Give the Gift of Educational and Fun Learning Cartridges for VTech's InnoTab Learning Tablets {Review & Giveaway}

While it is great to give (and receive) completely new gifts for the holidays, there is something to be said about being able to extend the fun of an item that you or your child already owns.

New supplies for Aunt Jane's scrapbooking, a new case for cousin Tim's phone or, in the case of children everywhere, new games to go with the innovative line of InnoTab Learning App Tablets from VTech!

My kids have adored their InnoTabs ever since their arrival and I love knowing that at least I can provide Big Sister E and Little Sister B some education along with their entertainment. Even better, along with the games and activities that come preloaded on these tablets, VTech makes it easy to mix things up and keep kids coming back for more with their ever-growing collection of InnoTab Software Learning Cartridges!

With options available in every genre for ages 12 months all the way up to 9 years old, there is an InnoTab Learning Cartridge that is sure to get every child excited about the games, e-Books and more contained on them. Even better, with such entertaining characters and themes, kids don't even realize that they are progressively learning key subjects such as math, reading and science all while having fun!

Considering how many times both of my daughters have returned to their InnoTabs and the various Learning Cartridges that we own, I wasn't surprised when they were thrilled to add two more to their collection: InnoTab Ultimate Spider-Man and Doc McStuffins Create & Learn with Doc!

I truly love the way that VTech makes their cartridges compatible with any version of the InnoTab, so no matter if your child has the original InnoTab or the latest model, they are able to partake in all of the games and activities.

Simply pop in the InnoTab Ultimate Spider-Man Learning Cartridge (designed for ages 4-7) and your child is ready to ride or swing with Spider-Man in an ultimate adventure as he takes on three of his greatest enemies. This unique cartridge is perfect for any Ultimate Spider-Man fan, as it not only includes Spider-Man himself, but other main characters such as Nick Fury, Rhino, Electro, Doctor Octopus and more!

Starting on the main menu, kids can easily choose between the three options that this cartridge entails.

First, there is an e-Book that tells the story of Spider-Man vs. The Sinister Six, which is great for when kids simply want to follow along and hang out with Spider-Man.

Second, in Free Play Mode, kids can choose which of the nine fun learning games they want to play. Games introduce spelling, animals, food groups, light reflection, weight and balance, materials, skip counting, logic and more.

Third, in Adventure Mode, kids move through all nine games in order as they follow a central storyline. Simply help Spider-Man reach his next destination and one of the nine games will automatically begin so that you can help rid the city of danger!

When they aren't becoming a superhero with Spider-Man, Big Sister E and Little Sister B have also been excited about diving into the world of Doc McStuffins with the Doc McStuffins Create & Learn with Doc! Learning Cartridge (also recommended for ages 4-7).

Giving kids the ability to jump right in and join Doc McStuffins and her toy friends as they decorate the backyard, this cartridge also begins with an uncomplicated main menu that allows users to select which of the three options they would like to play.

First, there is an adorable e-Book that follows along with Hallie and Stuffie as they try to help Robot Ray in Diagnosis Not Even Close-is.

Second, kids can help Doc in all sorts of creative endeavors, such as decorating banners, creating costumes and making clay models of their favorite characters. Other options include making up original songs by playing different instruments (piano, xylophone, drums and guitar) in a band with Doc's friends or taking silly snapshots of the characters.

Along the way, this cartridge encourages kids to help Doc bring sick toys back to perfect health step-by-step. Then, they are able to open Doc's Big Book of Boo-Boos to see each toy's diagnosis and the accompanying health tip.

All in all, this cartridge and its four learning games introduce health, creativity, music, patterns, reading and more and is great for any young Doc McStuffins fan!

Both of these cartridges have been entertaining Big Sister E and Little Sister B since their arrival and they have been perfect for quiet play during their resting and downtime that follows school as well as while traveling. While the girls also return to the previous cartridges that we own, these two new additions have given even greater value to their InnoTabs and have allowed them to grow and challenge their abilities even further.

