Giveaway: Develop Storytelling Skills with Moulin Roty's Les Petit Merveilles Nighttime Shadow Puppets from Magicforest

Thank you to Moulin Roty for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon and for providing an additional product for our giveaway prize.  All opinions expressed are my own.

We love toys that utilize our imaginations, so the 9pc Castle Shadows Nighttime Shadow Puppets by Moulin Roty are right up our alley. This 40-year-old French toy company lets parents and kids create their own stories with these unique and fun shadow puppets.

The puppets are made of black cardstock and come mounted on wooden sticks for play. Once nighttime hits, or if you have a mostly-dark room to use with some sort of backlighting, you can have hours of fun creating, imagining, and playing with these fun shadow puppets. When children engage in pretend play like this, they are building their vocabulary, using problem solving skills, and utilizing social and emotional skills that are vital as they grow and learn. For this reason, these shadow puppets make for a great addition to dramatic play in a classroom or homeschool.

Since these shadow puppets are made of paper, they are not likely to hold up for a long time, but while they do last they are fun. Perhaps storing them in a rigid envelope or case and making sure children aren’t being too rough with them will help to prolong their life. They also have other themes like dinosaurs and even a Paris set. We had a blast creating elaborate stories about dragons, princesses, evil kings, and more.

You can learn more about these and other inspirational toys at www.magicforest.com. These shadow puppet sets retail for $18.50 to $40.00.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck in the drawing!

This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. A random drawing will be held shortly after the contest closing. The winner will be announced here and will be contacted via email. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be drawn.

Finding Balance With Asperger's: 'Color Pegs, Color Pictures' is a Fun & Creative Fine Motor Skills Toy

Thank you to Fun and Function for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon. All opinions expressed are my own.

Color Pegs, Color Pictures from Fun and Function help children unleash their creative sides with this fun, wooden toy. This set contains 100 wooden pegs (25 each in red, yellow, blue, and green) and a wooden board to put the pegs into. They are thick, sturdy wood and are sure to last a long time. However, because of the size of the pegs, this is not recommended for children under 3 or any others to whom they would present a choking hazard.

When we opened this toy, my kids were both pretty excited to play with it. I have found that peg boards are usually a favorite of most children, and mine are included in that. They’ve had fun making letters, words, bugs, Pokemon creatures, Christmas images, and more. When they are done, they put all the pegs into the box along with the board and close it up, so it’s a really simple clean up job too.

We are really happy with our Color Pegs, Color Pictures toy. It is also great for fine motor skills and makes for a good, quiet activity for them to do when I have a meeting or other (as they say) “grown up stuff” to do.

You can purchase Color Pegs, Color Pictures on Fun and Function’s website, www.funandfunction.com. This toy retails for $20.99.

2013 Holiday Toy Gift Guide on 3G2S

Product samples of some of the items featured below were provided to facilitate this gift guide.  All opinions expressed are our own.


1.  Playmobil Spy Team Command Vehicle  ($64.99) - The Spy Team Command Vehicle comes with a host of accessories and figures to create a complete play experience. The Command Vehicle features an actual combination lock safe, firing missiles, and a secure chamber for locking down the most vile criminals. The set also includes 4 figures, guns, tools, toy money, and all of the accessories one would expect a team of spies to carry on a mission. The tires are grippy rubber and the front suspension really works powering the Spy Team Command Vehicle over the most challenging terrain.

Assembly should be easy for an adult, but a child may need assistance. Assembly requires about 10-15 minutes of your time. The Spy Team Command Vehicle would make an excellent gift for any aspiring spy hunter age 7 to 12.

You can learn more about the Spy Team Command Vehicle and other Playmobil toys at www.Playmobil.com.

2.  Dollie & me 18" Dolls by Madame Alexander  ($39.00) - Dollies are 18" fashion dolls made by Madame Alexander, who has been the gold standard in dolls over nearly a century.  Created with young girls in mind, these high quality yet affordable 18" dolls would be the perfect gift for any girl age 3 years or older, especially if you find American Girl dolls to be too costly.  There are currently 8 different dolls available, each with varying hair, eye, and skin color, modeling a stylish outfit complete with accessories.  You could choose a doll that resembles your little princess or perhaps one that looks like her best friend.

