Melissa and Doug Slice and Bake Cookie Set Giveaway

Inspirational Toys for the Kids

Wooden Toy Set

For the grandkids’ birthdays this past summer my husband and I bought a Little Tikes outside playhouse which included a kitchen and attached picnic table.  My son-in-law set it up in their backyard, and both kids, ages 1 and 3 enjoyed it well into the fall.

My granddaughter, ‘Lil Moomette, really enjoys following in her mom & dad’s footsteps by pretending to play “kitchen.”

I’m delighted to have the opportunity to let you know about a new wooden play food set manufactured by Melissa & Doug, from Gumpy Lump.

The Slice and Bake Cookies set is both educational and inspirational as it inspires pretend play and introduces children to the world of baking and might encourage them to be the next Pillsbury Dough Boy or Betty Crocker!

Inside the wooden set are:

• 12 cookies and 18 colorful toppings
• spatula
• knife
• cookie sheet
• kitchen mitt

Even when choosing make-believe toys for my own girls, I always looked for items that would stimulate their own imaginations.   “Baking Instructions” are included, but they’re not intended to be used with real food.

What I like about Melissa & Doug toys is that they use non-toxic coatings and meet or exceed all U.S. toy testing standards.

If you’re looking for a gift for the kids, grandkids, homeschool or run a daycare, put this activity toy on your list!

Product Number: 4074
Manufacturer: Melissa & Doug
Size Box: 11.5″ x 9″ x 3″
Recommended Ages: 3 years and up

Follow on Twitter: @GummyLump

For More Information Visit: Gummy Lump

Moomette’s Magnificents is hosting a Giveaway Contest!* For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of a wooden play food Melissa & Doug Slice and Bake Cookie Set.

Please include a way of contacting you. Should you be the contest winner, this information may be shared with the contest sponsor in order to send your prize.

*USA only

Main Rule: (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment) AND

b) Visit Gummy Lump and leave a comment about what you like best about their site and another product you’d like to try.

This contest will run until February 25, 2010 at 11:00 pm.

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

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Circus Ring from Playmobil

Imaginative Play

My grandkids are 1 and 3, and at the perfect age for imaginative play.  I’d been looking around for some cheap holiday gifts to stay within my budget, yet at the same time, I wanted toys that would last and not fall apart.

Many people have great memories of visiting the circus as a child. What wasn’t to like? You could see tigers, elephants , horses, clowns and acrobats, all in one place while enjoying some delicious popcorn and cotton candy. A visit to the circus is always sure to give children memories that will last a lifetime. However, the circus only comes to town once a year, what’s a child to do for the rest of the year?

Now the fun doesn’t have to end once the circus leaves town. Children can recreate the magic by conducting their own circus in the comfort of their own homes with Circus Ring from Playmobil. It includes all the things needed to run a successful circus: trapeze artists, the signature Big Top tent, lighted entrance, ticket booths, a ringmaster and so much more.  It’s a large set, so small hands won’t have trouble playing with the pieces – a bonus!  It makes the magic all the more real, because they actually have room to maneuver pieces with ease, big enough for little hands to grab!

Children can play as the ringmaster, emceeing the show as it goes on underneath the Big Top with the Circus Ring from Playmobil.   The best part? Your child makes a decision what happens and when. Watch as trapeze artists do their death-defying stunts through the air or see the other performers ride elephants and fight with tigers. With Circus Ring from Playmobil, your child can even serve refreshments to the spectators.  Children can add their favorite characters from other Playmobil toys to create an audience for their shows! Circus Ring from Playmobil really has everything that your child will need to recreate their favorite circus moments!

Help your child expand their imaginations and relive some fun memories by letting them create their very own circus with Circus Ring from Playmobil. This would be a perfect gift for grandchildren, daycare, pre-school or homeschooling.  Watch as they recreate circus magic year-round with the Circus Ring from Playmobil.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Zhu Zhu Pets: Pets Without The Fuss

Fur Friends

What young child doesn’t love animals? It’s true, it’s difficult to find a child who hasn’t fell in love with one animal or another during their short lives. Your child is probably no exception. They’ve probably begged you for a pet of their own for Christmas.

But your family, like most busy families, doesn’t have time to properly care for a pet in their household. With work, school and all of the extracurricular activities, your family barely has enough time to see each other, let alone spend quality time feeding, bathing and exercising a pet each day. But still, your children keeping begging! How can you keep your children happy while keeping your own sanity at the same time? With a Zhu Zhu pet!

