Holiday Gift Guide 2009: Growing Tree Toys
November 29, 2009
Tomorrow is Cyber Monday…are you ready? Did you brave the Black Friday crowds and score some great deals? I still have much in the way of shopping to do. I find that children are actually incredibly difficult to shop for. Surprising right? Considering the sheer number of toys, games, books, clothes, and electronics on the market today. As a parent, I prefer to invest in quality, educational toys with lasting value. Like this Dress Up Pirate from Growing Tree Toys.
I find the fact that this “toy” can teach my son how to button, snap, tie, and zip pretty innovative. My son is just starting to get good at undressing himself (we’re still working on getting dressed). He can snap and zip/unzip well but isn’t able to button/unbutton or tie at this point. And while it sort of resembles a doll, it’s more like a stuffed toy. My son enjoys trying to figure out the buttons and the ties.
Along with the buttons, snaps, ties, and zippers, the Dress Up Pirate is made with different colored and textured fabrics (felt, suede) to stimulate a child’s senses. Oh, and he rattles (too cute!). I think the only two senses we’re missing on taste and smell.
Over the summer, we visited my in-laws and traveled to the south. My son had his first “real” experience with pirates, one that left him fearful of the one-eyed men that say “argh!” This pirate is anything but scary. Consequently, my son likes his pirate and carries him around the house with him.
Growing Tree Toys offers wide variety of educational toys from well-respected manufacturers such as Plan Toys and Creativity for Kids. Apart from the fact that shopping on the site is very easy, given the fact that you can shop by age, manufacturer, or type of toy, you’ll enjoy a few other features that set the company apart from others. Each toy includes information about Developmental Benefits and Types of Play involved. For example, the Dress Up Pirate offers physical, logical, spatial, and intrapersonal developmental benefits and children who play with this toy will utilize dramatic and manipulative play. Now you know exactly how your child will benefit from each toy you purchase.
Every day Growing Tree Toys offers an incredible deal of the day with savings of 40-60% off. Be sure to check it out!
For more fabulous Holiday Gift Ideas, visit The Mommy-Files
Disclosure: I did not receive compensation for this review. I did receive a product, courtesy of the company in order to facilitate my review.
Holiday Gift Guide 2009: Zippity Learning System by LeapFrog *Giveaway*
October 27, 2009
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for all the entries! Congrats to the winner, Kristi C!
For some reason, I have “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” in my head (I can’t imagine why!). This season, some of the BIGGEST names in the toy industry have come out with incredibly interesting, educational, and upbeat toys for kids. One of my favorite companies is LeapFrog, who designs innovative, educational, and interactive products for children. Rather than simply taking a toy and attempting to make it “educational, “ LeapFrog works to ensure that it’s products “provide the most engaging, effective learning experience foal all ages in school or home.” In other words, learning comes first and play is weaved into the product. This is so important because learning and play should go hand in hand.
We recently had an opportunity to check out the brand new Zippity Learning System. Right away my son looked at the box and said, I want to play Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (well, I guess that was the second thing, right after wanting to open the box). LeapFrog and Disney teamed up together to create this television-based learning system which “combines full-body movement, music, education and fun.” I find that it’s very smart for a company to incorporate characters that children already know into products and toys.
The system is very easy to set up (which is VERY important for this busy mom!). The console plugs into the television and the foldable mat and bopper require C batteries (which the company graciously included for my review). Once it’s set up, your child is ready to play! The nice thing about the system is that it comes pre-loaded with eight learning activities (games). I think that’s one of the things that bothers me about most video game systems…the lack of games when you purchase the system! (sorry to digress). Each of the “games” feature two levels of play (so your child won’t grow tired or bored easily and will continue to be challenged) and focus on concepts such as numbers and mathematics, letters and language colors, shapes, music, problem solving, memory skills, music, art and culture, and even Spanish language! Each of the games also feature a favorite Playhouse Disney character including Mickey, Goofy, Handy Manny, and June (from The Little Einsteins which is my son’s FAVORITE show!). AND…unlike MOST game systems, this one will get your child up and moving. Children will dance, march and jump with their favorite characters.
The Zippity Learning System is designed for children ages 3-5. I have a 2 1/2 year old who is able to grasp many of the concepts involved with the game. However, there are definitely some things we are working on together (mainly the speed of doing the things required when they are required). He really enjoys the active part of this system (he’s a boy after all). I can definitely see him playing with this for a long time since there are many games and levels to experience.
If you’ve ever purchased a LeapFrog product, then you know that many include a built-in Learning Path that allows parents the opportunity to see the skills their child is exploring as they play via their online website.
I think this would make an incredible gift for a preschooler. It’s educational, interactive, and fun! The Zippity Learning System retails for $79.99 and additional games can be purchased for $24.99. You can purchase the system online or at retailers nationwide!
Win It! Yes! One of you will win a Zippity Learning System! Simply leave me a comment with another product you’d like to try out from the LeapFrog site! Comments will close on December 1, 2009 at 10 pm PST. One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.
