Disclosure: I was sent a sample from Horizon Group USA in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.
It seems that as my girls get older it is gets harder to shop for them, especially for the holidays. They are reluctant to put together a wish list to help me shop for them. And, they are at the point I need to bring them clothes shopping, as they don't like anything I pick out for them, as I lack taste and pick uncool clothes. Go figure. After asking what they wanted this year for Christmas, all I got was phones or tablets, which they already have. So, I am left with either getting them gift cards so they can shop for themselves, or find things I know they will like once they sit down and start using it. STEM and craft kits are always a hit with them, especially with the colder weather setting in, as they prefer to be inside where it's warm, rather than outside. But, being inside gets them so bored...unless they have something to keep them busy -- that isn't device or video game related. Thanks to STEM and craft kits from Horizon Group USA, my girls are always entertained and create such amazing things with their kits. Just the other day, my girls got their craft on, while learning about science concepts including crystalization, saturation and solutions with the YOUniverse Crystal Growing Unicorn STEAM Activity Kit for Kids from Horizon Group USA.
"Discover just how magical science can be with the YOUniverse Crystal-Growing Unicorn kit! Follow the easy-to-understand instructions to whip up your crystal-growing solution. Then, pour it into the provided container and watch the crystallization process in action as a simple chemical reaction occurs, resulting in gorgeous crystal formations on the 3D unicorn figurine!
Once your crystals grow big and beautiful, discover how science and style come together — transform color pigments into paint and bring your unicorn’s magic to life! Recommended for ages 8 & up.
YOU*niverse Crystal Growing Unicorn Kit:
With a bit of chemistry and a lot of creativity, you can grow crystals on a unicorn and design sparkling room décor!
The YOUniverse Crystal-Growing Unicorn set includes everything you need to grow crystals on a unicorn figurine, including a ready-to-go crystal-growing mixture and a container that lets you watch the crystals grow!
Explore the color spectrum and create every color of the rainbow by combining the provided dyes in the paint palette — mix yellow and blue to make green, pink and blue for purple, and pink with yellow for coral!
From crystallization to evaporation and thermodynamics — this STEAM kit makes learning fun and stylish!
Encourage curiosity and exploration into the exciting world of science with a bonus poster full of engaging content and fun facts — hang it anywhere you please!
Whether you’re looking for an easy-peasy homeschool science project or a fun weekend activity, this science kit is perfect for any learner ages 8 and up!
Kit Includes: 1 Unicorn Figurine (4 in. x 2.2 in. x 4.875 in.), 1 Bag of Alum Powder (6 oz), 1 Crystal-Growing Container (5.53 in. x 3.83 in. x 5.5 in.), 3 Coloring Dyes (1 Yellow, 1 Pink, 1 Blue), 1 Iridescent Glitter Packet (1 g), 1 Acrylic Paint Pot (Metallic) 3 mL, 1 Mixing Stick, 1 Paintbrush, 1 Paint Palette, Easy-to-Follow Instructions
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Both of my girls were so excited to find the YOUniverse Crystal Growing Unicorn STEAM activity kit along with the sensory sand the folks at Horizon Group USA sent our way to review the other day. My oldest had seen this kit at Walmart and was planning to ask for it for Christmas, or use her money the next time we went to the store and pick up, as she loves crystal growing kits, and loved how this combined crystal along with painting -- two things she absolutely LOVES! And, seeing just how excited she was to try out the kit, my youngest wanted me to pick her up her own crystal growing unicorn kit, so that they she, too, could grow her own crystals on this ceramic unicorn, and display and admire it in her room. So, I ran to Walmart and picked up a second kit, and for part of our homeschooling the other day, the girls prepped their STEAM kits, and then set them aside to let the crystals grow overnight.
While we waited for the crystals to grow, we took a look at the color poster included with the STEAM kit, to learn more about the different processes that are occurring with the crystalization process. Who knew that crafting could be so much fun...and educational?! Whenever my girls do a YOUniverse STEAM kit, they love what they make, and forget they are learning important science processes and concepts...as it is so much fun!
This crystal growing unicorn kit didn't disappoint with my girls. They both agreed it was easy to prep their unicorn, and then the next day when they woke, their unicorn was covered in crystals.
But, I have to say, my favorite part was when they started using the paintbrush and color dye paints and adding color to the crystals, that their unicorns really popped and looked super cool.
