Long Island
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Now you can bring the hit TV quiz show home! Find out if you make the grade! Play the game that pits the kids against the grownups for ultimate bragging rights. All you have to do to claim victory is answer 11 questions that the average 5th grader knows. Sounds like child's play, but would you know...
You may not have all the answers, but know you'll either walk away with the $1,000,000 prize or have to admit, "I am not smarter than a 5th grader." Comes with 300 Question cards, a Card Reader Sleeve, 2 Gameboards, 4 Money Marker Pawn, 10 Grade Markers, 2 "Cheat" Pawns, 1 "Save" Pawn, 12 $1,000 Tokens, Pad and Pencils and a card tray.
For 2-4 players. Price: $19.99 Purchase: You can purchase online.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 I am still not sure that I am smarter than a 5th grader since it took me so long to figure out this game but maybe that is supposed to be part of the challenge. The questions are fun to go around and answer but the rules of the game don't make it particularly exciting. If you purchase it, be preared to make up your own rules using their questions.
CRANIUM CADOO delivers outrageous fun with a variety of activities that give everyone a chance to shine! Kids work together and on their own to act, sculpt, draw, and solve puzzles, using the secret decoder mask to reveal secret words and hidden answers. And the first player to get four in a row wins! Whether they're sculpting a chocolate-chip cookie out of CRANIUM CLAY or racing around the house to find something they can balance on their elbow, kids will be thinking, creating, and laughing out loud with CADOO. They may even discover talents they didn't know they had. Ages 7+ - $19.99 Purchase: You can purchase online.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 You can test everyone's strengths since players have the opportunity to draw, do trivia or act it out. This game is an interactive game for the whole family, but can easily be played independently by older children as well.
GiftTRAP is the Secret Santa of Board Games. Exchanging gifts has never been so much fun. If you've never created and shared your "Bucket List" with your friends and family this game is for you. More than a dozen international awards let you know this game is a great time waiting to happen. It's got great replay value and a very broad appeal. Search the web for hundreds of independent reviews supporting the reputation of this highly innovative and unique game. It's the hilarious social conversation starter that will get you and your friends talking "off topic" about all sorts of stuff. Build, share and compare your own personal "Bucket List" as you play. Despite there being hundreds of party games, it's rare to find one that adults and children both LOVE playing. Develop your EQ skills, Kids express their true emotions, Learn diverse bilingual vocab, Discover who "talks" and who "listens" amongst your friends. Share and explore experiences and aspirations, Build your bucket list as you play! Price:$29.99 Purchase: You can purchase online or click here for retail locations.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 This fun party game is about giving each other (pretend) gifts. You actually earn points for being a good gifter and knowing what your oponents (family members and friends) would want. What a a great way to teach your kids that giving is fun! They have an opportunity to really learn to think about what "others" would want and in turn they are rewarded. This is a GREAT gift idea!
The Tag Reading System revolutionizes the reading experience for children ages 4 to 8 by bringing storybooks to life. As children explore books with the Tag Reader, they encounter well-loved characters and leveled learning activities that adjust automatically to their own pace, helping their confidence and love of reading bloom. $49.99
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 A big reader myself, I love that my kids love books. Our nighttime routines consist of reading one book after another, and my two year old insists on "reading" one book to me. My 5 year old has started to read pretty early and enjoys reading almost anything he can. After he graduated from preschool in May, we were unsure what to get him for a graduation gift. In Toys R Us, we saw the Leapfrog Tag and he decided himself that this was the present he wanted.
The Leapfrog Tag is an electronic toy that looks like a pen and is able to read books designed especially for the Tag. Easily held in a child's hand, the Tag will read the book either by itself or will read each word as the tip of the Tag moves over the text in the book. My 5 year old loves it because he is able to read the book himself and use the Tag when he gets to a word that he doesn't know. Additionally, for each book the Tag has games and activities that center around the character and focus on building skills such as reading comprehension. Something else that I really liked about that Tag is that the available books include current characters that the kids know and love like Kung Fu Panda, Cars, Dora and Diego, Fancy Nancy and more. For my son, the fact that he could read Kung Fu Panda on his own motivates him to use his Tag often.
The Tag doesn't only read books! Leapfrog has also put together National Geographic Kids Activity Cards that work with the Tag to teach kids about all different animals. The cards are neat - they are bound together on top so they will not be strewn all over the house. The children can touch the card in different places with the Tag to learn quick facts such as animal classification and whether or not the animal is endangered, vocabulary words and hear sounds of the different animals. We were able to test out the Land Animals cards and even my 2 year old enjoyed hearing the sounds of the animals and learning their names. My 5 year old was excited to learn that zebras live in Africa and that kangaroos stay up all night.
The Tag hooks up to any computer via a USB connection and allows you to download the books very easily. We were able to do it on the first try, which speaks volumes. The Tag also comes with special software that allows you to track your child's progress as they read their special books.
We highly recommend the Leapfrog Tag for kids ages 4 - 8. The books seem like they would be more of a hit with the younger crowd while the older kids would probably enjoy the animal cards more. Leapfrog has also put together gift packs and starter kits which are great gifs. You can buy the Tag and the books individually online at Amazon.com & Leapfrog.com or you can visit Target or Toys R Us.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 Chipper playfully teaches young children good behavior through his experiences in nature. Music, mishap, and adventure entertains kids while providing valuable lessons like "you can play but don't stray." Fosters environmental awareness, builds a "green" mindset, and teaches empathy towards all creatures big and small. Chipper helps activate the mind and body by exciting kids to get back outside and play. Parents use the songs and rhymes to positively reinforce good behavior and keep kids on track through daily activities. It's all Good! Includes: 35-minute fun and educational DVD 52-page Story/Activity & Sing-along book. Bonus CD. Price: $24.95 Purchase: You can purchase online.
