Monthly Archives: May 2013

Dangerous Waters

Now that Memorial Day has come and gone, pools-public and private around the country are now open. People all over the states are still flying their army and navy flags though, so it is great to see the love for the military still alive and thriving no matter where you are this summer.

Swimming is great family fun, but pools and other wet areas can be dangerous. So can the sun. Here are some great products to help keep your little ones as safe and healthy as possible this summer.

Sunblock
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, just one bad childhood sunburn more than doubles the chances of developing skin cancer later in life. Babo Botanicals has a line of sport and swim products designed to protect and rehydrate your children’s skin. The new Clear Zinc Sunscreen (in green bunny packaging your kids will love) comes as either sunblock cream or an easy-to-carry stick. Both contain zinc oxide, an all-natural mineral that protects and is less likely to irritate your child’s skin than blocks that contain chemicals. After a long day in the sun, clean up with the Organic Cucumber and Aloe Vera shampoo, body wash, and conditioner(tear free), formulated to remove chlorine, salt, and other grime and to rehydrate skin and scalp. Certified organic, soy, dairy, chemical, and nut free, and made in the USA. http://www.babobotanicals.com

Clothing and Swimwear
Rashguards and hats should be an important part of your sun-safety strategy. Polarn O. Pyret has a fantastic line that includes every sort of bathing suit, rashguard, and hat imaginable. The Swedish name is hard to pronounce, but the products are top notch. Mix and match however you like. Want a long sleeve swim top and shorts that knock out 98% of UV rays? Or maybe a rashgarud top and regular suit on the bottom? For boys, girls, and babies. http://www.polarnopyretusa.com/

Although I like to buy my kids custom swim trunks, Khols has tons of clothing and swimwear options that do the job too. You can get a two-piece boys swim trunks and rashgaurd (50% UV rays protection) for just $24, or a girls rashguard top and matching bikini bottom for $25.20. They come in ready-made sets, which makes shopping easy if you already know what you want. http://www.kohls.com

Footwear
Because sand and pool decks can be really hot, its important to protect your child’s feet with rubber bottomed, quick drying water shoes. The best brand weve found this year is Speedo. Prices start at $16.95 and sizes run from toddler through adult. These water shoes are easy to get on and offand once on, they stay that way. They also provide great, slip-free traction when using them on concrete near pools and at water parks.

Swim Vests
For non-swimmers, or anyone going out boating or rafting, swim vests are a must. Speedo has several options available, two of which are the classic swim vest and the Begin to Swim Polywog suit. The classic vest cuts down on the bulk, which helps when packing for a trip and makes practicing swimming strokes easy, while still keeping your child afloat. Zips up the front with a strap between the legs for easy on and off (meaning bathroom trips are no problem). The Polywog suit comes with boy’s or girl’s bottoms attached, and has large foam inserts in the chest to help keep swimmers upright. Both have 50% UV protection. http://www.speedousa.com

Puddle Jumpers
Stearns Kids Puddle Jumper Life Jackets are great for helping your 30-50-pound child learn to be confident in the water. They provide freedom of movement as well as stability and softness to prevent chafing. The adjustable buckles make for easy on and off. They come in a variety of colors and designs, including the new Spongebob, whos sure to turn a few heads at the pool. http://www.stearnsflotation.com

Fun You Can Count On

Numbers are all around us and we use them every day. What’s the time difference between the east and west coasts? How many miles per gallon does your car get? What percentage of your income are you paying to the IRS? Which of two similar items in a grocery store is the better deal? How much do we tip a server or taxi driver? What does a 20% discount mean in actual dollars? What’s your favorite player’s batting average and your team’s win-loss percentage? Sadly, too many of us have trouble with basic calculations, partly because we decided as kids that math was either irrelevant (not true) or not fun (often true). This week we take a look at a line of games that will help you and the kids brush up on your math skills—and, perhaps more importantly, are a great fun for everyone.

Mathable
Think Scrabble, but with numbers and mathematical equations instead of letters. Each player starts with seven tiles and plays as many as he or she can, combining them with the tiles that are already on the board to create number problems. Like Scrabble, there are blanks and double- and triple-value squares. A few interesting things are going on here. First, you’re using all four basic math functions: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. For advanced players, there’s no reason why you can’t add square roots, trigonometry, or more. Second, because the equations on the board are go up, down, and even backwards, you’ll start thinking about numbers in a very different way. Third, while calculations are essential, if you want to win, you’ll also need to employ logic and strategy. Ages 9 and up. $17.95

Mathable Junior
This variation on the classic is aimed at kids 5 and up. The tiles are larger and colorful, which makes them easier to handle and more fun for little hands to play with. The board has two sides, one designed for those just getting used to using numbers, the other for those who’re pretty good but aren’t quite ready to move up to the big-kid/grown-up version. $18.95

