gadgets – Page 12 – The Next Kid Thing

Classroom Fun: Oh, The Places You’ll Go and Oceanhouse Media Dr. Seuss Apps

March 8, 2013 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

As Read Across America week winds down, I thought I’d share about my fun afternoon with J’s class today.

Dr. Seuss reminded us that Life’s a Great Balancing Act (Just never forget to be dexterous and deft). Which is why I chose to read Oh, The Places You Go! in class today. In my trajectory as a writer and parent, I want to believe that it was his suggestions and wise words that have pointed me in this direction. (More on this later…)

Even though Oh, The Places You’ll Go! can be verbose for young five year olds, the class very much understood Dr. Seuss’ ideas and emphasis on imagination.
After reading to the class, we continued the conversation about Dr. Seuss with What’s in the Cat’s Hat, a hands-on game game from my friends at Wonder Forge.

This game is a classic guessing game, where the kids can utilize their senses by guessing what’s hidden IN the Cat’s hat. Each kid took a turn poking and shaking the hat, even reading off prompted questions from the cards. We heard silly guesses, but once the kids started getting their guesses right based on clues, the momentum of their deductive reasoning started to roll. I can’t say enough good things about Wonder Forge; this fantastic company has won numerous awards for their games and it’s no wonder why. Beyond What’s in the Cat’s Hat, Wonder Forge has various Dr. Seuss puzzles and games, including an app-centric game called Fun Machine.

Dr. Seuss apps from Oceanhouse Media

And speaking of apps, Dr. Seuss has an app—quite a few, actually. Oceanhouse Media has done a great job with bringing Dr. Seuss titles to iPhones, iPods and iPads. While I love my technology as much as the next geek, there’s nothing quite like a real book. Nevertheless, you can’t beat having access to a myriad of Dr. Seuss titles while on the go. Green Eggs and Ham while in the dentist waiting room? Why not. Fox in Socks while on a 2-hour road trip? Don’t mind if we do. The best part of these apps is that they’re interactive where you can record your voice while reading and even share those recordings. Oceanhouse Media has a number of Dr. Seuss classics in the $3-5 range, as well as a few free apps.

Dr. Seuss Camera

Another app that gets rave reviews from my favorite five year olds: The Dr. Seuss Camera, also from Oceanhouse Media. This app simply utilizes the iphone, ipod touch or ipad camera and frames the subject with several different Dr. Seuss characters and imagery. Point, shoot, edit and create, this app is endless Dr. Seuss fun and is free. This app is a great way to continue the Dr. Suess conversation and branch it out to digital media. In fact, we took pictures of J’s entire class and the kids had a blast picking and choosing which characters they wanted to be. Sally, by the way, was the class favorite—for boys, too! Go, Sally!

I loved talking to the kids about my job today. Since most of the kids aren’t reading quite yet, I didn’t bother telling them about NKT, other than the topics that I focus on. It was cute getting questions from parents asking me if I work FOR PBS. No, but I am a proud VIP.

Toy Fair 2013: Day 1

February 11, 2013 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

It’s that time of year again! While it may be snowy, icy and all around dismal here in NYC, toy makers’ latest wares are sizzling under spotlights here at the Javits Center.

These next few days on the west side of Manhattan are all about the next big thing or…the next kid thing, if you will.

For my first day at the fair, I had a long day of scheduled meetings with mostly closed booths. Even though the fair is closed to the public, many bigger companies have closed booths to control traffic, among other reasons.

For day 1, I met with Playmobil, VTech, Moose Toys, Jazwares, Tomy, Educational Insights, Learning Resources, and then PR companies, Freeman and Southard. I’ll have much more photos on Flickr and more details in upcoming posts, but here are som initial thoughts from my day.

I was excited to start my day off at Playmobil, one of my all time favorites. This company, well known for their intricate kid-powered playsets, doesn’t disappoint with their latest upcoming additions. A few sets from their new and upcoming lineup that caught my eye include: the dinosaur set, Playmobil 123 take barn and firestation take along sets, deep sea submarine (which has an underwater motor!) and the pretty sweet pony ranch.

