Get Your Kids Involved In Earth Day

It’s Earth Day and you can get your kids involved in helping save the planet. Here are some ideas……

  1. Community Cleanup-Schedule a community cleanup day with the kids. You might focus on an
    area such as school grounds, your neighborhood or a community garden area. Cleaning up the local area helps
    the environment and creates a sense of community with the kids and other residents.
  2. Grow A Garden-Planting seeds or plants on Earth Day is a natural option for kids’ activities. The type of plant depends on the area. If space allows, plant a tree or large vegetable garden. Growing your own vegetables lets you eliminate the use of chemicals.
  3. Toy Swap/Donation-Throwing away old toys results in more waste in the landfill. Instead of tossing the toys that are boring, help the kids organize a toy swap. Each child brings her old toys that she no longer wants, and the kids swap toys with one another. That way,each child goes home with different toys, and nothing ends up in the landfill. You can also donate them to goodwill where they will find a good home.
  4. Make a Pledge-Earth Day offers an opportunity for kids to think about their own actions and how they impact the earth. Help the kids create an Earth Day pledge that states what they promise to do to keep the earth clean while protecting the environment. Have each child sign the pledge.
  5. Green Committee-A kids’ green committee puts the responsibility in the hands of the children. This idea works well in a school setting or other situation when a group of kids meets regularly. The green committee monitors the school to make sure the other kids are making green choices. They also find new ways to make the school green, such as adding recycling bins or planting
    flowers.

Disclosure: No compensation was received in any form. Tips were given by www.livestrong.com, just sharing.

Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure Blu-ray and DVD Review

After a talent scout spots her performing with her dog Boi at a charity gala, Sharpay Evans (Tisdale) sets off for the bright lights of NYC, convinced instant fame and fortune are in the bag (designer bag, that is). But theatre’s a dog-eat-dog world, as she and Boi discover when they encounter the devious owner of a pampered pooch named “Countess” and a scheming Broadway starlet who will do anything to crush the competition. Fortunately, Sharpay also meets Peyton (Austin Butler), a handsome student filmmaker who finds Sharpay nearly as fascinating as she finds herself.

Bonus features:

  • Bloopers,
  • Austin Cam,
  • The Evolution of Sharpay.  

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7HYXrrnp_E]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHGAd9JEzv4]

***This movie reminds me a little of Legally Blonde, Sharpay is rich and spoiled, but when she is on her own she struggles and makes a positive impact on people.  Sharpay goes to NYC to find her dream of being on Broadway, she has big problems along the way like her dog not being allowed in her suite, fighting for roles and more. We really like this movie, it shows kids that when you believe in yourself you can accomplish your dreams and goals.

The official screening and reception was held on April 6, Here is some footage of the cast and friends talking about the movie.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YxkxpWdfH8&feature=youtube_gdata]

Retail: $39.99 but you can find on Amazon for $19.99

Running Time: 89 minutes

Release date: April 19, 2011

Disclosure:No compensation was received for this post, a product was provided for my review.

Bop It! Review

Get ready to react fast! Turn on the Bop It game unit and get ready to bop, pull and twist your way to victory. For even more of a challenge, activate the microphone and shout it, too! Choose to play alone or invite your friends for a game of Party Bop-you’ll all have to use your knees, elbows, and hips to win! The better you get, the more skill levels you unlock, so think fast and be the Bop It master!

I have had a lot of fun playing with this toy, at the same time its takes a lot of focus.  You can play the regular version or shout it. I think regular is easier my high score was 25.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-mSspyH7Ac]

Retail: $22.99 but you can find on Amazon for $14.09

My rating: 8

Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post, a product was provided for my review.

Great Gifts For Easter: Princess Celestia

Princess Celestia is a magical and beautiful pony who rules the kingdom of Equestria. All of the ponies in Ponyville look up to her. Help your Princess Celestia  pony figure rule her kingdom! This beautiful, electronic pony figure has all kinds of things to say to you, like I will light the way! and Lets fly to the castle! When you two are ready to soar, press the button to make her wings light up and move. Comb your princess friends pretty purple and pink ringlets and put in her barrettes to help her majesty always look her best and rule with justice and beauty!

I was first introduced to Princess Celestia at the NY Toy Fair(well besides my daughter seeing the commercials,).

We recently received this and my daughters are so excited. Princess Celestia is so beautiful, she can talk and her wings light up.  You can brush her hair and even design it with the hair accessories included with the pony. My kids were a little disappointed that the wings don’t move constantly. When you push the button on Princess Celestia she talks, lights up and her wings move once all at the same time.