Mathable Quattro
With a nod to the current Texas Hold ‘Em poker craze, Quattro uses a deck of 106 numbered cards instead of tiles. Players get dealt a hand and then four additional cards go face up in the middle. Players then create math equations by combining the numbers in their hand with those on the table. The one who uses the most cards wins. Again, the rules say only addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, but it’s fine with us if you want to add more advanced skills. Ages 9 and up. $6.69

Mathable Domino
While the basic theme of creating equations is the same, this game adds a degree of difficulty by using domino-like tiles that have different numbers on each end. You score points by strategically placing your tiles on the board, building off of the ones that are already there. Ages 9 and up. $9.97

Mathable Booklet
Mathable games are great for road trips. But with so many small pieces, you’re bound to lose some. The Mathable booklet solves that problem by cleverly creating versions of Domino, Quattro, and several other games that you can do on paper. All you’ll need is a pencil. And a big eraser. Ages 9 and up. $5.95

Many of the Mathable games are also available as free phone- and tablet apps, which you can download at either wookyentertainment.com or mathablegame.com

Look, It’s Moving by Itself!

Most kids (and plenty of parents) like to build—forts, castles, towers, model airplanes, and more—which explains why there are so many products out there designed to help us do just that. They range from simple wooden blocks and kits that show us how to construct all sorts of cool things using objects that we have around the house, to the most complex building sets. There’s a wonderful sense of accomplishment that one gets from stepping back and looking at a completed project. Most of the time, though, that’s about all you can do with it. But there’s a special thrill that comes from seeing whatever you’ve built come to life: electrical projects that turn lights on and off, radio kits that receive real broadcasts, and, of course, anything that moves. This week we’re taking a look at two very different construction sets that will provide hours of parent-child entertainment, both during the actual assembly process and afterwards, when it starts to move.

Runners (Laser Pegs)
Laser Pegs has a variety of products that take Lego-type building to a whole new level by adding lights that flash, blink, and generally make what you’ve build look very cool. But in their Runners line, they’ve added motion. Runners come with fewer than 30 pieces, including the battery-operated base that powers the lights and the wheels. Besides making cleanup a little easier, that also makes construction quicker—15-20 minutes after opening the box, you’ll have a colorfully lighted tank running around your floors. The step-by-step instructions are easy enough to follow that even young builders will be able to take charge. The kit we tested lets you build six different moveable vehicles. But the possibilities are truly endless. There are plenty of additional suggestions on the company’s website, and Runners are also compatible with other building sets, making them infinitely expandable. The package says that Runners are “for boys and girls ages 5 and up”—a very smart move and we hope will encourage a lot more girls to see building as not being only for boys. Retails for $14.99 and is perfect for ages 5 and up. http://www.laserpegs.com/

14 in 1 Educational Solar Robot Kit (OWI Robotics)
If you’re looking for a more challenging construction experience, this is it. The 14 in 1 Educational Solar Robot Kit is exactly what it claims to be. You can build 14 different robots, the intricate moveable parts make it plenty educational, and it is powered by the sun, so no batteries required. It’s also incredibly fun. But you’ll need to be patient. Very patient. Each of the molded plastic pieces (I lost count at about 200) has to be clipped out of a plastic frame. And you’ll need to look very closely at the illustrated instructions to make sure all the components are facing the right direction before putting them together (if you get something wrong—and you probably will—not to worry: you aren’t using glue and the pieces snap together and unsnap pretty easily).

The 80+ page manual has instructions on how to build each of the robots, including a dog that wags its tail, a running beetle, a walking crab, a zombie chaser, a turtle, and even a boat that actually operates in the water. The 14 robots come in two levels of difficulty, though the entry level projects are still challenging enough that it took a highly skilled 10-year old builder and her dad more than an hour to put one together. Ages 10 and up. Retails for $31.95. http://owirobot.com/

Your Eyelids are Getting Heavy and You’re Feeling Veeeery Sleepy…

Pillow Pet Dream Lites
In previous columns we’ve talked a little about Pillow Pets. If your child already has one, the new Dream Lites make excellent companions. But even if you’ve never heard of or seen a Pillow Pet (if so, where on earth have you been?), they definitely deserve a look. During the day, they make great, easy-to-transport companions. And at night, a single touch of a button turns your child’s ceiling into a starry sky. The light itself can be set to glow blue, amber, green, or a repeating pattern of all three, changing every four seconds. You can also activate timer mode, which automatically shuts off your Pillow Pet after 20 minutes. $29.95. www.dreamlites.com

Vizardz
If you’ve got a child who’s afraid of the dark—or one who just won’t go to bed without seeing mommy or daddy, this one’s for you. Vizardz allows you to create custom nighlights and light boxes using any 2D photo you upload to their website. Armed with some seriously sophisticated technology, the wizards at Vizards turn your image into an absolutely gorgeous 3D rendering. Of course, the image that your child finds soothing tonight might no longer do the trick in a week or two. Or, your child may want to give up the nightlight and move up to a light box. No problem. All you have to do is update your artwork since image inserts will work in any Vizardz product. The downside is that Vizardz are a little fragile, so you’ll need to put yours far enough away from the kids to avoid injury (to the child or the unit). $19.95 – $119.50, depending on size. www.vizardz.com