What I’m most looking forward to seeing are the hotel, Pop Star and their piece d’resistance, the Western sets (for which their booth paid a nod!) I particularly loved the rock star vibe of Pop Star, and how it features music playback and complementing lights. Even better, this set is a U.S. exlusive for this global line.

VTech
Vtech which gets a lot of love in our home, undboutedly has a lot of new toys that both of my kids (1 and 5) love.
For babes, Go Go Smart Wheels is an intuitive track and vehicle system for the toddler set. I enjoyed watching the chubby colorful cars go over the smart points, which would relay interesting info about surrounding areas when crossed over.

Innotab 2 Baby caught my eye because I have a baby in this age range and I love/write about tech, too. While I appreciate and know that babies love gadgets as much as most kids and parents, I’m sort of unsure if there’s really a specific need for this. I guess there is, since VTech made it, but I’m such a fan of print, that it’s hard for me to get behind a tablet for babies. It’s geared to 12months and up, but I truly will have to learn more about it first hand to give a thorough review/thoughts.

On the upside, VTech’s Switch and Go Dinos is expanding this awesome line. I’m truly surprised this toy didn’t win accolades for the boy category. (I can confirm this later) The Mega T-Rex/Construction Vehicle can obey commands. Like a robot! Will have a video to update soon!

I have more, but I need to hit the ground running! Will be back with more!

How to help families affected by Hurricane Sandy

November 5, 2012 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

It’s been a LONG while since I’ve updated, but since I’m connected with most of you on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, then you already know by now that like so many others in the Northeast, my family has been without power for about a week. Though our inconvenience is nothing compared to many others in our area, it has, nonetheless, been a struggle to find warmth, food and other everyday staples. Thankful to still have our home, health and family, we will continue to hang and help as much as we can.

Everyone seems to be helping in their own ways, but in case you’d like to help out those severely affected by Sandy’s wrath, here are some ways:

New York

Staten Island
via my friend Melissa Chapman of Staten Island Family

This is an Amazon registry created to help Staten Isand families affected by Sandy:

http://www.amazon.com/registry/wedding/32TAA123PJR42

http://www.amazon.com/registry/wishlist/3GZB70FY2UBTR/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_ws_DdALqb1E6AYJX

Hurricane Sandy Relief Supplies
c/o Assemblyman Matthew Titone
853 Forest Avenue
Staten Island, NY
10310

Breezy Point, NY
Per the Breezy Point Hurricane Sandy Information Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/BreezyPointHurricaneSandyInformation
They’ve asked for giftcard donations to help those affected by the storm.
(Amazon.com and the selection at convenience/drug stores like Duane Reade and CVS are easy).
Checks payable to: Breezy Point Cooperative Disaster Relief Fund

Send them to: Lee & Kane
2175 Flatbush Avenue
Brooklyn NY, 11234

and/or

send monetary donations to:
Point Breeze Fire Department ?1 Fireman’s Plaza ?Breezy Point, NY 11697

Needed supplies for East Rockaway, NY

Baby Food, Diapers, Coats, Socks, Blankets, Toilet Paper, Sweaters, Garbage Bags, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Bread, Non Perishable Foods, Sweat Pants, Baby Clothes, Personal Care Items, Hats, Gloves, T-Shirts, Underwear, Flash Lights (They still do not have power or Water access) Batteries, Towels, etc.

Ship to: Main Street Fire House, 5 Main St , East Rockaway NY 11518

New Jersey

Bergen County
Bergen County needs the following:
new clothing, nonperishable food and cleaning products
Ship to:
The Lodi Armory, at 178 Essex Street, the Midland Park Senior Center, at 46 Center Street, and St. Margaret of Cortona Parish, at 31 Chamberlain Avenue in Little Ferry

Stafford County
Stafford Township Storm Relief Center is in need of the following:
Batteries
Flashlights
Baby food
Paper products
Cleaning Supplies
Plastic Cutlery
Hand tools
Pots/Pans
Brushes/Combs
Rubber Bands
Work Gloves
First aid supplies
Non perishable food
Extension Cords
Candles
Dish towels
Dish soap
Small Size Hand Sanitizer

Hand and boot warmers – many people are staying in their flooded
homes without any heat.

