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While kids are clinging on to what’s left of their summer vacations, it’s time to start gearing them up for the school year ahead with all of the necessary supplies, plus some great products that will get those brains back in motion! On ABC World News Now, our Toy Insider Mom Laurie Schacht stopped by to show off the hottest supplies, toys, and games that are sure to ease kids’ back-to-school blues.

CrayolaGrow-WithMeEaselMy First Crayola Grow-With-Me Easel (Grow’n Up Ltd.)

  • The Grow-With-Me Easel is a two sided easel with a dry-erase board on one side and chalkboard on the other.
  • Easily transforms to tabletop and folds down for portability.
  • The multi-functional design allows kids to explore their imaginations and share the fun through social play.
  • Perfect for indoor play and easy to travel with.
  • Ages: 2+
  • MSRP: $24.99
  • Available at Toys “R” Us


CrayolaWashableColorMaxMarkersCrayola Ultra-Clean Washable Markers (Crayola)

  • Featuring all-new washability technology, these markers wash out of skin, clothing, and even painted walls.
  • The ink stays put and won’t smudge or soak through paper.
  • This pack of eight classic colors features ColorMax, the brightest and truest colors yet.
  • Crayola Classic Broad Line Washable Markers are all-purpose, washable markers with a traditional shape and broad tip for both thick and thin lines. The tips also allow for writing and drawing from any angle.
  • These markers are ideal for a range of uses like art projects, yard signs, list making, labeling clothing and other items, and more.
  • Ages:4+
  • MSRP: $4.99

CrayolaDryEraseCrayola Visi-Max Dry Erase Markers (Crayola)

  • Ideal for students and teachers, Crayola Visi-Max Dry-Erase Markers work on all standard whiteboard surfaces.
  • These durable broad-line markers feature chisel tips that create a larger average line width for better classroom visibility.
  • The low-odor markers erase easily and completely without staining or ghosting. This set of four markers includes vibrant red, green, blue, and black.
  • Ages: 4+
  • MSRP: $4.99

LeapBandLeapBand (LeapFrog)

  • LeapBand is the first fitness and activity tracker designed just for kids to get them up, active, and learning while having fun by training their very own virtual pet.
  • Include 50 different activities and challenges.
  • Tracks kids’ physical activity—the more he or she moves, the more points they earn, and are able to unlock additional games, challenges, levels of play, and virtual rewards.
  • Features a high-res color screen, a built-in accelerometer, rechargeable battery, and a water-resistant design.
  • Available in green, pink, and blue.
  • Ages: 3 to 9
  • MSRP: $39.99

VTech.LilSpellePhonicsStationLil’ Speller Phonics Station (VTech)

  • Kids can discover letter names and hear their sounds by plugging in letter blocks one at a time.
  • With the help of Spelling Bee, kids can learn to spell over 200 three-letter words.
  • The fun animations encourage interactive learning and reinforce words.
  •  Includes four interactive learning games
  • Teaches letters, letter order, rhyming, words, and phonics.
  • When playtime is over, store all of the 30 included letter blocks inside.
  • Ages: 3+
  • MSRP: $24.99

Hasbro.ElectronicScrabbleScrabble Electronic Scoring Game (Hasbro)

  • Keeping score is now easier than ever with this automatic, handheld electronic scoring unit.
  • Simply play a word on the board, dial-in the score, and hit enter. No pen, paper, or dedicated scorekeeper required!
  • The Scrabble electronic scoring unit also includes a timer option for faster gameplay.
  • Finally, players can raise the stakes with the highest word score feature which lets kids know when they’ve smashed the highest scoring word in their game.
  • Ages: 8+
  • MSRP: $19.99

505-layHearts of AttrAction (R&R Games)

  • This fun and flirty game calls for skills, strategy, and a little bit of luck to make a chain reaction of magnetic proportions.
  • Play with two to five players and see how many hearts you can attract after tossing your magnet across the table into the remaining hearts.
  • Includes 25 magnetic hearts and a velvet bag to store them in
  • Ages: 14+
  • MSRP: $19.95

KNex.InvestigatingWindWaterEnergyExploring Wind and Water Energy (K’NEX)

  • Kids can learn the importance of going green with this set that brings STEM concepts to life.
  • Addresses critical science, technology, and engineering concepts to further enhance kids’ learning in the classroom.
  • Kids will use hands-on exploration in conjunction with an engaging inquiry-based approach to learning.
  • Set includes 288 parts—enough to build six renewable energy models, two at a time.
  • Supports one to two students, grades 5 to 9.
  • Includes building instructions and a comprehensive teacher’s guide aligned to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Standards.
  • Packaged in a strong storage tub with a snap-on lid.
  • Ages: 9+
  • MSRP: $69.99

About the author

Deanna Atkins

Deanna Atkins

Deanna Atkins is the editorial assistant at Adventure Publishing Group. She helps the editorial team on leading trade magazines The Toy Book and The Licensing Book, and contributes online at toybook.com, licensingbook.com, and thebigtoybook.com. When she’s not trying to keep up with Toy Insider Mom Laurie Schacht, she can be found reviewing kids’ CDs, DVDs, and books while daydreaming about the upcoming How to Train Your Dragon sequel and reading the dictionary. Follow her on Twitter @Deeeannuh and keep up with her bi-weekly, sometimes funny commentaries on toybook.com.

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