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Puzzle it Out: Guidecraft Educational Puzzles

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Guidecraft sent me an assortment of their Montessori-style wooden puzzles and the entire family is impressed!

Because the puzzles are open-ended, the educational potential of these puzzles is limitless. Whether you are studying basic concepts, such as shapes, colors, relative size, or counting, or more advanced concepts, such multiplication or fractions, there are plenty of play possibilities to engage your child. Plus, the puzzles encourage creative problem solving, spatial relations, and fine motor control.

A Day at the Beach in a Tent for Ten (or more)

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I worry about sun damage. I rub plenty of physical sunblock on my older two, dress them in UV-protectorant rash guards, and put on hats (which they inevitably remove) but I also don’t like them to be in direct sunlight for the entire outing–especially my newborn who is not supposed to use any sunscreen.

A great solution is a UV-protectorant tent like the Sun Smarties Pop-up Cabana and Beach Tent…

Save on a One-Month Membership at Gymboree! (Groupon)

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Music and play are good for the brain and the soul! Groupon has a great deal to help you save on a one-month membership for any Gymboree Play & Music location in the United States. Consumers will typically save 60% off a one-month membership.

Deal: Save on a one-month membership to Gymboree Play & Music! (Deal lasts: 12:01a EST, August 17 through 11:59p EST, August 18)

HABA Mini Vehicle: Squeaky Good Fun

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Wooden cars are a classic toy that continues to delight, no matter how many new electronic toys bombard our kids with flashing lights.

HABA has a fresh new take on this toddler favorite: a mini vehicle, available as a police car or fire truck, with a colorful cartoon animal driver and a button-plunger “squeak” to complete the fun.

Learn to Bike with Kazam Balance Bikes

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I’m not particularly athletic or coordinated, and I remember having a hard time learning to bike as a kid. A few painful falls frightened me a bit, and I used training wheels for what seemed like an eternity. I wish balance bikes had been popular when I was a child because I’ve seen how easily my son is learning how to balance and bike — minus the traumatic falls and scrapes I had.

Celebrate Pretend Play with The Costume Trunk

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At the Book Blogger Convention this year, I met the founder of From Left to Write, an innovative online book club. Every month, they select a book and ask bloggers to share their thoughts about how the book inspired them. This month, the selection is The Costume Trunk by Paddywhack Lane creator Bob Fuller

Summer Fun with Redbox Giveaway

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To celebrate the official beginning of summer, Redbox is asking moms of the blogging world, “What’s your favorite video game to play with your family?” In addition, they are rewarding fun-seeking families with the opportunity to win $10,000 as part of their Summer of Fun & Games Sweepstakes.

Dream Big with Paddywhack Lane

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I’m excited to announce that Paddywhack Lane’s new picture book “The Costume Trunk” and line of coordinating toys is now available at Barnes & Noble stores nationwide and online at www.paddywhacklane.com.

Beep, Beep, Here We Go! (Little Tikes Cozy Truck GIVEAWAY!)

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The Little Tikes Cozy Coupe is a the single most popular toy at our play dates but now it has competition…from the Little Tikes Cozy Truck!

Kids line up to take their turn with this fun ride-on from Little Tikes. They’ve brought the cartoon styling of the Cozy Coupe to a new truck model and added a few new features to make this ride even more fun…

The opinions expressed on Mamanista.com are based on a single consumer user testing, and are solely those of the author. Any factual claims, including but not limited to safety testing, are based on information from the manufacturer. Mamanista.com receives sample products for testing. Paid placements, such as announcements of sales or sponsored contests are clearly marked. See our disclosure policy.