Not In My House! Does Kinectic Sand Make The Cut?

***We received the following products in hopes we would share our organic experiences here on the blog. Regardless all content is genuine and all photos are copyright Momma Told Me Blog 2015.

Momma Told Me: Not in my house!

I didn't get to play with any of the 'fun' toys, growing up.

Okay, I should rephrase, I didn't get to play with any of the messy toys, growing up. Most of my younger years were spent living in a condominium, where we had a 15' x 5' slab of concrete for a porch and yard. Since 1. We did not own our home and were renters, and 2. Momma wasn't the most intuitive when it came to children and preparing for their unavoidable catastrophes, I spent the majority of my play time outdoors. If I wanted to color with crayons- outside to the porch. If I wanted to play with Silly Putty- outside to the porch. If I wanted to eat an orange- outside to the porch. There was a strict 'Not in my house' policy and even that factor was not enough to convince Momma to allow the purchase of one of my most coveted childhood toy obsessions; Nickelodeon's Gak.

Flash forward to the present day and 12 year old Sabrina has spent the past 6 months asking for Kinectic Sand. I know, any parent or guardian hears the word 'sand' in association with a toy and thinks 'Not in my house!'  And that's precisely what's kept Sabrina's mother from caving in to the daily whining and requests every single time they passed this product on the shelf. What sane homemaker wants to give their child a few bags of sand and let them loose? Have no fear- Wacky-Tivities Kinectic Sand is a different kind of sand, bound by flexible polymers that help it move, stretch, stack, and 'breathe' in ways never thought possible. Not only does this mean the sand, in all it's granular glory, does not fall apart or blow away, but it is also Gluten Free (because I know ingesting sand is a secondary concern, right?)

Kinectic Sand comes in a variety of bright colors, and even the Jewel (glitter infused) ranges, which recently hit shelves. If you've been in any major retailer recently it's pretty much guaranteed you've seen this product. Personally, I was skeptical as to jut how much fun a bag of sand in a small tray could really be, but we were both captivated by this toy from the start. While the initial starter kit, which includes 4 molds and a play tray, as well as 1lb of sand, will set you back about $16 right now, you will want to invest in at least one other color/refill of sand to really fill the play tray. We found the molds were 'nice' but the real fun was watching the and move between fingers, along the bottom of the tray, and come alive as it expanded when forced into mountains and rivers.

Kinectic Sand is an entirely dry substance and very light to work with, but extremely 'magnetic' to itself. That is to say it will not be caught blowing away or sprinkling into carpeting, as it is fairly attracted to itself. And, surprisingly, it feels dry to the touch and is not tacky or sticky to any other surface but itself. I was pleasantly surprised in the replay value of Kinectic Sand, as Sabrina pulled out animal figures and even building blogs to play in the sand and create an entire kingdom of animals. The fact that the sand allowed for an ever changing environment really seemed to capture her attention and hold it.

With Summer just around the corner, whether you're a 'Not in my house!' mom or not, Kinectic Sand makes for a perfect backyard play thing. Kinectic Sand also seals up in any plastic bag and makes for a great sensory toy when being smashed and observed- perfect for younger users (age 3+). Best of all, 'cleaning up' this Summertime product is as easy as rolling the sand into a ball and smashing it into any straggling bunches of sand. My only request is that the brand starts marketing a resealable pouch or container to store the sand in, once it is opened, as it really would add a nice touch of cohesiveness to the product. What was one of your favorite sensory toys, as a child?

What Daughter Says: Kinectic Sand solves the need to explore and create without the fear of a mess.

Blog POP! A Very LaLaLoopsy Holiday Giveaway

I received the following product samples in hopes we'd share our genuine enthusiasm here on the blog. All photos and opinions are copyright Momma Told Me Blog 2014.

Momma Told Me: When you learn how to vacuum right I'll let you learn how to bake.

I don't know about you, but next to the Weenie Whistle and the game of LIFE, owning an Easy Bake Oven was always one of my childhood ambitions. The only thing better than pretending to be an adult was getting to enjoy really sweet treats as a result of that pretending. But I was more of a tomboy, and all of my friends were boys, growing up, so I never quite got that pink and shiny Easy Bake. Instead I got Creepy Crawler and Dr. Dread style products and molded bendable Power Rangers on our patio with my bestie. So, you better believe, when I saw one at a garage sale in college, I bought it without hesitation, life-long dream fulfilled. And you know what? It was just as magical as I'd imagined.

