{ Giveaway added ! } PlasmaCar Review : One of the best toys we have owned ! ( Open to Canada / US, ends Jan 31, 2013)

Scroll down to enter this awesome giveaway!

My son calls it his own " Ferrari ".

You might have seen this ultra-cool car with a toy-ish side to it at the toy store, huge book stores and yes, it is going places.Because parents and kids are lovin' it. The last time I saw it was at Chapters and kids of all ages were going bonkers wanting to ride on this car. AND it was Christmas time.

 My son gleefully exclaimed " Mommy! They have OUR car here!". Yes, he proudly says that he owns a race car ! After-all all the pompous race cars from Lightning McQueen to Ferrari seems to be painted red!

Get together for play and fun

This car aka PlasmaCar, can give the parents a joy ride too, because it can take upto 220 lbs of weight . When I noticed the weight limit, my imagination ran wild - hubby and me riding it together! NOT ! The seat space is too less to fit 2 of us, so we decided not to test that.Lest we break it and leave a little person in tears!  It is not all the toys that parents can play with too while the kids stand cheering at the side. It gets the parents and kids together. Hubby and sonny go for rides together and it is quite a sight to watch them giggle away while toggling their way around.

Non-electronic, battery free play

We seem to be surrounded by many electronic gadgets and remote controlled toys that the classical way of using hands and brain to move and play has taken a back seat. PlasmaCar has no electronics, remotes, batteries or motor. It is purely based on some concept of physics involving movement. My son has been using this for 3-4 months and I think it is one of best toys we have ever owned.

Easy operation

 With steering the wheel left and right, you can control how fast, slow you want to go and also the forward , backward motion can also be achieved. The material provides for excellent grip and even a 2 yr old was able to figure out how to ride on it. As soon as you sit on this car and hold the steering, the child is naturally inclined to turn the steering wheel. That facilitates the movement and it doesn't take long to know how to back-up and how to make left and right turns.

Best riding surface

PlasmaCar is best suited for riding on a flat, smooth surface. Roads, carpet, grass and other uneven surfaces makes it tougher to make the movement smoothly. Indoors has been a great place for enjoying the car. The wheels are sturdy and well made. 

The seat has a little raised area for the rider to sit comfortably. We really appreciate this design as young kids may tend to have little control over spacing themselves. The elevated area sort of prevents them from falling back or slowly moving all the way back to the edge.

The PlasmaCar is designed to hold up to 220 lbs. Think of all the years that this toy will get used compared to all the age specific toys that are sold. That is a huge PLUS when you invest in this PlasmaCar.

Hubby and me have taken rides in this car and the space parameters for keeping your legs comfortably is nothing less than perfect. This means that even your older children can have fun with this car while your younger one is busy coloring away!

 Do you see the gripping for the foot? It offers grip as you do not want your leg slipping away at each turn. You can even see the gripping for each of the toe fingers. You can go really fast in this car when you ride it on a smooth surface and the speed slows down with rough surfaces.

 Durability can be guaranteed  as long as the wheels are taken care of by riding it on smooth surfaces. A gym would be a great place to ride this car.

This is an extremely simple toy right from putting it together to operating it. 

It comes in different colors and retails for $69.99.

Check out PlasmaCar's website for more information.

The Gift of Reading from LeapFrog's Tag Reading System ( Giveaway ends Dec 19, 2012) Open to Canada & DEAL ALERT !

Here's how the world's #1 best selling reading system can be described in a nutshell:

Children love are addicted to it ( reading). 

Teachers recommend it.

Parents praise it.

Won more than 55 awards worldwide.

Let me put a face to my words :  LeapFrog's Tag Reading System.

Here are some features of the Tag that makes it mightier than a sword.

Great for little hands:

It weighs 1.8 lbs and measures about 11 inches in length. It is thick enough with the perfect grip for little hands. All the controls - on/off, volume and other features are easy to locate for children. I did not even have to do a "demo" for my son. He got it right away.  The tag is highly intuitive to operate.

Promotes Self-Learning:

Kids can learn a lot from what they see and hear. Most of the times, someone needs to give them the correct information to filter the wrong information from being absorbed. With the Tag Reading system, you can be sure that your child is learning the right pronunciation. My son can sit with it for 30 minutes and learn by himself without mommy's interference. That is something really amazing because he usually fires 30 questions at me in 30 minutes. 

High Performance & Top Quality: 

For $49.99, the Tag is designed for superior quality and smooth, flowing performance.As children touch the Tag Reader to the pages of specially printed storybooks, words talk, pictures sing and stories live out loud, engaging children's senses to make reading a rich, fulfilling experience. The Tag's response time is so amazing that it is equally comparable to a human.

