Kids say the darndest things, probably because their imaginations are running wild during this delicate age. Now your Sim children can exercise their creativity the way real children do. Enter the original childhood activity of make believe, complete with imaginary friends. Kids can pretend to be a princess or even an astronaut, and luckily for them, the castle or spaceship has evolved, too. Sim kids can be seen playing their games in the brand new tree house or the bunk beds they share with their siblings. If that is not enough, the kids also enjoy time spent at the playground, which boasts new equipment, such as a see-saw and sandbox. When the weather is beautiful, as it always is in the Simverse, kids can play on a waterslide in their backyard. Talk about an upgrade, kids lives are fuller than ever with all the places they can play in this expansion. The new features in childhood are fun and fairly harmless, though the same cannot be said for the new lives of teenagers, thanks to the expansion.

Since when have any teens you know monotonously, yet happily, gone on their merry way to school each morning, plopped down to start their homework in the afternoon, and gone to bed without a fight? Well, never, unless the only teenagers you know live in the Simverse. If the teens had really wanted to shake it up, they might have gotten a part-time job, which of course, they would excel at, given that their angelic lack of autonomy never let them skip a shift or steal from the cash register. Sim parents are in for a real treat with this new expansion pack. Pranks and holding house parties while their parents are away are key features during this age group. Look out if your teen inherits the new rebellious trait. You will be subject to pranks such as adding hair dye to the shampoo bottle and doorbell ditching. Though, it is not all bad. The creators of The Sims 3: Generations were aiming to really fill out the life experience, so they created fun, non-rebellious activities as well. Teens can ask their peers to the prom, attend school dances and after quick four years of hard work, bask in the glory of their high school graduation. Sim parents also have the pleasure of teaching their growing children how to drive, which is sure to be a good time.

Adults also get to enjoy some new features in this game, other than watching over their suddenly naughty children. Adulthood focuses on relationships with others and family. Dating is back and adults have the opportunity to nervously ask out their neighborhood crush. If they decide to tie the knot, no longer are they forced to walk down the aisle without a final bang. Bachelor and bachelorette parties are options for the spouses-to-be, complete with an entertainer to keep the good times rolling.  Speaking of good times, adults have new places to get their woohoo on, such as the tree house and the shower. No word yet on the entrance of a therapist, should the children be in the mood for a game of pretend in the tree house, when Mom and Dad are in the mood for something else.

Elders now do more than hang out at home post-retirement. In this latest installment, they reminisce about the golden days and watch as their children become parents. Elders particularly enjoy watching their grandchildren grow up, and if they are asked, they will be happy to share a bedtime story. That old stoop in their back is still there, but now elders can employ the use of a cane to alleviate their slow steps.

Each expansion pack manages to make the Sim’s life all the more realistic, but The Sims 3: Generations really packs a new game. Sims have the opportunity to live lives that are growing frighteningly similar to our own. Prom dates, daycare centers and bedtime stories give the game a brand new, yet familiar feeling. Look for The Sims 3: Generations, in stores, June 3, 2011.

More information or to buy: The Sims 3: Generations

The Nintendo 3DS boasts 3D graphics (optional) without the need for special glasses, and it’s quite stunning. It’s backwards compatible, which we love, and virtual items bought on your DSi can be imported into the 3DS. There’s a new joystick-like feature which is great, but the D-Pad is placed slightly awkwardly in order to accommodate it.

The 3DS sports much better graphics than the DS. Potential buyers of the Nintendo 3DS should keep in mind that this is NOT just another DS model (as was the DSi and DS Lite). Rather, it’s a next generation DS. Essentially, it’s a DSi with considerably better graphics.

Nintendo is promising an exciting game line-up, although there is not too much to choose from at the time of this writing.

The 3DS comes with cute AR Cards for silly pictures, and more. Kids can take digital photos and then insert Miis and characters into them with truly cute results. Like the DS, there are two cameras and they’re low quality.

The 3DS is compatible with Miis from your Wii system.

There is a 3D slider that adjusts the intensity of the 3D factor, and can be turned off fully if desired. When 3D is active, it takes the eyes some adjusting to really “see” it. It’s a tad grainy and washed out, but overall quite stunning. It’s recommended that kids 7 and younger NOT use the 3D, as their eyesight is still developing, and that’s one of the reasons it’s essential to have the option to turn 3D off. But some users, regardless of age, may find the 3D distracting and disorienting.

The stylus is in a slightly awkward location, and must be extended to full length in order to use it, which makes it less accessible than it is in previous DS models. However, this is something that users simply need to get used to.

