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5 Fun Ideas for Personalized Father’s Day Gifts

Lolli — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 04:36:32 +0000

I was lucky. I grew up with a fantastic dad who turned into an even greater Grandpa. And I married a man who became an awesome, engaged, fun dad to our five kids.

Dads today are more engaged with their kids than ever before….and they’re redefining what it means to be a dad. I love that! No longer is dad seen as the disengaged provider who wouldn’t dream of helping with the housework or the kids. And no longer are ties or black socks the preferred Father’s Day gift.

Dad’s roles are changing, and he deserves gifts that are personal, inspirational, fun, meaningful and imaginative…just like he is!

This year has been pretty monumental in our family. Watching your first daughter say “I do” and become someone’s wife is a big deal for any parent, but I think it might have an even bigger impact on a dad. Do dads ever stop seeing their daughters as their little girls? Their dressed-in-pink princesses?

This Father’s Day, I wanted to do something special that would serve as a memento of the wedding as well as a “thank you” to Dad. I wanted to create something unique that would serve as a reminder of all he has accomplished raising 5 beautiful, talented kids.

I wanted to make something that would make him smile every time he saw it in the house.

So I headed to Snapfish.com and created a couple of fun but meaningful Father’s Day presents to give to the father of my kids. (PS – the kids are NOT off the hook, even though he got some early presents this year!).

5 Fun Ideas for Personalized Father’s Day Gifts

Wall Hanging – I immediately thought about printing a family picture (new and improved, with another son in the shot!) but I wanted to try something a little different this time. Instead of printing a photo to have framed, or printing a canvas to hang, I had my favorite family picture from the wedding printed as a wood wall panel. The quality of the finished product is striking, and I can’t wait to find the perfect place to display it in our home.

Personalized Pillow – I had so much fun designing a pillow on Snapfish.com with memories from the wedding. It’s definitely a conversation piece! I loved that Snapfish had themes and templates that I could choose from to begin my design.

Photo Book – I made a photo book with my siblings to present to my dad for Father’s Day last year. We included pictures of all of us together through the years plus memories, funny or touching stories, and more. We had a blast making it for him, but the best part was watching him read it and look through the pictures.

Personalized phone or tablet case – I love creating phone and tablet cases that show off some personality…and where better to show off pictures of the family than ON your mobile phone or tablet?

Photo mug – one of the very first personalized gifts I made for my husband was a mug with a favorite picture of him with one of our daughters when she was little. That mug still makes me smile whenever I see it in the cupboard.

What are your favorite personalized gifts to give OR receive? What would the special men in your life love to get this Father’s Day?

Enter to WIN a $50 Snapfish product code!

Giveaway details:
Prizes: One of thirty-five $50 Snapfish product codes
Dates: Runs through Friday, June 10 at 9pm PT

Winners will be randomly selected and notified by Clever Girls and/or Snapfish by Friday, June 17

Terms & Conditions: The official Terms & Conditions are included in the widget; here is the high-level eligibility criteria: Age 18+ | US resident only | Only one winner per household

Enter on the widget below. Good luck!

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I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

10 Customized Gift Ideas from York Photo

Lolli — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 16:30:31 +0000

Are you in the market for customized gift ideas? In a family as big as mine, we almost always have a birthday, anniversary, or holiday coming up, so it’s always a good time to brainstorm gift ideas. This post has been sponsored by York Photo, but all thoughts and ideas are my own.

What are the occasions for which you need to shop for gifts? In just my direct family, we have birthdays in January, March, May, June, August, October, and December. My anniversary is in April (coming up on 21 years!) and now my oldest daughter is about to add HER anniversary in April. When she gets married in a few weeks, I’ll be adding not only another anniversary to the month, but another birthday, too. Then there’s Mother’s Day and Fathers Day, Christmas and Easter. And don’t forget the birthdays and anniversaries in the families that both my husband and I grew up in.

My point here is to demonstrate that I am basically buying gifts all year long. That’s a lot of coming up with the “perfect” gift.

This past year, my siblings and I made very special gifts for our mom and dad. My dad had a “big” birthday this year, so we put together a photo book full of pictures, stories and memories about dad. It was such a huge success that we made one just for Mom for Christmas. Customized gifts are the best! They’re extra meaningful and appreciated for years and years.

