toys Archives - Globetrotting Mommy

Puzzles for Kids: Explore the …

September 25, 2020 By Globetrotting Mommy

Puzzles have become one of my favorite pandemic pastimes. Until family vacations are back, here are some cool puzzles for kids to explore the world from home.

Cool Puzzles For Kids, Puzzles, Tween, Teen, Kids, Travel,

Puzzles For Kids: Explore the World From Home

This World Map Foam Puzzle would be a great play date activity for young elementary school kids. Play some international tunes and serve fun global bites and the kids won’t even realize they’re learning.

World Map, Foam Puzzle, Puzzles for Kids, Kid Puzzles, Puzzles, Educational Puzzles

Foam World Map Puzzle

This wooden USA Puzzle Map from Melissa and Doug is a great way for kids and up to learn their United States geography.

This wooden USA map puzzle is a great choice for elementary school kids.

This 3D Globe Puzzle from Ravensburger is a good option for kids ages 7-12. The 180-piece puzzle features curved pieces that click into a solid ball when completed. I love that it includes a rotation stand for display.

3D Globe puzzle

Tweens and teens can spot some insta-worthy global landmarks in this 1000 piece Globetrotter Jigsaw Puzzle.

Landmark Puzzle, puzzles for teens, globetrotter Puzzle, puzzles for kids

Cool puzzles for kids – Globetrotter Jigsaw Puzzle

For artsy kids (and adults) Michael Storrings has a slew of scenic puzzles from favorite cities like NYC, Paris, London, etc. Here’s New York City’s Bethesda Fountain in Central Park, 1000 piece puzzle.

Which is your favorite?

Awesome Gift Guide For Tweens …

December 13, 2018 By admin

If you’ve got a tween on your holiday gift list, you probably need some help. These not-little but not-big kids can be tricky but lucky for you, I’m sharing a Gift Guide for Tweens.

Awesome Gift Guide For Tweens

Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6 – Tweens love instant film cameras and the newest Fuji Instax prints out larger square photos that are perfect for sharing with friends at sleepovers or capturing travel memories. The chic design and unisex pearly color options are great for guys and girls.

Fuzzy Slippers – Being cozy at home and away is a win for tweens so you can’t go wrong with these cute bunny slippers for the girls or navy Ugg Slippers for the boys. Pair them with a unicorn onesie and you’re all set.

Shockatato Party Game – Remember playing Hot Potato as a kid? This modern version has three shocking settings with and without music. Great for parties or family vacations.

Scratch Off World Map Poster – Globetrotting tweens can track their travels and plot their future vacations with this scratch-off world map.

Dear Evan Hansen: The Novel – This bestseller will be a hit with older tweens who have seen the Broadway show or who are hoping to see it.

Not Parent Approved – One of the most wished for card games on Amazon, this family friendly game was inspired by Cards Against Humanity. Perfect for travel or at home, this fun card game makes a great stocking stuffer for girls and boys.

Erin Condren Travel Petite Planner – For globetrotting tweens who love to organize and record details of their vacations, this travel journal will be a hit. There is plenty of room for packing lists, daily adventures and more plus colorful stickers.

Watermelon Ball – Tweens will love playing with this water-filled ball at home or on vacation. It looks and feels like a watermelon, doesn’t sink or float and can be used underwater and in a variety of pool games.

Reading Pillow With Arms – My daughter just got one of these husband pillows and she’s obsessed. Its a perfect cozy setting for books, iPads and movie watching.

Wreck This Journal – Tweens will love following the quirky destructive instructions in this fun-filled journal. Perfect for kids who like to draw outside the lines and think outside the box.

Hope you enjoyed this gift guide for tweens. Check out my 2020 Tween and Teen Gift Guide and Holiday Gift Guide for Kids Who Love Traveling for more ideas.

Holiday Gift Giving For Kids …

November 30, 2018 By admin

This is always a popular week for holiday shopping and vacation finalizing and I’ve been busy with both.

NYC is in full holiday swing.

While I fiish up my holiday gift guides, I want to share a super easy way to give back this holiday season and help millions of children across the United States with Amazon’s Alexa-charity gifting feature.

Amazon kicked off the program on Giving Tuesday and I loved watching Hoda and Kathie Lee try it out on the Today Show. Customers can now donate a toy to Toys for Tots via Alexa by simply saying, “Alexa, donate to Toys for Tots.” What’s easier than voice shopping?

Amazon will be matching customer donations throughout the end of the year – toy for toy – doubling customers’ contributions! So basically you’re donating two gifts for the price of one.

