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Preschool Science Toys: 6 Remarkable Learning Toys for Little Ones

Preschool Science Toys: 6 Remarkable Learning Toys for Little Ones

by | Oct 21, 2022

Preschool Science Toys: 6 Remarkable Learning Toys for Little Ones

This post contains affiliate links. Read our affiliate disclosure here.

Preschool science toys are some of the most beneficial items to keep in your child’s toy chest. Not only do educational toys keep your child entertained, they open their minds to a world of knowledge and exploration.  

Benefits of Preschool Science Toys

Preschool is a fun year. Children are growing more independent and taking on more responsibilities. Plus, they’re able to understand more which makes this a great time to introduce them science.

Physical Benefits of Science Toys

  • Hands-on learning
  • Motor skill development
  • Hand-eye coordination

Cognitive Benefits of Science Toys

  • Logical thinking
  • Critical thinking
  • Exploratory play

The Best Science Toys for Preschoolers

Preschool science toys can range from outdoor to indoor, and active to sedentary. Below are our top choices, in no particular order.

1. Explorer Series Microscope

National Geographic Kids Microscope Kit
4.75 Star Rating

Your preschooler will love this fascinating microscope. They can insert everyday items into the slides and see their world close-up for the first time. Not only is this a microscope, this toy is a complete science kit. It includes intriguing objects such as real rocks and minerals. Plus, it includes a lab guide containin viewing activities, a super scientist game, and merit badge stickers. 

Top Features:

  • Up to 400x zoom
  • Blank and prepared slides
  • Included rock and mineral supplements
See on Amazon

2. Explorers Bug Jar

Bug Catching Container with Magnifying Lid
Very Good 4.5 Star Rating

If you think a live bug will fit into your microscope slide, you are sadly mistaken. However, it will fit great in the Hape Explorers Bug Jar. This durable bug jar will encourage your preschooler to get outside and be active. This easy-to-use toy is great for catching bugs, leaves, flowers, and more. Plus, it gives your child a close up view of their treasure with its magnified viewing lid and clear sides.  

Top Features:

  • 4x magnifying lid
  • Measuring grid
  • Handy carrying strap
  • Made with sustainable plant-based plastic
See on Amazon

3. Wooden Human Anatomy Puzzle

Wooden Human Anatomy Puzzle for Preschool Boy
Excellent 5 Star Rating

Puzzles are a fantastic way to get your kids excited about learning. This five-layer wooden anatomy puzzle explorers the skeletal, muscular, respiratory, and digestive systems. Plus, it’s built with high quality wood that’s BPA-free, lead-free, and phthalate-free. In addition, its smooth and rounded edges offer additional safety and peace of mind. 

Top Features:

  • Sturdy pieces with rounded edges
  • Promotes body-positivity and confidence
  • Available as boy or girl puzzle
See on Amazon

4. Primary Science Lab Set

Learning Resources Primary Science Lab Set
4.75 Star Rating

This fascinating science experiment kit will bring lots of excitement to your preschooler’s play time. Also available as a 45-piece kit, this STEM set contains test tubes, an eye-dropper, a magnifying glass, safety goggles, and more. Most importantly, it comes with several easy-to-understand activity cards with instructions for fun hands-on experiments. On a side note, all of the experiment ingredients including baking soda and food coloring, are not included. 

Top Features:

  • Sized for little hands
  • Contains supplies made from durable plastic and experiment activity cards
  • Makes a fantastic gift for Christmas or birthdays
See on Amazon

5. Bubble Science Kit

Bubble Science Kit for Preschoolers by KidzLabs
Very Good 4.5 Star Rating

What preschooler doesn’t love blowing bubbles? This fun kit provides your child with a unique and exciting bubble making experience. Specifically, it allows them to make big bubbles, small bubbles, unbreakable bubbles, and more. It even comes with a recipe on how to make your own bubble soap! 

Top Features:

  • Contains a variety of bubble making tools
  • Teaches you how to make your own bubble soap
  • Provides active outdoor fun
See on Amazon

6. See-Through Compost Container

Educational Insights See-Through Compost Container
4.75 Star Rating

This exciting science toy allows your preschooler to view the entire decomposition process through three aerated compartments. A great lesson can be learned early in life by viewing the environmental impact that your everyday items have on the planet. For example, your child can see how food waste and compostable products will decompose much faster than clothing or plastic.