Perhaps the most frustrating element of the design of 3DS for Nintendo DS users is the location of the Power button. It’s in the same place as the Start/Select buttons were on the DS and DS Lite. Long-time users tend to press it instinctively and can end up closing the unit, losing their most recent progress! This is another thing to get used to.  As well, the new Start/Select/Home buttons are in a less than intuitive location and require more force to use.

Keep in mind that battery life is shorter.

To buy: Nintendo 3DS – Cosmo Black

Space available.
If you are a person who hoards music, and has tens of folders worth on your computer, then you are not going to be happy to have only a few megabytes worth of space, and perhaps should aim higher, into the twenty, thirty, or even sixty gigabyte range. There is a trade off for this extra space though, price goes up and so does weight, which is no good if you want to take your player out jogging, or to an environment where you may easily lose it. Then again, if you only want an audio player that you only want to put, say, motivational songs on, and you are happy about losing it, then about a gigabyte should be fine.

Ruggedness.
How much wear do you think you’re going to put your player through? If you only use it occasionally, again, cheaper is better, but if you want one that will stand the test of time, you may want to invest in some of the pricier options available, as these are far more likely to be able to stand up to constant use without breaking down. Remember, a rugged player can be good for places such as the gym and the workplace, where you are more likely to drop it while moving about, it’s just wasted money if all you are going to be doing is relaxing at home.

Price.
Price is a big factor in deciding what audio player you finally buy, and with some available from less than $15, you really have to take the above factors into consideration before buying. Remember, the more features you choose, the more you will have to pay. Consider this: You buy a new, top of the range, $250 mp3 player. You don’t use any of the features, but you figure that you may need them eventually. The very next morning, you set out for quick jog in the park, only to lose it among the bushes. You overcompensated. Have a good idea of the features you need, and are likely to use constantly before buying. This way, you can have an expensive one you use for the home, and a cheap, small one that you can afford to lose for activities such as exercise.

Look.
This is only going to be a small paragraph, and one that should definitely only be considered once the points above are out of the way. If you are a flashy sort of person, who enjoys showing off, a shinier and overall better looking portable audio player may be more along your street. But if you just plan to sit at home, or keep it in your pocket, there is virtually no reason to get a weaker, heavier but better looking one over a smaller, lighter but slightly blocky one.

Choose wisely, and good luck!

The Nintendo Wii game system has exploded in popularity since its introduction. The novel idea of moving your whole body to play instead of just your hands on a controller fired people’s imagination. The Wii Fit Plus game has only increased that popularity, attracting a wide audience from all ages. The game has something for everyone, increasing fitness through soothing yoga poses, body strengthening positions, fun aerobic activities, and balance games.

The basic concept of the game is to increase fitness through better balance and toning. The great thing about this game is that it doesn’t emphasize physical beauty as a goal, but rather health and strength of body. The game allows a person to choose their own fitness goals and length of time to reach those goals, guiding and encouraging the player on the best path to a healthy body. The Wii system allows the player to create their own Wii person or Wii Mii, recording their progress in each game. Wii Fit offers a body test each day which includes weight, BMI, balance tests, and Fitness Age (calculated from your real age and results of your tests), plus a calendar and graph to record your own Wii Mii’s progress.

The game is played by standing on a pressure sensitive board, which responds to movements according to each person’s specific weight. The only activities that do not use the board are the running activities under the aerobic section. For these, the system records the up and down movements of the Wii hand controller, which the runner either carries or secures in/on clothes. In the yoga and strength training sections, there are fifteen poses each and in the aerobic and balance game sections, there are nine activities each. The game starts the player off easy with beginner levels and only a few poses and activities available. As the player progresses and improves, the game rewards the gamer by unlocking new poses or activities, and increasing the difficulty.

Although this game has a nice variety and range of activities, it’s not for people who are deeply into exercise, like fitness buffs, athletes, or body builders. This game is for people who need more exercise in their lives and thrive on structure and encouragement in their fitness regime. But the range of activities ensures that players of all ages will find this game engaging. From centering with yoga to fun with balance games, Wii Fit Plus is a great game that everyone will find entertaining.

However, even the most innocent keyword search can return unexpected results making it imperative that children are supervised in some way when using the internet. This may seem a difficult thing to do in this day and age but there are a few simple steps you can take as a parent to make sure your children are safer than they would be if you allowed them to surf without restrictions.

Don’t leave the computer in their bedroom.
There is an ever-increasing trend for allowing kids to have computers in their own bedrooms or playrooms. Given that on the net, despite every child’s best intentions, they may only ever be one inquisitive click away from unregulated obscenity, it’s unwise to allow children to be alone in their room with the PC. If your child is surfing the internet from the privacy of their own bedroom, how can you be sure that the sites they visit and the people they communicate with are appropriate for them?