Check out the list of toys and get more details here.

Have you finished your holiday shopping yet?

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Holiday Gift Guide: Toys That …

October 26, 2018 By admin

The cold has arrived and the holidays are on their way. I got a chance to see some of the latest VTech Toys at the Momtrends Moms’ Night Out and today I’m sharing some of my favorite toys that travel.

Holiday Gift Guide: Toys That Travel From VTech

VTech is a world leader in developing high-quality, innovative educational products that enrich children’s development and make learning fun! In the last nine years, my daughter has gone from playing with VTech’s baby laptops and interactive toys to snapping photos on vacation with their cameras and watches.

If you’re looking for holiday toys that make learning fun and are easy to take along on travels, read on for my VTech toy picks in every age range…

Holiday Gift Guide: Toys That Travel From VTech Toys

BABIES:

Brilliant Baby Laptop™ – This travel-ready toy laptop features nine brightly colored shape buttons and a movable mouse that interacts with the light-up screen. There are various modes to learn about animal sounds, shapes and colors and music. Close the laptop, and it’s ready for on-the-go fun with a chunky carrying handle.

My Friend Alice™ – This interactive plush bear features different textures that provide tactile stimulation. Little ones will have fun putting on Alice’s mitten, tying her shoelace, buckling her shoe, putting her handkerchief and bear in her pockets and reading her storybook. Press the buttons for playful phrases, feelings and simple questions as well as numbers, a short story, music and sing-along songs, body parts and animals.

Touch & Discover Sensory Turtle™ – This cuddly plush turtle features a variety of textures, colors and patterns to stimulate your baby’s senses and encourage fine motor skills. Babies can play peek-a-boo by tucking in the turtle’s head and legs to change him into a soft, wobbly ball for 2-in-1 play. The chunky button (easy for little fingers) lights up in a variety of colors as it responds with sounds, music and cute phrases.

TODDLERS:

Starshine the Bright Lights Unicorn™ – Unicorns are all the rage this holiday season and this colorful pick will be every girl’s favorite travel companion. Kids can use seven charms on any of the Unicorn’s magic hearts to watch her horn light up and hear colors, objects and phrases in English or Spanish. Kids can answer quiz questions, create their own special songs and watch the animals colorful wings flap.

Farm Fun Storybook™ – This cheerful storybook features fun sounds, playful phrases and three sing-along songs. Chunky tabs make it easy to turn and discover five illustrated pages about a farmer completing his chores. Press the light-up face button to hear different responses on each page or press the music button to play 15 different classic melodies. The spinning wheels make this a great choice for pretend play.

LITTLE KIDS:

Kidizoom® Twist – This durable kiddie camera is a great option for budding travel photographers. The camera has features for photos, selfies and videos as well as five games. Kids will be recording videos, creating stop-motion animations and taking selfies in no time.

PJ Masks Time to Be a Hero Learning Tablet™ – This kid-friendly tablet plays six educational activities that explore letters, vocabulary, phonics, rhyming words, beginner typing and problem-solving skills. Little ones will love the real character voices and exciting animations at home and away.

BIG KIDS:

Kidi Secrets Selfie Journal™ – Big kids will love protecting their thoughts, photos and dreams with the Kidi Secrets Selfie Journal™. Kids can make a photo journal, write travel narratives and diary entries or record messages and keep them safe. A full suite of mini-apps includes games, photo and video filters, music and utilities gives kids a variety of activities to play at home and on trips. Best of all, there is no key to lose since facial recognition software unlocks the journal.

Kidizoom® Smartwatch DX2 – This colorful smartwatch lets kids take pictures, videos, play games, tell time and more! Featuring a new sleek and stylish design, this durable smartwatch features two cameras for action videos, photos and selfies. Kids can also use the watch’s motion sensor for active play challenges or to track steps. The included Micro-USB cable makes it easy to upload photos and videos as well as recharge the battery.

KidiBuzz™ – Not ready to hand your kid over a cell phone? KidiBuzz™ allows kids to send texts, voice messages, photos, drawings and animated stickers over Wi-Fi via the KidiConnect™ app. The kid-safe web browser features pre-approved websites and it also doubles as a multimedia player for listening to music and watching videos online. With more than 40 exciting learning games and awesome apps, kids on the go will be entertained for hours and hours.

Do you have any of these VTech toys that travel? Tell me below in the comments.

Note: This is a sponsored post but all 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!