If you're looking for a way to extend the learning and fun of your child's InnoTab, look no further than VTech's extensive line of educational learning cartridges. Kids can explore exciting content offering age-appropriate games, activities, e-Books and more that allow children to progressively learn key subjects.

Add in the way that topics such as reading, math and vocabulary are seamlessly tied in with creative activities, colorful graphics and camera fun and the result is a toy that can educate as well as inspire a child's imagination!

Retailing for $24.99 each, InnoTab Ultimate Spider-Man and Doc McStuffins Create & Learn with Doc! can be purchased in stores, from VTech and on Amazon. You can also stay up-to-date with all of the unique and innovative products that VTech has to offer by connecting with them on Facebook and Twitter.

And, thanks to their generosity, one person will soon be able to bring home fun and learning for their child's InnoTab as well, because...

One lucky person will win an InnoTab Ultimate Spider-Man
and a Doc McStuffins Create & Learn with Doc!
Learning Cartridge from VTech (total ARV $50)!

Entry-Form

The VTech product, gift card, information, and additional gift pack have been provided by VTech.

Wonder Forge Disney Frozen and Palace Pets Games {Review & Giveaway}

Although there are kids that like action toys and there are kids that prefer educational toys, one category that brings them all together is games.

Card games, board games, guessing games, dice games — there's something about the fun, laughter, strategy and thinking involved that not only boosts brainpower but creates memories that will last a lifetime.

Around here, Big Sister E and Little Sister B absolutely adore playing games and it is a nightly occurrence that one or both of them will ask Do we have time to play a game? in a hopeful voice, glancing at the clock to see if there are a few spare minutes before bedtime.

While pulling out a complicated, time-consuming, strategy-filled game like Monopoly or Clue would end up with confusion and hurt feelings, we instead turn to one of our favorite companies, Wonder Forge, to consistently provide games that feature gorgeous artwork, easy-to-follow instructions and the promotion of matching, creativity, imaginative and even active play.

A Seattle company that creates good-for-you games that promote active play and teamwork for children and families, Wonder Forge preschool games boost self-confidence by giving kids a chance to discover what they can do.

Featuring beloved characters and games that have kids running, sliding, hiding, seeking, sorting, stretching, and exploring, these entertaining, engaging games are the perfect alternatives to TV and video games.

And we couldn't have been much more excited to see our favorite characters and pets in a collection of new games from Wonder Forge! After all, what better way to put a modern twist on classic games than with the colorful, personable characters of Frozen and the adorable, luxurious Palace Pets?

An all-encompassing, best-of-all-worlds way to play just about anything with the Frozen cast, Disney Frozen 6-in-1 Games (MSRP $16.99 from Target or Amazon) allows players to choose their favorite classic game and give it a modern, fun twist.

Right away I could tell that my girls were going to flip seeing their favorite Disney characters as well as that there were six games possible all in one box. How were they going to choose between Bingo, Crazy 8's, Go Fish, Four-in-a-row, Dominoes and Matching when they all looked like so much fun?

Featuring an array of brightly colored, beautifully drawn pieces showing Anna and Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf, Sven, Hans and more, the Disney Frozen 6-in-1 Game is just the thing to make any fan of the hit movie even more excited!

Switching between the game options is a snap and whether you're playing Bingo with multiple people or simply timing yourself to try to beat the clock in Matching (the traditional Memory game), each method of play keeps players engaged and having fun.

Continuing with the Frozen theme, the Disney Frozen Surprise Slides Game (MSRP $11.99 from Target or Amazon) leads players through exquisitely illustrated terrains on a surprise-filled race to Elsa's Ice Palace.

While at first glance this game bears a resemblance to the classic Candyland (except set in Arendelle featuring the snow monster Marshmallow instead of Gumdrop Mountains and a Molasses Swamp), Surprise Slides includes an innovative addition that makes it a new and different game each time it is played.

