Educational Games/Toys We're adopting a classroom at work again this year, and we've been given 4th graders. Does anybody have suggestions for games or toys that are educational, and appropriate for that age group?Thanks! Educational Games/Toys We're adopting a classroom at work again this year, and we've been given 4th graders. Does anybody have suggestions for games or toys that are educational, and... » Read More Educational Games/Toys We're adopting a classroom at work again this year, and we've been given 4th graders. Does anybody have suggestions for games or toys that are educational, and appropriate for that age group?Thanks! « Show Less
248104
Elenco Snap Circuits are a good toy for this age group as well as Pictureka game. The little legos are really good for this age group as well.
616643
It's great for a classroom. It's a two player game, so you could get multiple copies or find a way for kids to work in groups. You can also easily extend the game by creating your own versions of the rules.
1402065
This is a game of talent for a child to develop creativity in building working connections. It can be done with a small team working on development. If the children work together it can be done by more than one child. There are not a lot of extra pieces so I don't think two children can build individual items at the same time. It would be best that each child has their own set. My son has the first set and then additional sets so he can build more complex items. He built a radio and listens to it a lot. Hope that helps. It is high quality and lasting- and helps build creativity in the mechanical mind. ~jeanne This is a game of talent for a child to develop creativity in building working connections. It can be done with a small team working on development. If the children work together it can be done by more than one child. There are not a lot of extra pieces so I don't think two children can build individual items at the same time. It would be best that each child has their own set. My son has the first set and then additional sets so he can build more complex items. He built a radio and listens to it a lot. Hope that helps. It is high quality and lasting- and helps build creativity in the... » Read More This is a game of talent for a child to develop creativity in building working connections. It can be done with a small team working on development. If the children work together it can be done by more than one child. There are not a lot of extra pieces so I don't think two children can build individual items at the same time. It would be best that each child has their own set. My son has the first set and then additional sets so he can build more complex items. He built a radio and listens to it a lot. Hope that helps. It is high quality and lasting- and helps build creativity in the mechanical mind. ~jeanne « Show Less
258912
Ours malfunctioned about 4 months after we got it. But to answer your question, I think a two year old would do well with it. My boys were 3 and 4 and both did good. Just make sure you check the age recommendation on the games as some would be a bit to advanced (basic math and reading) and may cause frustration if someone can't be with him helping him along.
934420
I think that if the 10-year-old likes to "put stuff together and make things work", it's a great educational toy for that age! The pieces are color-coded and also marked with letters/numbers and the instructions tell you in which order to place the pieces together. I don't think it is too elementary for a 10 year old to start with.
1294878
I'm kind of in the same boat. My six year old will be getting a DS for Christmas and I thought it would be nice for my 3 year old to have his own gaming system. I'm pretty sure they would fight over the DS if we didn't get him something of his own. Is a Leapster age appropriate for my 3 year old?
570787
No! I used to play it with my 4 and 6 year old. It's a great game and good way to incorporate fun with relevant learning.
2103086
I have a 3 1/2 yr old girl who loves her leapster!! She plays a few games (Diego & Dora also one of the Letter games for the LMax), but she mostly likes the game that comes installed in the game itself. I would say get him the game and let him learn. It IS leapster after all!! He'll love it!!
1946890
Hi, go to BoardGameGeek, then click on geek on left corner. Go to drop down on children's game. There are 6 or so other types. You will be amazed. Comments, ratings, pictures, everything's there. This worldwide web site is for all gamers. Happy Gaming. You will get hooked......BTW I recommend Loopin Louie for you...
1512983
It depends which games you have. but they all seem to have several games, each game has a different focus: logic, art, reading/letters, math/numbers, writing both letters and numbers, and a science game. You really can't go wrong with it - your child will have fun with the games and will definitely learn with it!
1139508
Mmm... I think it works for kids of 4 years old.He can play finding the animals but I don't think he will understand that he needs to make a secuence.I suggest you the game UNO MOO for a 3 year old kid.
1197145
I guess I really don't know what teachers approve of these days. All I know is that I have taught English for over 40 years, and I have no problem with this toy's "pronunciation of the letter sounds." It also provides an example word for each letter, and there are little pictures of the example words on the touchpad. Please realize this is a toy for very young children, not necessarily a piece of classroom technology.
16172
The short answer is that she's probably on the old side for this. My son is now 11 and while he does still tinker with it, I would need to purchase the add on kits to keep his interest. While I think it was a pretty good product, it didn't really fulfill what I had in mind as far as teaching him about electricity and circuitry. It is a bit like one of those science kits, it does something interesting, but doesn't really teach them why. I honestly think this would be a better age range for 6-10 year old's. Hope that helped, good luck and take care.
1209080
I have played it with 10-12 year olds and they enjoy it. It takes thinking about the color rules and being able to understand multiplication factors - that the row or column must not repeat a color and the numbers must total to a multiple of the target number. This can be a simple, for example, as adding to find how many 3s there are in the row (if the target number is 3). This leads to the understanding of multiplication. So the younger kids who are handy with their math will benefit and have a good game.
616642
It would be great in a classroom. It would be easy to put the children into teams and let them work together, or use it as a classroom challenge, or for extra-credit added to homework. There is almost no end to the possibilities if you spend a few minutes "day-dreaming." Plus, the dice are a good size for younger children (they are larger than regular dice.) You could easily ignore the "gameboard" (the fabric rectangle included with the game) and modify the game to fit your classroom/time/needs.
2179509
My son just turned four, and he went through this so fast we had to get the more difficult one. I think she will start slow, then catch on quickly to pointing out the same items, even if she can't say what they are. My kids have their own description of all the items, anyway...funny stuff. My advice is try it....I think you will be surprised how fast she will pick it up. Or, in just a few months try again. It is such a fun game to just hang out and play.
2128807
I would think as young as 4 or 5 is age appropriate for this game. It's about recognition of colors and shapes, so if a child is able to distinguish those, it would be fun. Once they start playing, you will be able to tell if they are able to catch on, and if they aren't, it would be best to put up the game until they are able to catch on easier, to save them from being frustrated and not having fun. I've given these as gifts for kids as young as 4 and 5 and they have loved it. As adults playing with kids, naturally, you allow them to "win" a card to encourage play. It is fun with a group of kids with about the same skill level. My 8 year old can beat some adults! I would think as young as 4 or 5 is age appropriate for this game. It's about recognition of colors and shapes, so if a child is able to distinguish those, it would be fun. Once they start playing, you will be able to tell if they are able to catch on, and if they aren't, it would be best to put up the game until they are able to catch on easier, to save them from being frustrated and not having fun. I've given these as gifts for kids as young as 4 and 5 and they have loved it. As adults playing with kids, naturally, you allow them to "win" a card to encourage play. It is fun with... » Read More I would think as young as 4 or 5 is age appropriate for this game. It's about recognition of colors and shapes, so if a child is able to distinguish those, it would be fun. Once they start playing, you will be able to tell if they are able to catch on, and if they aren't, it would be best to put up the game until they are able to catch on easier, to save them from being frustrated and not having fun. I've given these as gifts for kids as young as 4 and 5 and they have loved it. As adults playing with kids, naturally, you allow them to "win" a card to encourage play. It is fun with a group of kids with about the same skill level. My 8 year old can beat some adults! « Show Less