PAW Patrol to the Rescue this Easter!

This post was sponsored by PAW Patrol as part of an Integrated Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

With Easter approaching, I knew I had to find a super special toy to keep a smile on my son’s face. I love setting up a hunt for eggs that the Easter bunny left behind and the trail always leads to a big surprise at the end!

Like every child his age, my son’s world revolves around PAW Patrol and the Mighty Meteor Track Set was the perfect big surprise I was looking for (and the best part is you can order it online from Target or Amazon and have it delivered before Easter). PAW Patrol also has 2 other awesome toys that I think would make great Easter basket gifts as well: the Mighty Pups Charged Up Chase Transforming Vehicle and Charged Up Deluxe Vehicles.

For the ultimate Easter egg surprise hunt, I started by filling up a bunch of plastic eggs with chocolate and candy! These treat-filled eggs will lead my son right to his PAW Patrol surprise! I also used rabbit foot prints to lead the way and make it that much more exciting.

Now let's talk about this PAW Patrol Mighty Meteor Track Set. I’ll start out by saying that it is just insanely fun. The story behind the toy is that Harold Humdinger has taken the mighty meteor with his robot and it’s up to you to launch Chase in his charged up vehicle to save the day! It’s a SUPER interactive toy which my son loves and keeps him busy for hours! To help Chase save the day, you load him and his vehicle on the Team Jet Launcher, you push down on the back of the aircraft and Mighty Chase propels in the air and flies around the Lookout Tower! He pushes the meteor out of the robot’s hand before safely landing on the ground and saving the day. It’s such a blast and I guarantee your kids will freak out when they figure out that Chase flies!

My son was thrilled when he first saw his gift, but when I showed him how it worked, he squealed in delight. I haven't seen him this excited about a toy in long time. It also comes with a Mighty Chase car and a detachable Team Jet Launcher that he can play with separately as he pretends Chase is flying through our home!

Order your PAW Patrol products now so that they arrive in time for Easter! They're available at Target and Amazon.  Click here to shop!

If you're looking for other PAW Patrol gifts to put in your Easter basket, the Mighty Pups Charged Up Chase Transforming Vehicle is just as fun! It transforms from a car to a hovercraft so your kids can have hours of fun being heroes and keeping Adventure Bay safe! The Transforming Vehicle has lights and sounds and a projectile launcher for even more fun! Your kids will be running around and laughing while they help Chase glide through the air in this awesome and fun toy! It’s great for kids ages 3 and up and the lights and sounds will make them feel as though they’re on a real mission!

The Charged Up Deluxe Vehicles are great Easter Basket Stuffers as well! With lights and sounds and a removable Chase figurine, the smiles and laughs will be endless. And don’t worry! They have Rubble, Skye, Marshall, Zuma and Rocky too so make sure to get them all so that the whole PAW Patrol gang can save Adventure Bay together because, as Ryder says: no job is to big and no pup is too small! 

Gifting STEM Toys This Holiday Season (Copy)

This year I’m making a conscious effort to gift smart! You might be wondering what I’m talking about. I recently discovered the world of STEM toys and was a bit disappointed that I hadn’t learned about them before. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math but STEM toys focus on so much more. Although they look just as fun as regular toys, they’re actually tools that help kids develop their abilities while they have fun and learn. STEM toys generally consist of board games, building blocks and science kits and are available for children as young as toddlers all the way to teens!

We tried out and are sharing 3 STEM toys that can all be found in the GIFT WHIZ tool that was created by Learning Resources and we loved the toys so much that we’ll be using it to make informed and personalized choices for gifts for all the kids on my holiday shopping list this season!

Click here to check out the GIFT WHIZ.

Counting Surprise Party

This toy is the gift that keeps giving! Your little ones will be thrilled to discover presents that are filled with surprises! This gift will help them learn their colors, to count and to identify objects such as robots, cats, guitars and even a plane! It’s priced at under $20 so it’s the perfect gift for any 3 year old on your list!

Click here to check out the Counting Surprise Party

Hoot the Fine Motor Owl

Hoot the Fine Motor Owl helps your kids strengthen hand-eye coordination as well as an introduction to colors, shapes and number recognition skills. Your children will drop the coins in a slot on the owl’s head and use scissor skills to flap the wings and the coins come tumbling out!

Click here to check out Hoot the Fine Motor Owl.

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1-2-3 Build It!™ Construction Crew

There are 3 different ways your little engineers can put this toy together! They can build a digger, a dump truck and a bulldozer with easy and big snap together pieces. This toy helps to develop and strengthen fine motor skills, hand strength, coordination and other skills that help prepare them for preschool! Your kids imaginations will run wild while they learn and have fun playing with the 1-2-3 Build It! Construction Crew.

Click here to check out the 1-2-3 Build It! Construction Crew.

The GIFT WHIZ will guide you and help you choose the best gift for the children in your life! It takes all the guesswork out of holiday shopping! Click here to check out the GIFT WHIZ by Learning Resources.

Gifting STEM Toys This Holiday Season

This year I’m making a conscious effort to gift smart! You might be wondering what I’m talking about. I recently discovered the world of STEM toys and was a bit disappointed that I hadn’t learned about them before. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math but STEM toys focus on so much more. Although they look just as fun as regular toys, they’re actually tools that help kids develop their abilities while they have fun and learn. STEM toys generally consist of board games, building blocks and science kits and are available for children as young as toddlers all the way to teens!