Simply flick the spinner and, depending on where it lands, the four removable panels from the board may be rotated to another spot or flipped over to create an entirely new set of shortcut slides and paths (which may move the player forward or backward)!

We love the way that Surprise Slides truly provides surprises by having the various enchanting locations mix and flip. You just never know when players are going to suddenly twist and turn and end up in a different location than they were and that adds to the laughter, fun and suspense each time we pull out the board!

Finally, when we're not hanging out with the Frozen cast, Disney Palace Pets Royal Pet Salon (MSRP $19.99 from Toys 'R' Us or Amazon) provides a unique, imaginative way to get regally pampered with four princess pets.

I can't think of another game that compares to this one in terms being so adorable and filled with girly details as this unique "search and find" Palace Pets game.

The concept itself is simple and easy for young kids to understand, as players take their turn with the spinner to find out if they will flip a card or move their character and attempt to look for hidden items around the different salon rooms.

And these salon rooms aren't plain drawings by any means, they are extremely detailed, very colorful and a whole lot of fun! Who knew that looking for fancy soaps and shampoos, tiaras, collars, sweet treats and more could be so engaging?

We've had a great time just pointing out new aspects that we have never seen before!

If you're looking for a captivating game that the children in your life are sure to enjoy this holiday season, visit WonderForge.com (and connect with them on Facebook and Twitter) to see their expanding product line and the education and entertainment that they can bring to your home.

With everything from active, adventurous play for little pirates to action-packed games of teamwork and special powers to just about everything in between, you're sure to find the award-winning games that the boys and girls in your life will enjoy for quite some time to come. I couldn't be happier that my girls are practicing positive game-playing skills while, at the same time, having such a good time with their favorite Disney characters!

And, thanks to the generosity of Wonder Forge, one person will be able to provide the child in their life with an entertaining, good time as well, because...

One lucky person will win a Disney Frozen Surprise Slides Game from Wonder Forge!

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A big thank you to Wonder Forge for providing the three above games for me for review as well as the Disney Frozen Surprise Slides Game for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Educational, Active Video Gaming for Kids: LeapTV by LeapFrog {#LeapTV}

As a mom, I feel constantly torn between all of the choices that I make for my children. I want them to eat healthy, they want foods that are as sweet as possible. I want them to get plenty of sleep at night to be well-rested and they want to stay up as late as they can to not miss out on any fun.

When it comes to video games, sure they would love to have all of the latest and greatest gaming systems so that they could play game after game all day long, but we all know that staring at a screen isn't the most beneficial activity ever.

Fortunately, we have now been introduced to a way to incorporate education, movement and action into gaming all in one unique, child-friendly way thanks to LeapTV by LeapFrog.

LeapFrog is known as a leader in education innovation throughout the world. Their award-winning learning toys, interactive book and map experiences, reading systems, educational gaming handhelds and learning tablets are age-appropriate, trusted by parents, valued by teachers and loved by children.

Which is why I wasn't surprised to hear that LeapFrog figured out how to make gaming smarter with their new LeapTV. This innovative system provides three ways to play — body motion, pointer play and classic control — to keep kids ages 3 to 8 entertained, involved and having a blast!

Knowing that just about any kid would have a great time pointing, jumping, wiggling, dancing, twisting and more (while also practicing their reading, math, science and problem solving), it was time to try out this great new device during our LeapTV Party!

I love seeing my kids have fun and I love seeing my kids learn, so when a LeapTV and two games arrived, I was excited to see my girls and their friends have the opportunity to spend an afternoon being entertained in an educational way.

Right off the bat, setting up the LeapTV proved to be just as easy and convenient as I had hoped. After simply plugging in all of the included cables and cords, it only took a few minutes of connecting the LeapTV to our internet connection and completing the registration process.

Then it was time to play!

Just as I suspected, we had a blast!

The kids were immediately curious about the transforming, easy-to-hold controller and the instant the colorful home screen appeared, there was no stopping them from getting started.

