Must Have Water Toys from Swimways

April 17, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Disclosure- We received the below in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are our own and honest.

In my house we love to spend time outside, but even more importantly. We love to spend time in the water. My girls were so excited to see all of these awesome products and have been begging me to find them an indoor pool ASAP. Check out all these great products from Swimways

Aerobie Pro Ring

The thin design of this ring allows the disc to travel longer distances and it features soft edges for comfortable catches. This amazing flying disc was used to set a Guinness World Record for the farthest throw, an amazing 1,333 feet.

The Aerobie Ring measures 13 inches in diameter.

My Thoughts: My daughters absolutely loved this toy. We recently moved to a much more open area and we have been amazed how far my girls can fly this awesome toy. I can definitely tell that we are going to need another one in our future. 

Avengers Dive Characters:

These fun dive characters are soft and flexible full-figural dive toys that look like kid’s favorite characters. Not only can your child dive for them, but they can also play with them outside of the water.

Each set includes three different characters.

My Thoughts: My nephew had a great time playing with these in the water when he was at our house over Easter. I promised him that he can play with them in our pool when he comes back this summer and he could hardly wait. 

Funny Face Swim Goggles:

Your kids will love to express their personality at the pool with these selfie-ready novelty swimming goggles, which add some fun to swim lessons and kids pool parties. The goggles feature an easy-button adjustable head strap, leak-resistant design and soft construction for a comfortable fit.

My Thoughts: My girls were so happy to have these. They have used them already at home for bath time, but they can’t wait for pool time and lake time this summer!  I think these are the cutest goggles that I have ever seen. 

SquiDivers:

These SquiDivers are soft and flexible learn to swim dive toys that wiggle and jiggle their way to the bottom of the pool, landing nose down. Their tentacles float upright making these toys easy for kids to grab. There finger holes that allow your kids to place on their finger tips for fun in or out of the pool.

My Thoughts: I can hardly wait to use these this summer. My older girls are getting pretty good at their swimming and I know they are going to love these one of a kind Squidivers. 

Purchase

If you are interested in purchasing any of these awesome swim toys, head on over to Swimways and find them and everything else you need to get your child or yourself decked out for the water!

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6th Annual Walk for Kids Growth & Festival

April 3, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Join the community for the 6th Annual Walk for Kids’ Growth on Saturday, April 28, 2018, at Flushing Meadows Park (at the Fountain of the Planets), from 11 am to 3 pm. The event will feature a 3-mile scenic, fun walk, FREE food, carnival games, display booths, live entertainment and much more! This is the nation’s largest fundraising event for childhood growth disorders and rare genetic diseases. The Walk raises significant funds and awareness for the disorders, celebrates patient advocacy and honors those who have reached new heights. All ages and leashed pets are welcome. Sign up (FREE) to participate at www.WalkForKidsGrowth.org.

 

 

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Wubble Ball Review of Two New Types – Wubble Fulla Slime and Wubble Fulla Marbles

March 29, 2018 by Leave a Comment

The company behind the infamous Wubble Bubble Ball has come out with two new, must-have toys – Wubble Fulla Slime and Wubble Fulla Marbles. Each is available in three different sizes which means you can have hours of fun for the whole family!

Wubble Fulla Balls come ready to play with right out of the package - no blowing up or filling required!

Wubble Fulla Huge are 5 inches, the Bigs are 4 inches, and the Tiny ones are just 2 ½ inches so whichever size you prefer, there’s an option for you. Whether you prefer large and heavy, more easily tossed back and forth, or hold-in-your-hand small, Wubble Fulla has you covered. These come ready-to-go unlike previous Wubbles – open the box and pop them out and play away.

You will be able to find Wubble Fulla toys whereever Wubble balls are sold, on the official Wubble website, Target, and other retailers. My kids love the Wubble Fulla Marble Tiny to hold in their hands and play with during read-aloud or homework time. I think the texture is soothing to them and I appreciate that it’s so much quieter and less annoying than a fidget spinner. In the Wubble Fulla Slime they much prefer the Huge because of it’s heavy ooey-gooey-ness.

Wubble Full Huge is a very large size that is super fun for kids to play with.

Enter this giveaway below for a chance to win your very own!
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But be sure you get enough for all your kids though or you will have a fight on your hands. Guaranteed! But any time I can find a ball that will give my kids so much enjoyment I am happy to do so. I love seeing them spend time together and having fun with active play instead of spending time in front of a screen. Your kids will find the same enjoyment with their Wubbles too.

I was sent Wubble Fulla balls to review but all opinions and kid-fights-over-who-gets-which-Wubble are entirely my own.