Children are naturally inquisitive and even rebellious. They’ll go wherever they can on the internet, not just the places their parents think they should. The only way to be confident that you’re keeping them safe online is to control the environment within which they use the internet. Move the computer to a communal space like the living room, family room, or even the dining room if you have the space. You need to ensure that it’s a room used all the time and that it’s a place you, as the responsible adult, will be in regularly when the kids are using the computer. Using the PC where anyone can see the screen becomes a form of self regulation, even if you’re not looking at the screen every time you pass by. It also allows you to quickly intervene if necessary.

Make sure you understand just as much about the web and the technology as they do.
Much of the stress that parents feel regarding their children’s use of the internet stems from a lack of knowledge of the web and technology in general. If you have a PC at home, use it more often yourself. Start using the internet and get some practical experience with the computer, what you can do with it, and how the internet works. There are many sites online that will help explain the technology to you in simple terms if that’s what is needed.

Knowing how the computer and the internet works will get you onto the same, if not a higher, level of understanding as your kids. This is important for checking that they understand what they are doing and what potential dangers they may encounter on the web as a result. Start in the search engines and look for basic information using phrases like “how the internet works” and improve your knowledge before looking for advice on setting parental controls for your computer.

Share intelligence and experience with other parents.
Team up with other parents to gain intelligence. Do you talk to your children’s friends’ parents? If not, maybe you should. Bear in mind that most parents these days are encountering the same issues and some will welcome the opportunity to discuss it with you and bounce ideas around to make sure they understand what their children are up to. Sign up for some online parenting discussion forums and do what the kids are doing: chat with like-minded people trying to find ways to keep their kids safe.

In general terms, children are very technologically aware and capable these days. Parents need to support one another wherever possible just to keep up with the pace of development on the internet, what’s popular with children, and what sites they are likely to be visiting.

Know where your kids go online and make sure you can go there too.
Try taking an active interest in what they do online. If you can, find something to do online together. This will ensure you know what site your child is on for at least part of their surfing time and it will help you develop your skills and knowledge at the same time. Even if you’re not doing something together, make sure you know what sites your child visits and make sure they give you a note of any usernames and passwords they create. Whether you use them occasionally to see what’s going on is up to you, but the child has to know that this is a very real possibility.

Spend more time offline.
The best and simplest way to keep kids safe from the web is to reduce the amount of time they spend on the computer. Spending long periods in chat rooms, forums, or instant messaging can be as destructive for a child’s social skills as endlessly playing video games can be. Find something else for them to do, preferably offline. There is a wonderful world out there and the less time children spend on the internet, the less chance there is that that they could become exposed to any element of its darker side. It’s all too easy for parents to see the computer as a cyber baby-sitter that gives them a chance to get on with the things you need to do, but the benefit is outweighed by the risk of not knowing what the kids could be doing online, what they might be looking at, or who they may be speaking to.

Save money on video game consoles.

Whether you are looking for a handheld video game system such as the PSP or Nintendo DS or a full console such as the Wii or Playstation 3, these tips will help you get the video game console of your dreams for less money.

Buy online.

You can often get great deals on video game consoles by shopping online for them. If you are looking for a used or older video game system, check out sites such as Craigslist and E-bay.

Many people selling old systems will include everything they have for that system including controllers, memory cards, add-ons, and even any games they might have.

Don’t buy old systems such as Sega Genesis in stores as you’ll pay more for less. Instead look for private sellers looking to get rid of their entire system and all the games and accessories they have for it.

As for newer consoles, look for sales at retail store sites or online only prices that may be cheaper than in store prices.

Get bundled package deals.

Just like many private sellers will sell old systems with everything included, many stores will sell new systems with added bonuses. You can save money by buying bundled packages which may include controllers, a new release game, or a memory card. Sometimes they may also include discounts with the purchase for your next video game purchase.

Trade-in older systems.

Look online to see what the going rate is for the system you want to sell. If it is better than trade-in value, sell online for a good price. Otherwise take your old system and everything that works with it to your local video game store.

Most stores will give you a store credit or even cash for your old games and systems. If you are bringing in the last generation of a system (such as Playstation 2) you may be able to apply that trade-in to a discounted purchased of the latest generation system (such as Playstation 3).

Go to yard and garage sales.

If you are looking for a classic console or older generation console you’ll want to check out local yard sales, flea markets, and garage sales. Also don’t forget about pawn shops as they can sometimes have new systems for a great deal.