We tried out and are sharing 3 STEM toys that can all be found in the GIFT WHIZ tool that was created by Learning Resources and we loved the toys so much that we’ll be using it to make informed and personalized choices for gifts for all the kids on my holiday shopping list this season!

Click here to check out the GIFT WHIZ.

Counting Surprise Party

This toy is the gift that keeps giving! Your little ones will be thrilled to discover presents that are filled with surprises! This gift will help them learn their colors, to count and to identify objects such as robots, cats, guitars and even a plane! It’s priced at under $20 so it’s the perfect gift for any 3 year old on your list!

Click here to check out the Counting Surprise Party

Hoot the Fine Motor Owl

Hoot the Fine Motor Owl helps your kids strengthen hand-eye coordination as well as an introduction to colors, shapes and number recognition skills. Your children will drop the coins in a slot on the owl’s head and use scissor skills to flap the wings and the coins come tumbling out!

Click here to check out Hoot the Fine Motor Owl.

---

1-2-3 Build It!™ Construction Crew

There are 3 different ways your little engineers can put this toy together! They can build a digger, a dump truck and a bulldozer with easy and big snap together pieces. This toy helps to develop and strengthen fine motor skills, hand strength, coordination and other skills that help prepare them for preschool! Your kids imaginations will run wild while they learn and have fun playing with the 1-2-3 Build It! Construction Crew.

Click here to check out the 1-2-3 Build It! Construction Crew.

The GIFT WHIZ will guide you and help you choose the best gift for the children in your life! It takes all the guesswork out of holiday shopping! Click here to check out the GIFT WHIZ by Learning Resources.

7 Toys Under $30 from Amazon!

Buying your children educational, good quality and fun toys doesn’t have to break the bank with Kidzlane! The holidays are expensive enough, between holiday outfits, the food, the cost of travel - don’t make toys one of them! I’ve rounded up a bunch of my faves that will have your child smiling from ear to ear without you needing to spend hundreds of dollars! And the added bonus - most of them can be shipped Amazon Prime!

Magnetic Fishing Game for Kids (ages +3)

This game is fun, simple and a classic. The inside of the box becomes an underwater adventure and your child gets to practice hand-eye coordination, colors, numbers and matching! This is definitely a toy can can grow with your child as they learn more and more.

Kidzlane only uses high-quality wood and non-toxic paint. This toy is sure to please a toddler on your list and at $12.99, how can you not smile about it too?

Click here to shop

Wooden Building Blocks (Construction & City) (ages +3)

This will be a favorite in your home, I can promise you that! We got Zane the Construction Site Building Blocks and the Wooden City Building Blocks! He spends hours building a little city and playing pretend school bus driver and dump truck driver! These pieces from Kidzlane are made from durable high-quality wood with non-toxic, BPA and lead-free paint and come with adorable containers to store the pieces in when they aren’t being used. I am obsessed with not only the quality of these blocks, but the detail on them as well! The cement truck spins, the dump truck can dump, the wheels turn - it’s never ending imaginative play that helps your kids develop motor skills, coordination and confidence while learning about colors and shapes! For $24.99, it’s a STEAL!

Click here for the Wooden City Building Blocks

Click here for the Construction Site Building Blocks

Gear Head Wooden Building Toys (ages +18 months)

My love for wooden toys and Kidzlane continues! This is an amazing gift for preschoolers and toddlers 18 months +. It will encourage them to use their imagination, to learn design, STEM engineering and there are so many different ways to assemble it, they won’t get bored. The colors are bright and vibrant and it’s made with real wood! I was surprised to see a price tag of only $16.99 on this!

Click here to shop!

Kids Doctor Kit with Electronic Stethoscope

Does anyone else have a child that loves to play pretend? This Doctor Kit from Kidzlane takes pretend to the next level! With Electronic Stethoscopes and a thermometer with moving numbers, your children will get lost in a world of imaginative play! For only $23.99, watch you child laugh and be entertained with a cell phone that beeps and a stethoscope that makes a real-life heartbeat and coughing sound! And don’t worry - the pieces are easy to clean and store away in a convenient little briefcase!

Click here to shop!

Pretend Veterinarian Doctor Kit (ages +3)

The perfect gift for the animal loving child is here! It’s a 17 piece veterinarian kit from Kidzlane that includes a plush dog, carrier, phone, clip board, dog house, exam table, stethoscope, glasses and more! This is one of the cutest sets I have seen after playing with this, my son keeps chasing my dog around trying to take care of him too! For $29.99 you won’t regret getting your hands on this!

Click here to shop!

Binoculars for Kids (ages +6)

This is the ultimate stocking stuffer! It’s priced at $16.99 and can be used all year round: Adjustable Binoculars! Your outdoor loving child will love taking this to the park and playing outside with it in the summer and your indoor loving imaginative child will love using it in your home to play pretend. It’s perfect for so many different age groups and can be used at sports games, on road trips and even on vacation! It has rubber around the eye cups to protect your child’s eyes and it was designed with your child’s size hands in mind. They’ll be able to adjust the focus and hold it perfectly! The best part? It’s damage resistant and comes with a carrying case so your little explorer will be able to continue enjoying it day after day!

Click here to shop and to see other toys from Kidzlane!

Sorting & Matching Educational Egg Toy (ages +18 months)

The cutest gift in the funnest packaging! It looks like an egg carton filled with plastic eggs, but when you open it, the eggs come apart and it becomes an educational matching game that teaches your children about colors and shapes. The eggs are the perfect size for their little hands (but large enough to not be a choking hazard) and it doubles as pretend food for playing groceries! It’s priced at $17.99 so it’s perfect for any toddler on your list!

