Author Archives: Parents@Play Team

Turning Bored Teens to Board Ones

When it comes to games, little kids are pretty easy to please—they’re willing to try just about anything, and it doesn’t take a lot of arm twisting or bribery to get them to cooperate with family game night. Tweens and teens, though, are a different story. They spend most of their free time texting, updating their Facebook pages, and sometimes even hanging out with real, live friends. And then, of course, there’s the “it’s-not-cool-to-spend-time-with-your-parents” factor. Getting THEM to participate in game night can be a real challenge. This week, we review three board games that are specifically aimed at kids 10 and up—and that hit that mark quite nicely.

Snake Oil (Out of the Box games)
This goal of Snake Oil is the same one that snake-oil salesmen of the old West had: get some unsuspecting sucker to buy something he or she doesn’t need. The game is elegantly simple. One player randomly picks a one-word Customer Card—anything from gangsters and fratboys to witches and amputees. Each of the other players gets six Word Cards and picks two to create a “product” to sell to the Customer. The bizarre word combinations (you could end up with a “noise nose,” an “ear button,” a “spit book” or any of a few thousand others) and the ridiculous sales pitches are what make Snake Oil so entertaining. Players have 30 seconds to make their pitch. The Customer awards the Customer Card to the winner. Most Customer Cards wins. 3-10 players, ages 10+. Takes five minutes to learn and 20-30 to play. $19.95, http://www.otb-games.com/games/

Anger Management (Endless Games)
Have you ever muttered something to a driver in another car or to a character on TV—even though you know they can’t hear you? Or have you ever wanted to choke the lady in front of you at the grocery checkout line for making her purchase in pennies? If so, you’ll like Anger Management. The goal is pretty simple: Move up your Rage-O-Meter from “perfectly calm” to “absolutely steamed.” The player who’s most likely to throw a tantrum if he or she doesn’t go first starts by spinning the Out of Control spinner. That player then draws a card from the category the spinner landed on and reads it to the group. The players whose answers match the majority move up a notch on their Rage-O-Meter. For example, if the category is “Least Favorite chocolate covered food,” and most people say “donuts,” those players win the round. First one to Absolutely Steamed wins. The others will no doubt whine and complain about conspiracies and evil plots. 3-6 players (odd numbers are best since you need a majority), ages 14 and up. $29.95. http://www.endlessgames.com/new.html

Furt (Wiggity Bang!)
Of the three games, Furt, which bills itself as “a befuzzling eruption of laughter in a box,” is the most complicated. It might also be the most fun, in part because there really aren’t any rules—you have to figure it out as you play. The only thing that’s clear is that players are racing to be the first into the mouth of a fiery volcano. And the only way that happens is by completing tasks from one of six categories. Along the way, you’ll have to reveal secrets (or tell bald-faced lies), act out random words, and keep a straight face while other players scream funny words at you, and generally make a fool of yourself in front of other people. 3-8 players (the more the better), ages 13 and up, Takes about 60 rolling-on-the-floor hilarious minutes. $29.95. http://www.wiggitybang.com/furt/

The Art of Parenting

Sometimes looking at a blank piece of paper and being told that you can create anything you want to, just makes you freeze up. The options are limitless, but somehow you can’t think of anything to do. This week we take a look at several art kits that can help parents and kids overcome even the most stubborn case of artist’s block.”

Gelarti Scene Creator (Moose Toys)
Gelarti Comes with three paint pens, a large scene sticker, and a number of smaller stickers. Customize the stickers with the paint, let your creation dry overnight, and the next morning you’re ready to start decorating any smooth surface you can find. The stickers themselves are a little bit limiting: each shape, whether it’s a bird, puppy, bone, heart, or house is already pre-cut, so it’s not easy to make your own designs. It would be wonderful to have a similar Gelarti kit that came with blank sicker sheets so young artists and their parents could fully unleash their creative juices. That said, Gelarti is still plenty fun for parents and kids. Plus, Gelarti stickers are easily peeled off and can be moved and re-stuck over and over. Anyone who’s had to scrape stickers off of hardwood floors, windows, and refrigerator doors will appreciate that. Ages 5 and up. http://gelartistickers.com/ (don’t leave out the “I” before “stickers”)

Artzooka! (Wooky Entertainment)
Artzooka! has solved the artist’s block problem by making more than two dozen kits that are focused enough to give you a starting point, yet open-ended enough to encourage nearly unlimited creativity. We had a chance to try out four, and we loved them all.

Pop Stick Photo Frames comes with 40 popsicle sticks in a variety of colors and sizes, stickers, and glue. That’s pretty much it. Theoretically, you’re “supposed” to use all those ingredients to make picture frames—and you’ve got enough to make several really spectacular ones. But no one’s going to call the art police if you decide to create something else.

Clip N’ Cap includes 16 bottle caps and can tabs, more than 35 stickers, string, and more. The pictures on the box show necklaces, but that’s just a suggestion.
Cupcake Creations was the simplest and, in some ways, the most fun. You basically get 20 colored cupcake liners, glue and stickers and some basic directions for creating delightful animals. But it’s easy as cupcake to go far beyond.
With nearly 300 pieces, Button Mosaics is one of Artzooka!’s biggest kits. Besides the sticky buttons, each kit includes several pre-drawn mosaic blanks. Younger kids may want to use them, but older kids and parents will want to make their own.