Now you can relive that child-like wonder with your son or daughter thanks to the new LaLaLoopsy Baking Oven sold at Walmart, Toys R' Us, Amazon, and other fine retailers nationwide. Not only is this rag doll themed over incredibly adorable, but it has a pink overload, which really tickled my inner LaLaLoopsy. The oven itself comes with everything needed to make 1 cake and 6 Sugar Cookies (just add water.) On the back of the unit are some very big, bold, and easy to read safety warnings I especially appreciated; though you are essentially 'baking' with a light bulb it does get hot and this is still an appliance. Always be sure to monitor children when in use.

The only thing that wasn't thought of were small, pink matching?, mixing bowls. The designers of this LaLaLoopsy Baking Oven even created a pull out knob to hang the measuring spoons on when not in use. The fake burners and front knobs have no other function than to add to the adorable design, so it's important to note the unit will begin heating as soon as it is plugged in. I was happy to note the extra thick, extra long, spatula keep small hands far away from the openings of the oven at each end, though we did run into a few issues with it pushing the pan too far towards the opposite side. I suggest using a 'spotter' to watch how deep the pan goes in initially.

The measuring spoons were a bit of a frustration, and an instance where the designers may have gone a little too far in trying to be adorable. Instead of using physical measurements (like Sabrina, 12, is already accustomed to) they use terms like 'Pinch' and 'Sprinkle' so children and parents really need to watch the water measurements or an entire packet can easily be ruined. Don't worry, refills are always sold for $6-$7 at your local Walmart or similar store. We did, however enjoy that these refill packs came with everything needed to make and decorate a complete cake. While most cake packs were designed for 2 singles or one 2 layer cake, we ruined the first pant with the measurement error, so ours came out solo.

I'm equally sad to report that we tried two packages of sugar cookies (3 batches) and had no sucess with baking them as molded, or outside molds (round.) Every single batch overcooked- it seems timing is crucial when dealing with such small product under such direct heat. No fear, baker Sabrina had a blast the entire time, and would not let me touch a single thing! She also wanted me to inform you that the LaLaLoopsy Strawberry Cake is "quite delicious!"

If you're not quite ready to tackle a miniature oven in your home this holiday, consider the newest LaLaLoopsy collectible craze; Tinies. Tinies come in packs of 3 and 10 and currently have over 100 to collect across 3 unique series. These 1" little characters feature the LaLaLoopsy girls and their pets in various outfits and themes that are all equally adorable. Much like the Polly Pocket of my childhood you can also buy companion carrying cases that double as play sets and houses, for on the go. Because of their affordable price point these would especially go nicely in stockings, or taped to seasonal gifts.

LaLaLoopsy is a big hit in our home because it melds several age ranges of young girls interests. While the cartoon is geared towards younger girls, the wide range of dolls and Tinies really hit the tween market with the adorable and trendy characters. Personally, I love LaLaLoopsy because the dolls are cute but not borderline 'mature' like some more edgy lines of young girls toys. This is one brand I can see Sabrina playing with her step sister with with no problems!

What Daughter Says: Growing up and being 'just like Mom' can be fun. Encourage development and create memories with role playing toys.

One Momma Told Me reader will win a LaLaLoopsy Tinies Bundle and LaLaLoopsy Girls Doll! Enter below and click the banner above to be taken to the official event Giveaway LINKY!

Zoomer The Robotic Dog: Your New Best Friend @SpinMasterToys

Momma Told Me: No, you may not have a dog!

When I was a young girl I often romanticized battery operated toys; primarily because Momma was insistent about keeping them out of our house. She had no desire to hear me whine about dead batteries, or spend a small fortune shoveling them into toys I would be over within a week. As an adult of my own, I feel a similar alliance with imagination ran activities that inspire children to use their head rather than glowing screens and flashing lights. Zoomer, the robotic dog, has seamlessly melded both modern technology with creative play, and even responsible role playing. While Zoomer won't leave an oil patch on your carpet when he pees, he certainly won't be much fun to play with without constant love and patience from his new owner. If you've ever had to argue that the landlord won't except pets, or your child simply isn't old enough to care for a dog yet, consider this affordable solution that is sure to have them mesmerized far longer than the traditional 3 week phase.

