Backyard Safari Outfitters Perfect for Exploration! *Review*

This summer we were given the opportunity to review some new products from Backyard Safari Outfitters. Last year, my son and my nephew were introduced to Backyard Safari products and they were super excited to receive a ginormous box packed with hiking and nature stuff. The gear from Backyard Safari really helps to transform any backyard into a world of its own.

Our box of new stuff came with a Base Camp Shelter, Camouflage, Bird Watcher’s Field Kit and Hiking Stick. The kids loved playing with the bug magnifier and bird watching stuff, but the shelter and camouflage were definitely "super cool". The boys made it their fort, then their club- boys only, of course- and then eventually after we left, my niece was allowed to join her brother for a photo opp.

Since then, I was told that my nephew has explored every corner of their property, examined every bug, leaf, stick and rock, and has even allowed his sister and brother to play along on his adventures. I love the fact that Backyard Safari allows children to use their imaginations, yet encourages them to learn more about the world around them.

Mikey really does love his new Backyard Safari gear, and loved seeing the patches on the products this time around. He had them in his pocket for awhile, but he's pretty certain his little brother hid them.

We can't wait to see if he convinces his mommy to sew them on his vest, since his sister is a Brownie, he thinks it's pretty cool.

Backyard Safari products can be found online as well as at stores such as Toys R Us and Target.

Special thanks to our friends at Team Mom and Backyard Safari for allowing us to review this product line and for making summer that much cooler!

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Labyrinth Balance Board Review and Giveaway!

I remember being about my son's age and playing with this wooden labyrinth game. It was challenging, and fun, and frustrating.. you used these knobs on the side of the box to change the position of the platform. The marble couldn't fall through the hole, or you were out.

With the holiday shopping season rapidly approaching, I felt very sad that there were not very many selections out there for kids today. When I was contacted to review this product, I was super excited to see how my children would react.

Made with old school beliefs of quality instead of quantity, this "Made in the USA" wooden Labyrinth Balance Board is a must have in every household this holiday season.

Whether you choose the Jr size (for ages 3-5) or regular size, (Kindergarten +) this balance board is sure to delight children of every age.

It comes with multiple balls, so that it holds your child's attention and the difficulty level is up to them.

Alex is gifted, and one of the things I've learned and accepted is that most toys don't hold his attention very long.

When we received this product in the mail, as soon as I took it out, Alex wanted to play with it. He did it the "easy way" in just a couple of seconds. He continued to play with it, balancing and guiding the balls forwards and backwards through all of the turns of the labyrinth.

He literally played with the Labyrinth Balance board for over an hour that first day, and since has played with it several times each week. Something he rarely does with other toys.

Alex wanted to demonstrate the Balance Board in action, so please feel free to watch this brief clip on YouTube.

Made in the USA of durable plywood with a non slip coating, the Labyrinth is a great activity for both individuals and groups alike. Players use their weight and body movements to navigate colored balls through the maze. It's not as easy as it looks.. in fact, I even tried to use the balance board and although the balls made it through the maze, it was no where near as quickly as Alex made it through. To make it even more interesting, time each player and compete to esee who can complete the labyrinth quickest.

Want it?
Visit MuseumTour.com to find this item and more toys that encourage children to use their bodies, their imagination and their minds to play, learn, and explore.


This giveaway is open to residents of the US and will end on December 18th, at 11:59pm EST. One winner will be chosen at random using Random.org. Disclosure: The item reviewed was provided to me, at no cost, by Challenge & Fun Inc. on behalf of Museum Tour. I did not accept monetary compensation for reviewing or writing about this experience, and all opinions expressed are my own.

WINNER:

Please read the WINNERS POST for more information on how to claim your prize! Thank you to everyone who participated & Happy Holidays!

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Groovy Girls Macy the Mermaid Review!

Finding toys that are reasonably priced, durable, and fun for both of my very picky kids is very difficult. When purchasing a toy for the kids, I want something that will keep their imagination flowing, and encourage their pretend play. There is a toy website called ebeanstalk, dedicated to selecting good, safe baby toys. They need help from moms like me to help pick the toys that line their shelves, and asked us to review a new toy. The doll that they sent for us to review is called Groovy Girls- Macy Mermaid from Manhattan Toy, who makes great developmental toys.

Macy Mermaid is a new addition to the Groovy Girls collection of medium sized plush dolls that are perfect for little girls Abbigaile's age (3.5 years old) and up. As soon as Macy arrived in the mail, Abbie fell in love with her! At first she looks like a mermaid doll, but her detachable fin comes off, and both of her big long legs are ready to walk! Abbie loved her knees, (they're plush, so they're creased so they can curve into the fin, and move like ours), and kept giggling as she played every time she swung them back and forth!

