So, I've been busy trying to get unpacked and set up our new home. One of the projects I really wanted to do was to make a Lego tray, this one is an under bed Lego tray. But it can be used for so many other toys. Because I wanted it to be useable for other toys I did not glue any Lego building plates to the bottom of this. Originally I just wanted to get an aluminum drip pan and put something under it to slide it under the bed. Then there was the problem of sliding stuff across wood floors. How sturdy the tray would be if we just glued felt to the bottom, would it work if it wasn't flat? Stuff like that. My mother in law was here visiting and the more we talked about it the more ideas we had. That tends to happen a lot, we have tons of ideas, and some of them come to fruition. When they do, they are awesome. It also helps that she's really good with stuff like this. I mean, really, I wouldn't even try to attempt something like this without her. Funny thing is, she helped build one 90% of the way and had to go home so I had no choice to finish and do the second one! I couldn't believe I actually built it! I'm so glad it happened that way because now I have a little more confidence, maybe I'll hang some pictures on the wall or something. Who knows.
Showing posts with label toys. Show all posts
Showing posts with label toys. Show all posts
Friday, June 26, 2015
Under Bed Lego Tray
So, I've been busy trying to get unpacked and set up our new home. One of the projects I really wanted to do was to make a Lego tray, this one is an under bed Lego tray. But it can be used for so many other toys. Because I wanted it to be useable for other toys I did not glue any Lego building plates to the bottom of this. Originally I just wanted to get an aluminum drip pan and put something under it to slide it under the bed. Then there was the problem of sliding stuff across wood floors. How sturdy the tray would be if we just glued felt to the bottom, would it work if it wasn't flat? Stuff like that. My mother in law was here visiting and the more we talked about it the more ideas we had. That tends to happen a lot, we have tons of ideas, and some of them come to fruition. When they do, they are awesome. It also helps that she's really good with stuff like this. I mean, really, I wouldn't even try to attempt something like this without her. Funny thing is, she helped build one 90% of the way and had to go home so I had no choice to finish and do the second one! I couldn't believe I actually built it! I'm so glad it happened that way because now I have a little more confidence, maybe I'll hang some pictures on the wall or something. Who knows.
Friday, May 16, 2014
HABA Toys- Review and Giveaway
European crafted HABA toys are nothing new to us. For nine years our kids have enjoyed their toys from HABA. From Diva's first Haba clutching toy we were hooked. Each of the girls had pacifier clips that I used to secure their beautiful wood clutching toys. I have kept them all, and they look new still! For over 70 years HABA has been in the toy business, and their safety standards are high.
HABA offers beautifully made, fun, well-built toys that challenge a child's curiosity. Most recently their Kitchen items and dolls are wonderful and inspiring fun role playing with kids everywhere, including my own. The girls and I were able to review three beautiful items from HABA.
First up Shona. Only my middle little was with me when I opened up this box and we both let out an "awww she's so cute" when we saw her. Shona really is a pretty doll. I posted on my Facebook page and several friends agreed. One mom said she needed one for her toddler. Shona is an 8 inch plush doll that is washable, she comes with a cute suitcase that has a real cupboard (closet) and extra shirt. One of our favorite things about Shona is that she's a little weighted. She's not all fluff, meaning that she's able to sit up on her own. She's very soft, her hair is fabric that doesn't unravel. Her facial features are sweet. The suitcase is a sturdy cardboard with a metal handle. There is no clasp, it has a place for a child to put their name on the outside of it.
How completely charming is this travel case?
Her little closet.
Shona is easy to dress, soft, and cuddly!
The perfect size for little girls!
HABA's sushi set is just adorable. The little wooden tray is sturdy. The chopsticks are almost a rubber like material which makes picking up the sushi very easy. The tray has little feet on the bottom. The soft sushi pieces, wasabi, and Baran- decorative leaf grass are made from soft fabric. As you can see the sushi pieces are good sized for little hands. One of our favorites when the girls are playing restaurant, feeding their dolls, or just playing "kitchen".
Wasabi in the little dipping bowl.
Good size for little hands!
Oh the Mustard and Ketchup! What a hit these two are. The girls think it's so funny how the yarn streams out when you squeeze the bottles. The first day they thought it was so funny playing jokes on Daddy. Now they still think it's funny when using them! Such a great addition to our play kitchen and play food area. Once squeezed and the "ketchup" or "mustard" come out, the yarn is easily put back into the bottle. The great thing is it never fully empties and you won't loose the string! I don't have more pictures of these great bottles because they are pretty self explanatory. Don't pass this item up when shopping for your kitchen set essentials though, they really do elicit some giggles!
