A BALANCING GAME

This Balancing Coral Game allows children to arrange in 3 different ways: horizontally, vertically and diagonally for advance level providing opportunity for children to think and decide how they want to play. We love this game because it develops three dimensional thinking while creating a structure that balances on its base. A lot of fun! Check it out.

Toy Industry Association's 2009 Specialty Toy of the Year

“Create Your Own Pop-Up Books was announced as the 2009 Specialty Toy of the Year by the Toy Industry Association on February 15th, 2009.” So, we couldn’t resist putting on our Cool Toy list. With this kit kids can make their own pop-up books. This product was designed by Creativity for Kids, a Faber-Castell Company. Included are a large number of decorative embellishments. Each hard-cover book has 12 pages (including the covers). One book measures 8-1/2" square and the other measures 6-1/4" square. There are 31 assorted die-cut pieces in various sizes, 2 sheets of stickers, 2 pair of wiggle eyes, 8 colorful markers and illustrated instructions and ideas. Also included are 5 different types of pop-ups that are provided with peel and stick edges. Check it out.

DON'T FORGET GEORGE

Is it President’s Day, Lincoln’s Birthday or Washington’s Birthday?

Well, Washington’s Birthday is February 22nd and Lincoln’s Birthday falls on February 12th. And with all the focus on Lincoln and President Obama’s fascination with the Lincoln Presidency it seems like it’s a celebration of Lincoln’s Birthday. The fact is in honor of both Presidents Washington and Lincoln, the third Monday of February is President’s day.

Since it is officially a national holiday here are a few things to do in the spirit of history. Check out the Huntington Library’s “The Last Full Measure of Devotion: Collecting Abraham Lincoln” which runs through April 27, 2009. The Library’s Lincoln collection is revered as one of the best in the country right up there with the Library of Congress and the Presidential Library of Illinois.

And Don’t Forget George, The Other President, visit the Mount Vernon website for a look back in history including Mount Vernon’s treasures.

And, the annual President’s Day Celebration at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley. Discover activities for the entire family from children’s discovery areas, arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, and presidential and first lady look-alikes. For the most part all of the activities are free, the food is not.

For more presidential facts and good reading, visit the PlaydatesInLa Store.