Review: Nerd Block Jr. Subscription Box

May 29, 2014 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Subscription boxes continue to be a hot trend these days. There are boxes for all walks of life; you name it, there’s probably a subscription box for it. In this digital age when snail mail continues to lose its luster, there’s nothing better than getting a cool package of stuff that you love…which is why I adore subscription boxes!

Dubbed as Comic Con in a box, Nerd Block has been around for awhile. Nerd Block’s little brother and sister recently made their debut and they’re aptly called: Nerd Block Jr. Boys and Nerd Block Jr. Girls.

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Appealing to the new generation of geeks, Nerd Block Jr. is a monthly subscription box that includes collectibles and trinkets that appeal to the 6-12 age range. From Marvel to Hot Wheels to Star Wars, we absolutely loved everything included in the boys’ box. The girls’ box was just as cool, featuring My Little Pony, Smurfs and Playmobil.

Nerd Block Jr. has all well known licenses and items that kids are known to collect. Each individual item was worth just a few dollars, but the entirety of the box added up to around $20. A monthly box costs about $13, so Nerd Block Jr. is a good deal.

Nerd Block Jr. is my new go-to box for the tween who has everything. The element of surprise when opening up a Nerd Block Jr. box is just as enjoyable as the goodies inside.

Check out our unboxing video to see the fun goodies that can be found in Nerd Block Jr.

Spring Fun with Paul Frank Kids Apparel

May 19, 2014May 19, 2014 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Paul Frank is brightening our spring days with a fun selection of graphic tees for the kids. This line embraces Paul Frank’s emphasis on fun and being carefree. Ideal for spring and summer days, the tees feature Paul Frank’s eclectic graphics and friendly faces, like our pal Julius!

Biggie is trying to be a ninja here. Don’t be afraid.

I checked out the girls’ tees online, and as expected, they’re super cute. I always love though, how Paul Frank caters to both boys and girls. Tees like the ones my guys are enjoying can be found at retailers such as Nordstrom.com, Macys.com, Amazon.com, Lord & Taylor, Bon Ton and Belk.com.

In addition to fun kids apparel, you can share your Paul Frank love on your iPhone case. On GetUncommon.com, you can customize a variety of iPhone cases with pics complemented with Paul Frank graphics. With the Dot Julius, Happy Julius or I Love Julius styles to choose from, not only can you share the Paul Frank love, but you can also show off your loved ones’ faces too.

I ordered the Dot Julius case, and I can’t wait to see how it turned out! I love these cases!

Full disclosure: As a Saban Brand-bassador, I received samples to facilitate this review. As always, opinions on NKT are my own.

TTPM Highlights Top Trends and Best in Play at Spring and Summer Showcase

May 8, 2014May 8, 2014 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

It may feel like we were just unwrapping Christmas gifts, but thankfully, after the longest winter ever, we can finally focus on spring and summer. And with a new season comes more new toys!

Last week, TTPM highlighted the key top trends and best in play at their annual spring and summer showcase. Time to Play Mag, which has expanded and officially rebranded to TTPM, is the same juggernaut and resource for reviews on playthings and beyond.

The TTPM editors pinpointed three trends that will contribute to the popularity of toys this summer, including: bigger blockbuster movie lineup, innovative outdoor toys and breakout hits.

The movies that are expected amp up toy sales include Transformers: Age of Extinction, Disney Planes: Fire and Rescue, Godzilla, and The Amazing Spider- Man 2. We’re hardcore Spider-Man fans, so our house alone may contribute to this increase in sales.

Innovative outdoor toys such as automated bubble blowers, our favorite: the bike bubbler and Grab n’ Go Chalk Games are just a few of the many toys that are sure to keep the kids entertained for hours. There are so many fantastic breakout hits, but Paw Patrol, Lego Movie, The Happy’s and not surprisingly, Frozen take top honors in this category.

There were quite a few standouts for spring and summer toys in the showcase. Ride-on toys such as Razor’s Power Ride 360 and the Kawasaki TMNT 4-wheelers made it on to the hot list. Personally, Hasbro’s Spider-Man toys and TMNT Combat-a-Bubbles are on our current list of must-haves.

I have tons of photos to share from the event which I’ll include within this post. I also did a gifting suite haul, something I had fun doing with my older son.

Attending the TTPT showcases is always a highlight of the season for me, but getting to test out the toys via the gifting suite is a true highlight for the whole family. So, many thanks to the companies who participate in the gifting suite.

