JumpSport iBounce Kids Trampoline {Review & Giveaway}

by Kate on May 14th, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaways, Reviews, Toys

My kids are crazy. Crazy in a good, active, healthy kind of way so I am always looking for new avenues for them to use some of their energy and get exercise. With summer just around the corner, the challenge is now more important than ever as they’ll be home all day and we’ll be dealing with unpredictable weather. The JumpSport iBounce Kid’s Trampoline is an awesome solution that keeps them entertained and active. And just when you thought the kids trampoline couldn’t get any better, JumpSport added  the amazing Tablet Mount and Hop-A-Long with Rompity Roo DVD.

JumpSport iBounce Kid’s Trampoline Bundle

Let your little ones entertain themselves with a smile on their face! The JumpSport Kid’s trampoline is a fun and engaging way for toddlers to exercise! Their personal-sized trampoline will provide them with years of fun, safe and energetic bouncing. This is something they will use every day and it is easily assembled in as little as 15 minutes!

The bungee cords provide a soft and lively bounce while the handle bar adds stability so little ones can work on their balance and motor skills. With a JumpSport iBounce Tablet Mount, your kids will be able to exercise while watching the Hop-Along with RompyRoo video — also available as an eBook on most platforms. Let the grand adventures begin!

Included with bundle:

  • JumpSport iBounce™ Kids Trampoline
  • JumpSport iBounce™ Tablet Mount
  • Hop-A-Long with RompidyRoo™ DVD

Jumping on the iBounce Trampoline

I don’t think I can possibly use words to describe how much fun my kids have bouncing on the trampoline. Instead, I’ll share this series of photos of my 3 year old getting her jump on.

Does she look like a pink dressed blur? That’s because she’s moving, moving, moving! Awesome. This girl has an endless amount of energy and when she’s not occupied she uses that energy for evil (i.e. drawing on the walls, waking her sleeping brother, or scaling the pantry). I love setting her up with the Hop-a-Long with RompidyRoo movie and knowing that she’ll be active and safe for awhile.

iBounce Kids Trampoline with RompidyRoo Review

Assembly. The trampoline comes unassembled, which I will admit made me a little nervous. I mean, my kids are going to jump on it so if its not assembled correctly they’ll take a tumble. Luckily, the directions were straightforward and together my husband and I had it assembled in about 20 minutes.

Trampoline. The trampoline is a triangle shape that’s intended for kids 2 to 5 years old. The trampoline is made of a steel frame and elastic cords and has an 80 pound weight limit. The weight limit is impressive for the little trampoline, but I’ll admit I’m bummed to be well over the limit. I want to bounce, too! The trampoline is lightweight and easy to move from room to room. It fits well into a corner in one of our rooms and it’s taken up less space than I imagined.

Tablet Mount. One of the unique features of this bundle is the inclusion of a Tablet Mount so your child can follow along an interactive workout featuring the kangaroo RompidyRoo or any other program on your tablet. The mount is compatible with iPads, Kindle and Nook tablets in landscape mode. It doesn’t fit as easily with the iPad case on our iPad, but it’s doable.

RompidyRoo DVD. The fun little movie to get kids bouncing comes in DVD form, so we downloaded it to our iPad so the kids can watch it on the trampoline. You can see a preview of the movie here. In addition to encouraging activity, the movie incorporates basic counting so your tot will exercise her brain, too.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… The iBounce Kids Trampoline with Tablet Mount and DVD is a great way to get kids moving this summer. The weather can be unpredictable, but you can encourage bouncing and exercise with the Trampoline inside. The Tablet Mount is an awesome addition to the Trampoline because kids can watch the RumpidyRoo DVD or other shows that keep them entertained and moving.

Or Not to Buy… Our iPad has a thick protector on it that makes it heavier and wider so takes a little effort to make it fit in the tablet holder. After some active bouncing and jumping, it does tend to fall over to the side. It wouldn’t be an issue without the case, but we don’t trust our kids with an iPad without a case!

Shop! The JumpSport iBounce Kids Trampoline Bundle with Tablet Mount and RumpidyRoo DVD has a recommended price of $150. It’s currently available from our affiliate, Amazon, for $130.

Win! JumpSport iBounce Kid’s Trampoline Bundle with Tablet Mount and DVD!

