Bring Imaginations To Life With 3D Magic Maker

***I received the following product in hopes I would share our honest thoughts and experiences, which I'm about to do. All opinions are unique and my own, and all photos are copyright Momma Told Me Blog 2015.

Momma Told Me: Bring your imagination to life.

When I was in grade school one of my absolute favorite toys wasn't an Easy Bake Oven, it was a toy molding oven known as the Creepy Crawler Oven. While it was marketed  heavily towards boys, and featured primarily super heroes, monsters, and insects as the topic for most of it's molds, I was fascinated by the opportunity to create a toy of my own I could physically hold. For years it was my favorite toy- I owned almost a hundred mold 'plates' and had spent countless of my parent's hard earned dollars on refills of 'goop' to provide myself with a rainbow palette of colors. Momma never minded; I could easily keep myself engaged and occupied for hours- and I was always fostering creativity and a since of pride in making something on my own.

When I first discovered 3D Magic I was instantly reminded of childhood weekends spent hunched over a patio table meticulously coloring molds with Creepy Crawlers. I knew, immediately, it was going to be at the top of many toy lists this holiday season. This one of a kind, revolutionary, new toy is a safe way for children to create 3D models of just about anything. Unlike my childhood toy, 3D Magic involves no hot heat lamps, and works to 'cure' the included paint material with concentrated UV light. Think of it like putting your damp, sticky, fingernails underneath a curing lamp at the nail salon.

The device is very lightweight and compact, and entirely battery powered (a plus and minus in my book.) Since we like to let the kids play and create outside, it's nice not to have to worry about power sources; though I do find myself wondering how long the batteries will last. Since the unit is only ever actually powered while 'curing' I have high hopes the batteries will actually outlast the refills of paint! 3D Maker includes several starter templates including a sea turtle, bridge, and clown fish, as well as a few blank trays for kids to fre-form create on.

The kids were, understandably, immediately excited about this product concept, but using the color vials proved a little trickier than it looked. One thing we learned quickly is that the younger kids had to be reminded to close the paint bottles when not in use, and work quickly, or the paint actually began setting/hardening in the bottles. While everyone aged 4-11 created something, we found that kids 6+ had the most sucess remembering to follow the lines and make sure all lines touched.

None of the creations came out looking quite like the box's examples- even mine was a little 'lumpy' in spots here and there. Regardless, nobody got frustrated and everyone had that 'WOW' moment when their creation emerged from the 3D Magic curing unit. The children would huddle around just watching the curing light blink, and then repeatedly tell me 'It's done! It's done!' until I retrieved it.

Since using 3D Magic is literally as simple as drawing on the templates or blank cards and placing the creations in the unit for 2 minutes, just about any age can use this supervised and older siblings will enjoy helping younger siblings with projects. Some of the more advanced 3D model compositions do require a steady hand, and understanding of how to assemble, but it was nothing the 8+ kids couldn't manage. As for Jazzy, 4, she drew a hamster and Daisy, 7 even made a minion.

The 3D Magic maker comes with 3 colors of 'paint,' pink, orange, and teal- though we all agree orange and pink cured to almost an identical color. We created 5 projects and used every last drop of our included paint. For gifting purposes I highly recommend picking up a few refill bottles to get kids started. Additional template packs can be bought with refills as well, or free-form fun can be had to extend the life and fun of the toy. In all, there was a little frustration on the adult's part about kids remembering to reseal the paint so it didn't harden or clog the tips, but all of the kids had a blast. We're planning on turning some of the creations into holiday ornaments and magnets for the fridge! Did you have a creative toy you loved growing up?

What Daughter Says: Truly bring your imagination to life with creations you can touch in the 3D Magic maker!

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!

Choose @ARTSI_girl Crafts This Holiday Season For Vacation Lulls, Giveaway 12/22

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

This time of year it can be hard to balance that quality family time with the seemingly never-ending list of holiday preparation. These next few weeks can be precious time for a mother, with Winter Break fast approaching. I know I find myself running to and from stores before Sabrina (11) gets out of school, planning where to hide gifts and attempting to fit in mi-afternoon wrapping sessions between meal plans and grocery shopping. As if it weren't bad enough, children find themselves bursting with extra energy, enthusiastic for the upcoming holiday, and tend to cling to the adults in their lives every chance they get. As much as we love them, we simply need a few moments of time for communicating with Santa and double checking our own Naughty or Nice list. I often feel guilty when Sabrina's pencil hits the table, done with her homework for the day, and I'm still rushing through the house preoccupied with holiday prep.

