Category: Back to School 2018

Back to School 2018, Education, Kids, Reviews, Toy Reviews

Bring Music Class Home with the VTech Kidi Star Karaoke Machine

Erin Sluka

 I have partnered with VTech for this feature

When you hear the word ‘music’ you probably think about tunes or your favorite radio station. But, did you know that the word music has such a beneficial meaning when you introduce it to children? Not only does music introduce  a new skill that involves the brain and body working together, it ignites all the senses. VTech has the Kidi Star Karaoke Machine that helps bring music class home.

Music helps children learn sounds and word meanings. Dancing helps children improve their motor skills as well as allow for self-expression. Then you also add the benefit of recall and memory skills.

One of the best features of this karaoke machine is the stand opinion. This makes it so easy to share the fun with a friend or sibling. The disco ball is a lot of fun too. Turn off the lights and like me, you will be amazed how well it illuminates around the room on the walls and even the ceiling too.

It is such an easy interface that it is usable for as young as 4 years old. The added computer-like screen adds an element of STEM play when you have to configure and toggle through options to bring our musical creation to life. With options like games to play and to connect to any device to bring the music library you already have created to the speaker is so much fun.

You can add audience sounds like applause, cheering and laughter so it really feels like you’re onstage at a concert! Record yourself for up to five minutes and add fun voice-changing effects, then listen to and enjoy your performance. Visit VTech for more fun and also find the VTech Kidi Star Karaoke Machine at Amazon.

Back to School 2018, Food, Natural Foods

Slammers Super Food Snacks are a delicious instant organic fuel for active kids

Erin Sluka

Slammers Super Food Snacks are a delicious instant organic fuel for active kids

Fruit and protein in a pouch just grew up! There comes a time when you child actually does NOT want that pouch they loved as a toddler in their lunchbox. They are around friends at a lunch table and associate the fruit pouch with being from the diaper bag. That is until they try the Slammers!

_Slammers Super Food Snacks are a delicious instant organic fuel for active kids

They have really gone far out and made these pouches for the older child to want for lunches and snacks after practice. I eat them! Seriously! They are delicious!

kids snack

Slammers Snacks can be purchased nationwide at Target, Safeway, Kroger, Costco and Walmart:
  • Watermelon Kiwi Burst (7 grams of protein per pouch) – strawberry, kiwi, watermelon, apple, banana & beet
  • Pomegranate Grape Crush (7 grams of protein per pouch) – grape, pomegranate, coconut, apple, banana & purple carrot
  • EPIC – mangoes, bananas, oranges, carrots, Greek yogurt & real vanilla
  • AWESOME – bananas, blueberries, strawberries, beets, acai, amaranth (a highly nutritious gluten-free grain)
  • CHILL’N – bananas, blueberries, butternut squash, Greek yogurt & yumberry

Slammers pouch

If you buy one this the next time you are shopping, pick up a box of the Watermelon Kiwi burst and try one when you get home. You’ll thank me later!

There are no artificial colors or flavors, no peanuts or gluten and NON GMO as well as USDA organic.

Slammers Website * Facebook

Back to School 2018, Fashion, Kids, Reviews by Anthony

Japan’s number 1 kid shoe brand – Syunsoku Review

Erin Sluka

I have partnered with Achilles for this feature

Japan’s number 1 kids shoes brand - Syunsoku Review

Syunsoku has grown to become the number one kids shoes in Japan since it came about in 2003. What makes this shoe a hit is in the way the soles are made that enable wearers to run with all their strength by keeping their footing when cornering counterclockwise. It is a brand of Achilles and Syunsoku’s proprietary “Sokuiku (foot growth)” design helps children’s feet grow properly as they develop.

red shoes

In Japanese, “SYUN” stands for “flash”, ”instant”; “SOKU” stands for “feet”. That means that these Syunsoku shoes represent “flash feet”, designed for power and speed.

boys fast shoes

My son is almost out of boy sizes, but they carry some styles in size 5 so these are the Storm Max shoes in red. This shoe is lightweight and a flat sole so this is a great choice for long distance running. A hollow structure is built into the front of the shoe to release heat and moisture making it a very comfortable shoe when moving or in the heat.

boys running shoes

All lines of Syunsoku shoes run near $50 so they are very comparable to other brands that offer fitness and soles for athletes in their running shoes. Anthony immediately noticed how lightweight they are when he put them on. They are a great choice for back to school kids shoes for the kids here in the US. They are unique and a top brand.

new shoes

See all of the shoe choices at Syunsoku’s website and follow them on Facebook.

Back to School 2018, Fashion, Healthy Living, Reviews

Stay Safe in the Dark with RunLites LED Gloves for Kids and Adults

Erin Sluka

I have partnered with RunLites for feature

Stay Safe in the Dark with RunLites LED Gloves for Kids and Adults

As summer ends, fall will move in and that means shorter days and eventually we are in a winter where it is dark at 4:30pm. My son doesn’t even start sports practice until 5-6pm so that means he is in a dark field at sports practice and I am in the car keeping warm and I have no idea what child out there is mine.

Also, my morning runs are in the dark which is intimidating when on the city trails. I could disappear and no one around would know what happened. This is why I will love having my RunLites Gloves for my son and I.

running gloves

These safety LED gloves have LED light attachments (or not if you choose to use the gloves during the day) and that keeps you safe and your child easy to see also. My son has the Spidey Red kids gloves and I am wearing the Green Flecks Running Gloves. They also have gloves for cycling, outdoors travel and everyday wear.

LED Gloves

The LED lights are sold separately and retails for under $20. They fit perfect into the pockets of the gloves. If you don’t have the LED lights they look great as standard gloves too.

running led

You can set the LED to 40 or 80 lumens and the light projects up to 35 feet ahead. They are rechargeable and secure into the glove with a strong velcro pocket.

runlites

The LED gloves fit great and they have so many colors and styles to choose from for kids, men and women. Visit RunLites to see them all and visit them on Facebook to stay up to date on the brand as well.