Children

Easter Baskets from Personal Creations

March 20, 2012 By Robin 2 Comments

I just got in two adorable personalized Easter Baskets for my daughter. They are from Personal Creations (part of the ProFlowers/Red Envelope family of online stores). Both are well made, and very cute.

The Bunny Basket was on sale for just $5.98. This little guy is so sweet, s/he even has whiskers Rather than fill it with candy, I plan to let my daughter carry it around, like a purse. She is only four, so it will work for her in that capacity. Maybe she can use it to gather eggs… hmmm…. now I’m thinking Easter Egg Hunt in the backyard.

I will have time to set up an easter Egg hunt, because I won’t be running around gathering contents for an Easter basket, since I got the All-in-One Easter Basket, from Personalized Creations. It is personalized, comes with a little stuffed bunny (nice quality) and typical Easter Basket Candy is included for free. In my pic at the top, you can see how the items in this basket are packaged. I will not be doing the assembly until Easter eve or morning. I expect it to take all of about a minute.

The embroidery on both baskets was very nicely done, and shipping was very prompt, especially considering that these are personalized items. I think the pricing on these was quite fair for the quality and unique personalization. Check around for coupon codes before ordering, they usually have a free shipping or percentage off discount running, sometimes your choice of several promotions.

Media sample provided. All opinions and experiences presented here are my own.

Filed Under: Children, Shopping Tagged With: Easter, kids, review, Shopping

Get Your Kids Outside Again with GeoMate Jr.

December 15, 2011 By Robin Leave a Comment

Want to get your kids outdoors more, and away from the video games, then why not have technology help rather than hinder you in this endeavor. Geomate JR. feeds kids desire for technology and gadgets, but also makes it a fun adventure to be outside and active. This handheld GPS device is specifically created for geocaching, and come preloaded with 250,000 Geocaches. With the help of an update kit, even more geocaches are available. What an exciting way to get your kids interested in the outdoors.

The Internet and television may be dominating leisure activities and zapping outdoor time for kids, but that won’t slow down the fast growing trend millions enjoy: GPS treasure hunting called, geocaching. Thanks to Apisphere, Inc., the company behind Geomate.jr (www.mygeomate.com), children, their families and adventure seekers from all walks of life can get hip with the increasingly popular and fun geocaching phenomenon, a great group activity for scouting, summer camps and schools. Geomate.jr, the first and only device of its kind, combines technology and outdoor play while providing hours of geocaching entertainment; it is preloaded with 250,000 geocache locations.
Sadly, according to the Outdoor Foundation, outdoor activity among children ages 6 to 17 declined 11 percent in 2008. “Geomate.jr offers a way to reconnect our children with family time and nature while encouraging them to be active, get outdoors and explore the environment,” says Warren Hewerdine, co-inventor of Geomate.jr and Apisphere’s vice president of marketing. He says, “Savvy kids will get their technology fix from the easy-to-use device, and it eliminates the traditional fuss of Internet connections, downloads, coordinates and preplanning to provide a spontaneous geocaching experience families can enjoy anytime, anywhere.” Geomate.jr acts as an electronic compass, guiding you to within yards of a geocache.
People all over the world have enjoyed geocaching but up until now, the GPS receivers required were expensive and difficult to use. “Geomate.jr is about the size of a granola bar and built tough so it can take a beating. The contoured grip fits comfortably in the hands of kids and adults,” says Hewerdine. “Then all you have to do is head out to a local park, the back country or just down the street to get started on creating lifelong memories and a new found appreciation for the outdoors.” The Geomate.jr makes a great gift idea any time of year, and thanks to its size, it is a perfect stocking stuffer around the holiday season.
Products available include:
Geomate.jr – Geocaching GPS
Retail: $69.95
Pre-loaded with 250,000 geocaches covering all 50 U.S. states, just switch it on and be directed to your closest geocache. European, Canadian, Australian & New Zealand versions are also available.
Geomate.jr – Update Kit
Retail: $24.95
The key to update any Geomate.Jr with the latest and greatest geocaches for the U.S. or for around the world. Other features such as being able to create a private geocache list and Pocket Query support are also accessible with an Update Kit.
Geomate.jr – Combo Pack
Retail: $94.95
Everything you will ever need in one box including a Geomate.jr, an Update Kit, a Geomate.jr Travel Tag, batteries, lanyard, and documentation.
Geomate.jr is available for purchase at major outdoor retailers including REI, L.L. Bean, Gander Mountain and Eastern Mountain Sports. It is also available through Target, Amazon.com and Geocaching.com. For more information about the Geomate.jr, including demo videos, please visit www.mygeomate.com. Follow on Twitter: @geomatejr and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/geomatejr.

