 | Two Travel Essentials to Keep You One Step Ahead this Holiday Season |
| One of the best parts of the holidays is seeing family and friends, though one of the worst parts, in my opinion, is actually traveling far and wide for the visits. Since almost all of our loved ones live in Texas, we typically get in the car and drive for hours on end. Now while adults ... |
 | Top 15 Brain Building Educational Toys for Under $15 |
| Parenting is all about compromises. Your daughter wants candy for breakfast, so you settle on toaster waffles with only one layer of blue frosting. Your son doesn’t want to clean his room, so you agree to a viable path to the hamper if you promise not to look under his bed. Christmas is no exception to ... |
 | Need Some Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas? Look No Further Than RadioShack |
| Christmas Eve is just a week away, so procrastinators, it’s time to get your game face on. At this point, you may be struggling to come up with truly unique gift ideas that the folks on your shopping list will love. You may also be dreading battling those long lines and the crowds of people ... |
 | Add a Phone Line or Ditch a Landline with netTALK DUO WiFi |
| Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I had a landline phone in my house. I just couldn’t see paying almost $30 a month for a phone which RARELY got used, though at times, I still miss having one. For instance, what do you do in the middle of the night if there’s an emergency, ... |
 | Introduce Your Child to the Thrill of Building Recycled Robots |
| From R2-D2 to Transformers to Wall-E, kids are obsessed with robots. So what could be more enticing than turning a tape dispenser and on old eater bottle into a functioning robot? The irresistible Recycled Robots book and kit shows kids how to use their imaginations and old toys to design and build their very own robots! Recycled ... |
 | Gifting a Children’s App this Year? Follow These Helpful Suggestions and Tips |
| PBS KIDS released data from its annual holiday tech survey which finds this year’s hottest gift for kids will be downloadable. In fact, fifty-eight percent (58%) of parents of kids 2-10 reported that they will “most likely” or “definitely” be purchasing downloadable gifts such as apps, games, e-books and digital music. This holiday season, PBS is ... |
 | Need Great Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids? There’s an App for That…ON SALE Soon! |
| The holidays are here – and to celebrate, Disney Publishing is offering a special price for all of its Storybook Deluxe apps in iTunes from December 21 through January 2. From an underwater journey with Nemo to a high-octane Cars adventure, these apps are top-rated and are great gifts for friends and family to send via ... |
 | Put Some Pep in Your Child’s Step with a Pair of BB Stars |
| My daughter Riley is always on the go! If she’s not playing in the backyard or monkeying around at the neighborhood park, she’s off on a bug, leaf or other nature-related excursion. Because of her constant explorations, Riley is naturally hard on her shoes. When buying footwear for her, I always look for comfort, rugged durability ... |
 | The ifocus Jungle Rangers Video Game is a Real Brain Booster |
| Are you frustrated by your children’s love of video games? Do they spend countless hours “wasting time” when there’s so many other worthwhile activities they could be doing? If you have a child ages 6 to 12 years old, then please listen up. I recently came across a magnificent program that draws from science, technology, nutrition and ... |
 | BEWARE! This New Toy WILL Catch Santa in the Act |
| When I was a kid, it was my dream each Christmas Eve to finally catch Santa Claus in the act! I was a believer at the time, but I had already begun to hear the whisperings from older children (and adults who didn’t think I was listening) that Santa was a myth. Personally, I couldn’t believe ... |
 | Handmade Personalized Puzzle Step Stools from Artistic Sensations Mix Quality and Fun |
| I can still vaguely remember how hard it was growing up as a toddler and preschooler. Everything in our home was built for grown-ups, making me just a LITTLE too short to see myself in the mirror, turn on the water faucet, light switch, or just about a hundred other daily tasks. A determined child needs ... |
 | Turn an Ordinary Piece of Jewelry Into an Instant Heirloom with PicturesOnGold.com |
| Being a first time mommy, I love anything and everything that reminds me of my daughter, Riley, and the wonderful change that has happened in my life since becoming a mom. I’ve long been a fan of photo jewelry and would love to have one commemorating my journey into motherhood, but unfortunately, I have ... |
 | Get Your Freak On this Christmas with the Soundfreaq Sound Kick Bluetooth Speaker |
| One of the great things about the holiday season is all the fabulous music! Whether you like the golden oldie Christmas carols from folks like Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole or prefer the newer selections from Justin Bieber and Michael Buble, one thing’s for sure…the music just HAS to sound GREAT! :whistle: Now I have ... |
 | How to Keep the Christmas Excitement Alive for Older Children |
