Today's Kool Idea: Toy Box Storage Benches

Our kids have way too many toys. Seriously, our house is literally overflowing with games, stuffed animals, action figures, legos...well, you get the idea. We don't know quite how it happened...well, that's not entirely true. Think about it. We have two boys who are three years apart, creating two separate groups of age-appropriate toys. Add a couple of doting grandparents, uncles and aunts, and suddenly our quaint little home has become its own virtual Toys R Us. Sheesh...imagine if we added a little girl to the mix!

We are forever in search of multi-purpose solutions to store things in a way that maximizes the limited space in our home. Take a look at some of these adorable toy box storage benches from a wonderful company called Levels of Discovery. Hand painted, heirloom quality and so unique, these toy boxes are truly special. This musical version is our personal favorite. It has an entertaining backrest that combines an eight-note xylophone with two wooden mallets and two spinning bell drums for hours of entertainment for your little one. The slow-closing metal safety hinge prevents little fingers from being crushed, while the bench holds up to 100lbs and provides a perfect spot for some quiet time...yeah, our kids don't know what "quiet time" is, either. Add plenty of storage space for musical instruments, stuffed animals or other toys, and suddenly you can see the floor of your kids' room again!

Of course, there are several other toy box storage bench themes besides the musical one. Whether your theme is firefighters, princesses or even alphabet soup, Levels of Discovery is sure to have a creation to match your child's decor. We won't mislead you...these whimsical toy box storage benches are quite pricey. But, it's "kool" to know that in this case, you are really are getting what you pay for.

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Today's Kool Idea: Personalized Hometown Map Jigsaw Puzzle

The Daily Kool family is going through a puzzle phase, thanks to our children. If you have been reading our blog, you probably already know about our obsession with technology-free family time. Puzzles are not only a great excuse to bond with your kids, but it also is a great way to encourage concentration, increase problem-solving skills and demonstrate the reward of project completion. We haven't seen our kitchen table cleaned in about a year...it's always covered with a puzzle we're working on together. So, when our son mentioned that he wanted us to find an unusual puzzle for his birthday (that and a new bicycle), we set out to find one that he would really enjoy doing.

Our older son has always been fascinated with geography, particularly maps...he just loves reading them. When he first showed an interest, we purchased a local area map to keep in the car so he could follow our path to wherever we were going. What an inspired idea, if we do say so ourselves! Finally, we have someone in the family with a good sense of direction. So, when we came across this personalized hometown map jigsaw puzzle, we knew he would be thrilled.

The personalized hometown map jigsaw puzzle features your own home as the centerpiece. Made from a United States geological survey map, this 400-piece puzzle shows named main roads, contour lines, transport infrastructure, water features, vegetation and notable buildings and structures...all centered around your address! Seriously, how "kool" is that? The personalized hometown map jigsaw puzzle covers six miles East-to-West and four miles North-to-South, with a house-shaped piece (yours) right in the middle. When completed, it measures 18 1/4" x 12 1/4". We really love the beautiful presentation box that comes with this amazing puzzle. There's even a space on the box lid to write a special message.

A personalized hometown map jigsaw puzzle is a truly exciting and unique gift idea for any puzzle aficionado. What a fun way to teach kids more about their neighborhood. Once finished, we're going to frame this one with the others and add it to our wall of puzzle fame. It will be interesting to compare it to a local map of the area 20-30 years down the road. If giving as a gift, just be very careful to get the address exactly right, including the zip code. Someone in our household keeps forgetting that we live on ## Place and not ## Street (for the past eight years)...we won't mention names, but it caused quite a stir with the Fedex guys last week when they delivered our parents' anniversary present to the wrong house. Nope, we're never letting him live that one down! The personalized hometown map puzzle, though a bit pricey at around $40, will certainly make our son's birthday one to remember for years to come..especially when we spend time as a family putting it together. Now that is the very best gift we could ever give him.