A few years ago Pepperidge Farms had a cookie that they advertised as looking just like homemade. Apparently they meant that the cookies—even though they were made by machines–weren’t all exactly the same (which explains why people refer to things that look identical as “cookie cutter”). Artzooka! does something similar with their bottlecaps, buttons, cupcake liners, and soda can tabs. Instead of using real ones from actual bottles and cans—a kind of artistic recycling that parents and art teachers have been doing forever—Artzooka! has made their own, in a variety of colors, often with pre-drilled holes for stringing up. Scavenging for bottle tops and buttons and decorating them yourself adds a layer of creativity. However, using the ones Artzooka! provides doesn’t detract in the slightest from how enormously fun Artzooka !kits are—and how great they are for parents and kids to do together. Ages 5 and up. http://artzooka.com/

What Else Have You Got Besides Pinocchio, Gepetto?

School’s out for most kids, which means they’re probably going to be spending a bit more time with you than they do during the year. We’re always on the lookout for activities that invite creativity, stimulate the imagination, and are fun enough that everyone in the family (including mom and dad) will want to come back and play again. One category of such crowd-pleasers is puppets. And this week we review some of our favorites.

Folkmanis
Folkmanis makes some of the nicest puppets around. They’re the most lifelike, best quality, and come in a dizzying array of designs. Folkmanis range from the large, very articulated (meaning that they have lots of joints, not that they speak well) puppets that have mouths, wings, arms, legs, and so on, all the way to tiny puppets that fit over a single fingertip. And, as you might expect, they also come in a wide range of prices.

Starting at $8.50, you can bring home just about every species imaginable, and even some that aren’t imaginable at all (like monsters) and put on an amazing show. This year Folkmianis introduced nine new “Little Puppets,” or traditional hand puppets, including frogs, dragons, and unicorns. They’re small in size but huge in play value, and they all have working mouths and hands. The larger puppets are, of course, more expensive. Some of this year’s new entries are the Monkey in a Barrel ($22.00), Alpaca ($29.95), and the Sky Dragon ($44.95), whose moveable wings, arms, and mouth offer whoever is operating the puppet a great exercise in manual dexterity. There’s something for all ages. http://www.folkmanis.com

Melissa and Doug
Melissa and Doug make a classic puppet theater ($78.00) that is one of the cutest we’ve seen. Kids will love putting on shows behind the red curtains, and they can even write the name of their show and list guest stars on the included chalkboard. There’s also a clock with moveable hands that shows the time of the next performance. My 5-year old son was feeling quite proud of his puppetry skills and performance abilities. We haven’t allowed him to take the theater out of the living room to his play room because he’s playing to a sold-out crowd of friends and neighbors almost every night.
Melissa and Doug also makes a line of puppets, from princes and princesses, to pirates and more. The adorable dragon puppet has a silly forked tongue, big googly eyes, and a friendly, expressive face. He also comes with a removable stick in one arm that your budding puppet master can use to manipulate him (these range from $20.00 to $50.00) All ages, http://www.melissaanddoug.com

Educational Insights
For a different, less-traditional take on puppets, check out Educational Insights’ Puppets on a Stick. The original group of three ($25.00 for the set) are oversized, and are meant to inspire dramatic play with silly faces, movable mouths, and those googly eyes everyone loves. They move their mouths by using a small, easy-to-operate child sized lever near the bottom of the stick. This year’s additions are The Sea Squad, which feature four different, brightly colored sea creatures, all sporting happy, goofy faces. Both the old and the new sets are cute, funny, interesting, and sure to bring a smile to any child or adult’s face. But keep an eye on them. They’re so adorable that in our house, they have a tendency to be “borrowed” by my son’s playmates (and their parents). Ages 4 and up. http://www.educationalinsights.com

Let’s Get Rolling!

What is it about kids and things with wheels on them? This week, we take a look at three non-motorized wheeled vehicles that are great fun for the whole family.

Razor Scooters
Razor enters the little-kid market with Kixi Kix, which is a great way for beginners to start their scooting careers. The stand-alone, three-wheel design and extra-wide, slip-resistant deck make Kixi Kix extra stable. That, in turn, makes it easy for preschoolers to balance and steer with Razor’s patented “Tilt-To-Turn” feature. But because there are two wheels in the front and one in the back, some kids may find the Kixi Kix a bit wobbly. So plan to stand close by to help out at first. Kixi Kix comes in two colors, and its sturdy steel, aluminum, and plastic construction will stand up to the many tumbles and drops it’s sure to endure. A great first scooter. Ages 3 and up. $34.99. http://kixikids.com

