Who says learning can’t be as fun or as addictive as playing games? Board games for children are incredibly effective learning tools as they promote teamwork and boost self-confidence, while ensuring fast-paced learning inspired by healthy competition. Today there are many games available to educate the young; here we have selected the top ten award winning educational games for children.

1. Blokus Board Game

   Fun for both kids and adults, Blokus is a strategy board game that challenges spatial thinking. Bright colors and simple rules make it ideal for ages five and up, but adults will certainly be engrossed by this unique and challenging game. Winner of over 20 prestigious awards.

   Blokus encourages creative thinking and has received a Mensa award for promoting healthy brain activity. It is simple to understand, but the game’s complexity is revealed shortly after everyone begins to play. It can be addictive, even for those not normally into abstract games. Blokus is a catalyst for spatial thinking, as players form images in their mind before placing the pieces on the board. Children and adults can play together for hours of competitive family fun.

   
   Blokus Board Game

2. Set Game

   SET is a card game of quick recognition and deduction. It is for one or more players, for ages six and above. Winner of many awards and featured on the New York Times bestselling games page.The object of the game is to identify “sets” of three cards. Each card is unique in its four features; color – red, green or purple, symbol – diamond, squiggle or oval, shading – solid, striped or open, and number – 1, 2 or 3. A “set” consists of three cards on which each feature is either the same on all of the cards, or different on all of the cards. This game contains complete instructions for play, 81 cards, and a durable plastic carrying case.

   
   Set Game

3. Passport to Culture – The World Culture Game

   This is a unique, exciting board game where players circle the globe, uncovering the mysteries of our amazing world. A game that’s an international education unto itself, Passport to Culture™ is part quiz, part cultural exchange, and all fun.

   Designed for ages 10 and up, with fascinating, fun-filled questions about people and places, food & drink, world treasures, greetings and gestures, or customs and traditions for all of the world’s countries and encounter surprising scenarios while traveling the globe. A Cultural IQ™ score measures each player’s global smarts, and no one ever really loses because everyone always learns something new. Passport To Culture™ is the Winner of Museum Tour Product of the Year award and Winner of National Parenting Center Seal of Approval.

   

   
   Passport to Culture – The World Culture Game

4. Totally Gross Game

   Winner of iParenting Media Award, this unique game engages kids to learn and understand all the major scientific disciplines. From biology to chemistry to zoology, there are over 220 science questions and activities.

   A dose of gross helps science make sense! Did you know snot keeps your lungs clean? Or that some bullfrogs are cannibals? Learn this and more as you travel around the game board answering queasy questions. Land on a Gross-Out space, and you may have to check another player for toe jam or describe the last time you threw up! Every time you answer a question or complete a Gross-Out, stretch your slime on the score line. Stretch it to 10 and complete a Lab Experiment to win the game! Full of action and information, it’s an educational game they’ll actually enjoy. Designed for ages 8 and up.

   Totally Gross Game

5. Mars 2020 Board Game

   Learn tons of facts with over 500 multiple-choice questions related to space science and technology. Choose a spaceship and a crew member and try to land on Mars first. Along the orbital path, players must answer questions to fix malfunctions that occur. Kids love the “cool” spaceship playing pieces and becoming a crew member. Mars 2020 captures the excitement, the challenge and the science involved in reaching the red planet. Mars even continues to orbit throughout the game, which provides an added challenge. Unexpected messages from Mission Control add excitement to the play. Ages 8 and Up, 2-6 Players.

   

   
   Mars 2020 Game
   

6. The Play’s the Thing Board Game

   This is a game to play and preform. Kids will learn about Shakespeare in a way that captures the spirit of his work and the pure fun and excitement of the theater. So besides learning the characters, plots and quotations from Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet and Julius Caesar, players will experience the stage mishaps and the much anticipated reviews! No knowledge of Shakespeare is required. Ages 8 and Up, 2 – 6 Players.
   

   The Play’s the Thing Board Game

7. Where in the World Game

   Where in the World was introduced 16 years ago it launched the trend in geography games. Today, this game remains the most comprehensive world geography games that families and classrooms love. The game has been updated to include the latest facts about every country in the world including capitals, major imports and exports, languages and religions. With 6 games in one, it’s possible for players of all abilities to play together providing challenge and a world of fun for everyone. Ages 8 and up, 2 – 6 players.