Top Features:

  • See-through compartments with thermometers
  • Composts many different food products and household items
  • Educates children on the importance of composting and buying sustainable products
See on Amazon

Final Thoughts

Introducing science toys are one of the best ways to keep your preschooler busy and educated. Replacing bland and mindless toys with educational options will help your child happy and thriving. Plus, they have the ability to increase your child’s intellectually from childhood into adulthood.

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Free Kids Water Bottle Contest: The Smartest Sprout

Free Kids Water Bottle Contest: The Smartest Sprout

by | Mar 26, 2022

Free Kids Water Bottle Contest: The Smartest Sprout

This post contains affiliate links. Read our affiliate disclosure here.

To celebrate our expansion into YouTube, we’re giving away a free Klean Kanteen Kid Classic Sippy to one of our followers! Plus, we’ll throw in a free sports cap just for fun! We chose the Kid Classic Sippy after we tested 15 popular kids water bottles to see which ones leaked, and this sippy cap preformed perfectly!

How to Enter

To enter, follow The Smartest Sprout on Facebook and tell us the name of a friend who would love this water bottle in the contest post comments. We’ll draw one winner at random on Sunday, April 3, 2022 to win! 

After you enter, make sure to check out our latest article with the results of our water bottle leak test and watch our first YouTube video executing the experiment!

Contest Rules

  • Entrants must be 18 years of age on or before April 3, 2022 in order to participate.
  • Entrants must have a valid Facebook account, like or follow The Smartest Sprout’s Facebook page, and comment on the contest post prior to the drawing on April 3, 2022 to receive one free entry. Entrants do not need to tag a friend in order to be eligible.
  • Entrants must live in the continental United States to be eligible to win a prize. If a winner is drawn who resides outside of the continental United States, they will forfeit their prize.
  • Winners will be chosen at random out of all eligible entrants via a drawing conducted by a Smartest Sprout team member.
  • The full name listed on each winner’s Facebook account will be posted and tagged on The Smartest Sprout’s Facebook page by 11:59 p.m. on April 3, 2022. The winner will also be notified via Facebook Messenger with specific details on how to receive their prize. In the event that more than one entrant have the same name, only the winning entrant will be tagged and notified via Facebook Messenger. 
  • Winners are required to have a valid shipping address within the continental United States. PO Boxes are not eligible.
  • Winners have one week to redeem their prize via the instructions provided through Facebook Messenger. If a winner does not redeem their prize by April 10, 2022 they automatically forfeit their prize.
  • Prizes are not transferable and may not be exchanged for cash or credit.
  • The Smartest Sprout is not responsible for lost, stolen, damaged, undeliverable, or misplaced prizes or packages.
  • Participation in this promotion indicates acceptance to permit the use of name and/or likeness in advertising and promotional materials. Failure to agree will result in a forfeit of prizes won.
  • Immediate family members and those living in the same household as any Smartest Sprout team member are ineligible to win a prize.
  • Any dispute or situation not covered by the above rules will be resolved by The Smartest Sprout management in a manner deemed by them to be the fairest to all concerned, and that decision shall be final and/or binding on all contestants.
  • The Smartest Sprout management reserves the right to alter, amend or terminate this promotion at any time without prior notice. All decisions made by The Smartest Sprout management are final.
  • This contest is not sponsored or endorsed by Facebook, Meta, or Klean Kanteen. 

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12 Nugget Couch Fort Ideas: Interesting & Adventurous Configurations

12 Nugget Couch Fort Ideas: Interesting & Adventurous Configurations

by | Mar 20, 2022

12 Nugget Couch Fort Ideas: Interesting & Adventurous Configurations

This post contains affiliate links. Read our affiliate disclosure here.

The Nugget play couch is one of the most creative toys on the planet. Its soft and open-ended builds are fun, adventurous, and a relatively safe way for kids to play! Level-up your current configurations with one of these new nugget couch fort ideas!

What is a Nugget Couch?

A Nugget play couch is an infinitely configurable toy couch. It’s made up of 6 soft, foam pieces zipped inside of colorful microsuede covers. The Nugget is extremely popular but typically has a notoriously long waitlist for orders. This causes many families to either wait months for a Nugget or order a similar Nugget alternative.  

Educational Benefits of a Play Couch

A play couch can provide several educational benefits to babies, toddlers, and older kids. Because nugget fort builds can be infinitely adjusted, they can easily be tailored to best benefit each specific age range.  

