Tag: Disney Channel

NKT Fave: Chuggington Die-Cast Toys from Learning Curve

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Trains, trains and more trains. Thank goodness for trains and massive train tables! Toddlerhood possibly wouldn’t have been bearable without our trusty trains. I do believe I complained about the size of the giant train table the kid got for his birthday last year, but after endless hours of play, I’ll bite my tongue.  Good call, hubs!

During our summer of displacement, the kid constantly asked for his toys, but it was his trains and train table that he begged for on a daily basis.  And because of that, our trains and the bazillion pieces and accessories that go along with it will always be an NKT fave.

I love sharing the next big thing in kid products, and of course, toys! A few months ago, we shared the news that one of our favorite train shows, Chuggington, will be releasing toys here in the U.S.  Chuggington toys will be on the shelves in early October, in time for the holidays, but better yet, you can pre-order them now at Toysrus.com.

As a Chuggington Conductor, I’ve had the chance to get the latest Chuggington news as it breaks, so that I can share it with all of you.  This time around, we were able to get the new toys in our hands BEFORE they hit the shelves to be able to share a sneak peek with all of you.  In the spirit of the next kid thing, check out our video and review of the new Chuggington toys from Learning Curve.   Apologies for the shaky camera!

 

And because it’s my boy’s birthday next week, as promised, I want to give YOUR kids toys that my kid loves. Sooooo…

Giveaway

Want to win a Chuggington prize pack? The prize pack will include a Launch & Go Roundhouse, Straight & Curved Track Pack and a few Die-Cast Engines.  (Engines may vary from what is shown in my video.)

Comment below and tell me who your kids’ favorite Chuggington character is, and why.

The kid and I mutually love Koko because she’s feisty, strong-willed and fun.

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Chuggington Picked up for Another Season

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Good news, fellow Chuggington fans.  The Disney Channel has picked up Chuggington for another season on Playhouse Disney.  Following a traintastic first season in the U.S., Brewster, Koko, and Wilson and the gang will be riding the rails once again on The Disney Channel.

Chuggington has also announced that it will be hosting a sweepstakes on Chuggington.com, with prizes including die-cast trains and packs.

 

Chuggington Marathon Set for Sunday on Disney Channel

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Chuggington fans, be sure to hop onboard for Disney Channel’s Chuggington marathon this Sunday, March 14.  The marathon begins at 6 a.m. and runs until 10:30.  They’re calling for rain all weekend, so I can’t think of a better way to spend a rainy Sunday.

The train-centric, CGI-animated show that premiered in the U.S. in January has been quite a hit.  Just from the reactions I’ve seen on Facebook and Twitter, I know many of you are big fans of the show, just like us.  I wrote a detailed post a few months ago about my first impression of the show.  So, in case you haven’t seen Chuggington, be sure to check out my post for a preview and a quick review.  I’m happy to report that the kid can not only pronounce “Chuggington,” but he asks to watch it often.

So, in case you’ve missed an episode or two, you’ll be able to catch up on Koko, Brewster and Wilson’s adventures with the nine back-to-back episodes of Chuggington scheduled to air on the Disney Channel this Sunday.

My Alligator…

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Many thanks to the “Teach my Alligator Manners” segment on the Disney Channel, the kid has become obsessed with alligators. The fondness of manners? That’s coming. But I’m definitely loving the frequent usage of “pweeease” these days.
But back to alligators…since he can’t get enough of the segment, he’s also learning to recognize the parallels between the shows he loves and his toybox. And thus, we have a newly found appreciation for the Dancing Alligator from PlanToys.

alligator

The wooden, clacking pull-along toy was one of the gifts we bought for him for his 1st birthday, but he’s just now finally “getting” it. No batteries involved, just kid power, this toy brings back the old school essence of pull-along toys that I remember from my own childhood. But be forewarned, the “dancing” part of this alligator also translates into “clacking.” So, if loud toys aren’t your thing, definitely check out other PlanToys. (I personally love watching our guy run around with his alligator trailing/dancing behind!) Our alligator has made many leaps and falls these past few weeks, proving that it’s both timeless and sustainable, as far as toddler toys go. The Dancing Alligator will be one of those toys that we’ll likely keep for our kid(s)’ kids!
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Breaking it down with the Imagination Movers

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

viewmedia-6Music will always play a huge part of our lives, and so, as a fan to various genres, including kid music, I’d like to introduce NKT’s very first exclusive feature!

Just in time for the release of their latest CD For Those About to Hop, the Imagination Movers sat down with me and the kid to chat. The Imagination Movers, who hail from the New Orleans area and appeal to the preschool set and their parents, have been captivating kids on their hit Disney show of the same name. The former journalist, firefighter, architect and teacher break it down to the Next Kid Thing and tell us their favorite Police album and offer some insight to parents on getting their kids interested in music.

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Handy Manny’s Superstar Summer Saturdays

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

handy-manny5Yesterday marked the official first day of summer, but this past weekend the gang at Sheetrock Hills started the summer fun with a Quinceañera.   Handy Manny, the popular Disney Channel show that stars Wilmer Valderrama as the voice of handyman Manny Garcia, has a lineup of new summer shows that are set to premiere every Saturday at 8:30 a.m. this summer.

The first Saturday of new Handy Manny shows, dubbed Superstar Summer Saturdays, featured pop star Ashley Parker Angel who needed some help before his concert in the park. Everyone’s favorite cartoon handyman, Manny, and his crew were tasked with helping to fix a flower situation for Señor Ayala’s niece’s Quinceañera after a fan threw a wrench into things.

Going beyond helping popstars, Sheetrock Hills’ go-to guy, Manny and his quirky buddies, the talking tools, have a new set of tasks and adventures to accomplish this summer, including overcoming a blackout, saving the turtles and enjoying a day at the beach. The list of new shows included in Superstar Summer Saturdays are as follows:

Saturday, June 20 (8:30 a.m., ET/PT) – “Danny Starr / Quinceañera”

Saturday, June 27 (8:30 a.m., ET/PT) – “The Good, The Bad, The Handy”

Saturday, July 4 (8:30 a.m., ET/PT) – “Lyle & Leland Lopart / Blackout on the Block”

Saturday, July 11 (8:30 a.m., ET/PT) – “A Day at the Beach / The Party Dress”

Saturday, July 18 (8:30 a.m., ET/PT) – “Singing Salon / Manny’s Makeover”

Saturday, July 25 (8:30 a.m., ET/PT) – “A Night with Abuelito / Canine Case”

Saturday, August 1 (8:30 a.m., ET/PT) – “Saving the Turtles / Abuelito’s Siesta”

Saturday, August 8 (8:30 a.m., ET/PT) – “Picture Perfect / Some Assembly Required”