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If you are in the US, have a US address, and are 18 years of age or older, enter below to win an amazing HABA Prize Pack that has these items in it!
Disclaimer: I was provided a free sample/s of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product. All pictures are from the companies site, unless noted.
More giveaways on Give Peas A Chance found HERE.
Friday, May 9, 2014
Super Duper Publications - GIVEAWAY
Our wonderful friends at Super Duper Publications are helping parents get ready for summer with some great games. Bright colorful boxed games and fun decks that can go anywhere for on the go learning, that doesn't feel like learning! Here at Give Peas A Chance we've really come to love this company and their games, you can read past reviews, and see fun posts on what we do with our Super Duper Publications products through this link HERE. For 28 (!) years Super Duper Publications has been making hundreds of creative, colorful educational and therapy materials that you and your children will love.
I'm always excited for summer break, but as a mom I know that school is just around the corner and learning must continue so that children can retain and build on what they have already learned. I want to continue building on the foundation that my kids have without formally schooling them during the summer break.
While all of our Super Duper Publication's products and games have been wonderful. We all seem to gravitate towards the Fun Decks the most. They can be used and played with for a long as the children want, there's no need to play a game until the "end". Everyone can take turns answering questions, or reading cards.
Two Fun Decks I'd like to personally tell you about today are the Sentence Fill-In and the Understanding Sentences Fun Decks. Both of these decks come in a carrying tin that is sturdy and perfect for travel, and outings. The cards are a thick paper that feels glossy and almost laminated. If my kids got them a little dirty I could wipe them carefully with a towel. They are great for all of our children, even our early reader who is 5. The Super Duper Secret Decoder in the Understanding Sentences deck is fun. The kids think it's so fun to check answers with the decoder. It has an easily replaceable battery, so that's a plus!
Understanding Sentences comes with Super Duper's Secret Decoder, a fun way to check your answers!
Two Fun Decks I'd like to personally tell you about today are the Sentence Fill-In and the Understanding Sentences Fun Decks. Both of these decks come in a carrying tin that is sturdy and perfect for travel, and outings. The cards are a thick paper that feels glossy and almost laminated. If my kids got them a little dirty I could wipe them carefully with a towel. They are great for all of our children, even our early reader who is 5. The Super Duper Secret Decoder in the Understanding Sentences deck is fun. The kids think it's so fun to check answers with the decoder. It has an easily replaceable battery, so that's a plus!
Both Fun Decks we played with came with easy to follow instructions that have game/play suggestions on them. But like I said you can even just read through the cards for fun!
The illustrations are colorful and fun. There are a variety of scenarios and people in all of Super Duper Publication's products. Boys, girls, women, children, elderly, all sorts of people. I love the diversity.
Read more about Super Duper Publication's picks below and get ready for FUN summer learning.
restaurant, waiting at the airport or playing in the backyard with siblings.
Listed in alphabetical order, discover these educational card decks and games at Super
Duper's online store:
Auditory Memory for WH Questions Fun Deck • $12.95 • Grades 1+
With titles like Hairy Hank and Earl the Squirrel, kids will love listening to fun, short stories
and then answering questions about them. Each of the 56 imaginative, illustrated cards
always pose five WH questions -- who, what, when, where, and why. Students use their auditory memory skills to answer, “Who found gold in Gold Mountain?” and “Why did Principal Ghostly nearly
faint?” Listening carefully has never been so much fun!
Grammar Chipper Chat • $64.95 • Grades K-5
Prepositions, future tense, subjective pronouns -- let the Syntax Safari begin! Using
animal picture cards, this exciting magnetic chip game explores 16 of the
grammatical structures found on most language assessments. The student fills in
the missing word on the question side using the pictures as cues. When play
(learning) is done, wave the magic wand for easy clean up.
Also available: 100 Extra Magnet Chips • $9.95 and 2-Pack Extra Magnetic Wands • $7.95
Granny’s Candies • $54.94 • Grade K-6
Hmmm, octopus and spider -- how are they alike? Combine the excitement of picking
colorful "candy" tokens from Granny's candy jars with hundreds of opportunities to
expand vocabulary skills. First, you fill up the "candy jars" with "candy" (soft, foamy,
and colorful tokens). Then, players choose question cards from one of eight semantic
areas (or mix and match cards). Youngsters answer the questions, roll the die, and pick
"candy" from the jars. The player with the most "candy" at the end of the game wins. Sounds yummy!
