This first album from The Story Pirates offers listeners an eccentric array of topics, from penguins who work in an office to a carrot who lives on Saturn and longs to be eaten, this 12-song album offers unique, and uniquely fun, insight into the imaginations of children. In fact, all of these songs were original ideas of actual kids, and all aired on the Story Pirates Podcast.
Available at http://www.storypirates.com iTunes and Amazon (links coming)
A two-player strategy game that combines the spatial thinking skills of chess with the high-tech fun of laser beams. Players alternate turns moving mirrored pieces around the board, and at the end of each turn, players fire a real laser. The beam bounces from mirror to mirror, and if it strikes a non-mirrored surface of any piece, it is immediately removed from play. If you illuminate your opponent’s king – YOU WIN!
Available at Amazon and neighborhood toy stores
Shadows in the Forest is a thrilling, immersive play experience that brings a distinctive twist to game night – you play it in the dark! One player moves the LED lantern around in search of Shadowlings; mysterious creatures who avoid the light. The lantern illuminates the forest and trees, casting real shadows on the game board. The rest of the players work together, strategically moving their Shadowlings to stay out of the light.
Available at Target, Amazon and neighborhood toy stores
A feline crime has been committed, and it’s your job to identify the culprit! Cat Crimes is a deductive reasoning game with a lovable cast of characters – who may be up to no good! Each of the 40 challenges presents a crime and a series of clues to help solve it. There are 6 cat suspects to choose from and a game board that features evidence. Grab your magnifying glass and sharpen your wits, it will take all your detective skills to solve Cat Crimes!
Available at Amazon and neighborhood toy stores
LEARNING WHILE PLAYING – A toy that will keep your children busy for hours of educational playing and help develop their imagination creativity and motor skills, Stimulate problem solving, Perfect for preschool games & group activities
EXTRA POWERFUL MAGNETS – Crafted to perfection with the best quality materials, With magnets 3x stronger and thicker for stronger durability and bigger structures, We raised the edges to avoid scratching, made with BPA free NON-TOXIC material for safer play
MOST VALUE – We included the most valuable pieces and colors to build bigger and nicer structures, Build as big as desired by adding more pieces, Easy to construct and easy to put away for storage!
PERFECT GIFT – Packaged in a beautifully designed box, Makes a wonderful gift for all occasions that kids will definitely love, Suitable for Ages 3+
Available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CJKFRY9
Randy & Dave are back and flying high with their second release, packed with clever, cheeky songs that are laugh-out-loud funny, excellent music and lyrical wit. Randy is a little bit country, Dave is a little bit rock ‘n’ roll and together they add some jazz and blues for a sound all their own. Peel away the layers of each song and listeners uncover something new every time they hear it.
Where to Purchase:
CD Baby: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/randydave2
amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Trampoline-Randy-Dave/dp/B07448CYKY/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1508443762&sr=1-1&keywords=life+on+a+trampoline
Dream Builder™ 19 Piece magnetic building set comes in a rainbow variety of beautiful colors. Ideal for the beginning builder, their large 9 inch x 9 inch size allows construction of toy furniture, towers, play houses and can be used with existing toys giving them extended value. What you can build is limited only by your imagination! They work well alone, with other Panelcraft® sets. Perfect for individual or multi-child play, Panelcraft® develops both fine and gross motor skills, patterning, shape recognition, and building. Comes with STEM-themed activity guide.
Available at: Panelcraft.com – Kaplan Toys – Tout About Toys – Childcraft – S&S Worldwide
While many people know that real beauty comes from within, it can be a difficult lesson to learn. The comments of others make Isabella feel ugly and sad until a wise old woman helps to change her focus. This inspirational story highlights the qualities of compassion, inner beauty, and healthy self-esteem.
Available at: www.advancepublishing.com – www.amazon.com
By now you probably know that baby Jack-Jack steals the movie Incredibles 2. This adorable little baby unleashes his super powers throughout the film.