The world's number one game has gone global. This world-class MONOPOLY game board has you traveling to cities across the globe you'll cross six continents before you pass GO. Get ready to wheel and deal in the millions of dollars with your own MONOPOLY credit card and a digital banking device that keeps track of your balance. Each game includes 6 randomly selected movers based on items that are iconic to the continents. Perhaps you'll travel as a Thai Tuk-Tuk, an African Safari hat or a North American baseball glove-find out which movers your game includes. Once you've gained international attention as a real estate tycoon, why not build a skyscraper on your North American property, or a pyramid on your land in Africa? The world has voted, so find out which cities made the board--and join in the biggest monopoly game yet. The deal button adds an extra element of excitement so, for a fast and frantic game, deal away. As you play discover interesting facts about the world on the Chance and Community cards...do you know which country has the most bicycles or what the most expensive work of art ever created is? Also check out the international inspiration behind the movers, houses and hotels. Six unique movers are inside-randomly selected from a set of 24 unique movers. Ages 8+ Price: $39.99 Purchase: You can purchase online at Amazon.com.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 The digital banking device was a hit and a fun improvement from the original game. So sad that our kids will never know banking with paper money but that seems to be the way of the future. It was fun to travel the world with this new game board.
New Wave Chess & Checkers is the world's lightest and most tenacious game board. The inserted pieces can't be blown away or shaken out! They move only when you want to move them. The 1 5/8" chess pieces stand up on the 8 ¾" square with a full 3-D effect. The laser-cut corrugated board is durable. It will not lose its structural integrity in normal use. We use double-wall corrugated board manufactured to withstand 275 lbs.of compression. We have inserted a piece into the same spot 1000 times without a problem. Another design innovation turns a checker piece into a king simply by rotating it to show its crown. New Wave Chess & Checkers is highly portable. It can be played indoors, outdoors or on the go. "Extreme" chess or checkers can even be played during a windstorm! You can stop the game and store it without fear that the position of the pieces will be disturbed. It's elegant and economical. In short, it's the smartest way to play or practice. Price: $12 Purchase: You can purchase online.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 This portable game is a neat idea so that kids and pets cannot knock it over. It is basically a piece of cardboard and looks a bit homemade so it is hard to tell how long it will hold up to a lot of use. Because of its size, we think it is a great travel item!
Players can test drive different lives, make their own choices, take their chances and experience the twists and turns of real life. The Automated LIFEPod helps players track time and manage money, houses, cars and family matters with the touch of a button. A thousand ways to play, so no two games are the same! A modern take on the classic version of THE GAME OF LIFE. Players have more choices in how they would live their lives. Experience the twists and turns of real life without living with the consequences. Automated LIFEpod helps players manage money, houses, cars and family matters. Price: $34.99 Purchase: You can purchase online.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 We love when the classics come back. This new twist on the game only makes it more fun. The LIFEPod does all the work of keeping score and there are no longer lots of little pieces to keep track of. It created interesting conversations with our kids on using credit cards. This is going to be our new Friday night game!
Xeko is a game based on the myth of Xeko (a secret ecological knowledge order) and real-world conservation hotspots. Players collect and trade cards to create personalized decks and compete with friends to build the strongest Xeko-system. Game play is additive, combining both competition and cooperation. Good sportsmanship is a key Xeko trait and players always get their respective cards back at the end of a match. No game board is required. Object of the game: Object of the game: Create the strongest Xeko-system to win the game! Gather the most Eco-points by supporting your Species cards while conserving cards in your draw pile. Players take turns playing Xeko, Species, and Boost cards to create a combined Xeko-system. The game ends when one player is required to draw a card from his or her draw pile and cannot do so because the pile is empty. Each starter set comes with: 41 Cards, Playmat / EcoMap, Giant Learn-to-Play Cards, 2 Limited-Edition Sketch Cards. 4 missions/editions: China, Indonesia, Costa Rica, and Madagascar. Ages 8+ years. Price: $24.99/game & $3.99/Booster packs Purchase: You can purchase online.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 We reviewed the 4th edition, Xeko Mission: China... The packaging of this game is wonderful and provides kids with a mission code that allows them access to their online missions. This trading card game keeps kids minds stimulated through an eco-adventure that gives them the opportunity to learn about China's ecosystems and the endangered species. It takes a little time to learn the game but kids will be hooked once they have grasped the concept.
Baby Massage: Soothing Strokes For Healthy Growth is a fun how-to for parents, families and primary caregivers of infants. It is presented in an easy-to-read spiral bound, flip-chart style format that allows the reader to learn hands-free while practicing the hands-on approach to baby massage.
Talk to Me - Happy Tunes for Healthy Growth is the perfect companion to her book, Baby Massage - Soothing Strokes for Healthy Growth. The songs underline key elements of healthy parent-infant bonding. The lyrics are an expression of our love and commitment to our children. The songs are meant to be validating, reassuring and a celebration. Each song has a message, and it is my hope that you and your child will carry these messages of love and admiration for one another throughout life. It is a basic human need to feel loved, wanted, understood and a part of something greater than ourselves. Purchase: You can purchase online.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 A wonderful book and CD for a new parent. The book makes it simple to do massage with your infant with the great visuals. Their website is also terrific with a lot of great facts and some demos. You can also listen to excerpts from their CD.
The only baby sling I found that goes over both shoulders, so there is even weight distribution. Comfortable. No back strain. Can wear baby in several different positions. Available at www.peppermint.com. About $40.
This has been my favorite baby carrier! It is great for my back and I feel like my baby is comfortable and snug (great for big babies). The only downfall is putting it on in public (like the grocery store parking lot) because it is a long piece of fabric and tends to get dirty...so go with a darker color. [Ashley 09/29/08]
Mobys are also available at babyfrenzy in El Cajon, a great store!! [Lynn 09/25/08]
Moby Wraps can also be found locally at Baby Bloomers. They are the best thing for your body, and baby too! [Lorelei Smith 07/25/08]
Now locally available at PAXbaby!!! Call 805-708-2500 to get a free demonstration :) [Jillian Davidsson 05/06/08]
custom made baby ring slings for only $17.99. adjusts to fit mama or dada. holds baby in nearly every position - made for newborn to toddlers (up to 35 lbs).
