Magformers... The Best Blocks for Kids (and Adults)

Magformers Basic Plus 14pc Set

Create 3D structures from 2D nets with Magformers Basic Plus 14Pc Set. Build with 4 Squares, 8 Triangles and 2 Inner Circle Square shapes. Create houses, towers and our ‘magic ball’. Learn to build using combine, roll and pull-up techniques and see what your imagination can create! Build along with the step-by-step instructions and develop color and shape recognition, fine motor skills and problem-solving ability. The original and authentic Magformers. Perfect for brain development, critical thinking and STEM education. Follow the Step-by-step educational idea booklet for ideas and instructions. Each geometric shape contains magnets that never reject, so you’ll always hear the Magformers click. When playtime is over, use the magnetic power to simply stack and store. MSRP: $24.99; ages 3+.

My Thoughts 

There is no other way to say this, but we are obsessed with these blocks. Since receiving them, I have now gone out and bought the fireman set, and a wonderful starter set that I found. My son plays with these for hours, I play with them, my husband plays with them. They have quickly become a whole family favorite. The other day my son and I made a structure flat on the ground and when I lifted the pyramid in the middle the sides all connected together as I lifted it and suddenly i had a tower. It was so satisfying and my son thought I had preformed a magic trick. I love watching the mind of a three year old build things and figure them out. His creativity with these blocks astounds me. There are so many different sets to choose from and build your collection on their website. They have even come out with Paw Patrol and Shimmer and Shine sets. These toy sets have won many awards including being a finality for the Toy of the Year Award.   

They are good quality, brightly colored plastic with strong magnets that click together. They make the most satisfying noise when they click together. It makes clean up such a breeze and I keep them all in a small trunk. They all come with manuals to help you with different ideas for construction. The boys also just get creative on their own. They have a line of vehicle sets, animal sets, educational, motorized, themed, etc. They also have many STEM approved sets as well. These really are the greatest toys. 

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Awesome, Awesome Block Alternative for Kids

 Magformers Amazing Sets 

Click and create your own adventure with Magformers AMAZING Sets! Magformers are a magnetic construction toy where the possibilities are endless. Kids now have the opportunity to live out their dreams and become one of their dream professions such as a firefighter, a police officer, and construction worker through one of the four new Magformers AMAZING sets! Great for children aged 3 and up. Create 50 ideas with the follow-along idea booklet or build your own adventure! Ages 3+ MSRP $59.99

My Thoughts 

This has probably been one of the most successful items I have reviewed for the blog. Everyone in my family has since become obsessed with these blocks. The first night I opened this set, my husband and my son played for two solid hours, QUIETLY! We have even bought a few more sets, because my HUSBAND wanted to be able to do more with them. As he puts it, he "loves that they are small enough and flat enough to not take up a lot of room, but are not choking hazards." We actually just recently took a small bag of these blocks with us on a weekend trip. My father and his friend were playing at the dinner table with my son with these. When our friend took some block pieces to build something my son looked at him and said, "Bad boy," and took them back. Everyone starting laughing. There are so many different sets to choose from and build your collection on their website.  These toy sets have won many awards including being a finality for the Toy of the Year Award.  

They are good quality, brightly colored plastic with strong magnets that click together. They make the most satisfying noise when they click together. It makes clean up such a breeze and I keep them all in a small trunk. They all come with manuals to help you with different ideas for construction. The boys also just get creative on their own. They also have many STEM approved sets as well. These really are the greatest toys, especially for my son who we have been saying since day one he was going to be an engineer. 


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Art and science with Just Add Milk!

The new science activity kit from Griddly Games, Inc.

Just Add Milk, the new science activity kit from Griddly Games

Just Add Milk (for one or more children, ages 5 and up) is the fun and easy experiment kit that comes with everything you need, except the milk.

Explore amazing, safe, chemical reactions that include one-of-a-kind vibrant color displays and cool color burst demonstrations, among other explosive results.

The company hints that the initial Just Add Milk product will be a cornerstone to a line Just Add _(ingredient)__ products that will establish the company’s STEM category of products.

About Griddly Games: Griddly Games are games that get you going. The company, based in Richmond, near Vancouver, British Columbia, creates award-winning party and board games that deliver innovative, engaging fun that brings people together. Founded in 2007 by Reisa Schwartzman, a mother of three boys, who took it upon herself to deliver wholesome family fun that multiple ages could enjoy at once, Griddly Games offers products that inspire laughter and fun, while promoting an active and healthy lifestyle. Griddly Games instill a strict company philosophy to encourage social interaction, learning, strategy and challenges that anyone (from across the grid) can enjoy.

 To discover more about Griddly Games, visit www.griddlygames.com and get all of the most up-to-date, immediate information by interacting with the company on Twitter and Facebook.

My Thoughts

This was a pretty neat art project. It was a little messy and I wasn't sure how I'd like it since it used milk and how the art would smell after. The box comes with a variety of different ideas you can do with your child, but they all basically deal with milk, adding the coloring, and swirling around with paper to make some sort of design.

