Summer Slide is a phrase that describes the slide backwards that children make in reading and math skills over the summer.  Basically, it is the old adage, "use it or lose it!"
Statistics vary as to how much knowledge is lost over the summer, but there are many ways to support our kids in our daily lives!

Here is 5 things that I do with my kids over the summer:
1.  READ, and read so more!  Read out loud to them, have them read to you.  Kids emulate what they see, so let them see you reading.  Read signs at the store, on the road, wherever you go!  Make sure you stop by the store and pick up your free Gingy bookmark.

2. Play Games - so many games promote strategic thinking, math & reading skills and even social skills.  This summer, I am introducing Yahtzee and a travel game that we just got in store called Words.  Some other favourites are Bananagrams,  Mexican Train (Dominoes) and Scrabble!

3.  Explore outdoors!  Take a net to the lake, what creatures can you find?  Look up plants with an app or go geocaching (a family favourite of ours) - so much learning and relaxation occurs in our woods, plus the fresh air and exercise are an awesome bonus.

4. Bake or cook - What a great life skill to learn!  Reading, following directions, motor skills and math are just a few of the things that can be incorporated into an everyday need.  One thing that I do is take away a measuring cup, and ask my kids how we can measure out the ingredients with the measuring cups that are left (fractions!)  For example, if we need a cup of sugar, I'll take away that cup and have them figure out that they need 3 x 1/3 Cups or 2 x 1/2 Cups.

5.  Traditional workbooks, flash cards,  online programs and apps are another way to mix it up and keep it interesting!  My kids love the Hot Dots we have at the store (and we have lots of options coming soon!) - they are a neat alternative to the traditional flash card.

So many opportunities arise for added learning, we can help you find the games, tools, workbooks and story books to make this summer fun!  If you have a favourite way to add learning to your everyday, share with us in the comments :)

On our last road trip, my youngest uttered the words "Are we there yet?"  quite early into our journey.  In fact, we had barely left city limits, having just passed 15 Mile Road!  Oh Boy!

We also have lots of other smaller items to keep kids busy in the car - Magic pen books, a solitaire peg game, magnetic story boards,  fidget toys and much much more!
So come into the store, explore or ask us for suggestions! 

Rush Hour is an award winning solitaire game by ThinkFun - In Rush Hour, a sliding block logic game, you have to battle the gridlock as you slide the blocking vehicles out of the way for the red car to exit. With 40 challenges, ranging in difficulty, players can progress at their own speed. As one of the best logic games of all time, Rush Hour is a must for every household. (Description from the ThinkFun  website)

We have a demo available at the store for you to try before you buy!  Rush Hour is recommended for ages 8+.   My 10 year old took our demo for a spin, and enjoyed having to think to figure out the puzzles.  My almost 7 year old enjoyed the easier puzzles, but was frustrated as the difficulty increased.

Rush Hour isn't the only one player game we carry in store! 
Some are more suited for travel than others, but they all invoke fun and learning
​- just ask us for assistance :)

Yay for nice weather finally!  Clear roads, no snow.....means it is road trip time! 
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​I love going on road trips, but have learned that with kids it is a little more than hop in the car and go.  You've got to have snacks, prepare for any possibility and keep them entertained! 
We can't promise there won't be anyone saying  "Are we there yet?"
- but we have lots of fun and unplugged ways to keep your kids busy and having fun :)

On a recent trip that my family took this past spring break, we took along the Magnetic Super Mind. What a fantastic discovery for keeping busy and perfecting skills at the same time! 

Super Mind and Mighty Mind both come with plastic shaped tiles, and puzzle cards to build on, or just let their imagination fly and create their own shapes and mosaic masterpieces. Both versions help kids develop creativity and visual/spatial relationships.  You could also work on colours, shapes and counting with the tiles.  Extra puzzle cards are available as well.