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Today's Kool Idea: Magic School Bus Television Series

We were talking on the phone with our brother yesterday, when we somehow got on the topic of this year's Halloween costume ideas for the kids. Last we heard, our oldest son wanted a black Spiderman costume (easy), while our youngest chose to be Boots, the monkey from Dora (not quite as easy). Anyway, as we were having our conversation, our 8 year old suddenly said from the background that he now wanted to be Arnold from the Magic School Bus television show. We were shocked to find out that our brother, the brilliant pediatrician, had never even heard of this Scholastic series. How embarrassing for him, we teased in our typical smug sibling fashion. Then, much to our brother's glee, our four year old insisted that he now wanted to be Phoebe, the redheaded girl...yeah, like we'll ever hear the end of that one from big brother. Darn it...we hate it when he gets the upper hand!

The Magic School Bus television series features the antics of Ms. Frizzle (voiced by Lily Tomlin) and her class of eight children who have a unique way of learning about the world around them. The Frizz's ever-changing wardrobe hints at each clever episode's scientific concept to be explored, just before the class is whisked away on an exciting field trip aboard their magical school bus. Each adventure takes them literally behind the scenes, sometimes by shrinking them to the size of blood cells, other times turning them into bats (or salmon, or butterflies).

The Magic School Bus clearly demonstrates the creators' brilliant imagination and passion for science. We absolutely love the concept of this Discovery Kids series. There is so much color and activity packed into each episode that it may seem a bit frantic at times, but it keeps our kids mesmerized all the same. Plus, the theme index on the Scholastic website makes it easy to find shows that relate specifically to what our children are currently learning in school. Excellent!

It's easy to understand the popularity of the Magic School Bus television series with children, parents and educators alike (though, perhaps not pediatricians). It's humorous, suspenseful, educational and just downright fun...our kids are both completely addicted to it. We love how it encourages kids to "take chances, make mistakes and get messy." Plus, they don't even realize how much they are actually learning. There are so few television shows for kids that hit the mark like this one does. Field trip, everyone!

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Today's Kool Idea: Highlights Educational Magazine for Children

When we were growing up, nothing (and we mean nothing) was more exciting than getting mail. Okay, we realize that many kids get email these days, but quite frankly, it just doesn't have the same appeal as the real thing. Last year, our youngest son was obsessed with the character Iceman from "SpiderMan and His Amazing Friends" (a classic 80's cartoon series). After helping him write and mail a letter asking Iceman to come babysit him sometime, imagine our son's delight when he started receiving mail and gifts personally from him...Iceman might have been swamped fighting crime with Firestar and SpiderMan, but he still took some time every once in a while to write to his biggest fan...what a hero!

Getting mail addressed to them makes kids feel special and grown up. Keeping it consistent and age-appropriate is often the challenge. Thank goodness for the classic Highlights educational magazine for children. Our parents treated us to this wonderful subscription when we were younger, and we were truly blessed to be able to carry on the tradition in our family. Launched in 1946, Highlights is the most widely read children's magazine in the world..and with good reason. Recognizing that kids are the world's most important people, Highlights feeds their natural curiosity and love of learning with stories, brain teasers, riddles, crafts and other activities in this wonderfully wholesome and fun publication.

There are so many things to love about the Highlights educational magazine for children. Our kids' all-time favorite feature is, of course, the ever-popular Hidden Pictures activity. Illustrated by award-winning artists, these puzzles enhance attention to detail and increase word knowledge...plus, they're just darn good fun! Add in some exciting science experiments, creative craft ideas, entertaining stories stories and humorous jokes and riddles in every edition. Highlights is packed with all the good stuff to foster kids curiosity, creativity and confidence. What more could a parent ask for?

Though Highlights educational magazine for children is designed for ages 6-12, The Daily Kool was thrilled with the latest series that caters to younger siblings. Highlights High Five celebrates the earlier years of childhood with developmentally appropriate activity ideas and stories for kids 2-6. Intended to be enjoyed with an adult, this magazine helps stimulate social and emotional growth, reasoning and creative ability and acquisition of language skills. A big hit with our four-year old, this is another offering that the editors of Highlights

Highlights educational magazine for children makes a terrific gift for a nephew or niece, child or grandchild. The $30 price tag does put it out of our birthday gift budget for our kids' friends, unfortunately. Since we are overloaded with birthdays, we honestly tend to stick within more of a $10 range per child. Don't get us wrong...Highlights is definitely worth the price, and is a great consideration for those who may not be quite as thrifty as we are.

Highlights clearly states its mission...to help "kids develop positive self worth by using their creativity and imagination, reading thinking and reasoning skills, and learning how to treat others with respect kindness and sensitivity." Whether you select the new Highlights High Five or the original Highlights classic, this "kool" magazine subscription is a must have for any family with children. Our boys eagerly anticipate receiving their Highlights magazine each month, and are thrilled when it finally arrives. But the most important aspect of this amazing educational children's magazine is how it encourages parents to create and spend quality time with their children. This, our beloved readers, is truly priceless.

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Today's Kool Idea: Personalized Deck of Playing Cards

Do you remember learning your first card game? Ours was Go Fish, of course. A deck of cards is the simplest and perhaps the most versatile form of entertainment for the entire family. Seriously, can you think of another object that can provide anywhere near as many different activities for less than $2? So many wonderful memories from our childhood are centered around card games. We spent hours playing games like Spit, Slap Jack and War with our brother...in fact, it was practically the only time we got a long. Gin Rummy really helped us bond with our grandparents., even through those difficult teenage years. And who could forget all of the drinking games from the college years...um, maybe we shouldn't go there.

With so many different card games that appeal to young and old, it's a wonder why families don't spend more time playing. Sure, everyone agrees that a deck of cards is a "must have" for vacations, but what about creating a nightly routine before bedtime? Just think about the educational, strategy and social skills you could be teaching your children. We started our kids as young as three with classics such as Old Maid and Concentration (Memory). Their current favorite is Rummy...Grandma would be so proud!

We at The Daily Kool want to make sure that we continue to foster our children's love for card games, even in today's technology-driven world. So, for about $20 each, we decided to treat our kids to their very own personalized deck of playing cards this year. We found a terrific site called YourPlayingCards.com, where we were able to help each of them design their very own deck. Check out the one we did for our precious poodle, Pepper...isn't he gorgeous? It was so easy...we selected our layout, downloaded the picture of our choice and inserted some text...that was it!

Don't get us wrong...we know a personalized deck of playing cards is not exactly a necessary item for kids to have. But who cares? Our kids thought it was the "koolest" thing to create their own customized cards on YourPlayingCards.com, and are expecting to be the envy of all their friends. You'd be amazed how quickly kids abandon their handheld electronic games in favor of playing a round of Crazy Eights with their friends. Plus, these personalized decks of playing cards will make great holiday gifts for our poker buddies. If we really want to get fancy, we can even splurge for a customized deck of photo playing cards with a different picture on the face of every card at the MakeADeck.com site (owned by the same people) for about $50. What a great gift idea for our parents to have for their weekly Canasta game!

Here's the bottom line. Playing card games with others is a great way to slow down from the craziness of today's hectic lives. Opportunities to spend some quality time with friends and family in our fast-paced world are few and far between...a deck of cards just naturally brings everyone together, regardless of whether they are young or old. If you haven't already done so, it is definitely time to pass on the love of playing cards to your children, and a personalized deck from sites such as YourPlayingCards.com and MakeADeck.com will undoubtedly add to the fun. What could be "kooler" than that?

Here are just a few traditional single deck card game ideas:

• Go Fish
• Old Maid
• Rummy
• Gin Rummy
• Casino (we loved this one as kids!)
• War
• Spit
• Slap Jack
• Whist
• Concentration/Memory
• Snap
• 21
• Crazy Eights
• 52 Card PickUp (the perrenial favorite way to torture siblings)
  
• Poker
• Solitaire
  

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Today's Kool Idea: BirdieBall Limited Distance Golf Practice Ball

Golf is one of those sports that has earned much respect in The Daily Kool household over the years. There is just something about the mental and physical challenge, combined with getting out in the fresh air on a beautiful grassy course, that is both relaxing and stimulating. We admit it, though...our original motives for playing golf were not entirely pure. Yep, we used golf as a front to establish potential (and often profitable) business connections...we're so ashamed! There was only one problem...we didn't account for how hard it is to stick to the green. Oh, that darn Tiger Woods...he makes it look so easy!