Retail: $19.99

Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post, a product was provided by Hasbro. All opinions are 100% my own.

Great Gifts For easter: Hatch with Dinosaur Train this Easter Giveaway Closed

Dinosaur Train offers the perfect Gift for any Easter basket. Hatchers is a great little experiment for your kids. It’s a egg, and you put it in a cup of water, then wait 24-48 hrs and your Dinosaur Train friend will start to hatch.

My kids were really excited to get started on hatching the egg.

The setup was very simple, and it gets the kids excited to see what will happen. On the down side 24-48 hrs seems like a lifetime to my kids.

After 18 hours we saw a head popping out.

After 26 hours most of the dinosaur had hatched, and my kids just pulled it out of the egg.  Buddy the dinosaur is now my sons best friend, he takes it everywhere. The downside is it’s made of and seems like it could fall apart very easily.

I am giving away a Dinosaur Train decorating set.

One of you will win a Dinosaur Train cake decorating set and Dinosaur Train cupcake rings. (pictured above)

To enter: Tell me your favorite thing about Easter?

Extra entries:

Subscribe to my feed-8 entries

Grab my button-7 entries

follow me on twitter-6 entries

Follow Henson Company on Facebook-5 entries

Follow Henson Parents on Twitter-5 entries

Follow me on twitter-4 entries

Leave a comment on any non-giveaway post-4 entries

Tweet this giveaway-1 entry (can be done daily)

Contest ends 5/1

Disclosure: No compensation was received, a Hatcher product was provided by Henson who is also providing the giveaway. All opinions are 100% my own.

Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure Closed

After a talent scout spots her performing with her dog Boi at a charity gala, Sharpay Evans sets off for the bright lights of NYC, convinced instant fame and fortune are in the bag (designer bag, that is). But theatre’s a dog-eat-dog world, as she and Boi discover when they encounter the devious owner of a pampered pooch named “Countess” and a scheming Broadway starlet who will do anything to crush the competition. Fortunately, Sharpay also meets Peyton, a handsome student filmmaker who finds Sharpay nearly as fascinating as she finds herself.

Bonus Features:

  • Bloopers
  • Austin Cam
  • The evolution of Sharpay (Blu-ray only)

I have one copy to giveaway to a US reader

To enter tell me if you were a High School Musical fan.

Extra entries:

Subscribe to my feed-7 entries

Grab my button-6 entries

Blog about this-5 entries

Follow me on twitter-4 entries

Leave a comment on any non-giveaway post-3 entries

Tweet this-2 entries (can be done daily)

Contest ends 4/28/11

Disclosure: No compensation was received, a product will be received for review by Disney who is also providing the giveaway. All opinions are my own.

Great Gifts For Easter: Easter Sing-a-ma-jigs

Even sweeter than chocolate, the Sing-a-ma-jigs!  dolls are free-spirited, off-beat plush characters that set off unexpected laughter and excitement with each squeeze of their tummies! They chatter; they each sing their own song; and when kids put them all together and squeeze their hands and then squeeze their tummies again, they erupt into a harmonic chorus like none heard before  As their motto says, “They Love Singing Together,” and when they do, they sing together in perfect harmony each and every time.

Watch the video here

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxVlqGJS0uc]

Disclosure; No compensation or products were received, just sharing information provided by Mattel.

Great Easter Gifts: Go Go My Walkin Pup

From neighborhood strolls to playing in the park, there’s nowhere your loveable puppy doesn’t want to walk with you! While you two are out exploring together, he’ll make barking sounds and wag his tail to show you how much he’s enjoying his walk.

This is the perfect alternative for those that want a dog but no mess to clean up. My daughter has wanted a dog for a long time, but my husband is against it. He doesn’t like the mess or noise. Go Go walks, barks, is cute and cuddly, just like a real dog.   I was a little worried, I read reviews online and a few people had said that after a few days the dog stops working. We have been playing with it for days and it still works great. We have not tried it outside yet though, the weather has been bad.All  Three of my kids love it. Now this may be too big to fit in an  Easter basket, but I’d rather her have one big toy and a few candies then an overload of toys.

Pros:

  • Fun for kids
  • Actually walks and responds
  • no doggie mess to clean up

Cons: 

  • Leash is hard to unplug
  • Turns on his own at times

Go Go does not walk well on carpet, dirt, grass and gravel. It has to be tile, hardwood floors or smooth sidewalk.

Retail: $59.99 at Hasbro Toy Shop

My Rating:8

Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post, a product was provided by Hasbro. All opinions are my own.

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