Brainy KnickKnacks for 5-Year Old Kids

In a list of top 10 toys for 5 year old kids, my favorites were the ones that seemed to ooze intelligence, confidence, and creativity. I’ve always had a soft-spot for brainy knickknacks, as I was one of those kids that could spend hours playing with circuits or pulling together and alarm clock to discover how it would work. Therefore, I encourage children that are inventive and artistic; those that feel a yearning to learn everything about anything. And in that aforementioned list of top 10, I found 3 that were the perfect blend of creative, imaginative, and educational for children that love a good brain-bender.

________________________________

Perplexus Maze Game

This is something anyone would become fascinated with! In a transparent, plastic ball, there’s nestled a sphere containing challenging mazes of varying difficulties. There are barriers, ramps, and dozens of tracks to navigate with a small, metallic marble. The objective is to turn, flip, twist, flip, and shift until the small ball pings to the finish line’s hole. Easy right? Not quite! It’s a mind exercise that could last hours, but it’s all in fun, as children (and adults) can spend a tremendous amount of time in concentration and focus.

Recommended shopping:  @ Amazon Toys
________________________________

Snap Circuits SC-300

The larger of a series of Snap Circuits sets, this 60 snap-together collection allows inventive kids to create doorbells, alarms, sirens, talking machines, and an array of other cool devices. The pieces simply snap together to make electrical currents that flow in the direction of classic mechanisms. Color-coded and built for durability, this particular set offers 300 exciting projects, all varying in different, challenging degrees. Also featured is a clear, illustrated, colorful manual that details completely each step required to attain snapping accomplishments.

Recommended shopping:  @ Amazon Toys
________________________________

Snap Circuits Jr.

The smaller version of the aforementioned 300 piece set, this junior-size kit has 30 color-coded pieces that will snap together to build 100 projects. Because of the compact size, this toy would be the perfect go-to for on-the-go kids. There are a number of exciting, challenging creations to be structured, and each one is more amusing than the last. Kids will feel an instant sense of accomplishment and confidence over their building achievements! An illustrated manual features instructions on how to build fans, alarms, sirens, doorbells, and so much more in a step-by-step, easy-to-follow manner. Additionally, there aren’t any loose pieces, so there’s nothing to clean up!

Recommended shopping:  @ Amazon Toys
________________________________

Find more picks for 5 year olds...

Top 10 Toys for 5 Year Old Kids

Brainy Baubles For 10-Year Old Boys

Toys for boys ten years and pre-teen age, have changed drastically in the last decade. Instead of bicycles and Hot Wheels cars, there are LEGO sets, knickknacks revolving around scientific theories, and RC everything. It's because children have such a huge drive to be creative! They want to be inspired and amused, while learning without feeling like they're being ruthlessly educated in a classroom. Kids can learn at their own pace with these toys! And it's all the more exciting because they're playing, having fun, and using their ever-growing, powerful imaginations.

My favorite brainy baubles for boys are:

_________________________________

Syma S107/S107G RC Helicopter

Super-cool and remote-controlled, this Helicopter functions on dual frequencies with up to 3 full channels of movement. It's palm-size and suitable for indoor flight, while the transmitter is rechargeable and maintains a flight of 8-12 minutes on a single charge. Available in red or yellow, this chopper is a miniature that requires AA batteries and the urge to have fun!

Recommended shopping: @ Amazon Toys
_________________________________

LEGO Minecraft

Direct from the fastest growing online game in 2012, Minecraft is a fantasy fortress that can be built, torn down, and reconstructed. Players will form structures to escape villains, while attempting to create new, fantastic areas of their tower. The device is 3D with 480 pieces in varying colors for a vibrant step into an exciting, mythical realm. According to Amazon consumers, the build quality of this toy is solid, and the blocks are durable to withstand the usual snapping and repetitive construction of all bricks. The overall set is small but the box remains steady and intact for easy storage when the game is won or the day is done.

Recommended shopping: @ Amazon Toys
_________________________________

LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0

Revolutionary from one of the top toy manufacturers, these constructable robots can be built and then programmed from a home computer. A small microprocessor implanted in each creation allows for input to make these mechanisms see, speak, feel, and move. Talk about brainy! These robots can interact with their creators, following simple commands such as "Stop." or "Avoid obstacles." They can sense and measure distance, steer or crawl on their own, and complete basic tasks after only 30 minutes of programming from your little boy's PC or Mac. At night, the creation can sense evening approaching, switching on in a colorful array of lights to function as a lamp. It's above and beyond the typical LEGO building experience!

Recommended shopping: @ Target.com
_________________________________

Find other great picks for this year - toys for boys approximately ten years of age:

http://top-10-store.com/top-10-toys-for-10-year-old-boys/