Please no used clothing donations.

Many of these locations are in desperate need, but as donations continue to roll in, expect the needs/wants to change. I will update these lists as often as I can. And, please, if you have any additional info, feel free to email me so that I can add and share to my networks.

To donate directly to the Red Cross
https://www.redcross.org/donate/index.jsp?donateStep=2&itemId=prod10002
or
Text REDCROSS to 90999

AppHappy Tots: High Tech Toys

October 18, 2012 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Just the other day, as I was cooking dinner, I happened to look out the window and I saw the neighbor’s four year old little girl toting a brightly colored doll of some sort. But after taking a double take, it wasn’t a doll; in fact, it was a cuddly toy that encased an iPad. Yup. A little girl was walking down the street toting an iPad.

This scenario reminded me of that baby from YouTube who went viral after she got upset that a magazine didn’t swipe like an iPad. As a former print journalist, it was unsettling seeing a young baby was already familiar with a touchscreen, yet didn’t know what a magazine was. It’s the sign of the times…or is it?

In some homes, electronic devices are replacing classic toys, so much so, the landscape of the toy aisle is changing to include new sections geared to these app-centric toys. Electronic toys, app-enabled products and interactive games/toys continue to be in demand as smart phones and tablets win over kids (and their parents.) Educational or purely pleasure, whatever the devices’ intention, toys are shifting paradigms and toy manufacturers are targeting even the littlest toy fans, babies.

As this generation of parents is decidedly a tech-happy set, it’s no wonder even babies are ihappy.

I wrote a little commentary about this very topic over on the Time to Play Parent Panel, but I thought I’d compile just a few notable toys for tech happy tots.

1. HappiTaps is a collaboration between Infantino and TipiTap, and is a plush hybrid appcessory that brings a hand held stuffed animal to life. Babies and kids, 18 months and up, can nurture, listen and sing along to HappiTaps, which comes in either a bear, puppy, kitty or lion character. HappiTaps combines a plush toy and free downloadable app to merge classic play with interactive screen time. In the 19.99 pricerange, HappiTaps is compatible with iPhone 4S, 4 and 3GS and iPod Touch.

2. Woogie 2 from Griffin is another plush toy that encloses an iphone or ipod touch. The original Woogie caught my eye awhile back, but this one features a new app that brings Woogie to life with 10 fun faces. It’s activated by a variety of actions, such as laughter when the Woogie is tickled, dizziness when the Woogie is shaken, the ability to repeat words and phrases spoken to it, and the tendency to fall asleep when left alone. I’m cracking up that there’s even a Quiet Game when the talk-back feature is disabled. This character, geared to tots 3 and up, retails for $19.99 and the app is free.

3. TeeGee landed on my radar as I was researching this roundup. These characters are interactive plush animals, but unlike the other toys, the iphone or ipod are hooked up and hidden in the back. Geared to toddlers and up, TeeGee can play games, tell stories, sing and teach developmentally appropriate educational concepts in conjunction with their age-graded apps. Dubbed the smartest stuffed animal in the Universe, TeeGee was unveiled earlier this year at Toy Fair, but isn’t on shelves yet. TeeGee LLC creates the next generation of toys and was started with a grant from the Darden Business Incubator by a team of UVA engineers and business school students. From what I’m reading, TeeGee just might have the grounds to be the next big thing if everything aligns just right. Color me curious on this one. There’s no concrete information on price and release, but will dig more to find out about TeeGee.

4. Fisher Price’s Laugh and Learn Apptivity Monkey is another plush toy that interacts with baby via a corresponding free app. The case on the monkey’s belly encloses an iPhone or iTouch, as opposed to its face/head. This toy, which is geared to babies as young as 6 months old, is prompted by squeezing the hands and feet. I briefly saw this fun guy at the Time to Play Holiday Showcase. Though I’m apprehensive about too much screen time for babies, the Apptivity Monkey certainly sounds like an innovative toy for the apphappy tots. The Apptivity Monkey is in the $25-30 price range

TimetoPlayMag.com Unveils Holiday 2012 Most Wanted

October 5, 2012 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Last week, my friends at TimetoPlayMag.com unveiled their ‘Most Wanted’ list, and I was onhand to gawk—in the first row, no less! As usual, their list is filled with a wide variety of new and innovative toys, many of which they warn just may be gone by the time Thanksgiving rolls around. As Jim Silver and Chris Byrne suggest, quite a few retailers have aggressive layaway programs, so don’t be surprised if hot toys are already hard to find.

I loved their list and am excited to get my hands on quite a few of these. With Biggie’s birthday so close to the holidays, it usually coincides with the release of these lists. So, it’s fun to shop for said hot toys and put the others aside for Christmas.

Without further ado, here’s TimetoPlayMag.com’s Most Wanted Holiday 2012 list with my own notes below the toys:

Thomas & Friends Steam n Speed R/C Thomas
(FISHER-PRICE/Ages 2 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $45)
-I actually just saw this commercial and told Biggie that I’d love this toy even more if it cleaned my floors with that steam. Nevertheless, I expect Thomas fans to swoop this one up in a hurry.

LeapPad 2 Explorer
(LEAPFROG/Ages 3 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $99.99)
-I never did find the LeapPad in last year’s frenzy. I’ve seen this guy twice so far and may try to scour Toys R Us this weekend. It’s awesome, but I’m wondering if I should just buy myself a new iPad and give Biggie the old one?

DOC MCSTUFFINS TIME FOR YOUR CHECKUP DOLL
(JUST PLAY/Ages 3 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $39.99)
-There’s already been chatter about Doc among my friends, and where to find her in stores. We absolutely love this show, and were super excited to see this doll in person at the Disney Holiday preview over the summer. No surprise this newcomer is a big hit already in the toy aisle.

LITTLE TIKES iTIKES CANVAS
(MGA ENTERTAINMENT/Ages 3 years & up/Approx. Retail Price $39.99)
-This thing looks cool, and perfect for the preschool set. It’s a perfect combo of tech and good ol’ fashioned creativity.

WINX CLUB EVERYDAY CONCERT COLLECTIONS and BELIEVIX DOLLS
(JAKKS PACIFIC/Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $12.99 – $13.99)
-Winx looks like such a fun, girly show. Who doesn’t love fairies!?

LEAPSTER GS
(LEAPFROG/Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $69.99)
-I love how the Leapster looks like a gaming system, but it’s educational. For the littler guys who think they’re old enough for a DS, but really aren’t the Leapster seems like a perfect alternative.

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES BASIC FIGURES and DELUXE POWER SOUNDS FX FIGURES
(PLAYMATES TOYS/Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $7.99 – $12.99)
-TMNT were huge in our house when we were kids, so I’m actually excited about this line, merely out of nostalgia. My guy loves ninjas, so we’ll see if he’ll appreciate TMNT as well.

LALALOOPSY SOFT DOLLS
(MGA Entertainment/Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $14.99)
-I love that Lalaloopsy is still on the list. You can never go wrong with colorful soft dolls.

MY LITTLE PONY PONY PRINCESS WEDDING CASTLE PLAYSET
(HASBRO/Ages 3 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $34.99)
-I have to say, we’re such huge fans of The Hub that we watch My Little Pony all the time. I love the spendor of this castle set. And the price point for that giant thing? What a steal.

MONSTER HIGH GHOULS RULE DOLLS and MONSTER HIGH HIGH SCHOOL
(MATTEL/Ages 6 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $29.99 – $94.99)
-I’m always intrigued by Monster High…but I get it. This line keeps those almost tweens playing with toys, and most importantly, keeps them young.

MEGA BLOKS SKYLANDERS CONSTRUCTION SETS
(MEGA Brands/Ages 5 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $11.99 – $29.99)
-I can’t type enough exclamation points about just HOW EXCITED I am about these toys!!! On Biggie’s Christmas List for sure! Tiny sheep? Need I say more?

LEGO FRIENDS
(LEGO/Ages 6 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $19.99 – $49.99)
-I’m still torn about LEGO Friends. But since I’m such a fun of LEGO, I still love that they’re included on the Most Wanted list.

WWE BRAWLIN’ BUDDIES
(MATTEL/Ages 3 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $29.99)
-Boys will be boys, and these buddies are perfect for preschoolers and wrestling fans in general.