Say and Glue for Language and Listening • $36.95 • Grades PreK-4
"Find the ladybug. Glue it on the ground." Early learners have a chance to be in cut-and-paste
heaven while they listen and learn six important language skills: categorizing, telling what
items are used for (functions), following complex directions, following conditional directions
(if…then), retelling stories (semantic recall) and understanding basic concepts. Appropriate
scissors and glue not included.
Sentence Fill-In Fun Deck • $29.95 • Grades 1+
The plumber fixes the house's ____. Word clues include
stairs, wall, pipes or lights. Students look at 56 whimsical illustrations and finish
four sentences that describe the picture scenes with a noun, verb, adjective, or
adverb. Each of the cards teaches one part of speech. There are 18 noun cards, 10
adjective cards, 18 verb cards and 10 adverb cards. The cards with solid borders
have four sentences that are missing the same part of speech. Students complete each
of the sentences using one of the four words listed under the picture. Cards with checkered borders offer three answer
choices for each of the four sentences. Game ideas are included
Understanding Sentences Fun Deck • $24.95 • Grades K-6
Kids look at the illustrated card (child throwing a stick to a dog) and listen to or read
three sentences to find the one that describes the illustration (The dog is fetching a
stick; The dog buries the stick; or The cat fetches a stick). After mastering this set,
students move to Set Two where they read one sentence (The fish swims in the cool
pond) and search for the matching illustration from a choice of three pictures (duck
in a pond, fish in a fish tank, or fish in a pond). Students check their answers using the Super Duper Secret Decoder.
Find full descriptions and sample cards of these and hundreds of games at www.SuperDuperInc.com
At Super Duper always enjoy free shipping to addresses in U.S. and Canada for purchases over $20. While looking around the website, click on the "Win $50" button and enter the monthly drawing for a $50 gift certificate. Super Duper loves to hear from parents, educators and speech therapists. Your candid comments could be next month's winner.
Facebook, follow them on Twitter, subscribe on Youtube and check out their Pinterest board.
Enter to win Your choice of Say and Glue, Sentence Fill-In Deck, and the Understanding Sentences deck on the blog for US and Canada!
Enter to win Your choice of Say and Glue, Sentence Fill-In Deck, and the Understanding Sentences deck on the blog for US and Canada!
If you are in the US OR CANADA, and are 18 years of age or older, enter below to win. Read the rules HERE, first.
Disclaimer: I was provided a free sample/s of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product. All pictures are from the companies site, unless noted.
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Let's Play School Nenuco Doll Review
We're no strangers to the Famosa family here at Give Peas A Chance. I've hosted parties for/with them for both Nenuco dolls and PinyPon, we've done a PinyPon review, and the children have purchased PinyPon with their own money. Needless to say this company makes great toys that children like to play with!
New for Spring 2014 are
Who doesn't love a day at the water park!? Kids love to play with water and now their Pinypon's can too! This large play set includes loads of activities for hours of out of the box fun. In addition to the working water slide, there's a Jacuzzi that makes bubbles, & a lazy river with wave maker & inner tubes.. Don't forget to stop by the poolside bar for a snack. This set comes with the rare curly haired Pinypon that changes color in the water. Of course all Pinypon sets come with tons of accessories for hours of creative play.
All babies love to play in the tub & our new Nenuco Bath Time baby is no exception! Little girls will enjoying playing with their Nenuco baby in the water. Made with a special fast dry material, our sift bodied doll is specially made for fun in the tub. Comes with an inner tube so Nenuco can float in the water! Also includes bath squirters for loads of fun!
Comes with everything you need to be the best teacher! Includes lesson plans, desk, Matching teacher and doll glasses, and more! Teach science, math, history…so much learning fun! 16.5” Doll. For ages 4 and up.
All of these new sets look fabulous don't they? The children and I had the opportunity to review the Let's Play School set. All three of the children took turns being the teacher and playing with the doll.
This play set has many wonderful features, here are just some of them
This play set has many wonderful features, here are just some of them
- no assembly required. the desk pulled out of the box and was ready to set up as a schoolroom or a child's desk. I can't thank Nenuco enough for this. I really dislike assembling toys.