Product sample provided.

Filed Under: Children, Electronics, Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Tagged With: kids, Shopping, toys

Curious Critters: A Gorgeous Children’s Picture Book

December 10, 2011 By Robin 1 Comment

My daughter and I received a copy of Curious Critters recently, and I must say the photos in it are amazing. The vivid images of animals are accompanied by information about each creature. This is one of my daughter’s favorite books to browse through on her own. If you are stumped on what to get a child in the 3-8 age range, for the holidays. This book would be an excellent choice.

In his children’s picture book CURIOUS CRITTERS (November 2011, Wild Iris Publishing, hardcover, ages 4-8) photographer David FitzSimmons turns his camera on a variety of animals common throughout North America. CURIOUS CRITTERS presents stunning images of everyday animals, including a red flat bark beetle, an Eastern spiny softshell turtle, a spotted salamander, and many other intriguing creatures. Each Curious Critter is photographed against a white backdrop, showcasing the animals’ colors, textures, and shapes with precision and clarity. Along with each photo is a vignette, told from the critter’s perspective, that educates and entertains. For example, a bush katydid explains her bubblegum-pink color, a poetic opossum opines upon her often-shortened name, and a far-from-modest black swallowtail butterfly lets readers in on her secret for avoiding predators.
When parents read CURIOUS CRITTERS with their kids not only will they have fun reading, but they also inspire in them a life-long interest in nature. Kids will want to swap TV and video games for a trips to the park or more time in the backyard. So, get ready to have a budding biologist on your hands!
Just some of what kids will learn:
What turtles and humans have in common
Why black swallowtail butterflies impersonates their toxic cousins
How Eastern box turtles can live longer than humans (over 150 years!)
If squirrels can fly
Why crayfish grow new legs
How bats find food
Why frogs sing
How jumping spiders jump and why they never have to look over their shoulders.

Media copy provided.

Filed Under: Books, Children, Holiday Gift Guide 2011

Merry Christmas! Nickelodeon Favorites DVD

December 7, 2011 By Robin Leave a Comment

Looking for some holiday entertainment for the kids? This DVD has all their favorites from Nickelodeon. My daughter seemed to enjoy the Dora, UmiZoomi & Ni Hao Kai-lan episodes the most, but all were entertaining. Merry Christmas! has a suggested retail price of $14.99, but I have seen it for less from various retailers.

Dora the Explorer – A Present for Santa -It’s Christmas Eve and Dora and Boots are going all the way to the North Pole to deliver a present to Santa. They must travel over the snowy mountains and across an icy river, but by the end of the journey, everyone is filled with the holiday spirit.
Go, Diego, Go! – Diego Saves Christmas! -When Santa’s sleigh gets stuck under a snow hill, Diego enlists the help of Linda the Llama to pull the sleigh out of the snow.
The Wonder Pets! – Save the Reindeer (Double Length Episode) -The Wonder Pets are celebrating Christmas Eve when they get a call from Santa’s baby reindeer. They head to the North Pole and find her stuck on ice. It’s up to the Wonder Pets to save Christmas!
Blue’s Clues – Blue’s First Holiday -Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper give a special holiday present of two home videos that show Tickety, Slippery and Joe as babies. Viewers also see when everyone met Blue and played Blue’s Clues for the first time. Guest stars: Wynona Judd and Tyrese.
Team Umizoomi – Santa’s Little Fixers -It’s Christmas Eve and someone calls in on the Umi Alarm from far away… it’s Santa Claus! Santa’s toy-making machine is broken and Team Umizoomi must help fix it.
Ni Hao, Kai-lan – The Snowiest Ride -Kai-lan wakes up to see snow blanketing the whole backyard. After borrowing a sled from Yeye, she gathers all her friends together to sled down a hill. Everyone is excited except for Tolee and Kai-lan must help him overcome his fear of sledding.

