At Educational Insights, our products are designed by seasoned educators and parents who know that, first and foremost, learning must be fun.
There are several very fun but educational games that I received from Educational Insights to try out:
GeoSafari 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! Simply 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, 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 5 and up, I let my 8 and 4 -year-old try it out. It is easy to use and assemble. There are 3 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 just snaps into the base, super easy. There are 3 zooming features, 100x, 200x and 400x which is clearly labeled on the dial. The microscope comes with 1 pre-made slide of cotton and 2 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 around trying to look at things. An additional feature, I hope to use in the future 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)
The latest release from the best-selling manufacturer of Smencils, Smens are 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 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, 19’W BY 27’H.
KaBAM! (12.99)
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 awhile to try 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 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 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. When the goal is achieved, kids are rewarded with a sound and light show. Grades 1+
We used this for 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 try to break the habit of leaving his clothes all over the floor!
Batter Up! Whole-Class Game (24.99)
More of an educational item – but get creative and you can turn this product into an awesomely fun activity! This fun, the reusable game provides a quick and convenient alternative to a common classroom whiteboard game. Simply divide up into two teams, write names on the included write-on/wipe-off pieces, and ask any question. If it is answered correctly, spin the spinner to determine the “play”. The team with the highest score at the end of the game wins! A great way to practice any subject. Grades 1+
Hot Dots Getting Ready for School Kit (39.99)
The kit includes activity cards that targets colors, letters, numbers, shapes, patterns and more in an engaging game play 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 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 just loves playing with it. This set os just great so many different cards: shapes, numbers, letters and more. The cards offer different questions like match the uppercase to the lowercase or find 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 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 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 use to holding the pen straight up and down so it can read the dots. It is instinctive to hold the pen at an angle, which can cause an incorrect answer.
Math Slam (39.99)
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 everyday now to try to 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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- All of these great products can be found at Educational Insights or on Amazon
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Tara Berke Torres
August 21, 2011 at 11:35 pmMy kids would love the temperature charts… they love that stuff.
Some Lucky Dog
August 22, 2011 at 2:39 amAwesome giveaway! We’d love the GreenThumb Classroom Greenhouse, too!
someluckydog at gmail dot com
Kristie Betts
August 22, 2011 at 9:50 amMy 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 🙂
tess
August 22, 2011 at 10:16 ami like the presto o change game- deals with money
tcogbill at live dot com
Suz Saves
August 22, 2011 at 10:54 amThanks for this amazing giveaway – I would love to win! My family loves board games and Heximania looks like fun!
resays81187 (at) mypacks (dot) net
Veronica L
August 22, 2011 at 1:41 pmMy kids would also love to have their Bank AmeriKid ATM™, thanks 🙂
Sarah Coulsey
August 22, 2011 at 2:06 pmI would love to get my boys the Hot Dots Jr. Phonics Fun
Erinn S
August 22, 2011 at 5:22 pmSpace Faces looks fun!
AMY W.
August 22, 2011 at 6:01 pmMy kids would love to have the Classroom Jeopardy for homeschool review.
Velvet
August 22, 2011 at 6:05 pmMy kids would love the Playfoam Creativity Kit
Linda Hawes
August 22, 2011 at 6:52 pmwould love the Bank AmeriKid ATM
lindanuhawes@gmail.com
Jeryl M.
August 22, 2011 at 7:33 pmMy child would like to have classroom jeopardy.
jeryl.marcus@gmail.com
Sylvia
August 22, 2011 at 7:35 pmWe would like the Estimation Station
alison
August 22, 2011 at 8:14 pmi’d love hot dots
TawndaM
August 22, 2011 at 10:22 pmoh… wow… they even have GeoSafari® Omega Reflector Telescope
Jenny
August 22, 2011 at 11:17 pmMy son would love the Dino Checkers!
LaVonne
August 23, 2011 at 12:07 amClassroom cafe dining set is pretty fun!
Mia J
August 23, 2011 at 12:39 amMy daughter would love the How and Why Science Exploration Kit.
Kristi C
August 23, 2011 at 7:04 amMy son would love the Design & Drill® Activity Center.
Samantha C.
