One of the things that I enjoy about being able to stay home with my son, is that it allows me to craft a Pre-K at home curriculum, tailored to my son's comprehension and skill levels. I love to read through lesson plans and check out what other homeschooling moms are doing with their tots, and I've seen some wonderful ideas. Recently, I began working on simple math with B- like addition and subtraction. Instead of spending lots of money on educational teaching materials from the local teaching aid shop, I usually use what we already have at home to help teach one of our daily lessons.

Having wonderful educational toys on hand for Balian is a must. Even if we weren't following a daily lesson plan, I would still want him to have a selection of educational toys for independnt play. Kids absolutely learn through play, and we're even building a little creation station for B, where he'll have his own chalkboard top desk to create on, with an attached roll of coloring paper, shelves for his puzzles, etc.

We were recently offered the opportunity to work with Educational Toys Planet by reviewing an educational toy, suited for 3-year-olds. Educational Toys Planet connects consumers with an incredible selection of educational toys for kids, where you can search and shop by category, age, brand, skill type, best sellers, and more!

Our new toy from Educational Toys Planet...

We received a Magnetic Tow Truck Game to review. I couldn't wait to show this new 2-in-1 game to Balian. He loves wooden puzzles, and this is both a puzzle and a game, in one board. The game includes a wooden tow truck with a magnetic stick attached to it. You simply hold the magnetic stick over the small magnet on each of the wooden cars, and lift it up, or set it back down in place. Each car is numbered, so it's a wonderful tool to use when working with your kids on counting, or simple math.

Balian couldn't wait for me to open this new game for him!

B hardly even needed a demonstration. He picked the tow truck piece up and began lifting the wooden cars.

My smart son immediately told me that the cars and the tow truck all had magnets on them. I told him that he was correct, and as he lifted the cars out of their spaces, we counted them. We played a stacking game, where we stacked the cars by color, and we also made even and odd race car number stacks.

This toy is engaging, and lots of fun!

Even after we had finished out lesson for the day, Balian continued to play with the Tow Truck Game until lunch time. He has been having so much fun with it, that we even had to bring it along with us on a weekend trip last weekend. He played with it in the car, in our 'hotel' room, and when we got back home, it was the first toy he pulled out of the activity bag!

'Let's count cars, mommy!'

Features of the Magnetic Tow Truck Game

Cars, trucks and number fun! Melissa & Doug's award winning Tow Truck Game Magnetic Wooden Puzzle is an exciting magnetic puzzle all children will love. The sturdy puzzle board features ten vibrant racing car pieces. But get ready, some of these cars may have gotten into some minor accidents on the racing track. All are clearly numbered and waiting for you to tow them on and off the board! Simply use the magnetic tow truck to remove each car, and then piece together the Tow Truck Game Magnetic Wooden Puzzle again. This quality wooden puzzle offered by Educational Toys Planet meets the highest safety standards and is the perfect way to fine tune coordination and motor skills in children of all ages.

For ages 3+

Skills: Manipulative Skills, Pretend Play

Magnetic toys appeal to kids of all ages, as well as puzzles, so this toy/game is perfect for youngsters! It's a winning combination of a puzzle, a game and a toy that allows your child to use their imagination and play out a scene, or just have fun with the magnets. I love this because whether or not my son realizes it, he's counting on his own when he plays with this game, and becoming more and more confidant with using numbers in daily life. We give this game and Educational Toys Planet two thumbs up, and our Mommy Seal of Approval!

Want It? Buy It!

Educational Toys Planet has all sorts of fun, creative, educational toys for your little ones! Head on over to their website and take a look around! You can get a jump on shopping for Christmas gifts, and even create a wishlist! Educational Toys Planet is also on Facebook, so be sure to swing by their page and check them out.

Special thanks to Educational Toys Planet for sending us this wonderful educational toy/game to review and enjoy!

What types of educational toys do your children enjoy?