Not all gifts have to be saved for the holidays; investing in a few smart kids crafting products can really help save your sanity, and keep your child feeling engaged without feeling left out. If you don't have time to tarp the dining room table for reindeer hand print paintings, consider much cleaner, self guided, crafts like Glitter Petz and Plusheez from Orb Factory and Artsi. Artsi is a new range of interactive toys that encourage young girls to express their creativity through the creation of their own toys. Not only do they get to spend some time personalizing the decor of their craft, but the end result is a beloved toy they will play with for a while to come.

Glitter Petz come in 6 animal varieties, from a pink pony and an orange fox, to a purple feline and blue squirrel. All have adorable character names, except for 'Squirrel' who is aptly named just that. With a retail price of just $6.99, and a package that contains 100 sticky gems, 1 figurine, 2 sets of sticker eyes, and a string clip, these are an affordable option to occupy girls aged 6-13. If you buy several kits, or the entire collection, you can occupy multiple young girls for well over an hour, trading different shapes and colors of gems to create the perfect masterpiece character. And, while these gem stickers are quite secure, they could easily be peeled off and exchanged to create a new design later. There certainly are plenty of extra gems to do so! Sabrina even enjoyed placing a few on her face as beauty decorations when she was done. She told me that all of the 'sparkle' made her feel like a queen!

Artsi has also released it's own line of colorful characters in the Plusheez range of push crafting. We're no stranger to the Plusheez collection in this house, as Sabrina owns 7 different Plusheez creations, and always lights up with excitement to get her hands on a new one. To match her Glitter Petz fox, Sammi, we went with the new Plusheez Pals, Zoey the fox this time. By now Sabrina (11) knows how to complete these push crafts on automatic, but especially loves when they come with a push-by-number guide that increases the difficulty a little bit. These Plusheez Pals are designed to be engaging for ages as low as 6, so this particular craft didn't have a number guide, but a suggested color pattern printed on the stuffed animal itself.

For those unfamiliar with Plusheez, they are pre-stuffed animals, pillows, and more which come with tiny fabric flowers and plastic push pin. Children use the plastic stylus to press the fabric cut-outs into pre punched holes in the plush character. The result is a textured, 3 dimensional, finish that enables kids to follow the chosen pattern or be creative and make their own. Sabrina finished her Zoey character in about 30 minutes, where as the original collection of Plusheez usually take her an hour and half or more. None-the-less, she loved that this was an actual stuffed character, with swinging arms, legs, and even a tail. Much like the other Artsi products, this Plusheez range can easily be interchanged at a later date,should she choose to remove some of the fabric press-ins and change the pattern or color of her plush craft.

The Artsi range of products for girls 6-13 can be found nationwide at retailers such as Walmart, Jo Ann's, Meijer and more. If you are looking for crafts suited towards the younger range, check out the Artsi Stickeez collection, which offers similar simplistic kits as well as more engaging (400pc) kits for the tweens. Stickers are a hit with all ages, I know I never grew out of my love for them, and these products are sure to be a huge hit in your house this holiday season, under the tree, or in the living room occupying little hands!

What Daughter Says: Don't feel guilty this holiday season, occupy little ones with engaging kits and creative toys.

One Momma Told Me reader will win a Plusheez and Glitter Petz prize bundle from Artsi!

@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!

@PeepsAndCompany Gifts Giveaway With Peeps Mallow Squares Recipe 10/5

*** I was provided the following products as samples, in exchange for my honest opinion. All photos are copyright Momma Told Me 2013.

Momma Told Me: I bet I can get you to love it!

PEEPS, you love 'em, or you hate 'em.

I won't try to sway your opinion either way. I know the line is drawn pretty thick. If you love them, you likely stockpile during the after Easter clearance sales, only to forget you had them until sometimes in Fall, when you relive the season all over again. If you don't care for them, you probably still buy them to stuff in the kid's Christmas Stockings, adorn Halloween gingerbread houses, or generally feel festive. After all, there's no denying these little marshmallow fluffs are their own icon, a symbol of holiday traditions and warm memories. But, based on which side of the fence you fall, you may or may not know that Peeps are much more than sugar coated chicks and bunnies. Not only do Peeps come in a rainbow of hues and shapes, but unique flavors as well. One of my personal favorites? Raspberry Chocolate Dipped Peeps hearts around Valentine's Day.

