Little Tikes has a great variety of toys. One of Michael’s favorite toys when he was younger was his Little Tikes guitar. The great thing is that it was durable enough that Sean has been able to enjoy it also. That is why I’m happy that the last of our holiday giveaways is from Little Tikes…the Little Tikes® Cozy Coupe® 30th Anniversary Edition.

Below is the company’s description:
The classic Cozy Coupe® comes to life in this friendly-faced 30th Anniversary Edition. For generations—30 years—children have been taking adventure and imagination on the road with one of the original ride on toys—the Cozy Coupe®. Now this classic kid-powered car has a whole new look! New features include storage space, a removable floor and a built in handle on back for parent-controlled push rides. The 30th anniversary edition also includes a pretend “ignition switch” and an open-and-close gas cap. Ages: 1 ½ – 5 years; SRP: $49.99

To win the prize, please tell me your favorite Little Tikes product in the “Comments” section below by December 4th at midnight. For an additional entry, comment on any other non-giveaway post during the promotion period.

Thanks to Little Tikes for sponsoring this giveaway.

I’m especially excited about this giveaway for two reasons:

1. It is on Sean’s wishlist. (It is too bad that I can’t enter…oh, well.)

and

2. It is one of my Top 10 Holiday 2009 Picks “(Preschoolers/Early School Years)” in this year’s holiday gift guide. This is what I wrote about it:

Play-doh Burger Builder: After an incident with my sons grinding play-doh into my carpet, I was tempted to take this suggestion off my list. It is a great toy though. Most kids love playing with play-doh. They like making shapes with it even more. This set combines both, because it provides tools for kids to mold a variety of burger related food products (i.e. patties, lettuce, pickles, fries, etc.) More than anything, I just like to see kids’ role play and come up with their own concoctions! (Ages: 3 to 7; $14.99 SRP)

Below is the company’s description:
The PLAY-DOH BURGER BUILDER set is back and better than ever! Interchangeable molds offer everything kids need to create the perfect PLAY-DOH hamburger including tomatoes, lettuce, buns, and more. In addition, kids can crank out pretend potato or pickle chips with the exciting TWIST-A-CHIP Super Tool. Set includes five 2-ounce cans of colorful PLAY-DOH compound. Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and on HasbroToyShop.com. (HASBRO/Ages 3 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $14.99/Available: Fall 09)

To win the prize, please tell me your (or your kid’s) favorite play-doh creation in the “Comments” section below by December 4th at noon. For an additional entry, comment on any other non-giveaway post during the promotion period.

Thanks to Hasbro for sponsoring this giveaway.

If you are looking for biodegradable, environmentally-friendly toys, you will love this giveaway. One reader will win the “green” award-winning Enviro-Blox™ X-Treme Builder Set by Cadaco.

Below is the company’s description of the blocks:
Cadaco’s Enviro-Blox™ are made from cornstarch using a patented manufacturing process and materials – no plastic or oil based materials are used during manufacture. The blocks are incredibly adaptable; simply moisten an Enviro-Blox™ with water for a firm, instant hold, no tape or glue needed. Available in a variety of colors and sizes for every building need, Enviro-Blox™ can be shaped into a variety of custom designs. When the time comes to discard your used Enviro-Blox™, simply place them in water and watch them magically disappear! Ages 3 and up. SRP varies, sets available in a range of sizes. Product to be given away is X-Treme Builder Set, valued at $19.99.

To win the prize, please tell me your favorite Cadaco product in the “Comments” section below by December 4th at noon. For an additional entry, comment on any other non-giveaway post during the promotion period.

Thanks to Cadaco for sponsoring this giveaway.

This is a fun giveaway. If your kid likes to play on the phone, they will love this Funny Phone™ Early Listening Game by Learning Resources which asks them to answer individual and group questions.

