Tag Archives for fun

A Great Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Review from a Fan

People are talking about us! Check out what this Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game!™ fan from New Jersey had to say about our favorite little squirrel:

“I have never been compelled to review a purchase from Amazon before Sneaky Snacky Squirrel. It is quite simply my most favorite Amazon purchase ever (and believe me, that is a serious claim). My whole family loves this game! While I will swear up and down I purchased it for my two-year-old son, the truth is, I bought it for my simple love of all things squirrel, and really all woodland critters. The happy coincidence is that he, as well as his 10- and 7-year-old brothers, love it too. It is super cute but also super fun. Plus, my two-, almost 3-year-old can understand the simple rules, while staying engaged throughout the game. My older boys find it fun enough to play alongside their baby brother and even get pretty competitive between the two of them. This is such a great game for the whole family. It doesn’t (usually) take very long either, so you can ostensibly play a game after dinner but before bath times. I like to lessen TV/video game times and Sneaky Snacky Squirrel is a great way to do just that. I love this game so much I don’t even mind the fact that I always, without fail, seem to lose, after having all my acorns blown back into the tree (usually when I am just one short of winning). Do yourself a favor and get this game! It’s the best!”

Thanks for the kind words!

Giftable Goodies Under $25: Preschool Toys and Games

With the holidays around the corner, we understand that shopping can be stressful and pricey! Here is a list of great preschool gift ideas—all under $25!

Puppet-on-a-Stick™ (set of 3)– $23.99

Ages 4+

Three oversized, easy-to-handle puppets on sticks inspire imaginative play with silly faces, movable mouths and endless possibilities.

Get your puppets here: http://www.educationalinsights.com/product/puppet-on-a-stick–8482-+%28set+of+3%29.do?from=Search#

The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game™– $21.99

Ages 3+

This award-winning preschool game develops matching and sorting skills, strategic thinking, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills and pre-handwriting skills. To top it off, it’s fun to play with the whole family. What more can you ask for?

Get your copy at your local Target or here: http://www.educationalinsights.com/product/the+sneaky%2C+snacky+squirrel+game–8482-.do?sortby=ourPicks&sortby=&&from=Search#

Magic Moves® Electronic Wand– $19.99

Ages 3+

Nothing gets the kids up and movin’ like Magic Moves! Ninety fun physical commands, twinkling light shows, and 26 musical tunes to get little ones up and moving! This powerful wand not only gets them exercising, but it also promotes creativity and listening skills. Perfect for indoor play on rainy or cold winter days!

Check it out here: http://www.educationalinsights.com/product/magic+moves–174+electronic+wand.do#

BBQ Blitz!®– $24.99

Ages 4+

This burger building bonanza helps work fine motor skills, color recognition, and matching while having a flipping-fun time with the whole family.

Get your grill on here: http://www.educationalinsights.com/product/bbq+blitz!–174-.do?from=Search#

Buck, Buck, Moose!™ Game– $12.99

Ages 4+

Buck, Buck, MOOSE! This fast-action, color-matching card game is perfect for preschoolers! This riveting ranger game will help your little ones with color matching, speed, and sportsmanship.

Check out the forest fun here: http://www.educationalinsights.com/product/buck%2C+buck%2C+moose!–8482-+game.do?from=Search#

Giftable Goodies Under $20: Stocking Stuffers

‘Tis the season for tiny gifts! Today, we’re featuring great gifts for stocking stuffers, Hanukkah, and Kwanza all under $20! Make sure you don’t miss out on these wonderful goodies!

Travel Blurt!™ —$12.99

Take the fun of Blurt™ on the go! This hilarious, fast-paced, word-defining race game is now small enough to take with you anywhere! Great for a quick game in the car, waiting room, and even while waiting for a meal at a restaurant.
Check it out here: http://www.educationalinsights.com/product/travel+blurt!–174-.do?from=Search

Kanoodle™– $12.99

Perfect for puzzle lovers everywhere, this on-the-go, brain-twisting solitaire game is sure to challenge even the most formidable player. Playable in either 2-D or 3-D, this travel game ranges from basic to deviously hard and includes a 48-page illustrated book of puzzles waiting to be completed! It’s the perfect gift to keep even the biggest brainiac busy!
See more here:http://www.educationalinsights.com/product/kanoodle-trade-.do?from=Search

Playfoam® Classic 4-Pack– $4.99

Playfoam allows preschoolers to express their creativity—with no mess to clean up afterward! It’s squishable, shapable, squashable fun that never dries out. It’s the perfect stocking stuffer for the little artist in your home!

