Food Fun Family

K’NEX Wild Whiplash Roller Coaster #WildWhiplash

CandyMan — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 12:00:38 +0000

This post was sponsored on behalf of K’NEX. All opinions stated are my own.

In all my years building things as a kid, I never dreamed that I would have a job one day that paid me to have fun.

I grew up playing with every building toy you can imagine. It was always fun creating something new as I would do an all-nighter building marathon with friends in front of the TV.

My son and I recently built the K’NEX Wild Whiplash Roller Coaster. K’NEX are really cool because you can build a working project that is quick and easy to assemble. We spent just a short part of our evening putting together the Wild Whiplash Roller Coaster. It was pretty straight forward and it worked flawlessly. My older son jumped in last minute to help us finish up the track and chain that lifts the roller coaster to the top of the ramp. He couldn’t resist joining us when he saw how much fun we were having putting it together.

After a little while of using the pre-designed build, we modified the loops and made a new variation that had a totally new feel.

Strangely, K’NEX are a lot lighter that other construction toys. They are so light, in fact, that you feel like they are going to fall over, but they are actually quite strong. Most things you build with have to be put on a solid foundation or structure to be usable, but this roller coaster was easy to move around without anything attached to it. We took it off the table in seconds without having to take it apart or worry about it falling apart. It’s the lightest construction toy I have ever used.

Let me say one very specific thing that I liked more than anything. I have built lots of spaceships, buildings, cars, and other things. One of the things that can be irritating is trying to find the right piece. Usually there will be a legend or an instruction box, but inevitably, there is some piece that you can’t figure out. With K’NEX, each piece is color coded. If you need a piece that is a certain length, it only comes in one color, so you know exactly what you are looking for. This simple design idea saved us so much time when we were assembling the roller coaster.

After we finished up the initial build, my son was looking for a piece that connects the large K’NEX pieces to the small K’NEX (he has two boxes of K’NEX). He told me to look for a neon green piece. I didn’t know what it looked like, but I found what he needed in seconds. It was quite awesome. He used the extra pieces to extend the roller coaster and change some of the loops.

So, my hat is off to K’NEX. Thanks for the roller coaster and bigger thanks for making something that is easy to build and worth the time.

They really give you an opportunity to design things that will work. You can use the initial project as a springboard for other designs. I know that is typically what I do.

You can watch me and A.J. build the whole thing in a two-minute timelapse here. Look out for the apple dumplings my wife made.

Quick Reference About the K’NEX Wild Whiplash Coaster

Perfect for kids and adults 9+
WORKING motorized roller coaster
Includes 580 parts, with over 14 feet of track and a motorized chain lift
Includes easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions to build your coaster (PLUS, instructions for a 2nd coaster design are available online)
Finished coaster is over 2 1/2 feet tall
Only available at Walmart
K’NEX Wild Whiplash Roller Coaster retails for $32.97, making it a perfect holiday gift

Connect with K’NEX

Facebook: KNEX
Twitter: @KNEX
Instagram: @knexbrands
Pinterest: K’NEX Brands

Zoomer Dino: Explore, Imagine, Be Curious #ZoomerDino

Lolli — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 11:00:02 +0000

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

My youngest son would live outdoors if we let him. He loves to explore, to get his hands dirty, to learn, to build. He is the ultimate boy, with an over-active imagination and a curious streak that either gets him in trouble or has all the adults around him shaking their heads in wonder.

AJ hasn’t been one to play with the typical little boy toys, though. He would much rather ride a bike or play with a live animal than push a toy car around or play with an action figure. He likes things that make him think…and things that interact with him.

It’s been a long time since I’ve found a toy that so thoroughly engaged him. But Zoomer Dino, a brand new, just-released toy from SpinMaster Toys has done just that.

From the moment that AJ opened up the surprise package, he has been fascinated by Zoomer Dino. Zoomer Dino is not just a remote control toy – it’s a remote control toy that interacts with the person controlling…and the other people in the room, too!

