SCREEN TIME APP – CHILDREN’S BRAIN CHANGES BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE TIME BEFORE SCREENS, ACCORDING TO STUDY

August 9, 2019 by Samantha Leave a Comment

The brain of children who spend too much time before screens of smart devices or video games seems to be modified, according to a study by the National Institute of Health (NIH) released a few days ago by the CBS network.

In 21 research centers, the NIH began examining the brains of 4,500 children of 9 and 10 years old to know if the intense consumption of video games and the time they spend on the Internet influences their development.

The first results of this study with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) show significant differences in the brain of children who use smartphones, tablets and video games more than seven hours a day, explained one of the researchers, Gaya Dowling in the program “60 Minutes”.

The images showed a premature thinning of the cerebral cortex or cortex, which processes the information sent to the brain by the five senses.

The thinning of the cortex “is considered an aging process,” said the scientist, noting that it was not clear if this process is harmful. “We still do not know if it’s due to the time spent in front of the screens, or if it’s a bad thing,” he said.

According to another scientist interviewed in the program, Kara Bagot, smartphones can have an addictive effect because the time spent in front of a screen stimulates the release of dopamine, the pleasure hormone.

The NIH data showed that children who spent more than two hours per day on screens had worse language and reasoning tests.

For the research, 11,000 children were examined, who will be followed for several years to study the impact of the screens on their intellectual and social development, as well as their health.

Discussing the results of the study, many tech experts agree to the precaution that a limit should be imposed on kids’ screen time. One great way of doing that is using the screen time app such as FamilyTime that enables parents to monitor the activities of their kids on screen and also help to measure the time of use of the tablet, so that the educational and training use can be balanced.

The perk of this parental control app is that you can define time slots in which your kids can use the screen and during other hours, the screen gets locked automatically. Another nice feature of the app is the application monitoring accompanied with the ability to block or limit app usage with features such as app lock and screen time limits. There are many more features that you can check out yourself. All you need to do is visit the app store on your phone and get the app from there or simply hit the links given below.

Filed Under: kids Tagged With: check in, screen time, tech

Summer Pool Floats

August 8, 2019 by Samantha Leave a Comment

It’s sweltering out there, and with temperatures only rising, you might be seeking out the local pool or lake to cool off. What’s more fun the an interesting float? These are the ones you might see us toting about.

SwimWays Huggables Sloth Oversized Float – Inflatable Lounge with Cupholder

Long name, cute float. This is a rather unique float, not just for the animal options, but also for the armrests that “hug” you as well as acting as a drink holder. (I mostly left the sunblock in there, though, honestly, works just as well.) Our Sloth moved leisurely along the water, but you can also try out the Teddy Bear or the Panda Bear, all are equally adorable, and definitely attention grabbers and make for super sweet photos and Instagram shots. So many people at the lake came up and asked about it, and lots of kids wanted a go- it was an instant “friend maker” for my son, that’s for certain.

Also fun is that you can actually lean back, and sit upright. That’s pretty unusual in a pool float, most you can only lay on. Sized for adults, not just for kids, this is good for just about anyone. Actual dimensions for those of you who need to worry about sizes for your pool rules: 50 in x 36 in x 40 in. This is intended for ages 5 and up. There are three options, Sloth, Teddy Bear, and Panda. I was unable to find a weight limit, but we personally had no issues, with the heaviest member to try the Sloth being 181 lbs. You can get these for $15 and up on Amazon.

PoolCandy Jumbo Blue Glitter Narwhal Inflatable Pool Float

Looking for something a little more magical? How about a glittering Narwhal? As we mentioned back in Febuary’s Toy Fair columns, the narwhal is a trendy fella this year, and here it is making an appearance in the pool float variety. He’s very cute (or she if you prefer) and easily spotted, with it’s sparkly horn and bright, eye catching holographic glitter. This tube type float lets you ride with your lets on top or underneath, while you paddle or drift along your preferred watering hole.

The Jumbo Inflatable Narwhal Pool Float from PoolCandy is a 48″ transparent ring or tube that is filled with rainbow glitter that will dazzle in the sunlight. Again, it’s a real attention grabber, and will be a great photo or post on Instagram. The kids love it, and the adults did as well. You might want to grab more then one to avoid those wonderful “disagreements” that pop up when it comes time to sharing. (Cough cough, parenting is fun.)

