Ants are amazing creatures. They scurry around all day long, searching for food, building the nest, caring for their young and protecting the queen. In many ways, an ant colony is like an industrious human city: everyone has a job to do and they get on with it. Older ant farms were very simple. They consisted of sand between two pieces of glass. Newer ant farms use brightly colored gel to create a stable ecosystem for the ants, so they […]
Category: Toys and Play
Our Soft Glow Silent Timer and Light Review – Hands-on Experience
Most people hate the sound of alarms. I’m one of them – it’s why I evangelize the use a light simulation alarm clock that usually wakes me up with light before the alarm goes off. But for some people, loud noise is a problem anytime of the day. Buzzers and loud bell rings can cause anxiety and worse in this part of the population. There are other times where you want a timer, but it’s just not appropriate to have […]
7 Go Karts For Kids Outdoor Adventures
Art Ingels, the father of go-karts, was a hot rodder and racing car designer at Kurtis Kraft. In 1956 he initiated one of the greatest fun activities known to man when he built the first go-kart from a lawnmower engine and some scrap metal. Although super karts can reach a speed of 160 mph, the recreational go karts are child-friendly and are created for kids all over the world to enjoy the exhilarating adventure of go-karts safely. There are a […]
7 Great Word Games For Your ESL Classroom
Games aren’t only for fun and learning outside of the classroom. The right board game can be a great learning tool in your class this upcoming school year as well. This is true both in ESL (English as a Second Language) and traditional English-speaking classrooms. These following games have all been used reliably by teachers to help English learners master new vocabulary and feel more confident in their speaking skills. You’ll find your students will benefit most if you […]
4 Low-Tech Games To Keep Your Kids Occupied
Each day across the world, there’s a battle going on – fought household by household. It’s waged by adults wanting their children to get off the screens and back into the real world. Children resist, usually with the opening gambit of “I’m bored, there’s nothing to do.” Consider this article your supply-drop to the front lines. We’ve come up with a list of four classic low-tech activities to get your child off of the screen and back IRL. Instead of […]
The Best and Safest Outdoor Trampolines For Kids
Outdoor trampolines and children go together like peanut butter and jelly. In neighborhoods across the world, squeals of joy can be heard coming from kids as they temporarily launch skyward with their friends on a trampoline. Bouncing on a tramp is a right of passage – and it’s just fun. I’ve always said the best outdoor trampoline is the one children actually use. That’s not as easy of a target to hit as it sounds – not every trampoline is […]
9 Sets of Multiplication Flash Cards For Engaging Math Practice
Using flash cards, including multiplication flash cards has long been accepted as a simple, yet effective way to teach children skills that require memorization. Flash cards use repetition to teach a skill and increase recall and therefore, confidence. The idea of flash cards is quite simple. Sit down with a child, show them the problem or question on the front of the card, and then allow the child to think about and provide the answer. As they practice, the repetitive […]
7 Incredible Lego Technic Toys for STEM Learning Fun
Lego Technic, the advanced version of the classic colored building blocks, takes the fun to another level – and kicks the learning up a gear or two! Budding engineers and technicians will marvel at the awesomely immersive construction process, where they can learn all about how the machines around us work. Revealing the secrets of engines, hydraulics, suspension, steering, and more, Lego Technic offers a truly engaging challenge to children of all ages – and adults, too! These toys are fantastic […]
13 of The Best Water Tables For Kids
When the sun comes out and that thermometer starts to rise, there is no better fun for children than getting wet. Whether it’s a quick trip down to the beach, a cooling dip in the pool, or simply running around in the sprinklers, water is the perfect catalyst to getting out and having fun in the sun. But how about some water toy fun that is a little more portable though? A little more engaging? A little more colorful? A […]
Fractus Giveaway #1: Summer Game Giveaway
We at Fractus Learning are excited to announce our first prize giveaway. These games should provide some time away from the electronic screens this summer. The details are below: [giveaway height=1400 id=1049860] Good luck! Giveaways
An Epic Guide To The History of Board Games