10 great customized gifts for any occasion

I’ve made so many customized gifts over the years, from photo books to photo mugs to jewelry and more. I had so much fun looking through York Photos’s site to get ideas for my upcoming gifting needs. The possibilities are endless! Here are my top 10 customized gift ideas (most of which I’ve made before, and some that have made it on my list of things to do this year!)

I was able to design a new iPhone case on York Photo this past month. I love my new personalized iPhone case! It was so easy to customize with my own pictures, and I loved the sayings and graphics that York Photo had to choose from. The case is great quality and I’ve gotten compliments since I’ve had it on my phone! Here’s a little about the case:

flex-frame has a matte soft-touch coating for comfort in holding the phone
antimicrobial additive reduces harmful bacteria by up to 99%
protective camera flash trim reduces flash bounce
metal insert produces high quality image
UV resistant, durable and scratch resistant

One of the coolest things about my new case from York Photo is that the back panel is removable, which means that I could design even more customized metal inserts and swap them out for a new look whenever I want.

Enter to WIN a $30 York Photo gift card

What customized gift do YOU want to make? (Yes, it’s totally acceptable to make something for yourself like I did!). I’m excited to have the chance to give one lucky reader $30 to spend at York Photo. Note: this giveaway prize includes FREE SHIPPING!

Enter on the giveaway widget below and GOOD LUCK! This giveaway will end on 4/20/16 at 11:59pm ET and a winner will be chosen at random and notified via email after the giveaway is closed.

Entry -Form

Connect with York Photo

Website: https://www.yorkphoto.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/YorkPhoto1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YorkPhoto/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/YorkPhoto/

Holiday Gift Guide: 10 Must-Have Gifts for Travelers

Jody — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 15:09:47 +0000

Whether your sister-in-law travels for work, your nanny is backpacking through Europe, or your parents are jet-setting all over the place, you are probably looking for some great gifts for the travelers on your holiday gift list. From practical to fun this list has you covered.

Note: Amazon affiliate links used.

Holiday Gift Guide: 10 Must-Have Gifts for Travelers

Travel Pillow – Hypoallergenic, environmentally friendly, and machine washable, this comfy and practical pillow is a must have on the frequent traveler’s wish list.

Power Bank – Sometimes when you are on the road it is hard to find a plug to charge up your cell phone (a necessity, we all know) so a portable phone power bank can be a lifesaver!

Luggage Scale – A luggage scale comes in really handy for those on the go, a quick way to make sure they are within the limits on their carryon or checked in luggage.

Travel Journal – This pretty travel journal is a great way to record memories, experiences, and thoughts, or even collect ticket stubs and other memorabilia from trips.

Luggage Tags – Pretty and bright tags will make bags much easier to spot on the luggage carousel at the airport.

Camera Lens Kit for Phones – Great for anyone, but especially those who like to travel light, a camera lens kit will get them shooting like a pro with just their cell phone.

Scratch Off Map – This is a really fun and memorable way to mark where they have been, whether they are a world traveler or just road tripping across the US.

Noise Cancelling Headphones – These headphones lessen outside noises while allowing you to listen to music, watch movies, listen to podcasts, and more while you jet set!

Universal Travel Wall Charger – Overseas travelers will really love this adaptor! Nothing is more frustrating than having a dead cell phone or a computer that you can’t use. This adaptor works in the US, Australia, and the UK.

Toiletry Travel Bag – They will definitely need a place to put their toothbrush, deodorant, makeup, shampoo, and other items. This one comes in 5 beautiful colors.

What travel-centric gifts are at the top of your wish list? What would you add?

DIY Holiday Teacher Wreath #HandmadeHolidays

Lolli — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 16:00:26 +0000

I struggle each year to find an original holiday gift for my kids’ teachers that they will appreciate and be able to use. This year, I had the opportunity to create a fun holiday wreath for my youngest son’s elementary school teacher with supplies from Staples, and I am so excited to share it with you before we share it with his teacher. This post is sponsored by Staples but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Around this time of year, I hear from a lot of teachers that their classroom supplies are running low. At the start of the school year, classroom donations are on everyone’s minds, but by the time winter break rolls around, a lot of those supplies have been used up…and no one is thinking about restocking them. While gifting a teacher a package of pencils and dry erase markers is not the most exciting holiday present, I know that supplies for the classroom are appreciated.

I decided to create a wreath filled with teacher supplies, based loosely on the “diaper cake” idea. Ordinary gift. Fun presentation. And if it’s given early enough in the season, it can be a fun classroom decoration to ring in the holiday spirit. What’s better than a handmade gift that’s useful, too?