For those of you who need to know sizes, it is vinyl and approximately 65″ x 49″ x 37″ and includes a patch kit, just in case. It holds up to 250 pounds. Available for $30 at https://www.poolcandy.net

Indoraptor Inflatable Pool Float

What, those are too cute for you? Ok, that’s cool, we get it. Cute isn’t for everyone. Check out the ferocious looking Indoraptor float from Coconut Float. This dino isn’t messing around, and the snarl on it’s face quickly lets you know that. As with all Coconut Float brand inflatables, it is *made from the highest quality vinyl to avoid punctures (as per the manufacturer). This float is an officially licensed “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” item, and features realistic graphics and details- the kids will love it. It measures 39″ x 60″, and is fun for kids to sit on top of and ride like a pony. I was not able to find a weight limit for this, but it seems to be a better fit for kids and smaller adults because larger adults seem to get “tippy” with it (meaning it seems to go side to side a little more then you might like). You can find this toy for $35 from https://www.watsons.com and other retailers online, prices vary.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: parents@play, pool floats, summer

Can You Get It Over With Quickly When Filing for a Divorce?

August 6, 2019 by Samantha Leave a Comment

There is no such thing as a stress-free divorce, even if you part amicably and remain friends for decades to come. But is there such a thing as a quick divorce? History knows examples of this litigation going on for years and costing fortunes. However, even if it’s amicable and simple, breaking off a marriage might take months in some places.

What’s the Average Duration of an Amicable Divorce with No Complications?

The laws governing divorces and legal separations vary depending on the state. However, on average, you should be able to finalize the divorce within 30-60 days. But bear in mind that this is the time that doesn’t account for a mandatory waiting period. That one might last months and it might be impossible to waive even in an amicable divorce.

The state where divorces are easiest is Nevada, which is part of the reason why there are so many of them. But there you can break off your marriage within a few weeks. On the other hand, even if you want to get a quick divorce in Texas, you’ll need to wait for about 90 days, and that’s if everything runs smooth as silk. Your divorce hearing won’t even be scheduled less than 61 days after you file all the relevant paperwork. But there are also places like South Carolina where you can’t even file for a divorce unless you’ve lived apart with no sexual relations for a year.

Regardless of the state the duration of the divorce process might take years if the spouses cannot reach an agreement. Settlements will take as long as your negotiations will last. And if there are appeals and court hearings mixed in, you might spend a good portion of your estate on lawyers’ fees.

Factors That Affect the Speed of a Divorce

Aside from being contested or uncontested, factors that affect the speed with which you can get a divorce include:

The size of your estate (families with a lot of assets might be unable to avoid involving lawyers as legal counsel is a mandatory re2quirement in some states)
Children (the situation gets exceedingly more complicated if you cannot settle on child custody as this will make a court hearing mandatory)
Waiting period or legal separation mandated by state law
Prenuptial agreement terms

How to Speed Up a Divorce

The fastest possible way to get a divorce is to settle everything with your spouse directly and file for an uncontested divorce. In this case, you will be able to dissolve your marriage within the shortest legal period mandated by state law.

However, if you are unable to do this, your best bet is hiring a lawyer. Legal experts will know all the loopholes that your local laws have that can speed up the process.

Note that if the case involves abuse and threat to you or the children, the process can be expeditated. But you will most likely need to involve the police as well as get the injuries registered by a medical professional so the report can be used as evidence.

Overall, no two cases are the same, so it’s impossible to determine how much time exactly your divorce might take. Even in the case of an amicable separation, there is no guarantee that your spouse doesn’t change their mind at the last minute and decide not to settle.

When hiring a lawyer, your chances for a prompt settlement are bigger, but the costs will be significantly higher. If money is an issue and filing for an uncontested divorce is impossible, you will have to settle for a lengthy divorce that will require a lot of research and personal visits to the courthouse on your part.

