Showing posts with label Educational Gifts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Educational Gifts. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Multicultural Easter Basket Ideas

© Can Stock Photo / Valya

If you celebrate Easter and are looking for last minute ideas on what to put in your children's Easter basket, why not make it unique with a multicultural twist?

I've listed some ideas below of things to put in the basket. I've included affiliate Amazon links, but you can find many of these (or something similar), at your local bookstore, Target, Walmart, and/or Michaels. Those of you with Amazon Prime can get most of them delivered before Sunday if you act fast.

Happy Easter, Friends!


Canticos: 6-Inch Small Plush Sammy with Sound

If you press his belly, he sings a song from Nick Jr.’s Canticos in English and Spanish!



Learn to count, sort, and match - in any language! Exercise children's hand-eye coordination. Each plastic egg contains a different color and shape, with corresponding holes.



Jofan 6 Pack Wooden Musical Shake Easter Eggs Shakers

Made of high quality wooden and non-toxic paint, safe for kids to play, but don't break it as small parts inside. For kids 3+. 



Crayola Ultra Clean Washable Multicultural Markers

SKIN TONE MARKERS: Features 10 broad line markers in long-lasting, realistic hues.


Little Chickies / Los Pollitos Board Book by Canticos

Based on the beloved nursery rhyme from Latin America. 



eeBoo I Never Forget a Face Memory Matching Game for Kids

A memory and matching game that develops patience and memory skills. Children are introduced to the inspiring diversity of 24 warm and accessible children from cultures around the world, opening doors to empathy and discovery. The back cover identifies each child’s home country.


Children of the World Floor Puzzle

The Melissa & Doug Children of the World Floor Puzzle includes 48 extra-thick cardboard pieces that are easy for children to put together. The finished puzzle displays beautiful original artwork.



Konga Drum - Rhythm Kids

Nurture your child's musical abilities! The Rhythm Club Konga features a bright, playful sound, a vibrant Rhythm Club graphic, and can be played while sitting or standing. Equipped with an Acousticon shell and a pre-tuned Suede drumhead.


Other posts you may enjoy:


Friday, November 20, 2020

Holiday Gifting: Canticos

The following is a sponsored post in collaboration with Canticos. All thoughts and opinions are mine. 

This week, I've shared gift ideas for kids in elementary, middle school, and high school. Today, I'm focusing on preschool. And, of course, you know who my go-to for bilingual gifts for this age range is: Canticos!

Seriously, y'all, for toddlers and preschoolers, you absolutely cannot beat all the amazing bilingual books, toys, and other resources that are available from Canticos. I'm looking forward to buying some books and puzzles for my 3yo. Why? Because I absolutely love how all of them are geared to helping prepare our nenes for preschool and beyond by teaching those important concepts they need to grow and develop. 

Especially now, when so many parents suddenly find themselves teaching preschool at home and are searching for those resources that will help them in their family's bilingual journey.

Read on to learn about all the fabulous collections that Canticos has created for families!

**All orders placed this month will ship December 1st. And be sure to follow them on social media because they are offering discounts on all of these products and the app subscription throughout this month and next!



Bilingual Firsts Collection 

Ages: 2+
$12.99 - $13.99 (individual books) $44.99 (entire collection)

I love that you can buy these books individually or as the whole collection. The Bilingual Firsts Collection is designed to give children foundational math, literacy, and social emotional skills as they start their bilingual journey. Each book covers a new concept, with beautiful original illustrations and adorable bilingual characters to help along the way. The concepts include: First 100 Words, Letters A-Z, Numbers 1 to 100, Shapes & Patterns, Opposites, and Feelings. These are all important concepts that your child should learn in preschool as they prepare for kindergarten. And the last three books listed above include interactive flaps to further engage your child's curiosity.



Bilingual Puzzles

Ages: 2+ 
$9.99 (puzzle pairs)  $24.99 (jumbo puzzles) 
Play and learn in English and Spanish with these fun puzzles, each one featuring 10 pairs! Your child will learn their numbers and opposites in two languages, setting them up for their bilingual learning journey.

Your child will love discovering a new friend with each instrument along the way. Finish the 18-piece puzzle to see the whole Canticos crew in this musical celebration!

Assemble the 30-piece puzzle one way and sing the song in English, then flip the pieces over and do the same thing in Spanish with a few extra letters (Ch, Ll & Ñ)! Your child will learn their letters in English and Spanish, setting them up for their bilingual learning journey.

