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My 2020 Christmas Gift Guide – Celebrate With Me

Paula — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 11:48:52 +0000

Happy Holidays! My 2020 Christmas Gift Guide is ready to share. I couldn’t be happier to spread some joy this year and share a few of my favourite things with you. My 2020 Christmas Gift guide contains affiliate links. At no extra fee to you, I receive a small commission off of purchases made via qualifying links. I received product and compensation in some cases for features in this guide. Well, here we are almost at Christmas and this year I am doing a few things differently. One thing I am doing is shopping slowly and in chunks to spread out the cost. We definitely have a budget to stick to this year. Welcome to the 2020 Christmas Gift Guide I am launching my holiday content this week with a great building toy/ craft kit that’s perfect for teens or tweens. The price is amazing so add this one to your list. Better yet order now directly from my Christmas gift guide. Gifts for Teens Creatto 4 in 1 Light Up Crafting Kit Ever since she was a preschooler, my youngest child Ainsley has been fascinated by sharks and dinosaurs. She also loves puzzles, has freakish superhuman strength (could lift a ten pound bag of potatoes when she was not even two) and enjoys building things. Creatto Building Toys/ Craft Kits When this craft kit, stem building toy arrived here recently I was excited to see how she’d react. Immediately after school one night she opened it and tore into the plastic pieces. For a minute she looked at me and considered asking for help and I broke into a cold sweat. Following written manuals and video tutorials is her strength and not mine. This came in from Creatto recently by @thamesandkosmos and by dinner it was done. She patiently built it while I was writing, editing, proofing and helping her sister with remote learning. It was a busy day and I was ripping my hair out at some points. But then this charming package of building toys and memory games showed up. And at least one of the kids was hyper focused. What I Like: The Creatto 4 in 1 by Thames and Kosmos is just right for your kids 9 and up who love to build things. Any younger and it would be frustrating. It’s a 4 in 1 kit. We love toys that keep my builder busy and can actually be kept afterwards. Amazing gift which makes it perfect for my Christmas gift guide and frankly this price is shocking to me. Super affordable. I would actually buy all of these, one for everyone on my list. Now You Can BUY it here – > Creatto 4 in 1 Craft and Building Set Other Notes: It is challenging, so be patient and also use the Youtube tutorial link. Shimmer Shark & Ocean Pals includes 140 Creatto pieces, a string of 100 LED lights, and assembly instructions to build a shark, octopus, seagull, and fish, but the possibilities are limited only by your imagination! Lights powered by USB cable; USB power adapter not included. Suitable for ages 9 and up. Buy It Here – > Creatto Craft and Building Set Brainwaves The Wise Whale is a busy memory game from Thames & Kosmos. $14.95 or $14.26 (not a bad price for a game that will last.) Brainwaves is a series of games developed by game designers and neuroscientists with which players can challenge their episodic memory — their recent memory of autobiographical events. These compact, card based games are scientifically proven to exercise the brain to improve memory functions. These innovative memory games place demands on three types of brain functions: fluid intelligence, working memory, and long-term memory. I thought this one would be great for all of us because memory games are as relevant to young people with executive functioning challenges as they are to people who are middle aged. This Christmas gift guide item is great for anyone with memory impairments. What I Like: Easy to play and cute. Brainwaves was a fun game and we will keep it around. Other Notes This memory game was almost too simple. My daughter thought it could have used a deck with more cards. In fairness, I think it would be perfect for someone 7-8 years old. There are several versions of Brainwaves including, Brainwaves: The Astute Goose (AGES 8+ MSRP: $14.95), Brainwaves: The Brilliant Boar (AGES 8+ MSRP: $14.95), and Brainwaves: The Wise Whale (AGES 8+ MSRP: $14.95). Buy it Here: -> Brainwaves Pensilly Get ready to laugh yourself silly this holiday season with the crazy shaking pen, PenSilly! PENSILLY™ is the super, silly drawing and guessing game! It takes creativity, teamwork and imagination to play! Grab your friends, select your cards and sketch out the clues. The team who collects the most points, WINS! But it’s not that simple, you see, PENSILLY™ makes drawing CRAZY! It shakes and moves as you sketch out the clues. There are over 5,500 clue combinations with 2 Levels of play! Are you ready for the challenge? Recommended for age 6 +. This is a game for the entire family which is why it made the cut for my Christmas gift guide. What I Like Lots of variety in the drawings that you get to make as inscribed on the cards. Very funny and works for every member of the family. Pen is not heavy at all even though it looks like it might be. Other Notes Pencil takes three AAA batteries. Buy it Here: -> Pensilly Books to Gift You’re Pulling My Leg Is it a game or a book? This cute activity book/ family game reminds me a bit of charades or Mad-Libs. You’re Pulling My Leg! and You’re Pulling My Leg! Junior, created by award-winning game creator Allen Wolf, lets you test your bluffing skills with entirely new questions that range from thought-provoking to zany. How You Play During the game, players choose a question from the cards within the book. The secret