   Six games on six levels of play offer players of all ages a complete up-to-date tour of world geography. Learn the names, locations and vital facts of all 196 countries! Players will learn facts about every country in the world including; country name, continent, flag, capital, population, rank in size, literacy rate, monetary unit, languages, religions, imports, exports and seacoasts.Game includes 6 region maps (Africa, Asia, Europe, North American, South America and Oceania), 196 country cards, 6 wild cards, 1 spinner, 1 bodies of water reference board, 120 playing pieces and instructions.

   Where in the World Game

8. The Whole Brain Game

   This fun, fast paced interactive game challenges the mind, creates outbursts of creativity and causes the players to “Think out of the Box”. The concept is simple: It’s not what you think, but how you think it. Players are challenged to take unlike words or situations and create similarities, as one playing example. It causes the players to spontaneously think and shout out responses to the questions rapidly to beat the clock.

   A mentally and intellectually stimulating, educational and fun game all at the same time! “Right brain” activity is stimulated as players generate ideas, use their imaginations and work out patterns and relationships. At the same time the “left brain” quickly structures responses using language, logic, sequences and details. Great for families, parties, schools, and anyone that dares to think differently.

   

   The Whole Brain Game

9. Level Minded

   Level Minded is an exciting, educational, competitive family game designed to promote social and moral development. This balancing contest of principles, values and beliefs is an educational tool, winner of many awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children Products Award, Child Magazine’s Preferred Choice Award, iParenting Media’s Best Products Award. Ages: eight and up. Number of players: 2 to 8.

   Players score points by navigating a ball on a unique three dimensional labyrinth path and writing the most “level minded” responses to questions about ones personal principles, values and beliefs. The questions asked can be quite challenging, but since the players written responses are submitted anonymously, the answers can be clever, insightful or just plain silly. Level Minded includes the Junior Principles, values and beliefs deck, of questions but maybe played with multiple card decks.

   Level Minded

10. Stare!

    Winner of the National Parenting Center Seal and the Teacher’s Choice Award for the Family, this is a fun game for kids that develops memory, concentration and imagination. For 2 to 6 players (up to 18 players with teams). Ages 6-12.

    Kids can test and train their visual memory skills and have a blast doing it. In Stare! Junior – the game – players have 30 seconds to stare at an image on a card. Images are varied and fun for kids to look at. It might be a movie poster, funny photo, comic, work of art and more. When time is up, an opponent will flip over the card and ask the player a series of questions about the image to see how much they can recall. What was the clown holding in his left hand? What color was the girl’s hat? Guess right and advance on the game board. Kids can play individually or on teams. The revised Second Edition includes larger image cards containing all new images and questions! Includes 960 questions on 160 image cards, game board, sand timer, playing pieces, die, and instruction sheet.

    Stare!

Technorati Tags: educational, games, children, board games, learning

Find the top ten calendars for children for the 2010. Beautiful, creative, educational, useful, fun… The list is here.

1. Children’s Activity Wall Calendar

   Why should calendars be just for adults? Share the fun with this brand-new calendar, packed with activities to satisfy your little ones. Each month features seasonal activities, so children will learn about seasons and time while going through mazes, filling in the blanks and more. Kids will color, create and think their way through the year! Price: $12.99

   
   

   Children’s Activity Wall Calendar

2. 2010 Paper Airplanes PG Calendar

   This calendar is a creative way to throw yesterday away . . . and watch it soar! Large size paper (7 3/4″ x 6″) enables children to make airplanes big enough to really fly! Paper airplane experts Kyong Lee and David Mitchell have joined forces to create a squadron of planes throughout the year that feature 40 original models. There are hundreds of original paper airplanes for aeronautic delight, illustrated folding instructions, and custom-designed graphics for each plane. Easy Fold-a-Round calendar box is a virtual aircraft carrier. Includes easy-access date cards. Price: $14.99

   
   2010 Paper Airplanes PG Calendar

3. Easy Origami Fold-a-Day Desk Calendar

   Who needs a “Zen Garden” when you can create 100s of figures including animals, flowers, birds, and Christmas ornaments each day? Children will enjoy playing with 100s of new Origami models. Patterned paper. Illustrated folding instructions. Weekend papercraft ideas. Large 6″ x 6″ color pages (Origami size). Price $14.99

   
   

   Easy Origami Fold-a-Day 2010 Desk Calendar

4. Where’s Waldo Wall Calendar

   Long time no see! Down the road, over the sea, around the globe Where’s Waldo? For the upcoming year, you’ll find him right in this calendar! Kids will have fun each month searching for Waldo and friends, hidden on the pages of this new calendar from Sellers Publishing.