We received a BirdieBall limited distance golf practice ball at a marketing convention we attended last year. We were intrigued by the idea of a limited flight (about 40 yards) practice golf ball with a long hang time, true-feel trajectory. Okay, we know it looks weird...but honestly, the BirdieBall is the best golf training aid we have ever owned. Because of the limited distance, we can create an impromptu driving range in our backyard or even at the park without worry. BirdieBalls are much safer than hitting real golf balls, with far better performance than you would ever get from a perforated practice ball or wiffleball. We love how the BirdieBall spins and flies exactly like a regular golf ball...just far enough to show ball flight, but short enough that you can hit and retrieve it with minimal effort. Plus, there is nothing quite as satisfying as the turbine hum that results from a perfectly executed swing.

The BirdieBall limited distance golf practice ball really performs just like a regular golf ball...hook, slice, chip and yes, even a worm burner (sigh). Regardless of whether your are giving a full swing or are in the chipping realm, you can count on the BirdieBall to behave appropriately. Experiencing the "true feel" and seeing the "true flight" of the amazing BirdieBall has dramatically improved our ability to control a real golf ball with only 15 minutes of practice per day. Not that the practice is a hardship anyway...BirdieBalls are amazingly addicting and have never failed to offer us a pleasurable, challenging and rewarding experience. Regardless of handicap or experience, this is quite possibly the "koolest" gift for any golf lover.

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Today's Kool Idea: No Stress Chess

Our four year old loves to play chess. Yes, you heard us right...four. Is he some kind of prodigy? Nope. Don't get us wrong...our son is definitely very bright, and we claim our bragging rights as often as we can (doesn't every parent?). But, we don't think that Mensa is quite ready to extend an invitation to him yet. We do, however, give the folks at Winning Moves complete credit for our son's love of the classic strategic game with their wonderful edition of No Stress Chess.

Researchers have been studying the benefits of chess on children's reading, math and general cognitive skills for the past 30+ years. Children who play chess consistently outperform others in critical thinking, memory retention and verbal reasoning. In fact, the benefits are so significant, nearly 30 countries (such as Russia and Iceland) incorporate chess as part of public school curricula. We at The Daily Kool certainly think it should be a requirement (not a mere enrichment) here in America. When we were searching for a chess program for our older son a year ago (his school didn't offer it), we had difficulty finding one that was convenient and affordable. So, we decided to try to teach him at home...enter the No Stress Chess game.


The 52 action cards make No Stress Chess a unique approach to an often intimidating game. These cards provide instruction to help players learn the pieces and how they move...a perfect way to help a beginner get comfortable with the powers of each piece. Players are required to move their pieces based upon which card they draw...this really changes the game, and winning is mostly about luck...at least at the first level. The next card playing variation has each player drawing three cards at a time, so they can begin incorporating more strategy into their game. After these two levels are mastered, you can create even more, increasing the number of cards drawn for each (we went as high as seven)...until, your children are ready to take on regular play. The illustrated two-sided board that comes with the No Stress Chess game is another great feature. The starter side instructs players on piece placement, while the other is a traditional board. The pieces are pretty sturdy...the fact that they have survived our children so far says a lot.

There are so many great things to say about No Stress Chess, and for the $15 price tag, it is definitely worth the purchase. The innovative approach to a traditional favorite has been able to hold our children's interest in this classic game more than we ever would have expected. We were amazed at how quickly both of our children were able to graduate to regular play...now, chess has become a staple in The Daily Kool household, and No Stress Chess a popular birthday gift idea for our children's friends.