A Much Needed Mom’s …

October 22, 2018 By admin

Fall is always hectic for me with back-to-school activities, a million birthdays, the sad job of packing up my summer clothes and events galore. I can’t make every influencer event but when I got invited to Momtrends’ annual Moms’ Night Out…which just happened to be in the middle of my husband’s 12-day business trip..I knew I wanted in on the fun.

This annual Momtrends event is always a great time for influencers to learn about the newest trends, news and the latest must-have items from family-friendly brands. The event was hosted by Parents Magazine at the Meredith Publications headquarters in lower Manhattan, an awesome spot for a staycation where you can visit the Statue of Liberty and One World Trade Center just minutes away.

But…back to my fun night out which included food and drinks, fashion, toy and health news you can use, pampering massages, giveaways and a kid-free evening with my blogger buddies. YAY!

The evening kicked off with a welcome from Parents editor-in-chief, Liz Vaccariello, tasty appetizers and a gorgeous made-to-order smoothie bar.

Have you ever seen a smoothie bar this pretty?

Read on for a glimpse of the event…

Culturelle® Baby Probiotics and Diaper Bag Musts

Busy moms need to make sure their diaper bags are filled with every necessity and Culturelle® Baby Probiotics gave us the chance to fill our pick of bags (I went with this chic navy backpack) with a comprehensive list of must-have items.

Digestive wellness is important for the whole family and Culturelle is the #1 pediatrician recommended probiotic brand, based on a 2016 survey among pediatricians recommending a kids probiotic brand.

Culturelle® Baby Calm + Comfort Probiotic + Chamomile Drops helps reduce crying and fussiness due to occasional digestive upset. Culturelle® Baby Grow + Thrive Probiotics + Vitamin D Drops promotes the development of a healthy digestive and immune system, and helps babies build strong bones.

Stylish Fashions for Family and Home from JCPenney’s New Payton & Parker Line

JCPenney gave us a preview of their new Payton & Parker lifestyle brand which features stylish and affordable clothing and home decor. I was really impressed with the on-trend items (lots of sparkle for holidays) and cozy fashions. There were plenty of matching and coordinating items for the whole family which are just perfect for the holidays. How fun are these Peyton & Parker outfits I styled for my family? I love the matching glitter shoes for me and crown headband for my daughter.

The new Peyton & Parker Collection is available exclusively at JCPenney in select stores and on jcp.com/peyton-parker.

Entertain Kids at Home and Away VTech Toys

Momtrends’ Mom’s Night Out requires pampering and the VTech team set up a cozy Relaxation Station where we enjoyed massages! After we were relaxed, we got to hear about all the hot holiday VTech and LeapFrog picks from this year’s Holiday Gift Guide including some awesome picks for travel (more about that to come).

VTech is a world leader in developing high-quality, innovative educational products that enrich children’s development and make learning fun. My daughter has enjoyed their activity tables, baby laptops, tablets, musical toys, cameras and smartwatches along the years. She is currently wishing for the cool new KidiBuzz for tweens.

Cold & Flu Season is here. Borion to the rescue!

Because germs are always around at home and away, staying healthy is a priority for busy moms. At the event, we got to create our own health-boosting smoothies made with fruit, greens, toppings and pretty edible flowers courtesy of Borion.

Boiron USA is a world leader in homeopathic medicines best known for their top-selling flu medicine Oscillococcinum and their line of cough and cold relief medicines. Their baby & children’s line includes Children’s Coldcalm Liquid Doses and Children’s Chestal Honey Syrup. These homeopathic remedies won’t interact with any other medications, herbs, or supplements, and don’t contain any of the ingredients questioned by the FDA for use in children under age 4.

Thanks again to Momtrends and Parents Magazing for organizing a great Mom’s Night Out!

Note: Thanks to Meredith Corp., JCPenney, VTech, Culturelle Probiotics, and Boiron USA for sponsoring this post. I was compensated for attending this event and writing this post but 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 12, 2017 By admin

If you didn’t finish your holiday shopping on Black Friday, you’re still in luck. I’ve rounded up some fun family gift ideas for globetrotting families to enjoy at home and away in this year’s holiday gift guide.

Globetrotting Mommy’s 2017 Holiday Gift Guide

For the Foodie:

For foodies and moms looking for creative ways to get their kids to try new things, Food Faces: 150 Feasts for the Eyes is full of fun inspiration.

For the Sun Worshiper:

A fun pool float makes a great gift to use at home or on vacation. I love this colorful unicorn tube float but the pineapple and donut are super cute too.