   

   
   Where’s Waldo Wall Calendar

5. Make Your Own 2010 Wall Calendar

   Each month features a space for kids to create their own pictures as well as clever border designs to color in and a sheet of 200 stickers. Fresh, snappy artwork by Steve Haskamp gives this product lots of ‘kid’ appeal.

   

   

   Make Your Own 2010 Wall Calendar

6. Where the Wild Things Are Wall Calendar

   Classic children’s literature that reaches the heart of the young mind. Whether the images conjure up memories of your own childhood or you are inspiring the child you love, this calendar will keep the magic alive all year. Features images from the upcoming, live-action feature film. Price $14.99

   
   

   Where the Wild Things Are Wall Calendar

7. Dr. Seuss 2010 Wall Calendar

   Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss™, had a goal, and that was to make people laugh. Dr. Seuss has charmed his way into four generations of youngsters and parents. In his book “Oh the Places You’ll Go!”, Dr. Seuss tell us that “there is fun to be done”, and with this 2010 Dr Seuss calendar, you’ll be sure to “get on your way!” Includes 120 stickers. Price $13.99

   
   

   Dr. Seuss 2010 Wall Calendar

8. Roald Dahl 2010 Wall Calendar

   No child grows up without getting to know Roald Dahl’s mischievous and memorable cast of characters along the way. Featuring a different book from the legendary author’s library for every month, and illustrated with the original and inimitable drawings of Quentin Blake, the Roald Dahl 2010 calendar introduces us once again to Charlie, Matilda, Danny, the BFG, and many more of the characters that have shaped imaginations for generations. Features cover and interior illustrations from 12 of Roald Dahls most celebrated children’s stories, from revolting Rhymes to James and the Giant Peach.  Size: 12 x 12 Price: $ 13.99

   
   

   Roald Dahl 2010 Wall Calendar

9. Eric Carle 2010 Wall Calendar

   This beloved author-illustrator has produced classic after classic. Let his instantly recognizable art bring a burst of fun and color to your little reader’s year. Price: $14.99

   
   

   Eric Carle 2010 Wall Calendar

10. Animal Friends 2010 Calendar

    ALPHA EDITION is a German publisher which specializes in the production of bestselling calendars and stationary products. Alpha Edition products are manufactured in very high quality; you won’t be disappointed with the quality of the paper and photography in their entire wall calendar range. 12 x 12 wall calendar Price: $13.99

    
    

    Animal Friends 2010 Calendar

Technorati Tags: children, calendars, 2010 organizers

If you are shopping for a new baby,  you will quickly find that the market is over saturated with all kinds of toys.  Finding the perfect toy can be a time consuming process. If you don’t have much time, you won’t go wrong if you go for any of the toys listed here. They are ten hand picked time tested favorite toys approved by many generations of babies worldwide.

1. Dream Meadow Playmat

   Dream Meadow by Haba is a beautifully designed, quality playmat and play gym. It can be easily converted into a bed or diaper changer by flipping up the sides. Babies love all the things that rustle, squeak and move about on the meadow. The play gym bar allows the little ones to discover even more by hanging different toys from the gym bar. Crafted to withstand years of childhood adoration and play, this mat makes a wonderful alternative to the more common play mats available at large.

   Dream Meadow Playmat

2. Circo by Haba

   The colorfully decorated knobs turn when the wheels turn on this fun wooden pull toy! You can remove all the knobs and then put it back together. This toy will provide hours of fun. Winner of many awards, including, Spiel Gut, Good Toy Award and Form 99. This is one of Haba’s most popular toys.

   
   Circo by Haba

3. Busy Zoo Activity Center

   The Busy Zoo activity cube is a fun-filled learning experience, offering hours of educational fun, colorful and movable objects promote hand and eye coordination. The activities are simple enough for babies to understand and large enough for them to manipulate with ease. On top, they can move animals along tracks or twirl wooden shapes along looping wires. Around the four sides they have a choice of rotating picture blocks to form a variety of animals, turning interconnecting gears to make them spin, or opening and closing doors and windows, among other things.