Skateboards
Got a budding skateboard fan on your hands? You’ll want to check Bravo Sports’ new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Cruiser Board. This 21-inch board is perfect for younger kids who aren’t quite ready for the larger boards that parents and older siblings might be using, but still want to feel included. This board is shorter and slimmer for their smaller feet and strides, and has instantly recognizable characters (although lesson number one is focus on what’s in front of you, not at what you’re standing on). A great way for kids to learn balance and build confidence—and have fun doing so. Ages 6 and up. $17.99. http://www.toysrus.com

Sbyke
It may be part bike, part skateboard, part scooter, but the Sbyke is all fun. Although it’s designed for kids, Sbyke is made of hard maple and aircraft-grade aluminum, which makes it sturdy enough to accommodate up to 220 pounds, That means dad and mom can learn some new tricks right along with the kids. Sbyke’s patented rear-steering design makes it amazingly maneuverable, smooth, and more responsive than most other scooters. Sbyke looks a little unusual, with a skateboard-like deck (wide enough for side-by-side foot placement), hand brakes on the handlebars, and bicycle tire in front. To turn, just lean your Sbyke in the direction you want to go and use your feet as you would on a scooter, no need to even turn the handlebars. Takes a few seconds to get used to, but even the learning part is insanely fun. Ages 8 and up. $234.75. http://sbyke.com/

YFlikr Y-volution
Once you get past the YFlikr’s unique and very cool design (from the top, it looks like a Y (hence Y-volution)—one wheel in the front, one on each of the two back “wings”—you’re in for a real treat. You can push off with one foot, like a skateboard or scooter, but with a little practice, you can get the YFlikr moving just by wiggling your behind (sorry, there’s no way around that—but it’s also a tremendous workout and makes exercise a blast). The YFlikr is also a great way to meet your neighbors: every time we take ours out for a spin around the neighborhood, we literally stop traffic and people cross the street to ask about it. $99.00 (for the F3) – $129.00 (for the F5). http://flikerscooters.net/

Wipeout Dry Erase Helmets
Before you hop on any bike, scooter, or skateboard, make sure you’re using the proper safety equipment, including a good helmet. Wipeout Dry Erase Helmets come with markers, which ads a creative element to your shredding. Available in three different sizes and a variety of colors. Ages 3-to-11. $29.99. www.iWipeout.com

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/

Can’t We Just Sleep on It? Pretty Please?

Getting little kids to settle down, go to bed, and actually stay there isn’t always easy—especially if a child is afraid of the dark (actually, very few are afraid of the dark itself, it’s what’s lurking in the dark that’s the problem). However, as we all know, having some kind of comfort item makes it a lot easier, whether it’s a blankie, a pacifier, a stuffie, a favorite dinosaur, or a tractor. This week we review several products that are designed to make bedtime (and sleep time) in your home positively dreamy.

Pillow Pets
Remember when Pillow Pets were all the rage? Well, now they’re back with a number of fun new items, such as sweatshirts, slippers, night lights, and blankets, all made of super-soft chenille plush, and all sporting the friendly animal faces that make the original pets such an important part of bedtime for kids everywhere. Oh, and keep an eye out for the Pillow Pets toothbrushes and glow-in-the dark Pets. Really. Great for keeping the kids in bed or as a familiar friend to make it easier to fall asleep in the car or unfamiliar places. Depending on the item, Pillow Pets range in price from about $14.00 to $30.00. http://mypillowpets.com/

ScareMeNots
The company says that ScareMeNots are made for kids who need a little help facing their everyday fears. And with names like Courageous Carrie and Knockout Ned, and Defender Dave, these friendly monsters actually work. They’ve been to school and know all the ways to protect your little one from any boogie men and monsters that may be lurking around or come out after mom and dad close the door at night and the lights go down. They may also be able to help a bit with bad dreams (the power of suggestion is an amazing thing, isn’t it?) ScareMeNots have multiple eyes so they can stay awake and watch over your sleeping—or fearful—child. And they have these great tails that make it easy to hang from just about anywhere or to tuck between mattress and box spring to guard against the evils under the bed. ScareMeNots have won several toy category awards and are available in travel size ($14.95) or full size ($24.99). http://www.scaremenot.com/

Shnoozles
Shnoozles are award-winning, research-backed plush dolls that have patented eyes. Yes, patented. Unlike the eye-studded, always-awake ScareMeNots, Shnoozles eyes gradually close (by pulling gently on the eye lids), which shows kids it’s safe to do the same. By gently encouraging kids to stay in bed and fall asleep, Shnoozles make going to sleep something to look forward to. And by reducing nighttime tears and tantrums, these soft, adorable little guys also help parents reduce the stress they feel when dealing with a child who keeps popping up out of bed like a whack-a-mole. Most refreshing of all, in an age where just about everything has an app or batteries or buttons or buzzers, Shnoozles have none. Nothing that could inhibit sleep by keeping your child stimulated, nothing to wake him up if he rolls over it in his sleep. Shnoozles have won a number of awards for quality and innovation, including the Mom’s Choice Award and Creative Magazine’s 2012 Creative Toy Preferred Choice Award. Shah-Shah comes in pink and Shu-Shu in brown. Both come with a Sleepy-Time Rhyme book and retail for $24.99. http://www.shnoozles.com/