Learning Through Play with #LearningResources! @LearningHandsOn #Giveaway

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

For more than 30 years, Learning Resources has been the go-to brand for teachers to infuse their classroom education with fun and play. They recently learned through a national survey that 66% of parents consider it their primary responsibility (not the schools’) to educate their children.

So, Learning Resources has shifted their focus and really want to help us as parents help our children learn at home and have fun while doing it!

I know I have mentioned how much I love Learning Resources as a teacher but I also really love Learning Resources for their outreach to parents as well! I love that they acknowledge that parents are a child's first teacher and that parents are great teachers to their children! That is so important!

Their mission is to help kids love to learn... and get ready to take on the world. To turn "I think I can" to "I know I can." To create toys that empower every child to reach their full potential.

They have recently partnered with one of my favorite TV families - the Busby's of TLC’s OutDaughtered. Despite having their hands full with America’s only all-female quintuplets (age 2), plus big sister Blayke (age 6), Danielle & Adam Busby  are dedicated to helping their
kids Learn​ ​Through​ ​Play​ ​Every​ ​Day​. You can see more about that partnership and more about Learning Through Play on the Learning Resources site.

They also have an awesome Learning Minutes Calendar that gives great tips to parents about how they can easily teach their kids through play. My son especially enjoyed during these learning activities each day and I loved that he was ENJOYING learning so much!

I also got a kit full of fun, education toys for the children to have fun while playing and learning at home! My children's eyes got so wide when they saw these toys and immediately wanted to open them and play, play, PLAY!

The Smart Market and Pretend & Play Calculator Cash Register were perfect for practicing math, social skills and healthy eating at home!

My daughter especially loved the Alphabet Acorns Activity Set and Counting Dino-Sorters Math Activity Set! They were so great for practicing her letters and numbers and I love that they make it work for a variety of ages by using colors also.

My 3 year old could match them by color and my daughter could do it by lowercase and uppercase letters for a little more challenge!

She played with these sets repeatedly!

And for my oldest son, the Code & Go Robot Mouse Activity Set and Gears! Gears! Gears! Cycle Gears were a huge hit! These are so great for working on STEM learning and my son loved building different kinds of robots!

I would love to hear your favorite “Learning Through Play” experiences using the hashtag #learningresources!

Buy It:

You can purchase all these great Learning Through Play toys from the Learning Resources website

Win It:

Learning Resources is generously offering (1) Learning Play toy featured in this post to a lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) Learning Resources "Learning Through Play" Toy 

winner may choose one toy from: 

• Alphabet Acorns Activity Set
• Counting Dino-Sorters Math Activity Set
• Smart Market
• Pretend & Play Calculator Cash Register
• Code & Go Robot Mouse Activity Set
• Gears! Gears! Gears! Cycle Gears

a Rafflecopter giveaway

* Thank you to Learning Resources for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Count & Build TotBot & #Giveaway #LearningResources

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Do you have a child like mine that likes to build, create and use their fine motor skills? My son LOVES building and creating like his Daddy using tools so we are loving the NEW Count & Build TotBot™ from Learning Resources in our house!

The new Count and Build TotBot will help young children learn their numbers, shapes, and colors while working on the fine motor skills necessary to twist and turn the bolts on their new robot friend.

Children definitely have a blast using an easy-to-hold wrench to build their very own robot. Using fine motor skills, they will twist color, shape, and number pieces (1–5) into place. It measures 8”H when complete.

As a preschool teacher, Learning Resources is one of my favorite educational toy companies. Their products never disappoint and the Count & Build TotBot is no different! This toy is great for working on fine motor skills while also working on intellectual development. Plus, children will love using their own tools and building like grownups!

Buy It:

You can purchase the Count & Build TotBot for $12.99 from Amazon.com

Win It:

Learning Resources is generously offering (1) Count & Build TotBot to a lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) Count & Build TotBot 
from Learning Resources
a Rafflecopter giveaway

* Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

The Gift that Keeps Giving - The Gift of Fun Learning!

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

As a preschool teacher and mother, I know there is absolutely no better gift that keeps giving than the gift of education and educational toys! They are my favorite gifts to give to my nieces and nephews and my favorite gifts that my children receive! I know they will play with them for years and learn so much as they play!