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Today's Kool Idea: Travel Yahtzee Game

A couple of months ago on a rainy day, The Daily Kool family took on an insidious task...we decided to clean out one of our overflowing "junk" drawers. You wouldn't believe how much...well, junk...we had accumulated in one relatively little space. Oh, yes...we were lucky to get out alive. So here we were, arguing over whether we should toss out a key chain version of a shrilling chicken, when our children picked up a set of dice and began rolling away. We looked at each other and, expert procrastinators that we are, immediately said, "Break time!" Our children were about to learn an old classic...Yahtzee.

Why it never occurred to us to buy a Yahtzee set before is a mystery...but as parents, we are masters at improvisation. We just went on the computer to print out a free Yahtzee score card, made sure we had five dice and we were ready to go. The kids had an absolute blast...as did we! It's easy to understand why Yahtzee is the world's most popular commercial dice game. To play this addictive classic, you roll five dice (three times per hand) in an effort to make different combinations for the most points. Shoot for a three-of-a-kind, a full house, a straight and more. Get five of the same number and you've gotten a "Yahtzee" for 50 points. The "rolls" are based on standard poker hands, with a few extra bonuses thrown in. Don't worry, we're not training our children for the World Poker Tour just yet...but Yahtzee is certainly a great prelude to other card games, including Gin Rummy. It's also a terrific way to practice math and introduce the concept of probability to children.

Though we were certainly able to come up with a quick makeshift version of a family Yahtzee game, our kids love it so much, we just had to find a portable version to take with us on the go. Travel Yahtzee became a terrific solution for long waits at restaurants, doctors' offices and even on an airplane. There were a few options for us to choose from, but we ultimately selected the Folio edition of the travel Yahtzee game. It comes with everything we needed to enjoy a quick family game on the go. The felt-lined play area keeps the roll confined...very important, especially with over-exuberant children. The dice rolling cup is also lined with felt, perfect for keeping the noise down in places that require quieter play. The special compartments keep the dice in place during the game and prevents them from rolling around when put away. Complete with a soft side-zippered case, deluxe dice, scorepad and pencil, the Folio edition is a great way to shake up some Yahtzee wherever we go.

If you'd rather, there are several Yahtzee Jr. editions that are ideal for preschoolers and other younger children. These greatly simplified versions of the original use character pictures instead of numbers, and the scorecard uses tiles to keep track of hands. Yahtzee Jr. is a great introduction to the game...we were given a Mr. Potato Head one (we think it's discontinued), and have found several others, including Disney Princess and Pokemon. Don't underestimate your younger ones, though...regular Yahtzee may not have the engaging characters, but it does provide a better learning experience, more player options and is more ideal for children of varied ages. We tend to use our Yahtzee Jr. edition when we are playing alone with our own preschooler, and regular dice or our Folio travel Yahtzee game when our older children join in.

Our Folio edition of the travel Yahtzee game is one of the best ways to keep the entire family entertained on the go. Quick play, simple rules, educational and just plain fun, Yahtzee is one of The Daily Kool's favorite games. After more than 50 years, Yahtzee is still a very "kool" idea.

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Today's Kool Idea: Caramel Apples for National Teacher Day

Tomorrow is National Teacher Day, and is part of a week-long celebration honoring our teachers. It is our children's opportunity to thank the special teachers in their lives for their hard work and dedication throughout the school year. Few professionals impact our lives as teachers do...each of us has undoubtedly had at least one teacher who profoundly affected and inspired us as children (and adults). Though we believe that teachers should be recognized every day, National Teacher Day is indeed an ideal time to join together with other communities and acknowledge how much we value and respect their contributions to our children's future.

National Teacher Day is met with much anticipation in The Daily Kool household. Our kids aren't satisfied unless they give presents to all of their teachers...homemade, of course. So, every year, we grab a bunch of extra-large Granny Smiths and make a perennial favorite...caramel apples. One of these delectable creations in a gift bag complete with ribbon and a handmade tag makes a perfect token for National Teacher Day. Trite? Perhaps, but seriously...these are incredibly well received by every teacher our kids have given them to. Plus, making caramel apples is a great way to bond with our children in the kitchen.