   

   Busy Zoo Activity Center

4. Gymini Sunny Day by Tiny Love

   This is an award winning 3D activity gym that folds out into a 32- by 32-inch soft mat, virtually swarming with colorful illustrations of jungle flora and fauna, most notably a giraffe, zebra, lion, and elephant.  More critters dangle from the two padded arches as well as a large mirror and a plastic bead rattle. Hidden below, the baby will eventually discover a music box that plays Mozart and several nursery tunes. Textures, colors, sounds, and lights abound, and your baby has the power to make all these objects squeak and jingle and jitter and flash, as soon as they can figure out how to make their hands and feet and mouth connect with their heart’s desire. Herein lies the developmental potential.

   

   Gymini Sunny Day by Tiny Love

5. The Learn-N-Play Busy Box

   This fun toy will keep a toddler busy discovering and exploring all six sides of its audio-visual entertainment. They will learn how to activate the dancing lights and animal sounds, to spin the roller and press the button to see the peek-a-boo mouse, and to experience tactile textures when they pet their favorite animals. Music is a big part of Learn’N'Play Busy Box, it also includes a pretend CD player and 4 instrumental sounds: piano, horn, violin and xylophone.

   
   Learn N Play Busy Box

6. EverEarth Activity Walker

   Push toys like this one are fun toys to have as babies and toddlers learn to walk. The EverEarth Activity Walker has an added advantage: it provides loads of interactive fun. Activities include: Bead Maze, Xylophone with stick, 4 pc. Interchangeable Animal Puzzle, Peg Maze rolling flower gear tumblers, 3 pc. Shape Sorter, Spinning Block and Mesh Netting Storage area in the back. Baby walkers are essential development tools and a great aid in helping babies practice balance and coordination. Later, they become fun toys to push around.

   
   EverEarth Activity Walker
   

7. AURORA Learn with Me! ABC 123 Ball

   This bright and colorful ball can entertain your child for hours. Interactive features are fun and educational. You can velcro, button, and tie the number flaps to reveal a word. Children can learn colors, shapes, words, ABC’s and 123′s. Other fun features include crinkles, squeaks, rattles and a Peek-a-Boo mirror. Winner of the Best Toy Award by Parents Magazine.

   

   AURORA Learn with Me! ABC 123 Ball

8. Caterpillar Soft Rocker

   A colorful plush caterpillar on a sturdy smooth textured wooden rocker base, with a rattle in the caterpillar’s nose. Winner of the Good Toy Award, this comfortable and interactive rocker provides children with hours of fun. It features tactile multi-textured bright fabrics and quality base made from environmentally friendly rubberwood.

   

   

   Caterpillar Soft Rocker

9. Chubby Soft Activity Blocks

   This set of 19 soft cloth-covered pieces hold a town full of fun for the little ones. The blocks come in different shapes, with peek-a-boo pages and bright colors to entertain the toddlers as they learn and build. Big and bold patterns with colorful designs invite baby to explore, build, and knock down these squeezable fabric blocks.  Packed in a clear vinyl carrying bag, to bring along wherever your child roams.

   
   
   Chubby Soft Activity Blocks

10. Jumpin’ Junior’s First Trampoline

    This trampoline will provide hours of energy-burning bounce for the baby. It is an all time favorite that offers great exercise for infants, helping them develop balance and strength. It features a rubber handle and feet for a no-slip grip and foldable legs for easy assembly. The darling polka dot padded bumper pad on the Jumpin’ Jr. First Trampoline is sewn on for extra protection which also serves as added protection for a sitting baby bouncing on the surface.

    
    Jumpin’ Junior’s First Trampoline

Technorati Tags: baby toys, toddlers, babies, toys, toddler toys

What makes a good toy great? Let’s see… A great toy should be fun and interesting, inspiring a play that will develop our child’s mobility and skills. It should comply with all the safety precautions, and ideally, keep the children entertained for prolonged periods of time, so that we can also get things done for ourselves. Here are our top ten toddler gifts.