Alphabet recognition is the most reliable predictor of reading ability! The more letters children can recognize at an early age, the higher their potential for academic success.



Bilingual Stroller Cards

Ages: 2+ 
$11.99 (35 cards)

Are you getting exercise by running or taking walks around your neighborhood or local park with your child in a stroller? Why not take advantage of those moments and provide them with a learning opportunity to keep them busy? These stroller cards would be great for car seats, walkers, and even high chairs, too!

Build your child's vocabulary anywhere with these portable stroller cards that are fun to look at and easy to take on-the-go. Your child will learn their first words, as well as their colors and shapes in English and Spanish, setting them up for success in their bilingual learning journey...

Speaking a second language helps kids develop a better attention span, improves their ability to multitask, and increases educational performance as they grow.



Bilingual Preschool App


You may remember me sharing the Canticos' Bilingual Preschool App last month. I wrote up a complete review here. If you are looking for educational apps that will develop your child's bilingualism, this is it! The app is a clever compilation of a lot of the amazing videos Canticos has created over the years, plus additional activities to nurture learning and reinforce preschool concepts. And it is 100% ad free! Click the link above to read a complete review. 




Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Canticos. I only work with companies that I feel are a good fit for MommyMaestra readers. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Holiday Gifting: Reading Eggs


The following is a sponsored post in collaboration with Reading Eggs. All thoughts and opinions are mine. 

Do you know about Reading Eggs? It's been around for quite a while now, and I have often seen it mentioned in homeschool circles. So when Reading Eggs reached out, I finally had a chance to check it out more closely and see if it is a good fit for MommyMaestra readers. It absolutely is. 

What is Reading Eggs?


Reading Eggs is an online program designed to support your child as they learn to read. Created for children ages 2 - 13, the site is full of online reading games (there are SO MANY GAMES!) and activities that children love and which helps develop their literacy skills through lots and lots of practice - without it feeling like work. 

Ten million children around the world use this program. Yes, I wrote that correctly! And the reason is that the program is really fun for kids and is effective. It is based on scientific research and centered around the five essential keys to reading success:
  1. phonemic awareness,
  2. phonics,
  3. vocabulary,
  4. reading comprehension, and
  5. fluency.
If you are a homeschooler, it is critical that you understand these concepts. Click here to learn about them and how to apply them in your child's reading development.


As you can see from the image above, the site offers five different levels of learning. When they begin, your child takes a placement test that matches them with the right level. And, yes, that's a math section at the end. For those of you whose children are struggling with memorizing math facts or who has negative associations with math, this section will help!

As they progress through the program, kids can earn golden eggs (hello? Reading EGGS!) as awards and then use them to buy special reward games or items for their avatar or their house. And they can also earn certificates of achievement.




Things I love best about the program


There are two things about the program that really stand out for me. First, the program has more than 2000 online books and EVERY ONE of them ends with a comprehension quiz. And second, parents can access detailed progress reports on their child. If you have more than one child using the program, no problem. Your dashboard keeps track of everyone's progress and you even get emailed in‑depth reports every time your kid completes a map. 

I also love that the program is self-paced and your child can repeat any activity/game as many times as they want to reinforce the concepts being learned. This is really important for struggling readers.

And finally, Reading Eggs is a kidSAFE certified website. This is SO IMPORTANT TO ME as a parent. I don't have to worry about ads all over the place to distract and tempt my kids. And knowing that it is a safe place for kids to play is gold. With so many other sites I have to worry about who my kid is interacting with or who has access to their information. That's gotten harder as my 14yo has grown. But I have a 3yo now that I have to start worrying about. I'm looking forward to trying this program with him without fear of what he sees and who he meets.




November deals


Right now, Reading Eggs has several holiday promos going on FOR NOVEMBER:

  • First, they are offering FREE week‑by‑week program guides for homeschoolers for Kindergarten, Grade 1, and Grade 2. Each guide provides a 36‑week teaching and learning sequence for Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies, making it easy for parents to cover and track essential learning outcomes. You can download the guides here.

  • Second, Reading Eggs is also offering a 30-day free trial for parents and their little learners to try the online homeschool program. It only takes a few minutes to set up, and you'll get instant access to hundreds of online lessons, activities, kids' books, and printable worksheets – perfect for your family's homeschooling needs.

  • Additionally, from November 1 through Thanksgiving, Reading Eggs is offering free shipping on any products including their workbooks, flashcards and mega book packs.

