(Part 2) Best children activities, crafts & game books according to redditors

https://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Lightsaber-Thumb-Wrestling/dp/1452125740/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484599759&sr=8-1&keywords=light+saber+thumb+war

Found it

Not OP, but here's my story about why Pokémon Blue is (tied as) my favorite game:

Spring 1999: I am eight years old, and Pokémon is subtly beginning to prod my cultural consciousness. Kids in the second grade are beginning to bring cards to school, and although I don't understand the numbers or detailed information they present, I find the artwork compelling. A boy named Ryan gives me few duplicates he has: energies, weak commons, trainer cards. I become vaguely aware of something called a “Pikachu” and notice it starting to appear on Pop-Tart boxes and magazine displays when I accompany my mother to the grocery store. I wonder if it is male or female. Occasionally, I catch snippets of the anime series on T.V. as my brother and I flipp through the channels, looking for Disney or Nickelodeon. The art style reminds me of Dragon Ball Z, but it isn't violent enough to hold my attention.

Summer 1999: My grandmother, previously a kindergarten teacher and now a principal in another state, visits our home in Kentucky. She brings a copy of a book that had been popular at her recent Scholastic School Book Fair as a gift: the Official Pokémon Handbook. By now, I know the yellow clown-mouse on the front is Pikachu, but the T.V. show has still not drawn me in. I tentatively flip through the book and scan the scientific-sounding descriptions, for the first time genuinely intrigued by the concept of Pokémon. I ask my mom if I can use my allowance to buy Pokémon cards. I am still not aware that a Pokémon video game exists.

Late Summer 1999: Soccer practice. I am terrible at soccer, and my father’s work schedule means that I am dropped off at the soccer field an hour or more before practice starts. While I wait, I read the Official Pokémon Handbook. Later, I supplement my reading with a promotional pamphlet describing the Pokémon TCG and a couple of fan magazines I convinced my mother to buy. One day, a boy at the soccer field is playing a Game Boy with a bright red cartridge. I ask about it, and he points at my magazines. I ask to play it, and he says no. Returning home, I ask my mother she can buy me the game, and she says no.

Fall 1999: I return to school, an academic Pokémon Master, still having not played the game. I can recite virtually all of the information from the Official Pokémon Handbook, and I raise my finger like Professor Oak when doing so. A friend quizzes me, asking if I can name a legendary Pokémon. I say “Arcanine” and he laughs. Joke’s on him, because I pull out my dog-eared book and open to Arcanine’s info page, where he is described as “Legendary”. My friend backs off, saying that’s not what he meant.

December 1999: My mother knows that my favorite color is green, so I am confused when she asks if I like red or blue the best. Cooler Ranch Doritos are preferable to Nacho Cheese Doritos, so I say blue. I receive no Doritos and am disappointed.

Christmas 1999: I am no longer disappointed. I get Blue Version and my brother gets Yellow. When I understand the difference later, I am envious, but for now my game is emblazoned with a goddamn Cannon Turtle (“Blastoise: the shellfish pokémon,” I say, finger raised) while his has the clown-mouse, which was never my favorite.

2000-present: I am enthralled.

Basically, Pokémon represented the first time that I felt consciously that my identity was developing as a consequence of my appreciation for and knowledge of something external to my experience. I was part of a community that discussed this topic, that traded strategies and tactics, that speculated on the mysteries of yet-undiscovered regions and creatures. It was a game that rewarded dedication, and I was a dedicated child. That tenacity and curiosity began to pay off as things I had previously ignored or been confused by, such as the television show or the card game, began to open up to me. The show didn’t have to be another Dragon Ball Z because it was about friendship and faith in yourself and your allies. The card game wasn’t just about art, but rather, the artwork concealed a whole pool of strategy and the inevitable friendships that could come about by way of discussing that strategy.

I still remember the first time I encountered someone who built a deck with a strategy more complex than just putting the strongest cards in front of him.

“My whole deck is set up so I control which Pokémon my opponent has in play,” he said, showing me how and Dark Machoke’s Drag Off and Machamp’s Fling could be used to determine which Pokémon his opponent used. He was older, maybe 14. I was impressed.

And this continued basically until the present day. I still return to Pokémon Blue on an annual basis, trying to relive that sense of excitement and discovery that I felt 17 years ago. That feeling is diminished every time I play, but it never disappears completely.

The only other game that comes close is Morrowind, and that’s a story for another time.