I recently bought a papoose sling! It was such a great price! I love it and it is made very well!!!
Being bilingual is no longer an option, it's a necessity. The fun and affordable Boca Beth products make it easy for any adult to introduce Spanish and English to their babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary age school children. Experts agree, the earlier the better. You will delight as your child experiences early reading skills, advanced communication abilities, and becomes a lifetime language learner.
BOCA (puppet) becomes every child's language buddy! He will bring out the second language in your child! Experts agree that puppets have a wonderful way of bringing out the new language in a child. Used in speech therapy sessions and counseling sessions with young children, you will soon discover why BOCA is the star of our show and why babies, toddlers and preschoolers learn fast with our fun format! $6.99
My First Songs in Spanish CD with BOCA the puppet - Raise a bilingual child the fun and easy way as you watch your child delight in playing with BOCA to our bilingual beats. $19.99
My House/Mi casa DVD - Young children will learn 100 words and 15 phrases in Spanish & English with BOCA the puppet/instructor. $16.99 Purchase: You can purchase online.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 What a great product for children and infants. The earlier kids start with learning an alternate language, the easier it is for them. This is a fun way to get them started with great DVD's, CD's, and the best part is Boca the puppet that the kids will come to love. It is great you are reinforcing everything they are learning with the activity books and other products they offer so it is mulit-dimmensional. The language learning sets would make a great gift for a child.
Cap Trappers are perfect for just about anyone. The versatile material allows it to fit any cap size from skinny to fat. Use a Cap Trapper to organize all your pens and markers, you'll probably never buy crayons again! Sort your flip chart markers from your dry erase markers by using a black and white Cap Trapper. You can eliminate wasted time looking for the right marker. Price: $5.99 Purchase: You can purchase online.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 These are great for moms, teachers and even the office to store your pens. 
What a treat... you no longer have to worry about lost caps. What we loved is how simple it is to throw a few pens in your purse for your kids to use. What a lifesaver. You can buy a set for each of the kids to keep their own pens and they hold thin and thick pens. We love these mom-invented products.
Get ready for school with five learning centers! This kid-friendly keyboard by Fisher-Price transforms your computer into a complete get-ready-for-school system! The five learning centers are full of skill-building activities in reading, writing, math, science, art and music - just like a real preschool! It's a great way to introduce computers, plus develop key skills needed for success in school. The writing tablet will help assist with writing skills. There's plenty of variety, and plenty of fun! Price: $60 Purchase: You can purchase online.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 Kids will have fun learning while mastering a keyboard at the same time. The Computer Cool School is much more than a keyboard and will keep them busy for hours with all the different programs. The set up is easy and the best part is that it can stay hooked up while parents continue to keep their own keyboard plugged in. Leo the Lepard will become your child's new virtual friend as he guides your child in the interactive classroom. This newly released keyboard and learning system is a great gift idea for the holidays!
Mobile study and test preparation tool Cram, allows students to study on the go, on their mobile device. With Cram, students and teachers can create, share, and study test material for regular class exams, quizzes, and standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT. Cram has features that allow the student receive a grade instantly after taking a test and share a test with classmates on a related subject. The Cram grade reports detail the exact errors made during the test for each test question and shows the student the correct answer after test completion. With Cram, students get a free web portal, that allows them to create custom tests (besides the ability to create online) and distribute them to their classmates or teachers. $9.99 Purchase: You can purchase online.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 The concept is simple but you do need a cell phone to take advantage of it. There is also a great website portal where students can interact. Kids can literally study on the go by downloading software that will challenge them with questions and test material so that they can prepare sitting in a dentist office or waiting at the bus stop.
6 Count Pip-Squeaks Mix 'Ems markers - With all 6 markers you can create 36 different color combinations. Just match any cap with any marker, press the button and the marker delivers a cool blend effect. Kids will want to try to create all 36 colors!
True to Life Pencils, Crayons, Pens - These unique tri-color colored pencils add an earthy mix of colors to commonly created nature scenes. They represent a mix of colors and shades inspired by earth's natural surroundings. Includes 8 different colored pencils. Prices: $3.00+ Purchase: You can purchase online.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 Our parent and child testers were excited to sit down and try out all the new Crayola products. Their products are always great and it is amazing that they keep coming up with new ways to make art supplies even more exicting. Their latest and greatest include their Painit Brush Pens which our art mom tester thought could be useful in the classroom for teaching technique. It feels like a flexible paint pen and goes on lightly.
The True to Life pencils, crayons and pens were fun for the kids. The crayons did not impress any of us as much. The pencils however were great for shading and drawing for the budding artist. Last but not least were the Mix 'Ems which are color mixing markers. It is a fun idea because it creates multiple colors. It is a bit confusing with the packaging because you do not receive as many colors as you would assume looking at the packaging. We felt like you could probably purchase 12 regular markers and create the same effect.
Creative College by Elaina Loveland aims to... Help students choose the right college to fit their unique needs as a student actor, artist, dancer, musician or writers; Aid students in understanding the important differences between BA and BFA programs and an education at a college, university or conservatory; Determine students' career path by focusing solely on the arts or choosing a double major; and Teach insider tips for the creative component of the admissions process -- an audition or portfolio. More than 125 art, drama, dance, music, and creative writing programs in arts conservatories, liberal arts colleges, and universities are profiled with information that is critical to making the best college choice, such as degrees offered, concentrations, faculty information, cost of attendance, scholarship availability, and alumni accomplishments. An appendix lists books, Web sites, and magazines that students might find useful in finding the right program for them. Price: $19.95 Purchase: You can purchase online.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 This is a terrific book for "creative" high school students wanting to explore their college options. It is a starting point for those students that are looking for a school with an emphasis on acting, art, dance, music and writing. It gives a list of schools, tips for going to auditions, writing resumes and doing essays.