She had a little difficulty putting the fin back on, but as the days have passed, I've watched her fine motor skills improve as she carefully and impeccably puts the fin back on, and attempts to velcro it back together.

I was very impressed with the quality of this doll. It's large enough, that she can tote her around, it's dressed more modest than other dolls on the market, and we loved her hair! Made of yarn, like many "old school toys", it brought back memories of when I was a little girl!

I had never heard of Groovy Girls before Macy the Mermaid showed up at our doorstep, but now, I would definitely recommend them to any one looking for a great gift, or a new doll that encourages imaginative play for their daughter.

Watching my daughter play with her, and tote her around everywhere, every single day since Macy joined our family, I have a feeling there will be more Groovy Girls at our home very soon! Groovy Girls would make great reward incentives for good behavior at school, being nominated for "Student of the Month", potty training success, and so much more.

Visit ebeanstalk now to see their great selection of both boys and girls toys.

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Cloud B Twilight Sea Turtle Review and Giveaway!

My kids used to go to bed with no problem. Lately, they've wanted night lights. I hate traditional night lights, I feel that they are a fire hazard, and often kids climb out of bed to play with something that's plugged into a wall. My husband's an electrician, and he agrees traditional night lights are just no good. My son is a science geek in training, and loves the stars, and even has a telescope, so I knew when I found Cloud B and the Twilight Sea Turtle that we were in luck!

We received our beautiful Twilight Sea Turtle, and immediately the kids wanted to tear it out of the package. The green and blue turtle comes with a story book about the endangered species that are illustrated on the shell of this sleepy time turtle. There are three buttons on the rear end of the turtle that control the light features. The single circles of endangered species light up individually every time you push the fish button, the blue and green buttons allow the lights shine through and illuminate your child's ceiling with constellations.

It is not a squishy-lovey type toy, but my daughter was carrying around the turtle non stop for the first three or four days. My son loves hitting both the blue and green buttons and seeing the whole room in stars. The only thing that would make this turtle even cooler is if it was offered with a sound button to play rolling waves, or whale sounds or something of the like. The simplicity of the turtle makes it easy for Abbie to love and operate, and the illuminated sky in their room makes bed time that much easier.

Want it?
Head over to Cloud B and view their many sleepy time animals and pick out your favorite one!

Win it!
Our friends at Cloud B have offered one lucky reader the chance to win their very own Twilight Sea Turtle!

Here's How! (mandatory entry)
Head over to Cloud B and browse their selection of tools that help babies and children fall asleep. Fan Cloud B on Facebook, and then come back here and tell me which product you love best!

Extra Entries:

• Follow 4BabyAndMom AND Cloud_B on Twitter and tweet about this contest. Please re-post "Twilight Sea Turtle Review and Giveaway~Ends 5/18 http://bit.ly/PHsb @4BabyAndMom @Cloud_B" on your tweet!
• Follow 4BabyAndMom and add our button to your site, include link in your comment!
• Subscribe to our Email feed!
  
• Blog about this contest and include a link to 4BabyAndMom. Post your blog link in your comment, please. (3 Extra Entries for this one!)
  
• Email at least three of your friends and CC: 4BabyAndMom {at} gmail {dot} com
• Fave this post on Technorati, Stumble this post, or DIGG this post, include link if possible.

This contest ends on May 18th, 2009 at midnight, EST. Winner will be chosen at Random, using Random.org. Winner will be announced on May 20th. Special thanks to Cloud B for sponsoring this great giveaway!

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25% off EVERYTHING in stock at Kazoo Toys!

Are you looking for the perfect gift for a special child in your life? How about a reward for potty training or great behavior at school? Whether you're searching for an infant or pre-teen, you'll find a huge selection of kids things at KAZOO TOYS!

Kazoo Toys carries a large variety of toys that are made in the U.S.A. as well as many educational, building, developmental, and pretend play items from birth-12 years old. Their prices are great- there's something that fits everyone's budget; plus, right now they are running the Mother of all sales from now through Mother's Day (May 10th)!

Head over to KAZOO TOYS right now to receive 25% off everything in stock, in the entire store- and best of all, you don't need any crazy coupon codes! Also, while supplies last, Kazoo Toys is offering a free watch with any Corolle Doll purchase! After your purchase, come back here and tell me what you got.. but don't forget to tell Kazoo Toys that you read about them on 4BabyAndMom!

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