Click here to shop!

Bonus!

Floor Piano Mat: Jumbo 6 Foot Musical Keyboard

So this one didn’t fit the Under $30 list, but it is honestly the coolest gift I’ve seen in a while so I had to include it! It’s a new release from Kidzlane and it will get your kids moving and singing! It’s a perfect gift to help them get out all their energy during the cold months when they’re often stuck inside and it will be a favorite in your home for years to come! It’s a 6 foot long piano mat with touch-sensitive keys and 8 different instrumental sounds that they’ll be able to skip and hop on! It includes 10 classical songs and comes with cards that can teach your kids how to play the songs! Is there anything better? They’re learning music, being active and having fun. It’s made from toxin-free material that can easily be wiped clean and is durable enough to withstand all the fun your kids will have with it! It’s $49.99, so VERY reasonably priced and I guarantee you will have as much fun playing on it as your kids will!

Click here to shop!

7 Toys Under $30 from Amazon!

Buying your children educational, good quality and fun toys doesn’t have to break the bank with Kidzlane! The holidays are expensive enough, between holiday outfits, the food, the cost of travel - don’t make toys one of them! I’ve rounded up a bunch of my faves that will have your child smiling from ear to ear without you needing to spend hundreds of dollars! And the added bonus - most of them can be shipped Amazon Prime!

Magnetic Fishing Game for Kids (ages +3)

This game is fun, simple and a classic. The inside of the box becomes an underwater adventure and your child gets to practice hand-eye coordination, colors, numbers and matching! This is definitely a toy can can grow with your child as they learn more and more.

Kidzlane only uses high-quality wood and non-toxic paint. This toy is sure to please a toddler on your list and at $12.99, how can you not smile about it too?

Click here to shop

Wooden Building Blocks (Construction & City) (ages +3)

This will be a favorite in your home, I can promise you that! We got Zane the Construction Site Building Blocks and the Wooden City Building Blocks! He spends hours building a little city and playing pretend school bus driver and dump truck driver! These pieces from Kidzlane are made from durable high-quality wood with non-toxic, BPA and lead-free paint and come with adorable containers to store the pieces in when they aren’t being used. I am obsessed with not only the quality of these blocks, but the detail on them as well! The cement truck spins, the dump truck can dump, the wheels turn - it’s never ending imaginative play that helps your kids develop motor skills, coordination and confidence while learning about colors and shapes! For $24.99, it’s a STEAL!

Click here for the Wooden City Building Blocks

Click here for the Construction Site Building Blocks

Gear Head Wooden Building Toys (ages +18 months)

My love for wooden toys and Kidzlane continues! This is an amazing gift for preschoolers and toddlers 18 months +. It will encourage them to use their imagination, to learn design, STEM engineering and there are so many different ways to assemble it, they won’t get bored. The colors are bright and vibrant and it’s made with real wood! I was surprised to see a price tag of only $16.99 on this!

Click here to shop!

Kids Doctor Kit with Electronic Stethoscope

Does anyone else have a child that loves to play pretend? This Doctor Kit from Kidzlane takes pretend to the next level! With Electronic Stethoscopes and a thermometer with moving numbers, your children will get lost in a world of imaginative play! For only $23.99, watch you child laugh and be entertained with a cell phone that beeps and a stethoscope that makes a real-life heartbeat and coughing sound! And don’t worry - the pieces are easy to clean and store away in a convenient little briefcase!

Click here to shop!

Pretend Veterinarian Doctor Kit (ages +3)

The perfect gift for the animal loving child is here! It’s a 17 piece veterinarian kit from Kidzlane that includes a plush dog, carrier, phone, clip board, dog house, exam table, stethoscope, glasses and more! This is one of the cutest sets I have seen after playing with this, my son keeps chasing my dog around trying to take care of him too! For $29.99 you won’t regret getting your hands on this!

Click here to shop!

Binoculars for Kids (ages +6)

This is the ultimate stocking stuffer! It’s priced at $16.99 and can be used all year round: Adjustable Binoculars! Your outdoor loving child will love taking this to the park and playing outside with it in the summer and your indoor loving imaginative child will love using it in your home to play pretend. It’s perfect for so many different age groups and can be used at sports games, on road trips and even on vacation! It has rubber around the eye cups to protect your child’s eyes and it was designed with your child’s size hands in mind. They’ll be able to adjust the focus and hold it perfectly! The best part? It’s damage resistant and comes with a carrying case so your little explorer will be able to continue enjoying it day after day!

Click here to shop and to see other toys from Kidzlane!

Sorting & Matching Educational Egg Toy (ages +18 months)

The cutest gift in the funnest packaging! It looks like an egg carton filled with plastic eggs, but when you open it, the eggs come apart and it becomes an educational matching game that teaches your children about colors and shapes. The eggs are the perfect size for their little hands (but large enough to not be a choking hazard) and it doubles as pretend food for playing groceries! It’s priced at $17.99 so it’s perfect for any toddler on your list!

Click here to shop!

Bonus!

