Review & Giveaway: Start Eating Smart with Doodle Aprons!

Good eating habits have a better start in the kitchen.

WHAT: doodle aprons (Adult Size and Child Size) by doodle by Stitch
INVENTOR: Chrissie Probert Jones

DOES: can be the start of some new eating habits; an excellent executive functioning activity, cookout with the kids this summer!

INVEST:  $21.86 for child size; $25.86 for adult size.  A set of markers come in every package- what a great deal!
AGES: 2+?  Whenever you want to give them non-toxic washable markers?

TOOLS: Express Yourself, I Can Take Care of Myself, Holiday/Birthday Build-Uponner, Family Fix-it

EXPERT OPINION: Pediatric Occupational Therapist and Integrative Nutritionist, Susan L. Roberts, MDiv, OTR/L 

GIVEAWAY: Two doodle aprons of your choice! (Child and Child) or (Child and Adult)

Review (+ Free Samples): Illuminations: Summer Sun Makes Indoor Fun?

Coloring it while already taped to your window is another way to go.  You get a bigger workout this way too!

WHAT: Illuminations Coloring Books by Mindware (Floral, Animal, Circles, Optical) and Fine-Tip Markers

DOES: an activity that celebrates summer in an indoors-kind of way; 

INVEST:  $7.95 per book (Collect all four) 16 pages per book (that is a lot if you consider how intricate they are)  $5.95 for the markers ONLY (24 beautiful colors)
AGES: 6+ (fun for parents too)

TOOLS: Express Yoursel, My Body Needs to Move (Fine Motor + Upper Core)

Creativity Week Part 4: Review & Giveaway: Kaleidograph: Math is a Delight in Variations

BILLIONS of combinations can be made with your child's hands but that would take a lot of time so please don't let them do that.

WHAT:  Kaleidograph distributed by Red Hen Toys
INVENTORS: Norman Brosterman, John Lilley, & Scott Bultman

DOES: you can make beautiful rotational symmetrical designs that are totally unique; prop it up to declare your mood for the day? use it as stencils? car toy? order a customized t-shirt? perfect gift for kids and adults alike

INVEST:  $12.99 - $14.99 depending on retailer
AGES: When they stop chewing on board books, they can have a go at it?

TOOLS: Social Scene Helper, Express Yourself

EXPERT OPINION: Petra Pankow,  Manager of Tours and Gallery Interpretation, Montclair Art Museum and independent museum arts educator at various institutions (MoMA, Guggenheim)

GIVEAWAY:  Win your own pair of Kaleidograph Toys (Crystal and Flora)

Review & Giveaway: Creativity Week Part 2: eeBoo Scratch Paper - Good Art Sets are Simple Yet Fine

Pictured is eeBoo's Patterns Scratch Paper Set

WHAT: Scratch Paper Sets (Foil, Fluorescent & Patterns) by eeBoo
DOES: is a treasure chest of hidden designs in each paper; you won't know what you have until you scratch and create your effect.

INVEST:  $11.95 to $12.95 for each set that contains 4 sets of 5 different papers  (20 8x8 sheets with bamboo scratch stick... that price is awesome!)
AGES: 5+  (could go lower for kids who just want to draw)

TOOLS: Express Yourself, Think Like a Scientist or Engineer (pattern thinking)

EXPERT OPINION: Petra Pankow,  Manager of Tours and Gallery Interpretation, Montclair Art Museum and independent museum arts educator at various institutions (MoMA, Guggenheim)

GIVEAWAY:   Win all three sets (value $35 approximately) of Scratch Papers!!!  You are set for the summer!

Review + Giveaway: About Face: Every Child is an Artist

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” - Pablo Picasso

WHAT:  About Face by eeBoo
INVENTOR: Saxton Freymann 

DOES: children are given a uniquely-created opportunity to preserve the way they see things, their own unfettered, undisturbed, artistic viewpoints

INVEST:  $14.99 MSRP

AGES: suggested 5+ 

TOOLS: Express Yourself, Social Scene Helper, Foment Love of Language
EXPERT OPINION: Petra Pankow,  Manager of Tours and Gallery Interpretation, Montclair Art Museum and independent museum arts educator at various institutions (MoMA, Guggenheim)

GIVEAWAY:  Win your own About Face game and an autographed copy of Saxton Freymann's book, Food Play !

Review & Giveaway: Nanoblock Musical Instruments: Good Things Come in Small Packages

There are four instruments in this review.  Which one is your favorite?  photo: Nanoblock

photo: Nanoblock

photo: Nanoblock

photo: Nanoblock

WHAT: Musical Instrument Series by Nanoblock

DOES: educational toy: teeny tiny building blocks used to create miniature models of instruments;  pretty as one but incredibly beautiful as a set; no need to buy any living room art anymore

INVEST:  $12.99 MSRP for each instrument (drums, violin, piano, electric guitar)
TOOLS:  Express Yourself, Think Like a Scientist/Engineer, Holiday/Birthday Build-Uponner

AGES: 8+ (I have not tried with younger ages and hesitate to do so)
GIVEAWAY (over $50 value): One of each of the four GORGEOUS instruments featured here (four toys total for one winner).  Prize Ships to U.S. Only DETAILS BELOW