Evolution Toys from Charlie's Playhouse: Fun Learning Tools for Kids! {Review and Giveaway}
Friday, October 09, 2009 Posted by Jolly Mom
I remember being a kid learning about dinosaurs and the different eras and pre-historic animals and civilizations. I'll be honest I wasn't a big fan {lol}. I think that if the information had been presented to me in a fun, interactive way then I would have enjoyed it a lot more. That's why I am loving the evolution toys from Charlie's Playhouse! They sent me the Giant Evolution Timeline Playmat to review and they sure aren't kidding when they say GIANT. It is huge! When the entire play mat is open, it is 18 feet long. That's 18 feet of learning fun for kids. They can literally "walk" through the history of the earth and life with the playmat. The cool part? When closed, it is the size of a book.
Inside the book, you literally have millions and millions of years of information, including:
I think the Giant Evolution Timeline Playmat would be wonderful for homeschoolers or to augment what children learn at school. Plus, for kids that already love dinosaurs--the playmat will be a real treat and help expand their knowledge! Other products to check out at Charlie's Playhouse--the Ancient Creature Cards and Timeline Poster.
About Charlie's Playhouse {from the press release}:
Rhode Island-based Charlie's Playhouse LLC makes the first-ever games and toys that teach children about evolution, natural selection and Charles Darwin. The company was founded by scientist and mom Kate Miller, Ph.D., after she was unable to find fun, educational products for her two young sons that addressed evolution. Dr. Miller is a consultant to the Evolution Readiness Project at Concord Consortium in Concord, MA. Funded by the National Science Foundation, the project is creating a computer-based curriculum to teach fourth graders about evolution, to be tested in a dozen schools in MA, TX and MO. Prior to founding Charlie's Playhouse, Dr. Miller researched women's reproductive health in sub-Saharan Africa and the United States. She holds a Ph.D. in demography from the University of Pennsylvania and a Masters of Public Health from Columbia University.
Want It: The Giant Evolution Timeline Playmat is recommended for ages 4 and up. The Playmat retails for $49 and can be purchased online at CharliesPlayhouse.com.
Inside the book, you literally have millions and millions of years of information, including:
- 67 strange and wonderful creatures from the fossil record, arranged on sea, land and sky
- Animal names with pronunciation guides
- Bubble quote for each creature
- A time “ruler” measuring from 600 million years ago to today in 20 million year steps
- 12 geologic periods with pronunciation guides
- Six mass extinctions
- Storybook narrative of major events during each geologic period
- Simple thoughts about evolution from “Charlie” Darwin throughout
- Footprints for kids to follow, walking through time at 40 million years per step.
I think the Giant Evolution Timeline Playmat would be wonderful for homeschoolers or to augment what children learn at school. Plus, for kids that already love dinosaurs--the playmat will be a real treat and help expand their knowledge! Other products to check out at Charlie's Playhouse--the Ancient Creature Cards and Timeline Poster.
See It In Action:
About Charlie's Playhouse {from the press release}:
Rhode Island-based Charlie's Playhouse LLC makes the first-ever games and toys that teach children about evolution, natural selection and Charles Darwin. The company was founded by scientist and mom Kate Miller, Ph.D., after she was unable to find fun, educational products for her two young sons that addressed evolution. Dr. Miller is a consultant to the Evolution Readiness Project at Concord Consortium in Concord, MA. Funded by the National Science Foundation, the project is creating a computer-based curriculum to teach fourth graders about evolution, to be tested in a dozen schools in MA, TX and MO. Prior to founding Charlie's Playhouse, Dr. Miller researched women's reproductive health in sub-Saharan Africa and the United States. She holds a Ph.D. in demography from the University of Pennsylvania and a Masters of Public Health from Columbia University.
Want It: The Giant Evolution Timeline Playmat is recommended for ages 4 and up. The Playmat retails for $49 and can be purchased online at CharliesPlayhouse.com.
This contest is closed. Congratulations to the winner, Grad School Mommy!
October 9, 2009 12:36 AM
They created this because toys stores have all sorts of toys available but nothing on evolution.
sd2sf@comcast.net
October 9, 2009 12:36 AM
subscriber
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October 9, 2009 12:36 AM
follower
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October 9, 2009 12:37 AM
got your button
sd2sf@comcast.net
October 9, 2009 10:00 AM
i learned you can stand it up like a fort
October 9, 2009 10:00 AM
subscriber
October 9, 2009 2:25 PM
EVOLUTION EDUCATION IS NOT RETAIL FRIENDLY, YOU CANT REALLY FIND YOUR PRODUCTS AT STORES.
