Summer of Toys: Moon Dough

On those days, when we’re not out at Disneyland or splashing in our community pool, I try to offer my son diverse learning and play experiences.  Apart from coloring, baking, and pretend play, my son really enjoys play dough.  Conventional dough dries out when left out and can get stuck in carpets and such.

Thanks to Team Mom, we had an opportunity to check out Moon Dough, an innovative new molding compound that never dries out.   Moon Dough comes in one of four playsets and is offered in eight colors.  It’s also hypo-allergenic and wheat-free.  The dough is soft and feather-light (like marshmallow) and can be molded with hands or the playset (we prefer the playset).

My son adored the Barnyard that he received to mold his dough into cows, pigs, sheep, and horses.  The set came with three dough colors and 2 farm-themed molds (fence and hay bale).  Once the dough is compressed into a ball, children put it into the barn silo and turn the crank.  Out come adorable 3D animals.

There were a few things we found that worked really well to create the best looking animals.  First, we made sure to compress the dough deep down into the silo (which acts as the mold for the animals).  Then we turned the crank slowly so that the animals came out with their features well-defined.

While I like the fact that the dough doesn’t dry out or get stuck in carpet I don’t like the mess it creates.  I find it to be quite crumbly and needed to vacuum after my son played. The sets that come with the Moon Dough will appeal to children and the prices are affordable and range from $9.99 to $19.99.

Moon Dough is available at Toys R Us, Target, Amazon, and retailers nationwide.

No compensation was received for this post.  A product sample was provided via Team Mom to facilitate this review.

Summer of Toys: Thomas Wooden Railway Early Engineers Roundabout Station Set

My toddler…

“Mommy, Mommy…Draw a train…Draw Thomas…Draw tracks…Draw a tunnel…”  My son thinks I’m Van Gogh!  : )  And every time we go anywhere…and I mean anywhere…he has to have a train.  Last week we visited FAO Schwarz…twice…we managed to escape with just one lone train…Charlie.  Before we went on vacation…I went shopping at T.J. Maxx for some BlogHer attire.  I wasn’t quite so fortunate.  By the time I had finished perusing the aisles, Rosie and Diesel were no longer in their packages.  Add them to the collection.  My son is a train-a-holic!

Right before our trip to New York City, my son received the Early Engineers Roundabout Station Set.  He couldn’t get us to open it quick enough.  Like most boys, my son has been enthralled with trains since he first discovered them. When he was about a year and a half, we broke down and bought him an entire train table…one that really didn’t get use until he was about 2 1/2.  Which is why I like the Early Engineers line.

The Early Engineers line was designed with little tots in mind, and in many ways, resembles the classic Thomas Wooden Railway system.  Toddlers who are still mastering dexterity will benefit from “chunky vehicles, sturdy tracktiles and simple destinations.”  I like the fact that my son can use the trains he already has with this set.  The set is transportable (unlike his ginormous train table) and yes, we’ve taken it with us on car trips.  Additional tracks and sets can also be added (although at present there are only 3 in total) as your toddler grows.

The Early Engineers sets are crafted similarly to Thomas Wooden Railway sets and include quality wood craftsmanship and the timeless signature look.  Despite their affordable price point, the sets are still well made and include a variety of features.  The Roundabout Station Set includes an Early Engineers Thomas Engine, two destinations, track and molded track layout with wooden tracktiles and two accessories.

You can find the Early Engineers line at Toys R Us.

No compensation was received for this post.  A product sample was provided to facilitate this review.

Summer of Toys: Sid the Science Kid Gotta Know Microphone

One of the few TV shows that I’m ok with my son watching is Sid the Science Kid.  The animated  PBS kid’s series was created for children ages 3-6 and stars Sid, an inquisitive preschooler who “wants to know why things happen and how.”  The show was developed to inspire curiosity and a love for learning and encourage children to figure things out.  If your child watches the show, then he/she is all too familiar with Sid’s trusty microphone.  Now your child can have one too!

Kids can ask “big” questions, tell jokes, and sing songs just like Sid with the Gotta Know Microphone.  The microphone includes 4 different buttons that when pushed, play music, clapping, laughter, silly sounds, and the theme song from the show.  Children can also push the “echo” button to hear their own voice, just like a real microphone. I think that the song or sounds should play once the button is pushed, rather than requiring that a child hold the button down the entire time and I would love to see a record option so children can play back what they’ve said or sung.  My son adores pretend play and has had a lot of fun pretending to be Sid.  Here is a short video showing him dancing away:

The microphone retails for $14.99 and is available at retailers nationwide.

No compensation was received for this post.  A product sample was provided to facilitate this review.