Filed Under: family Tagged With: check in, divorce

4 Travel Scams to Avoid- Know Before You Go

August 6, 2019 by Samantha Leave a Comment

Travelling within or outside a country for a vacation can be quite thrilling. The thought of spending your nights in a cozy hotel or perhaps visiting restaurants in Memphis for some crazy Korean noodle is exhilarating. But all this excitement can get ruined by travel scams.

Research by AHLA indicates that travel fraud has become rampant with Americans making 28.5 million fake bookings per year. This translate to about $5.2 billion annually. Stop Online Booking Scams Act has been in place since 2016 to crack down scammers. However, the world is still wild, and you have to play your part.

Watch out the following travel scams and learn how to avoid them.

Fake Booking Websites

Thanks to the internet that you can now book a hotel for your vacation or business trip at the comfort of your couch. But scammers will try to get ahead of you. Today, you can book a hotel directly on their website or use a third party. Scammers will come up with a website- acting as a third party and convince you to book with them.

In fact, most of them will give you a huge discount, and if excitement overshadows your instincts, then you will get scammed. Scammers might also create a website that looks like the real website or that of a known booking site like Airbnb. Once you make your “booking”, they will disappear with your money.

To avoid this version of a travel scam, ensure you book directly with the hotel. But if you decide to make your bargaining using a third party, ensure the webpage is trustworthy. Read reviews and seek recommendations from friends and relatives who have used the site.

More so, ensure Better Business Bureau approves the site.

Car Scam

When you visit a foreign country, you might decide to hire a car and drive around to any place you want. Thanks to wayfinding signage that will direct you to any point of interest. Cars are convenient, comfortable, and provides personal security and privacy.

Now, you rent a car, but upon bringing it back, the owner claims you have to make extra payments for damages you didn’t know. If you don’t have any proof, you will end up paying for expensive repairs you didn’t even cause.

If you want to avoid this kind of scenario, take photos of the car and document any damages. If possible, go around with the owner taking photos to clear any doubt. Also, keep the car out of the owner’s sight. Some people might get malicious and send someone to mess the vehicle or steal to make you pay for it.

Additionally, buy travel insurance to help you claim in case of any issue.

The Taxi Overcharge

You land, and you’re trying to fight off with jetlag. All you want is to get to your hotel room and catch up with some cuisine. You call for a taxi, and the driver tells you the meter is broken.

Others will tend to charge you more than necessary.

To avoid being overcharged, ask the hotel front desk the rate from your pick-up point. Cab services like Uber have almost constant rates. Although rates can sometimes change, the variant won’t be huge.

Most of the tourism boards allow you to report fraudulent cab drivers. That’s why it’s essential to have the driver’s ID number to report any incidence. Finally, ensure you only board a licensed cab.

Free Gifts

By now, you should know that nothing is for free. This travel scam works whereby a friendly person approaches you for a chat and then place a hat on your head, or bracelet on your wrist. Once you have the gift, then they will for demand money.

These scammers won’t accept their items back. Instead, they will try to cause a scene hoping you will pay than getting embarrassed.

Don’t accept anything from anyone. But in case they put it on you, return it and be adamantly firm about it.

Take-Away

Travelling should not be stressful or scary. Heed to the above advice and your trip will be enjoyable and scam-free.

Filed Under: traveling Tagged With: check in, travel

Pro’s of Investing in a Condominium

August 6, 2019 by Samantha Leave a Comment

Condominiums are the epitome of modern living. It has many perks that include modern facilities and amenities, great views, security, and some privacy. But if you are looking to buy a condo as an investment, you must consider the potential gains that you can get.

Below are some of the reasons why investing in a condo would be a profitable choice:

Market Value

The main criterion in determining that you are making a good investment is the property’s market value. Thus, if it’s market value is higher than the purchase price, you are in good hands. This remains applicable and true when it comes to condo investments.

There is a higher appreciation rate for condo units. You should expect that its value grows from the moment you purchase it. It gives you plenty of opportunities to reap the benefits of your investment. You can opt to rent it out so you can have a sustainable source of monthly income from the rental.

Also, you can choose to resell it later. The longer you hold on to your property, the higher its appreciation value. This will enable your money (investment) to multiply without working too hard.

