Link4fun Cards puts a great deal of fun and learning at children's fingertips, combining physical and digital elements in ways that keep kids deeply engaged and happily coming back for more. After downloading the free Link4Fun app for iPad, youngsters joyfully experience a multisensory approach that enhances and deepens their learning. Within the extraordinarily easy-to-use app are 8 different learning activities. These i...Read more

The versatility and ease of use of these liquid chalk markers make them a favorite of both children and parents. Kids deeply enjoy U.S. Bilby Liquid Chalk Markers for their vividness of color and the way the reversible chisel/bullet tips open the door to nuanced creativity on a surprising variety of canvases in and around the house. Grownups appreciate their widespread practical applications, lack of mess (no chalk dust!)...Read more

Parents are as enthusiastic about Pretend Makeup Essential Set as their daughters, though for somewhat different reasons. While the set's makeup and applicators look very much like the real thing, not one drop of liquid nor speck of powder makes its way onto skin, clothing or furniture. Kids love the way the authentic look and feel inspires countless imaginative scenarios in which they get to act and feel grown up. Parent...Read more

This mess-free pretend makeup does a remarkable job of looking like the real thing, inspiring countless play scenarios and interactions in which little girls get to act just like Mom. Tilt the bottle of nail polish, and the liquid and bubbles inside stir and swirl as if ready to come out. But removing the cap reveals that the brush applicator that appeared to be immersed in polish is perfectly dry. Invert the bottle and n...Read more

Loud About is an uproariously fun family and party game in which players use creativity, speed, memory, and a dramatic flair to best their opponents. At the outset, a category is provided for which each player must make up a unique Word-Action for the others to memorize. Let's say the topic is Super Heroes. The first player might say 'Superman' and mime flying, the second might say 'Incredible Hulk' and brandish a fist, a...Read more

Fast and fun are the two descriptors that came up again and again as kids (and grownups) of all ages were enjoying this game. Lumpy Cubes Hero Edition takes just seconds to learn and unleashes countless hours of play in which a quick mind and fast fingers will take you far! Each player is given 4 matching-color cubes, each of which bears images of 2 of the 4 quirky game characters (Iron Head, Wingz, Galaxy and Magic). Eve...Read more

The fun kids immerse themselves in with Magnetic Mix or Match Junior is three-fold: visually creative fun, imagination-fueled pretend play, and rewarding physical activities. Each vehicle consists of two parts, a front and back held together by a hidden magnetic locking system. The shape and contours of every front snaps perfectly into place with any back, leading to exotic-looking combinations that look as if they've lea...Read more

Make Your Own Woven Watch is a wonderful way for kids to delve into the world of arts and crafts, building confidence, coordination and fine motor skills along the way. The easy-to-follow instructions show how to make 3 different paracord bracelet patterns. Two slots on the back of the packaging box hold the buckles in place with two colorful cords held taut between them while the child loops and tucks the ends in various...Read more

It would be difficult to imagine a more playful and enjoyable way to learn European Geography than with this 70-piece Map of Europe. The dramatic shapes and unusually charming illustrations immediately convey that this is no run-of-the-mill puzzle. Sudden shifts in color along the borders of adjoining pieces enhance both the challenge and satisfaction of finding exactly where each piece belongs. Along with the exercising ...Read more

Skate Park does a fabulous job of teaching physics to kids in the context of a deeply satisfying hands-on building project. The fun kicks off with a graphic novella in which a group of characters entertainingly explore the physics behind skateboarding tricks. That these forces will be put into play once the build is finished helps ignite the reader's enthusiasm for learning. That anticipatory excitement only grows stronge...Read more

Match It! Letters is a prime example of learning through playing, a fabulously fun way for children to acquire spelling skills while expanding their vocabulary. The set consists of 20 four-piece puzzle sets, each of which includes a single large piece displaying a photograph of a common object (a fox, rug, key, cup, . . .) and 3 smaller letter pieces that spell that object's name. The design of the puzzles is such that on...Read more

