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Top Ten Egg-cellent Easter Gifts Under $20

March 18, 2013 By 3 Comments

With just about two weeks until the Easter Bunny comes hippity hopping down the street, it is time to start looking for basket gift ideas.  I don’t know about you, but after Christmas and three birthdays already this year, our Easter Bunny is in a bit of a financial pinch.  For bunnies in the same situation, I give you the following list of Egg-cellent Easter Gift Ideas all under $20!

1.  Disney Easter Matching Game by Wonder Forge ($7.99):  My little one (age 5) absolutely loved this Disney themed game.  With the characters all dressed up for Easter, she didn’t even realize that she was building memory skills and learning the value of taking turns.

2.  Nickelodeon™ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™ Clash Alley™ Strategy Board Game by Wonder Forge ($16.99):  Boys ages 6 and over will love this 3D strategy board game! Run, climb, and leap as you race through the 3D warehouse on important missions to rescue April, recover objects–and even pick up a pizza while battling mutants, Kraang, and Shredder.

3.  Toy Story Zing Ems Rocket Rumble ($19.99): For Toy Story fans ages 4-6, this game reminds me of pinball but with your favorite Toy Story characters.  The kids loved shooting the characters around the rocket tracks and I think it’s neat that you can buy additional characters to play, too!

4.  Kids Sailboat Mini Beach Towel $18: Our Easter Bunny likes to stock up the kids for Summer vacation.  This beach towel is perfect to get the kids beach ready!  Made of thirsty velour, this towel does a great job soaking up water while looking cool.

5.  Old Navy Swimsuits ($16.94): Old Navy is a great source for swimwear…stock up!

6.  Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Sunscreen Spray SPF 70+ ($11.49): Protect your child’s skin with a sunscreen spray that instantly cuts through water, creating a broad spectrum protective barrier with every application. When applied to wet skin, ordinary Sunscreen can whiten and drips off but Neutrogena® Wet Skin Kids promises full strength sun protection even when applied on wet skin.

7.  Baby and Kids Sun Smarties Sunglasses with Strap ($15.95): Don’t forget about their little eyes!  These sunglasses block 100% of UV rays and are impact and shatter resistant, too.

8:  Plush Personalized Easter Basket ($19.99):  Now that you have some goodies, you will need something to put them in.  These personalized plush baskets are adorable.

9.  Handmade Seasonal Marshmallows by Sucre New Orleans ($13.00):  Sucre has a TON of delicious chocolatey treats but these handmade marshmallows are tasty and pretty, too!

10.  Kissing Bunny Necklace ($18.99):  Simply put….cute!

11.  Tiny Prints Spring Cards: I couldn’t stop at ten, because I am loving the trends for Spring at Tiny Prints including Chalkboard, Glitter, Typography, Bright Colors and Artistic Techniques.  These cards would be a great option for spreading the bunny love to family and friends without breaking the bank.  In fact, I will be ordering some First Communion Invitations pretty soon!

This post is the opinion of the Experimental Mommy.  In some cases, a sample was received but all opinions remain 100% mine.

The Power of Education through Toys

March 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Play is a fundamental part of children’s learning. Children are hands-on, kinaesthetic learners, who
learn best through experience. Play is the foundation for all areas of development. It aids in the
development of motor-skills, social and emotional well being, cognition, creative skills and language
development.

Where do Toys Fit In?

So where do toys come into all of this? Play is nearly always based around toys and equipment. They
provide endless opportunities for play and learning.  For example, the humble ball is used for kicking, catching, throwing and passing, rolling. Many children will make up their own games and sports in different settings. Children have great imagination and play with toys in many different ways.

A Life Without Toys

Without toys children are disadvantaged in several different aspects. For example, without crayons,
pencils, paper, play dough, books and engaging activities for our fingers, we cannot expect a child’s
fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination to flourish. It is extremely likely that a child with no
opportunities for fine motor play may present hand writing problems and poor fine motor skills for
life.

Adults often underestimate the importance of toys, but the truth is children learn much more
through play and hands on experience, than from any other means of teaching. Look for toys at OO
for information on loads of new toys.

What are they Learning?

So what exactly are children learning when they play? Dramatic play and props build children’s social
and emotional skills, play money assists with counting and maths, interactive toys provide a solid
understanding of cause and effect, climbing, playing catch and sports enhance motor skills, puzzles
are great for cognition, and books great for literacy.

Most importantly, childhood should be about discovery, exploration, growing, developing and
having fun!

This post is brought to you by guest author, Bryan Mills.

New Build-A-Bear Workshop Girl Scouts Thin Mints Bear {Giveaway}

February 8, 2013 By 83 Comments

In Kindergarten, my oldest daughter decided that she wanted to join the Girl Scouts.  As a child, I remember loving my own Girl Scout meetings and growing close to the members of my troop so I was thrilled to sign my own daughter up.  She quickly made friends with the other “Daisies” and now three years later, she has bridged to “Brownies.”

Now, we are deep in the throws of selling Girl Scout cookies to family and friends (want some?).  Lily beams with pride every time she displays the selection of cookies.  She has done a great job and has sold over 50 boxes of cookies so far (which is more than I expected).

On February 2nd, Build-A-Bear Workshop released the new Girl Scouts Thin Mints Bear which I thought would be a great way to commemorate Lily’s achievement.  The 12 inch brown bear is super soft and features the Girl Scout Trefoil and the Girls Scout Thin Mints Cookie embroidered on her feet.  To make the bear extra special, you can dress her in the Girl Scout, Brownie or Daisy uniform complete with troop number stickers!  And after searching the Build-A-Bear Workshop website, I found that I can even purchase a Mint Chocolate Chip SCENTiment which is inserted in the bear’s paw to make her smell delicious, too!

When the bear arrived, Lily was thrilled and can’t wait to take “Minty” to her next Girl Scout Meeting at the end of the month.  If you have a little Girl Scout in hour house, head to your local Build-A-Bear Workshop to make your very own Bear Scout!  Don’t miss any of the action by following Build-A-Bear Workshop on Twitter and Facebook.

Enter below to win a $25 gift card to Build-A-Bear Workshop!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This post is the opinion of the Experimental Mommy. While a sample was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% mine.

American Girl of the Year 2013: Saige Copeland {Review}

January 6, 2013 By 3 Comments

My girls have loved American Girl for some time now, but their love turned into an obsession ever since we visited the American Girl Cafe in New York City this Summer.  It was that visit that sparked my oldest daughter to want to learn about the dolls instead of just play with them.  When we got home, she grabbed the chapter book of her latest doll (Caroline) and started reading.

She could not have been more excited to receive the 2013 American Girl of the Year, Saige Copeland.  As with any American Girl doll, we were first stunned at the beautiful detail.  Saige has auburn hair, blue eyes, and freckles.  She quickly spotted Saige’s earrings and turquoise ring…this is her first doll with jewelery!  The embroidery on her blue dress is beautiful and the brown boots have a cool buckle detail.

Before long, my daughter spotted the book and was ready to get to know the new doll.  Saige Copeland lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico with her Mom and Dad (who is a commercial airline and hot air balloon pilot).  After a fun summer, she can’t wait to get back to school and see her best friend, Tessa.  While Saige loves art, Tessa was away at music camp all summer and made some new friends.  Saige’s return to school quickly becomes sad as she and Tessa grow apart which is only multiplied by the fact that her art class was canceled due to school budget cuts.  Fortunately, Saige’s Grandma Mimi loves art, too and encourages her to take action and save her art program.  Saige will lead a parade on Mimi’s horse, Picasso, to kick off an Art Fiesta which will raise money for the arts in the community.  My daughter is loving the book and I will admit that I can’t wait to turn the page and find out what happens next!

Saige has some great accessories to inspire imaginative play and bring the story to life.  From the horse and saddle set to the hot air balloon, I love the bright colors in this collection.  And if your child loves horses and painting like Saige, check out the free app from American Girl, Painting Ponies.

This post is the opinion of The Experimental Mommy.  While a product was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% mine.

Baby Genuis is the Sears Deal of the Day! #dealsoftheday

December 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

With the holidays just around the corner, it is time to finish (or start) your shopping.  Over the next few days, I will share with you the Sears Deal of the Day so you can not only get the gifts you need, but save a ton of money, too!

The first Deal of the Day is a smart purchase indeed!  The Baby Genius Ultimate Children’s Library with 10 DVDs & 10 CDs is now only $29.99 at Sears.  About the product:

“Children love to learn when they’re having fun! Using the 10 DVDs and 10 music CDs, your children will enjoy listening to these award winning songs from Baby Genius at home or on the road. Singing and dancing create an environment that’s entertaining, fun, and educational. The 20 fun-filled disks contain over 200 songs. With all that singing goodness, your child will have a hard time picking which one is their favorite. Choose to follow the lyrics to these favorite Sing-A-Longs in either English or Spanish!”

When my daughters were little, we absolutely loved Baby Genius products.  My girls would giggle, sing along and learn a thing or two (even when they weren’t expecting it).  But, the Baby Genius CD’s were a little miracle when we were traveling.  Even when sleeping away from home, the DVD and CD sets brought a little piece of home with us.  As soon as they heard the familiar songs, all was well with the World.

