Educational Toys and Games

Your kid comes home from school excitedly shouting about SeaMonkeys. Now he’s begging you to run out and buy some. You are slightly baffled. You’ve heard the term, but you’d be hard-pressed to offer any real information about these strange animals. You know they aren’t some bizarre variant of underwater, gill-sporting monkey. So what are they?

First, “SeaMonkey” is not technically a type of animal. The name is actually a trademark given to a type of brine shrimp (Artemia salina x nyos).

They first hit the market in 1957 thanks to Harold von Braunhut—the inventor of X-Ray glasses. They were originally marketed as “Instant Life” and later changed to “Sea-Monkey” in 1962. The name was apparently meant to reflect the brine shrimp’s playful, impish behavior.

They are ideal for young children because the right aquatic conditions are easy to simulate, and the SeaMonkey eggs are extremely easy to hatch. They typically live up to two years after hatching.

Just don’t be disappointed when they don’t look anything like the caricature on the packaging!

Before you child is ready to hit the road on a bike, he/she will most likely cruise the neighborhood on a trike. Trikes, or tricycles, are three-wheeled bikes, meaning they are more stable for your youngster and a great segue to a standard two-wheeled bike.

Bust just because a trike is more stable does not mean it is completely safe. Therefore, when your little speed demon takes to the streets, keep these tips in mind.

• Always, always have your child wear a helmet. There is no excuse and no exception. Your kid might not reach the speed or height of an adult bike, but that doesn’t mean he/she can’t get hurt.
• Be present when they ride. As an added bonus, it’s a great time to squeeze in that extra exercise. While they are peddling around the block, follow on foot. This way, they’re safe, and you’re healthy.
• Make sure the trike is a good fit. Your kid is growing quickly, so make sure the trike is still a safe size. Too big or too small can be awkward and, consequently, unsafe.

All in all, use general bike safety rules and common sense, and your kid will have an enjoyable and exciting toy.