» Educational

February 5th, 2010

Danger! Danger!

New book encourages kids to enjoy the lost art of building

Gever Tulley knows how to make learning fun.

Five years ago, he founded Tinkering School, a camp where kids are encouraged to build all types of wild contraptions. Think, make, tinker reads the motto. Now, along with fellow Tinkerer and wife Julie Spiegler, he’s assembled Fifty Dangerous Things (You Should Let Your Children Do), a collection of projects and activities for junior thrillseekers.

Conceived as a collection of “‘dangerous’ things that are interesting, eye-opening, enlightening or just plain fun,” the book was rejected by at least 16 publishers, likely due to potential lawsuits. Why all the worry? With chapter titles like “Lick a 9-volt Battery,” “Break Glass,” “Make a Bomb in a Bag,” and even “Play With Fire,” it’s bound to make a few parents nervous.

Each of the 50 activities include a “how-to” guide, appropriate warnings, and some scientific factoids. There’s also a “Field Notes” section, where kids can write down their observations, and ideas on how to improve the project.

Despite all the controversy about the book, what’s overlooked is that it provides a great opportunity for families to spend quality time exploring the world together. And to blow stuff up.

December 24th, 2009

Let Someone Else Read to Your Kids

Vintage recordings encourage imagination, while you save your voice

Do you have fond memories of sitting next to your orange Fisher-Price record player, listening to story albums like “The Rescuers” or “The Story of Star Wars” over and over? Now kids can relive the experience, thanks to a few children’s storybook collectors Read more

November 13th, 2009

Blast Off with Kid-Friendly Science

Inventive experiments makes science fun for all ages

As an author, teacher, toy designer, and Emmy-winning science TV-show host, Steve Spangler was already well accomplished. Then one day, he dared to mix Mentos with Diet Coke, and created a phenomenon.
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November 6th, 2009

Hack Your Way to Being a Better Dad

Site provides countless tips and tricks from other parents

Are you one of those dads who laughs whenever you see a limited-edition $800 bamboo play fort, because you know an empty box would be a lot more fun? Then head over to  Read more

November 2nd, 2009

A Stylish Read for Beastie Boys and Girls

Arty alphabet book shows animals like you’ve never seen

It’s never too early to get kids to appreciate good design, so why not start them off with their very first alphabet book. Alphabeasties and Other Amazing Types is a wildly original Read more

October 15th, 2009

Be the Smartest Dad on the Block

Nurtureshock offers surprising insight into children’s behavior

Two years ago, Po Bronson made a big splash with his article “How Not to Talk to Your Kids” in New York magazine. In one of those everything-you-know-is-wrong moments, Bronson argues (with the research to back it up) that parents’ never-ending praise — “Great job, Timmy!” — is actually hurtful for a number of reasons. Read more