Anyone Else Substituting Educational Things for Toys This Year?  

Books are a great idea. My daughter loves Junie B. Jones.
She has the Disney Princess Collection along with tons of books that I remember reading when I was little. But I actually don't think she has Black Beauty. She loves to read so I do think books will be a great addition this Christmas. Thanks for responding :)

Junie B. Jones is a great series. Now that you mention that I might have to get my daughter a couple of those for her stocking! We've always gotten them from the library before, but my daughter does enjoy reading them over and over.

My daughter does too... over and over and over :) I'm so thankful that she gets so much enjoyment from reading.

Hmmm... I like the board game idea too- we did a few last year but her level of understanding has grown so much this year that I can start teaching her how to play games for older kids/adults. She actually pulled out my old monopoly game... maybe I'll buy her a new one with all the pieces-lol.

I think a monopoly board game is a good idea... you can also start in teaching your child how to play chess... it is the best game to practice analysis and critical thinking...

You know... I never actually learned to play chess myself. But I really want my daughter to learn. I heard it was good for critical thinking skills so I guess I better learn :)

Board games are another great idea! I think there is so much to learn using board games. Social skills is one thing the kids don't even realize they are learning by playing board games. I saw in an ad the other day that they have Monopoly Express, Sorry Express, and Scrabble Express. They are designed to be played in 20 minutes so it's great for when you only have a short time to play.

My first grader is starting to love Boggle, too, as she learns how letters are put together to make words.

I'm going to have to check into the EXPRESS games. My daughter loves Scrabble every since "Akeela and the Bee" came out! Thanks :) Monopoly too.

My godson is 3 1/2 and I was going to get him this cute "Thomas and Friends Learn To Explore" laptop. It's only $24.99 if I recall correctly. It's from V-Tech.
V-Tech has alot of great educational things.

Thank you so much for the idea. I'm all for educational toys. At least spending the money is worht it. I dont care how much a toy costs if my child is getting some sort of education out of it. I will definitely check out the laptop and the v-tech toy collection. Thanks again!

No problem... it's the cutest little laptop too. My daughter loves putting her lap top (a different kind though- she's almost 8)next to mine and pretend like she's working too :)

yeah my daughter is only going to be three but she loves everything that i have...including my computer. I think little girls just like feeling as if they're older and mature like their mothers. I think a educational laptop would be the perfect gift for my daughter. Thanks again for all your help.

No problem have a good night :)

You too! And have a great holiday season.

i have heard about noggin but really don't know much about it. you are one of several people to mention it. thanks i will have to check it out.

You really should check it out. Its very educational and my children have both learned so much from it. Let me know what you think after you watch some of the shows.

BTW It does not have to scream educational to be educational...any craft that can teach concentration and organization or planning skills is great.

Have you considered gift certificates to an activity to try - skating, piano or even karate lessons?

Wow... you had a lot of great suggestions. Thanks You!

Cookbooks- what a great idea! I might have to keep that in mind for my daughter. There are all sorts of new "kids" cookbooks coming out.

My daughter got her first scrapbooking kit when she was 5. She does the page layouts and now that she can write I have her do journaling, too. That's a good point that a craft can be very educational!

That reminded me of an idea that I have been doing for other kids' birthdays. I've been giving gift certificates to places like the museum, science center, etc. I usually give enough to cover the whole family's admission so no one gets left out.

Gift certificates are a good idea too :)

Yes, my daughter started with the V-Tech game and handheld. Now she has the Leapster. She loves it and I really believe it helps.