Two of my favorite educational toy companies are Learning Resources and Educational Resources! My children have LOVED every single item we have ever used or played with and I love watching learning become fun thanks to their innovative and fun educational toys!

Check out some of my favorite educational gift ideas below:

Learning Resources:

Mini Motor Math Activity Set

Count your way to the finish line! These colorful cars are ready to rev their engines for early math learning fun. Attach the finish line to the track numbered 1–10 for a high-octane counting race up to 10, or push it into overdrive by racing to 20! Start your engines to learn counting 1–20, early addition, number sequencing, patterning, and more! Set includes 25 mini motor cars in 5 colors, 2 pieces of connectable track, 1 color die, 2 number dice, and Activity Guide featuring multiple activities to boost early math skills. Track pieces measure 12"L; cars measure 1"L.

Available for $19.99

Counterpillar

Count on this friendly caterpillar to invite early learning exploration! Slide the colorful beads––sized perfectly for little fingers––to learn counting, more or less, and early addition. Includes two rows of 10 beads, with numbers 1–10 printed on the base. Measures 11½"L x 8"H.

Grades: PreK+

Available for $19.99

STEM Magnets Activity Set

Attract early learners to the wonders of magnetism! STEM lessons are irresistible when you add the excitement of fun, colorful tools to scientific exploration. Durable, playful magnets in a variety of shapes engage children as they explore magnetism, polarity, and magnetic attraction & repulsion.

Includes 2 bar magnets, 2 magnetic bugs, 4 ring magnets, horseshoe magnet, magnetic post, 2 snap-on cars, tray with maze, string, and 10 double-sided Activity Cards. Comprehensive Activity Guide with reproducible materials is also included. Largest piece (maze tray) measures 11"L x 8½"H x ½"W.

Available for $34.99

Educational Insights:

Nancy B's Science Club® Garbage to Gardens Compost Kit & Decomposition Book

Which decays faster—a banana peel or a Styrofoam cup? Find out with the only transparent composting kit designed just for kids!

This set introduces life cycles and composting, promotes environmentalism and journaling activities encourage creativity!

This set is the only transparent composting kit designed just for kids and includes:

• Clear compost container with 2 compartments includes removable divider
• two 3x magnifiers
• 2 write-on/wipe-off boards
• lid with air holes
• 22-Page activity journal

It's such a Fun introduction to life cycles and environmental science!

Available for $24.99

Hot Dots® Jr. Famous Fables Interactive Storybook Set

Turn story time into an interactive learning experience with four timeless tales and Ollie—The Talking, Teaching Owl™ pen! Each fable teaches an important life lesson and features interactive activities to help children master important skills.

This set:

• Introduces important life lessons
• Supports the understanding of numbers and counting; making comparisons; understanding patterns and rhyme; and other early learning skills crucial for school success
• Helps children master reading comprehension and encourages an early love of reading
• Encourages independent, self-paced learning

It includes:

• Set of four 24-page storybooks—The Tortoise and the Hare, The Lion and the Mouse, The Ant and the Grasshopper, and The City Mouse and the Country Mouse—each with 11 early learning activities
• Includes Ollie—the Talking, Teaching Owl pen, which lights up and has 17 speech and sound-effect responses
• Pen requires 2 AAA batteries (not included)

Available for $24.99

Design & Drill® Power Play Vehicles™ Race Car

Kids can zoom into build ‘n’ play fun with Design & Drill® Power Play Vehicles™! Your junior pit crew can build their vehicle by snapping the pieces together. Then, they can use the motorized mini-drill to add the bolts. Finally, it’s time to add artistic flair and customize their creation with colorful stickers, and zoom into creative STEM play! Once their racer is ready to hit the road, they can use kid-power to send their car speeding!

With this set, your children will explore patterning, matching, and counting, build construction and fine motor skills and encourage creativity and imagination while building confidence.

It includes:

• Build your own race car, complete with moving pieces, using 7 snap-on parts
• 15 Clear bolts
• Motorized, kid-friendly mini-drill with socket bit
• Colorful & decorative stickers
• Multilingual instructional guide
• Drill requires 3 AAA batteries (not included)

Available for $21.99

*Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Inspire a Love of Learning with @BluebeePals! #Giveaway

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Did you ever wish your child's favorite pet or stuffed animal could talk to them? My daughter loves talking to her stuffed animals and she now has the chance for them to talk back with her new Bluebee Pal - Hudson the Puppy!

