Learning Through Play

It doesn’t take much to bring a smile to a child’s face. Whether it’s a birthday present, a Christmas stocking stuffer, or just a small token of appreciation, little gifts make for big moments. If you’re looking for a small gift idea, Educational Insights has you covered. We’ve made a list of small, creative gifts, ranging from Smencils to sticker activity pads, for the little ones who light up your life.

• Dinosaur Puppet-On-A-Stick™, Set of 3Dinosaur magic comes to life with Puppet-On-A-Stick™.  With this set of three prehistoric puppets, kids can create dino-inspired theatre or make up fun and silly games inspired by the jurassic era.  Join Crusher, Stomper, and Buster in fun and creative play as they romp around the dinosaur jungle. Your child will love the ride range of possibilities, and you’ll love the educational benefits! These dinosaurs encourage communication between children, as well as creative expression. The simplicity of the toy provides easy clean up and travel.  To complete the family, check out the other puppet products, all available through Educational Insights.  Pick up your puppets today!

• 40 Smencils® SetLet the imagination run wild using Smencils! These deliciously scented pencils are made from 100% recycled newspapers, making them not just fun but environmentally friendly! Scents include Juicy Melon, Kinda Cola, Blueberry Syrup, Gum-E Bear, and others. Send your creative kid to school in style with Smencils!

• Magnetic Alphabet and NumbersA household staple, these alphabet and number magnets make a great and classic addition to any home. At Educational Insights, we believe that everyday activities can be turned into fun, learning activities.  Allow your child to spell out words, phrases, and math problems in the coziness of your family kitchen! This set encourages hands-on activities, alphabet awareness, phonemic awareness, spelling, number sense, word-building, counting, and operational problems. And with 36 uppercase, 36 lowercase, 20 numbers, and 7 math operational symbols, there is absolutely no limit to the fun! This set is great for kids to use with the help of Mom and Dad, or all on their own.  Combine fun and learning with this amazing, creative gift.

• Playfoam®Playfoam is a fun, squishy gift perfect for children of all ages. Kids love to get active with their fingers, and parents love that kids stay occupied and happy! Another great thing is that Playfoam never dries out, so kids can stay entertained for hours. Not only is it easy to clean up, but non-stick Playfoam travels anywhere, making the family road trip all the more fun. Playfoam is fun for kids, and parents love that it encourages creativity and helps children to further develop artistic skills. Check out the variety of colors available online and let the fun begin!

A small, creative gift is a great way to show a child that you care.  For more ideas on creative gifts, or for educational back-to-school presents, visit www.educationalinsights.com. We make learning fun!

What are your favorite memories of childhood? Maybe you spent lazy summer days running out by the creek or playing dress-up with your grandmother’s jewelry. Regardless of the activity, imaginative play is one of the most significant aspects of being a kid. However, many people believe that the increased focus on computers and electronic devices makes it hard for kids to realize their full imaginative potential. But don’t worry, parents! There are still dozens of ways to keep your child happy and creative. Imaginative indoor activities for kids are a great way to encourage fun and imagination away from computer screens!The Importance of ImaginationExercising the imagination isn’t just fun, it’s also crucial for cognitive development. A 2009 article in The Wall Street Journal reports: “Imagination is necessary for learning about people and events we don't directly experience, such as history or events on the other side of the world.” By participating in imaginative play, kids develop creative problem solving skills, build open-minds, and prepare for future learning.Science Daily indicates “that children who exhibit good play skills with imaginative and emotional play situations have shown better skills at coping, creativity and problem solving.” Through imaginative and unstructured playtime, children become more capable of entertaining themselves and developing their own ideas. These skills, learned through indoor activities designed for kids, carry on into adolescence and adulthood.What Can We Do?Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to let kids run around outside. Whether an unsafe outdoor environment or inclement weather forces families inside, it’s important to have indoor activities available for kids to exercise those cognitive skills. Luckily, there are dozens of indoor toys and activities that allow kids to play and build stronger imaginations.

• Raccoon Rumpus™The Racoon Rumpus game includes various raccoon and costume cards, and players take turns collecting costumes and dressing the raccoons in creative new outfits. Let the laughs begin!