If you have a small child on your gift list this year, take advantage of the Baby Genius Ultimate Children’s Library Sears Deal of the Day!

This is a sponsored post, I am a Sears blogger, though all opinions are my own.

Disney Princess Games by Wonder Forge

December 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment

With Christmas just around the corner, my youngest daughter’s wish list has grown exponentially.  But I have noticed one common thread….Disney Princesses.  From costumes to make up and dolls to tea sets, if it has a princess on it, she wants it.  The problem is that I know most of the items on her list will keep her entertained for a very short period of time and then she will forget all about them.

Fortunately, I recently learned about a whole line of Disney Princess games by Wonder Forge!  We had the opportunity to test drive two of the games, Enchanted Cupcake Party Game and the Dazzling Princess Game.  I knew that anything Princess would spark my daughter’s interest, but would they be games she returned to on a regular basis?

The Enchanted Cupcake Party Game is ideal for kids ages 4 and over and promotes physical dexterity, taking turns and creative expression.  A little description from the website:

“You’re invited to a cupcake party with all your favorite princesses! Work together to make as many cupcakes as you can before it’s time for the party. Follow the recipe cards to pick the perfect fancy liner, frosting, and topper. Each cupcake creation is fit for a princess in this sweet game of matching and sharing.”

As soon as we took the pieces out of the box, my daughter was so excited about all of the cupcakes! After laying all of the cards face down on the floor, we took turns turning them over until we had just the right combination of mix, bake, decorate.  When the trio of cards is revealed, you pick a recipe card and start building Princess themed cupcakes in a race against the clock.

What I love about this game is that your child learns to take turns by flipping the cards and then players get to work together to build as many cupcakes possible.  Nobody loses which is perfect for my four year old who absolutely has to win.  Since our first encounter with the game, my daughter has played this game at least every other day.  It is a true hit!

The second game is the Dazzling Princess Game which promotes counting and matching, imaginative play and turn-taking.  Immediately, my daughter was excited because you get to wear a princess crown!  A little about the game:

“Celebrate your favorite princesses and collect sparkling jewels to decorate your bracelet, ring, and tiara. Are you ready for the ball? Let your inner princess shine in this fantasy-filled dress-up game.”

Also best for kids ages 4 and over, this game has a trivia element but does not require reading skills.  You simply take a look at a picture and guess which Disney Princess belongs to the scene.  Turn the card over and use the magic jewel to reveal the answer! For every correct guess, you get to add a jewel to your tiara, bracelet or ring.  While my daughter was gone back to the cupcake game more often, she does love to play this one as well.

Both of these games retail for under $20 and would make excellent holiday gifts!  Don’t miss any deals, news or new products by following Wonder Forge on Twitter and Facebook!

This post is the opinion of the Experimental Mommy.  While a product was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% mine.

Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two for Nintendo Wii {Review}

December 4, 2012 By 6 Comments

Last year, Santa brought our family a Nintendo Wii.  The gift was a huge hit with the entire family as we have played everything from Just Dance 3 and Zumba Fitness to Jeopardy and Deer Hunter.  All of the games we own call for a one time play and are not continuous stories.  So, when I was asked to review Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two, I was excited to try a game that has a plot and continuous play.

Released on November 18th, this game is the sequel to Epic Mickey featuring Disney’s forgotten characters and will share even more levels as the characters explore Wasteland.  For an unknown reason, Wasteland is being destroyed and they call Mickey to get to the root of the problem.  All of the in-game characters are fully voiced and you get to hear Oswald The Lucky Rabbit’s voice for the very first time!  Each of the two main characters, Mickey and Oswald, posses special tools (Mickey has a wand and Oswald has a remote) to manipulate the environment.  Mickey can use pain thinner to reveal secrets hidden behind the colors or even paint the environment when necessary.  I’ve also found it useful for Mickey to throw Oswald in the air who uses his ears to fly high! Meanwhile, Oswald’s remote can power machines by shooting lightening.

When we first started the game, my daughters and I were blown away by the graphics.  The colors and beautiful and they were immediately drawn to the story of the game.  We decided to work together and play using one player (but the game does support two players).  Before I knew it, my oldest daughter (age 7) was grabbing the remote to “help.”

Together, we successfully made it through a few levels as we try to figure out the game.  Currently, we are stuck trying to make Mickey become Oswald in order to use the remote.  It has been really fun to spend time with my daughter and watch her deductive reasoning skills develop as she figures out how to maneuver threw the levels.

Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two is available for Nintendo Wii, Nintendo 3DS, Sony PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.  It would make a great gift for the gamer or Disney enthusiast in your home!

This post is sponsored by Disney’s Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two the video game.

Fisher-Price Moments of Joy Sweepstakes {$100 AMEX Giveaway}

November 28, 2012 By 247 Comments

As a Mom, I don’t leave home without my camera.  Whether it’s the camera on my phone or my DSLR, I am armed and ready to capture those precious spontaneous moments that I want to remember forever.  Because my kids are young, they love to be the star of pictures and even take pictures with me.  I know they will turn into unwilling subjects as the teenage years approach, so I am soaking up the fun and snapping away now.

Social media has made sharing these special moments with our family and friends so much easier.  From my phone, I can take a picture and instantly show it to my Mom by uploading to Twitter or Facebook.  And now, Fisher-Price has added another way to share your photos through a new site called “Moments of Joy.”

Simply upload your favorite moments to showcase your children experiencing true joy!  During your upload, you can place your pictures in categories such as Celebrations, Sweet Dreams of Fabulous Firsts to name a few.  You can even upload videos or type a favorite story.  And the best part?  You can win fabulous prizes just for uploading your pictures, videos or stories in the Fisher-Price Moments of Joy Sweepstakes.

From now through December 20th, you can share your Moment of Joy to be automatically entered to win!  The Fisher-Price Moments of Joy Sweepstakes will include five weekly winners selected at random to receive a $100 gift card each, and one grand prize winner selected at random to win up to $1,000 of Fisher-Price toys!  You can upload your pictures on their Facebook Page or via the Moment of Joy site.

I had a chance to test drive the site before it was open to the public and upload some of my own favorite Moments of Joy.  Uploading was incredibly easy and browsing the other pictures made me say “Awwwww….” on more than a few occasions.  So head over to Fisher-Price and start sharing to win!  To be eligible for prizes, you must be the age of majority in your state of residence and a legal resident of the U.S. or the District of Columbia.  Check out the official rules here.

Want more ways to win?  I have a $100 AMEX gift card to give away to one of my own readers, too!  Enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This post is the opinion of the Experimental Mommy.  While I was compensated for my time from Fisher-Price, all opinions remain 100% my own.

Black Friday Deals on Gifts for Girls

November 23, 2012 By 1 Comment

If you are anything like me, I shop on Black Friday and Cyber Monday from the comfort of my own home.  I am not patient enough for crowded parking lots or mile long lines.  And I am certainly not in to camping.  I found some awesome deals for just about everything on my daughters’ wish lists on Amazon.com, so I thought I would share the savings!  Enjoy!

 

This post contains affiliate links.

Gift Idea for Backyard Fun

November 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Kids love playing in the backyard. But they have changing preferences, and that’s why they demand new fun ideas and games on a regular basis. After all, childhood and adolescence are the epitomy of innovation. If you want the kids to have some fun in the backyard without hurting themselves, then the JT SplatMaster z100 Pistol is a good option for you.

Their backyard toys come with capsules that are non-toxic.  The soft marble sized balls are biodegradable and produce an orange gooey splat. The impact of the splat is very low, and the velocity is only 110-140 per second.

This toy is all about safety. It comes with great eye protection goggles and extra face protection gears. The goggles add to the whole ‘look’, and the kids won’t be complaining about them. Both the protection gears and goggles act as an integral part of the uniform. As a mother, you’re less likely to be worried.

With JT SplatMaster, the kids have all kind of game options. For a more relaxing and fun time, you can enforce the rules while the kids play. The packaging also includes several pages of directions, which the kids can read, and you can further clarify them.

The packaging also states that the orange goo can easily be washed away, without leaving any traces on the objects. If the goo is splashed on the clothes, it would come off easily, without leaving any stains.You can first design obstacle course-like activities, and after the kids have gained experience, you can design a player against player competition for them.

The box includes the SplatMaster with one magazine, 1 cocking handle, 1 target, 1 cleaning stick, a barrel blocking device and game ideas that come on the back of a set of instructions. Operating is simple. It requires you to hit the magazine eject button, lower and secure the spring in its location, hold the ball holder down and load in 7 rounds. After that, load the marker back with the magazine, pull the slide back, push it forward, and make sure the safety is off. Now all that is required is to aim and pull. Loading the next round is easy, and again, you’re required to pull back and push forward. The accuracy has a good range, with a distance of 100+ feet offered.

You can either go for the SplatMaster z100 Pistol, or the JT SplatMaster z200. Z100 comes in blue while z200 comes in red. JT SplatMaster is the ultimate source of safe backyard fun for your kids.

This post is brought to you by guest author, Jenna Smith.
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