Cranium Bloom games for the preschool set!

January 28, 2008

Thanks to MomCentral, I had the opportunity to review two Cranium Bloom games for ages 3 and up: Let’s Play Count & Cook Game and Let’s Go to the Zoo Seek & Find Puzzle.

My kids are younger than these games are geared towards, but I think that Cranium makes so wonderfully educational toys and wanted to let you know about these great products.

First up we have “Let’s Play Count & Cook Game.” The object of the game is to collect all the ingredients in the recipe. You use a simple board, a dice and a cook– that is your game piece. In this game everyone works together and therefore it creates a game that is very non-competitive. Seeing as this game is geared towards the preschool set, I love that. Having preschooler start a throw down over a game is not my idea of fun!

In this game, the players count their way around the board as they gather food for the recipes in your cookbook. Add your secret ingredients — then pull the tab for something funny to do! It is a great way to introduce young children to the concept of recipes and cooking. (My idea of putting the fun in cooking at a young age sounds wonderful!) Great for counting skills, working together, pretend play, matching items and working on the ever elusive taking turns concept.

The game is set for children age 3 and up. It is geared mainly for preschoolers.

The other game is “Let’s Go to the Zoo Seek & Find Puzzle.” This game works on skills such as Spatial thinking, Counting, Color and letter matching, Fine motor skills and Working together.

Peacocks and polar bears, lemurs and lions. Share in the magic of a day at the zoo with this activity-packed puzzle set.

Piece together the picture. Find the flamingo. Circle something yellow, then hop, hop, hop like a kangaroo.

With sturdy, kid-sized pieces, an erasable pen, and fun activity cards, you’re all set for a new adventure every time you play.

What’s in the box?
Let’s Go to the Zoo Seek & Find Puzzle includes 24 puzzle pieces, 30 cards, and erasable pen.

These are great games for the preschool set. Are you interested in having one? Just leave me a comment and you can win one. Be sure to let me know which game you are interested in receiving and I will contact the winners. There will be one winner per game. Cranium is well known for their educational toys, so this is a great deal.

Good luck!

Posted by Jenn @ 8:35 am | Comments   | |

Spark Talking Microscope

December 12, 2007

From the moment the Spark Talking Microscope entered our house, it was a hit with my daughter. I will admit when this became available through the Parent Bloggers Network, I was not sure if she would like it or not, but my worries were unfounded. She loves it! She will put a specimen (insects that she would never go near if they were not on a slide) under the microscope, learn all she can about it, then she races to me to tell me all about her new discovery. She not only learns more about the world around her, she is having fun doing it!

Fun and educational? Who knew! She did. I would definitely recommend this to your budding scientist. Or even just a curious child. (Is there any other kind?)

Do not let the “talking” aspect of this product deter you. It is actually a fabulous feature! The microscope narrates incredible facts about what she is looking at. Truth be told, I have learned a thing or two myself. (Don’t tell my daughter. She thinks I already know everything. Time will cure her of that one.)

So, here you are at the gift giving time of year. Do I recommend this for your child? ABSOLUTELY! I guarantee it will be a hit. Ours has been played with every day since it showed up. Go on. Get your own!

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Posted by Jenn @ 9:12 am | 1 Comment   | |