Cloud B
If you haven’t seen Cloud B’s Twilight Turtle and Sleep Sheep, you (and your child) are really missing something special. And even if you have, you’ll want to check out the latest upgrade featuring (as you might expect) an app. The free version allows you to use Bluetooth to download a variety of songs and even create customized playlists. The premium version ($1.99) lets you use your own music library to create unique mixes. Twilight Turtles start at around $23.50, depending on the model.

Not content to just upgrade existing products, Cloud B has just come out with two terrific new night lights: Twilight Carz and Twinkles to Go. Twilight cars feature the same cool constellation (and lightning bolt) projection as the other Cloud B lights and they’ll help those restless sleepers race off to dreamland. But they’re also fully-functional cars with push-and-play wheels for daytime play. And not to worry—if you happen to drop off before your child (which happens around here a lot), you can set the Carz to shut off after 45 minutes. Twilight Carz retail for $28.50.

We all know how much kids—young and old—crave bedtime routines. Twinkles to Go is a compact nightlight that can turn any room—at home, in a hotel, at grandpa’s, or anywhere else—into a starry skyscape. Small enough to fit into a diaper bag, this little octopus is based on the original Twilight Turtle and comes in pink or blue. Actually, it goes a little beyond Turtle and adds images of cute little fishies blowing bubbles. Twinkles to Go retail for $14.95. For more on all of the Cloud B products, visit http://cloudb.com.

We’ve Come a Long Way Since Pong…

The video game world has come a long way since Atari came out with Pong, Asteroids, and Frogger—a really long way. And that’s a good thing. Here are a few of our 21^st century favorites.

Nintendo Wii U
Nintendo has a long history of making big leaps in digital home entertainment. Some were great successes, like the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), and Wii. Others have been just as innovative but never really took off, like the Virtual Boy. But one thing that’s consistent across all of their consoles is innovation and quality. We recently found a 28-year old NES, blew the dust off, plugged it in, and it fired right up. Best of all, the games were still fun!

Nintendo’s latest leap forward in the video game world is the Wii U, which features sharp textures, clear sound, and characters who look like they’ll hop right out of the screen. Speaking of screens, the Wii U’s controller (officially called the GamePad) sports a large touch-screen in addition to all the usual Wii buttons. The system can be used solo, cooperatively, or competitively (we, of course, prefer the latter two options). Parents and kids will have a blast bonding—and the kids will have a great opportunity to improve their hand -eye and direction-following skills.

The Wii U comes in two flavors. The basic is white, has 8GB of internal storage, the GamePad, stylus, Sensor Bar, AC adapters for both the game pad and the console, and as an HDMI cable. Retail is $299. For $50 more, the Deluxe includes all that, plus four times the storage (32GB), a charging cradle, and a number of other accessories. http://www.nintendo.com/wiiu

Nintendo 3DS
Do you remember all those vacation memories growing up that started with a long car ride? These car rides would drag when we were younger, and would often produce angry parents and uppity children. Fast forward a few decades, and now we have kids. For long car rides, Nintendo’s 3DS can’t be beat. Sleek and brightly colored, the 3DS has two screens and a stylus. And now, instead of having to carry around a case of cards, you can download a dizzying array of games directly onto your unit through the Nintendo eShop. http://www.nintendo.com/3ds/downloads/

Several great options include HarmoKnight (from Game Freak, developers of Pokemon) , a music/rhythm action adventure game that follows a little boy named Tempo and his friend Tappy the rabbit as they try to vanquish the evil Gargan and the Noizoids who are invading. Although easy to catch on to, each level gets more complex—and more rewarding when you get through it. $14.99.

Dillon’s Rolling Western: The Last Ranger is another action-adventure game. Using a stylus, players control Dillon, an armadillo who protects a local village of herders from rock monsters, helping him earn better gear, build better towers, and acquire super rock-bashing skills (and in the real world, it can improve kids’ writing and motor skills, perception, and memory. $10.99.

VTech’s Innotab 2 Baby
VTech’s latest addition to their line of tablets offers a lot of features of a full-fledged tablet, but geared toward kids. Brightly colored and is able to take a beating (a really big beating–without so much as a scratch), it has a touch screen, basic sign language dictionary, protective gel skin, and a grow-with-me library of downloads. Little kids will love the camera, which allows them to make videos of themselves and others around and then show them off. Great example of an educational toy that will grow with a child. $89.00. http://www.vtechkids.com/

Parents@Play

Toys and Games That Get Parents and Kids Playing Together