Win VTech Innotab and Games to Beat Summer Brain Drain

Disclosure: The VTech product, information, and additional gift pack have been provided by VTech to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.

vtech innotabMy little fella just started his summer break. We all know that kids lose a lot of knowledge over the summer- Most students lose about two months of grade level equivalency in mathematical computation skills over the summer months. Some students also lose more than two months in reading achievement. (Cooper, 1996) Parents consistently cite summer as the most difficult time to ensure that their children have productive things to do.

v techI personally am not a huge fan of plugging kids in all day, or letting children have free reign over mom and dad’s tablets and phones, they are expensive and not made to be used as toys. So many kids are plugged in all day as it is, not spending enough time playing outside or playing games or with mom and dad. However, a little educational play goes a long way, and there is a time and a place for technology. In today’s modern world, there is a need to let kids have technology to a degree. Why not let them use tablets made for kids, like the VTech Innotab.

 

vtechThe VTech InnoTab 2S has safe, educational content hat you choose yourself, as well as the ability to take pictures, video, do artwork, and more. In certain games, you can replace your favorite characters face with your own or whomever you choose. There is also an MP3 player, and you can download and read e-books as well.
Released at the same price point as the original InnoTab, VTech has refreshed it’s product to include a more modern tablet feel. Including a new rotatable camera and video recorder, secure Wi-Fi and personalization utilized by up to four users.

vtech tablet

With the InnoTab 2S all attention has been diverted from my iPad and onto the 5” touch screen of the InnoTab. Touch, tilt, drag-and-drop [Read more…]

MONKEY MONKEY MUSIC WITH MEREDITH LEVANDE TO RELEASE NEW DVD THIS SUMMER

Award-winning children’s musician and public television star Meredith LeVande has announced the July 1 release of her second children’s music DVD: Monkey Monkey Music: Let’s All Make a Circle (Monkey Monkey Music, $19.99, run time 45 minutes, for ages 2-5).

pic 3

Let’s All Make A Circle is the highly anticipated follow-up to Meredith LeVande’s award-winning first DVD, and brings to life songs from her acclaimed CD collections through a uniquely creative set of dynamic, imaginative music videos. These 15 colorful, high-energy videos construct a series of playful worlds full of children and animated characters, popping bubbles, [Read more…]

Ubooly- a Fun, Interactive Toy

Disclosure- I received the below in order to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.
uboolyUbooly is a nifty new toy. This toy is part digital pet/ digital lab /plush/educational buddy. The plush is a wonderful protector for your iPhone or iPod Touch at the most base physical level. Both Apply products fit snugly in the zippered compartment keeping that expensive little piece of tech safe. It zips closed and stays that way, no matter hot much fun your little ones have. And fun they will have.

UboolyThe plush also acts as an all important accessory to further enhance the Ubooly app experience. The app can be used both with or without the plush, but it definitely adds to the experience when the two are use in conjunction with one another. Ubooly is an educational toy. It teaches lessons, interacts and seems to grow and learn with your child not only giving instruction or speaking to them. A key component of Ubooly is it is a vocal interactive toy. The touch screen is used but for the most part Ubooly is interacted with vocally. So the more your little one interacts with Ubooly the more fun which can develop. There are games, songs, stories, and jokes. All of which will constantly update and evolve with some help form the Ubooly Lab.
[Read more…]

WIN Blast Zone Air Walker Bounce Castle Review and Giveaway ($200 Value)

I received the Blast Zone Air Walker Bounce Castle, in order to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.DSCF3475Every child loves to run around and jump! What is better than a toy that allows you to do both? Bounce Houses are the ultimate solution to your crazy, 🙂 active child?

About Blast Zone:

Blast Zone is a company that sells Home Use Inflatables, Commercial Inflatables, as well as inflatable accessories. Their products range from under $100 all the way to over $600.

Follow Blast Zone on Facebook to stay up to date on all of their information, as well as see when you might be able to win your own 🙂

About Blast Zone Air Walker Bounce Castle:

BlastZone Air Castle

  • Size: 8’W x 8’D x 7’H
  • Polyester oxford and commercial vinyl construction
  • Maximum weight capacity: 300 lbs.
  • ASTM and CPSC compliant
  • Includes UL Blower
  • Weight is about 42 pounds
  • Recommended Age: 36 months – 10 years
  • Includes fan, carry case, instructions, and anchor stakes
  • Features quick-deflation tube
  • Inflation Time: less than 1 minute
  • Velcro entrance enclosure system
  • Extra – high net walls for safety

The Blast Zone Air Walker Bounce Castle provides bouncing fun for up to three kids, and is fully enclosed by heavy-duty netting to ensure safety. Within a few short minutes of opening the box, your Air Walker kid’s outdoor inflatable bouncer is ready to use. The included fan provides constant airflow into the bouncing castle while your kids bounce away. The Blast Zone Air Walker Bounce Castle stores easily in the included bag. Blast Zone uses reinforced construction, and commercial vinyl bounce surfaces for extended durability. Impact zones are double and quadruple reinforced.