Media copy provided.

Filed Under: Children, Holiday Gift Guide 2011

Fijit Friends Review: Great Toy for Kids with Autism or Sensory Issues

December 3, 2011 By Robin 2 Comments

My daughter (M) and I were sent a Sage Fijit for review a few weeks back. It was not the first item she went for that day (a Little Mommy doll also came in at the same time), but a couple days later she brought me the box. M is non-verbal due to her autism, so she generally brings me items or picture cards to express what she wants, and Fijit had caught her attention.

When I had selected a Fijit Friends doll as one of the items I would like to review, I didn’t realize it was geared towards children a little older than M. I pretty much expected her to investigate the Fijit for a few minutes and toss it aside forgotten… I was oh-so-very wrong. You see this little Fijit named Sage is actually a fantastic toy for children with strong sensory needs, like my daughter. I don’t think the dolls were created with this demographic in mind, but they are a perfect fit.

Fijit Friends are covered with a rubbery skin. It is the same material used to make those stretchy “tentacle” balls, that many occupational therapists and teachers use with children who have sensory processing disorders and/or autism. The Sage character has ears that stick out and are flat like a leaf. My daughter likes to gnaw on these, when she needs a little extra sensory input. Sage has become one of my daughters favorite toys, and he is often dragged around the house with her, When my MIL & SIL saw how much she likes this Fijit , they picked her up one of the other characters for Christmas.

Fijits are intended for girls around 6-10 years of age. They’re cute interactive little dancing pals, but I can’t really tell you how girls this age will like the toy. I can tell you my preschool age autistic daughter is in love with hers. I think the toy would be fine for little boys in her age group with similar sensory issues, as well. Sage is not particularly “girly”, and Logan seems to be a male Fijit.

Disclosure: Product sample was provided. All experiences and opinions presented here are my own.

Filed Under: Autism, Children, Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Tagged With: autism, kids, review, reviews, toys

Little Mommy My Very Real Baby Doll Review

November 12, 2011 By Robin 2 Comments

I was recently sent a Little Mommy My Very Real Baby Doll , to review with my daughter. I have to say if you are looking for a big reaction out of your little girl, as she opens her holiday gifts, this is a great gift. As soon as the boxed doll, came out of the shipping carton, my four year old daughter flew across the room. She then danced excitedly, while I wrestled with getting the doll out of the box. She then proceeded to carry the doll around with her giggling and smiling.

Dolls are toys my daughter is just starting to “get”. She has autism, so pretend play is a more difficult concept for her to grasp than typically developing children. I was pleased to see her carry the doll around like a real baby (well, at least most of the time), and even give her a little hug and M’s version of a kiss (more a face smoosh). The doll really captured her interest, more so than any doll ever has in the past. I think the high level of interactivity of the doll has a lot to do with it’s success with her.

While many “interactive” baby dolls say a few phrases and/or do a few things, and generally shut down pretty quickly, this doll, much like a real baby, is a constant demander of attention. She requests food, tickles, help with boo-boos, hugs and clean-ups, often with follow-up phrases, if your child does help her with her requests. She has a tongue that turns green, when she eats her freezer pop and a red spot that lights up on her knee when she gets a boo-boo. Her arms also move around appropriately during the activities.

When laid down, or left alone for awhile, she will complain that she is sleepy and ask for her bear. After a few phrases, she will then shut down until your child picks her up again. If your child goes to bed with their Little Mommy doll, I would suggest clicking the doll off manually, so it doesn’t start chatting-them-up, if they roll over during the night.

