toys - Parenting Healthy

At 11, Anthony loves to draw. In particular, he likes to take his favorite video game or TV characters and make art as well as learn to draw. When I saw the SmART Sketcher I loved that it was so portable and the lighting was excellent for displaying the traceable images. But, it was the fact that Anthony can take any image he wants from photos we take to images he finds online and turn them into traceable art that has him hooked.

Freestyle drawing is for the talented, but smART Sketcher is for those who want to draw and need the guidance. The app that accompanies the projector and allows you to grab from your phone images is free and works on iOS and Google devices.

There are over 50 pre-loaded activities (on an included micro SD card) within the projector itself and the app is a great way to navigate through those activities. Image uploads are only one of many ways to use your projector.

Anthony is very much into the Season 3 of Stranger Things since it’s release this week, so he wanted to find images to draw such as this one with Steve in his ice cream shop which is a scene from the show.

The projector comes ready to draw and also with 20 sheets of paper and some colored pencils. Step-by-step instructions guide small hands through the entire process.

Available Now at all major retailers (Amazon, Target, Walmart, QVC and more) Ages 5+. MSRP $59.95.

Kids, Toy Reviews

Best Bubbles for Kids

May 3, 2019May 1, 2019 Erin Sluka

I was sent product. Opinions are my own

“Play is the work of children. It’s very serious stuff”, this is one of my favorite quotes. Despite video games being a new play norm, when you hear the word ‘play‘ do you still think bikes, chalk and bubbles? Gone are the messy bubble sticks falling forever into the barrel of soap. There are new bubbles in store and they are truly the best bubbles for kids this summer!

The Wave-A-Bubbles come 2 to a pack and produce so many bubbles. When you tear the package open there is a closable pouch to fill with the included bubble solution. Simply slip on the gloves, dip into the large pouch of bubble solution and wave your arms. As the kids run and wave their hands more bubbles produce.

Next is the Big-A-Bubble. It also includes a pouch of solution and these bubbles work a bit different than the other 2 sets. With these bubbles you have little finger pouches that a giant looped string hangs from. Once you dip the string into the solution and slowly remove it is like a GIANT bubble wand making big bubbles as you open and close your fingers.

You may have already seen the original Glove-A-Bubbles. These come with solution and a dipping pouch and once you slip it on your hands like a glove you can create a lot of fun bubbles by running and moving your hands.

via GIPHY

If you have a Paw Patrol fan in your home, Target has Paw Patrol Glove-A-Bubbles. Look for all of these fun bubble packages from Zing Toys in retailers near you and online.

2018 Holiday Gifts, Kids, Reviews, Toy Reviews

Starlink: Battle for Atlas Video Game Starter Pack

November 28, 2018November 27, 2018 Erin Sluka

This is a paid program with MomSelect on behalf of Ubisoft.

About the Starlink game story

In Starlink: Battle for Atlas, you lead a heroic team of interstellar pilots to free the Atlas star system from the Forgotten Legion. Innovative modular toys allow players to build unique starships which can be customized on the fly for a new way to play as players adapt to overcome any challenge they encounter in this epic open world adventure.

Talking Starlink: Battle for Atlas with Anthony (age 10). As we looked over the game it seems to us that it may not be the game best for younger kids as there are a lot of pieces and you are building as you play and want to be quick. With that said, it is excellent for the older child who wants to graduate from kid/cartoon video games to more advance and technical play without the T and M ratings. This game is rated for ages 7+.

Anthony mentions that it is also great for learning to play the RPG gameplay (Role Player Games). This is because you are your own pilot (you get to choose which pilot to play), then you build your ship and add-on as you want. Now the game play depends on your decisions and how you build. So, it is real time play like the popular building games, but gets you ready to see how your actions affect the game outcome which is more of what many popular T and M-rated games are.

You want to start on this game with the Starter Pack available for the XBox One, PS4 and Nintendo Switch. There are extra Starships, Pilots, Weapons and Mounts to buy for optimal play, but the Starter Pack has all you need to get started including the game, a mount, starships, pilots and weapons. Pilot packs and weapon packs are under $10 so I would see what items your Starter Pack contains and maybe pick up different single packs to add so they can really build and grown within the game as they choose right away.

The objective for the pieces is to connect your modular toys to your controller mount and see them come to life in game instantly. If you want to gauge your child’s interest or ability, you can head to the Starlink Starship Builder site and build there to start!

Buying the Starlink: Battle of Atlas Game

You can start by visiting Starlink at Ubisoft to see all game information.

Starlink: Battle for Atlas and its available at Target, Walmart, Best Buy, and Amazon.

2018 Holiday Gifts, Kids, Reviews, Toy Reviews

Shimmeez Color Changing and Squeezamals Plush Animals

October 26, 2018October 15, 2018 Erin Sluka

What are color changing Shimmeez?

Shimmeez are color changing animals with reversible sequins. Ever hear of the kids asking for ‘mermaid pillows’? These are the same shimmer sequin concept on adorable animals. You will not be able to help yourself and ‘draw’ throw these animals.

There are 10 animals to choose from and they are all 2-toned so see how this works below and they come in 8″ and 14″ sizes.

Shimmeez Promotions and news!

Free Shipping + Free Clip-On with Orders Over $19.99!

Buy Shimmeez: Available at Shimmeez.com and Amazon!

What are Squeezamals?

Squeezamals are soft and squishy foam-stuffed animals. They are slow rising and make great little stress balls for adults even. I find myself taking my son’s Squeezamals animal ( Dax) and squishing him mindlessly. You know that weird satisfaction you get pressing your hand into a memory foam pad? That’s what playing with these feel like.

There are over 20 animals to choose from and they come in 3.5″ and 18″ sizes.

Squeezamals Promotions and news!

Free Shipping when you buy 3 or more

Buy Squeezamals: Available at Squeezamals.com and Amazon!

See the entire >> 2018 Holiday Gift Guide

Comment: I was sent product so that my feature can be authentic and my own original thoughts for you. I am a member of Amazon Associates and any Amazon links I may be compensated on at no cost to you ONLY if you click then buy

Tag: toys

Freestyle Drawing and Tracing with SmART Sketcher