Profitability

Condos are easy to rent out. A lot of people who opt to live in cities would prefer to rent a condo unit because of its facilities and amenities. If you choose a condo that is within a prime location (such as within the business district or city center), the demand for your condo rental will grow even more. Therefore, it is important to consider the location of a condo unit by the time of your purchase.

The initial investment required for a condominium can be easily afforded by potential investors. This makes it a better investment because the cost of acquisition is lower than the potential resale value. There are many condo developments that are in a pre-selling stage that offers lower prices. Make sure you take advantage of them if you have decided on investing in a condo.

Maintenance

It is easier to maintain a condominium because there is your utility staff whose primary role is to help with the upkeep and maintenance. You can also rent out your condominium for business use. Who says that condominiums are only suitable for residential use? The ability to rent out your condo for commercial use will help expand the potential income of your investment.

Investing in condominium units offer better liquidity as an investment (compared to apartment buildings). You can easily sell the unit when you want to (whereas it would be more difficult to find a buyer for an apartment building).

If you would like to pursue the idea of buying a condo as your next investment, you need to see this. It is not just a matter of investing in a condo, but where you choose to invest in that truly matters.

Con’s of Investing in a Condo

There are a few things you need to know about before investing in a condo unit. These are risk factors that you must be prepared for so that you can mitigate the risks:

Restrictions

Depending on which condo you invest in, there might be certain restrictions. The homeowner’s association within a condominium building might impose a lot of rules and regulations for owners to live by. They might even put restrictions on when, how, and to whom you may rent out your condominium unit. Make sure you check out the rules in your specific condo before you pursue the investment.

Monthly Fees

The monthly fees on the homeowner’s association and any other maintenance fees can potentially lower your return of investment. Make sure you choose a condo that is centrally located so you can keep the rental prices up. This is how you can optimize the return of investment so you can cover other maintenance fees.

Pro’s of Investing in an Apartment

Aside from a condo, an apartment is another good real estate investment. Learn about the advantages of this type of investment:

Level of Demand

The level of demand for apartment rentals is steadily high, especially among families looking to rent a single-family home. It is a good investment because you can expect a low vacancy rate (especially if your apartment is in a central location).

Cost

The cost of maintenance in an apartment is considerably low. There is also no need to pay any monthly fees because you own the entire apartment building (whereas condos have multiple owners).

Con’s of Investing in an Apartment

While there are many benefits to investing in an apartment, there are potential downsides. Here are some of them:

Ownership Expenses

The cost of ownership for an apartment building is substantially higher than other real estate investments (such as condominium). Depending on where you live, not all individual investors can afford to purchase the apartment building. This puts a limit on your buying market for that property.

Rental Income

It puts all of your income potential solely reliant on the rental income. It is, therefore, important to attract renters and lower the vacancy rate if you want to maintain you’re your profit. In this regard, it makes maintenance of an apartment building entail more work. You need to address the needs of your existing tenants to keep them happy. Otherwise, you could lose tenants if they are unsatisfied with the quality of living in your apartment.

The Bottom Line

There are certain benefits and drawbacks with each option – condo or apartment as an investment. Use the information above so you can weigh the pros and cons of each option. In the end, your investment goals and strategy are different.

If you want to make money through the rental income, then both condos and apartments are a suitable choice. But when it comes to the resale value, condos might have an edge as it is easier to liquidate than apartments. Either way, you need to match these investments with your long-term goals so you can make the right choice.

Filed Under: home Tagged With: check in, home, moving

8 Travel Tips For Women Seasoned Travelers Swear By

August 5, 2019 by Samantha Leave a Comment

Samantha Feuss

These days there is a trend going on around the world where people want to travel. Especially solo trips have taken over the world with a storm. As we all know, women are not behind men and can do whatever they want. A recent survey by Booking.com proofs that 65% of women travel on their own.

Undoubtedly, traveling is fun, but you also must be health-conscious, especially when you are traveling alone and to a different country. Being a solo women traveler is tough. You have to take care of yourself. Buying an insurance policy will help you cover your travel and health-related problems.

Moreover, you should also opt for travel insurance which has provisions for insuring your health in foreign land. Health insurance provision in the travel insurance will provide you financial support in case of hospitalization due to health issues. And you can enjoy the vacation without any trouble.