They couldn't wait to snap photos of their painted crystal unicorns and share with friends in their messenger -- who then had their moms message me to ask where they could get the kit so their girls could make one, too. And, whenever the girls have an opportunity to show and tell with their online classes, they are both quick to grab their YOUniverse Crystal Growing Unicorn to show off, and explain the science concepts behind it. I love hearing the girls get excited to share all they learned about crystalization, saturation and solutions, and then have a beautiful final product to show off. This crystal unicorn really is a sight to see. Now I want one, too! :-)
With the holidays fast approaching, why not take the guess work out of what to get that tween/teen in your life, and pick them up a YOUniverse Crystal Growing Unicorn STEAM kit. They will have so much fun watching the crystals grow, before adding some paint dye, and then admiring it on their desk or shelf in their room. We have done several YOUniverse STEAM kits, but this one is by far my girls' favorite. You can learn more about this and other fun YOUniverse products by visiting https://www.horizongroupusa.com/steam/. And, you can find these science meet style kits at Target, Walmart and Amazon.
Disclosure: I was sent a sample from Horizon Group USA in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.
Disclosure: I was sent samples as part of the Horizon Group USA Blogger program, in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.
(Available in a variety of colors -- collect them all!)
Looking for a fun sensory gift for your kids this holiday season? Look no further than Slimy Sand Aqua Splash from Horizon Group USA. This sensory play sand can be stretched, shaped, sliced and crushed. And, if that wasn't enough, it can also be used in and out water.
The kind folks at Horizon Group USA sent along a 1.5 lb reusable bucket of their aqua blue play sand for my girls to help me to review the other day, and they both all smiles when they saw the bucket, as they knew they would be in for hours of fun, molding, stretching, shaping, etc. this product. :-)
More about Slimy Sand Aqua Splash Sensory Play Sand:
"Stretch it. Shape it. Slice it. Crush it! Dive into a world of water play fun with Slimy Sand Aqua Splash™, the sensory play sand that’s stretchable and moldable in and out of water! With 1.5 lbs. of vibrant blue Slimy Sand Aqua Splash inside a reusable bucket — this tactile playset makes for endless sensory fun!
Open up the bucket, reach in and grab the Slimy Sand Aqua Splash, and feel the difference — it molds like sand, but stretches like SLIMYGLOOP®! Fill the bucket with water and begin molding, stretching, slicing, and crushing the
Slimy Sand Aqua Splash under the water! When you’re all finished playing, wring out the water from the sand, let it air-dry, then store it in the resealable bucket! Collect every color and pair with impression plates, rollers, molds, and more!"
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Look at all the colors you can collect and play with :-)
I really like how this sensory play sand comes in a reusable container as we have owned other play sand and it comes in a plastic bag you have to cut open, and then are left with finding a storage container to keep the sand in once your kids are done playing with it. I have found in these instances, they forget to zip the storage bags I give them, and then I find the play sand all over the house; or, they forget to put the sand away, and I end up throwing it out. But, with this reusable bucket, which can also be used to mold and shape the sensory play sand like if you were at the beach and sculpting a castle with a water pail, my girls know to pick up after themselves and put their sand back in the bucket and top with the lid. Then, they can bring to their rooms or put on the shelf, so it is there and ready when they want to play with the sensory play sand again.
Both of my girls really liked how this play sand can be played with wet or dry. And, they were both impressed with how you can stretch it one minute, and then mold it the next. It really does stretch really far...and, the girls like seeing who can stretch the farthest. We have had the 1.5 lb. bucket of Slimy Sand Aqua Splash sensory play sand for a few days now, and it continues to be played with my by my girls. I ended up going online after the first night of play, to order more colors for the girls.
We got the pink color today, so now they each have a bucket of play sand to play with, and are looking forward to school ending today, so that they can sit at the dining room table and play with their play sand, and trying out cookie cutters and molds we picked up at the craft store.
With the holiday fast approaching Slimy Sand Aqua Splash sensory play sand would make for a great stocking stuffer, or to fill as basket with a few different colors, molds and play utensils for an extra special and fun sensory experience for your kids.
My girls are hoping Santa brings more colors for them to collect and play with, and can't stop raving about Slimy Sand Aqua Splash to their friends, who now want some for themselves, as they think it is so cool that you can stretch it, get wet, mold and do so many things with it. You can learn more about this super fun play sand by visiting https://www.slimygloop.com/.
Disclosure: I was sent samples as part of the Horizon Group Blogger program, in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.
Disclosure: I was provided with sample from Horizon Group USA to facilitate my review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.
