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Ever since we did away with DirectTV, Graham has been watching PBS Kids more than ever (when the TV is on).  One of his favorite shows to watch in the morning while he eats his breakfast before preschool is Sid the Science Kid.  We often head off to school in the morning with him asking certain science questions or telling me about what he learned.



Patch Products offers several different science toys as well as puzzles for kids, kids coloring books, and many other educational items.  We were sent the Sid the Science Kid Learning Kit Why Are Wheels Round to review.  At first I was worried that it would be too much for Graham at the age of three, but he quickly proved me wrong!




This is such a fun way for kids to explore how things work which is right up Graham's alley.  He is always curious about how things move and operate and this has been a great lesson for him.  Included in the kit is a car with 3 different sets of wheels.  There are also rubber bands for traction and to pull and release the car you create.  Graham has fun changing out the wheels and talking about why it will or will not go.  Once he has the round wheels on he races the car off of the dinning room table into the floor (typical boy right?).  You can also decorate the car however you see fit.

For only $9.99 this would make an excellent gift idea that is out of the norm as well as a wonderful project if you are homeschooling.  There is a 24 page journal included for older kids so that they can track their experiments!

This product was provided free of charge by Patch Products. These are my honest opinions on the product. I do not post reviews on products I can not stand behind. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.


1. Head over to Patch Products and leave a comment here telling me an item you like besides the Sid the Science Kid Learning Kits. Make sure to leave your email address in the comment (used only to contact the winner. If your email shows up on your blogger account then do not worry about leaving it).

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This giveaway ends 9/15 at 11:59pm (EST). The winner will be chosen using random.org and announced on this post. US entries only please.

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Working as a school counselor, I can see a huge need for games such as Kubit2Me!  Sometimes it is hard to get kids talking and warmed up in group settings.  The Kubit2Me games are great for a variety of ages and reasons.



Lil' Scholars ABC's and 123's Edition
What a fun way to reinforce and learn the alphabet as well as numbers!  This fuzzy game can be thrown from parent to child for learning fun.  The child can retrieve the cards from the multiple pockets to play the game.  There is an inner pocket for reward stickers for correct answers.  What a great way to celebrate a birthday as well!  This game is great for ages 3 and up!  Graham likes to play and feels confident each time he gets an answer correct.




Now You're Talkin' Edition
This would be a great idea for the elementary school and middle school setting.  As the fuzzy cube is passed around, players take a card out that holds thought provoking questions about beliefs, relationships and more.  There is no winner in this game, it is strictly geared towards helping kids open up!

There are also Bonus Boxes that can be added to the games.  These will help add on to the questions and games that are included in the original game cubes.  You can also head to the Kubit2Me website to find Print and Play options!  They are free and can be printed onto standard paper or card stock.

The Kubit2Me games retail for about $19.99.  The Bonus Boxes retail for about $5.99.  These would be a great gift idea for teachers, students, counselors, or a preschooler!  There's something for just about everyone.

This product was provided free of charge by Kubit2Me. These are my honest opinions on the product. I do not post reviews on products I can not stand behind. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.
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If you have a child who is about 6 years old up to 100+ they are going to love this new game from LEGO!  My husband grew up as a LEGO kid and still talks about the good ole days of building something from nothing.  It is amazing to see how much LEGO has evolved since then!



We were sent the Robo Champ game by LEGO and it really is a fun one if you are into building.  The basic concept behind the game is to see which player can build a complete robot first!  If someone takes a part you need, you are going to have to take it back in order to win.  During original game play, the game should take about 10-15 minutes and involve 2-3 players.  Of course, Graham is still a little too young to understand the concept behind this game, but he loves to put the robots together.




Robo Champ would be a perfect birthday gift idea for under $10!  It is currently retailing for only $9.99!  I think that Robo Champ definitely helps build on imagination as well as problem solving skills.  What a great idea for a little boys Robot Themed Party as well!

This product was provided free of charge by LEGO. These are my honest opinions on the product. I do not post reviews on products I can not stand behind. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.