The world's most curious monkey investigates new words in this lively picture dictionary for young children.
Curious George's Dictionary is an engaging picture dictionary specially designed for children from preschool through first grade. Both entertaining and educationally sound, it features charming illustrations and reflects recent research in early childhood literacy, setting it apart from other picture dictionaries.
The main part of the dictionary is an A-Z section containing approximately six hundred words, six words to a page. Each word is illustrated with a full-color drawing, most of which have been created for this book by the popular illustrator Mary O'Keefe Young. More than half the illustrations include a sample sentence that puts the word in a familiar context.
A four-page illustrated story at the front of the book shows George learning how to look up words in his dictionary, drawing children in while introducing them to dictionary skills. At the end of the book, seven one- to two-page illustrations present groups of words related by simple themes such as colors, shapes, and numbers. Price: $12.95 Purchase: You can purchase online.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 This is the cutest dictionary for young children (ages 4-6). Who doesn't like Curious George? The images that go with each word are fun and some extra features include teaching kids about calendars, shapes and colors.
The six new and updated titles in the Everything You Need to Know About...Homework series are the must-have information resources for successfully completing schoolwork at home. These handy guides contain the facts and processes fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-graders need to complete assignments, write reports, and prepare for tests. Researched in accordance with school curriculum and current textbooks, and created in collaboration with subject experts, these titles answer kids' most frequently asked homework questions. Price: $8.95 Purchase: You can purchase online.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 A favorite with the parents because these books have so many great facts to assist kids with homework and everyday questions. Some of us are challenged by the homework our kids bring home after reaching 4th grade so even parents can use the extra assistance. There are different reference guides... History, Math, English, etc. geared towards 4th-6th graders.
The Rule is that all Kids must memorize the basic adding and subtracting facts but because kids are allowed to use calculators, they have unfortunately easily ignored the memorizing rule. The Memory Wizard Cards are fun, easy and fast. They write on it, self-check on it and it's erasable. Better results than using flashcards.
There is also a Kids Memory Wizard Game Gift Set that includes the Memory Wizard Card, achievement award, gold stars, pencil, eraser and wrapping paper. For kids, 6 to 12 years old, the Kids Memory Wizard, makes an exciting, fun, Learning Game Birthday gift. $14.95/Gift Box Set $6.99/Single Wizard Purchase: You can purchase online.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 It took us a few minutes to figure out what we were reviewing but once we did, we were impressed. It is a very simple tool to master your math facts. There is an addition/subtraction card and a multipication/division card. Kids can work on them independently writing down their answers on an erasable card. We love how portable the cards are... you can keep them in your car for them to practice when you are out doing errands. We think this would be a terrific gift to a teacher for a classroom since they can be ordered in bulk. What a great tool for each student to have at their desk.
2 Plastic, double-sided, hand-held white boards with integrated marker holder, 2 sm. markers & erasers. Two-sided Dry Erase Paddle Sets. Created by a Teacher & Proven in the Classroom -- Cleans easily with soap and water; Includes low-odor, non-toxic markers; Made of durable plastic that holds up under frequent use; Promotes active learning across subjects in all grades; Saves paper. Price: $14.99 Purchase: You can purchase online or click here for retail locations.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 Fun for kids and useful for everyone! This could be used for so many purposes and our young testers are still testing on a daily basis because they think they are so great. There are lines on 1 side to practice printing. This is a great tool for a classroom (and they sell them in large batches). It is a fun idea for parents to donate to a class. Kids can use them to work out math problems, practice for quizes and it is more eco-friendly than using a lot of paper. It would be a great activity for someone stuck in a hospital bed. The only concern from our parent testers was the durabilty of the dry erase after consistent use.
Little learners love the sense of accomplishment when they learn to print their names. Our ‘Signature' self inking stamps, with a large 'dotted' font, promote printing in a engaging and interactive way. Each personalized stamp uses child safe washable ink to keep those little hands mess free while they enjoy printing their names on artwork, colouring pages, cards etc. Our educational products help the children in your lives develop early literacy skills while having fun! Price: $24.95 Purchase: You can purchase online.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 A great gift for any 3-6 year old that educates them without them knowing. What a fun way to teach kids to spell their names especially because parents do not have to sit there and write it out over and over! Our testers loved it and kept on stampin' because they saw it as a fun activity. The Little Stamp Company also offers a fundraising option where kids can sell these at school and raise money.
Five Star Clip Board: Conveniently hold important pages with this Velcro closure Clipboard with exterior and interior pockets. $7.99
Five Star GeoFloral Flex NoteBinder: Acts like a notebook. Works like a binder. Add what you need and remove what you don't. Includes 3 NotePockets, 4 NoteProtectors, and 100 sheets of paper. $9.99
Five Star GeoFloral Advance Notebook: Perforated, 3-hole punched. Includes poly pocket divider with index storage pocket for 3x5 and half size index cards. Comes with 3x5 and half size index cards. SpiralGuard comfort grip and durable poly cover with pen loop. $6.49
Trapper Keeper: The classic binder with 2 Horizontal Pockets, Available in 6 designs, 1 1/2" Vinyl binder, Magnetic Closure, Includes 5 tabbed dividers, Customizable cover. Price $9.19
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 Our favorite was the clipboard. It is great to keep in the car so kids have a writing surface and the plus is that it has a velcro closure so it can hold papers inside.
Head back to school in style with this officially licensed National Design NBA back-to-school kit! The kit includes a 7-piece Skinz sticker set, an 8-in x 10½-in spiral notebook with 60 lined sheets, a 12-in ruler, and a grip pen. The set also comes with a 3-piece wood pencil set, a 10-piece marker set, and a 3-in x 5-in flip pad with lined paper. The set is packaged in a 9-in x 12-in school portfolio. Price: $14.99 You can purchase online.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 Sports lovers will of course enjoy these fun back to school products for their desks. A fun gift to give any child basketball fan.
