Showing posts with label toy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label toy. Show all posts

October 22, 2012

CAT Job Site Machines toy giveaway

The weather is becoming cooler and we need to find toys that encourage our children's imagination and at the same time teach them about the world around them.  These CAT style Job site machines will be enjoyed by all the children, especially boys as they imitate construction sites and play. 
I like how strong this bulldozer is built, so there aren't any loose or sharp parts that come out as children play.  We like everything about this toy.  The only thing I found hard was removing the toy out of the box; I wish we didn't need screwdrivers to take it out of the box :) 
The toy is constructed in a well thought out manner as it has motorized driving features with push buttons on top of the bulldozer, so it can go forward and reverse.  There is also a lever to make the pulley in the machine go up and down.  

I enjoyed watching my son show me how everything in this bulldozer works and all the things he can do with it.  There are working double signal lights that flash and a stop button that interrupts the vehicle from moving as well.   My son enjoys the sound effects and the instruction of the foreman when he presses the buttons.  

I appreciate that the designers of the toy thought about the parents and put in a mute button on the bottom of the toy so it can be played without the sound :)  The toy comes with the 3AA batteries that are needed for the sound and motorized driving. 
This toy has become my son's favourite. 
There is a wide assortment of these machines such as dump trucks, wheel loaders and excavators available at Amazon, Kmart, Walmart, Toys R Us and Target.  

Giveaway
This is a wonderful toy for any child, and I am glad to host a giveaway that ends on October 26th, open to everyone in Canada and US.  Please enter through the rafflecopter below.
Update: The winners is Jeannie

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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October 7, 2012

Learning Through Play with LEGO DUPLO

Large Brick Box
My children enjoy learning and playing with LEGO.  I think the best and easiest way to learn is through play.  My son is a big fan of LEGO DUPLO and spends lots of his time building, creating and discovering many ways he can use the LEGO pieces to make things.

I like having toys like LEGO DUPLO because these learning toys are valuable as children think and manipulate objects to build things.  I think this type of unstructured learning is beneficial to parents and children.  We can spend quality time teaching, building and learning about what children are thinking.  When children get positive feedback and encouragement from us they feel excited, and we too feel really happy about the creative things they build.

Children tend to relate things they see in daily life when they play, I like that LEGO DUPLO keeps their products colourful, detailed and make the characters, animals, train, farms in the sets something that children can relate to.

I like the size of the LEGO DUPLO bricks.  The products are aimed for children over the age of 1 1/2 years.  We don't have to worry about children accidentally putting the pieces in their mouth because the pieces are big and easy for children to hold on to; however, as with anything use with care and watch as the little ones play :)  LEGO helps children develop their fine motor skills and become creative. 
Bricks and Books
I like the idea of having a book to go with the LEGO pieces.  I was able to teach my son to follow each page of the book as we read the story.  I also got his help in building and finding the correct piece that were shown in the book to match the LEGO.  I like how we get to read and play at the same time, so reading becomes a natural part of play.  Children learn to match 2D shapes on the book with the 3D LEGO pieces at a young age with toys like this.  It is easy to follow the illustrations and become engaged in the story of this book about a caterpillar and his friends.  


Play with letters
My son is learning his alphabets and it fun to learn with these colourful bricks with letters and matching pictures.  My daughter and son try to find the letters in the alphabet and have found so many ways to play with these useful LEGO DUPLO pieces.
Large Brick Box
Children will enjoy getting creative with this fun collection of bricks that come in a sturdy, reusable storage container with a transparent lid that makes clean up time easy.  The set includes a book of building instructions and inspirations.  The box has special elements to create rolling cars, planes, houses that allow children to become creative.
I enjoyed capturing these memories with the Samsung Wi-Fi Digital Camera.

Learn through play Contest
Support learning and literacy in your own community and home by nominating your favourite local library and win.  Starting October 3rd, Canadian Library Association and LEGO DUPLO will have a contest, where 13 libraries in Canada can win $500 worth of LEGO DUPLO products and the 13 people who nominate the library will win $350 of LEGO DUPLO products.

