Review + 2 Calm Giveaways: Buddha Board: This Too Shall Pass

WHAT: Buddha Board
INVENTOR: Eric Thrall

DOES: a visual-tactile REAL-time display of how you can let go of something great and LIVE THROUGH IT; get help shrugging off mistakes because you'll see that this too shall pass

INVEST: Buddha Board - Original: $34.95; Buddha Board - Mini: $11.95
AGES: As water is generally non-toxic in many parts of the world, I am going to say 3+? But maybe make sure that younger kids don't eat the brush? It's a nice brush

TOOLS: Express Yourself, Family Fix-its, I Can Take Care of Myself
GIVEAWAY: Two Winners will each receive and Original and a Mini Buddha Board!

Review and Giveaway: Chalktrail (Scooter and Bike): Creativity Fuels Fitness

Social Aesthetics- that could be a new thing, right?

WHAT: Chalktrail Scooter (new 2013)  Chalktrail for bikes still rocks! (by Fat Brain Toys)
INVENTOR: Scott Baumann

DOES: regardless of skill levels, Chalktrail is an outdoor toy that has universal appeal; gets kids together and gets kids moving

INVEST:  $12.95 for scooter attachment; $19.95 for bike attachment
AGES: 3+  (I think it will be most popular with the 3-8 year group)

TOOLS:  Express Yourself, My Body Needs to Move

GIVEAWAY:  Win your choice between Chalktrail Bike or Chalktrail Scooter attachments
educational toy

Review & Giveaway: Creativity Week: Part 1: Can Creativity Be Canned?

LOOKOUT for a Giveaway ($30 value) of some very awesome looking OTish fidget/accessory and look at the amazing cans. Creativity for Kids wants creativity to make a comeback but can we get it from this little can? There is only one way to find out.

 
WHAT: Creativity Can by Creativity for Kids

DOES: according to many people who take time to observe and reflect, there is a crisis in our country.  It's been dubbed the "Creativity Crisis" and so this week Toys are Tools is kicking off Creativity Week. 

INVEST: $ Only.Your.TIME  (Costly but high returns highly probable!)
AGES: hmmmm... supervise if under 3 but if over three, don't supervise, join, play, encourage, assist and document them but don't be like me (talk too much and ruin it)

TOOLS: Express Yourself, I Can Take Care of Myself

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 Color Cord Bracelets Kit AND Make Your Own Paracord Bracelets Kit  (valued at $14.99 each but really, have you tried buying one of these?  They're not cheap!)

Gigantic Review Coming... What Do You Want to Know?

  

Number 1 and 2 will see this when they come home.  They will faint.  Unlike my recent extreme motherly stunt, I think this it's too cruel to wrap this up in wire and make them earn it.  But they don't know that they will be working so hard with this.  They'll be getting as much as they put in and more!

WHAT:  Woodmobiel brought to you by OOTS!

DOES: It looks like you can do soooooo much with this and you can expect a very thorough review.  It will take some time to review this. I do want to be responsible but in case you are shopping for ideas for a summer project... I think this looks really awesome and so I wanted to tell you about it now.  COULD this be your summer camp alternative?  hmmmmmm

INVEST: Starter Kit is $165; Standard Kit is $300
WHAT NOW??: I need your advice. If you think your child (and you too secretly) would like this very unique and fabulous toy, what would you want to know about it to help you make a decision about buying or not buying it?