When it comes to purchasing educational toys for your kids, I have a suggestion.  If your son or daughter is interested in realistic toys (like cookware or tools), I would suggest that you forget all the glitzy toy versions.  We’ve spent more money  on pint-sized kitchen items and tiny tools than I care to remember. In nearly every case, these little toys did not entertain for long, and in many cases, they just frustrated the kids. That child-sized “real” sewing machine was so annoying, it nearly insured my daughters would never sew again. The mini-bake oven was pitiful.  My sons’ little tools weren’t strong enough to build anything.  They just broke. Continue reading →