| Christmas is such an amazing holiday with so many wonderful family traditions. Unfortunately, for teens and other children who no longer believe, some of that excitement is lost. It’s not until you grow older that you realize the true meaning of Christmas and how the holiday represents so much more than Santa Claus and presents. The ... |
| Move and Groove with the Party Animal Dancing Pet Speaker |
| The phrase ‘dance to the beat of your own drum’ has new meaning as Cobra Digital introduces the Party Animal Dancing Pet Speakers. These adorable plush pets plug in to your music device and literally dance to the beat. The party animals recognize the beat of your music and adjust their speed and rhythm ... |
 | The Action Shot Camera Makes It Easy to Shoot and Share Your Most Daring Stunts |
| One of the things I remember fondly about being young, is riding my bike around the neighborhood while trying to master “death-defying” stunts. I thought that I was the coolest girl around because I could pop a wheelie at will and ride for a short distance on just one wheel. You know what would have ... |
 | A Little Elf Magic Will Help Make the Holidays Extra Special |
| Last year, my family began a remarkable holiday tradition by welcoming Sapphire, our Elf Magic elf, into our home. You see, Santa Claus allows a few of his elves to visit the homes of good little boys and girls each year after Thanksgiving. On Christmas Eve, he stops back by and picks the visiting elves ... |
 | Make the Season Bright with Hallmark Recordable Books and Holiday Gifts |
| There are some brands which just seem to signify the holidays, and in my opinion, Hallmark is one of them. Each and every year, my family adds at least one new special ornament to our Christmas tree which represents something special that happened to us then. Hallmark’s wide variety of Keepsake Ornaments always manages to ... |
 | Mickey’s Wildlife Count Along Combines Math, Science and Plenty of Fun |
| As families gear up for their Thanksgiving road trip, Disney Publishing Worldwide unveils an exciting app to keep kids entertained in the back seat: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Wildlife Count Along! In this first-ever math and science Disney Learning app, readers join Mickey and his friends on a globe-spanning road trip to Mickey Beach, traveling through ... |
 | Introducing Ranger Rick Jr. Magazine ~ The Perfect Gift for Younger Animal Lovers |
| National Wildlife Federation, publisher of Ranger Rick, one of the longest-running, most successful children’s magazines of all time, today announced that the Ranger Rick brand will include print and digital fun for younger children, too! For the first time in Ranger Rick’s 50-year history, beginning readers can receive a Ranger Rick-branded magazine specially designed for ... |
 | Put American Made Gifts Under the Tree This Year With KeepAmerica.com |
| In this country, we’re all aware of the state of the economy and how jobs aren’t the easiest thing to find right now. Some of the nation’s job shortages can be attributed to companies seeking cheaper labor from countries overseas. But in order to keep and create plenty of well-paying jobs here at home, we ... |
 | Top 10 Ways eBay Could Make My Daughter Smile This Christmas |
| The holidays are officially here, which means that you are probably busy finding the perfect gifts for those special people in your life. I’m happy to say that my holiday shopping is already complete and the last day I plan on hitting the stores this season is on Black Friday. (I just can’t resist those ... |
 | How to Protect Your Child from Monsters Under the Bed |
| We’ve all been there at one time or another…scared of the monsters lurking under our beds. A child’s imagination is both wonderful and dangerous all at the same time. Wonderful in that it can create and entertain, but dangerous in that those vivid conjurings can scare and terrify! So how can you keep those active minds ... |
 | SI Kids Magazine is the Perfect Stocking Stuffer to Combine Education and Fun |
| SPORTS ILLUSTRATED Kids is THE magazine for boys and girls who love sports. It presents sports the way kids want to read about them: with great action photos, easy-to-read stories about star athletes, helpful instructional tips from the pros, and humor, comics, and activities. SI Kids is a great way to encourage kids to read, and it has won highest ... |
 | FINALLY! An Android Game System That Gets Kids Off Your Phone |
| Ever since I first got a smartphone several years ago, I’ve been enamored with the multitude of free apps available for it. Whether it’s calendars, cookbooks or games, Android has an app for that. Unfortunately, these amazing, free apps have a downside…now Riley wants to constantly use my phone to play games like Angry Birds. ... |
 | Your Children Will Travel on a Reading Adventure with the FarFaria App |
| Dubbed “the Netflix of storybook apps” by USA TODAY, FarFaria’s magical world of fantasies and fables features a wide range of entertaining and educational books. FarFaria helps kids develop a passion for reading and encourages families to spend quality time together with fun, engaging and immersive stories, both on and offline. DETAILS: FarFaria has over 200 ... |
 | See Geometry in the Everyday with Geometric Shapes for Kids |