MRS.ANN.SINCLAIR@GMAIL.COM
October 9, 2009 3:25 PM
I love that the founder & president of the company is a mother, who "learned about evolution and natural selection at my mother’s knee, and hope to pass that on to my kids." Like Dr. Miller, I'm happy to help my own kids become more scientifically literate through play, too.
October 9, 2009 3:26 PM
I subscribe to Jolly Mom by reader *and* email. :)
October 9, 2009 3:29 PM
I follow Jolly Mom on Twitter & have (re-)Tweeted:
"Looking for fun learning toys? Check out the Giveaway for Evolution Toys from Charlie's Playhouse @jollymom See http://retwt.me/JdtC"
My ID is: GradSchoolMommy
October 9, 2009 4:31 PM
I learned that they sell great shirts through Cafe Press. seehorce(at)yahoo(dot)com
October 9, 2009 4:32 PM
I follow your blog. seehorce(at)yahoo(dot)com
October 9, 2009 5:06 PM
They sell alot more than just these timeline mats.
October 9, 2009 6:54 PM
skip and jump through history mverno@roadrunner.com
October 9, 2009 8:11 PM
ancient creature cards look cool too
tvollowitz at aol dot com
October 9, 2009 9:42 PM
Charlie's playhouse also sells really cute t-shirts!
onecheaplady@yahoo.com
October 9, 2009 9:43 PM
I subscribe to jolly mom via e-mail!
onecheaplady@yahoo.com
October 9, 2009 9:43 PM
I follow jolly mom on blogger!
onecheaplady@yahoo.com
October 9, 2009 10:31 PM
There are giant creature cards to coincide with the creatures on the giant timeline
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
October 9, 2009 10:31 PM
I subscribe
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
October 9, 2009 10:51 PM
I think it's pretty amazing that the timeline goes 600 million years back! They're ancestor shirt is pretty funny, too.
lkziegler[at]gmail[dot]com
October 9, 2009 10:51 PM
I subscribe
lkziegler[at]gmail[dot]com
October 9, 2009 11:05 PM
they also have ancient creature cards.
October 9, 2009 11:48 PM
Nine new books were scheduled to come out for 2009. surprizelady@gmail.com
October 10, 2009 12:58 AM
This toy is only available on their website, not at retail stores.
trungchem2002(at)yahoo(dot)com
October 10, 2009 12:58 AM
I follow you on blogger.
trungchem2002(at)yahoo(dot)com
October 10, 2009 12:59 AM
I subscribed via reader.
trungchem2002(at)yahoo(dot)com
October 10, 2009 12:59 AM
I subscribed via email.
trungchem2002(at)yahoo(dot)com
October 10, 2009 12:59 AM
I signed up their newsletter with the following email.
trungchem2002(at)yahoo(dot)com
October 10, 2009 2:11 AM
I know my son would love the ancient creature cards
October 10, 2009 8:07 AM
I learned that there are 3 Doctors on their staff.
October 10, 2009 8:08 AM
Subscriber.
October 10, 2009 8:08 AM
Button: http://theapels.blogspot.com/
October 10, 2009 8:18 AM
As a paleontologist and a father of two young kids, I am a big, big fan of Charlie's Playhouse. I've seen their work at the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology meeting and the detail and accuracy is great (which is rare among toys for kids that involves prehistoric animals).
You guys a GREAT!
blbeatty@gmail.com
October 10, 2009 1:05 PM
Other items for sale include apparel (onesies, tees, caps, totes, mugs). I like the tee with "Product of Natural Selection" on it.
vinter@warwick.net
October 10, 2009 1:06 PM
follower via google friends
vinter@warwick.net
October 10, 2009 1:08 PM
email subscriber
vinter@warwick.net
October 10, 2009 3:02 PM
They are located in Pawtucket, RI.
katiekarr at gmail dot com
October 10, 2009 6:04 PM
Learned: As Professor of Geologic Sciences at Brown University since 1972, Tom taught a class on the fossil record for over thirty years. He holds a PhD in atmospheric sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has published over 100 articles and co-edited two books and two special issues of journals.
