Editorial Review

This award-winning globe could help children become A+ geographystudents. The Explorer Globe II is jam-packed with hundreds of facts, trivia,and useful scholastic information about every aspect of the geographical world.It electronically verbalizes everything from area population, capitolcity/country, state/province, large bodies of water, currencies, high points,distance, and more. Other remarkable features make the Explorer an even moreuseful reference tool. It has a world clock that, once set from your home area,will tell the time in every other part of the world. And any country can beselected to hear a sample its national music (yes, Tahiti does have a nationalanthem). The globe sits on a sturdy base, which features a dashboard full ofinteractive functions and an attached soft-tipped stylus. This stylus is the keyinstrument: use it to touch virtually any point on the surface of the globe toretrieve information. --Diane Beall ... Read more

Reviews (68)

Problem Stylus?!!
Got it as a birthday gift for our daughter - great product to teach kids about "the world around" and she adores it.

The product lacks precision and accuracy. At the beginning the problems started with identification of smaller state/country and later ended up in total chaos. Manufacturer suggested replacing the stylus (FYI - Leap Frog identifies this as a generic complaint and will replace 2 styluses free of cost), but the problem continues to exist. Leap Frog once again suggesting the stylus replacement!?

Just wondering if I could get a total replacement and the product remain worry free for a while!

great
this is a great globe bout it for my daughter for her communion she loves it thanks

Not builtto last
My kids who are 11 and 8 got this globe for Christmas.They had it for about two weeks when it suddenly died.I thought maybe it was the batteries so I changed them and it still did not work.They never really got any use out of this.In the brief time that I did work it always acted as if it were "shorting out" or something.This toy is NOT worth the money. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Learning    2. Electronic Learning Aids (ELA)    3. Geography    4. Activity   

Reviews (3)

12" Raised Relief Explorer Globe
It's amazing how much a child learns by having access.We are an American family living in Germany and felt my 5 year old would have a greater understanding of where we live and where our extended family lives.

There should be one in every house!
What a great, inexpensive globe.It's fascinating to watch a child spin a globe - even if they don't seem like they are learning anything, at least they are getting a general idea of the immense size of our world!Since getting this globe, my 5 year old son has learned about the continents and the oceans, found Australia on his own and pointed out that Antarctica is bigger than the USA.It seems that the globe gets loose from it's stand somewhat easily, but it is easily tightened.All in all, a great buy with terrific educational value.

poorly designed stand
The globe itself is ok and has a lot of educational value for kids starting out in geography, but the stand is so poorly designed that when you rotate the globe on its axis, the stand easily detaches from the globe.The whole point is to be able to rotate it, so in effect it's not very usable if you have to keep fixing the stand again and again.A heavier stand that would not move when rotating the globe would probably work better.The attaching mechanism needs redesign too -- right now it's just a screw in the base. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activity    2. Learning    3. Geography    4. Science   

Features

• Interactive talking handheld makes studying fun
• Personalized response on LCD display with graphics and sounds
• 1,000 questions, 2 game modes and 40,000-word dictionary
• Scheduler/calendar, address book and calculator

Reviews (95)

Awesome
This is good for study time/study hall because if you have a big test, this would be very helpful

Good for both studying and cheating
I love the iquest!!! The only thing is a girl in my class brought hers to school than she would use the calculater to cheat. It's a nice toy but don't let your child cheat with it!

the best fun learning product ever
This product is the best, I have gotten so much smarter and have done so much better in school it is unbeliveable if you haven't bought this product yet you should!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Learning    2. Math    3. Reading    4. Science    5. Electronic Learning Aids (ELA)    6. Electronic    7. Alphabet    8. Counting    9. Activity    10. Electronic Learning Aids   

Reviews (14)

Kid-approved "sneaky education"
This puzzle is my 2 1/2 year old son's absolute favorite.He does it on his own, and is starting to know the state names.He will do it over and over and over again, and thinks it's great fun.I think it's a great way to help him learn!It's kind of nice when a learning tool has to be pried out of my child's hands....