Dollie & me Matching Sleepwear  ($25.00 - $30.00) - What better gift to go along with a new Dollie for Christmas than matching pajamas or a nightgown for your little girl and her doll?  This Gingerbread Printed Nightgown is just  one of many styles available.  Dollie & me fashions come in girl's sizes 2T to 12 and the doll outfits fit most 18" dolls, including American Girl dolls.

To learn more about Dollie & me dolls and fashions, visit www.dollieme.com.

3.  Red Toolbox Billiard Table  ($49.99) - This billiard table is fun to use, but is unique because it comes unassembled and part of the entertainment of it is building this table together as a family project. This is a Level 2 project which is slightly harder and requires cutting, sawing, drilling, and other things that require adult assistance. The instructions are simple enough and only should about an hour to assemble. Once assembled, this table is a perfect, mini-sized version of regular pool table and comes with all the items needed to play the game including chalk for the sticks and a brush for the felt table. The Red Toolbox Billiard Table is perfect for any child who loves to make things, be creative, and see the fruits of their labor. Recommended for ages 8+ because of small parts.

Red Toolbox 8 Piece Toolset  ($39.99) - Perfect for building your billiard table or any other project, this child-sized toolset is great for small hands that love to be helpful with crafting and other handiwork. This set includes a bar clamp, hammer, tape measure, hand saw, 2 Phillips head screwdrivers, file, and safety goggles. Each is well-made out of durable materials and will likely hold up for many years.

To learn more about the Red Toolbox building toys, read our review and visit www.reevesintl.com.

4.  Playmobil Take Along Modern Dollhouse  ($59.99) - This new dollhouse by Playmobil is the perfect gift for any child 4 years or older who has a big imagination and needs an entertaining toy that can be easily taken along to a friend's or relative's house.  Playmobil sets are well-known for the awesome details in both their decals, as well as the numerous accessories that accompany each toy.  This set requires minimal assembly, but includes quite a few decals.  Be prepared for up to 20 minutes of set-up before this gift is ready to be played with.  Children will be delighted by drawers that open, tiny toiletries, a flat screen TV plus audio and video components that fit perfectly in the TV stand, everything needed to set the table for a meal, and a wide variety of foods to stock the refrigerator.  Also, if you have a child who loves to collect Playmobil figures, then he or she will be delighted with the boy, girl, baby, and 2 dogs that come with this dollhouse.

To learn more about the Playmobil Take Along Modern Dollhouse and other Playmobil toys, visit www.playmobil.us.

5.  Makedo Make Anything Kit for One  ($25.00) - Makedo’s award winning building system takes things that would usually be trash and turns them into hours of creative play. The Make Anything Kit for One contains 1 safe-saw, 29 re-pins, 29 re-clips, 6 lock hinges, and an inspiration poster. You bring the supplies and your own creativity to make anything you can think of. The Makedo supplies are made of high-quality plastic and are completely reusable so once you’re done with one masterpiece, just take it all apart and store the Makedo parts away until you are ready to create again.  This kit would be the perfect gift for a child age 5 years or older who is learning to repurpose and recycle things around the house.

Learn more about this and the other Makedo kits on their website, www.mymakedo.com.

6.  Glitzi Globes  ($7.99 - $19.99) - A new toy for 2013, Glitzi Globes by Moose Toys is a collectible toy that is also a mini craft.  Each Glitzi Globe comes with everything a child needs to make a glitter-filled snow globe, including the dome, the base, a character figure, 3 floating charms, and a glitter tablet.  Just add water and assemble the globe.  The finished globes can be used to display, used as pencil toppers, made into jewelry, and more.  Glitzi Globes would make the perfect gift for a crafty child age 5 years or older, who loves to collect cute and sparkly things.  Currently, this new toy line is available in the Glitzi Globes Glitzi Showcase, the Glitzi Globes Starter Kit, and the Glitzi Globes Themed Three Packs.

