Father’s Day Gift Idea: Kodak Pulse Digital Frame Review and Giveaway

Father’s Day Gift Idea: Kodak Pulse Digital Frame Review and Giveaway

There is a ton of great items about to hit dadarocks over the next week but I’m really excited to talk about this… Kodak over the course of this week is running a great Facebook event where people can upload pictures of their dads or their kids dads (get it perhaps your husband father to your children). Those photos will be shown on the Kodak.com homepage and on Kodak’s Times Square Billboard in New York City. Check out this Facebook event page http://kodak.ly/shareDad and just upload a picture. This isn’t a contest, there are no prizes, but kodak will be selecting 100 to 200 photos for the kodak.com homepage and then some of those will be on the Kodak billboard in Times Square on Father’s Day – which is pretty cool.

Now on to the Pulse frame [Amazon] – its got a great picture, the ability to sync to Facebook (which is pretty pretty cool), yet the coolest part it has get its own email address… Getting photos on the device is easy as just emailing a photo from your iPhone to your Pulse frame.

Quick Specs

  • 7 in. (17.8 cm) high-quality digital photo display
  • Receive pictures via e-mail, Facebook and Kodak Gallery sites. Quick comment feature for Facebook.
  • Wi-Fi enabled
  • 512 MB of internal memory
  • USB port and 2 card slots to add pictures from other sources
  • Built-in activity sensor turns the frame on when you’re nearby and conserves energy when you’re not

This is easy to get configured to your wifi using the touch screen interface.  Its a perfect gift for granddad’s as you could just simply email the frame a photo from anywhere in the world (as long as the frame is connected to wifi). So Dad if you’re reading this forget that last sentence…  Anyways – Kodak is the name we’ve all grown up with and let me tell you they take pride in giving you that product screens on some digital pictures frames are iffy at best but this frame has great image quality. If you think the 7 inch display might be small –  Kodak has out a 10 inch as well [amazon].

How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. June 13th, 2011.
Tell us who would use this frame should you win it,  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: @kodak @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/iOeYgJ and you must also comment with the link to your twitter message.

Example: I want to win the @kodak Pulse #digitalpictureframe from @dadarocks  – http://dad.tc/iOeYgJ

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/kodak

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/kodak 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 Kodak for provided the prize for this raffle

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

The Backyardigans: We Arrrr Pirates DVD Review and Giveaway

The Backyardigans: We Arrrr Pirates DVD Review and Giveaway

The Backyardigans are setting sail with four exciting pirate adventures on this brand new DVD, The Backyardigans: We Arrrr Pirates [Amazon].  Preschoolers will learn to mambo with Sinbad and become heroes when they rescue King Pablo and his knights from the No-So-Nice Dragon.  Created by Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment, The Backyardigans: We Arrrr Pirates DVD hits shelves March 8, 2011, for the suggested retail price of $16.99.

In every episode of The Backyardigans, five high-spirited neighbors meet in their adjoining backyards and use their imaginations to transform themselves into different locations for epic adventures. Each half-hour episode of this Emmy® Award-winning show features a unique music/dance genre with four original songs, along with real choreographed movements recreated in animation.

The Backyardigans: We Arrrr Pirates Episode Synopses:

Pirate Camp

Captain Austin trains Uniqua and Pablo at Pirate Camp with garage-band music blasting. But training takes a turn for the worst when a fearsome ghost (Tasha) captures the great pirate captain.

Pirate Treasure

Captain Uniqua and Captain Austin sail the high seas in search of treasure with reggae playing. If they don’t beat Captain Pablo and Captain Tyrone to it, they will have to walk the plank!

Sinbad Sails Alone

Set sail for adventure and mambo as Sinbad (Tyrone) encounters rough waters, Siren (Uniqua), and Medusa (Tasha)!  The fate of the ship is in bumbling First Mate Pablo’s hands.

The Tale of the Not-So-Nice Dragon

The Not-So-Nice Dragon snatches up King Pablo and his Mighty Knights.  Now it’s up to the Flighty Fairy (Tasha) and the Grabbing Goblin (Austin) to rescue them!

The Backyardigans: We Arrrr Pirates Fast Facts:

Street Date: March 8, 2011
DVD SRP: $16.99
DVD Running Time: 98 Minutes

We’ve been playing this for the last week and the kiddo loves the episodes and really whats not to love about these stories which feature Pirates and Knights. Its truly a DVD thats a little bit more designed for boys then girls.  The stories will be a big hit with all kids no matter if their boys or girls but I’m betting the boys like just a wee bit more.

How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. March 7th, 2011.
2 Lucky people will win Backyardigans DVD! Tell us your favorite character on Backyardigans 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: @NickelodeonDVD @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/fcpkfv and you must also comment with the link to your twitter message.

