WIN Plus-Plus Mini Maker Tubes – Must Have Kid Toy #GIVEAWAY

December 10, 2018 by 24 Comments

Disclosure: The below was provided to me to help facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” and “Terms of Use” tabs for more information.

 

My girls love to build and create things. I must admit that I had never heard of the Plus-Plus company before, but I can guarantee that we will definitely be getting more of them.

About Plus-Plus
Plus-Plus is one shape with endless possibility! Designed and made in Denmark, this deceptively simple shape is the ultimate in open-ended play. Younger kids can build 2-D, while older kids can create 3-D masterpieces. Anything that a child can imagine can be built.

They were founded in 2016b by Bret Faber, Ryan Hamilton, and Plus-Plus A/S (Denmark), Plus-Plus USA is the exclusive distributor of Plus-Plus toys in the American market. Using the unique single-shape piece, they design products unique to the American market.

About Plus-Plus Mini Makers

Whether for young kids, tweens, or ‘kidults’, everyone will love using their imaginations with Plus-Plus Tube Mixes. Just one simple shape will give you endless possibilities and hours of fun. Plus-Plus bricks are precision crafted in Denmark and are BPA-free and phthalate-free european plastic. Their vibrant colors will show off their createive flat mosaic or 3D designs, as well as stimulate their innovative talents.

Plus-Plus tubes feature 70+ bricks in a reusable, travel container.

These ones are suggested for ages 5-12.

My Thoughts:

My entire family- daughters, husband, and myself included- absolutely love the Plus-Plus. They are so much fun and definitely create endless opportunity to create whatever your mind imagines. My daughters received the farm animals, but have had fun creating even different things after they had followed the given directions to create their animals. My youngest, (2 years old) received a container of the Big Plus Plus and she loves to put them together and make different things.

Purchase:

If you are interested in purchasing these or any other Plus-Plus items, head on over to the website and see what you can find to fit the kid (or adult) in your life.

Giveaway:

Feel free to enter using RC form below. Ends Jan 7, 2019. One winner chosen by RC random generator. Must complete entires to win, will be verified. Good luck!

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Adorable Moosh-Moosh Stuffed Toys #GiftGuide

December 6, 2018 by 1 Comment

smoosh toys

Do you know someone who loves soft, squishy toys? My son (and my partner) both loft pillow-like toys, especially when they are super soft on the outside. They would be great gifts this holiday season. If you know any kid (or kid at heart) who likes to collect stuffed toys, these are sure to be a hit.

Moosh-Moosh is an adorable new, marshmallow-soft, squishy stuffed animal/pillow. You can use it as either or both (we do). You can find them in the aisles of Michaels Stores or CVS,  Moosh-Moosh comes in quite a few sizes and options. More than three million cuddly characters have been sold since they first came out this year. Cuddle, snuggle, squish or stack these cuties, they are fun to collect as well. Moosh-Moosh makes the perfect December present for stocking stuffers, dreidel game prizes or an under-the-tree surprise.

You can get these soft plushies in a palm-size 4”Clip-on ($5.99) to a huggable 7” Regular ($9.99) to the ultimate 10” Large ($14.99).

Shop for over 72 styles online at Moosh-Moosh.com . You will have a hard time choosing just one, but as with all things, they are better with friends.  These have been hot sellers at neighborhood Staples, JOANN Stores, AC Moore, and Party City, as well as select Hudson News airport stores.

 

Companies that Care- GOOD DEEDS

Behind the Moosh-Moosh logo is a caring company that donates plush buddies as need arises. A Kindergarten teacher in the Washington, DC area was looking for an educator discount to buy her 28 students plushies for reading circle. Imagine her surprise when Sean Price, VP of Business Development and Marketing for parent company MMG Brands, shipped her two dozen soft friends.

A bigger shout out came from Omaha, Nebraska, home of Elliott’s Hoedown for ATCP. After learning about the A-T Children’s Project, MMG Brands donated $11,000 worth of toys! The Midwest charity creates awareness for A-T (a rare, inherited disease that affects several organs and systems, including the nervous and the immune systems) and funnels donations to Johns Hopkins’ A-T clinic in Baltimore, Maryland.

