Disclosure: I received these games in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.  We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

I have been a Harry Potter fan since the first book came out.  Both the books and the movies do such a fantastic job of creating a magical world where anything seems possible.  We also recently had the opportunity to visit Harry Potter World at Universal Studios, which really brought Hogwarts and Diagon Alley to life.  Now we have the opportunity to experience the world of Harry Potter by playing two games: Harry Potter Triwizard Maze game and Harry Potter Magical Beasts board game.

The Harry Potter Triwizard Maze game is for 2-4 players, ages 5+.  If you know how to play Trouble, you will not have any “trouble” playing this game–ha!

Who doesn’t enjoy pressing the die popper?  This is a fun, quick game that the whole family can play together for game night.  The Harry Potter theme offers an original twist on a familiar game.

The Harry Potter Magical Beasts board game is a little more complex.  It is designed for 2-4 players, ages 8+.  In this game, you take on the role of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, or Ginny Weasley.  By moving your player around the board, you collect clues in order to capture the Magical Beasts that have broken loose at Hogwarts.

A unique feature of this game is the swinging game board that allows you to move from Hogwarts to the grounds outside and adds extra challenges.

I feel like December is such a fun month for board games, and I always try to add a family game night as one of our advent calendar activities.  We will definitely be including both of these games to our rotation of games!

I am pleased to announce that Pressman Toy will be sending one of my readers a copy of each of these Harry Potter games!

Disclosure: A sample was provided in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

I have found a wonderful gift for kids who are creative, mechanically-inclined, problem-solvers, and/or tinkerers: A Tinkering Labs Electric Motors Catalyst.

They really thought of everything when putting this kit together.  As a parent, I appreciate how everything is included (even safety glasses!) and contained in one neat box.

I like how the challenge cards can be used as a springboard to inspire young minds.  With many building toys, once you make the model to exact specifications, it loses its appeal.  With this kit, re-thinking, re-building, and tinkering is encouraged and the possibilities are truly endless.  It is recommended for ages 8 and up, and I think that is about right.  Once certain basic techniques are mastered, more difficult variations can make it challenging.  I can see that it would be engaging for older kids, teens and even adults to play with as well.

As you can see, there are so many ways the Electric Motors Catalyst can be used.  This kit is the perfect way to incorporate STEM learning at home in a way that is interesting and fun.  It is available for purchase on the Tinkering Labs website and Amazon.  Keep this kit in mind when shopping for presents this holiday season!

I am excited to announce that Tinkering Labs has generously offered to give an Electric Motors Catalyst kit to one of my readers.

My kids have owned many children’s Bibles, but the NIV Adventure Bibles have always been a favorite in our household.  These Bibles include the complete text of the NIV version, but also have pictures, infographics, maps and teaching points that are really engaging for kids.  I am excited that the NIV Adventure Bible now comes in a Polar Exploration Edition.  This Bible is perfect for kids like my son who are interested in animals.  I have always personally been a fan of penguins, so I like that there are pictures of them and other polar animals spread throughout the pages.  With Christmas fast approaching, this would make a perfect gift for the animal-loving kid in your life.

With over 9 million copies sold, the Adventure Bible brand is beloved by Christian schools, churches, and families alike. Now, the #1 Bible for kids, including all of the trusted essentials loved by parents, is available in an exciting polar exploration theme!

Ready for a frosty Adventure? Embark on a fun, exciting trek through God’s Word with the NIV Adventure Bible, now in an all-new polar exploration theme! While on this arctic adventure, readers meet all types of people, see all sorts of places, and learn all kinds of facts about the Bible. And most importantly you’ll grow closer in your relationship with God.

Features of the NIV Adventure Bible, Polar Exploration Edition include:

• The same trusted Adventure Bible content in a frosty new theme

• Full-color images of polar animals, arctic outposts, and icy landscapes throughout make learning about the Bible even more engaging

• Life in Bible Times—Articles and illustrations describe what life was like in ancient days

• Words to Treasure—Highlights great verses to memorize

• Did You Know?—Interesting facts help you understand God’s Word and the life of faith

• People in Bible Times—Articles offer close-up looks at amazing people of the Bible

• Live It!—Hands-on activities help you apply biblical truths to your life

• Twenty polar-themed pages focus on topics such as how to know you are a Christian, famous people of the Bible, highlights of the life of Jesus, and how to pray.

• Book introductions feature arctic art and important information about each book of the Bible

• Dictionary/concordance for looking up tricky words

• Color map section to help locate places in the Bible

• Complete text of the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible

The NIV Adventure Bible Polar Exploration Edition can be purchased here.

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller/FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Disclosure: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

With Christmas fast-approaching, I have another gift idea for kids: Hillsong Kids has recently released a DVD called Can You Believe It? This DVD features music videos featuring popular songs by Hillsong Kids along with some fun commentary.  The professional music videos artfully tell stories to go along with the lyrics with scenarios that kids can relate to.  I also appreciated how meaningful life lessons are also woven into the storylines.  Our kids like to watch DVDs on long road trips, and Can You Believe It? is a wonderful addition to any Christian DVD collection.

“Can You Believe It!? – Songs of Truth” is both a question and a challenge… a statement of gratitude to a loving God and an invitation to explore the very foundations of faith. Classic songs like “My Best Friend”, “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” and “What A Beautiful Name” join brand new declarations of faith such as “As The World Shakes” & “Heaven Is Our Home”. We pray that this collection of fun and vibrant songs, help children around the world to declare biblical truths about God’s love and grace for them.