Each of the Zhu Zhu pets has their own personality, making them unique, as well as whimsical sounds. There’s Pipsqueak, Num Nums, and more! Kids can interact with each adorable hamster  through various modes.  There’s the Loving mode, where you can pet, love them, and hear them chatter.  In the Explore mode, you’ll be able to let them scoot and scamper their way across the floors or deck!

Zhu Zhu pets are looking for a home this holiday season!  Your kids can provide them with their own Hamster Habitat.

Make your children happy this Christmas and get them a pet of their very own, the Zhu Zhu pet. They’ll have their own pet and you won’t have to worry about taking care of it!

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Moomette’s Holiday Gift Guide 2009

Magnificent Gift Ideas for the Holiday Season

Moomette’s Magnificents has reviewed the newest and hottest toys, fashions, cosmetics and family items for 2009.

Here you’ll be able to check out the reviews and visit the latest Giveaways for this Holiday Shopping Season!

Click on the window panes to find out more!

Stop by frequently as the list is always being updated!

If you would like to add a product to this Gift Guide, please contact me.

Toys, Books, CDs, DVDs

Beauty and Health

Fashion

1	More to Come	More to Come

Decor, Food & Homegoods

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Fisher Price Laugh & Learn – Fun With Friends Musical Table – Review

Developmental Benefits for Baby

Award Winner

Since my grandson Slugger was born, I’ve found that boys are entirely different than girls when it comes to discovery.  I’ve had two daughters, and my granddaughter ‘Lil Moomette is now three.

Slugger just bulldozes ahead with curiosity.  He’ll play with a toy, or whatever catches his attention until he has it all figured out!

I recently had the opportunity to review the Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Musical Friends Table.

We had a similar, earlier version of this table for ‘Lil Moomette, but found that this version has more activities and  keeps her entertained.  The legs on the Fun With Friends Musical Table are higher than the older version.  Actually, the kids compete to use it!  Slugger will grab the phone, and say “Hello”; or he’ll keep flipping open or closing the storybook pages.

There are four corners of activity to keep the grandkids busy while learning. The table allows toddlers to either sit and play or stand and cruise while learning.

The learning center has flashing lights as well as friendly characters to encourage exploration.

Activities foster and encourages learning of:

• Letters

• Numbers

• Counting

• First words

• Colors, shapes, opposites, animals and more

• Bilingual – in English and Spanish

Musical fun includes sing-along songs, tunes, real instrument sounds and a variety of music styles.

There are several different modes that are accessed through a simple switch.  The Imagination mode brings imitative play to life with real-life sounds, piano keys, phone tones and more.

As a grandmom, I can definitely say that any pre-school, daycare provider, homeschool or mom-to-be would appreciate one of these for a baby shower!

This is a fun, educational toy to put on your holiday shopping list this Christmas season.

By registering at Fisher Price you’ll have an opportunity to download and print an in-store coupon that entitles you to $20 off a $100 purchase of Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn™ and/or Go Baby Go!™ Infant Toys.

Requires 3 AA batteries.

Table measures approx. 18½” W x 18½” L x 15″ H when fully assembled.
Ages: 6-36 months
Product:    M9972
Approx. Retail Price: $45.00

Available at: Fisher Price

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Fisher-Price Elmo’s Tickle Hands Glove

Tickle Hand Groove

Holiday Shopping Online

Who else wouldn’t want a toy that tells jokes and stories, and also sings and dances? For good reason, Elmo Live, based on the Sesame Street Character Elmo, was one of the hottest toys in past years. Like past years when the Tickle Me Elmo’s took the world by storm, this toy was supposed to be an item your kids will want desperately.

Elmo Live was marketed by Fisher-Price, and it was being dubbed as having the most advanced movement for an Elmo toy. The previous Elmo item that could compare with this one was the “extreme edition”. A few reasons that people loved Elmo Live is because it featured excellent animatronics showcases, he is a known and loved character, he is fun to watch, the price was actually quite affordable, and it proved to be a great toy for children over 18 months old.

This Christmas holiday shopping season, the new kid on the block is Elmo Tickle Hands from Fisher-Price.  The recommended ages is 18 months to 4 years.  Elmo Tickle Hands fit over your own children’s hands.  As soon as the hands touch a surface, they begin to vibrate and the kids will hear Elmo’s signature giggle!  It also comes with a DVD where the kids will be able to dance to the song, “The Tickle Hand Groove.” This is a toy that encourages hours of creative fun for any toddler or pre-schooler!