Floor Piano Mat: Jumbo 6 Foot Musical Keyboard

So this one didn’t fit the Under $30 list, but it is honestly the coolest gift I’ve seen in a while so I had to include it! It’s a new release from Kidzlane and it will get your kids moving and singing! It’s a perfect gift to help them get out all their energy during the cold months when they’re often stuck inside and it will be a favorite in your home for years to come! It’s a 6 foot long piano mat with touch-sensitive keys and 8 different instrumental sounds that they’ll be able to skip and hop on! It includes 10 classical songs and comes with cards that can teach your kids how to play the songs! Is there anything better? They’re learning music, being active and having fun. It’s made from toxin-free material that can easily be wiped clean and is durable enough to withstand all the fun your kids will have with it! It’s $49.99, so VERY reasonably priced and I guarantee you will have as much fun playing on it as your kids will!

Click here to shop!

Stumped For Toys? I've Got You Covered!

With the holiday season around the corner, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with the endless possibilities of toys for kids! It seems as though everywhere you look, there’s a new trend, a new fad, and what’s cool today may not be by the holidays! Don’t worry! I’m here with a few stellar recommendations for toddlers and babies!

For the Babies

Let’s talk about the 6 month old+ ! This baby has started to roll over, can see clearly, loves tummy time and may even begin sitting up! My go-to brand has always been B Toys, for a few obvious and maybe not so obvious reasons! For starters, the quality. I have toys from B Toys that my older son Zane played with day in and day out and they are still in perfect condition and are now being passed on to my second son! There’s nothing I love more than that. Secondly, B Toys cares about our earth and children. Did you know that their packaging is 100% recyclable, reusable and recycled? They also go a step further and donate a portion of their sales to WE, the largest network of children helping other children. And finally, my kids are OBSESSED with everything I bring home from B Toys. Our current obsession is the Roly-Poly Owl! It’s a soft and colourful owl that wobbles and bobbles, plays 5 songs and 4 silly sounds and keeps their attention with a super fun light show! My son laughs and giggles and can’t get enough of this toy.

Click here to learn more about Roly-Poly Owl

A few of my other faves from B Toys are:

Zany Zoo (we’ve had this since Zane was a baby and it’s honestly the best)

Stroller Wiggle Wrap (this is always on Boss’ stroller! It keeps him entertained in the car and when we’re on the go in his stroller)

Musical Octopus (the sounds are so fun, the songs are catchy and the buttons are easy enough to push that my 6 month old can do it!)

For the Game Playing Toddlers

Toddlers are a special bunch! It’s an age where they get distracted easily, love challenges and are so eager to learn. I brought home Pixxo Junior over a month ago and it’s been a daily favourite in our home ever since! It’s a 2-in-1 game that will grow with your child as they develop! It starts out as a colourful game that encourages hand-eye coordination and pattern recognition as a unique type of puzzle!

There are 15 coloured sheets and circular tokens that you drop into the game and try to match the colours to the image! Once your child is a little more advanced, it becomes a strategy game with 2 players, similar to tic tac toe, but with coloured tokens that you drop into the game and first person to get 3 of the same colours in a row wins! I love Pixxo Junior for a few reasons. First, because there are 15 different coloured sheets, it keeps my son busy for much longer than a traditional puzzle.

Once he finishes with one image, he can simply swap it out and start on another! Second, there are so many ways that this game helps my son learn! We get to practice his colours (as he’s putting the tokens in the game, I get him to tell me the colours out loud), he identifies what animal or object is on the picture and he’s practicing his dexterity and hand-eye coordination as he drops the tokens in the game! Once we start playing the Strategy Game, he’ll be using reasoning and cognitive skills to anticipate my moves, choose his next move and identify when he has 3 in a row! Finally, because it can grow with my son, it’s one less thing I’ll need to buy down the road! I love finding toys that my kids won’t outgrow in 5 seconds.

Click here to shop for Pixxo Junior

Stumped For Toys? I've Got You Covered!

With the holiday season around the corner, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with the endless possibilities of toys for kids! It seems as though everywhere you look, there’s a new trend, a new fad, and what’s cool today may not be by the holidays! Don’t worry! I’m here with a few stellar recommendations for toddlers and babies!

For the Babies

Let’s talk about the 6 month old+ ! This baby has started to roll over, can see clearly, loves tummy time and may even begin sitting up! My go-to brand has always been B Toys, for a few obvious and maybe not so obvious reasons! For starters, the quality. I have toys from B Toys that my older son Zane played with day in and day out and they are still in perfect condition and are now being passed on to my second son! There’s nothing I love more than that. Secondly, B Toys cares about our earth and children. Did you know that their packaging is 100% recyclable, reusable and recycled? They also go a step further and donate a portion of their sales to WE, the largest network of children helping other children. And finally, my kids are OBSESSED with everything I bring home from B Toys. Our current obsession is the Roly-Poly Owl! It’s a soft and colourful owl that wobbles and bobbles, plays 5 songs and 4 silly sounds and keeps their attention with a super fun light show! My son laughs and giggles and can’t get enough of this toy.

Click here to learn more about Roly-Poly Owl

A few of my other faves from B Toys are:

Zany Zoo (we’ve had this since Zane was a baby and it’s honestly the best)

Stroller Wiggle Wrap (this is always on Boss’ stroller! It keeps him entertained in the car and when we’re on the go in his stroller)

Musical Octopus (the sounds are so fun, the songs are catchy and the buttons are easy enough to push that my 6 month old can do it!)

