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: 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: Original UNO Card Game

This week has marked the beginning of summer vacation for The Daily Kool family. Unfortunately, everyone's been sick for the past few days, so we've been stuck at home. Poor kids! They really just want to go outside and ride their bikes or swim in the pool. Instead, we've been raiding our closets all week, trying to come up with different ways to keep them entertained indoors. It hasn't been easy, especially since television is not our favorite pastime. It was time to introduce a classic from our own childhood to the kids.

The other day, we were digging through some old childhood boxes that our parents had finally given us, when we found an old (and we mean old) set of the original UNO card game. Oh, the memories it brought back! We were absolutely obsessed with UNO when we were kids and was the only card game we knew that could accommodate up to ten of us who wanted to play at the same time. The deck consists of cards of 4 colors: red, green, blue, and yellow. The ranks in each color are 0-9. There are 3 "action" cards in each color, labeled "skip", "draw two", and "reverse". There are also special black action cards, "wild" and "wild draw four". At each turn, a player may play a card from their hand that matches the color or rank/number of the top exposed card, or play a wild or wild draw four. When a player plays down to only one card, that player is required to say "Uno" to warn other players. The Daily Kool rules determine that whoever goes out completely wins...however, UNO was originally designed on a point system (each card has a numerical value).

Mattel has attempted to modernize the game with its introduction of versions such as UNO Attack, UNO Spin and UNO H2O Splash. Honestly, though...none of them can possibly compare to the original UNO card game. Perfect in its simplicity, UNO is a wonderful game for all ages...it never loses its excitement. Although it's labeled for ages 7+, the rules are simple enough (similar to Crazy Eights) that our four year old has learned it with ease. In fact, UNO has quickly become an obsession with both of our kids. We couldn't be happier, especially since it teaches valuable color, number, pattern and strategy skills. The only challenge for our youngest child is in holding the cards, but we help him by fanning them out for him a few times during play. We will say though that we much prefer the original UNO card design from 1995 (the one we have), which defined the action cards with words instead of symbols...too bad it's not available anymore.

The original (and still the best) UNO card game is an educational and wholesome game that can be enjoyed by the entire family. Portable enough to take anywhere, UNO will undoubtedly give your kids hours of television and video game-free entertainment. What a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time with your children...nothing is "kooler" than that.





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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: The Passover Box of Questions

This week, Jewish people from all over the world will be celebrating the first of our three harvest festivals, Passover. While we won't overwhelm you with all of the laws, traditions and stories surrounding this beautiful holiday, we will tell you that this is time for family. It is a time to reflect upon the mistakes and triumphs of our ancestors while we hope that we have learned enough to ensure a bright future for generations to come. We do this in a traditional service/mealtime gathering, called a Seder.

We at The Daily Kool love sitting down with the family during the Passover Seders (we have two). And, nothing brings us together quite like a delicious meal rooted in tradition. Except, perhaps The Passover Box of Questions from The Box Girls.

What an amazing opportunity to ignite meaningful and creative dialogue with your family! The Passover Box of Questions is a clever, age-appropriate original game designed to inspire great fun and meaningful conversation at your dinner celebration, while re-establishing the art of storytelling. The beautifully designed box comes with 35 glossy matzoh question cards that are engaging and entertaining. Also included are 20 place cards and plague stickers. Some of the questions included in The Passover Box of Questions include:

• If you could write your own Ten Commandments, what would be the first three?
• Which are your favorite Passover traditions?
• If you were Moses today, where would you lead the Jewish people?
  

The Box Girls have created a truly unique Passover gift presentation for any hostess. The Passover Box of Questions will spark interesting discussions about the holiday and what it means to your family. We love this idea...and not just for the Passover Seders. Since the holiday lasts eight days (and our kids are on spring break), we can imagine using The Passover Box of Questions anytime we sit as a family during the holiday. What a "kool" way to learn things about your family that you never knew before. Even better, it's the one game where everyone wins!

Another note: The Box Girls have over 24 different ice-breaker box games in their series for just about any occasion from bridal showers to Valentine's Day to a girl's night out. Take one on your family road trip or to a busy restaurant to entertain the kids. There is even one for a birthday or sleepover party. Check out the website here.

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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: Blokus

We at The Daily Kool are always looking for terrific family games that encourage creativity, challenge the mind and can keep the attention of both our children. Believe us, this is no easy task! Our children are three years apart, and it is especially difficult to find a board game that can engage both of them without being too easy or overwhelming for one.

A family member gave us Blokus as a holiday gift. Of all the presents we received, this is by far our favorite! It is not surprising that this game by Educational Insights has been deemed the most awarded one of the 21st century. The object of Blokus is simple...place as many of your pieces on the board as possible. The trick? When placing one of the odd-shaped pieces, it may not lie adjacent to the player's other pieces, but must be placed touching at least one corner of their pieces already on the board. The strategy comes in planning future pieces and blocking your opponents.

Easy to understand by the youngest player (ages 5 and up), yet complex enough to challenge adults, Blokus has become our family's number one choice for game night. Our children are developing logic and spatial perception while learning tactical play. And they are have so much fun doing it! When we see our children laughing and complementing each other on a particularly brilliant move, we are reminded just how much game night encourages relaxation, healthy brain activity and just plain family togetherness. Blokus is brilliant in its simplicity, and quite possibly, the "koolest" game around.

Today's Kool Idea: Esphera Puzzles

For those of us who love to experience life in all its 3-D glory, traditional puzzles might leave you feeling a little flat.  Esphera has brought us a collection of 360-degree puzzles with curved plastic pieces that fit together to form a freestanding sphere.  Esphera puzzles come in a variety of images, sizes and piece counts, so you can find one appropriate for kids as young as 6-years old.

Fun to do (especially with the kids), Esphera puzzles make a vibrant and impressive display when complete.  A unique challenge for puzzle aficionados, but for the less talented (okay, okay, we confess), each piece is numbered on the back for easier assembly.  A little pricey, but what a "kool" idea!