Attention UK Readers -- Back to School Must Haves -- Fruit Shoot Smencils Scented Pencils (Review)

One of my favorite things as a kid was picking up fun and unique school supplies.  I remember when the multicolor pens and pens with highlighters were big. Kids would rush to the stores to pick up school supplies based on what they were seeing other friends and classmates using.  I was never big on the folders with celebrities, but did have a trapper keeper covered in stickers.  Didn't you? :-)  

Even though Savannah is not heading off to school just yet, I did come across a fun product that would make any child happy to include in their backpacks -- Robinsons Fruit Shoot Smencils, which are available at Learning Resources online.  So, what is it about these pencils?  Well, first off they are chunkier than the average pencil, making them great for little hands and beginning writers.  Then, they come in a plastic tube, which is made from biodegradable plastic.  I forgot to mention that the pencils themselves are made from 100% recycled paper. :-)  But, the cool thing about these pencils is that they are scented.  Now, I have bought and used scented pencils in past and was disappointed with the strength of the scent.  After one pencil sharpening and a days use, the pencils no longer smelled.  Or, if they did, they didn't smell like the fruit scents were supposed to.  

Buy now for only £5.99 (inc VAT)

“Draw” children’s attention with these unique environmentally friendly Smencils®: scented graphite pencils made from 100% recycled newspaper! These special new scents have been created in collaboration with Robinsons® Fruit Shoots™

• Perfect for
  • birthday presents
  • party bags
  • stocking fillers
• Reward good behaviour
• Encourage children to write
• Set contains five graphite pencils
• Includes the five popular Fruit Shoot scents:
• Tropical
• Orange
• Apple
• Summer Fruits
• Blackcurrant & Apple
• Each Smencil stores in its own biodegradable tube, guaranteeing freshness for two years

So, when I was sent a package of gourmet scented Smencils to try, I couldn't wait to see how they compared to other scented pencils I had purchased in the past.  Upon taking each pencil out of their recycled plastic tube, you could instantly smell the fresh fruity scents.  No, they were not overpowering and smelled up a room.  But, they were pleasant to smell as you wrote.  I have been using the samples set for over a week now and haven't noticed the scent dwindling away.  Instead, they smell as fresh and fruity as the first day I used them. I especially love the summer fruits and blackcurrant and apple scent.  Kids will go crazy with these fruit scented pencils, and they will definitely make for a fun discussion with friends.  Who knows?  Maybe your non-writers will turn to writing or at least doodling just to use their Smencils pencils.  

What are you waiting for?  Head on over to the Learning Resource online store and order your Smencils today.  And, when you are done, make sure you enter the Facebook Competition for your chance to win one of ten sets of Robinsons Fruit Shoot Smencils.  Click here to learn more about the competition and how to enter -- http://dmtrk.com/t/17PJ-WJB5-73PSBC-CMLUQ-1/c.aspx.

Act fast at it ends on Friday, September 7, 2012.  Good luck! Note: This competition is only open to UK Residents.

Disclosure:  I was sent a sample from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.

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Back to School Must Haves -- KleenSlate Hand-Held Whiteboards (Review)

CLOSED. CONGRATS TO DONNA!!!!

With school starting right around the corner, do I have the perfect school supply, that everyone from students to teachers can use.  I am talking about KleenSlate's line of 2-sided hand-held whiteboards, snap in marker & eraser.  

"Originally invented for education, the response paddles have been proven to improve retention and raise test scores, as well as save teachers time and paper while making learning fun! However, they are more than just educational tools.  They are also perfect to have at home, or on the go. Whether you use them to play fun games, cheer for your favorite sports team, write a message, practice school work or to take fun photos, they are a must have... take them with you in the car, on the plain, camping and more. The 2-sided dry erase paddles are fun and easy to use!"

I was sent their hand-held whiteboards to sample and loved them.  There were so many uses for this educational tool. For instance, I used the boards to introduce letters and numbers to Savannah.  Then, when I was tending to her sister, Savannah tried out her drawing skills by doodling on the whiteboards.  She was so excited to show off her artwork, as she ran around the house holding the KleenSlate paddles out in front of her for all to see.  In addition, I pulled out these paddles for family game night and used them to play Pictionary and other fun games.  We had a blast doodling and holding the paddles up in front of us, as we tried to guess people and things were describing, which were written on the front of the paddles.  

 

My husband even found use for these KleenSlate paddles for his Toastmaster's group.  They used the paddles for a variety of ice breaking sessions.  No one in the group had seen or heard about these 2-sided whiteboards, but were so glad they got to try them out firsthand.  The group had invested in other mini whiteboards before, but were disappointed with the quality and ease of use with them.  After a handful of times, they would find the dry erase markers not wiping fully clean from the boards, or showing up that well.  I also find this with the whiteboards we have in the house.  But, after trying out these whiteboards, and putting them through various uses, including toddler handling, they are holding up great! :-)  And, my husband also used the paddles during brainstorming meetings, and found them to be more useful than just pencil and paper. It kept people engaged and eager to share their thoughts in a fun way.

Prior to becoming a stay-at-home mom, I used to go into schools and do health fairs and health-based seminars for the children.  If only I had known about these paddles.  They would have come in handy for the fun games and displays I would set up.  I shared these paddles with friends it the healthcare field and they thought of some great uses for them, including giving to patients who are receiving cancer treatment and are unable to speak, those who lose their voices or can't speak, and to cheer up pediatric patients by drawing funny faces and pictures.  I wish I had them when I was going through cancer treatment a few years back, as the radiation caused me to have difficult talking.  I was scribbling on scraps of paper when I need to ask for something.  These wipe off boards would have been more practical and Eco-friendly. 

Looking for a way to keep children entertained in the car this summer during long drives?  Pick up packs of KleenSlate paddles and have them play fun backseat games.  They will have a blast coming up with games to play with siblings, or simply doodling during the drive.  And, if camping is your thing, these pads can make rainy days fun.  Children can take the paddles out in nature and draw animals and plants they see, play Mad Libs, or just jot down memories of their adventures.  

So, as you can see, KleenSlate whiteboards are so versatile that the purchase of a set will pay for themselves in no time.  You will find so many fun and educational uses for these paddles, as we have.  And, I bet friends and family who see and try them out will want to get a set for themselves.  What are you waiting for?  Head on over to the KleenSlate website to order a pack of KleenSlate's rectangular paddles for only $15.99.


Don't forget to follow KleenSlate on Facebook and Twitter for news and special offers.  

---BUY NOW---

Click here to order KleenSlate products for your family today -- www.kleenslate.com.

--FLASH GIVEAWAY--

One lucky reader will win two 2-Packs of rectangular paddles (retail - $15.99 each), thanks to the folks at KleenSlate.  This giveaway will be a 24 hr. flash giveaway, so enter now for your chance to win this must have back-to-school must have.  

To enter, please do the following, and then email me when you are done.

1) Head on over to KleenSlate and let me know something else you learned about the company or product line.

2) Head on over to Facebook and "like" their fan page -- http://www.facebook.com/KleenSlate

3) Follow KleenSlate on Twitter -- https://twitter.com/#!/KleenSlate01

In your email, please include your Facebook and Twitter usernames so that I can verify your entries.  Good luck!

Rules: This giveaway will run from 12AM EST, July 18th through 12AM EST, July 19th.  Giveaway is open to US residents only, no PO Boxes.  Winner will have 48 hrs. to contact me in order to confirm prize.  If I don't hear from winner within this time, then another winner will be drawn.

Disclosure: I was sent samples from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.

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