For everyone who thinks OP doesn't know awesome when he sees it, it's 10$ on Amazon. Prime shipping eligible, too.

Heres the US Amazon link

https://www.amazon.com/Steven-Universe-Cartoon-Network-Books/dp/0515157570

I wouldn't classify fan art as meep morp. Meep morp is a type of art that's typically made from junk and everyday objects. I'm sure we'll learn more about it this summer when Peridot and Lapis' book on art is released.
https://www.amazon.com/Make-Art-Purpose-Steven-Universe/dp/0515157570

Here's the link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Make-Art-Purpose-Steven-Universe/dp/0515157570/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480173243&sr=8-1&keywords=make+art%21+on+purpose

MY CONSTANT NEED FOR ALL THINGS POKEMON HAS MADE MY WALLET CRY THIS MONTH.

ANYWAY, BACK ON TOPIC... I NEVER EXPERIENCED POKEMON LIKE THAT BECAUSE I HAD THE POKEMON HANDBOOK. IT WOULD BE PRETTY COOL TO GO IN BLIND, BUT I WORRY I'D END UP REGRETTING MY TEAM CHOICES. AND YEAH, THE WANTING ALL THE INFORMATION NOW THING AS WELL. SO I'LL PROBABLY NEVER EXPERIENCE THAT.

The Gamers Bible

i m a b.

i c d b 2

related

Lots of tactics.

This book is good for beginners

https://www.amazon.com/Chess-5334-Problems-Combinations-Games/dp/1579125549

This one is also very good (and better IMO), a bit more advanced but still good for beginners.

https://www.amazon.com/Winning-Chess-Exercises-Kids-Coakley/dp/1895525101

You might be interested in the recently released Young Adventurer's Guide. I haven't looked through it much, but it's aimed at a younger demographic with simpler rules and less math.

EDIT: Reviewing some of the comments, you might need to pair this with the starter set or PHB.

Found it!! This??

Haunted Castle https://www.amazon.com/dp/0789424649/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_zfaZAbMJJYZCP


Scans of entire book: https://www.behance.net/gallery/9003865/Haunted-Castle

Afaik, they've made one every Gen, though there is not yet one for Gen VI. Here's the handbook for Gen V: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0545427711/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1397868745&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40

The D'Aulaire books are great. My kids were obsessed with the D'Aulaires Book of TrollsIt was hilarious to listen to the how the myths worked their way into their imaginary play, i.e. putting a doll dress on a stuffed puppy and the big reveal of her tail - "She's a hulder maiden!"

From this book. TED talk also related. PDF version of the image.

They're kind of doing something like that.

Could it be Haunted Castle by Leo Hartas?

The Amazon description is:

> "Young readers are in for the fright of their lives as they help Jodie and Johnny search for their Uncle Barnaby in the monster-filled halls of Grizzlemyst Castle, but only one symbol path leads to Barnaby, the others to ghouls, drudges, mutants, and other scary creatures."

Right in the childhood: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0671666894/

Amazon link for anyone interested:

http://www.amazon.com/Minecraft-Blockopedia-Alex-Wiltshire/dp/0545820111/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418216452&sr=8-1&keywords=blockopedia

https://www.amazon.com/Minecraft-Essential-Handbook-Official-Mojang/dp/0545669936

I got my kiddo this for xmas: http://www.amazon.com/Pokemon-Essential-Handbook-Scholastic/dp/0545427711

She uses it frequently to look things up and i find her reading it from time to time. If he is reading the trainer box, this would surely give him loads of reading fun. Plus its a benefit for the game and its fairly cheap.

D'Aulaires' Book of Trolls?

https://www.amazon.com/DAulaires-Trolls-Review-Childrens-Collection/dp/1590172175

"Some of the forest trolls had only one eye set in the middle of their foreheads, and it even happened that three trolls shared a single eye. They took turns looking through it, passing it from one to another."

"One night a young fellow met three such trolls as they stumbled through the woods, trampling down trees with their big feet. He sneaked up to them and gave the one who was holding the eye a sharp blow on his shin."

"Ouch," howled the troll. "A wasp has stung me!" He grabbed his leg and dropped the eye. Quickly, the boy caught it.