First Look: LeapFrog Unveils LeapBand

April 30, 2014May 1, 2014 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Fitness Trackers just made a big leap, but this time, they’re tracking the kids. Educational entertainment powerhouse, LeapFrog, unveiled the LeapBand, a wearable activity tracker designed for kids. Part gaming device, part fitness tracker and part virtual pet, the LeapBand is touted as being the first of its kind.

The LeapBand activity tracker gets kids moving and having fun with 50 different activities and challenges, tracking a child’s physical moves so the more active a child is, the more points they earn with their virtual pet. As the child earns points through active play, they can unlock additional games, challenges, levels of play and virtual rewards for their on-screen pet.

Just like a gaming device, the kid is rewarded with play. The wearable aspect creates a new dimension for kids who are on the go. The more activity and physical movement a kid does, the more points they get.

My first thoughts? As an entry level fitness tracker for kids, this thing is pretty unique. It retails for around $40, and it’s something that can engage an active kid who also appreciates games and virtual pets. Because the device is geared to 4-7 year olds, the LeapBand is image-based, as opposed to text and numbers often seen in the adult fitness trackers. Another difference for the LeapBand is that data collection will be geared to parents and not the manufacturer.

The fact that we “need” a device like this is a whole different discussion. Physical activity should begin at home; a toy shouldn’t be the sole motivator to get moving. Ultimately, there’s nothing like playing outdoors totally unplugged. That said, I appreciate that this technology encourages physical activity and healthy habits.

With the likes of Nike Fuel, Jawbone Ups and Fitbit catering to the adult fitness market, LeapFrog is hoping to tap into this emerging trend. According to NPD Group, the overall digital fitness device market is said to be worth $330 million in 2013. As tablets for kids are on the rise, could wearable tech be the next big thing? The reaction I’m seeing and hearing so far sound decidedly skeptical. Ultimately, it’s the consumers who determine the need and demand so, we’ll see!

My older guy is at the older end of the target demo. I can see him getting a kick out of feeding his unicorn or other virtual pet. As an active athlete, however, the LeapBand would strictly be an at-home toy.

Between school and after school sports, I’m not sure he’d benefit from the fitness tracking. Is this something his school and coaches would allow? Probably not. Nevertheless, having the ability to care for his pet on his wrist? That, right there, would keep him entertained at doctor’s offices or playing in the backyard.

At the launch event, we were able to get a quick glimpse of the LeapBand. Here’s a quick demo:

Weigh in: is the LeapBand something your child would enjoy? Or do you think wearable fitness trackers for kids is unnecessary?

Great Spring Toys and Gear

April 29, 2014April 29, 2014 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Spring is finally in full swing. Even though it’s still chilly, we’re resisting the cold. It’s pretty safe to say that we officially have spring fever.

And with spring fever, there’s plenty of fun new toys and play things to get excited about this Spring.

With that in mind, I thought I’d round up some cool new toys and products to get you excited for spring and the prospect of the kids playing outdoors until the street lights come on.

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Crayola Grab & Go Games

Chalk Grab N Go Games Foot Hockey

Crayola’s new Grab & Go Games is one of my favorites this seasons. The kit includes chalk and accessories needed to play an outdoor game such as bean bag toss, foot hockey, chip shot golf and an obstacle course. These are games we’ve been playing for years, but Crayola, as always, has the foresight to conveniently package these games for easy outdoor play. Grab & Go

Games retails for about $4.99

Tricksters Helmets

Tricksters Helmets are a line of plush helmets from the makers of Pillow Pets. TrickstersHelmets

The helmets, themselves, are the hard, protective kind that can be used for bike riding, scootering and beyond, but what makes Tricksters different is the plush exterior.

They can be found at www.trickstershelmets.com or at select specialty retailers.The Trickster Helmets come in five different styles: Rainbow Bear, Flower Power Cat, Lulu Leopard, Comfy Pandy and Snuggly Puppy. PTRU1 17074604enh z6

YBike GLX Pro

This 3-wheeled scooter features an adjustable handle and super-efficient foot brake. The sleek design and compact frame set this scooter apart from other well known brands. What I like most about this scooter is that my 2 year old can use the scooter in the handlebar’s lowest position and my oldest can glide across the street in one of the middle settings. The YBike GLX pro is a scooter that will go and grow with the kids! A more thorough review to come! California New Dessus copy

California Maverix

This remote controlled board takes street skating to a whole new level. Geared to older kids and more experienced skate enthusiasts, the California model was designed to be light weight and has a variety of speed variations. Equipped with a wireless remote control the 3 positions (Beginner / Medium / Expert) and brake are all powered by a simple movement of the trigger! It has a power motor 150W and max weight 100lbs

