Holiday Gift Ideas -- Discovery Kids Toys Make Learning Fun with Their of Toys for All Ages (Review)

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

As you gear up to shop for your kids this weekend, I wanted to make sure you were aware of other wonderful Discovery Kids toys that would be perfect under the tree gifts.  In addition to the Discovery Kids View-Master Gift Set we were sent, the girls and I have been busy playing around and having fun with a few other wonderful educational toys from Discovery Kids.  I don't know about you, but when it comes to choosing gifts for my kids, I try to look for toys that will not only grow with the and keep them engaged for longer than a few minutes, but they also have an educational aspect to them.  I have found that Discovery Kids offers an exceptional line of products that make learning and exploring fun for my girls.  

First up is the Discovery Kids 2-in-1 4x LED Starlight Lantern, which is perfect for kids showing an interest in astronomy, or simply as a gift to help light up the night at bedtime, in your child's room.

Ages 5+           SRP  $19 .99

"This lantern is a dual function LED light and star projector in one! Projects stars to create your own indoor night sky. Convenient fold-down carry handle for easy transport. Dome casts a glowing star field onto walls and ceilings. Switches from a 4-LED lantern to cosmic star projector. Dual-function great for indoor camping, bedtime stories and playtime."

What I loved most about this LED Starlight Lantern is that it can be used indoors and outdoors.  My husband has been taking the girls on mini-explorations in our backyard where they check out the animals of the night.  They will look up at the stars as they walk around listening for sounds and the animals that are making them. 

 

The girls have so much fun when my husband tells them to grab their lantern, as they know that they will be in for  a treat of outside exploration.  Then, when they come inside, the LED Starlight Lantern is perfect for indoor camping or simply to shine a light in the girls' room by casting a starry night on their ceiling.

A great feature of this LED Lantern is that is the perfect size for little hands.  It is not too clunky or hard to turn on and off. It also fits nicely on my daughter's bedside table or dresser, without taking up much space.  And, the fold-down handle is also a great feature, making transport or packing to bring on overnight adventures, easier.

Another fun toy from Discovery Kids is the Digital Squish Camera, that comes in a variety of colors (pink, purple, blue and green), so that boys and girls can enjoy the joys of photography.  

Out of my two girls, Bella is the one who loves who loves to grab my camera or phone and start taking pictures of things. I can't tell you how many times I have reached for my phone only to find my wallpaper changed to a photo I didn't take, or go into my camera app and see an assortment of selfies and up close eye and nose photos that Bella has snapped.  Knowing how much she loves to take photos, I have been searching for a more kid-friendly camera that takes great quality photos, but will also hold up to a young child playing with it, and potentially dropping it.  My search led me to the Discovery Kids Digital Squish Camera.

My daughter is only little so I love that this durable camera is easy for her to use and switch through the video and picture taking modes.  She is learning the basics of photography, while having fun trying to find things to take photos of.  She will definitely be front and center on Christmas morning with her new Discovery Kids Squish camera capturing all the special moments, so that she can show off to family and friends who will be coming for dinner.  Her face always lights up whenever she is flipping through and admiring the photos she has taken.  She impresses herself, in that she is seeing her picture taking skills improving with each and every use of her own kid-friendly camera from Discovery Kids.

This is yet another toy I found myself wishing I had when I was a child, as it was really fun and cool to play with.  Bella felt like a big girl with her own camera, which she brings around everywhere with her, as not to miss an opportunity to take photos. :-)  We have even caught her out at restaurants pulling out her camera just to take a photo of her food...makes me wonder if she has a secret Instagram or blog I don't know about. :-)

The only negative things about this camera -- even though they didn't bother Bella -- is that the video recording feature does not capture sound.  You can online take silent photos.  Bella ends up adding her own sound effects to the videos when she plays them back.  Also, this camera also lacks a flash, so you need to be sure you in a well-lit room to take photos that will come out clear.  

With the ability to hold over 100 images, this camera with its full-color 1.5" LCD display, is perfect for kids who love to take photos.  The soft molded grips and built-in carry strap make it perfect for on the go photo and video taking.  And, if by chance your child drops the camera, it is kid-strong to hold up to even the roughest of play.  I know this firsthand as Bella has been putting it to the test and has dropped it a few times, making me gasp hoping that it didn't break.  Then, she quickly picks it up and starts laughing as she knows nothing has happened to it. :-)  


This camera also included a USB cable and installation CD so that you can download your child's pictures and videos to your company to save and treasure for years to come, or simply clear out their camera's memory for more space for picture and video taking.  If I hadn't surprised Bella with this camera before Christmas, I could definitely see this as being one of her favorite toys she would have found until the tree.  She has had this camera for over a month now and hasn't stopped using it.  