As opposed to traditional gaming systems where I have had to spend time explaining every last detail about the gameplay to my children, the LeapTV has a simple and intuitive user interface (and clear audio prompts) that kids are able to understand and control immediately. I barely had to say a word or give an instruction the entire time each of the kids took turns playing again and again.

We began with the included Pet Play World game, which proved to be a perfect introduction to the system as a whole.

From selecting and customizing a pet (breed, colors and name) to feeding it, washing it, playing with it, designing its home, racing it and more, this "starter game" itself received plenty of attention and compliments. Our guests loved returning to change their pet, replay games, try new ones and more!

Although we probably could have continued playing Pet Play World throughout the party, I decided to mix things up by putting in LeapFrog's Dance & Learn cartridge to see what the girls thought of it.

Designed for ages 4-7 (pre-K to 1st grade), the nine dance games included in this collection got the kids into action right away as they waved, danced, shook, drummed and more right along with the upbeat music and colorful characters.

At the same time, Dance & Learn does a great job of incorporating educational curriculum right in with the fun. I don't think the kids even noticed that they were practicing rhyming, making compound words, defining action verbs, working on phonics and more — they were too busy laughing (and laughing and laughing!) while they high-fived with hamsters or froze in sassy dance positions!

Even better, it didn't take long for the girls to realize that multiple players could participate in many of the Dance & Learn games (without the need for a second controller), so they were soon taking turns as Player 1 and Player 2... as well as just joining in with each other to turn the whole thing into one big dance party!

For continued learning mixed with exercise and active movement, we ended our LeapTV Party with the Sports! cartridge, which allowed the kids to interact with new as well as veteran LeapFrog characters.

Sports! is also designed for ages 4-7 and, like Dance & Learn, has the ability to be played by a solo child or with up to four players without needing to add another controller. From practicing subtraction while batting in baseball to recognizing patterns throughout an action-packed skateboard race, the nine games in this collection had the girls laughing, pointing, jumping and more as they played again and again.

By the end of the party, I was even more impressed with LeapFrog for inventing this active video gaming system than I had thought. I love the way that kids of all ages (our guests ranged from 5 to 8) had no problem using the controller (and transforming it from a classic controller into a pointer) or moving easily between options and games.

All of the girls got a kick out of seeing themselves right in the action ("I'm on TV!") and the way that LeapFrog designed the games to automatically adjust the levels depending on the age of the player ensured that they were challenged without being frustrated. They truly have made gaming smarter, more educational and perfectly appropriate and kid-friendly!

While we have long loved LeapFrog and the way that their unique toys and learning solutions provide entertainment as well as educational advancement, the addition of the LeapTV fits right in. Kids are able to express their creativity and have active, happy fun all while learning and practicing a wide variety of educational skills. What more could I ask for?

Here's a quick peek at the girls in action showing off their LeapTV love!


This innovative video game system is available now from LeapFrog, Amazon and in stores near you with an MSRP of $149.99. With a library of 100+ LeapFrog educator-approved game cartridges, game downloads and videos to include, kids will never run out of fun!

Find out more about LeapTV and all of the available games and accessories available for it by visiting LeapFrog.com and connecting with them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

I received free products in order to host the LeapFrog sponsored MommyParty. The opinions expressed here are honest and my own.

Extend the Education and Fun of VTech's InnoTab Learning Tablets with Learning Cartridges {Review & Giveaway}

As much as I would like to claim that my kids reach for a book every time they have a moment free, pretty much every parent knows that some sort of tech device is more likely to be preferred. It's not completely their fault, however, as children are introduced to technology nearly from birth — are smartphones as popular as mobiles and bibs on baby registries yet?

Fortunately, there are great child-friendly, age-appropriate options available so that at least I can rest assured that the device will provide fun and learning (and is built to withstand whatever my kids dish out). Namely, the innovative line of InnoTab Learning App Tablets from VTech!

My kids have adored their InnoTabs ever since their arrival and I love knowing that at least I can provide Big Sister E and Little Sister B some education along with their entertainment. Even better, along with the games and activities that come preloaded on these tablets, VTech makes it easy to mix things up and keep kids coming back for more with their ever-growing collection of InnoTab Software Learning Cartridges!

