crafty Archives - Page 2 of 4 - Globetrotting Mommy

Globetrotting Mommy’s …

May 1, 2017 By admin

Mother’s day is coming up (May 14 in the United States) so I hope you have some Mother’s Day gift ideas for your mom (wife or grandma). If you need help, grab one of these picks from my 2017 Mother’s Day Gift Guide and have your kids make a card or candy necklace for a sure win.

Globetrotting Mommy’s 2017 Mother’s Day Gift Guide

2017 Mother’s Day Gift Guide

1) Bodum Copper French Press

For the mom who loves a freshly brewed cup of joe, this gorgeous copper press will be a big hit. Pair it with some gourmet coffee beans from Guatemala and you’re all set.

Globetrotting Mommy’s 2017 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas (Photo from Amazon.com)

2) Life is short…BUY THE BOOTS coloring book

Any artsy mom would love this cheeky adult coloring book filled with ready-to-color designs and fun quotes. Throw in some fancy colored pencils and a gift card to her favorite shoe store and you’ve got a great gift.

Globetrotting Mommy’s 2017 Mother’s Day Gift Guide

3) Parisian Chic Look Book: What Should I Wear Today?

For the fashionista mom who dreams of living in Paris some day, this shiny new fashion guide by Ines de la Fressange will surely please. Throw in a trip to Paris and she’ll be thrilled.

4) FoodSaver Fresh Food Preservation System

Appliances may not be romantic but I’m pretty sure any mom will love getting this handy vacuum sealing machine. I am really impressed with how long my fruits and veggies last in the special containers and bags. If you hate watching avocados turn brown, this gadget is your new best friend.

Globetrotting Mommy’s 2017 Mother’s Day Gift Guide

5) Heat Holders Thermal Socks

If your mom loves to be comfy, she will love these awesome cushiony socks that are like pajamas for feet. Perfect for keeping feet warm on chilly airplanes or camping trips, these are a great option for the mom who has everything. Pair it with one their Snuggle Up Blankets if she lives in a cold climate.

Globetrotting Mommy’s 2017 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas (Photo from Amazon.com)

6) JOBY GripTight GorillaPod Stand

Perfect for the mom who takes every photo with her iPhone, this handy tripod stand allows moms to get in on the photos. I love how the adjustable legs can wrap so you can use it in a variety of settings.

Globetrotting Mommy’s 2017 Mother’s Day Gift Guide (Photo from Amazon.com)

7) Sky of Blue Cards Canvas Tote

I’ve always got a tote bag on for grocery shopping, library books and all the other things I carry around. This “Mommin’ Hard Everyday Like A Boss” tote is a perfect gift for any on-the-go mama. Add a gift card to her favorite store to add some wow.

Globetrotting Mommy’s 2017 Mother’s Day Gift Guide (Photo credit: Sky of Blue Cards)

8) Tiffany & Co. Airplane Bank

For the mom who loves to vacation, this luxe silver airplane bank is perfect for saving up her vacation funds.

Globetrotting Mommy’s 2017 Mother’s Day Gift Guide (Photo from Tiffany)

9) Mommy and Me Photo Shoot

Hire a professional like (Flytographer or Classic Kids) or hand dad the good camera and head on a vacation or staycation. Or, head to Walt Disney World and get the whole family in the photo with their Disney Memory Maker.

Globetrotting Mommy’s 2017 Mother’s Day Gift Guide

10) Fancy Schmancy Date

Last but not least, you can’t go wrong taking mom out for an elaborate Mother’s Day brunch, pampering spa treatment or to the hottest show in town.

Globetrotting Mommy’s 2017 Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Happy Mother’s Day!

This post contains some affiliate links but all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Stay Safe On The Go with …

March 15, 2017 By admin

When traveling with children, bringing along a scooter is a great idea for kids who are too big for strollers but too young to walk for miles without complaining. I’ve written about scooters before but today I’m talking about helmets and protective gear.