Brer Rabbit Golf Set

Golf Set copy Brer Rabbit Toy’s Golf Bag is a fun beginner set for wanna-be golfers. It comes with three toy golf clubs, two tees, two holes, two numbered flags and five toy golf balls. It’s ideal for preschoolers who are interested in putting, but not quite ready for the driving range. It’s just hitting shelves now and retails for about $16.99 633812 toddler dome climber xalt1

Little Tikes Tunnel N Dome Climber

Little Tikes new dome-shaped climber channels play structures of yesterday. It features various sized holes to accommodate those who need easy or challenging climbing play. The hiding spots, too, would make for great preschool play. I love that this outdoor toy provides endless play patterns for younger kids and beyond. The Tunnel N Dome Climber retails for $149.99

Nerf N-Sports Bash Ball

Resembling a Nerf-textured O-ball, the Bash Ball has a cool hollowed Nerf foam core with grip-able holes. The holes gives kids a better grip to pass, fling, whip or whatever! This ball is one of our absolute favorite toys right now. It’s been fun for both my bigger boy and my littler guy; and an absolutely ideal toy for OT and PT. This is such a cool innovation, I’m excited to check out even more NERF N-Sports gear!

NERF Rebelle Star Shot Target Set and Crossbow

D603819650569047F564AD06CF256798 The super popular Nerf Rebelle line is unveiling several more products to their lineup. The Star Shot Target Set and Crossbow is among the new products, and will help make target practice even easier with the red laser light that helps to pinpoint the target. The Star Shot target set includes a crossbow, large size target and comes with 6 suction cup darts.NERF Rebelle Star Shot Target Set and Crossbow P36353 0M 1

Gazillion Bubbles Typhon 2.0

When old fashioned bubbles just aren’t enough: you can create a gazillion bubbles instantly with the Gazillion Bubbles Typhoon 2.0. There’s no pump and or wait time, just massive amounts of bubbles with this fun contraption.. In fact, this bubble fountain blows more than 5,000 bubbles per minute.

Five Things the Mets Have Taught Us

April 26, 2014 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

In light of the most recent cheating scandal involving a different baseball team across town, I thought I’d highlight the FIVE most important things that the Mets have taught us.

Sometimes, it’s not about winning, but learning to lose gracefully.

One of the first things my husband, a life-long Mets fan, ever told me when I crossed the Mets’ fan threshold: the Mets are a team who play with their hearts, but be forewarned that your heart, too, may get a little broken too. Off the top of my head, 2001 and 2007, my heart got a little roughed up. But on the upside, my heart as grown to see my boys now included as we make new Mets traditions and memories. It’s true, we might now win every single game, but that’s not what baseball is to us, anyway. You win some, you lose some, and for us, it’s important that our guys learn it from a team of class acts.

Teamwork is for winners

One of life’s lessons is definitely that teamwork makes life a little smoother. And so, understanding baseball and how each position supports each teammate is a great way to reinforce that teamwork is for winners. A pitcher communicates with his catcher and the infield works with the outfield; at the end of the day, it’s how the players work together that underscore their strength.

America’s pastime is also our quality family time

If there’s one thing I love about spring and summer: it’s spending time with my guys watching baseball. The fact that we get to go to Citi Field every now and then is an absolute treat. Every other day, though, we’re perfectly content watching baseball at home together!

Even a hometown guy can be Captain America

Virginia Beach, which is in Hampton Roads, is our hometown. We grew up watching many AAA players when they’d play with the Tides. But it’s David Wright who is one of our hometown guys with whom we have a loyal allegiance. We’ve watched him flourish as a professional ball player in our new hometown in NY and love to cheer him on every chance we get.

It’s all about the Peanuts and Cracker Jacks

Ok, so we all like to eat. When we go to baseball games, we absolutely LOVE indulging in snacks, especially the typical baseball treats: peanuts and Cracker Jacks. It’s like a rite of passage eating and watching the game. They even have a whole stretch and song devoted to it! Lucky us, Citi Field has quite a few delicious treats and shops to choose from.

Moms and Families Day

Does your family love watching the Mets as much as we do? Don’t forget about the Moms and Families Day on Sunday, April 27 at 1:10. There’s a meet and greet with Mr. Met pre-grame, too! The package includes a game ticket, hot dog & drink, a Mets lanyard & ticket holder and an exclusive meet-and-greet with Mr. Met!