For the Game Playing Toddlers

Toddlers are a special bunch! It’s an age where they get distracted easily, love challenges and are so eager to learn. I brought home Pixxo Junior over a month ago and it’s been a daily favourite in our home ever since! It’s a 2-in-1 game that will grow with your child as they develop! It starts out as a colourful game that encourages hand-eye coordination and pattern recognition as a unique type of puzzle!

There are 15 coloured sheets and circular tokens that you drop into the game and try to match the colours to the image! Once your child is a little more advanced, it becomes a strategy game with 2 players, similar to tic tac toe, but with coloured tokens that you drop into the game and first person to get 3 of the same colours in a row wins! I love Pixxo Junior for a few reasons. First, because there are 15 different coloured sheets, it keeps my son busy for much longer than a traditional puzzle.

Once he finishes with one image, he can simply swap it out and start on another! Second, there are so many ways that this game helps my son learn! We get to practice his colours (as he’s putting the tokens in the game, I get him to tell me the colours out loud), he identifies what animal or object is on the picture and he’s practicing his dexterity and hand-eye coordination as he drops the tokens in the game! Once we start playing the Strategy Game, he’ll be using reasoning and cognitive skills to anticipate my moves, choose his next move and identify when he has 3 in a row! Finally, because it can grow with my son, it’s one less thing I’ll need to buy down the road! I love finding toys that my kids won’t outgrow in 5 seconds.

Click here to shop for Pixxo Junior

Baby and Toddler Gift Ideas from Kidz District!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… good quality toys for kids is really hard to find. I was super lucky to discover some of my favourite brands when Zane was younger so I know which ones to stick to the second time around! If you’ve been following me for a while, then you know that I’ve been getting toys from Kidz District since Zane was only a few months old! His first toy was the Dolce Musical Giraffe (read my full review here) and it’s made it through 2 years of love from Zane and will be passed along to baby #2 :).

I got my hands on a few more of their toys and think that these need to be on all of your holiday shopping lists if you don’t already own them!!!

VERTIPLAY WALL TOYS

You can say “bye!” to clutter on the floor thanks to this GENIUS line of Vertiplay Wall Toys that stick to your walls (without damaging the paint!). We tried out the Tree Top Adventure and the Musical Rail Track but there are many others! Appropriate for ages 2+, these toys will keep them busy and occupied while leaving your floors clear of toys! They’re stimulating, educational and fit in with any decor! Click here to see the entire collection.

ORIBEL PORTAPLAY - WONDERLAND ADVENTURES

If you’re looking for an activity centre that can REALLY grow with your child, this is it! This PortaPlay is good for ages 5 months - 5 years! It easily converts from an activity centre with a ton of educational and stimulating toys, to a flat top table for colouring and other activities! Don’t forget to add on the matching stools (they come 2 in a pack!). A bonus? The activity centre and table have easily folding/collapsible legs so it can be transported and folded away. Check out the activity centre here. 

Dolce - Pull Along Elephant

If you’re looking for a cuddly new entertaining bestie for your little one, look no further! The Pull Along Elephant from Dolce will help your mini develop relationship skills while walking and having a blast with their new best friend. The elephant has a squeaker in his tummy and crinkly ears that your toddler with love, along with a teether and wheels so that he zooms across the floor! Thankfully, the wheels easily come off, so your toddler can bring their best friend with them for nap time! Click here to learn more or click here to see the entire Dolce Collection.

I only covered a few of my favourites from Kidz District! Click here to visit their website to see everything else they offer!

Gifts That Give Back All Year Round

With the holidays around the corner, I think it’s more important than ever to try to give back this holiday season and it can start with what’s on your shopping list! This year I’m making an effort to be very selective with the companies that I choose to buy gifts from and My B Toys is one that made the cut. For starters, they care about our earth (which is an initiative that I haven’t seen from any other toy company). They scrutinize every piece to ensure its impact on our children’s world is as light as possible - they use recyclable materials and their boxes and packaging are designed to be reused and some can even be reversed to become gift wrap! Even the ink on their packaging is soy-based and their varnishes are water-based. They then go a step farther and give a portion of every sale to Free The Children which has built over 650 schools in communities around the world, providing education to 50,000 children every day. If you still need another reason to support them, their toys are just THE CUTEST. Below are the items that we chose for Zane and for our newest addition that’s due in April! Their toys are available at Target and Amazon.

Ribbit-tat-tat

Recommended for children 2 years +. it’s won multiple awards and is a frog inspired drum! There are beats from around the world, Ribbit-tat-tat from B toys is a frog-inspired toddler drum set and the winner of multiple awards! With its sturdy, toddler-proof construction, this frog toy drum is the perfect way to introduce music to babies and toddlers. There’s a retractable microphone where you can sing along, a voice changer and other games programmed in it! It will keep you and your mini entertained for hours :). Click here for more info!

Fire Flyer

This isn’t your ordinary fire truck! It lights up, vibrates and moves on it’s own! It has an extendable fire hose and even a ladder that goes up and down! Zane looooves trucks and cars so this was a no brainer win for us! Click here for more info!

Wonders Above

This is an acitivity that I am SO excited for. Whenever you shop for a new baby, there are always a few things you find that you can’t believe you lived without before. This is one of them! We had an activity for Zane but it was hard and often I felt he was uncomfortable on the floor when he was on it. This one is SO quilted and soft that your mini could even take a nap on it! It has 5 sensory toys hanging from the arc and it’s machine washable! Click here to learn more!

