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Head Back To School With Educational Insights Products (Review)

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At Educational Insights, our products are designed by seasoned educators and parents who know that learning must first and foremost be fun.

There are several very fun but educational games that I received from Educational Insights to try out:

GeoSafari Tuff ScopeGeoSafari Tuff Scope (39.99)

Explore images up to 400x their original size with Tuff Scope! This two-in-one microscope is perfect for classroom projects or magnification on the go! Set up as a classroom station, or remove the microscope from the base and send kids outdoors to explore. When used with the GeoSafari® Tuff Cam digital video camera, the GeoSafari Tuff Scope transforms into a digital microscope, projecting magnified images onto a computer screen or projector. Also features 2x continuous optical zoom, transmissive and reflective LED lighting, and a storage drawer.

This says for ages five and up, I let my 8 and 4 -year-old try it out. It is easy to use and assemble. There are three main parts: the eyepiece, which is optional and can be used with the GeoSafari Tuff Camera; the Microscope, which can also be used as a handheld; and the Base. The microscope snaps into the base, which is super easy. There are three zooming features, 100x, 200x, and 400x, clearly labeled on the dial. The microscope comes with one pre-made slide of cotton and two blank slides. The LED light can view transparent or non-transparent specimens. I like how it is small, easy to use, and very durable. My little one has been carrying the handheld, trying to look at things. Another feature I hope to use is hooking it up with the camera. I also had the chance to review the Talking Electron Microscope a while back if you would like to read about it.

Smens (24.99)

Smens

The latest release from the best-selling manufacturer of Smencils, Smens, is gourmet scented pens made from recycled newspapers. Available scents include Red Licorice, Creamsicle, Aloha, Mystery Scent, Banana Fo Fana, Mocha, Passion Fruit, Ninja Berry, Pink Lemonade, and Black Licorice. Each Smen is individually wrapped in a stay-fresh biodegradable plastic tube and is guaranteed to keep its scent for two years.

I remember when I was young, my dad would bring me home a grape-smelling purple pencil from the flea market every time he went. I would always take them to school, and all the kids would comment because it was such a strong scent. I love these pens; they all smell delicious—well, except for licorice! My kids have loved using the Smens Pencils, and now these pens.

Inside Out Lenticular Human Body PosterInside Out Lenticular Human Body Poster (19.99)

A seriously awesome poster for any science fan! Don’t look away! A magical way to present the various layers of the human body, the Lenticular Human Body Poster shifts from two kids to their skeletal systems, muscular systems, and organs. You won’t believe your eyes! Grades 1+/Ages 6+

This poster is like 3D magic! When you look at it from different angles, you can see all the different human body aspects. It is pretty big, too, at 19’W by 27’H.

 

KaBAM! (12.99)

Kabam!

The fastest word-builders win this quick-thinking, head-to-head word game. Two players or teams draw cards and set them down next to each other, face up. Each card features word parts, including suffixes, prefixes, single vowels, consonants, and diphthongs. Be the first to build a word by adding one or more letters to the letters on the cards, and you win the round. Now you can play our infamous Facebook Wordplay Wednesdays at home! Ages 7+

This is definitely a thinking game! It took my 8-year-old a while to come up with some words, but we all had a fun time trying to beat each other. Plus, we were playing for candy, so that helped!

 

Ring the Bell Electronic Goal TrackerRing the Bell Electronic Goal Tracker (32.99)

Fun sounds and an exciting carnival theme take the goal chart to a whole new level! Write the goal and reward at the top, and then mark the milestones along the side of this freestanding electronic tracker. Each time a milestone is achieved, the “puck” slides up closer to the goal, activating fun sounds and blinking lights. Kids are rewarded with a sound and light show when the goal is achieved. Grades 1+

We used this with my 4-year-old and gave him the goal of cleaning his room every night for a week to earn a prize. For him, it was new army pants(that’s a whole other post on kids and fixations!). He liked watching the puck inch closer to the top. I am going to use this more often with him, maybe trying to break the habit of leaving his clothes all over the floor!