Now, I honestly don't know why, but there's something whimsical about this particular confection. As a sweet lover, I hold many special memories and attachments to a variety of sugar filled confections. Few touch me as much as the giddy kick of joy I get from finding these mallows on my local store shelves. It often means a holiday is on it's way! But, as I said, Peeps are so much more than a seasonal snack. For the Summer the brand released a limited edition Bubblegum and charity minded Sweet Lemonade variety I'd previously featured. Last January gorgeous white Peeps graced shelves covered in a rainbow of bright colored sugar flecks. More recently the special edition Party Cake flavored marshmallows were released. With a bright teal hue, and rainbow sugar flecks, these are very similar, but have a light and creamy batter taste. The aromatic reminds me of a fresh baked white cake.

Now, if you are not particularly a fan of these colorful chicks, it is likely because you 1.) really don't care for the texture of marshmallows as a food group, or 2.) don't like the texture/combination of the mallow and classic colored sugar coat. (In the latter case, you may enjoy the seasonal bunnies, which I've seen with a smooth mallow finish instead.) No matter your reasons, Momma taught me that ingredients we might not care for individually can come together with a surprising result in a recipe. So, I've done a few sneaky chef tactics lately involving Peeps- one of which was a very simple Peeps Marshmallow Squares creation made with rainbow colored cereal balls, melted Peeps, and butter. Your children are sure to have a strong reaction to the sight of slowly melting bunnies, or chicks, in a double boiler- it's definitely worth a try at least once, for that alone.

Because of the coloring on Peeps, they make a great mallow substitution in any recipe you'd like to spice up. Our cereal was already very colorful, but the Party Cake mallows also added a light teal color the the glazed finish of the chilled cubes. Naturally, because these are confectionery marshmallows, there will be added sugar to your recipe, so always remember to adjust accordingly in fillings and fluffs. The granular sugar coating does, however, melt down quite nice and, in my opinion, add to the tacky properties in classic recipes like mallow squares.

Another thing you may not be aware of is the introduction of the Peeps and Company brand through a base brick and mortar store, and online gift shop. The 'Company' refers to the wide range of popular candy brands under Just Born, the Peeps parent company. Online at Peeps and Company you'll find an array of gifts for fans young and old, including Hot Tamales, Mike and Ike, and Peanut Chew. While you're there, also be sure to check out the seasonal and specialty Peeps like the Halloween Chocolate Mousse Spooky Cats! We received some popular tween merchandise for Sabrina (10), including a Jumbo Peeps eraser, Peeps (Pop Art Style) Microbead Pillow, branded Socks Gift Set and Scented Nail Polish Trio. It won't take a genius to guess which the young girl quickly became excited over- the nail polish. However, the micro bead pillow proved generously sized and great for lounging in front of the TV or snuggling with during video games.

The Peeps One Hot Chick Scented Nail Polish gift set sells for a mere $5.90 on the Peeps and Company Site right now and, in my humble opinion, would make the perfect stocking stuffer during the upcoming holidays. I was skeptical of how much it would smell like the various fruits (Watermelon, Strawberry, Cotton Candy), rather than nail polish, but we were pleasantly surprised. This lacquer applied with one coat, great for young kids, and had a nice fruity smell even after drying. And, of course, the bright neon colors are perfect for young girls, and young girls at heart.

Whether I've inspired you to splurge in the Peeps and Co shop, or simply give Peeps a chance as an ingredient (rather than decoration), I'm sure you can see Peeps are much more than an iconic marshmallow!

What Daughter Says: Experience Peeps in a whole new light with creative recipes substituting them for regular mallows.

One Momma Told Me reader will win a Peeps and Company prize bundle consisting of Peeps One Hot Chick Scented Nail Polish Trio, Microbead Pillow, Youth Sleep Pants, Giant Eraser, Print Socks, and Peeps! Keep reading after the jump for Peeps Mallow Squares recipe.