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Reindeer In Here book and plush #GiftGuide

December 6, 2018 by 1 Comment

Not everyone is a huge fan of “Elf of the Shelf”, for various reasons. Some people don’t like the elf’s antics, some feel that the kids should not have bad behavior reported to Santa. While I have no such qualms (and our Elf does NOT get into mischief that takes hours of prep time and then more to cleanup, thank you) there is a cute alternative or addition to the Christmas Elf.

elf on the shelf

According to RIH, “Since its 2005 release, Elf on the Shelf has proven to be both a Christmas tradition and commercial success, leading holiday sales charts each year. As time wore on and its popularity grew, the story began to receive criticism from both parents and experts on child psychology.

Owner and creator of Reindeer in Here was looking for a Christmas tradition to start with his own family after the birth of his daughter and quickly discovered that he too became one of the parents questioning the elf’s effectiveness. REINDEER IN HERE is his attempt at providing a friendlier, more positive tool for parents and children to get into the holiday spirit.  As the children bond with their Christmas friend the entire family creates a lasting Christmas tradition as everyone looks forward to REINDEER IN HERE coming back year after year.

“Not only have we shelved the elf,” says Reed. “But in doing so we’ve created LESS STRESS for parents and MORE CHRISTMAS for families across the globe.  I couldn’t be more proud of our little REINDEER IN HERE and all it has accomplished in such a short time.”

“For those ready to change things up,” begins the glowing review by The National Parenting Center, “Reindeer InHere offers a cute, loving and stress-free alternative to help you celebrate the magic of Christmas throughout the month of December.”

Created by a Dad, the Reindeer In Here book and plush “magically” arrive in early December, setting the stage for a new yearly Christmas tradition.  It’s the child’s very first gift of the holiday season from Santa — and can return year after year.  Read part of the delightful 2018 Seal of Approval review, below:

“Parents couldn’t wait to embrace a new, positive and refreshing tradition. The reasonably priced kit comes in a beautiful box and includes a book introducing the Reindeer tradition to your children, as well as the cute Reindeer plush. The plush is a good size and struck parents as being of a great quality, which meant that it could last through several Christmases.”

Reindeer In Here can be found at many specialty stores including Hallmark and Learning Express. To find a neighborhood store nearby, simply click on their online Store Finder map at www.ReindeerInHere.com. There is also a limited supply available on Amazon.

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Must Have Farm Toys from HABA

December 1, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Disclosure: The below was provided to me to help facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” and “Terms of Use” tabs for more information

We are from rural America and even live on a farm. I must tell you that finding cute and fun farm toys can be very tricky. I must say that these are the perfect addition to our household as the winter months will be keeping us inside more. Check out these great farm toys from HABA.

About HABA:

At HABA, kids rule. You won’t see a lot of them running around the factory, but their needs and wants are foremost in the company’s mission. HABA is owned and operated by the Habermaass family for more than 80 years. The HABA USA division is located in Skaneateles, NY, a quaint town in the Finger Lakes area. HABA prides itself on the fact that children love playing with their toys.

About Peter and Pauline’s Farm Magnetic Game:

Little farmers are sure to love this animal-themed magnetic arranging game!  This great game does feature a variety of background scenes and a plethora of farm inhabitants, animals and plants allowing them to create and recreate life on the farm.

This great game inspires creativity and imagination.

You get 1 box, 4 background scenes, 122 magnetic puzzle pieces.

About Baby Book Farm Friends:

This great book with bring even your smallest child right to the farm. There are colorful, layered wooden pages are threaded on a sturdy cord and are easily grasped and flipped over.

My Thoughts:

I am absolutely in love with each of these toys. My daughters, ages 2, 6, and 8 each are in love with these two new toys. I have purchased an additional one of each of these games for a friends children for Christmas. This is a great addition to any family!

