Since starting this blog almost 11 years ago, there’s been an influx of STEM focused toys on the market. There’s no shortage of products designed to foster curiosity and get our kids interested in these subjects but the teacher in me can distinguish between items that provide worthwhile STEM learning experiences versus those that masquerade…
STEM gifts
2018 Gift Guide: Best Gifts for Teens (ages 13+)
If you’re a parent of a teen, you probably find yourself counting down milestones from time to time. The number of birthdays left to celebrate at home, remaining seasons of their favorite sport, years left in high school before they’re off to college, and maybe summers but let’s be honest, those 18 summers are a…
2018 Gift Guide: Best Gifts for Tweens (ages 8-12)
Tweens have one foot firmly still planted in childhood and the other inching towards the teen years so they often feel stuck between the cute stuff of kid years and wanting to be grown up. This age group possesses growing self-confidence, independence, and academic skills that need to be nurtured. The best gifts for tweens encourage…
Best Gifts for Early Elementary Ages (grades K-2, ages 5-8)
The links in this post are affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on a link. In my former life as a first grade teacher, I got to know early elementary ages quite well. My students always had a wide spectrum of knowledge so I know…
2018 Gift Guide: Best Gifts for Toddlers & Preschoolers
The links in this post are affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on a link. This year’s Best Gifts for Toddlers & Preschoolers reflects this age group’s innocence, curiosity, and their ability to see the world as a wondrous place. I loved spending time with…
2018 Holiday Gift Guides
This year retailers have accelerated the shopping season with early deals so whether you’re finding yourself in the holiday spirit or not quite ready to shop, I’m here to help with my 2018 Holiday Gift Guides! The holidays should mean time with family and friends that are full of joy and minimal stress so I’m…
2017 Gift Guide: Best STEM Gifts for Kids of All Ages (PreK-Teen)
The links in this post are affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link. During his presidency, Barack Obama worked to expand STEM education and employment opportunities to all students. In order to meet the projected workforce need of 1 million additional STEM graduates…
2017 Gift Guide: Best Gifts for Teens That Aren’t Gift Cards
The links in this post are affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link. If you know a teen, you probably think that all they want is gift cards. True that gift cards let them buy what they want but this year, but the…
2017 Gift Guide: Gifts for Tweens (ages 8-12)
The links in this post are affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link. With one foot firmly still planted in childhood and the other inching towards the teen years, tweens often feel stuck between cute and grown up. This age group possesses growing…
2017 Gift Guide: Gifts for Early Elementary Ages (ages 5-8 or grades K-2)
The links in this post are affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link. In my former life as a teacher, I taught first grade and then had the pleasure of working with all students in the computer lab. My students always spanned a…