Physical Benefits

  • Gross motor skill development
  • Muscle growth
  • Coordination
  • Balance

Cognitive Benefits

  • Creativity
  • Logical thinking
  • Role play
  • Cooperation skills

Additional Ways to Use a Nugget Play Couch

The Nugget play couch is an infinitely configurable toy. There are so many different obstacle course builds, slide builds, and tower builds to explore. You can even purchase fun accessories to add more elements to your favorite configurations. Plus, they can even be hacked to improve your everyday activities! But today we’re focusing on our favorite Nugget couch fort ideas. Because who doesn’t love play forts – am I right?

12-best-nugget-couch-fort-ideas

The Best Nugget Couch Fort Ideas

1. Triplet Tower

nugget-couch-fort-ideas-triplet-tower
  • Two Nugget build
  • Best for kids 3+
  • This Nugget fort features three fun areas to hide. Two easy-to-crawl-into bunkers on the bottom and one up high if you’re feeling daring. 

2. Bandshell Burrow

nugget-couch-fort-ideas-bandshell-burrow
  • Two Nugget build
  • Best for adventurous babies and older
  • A simple bed sheet adds dimension to this build by draping it over the top. The low profile and wide base make this a perfect fort for babies to crawl into and gives older kids lots of space to play. 

3. Lazy Lair

nugget-couch-fort-ideas-lazy-lair
  • One Nugget build
  • Best for toddlers and preschoolers
  • This hideaway is simple and sleek. It gives children the perfect place to relax while protecting them from any pretend weather the indoors may bring.   

4. The Cave of Mystery

nugget-couch-fort-ideas-cave-of-mystery
  • One Nugget build
  • Best for toddlers and preschoolers
  • This cool cave gives kids a sense of adventure and encourages imaginative play. By using your couch as one wall of the cave, you can instantly increase the size of your fort. 
Link

5. The Enchanting Tunnel

nugget-couch-fort-ideas-the-enchanting-tunnel
  • Two Nugget build
  • Best for toddlers and older
  • When you add a bed sheet or a play silk to the cracks between your nugget, you’re able to make a curved tunnel while still keeping the path connected. Large play silks can also add a gorgeous wall of color to the inside of your tunnels, allowing for a more magical tunnel experience.

6. The Tree Fort

nugget-couch-fort-ideas-the-tree-fort
  • Two Nugget build
  • Best for kids 3 years and older
  • Sturdier than it looks, this nugget slide allows older kids to climb up the back, enjoy a semi-private fort on top, and then slide all the way down to a padded bottom. 

7. Birdhouse Bunker

nugget-couch-fort-ideas-the-birdhouse-bunker
  • Two Nugget build
  • Best for preschoolers and older
  • The Birdhouse Bunker is a fun fort to hide-out in and is ideal for one child. Keep in mind, this build is top heavy and can be easily knocked down if a child is too rambunctious while playing inside.

8. Mindfulness Mountain

nugget-couch-fort-ideas-mindfulness-mountain
  • One Nugget build
  • Best for toddlers and preschoolers
  • This is an incredibly simple build, but that doesn’t mean it lacks excitement. It still gives children the element of adventure by having to climb in order to reach their peaceful destination.

9. Twin Tents

nugget-couch-fort-ideas-twin-tents
  • Two Nugget build
  • Best for toddlers and older
  • This is a really fun build for two kids. Each child gets their own designated space, yet their spaces work together to create one giant fort. Plus, the structures can be moved to face each other rather than sitting side by side. This way, children can still see each other while they are playing in their own areas. 

10. Camp Crazy

nugget-couch-fort-ideas-camp-crazy
  • Two Nugget build
  • Best for toddlers and older
  • This Nugget fort promotes active play since the flow of the design encourages movement. Kids will have fun crawling in circles while hiding behind the center pillar from their playmates. 

11. Home Base

nugget-couch-fort-home-base
  • One Nugget build
  • Best for toddlers and older
  • Every indoor imaginative activity needs a home base. This Nugget configuration is a great spot for kids to house their play supplies or simply sit and play. The two triangle pillows give this build an entrance and an exit area. Plus, you can add a bed sheet to the top to easily give this fort a roof. 

12. The Woodland Hideaway

nugget-couch-fort-ideas-woodland-hideaway
  • One Nugget build
  • Best for toddlers and older
  • This Nugget fort gives the illusion that you are hiding in a deep dark forest. The pretend tree opens up at the base giving children an adventurous place to hunker down. Plus, although this is a taller build it is surprisingly sturdy. 

Play at your own risk. The Smartest Sprout is not responsible for any damages, injuries, or death, caused by using any indoor play couch or the fort builds shown above.  