flip of the coin tells them if their answer should be true or made up. When players hear a story, they vote on whether they think a player is telling the truth or pulling their leg. Players win points if you’re right but lose them if you’re wrong. They also try to bluff others and not be fooled. The first player to 21 points wins. You’ll be surprised how much you learn about other players in a short amount of time. What I Like The game can be played in person or remotely. That’s why it is perfect for the Pandemic and the 2020 Christmas gift guide. There are two versions: one for younger kids and one for older kids. From MorningStar Games this book/ game is simple and requires no extras like batteries. Just old fashioned creativity. $12.99 is an excellent price for this game/ book. 2 or more players. Other Notes: I can’t really think of anything negative about this although you are meant to write in the book and I know some people in my home are triggered when people write in books. To circumvent wrecking that and keep it in great shape for years I’d just add a handy scratch pad to keep notes. Get it Here: – > Amazon You’re Pulling My Leg book set MorningStar Games – You’re Pulling My Leg Endless hours of entertainment and a chance to know your family members better. That’s what makes this a great choice for my gift guide. Family Is….by Katya Longhi Alright, originally I wondered why I got this book. It arrived here one day and I was thinking wow this is a really young board book and then I opened it and was enthralled. This adorable board book is a brilliant example of a diverse and inclusive book that shares various examples that reflect how families look today in 2020. What I Like I love it. Period. This book is a keepsake and it is one I would buy for every single baby shower. It fits my vision of diverse families, including foster families, adoptive families, the disabled community (child in a wheelchair), and LGBTQ+ community with examples of two Dads and two Moms. Family is by Clever Publishing is super sweet and it also encourages a bit of counting as well. $8.99 US and $11.99 Canadian. Sturdy construction. Great illustrations. Other Notes None. More PLEASE!! More books should strive to be this open and inclusive. Get it Here – > Family Is by Katya Longhi Great Gifts for Booklovers So, I still love to give people books as gifts. I also love to receive books as gifts. That just makes me happy. Random Acts of Kindness This good-humored guide to being the change you want to see in the world is filled with suggestions for making a real difference. From improving someone’s life with just one penny to ensuring all children are well fed, the day-by-day positive proposals of Random Acts of Kindness combine inspiration with action. We can all make an impact on the environment, throughout out local community, and within our own hearts. This book of inspired ideas and good deeds conveys how you can make a better world, starting today! What I Like Sometimes the smallest gesture makes the biggest difference. This little book shows how to start. True stories about acts of kindness and generosity of spirit. Suggestions for living more compassionately and inspirational quotes. Other Notes BUY IT Now – > Random Acts of Kindness ISBN: 978-1642504798Price: $15.95 The Declutter Challenge: A Guided Journal for Getting your Home Organized in 30 Quick Steps by Cassandra Aarssen From the Host of HGTV’s HOT MESS HOUSE A guided decluttering journal. Life happens to the best of us, whether we were born with messy tendencies or not. Messes find their way into our homes and lives and we can’t seem to find the strength or time to tackle them. That’s where this motivational guided journal by decluttering guru Cassandra Aarssen comes in. MY older daughter is all over this. At the start of the pandemic she embraced the Marie Kondo decluttering philosophy. Let me just say it’s time to revisit some decluttering in her room. School plus home life all in a bedroom makes for one messy living space. Tested methods that work. Cas Aarssen wasn’t always an organization expert. She climbed out of years of cluttered living and transformed her home and her life through organization. In this self-help journal, Cas guides you through favourite tips and tricks that she used to declutter her home. What I Like It’s the perfect time of year for a decluttering exercise. Most people enjoy a good cleanup and decluttering experience. Get this for your Mom, or best friend, maybe your teenage daughter. Other Notes: Get it here….Buy Now – > Declutter Challenge Books for Mental Health and Self Care Any of you who read our posts or my content over on CBC Parents know we have had our share of mental health struggles and illnesses. So, I was thrilled to get these books which arrived at just the right time. In my world books make great gifts, so here’s a roundup of several that touch on mental health too. Hey! It’s Your Day: Inspirational Quotes and Affirmations to Live By June Cotner Ready to change your life today? Best-selling anthologist June Cotner returns with Hey, It’s Your Day, a collection of her favourite quotes to start the day and delight any friend or relative. Inspiration at your fingertips in minutes. June Cotner has been gathering her favorite quotes for more than two decades. Now, she shares these specially curated words of wisdom to guide readers on their personal journeys of positive thinking. Featuring an eclectic selection of figures like Edward Abbey, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and Oprah Winfrey, this positive thinking book captivates readers with fresh, insightful, and engaging motivational quotes. What I Like Everyone can benefit from positive affirmations and we definitely use them