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How To Teach Children Emotional Intelligence

March 8, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Children are exceptionally bright and often think they know everything by the time they reach ten. In fact by this age they will have developed many of the life skills they need, with a little help from you that means the ability to talk to others, self-confidence and emotional intelligence.

Part of this can involve choosing an early learning center such as the Star Academy Kids which will really believe in your child and help their inquisitive minds engage with the world round them. Choosing the right early learning centre is an important part of boosting their emotional intelligence. Here are some of the other measures you can do to teach emotional intelligence:

Empathy

It is important to understand that there are times when your child simply can’t deal with what has happened. You might feel frustrated by their inability but you need to emphasize with them.

A good example of this is dealing with a child that doesn’t want to do what you’ve told them to. Instead of just telling them that’s the way it is accept that they have an opinion. Let them know that you know and understand their perspective but that they need to do it how you’ve asked.

You will be acknowledging their position which will make them feel good; even if they still have to do it your way.

Emotion

It’s important that your children are allowed to express their emotions. It doesn’t matter of they’re scared or angry or even upset, by allowing them to express themselves you’ll prevent them from repressing emotions throughout their life.

You can build on this by encouraging your child to communicate their feelings, even if you have to wait for them to calm down! You can also use this to bond with them. For example, if they are nervous about speaking in front of their class you can tell them you used to get nervous too and encourage them to talk about their feelings.

Listening

It doesn’t matter if you know your child is wrong. When they are angry let them vent and then acknowledge their feelings. What this will show them is that it’s acceptable and good to vent your emotions but that there is a time and place to do this.

In this process you’ll allow them to reach a calm and cooperative place and use healthy expression, this is good for your body and mental health.

Problem Solving

Everyone reacts strongly to certain issues in life. You can teach your child to handle this response from a young age. Allow them to vent and then talk to them regarding their emotions. You should discuss what they can do to deal with the issue in hand and allow them to take the appropriate action.

You’ll teach them that they need to work through their own emotions before dealing with the issue and finding an appropriate solution.

The idea of using emotion to change your approach is one that everything can apply in life; if your child witnesses you doing it then they will certainly copy!

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Tips for Making Music Part of Everyday Life

February 13, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Making Music a Part of Daily Life

I grew up surrounded by music – between my time learning to play the piano, my developing love of singing, and the music my tone-deaf-but-enthusiastic mother played around the house, my life was built as much note by note, as it was day by day. You may have heard that involving a child in music on a regular basis helps a child improve their mental abilities, and those musical habits can reach far beyond just a weekly lesson. Here are some ideas for using the bonus listening tracks provided by Hoffman Academy for making music a part of your daily life.

Waking Up with Upbeat and Uptempo Selections

Use an upbeat, cheerful, or rhythmic selection to help your child gear up for facing the day. Spinning Song, Yankee Doodle, and When the Saints Go Marching In are great options from the Listening Tracks. You can also find selections on YouTube or Spotify-type apps such as Sousa marches, Wagner Ride of the Valkyries, or Mars from Gustav Holst’s The Planets. These songs will get you moving, up and at ‘em, and out the door with a hopeful attitude.

Build Music Skills AND Togetherness With Sing-Alongs

Singing is one of the best ways for children to begin to train their ears and develop musical skills that will carry them through the challenges of learning an instrument. And singing TOGETHER can build some fun feelings – especially when doing other chores or household tasks. Grinding Corn, Love Somebody, Mary Had a Little Lamb, and Row Row Row Your Boat are some favorites with all ages!

Focused Homework or Concentration Time

Many parents are learning that music studies impact the brain in positive ways. But additional studies show that even listening to instrumental music during homework and studying time can help improve test scores and retention. One helpful way to create a musical day for your child can be to add music in the background during study times. Avoid jarring, dissonant, or vocal songs in favor of instrumental music that will do well as background music.

Start with something that will relax and calm such as Debussy Claire de Lune, Saint-Saen’s Carnival of the Animals ‘The Swan’, or a Mozart string quartet such as String Quartet No. 17. Once you and your child are feeling less anxious, some songs that will encourage learning and retention will be appreciated. Consider slightly bolder (but still not jarring) songs like Tchaikovsky’s Concerto no. 1, Beethoven Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D Major, and Vivaldi Five Concertos for Flute and Chamber Orchestra.

Music for Nighttime Routine and Sleep Assistance

A fun way to begin a bedtime routine is with a sing-along song from the listening tracks, Are You Sleeping Brother John. Tracks such as this can be a great addition to a bedtime routine as a child changes into pajamas and prepares for bed. Once your child is in bed, studies show that classical music with slower tempos can help a child fall asleep, and stay asleep compared to those without music. Try songs that have a regular tempo and dynamic throughout such as Enya’s Watermark, Mozart’s Canzonetta Sull’aria, and Bach: Goldberg Variations.