The idea of packing your bag and going on a solo trip might seem exciting, even natural (thanks to social media), going on a trip alone can be a bit challenging.

But don’t let your fears hold you back! Here are some travel trips for a safe and comfortable solo female travel experience.

Do your homework

For many travelers, planning and researching are almost as fun as traveling! Take some time off from searching most beautiful beaches and coolest cities, take some time to look up safety information for where you are headed. Information like

What are the exchange rate, customs restrictions, and visa requirements
How’s their public transportations system and are there certain taxis you should avoid
Which neighborhood you should avoid
What cell phone plan you should buy
When it comes to your hotels, how are its rating for safety
What are their local customs and traditions so you can carry yourself accordingly

Also, you can avoid the outfits that scream “tourist!”. You can learn about there culture so that you can show as much respect you can. You can also try to learn some phrases and words in the local language; it makes a lot of difference.

Light packing

Use packing cubes to store your accessories and clothes. Packing cubes are inexpensive, light, and total game-changer in keeping things organized.
Secondly, pack clothes that can you can wear in multiple ways.

Also, you should carry a day bag in which you can fit all your relevant documents like:

Passport
Camera
Medication
Credit cards
Smartphone
Jewelry
Other valuable essentials

Make sure you take this bag with you everywhere. And also you should be carrying backup copies of all essential travel documents on your phone, computer, and in your luggage.

Share your itinerary

Always share your plan with someone whom you trust. ( a friend, family, or a colleague back home). Keep them informed about

Your accommodations
Flight details
Full itinerary
Credit cards
Travel insurance

Also,

Share reception’s number of your accommodation for emergency purposes.
Plan everything for a day and share it with your friends or family.
Connect with your loved ones via daily emails, texts, social media updates, or regular skype chats.

Sharing your itinerary with your loved ones will not only assuage the fears of your loved ones but also be useful in case of any trouble.

Trust your instincts

If you are traveling alone, always trust your instincts.
If you are feeling something is off, walk away from that person or place immediately.
Always trust your guts.
If you feel like you have every right to change hotels, get out of a cab, fly to a different city, or walk away from someone or someplace.
Always stay alert of your surroundings.
Leave the area immediately if you feel uncomfortable or unsafe.

Moderate your alcohol consumption

Getting drunk while you are traveling is a big no-no. Alcohol dulls your senses and slows your reaction time, which in turns make you vulnerable to others. That doesn’t mean you should altogether avoid drinking. You should take care of the following aspects:

Instead of drinking slowly, pace yourself.
Eat before and during drinking
Have a glass of water in between each drink
Always take drinks directly from the bartender
Resist the pressure to keep up with others, who might be able to drink more than you.
Limit your consumption
Make sure you have someone who can help you to go back to the hotel without being the target on the streets.

Safety should be your priority

You are in a different country, with a diverse society with a diverse background of people. Your preference should be your safety. Here are some safety rules that you can follow:

Travel during the daytime.
Avoid walking by yourself late at night.
Carry a safety whistle or pepper spray at all times.
Travel via cabs, prefer using Uber, Ola, or any other apps as they provide driver’s details.
Always carry your accommodations emergency number whenever you go out.

Get Travel Insurance

Do you need travel insurance? Absolutely. It could save your life, and currently, with so many online providers, there’s no reason not to get it. Getting travel insurance can provide you loads of help. Some of which are mention below

Whether your luggage is lost
You end up in a political coup
You end up in a natural disaster
You need to go to the hospital while on the road
Or you are robbed

Travel insurance will reimburse all your expenses and will provide you with the security you need.

If the very worst happens and you end up losing your life, right travel insurance will allow your family to bring your body home without paying tens of thousands of dollars and getting wrapped up in mountains of red tape.

In short, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you shouldn’t be traveling in the first place.

Spend some extra money on staying safe

It’s essential to have additional budget toward staying safe.

Let’s say your flight lands on a rough city late at night, in that case; you should spend more money on the guesthouse that will pick you up from the airport instead of taking a cheap bus into the town and trying to find a hotel on foot.

It means paying more to stay in a central neighborhood with lots of lively activity instead of a cheaper, quiet residential area where you feel isolated.