Summer of Toys: Pop On Pals

My 3 year old son spends most of his playtime talking to his toys.  Pretend play is how my son builds his social, emotional, thinking and language skills. It’s also how he expresses and uses his imagination.  I’m a big proponent of open-ended educational toys that encourage imaginative play. Pop On Pals is  a “new world of ‘Popabilities’ from Spin Master,” who’s products I reviewed awhile back. What’s neat about the characters is that they can be mixed and matched.  For example, a fireman can become a musician…a princess can become a baker.  Designed for children ages 2-4, Pop On Pals encourages discovery and fosters the development of fine motor skills. We received the Amusement Park Play Set which my son just had to open as soon as it arrived.  He knows all about roller coasters, since we’ve recently been to several amusement parks and the county fair. The set comes with one pal (I think it should at least be two) which can be placed on different points for action/reaction play (lights and sounds are activated by placing the pal on different points).  My son’s favorite thing to do is push the pal down the roller coaster.

Here is a little video showing how much fun he has playing with Pop On Pals.

Pop On Pals offers several sets and packs which can be found at Toys R Us, Target, and Sears.

No compensation was received for this post.  A product sample was provided by the company via Team Mom.

Summer of Toys: Chalkboard Floor Puzzles by Crayola

When I was a child, my dad and I put together a lot of puzzles.  We even glued some of the best ones together and framed them.  I like age-appropriate puzzles because they stretch children and encourage them to think abstractly.  They require that children look beyond the individual pieces to the “bigger picture.”

Crayola’s new Chalkboard Floor Puzzles “inspire creative play and learning.”  Each 48 piece puzzle includes a one Crayola Sidewalk Chalk Stick and features big pieces with shapes which make it easier for children to put the puzzle together.  Once the puzzle is put together, children can draw on it with the chalk (which then erases like a chalkboard).

We received the USA Map puzzle which is actually quite perfect for us.  We love to travel, and my son and I had fun identifying where all of our friends and family live across the country.  There are three Crayola Chalkboard Floor Puzzles available including Playground Fun and SpaceZone.  Each puzzle retails for $12.99 and are available for purchase at Toys R Us.

No compensation was received for this post.  A product sample was provided to facilitate this review.

Play Is As Easy As 1-2-3

As you can imagine, we play a lot around here.  My son particularly enjoys pretend play and can often be found “talking” to his toys.  Shopping for toys is difficult.  There are so many choices, and typically, I let my son have a say (as long as it’s age-appropriate, safe, and affordable).

Playmobil, a toy company with German origins, recently introduced it’s new 1.2.3. line, which is designed for children 18 months and up. The company’s six new play sets feature big pieces, vibrant colors, and rounded shapes, perfect for tots just beginning to explore.  My three year old son absolutely adores playing with the Large Zoo set we received.

I prefer open-ended toys because they encourage pretend play and foster the development of a child’s imagination.  The set is perfect for teaching children about animals they may not be familiar with.  I like the inclusion of people and animals, to truly depict a “day at the zoo.”  I also like the fact that their toys are simply designed, for even the youngest of tots.  The toys are color fast, washable, and safe.

Playmobil’s 1.2.3. line includes four competitively priced sets, starting at just $5.99 each and two larger sets (The Large Farm and the Large Zoo).  You can find Playmobil at specialty retailers nationwide.

No compensation was received for this post.  A product sample was provided to facilitate this review.

Modern Baby Product Guide: blabla kids

blabla means nothing and everything,

it’s a swirl of letters flying,

a small word for a big idea…

Sometimes I come across a site that’s so unique…so extraordinary…that I absolutely have to share it with anyone and everyone.  blabla kids is an eco-friendly children’s store featuring a collection of knitted clothing, dolls, rattles, backpacks, blankets and more…all crafted by Peruvian artists. Their collection is made from quality natural fibers from Peru. Their styles are modern but fanciful, appealing to both boys and girls.

blabla kids offers a variety of dolls, many of which are called Boogaloos.  Some resemble people or animals. Others, like Mr. X are left to a child’s imagination. Their dolls are incredibly soft and washable (fortunately).  And most importantly, my son adores his.

While I could easily purchase anything from the site, I find their children’s clothing to be the most unique.  They’ve just introduced little shepherd vests that I’d like to snuggle up with.  And I’d love to see my daughter in this pink flower hat.

Their prices are on par with what you’d find at a quaint boutique (and may in fact be lower).  I would highly recommend checking out their sale section.  I saw tees for $10.

No compensation was received for this post. A product sample was provided by the company to facilitate this review.

Books Come to Life With V.Reader *Giveaway*

This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by.  The winner is Clarissa. Congrats!

With summer officially here, we’re spending less time indoors and I’m finding that we’re not reading as much as we used to.  Fortunately, we instilled a love for reading early on, and my son makes it a point to remind us about our evening story time.

I love the timeless tradition of opening and reading a book.  The words that come alive…the pictures that drive the story.  I’m also impressed with technology that takes the classic book and turns it into something innovative.  Earlier this week, VTechkids launched their new V.Reader into Target stores and will release the product nationwide in August.  This children’s take on the modern Kindle brings stories to life through animation, narration, character voices, graphics, sounds, and music.

