Product Review: Klikko Vehicles

   Klikko Vehicles are little plastic shapes that you can click together to make different types of vehicles.
 

   Inside, there is an instructions manual and a resalable bag with the pieces in it.

 

 

   Inside the manual, there are a few different things you can build. There are also some ideas for teaching different math concepts such as multiplication, fractions, volume and tangram puzzles.

   There are step by step directions for how to build your object.

 

   You now have a rocket ship, ready for take off!

   I think this is a great concept! My littlest one loves math and enjoys figuring out how to use these as math tools. He just turned 5 in September, so he is still working on adding and subtracting, but he loves anything you can put a math spin on. The tangram puzzles are another thing he enjoys trying to figure out. My older two are working on multiplication, division and finding the area of objects. These are also great for using as a visual for those.

   That being said, I found the directions a bit confusing. They are hard to see exactly what some of the steps are and some are left out. For example, in the directions below, where does the square go? It doesn't show in the directions, but once I got to the last step, I was able to figure it out. Also, it took me 40 minutes to build this rocket. The pieces are somewhat difficult to get together and come apart a little too easily when you're trying to get your fingers into small spaces to click them together.
 

 

   Overall, this is a pretty good product. They are pretty hard for a 5 year old to put together but they are still great for the math visuals and learning how shapes come together to make a bigger shape. There are enough of the different types of pieces, it's fun to try and build your own ideas. Once you get the item built, they do stay together pretty well making them fun to play with.

I received the above item for free in return for my honest opinion.

Weighted Blankets and Lap Pads

    About a month or so ago, my friend asked me if she could make me a weighted lap pad to do a little review for her. She had talked to me about them before so I was beyond excited to try one out. I didn't have high hopes for it helping as much as I needed it to. I have major anxiety attacks that decide to hit me randomly throughout the day. I also have trouble sleeping some nights. I will pop awake for no reason and my brain will be going a mile a minute. I will lay there for hours, waiting and hoping that I will get more sleep before my alarm goes off. Having 3 boys, I need all of the rest I can get, just to keep up with them.

   The first thing I did once she handed me my weighted lap pad (besides almost dropping it) was to lay it on my lap. I felt my body instantly relax. It felt like the stress of the day was melting away. I couldn't believe how nice it felt!

   My oldest sat down next to me so I took it and set it on his lap. He let out the biggest sigh and just sat there with it. I was a bit worried he wouldn't want to give it back. My youngest then took it and curled up under it. He just sat there, didn't move at all for a good 20 minutes. Most 5 year old boys won't sit still for any amount of time. He enjoyed using it so much, when I can't seem to find where it walked off to, he usually has it.

   I LOVE my weighted lap pad! I use it every afternoon when I have a little down time. I also sleep with it draped over my side. I take it with me almost wherever I go. It helps so much with the stresses and anxiety that I have every single day. Now I just need a weighted blanket. Maybe for my birthday? *hint hint*

   Here is a little Q&A about the blankets and lap pads. If you think they will benefit you or someone you know, here is a link to her Amazon page where you can get pricing and place an order. I highly recommend giving them a try. You won't be disappointed and may just get the best nights sleep you've had in a long time!

 

 

• Why did you decided to make weighted blankets and lap pads?

 

Hi! My name is Jodie Leavitt. I'm a stay at home mom with a sewing addiction :) I chose to start making weighted blankets and lap pads when I was approached my a nurse at our pediatrician who knows that I make quilts. She asked me if I could make a weighted blanket for a child in her home. I told her I would research it and get back to her. I was AMAZED with the process and the benefits of these items! I made her child one and then started to get more interest from others wanting blankets. So I decided to make and sell them.

 

• Who benefits from these items?

 

There are so many people who can benefit from these blankets and lap pads. I personally have made them for people with Anxiety, Autism and PTSD. I did a lot of research before I made my first blanket and found that people with these conditions have found relief with weighted blankets and lap pads:

 

ADHD/ADD, Alzheimer's, Anxiety Disorder, Asperger's Syndrome, Autism or ASD, Bi-Polar Disorder, Brain Trauma Injuries, Cerebral Palsy, Dementia, Down's Syndrome, Epilepsy, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Insomnia, Parkinson's Disease, Pervasive Development Disorder, Restless Leg Syndrome, Rett Syndrome, Sensory Integration, Sensory Processing Disorder, and Tourette's Syndrome.

 

Blankets are not meant for children under the age of 2 due to the risk of restricting a child and not allowing them to move under the weight.

 

• How are they weighted?

 

Each item is weighted with poly pellets. Weight is distributed evenly through the whole blanket.

 

• How are they made?

 

I make a blanket form and then secure pellets in individual pockets. Each blanket has anywhere from 100-200 pockets.

 

• Why choose a specific weight?

 

The ratio used to figure out a weight of a blanket is 1/10 your body weight plus 1-2 pounds. With children I stick to the one pound addition. 2 pounds could be too much. So a person who weighs 150 lbs would need a 16-17 pound blanket (150/10=15+1=16)

 

Lap pads are 2-5% of your body weight depending on how heavy you need it. So a person weighing 150 pounds would need a max weight of 7.5 pounds. You could round up and do 8 pounds at the very most.

 

• How do they work?

 

Weighted blankets are amazing! They cause your body to release melatonin and serotonin and help you relax.

 

There is something about the weight and how it is distributed that make your body give up on fighting you and allow rest. 