Below is the company’s description of the phone:
Calling all jokesters! The Funny Phone Early Listening Game gets players of all ages giggling. Dial a number and listen as Funny Phone tells you what the next game is. With over 300 challenges—tongue twisters, singing, drawing, acting and more—Funny Phone is full of surprises and you’ll never play the same game twice. Once you’ve won, you can dial a secret phone number to hear a victory message! Features automatic shut-off, adjustable volume and break-away safety cord. Ages 4 and up. SRP: $34.99.

(I wonder if this phone has knock knock jokes. My sons could use some help in that area. They just don’t get the concept – for the thousandth time, it’s “apple, apple, orange you glad I didn’t say apple?”)

To win the prize, please tell me your favorite Learning Resources product in the “Comments” section below by December 4th at noon. For an additional entry, comment on any other non-giveaway post during the promotion period.

Thanks to Learning Resources for sponsoring this giveaway.

I love seeing the pictures that my kids take. Inevitably, they take one that I really like. Do you remember this one that Michael took on his school trip to a local farm?

(Michael took this picture during the hayride)

I also let other kids take pictures with my camera on special occasions. The great thing about digital cameras is that the kids can immediately see what the image looks like. The only thing that I don’t like about little hands using my camera, is that they aren’t always careful. (That’s how my last digital camera mysteriously “died”.) That’s why I’m happy that Disney is giving one lucky Mom in the City reader a Pix Twist Disney Princess Digital Camera for her budding photographer!

Below is the company’s description of the computer:
This new ‘twist’ on a classic camera allows kids to take endless pictures of their friends and flip the camera to take self-portraits! Immediately check out your pics with the built-in preview screen. Easily download photos to your PC, then customize with the exclusive Disney characters, stamps, frames, and more! With the new Bobblehead software feature, make endless wacky videos of yourself and your friends having fun! Features 5 megapixel resolution, twist screen for self portraits, two-inch LCD display, built-in auto flash, 4x digital zoom. Comes with wrist strap, USB cable, quick-start guide and photo editing software. ($59.95 SRP)

To win the prize, please tell me your child’s favorite photo in the “Comments” section below by December 4th at noon. For an additional entry, comment on any other non-giveaway post during the promotion period.

Thanks to Disney Consumer Products for sponsoring this giveaway!

I wrote the following about Super WHY!’s new line of toys on this post back in June:
I love that the toys (and the show from which the line is based) focus on creative role playing and making reading fun. I think that parents will also appreciate the multicultural cast of characters (including a Black princess – Princess Pesto). My sons loved the interactive “Zap & Learn Why Writer” (“the wand”) the most. It really does help kids learn to read in a way that is exciting to them. (Oh my goodness…I made the mistake of leaving this toy over a friend’s house. There was little peace in my home until I retrieved it!) In any event, this line of toys is a great way to fit education into summer enjoyment.

My kids still love Super WHY! (Sean was wearing the cape earlier today.) That’s why I’m excited about this giveaway of the Super WHY! Touch & Learn Super Duper Computer by Learning Curve.

Below is the company’s description of the computer:
The Touch & Learn Super Duper Computer features a fully-interactive touchscreen and more than 36 fun and exciting literacy activities! Each Super WHY! character has a series of games that help children master different literacy skills. Skills include: alphabet, problem solving, spelling, word families, word comprehension, rhyming and reading. The “Grow with Me” curriculum keeps children engaged and challenged as their literacy skills bloom. Ages: 3 and up. SRP: $34.99

To win the prize, please tell me your favorite Learning Curve product in the “Comments” section below by December 4th at noon. For an additional entry, comment on any other non-giveaway post during the promotion period.

Thanks to Learning Curve for sponsoring this giveaway.

Has your family seen Planet 51 yet? (It was released in theaters last week.) Well, this giveaway of a
Planet 51 Movie Toy Mini Vehicle Bump & Go Rover is tied into the animated alien-themed comedy. (FYI: Chuck is Captain Charles “Chuck” Baker. He is the human who lands on “alien”- filled Planet 51.)