- there's a pocket in the desk that holds ALL the accessories, no more lost pieces of sets all over the house! The baby doll of course doesn't fit in the desk, but everything else does.
- cling vinyl, instead of stickers means that children can play and re-position the clings over and over again.
- the baby doll can easily sit up on her own once positioned. She can even stand on her own!
- the schoolroom/desk is light and easy to transport
Ring the bell! School is in session!
Learn some anatomy with this cute little board book that's attached to the schoolhouse!
Cling vinyl makes for easy replacement of all the fun "stickers" on different scene sheets.
The school room is packed!
There's a pair of glasses for the dolly and child to wear.
The schoolroom becomes a lap desk for your child, and baby doll has her very own desk!
School's out! Let's put everything away for next time!
Please make sure you check out both PinyPon and Nenuco's facebook pages (links below) for all their fun giveaways and announcements.
More about the Famosa company-
ABOUT FAMOSA
Established in 1957 by a group of artisan doll makers, Famosa has become a leading European toy company and doll manufacturer based in Spain. The company has a stellar reputation as a developer of innovative, safe and high quality products that foster all around development for young children. Families who grew up in Spain or Mexico likely have fond and warm memories of playing with theirFamosa toys. Famosa currently operates in over 95 countries, reaching a wide range of consumers. In2010, Famosa was acquired by Sun Capital Partners and its U.S. operations were established in October 2011, based in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey. The company markets brands including Pinypon, Nenuco, Nancy, and Feber.
Find them on
Facebook
Disclaimer: I was provided a free sample/s of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product. All pictures are from the companies site, unless noted.
Giveaways on GPAC found HERE.
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Les Petit Merveilles- Review and Giveaway
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| Nighttime Paris Shadows |
Have you every played with shadow puppets as a child? I did as a child, I particularly remember a panda one I made at Chinese school. After we assembled them we took turns casting shadows on the screen the teacher provided. They were so fun. I think especially for children, seeing something as simple as a shadow cast on a wall or a sheet is quite magical. Even making shadow puppets with your hands is fun for both children and the adults casting the amusing shadows.
Les Petit Merveilles - French for small wonders, are beautifully die cut shadow puppets that are sturdy, and the sticks make them easy to hold and maneuver. Moulin Roty is the 40-year-old French company that makes these charming detailed puppets. When I say detailed, you can see above how each puppet is laser cut with fine detail that lets light pour through to create shadows that also have detail. I tried to capture that in my photos, I hope you can see what I mean, as I am not a photographer. Who knew taking pictures of shadows could be so challenging?
See how the windows are filled with light? Even the eye and smile on the chimney sweep show up!
Shadow puppets are great for children of all ages, and adults. They spark creativity and imagination during play. Children love to snuggle into bed for a bedtime story, these puppets create soft shadows and are a wonderful addition to story time. My children and I love to tell stories, and long after they are tucked into bed my girls are whispering and giggling. Sometimes I'm not too happy about that, but at least they are getting along right? They have often told me that they will just make up stories, make up different lands and think about what types of cuisines people would eat at these places. Our Paris Shadows kit expands their creative story telling in so many ways. The puppets are beautifully simple. They very much open the door for play, and do not limit creativity with rules or guidelines. Our set came with 11 puppets which is a lot! The girls have taken turns holding up the buildings, flying the airplane around. Moving the puppets either closer or further away from the light source to make the shadows on the wall bigger or smaller. Huge lady trampling over buildings and walking over the Eiffel tower? Sure why not?
We've really enjoyed this "back-to-basics" toy and are thinking about making a light box stage to use with our puppets. These puppets would be a wonderful gift for any child.
Check out the other sets of Les Petit Merveilles puppets below, the theatre looks amazing!
Nighttime Shadows Theatre • $40 • Ages 3+
It doesn't really have to be nighttime to play with this fabric hanging that depicts a European theatre stage. The screen comes with 4 shadow puppets and measures 31" x 23.5". Can be hung outside between trees or poles or inside a bedroom or play area.
Nighttime Circus Shadows • $21 • Ages 3+
Lion, elephant and strongman, oh my! These Nighttime Circus Shadow puppets include 11 different figures. Grab some peanuts and popcorn and get ready to put on the greatest show on earth!
Nighttime Paris Shadows • $21 • Ages 3+
Ooh la la, it's Paris at night with a moon, sleepwalker and lovely cityscape. This set of 11 figures is made of black laser cut card stock. Put on your beret and let the tales begin.
