tweens + big kids

What kid hasn't dreamed of rocketing off into outer space to see what is out there? The problem is, that cardboard box in the living room isn't going anywhere so fast. Junior Astronaut - Breaking through the space barrier is a standout e…

Earlier this year, we gave our readers a heads up on the new Disney Infinity platform that so many parents (and the gaming world at large) are looking forward to. And now there's a more info plus a sneak preview video that, well, you mig…

When we discovered the EggBot , we were like uh, wow. (Actual quote.) You have to be pretty into Easter Egg decorating to invest in that thing. But, I admit sheepishly, it's been on my brain all this time. And hey! Now there's a deluxe v…

As parents, we're huge proponents, obviously, of Internet safety and the many tools and services to help us out in that arena. We've recommended the Net Nanny software previously, and phew, we are finally glad to see that it has caught u…

When my son was younger, one of our favorite activities together was his Snap Circuits set. It gave him an opportunity to explore his creative side and gave me a chance to think that I was a whiz at electricity and physics. It's these ty…

I review a lot of apps for kids and thus, am inundated with spinning, whirling, jumping, and shrieking characters/animals/aliens on my iPad. But once in a while, an app comes along that makes me breathe a sigh of "well, finally." Such is…

While Mimoco is known for their funky Mimobot flash drives featuring characters from Star Trek, Star Wars , Hello Kitty , Ugly Dolls and Marvel comics, I have to say I'm digging their latest offering just out today: Presidents. Check out…

When my second grader asked me to join her to play a new video game that Daddy had downloaded for PS3, I figured I'd humor her for a few minutes. Little did I know that two hours later I would still be playing--and wrestling to pull myse…

The idea of a scented watch doesn't exactly make me go running for my credit card. But when I got a taste (heh) of these in person at the NY International Gift Show this week, well I've now got some kids begging for new watches. And I'm …

Any time I talk to a parent with tweens, the conversation eventually turns to the kinds of technology they are using, which then eventually turns into a Q&A session of me asking about cell phone usage, social media usage, cyber bullying …

[This post has been updated as of January 2014 to include new information] I'm pretty sure almost every one of my oldest daughter's friends got an iPod Touch for Christmas this year. We're talking third-graders. And while even we here at…

Ever since my son learned his five multiplication tables before he could even write his numbers correctly (thanks Schoolhouse Rock ! ), I've found that math is one of those subjects that doesn't necessarily need to be taught in any cut-a…

With more kids than ever carrying iPods and cell phones ( when they're ready , of course) more kids than ever are going to find themselves stuck without power just when you're trying to reach them. Or...using that as a convenient excuse?…

If your kid, like so many this year, was lucky enough to score an iPad Mini over the holidays, we've got the very case to protect it. That is, if it doesn't get you first. This felt Zombie iPad mini case from Etsy's Hooby Groovy, who als…

The older our kids get, the more picky they get about their apps. For kids in the 7 and up range, we love these Android and iOS apps for their ability to keep fickle kids engaged with a minimum of the gunplay and stuff parents get squidg…

Presents are wrapped, eggs are nogged, kids are on Christmas break, and two of this year's biggest game stars have come together in one app filled with underground sewers and transportation tubes. How merry! Especially considering it's f…

My pre-teen wants an iPad or Kindle Fire for Christmas. Are there good Internet filters available for these devices? -Karen Hi Karen, great question! Yes, with kids bogarting our tablets and quite a few getting one for the holiday, we th…

With so many gaming systems on the market, it can be tough to know which one is the best for your family. Next up in our series of buying guides we focus on handheld video gaming devices. I know my kids aren't the only ones with some sor…

We're so excited to present the first in our Holiday Tech Gifts series! Starting with . . . cool games and tech toys for the kids. Yeah, we know that big kids and teens probably want shoot-em-up games for their consoles but hey, we're st…

For years I've been a huge fan of Target . I know I'm not alone in saying I walk in needing two things and walk out with a whole shopping cart full of...you know. More things. So what's super thrilling is that through the holiday season,…

My kids, like all kids it seems, are big fans of the blockbuster Fruit Ninja app. So when I heard about a new app that pretty much rips it off but adds math to the equation (heh) I was interested in checking it out. Now I'll start with t…

Whether you're headed over the river and through the woods this Thanksgiving, or you're just trying to get things ready for the big turkey dinner without tripping on a hungry kid, there's a smart new U.S. geography app that is so much fu…

One of the reasons why we keep our Netflix subscription is because of their fairly healthy selection of kids' television shows and movies. But now after seeing this new feature from Hulu Plus , I'm pretty excited to have more options. An…

While we love the OtterBox , maybe it needs a new name. I mean, can you really trust an adorable aquatic mammal to keep your special phone safe? I think what you really need is a ninja. The Angry Ninja iPhone 5 Case from HoobyGroovy on E…