Zoomer is incredibly simple to operate out of the box; that being said, this really is an impressive display of modern technology, and the toy itself is very complicated in build. Classified as a Dalmation, with more designs in the works, Zoomer has grip stabilized feet that walk/roll him around his surroundings and enable his flexible joints to perform impressive 360 degree tricks. Not only can Zoomer effectively move in a circle, zig-zag, backwards, and even full roll, but this little dog is impressively quite in operation, and lightweight. To get going, you'll need to charge Zoomer about an hour for 20 minutes of constant play. This can be done via a micro-USB to USB/AC Adapter port on the underbelly of the toy, which can plug directly into any laptop for convenience, through the provided cable. While you're waiting for your new best friend to charge, be sure to read the instructions. While Zoomer is classified for ages 5+, we found even our 11 year old needed some initial guidance to understand the patience of operation.

Ironically, the part which will frustrate younger owners the most is the aspect I found most beneficial. Zoomer understands English, Spanish, and French communication, but will take time to learn his owner's voice and commands, much like a real dog. With over 40 tricks in his current repertoire, Zoomer provides endless hours of training, and claims to learn quicker when it is feeling 'loved'. His LED eye panels easily communicate the mode and mood of the robotic dog. Gently press down on the dog's nose and speak a command, always beginning with 'Zoomer' and watch as the dog obeys, or does something entirely random. If better pronunciation, or a louder command is necessary, Zoomer's eyes will display question marks and the command may be given again. If Zoomer is left on and alone for too long her will wander, much like a real dog and 'pee' on items and even beg for attention.

I was surprised how realistic many of the command motions, and results were. Training Zoomer to 'Shake a Paw' proved to be one of the harder tasks as the owner must say the command in conjunction with performing a physical interaction in front of the dog's sensor. This front sensor will also prevent Zoomer from walking into furniture, and allow him to 'Follow' his owner through the house. The initial start guide offers users some basic commands out of the box, but you will have to work to discover the remaining commands. The online Zoomer Pup website is very useful for unlocking an extra 10, with more added all the time, but you truly just have to pay attention to Zoomer when he is misbehaving and decipher what the coinciding command could be. For example, we saw Zoomer turn onto one paw and do a circle, as through he were break dancing, one time, and decided to try the command 'Zoomer Dance!' and, Voila! we had a dancing robotic dog. Zoomer also plays, or rather barks, 3 secret songs, so be on the lookout for those.

Zoomer is a little bit smaller than our 6lb Morkie, Nora, but only about 2lbs in weight. I was relived to see this robotic toy was very well designed with shock resistant joints and a clear encasing around his LED panel head. The antennae like tail bobbles too and fro playfully as the dog moves about, but it's the interactive ears I find to be the weakest point on the dog. Always make sure these are pointed down, in sleep mode, when storing your dog. Sabrina, 11, immediately began walking the dog off small, 6", drops in the living room table and up and down ramps. I've had my fair share of miniature heart attacks watching them play, but rest assured, this is one robotic dog that is designed especially for kid companions.

I'd be lying if I didn't admit that Zoomer stole the attention away from our real dog for quite a long time. I was a very good adult and let Sabrina, 11, explore her new toy on her own for the first round of charging. Ironically, Zoomer always seemed to respond to me and my commands instantly, while Sabrina often took 2-3 requests. We had an interesting incident where we were asking Zoomer to 'Play Dead' (video below the post) and he surprisingly began dancing- Sabrina burst into laughter. Perhaps that is one of the best things about this toy, there are always new tricks and actions for children to discover. When you get especially stumped, looking for new commands, try pushing the small button on the base of the dog's back, which will initiate a random interaction. Zoomer moves around the house, carpet and linoleum, with impressive ease, but can often take a moment or two to complete a trick in full (especially ones that require him to lay down).

