Best Educational Toys of 2012

The OppenheimToy Portfolio recently released their list of the best educationaltoys of 2012. Seventeen kid tested and Oppenheim approved toys that will give your kids an educational boost while they play. Six of these toys are currently available at Grandrabbit's and more are soon to arrive! 

The Sci or Fi Files Game: The science version of two-truths and a lie for Ages 10 and up. Players take turns reading the science statements printed on their cards and everyone guesses which are true and which are false. Answers and explanations are on the flip side of the cards.  The game comes with 200 playing cards that are divided in to 4 categories (Physical Science, Earth and Space, Life Science, and Unclassified). When a player gets the answer right they get a score chip. In order to win a player must collect a chip from each category.

K’nex Ferris Wheel: Unlike previous K’nex models that had upward of 2,000 pieces this Ferris wheel checks in at just 475 pieces. The smaller number of pieces make it easier and faster to build but still satisfying to complete. Building this motorized masterpiece would be great for a parent/child activity and it’s recommended for children 7+.

Pathwords Jr.: Tagged as Kid’s Ultimate Word Search! A book of words fits under the playing board grid and a single player, age 6+, searches for words on a “find” list. As words are found they are covered up with transparent colored tiles. There are 40 puzzles in the book that require the player to find words spelled both backwards and forwards as well as overcome spatial challenges.

DoArt Watercolor Pencil Art: This is a great introductory kit with a beginners guide to painting with watercolor pencils. Recommended for children age 9+ the kit comes with 10 colored pencils, a zip-lock storage pouch, an illustrated instruction book, water color paper, a water color brush and a pencil sharpener. Grandrabbit’s also carries the DoArt Color Pencil Art kit. 

 

eeBoo 12 Jumbo Double-Sided Color Pencils:  Aesthetically pleasing, easy to grasp, colorful pencils that make writing and drawing more fun! The set comes with a pencil sharpener to fit the larger pencils. Each pencil has two different colors and they are suitable for ages 5+.

eeBoo Sketchbook with Glow in the Dark Covers:  These 8.5 x 11.5 60 page spiral sketchpads have impressive and enchanting glow in the dark covers that will appeal to both boys and girls. Take the basic sketch pad up a notch and grab a gift that the child in your life can use in school even when the holiday season is long gone.

LEGO Friends (Heartlake Vet): There was a lot of negative hype surrounding LEGO's most recent gender specific product but the young toy testers are loving it! With a wide variety of sets that have interchangeable pieces and moving parts, there are still nearly limitless possibilities when it comes to creating with these LEGO sets. Small details are even included such as a stethoscope, thermometer, charts and clipboards.


***Grandrabbit's just got a shipment of a variety of these sets and we recommend getting them now while they are still in stock- this will be a popular holiday product***

COMING SOON!

Ravensburger Augmented Reality Puzzles: We just ordered these new techy puzzles that combine the nostalgia of a jigsaw puzzle with apple technology. Putting the puzzle together is a great cooperative activity for families or groups of children. Once it’s complete, download the free app and use an iPhone or iPad to bring the images on the puzzle to life!

To see the toys in action check out Stephanie Oppenheim's appearance on the Today Show last week: 

http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/49256354#49256354