The Tag Reader now holds audio for up to 10 books at a time. Simply connect the Tag Reader to your computer with the included USB cable, download the audio for your Tag books and drag-and-drop up to 10 of your child's favorite stories onto your Tag Reader.

The Tag comes with a little practice book which has little snippets of some stories. Other variety of books can be purchased at the Tag Library at Leapfrog.ca. 

Even if your child is not much into reading, there are other fun and interesting things to do with Tag.

We were able to go around the world to learn about the names of continents, countries and play some games with this Tag World Map. We even learned to greet in many different languages. Every single point on the map where the Tag Reader touches, will give out information. One side of the map is filled with facts about the places and the other side is for learning the name of the countries and continents.

Constructed from solid cardboard, this map is rock-solid! It can be neatly folded into fourths and placed back in the box, when not in use. My son LOVES maps, so it hardly ever goes into the box.But if you do want to fold it, please, please follow the instructions on the note provided! 

This map is a well of knowledge and the springs will never run dry. There is always more to look, more to learn and more to think about. At my age, this map refreshes my geography! So this small investment will bear fruit for many years in a child's life.

This will be THE best way to get ahead with geography facts while really enjoying the whole interactive experience. There are multi-level games that challenge the child to test what they know from the map.

Visually attractive with colorful country patches, entertaining and educational, animated voice and loaded with information, this is a MUST have for a child. It will keep them occupied while filling their minds with knowledge.

You must note that the Tag Reader and the map are sold separately and do not come with each other. 

Give your child a Tag Reading system and watch them learn and grow. You'll be amazed!

Deal Alert: 

If you want to grab this toy for your child this Christmas, don't miss the super-duper deal from Toys R Us.

LeapFrog Tag Books are selling at $9.97 each ( original $14.99)

The Tag Reading System is on sale for$34.97 ( original $49.99)

Thanks to LeapFrog, one lucky reader will have the chance to win a Tag World Map ( does not include the reader).

The gift of fun, joy and peace !

Apart from Christmas traditions, I also have a tradition of purging unused, unwanted and not-played with toys. Reasoning with a toddler about "need" and "want" ? Wish me luck. "Look Mommy, it's not the same toy. See this is a car and that is a monster truck. This airplane can fly and that one..ummm..can just walk on wheels."

There can never be such a thing a having too many toys, especially when there is so much of VARIETY. I guess. That's where I throw my hands up in the air and surrender to the sweetness. I get carried away into  a world of imagination where I listen to stories I have never heard before.Then I tell myself, "Maybe I should let it be. It won't be long before he'll be hanging out with his own buddies and mommy won't hear these stories often."

IMAGINATION takes wings and takes flight to a land filled with cars and trucks. Yeah, a princess here and a pony there.He's ok with a dash of pink.But nothing brings more joy than to hear him mimic cars and have conversations with them. Many a times, I pretend to be busy so that I can listen to his creative conversations. Priceless.

He hasn't asked anything specifically from Santa this year. We have been talking to him specifically about how giving is better than receiving. It is a hard pill to swallow especially when mommy gets so many toys for work! He's been understanding and responding well, so I decided to secretly review his favorite toy and quietly slip under the tree as my gift of love & appreciation.

Enter Chuck & Friends.

Chuck and friends are the coolest bunch to be around. They hang out at the junkyard and talk about races, helping each other and Chuck's got the cutest face.( Take that, Lightning McQueen!)

TONKA CHUCK & FRIENDS TUMBLIN' CHUCK  Dump Truck

This would be one of the most interactive toys that you will come across. He's called Tumblin' Chuck because he really does tumble. Rolling and doing somersaults are some of the fun things he has up his sleeve.

It is extremely well-built and sturdy. Chuck will endure the rough weathers in the hands of a little boy. It is made of warp-resistant plastic.Well, Chuck is a dump-truck, so kids will dump things on it. It will take some weight and I am sure my little man will definitely stand and load himself in. It is pretty big.

This is a very entertaining toy that is packed with surprise phrases, wheelies etc. I think this will be an unforgettable toy as the kids will feel like they really do have relationship with Chuck.Did I mention that Chuck can say over 50 phrases? That's a truck full of talk! 

Chuck has also some musical tunes programmed into him. He can go into nap-mode when not in use. Your child can also have a quite, peaceful playtime without the sounds by just turning the switch off.

Thinking of a gift for a little boy? Give him this gift of fun, joy and peace! The best Christmas gift for a little boy.

Not all toys have the perfect combination of fun, learning, quality build, attractive looks and sound and currently on sale at Toys R Us for $35.97 ( reg $59.99).

Only Chuck.

Disclosure: I received a sample for review purpose only. No monetary compensation was received. The above post reflects my personal opinion.