How to Enter: Visit JumpSport and leave a comment with your favorite feature of the iBounce.

Earn Extra Entries – valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.

  • Share this post on Facebook or give us a shout out on our wall.
  • Follow JumpSport and The Shopping Mama on Twitter and tweet this giveaway. You may do this every day, just leave a link when you do.
    Win a JumpSport iBounce Kids Trampoline bundle @TheShoppingMama bit.ly/LJQysv
  • Subscribe to The Shopping Mama in email or RSS.
  • Sign up for the The Shopping Mama Newsletter.

Giveaway ends May 25. Open to US residents only.

Chuggington MEGA Bloks Sets {Review & Giveaway}

by Kate on April 5th, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaways, Reviews, Toys


As you know I’m excited to be a Chuggington Conductor. My kids are excited that the third season of the show recently started airing on Disney Junior. But, everyone should be excited about this awesome Chuggington MEGA Bloks Set giveaway valued at nearly $100.

Chuggington MEGA Bloks Sets

There are three awesome MEGA Bloks Sets as well as individually sold train cars. The combination between the Chuggington characters and the MEGA Bloks brand is a great one. It’s a fun collaboration which allows kids to build with MEGA Bloks while playing with familiar characters. Our kids (and my husband and I) have had a lot of fun playing with the sets.

Jet Pack Adventure. My son and I tackled the building of the super cool, multi-level Jet Pack Adventure Set which includes a train rail and jet rail. The set includes 80 pieces and an instruction booklet so you can build the set as pictured. Of course, you can use your imagination and build the set other ways, too. I appreciate that the MEGA Blok pieces are all large enough that my five year old can handle them (unlike some other building sets where the pieces are much too small for him to manage).

The train rail winds through a Clock Tower and the Chuggington depo. Trains hang from the super cool jet rail which winds around the buildings. The trains hook on the jet rail and fly through the sky. The set comes with Wilson and Action Chugger so you have everything you need to start riding the rails.

chuggington roundhouse racing

Roundhouse Racing. Build the trains’ roundhouse home with this set that includes more than 45 pieces, including Calley and Brewster. We actually had a bit more trouble figuring out the best way to play with the Roundhouse, but once you get it working you can launch trains out of the Roundhouse. The turntable is lots of fun and allows you to choose a rail for your train. Like the other sets, you can build the Roundhouse Racing set in a variety of ways so kids can use their creativity or set up different scenarios.

Repair Shed. After lots of action riding the rails and flying through Chuggington, trains may need a repair. This cute little set comes with pieces to build the Repair Shed, including a rotating piece so you can get a better look at the train for repairs, and tools. Old Puffer Pete comes with this set, too, so you can buy it individually or use it in combination with other sets. Of course, because all of the sets are from MEGA Bloks they fit together so you can connect the Repair Shed to any of the other Chuggington sets to create your own traintastic town.

Chuggington MEGA Bloks Set Video

My son wanted to share his thoughts on the Chuggington train sets in a video. And, I have to tell you, if you watch nothing else, you have to see the first 10 seconds. He’s so darn cute! Watch the entire thing and you’ll get a 5-year old’s demonstration of the toys in action.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… We’ve had a great time playing with the Chuggington MEGA Bloks Sets. The building process is great for helping my preschoolers’ fine motor skills and, of course, once the sets are up and running the fun really begins. The Jet Pack is particularly impressive with the jet rail but all of them provide opportunity for imaginative and solo or group play. You don’t have to be a Chuggington fanatic to enjoy these train sets.

Or Not to Buy… The sets are recommended for children three and up, but even older kids will need help putting together the buildings. My five year old just doesn’t have quite the motor skills or instruction interpreting skills required to build them by himself. (And I don’t mind as it’s a fun activity for us to do together.)

Shop! Chuggington MEGA Bloks Sets are available from our affiliate Amazon and range in price from $15 for the Repair Shed to $50 for the Jet Pack Adventure.

Win! All Three Chuggington MEGA Bloks Sets:
Jet Pack Adventure, Roundhouse Racing & Repair Shed!

How to Enter: Leave a comment with your child’s favorite Chuggington train.

Earn Extra Entries – valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.

Giveaway ends April 18. Open to US residents only.