BARBIE PHOTO FASHION DOLL
(MATTEL/Ages 6 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $49.99)
-When Barbie merges with tech, you get this. Camera-loving set will get a kick out of her.

APPFINITY APPDRIVE
(SPIN MASTER/Ages 7 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $19.99)
-Toys that have a tech/app component are my absolute favorite. I think these sort of toys are the next big thing, but I definitely need to try it out to see if they’d keep my car and app-loving kid engaged.

FURBY
(HASBRO/Ages 6 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $59.99)
-I am still amazed that Furby is back…just not sure if there will be the same frenzy as the first time around. Nevertheless, this new generation is pretty impressive.

AIR HOGS R/C HELI REPLAY
(SPIN MASTER/Ages 12 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $44.99)
-Helicopters are always getting caught up on my roof and IN my hair, but I do love the Air Hogs line. Innovative toys that simply work well.

NERF N-STRIKE ELITE HAIL-FIRE BLASTER
(HASBRO/Ages 8 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $39.99)
-These look intense, and fun enough for my adult friends to enjoy. The sheer amount of ammo that can be used is enough to buy it for myself.

4moms Breeze Review and Giveaway

August 29, 2012August 29, 2012 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

There are a few types of baby gear: the kind that will do the job for now, and there’s the kind that works well AND makes things a little easier.

And then, there’s 4moms, the baby gear company that’s shaking things up with products that are changing the marketplace. Their latest innovation, the Breeze play yard, is shifting the whole paradigm…with just a push of a button.

Parenthood, at least for me, isn’t about the most stuff, or even the flashiest stuff. For me, it’s about well-designed products that are safe, efficient and are built to last. Throw in a little innovation and I’m sold!

By now, you may already know that our family is quite fond of 4moms. We’re continually dazzled by the Origami’s power folding abilities and super cool dashboard. And without getting the waterworks started, the mamaRoo is just as functional, as it is special to us. I’m fortunate enough to see and experience the latest in kid products, but when it comes to merging efficiency and innovation, 4moms is absolutely making their mark.

And when I think of convenient and efficient baby gear, rarely does a play yard come to mind. Otherwise known as a Pack n Play or playpen (if you’re old school,) 4moms has redefined the play yard concept with the Breeze. After unfolding, the Breeze is put together in less than 30 seconds. With a simple push, the entire play yard locks into place and is ready for baby’s nap, or if you’re my kid, roly poly time up and off of the floor where cat hair and dust breed before my eyes.

The Breeze is so Easy my 4 Year old Can Do it(?)

I wanted to say that the Breeze play yard is so simple my 4 year old could do it, but A) the kid willingly helps with the laundry after watching me all the time B) his arm isn’t long enough to reach into the Breeze and C) the 4 year old thing just isn’t a good example at all. Nevertheless, the Breeze is so easy, people; all baby products should be this breezy.

And speaking of 4 year olds, he was my director and camera man while I filmed these videos. We did quite a few takes, so you might be able to hear him saying “cut,” many thanks to my awesome editing. We had fun chatting it up about the Breeze, so be sure to check us out in action! Please excuse the shakiness, a sometimes crying babe and my child begging to go to the beach.

I’m so excited for the Breeze! I’ll let the video do the talking, but just a few things I love about it that I don’t think I mentioned are, the sleek aesthetics, clean lines and cool aqua/black color scheme. It complements my modern/classic decor without being offensive. I used to swear that baby and kid products wouldn’t overrule my living room, but to be quite honest, the Breeze may take up a good amount of space, but thankfully, goes beyond cutesy patterns. As for the overall physical presence of the Breeze, the frame is solid once its locked into place, yet its not too rigid. I love the convenience of the bassinet feature and changing pad; it’s streamlined without becoming a bulky addition.