 

There have been people who use these items when they have severe anxiety attacks and it eases them within minutes or less, kids with sensory issues find these blankets calming and soothing. They get the sensory they are seeking.

 

I love making these blankets and lap pads for people! It isn't an easy task but knowing that I could help someone sleep who has had nightmares since coming home from war or help a child relax when they don't know how to communicate like others do makes my heart happy!
 

Product Review: MarCro 3D Pen Filament

   I received some 3D pen filament to review. It came in an air tight package.

   Inside was sixteen different colors of filament, two of which are glow in the dark. There is twenty feet of each color.

   I found that this filament works well. It melted easily once I got the temperature right. I did have some air bubbles as it was coming out of the 3D pen, so there was a bit of popping as I was working with it. I had a hard time getting it to stick to the paper which made it a little difficult to complete my project. It also made it so that my project does not lay quite flat. It came out even (as long as I was steady). It sticks to itself rather easily, so you need to be careful as to not attach it anywhere you don't want touching. It doesn't come apart once it's together so you won't need to worry about your project falling apart.

   Overall, I think this was a decent product. If you or your kids interested in learning about 3D pens, this is probably a good choice. You get a lot of filament for the price. Maybe messing with the settings on the pen would help with some of the bubbles and such, I just couldn't get it to stop on mine. This was a fun project and I can't wait to do more with my kids. We love having access to the 3D printing world!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for

Product Review: Polly Plastics

   I was given some Polly Plastics to review. It came with a ten ounce bottle of white beads. It also came with some colored beads so you can make different colors. There is a color chart that shows you the numbers to make the different colors.

   To begin, you will need some hot water that is above 150 degrees Fahrenheit. If your water boils, please make sure you let it cool down, you don't want to burn your fingers. You will also want to place some parchment paper or something similar to keep the plastic from sticking to other surfaces.

   Once your beads are in the hot water, they will start to turn clear and stick together.

   You can add in some color pellets when you put them into the water. It doesn't take many to color your beads. Here are two blues and two reds.

   Once your beads are hot and melted, you can knead the plastic to make the color you have chosen. You are now ready to mold your plastic. This does cool fairly quickly and will become hard to mold. If this happens, you can place it back into the hot water and then continue. Just be careful, if the plastic pieces touch each other in the hot water, they will stick.

   Once you are done with your creation, let it cool and it will become hard. Once it is completely cooled, you can drill it, paint it, use markers, Whatever you'd like. You can also get it warmed up again and make something else if you aren't happy with your finished product.

   This was so fun to play with! The kids love making their own little toys. It does take a bit of time and patience but it's a great way to keep your kids occupied for an afternoon. There are so many possibilities with all of the colors that came with it. I can't wait to play with them some more. If you have kids that enjoy play-doh, this is an excellent way to be able to keep their project for years to come. I highly recommend this for anyone that loves to create. You won't be sorry!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for

Product Review: Holiday Light Projector

   I received a Holiday light projector to review.

   It came in a nice little box with a plastic insert you can keep for storing during the off season. There's a stake used to for keeping it in place outdoors. It can also be used inside. The angle of the light is adjustable so you can angle it however you'd like. It did take me a bit to figure out how to assemble the light, since the directions weren't very clear, but it wasn't too difficult.

   The light does both red and green

   and changes designs making a fun holiday display!

   Or a fun dance party indoors.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for

Product Review: Bulding Block Baseplates

   I was given some Lego compatible base plates to review.

   There are four 10 inch by 10 inch plates.

   These do have slight defects in them. There may be a bit of discoloration and they are slightly bowed. It does mention this in the description on Amazon, however my kids have been able to play with them on the floor. It also mentions that they are perfect for gluing down to a table. Just add a bit of weight while the glue dries and it will work great.

   As far as being Lego compatible, these work just fine. You can't really tell that they aren't Lego brand other than the minor defects. They are still a decent thickness, are easy to use and are cheaper than the Lego brand plates. These are getting tons of play from my kids and are holding up nicely. We hope to get a table to attach them to soon.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers

Board Game Challenge Update

   A year ago, we decided to do a board game challenge. We were going to attempt to play ten games, ten times, during the year. We picked some of our favorites that we figured we would play ten times and some we knew would be a little more of a challenge.

   Sometimes we would play a game on the list, and then forget to add the play. This happened often when we would play the games on game night at our friends house.


   However, some of the games were played ten times throughout the year, even if they didn't get marked off. Scoville, Shadow Run Crossfire, and Trains all made it to the table at least ten times.

   Some were pretty close. Carcassonne,  Lords of Waterdeep, Smash Up, and Tiny Epic Kingdoms all passed the five plays mark.

   Others weren't even close. Dice Masters, Seasons, and Volt only had a few plays each.

   As time went on, we would look at our list of games we chose to play and then decide we didn't want to play any of them. We had newer games that we enjoyed playing more than the ones on our list. Some of them we played a lot more than ten times even. Splendor and Machi Koro became part of mine and hubby's nightly routine after the kids were in bed. Our five year old fell in love with King of Tokyo and that became a game we played often as a family.

   Overall, I suppose we didn't do too well on our board game challenge. I think it's a lot more enjoyable to play the games you are in the mood to play. Plus, you never know what shiny new games you may buy throughout the year.

   Have you done a board game challenge or something similar? How did you do?