NYC kids start riding scooters as toddlers and quickly get accustomed to wearing helmets without complaining. At the ripe age of seven, my daughter has gone through a handful of helmets which she has outgrown literally and figuratively. You see, if another kid in my daughter’s school wears something my daughter owns, she no longer wants to wear it. While I appreciate her need for originality, this has become an issue. When I heard about Wipeout Dry Erase Protective Gear – customizable helmets and pads – I knew it would be a great fit for her (no pun intended).

Get crafty and stay safe with Wipeout Dry Erase Protective Gear.

The helmets come in an assortment of solid colors and dry erase markers and stencils are included so kids can start being creative right out of the box! My daughter had a friend over when the items arrived and they couldn’t wait to start decorating the helmet and pads…

Customizing the Wipeout Dry Erase Protective Gear with markers and stencils

The dry erase markers and stencils were easy to use and best of all, any mistakes could quickly be wiped off. If you’ve got a kid whose interests change frequently, this is a great item as they can doodle hearts and butterflies one day and draw skulls the next. The Wipeout Website features some easy-to-follow design tutorials or kids can run wild with their own ideas.

The helmets are made of ABS hard-shell construction with EPS liners for durability and they are certified for safety protection for biking, skateboarding, roller-skating and scooter riding. There are three sizes available which fit kids ages 3-14. A snow version is also available with ear flaps and a goggle clip for sledding and snow sports.

The Wipeout Dry Erase Protective 3-Pack includes kneepads, wrist guards, elbow pads and two dry erase markers. Pads come in black, teal, neon pink or zest.

We took to the park for a test drive and my daughter commented on how comfortable everything felt and loved that she could take the knee pads on and off by herself. I loved that too!

Stay Safe On The Go with Wipeout Dry Erase Protective Gear.

If you’re in the market for new safety gear, I highly recommend these. They would also be a great birthday or holiday gift for any kid on your list.

For more information, watch this video or check out the Wipeout links below:

Follow Wipeout online via these Social Links:

Wipeout Website: http://iwipeout.com/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/iwipeout

Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/iwipeout/

Twitter Account: https://twitter.com/IwipeOut

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_fPeHJ5EocBnE3N_QyXXMg/videos

What designs would your kids draw on a helmet? Tell me below in the comments.

This post is part of a sponsored campaign for Wipeout Dry Erase Productive Gear. I received compensation for my participation, but my review and opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

The Art and Whimsy of Mo …

May 17, 2016 By admin

Attention Mo Willems fanatics…one of the cutest art exhibits has arrived in New York City and fans of all ages will want to check it out – The Art and Whimsy of Mo Willems at the New-York Historical Society.

The Art and Whimsy of Mo Willems at the New-York Historical Society

One of my daughter’s favorite books as a toddler was Don’t Let The Pigeons Drive The Bus! and in the past six years, we’ve collected at least a dozen other Willems’ titles. I love how hysterical kids get when these books are read aloud and I also love how engaging these books are for new readers. Willems’ adorable characters, easy to read copy and funny storylines are a win-win for grown ups and kids alike and so is this exhibit.

The Art and Whimsy of Mo Willems at the New-York Historical Society

Running through September 25, the exhibit highlights nearly 100 sketches and final drawings of the famed author’s works (like Knuffle Bunny and Elephant and Piggie) along with background on his career (including his Sesame Street days!), videos and memorabilia ranging from the early days to his 25th and final Elephant and Piggie book, The Thank You Book.

The exhibit includes an audio tour so you can follow along or you can just peruse at your own pace. My daughter listened to a large portion of the audio tour which included jokes and detailed descriptions of the artwork. In addition to visiting the art displays and gift shop, guests will also want to rest and read at exhibit’s bus display which is stocked with Mo Willems books.

The Art and Whimsy of Mo Willems at the New-York Historical Society

One of the biggest takeaways from the exhibit was learning how Willems created his characters by using shapes and my daughter got to try out Willems’ techniques with a hands-on sketch class. It was so fun watching my daughter and the other students learning how to draw the beloved pigeon. If you’ve got a little artist, I highly recommend attending one of these complimentary sketch classes.

