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By Mom Unplugged, May 2, 2007 3:43 pm

The object of this classic game is to get four in a row vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. This tiny version comes in a little 4″ x 5.5″ tin that is ideal for travel or a stocking stuffer.

I generally prefer travel toys with very few small pieces, so all these little balls could be a car or airplane disaster. I only recommend this as a travel toy for children old enough to manage the balls without spills (also not good around babies). But for older kids, or even adults, this is a great game!

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By Mom Unplugged, April 22, 2007 8:51 pm

I wish I had invented these.

We discovered Wikki Stix when we were staying at a hotel in San Diego. They gave them out in the restaurant instead of crayons. My kids (3 and 5 at the time) thought they were WAY more cool than crayons and a coloring place mat.

What a simple idea! They are simply bits of colored string covered with a wax coating thick enough for them to bend and stay in position! Like a candle wick, hence the name I suppose. Kids can make all kinds of things with them.

We use them in restaurants, the car, my purse, anywhere that an instant emergency diversion might be needed. They also make great stocking-stuffers. Santa brought some this past Christmas. Available in primary and neon colors.

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By Mom Unplugged, April 6, 2007 10:25 am

This one is very simple and has been around for a long time. I believe that string games exist in just about every culture. Really all you need is a piece of string, but this set is nice because it comes with a sturdy string as well as a book of instructions.

The instructions are simply presented and well-illustrated so that children can learn the two person Cat’s Cradle game as well as how to make string-figures like Witch’s Broom, Eiffel Tower, and Jacob’s Ladder.

This makes a great travel game (it is easy to pack a string!) or stocking stuffer. My 6 year-old loved it and has taught her friends how to play. It brought back memories for me too. I discovered that I can still remember how to make Cat’s Whiskers after 30+ years!

This second book, is nice to have too:

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By Mom Unplugged, February 28, 2007 3:22 pm

I adore all the Haba teethers! They are lovely, smooth cheerful chunks of bright, primary colored wood. Made in Germany.

This one, the Trix, is a series of triangles strung on a sturdy elastic so that little hands can manipulate them into different shapes. These teethers feel so clean and solid, like they’ll last forever!

Here’s a link, along with links to a few more that I like:

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By Mom Unplugged, February 23, 2007 9:14 pm

I can’t tell you what a life-saver this has been! I keep it in a toy bag in the car and the kids play with it on car trips, at restaurants, and on airplanes.

There seems to be something very satisfying about threading the lace through the holes, and then threading it back out again. I have even seen it used as a fishing pole!

The size of this simple toy is just right for travel. We have had ours for probably four years now and it is still in great shape. All in all a great, old-fashioned toy that still has the power to fascinate.

Available here, or here: