Non-slip Slipper Socks

Available at The Pointy Pencil and Planet Mind...

"Cozy Cuties" by Ganz

Available in baby and kids' sizes,
these slipper socks are the ultimate in
warmth (thick and fuzzy)
and durability (thick soles underneath).

They are available in red, green, or blue, and feature snowmen, penguins, and other winter figures. These are a must-have for the recent FREEEEEZING weather.

Stop in and feel how soft they are!

The Perfect Group Game!

At the Pointy Pencil, we carry many, MANY varieties of J-I-N-G-O (educational Bingo with a theme). Themes include: seasonal, math, science, religious, holiday, etc.

It is the perfect game for a large group (up to 30 people)..

a perfect combination of learning and fun.

Today, I was the mom in charge of games at my daughter's 5th grade class Christmas party. I brought in "Merry Christmas J-I-N-G-O".

We used red and green M&M's for our markers. It was SO fun! The kids really enjoyed reading the clues outloud to their classmates. Each child who got a J-I-N-G-O (5 in a row) received a pack of gum.

The clues were so interesting, they made the kids think.
For instance,
"The Christmas flower is... the Poinsettia,"
or
"Hans Brinker wore these... silver skates."

Stop in and pick up your Christmas J-I-N-G-O today...
a great game for those large family gatherings.
For ages 3 to 100!

You'll be smiling with children this holiday when you play this game!

More Stocking Stuffer Ideas!

If you really want to wow those children/grandchildren/students...
here are just a few of our unique, "smart", toys.

(Amazingly inexpensive!)

Fruity mechanical pencils...

Shark grippers...

Albert Einstein action figures...

Make-your-own slime...

You will be blown away by our selection!
Mention this blog entry at either of our locations
in the Kokomo mall
(Pointy Pencil or Planet Mind)
and receive a FREE stocking stuffer!

Magnetic, stre-e-e-e-tchy monkeys!

Barbara, one of our most faithful customers,
bought our stretchy, magnetic monkey for her refrigerator.
She uses it to proudly display her grandchildren's art.
Here is a picture that she posted on her blog.

Click here to read her entire blog entry.

These magnetic animals are selling like hotcakes at Planet Mind!

Stop in and get one today... the perfect stocking stuffer!

Marine Lamp/Nightlight

Inspire your child's imagination with these marine lamps...
just in at Planet Mind!

This lamp switches from swimming fish setting,
to nightlight setting with a simple flip of the switch.

Watch....

What a peaceful, scientific way to relax and fall asleep!

A Live Display!

Here's our boy...
singing and playing the piano like nobody's business...
right in the front window of "Planet Mind"
in the Kokomo mall.

It caused quite the commotion to passersby!

He adores this piano.
(Made by Melissa and Doug... it really works!
Children can "read" the music book that it
comes with... color-coded notes match the colors
above the piano keys.
Priced at $99.)

Stop in and let your little one give it a try!

What's In Ned's Head?

Okay... for all you refined and sophisticated types out there...

this game is NOT for you!

However........

"What's In Ned's Head?" is great for a family game night.
It is simple enough for a 4-year-old, and funny enough for an 11-year-old. Fun for girls, gross enough for boys! Each player has to use their sensory skills (no visual allowed!) to reach into Ned's Head and find the item that is on their card.

Whoever finds their item first, wins!

I'm positive you will have many game nights filled with laughter!
(Available now at Planet Mind,
located in the Kokomo Mall.)

Velocipede tricycles are here!!!

In New Castle, Delaware, there is a museum...
devoted entirely to the historic tricyle called the "Velocipede".
Click here for more museum info.

Now, at Planet Mind, your toddler can test-drive
his/her very own antique-style Velocipede...
sized perfectly for 1 to 3 year olds!

Watch Isaac ride his Velocipede.

Features:
-Beautiful hardwood seat and handles
-Heavy duty steel chassis
-Rubber pedals

*A perfect nostalgic Christmas present for your child or grandchild!

We Are Your Stocking Stuffer Headquarters!

Looking for that unusual addition to a child's stocking?

... or maybe a little extra something to excite,
even educate,
your student at Christmas-time?

We have what you're looking for...
even if you didn't yet know what it was you were looking for.

Here are a few examples of our HUGE selection of Stocking Stuffers
(available at The Pointy Pencil and/or Planet Mind).

We specialize in learning that's FUN!

Pizza Pencil Sharpeners...

Geodes...
(Break it open to search for crystals!)

A Sticky Brain...

Stop in at either of our locations at the Kokomo mall. You will be amazed at our interesting, unusual inventory. We stock what you won't find at most stores!

Pass the Pigs!

Here's a game you can find at Planet Mind..

nostalgic yet modern,
fun and educational,
simple or complex,
for young or old!!!

Recently, a customer came in and spotted this game on our shelf.
She was so excited to find that it was still around...
being one of her favorites from childhood.

It is described as being similar to Yahtzee. You toss the pigs and look for combinations of patterns. (Example: Throw the pigs and see how many are belly up, right-side up, or upside-down... earning points for certain combinations.)

Perfect for teachers teaching patterns, addition, subtraction, fractions, etc.

Great, also, for family game-night at home
(Yahtzee that EVERYONE can grasp!).

Excellent for after-school programs, daycare centers,
and office waiting rooms.

Come check it out at Planet Mind today!
(Located in the Kokomo Mall.)

Another use for novelty hats!

Available at The Pointy Pencil... novelty hats!

Look what help they were for Halloween costumes!

*We saw a teacher who fell in love with the birthday hat and is going to rush to our store to get one for herself!

*Note Rudolph's nose... it blinks!
Quite a sight when it starts to get dark.

*Amaze your friend with an old-fashioned football helmet... you might get called a "leather-head".

We had a lot of fun with these hats tonight! Come in and try on one today!

The GeoSafari Laptop

A friend of mine got this for her 11-year-old daughter
at The Pointy Pencil.

Her daughter said it was her favorite birthday present!

This is how the manufacturer describes it:

"Award Winner! GeoSafari Laptop is a fun interactive game of knowledge that incorporates award-winning GeoSafari lesson cards. Wild lights and sounds guide gameplay, track scores, and provide feedback. Adjustable time limits allow games to be customized, and three modes enable players to challenge themselves or a partner, or enjoy exciting head-to-head competition in pairs or teams. Compact, durable construction makes the GeoSafari Laptop perfect to take along on trips. One year warranty.

GeoSafari Laptop comes with 63 two-sided cards with over 2,000 question in 126 lessons designed for ages 8 and up. Includes 4 AA batteries.

10 Best Educational Products - Dr. Toy
Seal of Approval 2001 - The National Parenting Center
Best Classic Toys 2001 - Dr. Toy
Gold Seal Award - Oppenheim Toy Portfolio"

For classroom or family use...
perfect for learning AND having fun
(things we specialize in at The Pointy Pencil).

Note: For ages 8 and up.

Papo figures

At The Pointy Pencil, you will find an exciting display of Papo figures.

These aren't your ordinary characters...
they are representations of actual people who made history.

Time periods accurately represented by those
dressed in their proper historical attire.
History brought to life!


For instance, there is a Gladiator, ready for battle...
Queen Elizabeth...
Horses, made to fit a specific character, (Napoleon's horse)...
And of course, Napoleon himself...
The detail is intricate, every durable piece carefully painted.
Stop in and see the varied selection
(cowboys/girls,soldiers, Indians, settlers, etc.).
We have what you need for that next historical school project.

New Shipment of Melissa & Doug!

Stop in to The Pointy Pencil
and see all the latest in Melissa & Doug!

There's puzzles, crafts, games, toys, ...
all to help children learn through play.

Like, for instance, the puzzle (below) filled with latches.
Sure, it's fun, but did you know that you're 3-year-old(s)
will be learning their:
-shapes,
-numbers,
-animals,
-colors,
-AND developing their fine motor skills?

That's what The Pointy Pencil is all about.
Our specialty is making learning... and teaching... FUN!

Educational Action Figures

Aren't these wonderful?

Imagine the educated, imaginative play
that will accompany these figures.

At Planet Mind (a subsidiary of The Pointy Pencil)
you can find an assortment of figures...
perfect as a complement to your child's study
of real, historical men or women.

There's Leonardo da Vinci (Renaissance Man),
complete with easel and examples of his art.

Also... Albert Einstein, German-born physicist,
and winner of the Nobel Prize of Physics.

We have many more.
Come check out our selection and add it to your classroom...
or child's playroom...
any where kids are learning!

Planet Mind - Open for Business!

We have expanded!

The Pointy Pencil now has a sister store
(located 2 doors down from The Pointy Pencil)
called "Planet Mind".

Stop in and see all the latest toys and games
available in science and education.
We carry thunder-makers, life-sized stuffed creatures,
perfume-making kits, voice-sensitive lights, sparkle Floam,
and much, much more!
For your learning child... we have what you need!

Catch that fish!

For about a dollar at The Pointy Pencil...
look what you can find!

Watch what happens to the fish as this girl
dangles her "fishing pole" above its mouth.

What fun we had playing with this "popping fish"
over and over again!

"Moon In My Room"

Now, at The Pointy Pencil,
the ultimate gift for any child... the moon in their room!

Amazingly, by remote control, a child can control this very
realistic-looking moon in his/her own bedroom.

After checking the real moon outside, this moon can be
set to match the current phase of the moon!

Included is a CD audio tour for further explanation
of the moon's awesome cycles and phases...
a great tool for learning and fun!

Imagine the atmosphere this moon provides.
It could be that "inspiration piece" you've been searching for...
that "inspires" an entire space-themed room!

Perfect 2-Year Birthday Gift

We went to a birthday party on Sunday night
for our friends' two-year-old daughter.

At The Pointy Pencil, we carry this Melissa and Doug purse set...

Her mom told me she LOVES the set.
She puts all the things in...
then dumps them out,
over and over again.

Come in and get inspired for your next child's birthday.
We always have something a little out-of-the-ordinary...
something perfect!

Free Coffee for Teachers!!

Attention all teachers!


On Monday, September 29th,
you can go to Starbucks
and receive free coffee!

If you click here
you can get all the delicious details...
but you MUST be a teacher!

Enjoy!

On Saturday, September 27, 2008 (tomorrow)
we will have a booth at the Children's Carnival
in The Johanning Civic Center in Kokomo!


Please come and join us from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Our booth will display many of the games you read about
here on our blog.


Come give our plasma cars a test-drive
(we're already selling these for Christmas)!

At this event there will be plenty of activities for the kids...
door prizes, vendors, entertainment, games with prizes,
even multiple moonwalk slides to release some energy!

For more details about the Carnival, click here.

See you there!

Fabulous Fall!

At The Pointy Pencil, we have many Fall decorations...
a wide variety to meet your specific needs!

We have...

Colorful cut-outs (36 pcs.),
perfect for personalizing with students' names:

Colorful Cut-Outs in assorted designs (87 pcs.):

Mini Cut-Outs with a bonus design on the back for
patterns and sorting (36 pcs.):

Two-sided Decorations with drilled hole for easy hanging (15x15):

Come in and get inspired by all these fun designs!
We have all of the above and much more!

Rainbow scratch-off cards

Our store, The Pointy Pencil, not only accommodates those looking for high-quality, high-end products... it also accommodates those on a tight budget.

For instance, we just started carrying these rainbow scratch-off cards. Now some of you might be saying, "I've seen those before! That's nothing new!" But, have you seen them sold individually with shapes on them to color in?

For just 75 cents at The Pointy Pencil...
look what enjoyment you can provide a lucky student.

Okay, my daughter got carried away...
not only did she scratch off the puppy-dog,
she started writing words everywhere. :0)

I noticed also that these are the perfect size to use as a postcard. So, I'm going to have my daughter write a letter and send it off in the mail. What a special card for a grandma to receive!

Perfect also for a classroom treasure chest or motivational prize. Whenever you need something extra to add a little excitement to a child's day.

Rush Hour

Here's an educational game now available at The Pointy Pencil.

Rush Hour... putting little cars into a "traffic jam", and then getting your red car out!

This game was instantly a hit with my 10-yr-old. She got busy right away trying to free up traffic... continually trying more and more difficult patterns. Then I tried it and got hooked!!!

Below is an example...

(Notice the traffic is set up according to the card. Now, the object is to get the shiny red car out the exit on the right without lifting up any vehicles!)

According to the box, it is for ages 8+. But... if you have a determined little 6-yr-old at home (like I do) then this game is still appropriate. She can solve the beginner level cards all by herself.

Stop in to The Pointy Pencil and get this game for your classroom or home today. Rush Hour can be played alone... perfect for those in-between times when children need an activity that keeps them (and their minds) sharp!

Quiddler IS Fun!!

I know,I know... I already did a blog post about the game Quiddler.
(See Tues., Aug. 19, 2008 post.)

That was when we had never played it before.

I played it tonight with 2 of my girls (ages 6 and 8) and we loved it!!! They were having a great time getting letters and making words out of them.

This really IS a game for all ages... sometimes the smaller words actually earn you more points (there is a bonus for making the MOST words... no matter how small).

So... in the end, our scores were pretty close, but I did end up winning. In the score card below, "M" is for Mom. (Okay, I know I should've let one of them win, but I was having so much fun... I started getting competitive!!!)

Stop into The Pointy Pencil and get your game today. I KNOW you will love it. I'm even excited to try it out at our next extended family gathering. (We're always looking for games that the kids AND adults will enjoy.) I'll let you all know how it goes!

Learning Cubes

These are a great addition to any classroom where kids (ages 5+) are learning to read!

(An educational game from The Pointy Pencil
that allows children to learn while playing!)

Set comes with 2 durable 4" cubes with plastic sleeves
on each side to easily slide in the learning cards.

Works on the following subjects: picture-word matching,
alphabetical order
initial sounds, compound words, and long and short vowel sounds.

Also try our math cubes!

Both of these sets include a resource guide for instructions and game (play) ideas. I'm currently filling an order for these cubes online right now for a Spanish teacher in Indianapolis!

Check our website (link is in upper right-hand corner) and get your hands on a set today!

Let Freedom Ring!

We're back!

Our vacation to South Dakota (Mt. Rushmore area) is over, and we are sad to be back in the world of schedules and responsibilities!

Is anyone else excited about this election season? We have been glued to our TV screens for the last couple of weeks... even our kids are picking up on the excitement!

Here are some chartlets (17" x 22") available at The Pointy Pencil for only $2.49/each.

Let the children be a part of our election process!

Use the map for keeping track of your favorite candidates... where they're speaking... which states are red... or blue. Great for home, classroom, office, young adult classes at church.

Let's encourage everyone to vote!

Insects and Spiders

I used to think that insects and spiders were only for boys.

That was until my daughter reached the age of 5. She LOVES to go outside and catch some unsuspecting bug and bring it up to the house for all to see... never once worried about the "germs" she might be getting!

My 2-year-old son loves it when she catches these creatures. Today, she even caught a pretty butterfly.

Here's a scientific bulletin board set that she would love (available at The Pointy Pencil).


Includes: 13 insects (largest 15 1/2" x 6"), 4 spiders, 17 labels, and a resource guide.