Outside fun with the Bubble Twister and Junkball Review and Giveaway

Outside fun with the Bubble Twister and Junkball Review and Giveaway

There are two things about spring and summer that I love its finally time to get outside and play. This spring was pretty lackluster in NYC as it was raining most of the time but now summer is around the bend the sprinklers are in the park and its a great time to get outside and play. In my mind there are many great outdoor play games…

When you have a young child nothing beats watching them chase after bubbles – it used to be that you’d get light headed after 5 minutes of blowing said bubbles but with recent technology you can have hundreds of bubbles being blown for as long as the batteries last (which will be much longer then the kid who is chasing them will be).

We’ve got the Blastos! Bubble Twister [amazon] here is a demo video by my friends over at TimetoPlayMag.com – clearly this will keep a couple of kids chasing in circles for a good while and good laugh for the parents just watching them do just that.  The toy has a few seconds between bursts of bubbles giving a fair amount of bubbles in each burst… This is great because it gives the kids a few seconds to catch their breath too.

When the kids get a bit older you’ll start doing the sports but even when the sun goes down doesn’t mean the play has to end – thats why I love the new Junkball glow in the dark set [junk ball shop online]- its always easy to spot a glowing ball in the field at night. The cool thing about junk ball is that the middle is an adjustable ring that will make the ball do different by changing the air flow that goes though the ball… So its easier to pitch a curve or sinker – its a great concept and I know my nephew loves it.

How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. June 9th, 2011.
Tell us which toy you’d like to win, randomly we’ll select one winner to take home a nice little kids prize pack and please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email).

You get 1 extra entry for tweeting about this contest (you can do this daily). Must contain the following information: @little_kids_inc @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/k86ljD and you must also comment with the link to your twitter message.

Example: I want to win the @little_kids_inc spring prize pack from @dadarocks  – http://dad.tc/k86ljD

You get 1 extra entry for following us on twitter – twitter.com/dadarocks

You get 1 extra entry for following them on twitter – twitter.com/little_kids_inc

You get 1 extra entry for becoming a FAN on Facebook – facebook.com/DaDaRocks you must comment that you’re a fan

You get 1 extra entry for becoming a FAN on Facebook – facebook.com/littlekidsinc you must comment that you’re a fan (leave a wall post that DaDaRocks.com Sent you)

You will have 24 hours to reply before we pick another winner!

Disclaimer: Thanks to Little Kids Inc for provided the prizes for this raffle

Kinectimals on Kinect for xbox 360 review and giveaway

Kinectimals on Kinect for xbox 360 review and giveaway

The idea of the virtual pet has come along way from the days of little black and white little egg shaped toys years ago.  Now children (and adults) can raise their own interactive pets… Kinectimals [amazon] is the first video games that allows you to be the controller using the xbox 360 kinect system to interact with your virtual pet.  There of course is a great twist which is you can purchase different stuff animals/plush toys to unlock different characters.  Since this was one of the first games being developed for the system its still by far one of the best.  Microsoft certainly has put a ton of work into this game and it show, from the details in the blades of grass to the interactions the animals have with the game player.

I’m not sure I love the fact that all the interactions are so standard it does make it hard for a toddler (my 2.5 year old) to interact with animals at times but I think any 3.5 year old or 4 year old should be able to control their emotions and arms for the 10 seconds to choose the different game plays. If thats the only fault of this game – then really its not a fault at all… its an advanced gaming system I’m not so sure its made for my toddler 😛 (shhh dont tell the wife I’m playing video games while she sleeps at night).

Here’s a clip of the video game I’m sure you’ve seen it before – its just great…

As you can see it does for allow for the full body tracking and is pretty awesome at the interactions with the animal on screen.

A wide-eyed Bengal tiger cub cocks its head to the side and playfully peers at you. Memories of your first trip to the zoo come rushing back. Through the magic of Kinect that furry tiger cub is in your living room and about to become your best friend.

“Kinectimals” invites children, their parents and animal lovers of all ages to build lasting friendships with some of the world’s most exotic creatures. Just like real pets, your “Kinectimals” will come running when they hear your voice, respond to commands such as “jump,” “roll over” and “play dead,” and purr with joy when you scratch them behind their ears.