• Design & Drill® Activity CenterThis exciting tool kit comes with a power drill, screwdriver, and so much more! Kids build motor skills as they create pictures and patterns by drilling plastic bolts into the handy activity board. The Design & Drill Activity Center is easy to use, allowing kids to snap on tools and go design crazy! Kids can experiment on their own with this great indoor activity center, or find inspiration in the included activity cards!

• Magic Moves® Electronic WandThe Magic Moves Electronic Wand encourages both the imagination and physical activity. The Electronic Wand issues verbal instructions, encouraging kids to dance, sing, stomp, and soar! The wand also produces light shows and a wide variety of musical numbers and styles, for hours of physical fun!

All these toys and more activities for both inside and out are available at Educational Insights!

A new trend is on the rise! Educational games are quickly becoming popular activities for children’s parties. Adults love educational party games because they keep kids entertained while teaching useful skills; kids love how exciting these games are, and they often have so much fun that they don’t even realize they’re learning!Whether for a birthday or holiday party, educational games serve as great diversions for children of all ages. Explore these fun kids’ party games and turn your child’s celebration into an unforgettable learning experience.Educational and Fun Party Games for KidsEducational Insights offers a ton of awesome party games that are both exciting and instructive. These games are great for parties because they provide loose structure and allow multiple children to play at once. Games are available for every age range, so no one needs to feel left out of the fun!

Freeze Up!® - Freeze Up!® is an award-winning game where players are challenged to name things that start with particular letters. To stay in the game, other players must answer quickly or tap out into another category. Featuring over 170 categories, this game ensures long-term entertainment! Freeze Up!® is best suited for children eight and up.

Even Steven’s Odd™ - In this fast-paced dice-rolling game, kids compete in simple math challenges to be the first to grab the game’s mascot, Steven. Even Steven’s Odd™ provides engaging fun for both children and adults, while reinforcing math and matching skills. Recommended for children seven and up.

Rhyme Out!® - Everyone loves to bust a rhyme! In this game, players take turns drawing cards and reading the three clues aloud. The other players race to shout out three correct rhyming responses, and the player who first collects ten cards wins! Rhyme Out!® is best suited for older children, grades five and up.

Buck, Buck, Moose!™ Game – In Buck, Buck, Moose!™, kids take turns dealing while keeping their eyes peeled for the colored “Moose” card. When the “moose” card appears, kids race to slap the card and claim it as their own!  The player with the most cards at the end of the game is the winner.  This fun, action-packed kids’ party game is perfect for younger children between the ages of three and seven.

Wordical™ - Kids expand their vocabularies as they make their way through this word-building game. Players take turns rolling dice, then combine letters using their consonant cards. The player who builds the highest-scoring words wins the round! This game is great for kids in grades three and up.

Turn your next party into an educational experience with these fun party games for kids. Kids will love the fast-paced, entertaining style of these silly games, and adults will love that the children are engaged in educational entertainment. To check out these games and more, visit www.educationalinsights.com

