Circuit Cubes STEM Fun

My son loves building. He likes building robots in his VEX Robotics Club at school, and building with LEGOs. I love seeing toys that involve his passions and get him off their electronics. Recently we received Circuit Cubes from Tenka Labs and Evan had fun trying it out.

We received the Bright Lights Kit which comes with a ultra-bright LED cube, Motor Cube and Battery Cube. The Battery is the power supply that drives the Motor to rotate the gears, and lights the LED.

Before starting you will need to charge the blue battery cube so plan ahead to do this in advance of giving this to your child to play with. Here you can see Evan connecting the components to make it light up.

 With this kit you can make a cool flashlight with the telescope tube and mylar disks it comes with.

Here is his finished flashlight. You can also put pretty star stickers on the side of the tube or make designs on the mylar disks to project on to surfaces.

Evan said the connections were easy to work with and also loved that he can connect his LEGOs with these components. It also works with Mega Bloks.

Here you can see the components close up. Here Evan is connecting the components up so that the tire will spin from the motor.

Even Shellie are dog was interested in this toy. Especially when it was lit up she liked that.

There are so many options for this kit, there are no limits to what your imagination can build. Here is the kit in the package. You can purchase it on Tenka Labs website or on Amazon.

Disclosure: I received Circuit Cubes Bright Lights for review purposes. I was also compensated for this review. As always all opinions are my own.

8/20/16: Nintendo 3DS Be a Kid For a Day Event

My kids have loved playing on their 3DS gaming systems for many years now so when I got an invite for an exclusive Nintendo 3DS Be a Kid For a Day VIP event I knew they would love it.  Share what it’s like to “Be a Kid For a Day” using the hashtag #3DSKidForADay #Contest and tagging @NintendoAmerica across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and you can win cool prizes.

We started out with at California Pizza Kitchen where the kids got to try out some cool games on a 3DS system.  The kids are very comfortable with the system as they have been playing on them for years.  We learned about the new 3DS XL system that has face-tracking to adjust images based on your viewing angle to provide a clearer picture.

It also has new controls.  Games leap to life with super-stable 3D.  Plus all the 3DS games can still be played and also games from previous systems like Nintendo DS and DSi.  There will be some new titles that will only be available on the new 3DS XL System.  There is also an improved camera and browsing ability.  You can also transfer photos, music and other files between a PC via a wireless network!

Mario and Luigi even stopped by!  The kids were having fun being silly.

Mario even played some games.  They also told us about the 2DS system that is only $79.99.

Mario dabbing.

We had some fun on Snapchat with the Play Nintendo filter.

We then headed over to a fun play area that is setup in the South Shore Plaza in Braintree.  It is there until Sunday.  There were different stations set up where kids would play different games including Donkey Kong Country, Pokemon, Kirby, Mario Kart, Super Mario Brothers 2, Yoshi's Island, and Yoki Watch.

There were some fun picture opportunities.  Here are the kids in a Mario Kart.

Mario actually driving Mario Kart and Mario jumping to his flag.

The kids had so much fun playing all of these games.

After kids played all the games in the stations they got to go to a claw game and try and win a prize.  There were also competitions of game play.

The kids playing Donkey Kong Country.

Lots of areas with all of your favorite characters.

The ever popular Pokemon!

What a fun time!  Nintendo continues to have cool new games and a great gaming system.

Check out all their cool games and the new 3DS XL gaming system!

Disclosure:  I was provided with dinner and a VIP Event with Nintendo including a gift bag for promotional purposes.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

11/10/14: Silverlit Nano Falcon Helicopter Giveaway

CONTEST CLOSED: CONGRATULATIONS TANYA FOR WINNING!
My son loves playing with Remote Control Vehicles.  We received the Nano Falcon from Silverlit and Evan couldn't wait to start piloting his new helicopter.  Plus as one of my lucky readers I am giving you the chance to win one too!  Read on to win! 

Evan was having an awesome time flying it around the house and got the hang of it fairly quickly.

 It is the smallest RC model helicopter as certified by Guinness World Records Limited.  It is smaller than 82 mm and weighs less than 11 g.

It is easy to power up.  The controller takes 4 AA batteries and you just flip up a little plug that you put the helicopter on to which charges it.

It flies up and down, forward and backward, left and right.  It has a built-in Gyro Stabilizer to make flying easier.

 My husband tried it first and here you can see Evan chasing it around.  It is right near his right hand.

Then Evan got his turn after John got a feel for it.  He did really well controlling it.  I thought it was going to be tough for him.

 Soon he was flying it right around the room with no crashes.

 He got really good control of it and had it taking off and landing.

He really enjoys flying it. 

 Love this face.

What a ton of fun.

 Love this picture, I happen to get it when it was lined up with his face.

What a ton of fun!

 Here it is as packaged.  It retails for $39.99.  Enter below to win one!

Disclosure:  I received this for review purposes.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

8/11/14: Cabbage Patch Twinkle Toes Kids

I love that toys from my childhood are new again.  My daughter just recently received a Cabbage Patch Twinkle Toes Kid from JAKKS Pacific and was really excited to play with her.  She loves Twinkle Toes shoes by Skechers so she was excited to see a doll that wears them.

These dolls are just like the original Cabbage Patch Kids with removable clothes, removable shoes, a birth certificate and adoption papers.  I love that they kept the nostalgic pieces of the Cabbage Patch Kids.  They are even signed on the but like they used to.

Plus they have that baby powder scent that really takes me back.  Fred our dog was sniffing her too.  It was really funny to watch.

 Lauren was having fun playing with her.  Love how she is cradling her.

 Of course with those cool kicks she has to stand up.  Lauren loved her pretty dress and shoes.

 Here you can see the shoes light up.

Just press the button on the bottom of the shoes or put them down on a hard surface and it lights up.  The hair on the new Cabbage Patch Kids is much smoother than the yarn that they used to have.  If you still want the nostalgic version though they do sell Vintage Kids.

I would say Lauren really likes Sarena Addie.

 Here she is as packaged.  She retails for about $35.  So adorable and fun for both your daughter and for the memories it will bring back for you!

Like JAKKS Pacific on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jakkspacifictoys

Follow JAKKS Pacific on Twitter:  @JAKKStoys

Disclosure:  I received this Cabbage Patch Kid from JAKKS Pacific for review purposes.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.