Excavate 3 Real Stones With The Gemstone Dig Kit (Review)

Any 6-12 year old will love this award-winning Gemstone Dig Kit  by Discover with Dr. Cool.  Excavate 3 real gemstone specimens with this incredible hands-on excavation kit. Buried within a gemstone-shaped digging brick, your treasure hunter will dig out a real amethyst crystal, a quartz crystal point and a tiger's eye specimen! This hands-on adventure science kit is a great way to start a rock and mineral collection and includes an excavation tool, brush, and magnifying glass. There’s also a wonderful full-color information guide (written by teachers) so that you can identify and learn about each gemstone. Plus there’s an activity booklet with 10 fun games, puzzles, and challenges to complete. This is a must-have gift for the rock hound or treasure hunter in your family!

My Review:

I recently had the chance to review a Gemstone Dig Kit.  I gave it to my eleven year old daughter, Savanna, who was thrilled to dig into it.  She has always had an interest in collecting rocks and is always looking for treasures so I knew this would be right up her alley.

The instructions were simple.  Use the tools to excavate three stones after you lay down newspaper.  She started chipping away at the large "gem" which was made of plaster of paris type of substance.  I see why they said to put newspaper down because it made a powdery mess all over.  She finally hit her first stone about halfway through.  After digging a little more, the second appeared.  The last one was harder to find since it was the smallest.  But, she finally found it.

After they were all rinsed off, we compared them to the photo on the kit.  The Quartz Crystal looked almost like the photo.  The Tiger's Eye was similar but the Amethyst was much smaller and lacked color.  I don't know if she broke it off somehow or if it was just like that.  She was happy with all of them anyways and thought they were all cool. 

She read about all of the stones in the Adventure Guide and did several activities in the Activity Book.  She even asked for another one of these kits for Christmas!  It took her about an hour to dig out all of the stones so I think it is well worth the price of $11.99.  She really enjoyed it.  I would definitely recommend this kit to anyone who has a child that has an interest in rocks.  Discover with Dr. Cool has several other dig kits as well.  Check out the website or follow them on Facebook, or Twitter.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Help Your Child Overcome Learning Difficulties With the Learning Success Program (Review)

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Is your child having trouble in school?
The Learning Success Program is a simple do-at-home program that will show you how to find the core problems and overcome them. Learning is made up of basic core skills. There are 16 of them in all. Typical learning difficulties are small weaknesses in a combination of two or three of these skills. It helps overcome learning difficulties such as:

• Dyslexia Dyscalculia Dysgraphia ADD/ADHD

Each of these terms simply means that there is a weakness in two or more of these basic learning skills. But it doesn't define which. Once you get started in the course you'll quickly find the trouble spots. Once you do that your child will be on the path to learning success. You will learn simple exercises that strengthen the skills needed for successful learning. Modern scientific breakthroughs have discovered a number of methods for overcoming these problems. Once you do your child will actually enjoy homework.

The normal price for this course is $564.

The course is delivered via email and you will receive emails each day with exercises you simply print out and do with your child. It takes approximately 15-20 minutes, 3-5 days per week. Results are typically seen starting at about 3 months but can come earlier. Severe problems will take approximately 1 year to overcome. Exercises will be delivered daily unless you cancel.

My Review:

I recently had the opportunity to review the Learning Success Program with my daughter.  She has trouble focusing on anything for more than a few minutes and is borderline ADHD.  I was willing to try anything to help make learning easier since she doesn't like to pay attention in school.  The first few exercises we did were fun for her and she actually wanted to do the same ones everyday.  As we continued on, she lost track and got bored with it.  Some of them were still fun but she didn't want to do some.  I keep printing them and some days we do several pages.  The downfall is it uses a lot of paper.  Some exercises require many pages of paper to be printed off so a dry erase marker and a clear sheet is definitely a must so you can reuse them.  I can't tell if it is helping her yet since we have only been doing it for a few weeks but I know it's not hurting her!  It says results can typically be seen at about three months so we'll see.  If you have a student who needs help learning, check out the Learning Success Program blog or follow them on Facebook or Twitter.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Join Thrively for free and discover the full extent of your child's strengths

With Thrively, parents can uncover their children's hidden strengths and introduce them to a wide range of activities that are uniquely right for them.  Simply take a quick survey to determine your child's "strength" profile and get matched up with activity recommendations that they may enjoy.  Watch the video below to learn more....