Build an extra financial cushion into your trip and use it for situations like these — ones where you could be a little bit safer if you spent a little more.

No Matter What Don’t Go Easy On Your Health

Life is too short, so you should enjoy, experience and explore new things. But regardless of all these, you should never compromise with your health, especially on a foreign trip. Your normal health insurance may not cover hospitalization expenses in a foreign country. However, a travel insurance plan with health insurance cover may even give you cashless hospitalization benefit. You may ensure that health insurance covers women with specific health issues well.

If you are traveling solo, your travel insurance with women specific health insurance could be your best companion for a worry-free trip.

Filed Under: traveling Tagged With: travel

Avoid The Summer Slide- Fun Ways to Stimulate Your Brain

August 5, 2019 by Samantha Leave a Comment

Summer is a great time to relax and enjoy time together with friends and family, but you don’t want to let your mind turn to mush during that time. According to the Northwest Evaluation Association’s research, “summer learning loss was observed in math and reading across third to eighth grade, with students losing a greater proportion of their school year gains each year as they grow older – anywhere from 20 to 50 percent.” How do you keep your child from losing their learning or falling behind? Keep their minds active, keep them reading, and keep brains stimulated. No, Fortnight totally doesn’t count, sorry!

Got a little one? Start young and keep them active. There are some amazing books out there, and of course your local library will likely have summer reading programs you can do with your child no matter what age. There are also puzzles and educational games you can play with your child on technology and “real life” touchable options- we recommend a bit of both.

kids apps

We recently tried out these fun and “edu-taining” science based apps aimed at preschoolers, and found them both adorable and fun. My child didn’t even realize they were learning, they honestly enjoyed them. Even my 12 year old liked them- except the dress up app, but that’s pretty good for an age range in my opinion.

I’m a teacher by trade, and I love that there are these apps that let kids have fun while learning. Since science is an area that is under-taught in many schools, the more ways a child can be exposed to it, the better. Cosmic Cubs (www.cosmiccubs.com) help kids pre-k and up learn about ecology, the solar system, and just for fun, a space dress up game as well. These three apps are available for Android and IOS platforms, via the App store or Google Play. The space cubs also teach kids about the importance of being environmentally responsible- reduce, reuse, and recycle – in their Cosmic Cubs Eco Puzzle App.

The website has lots of coloring pages you can download as well as information sheets in addition to the apps. The apps are technically free but cost $1.99 for full access. Kids will have access to puzzles, games, learning about the planets, asteroids, meteors, comets, problem solving, and more. They also teach new vocabulary words. Even the dress up game helps with dexterity and hand/eye coordination, as well as learning about colors and more. Not to mention, spark an interest in space. The three apps available are the Cosmic Cubs Eco Puzzler, the Cosmic Cubs Dress Up, and Cosmic Cubs Space Puzzles. $1.99 for full access.

kids apps

Learning a language is great for any age, and Rosetta Stone has options for any age learner at any level of knowledge. There are so many benefits that come from knowing a second language, and the younger you start, the better off you are. There is no time like the present, so no matter your age, you aren’t getting any younger- now is the best time. The benefits are really endless, from being able to get better job opportunities, to making better connections in the community and beyond, improving your memory, enhancing your ability to multi- task and decision making skills, improving your first language, and more. It also keeps the brain active and challenged, which is necessary and helps with overall learning and brain health. So why not?

For kids, there is Rosetta Stone Homeschool. There used to be some pretty cool award winning apps for kids, but from what I can see (and from multiple calls to customer service to inquire) they seem to be discontinued. Rosetta Stone Homeschool uses pioneering technology “which promotes long-term retention and correct pronunciation—without memorization or drills” (as per the company).

Using an immersion method, language is taught the way you would naturally learn, with no translation required. With patented speech-recognition technology, TruAccent®, your child’s speech is analyzed and corrected to get the best accent possible. There are reports and progress data so you can see how your child is progressing, and your child can learn from a computer, phone, tablet, or whatever is convenient, on or offline.

Not just for kids, Rosetta Stone’s pioneering speech recognition technology helps kids or adults learn the language of their choice. With more than 30 options to choose from (including endangered languages), choosing the language you will learn might be the hardest part. You learn the way children naturally learn their first language, with image recognition, pronunciation assistance, and repetition. Tutoring is also available.