Don’t miss the sketching tours at The Art and Whimsy of Mo Willems.

Before you visit, be sure to check out the exhibit’s schedule which includes story times, movies, sketching classes, character meet and greet opportunities and more.

If you haven’t visited the New-York Historical Society before, don’t miss the DiMenna Children’s History Museum on the lower level which features a wide range of interactive activities and a gorgeous reading room.

Are you looking forward to visiting this exhibit? What’s your favorite Mo Willems’ book? Tell me below in the comments.

If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Top 10 Things To Do at Crayola …

April 7, 2016 By admin

We recently took a fun-filled road trip to Pennsylvania (more to come!) and one of the highlights of our getaway was a day at the Crayola Experience in Easton, PA. If you’re looking for an indoor retreat where kids (and adults) can unleash their creativity, this is a great option. Read on for more scoop and a Crayola Experience discount.

Top 10 Things To Do at Crayola Experience, Easton, PA (and ticket discount!)

You can easily spend the day at Crayola Experience. Grab lunch in the cafe or head outside to one of the nearby restaurants like kid-friendly Cheeburger Cheeburger. The website features an interactive map so planning your trip is a breeze. Here’s my list of the Top 10 Things to Do at Crayola Experience, Easton, PA.

Start with the live theater Crayon Factory show at Crayola Experience.

1) Start with the live theater Crayon Factory show. The best way to get oriented is to start with a crayon making lesson starring animated crayons and Crayola’s resident Crayonologist. As you leave, be sure to pick up your freshly made crayon.

Make a personalized crayon at Wrap it Up!

2) Make a personalized crayon at Wrap it Up! One of the all-time favorite exhibits, Wrap it Up! allows guests to choose a crayon color and make a personalized label. Take your crayon and label to the special wrap machine and voila, a customized crayon is born! These make great souvenirs for teachers and classmates. Note: A token (included with admission) is required.

The Cafe Stage show showcases the history and science behind different Crayola products.

3) Check out the Cafe Stage show. Enjoy a snack and take in a show while you learn about the history and science behind different Crayola products. This show was really cute and my daughter loved being selected to talk about gravity while playing with Silly Putty. If you’re looking to steal away from the crowds, this show is sure to please.

Create your own animated figures on the easy-to-use touch screens.

Create your own animated figures on the easy-to-use Art Alive touch screens.

4) Play in the Art Alive! animation room. Kids and adults will love creating their own animated figures on the easy-to-use touch screens. When you’re done, watch them float across the room on the animation screen.

Make a personalized puzzle at the Crayola Experience in Easton, PA.

5) Make a puzzle at Puzzle It! Color a drawing and use the special kid-powered puzzle press cutting machine to turn your creation into a six or 12-piece cardboard puzzle. Mail the pieces to a pen pal or grandparent and you’ll make their day. There are other crafty projects in this area with themes that change year-round.

Make one-of-a-kind crayon spin-art creations at Crayola Experience.

6) Don’t miss the crayon drip art. Located on the fourth floor, the drip art area is the place to make one-of-a-kind crayon spin-art creations. Select your crayon colors and spin the wheel fast or slow to change the patterns. This is a favorite for kids and adults.

Take a break to play in the bright two-story playground.

7) Take a break to play. Check out the bright two-story playground with a large climbing structure or Toddler Town area which features a colorful pegboard and giant ball maze.

Go back in time as you learn about Crayola’s history.

8) Take a stroll through crayon memory lane. See how the crayon colors and names have evolved over the years. Don’t miss the vintage advertisements and memorabilia throughout the museum.

The Crayola Experience gift shop offers a great selection of gifts and Crayola memorabilia.

9) Shop till you drop. The gift shop is huge with a great selection of gifts and Crayola memorabilia. You can create custom boxes of markers or crayons, make shirts customized with your drawings, purchase an endless supply of craft supplies and more.

The Crayola Experience features an array of colorful backdrops.