My son can’t read yet, but he will get the fundamentals of reading (vocabulary, phoincs, word building) just by using the V.Reader.  I’ve been told that the earlier a child reads, the better prepared he will be for school and the more likely it is that he will succeed.  It’s vital to start getting children interested in reading at an early age, and the V.Reader promotes and compliments this goal.

V.Reader is easy to use…it only took my son a few minutes to get oriented to it.  Children can either listen and follow along with a story read by animated characters or use the touch screen to play reading games.   V.Reader is highly interactive and will keep kids occupied for a good amount of time.  My son prefers the touch screen mode because he likes to be active and involved (rather than observing).

The VTech site offers 100 additional downloadable stories, some of which are free. Parents are encouraged to participate and can keep up with their child’s learning process via progress reports and reading certificates.  V.Reader is currently available in Target stores nationwide and will be released in August. 

Win It! One of you will win a V.Reader ($59.99).  Simply leave me a comment with a feature you like or another product like from the site. Comments will close on July 10, 2010 at 11:59 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. Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

No compensation was received for this post.  A product sample was received to facilitate this review.

Backyard Discovery

You can have a great moment of discovery in your own backyard…Jeff Corwin, Wildlife Biologist

I was on the phone with a friend the other day, and we were talking about the guilt we feel when we actually have to spend a day at home.  My son wakes up every morning asking “where we’re going today.”  I gently explain to him that everyday isn’t Disneyland (particularly since our passes are about to be blacked out for the summer…but I digressed) and that it’s ok to stay home every now and then.  I’m convincing myself as much as I’m convincing him that exciting adventures can happen at home.

You may remember that I spoke at the L.A. Bloggers Brunch in April.  I had an opportunity to connect with both familiar and new companies including Backyard Safari Outfitters.  The company “equips young explorers with all the essential field gear necessary for scoping out local “wildlife.”  With over 30 products, children can collect frogs, get a closer look at bugs, get a peak “under the sea,” or bird-watch.  Each Backyard Safari Outfitters kit includes a fold-out Field Guide which includes essential field tips, illustrations, and scientific facts.

I struggle to come up with a whole day’s worth of activities, particularly now that my son is in preschool half of the week with a formal schedule.  While it’s definitely easier to “get out of the house,” there are adventures to be taken right in our own backyard.

When I came home from the L.A. Bloggers Brunch with the Bug Vacuum, my son would not. stop. playing with it. He wanted to pick up everything he found on the floor to examine through the built-in microscope.  It’s definitely my son’s favorite from the three toys we received.

The Mega View Periscope can only be described as totally cool. It’s ginormous, but gives children expanded views over backyard fences and high bushes.  You can obtain views of up to four feet.  Flip it upside down for under-water viewing.  The Cargo Vest makes it official (my son loves pretend play).  It’s handy for storing gear, pocket field guides, and more.

Backyard Safari Outfitters is now available at Toys R Us, Walmart, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and Target.  Prices vary and range in price from $19.99 and up.  For more information, visit their website, follow them on Twitter or keep up with them on Facebook.

No compensation was received for this post.  Product samples were provided via Team Mom to facilitate this review.

RIDEMAKERZ Cruzes To Downtown Disney

Experiences (as opposed to “things”) are very important to our family.  On any given day you’ll find us at the park, the store (because shopping is an everyday experience), a museum or Disneyland.  This past week was busy…but in so many good ways.  On Wednesday, RIDEMAKERZ, “the first-ever customizing shop for one-of-a-kind radio control cars,” reopened at Downtown Disney in Anaheim, CA.  RIDEMAKERZ actually made a limited debut at Downtown Disney last Fall, which won them recognition as Worldwide Retail Store of the Year by Chain Store Age magazine.  But just before it opened at noon that day, some local bloggers had an opportunity to get a first-look at the store that offers over 649 million ways to build a car.

Gleaning inspiration from it’s neighbor (Build-A-Bear), RIDEMAKERZ offers children a unique, immersive experience…and the result is very much like the real thing.  Adults and children, boys and girls, will enjoy the process of customizing their ride.  After choozing from one of 70 models which include a Corvette, an F-250, and a MINI Cooper S, it’s time to get creative.  Street or Monster? Free-Wheel or Radio-Control? Everything from the wheelz and treadz to the lights and spoilers can be customized.

“Building” your unique car is actually quite simple and takes not time, given the electric tools stationed in the RZ Pit.  Once your ride is to your satisfaction, take it home in a RZ CRUIZECASE.

If you don’t happen to live in one of the six cities that houses a RIDEMAKERZ store, parents and children can participate in their online experience.

RIDEZ are priced from $10 to $32 depending on the body and paint scheme desired.  If you’d like a Radio-Control car, there is an additional $25 tagged on to that price.  Individual custom accessories range in price from $2 to $15.

Head on over to RIDEMAKERZ at Downtown Disney this weekend for their buy one, get one free offer on stock cars.

No compensation was received for this post.  I received a gift certificate to create my own RIDEZ, courtesy of the company.

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