Batter Up! Whole Class GameBatter Up! Whole-Class Game (24.99)

It’s more of an educational item – but get creative, and you can turn this product into an awesomely fun activity! This fun, reusable game provides a quick and convenient alternative to a common classroom whiteboard game. Divide up into two teams, write names on the included write-on/wipe-off pieces, and ask any questions. If answered correctly, spin the spinner to determine the “play.” The team with the highest score at the end of the game wins! It’s a great way to practice any subject. Grades 1+

 

Hot Dots Getting Ready for School KitHot Dots Getting Ready for School Kit (39.99)

The kit includes activity cards that target colors, letters, numbers, shapes, patterns, and more in an engaging gameplay format. Features Ace – the Talking, Teaching Dog™ – an interactive stylus that uses fun sound effects, encouraging phrases, and blinking lights to guide children through 160 different activities; additional pens are available separately to allow multiple children to use the kit at once. It provides immediate feedback that rewards progress and corrects mistakes so children can learn at their own pace. Includes 80 richly illustrated, double-sided Activity Cards that are pressure-sensitive and work with Talking Hot Dots Pen

I reviewed the Hot Dots Jr. alphabet not too long ago, and my son loves playing with it. This set is great for many different cards: shapes, numbers, letters, and more. The cards offer different questions, such as matching the uppercase to the lowercase or finding the letters that match the ones in the box. It states that it is for 4-6, which he is in, and to my surprise, he is getting a lot of them correct! The Hot Dots Jr. Pen talks lights up and even buzzes when he answers the questions. It lights up red and says incorrect, nope, or sorry when the question has been answered incorrectly. Or it lights up green and says, way to go, a good job, or you got it. The pen can be set up in the sound position for what you would like to hear, like sound effects or talking. The only difficulty we have been having is getting used to holding the pen straight up and down so it can read the dots. Holding the pen at an angle is instinctive, which can cause an incorrect answer.

Math Slam (39.99)

Math Slam

Read the question, scan the possible answers, and slam the one that’s correct! Better move quickly, though; each game of 10 questions is timed— the faster you get through the questions, the better your score! Incorrect responses are recycled until they are correctly answered. Three levels, flashing lights, and fun sound effects keep players interested.

I let my 8-year-old try this out. I have been making him “play” with it every day now to help him get ready for school this week. If you watch the video, there are several different play modes. I would like to see a game with multiplication so we can practice the math facts.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. They’d love to have the Loud & Clear Microphone!
    Chanticlear1(at)gmail(dot)com
    Best wishes and thanks for this fabulicious giveaway!

  16. There are so many things on this website my son would love. But I think I would like to have that Classroom Jeopardy, that would be great for his classroom! I think all the kids would enjoy playing that.

    Donna @ The Happy Booker
    ahappybooker at gmail dot com

  18. My daughters worst subject is math so I would like to get the Big Money Magnetic Coins and Bills.

  21. would love the USA foam map puzzle for my kids – I homeschool, so I’d love all this stuff!

  24. This is such a great giveaway package! I also like their World Foam Map puzzle and the preschool Laundry Jumble game. 🙂

  32. I like the playfoam creativity kit. My kids love play foam. denamarieanderson(at)hotmail(dot)com

  52. I would love to have the World Foam Map Puzzle, as we have been doing a lot of mapping. thank you for the wonderful giveaway!!

  58. Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Game – Yes! As soon as I saw, “Go Nuts” I knew my son would love that! He “goes nuts” every day! And the game looks fun!

  65. My niece would love the GreenThumb Classroom Greenhouse. I spend a lot of time outside gardening, and she recently has taken an interest in gardening as well from watching me. She’s been trying to grow her own flowers and veggies.

  91. Thanks for this amazing giveaway – I would love to win! My family loves board games and Heximania looks like fun!

    resays81187 (at) mypacks (dot) net

  93. My kids would love the World Foam Map Puzzle, I have 3 kids and they all love learning and we all love working puzzles together. Thanks for the chance to win 🙂

  94. Awesome giveaway! We’d love the GreenThumb Classroom Greenhouse, too!
    someluckydog at gmail dot com

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