The booklet that came with it gave insight as to why certain things worked with little science tips here and there to learn. One box comes with the ability to do several science experiments. This kept my daughter entertained on a rainy day.

At this point, we've used up all the paper that came in the kit, so I am hoping that regular paper will work the next time she wants to play with this.  When the artwork dried, it gave ideas about turning it into card to give someone or gift tags.

I would get this for my daughter again. She had a great time with it, and she is older, so this was something she was able to do on her own with little supervision. Clean up wasn't too bad when we were done.

The new upcycling bible: Make Garbage Great Review

Printed on woodfree paper in a fresh design with DYI projects for all ages, Make Garbage Great has broad appeal—it’s smart and instructive, playful and crafty, environmentally contentious and inspiring. With craft projects ranging from a simple, folded coin purse from a CapriSun pouch to a beautiful pallet coffee table, the colloquial voices of Tom Szaky and Albe Zakes make the engaging information, little known facts, compelling graphics, and sustainable suggestions accessible for teachers, parents, DIY artists, and even young readers.

Our Thoughts

I know not everyone homeschools, but if you do, you need this book. Even if you don't homeschool you need this book. We are a pretty environmentally-conscious family and that means doing our best to live with nature and trying to be pretty conservative with the items we use in our household. This book covers everything you could possibly think of when it comes to consumerism and taking care of the planet. 

Now I said homeschooling (and everyone) parents need this book, and that is because it teaches children responsibility of the earth, science of the earth's products and history behind these products too. Also, crafts, so that knocks out art right there. This book is excellent for all families wanting to be more environmentally responsible. 

Each page covered something interesting while still being very factual as well. It's an easy read for my nine year old as long as she is sitting next to me. Each page is colorful and the little facts are set up in just a way to keep your eyes moving over all parts of the page and wanting to read everything. I love the setup. It's fun to go over items together and we can discuss the impact it has on our lives. We're also big DIYers and seeing all the fun crafts (from small to large) that you can do with the help of this book is very cool. I am so glad to have this in my house!

It is very important to recycle and take care of our Earth, Make Garbage Great helps you learn how to do that and it incorporates the whole family as well!

Buy yours on Amazon!



Reviewed by Jackie

Easter Gift Guide - Thames & Kosmos Geek & Co. Craft Kits - 3D Sidewalk Chalk

 Thames & Kosmos is the place to shop if you have a little scientist in your household. They offer a huge selection of science projects that are entertaining as well as educational. Chemistry, Crystals, Physics--they have kits for all of these and more.  If you're looking for something original to stuff your Easter baskets with, these science kits could be the way to go.

My kids got to test out the 3D Sidewalk Chalk. This allows you to  mold your own colorful sidewalk chalk in only a few simple steps.  You can mix your own colors, pour it into the shape molds, and after you let it harden, its all ready to go. Then you can draw pictures on the sidewalk or pavement with the chalk. There is even a pair of 3D glasses included to make the images pop off the ground and appear as if they are 3D. This fun and simple kit is the perfect way to get kids outside and off the video games. It's fast, fun, and not nearly as messy as I expected. The 3D Sidewalk Chalk on only on examples of the cool science kits you can find at Thames & Kosmos. Here are a few more items on our wish list:

If you'd like to learn more this fabulous company and all they have to offer your family this Easter, be sure to visit their website.

Wild Kratts Toy Collection Review

Fans of the Wild Kratts TV series on PBS KIDS will be roaring – and creating their own creature-powered fun! – with the launch of the brand-new Wild Kratts toy line that lets them bring home all the exciting wildlife explorations of the hit show for the very first time! By popular demand, the new Wild Kratts toy line from Wicked Cool Toys will leap, bounce and soar to Toys“R”Us stores nationwide and toysrus.com this month. The imagination-inspiring new assortment of collectable action figures, plush, power suits and more, encourages young animal adventurers to role play and “activate” their own “creature powers” – just like the stars of the show, Chris and Martin Kratt!

Our Thoughts

Wild Kratts is by far the best science-based cartoon out there! I homeschool my children and I use Wild Kratts episodes for a lot of their science learning. There is no fighting school work when you get to sit in front of the tv watching your favorite cartoon show! My children love the specifics the learn with each episode and retain the information since it's done in a fun environment as well. 

With the Wild Kratts toys my children can now reanimate their favorite episodes! My oldest loves sharks and the book is perfect for her. My youngest is much more hands on and loves the Fliers Set with "creature powers". She is much more imaginative and these toys bring out the scientist in her.

Having previously owned a Husky, both of my daughters love the Wild Kratts wolf stuffed animal too. Great toys, great show and great education with Wild Kratts!

Get your Wild Kratts products here, and don't forget to check them out on Facebook, and Twitter !

Reviewed by Jackie