Ages: 5 yrs. & Up
Harmonic
Vision Inc., $50.00 (Windows 98 & Up/Mac OS)
What sets Music Ace apart from other programs is its delivery.
Simply put, it's much hipper and funnier than most other music learning
programs. Our music students had a blast with this program. The lessons are
nothing new - and they shouldn't be - no need to reinvent the wheel. The
"Maestro" guides you through the program with great aplomb. The smiling,
frowning, singing and dancing noteheads are flat out hysterical. Kudos to
Harmonic Vision for coming up with a fresh package for this material!
Kids' Art Works! Creating With Color, Design, Texture &
More
Ages: 6 - 12 yrs.
Williamson Publishing, $12.95
(Paperback)
Budding artists explore texture, color, pattern and imagination through
the more than 60 art projects in this creative book.
Hands-on Science: Get In Gear
Ages 6 & Up
By
Sholly Fisch, Illustrated by Mark Oliver
Innovative Kids, $19.99
Guided by Doc Sprocket, a robot who lives in a junkyard, kids can build
wacky gear contraptions directly on the pages, using real gears that are
stored in a special tray at the back of the book. Once the gears and parts
are in place, switch on the built-in motor and watch the gears move.
Book Description
Kids Discover Magazine
Ages: 7 - 10 yrs.
Kids Discover,
$26.95 (1-Year Subscription)
Dedicated to helping children aged 6 to 12 become lifelong learners, each
issue investigates a single high-interest topic in science or social
studies. The combination of dramatic color photography, high-impact
illustrations, and informative kid-friendly text engages readers with
compelling content. Product Description
Ask (Arts and Sciences for Kids)
Ages: 7 - 10 yrs.
Carus Publishing Company- Chicago, $23.95
ASK is about the real world, from dinosaurs to cathedrals, from distant
stars to microbes. It's about why animal sleep, why people love music, and
who deciphered the Egyptian hieroglyphs. ASK helps kids understand how the
world works and how discoveries are made--it challenges them to explore new
ideas. Product Description
Nature's Art Box
Ages: 7 - 12 yrs.
Author: Laura Martin
Illustrator: David Cain
Storey Publishing/Storey Kids, $16.95 (Paperback)
Whether it's a city park, a suburban backyard, a farmer's field, or the
sandy seashore, there's a treasure trove of natural art materials out
there. Twigs, vines, pinecones, flowers, leaves, rocks, shells, moss,
feathers - they're all gifts of the earth. Add just a few inexpensive
store-bought items, such as glue, string, and wire, and anyone can create
beautiful, natural works of art. Book Description
Recycled Crafts Box
Ages: 7 - 12 yrs.
Author: Laura Martin Illustrator: Lisa Adams
Storey Publishing/Storey Kids, $10.95
Old blue jeans, worn out sweaters, plastic bubble wrap, grocery bags, and
empty soda bottles all find new life with these creative projects. Each
project features step-by-step illustrated instructions, and a full-color
photo of the finished artwork. Plus you'll learn fun facts about rubbish
throughout history, where our garbage goes, and read stories of artists who
make beautiful things from junk. Product Description
Gizmos & Gadgets: Creating Science Contraptions That Work (&
Knowing Why)
Ages: 7 - 14 yrs.
Author: Jill Frankel Hauser
Illustrator: Michael Kline
Williamson Publishing, $12.95
Using simple household items to create toys that spin, fling, collide, and
whiz, kids will grasp the basics of concepts of gravity, inertia, balance,
and energy. Every page is jam-packed (in age-appropriate vocabulary) with
factoids, fun facts about famous inventors, and inspiration for science
lovers of all ages.
Sculpey Creative Clay Deluxe Bucket
Ages: 8 - 12 yrs.
Polyform Products, $25.00
This deluxe pack includes: (8) 1-oz. Bars of assorted colors of clay, (2)
push molds, (6) clay cutters, modeling tools, clay roller and accessories.
Package serves as storage.
Paper-Folding Fun! 50 Awesome Crafts to Weave, Twist &
Curl
Ages: 8 & Up
Author: Ginger Johnson Illustrator:
Betsy Day
Williamson Publishing, $12.95 (Hard Cover)
Fold, weave, twist, and curl paper, and transform it into books, origami,
baskets, boxes, beads, weavings, mobiles, or pop-ups. The book starts with
well-illustrated descriptions of supplies and techniques.
A Book of Artrageous Projects
Ages: 8 & Up
Klutz,
$19.95
The ever-clever elves at Klutz have partnered with the Metropolitan Museum
of Art staff to produce a hands-on art museum between book covers.
1000 Inventions and Discoveries
Ages: 8 & Up
Author:
Roger Francis Bridgman Illustrator: Peter Dennis
Dorling Kindersley Publishing, Inc., $24.99 (Hardcover)
Fascinating stories and vivid photographs and illustrations tell the tales
of the developments in technology and natural science that have shaped our
world. Profiles of the famous (and not-so-famous) men and women who have
had "Eureka!" moments, a running timeline which puts the inventions and
discoveries in historical context, and feature boxes highlighting key
topics make this chronologically ordered volume a must-have for school and
home learning. Book Description
Electricity
Ages: 8 & Up
Jazwares
Distribution, Inc., $14.99
Kids 8 and up get all materials needed to make lightning, a working
battery, and a telegraph machine and to conduct other experiments related
to electricity. Includes step-by-step instructions.
The Usborne Book of Art Projects (Art Ideas)
Ages: 10 & Up
Author: Fiona Watt
EDC Publishing/Usborne Books, $18.95 (Hard Cover)
This book is packed full of inspiring projects that use a variety of art
materials to create exciting drawings, paintings, prints and collage. There
are also lots of ideas for framing your pictures and making cards. You can
follow the step-by-step instructions or use the ideas to create pictures of
your own. Book Description
Accidental Inventions
Ages:
12 - 18 yrs.
Jumby Bay Studios, $29.95
Dynamite. Velcro. Cellophane. The Post-it Note. Who came up with these
wacky ideas? Accidental Inventions explores the origins of some of the most
common and useful items in our world, all created in unlikely and
unexpected ways. Using historical photos, 3-D graphics, maps, clips and
interviews with experts, the DVD offers interesting mini-documentaries that
will inspire, inform, encourage curiosity and prove that anything's
possible - even when you least expect it.
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