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9 Nugget Couch Slide Ideas: Exciting & Active Configurations

9 Nugget Couch Slide Ideas: Exciting & Active Configurations

by | Mar 19, 2022

9 Nugget Couch Slide Ideas: Exciting & Active Configurations

This post contains affiliate links. Read our affiliate disclosure here.

There’s no doubt about it, the Nugget play couch is one of the hottest toys on the planet. Nugget couch slide builds are a soft, creative, and relatively safe way for kids to play. Everyone from babies, toddlers, kids, and even parents can enjoy a Nugget couch in one way or another.

What is a Nugget Couch?

A Nugget play couch is an infinitely configurable toy couch. It’s made up of 6 soft, foam pieces zipped inside of colorful microsuede covers. The Nugget is extremely popular but typically has a notoriously long waitlist for orders. This causes many families to either wait months for a Nugget or order a similar Nugget alternative.  

Educational Benefits of a Play Couch

A play couch can provide several educational benefits to babies, toddlers, and older kids. Because nugget builds can be infinitely adjusted, they can easily be tailored to best benefit each specific age range.  

Physical Benefits

  • Gross motor skill development
  • Muscle growth
  • Coordination
  • Balance

Cognitive Benefits

  • Creativity
  • Logical thinking
  • Role play
  • Cooperation skills

Different Ways to Use a Nugget Play Couch

There are many different ways to play with a Nugget couch. Your kids can use the pieces to build their own slides, create exciting obstacle courses, and construct adventurous forts. You can even purchase fun accessories to add more elements to your favorite builds. Plus, they can even be hacked to improve your everyday activities! But today, we’re introducing you to the best Nugget couch slide ideas.  

Nugget Couch Slide Ideas

The Best Nugget Couch Slide Ideas

1. The Tree Fort Slide

Nugget Couch Slide Idea - The Tree Fort
  • Two Nugget build
  • Best for kids 3+
  • Sturdier than it looks, this nugget slide allows older kids to climb up the back, enjoy a semi-private fort on top, and then slide all the way down to a padded bottom. 

2. The Twin Peaks Slide

Nugget Couch Slide Idea - Twin Peaks
  • Two Nugget build
  • Best for advanced toddlers and older kids
  • Kids can climb up the ramp, climb up the center and slide down, or race down the slides against their friends or siblings. 

3. The Crazy Crawler Slide

Nugget Couch Slide Idea - The Crazy Crawler
  • One Nugget build
  • Best for adventurous older babies and toddlers
  • Babies and toddlers can crawl up and scoot down either side of this gentle, Nugget couch slide. 

4. Adventure Mountain Slide

Nugget Couch Slide Idea - Adventure Mountain
  • Two Nugget build
  • Best for advanced toddlers and older kids
  • Kids can climb up, play behind, slide down and explore the Adventure Mountain and all of its elements.

5. The Spiral Staircase Slide

Nugget Couch Slide Idea - The Spiral Staircase
  • Two Nugget build
  • Best for preschoolers and older kids
  • This build incorporates a portable couch slide* at the top of the staircase. Your kids can zoom to the bottom of the build and climb back up again and again for endless fun! *Product in link may vary based on availability.

6. The Loop de Loop Slide

Nugget Couch Slide Idea - Loop de Loop
  • Two Nugget build
  • Best for toddlers and preschoolers
  • Children full of energy can spend hours climbing up and sliding down this endless loop of fun. 

7. The Couch Climber Slide

Nugget Couch Slide Idea - The Couch Climber
  • One Nugget build
  • Best for toddlers and older kids
  • Young kids can build strength while pulling themselves up onto the couch, then enjoy a fun slide down to a cushy mat. 

8. The Topsy Turvy Slide

Nugget Couch Slide Ideas - The Topsy Turvy
  • One Nugget build
  • Best for toddlers
  • A twist on a standard nugget slide, kids can climb up each side of this build and roll or scoot back down to the center.  

9. The Tripple Tumbler

Nugget Couch Slide Idea - The Tripple Tumbler
  • Two Nugget build
  • Best for toddlers and older kids
  • Kids have a choice between two slides, one with a pad and one without.  

Play at your own risk. The Smartest Sprout is not responsible for any damages, injuries, or death, caused by using any indoor play couch or the slide builds shown above.  

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Leak Proof Kids Water Bottles: 15 Tested + Results Revealed

Leak Proof Kids Water Bottles: 15 Tested + Results Revealed

by | Mar 9, 2022

Leak Proof Kids Water Bottles: 15 Tested + Results Revealed

This post contains affiliate links. Read our affiliate disclosure here.