DIY Holiday Teacher Wreath

Supplies Needed:

The greatest thing about a DIY gift like this is that you can customize it for the needs and style of your teacher. Staples has just about everything you could ever dream of for a classroom, so there’s plenty to choose from.

Wreath (you can make your own fresh pine wreath with clippings from your Christmas tree or pick up a fake wreath at the store)
Red and green binder clips, medium size
Twine or ribbon
Large bow
Paper clips (I used red, green, and white for a festive look)
Assorted classroom supplies
Chalkboard tape (optional)
Chalkboard pens (optional)

How To Make a Holiday Teacher Wreath:

1 – Gather school supplies. Tie a piece of twine on each item so that they can be easily attached to the wreath with the binder clips.

2 – Optional: I covered packaged of sticky note pads with chalkboard tape and drew holiday messages and designs on them to decorate the wreath.

3 – Attach items around your wreath using binder clips.
4 – String a “garland” of paper clips and weave it around the wreath.
5 – Finish off with a large bow, handmade or purchased at Staples.

I am so happy with how our wreath turned out, and I can’t wait for AJ to give it to his teacher! Check out more fun DIY holiday ideas for decorating, gifting, and more by searching hashtag #HandmadeHolidays on social media and by checking out Staples’ DIY Holiday Pinterest board.

UPS #WishesDelivered

Lolli — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 17:00:25 +0000

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of UPS. All opinions are 100% mine.

During the winter that I fell in love with my future husband, he took a seasonal job that ended up being one of the most fun and memorable jobs ever…he worked alongside a UPS delivery man to assist him delivering all of those holiday packages on time. He called himself the Chocolate Santa (since he got to wear one of those iconic chocolate brown uniforms and go house to house delivering packages and making people smile).

On one of his routes, he recognized my name on one of the packages and made sure that he was the one to run that up to my door. It was a fun surprise.

Every package that ends up on a doorstep started from a wish – whether it was a wish for a particular gift or a wish to be remembered during the holidays – and UPS employees work non-stop through the holiday season and beyond to be the bearers of those wish deliveries.

This season, UPS wants to take wish delivery to a whole new level with their #WishesDelivered campaign. Their hope is to share magical stories of wishes – wishes made, wishes granted, and wishes delivered.

For every wish submitted using the hashtag #WishesDelivered between November 10, 2014 – December 31, 2014, UPS will donate $1 to one of their charity partners, (Salvation Army, Boys & Girls Club, or Toys for Tots) up to $100,000!

Easily submit your wish to Twitter or Instagram with the campaign hashtag #WishesDelivered and it will automatically be submitted. You can also go directly to the UPS #WishesDelivered site and submit there. For every wish that is submitted, UPS will be donating $1 (up to $100,000) to their charity partners, so submit your wish and start giving back this season!

While I might love to wish for a new phone or some new furniture for my house (which I desperately need!), the Wishes Delivered campaign is not about me and you….it’s about reaching out to others and wishing for something selfless and meaningful.

I’ve got a wish in the works that I am so excited about, but I’ll be blogging about that shortly.

What’s your wish? Don’t forget to use the hashtag #WishesDelivered on Twitter or Instagram to let UPS know about your wish!

RAVPower 5-in-1 FileHub

Lolli — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 16:09:36 +0000

Looking for a last minute gift for someone on your list this holiday? There’s still time! (Amazon says that the deadline for orders if you want them to arrive by Christmas is Sunday night, 12/22!). I received a RAVPower 5-in-1 FileHub to feature here on Better in Bulk. All opinions are my own. Amazon affiliate links included.

This is a great little gadget to have ALL year long. Here is an over-view of what the RAVPower 5-in-1 FileHub can do:

Transfer photos/movies/music between iOS and Android Devices, or between mobile devices and SD Card/USB HDD
Charge smart phones (or anything that can be charged thru USB) with the built-in 3000 mAh power bank/ External Battery Pack
Connect up to 5 devices (laptop, mobile phone, tablet, desktop computer, etc) at the same time
WiFi Hotspot: Can connect to your existing WiFi network so you can share files and access internet at the same time
Act as a wireless storage for your mobile phone, tablet, etc

I received my RAVPower 5-in-1 FileHub just before leaving on my trip to California last month. Perfect timing! Since I don’t own a laptop, I always worry about being gone from my computer for extended periods of time. While I am able to do almost all of my work on my iPad with an external keyboard, it’s a challenge to deal with all of the pictures that I take with my dSLR during my trips. I typically just resort to taking a few pictures with my phone and using those to write my blog posts while I’m away.

