Review + Giveaway: LEGOLAND Discovery Center (Westchester): "My Best Birthday Ever! Thanks Mom!"

Two birthday boys race at the Racers Build and Test at LEGOLAND Westchester

WHAT: Crazy Cheap BUT High Quality Birthday Party Idea at LEGOLAND Discovery Center- Westchester
DOES: saves you money, makes an amazing memory, models out-of-the-box thinking to your kids, great solution for crowd-phobic LEGO kids

INVEST:  One day of absence at school and one day off work- yes- sorry but true + admission fees as needed- try to find a coupon; Tix $15-$18 for child over 2; $18-$22 for adult; 2 year olds are free.
AGES: Meant for ages 3-10 but I think 4-8 would have the BEST time.  Depending on agenda younger and older kids could have lots of fun too. My ten year old is dying to go.

GIVEAWAY PRIZE: Free Family Pack of Tix (4 total)

Review + Giveaway: Constructive Eating: No More Fights at the Table

Mindful eating promotes joyful eating and joyful eating promotes healthy eating

WHAT: Constructive Eating's  Construction and Garden Fairy Set
INVENTORS: Carter and Jackie Malcolm
DOES: allows your child to be more actively involved in feeding himself/herself

INVEST:  $19.95 (for utensils only) plate ($14.95) additional items available
AGES: 1+ ? (depends on you and your child)

GIVEAWAY PRIZE: One set includes the utensils, plate, and mat!  Woo-hoo!Your choice theme (garden or construction)

Review + Giveaway: LEGO Pick-A-Brick Wall: Building Kids' Gratitude One Brick at a Time

Recognize this store? New Yorkers and visitors to NYC may know.  It's at Rockefeller Center and this place is always PACKED! photo: LEGO

WHAT: More on Gratitude and LEGOs
DOES: sharing a new trick at Pick A Brick and updating you on the impact from previous Pick A Brick adventures

INVEST:  $7.99 for the small container; $14.99 for the large container
AGES: Pick A Brick blocks can be a choking hazard so I would aim for at least 3+

GIVEAWAY PRIZE:  LEGO Creative Bucket 10662- this one is new to me- has the new eyes! 

Announcing Readers' Favorite Toy of 2013

WHAT: Announcing Toys Are Tools' Reader's Favorite Toy of 2014
And also the winner of the Amazon gift certificate!

Got Toys 'R Us Gift Card?

Cartoon It! by ThinkFun- Is it really only $2.00 now?  I have to go there to find out!  Can anyone say... emergency birthday gift?  I LOVE this game.
Read my full review of Cartoon It! here.

Happy New Year!!!!  Are you shopping today? 

WHAT: What to do if you have a Toys 'R Us Gift Card
DOES: Savvy Shopping Hints from ME!   The nearest Toys R Us to me is only a 15 minute walk away and so I find myself hunting there occasionally.  Sometimes I get REALLY lucky.  Maybe today is your lucky day too. 
THANKS to: Number 7's mom for suggesting I write this.  She's right!  A lot of kids get Toys 'R Us gift cards for Xmas. Let's shop smart with them!