The last toy I was sent to review, and that I know will grow with the girls is the DISCOVERY KIDS TALKING USA PUZZLE.  I am lucky in that both of my girls picked up my love for problem solving and making puzzles.  Ever since they were little, they always seemed to flock to puzzle toys and could spend hours putting together and taking apart puzzles, only to do it again.

"The Discovery Kids Talking USA Puzzle identifies the state name, capital city and nickname for each of the 50 states. The 44 removable puzzle pieces help children learn geography and conveniently fit in the storage drawer. The Talking USA Puzzle also includes fun facts for the American Flag and the Statue of Liberty. The large 18”x13” format is easy to read and the easy grip handle fits different sized hands.  Includes a bonus poster with a fun fact matching game."

Everything is made better when sound is involved, especially when it comes to kid's toys.  I found that this feature make playing that much more fun and engaging. I forgot to mention to the girls when I showed the DISCOVERY KIDS TALKING USA PUZZLE for the first time.  So, as they were putting the different state pieces into the map, they made the puzzle talk.  At first they giggled, but then they got quiet to listen to what was being said.  I told them that this was not just any ordinary puzzle, but instead it was a talking puzzle that would teach them all about the USA, from identifying state and capital names, as well as fun facts about states and landmarks.  

While my girls are still a little too young to really benefit from all the knowledge this talking puzzle has to offer, they are having a blast putting the different colorful state pieces into the USA map.  Savannah loved seeing the "Georgia" puzzle piece and kept telling Bella and her friends that she was named for "Savannah" in this state.  

I did get to use the DISCOVERY KIDS TALKING USA PUZZLE with 8 and 10 year old nephew and niece, and loved watching them learn and enjoy the benefits of this puzzle.  After only a half hour of playing with it, they were telling me all about the different states, their nicknames and state capitals.  My niece even asked her mom for a DISCOVERY KIDS TALKING USA PUZZLE as she was learning about the different states and their placement on the map and this would be a perfect learning tool to practice with at home.  

If you homeschool or have a child who struggles when it comes to identifying the different states and their places on the USA map, or, like me, you like to buy toys that are fun yet educational, then you will love the DISCOVERY KIDS TALKING USA PUZZLE.  I see many more years of use and play time with this talking 44-piece puzzle, and can't wait for my girls to see the full benefit of this toy, once they enter grade school and begin to learn about geography.

So, as you can see from the above toys, Discovery Kids offers a wonderful assortment of toys for kids of all ages, that would make for great gift ideas this upcoming holiday season. Don't just give a toy that will be played with until kids get bored with it.  Instead, offer up a toy that also has an educational aspect to it, that will teach you child new things, thus in turn showing them that learning can be fun! 

To learn more about Discovery Kids and toys currently available, visit http://discoverykids.com/.

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

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Relive Your Childhood by Surprising Your Kids with a Discovery Kids View-Master Box Set (Review)

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

Buy now from Amazon for only $19.80

Do you remember a toy stood out as a favorite at the holidays when you were little?  I remember when I was about 8-9 years old, Santa brought my brothers and I our own view-masters, along with a selection of 3-D image cards for them.  We had so much that day staring up at the light looking at the 3D pictures and passing the different reels to look at.  

This was one toy that I had wished my mom had saved, as I would have loved to share this childhood favorite toy with them.  Luckily, they still make the view-master and reels, so I was able to pick one up and surprise the girls with.  In addition to the one I found online, I was also sent one from the folks at Discovery Kids, which made it perfect, as I wouldn't have to worry about the girls fighting over who gets to use the viewer.

Along with the iconic red View-master that reminded me of my childhood, the Discovery Kids box also included a storage case and three reels containing 21 3-D photos that was compatible with all View-Master views.  

Unlike the reels I remember as a child, these new reels not only contained 3-D photos, but also fun facts to go along with the pictures, which in this case were about Safari Adventures, Marine Life and Age of Dinosaurs.  Not only were the girls having fun looking at the images on the reels, but they were learning at the same time. :-)  

Another thing  found with the new View-Master viewers and reels is that the images are much brighter than when I was a kid.  Like I said, my brothers and I would have to stare up at the light just to make out the photos, but with the Discovery Kids View-master this was not the case.  You could look straight ahead and see the brighter, much more clear images.  Also, the reels were much stronger than I remember and didn't bend, which is great as Bella still likes to play rough, especially when she is having a temper tantrum, and will not be able to break as easily.