August 23, 2011 at 10:23 amThe Temperature Charts look fun!
sandy
August 23, 2011 at 10:55 amI would also like the Bank AmeriKid ATM™
felecia
August 23, 2011 at 2:16 pmI like the Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game
Zabrina Caldwell
August 23, 2011 at 3:31 pmI would love to have the Phonics Pad! My daughter is in speech classes right now this would help so much!
zcscooby@msn.com
Lisa R
August 23, 2011 at 3:44 pmMy kid would love the Sonic Sleuth by Geosafari
lisarup1 at aol dot com
Amanda Starr
August 23, 2011 at 8:05 pmGeoSculpt 3-D Project Kit
Shanna Uptergrove
August 23, 2011 at 9:01 pmMy kids would like Race to the top and Spin the Wheel! there are so many neat things!! shanna.u@gmail.com
Jennelle S
August 23, 2011 at 9:23 pmAnother product they’d like is the Hydroponics Lab.
jlynettes @ hotmail . com
HeatherM
August 23, 2011 at 10:26 pmmy daughter would love the career hats
Sherry S.
August 23, 2011 at 10:30 pmThey would love the Everyday Uses Rock & Card Set.
sstrode at scrtc dot com
Janice
August 23, 2011 at 10:59 pmI liked the spinning wheel for games.
Dominique
August 24, 2011 at 1:16 amMy 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.
Vicki Wurgler
August 24, 2011 at 10:14 amI like the Classroom Café Dining Play Set
Liz
August 24, 2011 at 12:18 pmI like the Go Nuts Game. It looks adorable
Shanna Uptergrove
August 24, 2011 at 12:24 pmMy kids would love What’s the Word and Race to the Top! shanna.u@gmail.com
Tami Vollenweider
August 24, 2011 at 6:33 pmi like the World Foam Map Puzzle
Heidi Daily
August 25, 2011 at 12:32 pmMy daughter would also love the hot dots jr phonics set
Pam L.
August 25, 2011 at 11:20 pmI like the classroom jeopardy
Andrea
August 26, 2011 at 2:02 amSneaky 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!
JLJMommy
August 27, 2011 at 2:46 amMy kids would like the Picture Perfect Mosaics set.
ktiegen at yahoo dot com
jr911
August 27, 2011 at 7:58 amI like the Horizontal Space Place™ Storage Chart
stacy h
August 27, 2011 at 10:03 amlove the teachable touchables!
hancoci_s at msn dot com
Mary J
August 27, 2011 at 11:47 amMy family would enjoy the geo safari sea scope.
Pam S (pams00)
August 27, 2011 at 3:39 pmM son would enjoy the How and Why Science Exploration Kit
pams00 @ aol.com
trish
August 27, 2011 at 9:08 pmI would love to have the World Foam Map Puzzle, as we have been doing a lot of mapping. thank you for the wonderful giveaway!!
Toni Allen
August 27, 2011 at 10:09 pmi would get the quiz phone for my granddughter
Marlene Breakfield
August 28, 2011 at 5:31 pmLove the GreenThumb Classroom Greenhouse!
marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com
EMMA L HORTON
August 28, 2011 at 6:44 pmTHE Bank AmeriKid ATM
Stephanie V.
August 28, 2011 at 9:38 pmGreenThumb Classroom Greenhouse
allison
August 28, 2011 at 11:35 pmI love playfoam
Stephanie G
August 29, 2011 at 12:07 amMy daughter would love to have the BankAmeriKid ATM
Maria Gabriel
August 29, 2011 at 1:10 amMy son would love the Teachable Touchables.
Great giveaway!
charline
August 29, 2011 at 7:16 amthe boys would love the skull and brain model
stanleybilly(at)bellsouth(dot)net
sandra
August 29, 2011 at 8:12 ami also love the Kanoodle™
crystle tellerday
August 29, 2011 at 8:23 amgreen-thumb classroom greenhouse
Caryn S
August 29, 2011 at 8:44 amI’d love to try their play foam
Paula Lee
August 29, 2011 at 9:25 amThe Playfoam Combo 20-Pack.
Leslie
August 29, 2011 at 10:50 amMy boy would love the GeoSafari Sonic Sleuth.
Tammy Darling
August 29, 2011 at 1:56 pmI like the How and Why Science Exploration Kit !
Kathy Dunaway
August 29, 2011 at 4:29 pmMy son would love the Science of Special Effects. Thanks for the giveaway:)
Jill Myrick
August 29, 2011 at 6:50 pmWe also like the Magic Show 75 Tricks Set.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
Denise B.
