Wonder Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 I'm not sure if I'm posting this in the right forum as it's not exactly "curriculum" related. My girls have birthdays coming up (all three of them) and we're wanting to get some good educational items for them. I've looked briefly on Rainbow Resource but don't even know what to "look" for. It's rather overwhelming as far as the many options. My girls will be turning 9 and 6 (twin 6 year olds), and we plan to homeschool all of them starting this summer/fall. Two in 1st grade, One in 4th. We don't own a globe yet. Does anyone have recommendations for one? We do have a world map and U.S. map. But I'm thinking I'd like to get some things that are more fun "play" items yet still educational. What finds have you all enjoyed? Oh, I already got them a set of Lyra Groove Slim colored pencils (ours always break so easily). Book suggestions would also be welcome! Perhaps a kids encyclopedia or something? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommymonster Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 Some things that have been popular for us (although I have a DS7): Magic Schoolbus DVDs, Carmen San Diego DVDs, Box Car Children (the set), a microscope, and an explorer's kit (binoculars, a cheap digital camera, a magnifying glass, a bug net, journal and colored pencils... there may have been a backpack so that he could carry it). Then there are games like Sum Swamp (math facts) and Presto Change-O (money). We like educational gifts around here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraceyS/FL Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 My girls (8 & 13) got their 300 block set of Citiblocks this week - they are a combo birthday present for them, but I wasn't going to make them wait until June for them! They are LOVING building with them, and the 300 blocks split nicely in plastic shoeboxes, so even though they are for sharing - they can each have a stack that is "theirs" (for now anyway). They want me to dig out the k'nex stuff we have too. Dover coloring books they can copy pictures and color are nice and well loved here, my 8yo was excited I bought her math! LOL!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSinNH Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 My DDs really enjoyed Snap Circuits. You can get them on Amazon for a good price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PentecostalMom Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 Check the Timberdoodle website. They have lots of cool stuff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alice Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 Snap Circuits Games: some are more “educational†than others... Ticket to Ride Settlers of Catan Mastermind Blokus Kanoodle Set Swish Qwirkle Equate (math game) Perplexus balls- we got several of these for Christmas and they were a huge hit My middle son loves to draw, we’ve gotten him some good drawing books and sketchpads. Binoculars/Bird-watching books Model Rockets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doodle Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 Doodle loves his GeoPuzzle. We have Europe. http://www.geotoystore.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=99&Itemid=122 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dahliarw Posted April 20, 2013 Share Posted April 20, 2013 Snap Circuits are a HUGE hit here. We bought them for my now 8 year olds 7th birthday, but all 3 of my kids like to play with them. My middle child loves the GeoPuzzles, the other two just aren't into puzzles. The Liberty Kids DVDs are fantastic if you do screen time, as is the entire Magic Schoolbus series. There are all sorts of mini science kits you can buy too, my ds8 got one a couple years back that was a potato battery, you actually use produce to do things like light up a lightbulb! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aggieamy Posted April 20, 2013 Share Posted April 20, 2013 Seconding everyone that said Snap Circuits. Snap Circuits Games: some are more “educational†than others... Ticket to Ride Settlers of Catan Mastermind Blokus Kanoodle Set Swish Qwirkle Equate (math game) Perplexus balls- we got several of these for Christmas and they were a huge hit My middle son loves to draw, we’ve gotten him some good drawing books and sketchpads. Binoculars/Bird-watching books Model Rockets We love the same games as Alice's family. Other hits with DD (8yos) that I would consider educational: Audiobooks - we bought her an iPod to hold all her audiobooks and a player Liberty Kids DVD series Horrible Histories book series Not as educational but high in imaginations - Playsilks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarkd Posted April 20, 2013 Share Posted April 20, 2013 Animalogic is a fun game for 6 yo. You could gift lessons or an experience. Science day camp? Dance or music lessons? A trip to historical re-enactment site? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staceyshoe Posted April 20, 2013 Share Posted April 20, 2013 Another family of snap circuit lovers here! Science kits are another fun option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathleen in LV Posted April 20, 2013 Share Posted April 20, 2013 My 6 yo son is loving the game Ten Days in Europe that he received for Christmas. (It's fun for adults too.) And he's simultaneously learning his European countries. There are a number of "Ten Days" games for different regions of the world. You can find them all on Amazon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Lulu* Posted April 20, 2013 Share Posted April 20, 2013 Some of the big hits here include: Geopuzzles Think Fun style logic puzzles Art shark Totally Gross Number Ninja Ticket to Ride Auto blocks Quadrilla Audio books Great States Quirkle Widgets Hive Quality art supplies Fun books like Horrible Histories or the You Wouldn't Want To...series Magic School Bus DVDs Poetry Collections Snap Circuits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisha Posted April 20, 2013 Share Posted April 20, 2013 I second the Timberdoodle website. Also love games from Mindware, Thinkfun and Smart Games (smartgames.eu)--all these are available at Amazon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wonder Posted April 20, 2013 Author Share Posted April 20, 2013 Thanks everyone!! Any particular Snap Circuits set? Or are they all good? :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraceyS/FL Posted April 20, 2013 Share Posted April 20, 2013 Thanks everyone!! Any particular Snap Circuits set? Or are they all good? :) :bigear: We don't have any of them, and maybe it would help ME get over my "fear" of trying to understand anything electrical!! :p And between these and the want for colored Citiblocks, I have stuff for the relatives to do for the upcoming birthdays!! :hurray: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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