It was so much fun sharing one of my favorite childhood toys with my girls and seeing them get just as excited as my brothers and I did on Christmas morning when we found our own View-Masters under the tree.  Now, the girls are requesting more reels to continue the View-Master fun, and have even traded a few with friends at school. :-)

If you loved your View-Master growing up, and would love to share this iconic toy with them, why not pick up the Discovery Kids View-Master boxed set to share with them this upcoming holiday season.  It is perfect for kids 3+ and will make learning about animals, marine life and more that much more exciting and fun.


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

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Holiday Gift Ideas -- Creative Play Made Fun with the New Sprouts Breakfast Basket from Learning Resources -- Review and #Giveaway

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

If you were to visit our house, you would think I was running a daycare with all the toys we have. But, with two girls close in age, I have found that we  have to buy duplicate toys in order to keep them happy, as they are still working on sharing, and always want what the other is playing with.  Right now, we have 4 different kitchen sets in the house and countless accessories to go with them.  But, when it comes to the pretend food we have, I was never a fan of the ones that would come with these kitchen sets, as they didn't offer that "real food" type feel you would expect.  I remember back in the day when I was growing up and played with my kitchen set, that I would have cardboard pretend food boxes or a plastic piece with a food label stuck on it (that never seemed to stay on).  Not very imaginative for little ones I might add.  But, nowadays, I can't get over the different pretend foods they have for kids to play with.  While they still offer the cardboard sets, I have quickly become a fan of New Sprouts play food available at Learning Resources, as it looks so life-like and makes playing kitchen, grocery store, etc.,  that much more enjoyable.

Sprouts® Breakfast Basket

Start the day with freshly designed breakfast foods!

Ages 2-8

Item# : LER 9730

$24.99

• Set of 16 pieces store in a colorful, oval basket
• Basket measures approximately 8.5"L x 7"W x 4"H

----

As soon as the girls saw the New Sprouts breakfast basket and the 16 life-like play foods that came with it, they couldn't wait to play kitchen.  Included in the 16-pieces breakfast basket is the following:

• Basket
• Egg
• Glass of juice
• Berry cluster
• Cinnamon roll
• Banana
• 2 strawberries
• 2 pancakes
• Cereal in bowl
• Yogurt
• Cantaloupe Wedge
• 2 slices of bread
• Mini bagel

You really have to see this pretend food up close, as it really looks real.  While we don't eat bagels or cinnamon rolls in our house, the girls were able to tell me what they were, when we first started playing with the food items.  I held up each item and asked them to tell me what it was it, its color and asked if they liked it.  This was a great way to see how much the girls know.  With Savannah being our picky eater, I thought this breakfast basket would tempt her to want to try more things besides eggs, fruit, ham and bacon in the AM.  And, it did.  Now, we have pancake picnics on the play mat a few times a week, which is usually followed up with the girls playing grocery store with the cute sturdy basket that comes with the New Sprouts breakfast basket set, and kitchen, where they are the cooks and make Mommy breakfast.  It is so great to not only see the girls playing and getting along together, but also talking about the different pretend foods and how they plan to cook and serve them up.  I think I may have two budding cooks on my hands. :-)

In addition to the new Sprouts Breakfast Basket, the following educational toys were added to the Learning Resources product offering for 2013, and would make for great holiday gifts to surprise your children with under the tree this year:

ABC & 123 Electronic Flash Card™

Twisty Droppers

Primary Science Sensory Tubes

Take10 Alphabet Cookies

New Sprouts® Fresh Picked Fruit & Veggie Tote

Mental Blox Game

I will definitely be picking more of the New Sprouts food products up to share with the girls this holiday season, as well as putting away a few of the board games for Easter next year.  I can always count on Learning Resources to offer fun educational games that not only provide hours of playtime fun, but also helps them learn with true-to life pretend toys like the play food I was sent to review, as well as other hands-on toys and electronics that will challenge them to explore and grow.