If I had one complaint, it would be that Alaska is on the bottom left corner of the puzzle; it would have been nice if they'd made the puzzle larger so they could stick Alaska in roughly the right place.Not a big deal, though.

A GREAT educational toy!
My 3 year old son spotted this puzzle while we went browsing in the store.He wanted it SO badly even though it was rated for older children.Within 3 days of playing with this puzzle, he quickly mastered all 50 states, knew exactly where they all go at a moment's notice.Then in a few days, he is able to clearly identify and pronounce each state accurately.He can read a little bit, and I had to show him North and South so he could place the Dakotas in their places.We had moved to Arizona from California a few months earlier, so he understood that his "small house" was in CA and that we now live in AZ.Two weeks after playing this puzzle, we went to California to visit our old friends and favorite places.Upon returning home, he demonstrated he really understood the map even more and even knows Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean and several cities. Because he has 2 other USA maps, he has said several times that "Michigan is a mistake!They forgot to cut out Upper Peninsula (Upper Michigann)"!!!!I was originally from Michigan and know that Michigan has 2 parts.What I'd like to see in this puzzle is 50 individual pieces, even though they may be small and that their cutouts reflect more accurate shapes (maybe make the states a bit bigger!).My parents still have the wooden puzzle from late 1960's with all 50 pieces.Now, where can I find wooden maps of other places:Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia, showing pictures of the countries, along with capital cities and other information?My son is already learning a few countries in Europe and is so eager and so ready to absorb more information in geography!We play the USA map puzzle practically every evening before he goes to bed!He's already map-literate far ahead of his peers and even amazed his summer camp teacher!Who says a 3 year old can't learn geography?!;-)

A good start
I would have liked more information to be included on the puzzle.Each piece is cut out in the shape of the state and has the state capital printed underneath.I think they could have taken this a step further adding key information about that state such as it's nickname, state flower or other educational information.It is a good way to get very young children to learn their state capitals and the shape and geography of the U.S. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Puzzles    2. Learning    3. Geography    4. Preschool    5. Jigsaw Puzzles    6. Easy Puzzles    7. Wood    8. Pegged    9. Activity    10. 100-999 Pieces   

Reviews (5)

Parents- get ready to find out how little you know!!
My 7 year old daughter is a geography buff, and her skills definately improved after playing this game! It improved mine too! I found out how little I remember about differnt states! She learned North, South, East and West, can name all the states and the capitols! She is leaps and bounds ahead of her classmates in this area, I attribute that to the fun learning she experienced playing this game! I plan to purchase one for all my nieces and nephews when they are 7.

Learning FUN!
I highly recommend this game!Very fun while still being extremely educational.The best way to learn is while your having a good time doing it.My son (4 years) has this game and we have given the Jr. version as a gift.The Jr. version is appropriate for pre-readers.

Great for all ages
My son started playing this when he was 3.At 4, he can name all the states, abbreviations, capitals and most of the state birds.He can tell you where the major points of interest are without looking at the map. It helps to teach the concept of distance, such as "which state is closest to Maine". It also teaches the concept of compass direction, such as "which state is north of Texas".The game can be played with or without a board for portability. All in all a great educational game for children as well as adults. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Learning    2. Games    3. Board Games    4. Trivia    5. Geography    6. Activity    7. Family Favorites   

Reviews (2)

great toy
We bought this puzzle for our 10 year old daughter. 600 pieces seems to be the magic number. She gets frustrated with 1,000 piece puzzles, but anything under 500 is boring because she can finish it in 10 minutes. This is a great educational toy and you can't beat the price.

Nieces and Nephew Loved It
I recently bought this puzzle for my nieces and nephews.Not only did they love the puzzle, but the whole family learned how little we knew about World Geography.Now I actually know that Cameroon is in South Africa.I recommend this for any young student or adult who desires to learn about the world we live in. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Puzzles    2. Learning    3. Geography    4. Jigsaw Puzzles    5. 100-999 Pieces   

Reviews (6)

[my]review
I think this book is very good for learning the skills of third grade.The only thing is that I wish it came with a case to hold the cartridge, book and pen in one place like my sister's Smart guide to 1st grade came with.