10) Take in the surroundings. From gigantic crayon and marker sculptures outside the lobby to colorful murals and crayon pathways, be sure to take some colorful outdoor pics of your kids running around.

There are so many other fun things to do so be sure to check out my full Crayola Experience review from our first visit. Planning a visit, book your ticket in advance with this Crayola Experience discount and save $4 per ticket.

Have you ever been to the Crayola Experience? Tell me in the comments below.

Special thanks to Crayola Experience for a providing us with complimentary tickets. As always, all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Globetrotting Mommy’s …

December 21, 2015 By admin

Family friendly activities, vacations and books are great holiday gifts but there is nothing like watching a kid open up the most wanted toy on their wish list. Today I’m sharing my Best Toys for Kids Holiday Gift Guide.

Globetrotting Mommy’s Holiday Gift Guide – Best Toys for Kids

Best Toys for Kids – Holiday Gift Guide

1 – Shopkins anything! – I can’t write a 2015 holiday gift guide without including Shopkins since my daughter and all her friends are soooo obsessed with these little guys and their many cute playsets. If you can get your hands on Target’s Exclusive Shopkins Mystery Edition this holiday season, you’re golden.

2 – My First Weaving Loom – The crafty kids on your list will love this kid-friendly loom. My perfectionist daughter needed a bit of assistance to keep the rows even but the results were impresive. I love that it includes instructions and measured out chenille yarn to complete three projects (headband, scarf and purse). Once you master those, you can create your own projects with the sturdy wood loom and crafting tools.

3 – Monopoly Junior – This mini-me version of the classic board game is a great gift for boys and girls. In addition to the traditional version, there are also themed games including the ever-popular Frozen.

4 – Barbie Pop-Up Camper – My daughter got this as a birthday present and it was an immediate hit. Barbie is really traveling in style these days with roof-top dining, chandelier lighting, pull-out swimming pool with slide, fire pit, bathroom and more. Girls will love taking their Barbies “glamping” as they play for hours. Make sure to leave yourselves some time to put together the pieces and attach the zillions of stickers.

5 – Sara Sleepover Doll – Every little girl I know can’t wait to host or attend her first sleepover. Let your little one take this adorable plush Sara Sleepover Doll for a test-drive and you won’t have to worry about anyone going home in the middle of the night. Sara comes with comfy detachable bunny slippers and a cute teddy bear that can be stored in a velcro pocket which makes her a perfect pal to bring along on real sleepovers, vacations and summer camp.

6 – ZOOB Z-Strutz Scorpion Driller – If you’ve got a little builder, this ZOOB kit will be a hit. Kids can build a Scorpion Driller, Tunnel Driller, Vertical Driller or a Mine Cart with the enclosed pieces or make their own creations. I love how the pieces move after you put them together so kids can let their imaginations run wild.

7 – Beanie Boos – These ever popular collectibles come in a wide array of characters and sizes. I love that they are small enough to not over clutter a bedroom and they are also great for bringing on vacations. The tiny versions clip onto backpacks so your kids won’t lose them.

8 – Vicks Sweetdreams Cool Mist Humidifier (in pink or blue) – A humidifier isn’t exactly a toy but when it can project fun images onto ceilings, I think that changes everything. You can choose from starry night, sea and safari themes (each theme features three images) which can be projected with or without the humidifier running. If you’re looking for a way to combat winter dryness and keep your babes soothed as they fall asleep, this is sure to please.

9 – Scientific Explorer Tasty Science Kit – Young experimenters will love this STEM culinary science kit. The kid includes materials to make ten tasty projects including fizzy drinks, rock candy, and other sweet treats. I love that it teaches kids about flavors, taste buds and sensory cues with a little chemistry thrown in for good measure.

10 – Project Mc² Dolls – This new doll line from MGA Entertainment is all about teaching girls that Smart Is The New Cool. Each of the four adorable doll sets include a real science experiment, fun accessories and stand. We tried the volcano experiment with the Adrienne Attoms doll and it was a big hit. Click here to see…

What toys are on your kids’ wish list? Tell me below in the comments.

