2010 Top Toys Guide: Part 2- TONKA TOUGHEST MIGHTY Dump Truck
9:53 AM Posted by Centsible Mommy
My little construction crew loads this dump truck up and makes their "deliveries" everywhere, even through the roughest of terrain: rocks, sand, dirt even an occasional mud puddle or two. With its giant wheels this truck is definitely made to handle it.
The handle releases allowing them to dump their load (rocks and dirt) and return to their "work site" for more. Indoors, they load it up with small toys, and head to their "delivery" destination as this authentic looking dump truck makes its way over makeshift mounds of blocks and more.
Overall, this toy is durable, cleans up easily, and is made to withstand the play of two kids through the harshest of play and conditions.
And although this toy is not new in 2010, I am still putting it in my 2010 Top Toys Guide, because my little construction crew love it so much. And as mom, I am impressed with the quality and durability. This toy is a great product and would make a great investment for entertaining your little "construction worker" for years to come.
More details: Award winner, Toy Tips Approved. Guaranteed to last a lifetime
Buy it: The retail price of the TONKA TOUGHEST MIGHTY Dump Truck is $29.99 and can be purchased at hasbrotoyshop.com or at most retailers nationwide including Walmart, KMart, Toys 'r' us and more.
We received the featured product for review purposes only. All opinions are our own and based on the use of the product. We received no monetary compensation for this review.
Product Review: Sid the Science Kid Gotta Know Microphone
9:36 PM Posted by Centsible Mommy
Who is Sid The Science Kid? If your children haven't yet discovered Sid and friends, Sid the Science Kid is an animated television series on PBS Kids, starring Sid, a funny and inquisitive 5-year old. Join Sid and his friends as they celebrate their excitement and curiosity about the world through discovery, activity and fun!
Sid the Science Kid Gotta Know Microphone
Your child will love exploring his or her world with an electronic microphone just like the Sid the Science Kid characters on the animated television series!
Fun push-button features let your child create applause noise after he's interviewed someone, laughter noise when she's told a joke and even play the Sid the Science Kid series theme song and silly sounds when they’re ready to sing! For extra fun, they can set it to “echo mode” and listen to their voice echo…echo…echo… everywhere they go! For ages 3+.
Our thoughts on the Sid the Science Kid Gotta Know Microphone:
This toy was a big hit for both my boys ages 5 and 2. My 5 year old loved mimicking Sid by conducting his very own interviews, with silly sounds, applause and more interjected, of course. My 2 year old loved the echo feature the most. He loved talking and singing into the microphone. Both my boys got a big kick out the silly sounds and music. With 4 different colored push buttons to choose from, kids can easily press a button to hear a different sound.
Buy it: Sid the Science Kid Gotta Know Microphone retails for $14.99 and can be purchased online at HasbroToyShop.com or wherever toys and games are sold including, Wal-Mart, Toys "R" Us, Target, and more.
We were sent a Sid the Science Kid Gotta Know Microphone for review. We received no monetary compensation for this review. The opinions expressed are my own based on the use of this product. Note: Some excerpts and descriptions taken from Hasbro.com
2010 Top Toys Guide: Part 1- K'nex Building Sets
1:46 PM Posted by Centsible Mommy
We were sent some of the newest toys from K’nex for our “expert testers” (ages 5 and 2) to try out. If you haven’t yet heard of K’nex, they are a popular brand of building toys for ages 2 through 9+. K’nex building toys allow children to let their imaginations soar as they play and build with K'nex Building sets. Here are just some of the newest toys from Spring/Summer Collection from K’nex:
The New K'nex Sesame Street Collection (ages 2+)
More information about each:
"Kick it Elmo" Building Set
Your child can build Sesame Street's coolest red monster, Elmo, gearing up to kick his soccer ball! This 13 piece set includes parts to build Elmo in his uniform and ready to hit the field with his soccer ball. "Play & Learn" activity sheet filled with collaborative and educational fun for parent and child is also included along with additional building ideas. When playtime is over store the parts in the handy canister for a quick and easy clean-up.
Your child can build Sesame Street's friendliest resident, Ernie, dressed in his bathing suit and ready to take a swim! This 14 piece set includes parts to build Ernie, complete with snorkel and flippers, on his way to the pool, lake or beach! "Play & Learn" activity sheet filled with collaborative and educational fun for parent and child is also included along with additional building ideas. When playtime is over store the parts in the handy canister for a quick and easy clean-up.
Cookie Monster Basketball Building Set
Your child can build one of Sesame Street's most lovable - and hungriest - characters, Cookie Monster, getting some exercise by hitting the basketball court! This 15 piece set includes parts to build Cookie Monster dressed in his uniform, including his yellow visor, with basketball in hand. "Play & Learn" activity sheet filled with collaborative and educational fun for parent and child is also included along with additional building ideas. When playtime is over store the parts in the handy canister for a quick and easy clean-up.Our thoughts on the Sesame Street building sets: The Sesame Street building sets are perfect for my 2 year old son. Not only are the Sesame Street Characters some of his favorites, but at his age he is too young for most other building sets. The K'nex Sesame Street building sets allow him to build his favorite characters, as they have fewer and bigger pieces than the K’nex sets for older children. And well it's Elmo, Ernie and Cookie Monster, which was an added plus for my little Sesame Street fan. He has a blast building and playing with his favorite Sesame Street friends.
Benefits of K'nex Sesame Street Building Sets:
Physical Development: Building with Kid K'nex supports the development of hand-eye coordination
Social Emotional Development-Playing with Kid K'nex either alone or with friends encourages imaginative play
Language Development: Talking about K'nex creations can enhance language skills
Cognitive Skills-Sorting and making Patterns with K'nex encourages thinking and problem-solving skills
There are also 4 new toys in the Construction Crew Series, which includes an excavator, front loader, steam roller, and backhoe. These are great for kids who love construction vehicles. Each set comes with about 120 pieces, accessories, and a driver. Combine all 4 sets to make a huge construction site! These retail for $11.99 each, and are recommended for ages 5 and up.
More information about each:
Collect & Build the Excavator, #1 of 4 in the Construction Crew Series! This set comes with 120 K'NEX parts, including bricks, rods and connectors to build a construction vehicle with a pivoting cab and working arm. There is also a K'NEXman to operate the vehicle, and construction accessories to play with! You can build on the brick plate that is included in the set, then combine all four sets and the brick plates become your own actual construction site! Recommended for builders ages 5+.
Collect & Build the Front Loader, #2 of 4 in the Construction Crew Series! This set comes with 120 K'NEX parts, including bricks, rods and connectors to build a construction vehicle with working bucket. There is also a K'NEXman to operate the vehicle, and construction accessories to play with! You can build on the brick plate that is included in the set, then combine all four sets and the brick plates become your own actual construction site! Recommended for builders ages 5+.
Collect & Build the Steam Roller, #3 of 4 in the Construction Crew Series! This set comes with 121 K'NEX parts, including bricks, rods and connectors to build a working construction vehicle with a drum that rotates when pushed. There is also two K'NEXmen to operate the vehicle and work alongside, and construction accessories to play with! You can build on the brick plate that is included in the set, then combine all four sets and the brick plates become your own actual construction site! Recommended for builders ages 5+.
Collect & Build the Backhoe, #4 of 4 in the Construction Crew Series! This set comes with 127 K'NEX parts, including bricks, rods and connectors to build a construction vehicle with a working digger in the back and bucket in the front. There is also a K'NEXman to operate the vehicle, and construction accessories to play with! You can build on the brick plate that is included in the set, then combine all four sets and the brick plates become your own actual construction site! Recommended for builders ages 5+.
Our thoughts on the Construction Crews Series:
This set is an amazing set for kids who love construction vehicles. Not only can you have fun building these sets, but children can play with the vehicles once they are built because they have some working parts! My 5 year old son loved this set and appreciated the fact they could be combined to make a "work site".
Fire Rescue 10 Model Set
Build 10 different models, including a cool fire engine, and bring them to life with the spring motor! Packed with 127 parts plus step-by-step instructions and building ideas for 10 unique models. The convenient storage box is a great place to store your parts and makes it easy for you to take the fun with you. For ages 5+.
Our thoughts on The Fire Rescue 10 Model Set:
This set is a fun building set that comes with the directions to build 10 amazing "working" models. The possibilities are endless with this set! My boys love firetrucks so they have lots of fun playing with this set while they allow their imaginations to run wild.
Overall, we thought ALL the K'nex products sent to us to try out were really fun! We liked them so much in fact that we've included them in our 2010 Top Toys Guide. (more toys will be featured soon)
For more information or to purchase the featured sets, or to see other K'nex products visit the K'nex website.
