Tag: educational

  • Lockdown and homeschooling- how we are learning and having fun

    Lockdown and homeschooling- how we are learning and having fun

    During these difficult times in the world we, like many other people, are suddenly in charge of our children education. This can be quite a shock for many parents, just like it was for us until we realised that there is a lot of help out there to make learning fun at home!

    I think I have mentioned before that Ariana is super creative and loves to make artistic things while on the other hand, she absolutely loves maths, science and coding! So there is not surprise here that Ariana’s favourite thing to do is use her Osmo Creative Kit to fill her creative side and then spend hours (and I actually mean HOURS) coding with the Osmo Coding Awbie game that connects to the base that comes on all Starter Kits.

    In the meantime, I can spend time doing things with Oliver knowing that Ariana is learning valuable skills. The Osmo Kits go from 3-12 years of age, so fit all ages in primary and has plenty of different games and activities for the kids to enjoy. Due to the success of the first couple of games we tried and taking advantage of the Spring Sales on Amazon (that ends April 16th so hurry up!) I have also purchased a few other games that I am sure Ariana will love as they are math based. So far, Oliver has done coding as well (he actually managed pretty well I have to say!) and has used the Creative Pad for drawing and bringing his drawings to live. He absolutely loved this- you basically draw on the pad and Osmo brings it into the iPad (or Android) screen to becomes part of the game.

    We also have Detective Agency- search and Find Mystery Game that both have played together peacefully giving me time for a lovely cup of coffee and to clean the kitchen 😉 This one is more on the entertaining side, but it still teaches the kids while having fun.

    All in all, I have to say that we truly love this gift we received from Osmo. I find it super useful and entertaining and highly recommend it. Also, there is a lovely giveaway you should enter HERE I wish you all the best of luck and a peaceful lockdown. Big hugs!

  • When fun meets learning

    When fun meets learning

    There is nothing I appreciate more than time spent with the kids having fun, but when that time also doubles as time spend with the kids learning its even better! We have been reviewing games from Orchard Toys and I have to say that we have loved them.

    We already had their iconic Little Bus Lotto Game, (possibly you have this one too, check the cupboard!) but we have got to know a few more than have become favourites around here pretty quick. you see, games are a fantastic way to keep the kids away from the dreaded TV, or if like us you don’t have oner, the iPads, most of them need to be played by 2 or more kids, so they encourage participation and builds social skills and teaches the kids good lessons on winning and losing but because the games are short, its great that all kids can win a time or two in an afternoon playing so nobody feels bad about it.

    Our current favourite is Giraffes in Scarves, a funny game, where the little kids like Oliver practice addition and it is also fun for children Ariana’s age so they both play it together most afternoons. There are also some games we want to try for Ariana like Match and Spell, The Counting Mountain, The Bus Stop Game, and other like these (check more here) to practice literacy and math skills.

    Definitely these are my favourite games to buy for the kiddies and I think they make fabulous christmas presents or birthday presents. The price is very gentle on the wallet and they provide countless hours of fun, all while learning. Can’t go wrong with them!