Just yesterday when AJ was playing with Zoomer Dino in the kitchen, his older sister got spooked because he was moving around so realistically. She didn’t want to pass!

Watch Zoomer Dino in action:

What makes Zoomer Dino so cool?

Zoomer Dino uses True Balance Technology to perfectly balance on two wheels. It’s hard to explain just how cool it is to see him balance and move around so fluidly. Like I mentioned above, Zoomer Dino is not your typical remote control toy. There’s much more to making Dino “go” than just pushing the right button on the controller. It takes a little practice to get used to controlling Zoomer Dino, but that doesn’t mean it’s hard! My son was able to figure his new toy out all on his own and has quickly become a dino-training master. On the other hand, I have much less practice and my dino-movements are pretty lame.

Below are a few of the Zoomer Dino training tips and hints. Enjoy training your Zoomer Dino!

Eye Color Guide:

Green = Happy
Blue = Curious
Purple = Gesture command mode
Red = Angry
Yellow = Control pod mode
Orange = Low battery

Hand Gesture Commands:

To get Zoomer Dino to whip his tail, wave your hand quickly in front of his head
To make Zoomer Dino sit down, hold your hand over his nose
To get Zoomer Dino to speak, first make him sit down, then wave your hand in front of his head

Note: It takes a little practice to get just the right spot where Zoomer Dino responds the best (for us, it was a few inches away from his head) but it is so much fun to experiment til you get it right! Because it’s not something that “anyone” can do, it makes the Dino-trainer feel that much more accomplished!

About Zoomer Dino:

Ages 5+ (my 9 year old loves it!)
Suggested Retail Price: $99.99
Available Fall 2014

Connect with Zoomer Dino and SpinMaster Toys:

Website: https://www.zoomerdino.com
Twitter: @SpinMasterToys
Instagram: @ZoomerOfficial
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZoomerPup
YouTube: https://youtube.com/zoomer
Hashtag #ZoomerDino

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

RoseArt Extreme Air Brush Studio: Holiday Gift Guide

Lolli — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 18:27:46 +0000

Thanks to RoseArt for sponsoring today’s post and fun activities with my kids.

I’ve noticed a few things as my kids have gotten older…First, bigger kids are harder to shop for because they don’t play with “toys” and second, kids never grow out of being creative. No matter what their age and interests, a package of new markers and some paper will always keep them entertained.

Yesterday, while I was out running errands at Walmart, I picked up a RoseArt Extreme Air Brush Studio for my kids. As soon as the two youngest came home, they were ALL OVER the new art kit in the kitchen, but I made them finish their homework and chores first. The anticipation made it all the sweeter.

Seriously, this is a perfect holiday gift idea for a HUGE range of kids!

About the RoseArt Extreme Air Brush Studio:

RoseArt Extreme Air Brush Studio gives your child a fun new way to paint and create. This motorized air brush kit allows kids to turn any RoseArt Super Tip Markers into paint brushes with the removable pump and sprayer.

Simply load any SuperTip RoseArt marker into the sprayer (yes, you can use markers they already have or just buy another box off the shelf when the markers in their kit start to dry) and use the 5 chipboard stencils – or let loose and be creative! – to airbrush artwork masterpieces in a flash!

Extreme Air Brush Studio includes the Air brush Caddy, Detachable Motorized Pump, Sprayer, 15 SuperTip Markers, and 5 Chipboard Stencils Sheets. Batteries (4 C batteries) are not included.

How to use the RoseArt Extreme Air Brush Studio:

1. Select any RoseArt SuperTip Marker and load it into the handle of the motorized sprayer. Make sure the marker is inserted all the way into the handle. Adjust the marker forward or backward slightly to achieve the desired spray pattern. We had to experiment just a bit to get the perfect amount of spray, but my 8 year old figured it out in no time.