This wonderful educational game includes several excellent variations of the perennial children's favorite, hide and seek. The goal is to find Miffy, an adorable, talking 3D version of Dick Bruna's beloved rabbit. When Miffy's switch is set to 'on,' she calls out hints from her hiding place in a pleasing, singsong voice: "I'm hi-ding, yoo-hoo, I'm here! Can you find me?" Parent/child interactions and the skills targeted f...Read more

To observe the expressions of wonder on babies' faces as they explore and discover the captivating properties of Juballees is a delight in and of itself. With a gentle pull, any of these three colorful balls separates easily into two halves. The halves and balls click and hold together in various ways as if by magic, leading to unusual, gravity-defying stacking and rolling combinations. Their mix and match-ability generat...Read more

Mirari Shellby is a marvelous toy for promoting early stage development, a colorful, rollable snail that young ones fall in love with even before they discover the captivating surprises that await their exploration. Kids give Shellby a push, and a colorful ball pops out of the mouth. Tap Shellby's tail, and eureka, another ball, this one a different color! Keep pushing, or tapping, and different colored balls keep popping...Read more

There's a joyous look children get when tearing open the Mischief Maker Slingshot packaging, an uncontained excitement that speaks to the remarkably fresh appeal of this updated version of the classic slingshot. Made from real wood and soft foam, the Mischief Maker's construction includes symmetric, brightly colored patterns along its surface and a foam 'hammer' attached by a strong elastic band. Loading the slingshot con...Read more

Every parent quickly learns that any toy that can fit in a baby's mouth will end up in the baby's mouth, probably sooner rather than later. The Mochi Trumpet's design and functionality puts mouth-centric entertainment at the forefront in the form of a small bugle that emits a surprising range of sounds and is made predominantly from rice (more on that in a moment). Infants' natural sucking and teething motions quickly lea...Read more

These joyously fun silicone bath toys are soft to the touch, perfect for little hands to grasp, squish and submerge. Five animal-themed characters (sold individually) stimulate young ones' imaginations while inspiring mental and physical exploration through water play. Each toy has a head and body that, together, form a sealed unit that floats and bobs to the surface but that can be easily separated into two cup-like part...Read more

This fun-filled silicone bath toy puts smiles on young ones' faces, in or out of the bathtub. Like Marcus & Marcus's excellent animal themed bath toys, Rocket Bath Toy immediately engages young hands and minds while encouraging them to explore, investigate and play! A favorite feature is the squeeze and squirt action kids can use to suction up bathwater and unleash it in a directed stream with a simple squeeze. Youngsters...Read more

mozi is jaw-droppingly entertaining to watch and even more fun to do, a set of intertwining metallic rings with near-magical qualities that let even first time users amaze friends and family. Simply insert your hand through the rings and raise your arm. mozi springs to life, spinning continuously as it travels up and down one arm, from one arm to the other, or from one person's arm to another's. There is no power source o...Read more

Those who prefer predictable games would be well-advised to stay away from Mr. Game!, a highly entertaining board game whose twists and turns are a recipe for head-spinning fun! The basic premise is simple: players take turns rolling the dice, moving their pieces, trying to get to the goal space first. But what if the goal had other plans, like moving throughout the game, or all the spaces on the board were subject to cha...Read more

This enormously fun educational toy delights youngsters with its colorful appearance, audiovisual effects and nonstop interactivity. Flip the 'on' switch, and Mushroom Garden invites children to play and learn. A blue button lets kids choose among four modes of play - colors, numbers, music and games. In number or color mode, children can press the mushrooms (each of which has a different color and number of dots on it) t...Read more

This eye-catchingly cool-looking educational bike helmet was enthusiastically received by kids as well as by many an envious parent yearning to get their hands on a grownup version. In addition to protecting young heads from injury, My Brain Hatter Helmet enriches young minds through its anatomically correct depiction of the human brain. 15 included reusable, removable stickers provide the names and functions of each brai...Read more