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I am the first to admit that I am not a big promoter of video games for kids, especially young kids.  I am however, a HUGE fan of all things LeapFrog.  I have never owned a LeapFrog product that has not been a hit with Graham.  My niece even owns the LeapFrog DIDJ and has been named number 1 out of all of the 5th graders at her school because of her multiplication skills!



We were sent the Leapster Explorer about a month and a half ago for review and review we have!  Graham has been playing the thing to death!  If you want to know about wear and tear this thing is durable.  It has been to Macon, Ga and back, Cincinnati and back, and has been toted outside, inside, and every where in between.  The Leapster Explorer is meant for children ages 4-8, but Graham is a pro with it at age 3.  I will say, he was pretty prepared for this game system because he plays iPhone games frequently.  So far, we have only had to change the batteries once (4 AA).





The Leapster Explorer works by using a touch screen.  This is such a wonderful touch because it allows younger children greater ease with playing.  Using a touch screen is just so much more intuitive than using buttons and controls.  Besides, with the popularity of the iPhone and other touch screen phones, young kids already have experience.  Of course, with the Leapster Explorer your child is learning while they are having fun.  Some of Graham's favorite games are: Sugar Bugs, Jewel Train, Harmonies, Pet Pad, Mr. Pencil Saves Doodleburg and watching LeapFrog's Letter Factory.  Each game teaches things such as good dental habits, matching, harmonies in music, drawing lines and letters, and much more.  Of course, there are cartridge games that you can purchase as well.  You will be excited to know that Toy Story 3 is one of the games!  I really love the fact that you can download e-Books that work like the Tag Reader.  You swipe the lines of text into the reader and press the book icon for the words to be read out loud and highlighted.  This is great for word recognition!  I also like the fact that there is the option to download LeapFrog videos for your child to watch.  This is an excellent road trip item for kids!

Of course, you can always connect the Leapster Explorer to your computer in order to see your child's "Learning Path" and see what they are excelling in and how you can better help them.  Kids can connect to LeapWorld online in order to expand on what they are learning with the Leapster Explorer.  I see that there will also be a camera/recorder attachment coming out!  We haven't reviewed this of course, but it sounds exciting if it is easy for young kids to use.






Overall, I think that the Leapster Explorer is the best bang for your buck!  It includes everything you could think of.  It is like buying the Scribble and Write, Tag reader, a DVD Player, and educational video games all in one system.  The only complaint I have is that sometimes the touch screen is not quite sensitive enough which could lead to frustration.  It has only happened to Graham on about 2 occasions, but then I showed him how to use the stylus and the frustration soon ended.  I also wish that there were a few more games that were good for 3 year olds (I know that it says specifically for 4 and up, but you know... a mom can dream)!

You can pre-order the Leapster Explorer right now for $69.99.  They will be shipping out on July 1st and hitting store shelves July 15th!  If you have a summer trip or birthday coming up this is worth your money.

This product was provided free of charge by LeapFrog. These are my honest opinions on the product. I do not post reviews on products I can not stand behind. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.

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Borders is not just a book store anymore. I know that books are the first thing that comes to mind when ever I hear "Borders". Well, if you are lucky enough to have a Borders around, you are going to love what I am about to let you in on! They are expanding their toys and games section and they have included some pretty impressive items. They have wonderful educational toys from companies you know and trust and are adding them to over 500 stores!

Unfortunately, I do not live close enough to a Borders store in order to shop the new expanded section, but I was sent a sampling of what they are offering and I am highly impressed. You will find items from brands like Creativity for Kids, Thinkfun, Scientific Explorer, Melissa and Doug, ALEX and Blue Orange Games. Actually, the Melissa and Doug toys are buy one get one 50% off until December 28th!


There are items for all ages. You will be sure to find something that will suit the unique personality of your child or the child you are buying for. I know as a kid I always loved getting items that had more of an educational and creative edge to them. I bet you will find things that will not be "repeat" gifts and will not end up at the bottom of the toy box either! Great toys like the Craft All Day by ALEX for preschoolers or the Magic Science Wizard's Kit by Scientific Explorer will definitely keep your kids busy and thinking!

THIS WEEK: Receive $10 off your purchase of $20 or more at Borders! Now that is a great deal! If you combine that with the half off Melissa and Doug products you could save a lot of money.