  • For Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Reading Eggs is offering 62% off a family subscription for up to four children. (WOW!) The sale will start on Thanksgiving and go through Cyber Monday.

Learn more!


If you want to learn more, visit their site. 

They also have a YouTube channel that features testimonials from other parents and getting started tutorials.

Wednesday, August 5, 2020

Beginner Microscope Kit Giveaway

MommyMaestra's Back-to-School Fiesta

Microscope Kit Giveaway

Introduce your children to the world of microscopy! Today's giveaway includes a beginner's microscope kit, a project and activity book, and a free download of my (bilingual) microscope worksheets.

Six years ago, I wrote a post on how to introduce your child to a microscope. I shared my family's adventure into the microscopic world and talked about how we used our microscope. It was one of the most fun subjects we studied. So I'm super excited to have this opportunity for MommyMaestra readers in this year's Back-to-School Fiesta!

Beginner's Microscope Kit

This beginner's microscope is perfect for young students in 4th through 8th grade. AmScope 120X-1200X 52-pcs Kids Beginner Microscope STEM Kit (aff link) is a (beginner) compound microscope and provides high magnification for educational applications. It has a monocular viewing head with LED and mirror illumination and built-in color filter wheel. Forward-facing rotating turret provides 120x, 240x, 300x, 480x, 600x, and 1200x magnifications. Coaxial coarse focus has a rack-and-pinion focus mechanism on a durable and stain-resistant white metal frame. This kit comes with a 52-piece accessory kit and hard-sided plastic ABS case.

Here is what is included:
AmScope M30 microscope
Shrimp hatchery
Brine shrimp eggs
Specimen slicer
Petri dish
Plastic tweezers
Plastic scalpel
Plastic spatula
Needle
Plastic stirring rod
Graduated cylinder
Eosin
Gum media (bottle)
Sea salt
(5) Prepared slides
(7) Blank slides
(7) Slide covers
(7) Statistical slide covers
(7) Slide labels
(2) Collecting vials
(2) AA batteries
Spare LED bulb

Tips from a professional: If you are inexperienced with microscopes, here are a few tips: make sure that what you are trying to view is in the center of the aperture (where the light comes through), and always start on the lowest magnification.

The World of the Microscope

In addition, the winner will receive a copy of the book, The World of the Microscope (aff) by Chris Oxlade. This is an excellent book that I used as part of our lessons when my kids were younger. The World of the Microscope investigates the enormous variety of objects too small for the eye to see, from insects, bacteria, to rock crystals and microchip circuits. The Step-by-step diagrams will show you how to get the best results from a microscope and how to make and keep slides. The book covers different types of microscopes, from magnifying glasses to electron microscopes, and there are plenty of exciting suggestions for projects which reveal the incredible detail of everyday objects. The book also contains a section on the use of microscopes in science and industry.

Printable microscope worksheets

And finally, I am throwing in a copy of my printable Microscope Worksheets (in English and Spanish) to use in your adventures with the microscopic world!


The Giveaway


To enter to win this fabulous giveaway, simply use the Rafflecopter below. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, November 29, 2019

Stocking Stuffers for Kids


I cooked. I feasted. And I was overwhelmed with gratitude. How thankful I am for my dear family, friends... and my work here on MommyMaestra. I so enjoy watching my kids learn, learning myself, and sharing what we've learned with you.

Now, I turn my focus toward finding gifts of value for my children and yours. Gifts that our children will learn from. Gifts that they'll enjoy for more than 5 minutes. Gifts that have a lasting impact by developing a skill or nurturing their curiosity and creativity.

Today, I'm highlighting stocking stuffers. Here are some of the ones I've found that I love. You can find them and see my complete list by visiting my Amazon Idea Lists. For this list, click on "Stocking Stuffers."

This post contains affiliate links.


At the top of my list is a Dora and the Lost City of Gold DVD. I can't help it. My kids loved it and so did I. I'm not putting an age range on this one. You know your kids best and whether or not they'll love it. You've probably already seen it! And it is a great family movie. 



For young dinosaur lovers, I have two little products that I love. First is this stocking-sized dino dig.  It's a quick activity that yields a tiny treasure they'll delight in. I'm going to say this will work best for kids 6 to 10 because there are little bitty parts (choking hazard for little kids!). 