here. My mantra when the kids were younger was: I am the adult here. What is yours? Other Notes You should order it now and make it your New Year’s self improvement goal. That works too. Depending on where you live this might not be available again until January but order it now because you can use it in the new year. BUY IT NOW – > Hey It’s Your Day I Believe in Me I Believe in Me: Finding Joy with Heartwarming Affirmations by Chi Sing Cheng A little world of positive mental attitude. No one is all darkness or all light. But sometimes it can feel like we’re walking with a dark cloud over our heads. So, how can we find a spark of joy? Follow author Soolooka through 150 hopeful illustrations to help you overcome bad days and negative thoughts. Cool cartoons that cheer you on. Featuring old and new comics from Reiki master and Instagram illustrator Cheng Chi Sing (a.k.a Soolooka), this short and sweet guidebook is here to help you find joy when you are feeling lonely or anxious. Self-help manuals are often overwhelming and intimidating for someone who just needs a boost during stress. What I Like PERFECT for Teens with Anxiety or any other Pandemic related stress. Other Notes This is ideal for any kid who is old enough to be all in over on Instagram, Snapchat or TikTok. Buy It Now – > I Believe in Me You’re Strong, Smart, and You Got This: Drawings, Affirmations, and Comfort to Help with Anxiety and Depression by Kate Allan It’s not easy to discuss mental health, even though it affects everyone. We want to believe we can handle anything that comes at us, but the reality is we all have good days and bad days. Because of this, it is important to check in with our mental health. Through guided illustrations, author Kate Allan opens the door to discussion about mental health in an approachable and unassuming manner. What I Like Any book that helps people who are living with mental illness to feel less alone is a worthy addition to my Christmas gift guide and to your home. Other Notes Cute cover and the notes are accompanied by adorable animal illustrations that we love. Buy it Now – > You’re Strong, Smart and You Got This! Start Here, Start Now…Start Anywhere: A Fill-in Journal to Discover Your Best Year Yet! by Ronnie Walter Mindful Journaling and Self-Care Strategies for a Better You(Part coloring book, part guided journal Start Here, Start Now…Start Anywhere!) is specially made to help you accomplish your ambitions, meet your goals, and enjoy moments of mindfulness. Personal growth starts here. With not enough time in the day, it’s hard to find room for self-reflection and short-term goals. From best-selling author and illustrator Ronnie Walter comes an eye-catching, guided, fill-in journal that will produce some clarity on your goals. Buy It Now – > Start Here Awe Factor: How a Little Bit of Wonder Can Make a Big Difference in Your Life by Allen Klein How to Find Awe, Meaning, and Wonder in Everyday Life Bestselling author and TEDx presenter Allen Klein returns to find and define awe. In his latest book, he shows readers how to escape the everyday ruts of life by opening their eyes to the wonder around them. Exploring the human ability to be in awe. What does it mean to be awestruck? Or more simply, what is awe? Backed by the latest scientific research, Klein sets out to define awe and its effects on health and happiness. With a sprinkling of the spiritual and scientific, The Awe Factor takes readers on an exploration of a human phenomenon. From research to first-hand awe-inspiring stories, Klein reflects on feelings of awe, meaning and purpose. This is simply uplifting. Buy It Now – > The Awe Factor Be True To Yourself: Daily Affirmations and Awesome Advice for Teen Girls by Amanda Ford In this book of short daily meditations and essays, Amanda Ford, a young adult herself, offers stories, information, and advice on all the important issues facing young women today: boys, dating, drinking, self-respect, self-love, fights with friends, dealing with parents, and more. Support for young women as they navigate one of the most confusing and challenging times of their lives. When Amanda Ford emerged from her tumultuous teenage years, she saw the need for a guide to help girls learn to listen to their inner voices and think for themselves. Be True To Yourself is the big sister Amanda never had. It provides the encouragement and guidance she wished, as a teenage girl, that an older sister had given her, as well as stories and advice that she would have loved to share with a younger sister during her own teen years. What I Like This is very much needed Other Notes A very positive book for young women. BUY IT Now – > Be True to Yourself The 7 Habits on the Go by Stephen R. Covey A Condensed Guide to Improving Personal and Business Health and Reducing Stress Everyone has heard of the original 7 Habits book by now. Here’s a followup to that. Check it out. For the Home What good is a Christmas gift guide without gifts for the home? This gorgeous collection of furniture is something you need to look closer at. We are redoing our living room soon. Oh, I know I have been saying that since we moved in five, no six years ago. But, this is not something that can wait any longer. Here’s some of my inspiration this year. Eternity Modern There are several gorgeous stylish pieces at Eternity Modern. My favourite is the stunning Mario Bellini Camaleonda Sofa, available in numerous rich shades. The turquoise shade is my favourite and frankly I am swooning over that right now. Sofa Mario Bellini Camaleonda Sofa : Provides endless flexible solutions for any project or living room. It’s a sectional that you can configure many different ways. The sectional elements of Camaleonda sofa can be used freely and apart...