To learn more about Glitzi Globes, read our review and visit www.glitziglobes.com.

7.   Words With Friends Magnetic Game and Message Board  ($19.99) - You can now play Words With Friends, the popular mobile game app, at home! The Words With Friends Magnetic Game and Message Board contains a metal game board, 104 magnetic tiles, a tile bag, 4 metal tile racks, hooks, a dry erase marker and eraser, and all the parts to mount it right on your wall. Play goes just as it does on your mobile device, but you can instead play with the members of your family and even write little messages to each other. It is well made, fun, and sure to delight any word-lover you know.

Learn more about this magnetic version of Words With Friends here. This game can be purchased at most major retailers nationwide.

8.  B-Daman Crossfire Toys  (starting at $8.99) - B-Daman is a television show on the CW, which has been made into toys in which players launch marble-type balls into one another using their B-Daman launcher. This fast-paced game requires precision, skill, and fast fingers to defeat your opponent. B-Daman Crossfire’s vast line of toys is sure to appeal to children ages 6 and up (due to small parts which present a choking hazard). Whether they play alone or with others, they are sure to be delighted.

To learn more about B-Daman Crossfire Toys, read our review. To see their full line, visit www.HasbroToyShop.com.

9. Disney Planes Blu-ray/DVD Combo & Disney Planes Toys  ($4.99 - $29.99) - If you have a Disney Pixar Cars movie fan to shop for, then the Disney Planes movie might just be the perfect gift or stocking stuffer you're looking for.  Filled with action, dynamic characters, and important life lessons, Planes is a wonderful choice for a family movie.  This film teaches children to not be afraid to dream big, the importance of fair play, not to judge others by their appearances, and so much more.  Of course, what gift would be complete without a Planes toy or two to bring those movie characters to life?  The collectible and affordable die-cast figures would make fun add-on items to your movie gift.

To learn more about Disney Planes, visit movies.disney.com.

10.  Keekee the Rocking Monkey  ($24.99) - Blue Orange Games has done it again with this fun game designed for 1-6 players ages 3 and up. Keekee loves juggling balls and trying to balance herself on her favorite banana rocker. Players take turns placing balls in Keekee’s arms, on her head, or on the banana and try not to let Keekee fall over. This game is simple to set up and to play, but not so simple to master, making it a fun challenge. Keekee the Rocking Monkey would make a great gift for any child as young as 3 years old because the concept is easy to comprehend and reading is not required.  This game is also sure to please parents who are fans of wooden battery-free toys.

You can learn more about this and other Blue Orange Games products, by visiting www.blueorangegames.com.

11.  Breyer Chalkboard Horse  ($14.99) - Breyer is best known for its collectible model horses, but also offers playsets, activity sets, and other horse-themed toys.  Whether a child has already started their Breyer Horses collection or is looking forward to owning their very first, the Breyer Chalkboard Horse would make a fun and unique gift.  This 9.5" black horse comes with 4 pieces of chalk for drawing and a small sponge that can be moistened to clean off the horse when it's time to start a new design.  When the weather is too cold or too wet outside for drawing with chalk, this chalkboard horse would make a fun quiet rainy day activity.  This horse comes in a ready-to-wrap box and is recommended for ages 6 and up.

To learn more about this and other Breyer products, visit www.breyerhorses.com.

12. Wok ‘n Roll  ($21.99) - In this entertaining game from the Therapy Shoppe, players use tongs to remove colorful plastic food from a wok while the surface vibrates, gyrates, rocks, and rolls. This fun game requires fine motor skills, visual motor skills, sorting, color recognition, and counting, but hones these skills without children realizing it. Designed for 1 to 4 players ages 3 and older (because of choking risk with the “food” pieces), this game would be a fun gift for any child, but especially those who need to develop those skills. This game does require 2 “AA” batteries, so be sure to include them with your gift and it’s worth noting that the game needs a solid, stable surface in order to function.

Learn more about this and the Therapy Shoppe’s other amazing products at www.therapyshoppe.com.

