Are you looking for a creative gift this Christmas?  Check out these learning chopsticks from Marcus & Marcus.  The one we received to review is the elephant, although they come in other colors/styles (and apparently also a full baby feeding set, if you’re looking for something “bigger”).

It actually comes in three pieces — the actual sticks are not attached to the top piece that holds them together.  That allows the pieces to be cleaned more efficiently, and lets you use the sticks as regular chopsticks once mastery is acquired.

The sticks push into the openings in the elephant’s legs.  They’re a pretty tight fit — tight enough that they feel at first like they don’t fit.  Just trust that they do and push ’til you get them in.  The tight fit is a good thing because the sticks won’t fall out.

Most Westerners hold chopsticks incorrectly.  They should be held roughly like a pencil, and only the upper chopstick is intended to move.  The video below shows you how to use chopsticks correctly:

This is tricky enough for an adult to master when it’s a new, unfamiliar skill.  It can be even tougher for young children, though, who lack dexterity and are still developing their motor skills.  These learning chopsticks help by holding the chopsticks together (making them more like tongs) so the two sticks aren’t falling out of their hands.

POKEY THE PIG Learning ChopsticksOLLIE THE ELEPHANT Learning ChopsticksWILLO THE WHALE Learning ChopsticksLOLA THE GIRAFFE Learning ChopsticksMARCUS THE LION Learning Chopsticks

Which one is your favorite?