Uncle Milton's Toy - The Earth in my Room

My son has been attracted to maps since a very early age. We have maps on the wall, world map puzzles and he thoroughly enjoys learning and knowing more about them. The world is his to discover!

I was excited to review this toy from Uncle Milton.The Earth in my Room.

Features

• Authentically detailed Earthscape
• Automatic or manual function with remote control
• Auto shut-off to preserve battery life
• Easily hangs on wall

• Requires 4 AA batteries and 2AAA (Not included)
• Ages 6 and up
• Adult assistance recommended

In reality, it is more of a lamp than a toy. It kindles curiosity on how it lights up and in older children, it may an opportunity to talk about sun rise and sun sets in different parts of the world. But there is nothing much to interact with. 

It has a remote with which you can switch to different modes of lighting. We found the lighting to be too dim . That rim of light around the earth is not realistic even in a dark room.

It is a flat structure and not like a globe in 3D. Maybe it will be more interesting to see a real globe light up from east to west. It would help understand the concepts better and I think it will be more clear with names of countries.It can be hung on the wall or supported on a strong base.

I wouldn't say that I am entirely satisfied with the learning that this product offers.It can be improved to be a better learning tool for kids.

For more information on Uncle Milton's Toys, please visit their website.

Disclosure: I received a sample for review purpose only. No monetary compensation was received. The above post reflects my personal opinion.

 

Once upon a construction site, there lived Buster the Power Crane.

Every single time, when we pass through a construction site, we have to stop. Life comes to a stand still. Everything around him freezes for a few minutes as he stands in wonder of the mighty men and machines at work. 

As he slowly takes it all in - the men, machine, mud and the mess, everything around slowly thaws and he would turn around and ask me the very same question he asked me the previous time - 

" Can I be a construction worker like him? I can do all the jobs and the digger will be my friend."

Not wanting to crash his ever-changing-evolving-dreams, I tell him that he'd be the right man for that job.

Sounds like a boy, eh? 

Hasbro had the perfect toy for my little man who can have a taste of his dream job while having fun and also improving his fine motor skills at the same time.

Introducing, Buster the Power Crane!                                                                                          

  

                           

Buster comes with a variety of tools ready for the jobs to get done. The molds and stampers are so much fun and we had such great fun using them.

It is also equipped with a light and sound effect. Comes with batteries. After a few minutes of being inactive, Buster honks and it helps the child get back to playing. It is a short honking sound and is not annoying at all.The build is sturdy and will last a long time.

The icing on this cake is the Play Doh that comes with it. 

They come in all mud, brick and road colors.

Perfect for building a small wall or construct a road with a sidewalk or just lay a mud road and rough it out! 

 Guess who came to help out with the construction ? 
The big bro of the Tonka family ! 

With all these machines at work, life couldn't be any better for my little man.You can make a little boy REALLY happy for just $25.

Just imagine a construction project and bring it to life with Buster and Play-Doh. We have used different Play-Doh toys and very happy with each of their creations. 

Play-Doh has a variety of toys for toddlers and pre-schoolers and helps in the development of fine motor skills and imagination.

For the Holiday season, Play-Doh deserves the fabulous red bow! 

Disclosure: I received a sample for review purpose only. No monetary compensation was received. The above post reflects my personal opinion. 

 

Back to School 2012 :SCRABBLE - A Hasbro Review

With school season just around the corner, it is time to think of ways to make learning fun. I have a preschooler who has to have a little bit more of organized and focused learning time. We do some workbooks and other educational activities but there are days when things don't go as planned!

Time to pull out some tricks through my sleeves ! 

We have been playing board games and it was initially hard to get my son to concentrate. But with consistency and continued exposure, he loves board games now. 

SCRABBLE is meant for 8+ yrs but you can always build small words.It is a wonderful way to introduce new words, stimulate thinking and is a great exercise for the brain. There are several ways to play this game but we are starting of with the basic style.

I encourage my son to "use words" whenever he whines or throws a tantrum. It has really helped him verbalize his feelings and express himself more clearly. So building words is a lot of effort for him, nevertheless introducing good games at an early age is important to foster a love for the game. We have been doing 2 and 3 letter words so far. 

As a child I grew up playing this game and enjoyed it thoroughly. It is a classic board game that many generations have never gotten bored of. 

You can buy this from Toys R Us for $19.99

Disclosure: I received a sample for review purpose only. No monetary compensation was received. The above post reflects my personal opinion.

 

A Runners Bike Review : " Now the Best Balance Bike is mine " ( + Giveaway) 9 / 10 ( US / CAN )

Today my preschooler is doing a guest post for me on why he loves his Runners Bike so much.  So take over my space little man!