With the 5-in-1 FileHub, however, I was able to connect to the device’s WiFi while I was in the car, on the airplane – literally anywhere! I popped my SD card into the slot on the Filehub, opened up the free file managing app (see below), and was able to view, save, and edit my pictures on the go.

Another awesome feature of the 5-in-1 FileHub is that I can load files (documents, images, and even movies) that I know I’m going to need while I’m away from my computer (this is perfect for the frequent traveler or the person who likes to work at Starbucks for the day).

When I’m not sharing files, I can use the FileHub to charge my cell phone – something that I need to do often when I’m out!

I like the fact that the RAVPower 5-in-1 FileHub is slim and light – it’s just slightly wider than my cell phone, so it fits easily into my purse. At $44.99 on Amazon right now (that’s a HUGE savings, so grab it up!) it’s a great value and a perfect gift.

FREE Apps to use with the RAVPower 5-in-1 FileHub

AirStor app on Apple iOS
Solid Explorer app for Android

Tips and tricks:

Once you’ve got your RAVPower 5-in-1 FileHub, use these tips to easily connect to your favorite device:

The default Wireless Name for the device is WiFiSD-158E
The default SSID (wireless key) is 11111111

Who on your gift list this year would love the RAVPower 5-in-1 FileHub?

Give the Gift of Music this Holiday {Giveaway}

Lolli — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 22:03:41 +0000

This post and giveaway is sponsored by Music & Arts. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I grew up in a musical family. I always felt like I was the one lacking in the talent department, but I have always valued music. I took piano lessons throughout my school years and then supplemented with guitar lessons as a teen.

Now that I’m a mom, I’ve encouraged my kids to explore their musical abilities. So far, I’ve had 4 kids take piano lessons, one who plays the flute, two that play the violin, one that plays the guitar, one that recently started playing the viola, and one who dabbled in trombone for a few years…

Here’s a recent video of Reese, my 10 year old, playing Ode to Joy, one of the very first songs she learned to play on the piano. She has been taking piano lessons for 3 months.

DID YOU KNOW? Countless studies have shown that children who play musical instruments perform better academically, from higher SAT scores to being better equipped to comprehend mathematical and scientific concepts.

Give the gift of music this holiday!

In our home, we have a piano and a keyboard, two violins, a rented viola, four guitars, a flute and several recorders. And now, this holiday season, we’re adding one more instrument to our collection AND I CAN’T WAIT FOR CHRISTMAS!

Check out what’s under the Christmas tree this year:

We received a Kohala Exclusive Soprano Ukulele, which boasts Soprano size, Eastern mahogany construction, and Geared tuning machines, along with a songbook of 101 Ukulele Favorites.

I can’t wait for Christmas morning when this present is unwrapped (I’m trying to keep it a surprise until then)! I love the idea of transferring musical knowledge from one instrument to another. It leads to exploring and creating and an all-together fun time. The fun will be enhanced with the music book of 101 Ukulele favorites.

What “gift of music” would you like to give this year? Do your kids play any instruments? Would they like to try something new, or would they maybe enjoy a new music book with some of their favorite songs?

Check out the Holiday Gift Guide from Music & Arts:

The Holiday Gift Guide from Music & Arts is not only full of holiday gift ideas for the music lover in all of us (from beginner to intermediate to advanced musicians), but it is full of valuable coupons, too (good through December 31!).

Music & Arts has more than 115 locations around the country (as well as online), so there is probably one near you. We visit ours regularly to get accessories and music for all of their instruments.

Share the Gift of Music with a Music & Arts Giveaway!

This month, just in time for the holidays, Better in Bulk readers have the chance to win a $25 Music & Arts Gift card so YOU can share the gift of music with your children this holiday season! The giveaway ends on 12/19 at midnight, and the gift card will be personally mailed to the winner on the 20th, so it should arrive in time to put in the stockings!

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5 Ideas for Personalized Holiday Gifts #GiftsByBSK

Lolli — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 11:00:16 +0000

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Bright Star Kids. The opinions and text are all mine.

The holidays are upon us, whether we’re ready or not. I haven’t even started my Christmas shopping yet, but I’ve been getting a ton of ideas and have a mental check list for some presents that would be perfect for each of my kids.

