For Your Kids
Mar 29, 2012
With the advanced technology we live with everyday, adults and kids alike are walking around playing video games on ipads and other mobile devices. While this is very convenient, fun and can be a valuable learning tool, we are losing the simple art of using our imagination to create, connect, entertain and problem solve.
One of our readers sent us the info about Rory's Story Cubes; a simple and effective game that inspires creative thinking. Awarded the Dr. Toy's '10 Best Games', the game consists of 9 cubes printed with 54 images; simply roll the dice, examine the images that are face up and use them to let your imagination run wild and create a story that begins with "Once upon a time." There is also the Voyages version intended for your story to start with "Far, far, away.." and the Actions version for use in second language development.
Now here's a bit of irony, there is a Rory's Story Cube iPhone app which allows you to play the game on the go.
The original version of Rory's Story Cubes are available online at Chapters Indigo for $9.95 CAD and the Actions and Voyages version are available out of the UK onine at thecreativityhub.com for approximately $14.00 USD.
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Great Gifts •
For Your Kids •
Fun Finds •
Daily Stimuli •
Mar 15, 2012
It's Spring Break for most children over the next couple of weeks and the deluge of rain is not helping when it comes to keeping them entertained. Cabin fever is probably setting in and they are no longer satisfied with TV and games. How about some doodle art to banish the boredom?
This clear tote bag by Alex Toys is great to cart their own toys and gadgets around. Maybe you're heading off on a family trip; this tote will express their personality and carry all those little "must haves". Each tote comes with a luggage tags pouch and 6 brightly coloured permanent markers. The recommended age for this craft is 7 years and up.
The Alex Toys Tote Bag is available at Papermoon in Fort Langley. It's regularly priced at $26.99 but it's on sale for $15.99 until March 18th.
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For Your Kids •
Daily Stimuli •
Feb 09, 2012
We're back to the grey days of February, but Stimulistas, It's time to break out of our winter wardrobe box and add some texture and colour to our outfits. The fact that our newest little find is able to multi-task as much as we do is an added bonus.
We just discovered these handmade Sweet Nova Clips and we love them! Created by a local mom who is a graduate of Emily Carr, the clips are intended as a hair accessory for babies and little girls. Having said that, we think they make a great brooch to add a little punch to your outfit. The felt rosette has a great texture that is perfect as a fall & winter accessory, but with spring just around the corner (we hope), the colourful Ranunculus has caught our eye.
Wondering how to wear you new purchase? Why not clip the flowers onto the collar of your shirt or use it to create a unique knot with a scarf? It's also perfectly appropriate as your own little grown-up hair accessory when tucked into the back of a ponytail.
You can pick up your own multi-tasking Sweet Nova clip at La Belle Vie in Cloverdale or online at sweetnova.com. Prices range from $4.00 - $9.00.
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Fashion •
Great Gifts •
For Your Kids •
Daily Stimuli •
Nov 29, 2011
One of the most popular gift items at Christmas is board games. Not only do they provide hours of entertainment and fun, they also encourage friends and family to spend time together - a family that plays together stays together.
Konexi from the Wonder Forge, is a 3D word building game where each player takes turns adding letters to build a teetering skyscraper. The longer the word, the higher your points and the more precariously balanced it becomes. You can spell your words upward, downward or sideways, but there will come a point when gravity kicks in and Konexi will collapse.
Konexi is just making its way into the Canadian market. It is available at Splash Toys in Vancouver as well as online from Amazon for $21.99. You can also visit wonderforge.com (the game distributor) for a list of major US retailers if you plan to head south.
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Great Gifts •
For Your Kids •
Daily Stimuli •
Aug 25, 2011
Walking to and from school used to be the norm when we were kids. You didn't think twice about it. Now, with the world feeling so much more dangerous for our kids, the thought of letting them walk puts fear in the hearts of many parents. We want them to be safe but we also want them to have a taste of the freedom that we were able to enjoy by roaming the neighbourhood.
iSAFE Backpacks may be the answer. This line of backpacks and messenger bags have all the usual compartments for books and papers as well as cell phones and ipods, but what makes these bags different is that they come equipped with a built-in personal alarm and red strobe light. Concealed under a flap on the shoulder strap, the alarm is activated by simply pulling the cord. You can watch the video demonstration here.
iSAFE bags comes in a variety of colours and fabric designs. They are designed for people ages 8 and up and the pack weighs only 2.3 pounds with the alarm batteries. Not bad at all.
iSAFE backpacks and messenger bags are available online starting at $39.99.
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For Your Kids •
Daily Stimuli •