History Of Board Games What is the first board game you can remember playing? What is your favorite board game? Is it Monopoly, Chinese Checkers, Chess, Risk, or a more ancient game like Backgammon or Snakes and Ladders? Perhaps your favorite is Clue created during World War II? People play board games across the world. Today’s generation play board games on tablets or smart phones. Before the digital age, millions of families spent pleasant evenings around a physical board with […]
Best Nerf Bows and Guns For Your Kids In 2020
Looking for a way to get the children out of the house and playing outside this summer? While tag and kick-the-can are great games, one parental secret passed down over the years is almost foolproof – buy them some Nerf bows and arrows or blasters! Ever since Nerf foam guns were introduced in the 1990s, children have been enjoying the camaraderie of playing games with one another while using the toys. Soon after, Nerf introduced their first bow and arrow […]
11 Beach Wagon Options For Sand-Loving Kids and Toddlers
Heading to the beach this summer? If so, you’re probably looking forward to the sand, surf and sun. What you’re probably not looking forward to is toting all of your supplies from Point A to Point B. From beach tents and toy trucks to skimboards and beach balls, it’s amazing how a day at the beach often turns into a full-blown camping trip! Thankfully, it’s easier than ever to get your supplies seaside. There are a wide variety of wagons, carts and accessories […]
11 Horse Toys Kids Will Love
From plastic figurines to the classic rocking horse, horse toys have long been a favorite for children of all ages. Nothing inspires imaginative play like riding a rocking horse and pretending you’re in a rodeo or setting up a set of plastic horses for a pretend race or horse show. Horse stuffed animals are the cuddly version of a beautiful, majestic animal kids love and dream about. My own daughter is a big fan of horses. This has led to […]
Our Maker Mindset
There is no greater joy than watching children create something. Whether the creating is done solo or in a group, thinking is visible. You can see the “wheels turning”. Hands-on work requires trial and error. If something doesn’t work, a child doesn’t stop working, but instead tries something else without prompting. Making is a natural gift we each possess. We are all makers, talented in different ways. I love telling stories of my own boys, so here is one of […]
Four Emerging Trends in Education to Keep An Eye On
I have often heard the adage, “In education, what’s old is new again.” While this is true of some initiatives, I’ve been in education long enough to know these strategies are improved upon as they come around each time. I also know that there are definite emerging trends that are completely new to the world of education for the current generation of students. I’m going to discuss four of the hottest right now, though they definitely have areas of overlap. […]
Did Anyone Feed The Dog? – Useful Ardunio Projects For Kids Project #1
On any typical morning in the Bigari household, you’ll hear the following phrase being yelled out: “HAS THE DOG BEEN FED YET?” You see, our dog Chloe had a rough life until she was rescued and eventually adopted by our family. Now she’s the most pampered creature alive, but she had to be street smart in order to survive during those years. Every morning, she does her “I’m hungry” dog dance, and usually one of the kids or I will […]
Modern Day Pioneers: That’s no Oregon Trail up ahead – it’s the convergence of STEM and World Languages
What does it take to be a pioneer? To leave the tried and true path in search of something more. To know that it is not if failure will strike, but when, and how you will face adversity when it happens. When I was in the fourth grade my school got a small computer lab filled with several Macintosh computers, floppy disks, and the game, The Oregon Trail. During the course of a month we transformed from simple Minnesotan elementary […]
9 Best Colored Pencil Sets for Your Budding Da Vincis
Think you might have a junior Da Vinci or Van Gogh in the house? Are they not yet ready for the mess of charcoal drawing pencils that are best left to older artists? Whether your little one is currently scribbling shapes, coloring by numbers, working on sketches, or perfecting their sfumatos, a quality set of colored pencils is sure to be a welcome gift. Check out our list of the 11 best colored drawing pencils sets for aspiring artists of […]
11 Cool Garbage Truck Toys for Kids
There’s nothing garbage about these garbage truck toys for kids! Whether your child loves to help taking out the trash (yeah, right!) waiting outside in the morning to wave to the garbage man, they’ll love having a garbage truck of their very own. Like cranes and bulldozers, toy garbage trucks are extra fun: they can be used with props, or outdoors to pick up stones and sand. Explore the list below to find the most best option for your child. […]