Varialand is not really a puzzle, I would call it more of a collage. It consists of 80 wooden picture tiles that can be combined any way a child wants to make different scenes. Some tiles are parts of houses, some are clouds in the sky, many are animals or trees.
This is the ultimate in creativity for children. I guarantee that kids will never make the same scene twice!
Plus it is made out of very durable wood. The images are printed on the tiles, not glued on. All in all, this is a toy that should last for generations to come.
Selecta, Toy Recommendations, brands, puzzle, wood
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collage, European toys, German toys, puzzles, Selecta, Toy Recommendations, Toy Recommendations, Varialand, wooden toys
This game / puzzle / toy is wonderful in its simplicity and versatility. It consists of twenty distinctively shaped colorful wooden blocks, each with its own matching wooden “card.” It all comes packed in a drawstring bag.
The main game consists of drawing a “card” and then finding the matching piece in the bag entirely by feel. My kids also like to lay out the cards and fill them in like puzzles. Children can sort the blocks by shape or color. They can even play a memory game by laying the cards shape side down, drawing a shape, then trying to find the matching card by memory. My children have even played with the blocks as blocks and made up little stories with them (some shapes are people and animals).
This is my favorite sort of toy since the possibilities are almost endless! 3D Feel & Find
encourages imagination … plus think of all the play possibilities you get for the price of one single toy!
Guidecraft, Toy Recommendations, brands, games, puzzle, wood
| 3D Feel and Find, creative play, Feel and Find, games, Guidecraft, Montessori, puzzles, Toy Recommendations, Toy Recommendations, wooden toys
I sent my husband (aka. Mr.-These-Children-Have-Too-Many-Toys) to Jiffy Lube to get the oil changed in the car, and he came home with this puzzle. What a cool find it was!
This is a 100-piece United States map puzzle by National Geographic. It is made of rubber and is in relief, like some globes. Each state is labeled, as are the state capitols. Elevations are color coded (and bumpy), with a key to the elevations and their colors on the edge of the puzzle.
Although it is 100 pieces, the puzzle is quite small (I measure 12″ x 8.25″). After assembly, it slips right back into its box for easy storage (always a plus with puzzles, they can be hard to store and make a big mess). The rubber pieces fit together easily.
The box says that it is for ages 6 and up. My 6 year-old could probably do this by herself given a lot of time and patience, but so far we have done it together twice as a family. My 5 year-old enjoys helping and is excited when he figures out a fit.
Both my children are in awe of the fact that there are 100 PIECES!!! Wow! The topographical aspect also sparked an interesting discussion, begun by my 5 year-old, of mountains and valleys. Plus, by buying the puzzle, you are supporting National Geographic.
This is a wonderful find that the we all enjoy - adults included!
Now, what I really want to know, is how many times can a grown-up play Candyland without going completely crazy?
Toy Recommendations, educational, family games, puzzle
| educational toys, geography, geography toys, homeschool, maps, puzzles, relief map, Toy Recommendations, United States, US map
These little wooden bear puzzles come in three parts: pants, tops, and 6 faces, each expressing a different feeling.
There is no wrong way to do these puzzles. Kids can mix and match outfits and faces. Teaches fine motor skills as well as recognition of different emotions.
All pieces store inside a wooden box. The lid of the box is the puzzle outline. Choose “Emma” or “Ernest.”
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