October 10, 2009 6:04 PM
i subscribe :)
October 10, 2009 6:04 PM
JM button ;)
October 10, 2009 6:20 PM
1. On the advisory board for Charlie's Playhouse is Louise Mead (NSCE), who teaches professional development courses for teachers who want to expand their knowledge of evolution.
2. Blogged: http://thedispersalofdarwin.wordpress.com/2009/10/10/another-charlies-playhouse-giveaway/
3. Subscribed on my Google Reader.
4. Following on Twitter and tweeted today (http://twitter.com/darwinsbulldog)
7. I'ved joined the Charlie's Playhouse email list using: darwinsbulldog AT gmail DOT com.
October 10, 2009 6:32 PM
My daily tweet:
http://twitter.com/GradSchoolMommy/status/4770409658
October 10, 2009 6:42 PM
The "Product of Natural Selection" t-shirt is cute
pinkveganmiso(at)yahoo(dot)com
October 10, 2009 7:05 PM
I learned that they also sell shirts through cafe press. thanks for the giveaway. my son would love this.
cthompson1477@gmail.com
October 10, 2009 8:21 PM
they also have ancient creature cards and very cool shirts available
October 11, 2009 1:22 AM
love their great tshirts
October 11, 2009 1:22 AM
Follow on blogger
October 11, 2009 7:38 AM
Daily Tweet from me:
http://twitter.com/GradSchoolMommy/status/4782524196
October 11, 2009 11:45 PM
JeansandTs@hotmail.com
This informative toy came about because they noticed that there wasn't any evolution toys available.
October 12, 2009 7:36 AM
By engaging kids with evolution, they hope to raise their scientific literacy.
This looks wonderful! Thanks for the chance.
catmom1010 at gmail dot com
October 12, 2009 7:39 AM
New follower # 1207
(Ally/rubymoonstone@gmail)
catmom1010 at gmail dot com
October 12, 2009 7:40 AM
Email subscriber
catmom1010 at gmail dot com
October 12, 2009 7:40 AM
I joined their email newsletter list at espressogurl/hotmail
catmom1010 at gmail dot com
October 12, 2009 7:53 AM
My daily (morning!) tweet:
http://twitter.com/GradSchoolMommy/status/4806961785
October 12, 2009 3:16 PM
i learned that they developed these toys b/c there was nothing else out there in the educational toy market about evolution
October 12, 2009 3:17 PM
i subscribe
October 12, 2009 3:17 PM
i have your button
October 12, 2009 3:37 PM
The mats have: 67 strange and wonderful creatures
from the fossil record,
arranged on sea, land and sky!
October 12, 2009 3:38 PM
email subscriber
October 12, 2009 5:19 PM
CharliesPlayhouse also sells Creature Cards and apparrel.
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com
October 12, 2009 5:19 PM
email subscriber
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com
October 12, 2009 8:50 PM
I also really like their creature cards. They look like a great companion. Thanks for the giveaway.
October 12, 2009 9:56 PM
I learned that they also offer t-shirts.
October 13, 2009 5:58 AM
My daily tweet:
http://twitter.com/GradSchoolMommy/status/4831664118
October 13, 2009 10:54 PM
This toy is a Dr. Toy Best Toy award winner.
October 13, 2009 10:55 PM
email subscriber
October 14, 2009 9:11 AM
This made my day. I had heard about Charlies Playhouse but never visited the website. Who says deep time can't be fun.
October 14, 2009 9:32 AM
My daily tweet:
http://twitter.com/GradSchoolMommy/status/4861733287
October 14, 2009 11:50 AM
the product is made in USA - a rare thing these days
barbara2508@yahoo.com
October 14, 2009 11:50 AM
subscriber
barbara2508@yahoo.com
October 14, 2009 11:50 AM
subscriber
barbara2508@yahoo.com
October 15, 2009 5:47 AM
My daily tweet!
http://twitter.com/GradSchoolMommy/status/4885237424
October 16, 2009 12:42 AM
It's printed on environmentally friendly synthetic material.
This would be real cool for my boys. My youngest was thrilled with his fossil of a trillobite and I bet he'd have a blast looking for it on timeline.
