AW Sunday Review | Fun and Function Space Explorer Suit for Sensory Activities

Disclaimer: I was provided with a space explorer suit for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Fun and Function is one of my favorite websites to shop for therapeutic toys and items for The Boy. Over the years we've purchased quite a few items. The items on Fun and Function are affordable and high quality. When asked if I wanted to review a product from Fun and Function, I knew I wanted something to address The Boy's sensory needs. The Boy is a sensory seeking kid who loves deep pressure. 

The Space Explorers Suit is great for sensory integration. As soon as I opened the box and pulled out the Space Explorer Suit, The Boy jumped right in and started rolling around. 

The Space Explorer provides calming deep pressure, heavy work and proprioceptive input for tactile defensive children, sensory seekers and crashers, including children and tweens with autism. This fun suit helps children develop spatial and body awareness, muscle strength, motor planning and creativity.

The Space Explorer Suit is something that Norrin can get in and out of easily. Sometimes he buries himself inside, other times he just likes to be in it while reading or hanging out in his room. When The Boy's hiding, I pretend that I can't find him - he thinks it's hysterical! I can tell that being inside calms him. The Space Explorer Suit can be used for pretend play, sensory integration and heavy work. And what's great about the Space Explorer Suit is that I don't have to worry about it getting dirty because it's machine washable. I think the Space Explorer Suit is great for home and would work well in a sensory gym with an occupational therapist.   

Disclaimer: I was provided with a space explorer suit for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes and LEGO Friends | AW Sunday Review

Disclaimer: I was provided with a review copy of Lego Marvel Super Heroes. All opinions are my own.

Back in September, I was invited to a blogger event where I got a sneak peak (and a chance to play) some cool new video games - including LEGO Marvel Super Heroes and LEGO Friends. 

I know some parents are concerned about screen time but video games have been critical in helping The Boy. So I am always on the look out for video games that will be fun, interesting for him to play and have some kind of educational component to them. 

Since The Boy is a huge LEGO fan, I knew that he'd be interested in LEGO Marvel Super Heroes. We have been playing the Xbox 360 version for a few weeks now and he's really gotten into playing. He is familiar with all the characters and playing has been a great way to explain to each superheroes specific power. Even though it's a lot of information to absorb, I feel like the more he hears us talking about it - he'll get it. Like everything else, it's about repetition. And I love watching The Husband and The Boy play LEGO Marvel Super Heroes together.

What the husband likes about Lego Marvel Super Heroes is:

• gameplay is pretty straight forward
• puzzles are easy to figure out
• the ability to switch back and forth between characters
• each character has its own special ability to complete certain tasks.

This game is Rated "E for Everyone 10+ and The Boy will be eight in January. So yes, he's still too young to play and to completely understand the mechanics of the game. But it's a game I feel comfortable with him playing. Right now, we focus on The Boy learning to maneuver the characters around the game and reading the instructions between levels and the subtitles.  

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes features an original story crossing the entire Marvel Universe. Players take control of Iron Man, Spider-Man, the Hulk, Captain America, Wolverine and many more Marvel characters as they unite to stop Loki and a host of other Marvel villains from assembling a super-weapon capable of destroying the world. Players will chase down Cosmic Bricks as they travel across LEGO Manhattan and visit key locations from the Marvel Universe, such as Stark Tower, Asteroid M, a Hydra base and the X-Mansion.

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes: Available for Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation4,PlayStation3, Wii U, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation Vita, PC

***

While at the event, I also got a chance to play LEGO Friends. Being a girly girl, I loved playing it. It was fun creating a character that reflected my style and personality. Players are also able to pick their character’s outfits, hairstyles, and accessories, select a pet or design and personalize their character’s bedroom. 

LEGO Friends is available for Nintendo 3DS  and DS and is rated “E” for everyone.

The Boy doesn't have a Nintendo 3DS or DS so it's not a game he can play. But if he had one (and we're hoping to buy one for his birthday), I'd have no problem with him playing LEGO Friends. I don't believe in gender specific toys or games. The Boy enjoys playing with all LEGO products including the Friends line. The Boy would especially love picking out his own pet. I also think the Friends game would help him understand the concept of picking out clothes - something we've been working on for a while. I think the LEGO Friends video game would be a good 'starter' game for him to play on a handheld device.

Disclaimer: I was provided with a review copy of Lego Marvel Super Heroes. All opinions are my own.

Constructive Eating Utensils {Review}

Back in February I attended the Toy Fair and I got to see so many new cool toys and products. 

One of my favorites was meeting the innovative folks of Constructive Eating. The second I saw their booth, I knew it was a product The Boy would just love.

Mealtime has always been challenging for us. Getting The Boy to sit at the table without 20 toys to keep him busy. But Constructive Eating utensils have made things a little bit easier.

Constructive Eating utensils serves multiple  purposes - it allows your child to play and eat their food at the same time! The utensils - especially when used with the plate - helps kids work on their fine motor coordination skills, while providing your child with the ability to use their imagination while they eat.  

Construction Line

The Constructive Line utensils integrate the functional portions of construction equipment into the tines of a fork, scoop of a spoon, and blade of a pusher. Constructive Eating currently offers three unique products: the fork lift fork, front loader spoon, and bulldozer pusher. 

Garden Fairy Line

Each utensil is based on a tool used in the garden: rake (fork), shovel (spoon) and hoe (pusher). Perched on each handle is a garden fairy...created by Constructive Eating. 


All material used are FDA approved. Products contain NO: Lead, Bisplenol A (BPA), PVC and Phthalates.

Disclaimer: I was provided with a complimentary set of Constructive Line utensils. All opinions are my own. 

AW Sunday Review: Jim Henson's PAJANIMALS Play Date

Last weekend was perfect for curling up on the sofa with a fun DVD. The Boy was really excited about the Pajanimals Playdate and couldn't wait for me to press play. When I was growing up, my mom never had the time to sit and watch TV with me. I know The Boy appreciates when I do and I don't mind taking 60 minutes to just chillax with my son. Sometimes, I ask questions and engage dialogue and other times I just want be a mom and enjoy our time.

I had fun watching the Pajanimals Playdate. I loved seeing The Boy get excited and dancing along. And I loved the stories and songs - it all fit with what we are working on with The Boy. 

Our favorite stories were:

• I'm Sorry, Really Sorry
• Share Day

Our favorite songs were: 

• Our Friendship Song
• Brusha Brusha Brusha

In “Pajanimals Playdate,” the Pajanimals love to play games, sing songs and go on great adventures to meet new friends.  Each story resolves a challenge typically encountered during every preschooler's day. Through their imaginary journeys, these friends discover fun ways to learn daily life lessons. Snuggle up with the Pajanimals for a magical adventure and play date that encourages a bedtime routine! 

Follow the NEW dedicated PAJANIMALS Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/Pajanimals

Follow The Jim Henson Company:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/hensoncompany 

Twitter: @hensonparents

Follow Sprout:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Sprout

Twitter: @SproutTV

Disclaimer: I was provided with a complimentary copy of the Pajanimals DVD, all opinions are my own.