| One of the neatest “Aha!” moments I had growing up was when I finally discovered just how much the entire world is based on mathematics. My dad used to say that mathematics was its own language…the language of the universe. Once I began to learn that math was so much more than just a few ... |
 | Zometool: The Toy Used by Nobel Prize Winners |
| I have to come clean right now and admit that I’m a total Science geek! I love anything and everything Science related and fortunately, my daughter seems to be following in my footsteps. To this day, when I read the ingredients in a tube of toothpaste or box of cereal, I try to remember back ... |
 | Guard Your iPad with Your Life… Or At Least with an OtterBox Defender Case |
| These last few weeks have been thrilling for me because I finally received an iPad as an early Christmas present! Being a bonafide tech junkie, I’ve longed to experience the real deal when it comes to tablets. Of course, my 4-year-old is dying to play a few games on it as well, but there’s NO ... |
 | Skip the Cradle and Mount Your Gadgets Magnetically with iMagnet |
| I’m so excited that this year, Christmas has come early to my house. I am finally a proud iPad owner! Couple that with my smartphone and I’m a tech geek to be reckoned with. :geek: There’s not an app I can’t download or task that I can’t accomplish now. Of course, all of this technological ... |
 | Melissa & Doug Terrific Twenty List |
| Melissa & Doug is one of my all-time favorite toy manufacturers because they create some of the most innovative and high-quality toys on the market today! One thing’s for sure, if my daughter receives a Melissa & Doug toy of any kind, she’s guaranteed to love it. Now, thanks to their new Terrific Twenty list, you ... |
 | Encourage Your Little Builder with a Top-Notch Tool Bench for Tots |
| When I had a daughter, I made up my mind then and there to give her toys based on fun and not on stereotypical gender roles. I was quite the tomboy when I was a girl and pride myself on being able to do a variety of tasks, from sewing to woodworking. Fun is fun, ... |
 | End Your Search for the Best Umbrella at Cheeky Umbrella |
| Most of the time, I’m bummed when the weather turns sour. When it’s raining, my daughter can’t play outside, errands take a lot longer to run, thanks to more traffic and dangerous driving conditions, and of course, it’s harder to stay dry and comfy. When the rain begins to pour, I whip out my trusty umbrella ... |
 | Share, Play Fair and Have Fun With These Cooperative Games from Peaceable Kingdom |
| Keeping a preschooler entertained all day in a way that’s both enjoyable for her and for me isn’t always easy. That’s why I love finding games that we can play together which also help her develop new skills. I’ve long been a fan of Peaceable Kingdom’s Cooperative Games collection because these games allow you to play ... |
 | Celebrate Neighborhood Toy Store Day and Support Your Local Community |
| One of the things I love most about giving presents to my daughter is watching her little face light up with excitement and amazement at what she receives. The “Woohoo Factor” is a powerful thing, for it gives back just as much excitement to me when I see my daughter with it. With the holidays around ... |
 | Relive the Fantasy and Fun of Disney’s Secret of the Wings |
| If you’re lucky enough to have a little girl in your life, then you’re well aware of how special and magical their dreams and fantasies are. My daughter, Riley, seems to live in her own tiny world of fairies, rainbows and unicorns and loves to make up imaginative tales and games based on this wonderful ... |
 | The Electronic Wand That Gets Kids Listening and Exercising |
| Can you hear me now??? If you have a small child, then you’re sure to know the answer is, “probably not.” Listening is a skill that has to be practiced constantly, which can be quite difficult for a preschooler with a boundless amount of energy. Educational Insights has always been one of my favorite go-tos for ... |
 | The Very Hungry Caterpillar Baby Toys from The World of Eric Carle |
| One of my all-time favorite books as a child was The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. As a matter of fact, once I found out I was pregnant, one of the first things I bought for Riley was a copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and a large stuffed plush of the caterpillar himself. To ... |
 | The Fun Way to Teach Your Child About Healthy Helpings and Nutrition |
| With childhood obesity quickly reaching epidemic proportions in our country, I think it is in everyone’s best interest to teach healthy eating habits to our kiddos. While the food pyramid is an effective visualization tool for learning basic nutrition, sometimes it’s helpful to bring the lessons directly to where they are put into practice…on our ... |
 | Hot Holiday Gift Alert ~ New Peppa Pig Merchandise from Fisher-Price |
| Some of my favorite things have come from “across the pond”…the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Jude Law, Christian Bale. :awe: You get the idea! Now, Peppa Pig has also jumped across the pond to delight preschoolers everywhere with her award-winning television show. Peppa Pig is a top-rated animated series in the U.K. geared ... |
 | #LOLKids GIVEAWAY ~ Enter Your Funny Kid Videos and Win a Huge Sesame Street Prize Pack |