Giveaway
With LEGO DUPLO products you will see your children learning as they play.  As the holiday season is approaching I would like to share some coupons with the readers of Createwithmom.
5 Canadian readers of Createwithmom can win (5) $5 off coupons to buy LEGO DUPLO products by leaving a comment on this post and entering through the rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: I am a LEGO DUPLO play ambassador and receive special perks for being part of this.  All rights reserved on opinion, written content and photographs Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

Nerf Firevision Sports Football

Football fans in our home enjoy playing with this Nerf Firevision Sports football during daytime and in the dark. This innovative line of sports gear uses Microprism technology that generates a glow even in the light. We enjoyed playing with this football wearing the cool frames eyewear.  For the lights to come on we have to press the lights on the bridge of the eyewear to see the reflective graphics and skins on the football.  Only those wearing the frames eyewear can see the action once the lights are out. We can either play a friendly or a competitive game, this football that can be thrown more than 30m range.
It works with batteries, so we don't have to charge it. Each set includes two frames eyewear and the Firevision football. This Firevision sports gear is for anyone over the age of 6 years and  it is available in toy stores.


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September 19, 2012

Action flashlight


Action flashlights are cool children friendly flashlights that bend, twist and grip.  This strobe flashlight with auto shut off comes in nine different characters such as frog, monkey, elephant etc.  It is easy to press the light, even for little ones.  
My son likes the light and the character.  Both my children like to keep it in their room by the bed so they can press it if they need it at night.  They also like playing with it.  
The grip allows the light to be twisted and kept anywhere.  This safety tested flashlight comes with 2 AAA batteries.  It is available in toy stores.

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August 12, 2012

Making bulletin boards, My little pony and Power Rangers

My little pony is one of my children's favourite.  They were excited to watch My little pony friendship is magic: royal pony wedding on DVD.  The movie is available to purchase since August 7th.  This movie from Shout! Factory is made in collaboration with Hasbro Studios.  
There are 5 episodes:
A Canterlot Wedding, Part 1
A Canterlot Wedding, Part 2
Hearts And Hooves Day
Sweet & Elite
The Best Night Ever
Here are some printable colouring sheets and activities.
The DVD can be bought on Amazon, the series is currently airing on Hub TV network in the US.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Season 1 Volume 1 will be out on DVD August 21st.  There are 3 discs 30 episodes that is over 10 hours of family friendly entertainment.  
You can preorder on Amazon and ShoutFactory.  I watched Power Rangers growing up with my siblings and I enjoyed watching it with my children.
The Lorax has also been out since August 7th.  We attended the kids workshop at Home Depot to make these bulletin boards and coloured Lorax themed art.  
Children made Framed Bulletin Boards using a kit... to make it at home you will need the material below, which can be bought at hardware and craft stores.

1 top and 1 bottom framing piece (look at the picture for a better idea)
2 side framing pieces
1 cork board
4 long nails
2 short nails
1 sawtooth hanger
hammer

1. Attach one of the long sides (top) to the width side, using a nail and a hammer.
2. Insert the cork board into the slot and put the other long (bottom) piece over it and attach it with a nail.
3. Push the framing piece on the cork board and nail it.
4. Lay the board facing down and use 2 small short nails to attach the sawtooth hanger.

Start pinning :)

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August 9, 2012

Doc McStuffins review and giveaway

Doc McStuffins: Friendship is the best medicine comes to DVD and Digital copy on August 21st. There are 5 fabulous episodes and a fun activity booklet inside the DVD. The booklet has connect the dots, maze, colouring, matching and cute stickers that will keep children entertained.  


Children will enjoy this imaginative animated series. My children pretended to be like Doc McStuffins as they played and invited all their stuffed toy friends for a tea party.

The movie is geared towards children age 2 to 7 years. It teaches children about taking care of themselves and others.  
This story is about a 6 year old girl who communicates with and heals stuffed animals and broken toys out of her backyard playhouse clinic.  
Doc McStuffins' friends Stuffy, an overly proud dragon; Lambie, her cuddly best friend; Hallie, a jolly and caring hippo nurse; Squeakers, an alarmist squeaky toy fish; and Chilly, a snowman help her and spend a lot of time getting check-ups at the clinic.  

Giveaway: If you would like to win a copy of this movie please leave a comment on this post.  
If you are following me on Facebook and twitter, please leave the name your following under and email address so I can contact you.
The giveaway is open to people in Canada and US ends on August 20th.
Update: The winner is Brandi

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August 7, 2012

Modular construction kit review and giveaway


We tested the 3D highway modular construction kit.  This is a good educational construction toy.  It encourages children to develop 3D thinking and become creative as they plan and build.  We liked stacking it vertically.  The kits are inter-compatible so children can build complex bridges and routes.  

There aren't any sharp edges and it interlocks easily.  There is also a small tool safe for children to use so they can detach the tracks.  The plastic in the cars and the flag/traffic poles broke fast; I hope they will make it stronger.  The stickers come out easily so I would prefer is the stickers are already pasted on the parts.    