Magical Mellow-Zzzs

This is mobile any expecting mom NEEDS this season. It’s a musical mobile with a magical light show that will have your baby soothed and calm. The light show covers every hue of the rainbow with the sweetest melodies. You can take it along and hang it from a car seat, an activity mat or a crib! The bonus? It’s SAFE! This baby musical mobile toy is BPA and phthalates free. Made of a Super soft and safe fabric! packaging is recyclable and recycled, with soy-based inks. Click here to learn more!

Chewy Chews peace

This is the perfect firth teether for your little one! It has an adorable peace sign shape, is a beautiful color and will easily be held by your mini! It’s only available in stores!

Gifts That Give Back All Year Round

With the holidays around the corner, I think it’s more important than ever to try to give back this holiday season and it can start with what’s on your shopping list! This year I’m making an effort to be very selective with the companies that I choose to buy gifts from and My B Toys is one that made the cut. For starters, they care about our earth (which is an initiative that I haven’t seen from any other toy company). They scrutinize every piece to ensure its impact on our children’s world is as light as possible - they use recyclable materials and their boxes and packaging are designed to be reused and some can even be reversed to become gift wrap! Even the ink on their packaging is soy-based and their varnishes are water-based. They then go a step farther and give a portion of every sale to Free The Children which has built over 650 schools in communities around the world, providing education to 50,000 children every day. If you still need another reason to support them, their toys are just THE CUTEST. Below are the items that we chose for Zane and for our newest addition that’s due in April! Their toys are available at Target and Amazon.

Ribbit-tat-tat

Recommended for children 2 years +. it’s won multiple awards and is a frog inspired drum! There are beats from around the world, Ribbit-tat-tat from B toys is a frog-inspired toddler drum set and the winner of multiple awards! With its sturdy, toddler-proof construction, this frog toy drum is the perfect way to introduce music to babies and toddlers. There’s a retractable microphone where you can sing along, a voice changer and other games programmed in it! It will keep you and your mini entertained for hours :). Click here for more info!

Fire Flyer

This isn’t your ordinary fire truck! It lights up, vibrates and moves on it’s own! It has an extendable fire hose and even a ladder that goes up and down! Zane looooves trucks and cars so this was a no brainer win for us! Click here for more info!

Wonders Above

This is an acitivity that I am SO excited for. Whenever you shop for a new baby, there are always a few things you find that you can’t believe you lived without before. This is one of them! We had an activity for Zane but it was hard and often I felt he was uncomfortable on the floor when he was on it. This one is SO quilted and soft that your mini could even take a nap on it! It has 5 sensory toys hanging from the arc and it’s machine washable! Click here to learn more!

Magical Mellow-Zzzs

This is mobile any expecting mom NEEDS this season. It’s a musical mobile with a magical light show that will have your baby soothed and calm. The light show covers every hue of the rainbow with the sweetest melodies. You can take it along and hang it from a car seat, an activity mat or a crib! The bonus? It’s SAFE! This baby musical mobile toy is BPA and phthalates free. Made of a Super soft and safe fabric! packaging is recyclable and recycled, with soy-based inks. Click here to learn more!

Chewy Chews peace

This is the perfect firth teether for your little one! It has an adorable peace sign shape, is a beautiful color and will easily be held by your mini! It’s only available in stores!

Start Your Holiday Shopping With Funrise Toys!

With the holiday season just around the corner… I’ve decided to help you all out by rounding up some awesome gifts well before the madness of shopping begins so you can get a head start on your shopping!

Zane is almost 2 years old so he’s at an age where I buy him a cool and fun toy and he ends up being more interested in the box (parent reality). So I’m always pleasantly surprised when I find a toy that catches his attention and that becomes a favourite of his! I couldn’t wait to share with you Zane’s current obsessions (which I know your minis will LOVE too!). He lives, breathes, eats and would sleep (if I let him) with these toys!

HERODRIVE™ DC Super Friends Collection and TONKA Power Movers.

They are sturdy (Zane-proof) toys that light up, move and have his imagination running wild. He can pretend to be Batman as he zooms around the house with his bat mobile! It features lights, engine sounds, and music that bring the action to life! The Batmobile transforms into race mode by pushing the windshield forward to make the wings pop out. Zane can push the logo on the hood for unique Batman sounds, then push it again to send the Batman Racer racing forward with its cape flying behind!

Zane can also be the master of a construction site with his new dump truck that has lights, real engine sounds and even a realistic backup sound! The rugged Dump Truck features new Motion Drive Technology allowing for fun and intuitive play that brings the action to life!

They’re fun to play with, they were easy for him to figure out how to use and they are big enough that they don’t fit under my couch (mom win)!!!!

You can check out the whole HERODRIVE™ DC Super Friends Collection here.

And the TONKA Power Movers here.

Make sure to tag me in the pics of your minis playing with their new toys! There’s nothing better than a smiling, happy and entertained toddler.

Start Your Holiday Shopping With Funrise Toys!

With the holiday season just around the corner… I’ve decided to help you all out by rounding up some awesome gifts well before the madness of shopping begins so you can get a head start on your shopping!

Zane is almost 2 years old so he’s at an age where I buy him a cool and fun toy and he ends up being more interested in the box (parent reality). So I’m always pleasantly surprised when I find a toy that catches his attention and that becomes a favourite of his! I couldn’t wait to share with you Zane’s current obsessions (which I know your minis will LOVE too!). He lives, breathes, eats and would sleep (if I let him) with these toys!

HERODRIVE™ DC Super Friends Collection and TONKA Power Movers.