"While the three blind trolls fell all over each other groping for the eye, the boy called: "It is I who have your eye and I'll only give it back for a pile of silver and gold." First the trolls raged, then they threatened, then they begged, and at last they called to their troll-hag and told her to bring a troughful of silver and gold and give it to him. (They only had one wife between them since they had only one eye to see her with.) She came running, threw the treasure at the boy's feet and grabbed the eye. "Can't three big trolls like you even hold onto one little eye?" she yelled, and led her husbands back into the mountain and slammed the stone door shut.

(pages 38-40)

Haunted Castle by Leo Hartas?

http://www.amazon.com/Minecraft-Blockopedia-Alex-Wiltshire/dp/0545820111

Lol. This is perfect then!

Winning Chess Exercises for Kids https://www.amazon.com/dp/1895525101/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_VlvazbH83HJYC


It has a rediculous amount of puzzles, like 2000, and has great info all the way through. It's also very engaging and kids love it!

Some of those things you can teach yourself. It would be good if your school (high school level) provided you with some of that. High schools used to have wood shops, auto shops, and "home economics" class.

What is really boils down to is limiting social mobility & stratification. Any activities like that are pushed into the vocational schools, or kept out of schools, so that they are education alternatives.

It's the same reason that you find instructions, billboards, etc in Spanish everywhere these days: it's to entrench a working class, if not a "servant" class. Having those things in Spanish allows immigrant workers to function on a daily basis in our society, but with no social mobility. Language is really a great equalizer and those folks are being disincentivized from learning English, thusly staying rooted in the labor class.

So, to align it with your situation, you can see that you're incentivized to not learn any of that stuff. You've spent your time increasing your earning power, and so you don't have to be savvy in any of that stuff. You have your car serviced at the dealership and have other people cook your steaks. So, embrace the stratification, or rebel against it. Volunteer at Habitat for Humanity, and you'll learn some building. Buy some steaks and train yourself via internet, Good Eats, etc.

This might be right up your alley, actually:
Fifty Dangerous Things You Should Let Your Children Do

I'd recommend going over Murray Chandler's Chess for Children with your 6 year old. It's a fun book to read with a child and to do the 'tricky tests' together.

Later on, Chess Tactics for Kids and How to beat your Dad at chess by the same author are also good.

I'll just leave this here

Haunted Castle?

https://www.amazon.com/Haunted-Castle-Leo-Hartas/dp/0789424649/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

He might like Minecraft Story Mode.

There's also the Minecraft Blockpedia and as someone also mentioned, The complete Handbook collection. The construction book in that set is good for making nicer looking houses.

https://www.amazon.com/Warriors-Weapons-Adventurers-Dungeons-Dragons/dp/1984856421/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=young+adventurer%27s+guide&qid=1566282996&s=gateway&sr=8-4 or https://www.amazon.com/Monsters-Creatures-Adventurers-Dungeons-Dragons/dp/1984856405/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=young+adventurer%27s+guide&qid=1566282996&s=gateway&sr=8-2 maybe? I haven't read them, but they sound like the sort of thing.

If you are willing to buy, i would look on etsy. try this search

this one is freaking adorable

Also, maybe a crochet pattern book? Here are some i found on amazon that look good for outfits.
http://www.amazon.com/Comfort-Knitting-Crochet-Toddlers-Berrocos/dp/1584799870/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1396019472&sr=8-4&keywords=baby+crochet+outfits+patterns

http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Blueprint-Crochet-Irresistible-Projects/dp/1596682019/ref=sr_1_2?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1396019781&sr=1-2&keywords=baby+boy+crochet

http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Baby-Crochet-Sandy-Scoville/dp/1604680334/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_z
This last one looks like it has the cutest little long sleeved polo.

Over five but wanted you to see this

Okay, now. Here's your item! Unicorn stickers! They are lovely and you can stick them in random places and feel special! This coffee phone topper is mine because maybe Unicorns love coffee and that is why they are so hyper and love rainbows because they are so awake...okay that was silly but you never know!!

FIVE DOLLA! :)

YouTube commentators: (Most of these are kid friendly with little foul language - it's been a while since I listened to them, so they might have changed since then)
ChimneySwift11
Captain Sparklez
Coe's Quest - Really good
Dan021
EthosLab
MinecraftWB
paulsoaresjr - survive and thrive series

Most of the videos will be using a different version that is out today. The PC version might be a bit overwhelming for him as you have to use the keyboard and mouse at the same time, but you can do the hard lifting by doing things for him or letting him run the mouse or keyboard while you do the other.