My children found it hard to follow the booklet, but they built their own roads.  There are many ways to combine the tracks so children will not get bored with the endless track combinations.  It would be better if the toy includes a pouch or bag to keep the construction pieces together.  This toy is aimed for children over the age of 4 years because of small parts.  My kids used their own small cars to play on the track.
The modular construction kits are available at Toys R Us and online.

Giveaway:
To win the road builder modular construction kit, please leave a comment on this post and enter through the rafflecopter below.  
The giveaway ends on August 25th it is open to people in Canada.
Please become fans of Modular toys and Createwithmom on Facebook.  Also follow Modular toys and Createwithmom on twitter.
Update: The winner is Tammy
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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July 29, 2012

Avengers costume and app


Marvel is launching an all-new App in July building up to the home entertainment release of Avengers on September 25th.  “The Avengers Initiative: A Marvel Second Screen App” gives fans unprecedented access to exclusive content such as special access to the S.H.I.E.L.D. database, links to character profiles, stories and scenes, interactive Marvel digital reader comic books and more.  These will be unleashed bi- weekly in July and August.  App owners will receive push notifications whenever new content is uploaded and available.
I had an exciting opportunity to choose this Marvel Avenger's character cute costume for boys.  My son is a fan of captain America so I chose this in the small size.  He excitedly sprung to action wearing this costume, he didn't want to remove this comfortable jumpsuit.  The costume comes with the jumpsuit and head mask, not the shield.

The material made with 100% polyester is lightweight and soft.  The small size is for age 4 to 6 years.  I had to stitch up the leg and hand part a little because it was a little too long for my son.  The body of the costume and the vibrant colours resemble the superhero.  The suit has a soft elastic to stretch comfortably to fit to the child's body and there are three velcros on the top part of the body as a closure.
Although, the head mask is soft on the head and my son liked wearing it I didn't like it as much because the hole and fusing by the eye area didn't look as comfortable.  I told my son to put it only over his head.  The mask also has a soft elastic that allows it to stretch to fit the child's head.
Just hand wash and line dry, cool iron if needed but don't put bleach or in the dry clean.

It would be better if the whole costume was double stitched because we all know little guys can't stand still and we don't want to be mending the costume or stitching the rips. Here are some facts about costume parties in America. If you want a chance to win $100, then put your own review on their site and you could be one of the two randomly picked winners.  They have this contest every month so join in.  If our review post includes a picture then we can win $200.

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July 22, 2012

Solar Recon Koosh: From the makers of Nerf


Koosh galaxy Solar recon ball launcher is a fun glow in the dark blaster that children over the age of 4 will enjoy.   
It is perfect for little hands and easy to operate, just slide the handle to the back and then forward to blast the ball.  The balls glow in the dark, so keep them in a well lit area to get the maximum glow in the dark power.  This blaster comes with 4 glow in the dark balls.  We can add a koosh ball clip to have more balls.  
It doesn't have to be totally dark to see the glowing balls, so play in a safe lit area or a place without any obstacles.  The electronic lights and sounds works with 3 batteries, when the toy is not in use it goes to standby mode.  My son loves the sound of this toy.  

We definitely need more than one of these toys in our home because my daughter likes to aim the blaster at the wall to see the balls bouncing back.  As always make sure the blasters are not aimed at the face even though the balls are made with soft foam.  Make sure to tell children not to insert any other balls into the toy.
These koosh toys are available at these toy retail stores.

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July 10, 2012

Spiderman toys


Hasbro has lots of toys to go with the Marvel entertainment and Columbia pictures release of The Amazing Spiderman, which released in theatres on July 3rd.
These innovative toys and action figures were really enjoyed by my children as they will like to role play with superhero toys.

The lizard figure, spider web battlers and mission spidey action figures are fun to play with and reenact.  
This spider strike battle racer vehicle comes with a spiderman figure toy and web claw that allows spiderman to swing as he attaches in the web glider over the front of the hood.  This car is really cool.  The package needs an adult to assemble, no tools required.  
The hero mask is for everyone over 5 years.  It is very comfortable because the inside is padded.  The velcro adjusts to fit the person's head, so siblings and parents can join the fun.
The Mega blaster web shooter that comes with the spiderman glove is fun as we shoot web strings.  The one size glove is 100% polyester.  The web shooter stays put because of the velcro strap.  The web fluid comes in a container that can be discarded when it finishes and replace it or use the water canister by filling water.  The web fluid is intended for children over the age of 5.  
These toys are well thought out by Hasbro, which will be enjoyed by your superhero wannabes.


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