More Than a Screen  
Expand your iPad into the 3-D, tactile world with Osmo from Palo Alto’s Tangible Play, Inc. New for the holiday season is the Osmo Little Genius Kit, named one of Amazon’s top toys for 2019. It features games for preschoolers from letter learning to creative play and includes silicone sticks and rings for forming letters, as well as cardboard figure and costume pieces for pretend play. $79. playosmo.com.
 
Bilingual Magic 
Make learning a language fun with the Reading Wand and bilingual board books from Bay Area-based Habbi Habbi. Just tap the wand anywhere on a page and words and images come to life with proper pronunciations and sound effects. Recommended for ages 3 and up, a variety of books is available in Chinese-English and Spanish-English, including first words, first phrases, emotions and careers. Wand: $49.99; books from $17.99. habbihabbi.com
 
A World of Fun
Get ready for family game night with Planet, the bestselling strategy contest from Blue Orange Games in San Leandro. In this unique game, each player gets a three-dimensional, 12-sided game board, or “planet core,” and draws landscape tiles representing oceans, deserts and more. Players compete to create the best ecosystems for wildlife to flourish. For two to four players; recommended for ages 8 and up. $39.99. blueorangegames.com.
 
A Better Fort
Skip the couch cushions and blankets, and help your kids construct the coolest hideaway with the flip of a fan switch. California-based AirFort makes light and roomy forts that inflate in seconds with a standard box fan. A divider keeps kids away from the fan, and a window allows them to peer out. The durable, breathable polyester tent packs easily into a compact bag for storage and travel. $49.95. airfort.com.
 
Things We Like celebrates the best products, people and places that make parenting fun. Got a suggestion? Email Janine DeFao or submit your idea here.

LATEST POSTS

“Shucked” Musical is Corny Fun

If you’ve got a soft spot for all things corny – both figuratively and literally – “Shucked” may be just the ticket for you. The national...

Lisa Loeb to Perform at Bay Area Parent’s Kids Day in the Park

By Janine DeFao It would be easy to assume that Lisa Loeb’s foray into children’s music happened after she had children herself. But the first children’s album...

Music with a Message

By Teresa Mills-Faraudo Editor's Note: See this amazing Grammy-Award-Winning group, Alphabet Rockers, at Bay Area Parent's Kids Day in the Park on Sept. 20.  Hip-hop is the...

Where to See Fall Colors in the Bay Area

The East Coast isn’t the only place where you can be awash in the colors of fall. Check out these great Bay Area spots to see the leaves change into the warm hues of autumn.

Follow us on Social Media

12,456FansLike
1,502FollowersFollow
532FollowersFollow

Most Popular