2. Select a stencil and lay it on a blank sheet of paper. Tip: Lay another piece of paper over areas of the stencil that you don’t want to be sprayed.

3. Turn on the motorized sprayer, press the red button on the handle and spray away!

4. Be creative! You can paint using the included stencils or create designs all your own. My two boys loved the freedom of creating their own designs, and my 10 year old daughter loved using the stencil.

Before we started creating, AJ and I watched the video all about how to use the RoseArt Extreme Air Brush Studio. It was quick and to the point and helped us know exactly what to do to get started.

I thought it was hilarious that while the 2 youngest kids were making their works of art, my almost-13-year-old son was watching from the sidelines. When it was time for bed, I had the younger ones put the kit away and clean the counter. No sooner had I gotten the 8 and 10 year olds in bed, but I heard the sound of airbrush coming from the kitchen. I found T all alone making a little bit of art for himself.

Roseart 90th Anniversary Sweepstakes:

RoseArt is celebrating their 90th Anniversary this year. To celebrate, they are hosting a Facebook sweepstakes where participating fans are eligible to win weekly gift cards and prize packs, as well as a $1,000 VISA gift card for holiday spending.

Enter on Facebook through 12/21/13!

BLACK FRIDAY BONUS: Check back on my Twitter and Facebook pages for a special Black Friday deal on the Extreme Air Brush Studio from RoseArt!

The Rainbow Loom Craze – Wordless Wednesday

Lolli — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 00:46:27 +0000

Two months ago, my daughter wore her very first rainbow loom bracelets to the doctor’s office for a check up. The nurses went crazy over the bracelets she had made and pulled in all of their nurse friends to see her creations. They were new and hadn’t hit the general adult population quite yet.

Now? They are everywhere.

And the designs are getting more and more complicated.

This is what has been made at my house in the last 24 hours:

Fijit Friends Playdate

Lolli — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 20:23:52 +0000

Last week, I drove my kids up to my sister’s house for a special playdate.

This was no ordinary playdate. This one included colorful necklaces and bracelets (one of which caused a mid-afternoon melt-down that made my niece absent from a bunch of the shots…), lots of music, a sparkly microphone, and two Fijit Friends dolls to party with.

My kids and I opened our Fijit Friend, Willa, a few days before the party so that we could get to know her. One of the lucky party attendees got to take Sage the Fijit Friend home with her as a party prize. She instantly fell in love with her soft, squishy body and her rocking tunes.

The Fijit Friends story:

The Fijit Friends were created when a gooey science experiment was brought to life by the power of music!
The Fijit Friends love to laugh ’til their sides hurt, dance ’til they’re dizzy, and just be themselves with their one true bestie!

What the Fijit Friends can do:

she recognizes over 30 keywords and responds with over 150 phrases
she tells funny jokes that’ll make you laugh out loud
she also has lots of sound effects… just because she thinks they’re funny!
she detects the beat of any external music you play and dances to it! When she hears a tune, she identifies the music beat and adjusts her dance timing to match.
she also has her own favorite tunes!
she has a uniquely soft and squishy body, just made for hugging and tickling! The elastic quality of her skin makes her movements look natural… and fidgety!

Our Fijit Playdate Video

Notice in this video what a DIVA my Reese is, and how crazy my youngest son, AJ, is. Even though it was a total girly party, he wanted to be right in the middle of it, with accessories and all!

We have had tons of fun with our Fijit Friends. However, when the website says that your Fijit Friends don’t like background noise or mumbling when you’re talking to them….take them seriously. The younger kids (4-6) had a hard time getting the Fijit Friends to understand them because their tendency was to yell and mumble, two things that the Fijit Friends don’t handle very well.

I often had to take the Fijit Friends into the hallway to interact with them because our party was FULL of loud, distracting background noises. The kids really didn’t seem to mind, though.

Do you know someone who would love to dance and interact with Fijit Friends?

I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Mattel Fijit Friends and received product samples, a party kit, and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.