Familylicious Reviews and Giveaways

Learning Resources: Let’s Grow! Life Cycles Game- Review

debra92691 — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:00:27 +0000

Learning Resources makes fantastic games and educational products that are sure to inspire your little one to learn and have fun while doing so! We received the
Let’s Grow! Life Cycles game. Kaia has been very interested in life cycles ever since her class hatched chicken and duck eggs last spring. This game is fantastic it energize learners with fun game pieces and encourages a deeper understanding of life cycles. This game reinforces understanding of developmental stages of a chicken, frog, butterfly and plant. This is fantastic children will not learn about just one specific animal and its journey through its different life cycles but an array of critters and even a plant! The game engages children as they race to complete a life-cycle puzzle using memory match strategies. To play you select a life-cycle game card: chicken, frog, butterfly or plant. You then use the spinner to move around the board using your pawn, uncovering puzzle pieces to fill in your life cycle. The first one to complete a life-cycle card wins! This game is absolutely fantastic Kaia has learned about these different living things and how they go through their different life cycles. It has definitely given her a better understanding of these specific life cycles and has opened her up to asking about other life cycles as well.

Energize learners with this fun early science game that encourages deeper understanding of life cycles.

* Reinforces understanding of developmental stages of a chicken, frog, butterfly and plant

* Engages children as they race to complete a life-cycle puzzle using memory match strategies

* Includes game board (14″ in diameter), 4 life-cycle game cards, 16 puzzle pieces, 4 pawns, spinner and Guide

* For 2-4 players

* Grades K+

Buy It: You can purchase Learning Resources products on the Learning Resources Site. Make sure you check out Learning Resources Youtube Page so you can check out all their great videos.

This was not a paid post my honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. Thank you to The Hosting Company who supplied the products for the review

Kwanzaa Celebration at Pretend City

debra92691 — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 22:47:26 +0000

We went to
Pretend City Children’s Museum for their Kwanzaa celebration and we learned all about Kwanzaa. Icompletely forgot to get a picture of the kids art projects and then we left them there. But if you look in the bottom corner of the Picture above you can see it. The kids made Unity cloth picture by painting their fingers different colors and then criss crossing their handprint designs
They got to hear a story about the Principles of Kwanzaa and about Unity and working together.
and of course they did their fun Pretend City activities that they love doing every time we attend. Pretend City really is their absolute favorite place to go.
Kaia ready to be a Doctor

Kwanza Begins – Monday, December 26th (10am-3pm)
Kwanzaa is a Pan-African holiday that was created to reconnect African-Americans to their African roots. The name Kwanzaa derives from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza”, meaning the first fruits of the harvest. In honor of this holiday, guests will learn about the Nguzu Saba (“seven principles of blackness”) through creative hands-on art projects, videos, and interactive story times featuring African cloths, drumming, and traditional dolls.

Ring in the Noon Year! New Year’s Eve Celebration- Dec 31st (10am-12 noon)
Spend this New Year’s Eve ringing in the New Year Pretend City style! Today will be the day for family and friends to gather at Pretend City to celebrate the New Year. Festivities of the day will include:

* Let’s Move: Rockin’Dance Party – Ever hour as we countdown to the “Noon Year” we will have a dance party! Featuring the latest and greatest in party songs you will enjoy moving and grooving in the Orange Plaza.
* Colorful Cultures: What New Years is complete without the traditional party wear! Join us in the art studio to find color decorations to signify your New Year’s Resolution.
* Sensational Story Time: The Night Before New Years – It’s the night before New Year’s and all through the house…? Come find out during this story time followed by a fun streamer making activity!
* 12:00p.m. Ring in the Noon Year! Join us in Orange Plaza as we ring in the New Year at Noon! This party comes complete with a countdown, ball drop, and dancing!

About Pretend City Children’s Museum
Pretend City Children’s Museum is the first educational facility of its kind in the western United States representing a small, interconnected city designed to “build better brains” through purposeful play, hands-on learning experiences, role playing, and educational programming. As a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, it depends on community-based funding and guest support. Through 17 interactive exhibits and activities guided by a highly trained professional staff, children learn foundational math, reading and science skills, while fostering curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, organization, teamwork, self-confidence and socialization. The museum is a unique community resource where families, educators and community agencies come together to ensure that each child gains the experiences needed for a productive and fulfilling future. Pretend City Children’s Museum is located at 29 Hubble, Irvine, CA 92618.

Christmas Celebration TODAY at Pretend City

debra92691 — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 22:45:40 +0000

Pretend City Children’s Museum
Christmas Celebration – Friday, December 23rd (All Day)
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way…over to Pretend City for this Christmas celebration! This Christmas festival will have you and your child wanting to keep those musical notes and dancing feet jingling throughout the city! Don’t miss out!

* Music & Movement: 11:00a.m. Christmas Concert presented by Young Music Company
* Symbols in a Second: Meet & Greet with Santa – There’s only a few days left before Christmas! Make sure to come and let Santa know what your Christmas wish is while he shares a bit of history with you about his origin.
* Cooking Up Cultures: Crunchy Christmas Tree – This Christmas tree isn’t just for looks, but for eating too! As we learn how the Christmas tree came to be, you will enjoy working on those hand and finger skills to create an edible tree.
* Let’s Move: Rudolph’s Race – When Santa called upon Rudolph they were in a race to save Christmas. Get moving in your Rudolph gear to beat the Christmas clock!

Kwanza Begins – Monday, December 26th (10am-3pm)
Kwanzaa is a Pan-African holiday that was created to reconnect African-Americans to their African roots. The name Kwanzaa derives from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza”, meaning the first fruits of the harvest. In honor of this holiday, guests will learn about the Nguzu Saba (“seven principles of blackness”) through creative hands-on art projects, videos, and interactive story times featuring African cloths, drumming, and traditional dolls.

Pretend City Chanukah Celebration

debra92691 — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:41:33 +0000

We went to Pretend City Children’s Museum for their Chanukah celebration and it was fantastic! We got the chanceto sign up for the Olive Press class. So the kids got to learn about Chanukah and they got to make Olive Oil and see it used to light a Menorah.
The Rabbi who led the demonstration was phenomenal he made the stories and the demonstration so lively and interesting both kids loved every moment of it.
Kaia got to help make the Olive Oil in her little test tube.

The table with the olive press. the kids actually chose the best olives to put into the press and then they saw the olive juice come out. As well as seeing the exact process as to how olives turn into olive oil.
There was also a great Chanukah craft in the Cineplex. My only complaint was that the Olive Press class was set at the same time as the Chanukah craft in the Cineplex so we only got to do a little bit of the craft before going into the Olive Press Class. It would have been nice if they were at separate times so we would have been able to do both.
The art studio had two great art projects Kaia chose to paint a HUGE Menorah
While Mikey partook in a Foam Dreidel craft
And of course we did all the fun other Pretend City activities like visiting the Dentist Office (the kids favorite)
And petting the baby Chicks.

More Activities at Pretend City in December:

Christmas Celebration – Friday, December 23rd (All Day)
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way…over to Pretend City for this Christmas celebration! This Christmas festival will have you and your child wanting to keep those musical notes and dancing feet jingling throughout the city! Don’t miss out!

Masquerade by Bratz- Review and Giveaway

debra92691 — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 08:00:18 +0000

Do you have a little girl who loves the Bratz Doll Line? Well there are some new Bratz dolls for her to collect! The new Bratz Masquerade line is fantastic. Kaia really likes these dolls they are fun and come with a mask for your child to wear while playing with them. There is make up included as well so your child can even use the mask as a stencil to create a fun new look. The doll itself is a cute Bratz Doll but with a fun new costume. These dolls are fun all year round and help initiate hours of imaginative play. I know Kaia loves dress up and makeup all year round so having dolls that are in fun themed costumes just makes her want to dress up and play that much more! The makeup makes her feel like a pretty little princess and the mask that helps her create a stencil is great for helping her with her fine mototr and spacial awareness and of course just super cute!

Masquerades are all about mystery and so are the Bratz. Girls will discover six new Bratz characters hidden behind mysterious masks and wearing sassy costume fashions. Girls can create their own mystery masks too with cool stencil-on face makeup.

The Bratz™ are celebrating 10 years of being the life of the party. These fashion dolls always bring their sassy spirit, signature style, and a whole lotta’ attitude! Bratz: The girls with a Passion for fashion!

Buy It: You can purchase Bratz Dolls and accessories at Toys R US online or at a Toy store near you.

Win It:One lucky reader will win a Bratz MASQUERADE BY BRATZ™ Doll.

Enter It: Click the Read More LINK below or Click HERE to find the Rafflecopter Widget for entry submission.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Taco Bell Promotion and $20 Gift Card – Review and Giveaway

debra92691 — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 08:00:07 +0000

Taco Bell is having a fantastic Gift Card promotion, which offers one of the best options for anyone waiting until the last minute to stuff stockings: a gift and a meal, all without having to leave your vehicle.

Tapping into the spirit of giving, Taco Bell is offering a free chicken flatbread combo with a $20 gift card purchase at participating restaurants.

$10 Gift Cards are also available and no expiration or fees apply to the gift cards. The offer is valid now through December 27, 2011.

Buy It: Visit the Taco Bell site to find a Taco Bell location near you.
Win It:One lucky Familylicious reader will win Taco Bell $20 Gift Card
Enter It: Click the Read More LINK below or Click HERE to find the Rafflecopter Widget for entry submission.