The second is this dinosaur skull comb and brush set! Okay, this is just super cute. And it is a good choice for younger children (still not for kids under 3!). And it helps encourage good hygiene habits and taking care of their appearance. :) 



Are you raising a reader? Check out this Digital Bookmark and Reading Timer that helps them track their progress! I wish someone had gotten me this when I was a kid. (Okay, I'm sure they didn't exist back then.) Yay for technology! Ages 5 and up.



Or maybe you have a young scientist. It doesn't matter, really. Who wouldn't love a Pocket Volcano? Hello? Ages 5 and up!



I actually heard about this book - A Velocity of Being - on NPR and listened to an excerpt of the passage that Shonda Rhimes contributed. It was amazing. I want to read this book for myself! But I'm getting it for my 15-year-old. 

It includes letters from Jane Goodall, Neil Gaiman, Jerome Bruner, Shonda Rhimes, Ursula K. Le Guin, Yo-Yo Ma, Judy Blume, Lena Dunham, Elizabeth Gilbert, and Jacqueline Woodson, as well as a ninety-eight-year-old Holocaust survivor, a pioneering oceanographer, and Italy's first woman in space. And all of the proceeds from this book go to the New York Public Library systems. Here's a description of the book:
In these pages, some of today's most wonderful culture-makers―writers, artists, scientists, entrepreneurs, and philosophers―reflect on the joys of reading, how books broaden and deepen human experience, and the ways in which the written word has formed their own character.



For little explorers, the new series from Encantos is a must! Tiny Travelers has just launched and their first two books are about Mexico (shown) and China. Here's a description:
Tiny Travelers is inspired by a world of cultures. The Tiny Travelers “Treasure Quest” Series takes its readers on a fun-filled journey to discover what makes each country special. Each illustrated spread invites children to discover hidden "treasures" - icons, animals, statues, instruments and more - that make up the rich cultural heritage of each country.
In Tiny Travelers Mexico Treasure Quest, readers journey from the mariachi-filled plazas, to the Pyramids of Teotihuacan. From the Lucha Libre ring, to the flower filled boats of Xochimilco, tiny travelers will enjoy getting closer to Mexican culture making magical discoveries along the way.

Friday, November 29, 2013

Feliz Navidad from Best Buy


Sponsored content

Today's post is all about some of the great products you can find at Best Buy plus two coupons for up to an additional 15% off already discounted tech "toys."

I have to tell you that I've already been shopping this year. A few weeks ago, I headed to Best Buy with a gift card in one hand and a very specific list in the other. (I like to do my research ahead of time, and go through the stores once without buying to see what products they carry and get prices. I had already done this, so I knew exactly what I wanted when I entered the store. In fact, I had even discussed with my children what were some of the gifts they really wanted this year, and we looked them over at several stores.)

So when I entered the store, I went straight to the tech toys section shown above. My kids and I had gone back and forth for a long time over whether or not it was time to "graduate" from the old Leapster handheld gaming system, to the newer LeapsterGS or LeapPad or something altogether different like the Nabi 2 or Ninetendo's 3DS. I rejected the 3DS immediately because very few of the games are actually educational (Boo!), so no deal for me. I really liked the Nabi 2 because of all the parental controls I read about and the educational content, but ultimately the kids said no because they really wanted the LeapFrog toys. I'll talk more about these in a later post.

Right. So here is what I bought...


Both the LeapsterGS and the LeapPad2. I decided not to go with the LeapPad Ultra because I wasn't ready for them to have that WiFi connection just quite yet. They can get on their computer in our library at home where we do school and I'm better able to monitor their activities online. My daughter chose the Super Animal Genius Explorer game shown at the bottom, and my son chose Disney's Brave Explorer game.

I also bought a ton of batteries to run these and more. It seems like we go through a LOT of batteries at my house and the price just keeps going up and up! What's with that?

I mentioned that their school computer has Internet access, but actually, their receiver had broken, so I also picked up a new WiFi USB Adapter for their school computer. My kids have a hand-me-down computer from a friend, who had gotten a new one. Their computer is a Dell and really like new and probably even better than this one I'm typing on, but it needs an adapter to pick up the WiFi signal. So I'm pretty happy with this purchase, too, as it gives them protected online access. (I'm the protection.)


And I got the kids the movie Epic simply because we loved it so much when we saw it this summer. You know my kids are nature lovers and this movie sparked their imagination and inspired them to dream up stories just like it in our own backyard.

But I admit, I didn't just shop for the kids...