Jakks Pacific has created a fun doll that not only looks cute and will ultimately be a child’s friend, but also has lights and sounds. Beware, this cutie shows off his super powers – in a less dangerous way than the one on screen.
Jack-Jack himself measures about 10 inches tall in a sitting position and 13 inches high when he’s standing. That’s not counting the little tuft of hair on top of his head. He’s not soft and plush because he is interactive! Press his tummy and hear him laugh. But when he gets angry, watch out. His head turns colors and his blue eyes light up, while crying. But once he is over his “tantrum” he chuckles and is back to normal.
Sometimes his head turns red and his eyes light up, accompanied by the “laser” sound. After all, this little kid has laser eyes that can cut through anything. That’s the Jack-Jack in the film. This doll just imitates that, so a child can use his or her imagination while playing with this little fellow.
Pressing his tummy elicits several reactions from the baby. When he sneezes (as he does in the film), his head lights up and he chuckles. Another time he can become almost electric, with buzzing sounds and flashing head.
Did you know Jack-Jack can teleport from one room to another? Imagine that. When his tummy is pressed and he “teleports” his head turns blue. Imagination is key when playing with this little guy.
And Jack-Jack comes with a raccoon “friend.” This hard- plastic raccoon is a little over five inches high with a fluffy tail. He’s ready to “play” with his on-screen nemesis, baby Jack-Jack.
It’s sweet when he says, “Mama.” His baby babble is also adorable.
When you first take this little guy out of the box, open the back of his red suit and turn him to the “I” mode. This is the interactive mode. Then press his tummy for his reactions. When you hold the button down, he really turns on all his super powers, so watch out.
When you see his smiling face, you cannot help but smile yourself. He’s adorable. He’ll definitely be a fun pal for kids throughout this summer and beyond.
Incredibles 2 Jack-Jack Attacks comes complete with lights and sounds and his raccoon pal and is intended for ages 3 and up. He comes with 3 AAA batteries.
About the Reviewer
Francine Brokaw writes about products, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.
Follow her on Twitter
Are you looking for something new to do with your family? How about creating a 3D mechanical wooden model? UGears and Wooden City both make moveable wooden models that do not require glue and are eco friendly. Forget about those old plastic models from the craft store. Try creating an elaborate wooden reproduction of a windmill, jeep, train, or just about anything else. And, the fun doesn’t end once you are finished creating your item.
The pieces come on a slim wood slab. Press the perforations to release the individual pieces. They are numbered and the instructions are easy to follow. The pieces are then press-fitted together. While this sounds super easy, think again. It’s not difficult but it is time consuming and a wonderful family project.
There are many different items to create. Putting them together is only half of the fun. Once they have been created, these objects are then moveable.
If you put together the UGears Locomotion, there are spinning gears, pistons that move, and the train becomes another fun item in your house, not to mention the fact that the kids will be able to brag that they helped create it. If you have a child who wants to create something by themselves, there are some UGears 4 Kids kits that are not as intricate as the other kits. Kids can use their own markers or paint to paint them when they are done putting them together. This company, out of Ukraine, started the moveable wooden model industry that has become a fun activity for all ages. UGears has won several Family Choice Awards!
Wooden City (from Poland) came around a few years after UGears and have designed their own great 3D models to create moveable objects. The Ferris Wheel is especially interesting once it has been assembled. It really works. Or try assembling your own Jeep, with moving wheels and parts. There are 569 individual parts in the Jeep (4X4) kit. The company says it should take about 12 hours to make this wooden vehicle. Talk about a great family undertaking. The Mill (Windmill) has 222 parts and when assembled the blades do rotate just like a real one.
Both UGears and Wooden City offer a variety of wooden model kits, ranging in size and price. With levers, gears, wheels, etc., they become moveable fun once they have been assembled.
About the Reviewer
Francine Brokaw writes about products, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.
Follow her on Twitter