13.  Glow Pets  ($29.95) - From the makers of Pillow Pets comes Glow Pets. Glow Pets are plush animals that double as comfy pillows and they glow! These plush toys come with internal LED lights that are just bright enough to make the dark a little less scary.  The internal lights are also easy to turn on and off with a handy button and each one comes with a built-in 20 minute shut off timer, in order to avoid wasting batteries or burning out the bulbs while children are sleeping. In addition to the Glow Seal, Glow Pets are also available in a Bear, Zebra, Turtle, Unicorn, Pup, Penguin, and Snail.  This plush toy (approximately 15") would be the perfect gift for a child 3 years or older, who is afraid of the dark or just needs a little extra security during the night.

You can learn more about Glow Pets by visiting www.glowpets.com.

14.  Blingles Glimmer Glam Styler Studio  ($19.99) - Blingles is a line of gem craft kits that was introduced in 2012.  For 2013, they have expanded their line to include the new Blingles Glimmer glitter kits.  The Glam Styler Studio has all the tools a child needs to create gem-adorned glitter stickers, which can be used to decorate phone cases, diaries, notebooks, and almost anything with a smooth flat surface.  It comes with 4 wells of colored glitter, clear gems, a glitter brush, a gem pen, plus several sheets of specially designed stickers.  The Blingles Glimmer Glam Styler Studio would make a delightful gift for a child age 6 years or older, but would especially be perfect for tweens.  You could also pair it with the Blingles Bling It Beauty Case ($14.99), which comes with a locking mirrored beauty case that can be decorated with both Blingles gems and Blingles Glimmer stickers.

To learn more about Blingles and Blingles Glimmer products, read our review and visit www.myblingles.com.


More fun gift ideas in toys will be added to this Holiday Gift Guide through December.  Remember to check back often and to follow @_Karen on Twitter to keep up with what's new!

6 Super Duper Gift Ideas for Children Who Love to Have Fun While Learning (plus a 15% off Promo Code!)

Thank you to Super Duper Publications for providing complimentary product samples for us to base this review upon. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Holidays are upon us, and Super Duper Publications wants to be your go-to place for holiday gifts. Their new, fun and educational items are perfect gifts for any age of child and you are sure to find something they will love.

Teaching children to tell time can be a daunting task, but the MagneTalk Telling Time Game makes learning this skill fun. Kids can learn to tell time both on the traditional clock and a digital clock, so they will have this skill mastered in no time. There are even “sentence makers” so you can have your new time-teller practicing their reading and story-telling skills. We’ve always had good experiences with the MagneTalk products and this one doesn’t disappoint either. Using this has really improved my 6 year old’s clock-reading abilities and it’s been done in a fun way. This product retails for $21.95.

We’ve used Super Duper’s Yogarilla products for a while, so when we saw the MagneTalk Yogarilla Exercises Game, we knew we would love it. In this game, kids copy the magnetic pictures posted on the board by Yogarilla Otis. This helps improve posture and balance, builds proprioceptive input, and more. We all love using our Yogarilla board every day. This product also retails for $21.95.

Word Joggers for Categories is a game that puts a spin on regular BINGO. Each card features items in one of the following categories: animals, food, clothing, home, school, and transportation. Players then take turns drawing from the corresponding decks to get clues as to which animal they should cover with their chips. This builds their vocabulary and causes them to think in another way. The game is fun and has variations for different levels of children. It contains 30 boards and 396 cards and retails for $64.95.

In the Go For the Dough Board Game, kids take turns finding answers to problems based on categories, synonyms, multiple meanings, opposites, rhyming words, and definitions. On their turn, kids read the word on their colorful dollar and then come up with a word that fits their category. If they give a correct answer, they put their dollar in the center and advance according to the dice. Once they deliver their pizzas, they collect the loot in the middle. This game can be played quickly or can be played for a long time. It is fun and fairly fast-paced and is both my children’s favorites of the lot. This one retails for $49.95.