With options available in every genre for ages 12 months all the way up to 9 years old, there is an InnoTab Learning Cartridge that is sure to get every child excited about the games, e-Books and more contained on them. Even better, with such entertaining characters and themes, kids don't even realize that they are progressively learning key subjects such as math, reading and science all while having fun!

Considering how many times both of my daughters have returned to their InnoTabs and the various Learning Cartridges that we own, I wasn't surprised when they were thrilled to add two more to their collection: InnoTab I Spy Adventure and Pixar Play.

I truly love the way that VTech makes their cartridges compatible with any version of the InnoTab, so no matter if your child has the original InnoTab or the latest model, they are able to partake in all of the games and activities.

Simply pop in the I Spy Adventure software (designed for ages 4-7) and your child is ready to practice early reading skills as they read and solve I Spy riddles and play games to unlock 50 levels of play – each more challenging than the next.

My girls have had a great time finding and matching a variety of photo-realistic objects across four action-packed thinking games that build logic, vocabulary and visual discrimination skills. Activities include Riddle Rush, Pattern Quest, Oops Hoops and Adventure Box and I love seeing how this cartridge mirrors many of the skills that Little Sister B is currently doing in her kindergarten classroom.

When they aren't doing in-depth searching with I Spy, Big Sister E and Little Sister B have also been excited about diving into the world of Pixar with the InnoTab Pixar Play cartridge (also recommended for ages 4-7).

Focusing on four of our favorite Pixar films — Toy Story, Monsters University, Finding Nemo and The Incredibles — this software manages to teach spelling, letters, vocabulary, reading phonics, problem solving and more, all while keeping kids happily entertained. Who wouldn't get excited about getting to play with these iconic characters?

As with all of VTech's great InnoTab cartridges, Pixar Play includes a wide variety of options for children to choose from each and every time they turn it on. Find missing letters to help Buzz defeat Zurg, guide Nemo through the ocean while learning new words, design your own monster and create a Monsters University scene, read the story of The Incredibles, and more!

Pixar Play also includes three creative bonuses that my kids have enjoyed and have returned to time and again. First, the Spaceship Crane Game is a digital claw game that children can play when they have earned coins from playing the learning games. On top of being fun, this game is a great motivator to go back and continue to play the educational activities for more coins!

Second, as each play on the Spaceship Crane Game results in a toy won, those collected are then displayed on the Toy Shelves. Here kids can see all of their prizes as well as unlock a "Mini Game" when all of the toys from one shelf have been collected.

Finally, VTech included a cute Photo Fun option on this cartridge where kids can take photos with fun Pixar characters, stickers and frames!

Both of these cartridges have been entertaining Big Sister E and Little Sister B since their arrival and they have been perfect for quiet play during their resting and downtime that follows school. While the girls return to the previous cartridges that we owned, these two new additions have given even greater value to their InnoTabs and have allowed them to grow and challenge their abilities even further.

If you're looking for a way to extend the learning and fun of your child's InnoTab, look no further than VTech's extensive line of educational learning cartridges. Kids can explore exciting content offering age-appropriate games, activities, e-Books and more that allow children to progressively learn key subjects.

Add in the way that topics such as reading, math and vocabulary are seamlessly tied in with creative activities, colorful graphics and camera fun and the result is a toy that can educate as well as inspire a child's imagination!

Retailing for $24.99 each, InnoTab I Spy Adventure and Pixar Play can be purchased in stores, from VTech and on Amazon. You can also stay up-to-date with all of the unique and innovative products that VTech has to offer by connecting with them on Facebook and Twitter.

And, thanks to their generosity, one person will soon be able to bring home fun and learning for their child's InnoTab as well, because...

One lucky person will win an InnoTab I Spy Adventure and a Pixar Play Learning Cartridge from VTech (total ARV $50)!

