Lego Ninja Turtles and Spongebob by Imaginext

 

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” tab for more information.

When are sea creatures more then sea creatures?  Why when they are Sponge bob and Fish face from Ninja Turtles of course.  Today we are taking a look at some aquatic creature toys that aren’t so aquatic and much more fun then their real life inspiration.

spongebob toy

First the new LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Stealth Shell in Pursuit.  This nifty play-set includes 3 mini-figs and two vehicle.  Well the pieces to make at least those 5 toys, but your imagination can make countless more.  The mini-figs included are quite unique for the most part.  First we have Raphael, who is not merely a painted mini-fig to look like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle but also has the shell, and the head of a Ninja Turtle.  With details right down to the red face mask.  Next up is a foot clan soldier, he is a regular mini-fig design who is functional as the filler when Raphael has to mop up the foot clan while chasing after our final mini-fig, Fish face.

ninja turtle legos

Fish face is less a mini-fig and more a sculpture.  He is LEGO sized and has LEGO hands and size but his body is that of a fish, and his legs are robotic, making him just about the most unique mini-fig we own.  Little Man is usually pro hero/anti-villain but Fish face is his current favorite mini-fig.  The vehicle which you can make are a sewer skimmer and a stealth shell.  One a motor cycle and one a boat/jet-ski.  Both fit one figure each and bring the set together nicely.  This set is quite fun for LEGO enthusiasts or Ninja Turtle fans as well, both will get a bit kick out of Raphael and Fish-face.
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Pokemon X Pokemon Y VideoGames

dancing pikachu

Pokemon have been around since 1996, with each game building upon the familiar role playing game elements of leveling up and exploring a vast territory while weaving a grand story line. It also pairs with the fun of collecting cute little critters who sometimes end up being your most kick butt vine entangled turtle. This main concept is seen throughout the new Pokemon X and Pokemon Y but now with more Pokemon, more varied battle, new mega evolution and tons more features. All of which make this the definitive Pokemon game for the 3DS/2DS game.
The game starts out with the player picking a character to play as, boy or girl, then soon after you pick your starter Pokemon. Your choices are Chespin, a grass type, Fennekin, a fire type, Froakie, a water type. The choice is difficult but Chespin was our pick. Little Man likes to pick the cutest. But at least he gave it a tough name, iloveu. We couldn’t fit I Love You Pokemon.
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Ouya Gaming System

ouya

There is a spot in your living room right now that is one of the most sought after spots in America.  No, its not that spot on the couch where Sheldon sits or Dad’s recliner.  It’s the game console, hooked to your TV.  With the holiday season upon us and the forthcoming releases of two power house systems, this spot is happening.

In our house, there are more video consoles then there are TV’s.  We have a problem with video games.  Video games are a fun distraction from everyday life that are creative and engaging.  One of the inhibiting factors with video games can be cost.  Video game consoles have been creeping up in cost over the years as have the games themselves.  With this in mind we are taking a look at the new kid on the block- Ouya.

Ouya started life as a Kick starter campaign, and quickly became fully funded and then some, becoming one of the most funded projects.  Ouya is an android, 4.1 jelly bean, based micro console.  The hardware itself is quite small, measuring only 2.95 and cubic in shape, it is about the size of half a pound of butter, but with way less calories.  Under the hood the console sports a Quad-core 1.7 GHz ARM Cortex-A9 MP Core and 1 GB of RAM.  The hardware does its job well and because of Ouya’s open source thought process has great potential for upgrades and do it yourself add-ons.
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Peppa Pig – Fun New Toys

 

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” tab for more information.

My son loves Peppa Pig.  The TV show is one of his favorites, and he can tune in on Nick Jr. daily.  When the first Peppa Pig toys came out, he was psyched.  Nothing is better then playing with your favorite characters and acting out the mischief they get into (and making up some of your own).  Truth be told, as much as he likes Peppa, he likes Daddy Pig more- he snorts WAY louder.  He also likes her baby brother George, because he throws toys, spaghetti, and hides from Peppa (which really peeves her).  So, the boys have it, according to my son.

peppa pig toy

Peppa is snarky, which amuses me.  She has quite an attitude for a little piglet, which I guess is fitting.  The toys looks just like the characters on the show, and many of them have moving parts or talk as well.   This new line of toys revolve around bedtime and bathtime, two of my son’s least favorite times of the day.  However, the former being my very most favorite  🙂
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Ematic Funtab Pro

 

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” tab for more information.

Tablets can be great fun, if you know how to use them.  Kids are now exposed to a plethora of technology which previous generations could barely dream of and the best way to get them into the swing of things is by letting them use them.   The issue being most tablets are sensitive pieces of electronics.  So what is a parent to do?

tablet for kids

Well Ematic has an idea, a kid friendly tablet made just for kids with parents in mind called the Funtab Pro.

The Funtab has tons of features to help ease you into letting your kids use a tablet for learning or play.  Some of these features are the award winning Zoodles for Kids interface which keeps kids safe and parent traceable online and off while still giving them the freedom and ability to use their new tablet.  Not only is Zoodles an option but also a fully unlocked tablet is accessible for parents or kids if you so wish.
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Need Great Stocking Stuffers?

If you are looking for great stocking stuffers for your family, or gifts that are easy give and will please any child, check out these new PBS DVDS, perfect for the holidays.

NYC Estonian and TTP 082

WILD KRATTS: WILDEST ANIMAL ADVENTURES (set)

What better way to learn about cool creatures and science than to go on an around the world adventure with Martin and Chris Kratt! In this new set, featuring 20 episodes full of adventure, mystery and laugh-out-loud-comedy, kids will learn about natural history and witness many never-before seen wildlife moments. From discovering the secret of the Draco lizard’s gliding abilities in “Flight of the Draco,” to digging up the answer to the mystery of why worms come above ground when it rains in “Mystery of the Squirmy Wormy,” all the “WILD KRATTS” episodes in this set will have kids learning and having fun. “Wild Kratts: Wildest Animal Adventures” will be available on DVD September 3. The run time of the set is approximately 555 minutes on 5 discs, and its SRP is $39.99. More than 10.5M households tune in to watch “WILD KRATTS” each month!

“WILD KRATTS” transforms Martin and Chris Kratt into animated versions of themselves, allowing the real-life zoologists to visit wild animals in their little-seen habitats and to showcase key science concepts along the way. Geared toward kids ages 6 to 8, each episode of “WILD KRATTS” presents age-appropriate science inspired by the natural abilities of animals.

CAILLOU: LET’S GO SLEDDING

New discoveries and exciting adventures abound in “Caillou: Let’s Go Sledding,” available on DVD October 8. In this outstanding new DVD, featuring nine adventures, Caillou teaches kids about patience, recognizing limits and the benefits of practice. Kids will love watching Caillou as he uses a cardboard box as a toboggan, imagines himself building the biggest snowman in the world, and overcomes his fear of an unusual animal. More than 4.5M households tune in to “CAILLOU” each month. The run time of this DVD is approximately 50 minutes, and the DVD SRP is $9.99.

“CAILLOU” is designed for preschoolers and focuses on role-playing and “make-believe.” Thanks to his vivid imagination, ordinary, everyday events quickly become exciting adventures where Caillou can play “make-believe.” By imagining they are someone else, children can often accomplish extraordinary things.

DINOSAUR TRAIN: WE ARE A DINOSAUR FAMILY

The holiday season is the perfect time of year to reinforce the importance of family. In the new DVD “Dinosaur Train: We are a Dinosaur Family,” available October 8, eight adventures feature prehistoric family fun at its best – the Pteranodon kids visit with their grandma and grandpa, Buddy, Tiny and Mr. Pteranodon join a few other dinos for a dad’s day out, and Buddy and the Pteranodon kids look for flowers to give to mom on her special Mother’s Day. More than 11M households tune in to watch “Dinosaur Train” each month! “Dinosaur Train” is produced by The Jim Henson Company. The run time of this DVD is approximately 100 minutes, and the DVD SRP is $9.99.
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Anytime is Thomas Time

HIT Entertainment has asked me to help promote the “Anytime is Thomas Time” sweepstakes. All opinions expressed in the post are my own and not those of HIT Entertainment.

Want a perfect gift for that special child in your life?  Check out the latest from Thomas the Tank Engine!

Thomas the Train has been around for a long time. He has been delighting pre-schoolers and young kids on TV with Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends since the late 70’s so many of use share what we enjoyed as children with our own. My son  thinks anytime is Thomas Time, and he really enjoys the Day Out With Thomas that comes through our local train station every year.

thomas the tank

Day Out With Thomas is a fun, family activity where kids can do interactive activities with their favorite tank engine and even meet Sir Toppum Hatt, who runs Thomas’ station. It’s amazing to see kid’s eyes light up when their favorite book and TV characters comes to life right in front of them. My son always has a blast.

Thomas The Tank Engine is a perfect way to let your little one enjoy wholesome,  educational entertainment that delights both boys and girls.

There are so many times when Thomas the Tank Engine can come into your child’s life. Anywhere from story-time to learning time and even nap time with his favorite Thomas the Tank Engine toys and games, so really, any time is Thomas time.
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