Fall 1999
Seal of Approval
Product Testing Report
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How
to Host A Kids Party-Blue's Clues
Decipher
Blue's Clues is one of the real delights to emerge from the kids television industry in the past several years. The attachment so many kids have with Blue and the show's host, Steve is truly remarkable. With that in mind, Decipher has created a very nice product that is a Blue's Clues party in a box. The instructions will help any parent walk through all the steps necessary to plan and throw a great theme party from shopping list to invitations. The party will let your child and his or her friends feel like they are a part of the real show as they search for clues and interact with characters. There are loads of activities and choices to keep the fun going until it is pick-up time.
Recommended Ages: 2 to 6 Suggested Retail Price: $20.00
Crayola
Color WipeOffs Playmat
Binney & Smith
Are you and your kids hitting the road? If so, you will want to make sure you pack this great drawing/coloring product from the folks who brought you crayons. The very portable design of this playmat features a white board and a pouch filled with dry erase markers. This is absolutely superb for long car trips, whether your child wants to create a masterpiece or just beat his or her sibling in tic-tac-toe. Parents called this a great "Grab and Go" item, all self-contained and ready for action.
Recommended Ages: 4 and Up Suggested Retail Price: $15.99
Tons
of Sponges
Roylco,
Inc.
Children are often introduced to sponge art at a young age, either in preschool or another environment. They are comfortable with the easy use of paint, shape and texture. This sponge kit is not your ordinary kit as our parent testers eagerly and enthusiastically pointed out. Educational in a very easy and age appropriate manner, children are given sponge shapes that are inspired by Matisse and Picasso! Pretty interesting huh? The instructions for use by either a parent or a teacher are very well written. The range of creative output was quite extensive, and the fun was top notch throughout.
Recommended Ages: 4 and up Suggested Retail Price: $14.99
Dream
Time Adventures
Imaginazium, LLC
Here is a kit designed to help your child's dreamtime be more peaceful. An audiotape offers free form ideas for launching points whereby children can begin their dream journeys. Colored plastic "stones" when placed under a child's pillow give them power and control over their dreams. The character of Grandpa Z, who is introduced in both the enclosed book and the tape was warm and likable, while the "Dream Secrets" were special treasures that our testers really enjoyed. If your child has trouble falling asleep at night, this could be a help in unlocking the secrets of a restful night for you all.
Recommended Ages: 4 to 8
Suggested Retail Price: $19.95
Imagination
Adventure Kit
Imaginazium,
LLC
Some children have the ability to entertain themselves when
there is nothing to do. They can dream
up imaginative games or any number of activities to fill their time. Others need a jump start and the Imagination
Adventure Kit is a great tool for them.
Children told us that they were inspired by many of the ideas presented
to them on the well produced audiotape.
Parents found their children raring to go not only after listening to
the tape but for days afterwards.
Whether it was something they would do alone in their room or together
with siblings or friends, they sensed a new desire to accomplish. Not bad for under $20!
Recommended Ages: 4 to 8
Suggested Retail Price: $19.95
Zome
System Adventurer Kit
Zometool, Inc.
How often can you say you've come across a toy that makes geometry a fascinating exercise? Here is a product that is a building kit with a creative second life. While using the sticks and connectors to build just about any shape you can imagine, you then have the option of dipping your creation into a vat of bubbles. When you do you won't believe the results. The 3D geometric patterns that the bubbles make while clinging to your design are spectacular. Immediately our testers were engaged and off to the races making new designs and seeing the bubble results. With each creation the understanding level increased and the excitement level grew. Its no wonder Zome drew the raves that it did from our testers.
Recommended Ages: 6 and Up Suggested Retail Price: $34.95
Brain
Trek
Wild
Goose Company
Whoever coined the phrase "learning isn't supposed to be fun" never spent any time with a Wild Goose product. Here is a kit that is loaded with fun and then some. If you or your child has ever wondered about the remarkable organ between your ears, no not the wax, your brain, then this will open up a world of insight for you both. As we have come to expect with Wild Goose, their inimitable humorous writing style takes center stage as they introduce some pretty complex concepts with a witty flair that entertains and teaches. There are experiments, projects and lots more to keep you digging deeper and deeper into the mysteries of the brain.
Recommended Ages: 8 and up Suggested Retail Price: $29.99
Bug
Off!
Wild Goose Company
If your kids have demonstrated an interest in creeping, crawling, multi-legged creatures, (we're talking bugs here), then this project kit is just for them. Educational fun abounds with this Wild Goose product that is jammed packed with ideas for experiments that will amaze and fascinate your budding entomologist. The enclosed book, written in the inimitable humorous Wild Goose manner, provides ideas for bug catching devices, observation techniques and much more. Even our bug-hating Mom's were able to see that this is a superbly designed educational product.
Recommended Ages: 8 and up Suggested Retail Price: $29.99
Homework
Helpmate
Sensible
Solutions of Maryland, Inc.
Have you ever noticed the disproportionate amount of time your child can spend finding their homework supplies to the time actually spent doing the work? With that in mind The Homework Helper was born. Created to keep all the supplies your child might need like pencils, rulers, calculators, crayons, glue sticks in one place. You fill it up and let your children get right to work. The hard plastic carrying case with handle allows your child to work anywhere in the house as they tote their workspace with them. And, Moms were quick to point out that clean up is so much easier.
Recommended Grades: K - 4th and 5th - Up Suggested Retail Price: $15.99 & $9.99
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Last Update: August 15, 1999