For the Traveler

Never confuse your luggage again with this customizable Head Case luggage cover.

For the Geography Buff:

50 Cities of the U.S.A is gorgeous picture book filled with interesting facts and cool details about each city’s famous people, events, cuisine and landmarks.

For the Soon-to-be Mom:

You know how pregnant ladies always measure their baby’s growth in terms of fruits and veggies? These clever PRODUCE tees (and cute gift sets) will be a hit with any soon-to-be mom.

For the Disney lover:

Spread the holiday cheer and give loved ones Disney memories that will last a lifetime with the Gift of Disney Vacations. For the first time ever, guests can send a Disney gift card or full vacation packages. What a great family gift! Don’t miss these Disney World and Disney Cruise tips.

For the Family Vacation Photographer:

The Read This If You Want To Take Great Photographs series has added places and people versions, making them all great gifts for the family photographer.

For NYC Lovers:

Give the gift of navigational fashion and never get lost on the subway again. This adorable unisex Kids NYC All-Over-Map Tee from NYC Subway Line features an accurate subway map on the front and back. Such a great idea for any NYC loving kid and a cool way to teach kids how to navigate around town.

For doll lovers:

The most wanted holiday gift for American Girl fans is the new Create Your Own doll. Girls can customize everything from skin color, eyes and hairstyles to outfits and accessories to create one very special doll. There are more than a million options so be sure to take your time during the selection process or better yet, give her a gift card to create her doll online or at the in-store kiosk.

For Super Busy Kids:

Kids have super chaotic schedules so calendars are a great way to teach the elementary school set how to keep track of their activities and gym day. My daughter loves tracking her sleepovers and acting classes on her Kid’s Awesome Activity Calendar which includes stickers. And this Strong is the new Pretty wall calendar is an awesome way to for girls to welcome in 2018.

For Slime Loving Kids:

I wasn’t expecting it to last so long but slime and Thinking Putty are still crazy popular. DIY slime and putty kits will definitely score big points with tweens and this glittery Elmer’s Frosty Slime Kit is perfect for the holidays. FYI, I got this kit at Staples which is a great spot for buying, wrapping (think holiday paper, gift bags, ribbons and bows) and shipping holiday gifts in just one trip, a nice bonus for busy moms.

For Bilingual Babies:

Start them young with the First Words series from Lonely Planet Kids. Perfect for the whole family, First Words Spanish features 100 handy words to use while traveling (think eating, getting around and weather) as well as a pronunciation guide and colorful photos.

For Theatrical Kids:

For the young Hamilton fan, I love these Hamitones crayons paired with a Hamilton coloring book. Add tickets to a kid-friendly show and you’re all set.

For the Chocolate Lover:

Every holiday season Trader Joe’s brings out their cult favorites so be sure to stock up on the cutest chocolate gift for every traveler on your list, Trader Joe’s Chocolate Passport.

For the Whole Family:

Last but certainly not least, one of the hottest family gifts this season is the Google Home Mini. At just $29 you should get a few since every family member will want it in his or her room. From singing songs and turning off lights to giving weather reports and helping with homework, this little dynamo is sure to make everyone’s life a little easier.

Check out this Tween and Teen Holiday Gift Guide for more ideas. Which Holiday Gift Guide item is your favorite? Tell me below in the comments…

Note: This post contains some affiliate links. I was gifted some of these items for review but all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Holiday Gift Guide – …

November 29, 2016 By admin

Holiday shopping is in full force! If you’ve got some globetrotting kids on your shopping list, check out my favorite affordable gifts for kids who travel. Everything is under $30 so you’ll have money left to plan your next vacation.

2016 Holiday Gift Guide – Affordable Gifts for Kids Who Travel

UNDER $10 Gifts

2016 Holiday Gift Guide – Affordable Gifts for Kids who Travel – Under $10

Rubik’s Junior Bear – For little ones, this kiddie version of the classic game will happily entertain on car trips or plane rides.

Mabel’s Labels Stocking Stuffer Combo – At just $5 each, these sturdy label combos make great stocking stuffers and personalized add-ons to other gifts. Choose from festive holiday or classic designs and label all their favorite luggage and travel accessories.

Reactorz 4″ Light-Up Gripz Ball – This tiny, easy-to-grip ball lights up with every touch, tap, throw or kick making it great for outdoor games at home and away.

Whiffer Sniffers Scented Backpack Clips – Kids love to personalize their backpacks for trips near and far and these deliciously scented plush characters are perfect for girls and boys to collect.