Consider these tips and ideas when shopping around for a new or used video game console system. You’ll often end up with a great deal on the system you want. You’ll even discover bundled package deals that give you extra controllers, games, and other accessories with your console purchase.

by: Maxwell Payne

> A Nintendo DSi
> A Wireless router
> An Internet connection (Broadband is recommended, but a Dial-up connection will also work)

By connecting your game system to the Internet, you’ll open up a whole new world for yourself. You’ll be able to play Wi-Fi enabled games against other players around the world, search the web, perform system updates, and much more.

Setting up the system is actually quite easy, and only requires a few technical steps. This tutorial will be broken up into two sections, which covers setting up your DSi using the main menu or by using a Wi-Fi enabled game. Which ever method you choose will produce the same end result.

Note: A lot of restaurants, hotels, and stores are now providing free Wi-Fi access, so if you are any of these places and can find a connection, go for it!

Connecting your DSi (Regular method)

1. Power on your Nintendo DSi.
2. After the Health and Safety screen, you’ll be greeted by the DSi menu.
3. Find and select the “System Setings” icon. If you haven’t adjusted the order, it should be at the extreme left.
4. From here, press the over arrow 3 times (or tap the “3″) to navigate to the 3rd menu. Click on the “Internet” option.
5. Now, simply choose “Connection Settings”.
6. Select any connection that you would like to use (1-3). If it says “None”, then you can set up a new connection by tapping that option.
7. Select “Search for an Access Point”.
8. If there are any Wi-Fi connections within range, it will find the connection. Select the appropriate connection (most likely your router’s name) to connect. If your router uses a WEP key, then the DSi will prompt you to enter it.
9. It will then test the connection, checking for internet availability.
10. If everything goes right, then your connection will be confirmed and then you’ll be able to connect to the Internet from your DSi. Congratulations!

Connecting your DSi (Wi-Fi game method)
1. Power on your Nintendo DSi.
2. After the Health and Safety screen, you’ll be greeted by the DSi menu.
3. Insert a Wi-Fi enabled game. Examples include Mario Kart DS, Animal Crossing: Wild World, Tetris DS, …
4. Within the games main menu, go into the game settings and then select “Nintendo WFC Setup”
5. This menu will allow you to set up your Wifi settings similar to the regular method.
6. Follow steps 6-10 from the Regular method listed above in order to connect your DSi.

In these commercial times, it can be easy to lose sight of the true spirit and meaning of Christmas. An easy way to bring the focus back, especially for your children, is to create handmade gifts to give away instead of simply buying off-the-shelf items from the shops. This involves the children in the gift giving and creates an activity that the whole family can partake in. What’s more, a handmade gift is a thoughtful and touching gesture, and will be treasured by its recipient for years to come.

Art works

It can be sculpture, painting or even music – bring out your child’s talents to create some personalized gifts for Christmas. Modeling clay can be formed into useful jars, mugs, vases, then baked hard in the oven and decorated with ribbons or paint. If your child likes painting or drawing, encourage him or her to unleash some creativity on canvas or art block paper via crayon, paint or colored pencils. You can make some frames using black cardboard, or pop them into some ready made frames from your local art shop. Lastly if your child plays the piano, the violin or loves singing, create a mix tape by recording their performances on the computer or via a tape recorder and send out copies on CDs to family members as gifts.

Christmas snow globes

You will require some clean, empty glass jars with air tight lids, glitter or confetti, decorative figures, epoxy glue, water and a ribbon for the lid. Secure your figurine to the bottom of the jar. While it dries, encourage your child to decorate the lid of the jar using ribbons, paper or paint. Once the glue is dry, let your child fill the jar with water up to two thirds full, then sprinkle confetti or glitter into snow globe. Brush on some glue on the edge of the lid and screw it onto the jar tightly to prevent spillage. These are wonderful little presents and are bound to bring a smile to friends and family who receive them.

Felt bookmarks

For this present you will need to provide your child with felt material in different colors. Using a template cut out from stiff cardboard, draw Christmas trees, reindeer or gift boxes onto the felt. Cut these shapes out then decorate using marker pens or by gluing on beads, different colored felt or tying on ribbons. Punch a hole at the top of the shape and thread ribbons through. These bookmarks are fun, easy to make and are a practical gift for any book lover.

Edible treats

An easy gift to make and give is treats. Your child will need your help in the kitchen for this project. Bake batches of cookies in season flavors like ginger nut or perennial flavor favorites, chocolate chip. Ice these with Christmas designs then box and tie up with colorful ribbons. Christmas cupcakes are also lovely gifts and your children will enjoy icing these creations. Fruitcake is a traditional gift during the holiday seasons. These edible presents are easy to make and will be welcome by all.