“The whole of science is nothing more than a refinement of everyday thinking.”-Albert Einstein While Einstein’s time came well before the STEM curriculum, his message could not be any more pertinent.  The STEM curriculum is more than just memorizing facts; it encourages the true craft of understanding and asking questions.  The best part? STEM education can begin today.Experts everywhere are in agreement: the STEM curriculum is absolutely imperative in developing the nation’s foundation of math and science. These topics yield a stronger modern workforce, ensuring that the United States will continue to thrive in the areas of education, science, technology, and national security. By using various methods, such as science kits, to engage children in STEM education, we increase their potential for success—as well as the potential of the entire country.What exactly is STEM education?STEM is an acronym referring to these four vital areas of education: science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The STEM strategy is to teach these areas in an applied, interdisciplinary fashion, rather than separating the subjects and teaching them individually. By integrating these four subjects into one curriculum, students are encouraged to apply STEM knowledge to real-world situations. The goal is to allow children and adults alike to feel comfortable integrating scientific knowledge into realistic problem solving. Through a holistic teaching approach, STEM encourages confidence and creative thinking. STEM isn’t simply memorization; it’s an imperative set of skills that improves lives.How early should a child be involved in STEM education?It’s never too early to engage a child in STEM education! Unfortunately, fewer and fewer students have been focusing on STEM programs, for reasons that remain unclear.  Programs like President Obama’s “Educate to Innovate” are encouraging the reintroduction of STEM education into the lives of children and adolescents. Interactive toys, games, nature walks, and science kits are also great ways to get kids involved.While this may sound intimidating, STEM education can be quite fun. Many children enjoy the teamwork and creativity that come along with STEM projects. You don’t need to be a genius to understand STEM; early learners are totally prepared to learn the concepts. In fact, young children are among the best candidates for STEM, since they already have the intuitive imagination and innate curiosity that work well with STEM problem-solving techniques.How do I get my child involved in STEM education?Getting children involved in STEM education has never been easier. One good way to start STEM learning is to encourage your child’s inner explorer. Take your child on nature hikes, or introduce beginner-level science kits and discovery-based games, so kids can begin developing STEM skills while having a good time.Educational Insights provides a wide variety of games and activities that support STEM-based learning. Telescopes, microscopes, and binoculars all encourage a child’s exploration instincts while familiarizing them with basic science equipment and concepts. In addition, Educational Insights offers a wide variety of board games and science kits that allow the whole family to take part in STEM activities. In these games, children develop problem-solving skills by investigating mysteries and resolving problems creatively. The best part is that these games and toys teach valuable skills in a fun, exciting way.The importance of early STEM education cannot be overstressed. Together, we can work to strengthen our country’s foundation and improve our children’s lives. By teaching children science, technology, engineering, and mathematics skills through collaborative games and science kits, we help to ensure a better future for everyone.

A child’s party is a fantastic occasion to indulge in some wonderful, whimsical fun!  All parents want their children’s parties to be successful, but with multiple children running around and eating sugary treats, celebrations may have the tendency to get a just a little bit crazy! For a stress-free affair, it’s important to maintain some degree of structure throughout the party. Make the most of your next celebration with these tips.  The kids, and the parents, will be sure to have a blast.

• Redesign the donkey. Despite its classic status, Pin the Tail on the Donkey can be one of the messier kids’ party games.  Luckily, there are a number of ways you can “redesign” the game in order to make it safer for tiny hands. Use stickers instead of pins, and encourage the other children to support the blindfolded child. For extra fun, swap out the donkey for a child’s favorite character. Try Kiss the Frog Prince using sticker lips, or Pin the Wheels on the tractor!

• Stick with short and simple. Doing too much might exhaust the kids—and you! It’s much safer and less stressful to choose a few fun activities. This little bit of structure will keep kids active without wearing them out and making them cranky. It also makes things easier on the adults—fewer activities means less to set up and less to clean up! Great and simple game ideas include building candy necklaces or kid’s cornhole. For activities that involve potential mess, like the candy necklaces, offer small, bonus prizes for kids who clean up their sections.

• Adopt age-appropriate activities. Often times, younger children can’t handle the intense competition of stressful, win-or-lose-style games. Cooperative games and games based on teamwork are much better suited for parties. Older kids don’t want to feel like they’re at a “baby party,” so be sure to choose games with greater complexity. Planning age-appropriate kids’ party games is an easy way to ensure happy partygoers. Older kids may love getting crafty, like decorating cupcakes or participating in scavenger hunts. For younger kids, set out toys that inspire the imagination. Things like decorated cardboard boxes and rows of bubble wrap make for great fun, and encourage communication and play between the kids!

• Play with the piñata.  The piñata is one of the great, classic kids’ games. Children love the excitement of anticipating the explosion of dozens of pieces of candy.  A good way to ensure fun is to make sure every kid gets a turn, and that there is plenty of candy to go around. Some parents even choose to dump out even more candy once the piñata explodes, to make the explosion of treats seem even bigger!
• Watch out for water. While water themes and pool parties can be great options, take caution with water-based activities. For instance, if there are any children who don’t feel like getting wet, make sure there’s a separate activity set up for them indoors, away from the soggy fun!  For safe water-themed games, try water chalk, or a sprinkler obstacle course.  You can also get creative with water-themed party treats and offer things such as goldfish, gummy sharks, and watermelon-on-a-stick.