Making Music a Part of Daily Life

As you experiment and begin to add music to your life on a regular basis, you’ll develop a list of your favorites beyond the recommendation here. This is a great sign that your child’s musical skills and ear are beginning to grow. As their musical skills develop through their lessons, it’s only natural that music will become a larger part of their life as well. Learn more about the other resources available at Hoffman Academy and enjoy a musically rich life.

 

**Disclosure** This post is not sponsored. All text, thoughts, and opinions are always my own.
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5 tips to getting your kids active after school

January 16, 2018 by Leave a Comment

As challenging as it might be, it is advisable and encouraging to get kids outdoors and engage them in physical activities, different from the routine hours they spend behind desks when in school. After school activities should be able to keep the kids active and nourish a talent that they might have rather than have them spend too much time watching television or playing video games.

Finding the different ways in which you can actively get your kids moving and physically active can be hard. Here are a few tips that can help you for a start.

1. Outdoor exercises and activities

Outdoor activities and games like swinging and climbing around are a great way for your kids to let out the stiffness of sitting in class the entire day. Aside from that, once exhausted from the jumping and climbing, they will be able to sleep better which is a plus.

If possible, create some time to exercise together with your kids. You can do a sport either in the evenings or during weekends like riding a bike trail or going for swimming which will not only keep them active but bring you closer as a family.

2. Assist them with their homework

Giving your kids, your time and participation in tackling some of the hardest homework that they might have been given at school can be motivating. Even if the homework is hard, your patience and the interest to assist them makes it easier and also gives you more time to spend quality time together.

It can be fun to be more creative, for example, you can make up a few rhymes, sentences or songs with words that might be part of the homework so that they are easy to grasp. Use the books allocated and more from the bookstore and frequently read to your kid. This will not only improve their reading culture, but also help them with diction and communication.

3. Join a group

There are various groups that your kids can join and learn something new or nurture a talent that they might already have like acting, singing, and dancing. Groups also help them build their confidence. The physical movement in the activities involved will keep your kids active.

AuditionsHQ.com is a great place to join for those looking for Disney Channel Auditions and Casting Calls. They have a list of auditions for the Disney channel with new opportunities for your kid to be on Disney shows and movies as well as a chance to be a part of other Disney projects like theme parks, cruises, commercial voice-overs and more.

4. Help with meal preparation

Kids can be involved in meal preparation and cooking. This keeps them entertained and busy as well as helps them learn some few things. Find fun recipes and let them help you out with activities like preparing the table and setting the cutlery.

5. Gardening

If you have a garden, this might be a great opportunity to let your kids have fun and at the same time develop independence through the use of adult tools like spades used in gardening. Outdoor exploration teaches your kids to be creative, developing their abilities more.

Find more ways that enable your kids to not only be active after school, but also develop their other abilities and character.

 

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Win Tickets to The Liberty Science Center #LSCStarShow

January 10, 2018 by 1 Comment

 

The Liberty Science Center in nearby Jersey City, NJ has a ton to do for kids and families. They recently opened the Largest Planetarium in the Western Hemisphere- not too shabby, ay?

 

“Its diameter is almost twice as long as a bowling alley lane. Its screen is taller than four giraffes. It offers a true 8K projection. Its lights produce trillions of colors. And it will provide breaking space and astronomy news and discoveries in real time.

It is Liberty Science Center’s greatest experience yet–the largest and most technologically advanced planetarium in the entire Western Hemisphere. The only three that are bigger are in Beijing, China, and Nagoya and Niihama, Japan.”

Liberty Science Center, the largest interactive science center in the NY-NJ metropolitan area, officially opened the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium on December 9, 2017.

The kids had an amazing time watching the live show in the domed theater. The seats we were in were pretty high up, but you can choose seats closer to the ground should you want to. The speaker used a laser pointer to show different stars and constellations in the sky, and made the sun rise and set as you watched in just a few seconds. He was also able to zoom in and out of very specific locations- one of which being the science center itself. You and your kids can see the stars at different times of the year as the speaker zooms around and gives explanations of each constellation.

“You can fit any other planetarium in the Western Hemisphere inside the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium,” said Hoffman. “Add in the state-of-the-art technology and you have a spectacular unique theater like none other in the world. Visitors will be able to fly through the universe, experience the grandness and vastness of space, roam planetary surfaces, navigate asteroid fields, and watch the latest full-dome movies.”