I received a few of these items for review purposes. All opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Toys That Travel: Crayola …

November 24, 2015 By admin

Home or away for the upcoming holidays? Crayola’s Cling Creator will keep kids busy as they create their own holiday inspired window decorations perfect for decorating houses, hotel rooms and more. Read on for my Crayola Cling Creator review and enter to win one of your own along with a $50 gift card!

Toys That Travel: Crayola Cling Creator Review and Giveaway

As you know, we’re big fans of STEM inspired toys so I was excited to see that Crayola’s Cling Creator combines creativity with science lab techniques. My daughter got right to work setting up all the tubes, molds and instruments in the caddy which was perfect for keeping things organized.

Toys That Travel: Crayola Cling Creator Review and Giveaway

The kit contains everything you need to make colorful cling creations that stick to (and easily peel off from) windows, mirrors and other flat, smooth surfaces. You can use the molds or create new designs by making molds with the included clay. You can even add your own glitter to the designs if you’re feeling festive.

Toys That Travel: Crayola Cling Creator Review and Giveaway

The label says ages 8+ but my six-year old daughter was able follow the directions with some guidance. I mentally prepared for a mess but I was happily surprised to see how easy she was able to squeeze the correct ratio of color and firming solution into the labeled mixing pots and mix them in the kid-friendly mixing chamber.

Toys That Travel: Crayola Cling Creator Review and Giveaway

We were hoping to make some fall-inspired designs to bring along on a road-trip to grandma’s house for Thanksgiving but had some challenges perfecting our leaf and pumpkin molds out of the clay. I would definitely recommend younger kids stick with the enclosed molds, especially since the gel sets rather quickly. Also, if you are planning to mix colors, start with just a few drops of the dark color and add the lighter color until you get the shade you want.

Toys That Travel: Crayola Cling Creator Review and Giveaway

After 15 minutes, the gel solidifies and your window clings are ready to go. Volia!

Toys That Travel: Crayola Cling Creator Review and Giveaway

We ended up with an assortment of fun, colorful designs…

Toys That Travel: Crayola Cling Creator Review and Giveaway

The kit makes approximately 20 clings and refill packs are sold separately. If you and your kids love DIY crafty projects, the Crayola Cling Creator will make a great addition to your craft closet.

Ready to win a Crayola Cling Creator and a $50 gift card?

To enter please leave a blog post comment – Who do you know who would love this toy?

For additional entries, please leave separate comments for each of these four options:

Like Globetrotting Mommy on Facebook
Follow Globetrotting Mommy on Instagram
Like TravelMommy on Twitter
Subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy

This giveaway is open to US residents and will run until midnight EST Friday December 4, 2015.

If you’re looking for a Crayola inspired road trip, check out my review of the Crayola Experience in Easton, Pennsylvania.

Congratulations to Heather Johnson!!

I was not compensated for this post but the Crayola Cling Creator, gift card, information and additional gift pack have been provided by Crayola. As always, all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Globetrotting Kids Alert: …

June 11, 2015 By admin

Today I’m sharing some big Skylanders news sure to please young and old globetrotters…Skylanders SuperChargers is coming this fall and kids (and adults) will soon be able to explore and navigate the mountainous terrains, deep sea environments and big blue skies of Skylands with the vehicles-to-life feature.

Skylanders, SuperChargers, Starter Pack, Games, Kids, Vehicles, Toys, Travel

Globetrotting Kids Alert: Skylanders is Taking to Land, Sea and Air! (Photo Credit: Skylanders)

The new game features 20 vehicle designs and types (think race cars, motorcycles, boats, tanks, helicopters, jets, submarines and more) many of which feature moving parts. These new vehicles pair with twenty new SuperChargers – special Sklylanders who can interact with vehicle tricks, new moves and weapons. Of course, any Skylanders characters can drive the new vehicles allowing for endless imaginative play.