Be diligent about looking for it, as it may be hard to come by.   Like other items that have been hard to find in the past, you can find them if you are willing to put in the extra efforts.

One of the places that will that will be carrying the Elmo Tickle Hands is Shop.com.  The key to obtaining one is to start shopping now as you have some time before Christmas. By being persistent, you may be able to find one somewhere.

The price point on the Elmo Tickle Hands glove is around $29.99 which doesn’t put it out of reach for too many people this Christmas season. For a toy that will be so popular the price isn’t bad at all. Make sure you don’t miss out on the toy of the year! Purchase your Elmo Tickle Hands online at Shop.com today. You can still find it.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Purple Princess Goody Bag from Kobold Toys – Review and Giveaway

Girlie Girl

Kobold Toys

Most children love to play dress-up and ‘Lil Moomette is no exception.

Labor Day weekend is the start of many county and local fairs here in New England. Our family visited a small local agricultural fair today and I picked up some colorful Mardi-Gras type beads for Moomette that matched her dress. She loved them!

Halloween will be here soon enough and my daughter is trying to come up with some unique costume ideas for the kids.

I recently had the opportunity to review the Purple Princess Goody Bag from Kobold Toys.

This stylish purse is just the perfect tote for pretend dress-up days or will compliment a Halloween costume for any little girlie-girl.  It has a fully lined center compartment, along with a tricot handle that closes at the top of the purse with velcro.  So, cute, and you can match other bags to the hair color of your own little gal!

Since it’s under $10 it makes them perfect for gifts!

The name of a rascal goblin in German mythology, Kobold  was started by Carmina Valdizan, and only carries toys that are “… condusive to a child’s emotional, physical and mental development.”

Besides toys, Kobold offers, room décor, arts, crafts, books, science, fashion and accessories, along with gift certificates.

For more information visit: Kobold Toys

Moomette’s Magnificents  is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of a Butterfly Goody Bag!

Please include a way of contacting you. Should you be the contest winner, this information may be shared with the contest sponsor in order to send your prize.

Main Rule:   (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment) AND

b) Visit Kobold Toys and leave a comment about what you like best about their site and another product you’d like to try.

This contest will run until September 13, 2009 at 11:00 pm.

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Iconic Geek Halloween Costume: The Princess Leia Gold Bikini (geeksugar.com)

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Play-Doh Spaghetti Factory Playset – Review

Play-Doh

Play-Doh Spaghetti Factory

My granddaughter ‘Lil Moomette is at a really cute age where she wants to do everything by herself.  “Me Do It.” She loves to help out in the kitchen with my youngest daughter, “Auntie.” Auntie enjoys cooking and baking, and doesn’t blink an eye when Moomette is helping out – whether she’s dough-covered from making pierogis, or cookies!

When I had the opportunity to review the Play-Doh Spaghetti Factory by Hasbro I was so excited!

Play-Doh was even around when I was a kid (now, for a baby boomer, that’s a long time ago) and I remember all the colorful cans, and molding and shaping it into ‘presents’ for my mom!  I’d make paper clip holders, pen holders, cookies, and just used my imagination!

Now the kids can get even more creative – the Play-Doh Spaghetti Factory Playset is a Pretend pasta maker where kids can create PLAY-DOH-style pasta and mold into their favorite meatballs, toppings, veggies  and more!

The Playset comes with:

• More than 25 half-molds

• Playmat

• Fork and spoon accessories

• 4 three-ounce cans of compound

Recommended for Ages 3 and up.

Notice Parents: Contains Wheat. Non toxic.

A great addition if you homeschool, or for upcoming Birthdays, Grandma’s house, or getting a head-start on your holiday shopping!

Available at Amazon, Walmart and neighborhood stores
For More Information Visit: Play-Doh Spaghetti Factory

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Clipo Hippo By Playskool: Believe In Play – Review

My grandchildren spend quite a bit of time over my house, and I like to refer to it as “Granny’s Daycare.” With two young grandchildren under the age of 3, I’m always looking for fun, educational toys and activities to keep them busy.

When my own daughters were younger, I was very selective in the types of toys that I preferred to keep them enlightened and entertained.  Whether rewarding them with a new toy for good behavior, or choosing something as a gift, my husband and I wanted a toy that was safe and well-constructed.

I’m excited to recommend that I had the opportunity to review the Clipo Hippo by Playskool, from Hasbro.

The Clipo Hippo has been awarded the 2009 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award.