My niece can't play the PC version but she will get on the Android version with her brother and they will play together, so he might enjoy doing that with you. if you have two computers on the same home network you can both play in the same world. It might be a great way for your son and you to learn together without purchasing a server. One blogger I read suggested https://gforceservers.com/ as a good server host to use - I have not used them so I don't know how good/bad they are.

The PaulSoaresJr Play and thrive is a great introduction as he posts the map and then walks you through how to do things and you can follow along on the same map.

Minecraftforum.net is another good resource, where you can post if you get stuck or have a question.

There is a set of Minecraft books: http://www.amazon.com/Minecraft-Complete-Collection-Stephanie-Milton/dp/0545685192/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1422626759&sr=1-1&keywords=minecraft . My nephew got them for Christmas and they are very well done.

I don't know if you know there are different levels you can play, so you may want to start his worlds in 'easy' in survival mode or 'creative'. Easy if I remember correctly has no monsters and the food bar doesn't deplete, you have to go out mining to get your materials to build. Creative has all the blocks available to you and the blocks are easy to break.

Good luck with your son.

Download the music from the game records and play it while the kids are eating and hanging out.

Make your best attempt at a Desert Temple cake.
http://media-mcw.cursecdn.com/thumb/f/f9/2012-06-22_18.02.26.png/400px-2012-06-22_18.02.26.png

Set up a small LAN where the kids can play the game itself and introduce their friends to it. This is a good "cool down" activity after cake/presents/etc.

Print out block textures, and use those as wrapping paper.

Give some books like these as gifts
http://www.amazon.com/Minecraft-Redstone-Handbook-Official-Mojang/dp/054568515X/

http://www.amazon.com/Minecraft-Essential-Handbook-Official-Mojang/dp/0545669936/

or just have them around at the party for kids to look through.

For an activity how about some minecraft papercraft?
http://pixelpapercraft.com/

Maybe get some minecraft themed food for all to enjoy.

Cake, cookies, bread, steak, potatoes, milk, mushroom stew, quite a few options.

http://minecraft.gamepedia.com/Food

My 6 year old loves the handbooks:
http://www.amazon.com/Minecraft-The-Complete-Handbook-Collection/dp/0545685192

You'd be surprised what a kid at that age can build on their own in Minecraft.

The Gnomes book you mentioned was my first thought too. Faeries by Brian Froud is similar.

D'Aulaires' Book of Trolls also comes to mind, or something else by them.

This would be a good question to ask a librarian. I bet this kind of book is always very popular with kids in any library.

In case anybody was interested The Encyclopedia of Immaturity https://www.amazon.com/dp/159174427X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_VExryb398PK6S

I had the four of them and this

Here's the link, you filthy SW sloots.

Because you had chess items and children's books. Maybe these to go with this as well.

LIFE AS WE KNEW IT <~ THIS IS THE SERIES

Also I love your wishlist, we both have a large luv for sloths, I'm seeing!

My wish

My girlfriend didn't know who the fuck Charizard was. She got this for Christmas that year.

my theory/guess is that what the "Canon secret" in Gravity Falls: Dipper and Mabel and the Curse of the Time Pirates' Treasure!: A "Select Your Own Choose-Venture!" will address Alex said the book in non-canon but it has an enormous canon secret

You just had an extra letter:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0671666894/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_j230Bb4BT8P7M

I don't think so. Mine always get a bit ripply and I follow the pattern exactly too! The pattern is from this book and in the picture it also looks a bit rippled too :/

http://www.amazon.com/Pokemon-Sticker-Collection-Pikachu-Press/dp/1604381760/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407260938&sr=8-1&keywords=pokemon+sticker+book

Light saber thumb wrestling. I feel this needs no explanation lol.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1484746686?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_Udnuwb88GVKHN

Journal 3

Bonus:
Dipper and Mabel and the Curse of the Time Pirate's Treasure!: Select Your Own Choose-Venture

Changed each and every password 'cause Momma didn't raise no fool.

My son has really been wanting this Minecraft book!

picked these out for landon this and this found this for noah dis found this cool ass toy site called fat brain toys there over priced but finding them else were cheaper lots of things landon will love he likes to build thing loves things like magnets what have you oh yes! :D

I have these awesome glitter unicorn stickers on my under $5 list. I love stickers...and unicorns!

This guy right here

Trying to add a picture of the cover. It is called Lego Star Wars Build Your Own Adventure.