I am a Chuggington Conductor. I was not compensated for this post, but I did receive samples. 

{handmade} St. Patrick’s Day

by Amy on February 27th, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  Shopping

We’re less than a month away from St. Patrick’s day, and I’ve scoured Etsy to bring you some fabulously fun {handmade} finds!

Lime Pie Wrap Around Ruffle Diaper Cover by Raegun

***

St. Patrick’s Day Cookies by Katie’s Creative Baking

***

Photobooth Prop Shamrock Glasses On a Stick by Kitty Dune Cuts

***

Lucky Shamrock Necklace by Polestar

***

 St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock Initial T-Shirt & Leg Warmers by kakabaka

***

St. Patrick’s Day Beer Labels by nancynikkodesign

***

St. Patrick’s Day Emergency Case by ClosetCat

 

***

Lucky Leprechaun Gnome Dolls by SewnNatural

Happy Shamrock Day!!

HappiTaps Review: It’s a Toy and an App!

by Kate on December 30th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Reviews, Toddler, Toys

Did you receive an iPhone for Christmas but you’re worried about sharing the smartness with your toddler? Or, are you looking for a way to make your family’s iTouch more toddler-friendly? Infantino has an awesome solution in the toy and app combination known as HappiTaps. We’ve downloaded – and the kids have played with – a countless number of apps and games designed for kids, but we’ve never seen anything quite like HappiTabs. It’s an iPhone / iTouch cover AND a free app that brings the cute bear cover to life.

What is HappiTaps

HappiTaps are the first-of-its-kind toy/app hybrid. A lovable teddy-bear friend that leverages toddlers’ newly found fascination with touchscreen smartphones and the classic comfort of plush, huggable toys creating a truly interactive, lovable companion. Put your iPhone or iPod touch inside a HappiTaps cover, download the free app, and voilà: the 21st century Teddy.

 

HappiTabs Features

  • Uses 3D computer animation in conjunction with the iPhone/iPod Touch cutting technology to create a toy that reacts to a child’s life moments
  • Over 150 different expressions to keep kids engaged and learning
  • Full of games and activities for engaging play
  • 2 Play modes: Toddler Mode and more advanced Manual Mode
  • The cover features a lock for the home button to ensure kids stay within the app
  • Age recommendation: 18+ months

HappiTaps Video

The Beary Happi Teddy cover is compatible with iPhone 4S, 4, and 3GS as well as 3rd and 4th generation iPod Touch.

Toy + App = Lots of Fun

The first thing you’ll notice is the adorable Beary Happi Teddy cover. In addition to being a cute bear, he protects the iPhone with lots of cushion. We’ve experienced a broken iDevice or two around our house, but I wouldn’t hesitate to hand over the iPhone or iPod to a child with this on it. The bear really comes to life when you download the app. The Beary Happi: Lovable Friend app is basically an adorable teddy bear who talks, laughs and interacts with your child. He’ll ask your child to scratch his ear, when you touch his nose it squeaks and that’s just playing with the bear.

There are actually a number of games and ways to play within the app. My daughter giggles at the bear playing Hide & Seek. My son likes giving Beary food during Feeding Time. I like Story Time – where Bear reads a story – and ABC Pop – which reinforces letter recognition. When my daughter plays with the app we place it on Toddler Mode which automatically goes from one game to the next and doesn’t require her to use the drop down menu bar to change from, say, the Expressions mode to Story Time. My son, on the other hand, is better able to control and maneuver between games on his own so he uses Manual Mode.

My daughter, not surprisingly, was immediately smitten. My son turned 5 earlier this month and he thinks that means he’s very mature and too old for some things now. At first glance, he wasn’t into HappiTaps because of the teddy bear appearance, I think. As soon as he saw it in action he wanted it all to himself. In fact, when he saw my daughter playing with it he said, “I want it because it looks so cool.” Safe to say he’s now hooked as well.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… The combination of the teddy bear cover and toy with the actual app is pretty awesome. It’s one of the most interactive apps my kids have used and it kept each of them engaged and entertained for quite some time – certainly longer than some other apps we’ve downloaded. This is a great way to make your iPhone or iPod Touch a kid-friendly toy.