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Hottest Dinosaur Toys to Give as Gifts This Year

Paula — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 15:22:00 +0000

It’s no secret that the holidays are right around the corner. My kids have always been fascinated by dinosaurs and dinosaur toys always made impressive gifts for them every year. Just a Few Great Dinosaur Toys Jurassic Park was just the latest of the series of movies to get my youngest daughter reinvested in dinosaurs. She currently has dozens of dinosaur books, mostly from DK Canada. But, this season she’s asking for both Jurassic Park and Harry Potter themed Lego or books. That means dinosaurs are high priority again. A few of these are super young for little people but these Lego kits and robotics are also rewarding for older grade school kids too. So, there’s a little something for everyone here. I actually know many grown adults who love the high level Jurassic Park Lego, Star Wars Lego and Harry Potter Lego too. Remote Control Dinosaur Dinosaur Toys for 3-5 Year Old Boys Girls, Electronic Dinosaur Toy Walking with LED Light Up Roaring Realistic Simulation Sounds Dino Remote Control Dinosaur Toys for Kids Gifts Age 3 -7. https://amzn.to/2SQUdyy Jurassic Branded Remote Control and Robotic Dinosaur Toys Jurassic World Super Colossal T-REX I actually love this one myself. Highly recommend this branded series of toys for any of your Dino loving children. The Mososaur from Jurassic World I cannot get enough of this dinosaur. That scene where it jumps out of the water in the holding tank and eats the caretaker lady??!! LOL. One of my favourite scenes of the entire movie. Also the extremely creepy Indominus Rex is one you need if you are getting the full set of creepiest dinosaurs from the movies. Don’t Miss This…. FYI if your kids love dinosaurs follow this Facebook feed. Field Station Dinosaurs Ride On Dinosaur Toys Power Wheels Jurassic World Jeep Wrangler Okay this one is not cheap. But if you are looking for a great gift that will knock their socks off this year, then this is the ticket. If my kids were younger I’d consider this one. It would probably be the only thing they got though because of the price and also it would be a gift for both of them. Alas, I cannot fit a teenager in one of these. LOL. Dino Egg Dig Toy Digging excavation kinds of toys can be a lot of fun and very hands on as well. Dino Egg Dig Kit Dinosaur Eggs Jumbo Dino Egg with 12 Different Dinosaur Toys Dino Egg Kit for 5 Kids with 6 Digging Tools Party Archaeology Paleontology Educational Science Gift for Age 3-5. https://amzn.to/3jU9Hhi LEGO. Need I Say More? Every child on earth has adored Lego at one time or another. Seven and Up This LEGO Creator Mighty Dinosaurs 31058 Build It Yourself Dinosaur Set, Create a Pterodactyl, Triceratops and T Rex Toy (174 Pieces) will be a massive hit for everyone over the age of seven. Remember that Lego always involves a bit of support for the little people in your home. https://amzn.to/3iTHGoD Jurassic Mighty Dino Battle – 700 Plus pieces. Recommended for ages 8 +. Kids can play out epic LEGO Jurassic World battles and a treasure hunt with a posable T. rex, posable Dino-Mech, buildable volcanic rock with an opening function and treasure chest inside, plus a boat with stud shooters and a tranquilizer gun! This LEGO Jurassic World dinosaur toy includes 4 minifigures: Owen Grady, Claire Dearing, Vic Hoskins and Danny Nedermeyer, plus 4 baby velociraptor toy figures. National Geographic Dinosaur Toys and Books This National Geographic Dinosaur Sticker Book is a lot of fun. This is a great learning tool that also allows kids to get fully immersed in the book by finding and placing stickers in appropriate spots. This dinosaur toy/ book is something I would have been very interested in as a child. I loved sticker books. https://amzn.to/3119BNh Dinosaur Toy Cars Have a young boy? Then this is what you need to get and put away now for under the Christmas tree. https://amzn.to/3iSEwSi Bath Bomb Dinosaurs I am getting these bath bombs now because my kids would get a huge kick out of these. Bath bombs are a hoot. The only kids this doesn’t work for are those who have no bathtub. So, know your gift recipient first. We still have bathtubs in our house. Thank goodness. https://amzn.to/3dmNupz Squishmallow Dinosaurs Danny the Dinosaur My daughter was given this one last Christmas and loves it. Also, these are great for camping pillows or even regular old pillows. Super soft and squishy. Tristan the Triceratops Super cute green triceratops. Here’s a note though – if you find these at Costco pick them up because they are often on sale there for much less than on Amazon. I know I could advise you get them here via this link but check Costco first and put them away now for the holidays and for birthdays. We love to give these to all of the kids on our list. Rails and Roads Ralroads and trains are fun for all ages. So, if you love train tracks then check out this dinosaur train track/ railroad toy. Dinosaur Railroad track. https://amzn.to/3lJOiYr DieCast Dinosaur Transporter Truck And this toy above makes a cute truck to cart the dinosaurs around especially if you are reenacting the movie. Puzzles All the puzzles in the world could possibly make my daughter happy. She is a huge puzzle lover. This one is divided into age groups here because we have been doing puzzles for over a decade now and we know how useful they are for all ages. Dinosaur Toys – Puzzles ages 3-5 years old Melissa and Dog Dinosaur Puzzle – 3 in 1 wooden box for keeping in tact. Ravensburger Time Travelling Dinosaurs Puzzle – ages 4 and up Fun and Challenging Dinosaur Puzzles ages 10 and up. Dino Roar Jigsaw Puzzle – 300 pieces and up. Smithsonian Dinosaur Puzzle – 1000 pieces ages ten and up This one is also ideal for framing. It is perfect for a teen or tween. Books Little Kid’s National Geographic First Big Book of Dinosaurs Dinosaur Encyclopedia Okay, so maybe not dinosaur toys exactly, but we have this dinosaur book and it is amazing and so educational. A surefire hit for any budding palaeontologist. Movies 3D Jurassic Park Movie for Blu-Ray Easy Dinosaur Toys Make Great Gifts It’s easy to please kids when they have specific interests like this one. Dinosaur Toys are timeless. Any one of these is a surefire hit with kids who love Dinos.

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Best Educational Fun Steam Toys To Give Right Now

