Activities and Learning Reviews

Trains are predictable things--most of the time. But every once in a while, a car might just jump track. Then it's time for the Breakdown Train! This sturdy olive-green wooden crane with a flatbed is on the job, ready to haul errant trains back on track. Magnets allow the 3-inch-long crane to pull a broken engine or car onto the flatbed. Based on the popular Thomas the Tank Engine tales by Reverend W. Awdry and the PBS television show Shining Time Station, the wooden railway system is compatible with other magnetic train sets. You can reenact all the exciting stories in the series or make up new ones. Thomas fans won't want to miss out on any of the fun, well-built railway characters! --Emilie Coulter

For the sleuth in every kid. The Under Cover Detective Activity Kit is a great choice for curious youngsters. Watch as your kids build academic skills through observation, creative reasoning, and imaginative play. Amateur sleuths can use items such as rearview glasses, code wheels, and composite drawing materials in a variety of imaginary detective scenarios. A colorful Spy Guide provides easy-to-follow instructions for activities such as taking fingerprints, documenting "suspects'" moves, and deciphering coded messages. The kit also includes a magnifying glass, a small flashlight, an ink pad, fingerprint powder, secret marker pens, a red message filter, file cards, and a special agent I.D. card. "Don't forget," the Spy Guide urges, "observe everything, look for clues, put pieces together, go undercover, take a lot of notes, and have fun!" (Parents with low tolerance for black powdery messes may want to remove the fingerprint powder.) Flashlight requires two AAA batteries, not included. --Joan DeClaire