My Review:

I just signed my kids up with Thrively.  It was completely free to create an account and I could add both of my kids.  They each took a simple survey to determine their "strength" profile.  This basically determined what they were interested in.  The survey was fun but made them use their head as well.  After the survey was over, I could go back in and see a list of places to go and things to do that they may be interested in.  Many of the places are in our area and some are online activities.  I loved this because it pulled up places that I had never hears of that are not far away that they would love to visit.  It was perfect at finding my kids' interests.  I would definitely recommend Thrively to anyone who wants to find things to do with their children based on their strengths.  

TickleMe Plants are the only plant that moves when you tickle it! (Review and Giveaway)

TickleMe Plant

GROW the ONLY House and Garden Plant that MOVES……… When You Tickle it…..and you’ll never look at plants in the same way!  See it in action below... 

 

My Review:

 

I recently had the chance to review 5 packets of TickleMe Plant Seeds.  I just planted my first packet with the kids and should have plants within three weeks.  There were 25 seeds in the pack.  We had to soak the seeds in warm water for one day then place 3-4 seeds in each plant pot.  I will post a new picture on here as soon as we have plants that we can tickle!  I think these plants look like they will be so much fun to have around the house.  I'm glad I came across them and would recommend them to anyone.  They are 100% guaranteed to grow and move when tickled!  They retail for $5.50 per packet or you can buy different sets.  Check out the website for all of the current offers.  You can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.

 

Giveaway:

 

One lucky winner will receive 5 packets of TickleMe Plants.  To enter, just fill out the Rafflecopter form below.  Open to US only.  Thank you for entering & good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Disclosure:  I was provided free products for review purposes and not compensated in any other way.  My thoughts are my own.

Little Pim Review & Discount Code

 

Little Pim’s award-winning language learning program for kids makes it fun and easy for children to learn a second language. With 11 different languages to choose from, Little Pim can help your child develop a lifelong love of language learning.

The program includes digital videos, DVDs, flash cards, books, and music CDs to keep kids engaged and entertained as they learn a foreign language.

Being bilingual has become more important than ever. And scientific research shows that learning a foreign language comes naturally for children when they start at an early age. That’s why Little Pim is designed to teach kids a second language at the time they learn best: from ages 0-6.
 

 

My Review:

 

 

I was given the chance to review Little Pim in any language.  I chose Spanish because there are a lot of Hispanics in our area that don't speak English.  My kids are always asking "what are they saying?" when a child tries to talk to them.  I thought this would be a good way to get my daughter started with learning Spanish.  I was sent the I Can Count - Video 6 DVD.  I also have friends who have kids that are 3-5 years old that watch this almost every time they are over at our house.  They all love it and are learning so much!  Even though it is made for children aged 0-6, my 10 year old still watches it and learns from it.  She already knew how to count to ten in Spanish but this has taught her how to speak the words properly and has taught her many new words.  This video teaches 60 words on it.  Kids learn from seeing the picture as well as seeing & hearing the word.  Little Pim is available in Spanish, French, Chinese, Italian, German, Japanese, Arabic, Hebrew, Russian, English, & Portuguese.  You can buy the DVD's separately or with books, flashcards, & plush toys. 

I would definitely recommend Little Pim to anyone who wants to get their little one started early on learning another language.  It makes a great gift as well!  Check out the website or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, or Youtube.

 

 

My readers can get a 20% discount on any Little Pim product on the website. Use the code LPHOLIDAY when you check out.

 

Disclosure:  I was provided a free product for review purposes and not compensated in any other way.  My thoughts are my own. 

Gift Guide #3 - Klutz Children's Books Review

 

 

Klutz was incorporated in 1977 in Palo Alto, California, by three friends from Stanford University. They began by selling sidewalk juggling lessons along with a trio of no-bounce bean bags. A week's effort earned the group $35. It was then they realized the sky was the limit.   

    John Cassidy, the English major of the group, put the instructions in book form and titled it Juggling for the Complete Klutz.  The first 3,000 books were distributed via bicycle and backpack, and sales grew from there.