Mixed feelings
I'm a little disappointed about the Smart Guide to Third Grade, not because it's not good, but because it doesn't offer much more than the sample book that came with the Quantum Pad.I'm sure that someone who has the LeapPad will get more use out of it, but if I had known that the only major bonuses are in the math section, I would have purchased the Third Grade Math Book instead.

Seems good...
I give this Leap Pad book 3 stars for fun because my children were not interested enough to even look at all the pages.They played with it a lot, but did not get even half way through, maybe that just means it is full of fun stuff to do, but since my kids have not gone back to it, I feel it does not hold their interest quite enough. Educational, 4 stars because some of it seemed a bit simple, like the space page. 5 stars for durability because it is no more and no less durable then regular Leap Pad books. Dont like the eraseable pen though. Must cover it each and every time, even between questions. If it's off more then 5 seconds, it dries out.I peronally did not find it very easy to keep picking up and putting down pens. I tried using a pen in each hand, and it dried out, so I had to keep putting down the regular "pen" to cover up the eraseable pen. Pretty annoying. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Learning    2. Math    3. Reading    4. Science    5. Astronomy    6. Geology    7. Geography    8. Electronic Learning Aids (ELA)    9. Electronic    10. Alphabet    11. Activity    12. Space   

Editorial Review

"Dear Pen Pal, Konnichi wa! We've been to see Mt. Fuji. Name my country! Sayonara, Michiko." Challenge your group with this fast-paced geography game, created in 1992 by Educational Insights, Inc. Everyone begins at the post office. Players twirl a finely printed spinner (built into the game board itself) to select one of 60 countries. If the player can correctly identify the country's location on the board's numbered map, he or she may advance along the path to the finish. Bonus moves are won by landing on "postcard" spaces, listening to the clues on one of the 40 postcards, and correctly identifying the pen pal's country. (The sample postcard above came from Japan.) A more challenging game can be achieved by requiring players to name the country's capital; answers are provided. --Liane Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Great Game - BEWARE SHIPPING
This is a great educational family game.
However, please be aware that Amazon ships this game wrapped in a plastic bag with no padding.Another game of the same order was received was crushed and torn on one corner.Amazon promptly arranged a pickup and replacement.This game arrive with crushed edges, but I decided to keep it rather than deal with another return.I figured it could have been worse; imagine a small unprotected board game competing with other shipments in a UPS truck.Amazon used to pack items in a box with packing material.This is no longer the case.Beware.

Better for younger children, but needs improvements
Great idea for a board game with lots of learning potential for younger children, however children 10+ years may soon find this formula a little unchallenging. Several improvements could make this a better product; notably, heavier paper for the frequently handled question cards, and a much larger map on the game board. Some of the countries appear too small for grandparents and children with poor eyesight. Also, the spinner is labeled with text that should be larger. With just a few design changes and the opportunity to purchase additional question card packs, perhaps geared towards different age groups, we could recommend this game more enthusiastically.

My daughter's favorite
This game really puts the world at your child's fingertips.My daughter begs to play even after her dad and I are pooped.And at eight years old, she knows more about geography than I did when I was much older.I'm getting her "Name That State" for her birthday and expect the same reaction. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Learning    4. Geography    5. Activity   

Reviews (4)

this is very educating
Smart guide fourth grade is fun I learn spelling rules and parts of speech and the reading comrehension was tough for me the first time and knowing who what where when and why and underling the keywords is very helpful for me and I just learn to double digit mutiplicationcomparig fractions decimals and geometry it was a little hard the first time about triangles angels perimeter and area and it took me a while to know congrunent and not congruent and now i know them and I learn a few facts about the animals guess who game was east and the beat the clock game was a little hard but its going to take me a while and the circulatory and respitoy systems I always like to learn about the parts of the heart and it was very easy and learn parts of the respitory system Graphy data is pretty hard for but im getting there and getting to know your government is kind of easy and fun cause you get to know the laws that we havebill of rights declaration of independence and the three branches and it help me alot and the united states is fun too and the glossary is hard sometimes and this is going to help me get smarter everyday

It really does make learning fun
I found that this book contained the same type of materials that my son was learning in forth grade. It was very helpful.
This learning toy is kept in our car, which makes it handy on trips.