What other activities are there?Educational Insights provides a long list of games and activities for stress-free party fun.  When it comes to kids’ party games, we’ve got you covered.Educational Insights offers dozens of party games for kids of all ages. These games are simple and structured, promising a good time without causing too much craziness. We offer both board games and more active choices, including Freeze Up!®, Even Steven’s Odd™, Wordical™, Pass the Peas™, TriTective™, and many more! Most of these games allow for multiple players, but for really large parties, just lay out a variety of games and let the fun begin!These games and more are available at Educational Insights. Check us out today, and make your child’s next party an awesome affair.

Dinosaur toys never go out of style. Most children go through that phase where they absolutely need the newest and coolest toys based on their favorite prehistoric creatures. Plus, dinosaur toys aren’t just awesome, they’re educational! What’s not to love? It’s no surprise that there’s a wide variety of these toys available for kids and the young at heart.Educational Insights has provided you with an awesome list of dinosaur toy ideas that can be used for either the home or the classroom.  Our dinosaur toys are fun and educational, encouraging creative thinking and positive communication.  With these amazing, prehistoric-inspired toys, your little ones will spend hours learning, and more importantly, having fun!Dino CheckersThe classic game of Checkers is back and with a Tyrannosaurus twist! Battle with your partner in this prehistoric throwdown, as Stegosaurus and Brontosaurus fight for squares of lava. Captured dinosaurs are held captive in the “tar pits,” and the dinos transform into T. Rex’s when kinged.  This game provides fun for kids, as well as teaching logical thinking skills, strategy, positive communication, and problem solving. Add this dinosaur toy to your collection!Dinosaur Puppet-On-A-Stick™, Set of 3Join Crusher, Stomper, and Buster in prehistoric puppet playtime! These adorable dinosaur toys make for great addition in either the home or the classroom. Kids will love making up stories and telling tales using the easy-to-manipulate and colorful puppets. Teachers and parents love that kids are able to stay entertained, practice creative expression, and further develop their communication skills. The puppets also travel well and clean up easy, making playtime convenient and fun!GeoSafari® Dino Digs VelociraptorsWatch kids find their inner scientist as they enjoy the amazing Dino Dig Velciraptors from Geosafari®.  This awesome toy allows students to discover, excavate, and assemble two complete velociraptor skeletons that come from faux fossilized rocks.  Perfect for dinosaur units, this kit provides hand-on activity and encourages communication between children.  The kit comes fully prepared, offering excavation tools, dust brushes, wax adhesives, and activity guides.  Watch your little archaeologists work together to find the hidden secrets of the Jurassic Era with this amazing toy!Dino Construction Company™–Wrecker the T-Rex Skid LoaderThis awesome titan will inspire imagination and keep kids busy for hours. Not only is it a fun combination of dinosaurs and construction equipment, but Wrecker the T-Rex Skid Loader also promotes outdoor play and helps to fine-tune children’s motor skills. It’s designed to last, and it’s perfect for kids of multiple ages.  This makes for a great learning toy for younger children in earlier grades, and can be enjoyed at home or on the playground.For more information on our dinosaur toys and brands, visit www.educationalinsights.com. Our goal is to provide fun and creative toys that provide an enriching learning experience. With amazing dinosaurs toys and more, we offer everything a parent or teacher needs to build a fun and educational environment.

Between soccer practice, PTA meetings, and all the other responsibilities of a hectic family lifestyle, it often seems impossible to get the whole family together. Family Game Night is a time-honored tradition that can give your family the opportunity to bond and connect.  A study from playingforkeeps.org illustrates that family dinners have decreased by 33%  over the past 20 years, and family vacations by 28%. A great alternative to help families enjoy quality time is with family game night.  Scheduling a regular night for the whole family to gather and play a fun game is an easy way for families to bond and relieve stress!With this list of seven awesome family games, you’ll have something fun for every member of the family and enough variety to ensure that nobody will get bored! Set some time aside, sit at the table, and let the fun begin.

1. BBQ Blitz!®

This silly, burger-sliding game brings the fun of a summer barbeque to an easy-to-use gameboard! Players grab toy spatulas, choose a plate, and note their toppings.  Using the spatula, each player flips burgers onto the “grill” in order to find their toppings, fill their plates, and win the game! The game is perfect for kids ages four and up, and includes a game board, 16 burgers with 4 different toppings, 12 buns, 4 plates, and 4 spatulas. Add some BBQ to your family game night!