 

Other unique features of the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium include:

• A dome that has a diameter of 27 meters, or about 89 feet. That means if you made a straight line from one end of the dome to the other, it would be 1.5 times the length of a bowling alley lane.
• From the bottom of the theater to the top of the dome screen is 60 feet, the same height as 4 giraffes.
• 588 perforated aluminum panels are seamlessly joined together to form the domed screen with a surface area of 1,145 square meters, or 12,345 square feet. That’s a nice size four-bedroom, two-bathroom home in terms of area.
• The 10-projector system features an 8K resolution of 88 million pixels.
• The sophisticated software allows for downloads of the latest animations and images from NASA to keep up with breaking science news.
• The lighting system can produce over 281 trillion individual colors, which can allow the planetarium dome to look like the blue Earth daytime sky, the red sky of Mars, or a rapidly changing pattern to enhance laser shows. A human can see about 10 million colors, while a computer screen displays about 16.8 million colors for a “full-color” image.
• In addition to out-of-this-world planetarium experiences, guests will also enjoy immersive 8K films on the wraparound dome screen courtesy of a brand new digital projection system.

Find out more info here.

 

Also available is the new rotating exhibition, Star Trek: The Starfleet Academy Experience.

“In this interactive, immersive exhibition based on one of the world’s most popular sci-fi series, you’ll step into the shoes of a newly minted cadet in the 26th century. As you travel through nine different zones, you’ll receive the necessary science, engineering, medical, and command training to navigate your way from orientation through graduation.

Both Trekkies and non-Trekkies will be engaged by the science behind the science fiction. Learn how Star Trek paved the way for many of today’s cutting-edge technologies—such as a functional tricorder, NASA’s warp drive theory, and experiments involving phasers and teleporters—and even get a glimpse into the future of Star Trek science.”

star trek museum

Star Trek: The Starfleet Academy Experience will be at LSC through May 28, 2018.

If you would like to win a 4 pack of tickets, please just leave your name and email in the comments below. Ends Feb. 20, 2018. Thanks!
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Glow in the Dark Fun With Super Wubble Brite!

October 30, 2017 by Leave a Comment

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Wubble Ball. As always, opinions are my own.

You have seen me write about the Super Wubble Bubble Balls before – but now they have a NEW fun Wubble that glows in the dark! The Super Wubble Brite is the newest creation in the line of Wubble Balls. I mean who doesn’t want to play with a huge, light-up bubble?

Super Wubble Brite

Just the idea of the Wubble balls are pure genius! Frank, a father of four children, is the mastermind behind the Wubble ball. “So one day, while blowing giant bubbles in front of our house, one of my kids said “I hate when my bubbles pop! I wish I could play with them!” I had heard this from all my kids over the years, time and time again. But this time, I really took it to heart because my two little ones truly looked disappointed that they couldn’t actually play with their bubbles. And so began the quest to make this wish come true.”

The Super Wubble Brite is made of even stronger material than the original Super Wubbles. Whether playing with it indoors or outdoors, you can kick it, whack it, throw it, bounce it, or sit on it. It floats, wobbles, dribbles, spins, and smashes. Plus, deflate it for storage until you’re ready to play again.

Super Wubble Brite

It also includes a flashing light for glow-in-the dark fun! Simply press the button on the light to illuminate the Super Wubble Brite ball. The ball will flash for a total of 20 seconds before the light will stop and need to be pressed again. The Super Wubble Brite ball looks really cool lit up at night and is a lot of fun to play with in the dark.

Not only can the kids have a blast with this ball for hours, it can be done inside or outside. And with winter hot on our heels, having something fun and entertaining that can be played with inside and isn’t a video game is great for parents. Plus, these Wubble balls are affordable enough to make great gifts for the upcoming holiday season!

Super Wubble Brite

Wubbles can be kicked, thrown, bounced, and sat on. They’re super strong and able to withstand even the rowdiest bunch of kids. You can find Wubbles in a few different versions. Super Wubble, Water Wubble, Wubble Brite, Wubble X, and Tiny Wubble are all guaranteed to entertain kids (and adults) for hours.

The Super Wubble Brite brings the Wubble to an entirely new level. It lights up red, green, and blue from the inside for hours of entertainment both indoors and outdoors. It’s super fun to play with at night – imagine the game of Dodgeball you could get going with it! How about a Wubble Dance party? The adults would have just as much fun as the kids!

Super Wubble Brite

Kids popped the ball? No problem! You can even repair it with the patch kit. The Super Wubble Brite is for ages 6 and up. The giant size and squishy feel of the ball will be hard for any kid and adult to pass up. The ball looks and feels cool, especially when the lights are going and you’re playing a game of catch in the dark.

Click here to enter to win your OWN Super Wubble Brite!! a Rafflecopter giveaway

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