The Hopping Frogs Language Game builds articulation by having children say certain words based on their sound. They use the most commonly mispronounced sounds, P, B, T, D, K, G, and F, and use them in the beginning, middle, and ends of words. Once the child produces their sound or word correctly, they can “hop” the corresponding number (according to their card) of frogs onto their lily pad. The player at the end with the most frogs on their pad wins. As with most of Super Duper’s games, this has variations for more advanced players. The pronunciation portion of this game is not my son’s favorite, but the frog hopping part more than makes up for it, according to him. He loves playing this game and I’m glad we have it. This game retails for $49.95.

Finally, if you’re in need of stocking stuffers, the Electronic Spinner might be a great one to consider. This spinner has a 3-inch diameter and features both numbers and colors (6 total) and lights with optional sound. It is sure to add a flair to any game night with family and friends. This one retails for $10.95.

Super Duper Publications. is one of my favorite sites on the web and these kinds of games are why. Their games are all fun, well made, creative, unique, and almost always have variations based on learning level, so they are great for any age or stage of child. Super Duper Publications has also been kind enough to offer 3G2S readers a 15% off coupon code through December 20th with the Super Duper promo code D39A3S7R. Shipping is also free on all orders of $20 or more for anywhere in the US and Canada.  To shop, visit www.SuperDuperInc.com.

Brilliant Sky Toys & Books Announces The Top 12 Toys on Their 2013 Brilliance List

Thank you to Brilliant Sky Toys & Books for providing complimentary products samples for us to base this review upon.  All opinions expressed are my own.

The specialty toy retailer Brilliant Sky Toys & Books currently has 15 store locations within the U.S. and I have my fingers crossed that someday they will come to Massachusetts or perhaps open their business to the world of online retail.  Not only does this retailer offer top quality toys that promote childhood develop, the stores are designed to give both parents and children a very special experience.

For children, Brilliant Sky Toys & Books offers warm inviting tones, child-height displays and fixtures, and so many fun toys and books to explore hands-on.  The parents receive outstanding concierge-style customer service, along with assistance while selecting the perfect toy plus free gift wrapping.  What a time-saver this would be around the Holidays!

The 12 Brilliance Award Winners for 2013 are as follows . . . 

1. Adventure Treehouse by International Playthings
2. Deluxe Magic Set by Melissa & Doug 
3. Doinkit Darts by Marky Sparky
4. Easel by Melissa & Doug 
5. Gobblet Gobblers by Blue Orange
6. How Big Is The Lion? My First Book Of Measuring by Workman
7. Lego® City Brickmaster by Penguin 
8. Little Chubbies by International Playthings
9. Skwish Classic by Manhattan Toy
10. Snap Circuit Sound by Elenco Electronics 
11. Switch & Spin Magnetic Gear Board by Melissa & Doug 
12. World Map Puzzle by Janod

We actually already own the Melissa & Doug Easel and the Deluxe Magic Set.  Both items are deserving of their place on this list.  We were also able to experience the How Big Is The Lion? My First Book Of Measuring by Workman and the Lego® City Brickmaster by Penguin.  I chose these items because our nearly 7 year old son learns a little differently.  He performs much better when he is engaged, which often does not mean traditional teaching methods.  

He did very well with the How Big Is The Lion? My First Book Of Measuring.  He was a little reluctant at first because he reacts that way to most books, but when he saw there was a wooden ruler attached to the book with a red satin ribbon, he became more curious and quickly became a willing participant in this learning activity.

The Lego® City Brickmaster is also a book, but this one comes with all the Lego bricks and specialty pieces a child would need to build everything described in the book.  It also came with two Lego Minifigures, which our son loves to collect.  Although he needed some assistance here and there reading the diagrams, our son did very well with building several of the models.  He thoroughly enjoyed himself and was also very proud that he was able to follow the instructions.  Little did he know that he was also developing his sorting and problem solving skills, as well as his fine motor skills.

To learn more about Brilliant Sky Toys & Books, visit BrilliantSkyToys.com.  Be sure to use their Store Locator to check for a store location near you.

Timeless Toys for Children

This post has been brought to you by Jennifer Viloria.

Choosing toys for you children can seem a daunting task especially with the range of options on the market. Toys go in and out of fashion every year, but there are some staple toy and game designs that have stood the test of time. Let’s take a look at some of the toy classics that seem to stay at the top of the charts, year in and year out.