2. Lickety Quick™

Lickety Quick is both educational and fun, perfect for kids who are learning the basics of speech and grammar. Players use the provided clues to come up with words in this delicious game! The game comes with two sets of cards: one set features letter combinations or beginning letters, and the other features clues, such as parts of speech, syllables, and letters. When players make a word, they win the round!

3. Wordical™

This word-building game combines dice rolling and spelling in order to create fabulous family fun! Players roll the vowel dice and assemble words using the letters with the consonant cards in their hands.  Whoever builds the highest spelling word wins the round!

4. TriTective™

In TriTective, you get to play the detective and solve a mystery! Each player takes a turn being a spy, while other players use clues to try to determine what letters are on the spy’s card. This intriguing word game encourages problem solving and creativity.

6. Kitten Caboodle™

Similar to “Go Fish,” Kitten Caboodle is an award-winning card game for children of all ages. Players “adopt” kittens by pulling from the stack or asking for a match from another player’s hand. Cards feature adorable kittens and their fun accessories. The player who adopts the most cats wins!

7. Rhyme Out!®

This awesome game is perfect for family game night, combining laughter and rhymes to keep the family lost in hours of fun and playtime! Players take turns pulling cards and reading three clues out loud. The other players must race to shout out three correct responses to the rhyme, and collect and steal cards in order to win.  The game includes 600 questions, so the fun just keeps on going!So break out those calendars, put down the smartphones, and enjoy a great night of family fun!

A microscope is a great gift to encourage any child’s interest in science and nature. Quality kids’ microscopes can open up a new world of discovery, making everyday objects look absolutely unreal. With a good microscope, kids can develop a better understanding and appreciation for the world around them—and have a blast while doing it!To get started, all you and child need is a microscope, a pair of tweezers, and a slide or Petri dish, depending on the scope. We’ve listed some of the most interesting household objects to view below; just place samples on a slide or in a dish, peek through the microscope, and watch the mundane become the magnificent!

Bananas – These fruits are not only delicious, they’re also incredibly complex! Place a small piece of banana in a Petri dish, and observe the deep yellow fibers of this fruit.

Velcro® – Under a microscope, Velcro fasteners are particularly fascinating due to their wide variety of shapes and colors. Who knew this sticky substance would look so cool?

Snow – Get it before it melts! Place snow under the microscope to witness the beautiful six-pointed crystals. Peering at snow up close is almost like looking at a wintery mountain range – your child will be amazed with the stunning detail!

Salt and Pepper – Spice up your education by getting up close and personal with these familiar substances, noting the differences in their structures. For even more adventure with your kids’ microscope, try other seasonings to compare and contrast looks and colors.

Fruit Juices – You’ll be amazed at the complex patterns and colors that are hidden in fruit juice. For added variety, test out different juice flavors, and take note of the colors, shapes, and other features.

Flower Petals – Flowers are already beautiful, but under a microscope that beauty takes on a new level of detail. Examine the crisp ridges and waves of flower petals and stems, and gain a new appreciation for plant life!

Fortune Cookie – Next time you order Chinese takeout, save one of the fortune cookies and place a piece under your kids’ microscope. Up close, fortune cookies magically transform into rocky deserts.

Sand – Many people dismiss sand as just a bunch of tiny grains, but the truth is, sand is a tiny bit of everything. Place sand under the microscope, and you and your child will discover a plethora of shapes, colors, and swirls. The beach never looked so beautiful!

Moss – Easy to find and gather, moss makes another great microscope find. The green colors stand out even more, making it seem like your child has entered an enchanted forest.

 Get creative! Countless things can be examined under a microscope, ensuring that your child will have hours of educational playtime. If you’re ready to purchase your first kids’ microscope, check out the options at Educational Insights. Let the fun and learning begin in a big way!

Much has been said about the use of humor to facilitate a better learning environment.  When there's humor, it nurtures creativity and increases the capacity for memory retention!So here at EI, we took this to heart and created  Math Vocabulary Comic Relief.  Here's a sample from our Grades 4-6 set:What's a Parallelogram?  Do you know?[caption id="attachment_735" align="alignnone" width="450"] Math Vocabulary Comic Relief for Grades 4-6[/caption]Check back soon for more fun math vocabulary!