Purchase:

If you would like to purchase these or any of the other amazing toys from HABA, head on over to their website.

 

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Win Barbie® Doll & Swimmin’ Pup Pool as well as App Game Code!

October 15, 2018 by 77 Comments

Barbie is one of the most iconic toy brands in the world, encouraging children to explore their limitless potential and grow through the power of play. And now, the beloved and trusted brand is releasing a new mobile app that allows kids to explore their creativity and create their very own adventure: Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures, inspired by their favorite Netflix show. We’d love to work with you on a feature highlighting the app’s family-friendly fun that your readers and their kids are sure to love.

win barbie

Available now on iOS and coming soon to Android, Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures lets players create their very own Barbie Dreamhouse experience. Join Barbie and friends for a bunch of fun activities including baking, dancing or even epic pool parties. Plus, players can design every room in the house, dress up characters in fashion-forward looks and hang out with all of Barbie’s BFFs (and their puppies)!

This would be fun for any Barbie lover, and it’s nothing scary for parents. A safe app is a good app. Of course, always monitor your children’s Internet use to be safe.

You can win a code for your child to use, as well as a Barbie Doll toy set.

barbie playset

“Join Barbie doll, swimming mommy dog and puppy for complete pet play right out of the box with this fun pool play set! Inspired by the movie Barbie™ & Her Sisters in a Puppy Chase, these three are ready for pool-time fun. Place the mommy dog in the water-filled pool, and push the button on her back to see her swim around and around, all on her own! Puppy wants to try, too! Just attach the puppy to its mommy’s back so the puppy can learn to swim! The fun feature can also be activated with Barbie doll’s hand for a totally wow moment! Watch the pups as they swim again and again to perfect their doggie paddles. And help them practice perfect dives off the diving board. Barbie doll is also ready to make a splash wearing a floral plastic swimsuit with pink cover-up. But dip her into warm water for a fashion change – her suit changes color from purple to pink! The two pets match with island-themed floral details.”

Feel free to enter using RC form below. Ends Oct 31, 2018. One winner chosen by RC random generator. Must complete entires to win, will be verified. Good luck!
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Cute New Interactive Toys and Take Alongs

August 31, 2018 by Leave a Comment

With summer coming to a close, you might be trying to get a few more road trips in, and as much outdoor time as possible. These fun items are sure to please even the pickiest members of the family.

cat toys

Pomsies are too cute, your kids will love them. While they might be aimed at girls, we all know that gender marketing is ridicules and that kids pick what they like- my son and his friends liked playing with Pomsies, as well as my daughter.  These wearable and interactive pets could be the next Fingerlings, who knows. They are really sweet- they are like a wearable Furby. Available since July in all major retailers for about $15, they have a long fuzzy tail that can be wrapped around your wrist, suitcase, backpack or whatever your child feels works for them. Pomsies have eyes that light up and change color to express their mood, such as being hungry, silly, happy, or giving 50 reactions when you play with them. They purr when you interact with them (which you can feel), and love it when you brush them with their included brush. These are super cute, and not too pricey. I’m thinking you and your kids will like these quite a bit- we do.

For the exact opposite of Pomsies, check out Grumblies. Much like your cranky 2 year old, there is no pleasing a Grumblies. I think these are plural no matter how you are speaking about them…LOL. Grumblies are short-tempered trouble makers who don’t want to hear a word about it. Grumblies have more then 40 reactions when you play with them, but unlike Furbies or Pomsies, you can’t cuddle or nurture Grumblies. The more you play with them, the angrier they get. Each Grumblies have it’s own personality and sounds that it makes. $20 at major retailers.

kids toys

 Waggables are not only adorable, but fun to make and quite unique. You and your child can design a pet that looks just like yours, from nose to tail. Visit the Waggables website for thel customizer where you are able to design your character to fit your pet’s look, then it is turned into a plush ball of adorable you can snuggle up with.  It takes about 4 weeks to arrive from the day you make it on the website, and in the meantime, you will receive email updates telling you about your pet’s progress. Perfection takes time, after all. The notifications are really cute, the kids will enjoy them. In no time, your custom plush will arrive at your door. $40 at https://www.waggables.com