For the current price point, Zoomer is certainly one of the must have toys of the season, and 2014. I'm sure there will be a slew of similar toys coming to the market in recent months, but Zoomer has without a doubt been developed through years of labor and love, with kids in mind. Sabrina couldn't wait for this thing to finish recharging when she first got it, and still plays with it every day, weeks later. She even brought it to the bowling alley on multiple occasions to show it off to the other children and parents. Having a toy like this is especially nice for kids who love attention, since this is one dog that doesn't need a leash or an apology when it unexpectedly does it's business. Zoomer is sold at retailers such as Toys R' Us, Walmart, Target, and Amazon, worldwide, and is now available in Purple too! The only downside? Santa will NOT be able to top this toy, in our house, this Christmas!

What Daughter Says: Here's one dog you can finally day yes to without breaking the bank, or your back. Teach kids responsibility with Zoomer, the robotic dog.

@SpinMasterToys Spike Mic Launcher Spy Gear For Kids- Spy Toys Giveaway 12/14

Momma Told Me: Children should be seen and not heard.

For decades the pastime of pretending to be an International Spy has been high atop kids pretend play lists, right alongside cops and robbers. Of course when I was child this meant penny 'decoder' rings and faulty disappearing ink. My friends and I would invent our own coded language to transmit secret notes, and hide out in our parents' closets trying to catch a glimpse of where the Christmas gifts would be hidden. Even in the 80s and 90s, James Bond inspired concepts were still very much a whimsical notion- the most advanced secret gear I owned was an Ajax can with a removable bottom, or a periscoping ballpoint pen. Today modern technology has turned the technology of our dreams into a reality, with the most recent release of the spy inspired Galaxy Gear watch. And, with more and more kids glued to smartphones and tablets every day, I'm especially enamored with brands, like Spin Master Toys, that continue to foster imaginative play with a creative mix of modern technology and simplistic execution.

You may recall, a few weeks back, I featured the Spy Gear Sonic Distractors; two lightweight plastic balls that could be rolled, tossed, and stashed to trigger one of 8 programmable sounds. While this was agreeably an outdoor toy, for it's sheer volume, it was a big hit with Sabrina (11), who often fanciers herself a bit of a jack-of-all-trades (despite being the klutziest child I know). While she is far from stealthy, these imaginative Spy Gear toys actually encourage coordination and spacial awareness; after all, a spy can't be crashing through the front door, right? So, when I pulled out the Spike Mic Launcher, I knew Sabrina was going to be blown away. Heck, I was even intrigued by the concept.

The Spike Mic Launcher is a bit more advanced than the Sonic Distractors, requiring the installation of 4 AAA batteries, and a suggested age of 10+. This somewhat bulky contraption consists of one recording mic, which is actually more of a transmitter than a recorder, and one slingshot style handheld unit that also acts as the dart's charger and audio transmitter. That's right, this nifty Spy Gear toy launches a dart and transmits up to 10 minutes of audio to it's listener up to 30 feet away! Of course, we found the actual transmitting time to average 7 minutes, and the best (clarity) distance to be about 20 feet (with little to no obstructions). The Spike Mic LAuncher includes everything you need except for basic jack headseats and 4 AAA batteries. As toys like this go, the batteries can be drained fast as kids recharge the dart over and over, so invest in some rechargeables if you can. Also, if you are giving this as a gift you may wish to open it ahead of time and pre-charge the dart, as each charging session will run about 20 minutes. Charging is done through a feed out cable on the base.

The Spike Mic Launcher includes 1 dart, with 2 interchangeable tips, which screw on/off, one for smooth window/glass surfaces, and another which is sticky for walls. The sticky, red, tip dart is made of a common material kids often get out of quarter machines that sticks to walls- but tends to get completely filthy with lint and debris in a matter of no time. There is a compartment underneath the handheld unit that stores your dart tip when not in use. One of the first things we noticed was that the suction tip does not have notches for launching, and is intended to be placed by hand on various surfaces (beneath tables, vanity mirrors, etc). Sabrina (11) also had some difficulty getting the sticky dart to launch accurately from the slingshot, as the rubber bands are a bit stiff and the notches on the dart tip are a bit short.