These books work on the regular and pro Leap Pads Also
I searched for a really long time the other night to see if the Quantum books work on the Leap Pad and Pro systems. I never found the answer. I almost ordered the Quantum for my 9-year-old granddaughter but decided to wait. In a discount store I saw the books, and it clearly states on the book that it will work in all Leap Pad systems except My First Leap Pad. What a relief. Saved me $40. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Learning    2. Math    3. Reading    4. Science    5. Astronomy    6. Geology    7. Geography    8. Electronic Learning Aids (ELA)    9. Electronic    10. Alphabet    11. Activity    12. Space   

Reviews (2)

great
great globe its nice for learning the cotatants i love it thanx
itis great

A little small for the money...
We just got this a few days ago. I had a globe as a kid, so perhaps my criticism is based on my comparisson to it. Note: the globe itself is not 12 inches. It's 12 inches from its base to the very top. I just think it could've been bigger. Had the globe itself been 12", I'd probably be more happy with it. I'd still recommend it, however, as I assume it's not posssible to get anything bgetter in this price range whitch is plenty for a globe. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Learning    2. Geography   

Subjects:  1. Learning    2. Science    3. Geography    4. Activity   

Subjects:  1. Learning    2. Science    3. Geography    4. Activity   

Reviews (1)

Helping kids learn
I didn't get this set online here, but if they are selling the separate History and Geography books for this price, it is a great deal.I have both books and they are full of information.For the History book, it goes like this:
Pages 2-3 are on Native American Tribes.They list the six regions (Southwest, Plains...) andthe main diet, shelter, clothing and a cool fact for each area.There is also a map of the USA listing 19 tribes with facts and a timeline.Each page has a game on it.

Pages4-5 deal with the Anasazi and Iroquois, comparing the tribes and their lifestyle as they are from different parts of the country.
Pages 6-7 are Spanish Explorers, Sailing into the Unknown.6 explorers are presented, Columbus, Coronado, deSoto, Cardenas, deVaca, deLeon.There is a small map showing their routes to America, a timeline and a description of life on the ships that sailed here.
Pages 8-9 are Early American Settlements.Info on Roanoke, Jamestown, Plymouth and Mass. Bay.A brief description of each time and area.
Pages 10-11 is the 13 Colonies.A map of the 13 with date they settled.A drawing of a cobblestone street with what is was like back then as well as a drawing of a plantation you take a 'tour' on .
Pages 12-13 Greece and Rome, a Blast from the Past.Drawings and a real photo of the Parthenon. Drawn map of area.Sayings from Socrates, Plato and Aristotle.Greek/Roman timeline.Short sayings by Caesar, Caligula and Nero.
Pages 14-15 is Daily Life, Roaming around Rome.Info on gladiators, Roman numerals, how people lived, ate...A drawing map of city with a few things to click on..bath house, chariot...
Pages 16-17 is Greek and Roman Mythology.A drawing of each Greek/Roman god, and their different names (Zeus/Greek=Jupiter/Roman).
Pages 18-19 U.S. Heroes and Legends, Making History.15 people (some fictional) are listed from either 18th, 19th or 20th century.
Pages 20-21 Inventors and Inventions, Master Minds.24 items are drawn, glasses, typewriter, cotton gin, plane....with the inventors name and year under it.
Pages 22-23 is the Adventure Chronicles is drawn like a cartoon strip covering both pages.Like a review.Click on a picture and you hear what is important about that item.There is a totem pole, horse, turkey, Martin Luther King.
Each page comes with a game or interactive tool for the reader to use the pen for.For a child, this book is just right, each page just skims the surface of the subject given. There are plenty of facts and information given so that it is not something that will be read only once, but will take several times for all the information to sink in. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Learning   