Not only is Hudson SO SO Soft and Cuddly (my daughter wouldn't put him down and stop hugging and kissing him!) but he easily connects by Bluetooth to many devices and can read your child a story or sing a song!

Just prop up a laptop, tablet or smart phone onto their laps and tuck into their plush arms. Then watch the magic begin! You can check them out in this YouTube video and see how they work.

Hudson the Puppy is just one of five plushy learning tools that moves its mouth as it talks, sings and reads to a child. The magic is actually a connection to any Bluetooth enabled phone, tablet or laptop from Apple to Android. Each loveable stuffed animal has a mesmerizing feature -- lip synchronization – that allows the pal’s lips to move while singing a downloaded tune or engaging with various learning apps. Even foreign language apps work—in fact, as long as an app has sound, it will work with Bluebee Pals!

These educational toys make language and literacy fun. The pals can even be used as a hands-free telephone with the built in speaker and microphone! A rechargeable battery with USB micro-charged cable is included.


Comes in five animal styles: Riley the Zebra, Sammy the Bear, Hudson the Puppy, Lily the Lamb, and Leo the Lion.  Bluebee Pals have won seven notable industry awards, including the coveted Teachers’ Choice Awards that honor exceptional quality and outstanding performance in the classroom and at home.

Buy It:

You can purchase each Bluebee Pal fpr $64.99 from www.BluebeePals.com, or online at Target, Walmart or Amazon.

Win It:

Bluebee Pals is generously offering (1) Bluebee Pals of winner's choice to a lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) Bluebee Pal
of winner's choice!
(winner may choose one from the five animal styles)

WORTH $64.99!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

* Thank you to Bluebee Pals for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Summer Learning with @LakeshoreLM

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

With summer break right around the corner, I need to think of some fun activities to keep my children entertained as well as also continuing their learning and developing throughout the summer!

Lakeshore Learning is definitely one of my go-to companies for both learning and fun for my children because their products are so unique and fun that children don't even know they are learning while they play with their products!

Check out two of my favorite Summer Learning products from Lakeshore:

Build-It-Yourself Woodworking Kit

$34.99

All my children LOVE tools and building things so when I saw this Build-It-Yourself Woodworking Kit, I knew it would be the perfect summer activity for my children to do to not only stay busy but work on fine and gross motor development and creativity!

With this kit, kids create project after project using smooth pine pieces in a wide variety of shapes. They’ve also included a lightweight hammer, nails, glue and more. The kit comes complete with a guide that has instructions for multiple projects, plus a handy 7 3/4" x 12" storage box. Kit includes a total of over 80 pieces.

Real Bugs Discovery Kit

$24.99

One of the areas I struggle in teaching my daughter for preschool is Science, especially during Winter when we can't get outside much and explore! And during summer, we usually only see the same bugs over and over! With this Real Bugs Discovery Kit, my children can learn and actually look at different bugs up close without me having to be afraid of it! :)

Kids get an up-close look at 12 amazing bugs—from a leaf beetle to a lantern fly! Each real specimen is permanently encased in indestructible acrylic, so kids can safely explore them from every angle. Plus, you get a fascinating fact book and handy magnifier—all in a cute 10 1/2" storage tray with labeled compartments for each bug.

This Discovery Kit is perfect for rainy days this summer or even for comparing and contrasting to other bugs they find throughout the summer outside. My children LOVE this Discovery Kit and especially love that they can use their own magnifying glass to examine them on their own time.

Buy It:

You can purchase all these products from the Lakeshore Learning website.

* Thank you to Lakeshore Learning for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

STEM Robot Mouse Coding Activity Set from Learning Resources & Giveaway

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Coding is fast-growing focus in elementary education and Learning Resources, known for their award-winning hands-on learning toys and games, has created one of the first hands-on introductory coding sets for the age 5+ crowd.

Studies show when we use our hands to learn – by writing, by hands-on touch experimentation, etc. – we retain the information much better and I have definitely learned that my children love learning this way! So when I saw the NEW Learning Essentials™ STEM Robot Mouse Coding Activity Set, I knew that it would be so educational for them and loads of fun too!

