Toys and Activities to Improve Your Child’s Math

Children are introduced to math concepts before they even enter school. This is a good thing, as math isn’t always easy, yet it’s one of those subjects that’s important all throughout school, college and life! There are a number toys and activities you can use to improve your child’s math skills and comfort level. Here are a few ideas:

Wooden block toys

Blocks have been around for centuries as one of the first toys for a child. This simple toy can now be used to begin the introduction of math to young children. How? Using blocks is great to build the foundation of math, such as adding and subtracting. This has increased your power to improve your child’s math attitude. This is one toy you should definitely buy for your young child.

Flash cards

Your parents may have used math flash cards with you when you were a child, and this activity is still popular today due to its success. The drills with math flash cards take your child through many years of learning the basics of math. This activity encourages your child to continue to build upon his or her math skills to the point that the answers come quickly.

You are the teacher

As a parent you are your child’s first teacher. This begins with learning how to count from 1 to 10, and grows when your child’s writing skills develop. Taking the time to teach your child how to write the numbers clearly is a great basic concept to improve your child’s math understanding, as there will be no guessing on what the numbers are.

Daily activities

Simple activities that you do with your child are more likely to improve your child’s math understanding. Look for examples of math being used on your outings with your child. Some of the popular examples include, purchasing items in stores, learning a new recipe, and understanding of the importance of paying bills on time. You can also make math fun, by letting children pay for items and having them count out the change for you. You’d be surprised how much they can enjoy it!

It’s not always about focusing solely upon math. It’s about knowing that your child has a life too. He or she may be involved with sporting events and student activities, which is part of a child’s development. Math can come into almost all aspect of everyday life, if you look out for the opportunities and make the most of them!

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VTech Go! Go! Smart Wheels Train Station Playset Review

VTech Go! Go! Smart Wheels Train Station Playset Review

VTech has released another in its Go! Go! Smart Wheels lineup, this time delivering a train station playset complete with interactive track. The set includes intelligent sensors which help your child learn anytime the train passes over them, and motor skills are improved as well. This toy works with other Smart Wheels sets and components, and also as a standalone playset. Let us climb on board the Smart Wheels Train Station Playset and take a closer look at exactly how it works and what it has to offer your child.

Key Features of the VTech Go! Go! Smart Wheels Train Station Playset

• Large toy train set teaches learning while delivering a fun pretend playtime
• 32 interchangeable track pieces allow for a full 15 feet of playing area
• 1 motorized SmartPoint train and cargo car included
• 10 unique SmartPoint locations located throughout the track provide phrases, sound effects and music
• Suggested for children 1 to 5 years of age

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What Makes the VTech Go! Go! Smart Wheels Train Station Playset The Perfect Toy For My Child?

The VTech has built the Smart Wheels Train Station Playset with more than 30 pieces of interchangeable track which allows you to build up to 15 feet of playing area in a multitude of designs without any other track, VTech Go! Go! sets or components. One of the great learning features about this medium priced play center revolves around the SmartPoint track locations. As the motorized SmartPoint train and cargo car move about the track and pass these specific locations, your child is rewarded with flashing lights, greetings, sounds and even sing-along songs that deliver important learning skills while your child is playing.

It is nice that the required batteries have been included, and there is a small hill included which you can require your child to hand crank so the train can pass over. This teaches valuable motor skills, but you can also configure it without the hand crank in case your child is too young to operate it correctly. To make set-up by parents easy, the playset even includes a "cheat sheet" for different track layouts.

All pieces are durably constructed, and the train moves along the track without your child having to push. There are several interactive spots on this playset, such as the cargo area where the train stops and tells your child that it is "Time to load the cargo!" Children then place the included ball in the cargo car, and the train takes off once again.

Kids towards the higher end of the recommended age range will improve their imagination by creating their own unique layouts with the easy-snap interchangeable tracks. And the train station has large buttons your child can easily push to change the languages he or she hears.

While batteries are included for immediate play fun out-of-the-box, the train goes through batteries rather quickly. Either get some rechargeable batteries, or be sure to keep plenty of extras on hand, as the entire playset requires five AAs to run. All in all a great price for a train set which offers a wide variety of learning experiences, and is also compatible with other VTech Go! Go! Smart Wheels products.

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Twilight Turtle Tunes Review

Twilight Turtle Tunes Review

This plush nightlight and soothing music player is also a child companion and toy, and since it runs on batteries rather than a wall socket like a traditional nightlight, your child can take it anywhere. Actual constellations are projected onto your children's ceiling and walls, and you can teach them about 8 actual constellations such as the Big Dipper. This is the classic Twilight Turtles nightlight, but with the addition of soothing sounds and melodies. Let's take a closer look and see what improvements have been made to this popular child's favorite.

Key Features of the Twilight Turtle Tunes

• Plush toy/nightlight/sleep sound system transforms your child's room into a starry night sky full of melodious sounds
• Free musical sounds and comforting melodies
• A star filled night sky is projected on the ceiling and walls
• Melody and star projection can be programmed for up to 24 hours
• Auto shut off feature and Bluetooth connectivity

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What Makes Twilight Turtle Tunes a Good Buy?