Although my kids’ Christmas lists are different every year, I’ve found that personalized presents are always appreciated and always stand out among the piles of toys and candies.

Several years ago, I was determined to create personalized gifts for each of my 5 kids. I shopped around for the perfect fabric for each of them – something that reminded me of their interests or personality. It wasn’t an easy task to find 5 different pieces of fleece that were ideal for each of them, and it was even harder to make the blankets at night after the kids went to bed without getting caught.

I was successful. I never got caught and the kids loved their unique gifts…and they still use their hand made personalized fleece blankets today.

Ideas for finding the perfect personalized holiday gifts

Personalized gifts are fun for kids and adults alike. Here are some of the personalized gift ideas that we have enjoyed giving and receiving over the years:

Make something by hand that they can use for years…like a blanket. I chose fleece blankets when I decided to make blankets for each of my kids because all the required was cutting and tying knots. No sewing required!
Get them personalized clothing – I especially love holiday clothing for kids. I wish my kids had had “Baby’s first Christmas” shirts or bibs. Personalized clothes and accessories are the types of baby items that they’ll hold on to forever as keepsakes.
Use photos to create picture art, such as wall hangings, calendars, mousepads, and more. Photos never go out of style!
Give fun personalized labels so that they can personalize all of their favorite things, like toys, clothes, backpacks and more.
Order a personalized water bottle (or sippy cup or mug, depending on age). If you’d rather create something DIY, a small can of chalkboard paint goes a long way. Paint the outside of a mug with chalkboard paint and then gift it with a new set of chalk and some hot chocolate mix.

Bright Star Kids has a super cute range of kids clothing, from bibs to baby bodysuits to kids t-shirts (I only wish my teen could fit into their personalized shirts, because I’d totally get her an elephant t-shirt!). Order now so you’ll have it in plenty of time for Christmas!

It’s quick and easy to order from Bright Star Kids. Simply pick your design, add your child’s name and it’ll be printed and arrive to you within a few weeks. Don’t forget to use the code “GIFT” for 15% off your order (minimum purchase $30).

Check out my Pinterest board with some of my personalized holiday gift ideas, from clothes to kitchen accessories to DIY projects and more.

Be different this Christmas & get the kids a super cute gift personalized especially for them! Save 15% when you use the code “GIFT” in the shopping cart. Min spend $30. Expires December 15, 2013.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Bright Star Kids. The opinions and text are all mine.

Reliving the Best Memories… @YesVideo $65 Giveaway

Lolli — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 13:00:56 +0000

Christmas is approaching faster than I would like to admit. I’ve done a fair amount of shopping but I’m FAR from being finished. I don’t know where the month has gone!

I was thinking about my mom all last week as I lay in my sick bed for days (isn’t it funny how we still long for mom’s special touch, no matter how old we get?). The other thing that doesn’t get easier with age? — Spending the holidays without her (and the rest of the family).

It’s times like these, when I get nostalgic and a little homesick, that I pull out my YesVideo DVD marked Christmas. Thanks to my mom and dad’s clunky old camcorder, a VHS tape – copy of a copy – that managed to survive 5 baby’s first Christmases, and a YesVideo DVD transfer, I can pop a disk in the DVD player and relive the best memories from Christmas – the way it was when I was a kid.

My husband and kids don’t get into singing Christmas carols around the piano in the living room. It’s not as fun when it’s just the 7 of us. But I have all of our favorite carols on video, with Mom, Dad, brothers and sisters, Aunts and Uncles, cousins, and even neighbors joining in the festive fun at my parent’s house. I cry every single time I hear them sing our family’s favorite, somewhat unique Christmas song, Star Bright. I can’t hear the song without thinking about Grandpa.

Those are the best memories…and yet someday, I’ll look back and remember these years, replay the videos that we’re taking right now with our own kids, and realize that these are the best memories. The memories we’re making right now.

What is YesVideo?

Ready to relive some of YOUR best memories?

Simple. YesVideo is a service that takes your Videotapes (Camcorder Tapes & VHS), Movie Film Reels, 35mm Slides, Photo Prints, Digital Videos & Photos and converts them to DVD.

You can order directly from the website and mail your photos or videos to YesVideo (you can see the entire DVD-creating process from my tour of the YesVideo headquarters earlier this year).

Or you can drop off your media at one of YesVideo’s 34,000 local media partners like CVS, Walmart, Costco, RiteAid, and more. In approximately 3-4 weeks after sending in your transfer materials, your new DVDs will arrive back to you (along with the originals, of course!).