I cheated and bought myself an early Christmas present. Already this Hamilton Beach - Set & Forget 6-Quart Slow Cooker is saving my sanity. I bought it because the my old crockpot was overheating and burning the food. I had to cook everything on low and it still ran too hot. But I didn't realize how bad things had gotten until I set this new one up and made a perfectly cooked roast last week. Seriously, I thought I would cry it was so beautiful! This week we ran out of propane gas and have decided to change gas companies. But they can't deliver until Monday or Tuesday. So guess what? I have three nights in a row of slow cooker meals planned. :) Do you use a slow cooker like this one? I've never had a programmable one and am SO loving it! (Really, I know it's pathetic to get so worked up over a crockpot, but anything that makes my schedule easier is a blessing.)

But I may be most excited about my new Dyson Digital Slim. It's supposed to be the most powerful cordless vacuum. Seriously. TWENTY minutes of constant high suction. No more tripping over cords. And no more cobwebs on the ceiling! AND I can take it to church to clean (do you have any idea how hard it is to vacuum between pews and the pew seats themselves?). It's craziness. Again, it makes my life a little less insane and therefore I ♥ it!

At any rate, there were tons of other products that I could have purchased, and many are still on my watch list, such as these from Fisher-Price that are oh-so awesome, but a little too young for my kids:



The Coupons

But good news! If your children are the right age for these great toys, here's a coupon for you that's good online or in the store. It's good for 15% off Health & Fitness and Fisher Price & Mattel Toys. (Psst! It's also good for the Shine Elegant Wearable Tracker that I talked about here.)

And if you have older children, here's another coupon for 10% off Headphones and Portable Speakers.


Disclosure: I am a Best Buy Brand Ambassador which allows me to share great deals and information with you on a regular basis. I was compensated for this post, however, all thoughts and opinions are strictly my own.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Make Your Own Chewing Gum Kit {GIVEAWAY}


This post is part of our Educational Gifts series that features products that encourage learning and skill development.

You may remember how I did a series of articles last year on chocolate that included a great giveaway of a Make Your Own Chocolate Kit. The kids and I had SUCH a blast with that activity, that when I received the offer to sample the Make Your Own Chewing Gum Kit, of course I said yes!

Name: Make Your Own Chewing Gum Kit
Subject(s): geography, science, world culture
Brief Description: A complete kit by GleeGum.com for making your own chewing gum in two different flavors.
Price: $13.95

Ages: 8 and up


What my kids like:

The hands-on fun. My kids love learning in the kitchen and this was an especially fun project. They threw on their little aprons and enjoyed the process. We all really enjoyed watching the photographic slide show on the process from tree to Glee (you can find it here).
Oh, and I think their favorite part was sampling the end result!


What I like:

I really love that the ingredients are all natural. The kit includes the chicle gum base, confectioner's sugar, corn syrup, 2 flavor packets, and a microwaveable black plastic dish that you can recycle when you are done.

I also like how the kit comes with a history lesson. Included is a short story describing where chicle comes from and how it is harvested. It created a connection for my kids by telling them the story of Eduardo, a Guatemalan "chiclero." The story emphasizes the important role that this product plays in the community and how it protects the rain forest as a renewable resource.

It can be a pretty sticky affair making the gum (well, what did you expect?), so make sure your children's hair is pulled back and that they are wearing play clothes.

Other Notes:

TEACHERS - there is also an Educator's Guide to Gum available through GleeGum.com. It includes a kit for making 30 - 60 pieces of gum, an Educator's Guide, "El Chicle" DVD, and a copy of The Chewing Gum History Book.

To find a store near you where you can purchase Glee Gum kits, check out their store locator. And don't forget to use this coupon!



THE GIVEAWAY

GleeGum has kindly offered for one MommyMaestra reader to receive 1 (one!) kit of your choice (Make Your Own Chewing Gum, Gummies, or Chocolate).

To enter this giveaway, simply leave a comment below.

The deadline to enter is 11:59 EST, Thursday, December 13th. The winner will be chosen using Random.org. and contacted via email - so be sure to leave a valid email address in your comment! (If I have no way to contact you, I'll have to choose someone else!)

And to increase your chances of winning, you can:

1) 
Like Glee Gum on Facebook.

2) Follow Glee Gum on Twitter (@gleeguy).

3) Follow me on Twitter and tweet the following:LatinMami and @gleeguy #giveaway

Don't forget to let me know by posting a separate comment for each entry!