Nighttime Dinosaur Shadows • $18.50 • Ages 3+
If you can pronounce them, create intriguing tales with triceratops, parasaurolophus and brachiosaurus among this 10-piece puppet set.
Nighttime Castle Shadows • $18.50 • Ages 3+
Once upon a time, there was a 9-piece puppet set that
children found comforting yet a little scary with a Princess, her father the King and a wicked witch! Turn down the lights, add a lamp and let the happily-ever-after adventure begin!
American toy importer Magicforest distributes these and the entire Moulin Roty line to over 700 toy and gift shops coast to coast. Look for all of these small wonders with a French twist in Spring 2014. You can find them on Facebook.
I have one set of puppets to giveaway to a lucky reader, make sure you enter below!
If you are in the US, have a US address, and are 18 years of age or older, enter below to win. Read the rules HERE, first.
If you are in the US, have a US address, and are 18 years of age or older, enter below to win. Read the rules HERE, first.
Disclaimer: I was provided a free sample/s of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product. All pictures are from the companies site, unless noted.
More giveaways on Give Peas A Chance found HERE.
MOBILE FRIENDLY LINK
Friday, December 13, 2013
Imagine i CAN® from Manhattan Toy
I've introduced you all to Manhattan Toy company before, and I'm pleased to tell you about more great products from them. The Imagine i CAN® line from Manhattan Toy is refreshing to me. Not a lot of fuss, no high tech gadgets, just fun toys that spark creativity and play. One of my favorite things are the colorful tins with games in them. These games are small in size but BIG on fun. Perfect for ages 3+, so they aren't so small that you're finding pieces everywhere, and they come in tins that are sturdy. Unlike cardboard boxes that get dented and ripped. The games are made of wood, simple to play and perfect for restaurants and doctors offices. This line of games and activity sets starts at just $6.00, making them great reward gifts, stocking stuffers, and rainy day gifts. Keep a stash of them for those quick "mom I need a gift for so and so" moments.
There are 13 themed kits ranging from mini play sets of jungle or farm animals to roll & bowl with a wooden ball or marbles. Craft kits include art of lacing and stained glass introduction for children using age-appropriate tools like paper stick-ons and pre-cut weaving strips. The stained glass kit is so fun. I just used it with my girls a few nights ago. No mess, and the results were beautiful! The stickers were easy to use. Such a fun kit. Just super cute, and the are so pretty, they make great book marks also.
Perfect for littles ones that want a quick craft or activity to do, but you don't have the time to pull out a ton of different tools.
Imagine I Can - Stained Glass Stick-ons Circus ($6.00)
Create your own stained glass mosaic art with translucent stickers! Each kit includes: 1 design template, 4 pre-cut hanging design templates, over 800 translucent stickers in 5 colors and ribbon.
We also got to play with some of the tin games. Which I am already a fan of smaller tin games like this. Because I carry them in my purse or leave them in the car. When I know we're going to be a while I'll grab one for the kids to play at the doctor's office or we'll play at a restaurant. They aren't loud games. I love that they are so well made. Wood pieces that are colorful and fun too. They don't take long to play, so you don't have to worry about not having time to start a new game. The pieces are simple, the rules are also easy to understand. I especially like that the pieces are simple. This leaves room for creative play and imagination. The games can be played by the rules, or you can make up a game also.
Imagine I Can Shape Stack ($6.00)
Simple, yet strategic two player game. Use the wobbly half sphere as your base, then stack the colorful shapes on the base according to the color you roll on the die. Stack as many shapes as you can stack before it all falls down! Kit includes 1 colored die, 6 colored shapes and 1 instructional booklet that fit inside an easy-to-carry tin. Pack-it-up and bring it where ever you go!
For this Shape Stack, we played a couple ways. One was as per the rules with the dice. We also played where we let each person try to stack as many shapes as possible in one turn. Perfect for kids to play on their own also. This was challenging and is great for fine motor skills.
Imagine I Can Caterpillar Connect ($6.00)
Simple, yet strategic two player
game. Be the first to build your colorful caterpillar! Kit includes 1 colored die, 21 colored wooden caterpillar pieces and 1 instructional booklet that all fit inside an easy-to-carry tin. Pack-it-up and bring it where ever you go!
This caterpillar game is so cute, and see what I mean by transportable tins? What a great size! This is perfect for 2 players. I also had Pixie sort the pieces by color, by pattern, identify the ones with dots or lines. Perfect for learning. There's 21 caterpillar pieces you can see that they are good size pieces too. Not too small for little hands. I love that these games don't require reading also.
Imagine I Can Cheese Chase ($6.00)
Simple, yet strategic two player game. Be the first person to capture the cheese! Kit includes 1 colored die, 4 wooden mice, 2 wooden cheese pieces and 1 instructional booklet that all fit inside an easy-to-carry tin. Pack-it-up and bring it where ever you go!
This is a great counting skills game. It's not difficult and doesn't require math skills. Kids are counting how many moves the mice can make. Because there's no board game this is also transportable. The mice are really cute, easy to pick up, and the instructions are easy to follow. Again this says two player game, but Pixie was able to play on her own and practice her numbers.
I highly recommend this company and these products.
ABOUT MANHATTAN TOYPlay is discovery and exploration, and joy, and growth, and learning, and so much more. And for Manhattan Toy play is serious work. So when it brings play to life, it does it with a commitment to the finest in craftsmanship and creativity. All of the company’s products, from the newest concepts to our time-tested classics, are innovatively designed to inspire imaginative play and delight consumers large and small.The Manhattan Toy family of brands — including imagine i CAN®™, Whoozit®, Wimmer-Ferguson®,Groovy Girls®, Dr. Seuss™, Fraggle, Rock™, Parents®, Baby Stella, and Manhattan Toy — offer more than 700 exclusive, original product designs distributed worldwide through more than 10,000 fine department and specialty toy and gift retailers. Each year the company introduces hundreds of new toys, yet many of its original designs have remained consistently popular for decades.Manhattan Toy invites all ages to explore their world, where you’re certain to find great toys and gift ideas that are not only exquisite, but exclusive as well. Visit their website at www.manhattantoy.com.
Find them through the links below
ORDER by DECEMBER 16th $60 or more and get FREE Shipping!
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Super Duper Publications $50 GC GIVEAWAY
I was recently selected to review some products from Super Duper Publications. I had never heard of this company before. I posted a little about it on Facebook and a friend on there said she used to use their games/products all the time when she was a speech therapist. After playing the games with my children I can see why. Each of the games we received were unique, engaging, colorful, and interesting for all three of my children whose ages range from 5 to 9 years. Those of you with multiple children of different ages know that it's hard to find a game where everyone involved is interested. Sometimes you have one child that is bored, or one child that is frustrated because they aren't up to the skill level of the game. Before I give you our review on each of the games we got to play, here is some information about Super Duper Publications from the company-
Super Duper Publications has been employing Speech-Language Pathologists to make language-enhancing learning materials for kids since 1986, so you know you’re getting the best tools out there when it comes to self-service learning for kids. No matter the skill that needs improving, you can browse their extensive website and online store, www.SuperDuperInc.com, and discover hundreds of enticing products created by language professionals. Each game or activity lists right on the website what skills it improves, so you’re sure to get the item that works on the specific skill you would be hoping to target with your child.
The first game I am going to tell you about is actually exactly what it says in the name. It is an Adventure Kit. There is so much to do and so many ways to use this kit. It can be overwhelming when you first open it up. There is a two sided magnetic barrier that looks much like a table easel, at 12x16 inches on each side it's a great size. It is made so that different colorful scenes can slide into both sides. The kit comes with two of each scene, which has pictures of space, a campsite, the ocean, and more. There are also 100 thick, nice magnet pieces, not flimsy.There's also a CD-ROM, 35 page reproducible activity book. Lots to do in this fun kit with a partner and even on your own! For this reason, I opened this game first. So we've used it the longest. I started out playing with my oldest child, 9 and my youngest. You would think that the age difference would be a challenge, but with this and the other games we received it was nice. My oldest was able to do the easier activities with my youngest, but she could also do more challenging activities with my middle child. All three are able to do individual age appropriate activities and worksheets on their own. That's a wonderful thing to be able to set one child up and let them work on story telling, categorizing items that belong on certain scenes that come with the game on their own. One of the games the girls have gone back to is probably the easiest. Two players place the same scene on the barrier, each player takes turn picking up a magnet and describing where they are placing the magnet. This is perfect for us because Pixie, my youngest is working really REALLY :) hard on putting on her listening ears and waiting for instruction. This activity not only helps each child learn to listen and take direction, it helps with placement words- right, left, on top, below, etc.
