Elmo – The Next Kid Thing

Round Up: Elmo Gear, Gadgets and Goodies

February 3, 2011 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

In the past, I’ve profiled a variety of Sesame Street-themed toys, home goods and more. Last year, Elmo’s image and branding transcended toys and books; we found Elmo on digital media, accessories and more. Indicative of how connected our kids are these days, you better believe our kids’ favorite characters are following suit.
In honor of Elmo’s birthday, here’s a just a few fun Elmo goodies and gadgets that are worth checking out.

Elmo’s A to Z Wii Game

From Warner Brothers, Elmo’s A to Zoo Adventure is an educational video game that is one of two games that mark Sesame Street’s entry into the gaming sector. In the game, kids can supplement their alphabet lessons with Elmo’s assistance. Geared to the pre-k set and up, learning the alphabet gets a new dimension in Elmo’s A to Zoo Adventure where kids can interact with animals and Elmo. Designed with the help of educational professionals, the details of the video game and the way it’s played cater specifically to the younger kids’ capabilities.? Having attended the launch event of this game last fall, we’ve had a fun time testing out this game out, and it’s added a fun element to our daily lessons. I love the little Elmo Wii controller cover–seriously so cute and the kid loves it. Reluctant to recommend video games to the young ones, Elmo’s A to Zoo game is a great way to change up the usual alphabet-learning routine.

DreamGear Accessories

Ok, so maybe the little guys don’t have their own iphone or ipads yet (or maybe they do?), but companies like DreamGear are helping mom and dads outfit their smartphones and tablets with fun kid-friendly accessories. The silicon iphone case from DreamGear is durable, fun and washable–perfect for parents that appreciate Elmo’s cuteness. I received a Cookie Monster case from DreamGear for review and receive so many compliments from parents and kids alike. Who knew a phone case could be such a conversation piece? Beyond phone and (fuzzy!) tablet accessories, DreamGear has a whole line of Sesame Street branded gaming and electronics accessories that are suitable for kids.

Elmo USB

I chatted about this cool Elmo USB from ATP case before it hit the market, and I still think it’s pretty cool. It has room for storage for your files and for a video that’s included. In addition to it being waterproof, drop proof, the plug and play convenience of these Sesame Street video usbs give our favorite furry monsters even more tech cred.

Earth’s Best

Earth’s Best has had Sesame Street branded food for the wee ones for quite some time, but they’ve been adding more to the mix. Characters all over food isn’t my most favorite thing in the world, but when the food is a healthier option, then I’m on board. Earth’s Best offers organic foods that don’t contain artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. We are big breakfast people, so I have Elmo’s Oatmeal and O’s cereals on our must-try list.

Elmo Birthday Talking Plush

All Elmo fans must have their own plush furry monster, especially the toteable, talking kind. In honor of Elmo’s birthday, I’m kind of smitten with this Elmo Birthday Talking Plush. I might have to add this guy to my first birthday present ideas for my Sesame Street-loving nieces and nephews.

Happy Birthday, Elmo!

Check it

All of these fun Elmo gear, gadgets and goodies can be found on one of my affiliates, The Sesame Street Store. As always, shopping at my affiliates and sponsors helps me to make this website possible.

Full disclosure: Select samples were provided for review purposes. As always, all opinions are my own.

Happy Birthday Elmo!

February 3, 2011February 3, 2011 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

It’s everyone’s favorite fuzzy red guy’s birthday today, and we here at NKT wanted to send happy wishes to Elmo. Sesame Street and the gang have touched many families in a myriad of ways, but it’s Elmo that always finds a way to the little ones’ hearts. Maybe it’s the cutesy talk, Elmo’s World or the fact that he’s just plain cute, there’s no doubt about it, Elmo is well loved by kids young and old.

Through this blog and beyond, I’ve been so fortunate to recall quite a few fun and surreal Elmo experiences, including an unforgettable tour of Sesame Street, the kid listening to Elmo “read” to children on the White House Great Lawn for the Easter Egg Roll and most recently, visiting Sesame Place for opening day and visiting Sesame Workshop with the kiddo.

Elmo is well loved in our home, and naturally, he’s a fixture in it as well. In fact, two Christmases ago, the kid got not one, but I think three Elmo dancing toys. One can never have too many Elmos, right?

Do you guys have any favorite Elmo memories? If you do, make sure you check out Elmo’s Facebook page and share your memories over there, too!

Be on the look out for my next post about cool Elmo gadgets and goodies worth checking out.

Happy Birthday, Elmo! And a Review of the Monster Maker

February 3, 2010 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

I’m not sure if you’re aware, but today is America’s favorite fuzzy red monster’s birthday.

Yup, Elmo turns 3 today (again, I know!) Happy Birthday, big guy!

In honor of Elmo’s birthday, I thought I’d mention this new app released by Sesame Workshop, which just so happens to feature the birthday boy himself.

Elmo’s Monster Maker App, which is now available on iTunes, is an app where kids of all ages can create their own monster. With all the different body parts, the choices are limitless as to how many unique monsters can be created. With this app, kids become more aware of several different body parts, with a little Sesame Street-style creativity.

Michelle Obama visits Sesame Street

May 11, 2009May 11, 2009 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Michelle Obama Sesame Street In between meeting with diplomats and helping to promote the President’s new foreign policies, the First Lady took some time out last week to visit Elmo and the gang at Sesame Street. Michelle Obama visited Sesame Street to tape a Public Service Announcement with Elmo as part of Sesame Workshop’s Healthy Habits For Life initiative. Mrs. Obama and Elmo discussed eating right, exercising regularly and being a healthy and positive role model for children.

“If you want your child to have healthy habits, practice healthy habits, because you’re your child’s role model,” The First Lady suggests in the PSA.

I thought the news about planting an organic garden at the White House was pretty cool, but Mrs. Obama’s visit to Sesame Street is just as much a highlight for her, as it is for her fans!

(photo credit: Richard Termine)

Coming Home: Sesame Street Primetime Special

April 1, 2009April 1, 2009 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Set your DVRs for PBS at 8 p.m. tonight. Yes, I said tonight! At 8 p.m., tonight, April 1, PBS is airing a primetime special called, Coming Home. In honor of the Month of the Military Child, the Sesame Workshop tapped big stars, Queen Latifah, (my boyfriend,) John Mayer and Elmo to help convey some very special stories. The half hour special will share stories about service members who return home with injuries, visible and invisible, and also explore the heroic struggles their families face in discovering a new way of finding a “new normal.”

johnandelmo

Sesame Workshop has spent the past two years creating outreach materials to help military families with young children cope with deployments, homecomings and changes. In 2007, the Workshop produced a PBS primetime special, When Parents are Deployed, with Cuba Gooding, Jr., which was honored with an Emmy nomination. Even though my dad is now retired and was thankfully kept out of harm’s way while in the service, I know firsthand about deployments and missing dear old Dad while he was out to sea. I applaud Sesame Workshop’s efforts in continuing this specific outreach to military families, specifically the many children who are directly affected in so many ways.