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Learning To Read With LeapFrog! (Updated With Giveaway!)
August 17, 2009
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Randall C. Congrats!
I started reading to my son when he was an infant. I honestly don’t remember how many weeks old he was, but I do remember that I waited until the pain of the c section and the haze of sleeplessness lifted. “Read and start early.” That is the advice I was given. When wiser, seasoned parents gave me this advice, I dared not stray from it. However, I remember questioning myself numerous times as I sat reading to my infant. Had I really gone over the deep end? Was my infant really getting anything out of my reading to him? He just turned two and not only is his speech highly developed (particularly for a boy), he loves to sit with me while I read to him. One of the things we love to do is take turns filling in words to the books we read over and over again. I realize that right now he’s reciting these words from memory. But one day…he’ll actually be able to read them.
Last Christmas, LeapFrog’s Tag Reading System was one of the THE hottest toys on the market. I remember buying one for my best friend’s little girls. I wanted to buy a system for my son but he was (and still is) too young for it. So…I was super excited when I learned the company was coming out with a version for younger tots called the Tag Junior. Designed for children aged 2 to 4, the reading system literally “brings stories to life.” My son loves books. I attribute that to the countless hours we’ve spent reading together.
When this came, we wasted no time previewing it. I was as excited as he was, particularly because I had a glimpse of the Tag system we purchased for my best friend’s little girls. The “frog,” as my son calls it, is perfectly sized and shaped for a toddler’s hands. He figured out how to turn it on and off in minutes. The premise behind the technology is that the Tag reader has a small infrared camera that “reads” words and pictures printed on the special dot-patterned pages of the Tag Junior board books. All my son has to do is “stamp” it on the pages of the book and he hears text read out loud, sound effects, and songs.
The system came with one book (If I Were) and the company also sent us Curious George: Color Fun (which is my son’s favorite). It’s super easy to set up and simply requires downloading each book’s audio (the system is PC and Mac-compatible). The device can hold up to 5 audio books at a time. Apparently we can set the “frog” up to greet my son by name, but we haven’t attempted to figure that out yet!
There are 8 books in the Tag Junior series and each one teaches toddlers something different (i.e. colors, senses, alphabet, counting, etc.). It’s not often I rave about a product so highly. But we were very impressed. I particularly like the fact that my son can explore on his own or we can do this as a shared activity together. Each book has numerous activities…more so than you think and my son doesn’t get “bored” with it. I like that the system incorporates familiar characters like Pooh, Dora, and Curious George (we’ve already purchased 2 more books). I really hope LeapFrog continues to come out with new books because I can see my little boy playing and discovering books for a very long time.
The Tag Junior retails for $34.99 and you can purchase additional books for $10.99. Amazon.com
Win It! One of you will win a Tag Reader with books and one of you will win a Tag Junior with books. Just leave a comment with which you’d like if you won and a book you’d like from the site. Comments will close on September 1, 2009 at 10 PM PST. One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.
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Review: KidiArt Studio
November 4, 2008
One of the highlights of BlogHer this summer was getting a first look at new products (some of which had not been released at the time). One of the companies represented was VTech, the company behind age-appropriate, innovative, educational products. Their goal is to “deliver smart play” by combining technology with creativity to help children learn while having fun.
I was at Toys R Us a couple of weeks ago and I was completely overwhelmed by the sheer number of toys that line the shelves. Play is so important for childhood development and I want to choose toys that will engage, educate, and stimulate creativity and imagination. Earlier this year VTech launched a new product line focused on high-tech creativity and motion-activated play. We live in a very “technical” society. Toys are becoming more diverse and complex to compete with the latest and the greatest. VTech’s KidiCreative line integrates technology and creativity for hours of educational play. It’s a wonderful way to expose children to music, art, and photography, which of course are three passions my husband and I share.
VTech’s KidiArt Studio allows children to create their own art work and even includes a built-in digital camera. The system hooks up to the television or a computer and it’s super easy to use! Younger kids will enjoy drawing and coloring while older kids will want to snap shots of their friends and family (or themselves) to edit and personalize. But the fun doesn’t stop there. The creation projects are endless and include the ability to make printable posters and cards, photo stamps, and a family tree (just connect the studio to the computer to save, share, send, and print your child’s work).
My son and I have enjoyed drawing, coloring and taking pictures. The built-in camera is the highlight, in my opinon, although the resolution is not perfect. You can even create stop motion animations. We found that the mouse (or should I say pen) was a little difficult to use and takes some practice (there is a slight delay). KidiArt Studio takes 4 double A batteries (which is a welcome change from C and D batteries that seem to be the norm among the bigger electronic toys) but I’ve found that they run out rather quickly. You can purchase it online for $79.99.
Check out a video demo here:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmDkKuNlaYQ&hl=en&fs=1]
VTech’s KidiCreative line also includes KidiJamz Studio, KidiDoodle, and the upgraded Kidizoom Camera (it even comes in pink for girls! Perfect for that little artist in your life!