| One of the things I LOVE about being Riley’s mommy is having an endless supply of silly entertainment on hand at all times. My daughter is only 3 years old, but she keeps me laughing and giggling on a daily basis with her innocent wit and silly antics. Sesame Street believes in having fun through education ... |
 | Wear Your Heart on Your Wrist with a 1:Face Watch |
| The 1:Face Watch is a project founded on the principle that the power of consumers can be used to benefit the world. Its goal is to combat many of the issues that currently afflict mankind; be it Cancer, Breast Cancer, AIDS, the Environment, Water or World Hunger. This product is a way to help bring change ... |
 | Watch It! Elapsed Time Clock from Educational Insights |
| Ever wonder why the digital wrist watch was invented? Because telling time on an analog watch can be difficult at times, especially for young learners. What’s even more difficult are those elapsed time math problems that teachers continue to ask…”if Billy left home at 8:45 AM on a 6.5 hour train trip to New York, ... |
 | Build Your Way to Family Fun with Morphology Game |
| Now that fall is here, you know what that means…the holidays are literally around the corner. Soon, you may find yourself in a house filled to capacity with friends and relatives, all looking for a fun source of entertainment. In situations such as these, I usually suggest playing board games. Board games are definitely more fun ... |
 | Solve Your Money Problems with Cash Bash from Learning Resources |
| Money: some say it makes the world go round, but one thing’s for sure…kids have to know how to use it. Money math problems are oftentimes viewed as particularly challenging for younger students, so Learning Resources has developed a fun and easy way to strengthen basic money skills: the Cash Bash Electronic Flash Card. Cash ... |
 | Monopoly Millionaire Lets You Live the Dream and Grab the Bling |
| Monopoly is one of my favorite board games of all time. I’ve spent countless hours amassing my imaginary fortunes and planning my strategies to dominate all. Unfortunately, after a while, even the classics can become a little stale, which is why Monopoly has revamped itself with a brand new edition: Monopoly Millionaire. The main change in ... |
 | Rock the Spots with Twister Dance by Hasbro |
| What person on this planet hasn’t played or at least heard of the classic game, Twister? Not too many, if I had to guess. Twister is one of the first games I can remember playing at middle school parties and it never ceased to make everyone involved crack up laughing. Now, Hasbro has created Twister Dance, ... |
 | Delight Your Child with an Our Generation Horse and Doll from Battat |
| Little girls and horses seem to go together like peanut butter and jelly. My daughter loves animals of all kinds, but especially horses. She also finds endless fascination and excitement when playing with her dolls because the world she plays in then is completely of her own creation. Battat is a high-quality toy designer that my ... |
 | Embark on an Imaginative Adventure with Mattel’s Polly Pocket Toys |
| If you’ve read my previous post about Polly Pocket toys, you’ll remember that my daughter was absolutely fascinated after being introduced to the world of Polly. The toys I reviewed then were all larger and included suction cups on the bottom, which were just perfect for my 3-year-old to manipulate. This time, the Polly Pocket toys ... |
 | VTech InnoTab 2 ~ Amazing Educational Toys for Kids |
| If you’re like me, then you might already be looking forward to the holidays and beginning to contemplate what to get each and every special person on your Christmas list. Or you might be looking for a great selection of educational toys for kids to help compliment your child’s studies this school year. Either way, ... |
 | The Zen of Tinkertoys: Keeping Toddlers Happy Since 1913 |
| Looking back on my childhood, I can still fondly remember the days of playing with my Tinkertoys. They were one of the toys that always seemed to hold my interest and even as an older child, I managed to keep creating new and interesting structures with them. The really wild thing is that the Tinkertoy set ... |
 | Bring the Magic School Bus Episodes Home with the Complete DVD Series from Scholastic |
| Celebrate the landmark 25th anniversary of the longest running Science series ever: The Magic School Bus! Whether you remember watching Ms. Frizzle and her students explore the world, the human body, the universe and more as a kid, of if you’ve shared these episodes during its long television tenure with your own children, you know that ... |
 | Diggin Active Castle Boxset and Dollhouse Boxset ~ Imaginative Toys that Travel Anywhere |
| As I’m sure you’ve heard me say a thousand times, I LOVE toys powered 100% by a child’s creativity and imagination. If the toy is equally well-designed and durable, then a toy company has literally knocked one out of the park, in my opinion. Diggin Active prides itself on creating innovative toys designed to ... |
 | VTech MobiGo 2 Touch Learning System ~ The Educational Handheld Toy with Motion Sensor and Microphone |
| Ever since I became a mom, I’ve loved providing my daughter with educational toys from VTech. They always seem to be on the cutting edge of learning, no matter whether at home or on the go. Since summer is generally a season for travel, you might find it hard to keep your little one ... |