By entering this giveaway, you agree to
the Official Sweepstakes Rules. No purchase required. Void where prohibited.


¡Buena suerte!

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post, though the giveaway and images are offered courtesy of Glee Gum. I did, however, receive a sample pack for the purposes of this review.

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Little Passports: A Global Adventure


This post is part of our Educational Gifts series that features products that encourage learning and skill development.

I love, love, LOVE products that are fun, educational, AND hold my kid's interest for longer than a week. Magazines or activity books that come once a month or more are high on my list of best gifts to give children during the holidays. And so today's product has been on my list to check out for a while now.

Name: Little Passports: A Global Adventure
Subject(s): geography, reading, critical thinking
Brief Description: Educational kit delivered on a monthly basis.
Price: Subscription, $11.95 - $131.40
Ages: 5 - 12


Little Passports: A Global Adventure is a subscription-based education kit that is delivered to your child once a month in the mail. You have the option of choosing from two different geographic adventures: The USA Edition and the World Edition. I really like the fact that both include hands-on materials and activities to help capture my child's interest, as well as an online component that allows them to explore new countries through virtual tours.

The USA Edition - The first month's Discovery Kit introduces your child to the adventure and comes with a letter from Sam and Sofia (the main characters who act as travel guides), a field guide with pages your child has to fill in using the materials provided, a USA wall map, a USA scratch book, a disposable camera!, and a photo scavenger hunt. After this your child will receive each month, a 2-state travel journal filled with activities, postcards, sticker sheets, 3D pop-out models, and access to more information online.

For example, in New York, Sam and Sofia's adventures take them from Times Square to Niagara Falls. Along the way they learn about everything from famous NY scientists to how to make New York pizza (Yum!). And because they enjoy the taxis so much, Sam and Sofia send your child a 3D paper taxi cab to build.


You can learn more about the USA edition and sample the monthly here.

The World Edition - The first month's Explorer Kit for this series includes (again) a letter from Sam and Sofia introducing their magical scooter which takes them anywhere in the world they want to go, a suitcase for storing all your child's LP "souvenirs," a world wall map, LP passport, suitcase stickers & photo, an activity sheet, and a collectible boarding pass with a secret code to access the games in the online Boarding Zone section of LP's website. So much fun stuff!!

Each month after this, your child will receive a adventure kit featuring a new country. And each one includes access to the Boarding Zone, which is filled with educational activities about that month's country.

Example: The Japan kit includes another letter describing Sam and Sophia's adventures on Mt. Fuji, as well as their experiences at Tsukiji, the largest fish market in the world. Your child will receive souvenirs, including a sushi eraser and origami paper. And they get passport and map stickers, too. Online your child will learn about traditional Japanese Shinto "wish tablets," and Japanese food.

You can learn more and sample the monthly adventures here.

Different packages are available. You can choose a 12 month package, 6 month, 3 month, or even monthly payments.

The best part is that this gift can last ALL YEAR. My kids love getting mail and something like this is like getting a present in the mail every month. :)

I received both kits in the mail to review. Here's what the packages looked like together:


We LOVE the little suitcase!!



So if you are looking for a fun gift that your child can enjoy every single month and introduces him or her to other peoples, cultures, and even languages, Little Passports may be for you.

Enjoy!

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Hasbro Marvel Role-Play Products {GIVEAWAY}


This post is part of our Educational Gifts series that features products that encourage learning and skill development.

I have written before about the power of role-playing in a child's life. I believe it is a valuable part of childhood which allows children to better understand the world around them and develop their imagination. But the fact that it may have a physical effect on a child's brain has sold me on the importance of role-playing. Needless to say, we have a steady supply of costumes and props scattered about the house.

I like to encourage them to act out those little stories floating around in their heads. It's WAY better than seeing them sitting in front of the TV or playing some hand-held game. So when I got the opportunity to review the new Hasbro Super Hero products, I said sure! We picked Spider-Man, because my son has been dying for a Spidey costume.

We received the Hero FX Mask, Glove, and Chest Light. I barely got the box open before Spidey's voice was echoing throughout the halls. The mask makes web-slinging sounds and says 10 different phrases. It just totally cracks me up when my kid walks into the room in his get up and the mask says matter-of-factly, "That's right. I'm Spider-Man."

The Glove also makes web-shooting sounds when you move your wrist around in the air. Or you can do like my son does and point it at me then push the little button to activate the rapid-fire sound effects.

The Chest Light easily snaps on to the front of your T-shirt. My son keeps putting it on crooked, but he doesn't care. He's thrilled that it lights up when you push it and makes sounds.

The good news? The Mask has an off button and the other two have to be turned on, as well. So when you've had enough of Spidey, like I eventually do, I can either send them to their rooms to play, or tell them to turn off the sound.


And you know what my favorite part is? They are good for at least a whole hour - or even two! - of fun. Keeps them busy and I don't get any pleas for screen time.

Spider-Man isn't the only super hero Hasbro has created products for. Check out the Hasbro website
for a complete list of their Super Hero products.

THE GIVEAWAY

Hasbro has agreed to offer a set of the same Spider-Man products we received to one MommyMaestra reader! (Hello! Christmas present!)

To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment below letting me know which Marvel hero your kids are requesting toys and action figures of this holiday season.
.
The deadline to enter is 11:59 EST, Tuesday, December 11th. The winner will be chosen using Random.org. and contacted via email - so be sure to leave a valid email address in your comment! (If I have no way to contact you, I'll have to choose someone else!)

And to increase your chances of winning, you can:

1) Follow MommyMaestra on Facebook.


2)
Follow me on Twitter and tweet the following: Win a free set of Spider-Man toys from @LatinMami & @HasbroNews http://bit.ly/YvRkDx #giveaway #HasbroHoliday

Don't forget to let me know by posting a separate comment for each entry!

By entering this giveaway, you agree to the Official Sweepstakes Rules. No purchase required. Void where prohibited.

¡Buena suerte!

Disclosure: This is part of a product review campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and Hasbro; complimentary products were provided. However, all opinions expressed are my own.

This giveaway is now closed.

Monday, December 3, 2012

PBS KIDS Launches New Toy Line



Over the next couple of weeks, we're focusing on educational gifts for children. If you're looking for products that are not just mindless entertainment, but rather help your child to learn and grow, we have some great recommendations for you! Our Educational Gift series will highlight a variety of fun, educational toys that your children will be guaranteed to enjoy. To make it easier for you, we'll have a list of "quick stats" at the beginning highlighting the product and the age for which they are best suited.


Name: PBS KIDS Toys
Subject(s): math, science, fine motor skills
Brief Description: A new toy line created specifically for preschoolers to extend off-screen learning.

Price: $1.99
Ages: Preschool, Elementary

PBS KIDS has partnered with Tuesday Morning to offer a new line of age-appropriate preschool toys and games. AND most of them come with bilingual packaging!

All of them are designed to encourage imaginative play through role-playing or a hands-on activity. I've included brief descriptions of the new toys below.

Fine Motor Skills
Perhaps my favorite toy in the line is The Build, Repair, Play Carpenter's Set. It comes with a larger than usual assortment of wooden tools that all fit perfectly inside a wooden box that opens in a tri-fold manner to display the contents. Your children will have a great time putting on their imaginary hard hats and exploring the world of carpentry. (Fine motor skills, role playing, imaginative play)

Along the same lines is the Exploration Blocks: Neighborhood set. The 40-piece set builds problem solving and critical thinking skills as your child puts the pieces together to design their own original neighborhoods, cities, and towns. I love that it features PBS KIDS' animated hosts, Dash and Dot. (Fine motor skill and hand-eye coordination development, creative expression)

The Catch of the Day Fishing Game may actually be the most sought after toy in your home. My kids got it out at our Thanksgiving Dinner and they had to fight the adults for a turn. The game develops hand-to-eye coordination skills as your child uses small wooden fishing rods to catch the fish (or boot or treasure chest!) using magnetic force and hang them on the wooden pegs. (Fine motor skill and hand-eye coordination development)


Math
The Travel Card Games and Dominoes sets are easy to transport and fun to play. They are colorful versions of the favorite children's games. The Dominoes come in a wooden storage box for easy storage.


Science
And as a homeschooling mom, I absolutely love the science-based activity kits. There are three: the Growing Gators Activity Kit, Test Tube Adventures, and Snow Explosions. We've already broken open Growing Gators and performed our experiments, keeping records of our results. My son has been begging to open the Snow Explosions kit, so I'm sure that will go on our schedule for school this week!

The line is scheduled to launch with exclusive prices at Tuesday Morning stores tomorrow, Tuesday, December 4th, but you can already find a few of them online at Tuesday Morning's website.



LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...