I hate calling this a game, it really is a teaching tool that is fun for kids. It would be great for any family that wants to make learning/reinforcing the skills below interesting and fun. It's also perfect for homeschooling and classrooms. The barrier can be used for so many other things, not only is the surface magnetic it's also a wipe board.
There is a "show me how" video for this game located HERE on the Super Duper site, it is worth watching. It's a great review and has tips on using this great kit.
This game helps with these skills- Following directions
- Deductive reasoning
- Giving directions
- Vocabulary
- Auditory memory
- Storytelling
- Basic concepts
- Categorization
- Rhyming
- Listening
Monday, August 5, 2013
Popar Toys- Augmented Reality Book Giveaway
I love books. My kids love books. By books I mean paper, covers, spines. Through books you can learn something new, escape to a faraway land. We have readers, but there's just something about snuggling up and reading or looking through a book together. I also know that we live in an age where so much can be learned through the technology of computers and tablets. Popar Toys combines the best of the two worlds. Traditional books and technology collide. Augmented Reality (AR) Books. I had no idea such a cool product existed. Popar Toys has created these books and toys that use AR and they are fun and amazing really. When Popar Toys says "Augmented Reading Experience" they aren't kidding. We received the Bugs 3D book to review. So I'll tell you about our experience with it. We had a choice between three books and Pixie just happens to be into bugs right now, and the American Revolution but that's a whole other post. The 3D aspect of our book makes it engaging, educational, and fun. There are cool facts, real pictures, great close ups. The "pop up" 3D objects and animations leap off the pages.
Let's start with Popar Toys and what Augmented Reality Books are, or what AR is. Augmented Reality is a concept that uses a webcam and computer or a mobile device to read or scan the book pages or black and white cards at the back of the book called paddles. Scanning the pages and paddles creates 3D objects and animations appear. You have to see it. It's crazy cool, my kids think it's awesome. You can see our personal pictures below.
Let's start with Popar Toys and what Augmented Reality Books are, or what AR is. Augmented Reality is a concept that uses a webcam and computer or a mobile device to read or scan the book pages or black and white cards at the back of the book called paddles. Scanning the pages and paddles creates 3D objects and animations appear. You have to see it. It's crazy cool, my kids think it's awesome. You can see our personal pictures below.
First, here is more from Popar Toys about who they are and what they do-
Popar Toys uses Augmented Reality (AR) technology to create an immersive reading
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Kindness Kingdom - #giveaway
Sometimes I dread playing boardgames with my children. There, I said it, Ms. Give Peas A Chance doesn't like boardgames with her kids. They are close in age, but the gap between my first born and my youngest is still a fairly good gap when you consider games that are engaging for everyone, challenging, fun, and still "easy" enough for the youngest in the group. So inevitably someone gets bored, or frustrated. My pulse rate is elevating thinking about it. So when I decided to do a review on this Kindness Kingdom game, I didn't decide lightly. When the game came in all of the kids were excited to see the packaging. Open it up and explore. We played the game right away. I'll tell you more about that after I explain what Kindness Kingdom is. As mentioned before Kindness Kingdom is a game, here is a great description from their website-
This marvelous manners game encourages empathy, develops social skills and nurtures a kindness of spirit that will help each player lead a more enjoyable and thoughtful life.Players are taught the importance of every day manners and the rules of etiquette as they travel through the eight neighborhoods in Kindness Kingdom. With every correct answer, they collect a charm for the bracelet they will take to the tea party. The last charm to collect is the key to the Golden Gate of the Golden Rule.
Players also learn tea party etiquette and how to handle life’s little faux pas. And because many of the characters are named after the most beautiful flowers in the garden, players receive a fun introduction to flowers too.
Princesses, fairies, flowers, tea parties, etiquette & marvelous manners – what’s not to love?
Monday, July 15, 2013
Happy Birthday 'Arry... yer a wizard. Wand Tutorial.
For the complete tutorial (more detailed) see the original post on Give Peas A Chance HERE. These are so easy to make you can get them done in time for Harry's birthday on the 31st.
It's funny that I have a post for this, because while I am a nerd, we won't really be doing anything HP related. Maybe I'll have a Butterbeer Frappuccino? If I have one I'll post the picture below. Want one too? Head on over to your nearest Starbucks, ask for a
Breve coffee frapp with a shot of toffee nut and a shot of caramel syrup.These are Instagram photos.
OK, you don't have to ask for it breve, but it's good. Be sure to give them a good wizard name while you're at it.
Then you can come back here and thank me.
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