Lego Star Wars Book

Hot damn those microfighters, all 4 of them are must haves for me. The Y-Wing looks very similar to the Y-Wing build in this.

Here all the books with Mini-figs that I have. I think I'm only missing the Yoda Chronicles.

Character Encyclopedia

Character Encyclopedia: Updated and Expanded.

The Visual Dictionary: Updated and Expanded

The Dark Side

Chronicles of the Force

The Official Stormtrooper Training Manual

R2-D2 and C-3P0's Guide to the Galaxy

Epic Space Adventures

Use the Force!

Quest for the Kyber Saber

Then I have books that have sets
:

LEGO Star Wars: Build Your Own Adventure

LEGO Star Wars Brickmaster

LEGO Star Wars: Battle for the Stolen Crystals Brickmaster

The Minecraft Handbook Collection is pretty neat! https://www.amazon.com/Minecraft-Complete-Collection-Stephanie-Milton/dp/0545685192

A few questions, if you don't mind.

> an hour a day of chesstempo problems

Do you prefer ChessTempo (and similar sites) over a tactics book, e.g. Bain's at low levels or Coakley's blue book for a more intermediate player? Or maybe a combination of the two?

> starting with the fundamentals (Jesus de la Villa's "100 Endgames you must know" covers a very wide audience, and studying it should be about 100 rating points worth in your case)

How would you compare this to Silman's Complete Endgame Course? I have Silman and it has exploded my endgame knowledge.

> an hour a day of working through Jeremy Silman's "The Amateur Mind" or a similar book

At what rating do you think it's worth starting this book? I've read suggestions to not start until 1800, and another that said 1400.

I recommend Chess Steps. It's a program geared towards kids that'll take them from beginner to A/B level.

Murray Chandler's Chess for Children is also a good book.

https://www.amazon.com/Chess-Children-Worlds-Popular-Board/dp/1904600069

http://www.amazon.com/Pokemon-Essential-Handbook-Scholastic/dp/0545427711

Are you aware of this lovely set of books...? They make a great gift.

No, they exist.

This was fun :)

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11 (this one is reaching... it organizes... lunch?)

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Bonus - hmmmm, this?

I doubt it will interest you, but This

Wow, thanks!

He's 6 and having no trouble with the game. He got a basic Pokemon book from the library and loved it.

http://www.amazon.com/Pokemon-Essential-Handbook-Scholastic/dp/0545427711/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422041218&sr=8-1&keywords=pokemon+book

Maybe I should just buy this for him. He just likes to see what Pokemon there are, and read about them.

You could try playing HarmonQuest style, where he simply tells you what he wants to do and you make the rolls (or let him roll and he just tells you the number) and you have a separate copy of his sheet. He would simply just be given an overview of what he's good at and the different actions/spells he can cast. This could help ease him in as you eventually tell him how you come to different conclusions and effects with the rolls. You would be playing much looser with the rules, and you run the risk of him just wanting to only play that style instead of learning to do it himself.

​

Depending on his age and experience with fantasy, Warriors & Weapons (Official D&D book) could help introduce him to the world of D&D and help him better create a character fit for him.

CDB? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CDB!

Another link that works: https://www.amazon.com/C-D-B-William-Steig/dp/0671666894

I see some recommendation for the Dangerous Book for Boys and I agree, get it for him but consider getting this book too. It has more things you can both do.
http://www.amazon.com/Fifty-Dangerous-Things-Should-Children/dp/0984296107

I bought this book recently and it has a lot of really cute things in it. It has knitting and crochet patterns, but many of the crochet ones look like they wouldn't be too hard to convert over.

I’m pregnant and have both of these saved and will be ordering ABC’s as soon as it’s available again. My husband is excited haha we also have a player’s handbook and monster manual that were specifically written for kids... let me find a link real quick because they’re super cool and have Pokémon style size references with descriptions like “about the size of a beachball” or other random relatable objects.

Edit: Monsters and Creatures

Warriors and Weapons
There are apparently more of them? The author was at GenCon and these are the two we got

POKEMON STICKERS omg Pokemon stickers

there are many tutorials on youtube but i recommend the essential handbook by mojang themselves. although it is outdated, it will help you with the basics https://w ww.amazon.com/Minecraft-Essential-Handbook-Official-Mojang/dp/0545669936 here is the link for it on amazon. become an epic gamer!

-Marcus

This is an excerpt from an official book, which can be purchased here