Save even more with Borders Rewards. There's no fee, and no card to carry around. You earn rewards every time you shop at Borders or online at Borders.com.

Product was provided free of charge by Borders. These are my honest opinions on the product. I do not post reviews on products I can not stand behind. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.



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When the holidays roll around I start to think about how we have spent time together in the past with those we don't see often. It seems like we generally try to get out some sort of game to play (especially on the family vacations).

Blurt! is an addictive game that is easy enough for the entire family to be involved. There's nothing like feeling left out.. and this family game makes sure everyone can have fun! The game works by blurting out the answer before your opponent can! Someone will call out the clue, ex: "The third month of the year." Whoever blurts out, "March!" first wins! There are 300 cards and 1800 clues at 2 different playing levels. It really gets your mind working fast and can help build vocabulary as well.



Blurt! is great for ages 7 and up and needs 3-12 players to make it fun! You can purchase Blurt from Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and other retail locations for about $29.99.

This product was provided free of charge by The Playmakers. These are my honest opinions on the product. I do not post reviews on products I can not stand behind. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.


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Halloween is just around the corner, and if you are like me, you like to find treats that are not just candy! It seems like kids receive enough candy to feed a small army on Halloween! If you have older kids who enjoy playing the Wii, DS or PS2 there is a brand new Scooby-Doo! game that is perfect for the occasion: Scooby-Doo! First Frights. We were sent the game in the PS2 version for review.

The game starts out with the entire Scooby-Doo team trying to find out who the Phantom of the school play is. You will be taken on a mission through the school using all five characters at separate times (Sooby, Shaggy, Daphne, Fred, and Velma). You have the opportunity to rotate through each character who has their own different abilities and special moves. As you play the game you unlock costumes (ex: Fred becomes a football player who can throw footballs for defense from opponents) from the treasure chests that are available for purchase. By collecting Scooby Snacks, you earn money to purchase the different costumes that each have their own special properties to help you in game play. As you go through the levels you find clues that help you identify the villain and help solve the mystery.



You will be faced with flying witches, skeletons, ghosts, and the Phantom himself! A perfect backdrop for Halloween! This game is rated "E" for everyone 10 and older. Some of the characters can be a little spooky so you want to make sure you use this game for your older kids. The graphics are good and keep you engaged in the game. It is like being in a mystery movie that is unfolding right before your eyes!

So, if you have any Scooby-Doo fans in your house, they should have a blast getting involved in this game and unlocking the mystery to the Phantom.



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Childrens games always make an excellent birthday gift idea for several reasons. They involve the family and other kids, generally teach lessons, and can be inexpensive if you know what to look for! Games are also a great way to break the rainy day blues!

Pressman Toy has two fun games that are sure to be a hit with kids as well as parents. We were sent Splashy the Whale along with Rummikub Kids Edition to review. Splashy the Whale is a great game especially for these last days of summer. It is like the game Operation, but with water! Each player takes turns fishing objects out of Splashy's mouth...but be careful! If you get to close to his tongue you might get sprayed by Splashy! Once you are sprayed you have to return all of your items back to Splashy's mouth. This game is for ages 5 and up, but Graham already gets a kick out of it. He doesn't understand the rules, but he gets the concept. You can find this game at Kmart, Learning Express, Toy Master, and Boardgames.com this fall for $20.

Rummikub Kids Edition is the first Rummikub set for preschoolers. I love it because kids are learning shapes, numbers and colors while playing. There are three levels of game play so that players as young as 4 can get in on the action. Start from level one and work up as kids start to learn the basics of Rummikub. This would also be a great home school tool for a creative way to learn consecutive numbers as well as logical reasoning. Find Rummikub Kids Edition this fall at Toys R Us, Toy Master, Learning Express, and thegameshop.com for $15!



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I must admit to being a cheerleader in high school. I also must admit that I am not a huge sports fan present day. Make no mistakes, I was very much behind our team, but I just can't get into a sport that I feel I have no connection to (go to school there, work there, have a family member playing, etc). Lucky me, I married into a Georgia Football loving family! I must say, it really is quite exciting to see how enthusiastic every one can be about it. It definitely has its place and I see the connections and strong family bonds it has created.