Kid Invented by Meagan Keagan, a 10-year-old fourth-grader from Woodinville, Wash. Her invention, the Problem Pad, is a dry erase page with various learning tools that fits into a binder. While working on a homework assignment, she realized there had to be an easy way to keep her homework from turning out so messy. After talking with her father, she came up with the Problem Pad.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 Problem Pad: The kids thought this was great. They could snap it into their binders and use the small dry erase board to work out math problems. It is not great for writing information you want to save since it does wipe off when you close your binder. Binder Gear Pencil Holder: Great to attach to a simple binder or clip board to extra pens. You could even store a small cell phone. It does not work on soft cover notebooks.
With our clothing labels and other personalized kids labels your kids will never lose their belongings again! Stuck On You produce an all Australian made range of vinyl stick-on or fabric iron-on labels. They're bright and easy to read with fun icons to choose from. Our quality vinyls, fabrics and adhesives are second to none so our labels stay put in the dishwasher, microwave or washing machine. Kids love them for their designs, Mums love them for their practicality. Innovative shoe labels, pencil labels and bag tags ensure your kids are sorted from childcare to school and sporting club. Stuck on You Skinprints are colourful non-toxic tattoos, they're easy to apply and easy to remove, a hit with kids and adults alike! Brightly coloured Gift labels put an end to buying gift cards and are much better value for money, peel and stick the label to any gift. Purchase: You can purchase online.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 These are a great gift idea for kids and parents. You can literally label anything with these fun and brighly colored vinyl labels. Kids will love them becuse they look cool. Parents will love them because they will help kids from losing everything once they start school since they can be applied to clothes, sippy cups, lunchboxes and more. They have ID wristbands which are great for taking kids to amusement parks. The shoe dots are our favorites since we have never found an easy way to ID shoes. You will want your kids to use these for everthing from their Nintendos to their iPods.
Create your own custom digital flashcards specific to your curriculum! Students learn better when lessons are repeated. To help facilitate learning, Hamilton Electronics has introduced the Study Buddy, an electronic, interactive and customizable learning system. Study Buddy helps students from pre-K through high school create their own talking flash cards using visual and auditory cues to reinforce learning.
Study Buddy also allows teachers to create original, customized curriculum materials for their classrooms. Create a lesson or activity in minutes that meets the needs of individuals or small groups of students. Using dry-erase pens, photographs, graphics and/or original artwork that is prepared on reusable electronic cards, teachers can record an accompanying voice instruction that is unique for each card. By combining voice and graphics, student learners can work independently with the card sets on a variety of topics. Card reader kit - Includes 1 audio card reader/recorder & 36 re-usable, laminated double sided cards. (Max memory: 72 cards.) Price: $69.75 Purchase: You can purchase online.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 Technology can even make learning fun with a talking flashcard. We thought this was a great tool but also found that it takes a bit of time to get it set up for kids. For younger kids it is nice because they can hear their parents voice on the recorder when they are checking their answers. For older kids, it is a great tool for preparing for tests and memorization because they can set it up themselves. Once they have conquered the lesson, they can erase everything and start fresh.
The UniKeep View Case Binder is the clear winner for getting organized. Everything you keep inside is protected in its fully enclosed and durable polypropylene case. And it's the only three ring binder that's a snap to customize, stack and store for home, office, school or anywhere. Features a full wrap cover overly that lets you easily create your own customized covers. Price: $5+ Purchase: You can purchase online.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 This eco-friendly binder is good for a small amount of information or for storing specific information. It would be great for a PTA parent, keeping papers by subject or for teachers. The negatives were that it does not hold a lot and does not feel super durable.
The best dictionary for back-to-school comes in an all-new fabulous fashion design. Compact and portable, it is perfect for home and school. Clear, concise definitions of the words students need to know make this an invaluable reference they will use every day. You have 2 options for covers in a dictionary, thesaurus, or Spanish/English dictionary. Price: $3.99 Purchase: Online or K-Mart, Target or Borders
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 When did dictionaries become cool? These are stylish, compact and perfect for any backpack.
The Messenger Laptop Bag comes in several colors and patterns and has a fully padded zipper back pocket for laptop; spacious interior compartment; divider pockets under the flap for pens and small items; flat open pocket on the back for magazines/papers; removable adjustable padded shoulder strap. Fits up to 15.4" laptops. Dimensions: 14x12x4 Price: $135 Purchase: You can purchase online or click here for retail locations.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 We loved this bag! It is hip, fun, stylish and all around great for any woman. I love the way the laptop fits into the back pocket leaving you plenty of room for papers in the interior compartment. My old bag only fit my laptop and I always had to carry an additional purse to hold a wallet and sunglasses. I took it out for a little test drive and received several comliments. A little pricey but a bag that you will want to use often. You will want to check out their site to see all their products including laptop cases, carry-on luggage and gadget accessories. Another item that looks great is their iPod/Camera case that could also hold a cell phone. Perfect for when you are out with the kids and don't want to carry a purse.
The CellKeeper comes in several styles and colors... CellKeeper Professional, Original, Sport & Sara Simmons Collection. For any size cell phone, iPod, Blackberry or smaller digital camera. The classic model CellKeeper comes in butter smooth and supple black genuine leather with silver-plated hardware. Adapts to your preference of cross shoulder or waist positioning. Now with a detachable rotating belt clip! The Sport model is available in lightweight nylon exterior and interior, nylon webbing strap with reflector band, top stitching and durable silver-plated hardware. Price: $29.99 Purchase: You can purchase online or click here for retail locations.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 When you want to minimize, this is a great way to go. We preferred the sport model over the classic. The classic is a bit stiff and not as much fun. It could be a great way to carry your phone or camera when you are hiking out with the kids.