As with any product, there are always a few caveats, and the same goes for the Breeze. At about 30 lbs, the Breeze is heavier than what I was expecting. And because it’s so new, sheets aren’t accessible yet, but thank goodness for the waterproof padding. I tried to use a Target brand pack and play sheet, but it didn’t fit. Having used their other products, I’m certain 4moms products are safe; however, because the Breeze is still so new, like all most products newly released to market, safety ratings aren’t available right away. (Reminder: I’m not a safety professional) And finally, pricepoint is something I can’t not include. At $299, the Breeze is more expensive than mid-range play yards, but it is true when they say, you get what you pay for, and the Breeze would most certainly last for multiple children, whether it’s siblings or passed down to friends and relatives.

Read More

Savoring Sweet Suite 2012

August 15, 2012August 15, 2012 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

What do you get when you mix toys, Times Square, tons of treats and girl time? Well, that would be Sweet Suite 2012, which preceded BlogHer in NYC. Hosted by The Big Toy Book, the third installation of this hot ticket party was held at the Lodge in the Viacom Building, home to MTV and Nickelodeon—the sweetest venue yet.

Sweet Suite wasn’t all fun and games, it was about socializing and seeing many of my blogging friends, some of whom I only get to see once a year. But as for the fun and games? Yeah, The Big Toy Book assembled some of the best names in toys, books and games.

Of all the fabulous brands at the event, here’s just a sampling of the goodies that caught my eye:

LeapFrog LapPad 2
Unfortunately, I missed LeapFrog’s holiday preview because baby was in the hospital. So, it was fun getting a good look at the LeapPad 2, LeapFrog’s hard-to-get tablet.

Among the many fun features, I particularly loved that the LeapPad 2 has a faster processor, more memory, as well as front and back cameras. Mark my words, this WILL sell out again for the holidays. If you see it and need it, I’d suggest you buy it. It’s highly rated and constantly in demand!

Alex Toys
I’ve been a long-time admirer of Alex Toys, specifically their craft and activity sets. While their little hands line of puzzles and arts and crafts will be on our Christmas list this year, I had SUCH a blast crafting at their table.

I made a few bracelets, headbands and necklaces. Their area was the most crowded because of all the fun happenings. I even spotted Jill of Scary Mommy fame in the mix! I love me some Jill!

XBox Kinect
As a family who games together, Xbox has been on our ongoing want list. We already own two video game consoles, but have been waiting for just the right time to invest in the Kinect. We already know all about the Xbox’s fun family factor, and how everyone can join in the fun without having to pick up a controller. Since we’ve been eyeing and studying the system as far back as when it was still referred to Project Natal, I’ve enjoyed seeing their lineup of games and console features grow. And as huge Sesame Street fans and supporters, I loved hearing that they’re introducing 2-way TV experiences with Sesame Street and National Geographic. I’m thinking our time is near!

Charm It

Charm It by High Intencity was, by far, one of my favorites. These cute charm bracelets lured me in with nostalgia and their collectibility.

Ideal for the tween set, these charm bracelets are fun and funky. Browsing at all the adorable Kawaii-looking charms, channeled my inner girlie girl and reminded me of the plastic charm necklaces we used to collect in grade school. I miss my roller skate charm with that tiny bell. I can’t wait to check out even more of these charms at The Gap and Nordstrom.

But beyond checking out fabulous toys and games, the highlight was definitely sitting down with the girls and chatting over Pinkberry. I may have had two servings because it was so delicious but, hey, life is too short not to savor the sweets.

Master Moves Mickey Flash Mob in Times Square

August 9, 2012 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Together with 4,000+ other women bloggers, we descended upon NYC to chat all things blogging, network, and in some cases, interact with brands of all sizes at BlogHer12. And because I write mainly about products and services geared to kids, I had a chance to meet up with friends and reps in the kid space. My time wasn’t just spent talking toys, it was spent dancing, too!

With its recent release of Master Moves Mickey, Mattel orchestrated a pretty cool flash mob in Times Square. Professional kid dancers, as well as adult dancers convened with bloggers like me to shout “Mickey, Mickey” while pop and locking for an unsuspecting audience.

I loved how the pro dancers truly made the sequence come to life, especially in such a short time frame. It was so cool to witness a flash mob of this scale come together and admire all of the dancers, especially the kids and the breakdancers. My friend, Eddy of Dancing Hotdogs and Daddy Uprising, hung out in the back but contributed our spins and shouts! Regardless of my inability to dance like the pros, it was super fun.