The world of Lego . . .

Lego has come a long way since the company was first created in 1932 in Denmark. The brightly colored interlocking bricks are a firm favorite with children of all ages. Lego sets inspire and encourage children to use their imagination, developing their artistic creativity.

There are literally thousands of different sets of Lego toys available with a variety of themes including robots, outer space, the Wild West, towns, and cities, but you can still purchase a basic set for under $20. The company has also branched out with its range of video games, which can be enjoyed by children of all ages and can be played by the entire family.


Board Games to keep everyone happy . . .

Board games have always been a great choice to help children engage with others, learn skills such as letter recognition and reading, as well as helping to improve manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination. One of the main attractions is that these games promote a fun way of interacting together as a family, no matter the age range.

The good news is that despite the apparent technological takeover in terms of mobile interactivity and video gaming, favorites like Monopoly, Scrabble, and Hungry Hungry Hippos are still up there as some of the most popular pastimes available for families. It’s not hard to see why: these games provide lasting entertainment, even as your family grows and changes, providing plenty of value for your money at the same time.


Pocket money toys . . .

All toy shops carry what is known as pocket money toys. These are individual toys or toys that are part of a collection; think magic kits, Barbie toys, sticker sets, painting packs, and Play-Doh.  The list is virtually endless. These toys are not only fun for kids to collect but are cheap enough to be bought with your child’s allowance, meaning kids learn the value of money and saving from an early age.

Sometimes even the simplest toys are the best way to challenge a child, feed their curiosity, and boost their practical and mental skills. From building blocks to prompt a toddler’s hand-eye coordination to the most complex doll houses and space stations to fire up the imagination, these timeless toys are much more than easy entertainment.

4 Fun New Learning and Developmental Games from Super Duper Publications

Thank you to Super Duper Publication for providing complimentary product samples for us to base this review upon and for providing an additional product for our contest prize.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Super Duper Publications specializes in fun learning materials for kids and so far we’ve not been disappointed with their products. The game, Lids n’ Lizards, helps children practice sorting and categorizing, describing, plus builds memory skills in an entertaining way. To play, parents place small magnets from various categories inside the lids and occasionally hide a lizard under as well. Kids take turns flipping the lids over, sorting the magnets into their proper category (food, animals, transportation, around the home, or clothing), and keeping the lizard if you find one. The one who collects the most lizards in the end wins the game. My 6 year old, Quinn, loves this game! He loves setting it up and deciding which magnets to put in play and hiding the lizards underneath. Then he loves mixing them up and playing either by himself (he says at least he’s sure to win that way!) or with others. He has played this at least a dozen times since it came and it’s quickly become a favorite of his. I love that it’s a teaching game and that the lids, lizards, and magnets are all sturdy so his new fave isn’t likely to wear out soon.

The MagneTalk Early Classifying Magnetic Board Game is a game that capitalizes on the appeal magnets have for children to make something that improves sorting skills, builds vocabulary, critical thinking skills, and even fine motor skills. MagneTalk Early Classifying has the same five categories that Lids n’ Lizards does and square magnets that children can sort into their proper place. For younger kids, this could sometimes be challenging but very beneficial to them nonetheless. For my 6 year old, this is a little simple but he loves doing it still and even making stories using the items as he sorts them which also helps him improve his imagination. He loves to do this while I read chapter books to him and he makes a game of finding a magnet to go along with the book. Like all the Super Duper, Inc. products we’ve tried, this features very sturdy materials that aren’t likely to show wear with proper care.  Plus, the board and magnets store away neatly in a handled tote so it’s compact to store and easy to travel with.

Both of these great products can be purchased on www.superduperinc.com. Lids n’ Lizards retails for $39.95 and MagneTalk Early Classifying retails for $21.95.  These are just two of the four new games from Super Duper Publications.  You can read my review of the Topic Talk and the All About You, All About Me card games here.

The winner of our random drawing will choose to receive one of the following games . . . 

Lids n' Lizards

MagneTalk Early Classifying Magnetic Board Game

Topic Talk

All About You, All About Me

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck in the drawing!