I got a sneak peek thanks to Momtrends and the graphics, new characters and vehicles looked great. Check them out…

Globetrotting Kids Alert: Skylanders is Taking to Land, Sea and Air! (Photo Credit: Skylanders)

After a delicious lunch, we moved on to a crafting project that fit with the new Skylanders SuperChargers’ vehicles – travel theme…DIY personalized luggage tags! They were super fun to make so if you’re interested, check out this DIY luggage tag tutorial.

Skylanders, SuperChargers, Starter Pack, Games, Kids, Vehicles, Toys, Travel, DIY Luggage Tag,

Globetrotting Kids Alert: Skylanders is Taking to Land, Sea and Air!

Skylanders SuperChargers will launch September 20^th (holiday wish list!) and will be available on all major consoles and iPad making it a great option to bring along on vacation. In addition, many hotels offer gaming consoles in their kids clubs or available to borrow so if you’re planning a vacation with your Skylanders’ fans, be sure to ask before you go.

Skylanders, SuperChargers, Starter Pack, Games, Kids, Vehicles, Toys, Globetrotting Mommy, Primetime Parenting

Globetrotting Kids Alert: Skylanders is Taking to Land, Sea and Air! (Photo Credit: Momtrends)

Here I am saying goodbye with my friend Esti at Primetime Parenting. Thanks again to Momtrends and Skylanders for a fun time.

This is a sponsored post. As always, all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

2014 Holiday Gift Guide Part …

December 18, 2014 By admin

I featured my holiday gift guide for all the kids and parents on your list as well as family friendly gift ideas and today I’m back with some suggestions for the best holiday toys for kids of all ages!

BABIES:

2014 Holiday Gift Guide, Best Holiday Toys, Baby Toys, B. Toys, airplane rattle, Global Glowball

2014 Holiday Gift Guide Part 3: Best Holiday Toys – Baby Toys

How cute is Airplane Rattle by Estella? I love that its hand-crafted in Peru by local artists.

The Cheerios Play Book will keep babies entertained as they place Cheerios in patterns and other designs.

The Global Glowball from B. toys is a great musical nightlight for babies that can be used as an interactive musical globe as the child grows.

The states collection from Little Sapling Toys features handcrafted teethers shaped like different states.

LITTLE KIDS:

2014 Holiday Gift Guide Part 3: Best Holiday Toys – Toys for Little Kids

Get their creative juices flowing with a Creativity Can loaded with art supplies like pipe cleaners, googly eyes, tissue paper, etc. Choose from the Big Creativity Can or six smaller cans with themes like Build, Motion, Music and more.

Let their imaginations run wild with Magna-Tiles. These are on the pricey side but little kids will love playing with these for years to come. My daughter is a big fan and I love that they are super easy to clean up and store.

Pop up playtents are always fun but with this VW Camper Van Tent, little ones can pretend they’re on the road. So cute!

Here in NYC, every little kid I know rides a scooter and I think the Micro Kickboard Mini Micro 3 in 1 is a great holiday gift for little kids (ages 1-5)

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL KIDS:

2014 Holiday Gift Guide Part 3: Best Holiday Toys – Toys for Elementary School Kids

I recently reviewed LeapTV and its a great toy that combines interactive learning with video games. Win-win!

Card games are always fun (and great to bring along on holiday trips and family visits) and my favorites are from eeBoo. The eeBoo Crazy Faces Card Game is a great pick for kids and adults (think Crazy 8 matching the silly faces on the cards). I like their Color Go Fish too which teaches younger kids colors like chartreuse and turquoise.

Bananagrams is a fun game the whole family can enjoy. Young children will have a lot of fun learning new words and practicing their spelling. I love how the pieces zip up in the banana case making it a great game for travel.

Legos were one of my favorite toys and I love to see my daughter’s reaction when we visit the new Lego Flatiron store. Until you have the room and supplies to build a life size Statue of Liberty, start small with the Lego Juniors (great for kids 4-7), colorful Lego Friends sets and traditional Lego sets.