Christine
dazed1821@AOL.COM
October 16, 2009 5:50 AM
Daily tweet! :)
http://twitter.com/GradSchoolMommy/status/4912317270
October 16, 2009 10:10 PM
I see that one of their Board of Advisors is Shane Keats, who is currently launching a new kids’ show about the environment called Heartwood USA
October 16, 2009 10:10 PM
I subscribe!
October 16, 2009 10:12 PM
I follow on twitter & tweeted! http://twitter.com/amweeks/status/4932705045
October 16, 2009 10:13 PM
I subscribe to the Charlie's Playhouse Email List!
October 16, 2009 11:25 PM
I learned that they also carry an apparel line. (Including a 98% Chimpanzee tee that I love!).
mommastaci33(at)yahoo(dot)com
October 16, 2009 11:26 PM
I follow.
mommastaci33(at)yahoo(dot)com
October 16, 2009 11:26 PM
I stumbled-MommaStaciA.
mommastaci33(at)yahoo(dot)com
October 16, 2009 11:26 PM
And I have your button.
mommastaci33(at)yahoo(dot)com
October 17, 2009 7:40 AM
Happy weekend tweet! :)
http://twitter.com/GradSchoolMommy/status/4940441965
October 17, 2009 1:25 PM
I love the "98% Chimpanzee" t-shirt.
pduthoy@yahoo.com
October 17, 2009 1:26 PM
I am an e-mail scriber to your blog.
pduthoy@yahoo.com
October 17, 2009 1:27 PM
I am an e-mail subscriber to your blog.
pduthoy@yahoo.com
October 17, 2009 1:29 PM
I am an subscriber to Charlie' Playhouse e-mail list.
pduthoy@yahoo.com
October 18, 2009 12:43 AM
I learned that there was an animal called a Hallucigena!
stacey at staceyworld dot com
October 18, 2009 5:48 AM
Daily tweet, please! :)
http://twitter.com/GradSchoolMommy/status/4963925871
October 19, 2009 6:20 AM
daily tweet!!
http://twitter.com/GradSchoolMommy/status/4987830602
October 20, 2009 5:47 AM
** daily tweet! **
http://twitter.com/GradSchoolMommy/status/5015289571
October 20, 2009 7:55 PM
I signed up for the email list, crossing my fingers we really need this for our homeschool. the5lorax@yahoo
October 21, 2009 5:05 AM
*daily tweet!*
http://twitter.com/GradSchoolMommy/status/5040193966
October 21, 2009 4:12 PM
I learned:
They sell Ancient Creature Cards
October 21, 2009 4:12 PM
Blogged:
http://lee-annwantsfreestuff.blogspot.com/2009/10/giveaways-ending-oct-21-22-23.html
October 21, 2009 4:13 PM
I follow
October 21, 2009 4:13 PM
Follow & tweeted:
http://twitter.com/gordy93/status/5051250688
October 21, 2009 4:14 PM
Have your button:
http://lee-annwantsfreestuff.blogspot.com/
October 21, 2009 4:14 PM
Joined the mailing list
October 21, 2009 7:03 PM
It's assembled in the USA!! I love locally made products.
October 21, 2009 8:12 PM
Very Cool!
Brilliant, detailed digital print
All content developed in consultation
with scientists for accuracy
10 inches tall by 12 feet long
(perfect for hanging at child-eye
height in a hallway)
Printed on 100# poster paper
Printed in USA
denyse_g@hotmail.com
October 21, 2009 9:53 PM
my daughter would love this!! She is so into dinosaurs. and she's a girl!
I learned that they have apparel that I thought was cool. I like 'meet your ancestor' and 'product of natural selection'.
Sarah
imahappymamaof2@yahoo.com
October 21, 2009 9:54 PM
I subscribe.
Sarah
imahappymamaof2@yahoo.com
October 22, 2009 6:31 AM
*daily tweet!*
http://twitter.com/GradSchoolMommy/status/5066266267
October 22, 2009 8:53 AM
I had learned you could stand it up like a fort.
erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net
October 22, 2009 2:24 PM
I first learned about Charlie's Playhouse via pharyngula, and I love the idea. I love the t-shirts, available at Cafepress, especially the "98% chimpanzee" one.
urchiken at gmail dot com
October 22, 2009 2:36 PM
They created the toys because of the lack of toys about evolution.
ag1414@hotmail.com
October 22, 2009 9:53 PM
I learnt that they have awesome tshirts!