Our personalized children's lunchboxes make carrying food more fun! These individually crafted lunchboxes feature a personalized name or initial and what child doesn't love seeing their name monogrammed? So let them eat up in style with these children's lunchboxes! The lunchbox is 8"X7"X4", lead-free, food safe and the designs are water-resistant. Price: $30 Purchase: You can purchase online.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 These old fashioned lunchboxes are adorable and the only problem you will have is deciding on which fun pattern to choose. The young girls we tested them on loved them. The moms felt they would make great gifts and work well as a place to hold art supplies. It is hard to imagine them working well as an actual lunchbox since there is no insulation to keep food items cold.
Designer Sleeve Laptop Cases are a fun yet functional way to protect your laptop computer. Designer Sleeves Laptop Cases are composed of thick, durable neoprene rubber that cushions your laptop for maximum protection. The sleek design safely slides in and out of your backpack, briefcase or luggage with ease. They are perfect for life on campus, business travel, everyday work, or vacation. Best of all, the natural rubberized feel of the wet suit material is fun and functional, while providing natural moisture, shock and scratch protection. Exterior zippered pocket. Several styles and sizes for all laptops. Large variety of designs or you have the option to brand sleeves with a logo or message for businesses or schools. Price: $35+ Purchase: You can purchase online.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 These sleeves are a great gift idea for kids and teens (and adults) to protect your laptop. There is a huge selection of designs to meet everyone's needs and styles. The neoprene fabric makes it sporty and also has the added benefit of being water resistant. The outer pocket is handy for carrying papers. Their larger professional sleeves come with a shoulder strap.
Eastsport has a new backpack, called "Air Pack," that addresses safety concerns with kids carrying heavy bags.
Air Pack backpack: Has a built-in, adjustable air pillow in the lower back to relieve pressure from heavy contents. It was designed with today's youth in mind, knowing they carry bags stuffed with school books, sports gear, computers and more. The Air Pack is super light-weight and durable. Price: $19.88.
Another new bag collection by Eastport, called "Natural," appeals to parents and families interested in eco-friendly products, bags are 100% biodegradable. The Natural collection: Totes, messengers, duffels and more are 100% biodegradable, made with 100% biodegradable materials - fabric, hardware and dyes. Eastsport is not interested in the claim "organic," as that has no set standards, but in being truly 100% natural and eco-friendly. Even the hang tags are "natural" - plant them and wildflowers will grow! Price: $40-60. Purchase: You can purchase online or click here for retail locations.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 The "air pack" is a great idea for kids although it is hard to tell how durable the little air pouch is. The size works better for older kids and teens. The ability to store your skateboard on some of the styles is a nice feature and you cannot beat the prices!
Although the Eastsport Natural Collection totes were spacious, we were not impressed with the expensive price for such a basic bag. We know that often you pay more to go organic but there really were no unique features to these "natural" duffels and totes. They would work well as diaper bags or a catch-all bag for travelling.
My son uses his backpack and loves it. It has been great when we go on the airlines since it keeps everything together and he can strap on his skateboard. [John 10/02/08]
The Jimi wallet is a compact, colorful, and water resistant answer to the stodgy outdated leather wallet. It's designed to slip into your front pocket, purse, or around your neck on a lanyard. If you like cash, JimiX forgoes the internal money clip for a higher capacity and more robust external money clip. And what to do with those pesky, easy-to-lose memory cards? Try an SD card clip for your Jimi wallet or a Jimi Multi Media memory card case, which holds a whole range of different memory card sizes. And just launched the Jimi Game Shell. A compact, attachable case that carries DS, PSP games and Sony memory sticks. Purchase: You can purchase online or click here for retail locations.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 An interesting idea. We tested it with kids, dads and moms. This recyclable wallet is great for the person who hates wallet. Compact so it can be great for sports activities. The popular item with the kids was the Jimi Game Shell case that can hold DS & Wii cards which is excellent for travelling.
Waste-Free Lunch Kit - Reusable, waste-free lunch kit includes recycled cotton sack, cloth napkin, 16 oz. stainless steel beverage bottle, food kozy, and two stainless steel food containers. $40 Purchase: You can purchase online.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 This is a nice option for a lunch box with proportional containters. It is great looking and will instantly make you feel environmentally responsible. The food kozy is interesting and is meant to replace plastic wrap - you simply fold the koz around your sandwich and then wash it off at night. The only negative is not having an insulated bag to keep the food cool. At $40, it is also an expenisve lunch kit.
This Fleurville messenger bag, designed for 5 - 10 year olds has backpack straps that can stow away when not in use and comes with a removable insulated lunch bag (see photo below)! There are two outside side pockets for water bottles, a pencil/pen organizer, and a zippered mesh pocket inside. The shoulder strap and back pack straps are padded and fully adjustable. Like all Fleurville products, the Kid's Messenger is PVC-free, Teflon-free, and lead free!3 patterns. Price: $50 Purchase: You can purchase online or click here for retail locations.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 This was absolutely one of our favorite bags that we tested. It was adorable, functional and polular with kids and parents! Messenger bags seem to be the rage these days and ene of the best features is that it can convert to a backpack for those kids that ride bikes to school. It is ideal for a K-2nd grader... after that, the main compartment would be to small for older kids that tend to bring home more books (check out their People Pak for older kids). It comes with a simple little lunch bag that fits nicely inside. They have a great black pirate pattern for boys. We highly suggest you check out their website to see all the other products as well including: lunch bags, totes, organizers, yoga bags and more.
The product line is a complete range of handbags, travel bags, totes, messenger bags, backpacks, attaches and accessories. The Collection's trademarks are sporty American styling, a wide color and print assortment and lightweight functionality with high performance fabrics and hardware. The LeSportsac Basic Backpack includes a zipped main closure, padded back and bottom, side pocket with zipped closure, front pocket with zipped closure, and an adjustable padded shoulder straps Price: $50 Purchase: You can purchase online or in retail stores (Macy's).
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 Le Sportsac has a huge selection of bags and takes me back to being a kid since these seem never to go out of style. We tested out hte Basic Backpack with the Meow print and our young testers though it was terrific. There are several styles and lots of fun prints. Although moms loved this fun and lightweight backpack, they found the price a drawback. $80 can be a bit steep for a school bag. We did not get a chance to test but we did think the men's bags were impressive and would be great for dads with the the styles ranging from messenger bags to duffles.
