 | Schoolhouse Rock! (Special 30th Anniversary Edition)
Buy new: $11.49 / Used from: $9.75 This musical "shorts" series was so successful for ABC, they kept it running from '73-'84. I learned bits of U.S history, grammar, science and math from these catchy tunes. I can still sing the Preamble. 30-plus years later, I melt at the sounds of my son singing, "Conjunction junction, what's your function...," or "I'm just a bill...and I'm sitting here on Capital Hill..."
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 | Zome Tool - Explorer Kit
Zome is a collection of small connector balls and different length rods that can be used to construct incredibly complex structures. Young kids (6+) will love it because itÂ’s possible to create basic structures such as buildings and bridges. Older kids (and their parents and teachers) will love it because it can be used to learn geometry, chemistry, and more.
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 | Muse
Buy new: $33.95 9-14 year-olds read this magazine cover to cover, often making them laugh out loud. Topics vary and kid submissions are encouraged.
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 | ThinkFun Rush Hour Deluxe Edition
Buy new: $18.76 A Mensa Select National Competition winner, Rush Hour by Think Fun is a mind-challenging game where players set up cars and trucks on a grid to match one of many color-coded challenge cards, and then try to maneuver a special car to escape the gridlock. As you can imagine, it helps boys and girls with critical thinking, decision-making and math skills.
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 | Wild Planet Hyper Dash
Buy new: $14.97 Kids set up 5 colored targets wherever they want. Then they hold an electronic "tagger" that calls out which targets to hit, while also playing energizing music to help them go as fast as they can through their "course." There are four different skill levels-the first calling out certain colored targets to be tagged-to level 4 where they need to add or subtract to know how many targets to hit.
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 | Trendy Neutral Satin Headband Assorted pack 4 colors Assorted pre pack Sale will match any outfit
I like these headbands because they're practical, of course -- and as a 4-pack, the set is a great value. The neutral colors can be worn with almost any outfit, so won't sit unused. And their design is classic and plain, yet because of their satin finish, these headbands can also complete a dressier ensemble.
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 | Deluxe Wood Folding Mancala in Sleeve
Buy new: $8.99 Originating for Africa, Mancala is believed to be the world's oldest game -- yet it is still wildly popular among adults and children alike. Kids as young as 6 can begin playing this counting and strategy game, and as they get older, there are many options to keep it challenging.
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 | Uberstix Starter Set
Buy new: $32.44 The Uberstix system is a very progressive construction toy. It encourages the use of recycled materials, such as plastic water bottles, straws and popsicle sticks, in your designs. And they're also compatible with other popular building toys, such as Lego, Knex, Erector, Zoobs, and Zome. This starter kit includes 450 pieces and a 40-page basics book.
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 | Large Pin Art/Black
Buy new: $19.99 The cool (but not sharp) metal pins just "feel good" on your skin. And kids can be really creative -- with hands, feet, face, and other objects, as they instantly whip up a topographical image of those objects. I think this larger size model is helpful, so parents can also make silly creations with larger hands, etc.
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 | Oligears
Gears are fascinating. And some gears sets are more imaginative than others. Oliblock gears are a brand new magnetic gears toy designed by artist Dan Oakley, creator of Oliblocks. It includes 11 moveable parts that can be built 3D or onto a magnetic wall (such as a refrigerator.). They stimulate the mind as well as the eye.
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 | Go Fly A Kite Fire Pocket Parafoil Kite
Buy new: $16.50 This pocket parafoil by Go Fly a Kite is appealing for kids and their parents because it's so portable, colorful and aerodynamic. Made of ripstop nylon, the parafoil has cells that fill with air creating the kite's frame, so there are no spars to break or adjustments to make. Tails and flight line are included in a nice nylon pouch, all weighing just a few ounces.
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