You can enjoy your videos on DVD and on YesVideo’s online viewing and storage site. You can also order their convenient EasyShip Kit (which, by the way, would make the perfect holiday gift) to make the process even easier.

How would you like to win the gift of YesVideo?

As a YesVideo Ambassador, I am excited to give away a $65 credit for YesVideo transfer service (to be used for online orders). Enter on the Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway will end on Friday, December 21, 2012 and a winner will be notified by email.

Connect with YesVideo:

YesVideo website
YesVideo on Facebook
YesVideo on Pinterest
@YesVideo on Twitter

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Disclosure: I receive compensation for my work as a YesVideo ambassador. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Christmas gift photo from rgbstock.com

3 Must-Have Games for the Nintendo DS and 3DS

Lolli — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:06:15 +0000

Thank you to Ubisoft for sponsoring this post. Please click here to learn more about Ubisoft. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective. #UbiChamps

Do you have a Nintendo 3DS or DS fan in your family? If your kids are anything like mine (especially my boys) they would be playing video games from sun up to sun down. Granted, as the mom I tend to discourage 24-hour-a-day video game playing, but even I have to admit that our Nintendo 3DS is a lot of fun.

Today, I spent all morning sick in bed with the 3DS to keep me company…battling Rabbids, exploring the islands of Poptropica, and laughing with Rayman and his friends.

It always amazes me how fast my kids pick up on video games. They seem to be born with an innate ability to pick up an electronic device and know exactly how to use it, and when it comes to new games, they know how to find all of the hidden tricks long before I discover them.

My kids got a special pre-Christmas treat when we received Poptropica for the DS, and Rabbids Rumble and Rayman Origins for the 3DS a few weeks ago. They have had a blast testing them out for me.

Poptropica Adventures

My kids are huge Poptropica fans on the PC (to the point that we have a Poptropica map and “tips” book at home) so when I heard that Poptropica was coming out on the Nintendo DS, I was already planning on buying it for Christmas.

Poptropica Adventures translates perfectly to hand-held gaming. While the world of Poptropica is familiar to my kids, the DS game is different enough that it feels like a fun challenge (my 11 year old, who is a Poptropica online expert, mentioned that it all felt new). I love that Poptropica is a kid-friendly, violence-free play environment for my kids.

The story behind Poptropica: The curator at the Poptropica museum needs your help to revitalize the run-down building. You must explore the islands of Poptropica (Museum Island, Mythology Island, SuperPower Island, and AstroKnights Island) to collect artifacts for the museum, avoiding evil Potropicans and monsters along the way.

Rabbids Rumble:

I remember when I was introduced to Rabbids (crazy large rabbits who like to cause havoc and mischief) by my friend on the Wii, but this is the first time I’ve really been able to get into them. The Rabbids are hilarious. Hilariously addictive.

In the new game, Rabbids Rumble for the 3DS, you can collect over 100 deranged Rabbids (like a Rabbid dressed as a giraffe named Geoffrey), each with wacky combat abilities (like dropping your opponent with a toxic burp).

We love the Augmented “Ribbidity” where the kids interact with the Rabbids right in our house. The Rabbids fly around the 3DS or fight on the living room floor. My kids love it.

Rayman Origins

As new fans of the Rayman story (what can I say…we were late to the gaming thing!) we were able to experience Rayman with a fresh perspective. The first thing I noticed on Rayman Origins was the amazing graphics and 3D display. I loved exploring the extensive world, with a ton of interesting characters and a fun story line to go with them.

Another thing I appreciated about Rayman Origins is that there are more than 60 levels, over 100 characters, 6 “worlds,” and playing options for kids of all ages.

My 11 year old (my best video game critic) said, “It’s pretty easy to figure out how to play and kids will definitely have fun playing it. The graphics are pretty good, too.”

Where to buy:

You can find any of these Ubisoft games, and many others, for the Nintendo DS or Nintendo 3DS on Amazon or at toy stores like Toys R Us for $19.99 to $29.99.

Poptropica Adventures for Nintendo DS #UbiPoptropica
Rabbids Rumble for Nintendo 3DS or DS #RabbidsR
Rayman Origins for Nintendo 3DS and DS #UbiRaymanO

Disclosure: I received these three games to review, but all thoughts and opinions are my own. Amazon affiliate links are used within this post.