Educational Toys

[karlatta]

I'm searching for some new toys for my 8 year old (going to be in 2nd grade in the fall), and I'm having a hard time finding good educational toys that I really like. Right now we have mostly books, Barbies, dolls, paper dolls, and arts-and-crafts things. (Yeah, I know they're not all exactly "educational" but that's the list of all the toys we have for her right now, so it gives an idea of the kind of stuff we still need.)

It seems like everywhere I look all I find is Leap Frog. Which is great, but I'd like DD to enjoy learning and playing without being entertained by a computer-y thing. That, and I don't exactly have the money to shell out for a Leap Frog and all the fun stuff I'd want to buy with it.

Does anyone have any great resources? Any toys their kids really liked? Thanks!

[BusyBee]

At that age, and for a long time after, I played a lot with Legos - I can't wait till DD is old enough so we can build stuff together.

Ah, memories - My sister and I used to build houses and act out dramas with the Lego families. Every now and then we'd "remodel". The baby was a 1x1 block with a head, she had an outfit in every color.

[endymion411]

something that i've bought for both of my neices that they loved was a book-making kit. you write your story and draw pictures on the pages included, and then mail it in (envelope included), and they send back a hardbound book of your text and drawings. i think it's called something like illu-story or something like that.

promotes creative thinking in writing and making the illustrations, and then they have something to show for it that they can share with family members, friends, etc.

[BTB]

Hearth Song is a great catalog of fun, educational toys that are hard to find anywhere else. Every time I read it I find a ton of stuff *I'd* like to play with. :D Their website is www.hearthsong.com. HTH!

[endymion411]

Hearth Song is a great catalog of fun, educational toys that are hard to find anywhere else. Every time I read it I find a ton of stuff *I'd* like to play with. :D Their website is www.hearthsong.com. HTH!

i was racking my brain trying to remember the name of that catalog! thanks for posting that. i love finding gift ideas in that catalog