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By Mom Unplugged, March 18, 2008 9:03 pm

Since my 2 year-old is obsessed with puzzles at the moment, I am always on the look-out for fun, educational, high quality puzzles that she might be able to do. A recent surfing expedition revealed these totally cool layered, life-cycle puzzles. They are made of wood and feature five separate puzzle pictures to complete. The mini-puzzles fit on top of one another in layers to show the life cycle of a butterfly (or frog, or duck).

The recommended age is 4 and up. As much as I’d like to claim that my genius 2 year-old could do these, she probably could not without assistance. The big photo makes it look deceptively easy, but there are actually thirty pieces, five puzzles, and five layers. Her older brother and sister might enjoy them though. Hmm…we’ll see. (It’s times like this that I really wish I homeschooled so that I’d have an excuse to buy these slightly pricey but really amazing-looking puzzles!)

These Beleduc puzzles are made in China of birch wood and meet or exceed “Specifications of European (EN-71) and American (ASTM) Toy Safety Standards:”

This butterfly puzzle is also made of wood, but the description offers less information (it costs less too):

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By Mom Unplugged, February 26, 2008 5:58 pm

Santa gave the 4 Way Countdown Wooden Game to my 7 year-old daughter because he was hoping it might be a fun way to work on memorizing math facts.

The board consists of a simple square wooden box. Each side has ten wooden numbered bars that flip up and down. The object of the game is to be the first to flip up all your numbers. Players take turns rolling two dice. They can add, subtract, multiply, or divide the two numbers appearing on the dice in order to equal a number on one of their bars. They then flip up that bar. To make things a little more interesting, if you roll and eleven, you can of course flip up the 1 (6-5=1) or, instead, make another player flip all their bars back down. Fun, but beware: if you roll a twelve, then you must flip down all your bars!

This makes for a surprisingly entertaining game. What I like best about the game is how it can grow with your child’s abilities. Younger children can play by simply adding and subtracting. Multiplication and division can be added later as math skills progress.

I must also mention that even I like playing this one. Since many games aimed at children are deadly boring for grownups, I am always excited to find one that is at least tolerable, at best fun.

So, did Santa pick wisely? Yes! This game makes basic math facts easier to memorize and is way more fun than flash cards. Thank you Santa!

4 Way Countdown is also fairly practical as a travel game. The box is about 10.5″ x 10.5″ and 1.5″ thick, doesn’t weigh much, and the only loose pieces are the two dice. Dice are rolled inside the box, so are unlikely to escape during play.

Great math practice for 2 to 4 players (or you could even play alone). It would also be a great addition to a homeschool classroom.

PS. My daughter just saw me writing this post and wants to play 4 Way Countdown now. I’ve got to go so we can get in a quick game before dinner!

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By Mom Unplugged, February 23, 2007 9:14 pm

I can’t tell you what a life-saver this has been! I keep it in a toy bag in the car and the kids play with it on car trips, at restaurants, and on airplanes.

There seems to be something very satisfying about threading the lace through the holes, and then threading it back out again. I have even seen it used as a fishing pole!

The size of this simple toy is just right for travel. We have had ours for probably four years now and it is still in great shape. All in all a great, old-fashioned toy that still has the power to fascinate.

Available here, or here:

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By Mom Unplugged, February 15, 2007 8:04 pm

We have a mouse version of this French toy that I found on Ebay. It is so cute!

This one comes with a poseable cat family-of-four in a wooden box with an assortment of real fabric clothing in which to dress them. My kids enjoy dressing and undressing the little wooden animals over and over again. Many clothing combinations are possible. Plus, this family is sized just right for a dollhouse.

By French toy maker Vilac.

Available here.

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By Mom Unplugged, February 15, 2007 7:48 pm

What I like about this game is that children have as much chance as grownups (sometimes even a better chance).

The idea is to remove the pawns without causing the spring bar to move. The larger the pawn, the more points you get, but the riskier it is to take out! If you are too greedy, then…SNAP! This game calls for some strategy and a delicate touch.

Definitely a family game night favorite in our household!

Available here.