Caramel apples can be a fickle business...they are definitely not for the faint of heart. The biggest obstacle that most of us face is keeping that $@%&! caramel from sliding off the apple. Trust us...we empathize. After all, we have certainly had our share of unsuccessful caramel apple attempts. That's why The Daily Kool is here to help you create this delicious treat with minimal glitches and optimum success. Be aware, though...they won't necessarily be picture perfect...if you're unwilling to settle for anything less and are willing to pay a premium, feel free to leave it to the professionals at your local gourmet chocolate establishment, Mrs. Prindables or Amy's (award winning and our personal favorite). Don't worry...we won't judge.

The key to preventing the caramel slide is in the preparation of your apple. We use room-temperature apples only, washed thoroughly and then dried completely. This is extremely important...if your apple is not dry, it will not hold your caramel. Another trick is to make sure that there is no waxy residue on your apple. A quick scrub with a veggie brush has always worked for us, but you can always dip the apple in boiling water first...be careful to do this very quickly, though...otherwise it will be disastrous.

Once you get over the caramel hurdle, it is really incredibly easy to create scrumptious caramel apples. We have put the recipe we use below...don't expect homemade caramel from The Daily Kool here, though...remember, we are doing this with the kids, so we stick to the basics...and Kraft wrapped caramels, of course. Making caramel apples is a fun and rewarding activity to do with the kids. It is just a small way of expressing our gratitude for the difference teachers make in our lives every day. So, please take a moment to thank your teachers on National Teacher Day for bringing passion and a commitment to educating, inspiring and empowering our children. They deserve it!


Slow Cooker Caramel Apples

Ingredients:

• 2 packages (14oz each) Kraft wrapped caramels
• 1/4 cup water (or milk)
  
• 6-8 medium (or 3-4 large) apples (we like Granny Smith, but McIntosh, Gala, or Fuji work fine also)
  
• sticks for apples (we prefer craft picks with a pointed edge for better insertion)

Directions:

1. Prepare apples as described above. Insert pick (or stick) into stem end of each apple and set aside.
   
2. In slow cooker, combine caramels and water. Cover and cook on high for 1 to 1-1/2 hours, or until melted, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. When melted, switch setting to LOW.
   
3. Line a baking pan with parchment paper...butter or spray with Pam.
4. Dip apple into hot caramel, turning to coat entire surface, spooning caramel over apples if necessary...please supervise your children carefully if they are helping with this step...the crock pot will be hot and caramel can scald.
5. Holding the apple above the pot, allow excess caramel to drip off, then scrape bottoms of apples and place on prepared pan.
6. Put the pan of coated apples in the refrigerator at least one hour to set thoroughly.

Note: Though we prefer to use a slow cooker for our caramel apples, you can also get great results with a large saucepan on medium low.

Another Note: We sometimes get more creative with this recipe by rolling the bottom of each freshly dipped apple (before refrigeration) into one of the following: crushed Oreo cookies, chopped nuts, sprinkles, mini M&Ms, etc. We wear latex-type gloves for this step to help firmly press the toppings. We have also drizzled dipped apples with melted milk, white and/or dark chocolate. The possibilities are endless!

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Today's Kool Idea: Celebrate Earth Day with Earth Promise

Today, schools all over the country are celebrating Earth Day. Teachers everywhere are educating children in an effort to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment. Though we at The Daily Kool are fairly confident in our overall parenting skills, we are ashamed to admit that we have been failing our children in a very important way. We have not focused nearly enough on teaching them to respect nature and the environment. This goes beyond our responsibility to lecture our kids about the importance of Earth Day. It is our obligation (especially as parents) to encourage future generations to do their part to help preserve our wonderful planet...something that can only be achieved if we practice what we are preaching every day.

Sound a bit overwhelming? We thought so, too. Then, we connected with our friends at Earth Promise and discovered how little changes can make a big difference. Earth Promise is an online community that helps people just like us make changes (called earth promises) in our everyday lives to improve the earth's condition and help preserve our precious resources. These changes can be as simple as keeping the window closed during highway driving (increases fuel efficiency) or using your local library more (instead of purchasing new books). We were surprised at how many earth promises there were like these that can also save us money in today's economy.