It starts with a core lesson that introduces you into a bunch of new words. The core lesson takes about 30 minutes. This is followed up by several smaller lessons that focus on different aspects that you learned in the core lesson. These range from about five to ten minutes each.

We have started learning a new language here -and I will update you in 6 months and let you know how it’s going.

Filed Under: education, review Tagged With: education, parents@play

Cosmic Cubs Learning Apps For Kids

August 2, 2019 by Samantha 1 Comment

kids apps

More Info

Say hello to Ertle (rhymes with turtle), Luna, Sunny, Neeto and Juno, some of the 10 Cosmic Cubs that kids will meet in one of three Apps available for Android and IOS platforms, now available from the App store or Google Play. Leader of the pack Ertle is a good-natured cub who loves life and families found on Earth. Luna has many phases and she connects best with the Moon. Juno is playful and confident and admittedly leans toward the biggest planet of all, Jupiter!

The engaging cubs teach children as young as three about the 3Rs – reduce, reuse and recycle – in their Cosmic Cubs Eco Puzzle App (Free for some content and $1.99 for full access) for iPhone and iPad or Android phone or tablet. The App boasts 24 different puzzles.

Click on their website for a bundle of Cosmic Cubs Coloring pages to be downloaded and printed. These informative sheets are ideal for kitchen table or restaurant booth free time. On one 3Rs ecology page, Ertle shows youngsters how to save energy by turning down the heat in winter and donning a sweater.

Download Cosmic Cubs Space Puzzle (Free for some content and $1.99 full access) for a galactic game of planets. Children learn about the different planets and moons in the Milky Way as they complete jigsaw puzzles. They’ll quickly discover the ringed planet, the blue planet and the coldest planet. Asteroids, Meteors and Comets will become new vocabulary words!

Printable Cosmic Cubs Coloring pages (free on website) reinforce what youngsters discover on their Apps. Neptune has the strongest wind in the solar system while Uranus has 27 moons!

Cubs or kids can’t explore space without the proper outerwear! Cosmic Cubs Dress Up (free for some content and $1.99 for full access) is an engaging App for boys and girls to select a spacesuit, helmet and accessories for their next out-of-this-world adventure. Backgrounds, scenery and décor are equally important for a space exploration!

“Absolutely fantastic! My daughter loves the different bears,” writes one parent at the Apple Store. “The dress up is teaching her phenomenal hand/eye coordination. She’s learning so much with these apps! Colors, problem solving, everything 🙂 definitely worth it!” The review ends with a 5 (out of 5) star rating.

kidSafe Certified Each Cosmic Cubs App passed the kidSAFE Seal Program. This independent safety certification service and seal-of-approval program designed exclusively for children-friendly websites and technologies, including online game sites, educational services, virtual worlds, social networks, mobile apps, tablet devices, connected toys, and other similar online and interactive services.

Look for these Apps available now:

Cosmic Cubs Eco Puzzler • Ages 3+ • Free or $1.99 Join the Cosmic Cubs to learn about the 3 R’s — Reduce, Reuse, Recycle — while playing a slide puzzle. Kids quickly figure out which puzzle pieces move in position to recreate an image. This app helps raise awareness and offers suggestions for children to save the earth resources.

Cosmic Cubs Dress Up • Ages 3+ • Free or $1.99 Clothes make the man and the cub! Choose from hundreds of different items to dress the various Cosmic Cubs as they step out into space. Look for enchanting themes from Princess to Spy. Outerwear, helmets, scenery and more make this a delightful way to spend downtime with family or as solo play in the backseat of the car.

Cosmic Cubs Space Puzzles • Ages 3+ • Free or $1.99 The Cosmic Cubs are exploring the Solar System and you can travel along. Learn about the solar system, with NASA images and fun facts about the universe. Download the free version that provides access to 17 images of the inner solar system, from the Earth and the Moon inward to the Sun. You can also purchase all 54 of the puzzles of the outer planets and entire the Universe. Children will be exposed to beautiful images from NASA and can learn about Planets, stars and other fun fact about space.

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