The Little Mommy My Very Real Baby Doll is widely available in the blonde blue eyed version I have reviewed here, but is also available as a brunette with brown eyes on the Mattel website.

Little Mommy My Very Real Baby Doll at Kmart (Use the online code: JOLLYKM for an extra $5 off)

Little Mommy My Very Real Baby Doll at Walmart (low online price, and immediate free site to store at most locations)

Filed Under: Children, Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Tagged With: review, reviews, toys

Eli, No! ~ Children’s Picture Book Review

October 25, 2011 By Robin Leave a Comment

Eli, No! is both written and illustrated by Katie Kirk. It is filled with wonderful graphic illustrations, that have a retro feel to them, and punchy colors. These go well with the tale of all the bad things Eli does. Eli, while a cute dog, just can’t seem to stay out of trouble.

The repetitive nature of the storyline, will appeal to younger children, and the message of love and forgiveness will make them feel better about their own mistakes. A great book for toddlers through preschool age children. It would also be good for fledgling readers.

Eli, No! is available at most major booksellers, such as Barnes & Noble. I also found it at Target for $11.98

(hardcover)

Media copy provided. All opinions presented here are my own.

Filed Under: Books, Children

Giveaway: Educational Halloween DVDs that Kids Will Love

October 6, 2011 By Robin

I would like to share with you two fun and education DVDs for kid’s that would make great inexpensive Halloween gifts. These titles feature characters your children already love, and with a price of just $6.99 each you will love them too. Such a great alternative to giving kids even more candy on Halloween! Not that some candy is such a bad thing

The Cat in the Hat: Tricks and Treats

A new spooky adventure this DVD brings, with The Cat, Nick and Sally, Fish and the Things. Meet the eeriest critters you have ever seen, arrived just in time for this Halloween! There will be lots of tricks and, of course lots of treats, to share with the animal friends you will meet! There’s a coconut crab, spider monkeys and bats, and plenty more fun with The Cat in the Hat!

WordWorld: Kooky Spooky Halloween

The WordFriends get their share of scares the night before Halloween, when Pig sleep walks and everyone thinks he’s a ghost! Then, Sheep is making herself a super special fairy costume to wear for the big Halloween party. But what will she do when her WordFriends need pieces of her costume for their own use?

Disclosure: Media copies provided.

Halloween DVD Prize Pack Giveaway

One lucky Blommi reader will win a copy of each of the DVDS shown above.

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One winner will be randomly selected from all valid entries, and will have 48 hours to respond to their prize winner email notification. If winner fails to respond, within that time period, a new winner will be drawn. Giveaways hosted on Blommi are sponsored by third parties. Site owner will of course endeavor to see all prizes are fulfilled, but is not responsible for fulfillment, nor for missing or damaged prizes. Contest ends October 20, 2010 at 11:59 pm CT. Open to US residents , age 18+.

Filed Under: Children Tagged With: dvd, giveaway, Halloween, kids, movies

Animal DVDs to Help Your Kids Learn Their ABC’s and 123′s

August 4, 2011 By Robin

NCircle released a pair of DVDs last month that teach children their ABC’s and 123′s with the help of animals. Kids love animals so is a wonderful pairing. I received the ABC DVD, for my daughter and I to review (123′s was lost due to packaging damage in shipping). I to honest with you I left the movie aside for awhile before having my daughter view it, because I wasn’t sure she would really go for it… she did. The songs and animals did indeed have a real appeal to her. If you have a preschooler, picking up these reasonably priced DVDs would be a good investment.

Run Time: 60 minutes
Synopsis
Introduce preschoolers to letters and numbers using the amazing animal kingdom! Animal ABCs and Animal 123’s strengthens letter, number and animal name recognition by teaching children about animals from around the globe. Sing along as we explore Earth’s animals, from the cute and cuddly to the wild and wonderful. These DVDs include fun facts, unique songs and a bonus sections with flashcards. Practicing your ABCs and 123s has never been so fun!

Media copy provided

Filed Under: Children Tagged With: child development, dvd, kids