Hillsong believes that teaching children to love God and others takes place in both the home and in the church. For this reason they seek to partner with parents (the greatest teachers of all!) and with church pastors and leaders, equipping them with great resources. Through fun experiences, meaningful music and ministry that encourages kids to participate, Hillsong Kids presents Jesus Christ and His Church in a relevant way, creating moments which children will never forget.

Gift giving season is quickly approaching and I have a wonderful gift idea for the teacher, parent, or office supply guru in your life: a Classroom Friendly Pencil Sharpener.  You may recall that I wrote a review of this pencil sharpener last year.  Well, I am happy to report that this pencil sharpener is still going strong in our home and has enabled many homework sessions since then.

These manual pencil sharpeners come in a wide array of colors and can be purchased here.  There are significant discounts if you buy them in multiples.  Also note that the site offers free shipping, which is always a plus, right?

I am excited to announce that I am holding another giveaway for a Classroom Friendly Pencil Sharpener in the color of your choice ($24.99 value)!

Disclosure: A sample was provided in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.  We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

With an estimated 4 billion fans, soccer is the most popular sport in the world.  One of the reasons why its popularity is so widespread is that you basically only need a ball and a flat surface to play.  For soccer players like my son, soccer balls come and go.  If it starts to go flat, we use our pump to add air to it; when a ball starts to show wear, we buy a new one.  However, for soccer players in disadvantaged communities, soccer balls are not as easy to come by.  One World Play Project recognized this problem and developed a ball that never needs a pump and never goes flat: the One World Futbol.

The unpoppable One World Futbol is made of a cross-linked, closed-cell foam formula.  It is ultra-durable, nearly-indestructible, and unpoppable!  This ball never needs a pump and never goes flat, even when driven over or punctured.  When my son heard this, he immediately wanted me to drive over it so we could test it out.  Luckily, you do not have to attempt to destroy your own ball because the company made its own video to prove their claims.

Pretty amazing, right?

My son tried out the One World Futbol and we can tell that it is one tough ball that will last a long time.  It is definitely firmer and feels denser than a regular soccer ball.  These soccer balls would be a good investment for schools, where balls usually have a short lifetime.  With the holidays coming up, a One World Futbol would be a welcome gift for any soccer fan.

Entry-Form

 

When I first heard that Chris Tomlin’s newest album was called “Holy Roar”, I had never heard that term before.  According to Tomlin, Holy Roar is “the freedom, the experience, the wonder of worship. It is seeing the church come together, hands lifted to God, pouring out our praise with an eternal song in our hearts. It’s every voice together, changing the way we worship.”

After listening to the album, I can say that “Holy Roar” perfectly embodies the worship songs in Tomlin’s latest release.  The title song is an upbeat, catchy anthem.  The chorus explains it all:

A HOLY ROAR / REACHING FOR HEAVEN/ OUR PRAISE POURED OUT / WITH RECKLESS ABANDON /

OUR WORSHIP GOD / IS WHOLLY YOURS

I was also excited to see that a song that I am already familiar with, “Resurrection Power”, is included on this album.  Chris Tomlin has so many songs that are considered Christian “classics”.  I predict that many of the other songs from this album will be added to this collection.

Holy Roar is set to be released on October 26, 2018 and can be purchased here.

Chris Tomlin is one of the most heralded singer-songwriters in the world who has amassed an impressive body of work. He has sold more than 8 million albums, 11.3 million digital tracks with 16 #1 singles. Chris is one of only four artists ever to receive the Sound Exchange Digital Radio Award for over 1 Billion digital radio streams, others include Justin Timberlake, Pitbull and Garth Brooks. 

The Grammy® winner’s list of music awards include an American Music Award, 3 Billboard Music Awards, 21 Dove Awards, a BMI Songwriter of the Year Award and more. Chris’ concert tours have sold-out venues in major cities including New York City’s Madison Square Garden, The Forum in Los Angeles, Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and Red Rocks in Denver, among others. This spring, Chris marked another career milestone by launching his own imprint record label, Bowyer & Bow, in partnership with Capitol Christian Music Group.

I have a quick giveaway to enter to win a copy of Chris Tomlin’s Holy Roar CD, so enter today!

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller/FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Disclosure: I received samples in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Is it too early to talk about stocking stuffers?  I try to find little practical gifts to use as stocking stuffers throughout the year, so I am going to say it is not too early even though it is only October.  I hope to feature various stocking stuffer ideas in the upcoming weeks.  Today I want to share with you a new-to me-product that would be a useful and appreciated stocking stuffer: IntelliDent Toothbrush Shields.

Toothbrushes are susceptible to contamination because they are typically kept in the bathroom where there are multiple surface and airborne microbes.  Storing a toothbrush in a cup on the bathroom counter, or enclosed in a dark space like a medicine cabinet creates a perfect breeding ground for germs.  Not to gross you out too much, but toilets can cause contamination within a six-foot radius!  IntelliDent Toothbrush Shields are breathable, quick drying shields that are laboratory tested to be a 99.9% effective barrier against bacteria.

IntelliDent Toothbrush Shields are disposable, and effective for up to seven days.

We tried one out on my son’s electric toothbrush and the fit was perfect.  I could see these shields also being really helpful when packing a toothbrush for travel.  Anything that helps reduce the chance of illness is a good idea in my book!

IntelliDent also makes Mouth Guard Shields.  The idea is the same, except they are sized for dental devices or mouthguards.  They would be perfect for k’s Invisalign trays.

IntelliDent products are sold at Walgreens and CVS, so look for them on your next shopping trip.  Seriously, tuck some away for stocking stuffers!

I am also pleased to announce that I am hosting a giveaway for you to win three 10 ct. boxes of IntelliDent Toothbrush Shields: