Strong & Free Emblem Inc. has announced a colouring book designed to teach children the basics about Canada including the anthem, map and each province & territory in both english and french. Feedback from parents and children is that local artist Sonya MacAskill has created scenes and characters that are interesting and fun to colour.
The book is one product in a portfolio of STRONG & FREE Emblem products created by designer Denise Dow to spread a wave of Canadian patriotism from coast to coast. The emblems come in plaques for your home or cottage, decals, magnets, pins, keychains and much more at participating Zellers, Sears, Canadian Tires, Country Treasures or online at StrongAndFreeEmblem.com.
What Canadian Parents are saying…
I was thrilled to get my hands on two of these, one for each child. We don’t see enough “Canadian” themed items around and this colouring book really hit the mark for us! - Maggie
Posted on November 20th, 2008 by tracy
Filed under: Books, Creative Play, Gifts for Grade Schoolers, Ideas, Stocking Stuffers | 1 Comment »
Magnique Boards are a leather or suede magnetic board in an elegant solid wood frame. Each one makes it possible for you to effortlessly display and rearrange your pictures, desktop accessories and other important papers while complementing your home or office decor. Simply place an item on the leather or suede magnetic board and hold in place with an assortment of stylish Italian glass magnets. Every Magnique Board includes two hooks for easy and safe wall hanging.
Magnique Boards are made in Canada and come in a variety of sizes and colors. Check out their great selection here.
What Canadian Parents are saying…
I was impressed by the high quality of this Magnique board. The board itself is covered in leather (mine is green), with a solid sturdy white frame. What I love most is that you can turn it into your very own unique work of art, with themed pictures and other memorabilia. The magnets are gorgeous and super strong! Attaching heavy items is a breeze. - Tracy
Tips and Tricks Worth Mentioning…
Most would hang this on the wall but it can also be placed on top of a desk or piece of furniture as you would do with a large picture frame. Grade schoolers, teenagers, university aged kids, and moms everywhere would love this!
Posted on November 19th, 2008 by tracy
Filed under: Gifts for Grade Schoolers, Gifts for Tweens, The Home | No Comments »
The world’s number one game has gone global! This world-class MONOPOLY gameboard has you traveling to cities across the globe—you’ll cross six continents before you pass GO! Get ready to wheel and deal in the millions of dollars with your own MONOPOLY credit card and a digital banking device that keeps track of your balance. The world has voted, and Canada is on the board 3 times! Find out which cities made the board—and join in to the biggest MONOPOLY game yet! Requires 2 “AA” batteries. (Hasbro, Ages 8+)
What Canadian Parents are saying…
We were so excited to see a “world” edition of our favourite game. Not only does this game teach some math and thinking skills, but now it also opens up discussion about so many landmarks around the world - including 3 from Canada. How lucky are we to have three spots on this game board! What can I say? It’s Monopoly. Who doesn’t like Monopoly! – Gail G.
Tips & tricks worth mentioning…
We pick one person to be the banker and let them hang on to the credit cards; we find this makes the game go a bit faster. We put a name on a sticky note and stick it on the table to help the banker remember who is who. The cards are colour coded but it can still get confusing.
Posted on November 14th, 2008 by admin
Filed under: Board Games, Christmas, Family Fun, Gifts for Grade Schoolers, Gifts for Tweens | No Comments »
Littlest Pet Shop fans will love this electronic organizer! Use the touch screen and stylus pen to care for your new digital pet, feeding, washing and even brushing him! Spend the day doing some virtual shopping together and pick out hats, hair accessories and shoes so you can dress your four-legged friend! Play games and plan all kinds of pet-lovin’ activities! Snap a picture at your pet’s photo shoot! Think he might be hungry? Choose some food to feed him! And with all the fun you’re sure to have, you’ll need to keep track of your plans. You can also use your digital planner as an address book, a calendar for storing special dates or as a calculator! Take your planner with you when you’re on the go. With more than twenty-five on-screen games and activities, your calendar is sure to be chock full – of fun! Planner comes with stylus pen with pet and includes 3 AAA batteries. (Hasbro, Ages 6+)
What Canadian Parents are saying…
We tested this toy out on three children, all fans of Littlest Pet Shop Pets. The kids who were 7 and under really loved this electronic planner saying that it was really fun to play with the pets, walking, bathing and caring for the pets. The calculator function was really fun for all of them as well. The older kids found that the graphics were too simple for them and the planner really only offered a line of text, not enough for their busy schedules! One of our testers has not moved into the world of electronic hand-helds and found this was really fun for her, she liked having something that was just for her to play with. Tested by Hallie(7), Madison(9), and and Cloe(6)
Tips & tricks worth mentioning
The pen that comes with the planner is not attached. Keep your eye on it as the kids need it to play games and plan.
Posted on November 14th, 2008 by admin
Filed under: Christmas, Electronics, Gifts for Grade Schoolers, Virtual Toys, toys | No Comments »
With no drawing skills, young designers can still create fashions and figures that always come out perfectly proportioned. The secret? Tracing. Super-clear line art on mix-and-match vinyl clings makes it easy to assemble a bazillion different outfits. Use the provided paper and pencil to trace your fashion, adding your own stylish touches freehand. A fine-tip pen, colored pencils, and textured plastic plates make adding color and pattern a cinch. And when you’re done, the work surface doubles as a storage box that neatly holds all the finished drawings and art supplies. (Klutz, Ages 8+)
What Canadian Parents are saying…
Our daughter loves all things Klutz. This drawing kit is a lot of fun for girls interested in fashion and drawing. The templates and paper stay put with pegs and the book is filled with great fashion ideas. – Karen K.
Tips & Tricks worth mentioning…
Make sure you have some extra tracing paper on hand. The kit comes with several pieces (I think about 50) but our daughter loved this kit so much that she wanted to keep designing new outfits.
Posted on November 12th, 2008 by helen
Filed under: Christmas, Creative Play, Gifts for Grade Schoolers, Gifts for Tweens | No Comments »
Every little girls dream dollhouse goes everywhere she goes. The house features a living room, bedroom, children’s room, as well as an open fireplace. It comes with 4 people and several pieces of furniture. For playing, carrying and storing! Dimension: 26/52 x 24/12 x 27cm (LxWxH; closed/open). (Playmobile Toys. Ages 3+) This Dollhouse can be found at specialty children’s stores, nationally at Indigo and Chapters or online at chapters.indigo.ca.
What Canadian Parents are saying…
This is the most precious dollhouse ever. I actually remember having a take-along dollhouse when I was a child. Our 4 and 6 year old daughters love this dollhouse so much they take it everywhere we go. The rooms are spacious and the house comes with quite a few pieces of furniture. The cutest part of this house is how the pieces fit in the dolls hands. – Julie F.
Tips & Tricks worth mentioning…
The pieces are a bit on the small side so watch that they don’t get lost. Even though the age recommendation is 3+ I would hold off until they are 4 to play with this toy.
Posted on November 12th, 2008 by helen
Filed under: Christmas, Dolls, Gifts for Grade Schoolers, Gifts for Toddlers & Preschoolers | No Comments »
Brewing an imaginary pot of tea is a really good thing for the earth when young hosts use the environmentally friendly Tea Set from Green Toys. Made of recycled plastic, this 17-piece set includes a Tea Pot with Lid, a Sugar Bowl with Lid, a Creamer, 4 Cups, 4 Saucers, and 4 Teaspoons. The Green Toys Tea Set is made from recycled plastic milk containers that save energy, reduce landfill waste and lower greenhouse gas emissions, and has no BPA, phthalates or lead paint. (Green Toys. Ages 3+)This Tea Set can be found at specialty children’s stores, nationally at Indigo and Chapters or online at chapters.indigo.ca
What Canadian Parents are saying…
We tested this eco friendly tea set in a kindergarten classroom to see if it would hold up. Here’s what Kindergarten teacher, Deb L. shared with us.”After a full week of use in our classroom we are happy to report that the tea set is still going strong. The dishes are much sturdier than the regular dishes we had (which break when they get run over by the wheels of the bookshelf which serves as a divider for our house centre). The teapot was a huge hit. It has instantly created a tea party station. The dishes have a nice texture, which I think will reduce the appearance of dirt on the dishes. I would say this is a great set of dishes for a classroom or a home playroom. Not only for the fact that they are a green toy, but they feel more durable and have held up well. “– Deb L. & her Kindergarten class.
Tips & Tricks worth mentioning…
A kindergarten teacher would love a set of these green dishes. Get a group of parents together and surprise the teacher with a gift she will use!
Posted on November 12th, 2008 by helen
Filed under: Christmas, Creative Play, Eco Friendly, Gifts for Grade Schoolers, Gifts for Toddlers & Preschoolers | No Comments »
EyeClops Night Vision provides kids young and old with an authentic night vision experience like no other toy in existence. Powered by actual infrared driven night vision technology, these high tech goggles allow visibility up to 50 feet in completely dark environments. See what happens when the sun goes down! See the goggles in action at eyeclops.com/ (Jakks Pacific Inc. Ages 6+)
What Canadian Parents are saying…
My son has always been into spy stuff and has a couple of different night vision scopes but nothing that really works. The EyeClops Night Vision goggles are amazing. I was not sure how well they would work but I was pleasantly surprised the first time I put them on. They are easy to use, the straps adjust easily, and the quality is awesome. My son thinks every 8-year-old boy needs these goggles; I think every father of an 8 year old boy needs these goggles. — Sarah & Jeff
Tips & Tricks worth mentioning…
The goggles have an LCD screen which takes a bit more battery power. Make sure your child turns the goggles off or they will be disappointed the next they put them on!
Posted on November 12th, 2008 by helen
Filed under: Christmas, Creative Play, Gifts for Grade Schoolers, Gifts for Tweens | No Comments »
The purr-fect way to carry your favorite Littlest Pet Shop pets anywhere you go! This collector’s carry case hold more than 150 pets (pets sold separately), and makes it easy to keep track of all your bobble-headed friends. Includes one pet. (Hasbro, Ages 4+)
What Canadian Parents are saying…
This is the perfect carrying case for Littlest Pet Shop pets. Our daughter has a growing collection and without a place to keep them they go missing. Simple gift worth getting a Pet Shop fan! — Elizabeth M-G.
Tips & Tricks worth mentioning…
We keep a freezer zip bag inside for the really small accessories.
Posted on November 12th, 2008 by helen
Filed under: Christmas, Gifts for Grade Schoolers, Gifts for Tweens, toys | No Comments »
The Crayola Glow Station gives you the power to create amazing illustrations with light! Use the light wand on the glow canvas to make luminous freehand drawings, or use the included stencils to make shimmering shapes and scenes. Your drawings will magically disappear over time, allowing you to create new light-art again and again. Each Glow Station packages includes: Glow Station Light Canvas, Light Wand with Crystal Attachment, 2 Stencil Sheets, 13 Stencil Tracer Shapes, 2 Light Texture Sheets, 1 Transfer Sheet, 1 Dry-Erase Marker. The Glow Staion requires 3 AAA batteries. (Crayola, Ages 6+)
What Canadian Parents are saying…
This is one of the most amazing products we have ever played with. Not only is it portable, making it easy to take on the road, but it held the kids attention until we had to turn the light off for bed! The light wand is easy to use and the canvas holds a picture for about 5 minutes making it fun to draw new pictures again and again. The dry eraser works well and the kit comes with some stencils too. This is one of the coolest Crayola products in a long time! –Denise & Patrick L.
Tips & Tricks worth mentioning…
Get two. The kids will love this so much that you will not want to worry about sharing.
Posted on November 12th, 2008 by helen
Filed under: Christmas, Creative Play, Gifts for Grade Schoolers, Gifts for Tweens | No Comments »