This set introduces the concept of step programming and challenges children to create, program and problem solve in a simple, exciting way. My children have spent hours playing with this activity set and it is fun and educational every time!

How to Play

You first start by picking the shape of the maze you want to use and then building the maze. Then children use the coding cards to create a step-by-step path for Colby, the Programmable Robot Mouse. Then you program the sequence of steps, push go and then watch Colby race to find the cheese!

This deluxe set includes 30 double-sided coding cards, 10 double-sided activity cards, cheese wedge, and Activity Guide to provide the perfect hands-on introduction to coding concepts.

There are endless options for creating the path using the 16 maze grids to create a 20" x 20" maze board, 22 maze walls, and 3 tunnels for endless possibilities.

Colby lights-up, makes sounds when the cheese is found (and when Jack (sold separately) and Colby meet nose to nose), and features 2 speeds along with colorful buttons to match coding cards for easy programming and sequencing.

My 6 year old asks to play this every day and even my 4 year old has gotten an early start to coding watching his brother play! It took my son a couple tries to figure out how to use the card and code Colby but it was great learning for him using trial and error until he got it right! I loved watching his face every time he was successful in getting Colby through the maze!

If you have a child who has an early interest in coding, computers or programming, then this STEM Robot Mouse Coding Activity Set is perfect for them! It will definitely provide hours and hours of educational fun for the whole family!

Buy It:

You can purchase the STEM Robot Mouse Coding Activity Set for $59.99 from the Learning Resources website

Win It:

Learning Resources is generously offering (1) STEM Robot Mouse Coding Activity Set to a lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) STEM Robot Mouse Coding Activity Set
from Learning Resources
(Worth $60!!!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

* Thank you to Learning Resources for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Have Fun Learning with @LakeshoreLM & Giveaway

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

I homeschool my daughter for preschool so I am always looking for new ideas and educational materials to make it fun and exciting for her!

One of my favorite go-to learning companies is Lakeshore!

Lakeshore offers innovative learning materials distinguished by their quality, educational merit and safety. Lakeshore’s new Gifts for Growing Minds collection is a unique and exclusive assortment of educational toys and games designed to help parents get their children excited about learning!

They have great products for all areas of learning - Science, Math and Large & Small Motor Skills. Check out some of my favorite items that help children learn in these areas:

Be a Math Magician

Is it magic? No, it’s math! Amaze friends & family with fascinating illusions you perform yourself.

Each trick comes with easy-to-follow illustrated instructions that explain how to perform the illusion. Then, after you’ve mystified your audience, you can reveal how math is the “magic” behind each trick! Includes everything needed to perform all 8 tricks.

My son LOVES doing "magic" so I love that he can do magic AND practice his math! This is so fun and educational!

($29.99; Ages 8 & up)

Castle Blocks

These enchanting hardwood blocks let kids create medieval fortresses, palaces & more!

These durable, stackable blocks come in 12 unique shapes & are printed on every side with a fun medieval theme—so kids can construct castles from all directions! Set of 60 blocks; largest is 6". Not scaled to unit blocks.

My children LOVE building block towers and castles and now they can really build real castles with these blocks! These are hours and hours of fun and so many types and sizes of castles can be built!

($69.99; Ages 3-6)

How Does Your Body Work? Experiment Kit

Stinky feet…gooey snot… the human body is completely disgusting—and totally cool!

This hands-on experiment kit is perfect for kids who are itching to learn all about how their body works. Five super-engaging experiments explore germs, digestion & more—as kids get totally grossed out and learn about the science that happens inside our own bodies! Includes 19 pieces, plus 5 experiment cards. Digestive system model is 20 1/2" long.

Since I am a medical professional, I love teaching my kids about their amazing body! This kit is so perfect for showing them and experimenting!

($29.99; Age 5-11)

As you can, Lakeshore offers so many fun and unique kits for children to learn, experiment and have fun all day long!

Buy It:

You can purchase all these items and many more from the Lakeshore website.

Win It:

Lakeshore is generously offering (1) Be a Math Magician to a lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) Be a Math Magician kit 
from Lakeshore
($29.99)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

* Thank you to Lakeshore for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*