Hobbies And Interests
Math Games
Muggins and Knock Out ( MugginsMath.com) are so much fun that children won't know they're actually learning math skills. Muggins is for more advanced children aged 8 and up. The goal is to build marbles, achieved by correctly adding, subtracting, dividing or multiplying the results of three rolled dice. Knock Out is a simpler version of Muggins, better suited for children aged 6 and up. Players roll three dice and they must calculate all the numbers that equal the sum of the dice.
Word Games
Wordigo (Wordigo.com) packs the best features of Scrabble and a crossword puzzle into one exciting game that comes in both computer and board game versions. A maximum of four players must race against each other and a timer to create words along a predetermined course. The timer makes the game move at a faster pace than more traditional games, like Scrabble. The extra challenge to think quickly is perfect for gifted children. They'll learn to process thoughts efficiently while improving their vocabulary.
Toys
All children love toys, but not all toys help them learn. Giant Growing Creatures (SteveSpanglerScience.com) come in a variety of reptiles and amphibians, such as snakes, lizards and frogs. There's even a dinosaur. All of the plastic creatures start small but grow a few feet long once they receive water. Let them dry and they'll shrink back to their original size. These toys are by Steve Spangler, who is well-known for making science fun. He even appeared on the "Ellen Degeneres Show."
Puzzles
Puzzles are a great way for gifted children to exercise their brains, as they require mindful consideration of various options and the consequence of each action. To succeed, the child must think a few steps ahead. The Ultimate Puzzle (Europeanpromotion.com) provides 48 different options to create a square, but there can't be any straight edges. The challenge increases as you add more pieces. Younger children could create a square using only four pieces, while the more advanced may use up to 16.