Finding Balance With Asperger's: Conversational Card Games for Developing Social Skills

Thank you to Super Duper Publications for providing complimentary product samples for us to base this review upon.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Getting to know people is something that my 6 year old Aspie, Quinn, has trouble with. Kids on the spectrum tend to have trouble knowing what questions to ask or even know they should ask questions when interacting with others. Social cues are typically not their forte. So, when I saw products from Super Duper Inc. that would help him to ask questions that would build relationships, I knew I wanted them. They were kind enough to send us both Topic Talk and All About You, All About Me to review.

The Topic Talk Conversation Card Game takes learning about people and gives it a fun, competitive twist. In a group, players take turn drawing Topic Cards and then discussing the selected topic by using up their Conversation Cards on their turns. Each player gets a chance to both share and ask questions, but it’s done in a fun way so that kids like Quinn don’t realize that they’re actually building meaningful friendships. This game is fun and quick to play, plus it's simple to set up and stores away nicely. It also keeps everyone interacting the whole time so no one is sitting there bored waiting for their turn.

All About Me, All About You is what Super Duper calls a “Fun Deck” and, even though it is similar, to Topic Talk, it has a different value. This deck features questions to ask when interacting with peers. The cards are fairly identical to the Topic Talk ones but this deck is more portable and can be used anywhere. Just pull a card from the deck, prompt the question to your child, and watch as they learn something new about someone. I think this would be great for busier group activities at places like the park, restaurants, or in a larger classroom. The concepts are the same but the uses are very different.

Even though these two products are similar, they each have a different value in our lives and I will surely use each to help Quinn learn new things about his friends and relatives. Both of these products store in a metal container and can be purchased at www.superduperinc.com. Topic Talk retails for $32.95 and All About Me, All About You is priced at $12.95.

Language-based Barrier Games for Developing Verbal and Listening Skills in Children

I have a new favorite among online stores in Super Duper, Inc. Super Duper carries amazing therapy supplies and boasts “fun learning for kids”, and they live up to that. Along with Ring Bling (a previous review), they sent me many other things like the MagneTalk Match-Up Adventures Kit. These language-based barrier games help children learn to follow instructions, give instructions, learn storytelling, improve vocabulary, and more. This set features five scenes (ocean, space, camping, picnic, and grocery store) and 10 matching magnets for each one. Because this a two-sided set, there are enough of each for both sides of the barrier, you can entertain and teach multiple children at once and it even has a workbook and instruction manual for teachers and therapists to use.

This barrier game set is amazing. I have been so thrilled with it and the valuable things it teaches. I started directing my children with instructions like, “put the empty basket on the picnic table” but eventually I moved to giving more complex ones like, “first you need to put the fish near the diver, then after you place the starfish in the center, place the treasure chest below it.” Following these kinds of complex instructions not only teaches them to pay attention, but also improves their auditory memory. My kids, like many, have trouble with following these kinds of verbal instructions and the barrier games have truly helped to improve this ongoing problem.


In addition to being educational, these are also fun and my kids have both found so much enjoyment in creating, tearing down, and recreating fun scenes with the pieces. They love making silly scenes, like putting fish in space, or creating personalities magnets and playing out dramatic interpretations. No matter how they play, they are learning and exercising their brains and that’s what I like to see.

As an added bonus, this set all stores away very nicely in a case so there is little chance of losing pieces or them being torn up by misuse. Plus, both sides of the barrier are dry erase as well, so the boys can use dry erase markers and draw their own fun scenes or do homework on it. I am also happy to report that this set is extremely well made so it is sure to last a long while. The magnets themselves are not lightweight or flimsy, they are very thick and would not be easy to tear up. I can honestly say this set has far exceeded my expectations and I am thrilled to add it to my educational collection.

You can purchase this and all of Super Duper, Inc. supplies on their website, www.superduperinc.com. Barrier games come in many varieties but this set with 10 scenes, 100 magnets, two-sided barrier, and carrying case for everything retails for $89.94.


Thank you to Super Duper, Inc. for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon.  All opinions expressed are my own.