1. The Learn To Walk Trainer

   This four-wheeled, wide-legged ride-on is an award-winning ride-on toy. Shaped like a friendly, smiling face, the steering wheel’s two cut-out “eyes” serve as handholds. Its two front legs extend in all directions, providing stability and support while a child develops balance for walking.

   With adult supervision, it can also assist children 9-12 months old in developing the balance necessary for independent walking. Minimal assembly using the included tools. Supports one child up to 44 lbs. Ages 9-36 months.

   
   The Award Winning Learn To Walk Trainer

2. Scuttle Bug

   Scuttle Bug is innovative foot to floor trike for toddlers. Designed in Belgium, it has quickly conquered Europe with its usefulness and practicality. Scuttle Bug folds in three easy steps, so you can  carry it anywhere. It has great maneuverability and is very versatile; kids love it. Available in blue and pink.

   Scuttle Bug

3. DUPLO® Deluxe Brick Box

   This deluxe DUPLO® set is the perfect introduction to creative building and play for younger children. Storage box with transparent lid includes a building plate and lots and lots of safe, durable and colorful construction bricks, with plenty of special shapes and designs to help imaginations grow. Includes large 8 stud x 16 stud DUPLO baseplate! Includes lots of special elements like windows, a swing, wagon bottom and more!

   
   DUPLO® Deluxe Brick Box

4. Nursery Trampoline

   Nursery Trampoline is the favorite toddler activity toy. It has an easy to grip handle and is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Made with a tough weatherproof mat and tubular steel frame with a durable coated finish. For extra safety, the padded cover around the mat cushions the frame and prevents children from stepping through the bungee cord. The handle simply screws off and the legs fold down for ease of storage.

   

   Nursery Trampoline

5. Potty Reminder Watch

   Reminder watch vibrates or sounds an alarm to remind children to go to the potty. This is an outstanding watch. It is mid-sized and accommodates a series of helpful options. The watch will provide children with a “friendly reminder” over the course of the day to avoid accidents. It helps with daytime incontinence, bed-wetting accidents, constipation, urinary infections, urgency and other potty problems.

   

   Potty Reminder Watch

6. Preschool Laptop

   As any parent will tell you, nothing gives more joy to toddlers than having the opportunity to press buttons, anywhere they can find them, on a microwave, washing machine, stereo equipment…  The Preschool Laptop is thus an ideal toy, packed with fun activities and rewarding lights and sounds – a great way to introduce kids to computers. The realistic mouse activates a matching games, while the colorful buttons teach numbers and makes sounds. Pictures light up on the screen when clicked to provide visual stimulation and teach cause-and-effect.

   

   Preschool Laptop

7. Haba Sevilla Building Blocks

   These beautiful wooden blocks are inspired by the work of Catalan architect Antonio Gaudi who conceived the Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona. The blocks depict Gaudi’s famous unique style and highly individualistic designs and cylindrical structure. The colors and forms of these blocks inspire children’s imaginations and structural possibilities. Contains 25 wooden blocks of different shapes and colors. This set include a block with rattle, bell, mirror, prism, magnifier and peep hole.

   Haba Sevilla Building Blocks

8. Monster Bowling

   The fuzzy Monster Bowling Set will bring countless hours of entertainment to the family. This wacky bowling set features six furry, funky-textured pins and one beasty ball.

   Monster Bowling

9. U-Play Mat

   As the name suggests, this is a large U-shaped mat designed to facilitate easy and playful interaction between the child and the parent or a tutor. The child sits inside the opening of the “U” with full visual and tactile access to the mat, without having to crawl atop. Fifteen theme-based cards are inserted into transparent pockets on the mat surface to engage the child in a variety of exercises. This great cognitive development tool was invented by Dr. Jen, pediatrician and mother of two sets of twins.

   U Play Mat

10. Retro Rocket by Radio Flyer

    A beautifully designed old timer, The Retro Rocket features classic styling and quality craftsmanship that can be passed on for generations of imaginative children to come. There is a 3-2-1 Blast Off feature that puts kids “in the driver seat”. Rolling wheels activate working lights and realistic astronaut and space sounds. This Radio Flyer’s ride-on makes childhood dreams soar.

    
    Retro Rocket by Radio Flyer
    

Technorati Tags: baby toys, toddlers, babies, toys, toddler toys