The Clipo Hippo encourages your little one to build a variety of colorful creations by using their imagination with the  interlocking, peg-covered CLIPO parts. The Clipo Hippo can be rolled around on wheels, or used as a stand-along toy.  The main body of the toy is purple, and has adorable big eyes that ‘Lil Moomette really likes!  She can “feed” it blocks by opening the hippo’s mouth.  What’s nice is that the blocks are a good size, very important when young children are playing with this toy!

There’s also a storage area to store the blocks in.  The Hippo is a very “hands-on” toy and make different creations each time.  Your child can attach blocks to the Hippo’s back, or to its wheels.

I especially like the Clipo Hippo because when playtime is over, all the pieces can neatly be placed in the storage area.

Important features include:

• Colorful hippo toy encourages little ones to build all sorts of creations while interlocking the peg-covered CLIPO blocks to each other – and to the hippo!
• Hippo’s mouth opens wide – blocks store inside!
• Rolling wheels for on-the-floor fun.
• Hippo comes with 20 CLIPO parts.
• Recommended for Ages 18 months and up.
• Approximate Retail: $20.99

If you’re looking for just the right Baby Shower, Birthday or holiday gift, this is the perfect item!  I also recommend it for any Homeschooling Moms or Daycare providers!

Available at Amazon and other major retailers.

For more information visit: Hasbro

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It’s Hip Hop Baby: New Children’s DVD Series – Review and Giveaway

When my daughters got their drivers’ licenses, I thought my days of shuttling and transporting the little darlings about town were over.
It’s amazing how quickly time flies.  My oldest daughter returned to work full-time today after being out on maternity leave.  Baby Boomer Grandma, here, is now the “Designated Driver” to pick the grandchildren up from daycare and bring them back to my house until their parents come to collect them after work.

Since I’m not the agile young mom I once was, after struggling to put them in car-seats far more complicated (yet safer) than when their mom was little, ‘Lil Moomette asked me to put in her favorite CD.

I’ve been asked to review an audio CD and DVD of  “It’s Hip Hop Baby!”

It’s Hip Hop Baby is launching nationwide this month and will be available on Amazon.com The brand’s first four DVD programs for children ages 2 through 6 teach children to experience the joys of learning their ABC’s, animals, body parts, and numbers through fun-filled musical performances and interviews with the hip hop kids.

It’s easy to see how It’s Hip Hop Baby quickly became a favorite of
‘Lil Moomette’s!  Although she had been hearing many of the rhymes and songs before, she danced around gleefully to the captivating popular genre of music known as “Hip Hop” and said “I know that!” It was even a great exercise activity for Grandma to dance around the house with her too as I don’t have a Wii Fit!

Introduce your child or grandchildren to the music and rhythm of Hip Hop Baby! It’ll be the perfect addition if you home school your children or are a daycare provider looking to add a fun-filled educational experience to your favorite little one’s day!

Visit Hip Hop Baby at: It’s Hip Hop Baby

Moomette’s Magnificents Reviews is hosting a Giveaway! One lucky winner will win an audio CD and DVD from It’s Hip Hop Baby!

Main Rule: (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
Just visit It’s Hip Hop Baby and leave a comment about what you like best about their site and a fact that wasn’t mentioned in this post.

Now for extra entries (each task will get you 1 extra entry):

~One Extra Entry: Subscribe to my blog through my Feedblitz link (on the top of my left column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment)

~One Extra Entry: Add my banner button to your sidebar or add me to your blogroll, and come back here and leave the link (I will be checking)

~One Extra Entry: Blog about the contest on your blog linking to my blog and the site

~One Extra Entry: Favorite Moomette’s Magnificents Reviews  in Technorati and leave your name (I will be checking) in a separate comment  (the link is on my left column if you scroll down) or both.

~ One Extra Entry: Follow Me on Twitter and let me know your Twitter name in a separate comment.

~One Extra Entry: Tweet about this contest, and come back to this post and leave the URL link to the Tweet so I can check.

Make sure you comment separately for each task after the required entry task so you will get credit for each one ~ and leave your e-mail where you can be contacted.

This contest will run until March 30 at approximately 11:00 pm.

Winners are chosen by Random.Org, if you want all your chances counted, make sure you leave individual comments, not all of them in one!

*Winner has 48 hours to contact me or another name will be chosen.

*Include your email if it’s not enabled.
*Open to USA Only
*Rules for each entry must be followed to be valid.

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Timestamp: 2009-03-31 03:51:02 UTC

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