I tend to fall in love with things easily. I guess it is my age or at least that's what my mom says. I want every new thing I discover each day and I want it NOW. But I am learning life doesn't work that way.Or at least that's what my mom says. I will find out as I grow.

Just as I reached 2 yrs, I realized I liked "speed". Anything that moved fast, made my eyes flutter and my heart beat faster. I loved that feeling ! Speed , bring it on! That's how I fell in love with cars, trucks, buses and it looks like it will stay with me for a really long time.

When I turned 3, I saw boys and girls from my neighborhood on some kind of a 2-wheeler they called "bikes". I was on a 3 wheeled, toy-shaped, silly-looking, downright-degrading TRICYCLE! You see, I never wanted to be on it.My neighbors called me a baby, while I was actually a big boy.I knew it was that damn tricycle that earned me that "baby" tag. 

I made myself pretty clear to my parents that I will not be riding that tricycle again.  I wanted  that thing called a BIKE. And NOW. 

My mom and dad decided that I was ready to graduate from a tricycle and hence decided to let me try a Balance Bike. We were at MEC  and I laid my eyes on this bike. You know how I tend to like things at first sight? But, I mean, this was not so hard to fall in love with ! Just look at it.

I could pick it up myself and nobody had to teach me how to ride it. It is MINE.

 It was really love at first sight. I couldn't stop myself from getting on it and cruising. Just when mom and dad were not looking at me, I took off on the bike and disappeared into the aisles of the store, air blowing right through the strands of my hair, I was striding my way through the crowd until an employee found me and brought me back to my parents. Oops.

" Man that was fun " I said to myself ! 

Apparently, I wasn't supposed to be riding it in the store. I'll save that piece for another time.

 Ok, it wasn't safe to ride it literally in the store but, " Mom, can I please, please, please ride it on the road? This is a MUST-HAVE for a boy like me !".

It was quite hard to part with it at the store. I shed tears as I walked away. I dreamed about it at nights and I had to repeat myself to my Mom - " This is a MUST-HAVE for a boy like me!" 

 I just couldn't forget that cruising experience I had,speeding down the aisles of the store.

I just whizzed away striding forward with my feet and in a few minutes before I knew it, I was SPEEDING ! I felt like a big kid - kinda cool on a bike ( FINALLY) and  I was balancing myself without falling on the ground. Just like the big kids in my neighborhood. 

Truly, this was the best biking experience I had in the 3-4 yrs of my life on this earth.

Nights became days. Days became weeks. Was I ever going to have that bike ? One day I came home and found this. Holy-Bike!

It is the best thing I have had this summer - Runners Balance Bike.

It came in a neatly packed box. Mom and dad put it together quickly without any arguments on the how-to's so it would be ready for me when I came home.

It even has a cute, little bell which can make a sound so effortlessly.Perfect for my little hands. 

 I carry it down the flight of stairs myself. Yep, I can do it ! Weighs only 3.6 kgs.

Feels pretty cool to hang out with the big kid. In my own bike !

I can handle it with one hand while I use the other to explore the nature around me.That's why it is called an Ultralight Bike.

 The tires are great quality - I can feel the smooth and easeness when I just glide in them. They are the perfect size for me to speed around in. We filled air in the tires and I was ready to go, go, go!

The seat is adjustable from 13.5 to 18 inches. I think this is a great idea as I really want to have this bike even when I grow taller. It's fun to just zoom around.

The seat is very comfortable. I was on this bike for 4 hrs straight the first day. Yes, my summer is packed with evenings of cruising around in this bike.

Yes folks..it is hard to get him off the bike. Given the ease with which he can handle it, the ride continues even at home. He comes cruising in style on his bike for dinner and insists on parking it like a real bike..LOL. He found the bike a perfect parking spot right in between 2 cabinets!

Runners Bike Ultralight is the only bike that comes with a bell. I haven't seen a balance bike so far that comes with a bell. Of course, you might be able to buy it as an accessory. 

Balance Bikes are a great way for toddlers and preschoolers to learn balance without being frustrated or fearful. It has been a week since he has been using it and balances really well. We do have a regular bike with pedals which is his ultimate goal. He is well on his way to riding it soon.

We have tried some balance bikes before and I would say  Runners Bike is one of the best bikes that you can invest in. Runners Bike also sells seat extensions if kids want to enjoy them for a longer time. Since we live in a country with severe winters, children forget how to balance over the course of winter.So remember to keep the bike until your child turns 5 and gains balance, stability and confidence to use a conventional bike. My son will often be turning to his Runners-Bike to practice his balancing skills.

Visit Runners-Bike to learn more and you might want to order one !

Win this awesome Runners-Bike Ultralight by participating in this giveaway that is being generously sponsored by Runners !