GOT LEGO Gift Card?

#2 made out big this year with LEGO, #1 is trying to hold it in but he will soon burst which is why I am writing this post really fast because I have to do some S.O.S. shopping.

WHAT: What to Do with a LEGO Gift Card

Did your child receive a LEGO gift card and by any chance is he/she suddenly overwhelmed with what to do?  I have a couple of tips.

#1   BREATHE
#2   Use this opportunity to teach your child to be strategic. (like an EXECUTIVE!). 

NOTE: This is not a review just because I know they are looking to spend those gift cards asap but I will be reviewing some of these items as I will be heading to the LEGO store as soon as I am done writing this post!  

Remember, if you are shopping online.  Clicking onto these links and shopping from there will bring smiles to Toys are Tools and help ensure more thoughtful toy reviews for 2014! 

Check out the sale for the wall stickers at $1.48 only!  crazy!

Happy Holidays to Everyone!

Happy Holidays Everyone! 

I hope the children in your lives will
 be playing with the most awesome toys and games 
this season and into the next year!

So......
No More Shopping for Today! 
Okay?


Oh, who are we kidding? 
 I may be headed to the LEGO store now... 
I just got an idea....

 
Pictured:  Our tree was made of using almost all of the pieces of the Standard Kit from Woodmobiel, a toy I reviewed in July 2013.  This tree was made after 8 months of owning the tree. It looks and works the same ways as the day we received it.

Don't forget that Woodmobiel is on sale right now.  25% off.  That is huge! 

code: holiday25

Read the full review on Woodmobiel here.




Good Tidings to You!


Disclosure: TAT received Woodmobiel from the manufacturer to facilitate a review.  Reviews are never promised.

 

Ridiculous Sale+ Extremely Thoughtful Last Minute Gift Idea $25 (Reg Price $99) Dragon 75-80% OFF

A Certificate to Download Dragon Naturally Speaking Home Version 12

WHAT: Dragon NaturallySpeaking Home for $24.99    REG PRICE IS $99 
Also Available:  Dragon Dictate for Mac 3
and Dragon NaturallySpeaking 12 Premium 

SHIPPING?  It's a certificate for a download so no worries there
Another Plus? If you are going to get it, you might as well get it from my link!  I am a proud affiliate of this very helpful dragon.

Last Minute Shopping Ideas: FOR YOU!

This could be me? Maybe? yes? no?

WHAT: Last Minute Shopping Ideas for YOU

WHY: Because if you don't get it now, you'll never get it
HOW: Anyway you can, except for stealing

Parents Are Buying Their Kids All the Wrong Toys

photo courtesy: Zometool which of course I think is one of the good guys.

WHAT: Just in case you didn't see it...  I had a story published at Quartz.  "Parents Are Buying Their Children All The Wrong Toys"   Please take a look.  Below is a snippet:

The highlight of my son’s speech therapy was always the bag of toys. Years ago, when he was a toddler and the therapist came to our house, he’d wait patiently as she took out one toy at a time and used each to help build language skills. Anxious to boost his progress, I watched her work and wrote down the name of her “tools.” I would then run to Toys R Us—and almost always, I would walk out empty-handed.

Zometool Meets Bam-Bam (a.k.a. #1)

made by #1 (Bam-Bam)

made by #2 (A different kind of Bam-Bam.... he just hides it better)

WHAT:  I AM BOY... HEAR ME ROAR.

WITH: Zometool

Deal Alert on Geomag KOR

WHAT: I just found out that they are now on MYHABIT.  The blue guy is only $25! 

AGES: 5+

$25 G/C Giveaway + Best Books of 2013: The Favorites: Another Monster Holiday Gift Guide

WHAT: The Toys Are Tools Best Books List 2013 is HERE!

GIVEAWAY PRIZE: $25 G/C to the Amazonian Jungle  COUPON CODES HIGHLIGHTED

Updated Shopping Guide: Favorite Things at Different Roads to Learning

WHAT: Different Roads to Learning - Jenn's Shopping Guide
Updated 12/19/13

$25 GC Giveaway! + Top Stocking Stuffers Under $10!!!

WHAT: Top Ten Under $10- Strategic Stocking Stuffers
DOES: These are no ordinary stocking stuffers! Strategically stuff these stockings to support more moments of inquiry and development- all disguised as fun.

AGES: 3+ (depends on the product)

GIVEAWAY PRIZE: An Amazon gift card, just for you! $25 dollars!

BIG SALE ON WOODMOBIEL- Crazy Coupon Code for YOU!

WHAT: DEAL ALERT: Woodmobiel
WHERE: www.madebyoots.com
HOW MUCH: A whole 25% off!!!!  That is a $75 savings if you get a Standard Kit (recommended)
AND: I'm not an affiliate... I'm just telling ya so you can save big bucks!
COUPON CODE BELOW

My Favorite LEGO Books are 50% OFF until 11AM PST (2PM EST) Dec. 3, 2014!

I love homes that look like this. One day I will own one. I don't need the whole block.  One house would do....

Sometimes I ask myself....

Is it a coincidence that my favorite LEGO books are at O'Reilly Media?

or maybe you are wondering if it's a coincidence that I decided to partner with O'Reilly as an affiliate to bring people amazing books for kids?

My answer?  NO WAY! It's totally on purpose!

But please note that I was a fan of these books way before I ever had this blog.

Moreover, please know that I started reviewing these books over a year before I became an affiliate.

Lastly, I only became an affiliate late this year after realizing how totally pro-consumer they are. For example, did you know that O'Reilly treats their e-Book customers with total respect!

Giveaway + The Selfish Parents' Guide to Gift Giving at School (Part 1)

I eyed this for years before I bought my own.  Technology allows us all to have our own laminators now.  It's great!

WHAT: My list of things your teacher or school therapist may need but won't ask for.... (will also help your child in the process hence "selfish")
NOTE: Important! If you are a cash gift giver- I'm sending you my cyber high-five now. Still, you can't ignore a good deal when you see one. 
INVEST: These prices reflect some deals I found right now!

PROMOTIONS: Look for coupon and sales alert inside this story
GIVEAWAY: Do you have your own laminator? Well, you can now! Win best-selling Scotch Laminator (U.S. only) on Amazon!

Magformers: When They're Like $1 Per Piece... Don't Think.. Act

WHAT: A Sale Worth Blogging About...  Magformers Up to 50% Off