Subjects:  1. Learning    2. Math    3. Reading    4. Science    5. Astronomy    6. Geology    7. Geography    8. Electronic Learning Aids (ELA)    9. Electronic    10. Alphabet    11. Activity    12. Space   

Subjects:  1. Learning    2. Geography   

Editorial Review

Although this game is about nature, Bioviva also manages to incorporate other layers of learningand strategy into its objective. Players move game pieces on a colorful and informative world map boardthat details Earth's diverse habitats. Players gain "Eco Points" by answering questions correctly. Naturetrivia questions are divided into categories, such as "temperate forests" and "tundra and polar regions." Allquestions are true, false or multiple choice. For example,"What is birch oil used for?" Answer: to treatcertain skin diseases. Or, "A tree produces more carbon dioxide than it consumes." Answer: false. The firstplayer to collect 12 Eco Points in various categories is the winner. This environmentally sound game haswon numerous awards, including Best New Talent 1997 from the International Toy Fair and Toy Oscar Award of the Year, 1998, Special Mention. --Gail Hudson ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Excellent for educating your child
This game is not only a lot of fun and educational for the whole family, it will help your children to think independantly. In this world where journalists and media are afraid to disseminate the truth, we need more than ever to teach our children how to think and reason for themselves. Bioviva does that by helping young minds see the unobvious complex interelationship between all aspects of nature.

Excellent on all fronts
Excellent game.I've just finished playing with my nearly 9 year old and while I did beat her, it was pretty close.Definitely a game that can be played by a span of ages (very important in a household with two adults and kids ranging in age from 9 to 20!) without discouraging the younger ones or boring the older ones.

eco play = eco fun !
this is the best I've ever played in my life! My family & friends just love it! We miss new questions, help!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Learning    4. Trivia    5. Geography    6. Science   

Subjects:  1. Learning    2. Reading    3. Science    4. Talking    5. Dinosaurs    6. Electronic Learning Aids (ELA)    7. Electronic    8. Alphabet   

Reviews (5)

Great Game - BEWARE SHIPPING
This is a great educational family game.
However, please be aware that Amazon ships this game wrapped in a plastic bag with no padding.The first one received was crushed and torn on one corner.Amazon promptly arranged a pickup and replacement.The replacement arrived also wrapped in a plastic bag and was crushed on one edge.I decided to keep it rather than deal with another return.I figured it could have been worse; imagine a small unprotected board game competing with other shipments in a UPS truck.Amazon used to pack items in a box with packing material.This is no longer the case.Beware.

Should be fun, and yet...
We just bought this game for our five year old son.He loves maps and could name some of the more recognizable states already, so we figuredhe would love it.However...

The gameplay is nonexistent.There really is no game.It's rote learning of the states and their capitals cloaked in "an exciting geography game".But it's NOT exciting.After your child learns the states (which might take a week or so, game or no game) then even that element of enjoyment is gone from this game.

The factoid postcards are not that interesting, restricting themselves to well-known landmarks and not delving into many historic or demographic details.The cards themselves are printed on cheap paper stock rather than glossy card stock, so they get bent very easily.

The spinner is on a flimsy cardboard insert that isn't flat, so the spinner doesn't spin all that consistently.

We've had this one for a week, and it's already on the shelf.The game says it's for kids Grade 3 and up...I can't imagine how older kids would enjoy this game if it can't hold a five year old's attention.

My Son Loves This Game!!
I homeschool my kids and we have a ton of games to help them learn. This is one of their most favorites. My son is eager to play this game. It has helped him learn interesting facts about the states, where they are located and what their capitals are. He will even study outside the game in hopes to beat me at the game.