It is hard to find a child who doesn't love all the different surprise toys available. But, if you have to been to the stores lately and walked down the toy aisles, it is hard to decide which of these fun surprise/mystery toys to get your child. There really are so many to count, and they all vary in price and quality of product. My girls will save up their allowance just to buy a bling bag or surprise toy, in hopes of completing a series. They have found out through trial and error which surprise toys are worth buying and collecting. I have also found which ones my girls really like and the ones they don't -- the ones they don't will end up on the floor for me to kick around or step on. Ugh! With the holidays fast approaching, many kids will be adding blind bags and surprise toys to their wish lists. I know this as these found their way at the top of both of my girls' lists. Some they are specific on, while they also left room for Santa to surprise them with any new ones that he and the elves may be working on in the toy shop. One surprise toy that both of my girls were specific in asking for was the Vendees Surprise D.I.Y. Dispensers from Horizon Group USA. Recently, we were sent a sample for each of my girls to try out, and they absolutely LOVED it!
Here is more about the new Vendees Surprise D.I.Y. Dispensers from Horizon Group USA, which is a must have toy for kids of all ages, who love crafting and surprise collectible toys... "Unravel your Vendees box and uncover multiple surprises and activities featured in the Vendees holographic Unicorn Paintable kit! Pull on colorful tabs to reveal surprises such as trinkets, toys and more! Once you have finished unraveling your box, begin the featured activity of embellishing your whimsical Unicorn sculpture with vibrant paint, sparkling glitter, and an easy-to-use paint brush to add an eye-catching holographic effect. Express your creativity As you learn to mix paint colors for new hues that make your details pop! Recommended for ages 6 and up."
First, retrieve your 6 surprises from the Vendees Surprise D.I.Y. Dispenser....
Then, paint your magical unicorn with the paints, glitter and brush included in the kit...
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Like I mentioned above, there are so many blind bag/surprise toys available, many of which as a parent I feel are a waste of money, as they are poorly made or not worth the money. But, after seeing the Vendees Surprise D.I.Y. Dispensers, I was wowed by this fun product, which contains 6 surprises that are dispensed from the box like a vending machine, along with a HOLO UNICORN to paint. So, not only do kids get a fun arts and crafts product to paint, but they also get 6 surprises. Currently, there are six vending machine themes available:
Atomic Rainbow
Far Out Fantasy
Go Wild!
Holo Unicorn
Snack Attack
Sweet Treat
Each of the above mentioned themes are set up the same way, with a paintable figurine to collect and display, as well as dispense and reveal 6 surprises inside the vending machine dispenser style box. The DIY dispenser box of these Vendees toys really is cool. I found myself wishing something like this was available when I was a kid, as I would have been asking Santa for all the themes to enjoy and collect.
My girls really had a blast not only painting their unicorns, but also dispensing and revealing their 6 surprises to go with the unicorn theme.
Everything you need to paint the unicorn is included in the box -- 1 sculpture, 4 paint tubes, 4 glitter, 1 sticker sheet and 1 paint brush.
As far as what surprises you get with the Vendees Holo Unicorn DIY dispenser, each of my girls got the following:
1 scrunchie
1 key chain
1 finished bracelet
1 ring
1 blind bag with 1 coin and 1 scratch off sticker
They were both all smiles as they painted their magical unicorn figures, which are now sitting up on their dressers to admire. And, when it came time to dispense their surprises and goodies, they kept letting out shrieks of excitement with each capsule drop and reveal. Seeing just how excited they were with the Vendees Holo Unicorn vending machine, I was quick to head on over to Amazon to order the 5 other themed vending machines to wrap and surprise them come Christmas morning. I knew way before they added more Vendees to their wish lists, that they would be asking for more, as they couldn't stop talking about how cool the Vendees surprise DIY dispenser is, and how it is not like the other surprise/blind bag collectibles they have bought or collected. They even have their friends asking Santa for Vendees, as they got them excited about this product from Horizon Group USA, after showing them the vending machine box and the paintable figurine that comes with it, along with all their surprise gifts. I was surprised that many of their friends had never heard about Vendees before, but now they do, and like my girls and so many other kids, they are adding Vendees to their wish lists in hopes Santa brings them at least one of the 6 themes to enjoy.
You can learn more about the Vendees Surprise D.I.Y Dispensers by visiting the Horizon Group USA website here: https://www.horizongroupusa.com/. And, right now you can score the Holo Unicorn themed Vendees vending machine over at Amazon for only $13.59. They also have the other 5 themes available for purchase, but those are all priced at $19.99. This isn't a bad price based on all the goodies you get with this well-made DIY dispenser. But, if you are on the fence after seeing your kids go through so many poorly made blind bag/surprise toys, this is a great deal to pick up the Holo Unicorn theme and see why my girls LOVED it so much, and want the other 5 themes from Vendees. Hurry as Amazon is always quick to change up their pricing, and this will probably go back up to $19.99 like the others sometime soon.
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