This promotion is solely sponsored by Familylicious and has not been endorsed or approved by Taco Bell®.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Learning Resources Crocodile Hop- Review and Giveaway

debra92691 — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:51:02 +0000

If you are looking for a fantastic fun game that will help kids learn without even knowing it then check out one of our favorite Educational Toy companies Learning Resources. We received the
Crocodile Hop game and my kids love playing it. What I love about this game is that it is a get up and go game. It is perfect for rainy days or any day really. While playing children will learn colors, shapes and numbers. While working on their problem solving, social, and gross motor skills too! Children will hop, I love that the cubes are inflatable, it makes storing the game easy and playing not so stressful. I worry about my kiddos throwing game pieces at each other and with inflatable cubes I don’t have to worry about anyone getting hurt or anything breaking. This game is nice also because it can be played alone or with a group. It really is the perfect bad weather game. When stuck inside kids go a bit stir crazy (we all do) so it is so important to find ways to let out their energy. This game will help them let out their energy, learn, and have fun all at one time!

Cross the river by hopping from number to color to shape!

* Engages even reluctant learners with colorful, versatile super-size floor mat design

* Reinforces a range of early learning skills: color and shape recognition, numbers and counting (1-10), problem solving and gross motor

* Helps children practice following simple directions

* Offers opportunities for children to play alone, in small groups or with the whole class

* Supports NCTM Standards

* Includes 2 inflatable cubes (5″), 40 animal game markers, Activity Guide and vinyl floor mat measuring 100″L x 30″H

* Grades PreK+
Buy It: You can purchase Learning Resources products on the Learning Resources Site. Make sure you check out Learning Resources Youtube Page so you can check out all their great videos.

Win It:One lucky Familylicious reader will win a Learning Resources Crocodile Hop game.

Enter It: Click the Read More LINK below or Click HERE to find the Rafflecopter Widget for entry submission.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Learning Resources “Lets Grow! The Life Cycles Game”- Review and Giveaway

debra92691 — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:19:36 +0000

Energize learners with this fun early science game that encourages deeper understanding of life cycles.

* Reinforces understanding of developmental stages of a chicken, frog, butterfly and plant

* Engages children as they race to complete a life-cycle puzzle using memory match strategies

* Includes game board (14″ in diameter), 4 life-cycle game cards, 16 puzzle pieces, 4 pawns, spinner and Guide

* For 2-4 players

* Grades K+

Buy It: You can purchase Learning Resources products on the Learning Resources Site. Make sure you check out Learning Resources Youtube Page so you can check out all their great videos.

Win It:One lucky Familylicious reader will win a Learning Resources Let’s Grow! Life Cycles game.

Enter It: Click the Read More LINK below or Click HERE to find the Rafflecopter Widget for entry submission.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BJ’s Wholesale Club DragonFire Lazer Stunt Chaser Set- Review and Giveaway

debra92691 — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:59:41 +0000

Have you heard of BJ’s Wholesale Club? If not check it out there are amazing deals on this site and of course in BJ’s Wholesale Club locations near you. We received the FANTASTIC DragonFire Lazer Stunt Chaser Set. This set is so cool! You can use the car to speed through the house, perform gravity-defying stunts or flip your car and keep racing with this light-controlled vehicle set. The set features a 2-sided car, a light-emitting remote control and 2 stunt ramps, this set lets you pull off daring stunts and flips or race the car. The car features light-up rims that change color for a unique look and 2 sides that allow the high-speed fun to continue if the car flips over. Okay so my kids love this car completely it is very cool, the light emitting controller is so awesome! My husband loves this car just as much and so do his friends. It is just so awesome I guess it brought out the kids in them because they were all playing with the amazing DragonFire Lazer Stunt Chaser Set and my kids actually had to steal it back from the adults. This set would make an amazing Holiday Gift to anyone who loves remote control cars.

Buy It: Visit the BJ’s Wholesale Club site to order online or to find a BJ’s Wholesale Club location near you.

Win It:One lucky Familylicious reader will win a DragonFire Lazer Stunt Chaser Set

Enter It: Click the Read More LINK below or Click HERE to find the Rafflecopter Widget for entry submission.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Lalaloopsy Treehouse-Review and Giveaway

debra92691 — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 06:52:14 +0000

We love Lalaloopsy dolls, Kaia just can’t resist their cute clothes, adorable faces, and fun sidekicks. She has been smitten for some time but the new dolls and play sets have set her off over the deep end.

Kaia and Mikey have been playing with the fun Tree house play set none stop. I have to say that I was amazed with all the attention to detail in this fantastic play set. There is a fun zip line two cute mini dolls that come with the set plus their little sidekicks and tons of little accessories. There are sleeping baskets that look like walnuts, lunch and play toys for the characters, and lots of adventures to be had in the set.

I love that the set comes with a mini Patch Treasurechest. He is one of my favorite Lalaloopsy dolls. I love that there is one that appeals to boys and girls. Since Mikey wants whatever his older sister has its nice to be able to get him a boy doll and this one is adorable. Plus Kaia loves him too who wouldn’t he is one of the cutest little Pirates I have ever seen.

Buy It: You can purchase Lalaloopsy Dolls, playsets, and accessories at Toys R US online or at a Toy store near you.
Win It:One lucky reader will win a Lalaloopsy Treehouse Playset
Enter It: Click the Read More LINK below or Click HERE to find the Rafflecopter Widget for entry submission.

a Rafflecopter giveaway