 

Today, how-to books from Klutz come packaged with the tools of their trade (from juggling cubes to face paints to yo-yos), and are designed for doing, not just reading.  Klutz is a fixture on U.S. book and toy bestseller lists, and is available in 24 countries around the world.  Having expanded the offerings to include Klutz Toys, Klutz Kits, Klutz Buckets, Klutz Guides and, in 2001, an educational product line, Cassidy seems to have an unlimited supply of ideas.

 

In 2002, Scholastic Inc., the largest children's book publisher and distributor in the world, acquired Klutz. For those of you who collect corporate mission statements, here's the Klutz credo: Create wonderful things, be good, have fun.   

 

Gotcha Gadgets

 

Price: $24.99

 

What do you get when you cross a hands-on-science kit with a whoopie cushion? Gotcha Gadgets, a set of customizable, constructible electronic gizmos along with an entire book of games, pranks, and jokes that make the most of them. Follow simple instructions to make a door alarm, motion sensor, light sensor, or push-button sound machine, and then program it with one of four funny sounds. 9-volt battery required. Not included.

Comes with: circuit board (with speaker, LED, component wires, battery clip, photodetector, and switches), switch pin, alligator clip, gadget dock and case, 6 double-sided gadget covers

For ages 8 and up
Written By: Ben Grossblatt & the Scientists of Klutz labs

UPC: 7-30767-44933-9

Fashion Forms

 

Price: $24.99

 

Create fully formed, three-dimensional outfits that are amazing from any angle. Fashion Forms comes with innovative plastic guides that you use like real sewing patterns to trace and cut the included designer papers. Mix and match to make tops, skirts, coats, and more. Embellish your fashions, accessorize, then display on the custom hangers and dress stands.

Comes with: 3 dress stands, 5 hangers, 20 sheets of double-sided patterned paper, tissue paper, pattern pieces, stencils, ribbon, clear cording, sequins, glue

For ages 8 and up
Written By: April Chorba

UPC: 7-30767-44935-3

 

Star Wars Folded Flyers

 

Price:$19.99

For the first time ever, you can fold Star Wars® flyers that fly with the force. Star Wars® Folded Flyers will speed through the living room as well as they do in outer space. That's because each of the six-starfighter designs has been rigorously tested by the Klutz Aerodynamics Team. And they look as great as they fly, because they're made from full-color, custom-designed papers - representing galactic vehicle exteriors, authentic to the last bolt. With five copies of each design, kids can have a fleet of Y-wings and X-wings at their command.

Comes with: 36 sheets of custom-designed paper, tape, 6 foldable display strands

For ages 8 and up
Written By: Benjamin Harper and The Scientists of Klutz Labs

UPC: 7-30767-39634-3

 

 

My Review

 

I recently had the opportunity to review the three books mentioned above with my children.  Our family is already a big fan of Scholastic/Klutz books and these additions are no exception.  Every few weeks, my daughter brings home a book order from school with about thirty items circled that she wants.  I love the fact that she loves to read but I cannot buy her hundreds of books every month.  I always let her pick out a few to order at school and we shop at the school book fairs.  It is great that I can make note of items that she really wants and then order them on the Klutz website for Christmas gifts.  My kids really enjoyed using these hands-on books to create fun masterpieces.  My son used the Gotcha Gadgets Kit to create a door alarm for his bedroom so he knew when his sister was intruding.  He also had unique and unusual airplanes flying all over my house with the Star Wars Folded Flyers Kit.  He is not a Star Wars fan but he absolutely loved this book!  My daughter is a little fashionista in the making with her Fashion Forms Kit.  She has came up with some very creative fashion designs and I could imagine seeing them on the runways in the future!  I would definitely recommend Klutz to anyone looking for creative children's books.  They make great gifts and can be ordered online.  If you sign up to become a Klutz insider, you can receive 25% off your first purchase!  Check them out at www.klutz.com.

 

Follow Klutz on Facebook.

 

Disclosure:  I was provided free products for review purposes and not compensated in any other way.  My thoughts are my own.

Imagination Box Co. Review + Going out of business sale

Imagination Box Co. is going out of business! 

Everything is 70% off!

Our green toys are made with sturdy double-walled corrugated board, these toys are extremely durable and made to last!