If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Toys that Travel: Crayola …

December 8, 2014 By admin

If you’re looking for a fun toy that will happily keep your kids entertained at home and away this holiday season, read on to learn about Crayola Virtual Design Pro (and enter to win your own!).

Crayola Virtual Design, Review, Giveaway, Toys, Creative, Fashion, Designer

Toys that Travel: Crayola Virtual Design Pro Review and Giveaway

We’re big Crayola fans here (remember our trip to the Crayola Experience?) and my daughter loves to dress up so I had a feeling the Crayola Virtual Design Pro-Fashion Set would keep her nicely entertained over Thanksgiving break. We tested it out at grandma’s house and it was a huge hit with everyone!

Toys that Travel: Crayola Virtual Design Pro Review and Giveaway

I loved that all the tools (vibrant pencils and markers, stencils, design book and pencil sharpener) came in a sturdy, easy to transport case. Arts and crafts projects can sometimes get unwieldy but this design portfolio really kept the mess and chaos to a minimum. My daughter quickly got to work as a budding fashion designer while I downloaded the free My Virtual Fashion Show app.

Toys that Travel: Crayola Virtual Design Pro Review and Giveaway

I love toys that let my daughter’s imagination run wild and this was a perfect example of that. She loved using the stars and stripes stencils to make a 4th of July outfit then she decorated a one-shoulder dress in orange and pink for New Year’s Eve. Although the book contains 20 templates, the options are really endless since you can download and print additional designs. Once the design is colored, you import it into the app via a photo and then the real fun begins.

Toys that Travel: Crayola Virtual Design Pro Review and Giveaway

The app lets the kiddie (and adult) designers choose details like hair color and styles, skin tones, shoe options and accessories like glasses. The age recommendation is 6+ but my 5-year old had no trouble navigating her way through the different fashion options, backgrounds, etc. As soon as you’re done, your design comes to “life” in 3D walking down the runway. It was really amazing how lifelike the models and their outfits looked on the virtual runway and I was also happy to see that it didn’t matter if kids colored out of the lines.

Toys that Travel: Crayola Virtual Design Pro Review and Giveaway

Every new design gets stored in the app and you can customize your fashion shows and model choices.

Toys that Travel: Crayola Virtual Design Pro Review and Giveaway

Overall, I was really happy with this toy but I would have liked a way to design our own dress templates (hint, hint Crayola). This toy happily kept my daughter busy longer than usual (I think she enjoyed accessorizing the models as much as she enjoyed coloring her designs) and I had a lot of fun with it too. If you’ve got a budding fashionista on your holiday shopping list, this toy is a really great pick and a nice option for family bonding over the holidays. And if you’ve got boys, check out the Crayola Virtual Design Pro-Cars Set which allows kids to customize their own car designs.

I’ve got three Crayola Virtual Design Pro-Fashion Sets and a $50 gift card to give away!

To enter please leave a blog post comment- Who do you know who would love this toy?

For additional entries, please leave separate comments for each of these four options:

Like Globetrotting Mommy on Facebook
Follow Globetrotting Mommy on Instagram
Like TravelMommy on Twitter
Subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy

This giveaway is open to US residents and will run until midnight EST Friday December 12, 2014.

**Congratulations to the winners:

Amanda Sakovitz

Jessica

Nancy Miller

Bonnie P

I was not compensated for this post but the Crayola Virtual Design Pro, gift card, information and additional gift pack have been provided by Crayola. As always, all opinions are my own.

If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Part 2: Top 10 Cool Things for …

December 3, 2014 By admin

We just got back from a fun family vacation at sea aboard the Norwegian Gem (see my Norwegian Cruise Line Review) and I thought I’d share some of my favorite kid-friendly activities for families on Norwegian Cruise Lines. With close quarters (those cabins are tiny) and limited access to electronics and wifi, there is a lot of time for family bonding on cruise vacations. Here are my top 10 Cool Things for Families that we enjoyed aboard the Norwegian Gem.