Or Not to Buy… The Bar Happi app has some in-app purchases which can add up. The first thing I did was turn those off so that the kids didn’t accidentally on purpose turn our free app into a costly one. The cover makes hitting the home button and some other functionality difficult to get to so is really best suited to using this app and not as a general cover.

Shop! HappiTaps Beary Happi is available directly from our friends at Infantino for $19.99 with free shipping. The Beary Happi: Lovable Friend app is FREE for download from the App Store.

I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Infantino HappiTaps and received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

{handmade} holiday gift idea by Drawn to Letters

by Amy on December 15th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Holiday Toys, Shopping

Christmas is quickly approaching, and it’s increasingly difficult to buy handmade gifts in time for the holiday. Drawn to Letters has a few of these adorable (and educational!) Match Memory Games left in stock, and they are ready to ship in time for Christmas!

This super sweet memory game includes 15 sets of animals from  original hand painted illustrations by Drawn to Letters’ Joanne Gilbert, and are printed on 2″ squares of heavy acid free bristol board. Priced at just $14, you can’t go wrong. These are the perfect way to teach baby first words, or for older kids to practice memory skills. They’re great for on-the-go, too.

Happy {handmade} shopping!

Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Trike {Holiday Toy Review}

by Monica on December 12th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Reviews, Toddler, Toys

Radio Flyer is a trusted name in children’s wagons, push toys, and bikes.  Our little princess was feeling a little left out on walks just sitting in the stroller as her big brother pedaled around the neigborhood on his Radio Flyer big flyer he got last spring.  So she was super excited to see this box delivered!

About Radio Flyer

When our grandfather Antonio Pasin started Radio Flyer in 1917, his dream was to “bring joy to every boy and every girl”. Today, the Radio Flyer family continues that tradition by building safe, quality toys that spark imagination and inspire active play. From the original little red wagon to our current wagons, tricycles, scooters, and other ride-ons, our toys bring smiles to children and families around the world and create warm memories that last a lifetime.

Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Overview and Highlights

  • Removable wrap around tray with cup holder to protect your child
  • Secure 3-point harness (removable)
  • Adult steer & stroll height adjustable push handle (removable)
  • Switches from pedals to foot rests
  • Comfortable headrest provides neck support (removable)
  • Adjustable grow-with-me seat
  • Unique stroller-style canopy with UV protection (removable)
  • Covered bin for parent or child storage
  • Quiet ride tires
  • Sturdy steel frame
  • Functional fro 9 months to 5 years old!

To see a great video of this products versatility, click here.

Our Experience

I was super excited to have to opportunity to review this product. I have purchased many Radio Flyer products for my kids over the past few years and they have never disappointed. The Radio Flyer 4-1n-1 Trike was no different! I have a almost 4 year old boy and an almost 2 year old girl, and I liked that they both fell into the target age range of 9 months (yes, 9 months! ) to 5 years.  The bike has a few safetly features that allow you to use it almost as a stroller with a removable all emcompassing tray, a 3 point harness, and a sun shade.  Also, the pedals have a little knob you turn  in order to lock them into place for when your little one isn’t able to reach the pedals, or not able to really pedal well. There is also a removeable and adjustable parent handle that turns the wheels and steers.  There is also a removeable back rest that the harness attaches to that keeps baby sitting up nice and straight.  I decided to test it fo rmy almost two year old, as as soon as she say the box she said , “My bike Mommy “.  And proceeded to every day that she saw the box until we put it together.  Speaking of assembly…

I will preface this section by a full disclaimer, I absolutely despise putting things like this together, and am completely useless at it! So much so, that it gives me a little bit of anxiety to even think about it.  I really, really don’t like it! So, as soon as I opened the box and saw all the pieces, I called reinforcements, my dad, the ultimate direction follower and assembler extraordinaire. I did supervise, and with the help of my 3 year old and his own set of tools, and they had it assembled in about 20 minutes. Watching him, I did see him get stuck on a few steps, but he quickly figured it out. I then looked at the instructions and realized it probably would have taken me about an hour with my horrible skills!

I decided to have him leave the harness on for little miss, as she isn’t really coordinated enough to  pedal well, and I wanted her to sit in the bike when we go on bike rides around the neighborhood, with me holding the handle and steering for her. We have a 4 year old brother to keep up with on the bike with training wheels Santa may or may not be bringing him.