October 23, 2009 4:19 AM
It would have been Darwins 200 birthday this year!
October 23, 2009 6:13 AM
** daily tweet! **
http://twitter.com/GradSchoolMommy/status/5093499611
October 23, 2009 8:34 AM
I love their Chimpanzee Infant Bodysuit!
Thanks!!
hawkgirl_16{at}hotmail{dot}com
October 23, 2009 8:34 AM
I subscribe!
hawkgirl_16{at}hotmail{dot}com
October 23, 2009 8:35 AM
I have your button! http://mom2anutball.blogspot.com/
hawkgirl_16{at}hotmail{dot}com
October 23, 2009 8:35 AM
I signed up for their emails!
hawkgirl_16{at}hotmail{dot}com
October 23, 2009 11:10 AM
Every creature from the Giant Timeline
gets its own large card with illustration,
fun facts, size comparison figure, and more.
kngmckellar@hotmail.com
October 23, 2009 11:36 AM
email subscriber
kngmckellar@hotmail.com
October 23, 2009 11:36 AM
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have button
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October 23, 2009 11:39 AM
http://kngmckellar-glorias.blogspot.com/2009/10/httpwwwjollymomcom200910evolution-toys.html
blogged
kngmckellar@hotmail.com
October 23, 2009 11:40 AM
http://twitter.com/kngmckellar/status/5099467692
follow on twitter and tweeted
kngmckellar@hotmail.com
October 23, 2009 12:30 PM
As Professor of Geologic Sciences at Brown University since 1972, Tom taught a class on the fossil record for over thirty years.
October 23, 2009 12:30 PM
subscriber!
October 23, 2009 12:30 PM
follower!
October 23, 2009 12:41 PM
they also have ancient creature cards, very cool company!
October 23, 2009 12:42 PM
joined their email list
October 23, 2009 12:42 PM
subscriber
October 23, 2009 12:42 PM
http://twitter.com/mrstls/status/5100960038
October 23, 2009 12:55 PM
Opabinia has five eyes on stalks!
Jennifer, jennem22 at yahoo dot com
October 23, 2009 3:10 PM
As Professor of Geologic Sciences at Brown University since 1972, Tom taught a class on the fossil record for over thirty years. He holds a PhD in atmospheric sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has published over 100 articles and co-edited two books and two special issues of journals.
Tom retired from teaching in 2005.
he is on the board of advertisers
October 23, 2009 3:10 PM
following your blog as klp1965
October 23, 2009 3:11 PM
have your button http://klp1965.blogspot.com/
October 23, 2009 3:12 PM
http://twitter.com/klp1965/status/5104360798
October 23, 2009 3:47 PM
I learned that they have lots of great tshirts
October 23, 2009 6:01 PM
I read that they just won a Tillywig award!
October 23, 2009 6:01 PM
I'm a follower!
October 23, 2009 7:19 PM
I learned the main reason for creating Charlies playhouse is because there is not hardly no evolution toys. I love the whole concept I home school my daughter so this would be an awesome visual of evolution.
October 23, 2009 7:19 PM
I subscribe
October 23, 2009 7:19 PM
http://www.theneatthingsinlife.com/ I got your button
October 23, 2009 10:38 PM
I learned that they sell great shirts through Cafe Press.
October 23, 2009 10:38 PM
subscriber
October 23, 2009 10:38 PM
I follow your blog
October 23, 2009 10:38 PM
have ur button
October 23, 2009 10:41 PM
blogged here
http://momsfocusonline.com/october-03-other-giveaway.html
October 23, 2009 10:41 PM
follow u on twitter and tweeted @momsfocus
October 23, 2009 10:44 PM
It's assembled in the USA :)
October 23, 2009 11:15 PM
I learned they have shirts.
October 23, 2009 11:15 PM
I'm following you in Blogger!
October 23, 2009 11:15 PM
I have your button on my blog: http://thriftyjinxy.blogspot.com/
October 24, 2009 6:08 AM
daily tweet!
http://twitter.com/GradSchoolMommy/status/5120004872
October 26, 2009 9:26 AM
I think this evolution play mat is a fantastic idea for helping kids gain knowledge while still having fun. I always try and buy unusual and interesting toys for my little tike's and this year I am going to buy them a couple of wheely bugs as I think they will love them. I think in this day and age, any toy that provides your child with exercise or education can only be a good thing.