---BUY NOW---

You can buy the New Sprouts Breakfast Basket, along with the other Learning Resources toys mentioned above by visiting the Learning Resources, or shopping your local Learning Resources store.  Click here now to visit the website and shop online, or to locate a store near you --- http://www.learningresources.com/

--GIVEAWAY--

Thanks to the folks at Learning Resources, one lucky reader will win a New Sprouts Breakfast Basket to surprise their little one with.  To enter, please complete the entries on the Rafflecopter form below.  Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Learning Resources 

Learning Resources is a leading global manufacturer of educational products that deliver unique multi-sensory learning experiences. For more than 25 years, teachers and parents have trusted the company's award-winning products to turn their classrooms and homes into creative and motivational environments where children find joy in learning and reach their full potential. Learning Resources is headquartered in Vernon Hills, Ill., with a European office based in Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England. For more information, visit www.learningresources.com or call 1-800-333-8281.



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

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Savannah is Loving Her Color Discovery Boxes From Lakeshore Learning (Review)

Since reviewing the Little Hands Kitchen Set back in December (click here if you missed my review), we have become instant fans of Lakeshore Learning toys.  Not a day goes by that Savannah doesn't play with the Little Hands Kitchen Set.  And, now that she has her own kitchen is engages in pretend play, she loves pretending that she is mixing things with the light up blender, making a hot pot of tea for her teddy bear tea parties, and toasting a piece a bread for her occasion breakfast in bed surprises for me.  With her second birthday right around the corner (July 19th), I wanted to surprise her with another Lakeshore toy, that would not only be fun to play with, but also educational.  So, after browsing through the extensive and wonderful selection of toys for children of all ages (birth - 11 yrs. old), I decided to get the Color Discovery Boxes for her.  The kind folks at Lakeshore sent along a sample for me to review, and like the Little Hands Kitchen Set, Savannah can't get enough of this toy.  

 

Our fun-filled discovery boxes give tots an irresistible, hands-on way to explore colors! Each box features 4 delightful objects with exciting textures and bold patterns—all featuring the same bright color for plenty of reinforcement. Little ones reach in to explore a soft blue fish, a squeezable red ball and more…and discover each color one at a time. 4 vinyl boxes and accessories are all surface-washable; each box measures 5". AA388 

Buy now for only $49.95.

Savannah, who is 22 months old, loves doing her wood puzzles throughout the day.  When she is not puzzle solving, she is sorting her toys by color, shape, size, etc.  It is amazing how quickly she is learning and how she loves learning new things.  Before I could explain what to do with the Color Discovery Boxes, she had the lids off and the objects in a pile in the middle of the living room floor.  Then, she asked me to sit next to her, while she sorted the larger pile into four smaller piles.  First, she grouped them by object -- crayons in one, balls in another, fruit in another and animals in the fourth.  When she was done, she clapped her hands in excited.  Before I could give her a great big hug, she had quickly pushed the objects back into one large pile again, only to sort them next by color.  When she was done sorting, she put each pile (which consisted of 4 items) into their correct colored boxes, and closed the lids.  At first, she struggled to snugly close the lids, but after several tries, she finally was able to get the hang of it, and it hasn't been an issue since.  

Like I said, we are fans of Lakeshore Learning Toys and this new addition to our Lakeshore collection is a real stand out.  We have only had this sorting set for a few days, but each and every morning, Savannah gets up and heads to the living to sort by color, size and object.  You would think as a toddler, she would get bored with the toy and want to play with something else -- Not when it comes to these Color Discovery Boxes.  Each and every time she plays with them, she is learning new things.  Just today, she began saying "red" and "blue".  And, when I ask her for a certain color, she can give me the objects of that color.  So, not only is she recognizing the colors she sees, but knows the words that go with each color.  When Savannah is not showing me the objects she has sorted, she is sharing these vinyl toys with her little sister, who loves grabbing and passing them from hand to hand.  At 6 months old, she is eager to play with Savannah, and loves being able to sit in her chair and hold and look at these brightly colored, surface washable toys.

This toy will definitely be played with for years to come. And, when Arabella is ready to play with them, I know that Savannah will be there to help teach her little sister about colors, sizes, etc.  So, if you have a young children at home, who is beginning to learn about colors, sorting, etc., why not pick up the Color Discovery Boxes from Lakeshore Learning Materials today.  At only $49.95, this box set is worth the investment, and will be enjoyed by your little ones, just like they have been by Savannah.

--BUY NOW--

Click here to order this and other toys from Lakeshore Learning.  And, just for Inspired by Savannah readers, make sure you use coupon code "6064" at checkout to receive 20% off any Single Nonsale Item.  Or, if you prefer to shop at a local Lakeshore Learning store, click here to print out the 20% off coupon to bring with you. Note: this coupon and online coupon code expire on June 30th, so act now to SAVE!!!!

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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