Blast Zone Air Walker

My Thoughts:

Set-Up: I ease [Read more…]

Shmoozee – Cute Stuffed Toys That Serve a Dual Purpose

shmozzShmoozee is not a sneeze noise or a new way to suck up to your boss. Instead, it is a plush toy with fashion sense. Maybe it can teach me something. This new toy is customizable, and glows in the dark as well.

Shmoozzee Shmoozees are nifty new plush which can be accessorized with clothing and charms for their big ears. The ears, by the way, are not plush, and feel like…ears, which is pretty cool. Another option is to use your Shmoozee as a jewelry holder. Earrings can be poked through or clipped onto its ears to hold them and keep them from getting lost. But they also [Read more…]

Little Pnuts-Imagine.Create.Play – Review

I received the Little Pnuts Toddler Special Delivery package, in order to facilitate her review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.

DSCF3129

With a 3 year old and a 1 year old, I find myself always trying to find the perfect items for them to play with, and most importantly not bring more “junk” into my house. Wouldn’t it be nice if someone would just send you the perfect items right to your house? Well guess what? I have found that perfect company. Little Pnuts is just that.

About Little Pnuts:

Melissa realized that there was a real need for high quality, all natural, non-battery operated toys. When her children were young she started researching and trying to find toys that would work and be great for her kids. She realized that the American toy market could not provide her with what she was looking for, attractive toys that would enhance every sensorial perspective toys that would provide challenges, toys that would engage while providing a sense of accomplishment. These toys needed to enhance gross and fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and help develop the focus and concentration.

Melissa then decided to turn to the European market and after a great deal of research, found exactly what she was looking for. Unfortunately, at the time, these toys were not easily accessible in the US, but she had family there that was more than happy to send them to her.

Beginning in 2012, Melissa decided it was time to combine her former skills and her newfound admiration for high quality educational toys to develop a company that would bring these toys to families in the US.

**You can choose one of 3 unique special delivery programs.

Keep Kids Active This Summer – Fun Outdoor Toys

I received the below in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.

Summer time is here- maybe not officially, but the weather says otherwise. Keep your kids moving and active this summer, and not parked in front of the TV, with these enticing toys.

dry erase helmetThe Wipeout Dry Erase Helmets not only protects your child from head injury, but encourages creativity and individuality by allowing them to customize and design their own helmets with a set of assorted neon dry erase markers and stencils (included in packaging), or draw freehand. This will also make them want to wear their helmets without having to beg or threaten, as you may find yourself doing with some kids. If Junior gets bored with his or her design, let them erase it and crate a new one. Also, mom and dad- Wear a helmet yourself. Both for safety and to set a good example for your child- the best way to show your child the right path is to walk it yourself.

Wipeout Dry Erase Helmets are available in 3 different sizes, several colors, and made for kids ages 3-to-11. For more information, go to www.iWipeout.com

razor scooterRazor Scooters makes a cute scooter for smaller kids, called Kixi Kix. It has a stand-alone, three-wheel design and extra-wide, slip resistant deck for extra stability. This helps with coordination and llearn [Read more…]

Kohl’s Cares Now Featuring The Pout Pout Fish Toys and Books

I received the below in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.
pout pout fishSummer 2013 Kohl’s Cares merchandise program featuring The Pout Pout Fish books and plush toys for just $5 each. This delightful program is a hit with both kids and their parents, as Kohl’s donates 100 percent of the net profit to children’s health and education initiatives nationwide. My son loves the brightly colored crab and fish from the Pout Pout Fish collection, and playing with them as we read the story.

products and GA 009 Kohl’s Department Stores is helping children and families across the country kick off their summer adventures with a smile with the latest Kohl’s Caresâ cause merchandise program. Now through the end of June, Kohl’s offers beloved Deborah Diesen books, including The Pout-Pout Fish and The Pout-Pout Fish in the Big-Big Dark, along with coordinating plush toys and matching tote bag for just $5 each.

products and GA 010Children will be delighted to embark on undersea adventures with playful, sing-along rhymes and bright ocean colors, and customers will be proud to support the program knowing Kohl’s donates 100 percent of the net profit to children’s health and education initiatives nationwide.

I hope that both the young and young at heart will be grinning from ear-to-ear as they read about [Read more…]