Example: I want to win the #Backyardigans DVD from @dadarocks & @NickelodeonDVD – http://dad.tc/fcpkfv

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

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

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: NickelodeonDVD provided the DVD for this raffle

The Maclaren Beatles Yellow Submarine Stroller – Review and Giveaway

The Maclaren Beatles Yellow Submarine Stroller – Review and Giveaway

I’m a mega-super mega fan of The Beatles, I grew up listening to their music… I grew up going to their concerts (well the remaining beatles that is…) there wasn’t anything in the baby market of strollers that really was cool for Dad until I saw this… When the Maclaren first released the Beatles Yellow Submarine stroller [Amazon] I was drooling… I had an older Maclaren, that I put it through hell – I mean this stroller was abused – we took it around to EVO Conference in Salt Lake, to Texas, to Florida, to over place we drove – its still around being no worst for the wear.  So when I got this stroller and said go test it… I was like a kid in the candy store – I beat on this stroller beyond the normal use… Its even become the stroller I’ve used this winter pushing in to snow banks, sheets of ice and its still awesome!

First the design is amazing! You can see this stroller from across the room, I get compliments on this stroller all the time – its that pretty.  Plus its SUPER Light weight. Running down the basics it has a five-point safety harness, lockable front swivel wheels and linked parking brakes. Its built on the Quest frame, features include the convenience of the one handed compact umbrella fold with carry strap (awesome for airplane trips) and a carry handle, a four-position recline, hand mesh shopping basket, height adjustable shoulder harness (so it can grow with your child). It comes with a specialty printed raincover and the hood is water resistant plus it comes with an great psychedelic-print seat liner thats reversible.  As an add on there is a foot muff [Amazon].  This stroller is a great option for babies three months (need that stable neck) to 55 lbs.

Another factor when buying a stroller beyond weight and function is going to be the warranty and all Maclaren Buggys are backed by their world-class engineering and the industry’s first Sovereign Lifetime Warranty. Which to date I haven’t had to use… really I’ve beat this stroller up… and its gone everywhere my child has in the last 3 months. One thing that I do want to bring up is that this stroller has the redesigned hinge which is now rounded so you dont have to worry about that recall or about hinge covers.

So while this looks like it’ll be daddy’s stroller one of the best parts is how light weight it is coming in at just 12 lbs my wife is usually carrying it up and down subways steps with no trouble at all.

How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. February 22nd, 2011.

You must comment telling us why you think this stroller is cool? 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 @maclarenNA on twitter – twitter.com/maclarenNA

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

@maclarenNA #Beatles Stroller  @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/enxY3H  and you must also comment with the link to your twitter message.

Example: I want to win a @maclarenNA #Beatles Yellow Submarine Stroller Thanks to @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/enxY3H

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 suggesting to your friends to become fans of DaDa Rocks  (and leave a little note on the wall) — under the logo of DaDa Rocks is Suggest to Friends name

You get 1 extra entry for becoming a Fan of maclaren on facebook –facebook.com/maclarenbaby 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 Maclaren for the prize for this raffle. It’s also limited to the USA too.

Disney on Ice Princess Wishes review and giveaway

Disney on Ice Princess Wishes review and giveaway

I was able to see the new Disney on Ice: Princess Wishes at Madison Square Garden. When I think ice shows I think horrible costumes with sequins, bad music and ice skating moves that I can do. Well I couldnt do most of these moves the sequins where limited to the princesses and the music was the fabulous selections from the Disney movies each princess came from.

The show was awesome! I highly recommend it for any Disney fan or anyone thats into ice skating or princesses (cause there is plenty of both!).

I loved the snow white and the aladdin story lines maybe because they really struck a nerve with me as those were two of my Disney favorites growing up.  The show also focused on Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Ariel from little mermaid, mulan and Tinkerbell. Of course Mickey and Minnie made a popup here and there.

My child’s face was priceless at a few of the songs and he loved the tricks, the lifts, and some of the special effects. Yes, he even grooved around a bit to the Genie song from Aladdin.  They use the real voices from the movies which will really help the kids get into the story lines and hold their focus.

The show is broken up into two 45 minute segments with a 20 minute intermission.  Of course they have the lights, cotton candy, snow cones, popcorn, and ect for sale… but its all worth it for those few pieces of memories you’re creating with your child.

Next stop for the show is in New Jersey at the Izod center and I’ve got a four pack of tickets to giveaway.

IZOD Center in East Rutherford – Fri., Jan. 28 @ 7:30 pm and Sat., Jan. 29 @ 10:30 am

How to win it… Contest ends 11:59am EST. January 26th, 2011.

You must comment telling us who your favorite princess is? 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 –twitter.com/dadarocks

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

Example: I want to win #DisneyOnIce tickets in #NJ at @izodcenter Thanks to @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/gHtHPC

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 2 extra entry for becoming a Fan on facebook –facebook.com/disneyonice you must comment that you’re a fan (and leave a little note on the wall that you a fan because of DaDaRocks.com)

You get 1 extra entry for then suggesting to all your friends to become fans of DaDa Rocks – you must comment that you’re a fan (and leave a little note on the wall) — under the logo of DaDa Rocks is Suggest to Friends name

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 the facebook box) – you must also comment that you’ve become a friend

You will have 12 hours to reply before we pick another winner!

Disclaimer: Thanks to Feld Entertainment & Disney On Ice for the prize for the giveaway.