They are sturdy (Zane-proof) toys that light up, move and have his imagination running wild. He can pretend to be Batman as he zooms around the house with his bat mobile! It features lights, engine sounds, and music that bring the action to life! The Batmobile transforms into race mode by pushing the windshield forward to make the wings pop out. Zane can push the logo on the hood for unique Batman sounds, then push it again to send the Batman Racer racing forward with its cape flying behind!

Zane can also be the master of a construction site with his new dump truck that has lights, real engine sounds and even a realistic backup sound! The rugged Dump Truck features new Motion Drive Technology allowing for fun and intuitive play that brings the action to life!

They’re fun to play with, they were easy for him to figure out how to use and they are big enough that they don’t fit under my couch (mom win)!!!!

You can check out the whole HERODRIVE™ DC Super Friends Collection here.

And the TONKA Power Movers here.

Make sure to tag me in the pics of your minis playing with their new toys! There’s nothing better than a smiling, happy and entertained toddler.

Top Recommended Books for Toddlers - by YOU!

I put up a poll on my Instagram a few weeks ago asking you for your top recommended books for toddlers! Who better to recommend books than fellow mamas? Take advantage of free shipping all summer from Indigo.ca and stock up on the adorable books below! Missed my poll? No problem! Add a comment below with any books that I missed so we can check them out!

1. THE LITTLE BLUE BOX OF BRIGHT AND EARLY BOARD BOOKS BY DR. SEUSS

Inside this adorable blue box (with a handle that your mini will love), include the 4 books:  Hop on Pop; Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!; Ten Apples Up On Top!; and The Shape of Me and Other Stuff. They survived 2 weeks with my son undamaged so these books will withstand any child lol. Click here to visit Indigo to learn more.

2. SING A SONG OF MOTHER GOOSE

All of your fave childhood nursery rhymes are in this adorable hard covered book including: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star; Humpty Dumpty; Little Miss Muffet; Rockabye Baby; Sing a Song of Sixpence; Ladybird; Pussycat, Pussycat; Jack and Jill; Baa Baa Black Sheep; Hey Diddle Diddle; Rain, Rain, Go Away; Mary Had a Little Lamb; Pat A Cake and Hickory Dickory Dock. Click here to visit Indigo to learn more!

3. DR. SEUSS'S 100 FIRST WORDS

I was curious how many other words Zane could learn before saying Mama LOL. This board book has bright and bold colours that your mini will LOVE. Click here to learn more.

4. ADVENTURES WITH BAREFOOT CRITTERS

Learning the alphabet is fun with these little critters and this adorably illustrated board book. Click here to learn more!

5. DINOSAUR DANCE!

From the best selling author Sandra Boynton, this colourful and fun board book is all about.... dancing dinosaurs! What else!? Click here to learn more!

6. THE LION INSIDE

A beautiful book with a powerful message: We all have a lion and a mouse inside. Click here to learn more.

7. I LIKE MYSELF!

This book about self-esteem encourages children to love themselves! Such a great read and an important message to start teaching your children at any age. Click here to learn more.

8. ORDINARY PEOPLE CHANGE THE WORLD GIFT SET

This New York Times best selling series is all about what makes a Hero. Click here to learn more.

9. GIRAFFES CAN'T DANCE

Gerald the giraffe just wants to dance! With his long legs, it's harder than you think. When he finally receives encouragement from a friend, he realizes he can do it! This book is an inspiration for kids who dream big! Click here to learn more.

10. CHICKA CHICKA BOOM BOOM

This lively alphabet rhyme makes learning the alphabet fun! Click here to learn more.

Don't forget to take advantage of free shipping ALL SUMMER at Indigo.ca!

Top Recommended Books for Toddlers - by YOU!

I put up a poll on my Instagram a few weeks ago asking you for your top recommended books for toddlers! Who better to recommend books than fellow mamas? Take advantage of the awesome shipping promo they have going on right now: every book ships for free all summer long for plum membersfrom Indigo.ca and stock up on the adorable books below! Missed my poll? No problem! Add a comment below with any books that I missed so we can check them out!

1. THE LITTLE BLUE BOX OF BRIGHT AND EARLY BOARD BOOKS BY DR. SEUSS

Inside this adorable blue box (with a handle that your mini will love), include the 4 books:  Hop on Pop; Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!; Ten Apples Up On Top!; and The Shape of Me and Other Stuff. They survived 2 weeks with my son undamaged so these books will withstand any child lol. Click here to visit Indigo to learn more.

2. SING A SONG OF MOTHER GOOSE

All of your fave childhood nursery rhymes are in this adorable hard covered book including: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star; Humpty Dumpty; Little Miss Muffet; Rockabye Baby; Sing a Song of Sixpence; Ladybird; Pussycat, Pussycat; Jack and Jill; Baa Baa Black Sheep; Hey Diddle Diddle; Rain, Rain, Go Away; Mary Had a Little Lamb; Pat A Cake and Hickory Dickory Dock. Click here to visit Indigo to learn more!

3. DR. SEUSS'S 100 FIRST WORDS

I was curious how many other words Zane could learn before saying Mama LOL. This board book has bright and bold colours that your mini will LOVE. Click here to learn more.

4. ADVENTURES WITH BAREFOOT CRITTERS

Learning the alphabet is fun with these little critters and this adorably illustrated board book. Click here to learn more!

5. DINOSAUR DANCE!

From the best selling author Sandra Boynton, this colourful and fun board book is all about.... dancing dinosaurs! What else!? Click here to learn more!