Mom's Review:   Fantastic toy!  I love the sturdy metal case, and some of the puzzle cards even challenged my almost 10 year old.  A couple of hints - there is some assembly required as the magnets have to be put onto the tiles.  Super easy to do, but you might want to do before you leave!  As well, the kit does come with a drawstring bag to store the tiles in,  but I would suggest to replace it with a small zippered bag.  We had a tile dumping incident, while the Super Mind was being passed around the car - which resulted in a pit stop to find the tiles :P

My 6.5 year old, and almost 10 year old both loved the puzzles and were challenged by them.  We also had a pretty creative tree made, and some mosaic patterns.  As a bonus, once we reached our destination, my (in their 30's sisters) sat down and completed all 32 puzzles and were disappointed that I didn't have more cards!

Even at home, our Super Mind continues to be played with - that is a win for me!

that contains so many possibilities!  Keva Planks are hands down one of my favourite building toys - their simplicity sparks imagination and a challenge!

They are fun to play with AND teach our kids (and adults!) mathematics and science. They are also perfect for any age or ability level.  How tall can you build before your creation falls over?  What could you do better next time?  Could you build a _______?
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​The simple shape makes it easy for kids to unleash their imaginations,  but if you need a starting point each box comes with a guide full of ideas and challenges - plus check out the Keva Planks website, under the educators tab there is a wealth of information and projects including pictures for every age and ability!!

I really like the Brain Builders sets (available in Junior and 3D Challenges) because they are PORTABLE!  Perfect for killing time at a restaurant, doctor's office and small enough to fit in your purse or diaper bag.  Each set comes with 20 planks, cards with various challenges, & a little bag to store them in!                                      

What fun have you had with Keva Planks?  Share your pictures on our Facebook Page!

live the Shadowlings, mythical creatures who dwell in their hiding spaces and have never been seen in the light. The Seeker has heard the stories of these curious Shadowlings and has always wished to see one in person. Each night, the Seeker searches the forest with the Lantern trying to find all of them and prove the stories are true. Every night, the Shadowlings are too quick and avoid the light of the Lantern; will they be so lucky tonight?"  (Excerpt from the Instruction Manual of Shadows in the Forest by Thinkfun)

Are you intrigued?  Shadows in the Forest is a family game with 2 to 7 players!  As a family of five with a wide range in ages, it can be hard to find a game that we can all play and enjoy. This game hit all those points, and you can customize the difficulty of play.

Are you still working on your shopping list?  Not sure what to get the child or child at heart on your list? No worries!  We love to help you explore the store, and are certain to find the perfect something for you to give :) 

Here are a few of Nancy's favourite things to get you started!!

Winston Churchill once said "We make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give"
and what better time to give than the holiday season? 
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One of my favourite things about working at Gingerbread Toys is the kind, caring and thoughtful community that is the staff and Nancy.  We support a number of community resources  - UHNBC Paediatric Ward, Exploration Place, South Fort George Resource Centre and many local fundraisers just to name a few.   This holiday season we have three fantastic opportunities for you to help put a smile on someone's face :)

The second opportunity is tomorrow, December 5 and Thursday, December 6 - Country 97FM is hosting the 8th Annual Community Christmas in support of the St. Vincent De Paul Society.  More information can be found on their Facebook event here ​https://www.facebook.com/events/710778292636775/   - Make sure you are listening on Thursday at 2 pm ;)

  Christmas Socks are a HUGE tradition in my family, in fact as you got older it became less about what was under the tree and more of what was in the sock!  Christmas socks were also allowed to be opened while coffee was brewing before getting mom and dad out of bed :)
I love the hunt of finding the perfect stuffer for someone!  Here are five of my favourites this year.....  ~Tracie

Mom's Review:  This is a super easy project and one that could be shared as well.  My kids took turns painting and worked cooperatively (rare but it happens!) on deciding colours and patterns.   As far as the kit goes, I was pleased that everything needed was in the box.  There was also a lot of paint, and the paintbrush was of decent quality.  A word of warning,  the instructions say that the paint may stain clothing and in our experience it does, so break out the painting smocks or shirts and cover your surface well.  The baking process was simple, and I can't wait to put this in our garden next year!

Do you have a product that you've purchased from us that you would like to review? 
Please email gingerbreadtoys@hotmail.com with Attention: Tracie - Product Review in the subject line and you may be featured in an upcoming blog!  Don't forget to include your pictures :)