Modeez bags are designed to protect and organize your tampons, pads, and panty liners - stylishly, of course! Moodeez will hold 4-5 tampons. Just add a couple of panty liners or a pad, and you are good to go! Price: $14.99 Purchase: You can purchase online.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 These are fabulous for teens and moms. They are the perfect little gift when your daughter first starts her period. A discreet yet hip way to take those little unmentionables to school or work. I would buy these as a gift for every woman I know. Check out the site to see all the fun designs.
OGIO's Taylor Back Pack featuring the new OGIO RCS the skateboard is placed graphic side down on the pack using a traditional skate strap on the bottom portion. There is an interior padded laptop sleeve and large main compartment. Fleece lined audio pocket with headphone exit port. Price: $50 Purchase: You can purchase online or click to find a local retailer.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 If your child or teenager is a skateboarder, you will not go wrong with this bag. Our 10 year olds were quite impressed with the straps to hold the skateboards and were ready to take a trip and test them out. I would not suggest this pack for younger children. It is large and made more for older kids. Great college pack.
The Targus Grove Convertible Messenger/Backpack is designed to fit most 15.4" laptops. As part of the Targus EcoSmart Family of Products, this case is PVC-free and features recyclable plastic accents and nickel-free metal to reduce the amount of toxins released into the environment. To keep your belongings protected, the Convertible Messenger/Backpack features a quilted side-access laptop compartment and a several accessory pockets. For organization, the workstation includes a business card holder, key hook and pen loops. The large front storage pocket provides quick access to personal items while on the road. The case features a padded/adjustable shoulder strap, tuck away backpack straps and a padded handle for comfortable carrying. Constructed of durable nylon material, the Grove Convertible Messenger/Backpack features an earthy olive color scheme with sedona accents for added color and style. Price: $79 Purchase: You can purchase online.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 Although they have a great selection of bags for both men and women, we really thought this was the perfect man-bag. Professional yet hip and stylish. Compact yet roomy enough to store papers, pens, etc. The coolest feature though was the fact that it can go from messenger bag to backpack. Our dads that do a lot of business travel found this to be a useful tool.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 MD Moms Babysafe Sunscreen Towelettes are available in single-application packettes. Each soft wipe is saturated with a gentle, sweat-proof, broad spectrum SPK 30+ physical sunscreen that's enriched with Vitamins E & B5, marine silk, aloe and oat, to protect, soothe and moisturize even the youngest baby's skin. Each wipe contains enough sunscreen to cover baby from head to toe. Dermatologist and pediatrician approved. Price: $15/pack of 26 towelettes Purchase: You can purchase online or in retail stores.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 These 2 pediatrician/moms had a great idea when they designed this product! There is nothing more tedious than applying sunscreen everyday to kids however it is so important. Our mom testers loved this product because they are so simple. You can easily keep these in your purse. Kids can help with the application process by rubbing the towelette over their body. They are not cheap but neither is sunscreen and you can use 1 towelette for an entire application.
Better than messy sprays or stinky vitamin patches, Bug Bam for Kids Wristbands safely repel Mosquitoes and other flying, biting insects from your kids - NATURALLY! Each Bug Bam wristband is effective up to 4 feet from the wearer depending on the situation and comes in a vapor proof zip-lock bag. All ingredients and materials have been proven non-toxic and safe for children of all ages and the product is non-irritant to the eyes and skin. The included bag is re-sealable and will extend the lifespan of the product when not in use. It will also keep the product re-usable for up to 2-years if stored in a cool, dry place. In between use, just seal the product back in the original zip-lock bag until you're ready to use it again.
TOTAL USE TIME = up to 100 HOURS! This means if you take it out once for 10 hours and seal it again, you'll have 90 hours left when you re-open the bag and use it again. No Liquids. No Mess. No Worries! Smells Like...the outdoors! Price: $3.00/1 band
I made the mistake this summer of purchasing kids shirts with mosquito protection only to find out from other parents that the chemicals in the shirts cause cancer. Those shirts were tossed in the trash. Recently I discovered a much better alternative. Finally a natural way to keep mosquitos off our kids. Our mom testers were happy to see a product that was safe and chemical free to use on our kids. The kids though they were great because it is simply a bracelet they need to wear when they are outside. I would recommend keeping a few stocked for kids and adults for hikes and camping trips.
These sound great! I was wondering what ingredients repel bugs, citronella? I also wondered if they come in adult size, [Cindy Johnson 09/29/08]
Pediatrician-recommended MEDERMA for Kids is the FIRST and ONLY scar product for kids with a unique color changing formulation designed to involve kids in their scar treatment process. It reduces the appearance of OLD and NEW scars resulting from cuts, scrapes, stitches, burns, bug bites and surgery.
MEDERMA for Kids is greaseless, non-toxic and non-staining*. It's also easy to use, pleasant smelling and fun for kids. Just apply a thin coat to the scar, and gently massage it in three times daily. Use for eight weeks on new scars and three to six months on existing scars. MEDERMA for Kids is available in a 20g tube that lasts about three months on scars up to three inches long.
I think every household can use a tube. How many scrapes do your children have each day with scooters, bikes and skateboards? Our kids and parents were all in favor of this scar cream. The kids liked the color and the smell. We did not test long enough to see it reduce the appearance of the scars. We would purchase the Mederma for Kids.