6. THE LION INSIDE

A beautiful book with a powerful message: We all have a lion and a mouse inside. Click here to learn more.

7. I LIKE MYSELF!

This book about self-esteem encourages children to love themselves! Such a great read and an important message to start teaching your children at any age. Click here to learn more.

8. ORDINARY PEOPLE CHANGE THE WORLD GIFT SET

This New York Times best selling series is all about what makes a Hero. Click here to learn more.

9. GIRAFFES CAN'T DANCE

Gerald the giraffe just wants to dance! With his long legs, it's harder than you think. When he finally receives encouragement from a friend, he realizes he can do it! This book is an inspiration for kids who dream big! Click here to learn more.

10. CHICKA CHICKA BOOM BOOM

This lively alphabet rhyme makes learning the alphabet fun! Click here to learn more.

Don't forget to take advantage of free shipping on every book all summer long for plum members at Indigo.ca!

Make a Gazillion Memories This Summer!

With BBQ season finally here, I've found the MUST have products to keep children entertained: the Gazillion Bubbles Collection! Their bubble machines and wands will keep children of all ages busy and playing outside, instead of in front of the TV. Make a Gazillion memories this summer with Gazillion Bubbles! Their top secret bubble solution makes the brightest and most colourful bubbles that are eco-friendly, safe, non-toxic and won't stain clothing or furniture!

The Gazillion Bubbles Tornado is a must have for any backyard or patio. You turn on this machine and there are literally hundreds of bubbles within seconds! It's light weight and affordable so I'm even going to bring mine to the park this summer! Be prepared to be the favourite parent in the neighbourhood with this machine!

Their bubble wands are just as fun! Zane had a blast chasing the bubbles and this is definitely something I'm going to keep in our stroller all summer. Gazillion Bubbles also has Crazy Wands (scroll down for a few pics) which are for kids a bit older than Zane but I think they would also make such awesome loot bag ideas if you're planning a birthday party this summer!

Gazillion Bubbles products are available for purchase in Canada at Walmart & TRU Canada

Make a Gazillion Memories This Summer!

With BBQ season finally here, I've found the MUST have products to keep children entertained: the Gazillion Bubbles Collection! Their bubble machines and wands will keep children of all ages busy and playing outside, instead of in front of the TV. Make a Gazillion memories this summer with Gazillion Bubbles! Their top secret bubble solution makes the brightest and most colourful bubbles that are eco-friendly, safe, non-toxic and won't stain clothing or furniture!

The Gazillion Bubbles Tornado is a must have for any backyard or patio. You turn on this machine and there are literally hundreds of bubbles within seconds! It's light weight and affordable so I'm even going to bring mine to the park this summer! Be prepared to be the favourite parent in the neighbourhood with this machine!

Their bubble wands are just as fun! Zane had a blast chasing the bubbles and this is definitely something I'm going to keep in our stroller all summer. Gazillion Bubbles also has Crazy Wands (scroll down for a few pics) which are for kids a bit older than Zane but I think they would also make such awesome loot bag ideas if you're planning a birthday party this summer!

Gazillion Bubbles products are available for purchase in Canada at Walmart & TRU Canada

Best Wooden Toys Under $20

If you follow my blog then you know I love children's wooden toys and the ones we have are among Zane's favourite.  I've rounded up the best on Amazon for under $20! Let me know if you have any other amazing finds that should be added to my list! Click the image or product links below for more info :)

Rainbow Stacker Wooden Ring Educational Toy

Promotes hand-eye coordination and concepts of colour and size.

Stack and Sort Board - Wooden Educational Toy With 15 Solid Wood Pieces

Colourful skill-building toy for toddlers and preschoolers. Promotes hand-eye coordination

Primary Lacing Beads - Educational Toy With 30 Wooden Beads and 2 Laces

Promotes hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills

Shape Sorting Cube - Classic Wooden Toy With 12 Shapes

Promotes colour and shape recognition and problem-solving skills.

Take-Along Tool Kit Wooden Construction Toy (24 pcs)

Promotes hand-eye coordination, counting, sorting, colour recognition, and problem-solving skills.

Deluxe Wooden Pound-A-Peg Toy With Hammer

Promotes colour recognition and hand-eye coordination.

First Bead Maze - Wooden Educational Toy

Improves fine motor skills and colour and shape recognition

Stacking Train - Classic Wooden Toddler Toy (18 pcs)

Great for hand-eye coordination and imaginative play

Xylophone Musical Instruments Toys- Wooden 8 Key Notes Xylophone Toys Hand Knock Piano Music Instrument for Toddle Kid,Rainbow color

Classic ABC Wooden Block Cart Educational Toy With 30 Solid Wood Blocks (LC)

Features numbers, letters and pictures to identify for vocabulary-building

Deluxe Pound and Roll Wooden Tower Toy With Hammer

Brightly colored, smooth-sanded pieces help build early shape, color, and size differentiation skills

Abacus - Classic Wooden Educational Counting Toy With 100 Beads

Promotes counting, colour recognition, fine motor skills, and early math skills.

Preschool Educational Toy Wooden Balance Scale Toy with 6 Weights for Kids

Learn the theory of balance through balancing the scale and train your baby's hands-on ability

Food Groups - 21 Hand-Painted Wooden Pieces and 4 Crates

Encourages counting, sorting, pretend play, and an interest in food and nutrition.