T H I S H O L I DAY
Great holiday gifts to help kids learn
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ne of the best ways to motivate kids to learn is by making it fun, and the holiday season is the perfect opportunity to equip the kids in your life with gifts that are equal parts entertaining and educational. For some great gift ideas that turn what could be a chore into a good time, consider the following:
Watch it grow Whether you do-it-yourself or opt for a store-bought kit, a terrarium offers children a hands-on lesson in horticulture, biology, earth science and responsibility. Terrariums, which make great gifts, can be used to grow beautiful plants and flowers, or edible herbs for the kitchen. Pair this gift with books about nature and gardening and you may inspire a green thumb for life.
Smart gaming Kids will always want to play video games, so why not allow them to learn while playing? For example, VTech’s InnoTV, an educational TV-connected gaming system designed with preschoolers in mind, features a kid-friendly wireless controller and learning games for ages 3-8 that in-
troduce language arts, science, technology, engineering and math concepts — many aligned with Common Core standards.
Make music Many children wish to explore the world of music, but unfortunately, their schools may not offer the exact programs they are looking for. You can nurture musical talent and interest at holiday time, however. If your child is indecisive, consider a temporary rental of his or her instrument of choice and a starter pack of just a few lessons.
Kid-sized science Burgeoning scientists will love making their own observations and discoveries. Luckily, kids-size scientific apparatus are available for those just beginning to explore everything from cells of plants to the cosmos. Telescopes and microscopes designed with kids in mind can help young ones develop the skills needed to succeed in science. When making your gift list this season, don’t forget the notion that fun and learning are two peas in a pod. Q —StatePoint
Your holiday shopping guide 4 ways to cut through the clutter this holiday season
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t’s the most wonderful time of the year, but for you and your family, it’s also the busiest. The holidays bring trips to book, parties to plan, meals to cook, homes to clean and of course, work and school schedules to manage. On top of that, you have to tackle perhaps the most daunting task of all — the holiday shopping list. Can it be done? Of course it can. But you can make it a little easier with these four tips guaranteed to cut through the clutter and streamline holiday shopping.
Make your list and check it twice Along with making a holiday budget, create a detailed list of everyone you need to buy for. Include specific sizes and the dollar amount you plan to spend on each person to save you time when you hit the store. You can also save your list to your phone for easy access right at your fingertips.
Stock up and spread cheer this year Make sure to stock up on a few generic, gender-neutral gifts to have on hand during
the holidays should you receive an unexpected gift from your next-door neighbor or mailman. This way, you will be prepared to spread the joy of gifting no matter who shares it first.
Decide which deals belong on the naughty and nice list Use your smartphone or other mobile device to research a store’s holiday deals ahead of time.
Make sure the gifts under your tree are price-match guarantee Most stores offer price-match guarantees throughout the he year, but especially dur-ing the holiday season.. Hold on to your receiptss and keep an eye out for or new ads and saless as the holidayss get closer. Pricematching could be your ticket to further holiday savings. Q —Brandpoint Pleasanton Weekly • November 20, 2015 • Page 17