Here's how we got started. We set up a free Earth Promise account, establishing our user name and password. Unsure where to start, we browsed some earth promises that other members have made to get some ideas. We like that the website offers a wizard to help us figure out which earth promises might be right for us, but we actually found the starter plan to be a more helpful tool for our purposes. There is also a growing community of other Earth Promise members with established groups, forums, blog topics and other resources.

After touring the site, familiarizing ourselves with its functionality and making a few earth promises to get us started, we decided to hold off on adding any others without our children with us. After all, we want to show our children how just person making one small change can have a tremendous impact on the environment. We can't wait for the kids to come home from school. We are going to spend the afternoon on the Earth Promise website together.

Earth Promise is such a great teaching tool, we can picture its appeal to educators and parents world-wide. It not only shows how easily we can incorporate small, earth-friendly changes to everyday activities, but it inspires children to learn the importance of keeping their promises. Earth Promise is definitely worth checking out. It's a great idea for us, and an even better idea for our children. Together, we can really make a difference...on Earth Day, and everyday. Now, that's a "kool" idea.

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Today's Kool Idea: Wikki Stix

About once a week, The Daily Kool indulges in a family night out, which includes a restaurant dinner, usually followed by dessert at Dairy Queen or Carvel. Restaurant night is a special treat and an extra opportunity for us parents to bond with our kids at the dinner table...if only we could pry those darned Nintendo DS systems from their grubby little hands. We can't tell you how many times we've been tempted to toss the little buggers (the games, not the kids) out the window. So, we at The Daily Kool have established a strict rule of no technology at the dinner table, including cell phones and BlackBerrys (much to our husbands' dismay). There's only one problem...how do we entertain our techno-obsessed kids while waiting for dinner to arrive?

We came across Wikki Stix at our local educational supply store and thought they would be great for restaurant entertainment. Wikki Stix are craft sticks made from acrylic hand-knitting yarn covered in a food-grade, microcrystalline wax...completely non-toxic and non-allergenic. Wikki Stix are flexible, bendable and reusable, and can be maneuvered into an infinite number of imaginative creations. They will stick to any surface with finger pressure (we now have a "giant" on our wall, courtesy of our four-year old), and can even be fashioned into a three-dimensional piece of artwork. Bugs were the theme of choice at tonight's restaurant trip...we made butterflies, beetles, flies and even ladybugs. Everyone participated, had fun and most importantly, we all enjoyed each other's company.

We love that the Wikki Stix website gives so many creative ideas for their product. Check them out for craft ideas, as well as educational uses for this multi-purpose toy. Wikki Stix has won several parenting awards for their innovative invention...all well-deserved, in our opinion. Our kids absolutely love playing with them...as do we. We have used them for simple connect-the-dot projects, and have created characters that bring our kids' favorite storybooks to life. Our older son has already told us that he wants to make a map of the United States at next week's restaurant night, and our younger son wants to make a puppy dog named Lava (we have no idea). A little birdie told us that the men are secretly designing Wikki Stix PSPs and iPhones just to mess with us.

Please note...we have seen countless commercials for Bendaroos for the last several months. We are not sure what the difference is between Wikki Stix and Bendaroos, but Wikki Stix has definitely earned The Daily Kool's trust with their "made in the U.S." label. In our research, we have read several conflicting reports on the ethical behavior of the Bendaroos group, but keep in mind that we are not talking from personal experience. Bendaroos do seem to be a little less expensive than Wikki Stix, so do your research to decide which company is more suited to you and your family.

Wikki Stix are a terrific way to play with your children at restaurants, on the road or at home. While we don't expect them to replace the techno toys in our kids' hearts, they are still wonderful and fun way to inspire creativity and learning for all ages. Definitely a "kool" idea!

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Today's Kool Idea: Amazing Kids Magic Kit and Magic Coloring Book

A couple of months ago, we took our children to a festival that featured a wonderful magic and balloon show. Watching the awe on our younger child's face was priceless...he accepted the existence of true magic with the precious naivete of a four year old. Our older child, of course, spent the entire time trying to figure out how each trick worked. Regardless, both came away from the show with an appreciation and fascination of magic that prompted us to diligently search for a magic kit for them. The only trick (no pun intended...really) was to find a magic kit that was fun, easy and just for kids.