The popular Twilight Turtle by Cloud b has been around for years, and has been a huge hit with children all over the world. The company has returned its familiar plush toy turtle form factor, and it has added a great new audio ability. The new Twilight Turtle Tunes nightlight/sound system is capable of downloading free sounds and melodies via Bluetooth technology, and delivers three different settings.

Used in the classic mode, lights from inside the toy project constellations and stars in three different colors to your child's ceiling and walls. The portability of this product is nice, especially for those children who sometimes spend the night away from home. The next mode is Bluetooth audio, delivering soothing melodies and sounds from a free collection you can download online.

If you do not happen to have access to Bluetooth download capabilities, the Twilight Turtle Tunes nightlight and sound system offers a third mode, with a pre-installed collection of ocean sounds that are available for use out-of-the-box. For parents who have purchased or remember the original Twilight Turtle nightlight, this is an outstanding upgrade with a medium level price tag.

There is also a convenient option that allows you to download your own sounds and music, giving you an even wider variety of audio files. The new Twilight Turtle Tunes nightlight and soothing sound sleep system makes a great purchase for parents of children who love cuddling while they sleep with a plush toy, but also insist upon having a nightlight on. The new soothing sounds options upgrade on the Twilight Turtle Tunes simply makes an already great product even better.

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shellraiser Review

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shellraiser Review

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shellraiser is a toy vehicle that looks like a van in camouflage colors. This toy is able to house all the characters of the Ninja Turtles at one time, and will be really popular with kids this year!

There are many moving parts to entertain your child for hours in imaginative play. This toy is a great option for any Mutant Ninja Turtles fan. Let's take a closer look to see what else this toy has to offer your child.

Key Features of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shellraiser

• Battle hatch on top of the vehicle that opens
• Blasting Bazooka Launcher near the top hatch that moves
• Fold down battle ramps
• Sewer pipe battle grips
• Rough-riding wheels
• Fits all Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles figurines (sold separately)
• Not for children under 3 due to small parts
• Recommended for children ages 4-15

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Is the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shellraiser Worth Buying?

Is your child a fan of the popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? If yes, your child will be thrilled with this new addition to the line of Ninja Turtles, especially if your child already owns the figurines! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are incredibly “hot” right now, and all the big toy retailers are predicting these toys to sell fast.

The great quality of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shellraiser is set up to be easily put together in a minimal amount of time. This toy is durable with doors and a hatch that opens. Your child's imagination in creating different scenarios is great for brain development.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shellraiser is able to roll and enter the vehicle from any opening on the vehicle. This is a great accessory toy to add to your child's Ninja Turtle toy collection.

One of the downsides of this toy is that the operational side doors are apparently falling off some of the vehicles. One possible solution is for you to take some time and sit with your child to put this toy together so that all parts are in the correct place to prevent disruption.

Overall, this is a fabulous toy with loads of imaginative play. This is a high rating toy that you should not hesitate in buying it for your child. The creative play is endless and will definitely keep your child occupied for many hours.

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Secret Sewer Lair Play Set Review

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Secret Sewer Lair Play Set Review

This TMNT play set stands nearly 4 feet tall, and offers three levels of access. If your kids have Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles characters, this is advertised as the "ultimate play set" that is available. Not made for small spaces, several children can use this large play set at the same time, no batteries are required, and there are no Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles included with purchase. Let us take a trip down to the Secret Sewer Lair and see just what you get.

Key Features of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Secret Sewer Lair Play Set

• This Ninja Turtles environment is over 42 inches tall
• Includes a zip line and spring-loaded projectile
• Collapsible trap floors and ninja training skills area
• 3 level system includes sewer, street level and building tops
• 20+ ninja features included

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What Makes the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Secret Sewer Lair Play Set a Great Purchase?

This is a large package and included is a very intricate and in-depth three level environment for the popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles characters. The three levels are built one on top of the other, with easy access offered from one level to another. This is a much bigger and larger play set than other TMNT sets, and is priced accordingly. Kids can spend hours training their Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with several ninja interactive areas, including trying out there moves on the Shredder effigy doll which is included.

This set was designed to honestly and truthfully replicate the secret sewer lair that is home to the turtles in their TV show and comic books, and when the company which produces it calls it the "ultimate play set" for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fans, it's honestly hard to argue that point. One major downfall is the amount of time it takes to assemble this intricate and huge play set. If given as a gift, it is recommended to pre-assemble so the recipient will be able to use it immediately.

A zip line is included, and can connect from the secret sewer lair to a shelf or table. The assembly of this well-built kit is very important, and one tip is to glue the back clips on for more durable and rugged construction. TMNT released an original sewer play set back in the 1990's, and this kit is definitely bigger, more inclusive and offers much more interaction and playing possibilities. This well-thought-out set includes multiple platforms, gates, ladders, and toy computers, trap doors, hiding spots, booby traps, an elevator, a periscope, training gear, a tire swing, and multiple entries.

Parents will love that the set is so big multiple children can play with it at the same time without arguing. The detail on the parts and pieces is great, and it is recommended that you make sure you do not miss the vertical support under the street section which adds substantial support and durability to the entire set. Instructions are included, and when they are followed closely and patiently, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Secret Sewer Lair Play Set will provide years of game play.

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