There’s nothing more frustrating than purchasing a water bottle for your child only to have it leak the moment it tips over. To help you avoid this situation, we’ve tested several popular brands and styles to see which are most likely to be leak-proof kids water bottles.

Why it’s Important to Have a Leak-Proof Water Bottle

A question like this may seem obvious, but there are several reasons why you don’t want your kid’s water bottle to leak. Water bottle spills can cause more damage than just an extra mess to clean up. For example, if a water bottle leaks onto the floor, the wet area may become a slipping hazard. On the other hand, if it leaks onto carpet or upholstery you may have to worry about mold growth. Staining may also take place depending on which type of liquid is in your water bottle and which material it spills on. 

What Makes a Water Bottle Leak-Proof or Leak-Resistant?

There are many elements a manufacturer may include in a water bottle design to make it leak-proof or leak-resistant. First, a silicone gasket can be placed inside of a cap to encourage a tight seal once its vessel gets screwed in. Second, the straw portion of a water bottle may be made from a rubber or silicone material. The flexible straw can kink or pinch itself making it watertight once its cap is secured properly. A third method is by the use of a bite valve. A bite valve allows water to remain in the vessel unless the bite valve is compressed while sucking. Other systems may be used to make a child’s water bottle leak-proof, but these are the most popular ways.

Are Manufacturer’s Claims of Leak-Proof Water Bottles Credible?

You can assume that claims advertised on a product’s packaging are accurate, correct? Not necessarily. Although it would be nice to believe such claims, this is not always the case. Unfortunately, some companies may stretch the truth when it comes to advertising their products. Including, companies that manufacture and sell reusable water bottles. 

This claim is the focus of a class action lawsuit involving a popular water bottle corporation a few years back. The plaintiffs report that the water bottles were advertised as leak proof on the product packaging. However, in real world situations, the bottles in question leak when they are on their sides, in backpacks, and even on planes. (1)

Hearing about this story made us more anxious than ever to get out into the field and test kids water bottles first hand. It’s important for consumers to receive accurate information and we want to do our part to help make this purchase easier for you. Below, you will find the results of our water bottle leak tests and our top recommendations for leak resistant kids water bottles. 

Kids Water Bottle Leak Test

In order to understand which kids water bottles preform the best and which don’t make the cut, we had to conduct a hands-on test. The purpose of this test was to determine which bottles were least likely to leak when turned upside-down.

First, each bottle tested was partially filled with water and the lid was screwed on tight. Next, the bottles were turned upside-down and shaken aggressively. Finally, each bottle and testing area was observed for drips and leaks. We did not test the water bottles in any other manner besides this. 

Please know that that we do not make any claims on whether or not these water bottles will leak outside of our lab environment. We did our best to conduct this test in a controlled and thorough manner. However, we cannot guarantee that the results will be the same in any situation outside of our experiment.

Below you will find the results to our kids water bottle leak test.

leak-proof-kids-water-bottles-test-and-results

Kids Water Bottles Most Likely to be Leak-Resistant (According to Our Test)

The below water bottles did not leak during our “flip and shake” test:

1. Klean Kanteen Kid Classic Sippy

2. Yeti Rambler Jr.

3. Nalgene Wide Mouth Bottle

4. Simple Modern Kids Watter Bottle

5. Lifefactory Glass Flip Cap Bottle

6. Klean Kanteen TKWide Straw Top Bottle

7. Nalgene Kids On-The-Fly Lock-Top Bottle

8. Takeya Kids Insulated Water Bottle

9. Bubba Flo Kids Water Bottle

10. Contigo Kids Stainless Steel Water Bottle

11. Thermos Funtainer

12. CamelBak Eddy Insulated Water Bottle

The below water bottles leaked during our “flip and shake” test:

1. Columbia BPA-Free Straw Top Bottle

2. Hydroflask Kids Wide Mouth Water Bottle

The below water bottles were hit-or-miss during our “flip and shake” test:

1. Klean Kanteen Kid Classic Sports Cap Bottle – This bottle did not leak out of the mouthpiece. However, it did leak out of the bottle’s rim when the optional mouthpiece cover was attached. When the optional mouthpiece cover was not used, this bottle did not leak. 

Final Thoughts

Luckily, most kids water bottles on the market appear to be leak-resistant. Although no bottle is perfect, if you follow the manufacturer’s suggested guidelines, you’re likely to avoid spills with any of the passing bottles above.

Sources

(1) https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/consumer-products/camelbak-class-action-says-water-bottles-leak/

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