What better day for The Daily Kool to feature the Amazing Kids Magic Kit than the anniversary of Harry Houdini's birthday (March 24, 1874 - October 31, 1926)? Henry Houdini forever changed the world of magic and started out pretty much the way we all did...with card tricks. The Amazing Kids Magic Kit goes beyond cards to include a total of 22 magic tricks and gags that are specifically designed for children ages 6-12. What's especially "kool" about this kit is the "Kids Teaching Kids DVD" it comes with...your children will learn from other kids who demonstrate how the magic tricks are done. We also like that the kit includes the two absolutely "must haves" for every beginner..the "ball & vase" trick and the "cups & balls" trick.

One classic that the Amazing Kids Magic Kit does not have is the "magic coloring book." This is a really "kool" trick for children as young as four. The coloring book starts out showing all blank pages. Suddenly, when the audience draws pictures towards the "magic coloring book" in the air with their hands, pictures appear in the book, outlined in black! Then, your little magician can take the trick one step further when, with continued audience participation, the coloring book now shows bright, vibrant colors filling in the black and white pictures. Finally, all the pages change back to their original blank state. The "magic coloring book" is a terrific first trick for your youngest child, especially with an adult helping out with the verbal presentation.

We at The Daily Kool agree that the Amazing Kids Magic Kit and the "magic coloring book" are the perfect introduction to the secret world of magic. Beginning magicians need tricks that are simple, have few parts and are easy to learn. This way, they can focus on their presentation, which is key to impressing their audience. A great way to encourage creativity, imagination and socialization to your children. Enjoy, and be careful not to fall through the trap door!

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Today's Kool Idea: Schoolhouse Rock! (Special 30th Anniversary Edition) DVD

Ah, man...nothing says Saturday mornings like Schoolhouse Rock! We admit it, okay? We originally bought this DVD more for ourselves than for our children. Cartoons are just not the same without these Emmy award-winning 3-minute films playing between them.

What? You never heard of Schoolhouse Rock!?? It was only the most amazing series of animated musical education in the 70's and 80's. Schoolhouse Rock was a pop-culture sensation that literally taught millions of children the basics of math, grammar, science, American history and money with its clever and catchy tunes. The Schoolhouse Rock! (Special 30th Anniversary Edition) is a comprehensive 2-disc set, which includes 46 song classics like "Conjunction Junction," "Three is a Magic Number," "I'm Just A Bill" and "Electricity, Electricity." The DVD also features an all-new song about the Electoral College, "I'm Gonna Send Your Vote To College" written by the show's original creators.

Oh, dear...have we just dated ourselves? It doesn't matter...the Schoolhouse Rock! (Special 30th Anniversary Edition) has allowed us to relive our youth through the eyes of our children. With all of the disappointing children's television out there today, it is truly a pleasure to share these wonderful and educational videos with our kids. Schoolhouse Rock has captivated everyone in our home...our kids are absolutely addicted to it! Favorites in our household include "Interjections!", "Telegraph Line" (teaches the nervous system) and "The Body Machine" (about nutrition). When our second-grader was studying the separation of powers in school, "The Three Ring Government" became the new preference.

Nope, they just don't make educational videos like these anymore. Oh, wait a minute...actually they do! According to our friends at EarthPromise.com, Schoolhouse Rock is now going green with eleven new songs for a new generation of fans. Read what EarthPromise has to say about it here.

We at The Daily Kool are so passionate about this series, we have made the Schoolhouse Rock! (Special 30th Anniversary Edition) DVD our official birthday present for all of our children's friends. This is without a doubt, the "koolest" gift you can give to your family. We can't wait for Schoolhouse Rock: Earth to come out...we will definitely be checking it out. Thanks for the heads-up, EarthPromise.com! And thank you, Schoolhouse Rock for the timeless memories.