Paula — Fri, 04 Sep 2020 17:34:54 +0000

STEAM toys are toys related to the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. As technology advances rapidly, knowledge of related topics will become more and more important. Most parents and professionals already know that. I received product in the form of Steam toys for consideration here. Post may contain affiliate links. My opinion is all my own and it is truthful. But did you also know that learning about STEAM can enhance experiences in other fields; it’s not just about academic subjects, but rather advancing skills like creativity and logical thinking that apply to countless future careers. So What’s Trending in Stem and Steam Toys Right Now? Here are three Stem and Steam toys and kits we loved this month. They are perfect right now when kids are still waiting for school to resume, and they’d also make great birthday or holiday gifts. These unique and amazing STEAM toys from Nat Geo and SmartLab guarantee a fun learning opportunity. Mini Robots and Robotic Toys This might be the hardest of all the kits we received. Don’t get me wrong: this robot toy is educational and fun but I definitely wouldn’t give to anyone under eight. My teen and I put this together. There are numerous configurations and this cute little toy makes me happy. I mean successfully making it work makes me happy. These are tiny pieces to negotiate. SmartLab Toys Tiny Robots The Tiny Robot is an exciting intro to mini machines and robotics. A mini robotics kit with everything kids need to design and build miniature working machines from an assortment of real mechanical parts; travels easily for hours of play. Learn basic mechanical engineering–how to assemble robots, what makes them work; same content taught in beginning robotics STEM clubs. Includes 26 pieces and batteries. There are also Tiny Baking and Tiny Science kits. It’s the tiny part that I find adorable. Also, you can’t deny that robotics is a field everyone should be giving serious thought to right now. Ages: 8+Price: $27.99 Availability: Independent Stores Grow Your Own Crystals Okay, I knew this amazing National Geographic Stem and Steam Toys Kit would appeal to everyone here and I was not wrong. Even my older daughter who starts university soon was interested. Crystals are having their day! National Geographic Glow In Dark Crystal Green Grow amazing glowing crystals in your own home with the National Geographic’s Glow-in-the-Dark Crystal Growing Kit! With a learning guide packed full of interesting crystal facts and a real fluorite specimen included, you get the most comprehensive crystal growing kit on the market! Includes:- Growing powder- Seed rock- Stir stick- Real fluorite crystal- National Geographic’s learning guide with instructions Ages: 8+Price: $16.99 Availability: Mastermind, Indigo, Staples, Walmart, Toys R Us, independent You grow this one for seven to 10 days, so that’s great value. You might consider any of the other Crystal kits too. Dig up a Fossil My youngest is all about dinosaurs and sharks, so on movie night one evening recently I gave her this kit. She hates sitting still to watch or learn and she fidgets a lot so doing something while watching TV or movies works for her. So, she uncovered the dinosaur fossils while we all watched something on Disney +. I’m sure it was a Marvel movie, but who knows anymore. National Geographic Dinosaur Dig Kit Spark your child’s love of history and science, and teach them all about dinosaurs with National Geographic’s Dinosaur Dig Kit, an exciting hands-on experience to discover 3 real dinosaur fossils! Dig up a dinosaur bone, mosasaur tooth, and dinosaur poop for your rock collection. Includes: One digging brick containing 3 ancient fossils (dino bone, mosasaur tooth, dino poop). Archeological digging tools.- Full-colour learning guide and a small magnifying glass. Most of these Steam toys come with a small magnifying glass. Several of these kits also include an educational booklet. (That part appeals to me.) Ages: 8+Price: $16.99 Availability: Mastermind, Indigo, Staples, Walmart, Toys R Us Independent Stores and Amazon of course. Stem and Steam Toys to Give These Stem and Steam toys are a hit here and I highly recommend any of the above. If you have a dinosaur lover then the dig up a dino fossil kit will have them captivated for a few hours. Science loving crystal kind of student? Get the National Geographic Grow Your Own Crystals Kits.

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Top 13 Sensory Toys for Kids with Sensory Processing Disorder

Paula — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 15:46:00 +0000

This sensory toys post contains affiliate links as a service to readers. Purchases made via qualifying links mean a small commission for me. What do you give to kids who are anxious about a lot of things, whose brains seem to amplify sensations and noises? Good sensory toys can help them function and manage sensory input. My daughter has sensory processing disorder. I have written about that here a few times. Years ago I wrote about our journey to get a sensory processing disorder diagnosis for Today’s Parent magazine. These recommendations are based on what we have found that works. Sensory processing disorder is a condition that interferes with how the brain conveys sensory messages, leading to unexpected reactions and motor responses in a person. In other words, exposure to certain conditions we deem as normal might trigger involuntary reactions in those who have sensory challenges. They will start feeling overwhelmed by certain conditions or environment and this can lead to even physical injuries if not monitored. When you are looking to get a gift for a child with SPD, you should get them something that will help them cope with their environment in a better manner. Great Sensory Toys for Kids 1. Noise Blocking Headphones or Noise Cancelling Headphones Some kids get anxious in a noisy environment. Many kids diagnosed with sensory processing disorder cannot handle noise. It is distracting and alarming and causes genuine distress. My daughter uses these often. In fact, both of my kids do. Only one has the sensory processing disorder diagnosis. But, that said, they both have some sensory issues and they both need tools to help them focus and block noise out. At school, in the elementary grades, these noise cancelling headphones were readily available in the learning resource room. 2. Sensory Hairbrush or Tangle Free Hairbrush This is a simple gift that applies soft pressure on the scalp, running through the hair. The pressure produces a relaxing and calming effect for the kids. The soft, plastic bristles ensure that no harm would befall them. 3. Kinetic Sand Kinetic sand allows the child to explore playing in the sand without creating the mess normal sand would create. The sand is cool to touch and will stick back to itself after use, allowing easy cleaning. It is a relaxing activity to enjoy. We have this particular brand here and I love it. Even I will play with this sand because it is a great sensory tool. 4. Tactile balls These are soft, rubbery balls that are enjoyable to squeeze, rub or hold in your hands. They are also good as stress-relieving toys because of their soft, squishy nature. The kids can do whatever they want with these balls as they are indestructible. Use them to run them up and down the kid’s arms and back if they can handle that type of feedback. The massage kind of function used to work brilliantly for my daughter. 5. Crashpad Any kind of safe crash pad can be extremely useful. This could be a sort of air mattress where the kids can bounce and play. It can be karate crash pads that they kick and slam into. Place on the floor, or hang on the walls. Or you might even just buy a BOB, martial arts tool they can hit and kick and smash into. It can make a good replacement for an indoor trampoline. It is softer and with a better feel than an air mattress. 6. Indoor tent This is designed for kids who get anxious often. They can be able to run into their own space when they start feeling overwhelmed. This is a small indoor tent that can fit anywhere inside the house. The actual one that we had in several places is this one – > The school had one too in her class. Also, this is a beautiful indoor tent option. 7. Silly putty This is the kind of putty that can withstand all sorts of abuse. It is great for improving the creativity levels of your child. Mold, knead, stretch it, or do whatever they want with it and still get it together at the end of the day. 8. Legos and Building Blocks Legos are a great gift for kids with SPD and those without this condition. These Melissa and Doug building blocks are great sensory toys for kids of all ages. They are amazing at encouraging all sorts of creative processes in your child. 9. Step-a-log beams or Balance Beams This gift is designed for kids who suffer from anxiety. These beams are good at enhancing balance and building their coordination when walking. Balance Beams are an amazing fun tool for kids. 10. Flex bands There is something stress-relieving about stretch bands and these are aimed for both sensory management and enhancing motor skills. The flex bands can stand any kind of pressure the kids subject them to. They are a good, therapeutic gift for kids with SPD. 11. Puzzles For my daughter, when she was small, we needed tricks to distract her in order to calm her down. So, we’d use puzzles as sensory toys. That seemed to calm her down and give her the chance to regroup. In every single All About Me booklet that we gave to camp counsellors and others, we told them puzzles were a means to soothe her. As a result we had some remarkable puzzles for all ages and abilities. 12. Swing For years, we had a swing suspended from a beam in Ainsley’s room. It was like a cocoon for her when she needed to calm down. It worked very well. Our indoor swing was similar to this one here. There are other swings for kids with SPD options too that are just as cute. 13. Weighted Blankets While not a toy exactly, these are so very useful for kids with SPD. Use these to relax or to sleep. Just pay attention to the rules surrounding weight limits and size. Most good weighted blanket companies will tell you size and weight.