Under $15 Gifts

2016 Holiday Gift Guide – Affordable Gifts for Kids who Travel – Under $15

My first Bananagrams – Little kids can now get in on the family friendly Bananagram craze with lowercase letters and combo letter tiles to help early readers create words. This is a favorite in our house and the easy to take along zippered banana pouch makes it perfect for young travelers.

HEXBUG Aquabot Wahoo – If you’ve got a little swimmer on your shopping list, the HEXBUG AquaBot Wahoo is perfect for your next tropical vacation. Simply twist the bottom to start the high speed propeller and watch as it comes to life, swimming, diving and changing directions to explore its environment.

Tak-Tak – If you’ve got young checkers or chess lovers on your list, this new board game is sure to please. As players move across the board, they can attack and steal pieces keeping everyone in suspense. This is a great strategy game for kids to play with parents and grandparents on a family vacation.

Paper Punk Build Your Own Paper Toy – Looking for a quiet, non-messy activity to keep kids busy on a plane? Paper Punk’s kits make adorable folded patterned animals like Ape, Snake, Unicorn, Cat, Puppy and everything is included in the box!

Under $20 Gifts

2016 Holiday Gift Guide – Affordable Gifts for Kids who Travel – Under $20

Pearhead Holiday Photo Props – Kids will be happy to pose for family photos this holiday season with these adorable photo props. A great way to get everyone in the picture on your holiday vacations.

Pac-Man Mini Arcade Game – If you’ve got a Pac-Man fan on your list, this adorable mini arcade game will be a big hit. This battery operated toy features a joy stick and plays just like the real Pac-Man. A perfect choice for kids of all ages and adults too.

Dinkee Linkee For Kids-Trivia Game – Kids love trivia games and this one is easy to learn and simple for the whole family to play. Kids answer four questions and then try to determine what “links” the answer. This is a great game to play on a family vacation or at home too.

Madame Alexander Travel Friend Dolls – For the globetrotting girls on your list, this collection of international dolls is a perfect choice. These 7-inch dolls feature authentic costumes and gorgeous details from countries including China, France, Kenya, Ireland, India, Germany, Italy, and more.

UNDER $30 Gifts

2016 Holiday Gift Guide – Affordable Gifts for Kids who Travel – Under $30

Props in a Bag – For imaginative play fans, I love these easy to carry Props in a Bag kits that include everything kids need to put on a show (think costumes, accessories, props, and big backdrop). My daughter loves to put on shows with the magician kit and there is also an app to make movies.

Trolls Hair-ific Headphones – Headphones are a must for globetrotting kids and these adorable Trolls headphones are just perfect for little music lovers. If you’ve got an accessory loving girl like I do, these will be a huge hit. I love the pink hair and volume protection for little ears.

Blue Cabi Children’s Binoculars – My daughter is getting these sturdy binoculars for the holidays along with two kids astronomy books – Night Sky Watcher and Astronomy Lab for Kids: 52 Family-Friendly Activities. Binoculars are handy for kids at shows, parades and sightseeing so I know she’ll use them a lot.

Science Expeditions Subscription Box from Little Passports – Monthly subscription boxes are a great choice for a families because everyone can work on the activities together. New from the great team behind Little Passports, the Science Expeditions boxes include experiments, comic books, badges and more. The first box comes with a storage tote making it perfect to bring along on family vacations.

Need more ideas? Check out the Tween and Teen Holiday Gift Guide. What are your favorites on this list? Tell me below in the comments.

I received some of these items for review purposes but all 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!

Road Trips With Kids – 6 …

November 18, 2016 By admin

‘Tis the season for holiday road trips so today I’m sharing some of my favorite must haves for road trips with kids.

Road Trips With Kids – 6 Must Haves

I’m hungry…

No matter how long or short the ride, you know kids will want a drink or snack within 30 minutes of leaving home. Be sure to pack everything in spill-proof containers like Drink in the Box and Snack in the Box or prepare to spend some time with your trusty dustbuster. For snacks, squeezy pouches and individually wrapped snack bars are great options along with fresh fruit and non-crumbly snacks like nuts and cheese sticks.

Road tripping with kids - be sure to bring entertainment for the whole gang. Family Travel. Globetrotting Mommy

Road trips with kids – be sure to bring entertainment for the whole gang.