7 Reasons That Make Disney’s Pirate Fairy Magical

April 8, 2014 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

By combining mystical fairies and scheming pirates, Disney has created yet another enchanting tale with their latest release, The Pirate Fairy. The Pirate Fairy follows a beleaguered dust-keeper fairy, Zarina, whose curiosity lands her in a tough predicament. When Zarina finds herself in trouble after disobeying rules, she flees Pixie Hollow and joins forces with the pirates of Skull Rock.

Pirate Fairy Box Art copy

In her new domain with the pirates, Zarina becomes Captain of the ship. Her adventure as Captain lead her back to Pixie Hollow, as she goes tete à tete with the fairies. But when schemes go awry, pirates will be pirates, but will fairies come through in the end?

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Just before the Pirate Fairy’s release, together with a number of bloggers, I was invited to an intimate lunch with producer, Jenni Magee-Cook, where I learned so many fun facts about the new movie.

7 Reasons That Make Disney’s Pirate Fairy Magical

1. Pixie Dust

It’s all about the pixie dust. Any glorious tale about fairies must include gratuitous amounts of pixie dust. And in true Disney form, Pirate Fairy does not disappoint with plenty of pixie dust. The Pirate Fairy follows the main character, Zarina’s, curiosity and fervor for pixie dust. Ultimately, the dust keeps the pixies afloat—literally!

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2. Pirates

Who doesn’t love a hearty band of pirates? In Pirate Fairy, we meet a colorful cast, but it’s one pirate in particular that made us smile.

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The sly cabin boy, James, caught our eye, but most importantly, he gave us a glimpse of the young Captain Hook. It was big boss John Lasseter who influenced this latest Fairy Tale. In a meeting as described by the producer Jenni Magee-Cook, all the creative storytellers were in a meeting discussing the latest story for Pixie Hollow, when Lasseter joined. Minutes before having to leave for another meeting, in a quiet room, Lasseter yells out “Pirates!!” And from there, Pirate Fairy was born.

PF MEET JAMES

3. Stars Aligned

Speaking of James, The Avengers’ Tom Hiddleston voiced our now-infamous cabin boy. From Mae Whitman’s Tinker Bell to Christina Hendrick’s Zarina to Carlos Ponce’s Bonito, the voice talent was plentiful in The Pirate Fairy. Not only were the celebs voicing the magical characters, they were also dressing them too.

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4. Fashion

Christian Siriano of Project Runway fame and known for his whimsical and show-stopping designs, consulted with the filmmakers at Disneytoon Studios on Zarina’s pirate fairy costume. It was all about those boots! They were fierce, to say the least! According to producer Jenni Magee-Cook, said Siriano was tapped to incorporate high fashion, rather than a regular costume. Zarina’s eye-catching ensemble certainly shows for the Project Runway influence.

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5. Crocky

Disney is so great at creating fluid storylines, and that goes for Pirate Fairy and familiar faces. Because there are several overlapping themes and characters from Neverland, it’s no surprise we get to see a baby Tick Tock Crock, Captain Hook’s nemesis from Peter Pan and also seen in Jake and the Neverland Pirates. In Pirate Fairy, a baby Crocky can be seen dawdling as cute baby crocs do.

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6. Neverland

Neverland is known as a mystical place where no one ever grows up. As the backdrop to Pixie Hollow AND Peter Pan and friends, it’s interesting to see how the landscape aids in the storyline. Not only has Neverland captivated generations past, it continues to engage wonder with kids now in Jake’s stories, as well as Disney’s latest, The Pirate Fairy.

7. True Friends Triumph

The storyline follows Zarina’s quest from dust keeper to pirate, and her struggle with authority. Will Zarina’s stubborn ways lead or astray forever? or will true friendship and forgiveness triumph. In Disney fashion, I think you know the answer to that question.

Demo and Review: The Happy’s from Cepia

April 6, 2014April 9, 2014 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Coincidentally, Pharrell’s song, “Happy,” has created an ongoing movement, but it’s these new toys from Cepia that’s making us move!

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The Happy’s are an adorable line of novelty plush that are motorized, so it’s as if these pets come to life and can play with you. By incorporating IR technology, The Happy’s can perform tricks, make crazy noises, will play with you or explore independently. If you guys watch a bunch of tv like us, you’ve likely seen their commercial already!

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At Toy Fair earlier this year, I had a chance to listen in on a demo from Cepia executives. We watched the pets perform tricks, chase their balls, scoot in cars, but the best is when they explore and snuggle up to unsuspecting toes. The dogs, which varied in colors, scooted along the hard wood floor, and chased the interactive treats and toys. According to the makers, tricks include follow me, chase a ball, pounce, chasing tail, beg, wiggle and dance. So, minus the batteries and neediness, it’s almost like have just the fun of a real dog!