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Adorable Burrito Surprise Toys for Children

Paula — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 16:31:13 +0000

I received product for consideration in the gift guide this year. Post may contain affiliate links. Have you heard of CuteTitos? Or Babitos yet? You will. These CuteTitos and Babitos are currently wrapped and under my tree for my niece. She’s too little to read this content, so there’s no chance that she will find out. Anyways, CuteTitos are sweet little stuffed animals and unique creatures that come with their own small blanket burrito. Unroll Something Special So adorable! These are surprise toys because you don’t know what you get until you unroll the burrito pet inside. Unroll to reveal a new soft pet with its own burrito. Each pet has its own personality and level of spiciness. Their personality marking is right on their hip. Each mystery animal is mild, medium, hot or a super spicy chili pepper. They each come with a little blurb about their personality and which one they are in the series of pets. It also tells you their birthday and gender. We received a tiny Babitos giraffe named Giraffito and also Hefftito, the elephant. So cute! Love the baby giraffe. The elephant is just a really sweet gift for any child who loves creative play and collecting toys. Collect Them All There are 12 possible collectible styles. Animals range from moneys, to narwhals and elephants. The surprise is inside the burrito. Babitos are similar versions of the CuteTitos but smaller and their burrito blanket is less soft than CuteTitos. If your kiddo loves mystery stuffed animals and surprise reveals then these surprise toys are going to be a huge hit. Collect each one of the mystery stuffed animals from the three current series. Then don’t forget to start collecting the Babitos as well. Babitos are colourful stuffed animals wrapped in a burrito blanket and stuffed inside a taco shell. Soft Sweet Surprise Toys I spied these at a toy show early this season and fell for them. They have all the elements for a great gift for a child who loves stuffed animals. Soft and sweet and really cute toys that any child would love to collect. Kids who enjoy creative play will also love these for the holidays or for birthdays. Who is This Gift for? These CuteTitos and Babitos are meant for ages 4-5 and up to 12. If your son or daughter enjoys collecting series of toys then these are perfect. If they adore cute cuddly things they will love these CuteTitos surprise toys. I am giving several of these to my niece who is seven. She is away this week but when she returns I will have armloads of Christmas presents for her to unwrap. Fully anticipating that she will adore these! Do not miss these other toys and recommendations this season. I love these Tech Gifts for Teens and Older. If you like these then I highly recommend these WOWEE Fortune Cookie blind bracelet toys too. Also, a similar mystery toy concept. I gave one to my oldest daughter actually, so she could demonstrate it for me and she loved how cute it is.

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Make Coding Fun with Botzees Now

Paula — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 12:41:00 +0000

Make coding fun with a toy that combines building and lots of entertaining puzzles alongside simple to understand coding. Botzees is a toy that combines all these elements into one experience that helps to make coding fun for kids. I received product for consideration here. I love that because as any long-time reader knows, I’m a huge supporter of STEM and figuring out ways to introduce it to our kids at an early age. That’s why I’m so excited about Botzees and how they approach coding. Technology is moving so fast these days. A few years ago, apps were an amazing new development. It seemed like we were in the dawn of a new age. Now I have a phone that has as much RAM and processing power as the computer I replaced a few months ago. Make Coding Fun for Kids The driving force behind these advancements is STEM, and the driving force behind that is the workforce that understands it. As our children grow, technology continues to advance. Whether they pursue a career in the sciences or not, it’s important for them to understand STEM. Botzees helps them do that from a young age. Botzees is designed to make coding fun for kids starting at as young as four years old. It combines coding with construction and puzzles to create an engaging platform that gets kids excited about what they’re doing and eager to learn more. Using coding, kids can make Botzee move, drum, dance, make sounds, and light up with a free app. The uniquely shaped, easy to grab coding blocks are designed to make coding easy to do and to understand for youngsters so they actually learn coding concepts as they play. The 30 interactive Augmented Reality puzzles allow for even more fun and learning with visual cues as well, which is important at that age. I had a blast setting this toy up, downloading the app and making my robotic Botzees work. Botzees Highlights Botzees are uniquely designed to capture the imaginations of young children. These incredible robots come with: 130 coding blocks. 6 pre-designed Botzee layouts and the freedom to create their own. 30 interactive Augmented Reality puzzles that teach coding concepts like sequencing, looping, and conditional coding. Make Coding Fun Now for a Better Tomorrow Of course, gifts that promote a love of learning are great in the moment, but even more important is the future that they help build. When you make coding fun now with Botzees, you’re laying the foundation for a lifelong love of learning in the future, and that translates to a more successful human being down the line. I’m in love with Botzees, and I think you will be, too. So grab one for the creative child in your life and make coding fun.

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My Christmas Wish List Activity for Kids

Paula — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 16:46:58 +0000

My Christmas Wish List. If there was a single phrase that could evoke childhood and the spirit of Christmas long ago for me, then I think it would be My Christmas Wish List. Post may contain affiliate links as a service to readers. I receive a small commission via qualifying links. Do you remember being small, poring over catalogues or flyers that arrived in the mail, circling items you dreamed of owning? For me, as a child, it was always dolls and Barbies. Meanwhile my brother lived for the latest race cars and trucks and puzzles. I have a daughter like that who asks for a puzzle every single year actually. Don’t Miss my Must Have Toys for the Season Post. The ZAX foam ax throwing toy is my favourite thing. But as I got a bit older, then it was creative craft kits like How to Knit or How to Sew, or even one year Fashion Plates. OH MY GOSH, do you remember that? It was a wonderfully creative craft that helped you imagine being a fashion designer and it was geared to tween girls. LOVED it. FYI, if you like unicorn crafts, this one caught my eye this year. When I was a tween and a young teen, my entire Christmas With List was comprised of new clothing and cameras. I always wanted a new outfit. In fact, I can easily recall a few years when I received a gorgeous velvet or velour sweater, or the latest pair of jeans. There was a time of course when satin and sateen were all the rage and naturally those clothing items made my Christmas wish list too. PIN THIS Wish List FOR LATER! Funny how tastes may change over the years! But what does not change is the spirit of Christmas and the holiday season. It’s fun to sit with your little ones and draft their wish lists for the holidays. Just watch as their eyes light up. I still enjoy browsing through all the catalogues when they arrive here, even just by myself sometimes. The Indigo catalogue is actually one of my favourites. There are so many educational toys, popular books and gifts for your home too. That Indigo catalogue and the Mastermind toys catalogue both lend themselves to careful consideration. Grab a pen and get circling things together. This serves two purposes: you enjoy time together while also getting the scoop on what your child really wants. There’s less room for disappointment and error that way. My Dream Wish List These days, I dream of taking a family trip or a family cruise. But, that’s not something that Santa can bring me. At this stage of the game most of my dreams revolve around travel. Anyways, if you want to use this with your child here’s how. Right click on the image above and print it out on your computer. OR, click on the download now button below and a clean PDF will pop up. You can print from there too. More Printable Activities for You While you are at it, you can find so many more word games, word searches, crosswords and crafty ideas here on my Free Printables board. Happy Holidays! What’s on your wish list this year?

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Inspiring Imagination with Zing

Paula — Sun, 24 Nov 2019 12:29:00 +0000

I received Zing toys for consideration here. My opinion is all my own. Inspiring imagination is what play should be all about. When kids play, either indoors with a game or construction set or outdoors with their friends, their imaginations are what make it so much fun. In my opinion, the best gifts are the gifts that work towards inspiring imagination in our kids. Inspiring Imagination Indoors and Out Remember when you were a kid? Every game was so much bigger than what was really happening. Tag was a battle for survival. Hide and seek was a stealth opp. Those were the times when we had the most fun, and I love toys that get our kids back to that. That’s why I love these offerings for 2019 from Zing Canada. They’re all about making playtime full of imagination, whether the kids are playing with foam bows or making stop-motion animation. HyperStrike Bow HyperStrike takes backyard battles to a new level. This bow and arrow set is designed to add even more fun to the classic foam gun battle. The bow can launch foam arrows up to 250 feet! It’s available in camouflage or carbon fiber. HyperStrike Facemask To protect their eyes and look super cool at the same time, the HyperStrike facemask makes an excellent companion to the boy. It fully protects the face and eyes and comes with interchangeable team color indicators. Zax Throwing Ax! Talk about inspiring imagination. My nephew likes to pretend he’s a lumberjack with the Zax. Zax is a lightweight, foam throwing ax with suction cups along the blade. It’s designed to be thrown at both indoor and outdoor walls, and it can even be thrown at windows. I like that added safety factor for the house. This one is one of my all time favourites for the year. I gave this to my nephew recently and he had the most fun ever at Thanksgiving slamming it into his wall in his room. It sticks extremely well and damages nothing! Pretend you are an ax thrower with this fun toy! Get it now! StikBot When inspiring imagination and animation collide, you get StikBot. These multicolored figures are designed to make it easy for kids to dip their toes into the world of stop motion animation. Each Stikbot is able to be articulated quickly and easily and they come with a free stop motion app, so the kids are free to let their imaginations run wild. KlikBot KilkBot takes the idea behind StikBot and improves upon it. These colorful figures are designed to help kids who have more experience with stop motion take their animation to the next level. Featuring more points of articulation that StikBot and interchangeable pieces, KlikBot is the next step for budding animators. Inspiring Imagination This Holiday Season My nephew is already loving the Zax ax, and I’ve already put KlikBots on my list for another budding animator in the family. The toys offered by Zing Canada this holiday season are perfect for inspiring imagination and making play mean something again. I’m loving their lineup, and I think you will, too.