Master Moves Mickey, aka M3, was one of Biggie’s favorite toys that we saw at a recent Holiday Disney preview, so it was super cool that I was invited to participate in such a unique promo. As my friend said, now we can cross that off of our bucket list.

Review of Master Moves Mickey to come, as well as other fun toys from BlogHer 12!

Master Moves Mickey is available in stores now and retails for $69.99

Review: LEGO DUPLO Read & Build

August 3, 2012August 9, 2012 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

LEGO has released several fun new additions to their much-loved line of building bricks. But it’s their latest combo of goodies–books and LEGOs–that have my boys playing and discovering new things together! We absolutely enjoyed reading and reviewing the Let’s Go VroomLEGO DUPLO Read & Build title.

With biggie starting school in just a few short weeks, we’ve, no doubt, been practicing our letters, sight words and reading routines. And so when I was asked to review LEGO DUPLO Read & Build, I loved the impeccable timing of this assignment. Like many families, we try and read several times a day, but since we returned from the hospital, we try to read with both Biggie and Baby as much as possible.

There’s much to be said about unplugging while bonding over books. Add some LEGOs and an interactive storyline, the Read & Build are truly a fantastic set. I enjoy watching Biggie figure out how to build the plane by himself, unlike the DUPLO sets where he still needs help. The packaging is much different than the usual boxes that LEGOs come in; these sets come in plastic shells, where you can clearly see everything you’re getting! Because of the easy-to-create and imagery within the story, the Read & Build sets give him a sense of independence and accomplishment. I’d love to see these sets grow in size, and perhaps, even, age groups.

As usual Biggie and I have a lot to say, so feel free to check out our video featuring the LEGO Duplos Read & Build storybooks.

Giveaway:
Want to win a LEGO Read & Build for yourself? Be sure to email me your son or daughter’s favorite book! Jen @ nextkidthing dot com

UPDATE:

For extra entries:

Tell me the title of this LEGO Duplo Read & Build storybook.

From the video what do I like about the packaging? (hint around the 1:25 mark)

Become of a fan of The Next Kid Thing!

Tweet about this giveaway and be sure to include @jenrab

comment below with extra entries

Giveaway ends 8/10 at 10 pm. Winners will be chose by random.org

Full disclosure: This post is sponsored by LEGO DUPLO in conjunction with the BabyCenter Blog Network. I received a free sample of the product for the purpose of this review

Review: Relaxing with the Swimways Spring Float

August 1, 2012 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Believe it or not, when we’re not at the doctor or hanging out in the hospital, we’ve found time to have some fun this summer. In fact, the summer of 2012 will forever go down as the summer that Biggie learned how to swim. And as a family that lives in a lake community and visits our beach hometown often, swimming IS our summer!

As a member of the Swimways SwimTeam, I’m so proud to report that we officially have a swimmer/fish. It was a big step to go from that in-between stage where Biggie understood how to swim, and then graduate to the official newbie swimmer status. He swims with so much confidence, truly, almost too much. But with his confidence, I can relax a bit more.

And speaking of relax, Swimways sent us a Spring Float for review, which we happily tested out in our next door neighbor’s pool while we were “pool sitting” when they went on vacation. Like many of Swimways’ products, the Spring Float is efficient in the water and when it’s time to pack it up.

It was quick and easy to set up the float, unlike so many full-size floats. It takes less than 2 minutes to set up the float after opening the package. It “springs” open from the circular shape to reveal a long, oval mesh-like float with an inflated edge and pillow. Check out this video of how quick it pops open.

Because it’s been so hot, we’ve been swimming later in the day when the sun isn’t so intense. So, floating around in the Spring Float for an afternoon swim is a great way to decompress and relax, especially after the craziness we’ve endured this summer. Well, rather, I should say, it’s relaxing when I can wrestle the float away from Biggie!

I love how the float offers just enough support to stay afloat while keeping you cool. And then when swim time is over, it’s simple to pack it back into its compact shape. We’ve still got a month left of summer, so we’re not ready to pack it up quite yet!

The Swimways Spring Float retails for $29.99 and can be found at retailers such as Target.