Outside of these minor notes, with a price point around $20, this was a wonderful toy to foster imaginative play. Both of us were impressed with the clarity of the audio transmission, and the ability to adjust the volume via a simple toggle on the handheld unit. Now, as an adult, you might be worried kids will be using this toy for all sorts of covert snooping they should otherwise not be partaking in. Rest assured (especially indoors and with walls) you would most certainly see your should crouched around the corner trying to listen in. The transmission range simply isn't that far for actual spy work; but the concept is fun for all ages and executed brilliantly! The Spy Gear line of toys, from Spin Master, is sold nationwide at toy retailers, and online at Amazon.com.

What Daughter Says: Rest assured, with the Spike Mic Launcher children will hear AND be seen.

One Momma Told Me reader will win a Spy Gear Spike Mic Launcher and Sonic Destractors bundle!

@SpinMasterToys Indulges Your Child's Dream Of Being An International Spy

*** +Spin Master Toys provided our family with several Spy Gear toys and accessories for the purpose of this review series. Regardless, all insight and product opinions are original and un-altered. All photos below are copyright Momma Told Me Blog 2013.

Momma Told Me: I see you! You're not invisible, you know!

Okay, be honest, raise your hand if you ever dreamt of being an International Person of Intrigue. Okay, Okay, stop the swooning, I didn't say 'being with;' so you can get those lazy day Bond daydreams out of your head, ladies!

It seems everyone, at least once in their life, has craved the mystery and suspense of being a Spy. No time of the year, in a child's life, illustrates this more than right around a birthday or Winter holiday, am I correct? I recall, one time, no more than 6 or 7, I hid in my mother's closet for what seemed like days trying to catch her hiding the Christmas presents. I'd been told to go next door and play with my friend for a few hours, but the crisp edges on the department store shopping bags by our front door tipped me that something was up. I very clearly remember drawing on my face with Black (licorice) smelly markers, and wrapping myself up in the bottom of my father's trench coat as I 'staked' out the master closet.

Of course, when I was a kid, ambitions of being a 'spy' were spearheaded by the latest in spy tech for kids; my personal favorite being the send away Disappearing Ink. I'd spend ever weekend, during the Summer, running to our mailbox in hopes my next Decoder Ring or Secret Mirror would be delivered that day. Yes, that, and a good imagination, was what I had to pretend with when I was a child. Today, Spin Master Toys has seamlessly blended modern technology with Spy fantasy to create a line of Spy Gear toys for children ages 6 and up. From 360 degree sliding cameras to microphone darts that cling to virtually any surface, these are not your grandma's Spy Toys.

We received 3 Spy Gear toys from Spin Master, and I was sure to start our budding secret agent off with the simplest. Spy Gear's Sonic Distractors retail for $11.99 and feature 2 Sonic Distractor Balls, each generating 4 unique sounds, a belt clip, and instructions. I was immediately glad to see that I didn't need to install any batteries for these; they operated immediately after a battery pull strip was removed from the button battery compartment. With one Silver and one Black Sonic Distractor ball, these lightweight plastic orbs are intended to deal with a bit of abuse, from hiding to tossing, and rolling. Their single operation button, in red on the top of each ball, lights up to indicate the sound cycle and imminent noise production.

Click the red button to match the number of the desired sound, then hold the button for 10-15 seconds until it blinks repeatedly in a countdown. Next, stash, toss, or roll the Sonic Distractor to the desired area where it will emit one of 4 (8 total, between the two balls) distracting sounds. I was surprised how loud these little balls were, and how well they seemed to sit in the provided belt clip without falling out. Sabrina's (11) favorite sound seemed to be the barking dog, which is perhaps one of the more natural tones; other highlights include air raid sirens, a swooping eagle, and gunfire.

While children are certainly going to go ga-ga over these digital noise makers, some parents may be weary of hearing these loud and jarring sounds repeatedly. For this reason, I suggest this Spy Gear toy be used primarily outdoors. Siblings and friends will also enjoy setting off both Distractors at once, in different areas for a result that is truly alarming. While these will appeal most to younger kids 6-12, I also fancied myself borrowing them for a game of midnight Capture The Flag- wouldn't that be fun? In general, noise making toys are never a parent's first pick, but these certainly go well with the SpyGear series. Stay tuned for our future Spy Gear posts, which will wrap with a giveaway for the entire collection!