Can’t get enough of the World Cup? Perfect for soccer fans of any age or ability, Soccerborg is a innovative game that lets you play against your opponent, even when the weather is bad and you are stuck indoors. Your favorite soccer players are replaced by robots which go head-to-head in a game of skill. Work your robot’s corresponding remote control to make the robots dribble, shoot, pass the ball, and more. Soccerborg combines the fun of playing of soccer with RC technology, your FIFA fan will love it. (So do my soccer lovers, one big and one small- they enjoy playing each other. It’s a little more evenly matched then on the real soccer field.) Requires 10 AAA batteries.  $60 at major retailers, on Amazon, or at  https://tomy.com/soccerborg/soccerborg

What child doesn’t love horses? Spirit, a courageous horse, and his owner Lucky have had a lot of changes. When they make their big move to the countryside, Lucky lives with her Dad, her Aunt Cora, and her horse, Spirit, in their new home in Miradero. If your child is a fan of the new animated series by Dreamworks or of horses in general, the playsets by Playmobil are sure to be a huge kit- even my teen daughter is taken with them, even though she pretends she isn’t.  Lucky’s Happy Home, set 9475, is a true-to-the-show replica, complete with an equipped kitchen and secret hideout. The set is really lovely, and comes with Lucky, Aunt Cora, Spirit, a goose, and everything you need for a kitchen. Aunt Cora is famous for her meals, and is intent on teaching Lucky how to be a “proper lady”, so the kitchen is kind of a big deal here. Don’t worry, Lucky is quite the little lady, and we all know that well behaved women rarely make history, after all. $100 at https://www.playmobil.us

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WIN Thomas and Friends: Lift and Load Cargo Set

June 6, 2018 by 65 Comments

All wood track is a hit with kids, but will it hold their attention?

My little angels looooooove building and creating imaginary environments.  That’s why I thought Thomas and Friends: Lift and Load Cargo Set would be a hit for my 2.5-year-old nephew. Described as a kid friendly and easy-to-build track, I sat down and let my nephew take charge.  After tearing open the box, he was immediately drawn to the poseable figures and Thomas. He attempted to put the tracks together, however it seemed too much of a challenge for a 2.5 year old.  Enter me … the SUPER AUNT.

With adult supervision the track can be completed and even joined to other classic Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway engines and track. There’s no wrong way to connect, so there’s no wrong way to build! Thomas & Friends Wood toys are designed to help develop children’s physical, cognitive and emotional skills. By creating their own stories, kids can engage in playful activities that improve motor and thinking skills.

I really wanted my 2.5-year-old nephew to complete the track by himself. The set is rated for children 3 and older.  This is not a one and done toy and I will definitely store and reintroduce next year. Okay, I will let him keep Thomas at least!

Contents of the set:

  • Thomas & Friends Wood toy train set includes Charlie, 2 Troublesome Trucks, 2 cargo pieces, 2 track adaptors, track layout with transfer crane, cargo loading station, ramps, and 4-way crossing with knob to switch the train’s direction
  • Included track adaptors connect to other wood track systems, including classic Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway (sold separately and subject to availability)
  • Made with sustainably-sourced wood
  • Easy-to-build, kid-friendly track features connectors that let children build by themselves
  • Poseable plastic figure can sit in the sliding crane, and the crane can lift and lower the cargo pieces

Pros:

Wood pieces

Good quality

Consistent with Thomas the Train brand

Cons:

Have a storage container ready after you open the box

Children may need assistance from parent to connect the track

 

Rating: 4.2/5 Stars 

Donna Andrews

Super Aunt of 2 year old

Update: I thought I was going to store the set until he was a little older, but my nephew has asked to play with the set every day since my posting. He is even getting how to connect the track.  Thumbs up!

 

One of you can win a set of your own- feel free to comment in the RC form below. Good luck, ends June 30, 2018.

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Keeping Hands of All Ages Busy With These Fidget Toys

May 30, 2018 by 9 Comments

tactile toys

No matter what time of year, little hands (and maybe not so little hands) get into everything, especially when you just need a few seconds of stillness. No matter if you are in a restaurant, long car ride, or even just walking through a supermarket, it can be better to put something into the hands that want to touch everything and keep them occupied before they get into simply everything (or maybe just on your nerves).

Got a really little one? Manhattan Toy has several great options, one of which is the Click Clack Ball. This is a brightly colored, plastic ball with many handles to twist and turn. It’s also easy to connect to a baby stroller or seat so your kiddo can’t toss it onto any dirty floors (like they so love to do). It makes sounds when they turn the handles, and rattles as it moves. It is filled with tiny beads, so it makes lots of stimulating noise (but not so much that it will drive mom and dad crazy).  The Click Clack Ball is also a hit with dad over here- he can’t seem to put it down, either. It is listed from $9.99 to $15.99 depending on where you buy, so get your Google on before you shop! Love this toy- perfect for baby showers, too.

baby beads

Another great manipulative from Manhattan Toy is the wooden Classic Baby Beads. There is a reason these have such staying power. Your baby (and toddler, and beyond- really, dad plays with them all the time, and they calm his nerves. I bought him his own set) will enjoy twisting ad turning and rolling these wooden beads all over. The bright, water colored beads are non toxic, so no worries if your little one chews on them. The beads are able to be manipulated endlessly. They seem to love the clacking sound the beads make against each other as well.  The Classic Baby Beads are listed from $9.99 to $16 in different stores, so look online first to get the best price.

Tangle, makers of twisty fidget toys that help reduce stress and enhance creativity, are also known to be “brain tools”. Educators and physical therapists are using these toys to help people not only reduce stress and relax, but also opens up the imagination as well as helps gain (or regain) dexterity. Tangle now offers new additions to their lineup, which already came in many options to suit all sorts of sensory needs as textured, metallic, hairy, fuzzy, classic, rubber, and more.  One new option is Tangle BrainTools Imagine. It has bright and vibrant new colors, and uses ‘magic in motion,’ it seems to glide as you twist and turn it. It’s slightly larger then other tangles, and has transparent colors or solids. $5.99

The “Think” is our favorite, and larger the the “Imagine”. It is great for kids or adults, and often used in classrooms as well.  This very tactile fidget toy can also be used as a hand rehabilitation tool or for physical or occupational therapy. It is ideal for children or adults with sensory issues or who need help increasing hand and finger strength and mobility. $12.99

puzzle

Fidgitz by Thinkfun is a great fidget toy that is also a puzzle. Not unlike a Rubix Cube in that you have to manipulate it to solve, but very unlike it in that it’s also soothing. Shifting, turning, rotating the infinite loop of the beads had a calming effect, and it was indeed gratifying to solve, but the fun was in the turning of the beads.  It had a soothing feeling. It is like the other fidget toys because it keeps hands busy and occupied, giving relief to nerves and impulses and helping with sensory overload. It is different in that there is a goal, but you can do it again and again and not be “bored” with it. The fidget portion doesn’t end when you solve, and you can do it differently each time. It’s nice, because it adds a “brain teaser” to the fidget aspect, something new and fun to challenge the mind. $9.99 at https://www.thinkfun.com/products/fidgitz/

fidget toys

Switcherooz by Tastemakers are really interesting, because they are also collectible for fans of comics, cartoons, and the like. They also change into different characters, which I’ve not seen anything like before. They are 3 inches, and change from one person (IE Batman) to another (like Robin) by flipping the bottom chin on the face backward. Sounds a bit scary when I put it like that, but it’s simple and easy. Kids can keep hands busy as well as create stories, act out their favorite comics or shows, and be creative with these fun fidgets. These are a bit harder to find, but worth it! $4.99 on http://www.tastemakersllc.com is the only place I have seen them available.

switcherooz

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