Below is the company’s description of the PLANET 51 BUMP AND GO ROVER:
Set out on your own adventure with the Planet 51 Bump and Go Rover! Chuck’s trustworthy robot companion will zip along with you as you set out on your own adventures here on Earth! (Ages 5+/Approx. Retail Price: $29.99/Available: November 2009)

To win the prize, please tell me your favorite alien character of all time in the “Comments” section below by December 4th at noon. For an additional entry, comment on any other non-giveaway post during the promotion period.

Thanks to Jazwares for sponsoring this giveaway.

The Power Rangers have been popular for a long time. From television shows to motion pictures, their popularity has caused them to be a top selling action figure brand for almost two decades. (I remember that they were popular back when I was in school!) You will be able to share this classic with your kids, because one Mom in the City reader will win a Power Ranger RPM Racing Performance Cycle with 5. This particular cycle and figure is a part of the Power Rangers RPM series.

The company describes the Power Ranger RPM Racing Performance Cycle with 5 by writing: Play out all the RPM adventures with this Cycle and Figure! Transform cycle to cruising Chopper mode for the Ranger to stand on. ($12.99 SRP)

To win the prize, please tell me which colored Power Ranger is your/your kid’s favorite in the “Comments” section below by December 4th at noon. For an additional entry, comment on any other non-giveaway post during the promotion period.

(On another Power Rangers note, Bandai America is currently running a “Power Up Video Challenge” contest for kids ages 3-13 along with their parents. Check it out to see how your kids can win up to $10,000 until December 15th .)

Thanks to Bandai America for sponsoring this giveaway.

1. 1-2-3 Stomp!: Wild Planet has some really fun, educational toys. I especially like their Smart Step games, because there are so many good things being learned at the same time. Kids have to listen, take turns and such while being active. I like 1-2-3 Stomp because it teaches four different educational skills (numbers and colors, number sequences, finding missing numbers along with addition and subtraction). As a parent, anything that makes learning fun is top on my list! (Ages: 3+, $29.99 SRP)

2. Bakugan 7 in 1 Maxus Dragonoid: Bakugan is HUGE right now. I understand why. I watched the show with my son and it’s very smart! The characters on the show really have to use strategy and their imagination in order to win various battles. Each battle is different, because you don’t know which Bakugan your opponent will use. I was (pleasantly) surprised and impressed how the show and toys teach kids to process information and respond quickly. This particular Maxus Dragonoid is a combination including 1 Bakugan and 6 Bakugan traps. They all combine to form an ultimate fighting monster. (Don’t worry if you have no idea what I’m talking about. Your sons will…) These seven pieces are not available anywhere else besides in this set, so if you have a little Bakugan player/collector, you will definitely want to get this. (Ages: 5 to 15; $39.99 SRP)

3. Disney Just One Kiss Princess Tiana Doll: Did you read my review of The Princess and the Frog movie? If so, it will be clear why I picked this doll. Princess Tiana is a doll that little girls from all racial and ethnic backgrounds would love! (Ages: 3+, $24.99 SRP)

4. LeapFrog Scribble and Write: It is no secret that we are big fans of LeapFrog around here. I like the way that this particular toy grows with the kids. They start off by tracing lights in order to draw simple objects. As they get older, they use it to learn/practice their upper and lowercase letters. I won one of these systems at Blogalicious. I will give it to Sean, but I have a feeling that Michael will be using it as well. (Ages: 3 to 6; $21.99 SRP)

5. Play-doh Burger Builder: After an incident with my sons grinding play-doh into my carpet, I was tempted to take this suggestion off my list. It is a great toy though. Most kids love playing with play-doh. They like making shapes with it even more. This set combines both, because it provides tools for kids to mold a variety of burger related food products (i.e. patties, lettuce, pickles, fries, etc.) More than anything, I just like to see kids’ role play and come up with their own concoctions! (Ages: 3 to 7; $14.99 SRP)