What Daughter Says: Let your children experience Spy play like never before with Spy Gear toys from Spin Master.

@SpinMasterToys: Flutterbye Flying Fairy Review- 2013 Holiday Must Have

*** We received a product sample for the purposes of this feature. No further compensation was provided. All photos contained below are copyright Momma Told Me Blog 2013.

Momma Told Me: Your toys are getting too complicated for me!

As a little girl, hopelessly addicted to My Little Pony, I could often be caught imagining far out tales for my stuffed animals and action figures, into the wee hours of the morning. No matter how many 'bed checks' Momma would do throughout the night, I'd always awaken with a figure or two clutched tightly in my hands.My favorite heroines as a little girl? Princess Jasmine, Aladdin, and the high spirited sprite, Tinkerbell. Both characters hailed from a far away, magical, land, in my mind.  How wonderful it would be to ride on a magic carpet beneath fireworks, and into a mystical cave of treasure and gems- Or to live in a miniature, unseen, world where I could ride sparrows and use my fairy magic to blossom flowers! I recall, I once got a very sophisticated toy, for it's time; a fairy that would 'launch' itself off a platform, propelled by a winding mechanism.

When I began to hear all the holiday buzz about Spin Master's latest interactive creation, the Flutterbye fairy, I was immediately taken back to the memories from my childhood. Naturally, as most modernized toys tend to, the Flutterbye requires batteries, and a considerable more amount of patience than the fairy projectile device of my kinder-years. With an unsuspectingly simple design, at face, the Flutterbye promises to 'fly' (hover, really) just a foot above your child's outstretched hand, for several minutes on a single charge. The toy is intended to be used indoors (no, really, you may only use it indoors or else wind and a lack of ceiling may see your Flutterbye drift into the sunset). It also requires about 20 minutes of charge time for 7 minutes of flying play.

Out of the box the Flutterbye seems simple. There is a base with an on/off switch, a tandem cable to charge the fairy when docked, and a secondary on/off button on the fairy itself (under her skirt). I mention this secondary switch because we, despite reading the instructions multiple times, missed that this secondary operational switch was there. For a good hour we tried to launch our charged fairy with no results- duh, the fairy itself has to be turned on! Once the fairy is charged, and the cable is disconnected, simply turn the skirt switch on, and press the large launch button on the front of the dock. The light indicator will blink, then turn green, as the petal/skirt begins to rotate. This is a little loud, and does sound like a whirring/churning sound, some young kids may not care for.

Once the Flutterbye leaves the charger base it is important the operator/child reaches out their hand, about a foot below the flying fairy, to maintain communication contact with the sensors on the bottom of her skirt. This will enable the 'guided' flight that makes this particular toy so high tech and appealing for it's $35 asking price. I won't lie, there was a lot of frustration on Sabrina's (11) part when trying to learn the operation of this toy. She'd forget to flip the switches when charging, or was initially shy about approaching the fairy once launched. We learned some basic troubleshooting tips, provided with the instructions, and quickly picked up that we could 'reset' the fairy by flipping the switch on it's skirt. This was particularly helpful if the fairy began to launch itself too high too control. Unfortunately, part of playing with this toy means it will have it's spills from time to time, as it crashes into things. Thankfully, the toy is very durable, and the moving parts are made of bendable plastic that shouldn't harm indoor furniture or surfaces.

Once we figured out the Flutterbye control techniques, it was rather addictive to fly the fairy around the house. The guided movement wasn't always as precise as we would have liked, but the technology certainly is unique. I think the Flutterbye would be great amongst a group of girls who could better corral the flying and control with multiple eyes and hands. I think this technology is very exciting, and I can't wait to see how it develops with children's toys over the next few years. Buy the Flutterbye at a Toys R' Us near you, or online at Amazon.com- but hurry and grab it now, this will be a popular item this holiday season!

What Daughter Says: The technology of tomorrow is present in the toys of today, as seen in the Flutterbye fairy.