Check out more Playfoam here: http://www.educationalinsights.com/product/playfoam–174-+classic+4-pack.do?sortby=ourPicks&sortby=&&from=Search#

KaBAM!™– $12.99

Only the speediest word-builders win this quick-thinking, head-to-head word game. Featuring letters and letter combinations that promote reading, vocabulary expansion, and spelling skills, KaBAM™ is the perfect fast-action word game for word lovers!

Check out this rapid word-building game right here: http://www.educationalinsights.com/product/kabam!–8482-.do?from=Search#

TriTective™–  $12.99

Race to crack the case using only 3-letter words! This game is no ordinary mystery and is deceptively tough for its size. If you’re looking to add a challenge to your next game night, TriTective™ will do the trick!

Learn more about TriTective here: http://www.educationalinsights.com/product/tritective–8482-.do?from=Search#

Win an Exclusive Copy of Shelby’s Snack Shack!

The holiday season is in full swing and to commemorate this special time, we’re giving Facebook fans an exclusive opportunity to win a copy of our newest product, Shelby’s Snack Shack™ Game– the sister game to our best selling Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel™ Game. Shelby’s Snack Shack™ Game is a number and counting bone-anza! It’s the perfect game for preschoolers and pug lovers everywhere, ages 4 and up.

To enter the contest, simply:

1. Click on this link: : Team Shelby!

2. “Like” Shelby’s page (the actual pug this game is modeled after!)

3. Share the contest post with family and friends to be eligible to win!

And that’s it! Shelby’s Snack Shack™ isn’t available to the public until January 2013, so hurry on and enter to claim this very special prize! Contest ends Friday, December 7th, 2012 at MIDNIGHT PST! Good Luck!

From Inspiration to Conception: Puppet-on-a-Stick

EI toys and games manager Brent Geppert has something up his sleeve — a puppet! Raised on The Muppet Show®, this former college radio DJ and longtime puppet lover puts on nightly puppet shows for his two sons, complete with voices and sound effects.  Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at his award-winning invention: Puppet-on-a-stick!

All kids love puppets, yet most puppets are difficult for kids to operate. I set out to make a puppet that was suitable for little hands: a puppet that would inspire instantaneous puppet show fun.

 

I experimented with various form factors like dry erase, Mr. Potato style pieces, removable hair, fixed hair, bendy arms, no arms, etc. But, after I presented my idea to the team, we all felt that a standalone puppet with no removable parts would be best.

This is the original idea I presented to the team in December 2010.

[First working prototype, January 2011]

I eventually made a second working puppet out of a solid wood ball I purchased at a furniture parts store. After that, I applied a clay skin, added googly eyes, then “bada-boom-bada-bing”: Puppet-on-a-Stick was born!

[2nd prototype, February 2011]

The new prototype was an instant hit with the team.  My manager said, “Make two more faces—and we’ll have a set of three.” So, after some internal “clay-storming,” I came up with two more faces.

These are the final clay and wood prototypes that I sent to our factory for production.

Here are the internal mechanics that we have under “patent pending” status.

[“gray hand samples” from the factory]

These are the puppets that the metal injection molds would be made from.

[Final production images]

Psst! These puppets make great stocking stuffers!

 

BREAKING NEWS from Acorn Land!

The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game was nominated for Game of the Year by the Toy Industry Association this morning in Manhattan. Help us out by casting your vote for our little squirrel!

 Vote here:  Team Sneaky!

All Dressed Up!

Here are all the pictures from yesterday’s Halloween shenanigans yesterday in the office. We’ve got some truly creative people here at Educational Insights!

Here’s Brent, one of our product managers, as Felix the Cat!

Our graphic designer, Ernesto, as the Dark Knight.

Riley, our Creative Director, as the tortured artist that he is!

Jess as the Wendy’s cold drinks training video star. Her inspiration source comes from this gem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJ-JBFXh2IU

Sonia, our senior production artist, as the Green Hornet.

James Tu, another one of our product managers, as the ever popular Psy doing the Gangnam style!

Our marketing assistant, Caitlin, as a California cool surfer chick.

And last but not least, our office pooch Shelby as the Wonder Pug!

Here’s Lisa, our manager, and Shelby.

Happy Halloween!

To commemorate this holiday, here’s a look past at Halloweens past here at the Educational Insights office.

Marcia Gresko, our Sr. Product Manager, makes a dazzling Undead Spider Bride.

Amy Opheim, our Marketing Director, bats her wings.

Shelby the lioness. “I am Pug, hear me ROAR.”

Our Creative Director, Riley Wilkinson, as an Olympic champion.

Our Creative Department as themselves.

Silent-but-deadly Jessie Cho– our Design Manager.

Sonia Hernandez’s real side. She’s our Sr. Production Artist!

Ernesto (our Graphic Designer) is on fire!

Have a SAFE and Happy Halloween tonight!