Entry-Form

The VTech product, gift card, information, and additional gift pack have been provided by VTech.

Wonder Forge Disney Princess Frozen Matching Game and Disney Planes Sky Race Game {Review & Giveaway}

Although there are kids that like action toys and there are kids that prefer educational toys, one category that brings them all together is games.

Card games, board games, guessing games, dice games — there's something about the fun, laughter, strategy and thinking involved that not only boosts brainpower but creates memories that will last a lifetime.

Around here, Big Sister E and Little Sister B love partaking in just about any game-playing, but are still a little on the young side for the complexity of titles such as Monopoly or Clue.

Fortunately, there are companies like Wonder Forge that we know we can turn to time and again for games that feature gorgeous artwork, easy-to-follow instructions and the promotion of matching, creativity and imaginative play. Most recently they proved that once again with the introduction of their Disney Frozen Matching Game and Disney Planes Sky Race Game.

A Seattle company that creates good-for-you games that promote active-play and teamwork for children and families, Wonder Forge preschool games boost self-confidence by giving kids a chance to discover what they can do.

Featuring beloved characters and games that have kids running, sliding, hiding, seeking, sorting, stretching, and exploring, these active, engaging games are the perfect alternatives to TV and video games.

And we couldn't have been much more excited to see our favorite princesses and planes in both of these new games! After all, what better way to put a modern twist on the classic game of picture-matching than with the colorful, personable characters of Frozen?

Featuring 72 brightly colored, beautifully drawn tiles showing Anna and Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf, Sven, Hans and more, the Disney Princess Frozen Matching Game is just the thing to make any fan of the hit movie even more excited!

Little Sister B couldn't wait to get each of the tiles punched out, mixed up and laid out for round after round after round of picture-matching fun.

While the object of the game (pick up the most matching pairs to win!) isn't one that is new, the way that Wonder Forge has captured the Frozen mania and incorporated into the traditional game of memory has given it new life.

We have played this time and again and never get tired of turning over the next tile to see just which character will be waiting underneath!

While Frozen has been dominating as choice of movie lately, I also knew that the Disney Planes Sky Race Game would be able to bring even more of our much-loved characters off of the screen and into game time.

This unique, imaginative game is like none other that I've seen before!

Including four high quality foam planes designed to duplicate main characters from the movie...

...players take turns tossing their plane (a.k.a. flying) through the Wings Around the Globe Rally. As these markers can be set up throughout the house, out in the yard, at the park and more, it makes this game perfectly portable and a new experience each time it is played!

But what fun would it be to just toss your plane from marker to marker?

The addition of a variety of creative flight conditions cards and advanced racing tiles (optional) bring surprising challenges such as tossing with your eyes closed, between your legs, laying on your belly, over your head and more!

While I was initially concerned that this game would result in players with the most accurate throwing skills winning over and over, Wonder Forge included plenty of silly additions and surprise points that luck is a large factor as well.

The result is a high-flying, tricky-tossing, hilariously good time that entertains players of all ages anytime, anywhere — no batteries required!

Both of these games have done a great job encouraging patience, self-esteem, critical thinking and more and have continued to impress me each time we open the box. I couldn't be happier that my girls are practicing positive early childhood developmental skills while, at the same time, having such a good time with their favorite princesses and planes!

If you're looking for a captivating game featuring gorgeous color artwork that the children in your life are sure to enjoy this spring, visit the Wonder Forge website to see their expanding product line and the education and entertainment that they can bring to your home.

With everything from active, adventurous play for little pirates to action-packed games of teamwork and special powers to just about everything in between, you're sure to find the games that the boys and girls in your life will enjoy for quite some time to come. These games are small, portable, and easy to play and, at just $19.99 or below per game, they're a great value, offering hours of family fun.

And, thanks to their generosity, one person will be able to do just that, because...

One lucky person will win a Disney Princess Frozen Matching Game and a Disney Planes Sky Race Game from Wonder Forge!

Entry-Form

A big thank you to Wonder Forge for providing two games for me to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.