Unfortunately, classic Nintendo and Super Nintendo games were cartridge-based and extremely sensitive to dust and corrosion, and when the delicate metal contacts on these cartridges were dirty, the games would often refuse to function at all. When buying a classic Nintendo game on the secondary market today, this problem is even more likely to occur as the vast majority of used cartridges that are available have been improperly stored for two decades or more. Thankfully, with just a few household items, it is possible to restore these games to their original operation while avoiding the inflated prices that are charged by game retailers for cartridge refurbishment.

Getting Started

Before you begin restoring your classic Nintendo games, you will need a fully-functioning and clean Nintendo console. Nintendo games are equally as susceptible to blinking and non-playability if the console is dirty as they are if the games themselves need to be cleaned, and it is far more difficult to clean the inside of a console, which was never meant to be opened by the end user. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you purchase a refurbished Nintendo console to enjoy your games with a minimum of hassle.

Alternatively, several clone consoles are currently available which emulate the original hardware to near perfection. The SNES/NES FC Twin Video Game System is a popular example of this; it is able to play both Nintendo and Super Nintendo games, and generally costs under $50.

Supplies Required

Before you begin cleaning your classic Nintendo games, ensure that all of your supplies are laid out in front of you in a manner that is accessible. You will need some isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, a large supply of cotton swabs, a small dish or cup, and a place to dispose of your dirty cotton swabs. Because alcohol is a highly flammable substance, do not smoke or leave an open flame in the area where you will be working.

Cleaning Your Games

Pour some of the alcohol into your dish. Alcohol evaporates quickly, so using a separate dish will allow you to close your bottle while you work. Wet a cotton swab with a generous amount of alcohol, and rub it across the contacts of your cartridge. Work in an up-down motion, rubbing with the direction of the cartridge’s contacts rather than against it.  This will prevent the fibers of the cotton swab from becoming lodged underneath the contacts. When you remove the cotton swab, you will find that it is dark with grime. Dip the other side of the cotton swab into the alcohol, and repeat. Do this only once for each side of the cotton swab; this will avoid recontamination of the alcohol and prevent dirt from being re-deposited onto the cartridge’s contacts. Once both sides of the cotton swab are dirty, discard it and begin cleaning with another one. Ensure that you are cleaning both sides of the cartridge’s contacts, and continue this process until your cotton swabs no longer pick up any dirt.

Once your Nintendo games are clean, leave them out and allow them to air dry for at least 3-4 hours. If you wish, you may use a fan to aid in the drying process, but do not blow into your cartridges. The saliva in your mouth could trigger corrosion, eventually rendering the game unplayable. After the cartridges are completely dry, you should be pleasantly surprised to find that they play exactly as they did when they were new.

NOTE: To extend the life of your classic Nintendo games, always remove them from the console when you are done playing with them, and place them into dust covers. Dust covers are available online and in retail game stores for pennies each, and can help to prevent grime from re-accumulating inside your cartridges and avoid more time-consuming cleaning projects.

Although the graphics and sound of modern console games greatly outclass the technical capabilities of the games that were made decades ago, restoring and playing classic Nintendo games proves that great gameplay is timeless.  The simple steps that have been outlined in this article will restore your cartridges to pristine working condition, enabling you to continue enjoying them for many years to come.

By Gabriel Morgan

You can see the top toys for Christmas (and other holidays of the winter season) here: Amazon’s Top Picks in Toys 2009.

Hyperdash has been selected in many toy lists each year, and it’s no wonder. We love the game that has kids thinking on their feet–literally. It’s an Edutaining Kids Top Pick as well, as it fits perfectly into our expectations for a quality “edutaining” toy. Hyper Dash puts a new spin on the term “active learning”–it promotes listening, memory, and math skills, as well as giving kids a little workout. Intense fun! For more information about this fun and educational toy, see Wild Planet Hyper Dash.

Zhu Zhu Pets are one of the most wanted toys this Christmas, but their scarcity has led to toy stores upping the prices. There are many other alternatives to be found, thankfully.

Some of the toys that appear on both Amazon’s list and our Edutaining Kids Holiday Gift Guides include Crayola Glow Dome which allow kids to draw on a dome and have their drawings projected onto the ceiling in full glow in the dark glory, LeapFrog My Pal Scout and LeapFrog My Pal Violet (cute little stuffies that actually say your child’s name after they’re programmed, LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table, and more.