6. Strawberry Shortcake Playset – Berry Cafe: I wrote about how much I love Strawberry Shortcake on this giveaway post. Yes. This is also one of our holiday giveaways! (Ages: 4-8; $34.99 SRP)

7. Technosource Printies Pets Design Studio : I saw these Printies at the Time To Play holiday showcase. I really like that they are a simple, affordable gift option. Basically, you buy a themed set (monsters, pets, etc) for your kids and let them go online to design/customize their character. Once they are happy with their designs, they print it out on the special Printies paper. Then, they pop out the pre-stitched design; stuff it with the included stuffing and stuffing tool. The best part is that they close it simply by pressing the pieces together. There is no sewing or ironing needed. What I especially like is that the variety of designs makes this a fun project for both boys and girls. I even enjoyed creating a stuffed animal myself, so you might want to join in on the fun. (Ages: 6+; $19.99 SRP)

8. The Wonder Forge Dr Seuss Super Stretchy ABCs: This is another “makes learning fun” game pick. My kids love Dr. Seuss. (So do I!) I also liked the “Twister” game when I was growing up. (Do you remember that game or am I aging myself?) Anyway, this game is a blend of the two. Basically, kids twist their bodies in the game to reach different areas on the oversized alphabet mat. It’s a simple, but engaging concept that works both the mind and the body. I’ll take that! (Ages: 3+; $24.99 SRP)

9. Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Action Figure – Constructicon Devastator: It is the biggest Transformers robot ever – bigger than the AUTOBOTS and the DECEPTICONS. (I do not follow Transformers, but my husband and son really like the series.) The Devastator figure is created by combing six detailed vehicles, including one that makes sounds as it converts to be part of the larger robot. Lights and sounds of things being destroyed are two of the biggest appeals of this toy. This is also the most expensive toy for kids on my list. It is a great toy, but I would only get it if my kid were a die-hard Transformers fan. If so, they will enjoy hours of recreating movie scenes with the six vehicles (LONGHAUL, MIXMASTER, SCAVENGER, RAMPAGE, SCRAPPER, and HIGHTOWER) – both separately and combined to make the Devastator. Please note that this toy requires 2 AA batteries. (Ages: 5+; $99.99 SRP)

10. Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster Mr. Squiggles – Light Brown: I don’t quite get the (mass!) appeal of this electronic toy, but the kids love them. When I was little, we all had real pet hamsters, but times have changed. I had not even heard of a Zhu Zhu pet when my son put it on his holiday “wish list”. Believe me…these pet hamsters make kids happy when they scoot around or when they are snuggled. The squeaks are also a special touch. The plus side for parents is that we don’t have to feed and clean up after these pets! (Ages: 3+; $69.95 SRP)

I introduced the environmentally-friendly plush animals Tales 4 Tomorrow back on this post. I still appreciate that they encourage eco-friendly principles in kids and that’s why I’m happy that one lucky Mom in the City reader will win both the Turtle and the Rhino plush in this special holiday giveaway.

Below is the company’s description:
Tales 4 Tomorrow is the perfect eco-friendly toy for children. Sometimes referred to as the environmentally friendly Webkinz, these endangered species plush come with a code that you can then upload to www.tales4tomorrow.com where kids can play games, watch videos, learn fun facts about the environment, and spend time with their new friends in their natural habitat.

The plush, which were created with partner Conservation International, were made in an environmentally conscious manner, with the outer cover made from soy and cotton and product tags made from recycled paper. The product line was created to educate children about endangered animals and what they need to thrive and survive plus 5% of the proceeds go to Conservation International.
The Tales 4 Tomorrow line is available for purchase at specialty stores. Each plush retails for about $19.99.

To win the turtle and the rhino, please tell me your favorite aspect of the Tales 4 Tomorrow site in the “Comments” section below by December 4th at noon. For an additional entry, comment on any other non-giveaway post during the promotion period.