Buy it: You can buy directly from the official K'nex online shop or purchase K'nex products at most retailers nationwide.
We were provided with the above mentioned toys for review purposes only. We received no monetary compensation for this post. All the opinions and ideas expressed are our own. Note: Some excerpts taken from K'nex website.
{Closed}Giveaway: Limited Edition Patriotic Pet Pillow Honors Military Members and their families
11:00 AM Posted by Centsible Mommy
This Giveaway is now closed. The lucky winner randomly drawn is #46-TetheredMommy. Congratulations!
Five dollars of every limited edition stuffed dog sold benefits http://www.militaryscholar.org/
Five dollars of every limited edition stuffed dog sold benefits http://www.militaryscholar.org/
"Your heart beats true for the red, white and blue and your child’s heart pumps for My Pillow Pets® plush folding stuffed animals. This July, honor those who serve your country and your child with the purchase of a special, limited edition My Pillow Pets® plush folding stuffed animal with $5.00 of the cost donated to Scholarships for Military Children, an organization that provides scholarships to the children of military personnel.
The Scholarships for Military Children Program is primarily funded through the generosity of manufacturers and suppliers whose products are sold at military commissaries, worldwide. Military families are encouraged to take advantage of their commissary benefits that not only provide a savings of more than 30 percent on the products purchased, but also support the military community through programs such as this scholarship. My Pillow Pets® is proud to be a supporter of Scholarships for Military Children."
Buy it: A unique website has been created for these special, patriotic My Pillow Pets®- http://www.mypillowpetsgives.com/. Only 3,000 of the limited edition My Pillow Pets® plush folding stuffed dogs are available at a price of $24.95 plus $6.95 shipping & handling. They will only be available the month of July!
Win it!: My Pillow Pets has offered one adorable Patriotic Pet to one lucky Centsible Mommy reader!
Mandatory Entry: Leave a comment giving a shout out to the troops who are protecting our freedom OR tell me about someone you know that is serving in the military or the memory you have of someone who has served. Keep reading for ways to gain additional entries!
Additional Entries: (Must complete mandatory entries first. Please leave a separate comment for each)
"Like" Centsible Mommy on Facebook (1 entry)
Follow me on Twitter- (CentsibleMom) ( 1 entry)
Post about this giveaway somewhere (facebook, twitter, blog, etc) with a link to this giveaway included and be sure to leave me a comment to where you've posted it! ( 1 entry)
Follow me on Google Friend Connect (upper right hand corner) (1 entry)
Giveaway Rules: Open to US residents 18+ only. This giveaway ends on July 15 at 11:59 pm CT. One winner will be randomly drawn using the random number generator at random.org. The winner will be announced in this post and sent an email. In the event the winner does not reply within 48 hours from the time notified, an alternate winner will be drawn.
Disclosure: I will be provided with a Patriotic Pillow Pet in exchange for hosting this giveaway.
Featured Product: Cooking with Kids- Handstand Kids Italian Cookbook Kit
9:18 AM Posted by Centsible Mommy
If your little ones are like mine, than no sooner than you turn on the stove, they’re not far behind asking to help in the kitchen. My boys (the little aspiring chefs) love helping in the kitchen and learning to cook, so I was thrilled when given the opportunity to review the Handstand Kids Italian Cookbook Kit.
Not only does the Handstand Kids Italian Cookbook feature delicious Italian recipes formatted in a way children can understand, but it also introduces them to the foods and language of a different culture. The Italian Cookbook is just one in the series of international cookbooks offered by Handstand Kids Cookbook Company and author, Yvette Garfield; there is also a Mexican Cookbook which comes in a tortilla bag with a child-sized oven mitt; and the Chinese Cookbook is packaged in a take-out box with a set of chopsticks.
The Italian Cookbook Kit comes appropriately packaged in a pizza box. It also comes with a cute children’s sized (adjustable) chef’s hat. The recipes inside are not only delicious, but all the ingredients and utensils used are translated into Italian and are used in the recipes so that children can learn the language as they cook. The pages are colorfully illustrated and the graphics are very cute.
The recipes are rated by difficulty with one garlic clove being the easiest and so on. Since my children are young, ages 5 and 2, the rating system shows exactly how much help they will need. The delicious recipes featured are those that kids will love, and some of the traditional childrens' favorites can be made with an Italian twist with the "Italianize my" section. For example when you “Italianize” sandwiches they become panini, popcorn becomes Italian popcorn, and many more. There are breads, soups, salads, main entrees and of course delicious desserts. There are some both nutritious and delicious choices as well.
Who are the Handstand Kids?
The Handstand Kids motto is "Traveling the world, one recipe at a time.”
“The five Handstand Kids are featured throughout the series: kid chefs can follow along as Felix, Izzy, Ari, Gabby and Marvin learn about the recipes, culture and language of a new country. The Handstand Kids offer helpful hints about cooking for special diets and finding ways to use cooking skills to Stir It Up and support the community.”
Click here to find ways your children can Stir It Up and help their community with their cooking skills.
“The Handstand Kids are a diverse bunch with varied interests so kids can easily relate to the characters. Felix is a vegetarian, Izzy is a picky eater and loves to cook for his diabetic sister, Ari uses her cooking skills to volunteer at kid's charities, Gabby is bilingual, speaking both Spanish and English, and Marvin is an aspiring chef.”
Visit the Online Recipe Box to browse free recipes similar to those found in the Handstand Kids Cookbook Series.
Buy it: Visit Handstand Kids shop to buy the Italian Cookbook Kit or any of their other kits. These kits are so much fun; and are a great way to introduce kids to international cuisine and cultures. You can also purchase children's aprons and other accessories to enhance your little chef’s cooking experience
How we used the cookbook & our thoughts on the Handstand Kids Products:
My 5 year old wanted to cook lunch for his Daddy & Papa for Father’s Day, so we choose Mamma Mia Minestrone Soup, Foot-Long Garlic Bread, and Bella Biscotti Cookies for our menu for Daddy's & Papa's Italian luncheon at our "Ristorante." And because the recipes were easy to prepare, my son only needed minimal help. My 2 year old also pitched in making our Italian cuisine. Both my boys had a blast cooking for their Daddy and the food turned out delicious! I love this product because it opened up the dialogue about the differences in people, different cultures, and embracing other cultures. Overall, this is a great children's cookbook series. And any activity that my children and I get to spend doing together gets an thumbs up from me!
The opinions and ideas are expressed are my own honest opinions based on the product I reviewed. I was sent a Italian Cookbook Kit for review purposes only. I received no monetary compensation for this post.
Featured Product: Calling all Future Soccer Stars…Soccer Trainer from International Playthings
11:52 AM Posted by Centsible Mommy
With all the past few weeks’ buzz about The World Cup that began very recently, it seems everywhere you look it’s all about soccer lately. In keeping with this theme, and because my sons have also caught soccer fever and now want to be little soccer stars, I was very excited when I was asked to feature and review the soccer trainer from International Playthings. It’s just what they needed to practice their soccer skills.
Not only does the soccer trainer serve as a fun tool to help your kids learn and perfect their kicks and soccer skills, but it is a great way to keep your kids off the couch this summer... keeping them active while they are having tons of fun practicing a sport. If you have a budding soccer star in your midst, then the soccer trainer from International Playthings might just be the toy you are looking for.
The soccer set includes an easy to inflate 8 inch soccer ball that is attached to its base, which can be weighted down with either sand or water. The ball is attached to the base and rebounds back when it’s kicked, so your soccer star can practice goal keeping or shooting it continually at the goal (not included). It can be also be played with a friend for added fun by simply kicking it back and forth to one another or by taking turns to rebound the ball.
My boys (5 and 2) both really enjoyed playing with the soccer trainer and think its lots of fun, but they especially like the fact that they do not have to continually chase down the ball. Since they are so young and have not yet perfected their ball control skills, they sometimes spend more time chasing down the ball then actually kicking it.
Soccer Set Includes:
8 inch inflatable soccer ball
Attached Base
Air pump
Recommended for ages 3+. Note: My 2 year old is able to kick and rebound the ball and enjoy the fun, but I had to watch him carefully as at times the cord would wind up around his feet, which presented the possibility of falling, so the recommended age of 3+ seems accurate.
Brand:
Where to buy: International Playthings. International Playthings carries an assortment of toys for all ages. Browse by age, category, brand, or gender to find the toy you're looking for.
The opinions presented are my own. I was sent a soccer trainer for review and keep. I did receive any compensation for my opinions.