With that being said, there is SO much paraphernalia that goes along with this huge obsession! One perfect solution for kids is the Football Guys! These clever sports action figures are the brain child of Bruce and Christy Kaskey. They developed them for their own children when they saw that the love of the game was being lost indoors. There are also Baseball Guys, Hockey Guys, and Soccer Guys and Girls.

What is so great about the Football Guys is that fact that you can truly use your imagination with them. Graham likes to line them all up and then knock them down (he doesn't really get football yet). You can play an actual game of football with a friend, or you could use some of the game ideas listed on the website. My favorite idea is to use them as a cool center piece for your game day festivities!

What my family loves the most about them is the fact that they are now available in several different collegiate options! Of course, The University of Georgia is the one we chose, but they also have The University of Michigan, Florida, Penn State, Tennessee, Ohio State, Alabama, Auburn, University of Texas and Illinois and LSU will be introduced this fall!

Football Guys would make an excellent gift idea for young and old alike. They retail for $24.99 and include all of your players, referees, goal posts, and a felt playing field.



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Regardless of the economic situation, getting your child started on the path to saving is one of the greatest gifts you can give them. Saving money is a process, and if taught and encouraged at a young age, can be fun and lead to a life of financial security, even in today's environment.

There is a new website dedicated to bringing you some valuable tools you will need to help you instill the value of learning to save early on in your kids! Make More Cents has a wide assortment of tools such as: piggy banks, coin sorters, books and so much more!
It’s easier than you think to get started; here are some tips:

• Begin having conversations about saving as soon as children learn to count. Once children start asking you to buy things, they are ready to learn about being responsible for money.
• Give your child a bank and get them started. Begin to share your own point-of-view and values about managing money with your children.
• Enable children to begin to understand basic money management concepts by giving them allowances. Kids who receive regular allowances are able to start making choices about what they can save, spend and share.
• Give money gifts or allowances in small bills or coins, so that a portion of it can be saved.
• When the bank is full, open a savings account for your child. Many banks have saving clubs that offer special incentives and "freebies" for children who open a savings account.

Your children will receive a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction by reaching their saving goals. An additional benefit will be the education about “life choices” your children will receive as they make decisions about what to save, spend or share.



The Moneywise Kids Games is comprised of two simple, fast paced games to improve valuable math skills that kids will use all their lives: making change and budgeting money. Moneywise Kids was developed by Karen Godfrey of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Karen knew that games are great motivators. But she soon found that not every game is the right game.

So, Karen created Moneywise Kids, a simple but captivating money math game. Young children have no trouble following the rules. Both players get to "win" (no more tears!) Karen's students actually beg to play the game -- the ultimate measure of a good game.

Features:

• Develop basic math skills: counting bills, exchanging bills, make correct change, addition, subtraction and budgeting.
  
• Game pieces include two game boards, facsimiles of U.S. money, 16 Moneywise Markers and two dice.
  
• Includes tips that parents and teachers can use to connect Moneywise play with the real world.
  
• Recommended Age: 7 and Up, 2 Players. Contains small parts. CHOKING HAZARD – Not for children under 3 years.

This giveaway has ended! Congratulations to Ellen C.!

My husband LOVES Yahtzee. You know, the game that involves numbers and WAY to many of them? Seriously, I have NEVER won the game....ever, what's a dame to do? Well, I've found a new game that is just my style and it is called just that, "What's a DAME to do?!".

I can't wait until some more gals I know get married so I can bring this to their bridal parties! This would also make a great GNO (Girls' Night Out) idea!

What's a DAME to do retails for about $34 and can be purchased online and at Amazon. Check out the website for more locations!

If you are like me and my family you love to play games and I love to find NEW ones that challenge your mind! If you are familiar with what an idiom is, a group of words whose meaning as a whole is different from the meanings of each individually (e.g. Raining cats and dogs, cat got your tongue), that's what this game is all about! The point is whoever guesses the most idioms correctly wins!


Befudiom gets you involved in the game! You will be drawing, acting, shouting and spelling as you go along! This game needs 4 players and would make an excellent game when company is over! The recommended age is 8 and up. What a blast this would be at your next family reunion... or why not give it as a hostess gift?