We went for a quick walk, as it is so cold, and she really seemed to like it! I will say that I wish there was a ledge or something in addition to the pedals for her feet instead of just hanging them down, or trying to get her to keep them positioned on the foot pedals, which seemed to be hard for her. I think that she will get it eventually, however. What I like about this trike at the stage I will be using it is my son can easily hop on it right now as well, he just wouldn’t need the harness buckle. The buckle is removable if an older child is going to be riding it all the time, but since I want it set up for her, it’s just as easy to leave the buckle on but not use it if he wants to take a quick ride.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… If you are looking to try to buy only one riding vehicle with pedals for your little one, this may be your best bet! It has a lot of great features making it easy for you to use as soon as baby can sit up well!

Or Not to Buy… Assembly is a bit time consuming, but most toys are.  Also, I do wish there was something else for short little legs to do when they aren’t pedaling, but this could just be annoying to me, and not the kids.

Shop! The Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Trike is available for purchase at various retailers, including Radio Flyer and Amazon.  It retails for $99.00.

Thanks to Radio Flyer for providing sample for review.

30 Days of Toys: P’Kolino Multi-Solution Puzzle

by Kate on December 1st, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  30 Days of Toys, Shopping

Toy: P’Kolino Multi-Solution Puzzle

Get It For: Puzzling 18 months olds and older. We think preschoolers will like the challenge of finding different solutions to the same puzzle.

Why We Like It: There’s no doubt that puzzles are great activities for kids, but it can be difficult for a child when it goes wrong and they can’t figure out the solution. The beauty of the P’Kolino Multi-Solution puzzles, like the Alien pictured here, is that numerous configurations are “right”. There’s not one singular way to solve the puzzle. It’s encouraging for younger kids and creates some additional problem solving challenges for older kids. We like that the quality design and bright colors will inspire creative solutions and develop hand-eye coordination.

Shop! There are a number of P’Kolino Multi-Solution Puzzles with a suggested retail price of $19.99. We particularly like the Rhombot ($14.30), Owl ($17.45) and Alien ($18.62).Find this and many of our top toys for the holidays in The Shopping Mama’s 30 Days of Toys store.

***

To see the best toys for the holidays, check out our Toy Shopping Guide. You can also read about all our 30 Days of Toys picks.

Terri Lee Dolls {Holiday Toy Review}

by Kate on November 30th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Reviews, Toys

Terri Lee Dolls have been around for 65 years and one look at the doll you instantly see the dolls maintain a classic style and appearance. Indeed, the goal of Terri Lee Dolls is to provide a doll with age-appropriate clothes for hours of fun.

Meet Terri Lee Winter Wonderland Doll

Modeled after the classic Terri Lee Doll, Terri Lee “Winter Wonderland” comes with a purple houndstooth coat, faux fur hat, red corduroy dress and boots. She is 15″ in height and has long beautiful hair for hours of styling fun. A brush is included but ice skates are not.

Classic Doll for the Holidays

At 3 years old, my daughter is really entering the stage of playing doll and she adores being “mom” to her little friends. But, she’s not exactly the most gentle little thing so her dolls have to stand up to some serious play. Despite her darling, girly appearance, Terri Lee Winter Wonderland Doll is built for action. The doll is a plastic material isn’t the most cuddly but she’s built to last. That doesn’t stop my daughter from playing with her and enjoying her little friend. She loves combing the doll’s hair and taking her pretty coat on and off.

My favorite thing is her clothes – I can’t get over the faux fur hat and the purple coat. Too much cuteness! The doll’s face is so dainty and she is just darling.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… The Terri Lee Winter Wonderland Doll is a timeless classic that girls will love. As a mom, I appreciate the attention to detail and the age-appropriate appearance and clothes. My daughter likes her long hair and has instantly made her part of her doll family. It’s a great value for the price as I think it’s built to last.

Or Not to Buy… This doll might not be the best for younger girls who will do better with a softer doll.

Shop! A Terri Lee Doll will make a great gift for the holidays. Winter Wonderland is available in light skin and an African American skin tone for $39 directly from Terri Lee and also from our affiliate Amazon. The other dolls are just as stylish and sweet.

Thanks to Terri Lee for providing a sample for the purpose of this review.
« Older Entries