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Harry Potter Tech Gifts for Teens and Adults

Paula — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 10:14:59 +0000

My kids and my entire family are Harry Potter crazy. We started watching all of the movies together several years ago and have, in fact, seen them DOZENS of times. We never get tired of Harry, Ginny, Ron or Hermione. The stories are timeless in my opinion. Odds are good that someone in my house will get a Harry Potter gift this season. And, of course, there’s also a strong likelihood that cover the holiday break when we take a break from skiing we will probably find a moment or two to replay the entire movie marathon. That can make for a great staycation actually. Harry Potter Tech Gifts The thing about having movies and brands that you adore is that you always have ideas on what to buy when it comes to gift giving. Harry Potter gifts are everywhere so you shouldn’t have any issues finding something that makes your Harry Potter fan a happy camper. When it comes to gift-giving season, for birthdays or for I always know that Harry Potter tech gifts will make my Harry Potter loving tech geeks happy! I am an Amazon affiliate which means I make a small commission on qualifying sales here. Harry Potter Tech Gifts for Fans The Harry Potter Remote Control wand Mouse Pad Featuring Harry Potter A fun batch of Harry Potter Laptop decals – set Harry Potter computer decals – Glasses with Scar and Hair Mini Bell Jar Light – Harry Potter Mini Bell Jar Light – Hermione Granger Character Car decals for Deathly Hallows FUN Harry Potter Movie Scene Photography Backdrops – 9 by 6 feet! Harry Potter Coding Kit Plush Mandrake – Harry Potter Electronic Mandrake Electronic Marauder’s Map Magic Photo and Video Printer for Your Smartphone – Harry Potter Themed and so cute! The Talking Portrait Harry Potter Animated Room Alarm 32 GB Harry Potter USB stick A 32 GB Hermione Granger USB stick Portable 20 Questions Harry Potter by Mattel Harry Potter – Weasley’s Extendable Ear. Lumos Wand Hermione’s Light Painting Wand Hermione’s Illuminating Wand Deluminator Prop Lights Up – Looks like the one Dumbledore left to Ron. Gadget Decals – 27 pack Phone Case – I solemnly swear I am uptown no good Don’t forget to check out this Harry Potter gifts post. It is mostly toys and clothing. So many great ideas! How Big a Fan Are You? Harry Potter? Hermione? Ron Ron? Who is your favourite of all the Harry Potter characters. I adore Hermione. She is a boss. Now what house are you in?

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The Most Charming Frozen Gift Ideas

Paula — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 18:18:55 +0000

Did you know that the Frozen sequel is due out any time now! My kids have long since aged out of this phase, but to be honest at least two of us will be watching the new movie together. Age is relative, right? I happen to love Anna and Elsa and Olaf too of course, so I can’t wait. This season, as we get closer and closer to the holidays I wanted to share a few of my favourite Frozen gift ideas. Hunting for the most perfect Frozen gift ideas ever? Look no further. I gathered a few of the most charming ideas around here for you. There’s still time to order them and have some of these delivered fast for the holidays. Depending on the shipping options you choose, they could be in your home by next week. Which Frozen toy have you been looking for? Do you have a Frozen Fan? The Most Charming Frozen Gift Ideas – Disney Frozen Elsa’s Ice Palace Playset Disney Frozen Small Doll Elsa and Magical Lights Palace Playset Frozen Little Golden Book Playhut Frozen Bed Tent Frozen Olaf’s Summer Tea Set Frozen Olaf, Anna, Elsa, Kristoff Figure (4-Pack) Disney Frozen Sticker Sheets, 4ct Disney Frozen Sisters Forever Pop Up Hamper Disney Frozen KIDdesigns Chill ‘n’ Chat FRS 2-Way Radios Disney Frozen Sparkle Princess Elsa Doll Disney Frozen Sisters Giftset Disney Frozen Elsa Wooden Magnetic Playset Disney FROZEN Travel DRESS-UP TRUNK Disney Frozen Do You Want to Build a Snowman Jewelry Box Toy Ultimate Sticker Book: Frozen Frozen Celebrate Love Comforter Spot it! Disney Frozen – Alphabet Disney Frozen Enchanting Dress – Elsa Disney Frozen Cool Tunes Sing Along Boombox LEGO Disney Princess Elsa’s Sparkling Ice Castle Disney Frozen Olaf Cuddle Pillow Frozen Elsa’s Musical Snow Wand Disney Frozen Crystal Kingdom Vanity Disney Frozen Surprise Slides! Game Disney Frozen: 12 Board Books Crayola Frozen Color & Sticker Books Disney Frozen Loving Sisters Micro Raschel Throw Projectables Disney Frozen LED Plug-In Night Light Disney Frozen Castle Playset Play-Doh Disney Frozen Sparkle Snow Dome Set with Elsa and Anna Disney Frozen Cool Tunes Headphones Disney Frozen Anna and Elsa’s Musical Bicycle Playset Disney Frozen Flip Open Sofa Disney Frozen Fever Elsa Doll Disney Frozen Light Blue Stationery Set Pack with Case Disney Frozen Magical MP3 Microphone Frozen Elsa’s Tiara Crayola Frozen Inspiration Art Case Hide Away Pets Frozen Olaf Plush Frozen: Olaf’s Quest – Nintendo DS Disney Frozen Pop Up Board Game Crayola Frozen Giant Coloring Pages Frozen Activity Tote Kit A Tale of Two Sisters (Disney Frozen) (Step into Reading) Frozen Lip Gloss Tubes Frozen Olaf’s in Trouble Game Disney Frozen 5 Wood Puzzles in Wood Storage Box Disney Frozen Elsa’s Magical Musical Gloves Disney Frozen UNO Card Game Frozen Disney Disco Party CD+G Karaoke with Light Holiday Gift Giving Days are Here! Frozen is almost out so that makes these gifts super hot again. Start shopping now and don’t forget to sock some away for birthdays too! WHEW!! That’s a lot of frozen gift ideas. There’s something here for every tiny or growing Frozen fan! This post contains affiliate links as a service to readers.

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