My toddler and six year old had a great time chasing our puppy around the living room. Though, I found that the pup had a much better time navigating on the hardwood floor, rather than on the area rug. The toddler had a much harder time understanding the Happy Treat and how to play with The Happy’s, but he did love it when it chased him. My six year old, who fits in the target demo, loved the idea of The Happy’s but, quite frankly, wanted more from him. He would’ve liked to be able to train it or teach it some tricks. Nevertheless, he loves the idea of getting another few of The Happy’s and the cool skateboard and car!

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The cute plush, with its interactive features make The Happy’s a fun toy for young grade schoolers. What I really love is that its gender neutral and even encourages group play. The Happy’s, which are available now, would make a super cute alternative to candy for those Easter baskets!

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In addition to the original four of The Happy’s, these accessories and play sets are available now:

Chase and Play

Ride-on Accessories

Fashion Carrier and Scarf

Deluxe Bed & Blanket

Rockin’ Playground

Agility Training Set

Full disclosure: This is a sponsored post and I did receive samples to review the product. As always, all opinions on NKT are my own.

TinkerBell Flutterbye Fairies to Fly onto Shelves

March 25, 2014March 25, 2014 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Today, I’m heading to a media event where I’ll get to meet, and perhaps, interview the producer for the new Disney straight to DVD movie, Pirate Fairy. I’ll have more about this cool flick, but in the meantime, I have fairies on my mind.

So, in honor of the stars of Pirate Fairy, I thought I’d highlight one of Spinmaster’s hottest toys: Flutterbye Fairies. One of Christmas’ must-have toys, Flutterbye Fairies is set to add a few more fabulous flying friends. Set to launch this Spring, TinkerBell is just one of the newest fairies to join this cool new line of toys.

Flutterbye Fairies Magically Flying Tinkerbell MSRP $34 99 copy 2

Like her fellow Flutterbye Fairy friends, TinkerBell will be able to dance, fly and flutter with the same kid-navigated technology. The ability to control her flight path by simply hovering your hand underneath the doll is simply amazing! Tink launches from her display stand and stops with the push of a button. In true Tink fashion, the TinkerBell Flutterbye features that signature green dress with a dash of pixie dust.

Flutterbye Fairies Magically Flying Tnkerbell Pkg MSRP $34 99 copy

For TinkerBell Fans, this new addition to the Flutterbye Fairies line is a magical move. TinkerBell Flutterbye Fairy from Spinmaster launches this Spring and will retail for $39.99

Want to hear more about Pirate Fairy, which is set to release on April 1? Check out the extended sneak peek to see what the Fairies are up to in Pirate Fairy.

Frozen: Easter Eggs and Printables

March 20, 2014March 20, 2014 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

With the Frozen DVD and Blu-Ray hitting the shelves this week, we’re in a Frozen state of mind to say the least! In case you didn’t pre-order from Amazon, it looks like the major big box stores—Target, Toys R Us, Walmart—have Frozen on sale for $19.99 this week.

FROZEN Box Art

And, of course, if you’re the totally digital family who doesn’t even bother with hard copies of anything, you’ve been watching Frozen day and night for several weeks, right?

So, in honor of Frozen, I thought it would be fun to re-visit some fun stuff found in the movie. Disney and Pixar is well known for their generous helpings of Easter Eggs throughout their movies. In case you haven’t already seen these, I thought I’d share the Frozen Easter Eggs as revealed in the Disney Blog!

Did you catch Eugene and Rapunzel at Queen Elsa’s coronation? They’re over here in the bottom left. I read some even cooler fan theories over here about Flynn Ryder and Rapunzel’s attendance. This would make total sense to me!

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And what about the chocolates that Anna is eating? Supposedly, these chocolates were also featured in Sugar Rush from Wreck It Ralph.

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One of the paintings from “The First Time in Forever” was also spotted on Tangled.

Lisa Swing Painting Part 21 Lisa Swing Painting Part 11

And, of course, the Mouse makes a very subtle cameo at Oaken’s Trading Post. Do you see him hiding on the first shelf?

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Frozen Printables

Beyond the movie itself, we’ve been having a blast playing Frozen-centric games and doing cool activities. During the push for the initial release of the movie, Disney Studios provided these fun activities and printables. We had a blast making dancing Olaf at our recent Disney Side Party! Check out the other activities below!

Be sure to save the below images to your computer to print out yourself!

Build an Olaf

Find Olaf Maze

Elsa and Anna coloring pages

Spot the difference

To download even more printables and fun games check out the link below:

Photo credits: Disney Studios