The stores are jam-packed full of awesome toys and educational tools for every single person. Is your kid interested in science? Well they have an entire section dedicated to physical, earth, life and the other science areas. I personally got a little lost in this section, dreaming of all the fun things I could do with my own students and kids. This was also the point in our visit, that I saw the African Dwarf frogs and I decided that I needed them. I probably told every person there, that I needed those frogs.
One of my favorite corners aside from the science area was the room decor section. Beyond the Blackboard has EVERYTHING you need to make your classroom stand out (and the prices are super affordable too)! At my school we do not have our own classrooms, but I do have little spaces in each classroom that I do share to put my own decor and you can bet that come school supply time next year, I will be at Beyond the Blackboard!
The ladies at Beyond the Blackboard decided to give us a few challenges to complete to learn more about the store and to sprinkle a little holiday cheer! The first was a Melissa and Doug puzzle building challenge. I might be a ::little:: competitive. Just a little, so when it was go time, we went fast and our group won the challenge and the puzzles! My kids lost it when they saw those!
Another competition was a stocking stuffer competition. We were given $50.00 store credit to shop around and create a stocking stuffed full of items that someone would love. I chose my son’s teacher. He is in 2nd grade now and has a busy classroom full of very excitable little boys. I figured a fun “fidget stocking” would be a perfect gift for her this holiday season! I am really excited to gift it to her!
The last couple games we played were Happy Salmon (which I lost) and then a fun white elephant gift exchange featuring their top sellers in the store! Fun Fact, Beyond the Blackboard gift wraps all the items purchased in store with a ribbon and bow! It was super fun playing and learning about the toys and how they help with learning and motor skills and having a little competitive fun while we were at it! When the game ended, there were still 3 gifts left in the center pile. The winner of the stocking stuffer contests would each get a 2nd gift! Well guess who won!
What did I end up winning? FROGS! You guys, I WON THE FROGS! It was fate, it was the best day ever and I was probably the most ideal person to take these home. Well, sort of. They actually are in my classroom and my students and I are working on names for them currently. I love them so much and it has been awesome to use them as a teaching tool in my classroom! We are learning about photosynthesis right now and this tiny little ecosystem has been great to use as a model. I absolutely have loved them and am so thankful that fate put these little froggies in my hands!