August 29, 2011 at 7:02 pmWe could also use the “Geo Safari Talking Globe”.
Diane R.
August 29, 2011 at 10:56 pmI thinkt the GeoSafari AntZone is something my grandson would really like.
Jill L
August 30, 2011 at 9:32 amMy daughter would love the Magic Show!, 75 Tricks
Dena Anderson
August 30, 2011 at 9:40 amI like the playfoam creativity kit. My kids love play foam. denamarieanderson(at)hotmail(dot)com
Cecile
August 30, 2011 at 10:03 amI like the Space Faces
Shopping for Savings
August 30, 2011 at 11:27 amI like the Bank AmeriKid ATM
lmclockedile[at]gmail[dot]com
Michael
August 30, 2011 at 12:45 pmGeoSafari Tuff Cam
Ericka
August 30, 2011 at 1:16 pmMy kids would also love the Smencils 🙂
ericka082 at gmail dot com
Heath Vincent
August 30, 2011 at 3:31 pmGeoSafari® Jr. BugWatch™ She loves bugs. i hate them… but she loves them.
erma
August 30, 2011 at 3:47 pmMy kids would love to have their Bank AmeriKid ATM.
Kathleen
August 30, 2011 at 4:37 pmWord Show™ Vocabulary Game
kport207 at gmail dot com
ACMommy3
August 30, 2011 at 5:10 pmThis is such a great giveaway package! I also like their World Foam Map puzzle and the preschool Laundry Jumble game. 🙂
Diane Baum
August 30, 2011 at 5:13 pmThey love the World Foam Map Puzzle,
mistysunrise
August 30, 2011 at 6:40 pmI like the math shark
itsjustme62613 at gmail.com
Jean Lynd
August 30, 2011 at 7:48 pmwould love the USA foam map puzzle for my kids – I homeschool, so I’d love all this stuff!
Tia
August 30, 2011 at 9:12 pmMy son would love the Everyday Uses Rock & Card Set.
meme
August 30, 2011 at 9:34 pmI like the Sneaky Squirrell game and the Green Thumb Classroom Greenhouse
James Cox
August 30, 2011 at 10:28 pmMy daughters worst subject is math so I would like to get the Big Money Magnetic Coins and Bills.
Dana M.
August 30, 2011 at 11:30 pmMy daughter would love the Playfoam® Creativity Kit!
LittleLadybug_17(at)yahoo(dot)com
Donna/Happy Booker
August 30, 2011 at 11:39 pmThere 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
Erin Slattery
August 31, 2011 at 12:52 amVersaPegs would be really cool also.
Summer M.
August 31, 2011 at 1:26 amI love the Sneaky Squirrel game!
susan smoaks
August 31, 2011 at 10:09 ami would also love to get the Bank AmeriKid ATM™
Kristie
August 31, 2011 at 10:19 amMy kids would enjoy the Playfoam® Combo 8-Pack!
Kate
August 31, 2011 at 11:47 amBLURT! WOUld be fun for all ages.
Happi Shopr
August 31, 2011 at 1:02 pmI like the GreenThumb Classroom Greenhouse
Ruth Hill
August 31, 2011 at 1:41 pmI love their rockets, and my daughter would too!
McKim
August 31, 2011 at 2:41 pmI like the You’re Bugging Me! Color Matching Game
Miranda Ward
August 31, 2011 at 3:53 pmMy daughter could use this Hot Dots® Jr. Card Set Beginning Phonics
freebiegoddess03@aol.com
tina reynolds
August 31, 2011 at 5:26 pmI really like GeoSafari® Dino Digs Velociraptors thanks for the chance to win for my kids eaglesforjack@gmail.com
Vanessa
August 31, 2011 at 5:59 pmMy son wants the inside out human body poster so bad!! momlovesdeals at gmail dot com
Donna K
August 31, 2011 at 8:25 pmI would like the Playfoam® Combo 20-Pack
bRANDI
August 31, 2011 at 8:32 pmI would love to have theHOt Dots! Looks awesome!
brandi.westmoreland(at)gmail(dot)com
DanV
August 31, 2011 at 8:39 pmWe’d like GeoSafari® Mystery Rock®
Janelle Ashton
August 31, 2011 at 10:47 pmThey’d love to have the Loud & Clear Microphone!
Chanticlear1(at)gmail(dot)com
Best wishes and thanks for this fabulicious giveaway!