Cool Toy Tuesday: Polar Bears

Sometimes nothing is cooler than a sweet stuffed animal. There is a lot of room for imaginative play with a little snuggly friend. I have always had a fondness for polar bears and thought this little one might make a good friend for Jack. Polar bears have a rather interesting grace about them for being such large and dangerous creatures. Seeing them in the zoo, always makes my heart hurt a bit, knowing their wanderlust is not met. Since I have no desire to get close or get little Jack close to a real polar bear (bears, you have my full respect), I thought it might be nice to snuggle up to a fleece one.

The Polar Bear via ohsherry

And what goes better with a cozy polar bear, than a relaxation book about a boy and a polar bear? My good friend, who is a school counselor, recommended this book to me for my second grade class. It is just a simple story that incorporates relaxation techniques. The second graders LOVED it. They were breathing deeply with the book and "sinking into the floor." I read it after lunch for the first few weeks of school and our post-lunch recess drama quietly flew out the window. This would be a great bedtime book too!

A Boy and A Bear via Amazon

Cool Toy Tuesday: Inchimals

Wow, these are an primary teacher's dream! I love that these fun blocks are both interesting to look at and expose kiddos to a plethora of wonderful math concepts: ratio, measurement, fractions, etc... These would be a fantastic way to introduce non-standard vs. standard units of measurement too.

Inchimals via Fat Brain Toys

Cool Toy Tuesday: Light Panel

Light panels are the coolest! I've seen these in many lucky early childhood classrooms and could only imagine how awesome it would be to explore different materials on a light panel at home with Jack. Working with a light panel would truly be an illuminating experience (hehe, I'm so punny). Below are a few bright ideas (I know, seriously, I can't help it) for playing with light panels.  

Images via Play At Home Mom
Creating Homemade Transperancies via Pink and Green Mama
General Light Table Ideas via TUTUMON
Ultra-Thin Portable Light Panel can be purchased via Constructive Playthings



Cool Toy Tuesday: Balance Bike

My mom has been raving about this bike for the longest time and I couldn't quite envision it. Then, just a few days ago, our little family of four was out taking a walk and we spotted a toddler on one of these. This little one was cruising down the sidewalk and I realized this bike was genius, well until said little one crashed and started crying. But, seriously, before the fall, he was tearing down the sidewalks of St. Johns, large and in charge, swinging those legs from side-to-side, not a pedal, er, care in the world.

Tike aka Toddler Bike via LivePlayCreate

Cool Toy Tuesday: Crayons

Crayons are simple, yet have so many possibilities. They are often the first writing utensil a child will use and yet as an adult I can't resist the smell of a fresh box of crayons. Here are a few simple twists on an old classic (and a few DIY projects too):

Bathtub Soap Crayon Recipe via Kiboomu

Recycled Chunky Crayons via MakeandTakes



Water Color Crayons via Stubby Pencil Studio



Color Blended Rich Color Crayons via The Coolist via AssistOn



Cool Toy Tuesday: Double Rainbow

Having Jack makes me reminisce about my own childhood quite a bit. I got to thinking recently about how much my sister and I loved all things rainbow during our younger years (I also loved all things pink, but we won't talk about that). One year we saved up our money and both bought crystals. We dangled those crystals in front of any window we could find.

Oh and then there was Rainbow Brite, can you believe she was in charge of all the colors of the earth?!? Girl had some mad rainbow skillz, er, skills.

Another year my sister, Becky, got a tie-dyed rainbow outfit (I was secretly jealous, well, maybe not-so-secretly). My mom could not get her to take it off. She would have to peel it off of her at night whilst she slept, just to wash it. I believe that same year she went by the name RainbowKittyCatPuppyDogCrystalBeckyMegan (sorry Becks, but it was too awesome not to include).

Being a kid rocks, it's a colorful time, filled with wonder and discovery. I still get filled with wonder and awe when suprised by a sun shower and rainbow. I hope Jack enjoys rainbows as much as we did when we were kids. Here are a few toys that might inspire him to play with color:

Kaleidoscopic Blocks via Haba

Grimm's Spiel & Holz Large Rainbow Stacker via ChildTrek

This guy appreciates rainbows too
(sorry, I could not write a post about rainbows and not include this):

Cool Toy Tuesday: Wooden Teething Toys

Versions of Jack's favorite things that he can actually sink his teeth, er, gums into:

an acoustic guitar, his home state and keys (this boy LOVES keys)!

Oregon and Guitar Teething Toys via Little Sapling Toys 

Keys via MamaMade Them 

Cool Toy Tuesday: Magnetic Blocks

wooden blocks + magnets = genius toy for little hands  

Tengu Blocks via Oompa