I’m bored…

Do you hate hearing this as much as I do? Prepare for trips by bringing along age appropriate entertainment for kids (and grown ups too). For tiny tots, audible CDs like Curious George and soft toys are great. For small kids, hand held toys like this adorable Rubik’s Junior Bear are great options. For school age children, I recommend Mad Libs, Highlights Magazines or other activity books, large print books, tablets like the Amazon Fire Kids Edition Tablet which comes in its own kid-proof case and gaming devices like the Nintendo 3DS which will keep kids quietly entertained for hours! It is always fun to play family friendly games along the way so bring along some cards and travel friendly games to play in the back seat like Hangman and Twizmo! Words.

I made a mess…

Wipes and ziplocs are a parent’s best friends so bring lots and lots. Be sure to pack some extra outfits and if your kids get carsick, be sure they have a few bags or a sturdy container nearby.

Roadtripping with kids. The mifold Grab and Go will easily let you fit three kids along in the backseat.

Road trips with kids. The mifold Grab and Go will easily let you fit three kids along in the backseat.

I want my friends to come…

Road tripping with friends? I just tested out the new mifold Grab and Go Booster Seat and I was amazed how easy it was to use. Simply place it on the seat, adjust the sides according to the child’s size (age 4 to 12), slide the seatbelt strap thru the base and over the lap and secure the shoulder strap at the child’s shoulder. Sounds involved but it takes less than a minute. Best of all, it folds in half making it super easy to throw in a tote for taxi rides, carpools or traveling.

I have to go to the bathroom…

Even though my daughter has been potty trained for years, I still keep a 2-in-1 Potette Plus portable potty in my car (along with the insert bags and the aforementioned wipes). You never know how long it can be to the next rest stop so better safe than sorry.

Road trips with Kids – Be sure to bring along some favorite tunes.

I don’t like that song…

I’m not sure what’s more tolerable, listening to kids’ whining or kids’ music. I know my daughter is definitely happy when her favorite tunes are playing in the car so I highly recommend bringing along some kid-friendly music. For tots, this means Elmo (sorry!) and Laurie Berkner types. For older kids, you can’t go wrong with some Kidz Bop (33 albums can’t be wrong), Space Pop Girls or soundtracks to their favorite movies or shows.

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

Spotlight on Brazil: Meet Lea, …

March 8, 2016 By admin

American Girl is one of my favorite companies because they inspire girls to follow their dreams and explore the world. The 2015 American Girl doll, Grace Thomas, helped me teach my daughter about Paris and this year’s Lea Clark™, the 2016 Girl of the Year, has arrived to help us explore Brazil. Known for its spectacular beaches, lush rainforests, rich culture and exotic cuisine, Brazil is big news this year as host of the summer Olympics.

Spotlight on Brazil: Meet Lea, the 2016 American Girl Doll of the Year

Lea is an exotic beauty with olive skin, golden brown hair and hazel eyes. She comes dressed in a colorful Brazilian festival outfit with adorable strappy sandals and fun accessories including a messenger bag and a pretend compass necklace.

Spotlight on Brazil: Meet Lea, the 2016 American Girl Doll of the Year

In Lea’s signature book, Lea Dives In, she shares stories about her hobbies (including photography, hiking and travel) and inspires girls to get out and explore. Lea is a big animal lover so my daughter was drawn to her right away.

As we read about the Amazon rainforest, it was a great opportunity to pull out the map and talk about the region’s ecosystems and wildlife. We had just received a Little Passports subscription box featuring Brazil so that really helped tie it all together.

Spotlight on Brazil: Meet Lea, the 2016 American Girl Doll of the Year

Like other American Girls of the Year, Lea has a wide array of fun accessories (think swim, kayak, hiking, photography) and outfits that are sold separately. I’m secretly lusting after this Rainforest House…

Spotlight on Brazil: Meet Lea, the 2016 American Girl Doll of the Year

I love that she encourages young girls to see the world but I also love that she encourages girls to help protect animals with the Wild at Art program, a year-long fund-raising campaign in support of World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Which American Girl doll is your favorite?

Special thanks to American Girl for a providing us with Lea. 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!

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Awesome Gift Guide For Tweens

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Holiday Gift Guide: Toys That Travel From VTech Toys

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TODDLERS:

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Culturelle® Baby Probiotics and Diaper Bag Musts

Stylish Fashions for Family and Home from JCPenney’s New Payton & Parker Line

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UNDER $10 Gifts

Under $15 Gifts

Under $20 Gifts

UNDER $30 Gifts

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I made a mess…

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I have to go to the bathroom…

I don’t like that song…

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Best Toys for Kids – Holiday Gift Guide

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