Toys are printed inside and out with Imagination Box Co.'s own unique and original play time designs

Each paintable toy comes with its own free set of washable, non-toxic water color paints

Easily accepts marker, crayons and stickers

Craft and creative toys are great for both individual and cooperative play

Makes a great child's birthday party gift

Wonderful as green Christmas gifts

These unique USA made, green, eco-friendly arts and crafts toys will provide your child with tons of creative & pretend play long after the decorating and painting fun is over

Castle Tower $11.70

Schoolhouse $7.49

Country Barn $8.99

My Review:

I recently had my choice of items to review from Imagination Box Co.  I let my son pick this time.  He chose the Country Barn because he loves to play with tractors.  I received this the day he left for Kentucky to stay with my mom for a few weeks.  Since I have a deadline to meet with posting this, I'm not going to be able to show our actual painted barn.  I will post a picture when he gets home and gets it painted.  I know he will enjoy painting it and playing with it.  It measures 21 x 24 x 15 inches so it is quite large.  I'm just not sure there will be enough paint to cover it all but we have more paint if it don't.  It will make a great activity for any child to create their own masterpiece.  At these prices, they won't last long!  Hurry over and check out the selection at www.imaginationboxco.com.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Glee Gum Make Your Own Candy Kits Review & Giveaway

Glee kits are available in Make Your Own Chocolate, Make Your
Own Chewing Gum, and Make Your Own Gummies. These activity kits are all-natural, educational, and eco-friendly. With pre-packaged ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, everyone aged 8 and up gets a real kick out of making candy from scratch. Focusing on the history behind and the origin of these candies, each kit is designed to captivate your interest, connect you to the global community, and create something yummy to eat in the process!

Retail: $13.00 

My Review:

I recently had the opportunity to review a Glee Gum make your own candy kit.  I chose the Chewing Gum kit because my kids are major gum chewers. 

The picture above is everything that was included in the kit.  It had 2 flavors that we could make (bubble gum & strawberry).  I let each one of my kids make a flavor.  I was also told that we could experiment with the flavors with jello or kool-aid but we didn't this time.  We just followed the instructions that were very simple to follow.  My kids basically followed them by themselves.  They needed a little help cutting the gum into pieces (see below pic).

  

They enjoyed making their own gum and being able to share it with their friends.  The gum had great flavor but didn't last very long.  That is the only negative that I found.  Maybe if we tried our own flavors, it would last longer. 

I am looking forward to trying the other Glee candy kits and recommend that you check them out as well at www.gleegum.com.  You can find a store that carries these products near you by using this link... http://www.gleegum.com/retail-stores-locator.htm.

Giveaway:

Glee has sponsored a giveaway for one lucky winner to receive your choice of candy kits.  To enter, just fill out the Rafflecopter form below.  Open to the continental US only.  All entries will be verified!  Thanks for entering & good luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  I was provided a free product for review purposes and not compensated in any other way.  My thoughts are my own. 

Giantmicrobes Review & Giveaway!

About Giantmicrobes

Founded in 2002, our mission here at Giantmicrobes Inc. is to produce unique and interesting gifts for children and adults alike.
Whether your interest is educational, medical, or just plain old entertainment, we're your number one source for all things microbial!

 

My Review

Giantmicrobes recently contacted me and offered me to do a review for them.  I had just found out about this company right before that.  I let my son pick out what he wanted to review.   He chose the tick though they creep me out. It is perfectly detailed to what a real tick looks like.   After looking at the website, I could think of numerous ideas to use these toys for.  They would be great for educational purposes or if you have a sense of humor, there are alot of twisted things you do with them.  They have everything you can think of like house flies, mosquitoes, viruses like cold & flu, all of the STD's, & they even have sperm!  Some items even come in giant size.  They really are interesting if you think about it.  There are also many other products besides plush toys.  Check them out at www.giantmicrobes.com. 

  

Giveaway

Giantmicrobes has sponsored a giveaway for one lucky winner to receive a sample of their favorite giantmicrobe like I reviewed.  To enter,  just fill out the Rafflecopter form below.  Open to US only.  Thanks for entering & good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  I was provided a free product for review purposes & was not compensated in any other way.  My thoughts are my own.