Back to school is just around the corner and what better way to get your
kids prepped for and excited about the school year than with games and
books that are both educational and fun. The games are low tech and great
for travel when electronics are restricted from being used or won’t work
well.
If your kids have an interest in learning how to code, Code Master Programming Logic Game by Thinkfun will teach
them the principles behind programming. They’ll also build planning,
sequential reasoning and problem-solving skills in this ultimate fantasy
adventure coding board game. Across a series of 60 fun logic puzzles,
players develop an important mental model as to what it means to think like
a computer. Computer coding teaches kids how to think creatively, work
collaboratively and reason systematically, and has become a necessary and
sought-after skill.
For preschoolers, Cubetto by Primo Toys is a
Montessori-approved coding toy with a screen-less programming system,
powered by a revolutionary coding language made of colorful blocks. The
playset consists of a friendly wooden robot named Cubetto, a physical
programming console, a set of 16 colorful coding blocks, a world map and an
illustrated activity book. Your child will learn curriculum mapped coding
concepts and develop an early understanding of how coding works. Backed by
Randi Zuckerberg, it was the most awarded coding toy of 2016.
My First Coding Book
by Kiki Prottsman teaches kids as young as 5 years old the basic
programming skills necessary to code, including sequencing and loops,
without a computer. It offers an interactive, playful introduction to
offline coding and programming with fun exercises and step-by-step
guidance. Filled with puzzles, mazes and games to teach the basic concepts
of sequences, algorithms and debugging, this book helps kids develop
critical thinking, logic and other skills to cement lifelong computer
literacy, which is extremely valuable and sought-after in today’s world.
For those kids who love working with numbers, Sumoku by
Blue Orange Games is a unique crossword-style game with numbers that can be
played solo or with the whole family. Either way, it is an addictive math
game that offers a fast-paced challenge and can be played five different
ways.
Kids who love science will love
The Everything Kids’ Science Experiments Book: Boil Ice, Float Water,
Measure Gravity-Challenge the World Around You!
by Tom Robinson. Using just a few household items, they can recreate dozens
of mind-blowing science experiments and discover answers to questions like:
Can a magnet ever be turned off? Do toilets always flush in the same
direction? Is it possible to blow up a balloon without actually blowing
into it? The book covers everything from biology to chemistry to physics to
outer space.
Another great science book,
What’s Your STEM?: Activities to Discover Your Child’s Potential in
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
by Rihab Sawah MS, MA, and Anthony Clark PhD, helps kids decide which STEM
– science, technology, engineering and math – skills they most enjoy and
excel in. This new, interactive and engaging activity book answers
questions such as: How do batteries work? How exactly does a bridge stay
up? How likely is it that someone shares your birthday? In addition to the
fifty entertaining and educational experiments, this book includes
information about STEM career paths. Kids can figure out what interests
them now and how it can lead to a career later on, and what specific jobs
are in those fields. This book helps expand your children’s horizons and
sets them up for a bright future.
Fidget Spinners
Although not an educational game per se, fidget spinners deserve mention
because they have become the latest social craze; however, there is a lot
of controversy surrounding them. Many physicians see the potential fidget
spinners have in helping students with autism, ADHD and anxiety improve
their attention and focus, and they have been shown to be a helpful
learning tool for some students by helping them process events that they
wouldn’t otherwise be able to.
Sometimes, however, they can be a distraction to teachers and other
students, and some schools have gone so far as to ban them. In addition,
there have been cases where small children have ended up in the hospital
after swallowing fidget spinner parts that have fallen off.
If you like fidget spinners though, check out the SpinBladez 3 LED Light-Up Fidget Spinner by Zing. This
spinner lights up and includes a double spin pin so you can stack spinners
for a mesmerizing effect. Another great spinning toy by Zing, Thumb Chucks, consists of two light-up rubber balls
attached by a cord. Thumb Chucks takes more skill, but there is a mobile
app that features tutorials.
As the last days of summer approach, be sure to check out these low-tech
toys, games and books for an educational and fun diversion from the
high-tech world we live in. No TV, no console and no controllers required.