First you start off by spinning the spinner and finding the state number that it landed on. To continue with your turn, you must correctly name the capital of that state. If you can't, your turn ends. If you do get the capital correct you then roll the dice and move the appropriate spaces. If you land on a space where you must draw a card, you must name the state by the hint left on the card. Most of the time it is land marks or tourist spots.

I definitely think that every parents should buy this game. It does not matter if your child attends public school, private school or home school. This game will make learning the states fun for your child and the whole family. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Learning    4. Geography    5. Activity   

Features

• For 2 to 6 players
• Encourage communication and self-expression in a non-threatening setting
• Includes the original game plus an additional deck of cards with Christian based questions
• A non-competitive game that will get family and friends talking about things that matter

Reviews (3)

Great for all ages!
I could not pass up the oppurtunity to write about this "Ungame" game! I got it just yesterday and my 4 and 7 year old children have already asked to play it over and over again. I'll be purchasing the other cardversions very soon! Great for any group & any age! Enjoy!

Excellent for entertaining or educational conversation!
I use this wonderful game during tutoring sessions with adults who are learning English as a second language.I thought this would be a fun & easy way to work on conversation skills.The package from amazon arrivedduring our lesson and was quickly ripped open!We laughed and talked andlaughed!The students were very impressed and thought they should use thegame whenever they have new friends come over to visit.The different gamecards are also great because you can choose which topics are mostappropriate for your group:light, deeper or Christian :) Buy it! youwon't regret it! :)

Getting to Know You!Getting to know all about you.....
This simple board game is a catalyst for very interesting and heartwarming interaction. The thought provoking questions invite players to talk about their thoughts, ideas and experiences on a variety of subjects includingone's spiritual beliefs. I have used this game with all ages in all sortsof settings (parties, classes, counseling, family gatherings) and find itto be filled with surprises and wisdom. You can expect to laugh and maybeeven shed a tear as you discover things about people you think you know.People are never the same after playing it! Each time you play the Ungame,everyone feels like a winner because of the understanding and love that itgenerates. It saved our family. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Christian    4. Learning    5. Geography    6. Activity   

Editorial Review

Why do paleontologists and archaeologists make molds of fossils and artifacts? You'll find out with this unusual Eyewitness Kit that explains the basics of molding and casting. The instruction and information booklet describes different kinds of molds, processes, and materials scientists use to create casts. The kit includes molding material to make a reusable seamless mold of a favorite item and enough casting medium for several creations. Adult supervision is recommended, as this is a somewhat complex and messy operation. Your child could create some unique gifts using this kit--what grandparent wouldn't love a cast of a grandchild's hand? --Marcie Bovetz ... Read more

Reviews (3)

School Project
An excellent project for your child's school report.We purchased the Velociraptor kit for our 8 year old daughter not knowing what to expect. After opening the package my wife came up with the clever idea of pouring melted chocolate chips into the dinosaur molds, instead of using the plaster mix that comes with the kit. We experimented with white chocolate chips and created realistic looking dinosaur bones! We buried these edible bones in ground up Oreo Cookies.What a thrill to see our daughter's 2nd grade class excavate these delectible prehistoric fossils!We can't wait to purchase other kits in the Eyewitness series!

Good product, good customer support.
I bought this product for my 6-year-old daughter.When I first opened the box, I was a little disappointed.I thought it was a little over priced for 2 small bags of powder and some instructions.

On top of that, the "mixture" didn't harden (even after 5 days it still wouldn't harden).So we threw it away and called the company's customer support number on the instructions.They were friendly and helpful.They shipped a new bag via 2 day air to Hawaii for free.

We tried it again, only this time used about 1/3rd the amount of water listed on the instructions and it worked perfectly.My daughter loved it.She created the mold and painted it.

Overall, it's a good product.It allows children to follow instructions and create something rather than simply "play."

Great and fun!
Mold of hand turned out really well, could even see the fingerprints and fingernails. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Learning    2. Science    3. Archaeology    4. Arts and Crafts    5. Clay    6. Craft Kits    7. Geology    8. Geography    9. Activity    10. Sciences