Making its deput in September, '08... For the first time in history, an eco body care line (9 products) for teens by teens. The next generation has the power to bring about change. Where better to start than one's own body? The unprecedented eco body care line for teens is a partnership between Teens for Safe Cosmetics, a coalition of young women and men dedicated to raising awareness about the health risks from ingredients in our daily use products, and seven companies with "green" brands. Products include: Alaffia Mango Butter ($14.99), Astara Sunstar Purifying Mask ($21), Bendetta Sassy Sacred Soap ($13.99), Depth Sea Foam Facial Cleanser ($6.99), EO Organic Rosemary & Mint Sanitizing Spray (#.99), Pomega5 Pomegranate Blemish Cleansing Bar ($9.80), Pomega5 Pomegranate Toning Mist ($19.50), Pomega5 Perfectly Pom Moisturizer ($21), Terra Naturals Terra Sport Deodorant ($7.99). Purchase: Sold exclusively at Whole Foods Market.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 Wonderful scents and nice textures motivated our teen testers to try this eco body care line. Parents were excited to see a line for teens made with all natural products. An added motivation for purchasing these products is knowing that they are also helping to support others. (Alaffia provides fair wages to members of their Shea Butter Cooperative in Togo, Africa, where they also donate 10% of the proceeds to community enhancement projects.) If you click on their site you can read more comments from teens on why the love the products. You can also learn more about the Teens Turning Green Campaign. The only negative is that the products can only be purchased at Whole Foods so if this is not in your area, you will not have it avaiable.
This NEW second book in the Daddy's Heroes series tells how the New York Mets pulled off one of baseball's most unbelievable comebacks in the Game 6 of the 1986 World Series against the Boston Red Sox. The Mets, including players like Mookie Wilson, Gary "The Kid" Carter and Ray Knight, sent Bill Buckner and the Red Sox fans home in disbelief as they wondered if they will ever be able to break "The Curse of the Bambino."
Book 1:
Daddy's Heroes: Gibby's Homer, 1988 World Series
A children's picture book celebrating Kirk Gibson's homerun in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series and the Los Angeles Dodgers' miraculous victory over the Oakland A's. Check out www.daddysheroes.com or Amazon.com
A great book to encourage dads to read to the kids
By: Sandman Records
Original lullabies guaranteed NOT to drive parents crazy! Volume 2 features former Mercury Records artist, Gene Miller (you've heard him in "The Lion King II").
Winner of 7 children's music awards.
Available in Santa Barbara at Borders Books, Due Maternity, and In a Nutshell (at the Waldorf School), and online at www.DreamWithMeTonight.com.
The book Monster Spray can help your child deal with and overcome the common childhood fear of monsters. When children start remembering their dreams they often have a hard time separating dreams from reality. It is important to give your child a concrete way of combating those fears. The character in the story was able to get rid of the monster by spraying it with secret monster spray. Not only will your child relate to the character, but they will also be able to use monster spray to get rid of their own monsters. This is a lighthearted story that portrays monsters to be annoying rather than scary which will also help to relieve your child's fears.
This is a great book! I wish I had it when my kids were younger and facing these fears. The best part is that there is a monster spray bottle that parents & kids can use to keep those monsters away. The book has fun illustrations. Just the thing every child needs to get over the fear of monsters under the bed or in the closet.
Moon (Jump Into Science) - A charming cat and his firefly pal take young readers on a delightful romp to learn all about the Earth's moon. Through the use of simple yet engaging text and exuberant artwork, the book shows children how the moon interacts with the sun, how it seems to change shape in the sky, and how it glows. During their colorful, guided tour, kids also will learn about humans' first trip to the moon and what we found there. There's even a fun experiment at the end of the book that shows young scientists how to make craters and understand more clearly how they formed on the moon.
National Geographic Bee Official Study Guide, 3rd edition (ages 9-12) has been created to help kids prepare to compete in the Society's annual geography competition. Featuring maps, photos, graphs, a variety of questions actually used in past Bees, plus an extensive resource section, the guide not only reviews geographic facts but also helps readers recognize themes, identify relationships, and understand how geographers think. In this updated edition all statistics have been revised to reflect the most up-to-date figures. New question rounds have been added, as well as new tips from Bee winners on how to study. Resources have been reviewed to ensure the most current offerings.
National Geographic Little Kids Magazine - Today we're proud to introduce a brand-new magazine to help you enrich your preschooler's early learning adventures. This innovative magazine is full of learning and fun for youngsters (ages 3 to 6) and their parents. Bursting with lively photographs, engaging stories, and interactive picture games, each issue supplies you with fresh and imaginative teaching tools brought to you by National Geographic. Features rich content, large text, and fun activities. Captivating stories and interactive games-covering amazing animals, cool science, families around the world-encourage children to read, learn, and explore. Plus each issue comes with Wild-animal Cards! One year subscription of 6 colorful issues for just $15
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 The National Geographic KIDS books are great for both a home library and teacher classrooms. Perfect gift to give a child or a teacher. Animals, nature, science and space... every subject is covered and the books are fun, visual and comprehensive. Kids from 4 years through high school can find something that appeals to them. One of our favorites is their magazine for kids. Click on their site to see the many choices.
By: Dr. Mac and Friends
This CD teaches children about cooperation, responsibility, giving and much more through catchy tunes. These songs offer a variety of musical styles sung by adults and local children of Santa Barbara. Visit www.drmacmusic.com for more info.
My kids enjoy listening to this CD and singing along to it. My personal favorite is the song about cleaning up the house. We have played it during chores and it keeps the mood light and fun as they sing and clean. The messages are really positive in all of the songs.
Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls by Carrie Brownstein -- Girls, get ready to rock! Since 2001, the Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls has taught legions of girls, ages 8 to 18, how to let loose and rock out. This book brings the camp's inspiring, hands-on approach and advice from its all-star crew of female musicians to girls everywhere. Fun and informative features offer instruction and tips on how to play instruments, write songs, publicize a show, sing your heart out, and much more. Featuring a short history of women in rock, 50 awesome illustrations and photos of young bands, and contributions by members of Sleater-Kinney, the Gossip, Mirah, and others, Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls will have readers turning up their amps in no time. $14.95 Purchase: You can purchase online.
ParentClick Back to School Product Reviews - Fall 2008 If your daughter loves music, then she will love this book. Great book for any tween and teen girls that enjoy mu
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