Details

  • Get in touch with your wild side. Your journey begins when you adopt and name one of 20 playful friends, including a lion, cheetah and Bengal tiger.
  • Create memories that last a lifetime. From the first time she recognizes her name to when she learns to fetch, your cub will grow up as your sidekick, eager to discover the island around you. She will always be ready for a scratch and a belly rub with smiles and purrs.
  • The fun never ends. There are new ways to train tricks such as fetch, play activities such as jump rope, and even master agilvity courses with hops, stops and balancing acts. Invite a friend with his or her pet for some fun contests.
  • Discover, collect and customize. “Kinectimals” rewards those who are curious about the island they live on. Travel far and wide to discover treasures and toys, and find and unlock new environments. You can customize your pet and decorate your home, plus use the in-game store to shop for items to nurture and care for your new best friend.
  • Grow your “Kinectimals” family. Collectible, limited-edition plush toys will be available online and at popular retail stores. Choose your new friend, scan the code with the Kinect sensor, then watch it come to life on the screen right before your eyes. With your very own plush pal you can keep your new friend with you even when you’re away from your Xbox 360.

 

you do need the kinect senor for your xbox 360 to get this game up and running in your house (so dont forget that).

How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. April 20th, 2011.
Leave a comment below with what big cat you’d have as your kinectimals pet and please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email).
You get 1 extra entry for following @dadarocks on twitter –www.twitter.com/dadarocks You must comment that you’re a follower.
You get 1 extra entry for following @xboxforall on twitter – twitter.com/XboxforAll You must comment that you’re a follower.

You get 1 extra entry for tweeting about this contest (you can do this daily). Must contain the following information: @xboxforall @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/ihieaL  and you must also comment with the link to your tweet.

Example: I want to win #kinectimals for #kinect for #xbox360 thanks to @xboxforall & @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/ihieaL

You get 1 extra entry for becoming our FAN on facebook – www.facebook.com/dadarocks You must comment that you’re a fan.

You get 1 extra entry for becoming their FAN on facebook – www.facebook.com/xboxforall (and leave a note saying that www.dadarocks.com sent you) You must comment that you’re a fan.

You will have 24 hours to reply before we pick another winner!
Disclaimer: Thanks to microsoft xbox 360 kinect team  for this giveaway.

YO GABBA GABBA:  LET’S VISIT THE DOCTOR! DVD GIVEAWAY

YO GABBA GABBA: LET’S VISIT THE DOCTOR! DVD GIVEAWAY

Is that a sniffle?  Have a dose of fun medicine and get ready to dance and sing with the all-new DVD release Yo Gabba Gabba: Let’s Visit the Doctor! [Amazon] Join Muno, Foofa, Brobee, Toodee and Plex for four fun episodes that deal with all-too-common illnesses.  Special guests featured in these episodes include Anthony Bourdain, Of Montreal and Biz Markie. Created by Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment, Yo Gabba Gabba: Let’s Visit The Doctor! was released on January 11, 2011 and for $16.99 for Approximately 96 minutes of peace and quite – well worth it!



Yo Gabba Gabba: Let’s Visit the Doctor! Episode Synopses:

Doctor

Toodee gets sick and needs to rest. The doctor visits and everyone helps Toodee feel better.


Teeth
Muno has a loose tooth and wiggles it until it comes out, then writes a note and the Tooth Fairy brings him a toothbrush.  With only one tooth Muno looks strange, but in the end it starts to grow back.


Clean
Everyone learns good clean manners when they play with toys and have to clean them up.  Afterwards, they learn to wash their hands and brush their teeth.  At the end, they all sing a fun bath time song playing with bath toys.


Car
It’s time to go for a ride in a car!  “Keep Trying” familiarizes them with the seat belt and encourages them to buckle up.  “Danger” keeps the characters from playing in the road and “Car Ride” teaches them all about the thrill of traveling.


How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. February 6th, 2011.
2 Lucky people will win the Yo Gabba Gabba DVD Lets Visit the Doctor! Tell us your favorite character or guest on Yo Gabba Gabba and please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email).

You get 1 extra entry for tweeting about this contest (you can do this daily). Must contain the following information: @NickJrDVD @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/hzyHSj and you must also comment with the link to your twitter message.

Example: I want to win the @yogabbagabba doctor DVD from @dadarocks & @NickJrDVD – http://dad.tc/hzyHSj

You get 1 extra entry for following us on twitter – twitter.com/dadarocks

You get 1 extra entry for following @NickJrDVD on twitter – twitter.com/NickJrDVD

You get 1 extra entry for becoming a FAN on facebook –facebook.com/DaDaRocks you must comment that you’re a fan

You will have 24 hours to reply before we pick another winner!

Disclaimer: NickJrDVD provided the DVD for this raffle

Holiday craft build your own snow globe

Holiday craft build your own snow globe

Now that the kids are off from school you’ll be ready to jump off a bridge play with them. I figured this might help those that are starting to run out of ideas…

What you’ll need…
Empty Jar with Tight Lid (Baby food, apple sauce, and olive jars are good choices.)
Distilled Water (bottle is better, just not greener)
Super Glue or hot glue (with hot glue gun)
Kid’s Toy/keepsake (Look for plastic or ceramic figurines – metal ones are prone to rust)
White and/or silver glitter or fake snow or you could use Sequins, Beads, Glitter, Metallic Confetti, etc.
dish soap (clear) or glycerin (available at drugstores)

How to put it all together now…
Step One:
Thoroughly was the empty jar and remove any labeling.

Step Two:
Choose which toy/keepsake to put into the snow globe. Remember that it is plastic and has no metal parts, they may rust. Parent should use the Super Glue to stick the toy to the inside of the lid of the jar.

Step Three:
Fill the jar with distilled water and a little squirt of the dish soap or a dash of glycerin (available at drugstores) to keep the glitter from falling too quickly, also helps the items float and swirl. Sprinkle in glitter, sequins, confetti, beads, etc. for decoration

Step Four:
Make sure the jar is filled all the way to the top with the distilled water then carefully put the lid with the toy on the jar. It will overflow slightly so do it in the sink or outside. Make sure you don’t get any air bubbles. Seal the lid with the superglue/glue gun (wait for it to dry/cool) Now, give it a shake and watch it “snow”!

Maybe snow isnt your thing, so maybe you’ll make a beach version!
You could also make a beach collection jar by using sand, shells, and rocks instead of toys/keepsakes.

Just Dance Kids for Wii – Review and Giveaway!

Just Dance Kids for Wii – Review and Giveaway!

Just Dance Kids [ Amazon ] is just that a dance game for kids. Its pretty awesome to see my son’s face light up when we pull it out… cause he knows its time to DANCE!!! and thats just it since this has three yo gabba gabba songs we created a custom playlist and thats pretty much all he dances too.

I challenged my wife to a few goes to the random choice, of course she kicked my butt! Over 40 fun dances/songs that are led by real kids, which really gets my son into the game (as he watches the kids on TV and tries to follow along – monkey see monkey do right?!).

It is a family game that’s for sure and in the end a game that gets you off the couch and into dance mode. I highly recommend this for the kids (yes, there are 3 or 4 songs that are snoozers like Happy Birthday) but otherwise its a great kiddie sound track!


How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. December 19th, 2010.

You must comment telling us which song your kid would rock out too? please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email)

You get 1 extra entry for following us on twitter – twitter.com/dadarocks

You get 1 extra entry for following @ubisoft on twitter – twitter.com/ubisoft

You get 1 extra entry for tweeting about this contest (you can do this daily). Must contain the following information:

@ubisoft #JustDance Kids @dadarocks – http://bit.ly/gnuy6b #UbiChamps  and you must also comment with the link to your twitter message.

Example: I want to win @ubisoft #JustDance Kids Thanks to @dadarocks – http://bit.ly/gnuy6b #UbiChamps

You get 1 extra entry for becoming a Fan on facebook – facebook.com/dadarocks you must comment that you’re a fan (and leave a little note on the wall)

You get 1 extra entry for subscribing to our Feedburner digest mailing (right side subscribe by email) – you must also comment that you’ve subscribed

You get 1 extra entry for becoming a friend on Google Connect (right side below facebook box) – you must also comment that you’ve become a friend

You will have 24 hours to reply before we pick another winner!

Disclaimer: Thanks to Ubisoft & Clever girls collective for the prize for this raffle. It’s also limited to the USA too.


I was selected to participate in this sponsored series by Ubisoft and Clever Girls Collective. I received a video game and compensation for my participation in this program. We believe in Blog With Integrity.