What is small, round, bright and can be used to drive, play games and learn to code? It's Sphero Mini, the ping-pong sized robotic ball. This tiny tech-infused ball is a miniature version of Sphero 2.0, the world's first app-enabled robotic ball. Although Sphero Mini is itty bitty in size, it still packs a whole lot of innovation, making it a super cool and affordable gift idea this holiday season.

Finally, my favourite feature of the Sphero Mini is the ability to program it using the Sphero Edu app. You can draw, drag blocks, or code text with Javascript thanks the latest Sphero Edu app update. And because the Sphero Mini costs $69.99, this makes it a more affordable alternative for coding clubs and STEM education in schools. The Bluetooth-enabled Mini has a 10M range and can be charged with the included micro USB. It has LED lights that glow in any colour, as well as a gyroscope and accelerometer, providing endless coding abilities. Charging time is decent at 1 hour for a full charge that lasts for 45 minutes of continuous play. It is also compatible with iOS 10+ and Android 5.0+. To recharge, you have to remove the shell, which means, unlike Sphero 2.0, you can play with the Mini in water. However, this does mean you can interchange shells, which are available in blue, green, pink, orange and white. For more information, visit sphero.com.

Disclosure: I received product to help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

With the holidays just around the corner, I am sure many of us are already on the lookout for gift ideas. At least, I know I am. I love gifting block kits such as LEGO sets but this year, there's a fabulous gift idea to complement toy blocks. Introducing Mayka Toy Block Tape, a revolutionary idea licensed from the ORIGINAL Nimuno Loops. I had supported their Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign earlier this year and absolutely love how it can transform virtually any surface into a base for construction toy bricks and figures.

Mayka Toy Block Tape is a flexible and cuttable surface with an adhesive backing that can be used to make 3D creations. Mayka Tape is compatible with LEGO® toys and other major toy construction brands. It comes in a wide variety of colours, widths and lengths, and can be easily cut with scissors to the desired length. Then you remove the adhesive seal from the back, making not to place it near any hair, dirty floors, food, or other surfaces that may damage the adhesive. Place the tape to a clean surface. Please note that it is not recommended for use on painted surfaces.

Mayka tape can be removed and re-used, provided that the adhesive is in good condition. But like any adhesive product, it will get less sticky if re-used several times. We first tried it on our mirrored closet door. We began by adding a strip to the mirror and applied square bricks sideways. Then we applied a second strip of Mayka tape on the top side of those squares so that we could also build vertically.

As a child, counting down to Christmas was a surefire way to brighten our spirits once the weather turned cold. Sometimes the countdown would end sooner than usual if we had a family vacation down south to look forward to. Whether we spent the holidays at home with the family or abroad on the beach, holiday smiles were pretty much a guarantee. Today, as a mother of two, I realize how much I had taken that all for granted. For the first time, we will be spending time in the hospital visiting with my mother-in-law who recently slipped and broke her leg. This was devastating news for my youngest, who wanted desperately to see her but was hit hard by the stomach flu. It was a difficult reminder that life isn't always easy; that illness and injury can take us all by surprise. 

For thousands of children and their families, the holidays will be spent in Canadian hospitals. But because Duracell believes in powering the imagination of sick children by helping to ensure kids can still be kids, they can still enjoy the magic of the season. For the 10th consecutive year, Duracell is donating a year supply of batteries to hospital playrooms across the country. The goal: to power smiles and imagination this holiday season and beyond. Knowing that a new working toy or game can help make a child's hospital stay a little brighter, Brampton singer Alessia Cara joined Duracell, who donated $180,000 to SickKids in her name, to promote their Powering Smiles campaign. In addition, Duracell, in partnership with Hasbro, also delivered a shipment of toys, along with the batteries to power them. Among these toys was the new Furby Connect.

In our home, Furby has been bringing smiles to my kids for the past four years. It first started with the original Furby and then the family expanded with a Furby Boom. For each one, we always made sure to use Duracell batteries. This year, we are thrilled to welcome Furby Connect to the family. My favourite features are his moving ears and his colourful eyes that display more than 150 animations to help express what Furby wants. You can pet him, tickle him, shake him, or turn him upside down. Furby reacts each time! Plus, when Furby Connect syncs with the Furby Connect World app, there are more physical and digital ways to interact and more surprises to discover, making this a great gift idea for the holidays. And don't forget to power Furby Connect with Duracell batteries since Duracell makes the magic of the holidays last longer.

For every pack of Duracell batteries sold at Walmart in December 2016, Duracell will donate to Children’s Miracle Network. Now only will you avoid a child's disappointment in receiving a battery-operated toy that is powerless, you will also help make a child’s hospital stay a little brighter. Join the Powering Smiles Campaign and help them reach this year's goal to raise $150,000.

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Duracell. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

One year, I had purchased a princess themed Playmobil Advent Calendar for my daughter. It was a great alternative to the typical Advent calendar filled with chocolates and, once Advent was over, she would have a complete Playmobil set to play with. It had a pretty white horse, a pink unicorn, peacocks, bluebirds, a garden filled with flowers, a large bird cage and a beautiful water fountain. One of the princesses even had her own parasol. The attention to detail was remarkable and my daughter loved this set so much, we used this Advent calendar for many years.

This year, we have a brand new calendar to help us count down to Christmas. Just in time for the World Cup of Hockey, Playmobil's new NHL Advent Calendar "Rivalry On The Pond" is sure to be a hit this season. The backdrop for this scene is a frozen pond in the great outdoors. Setting up the background was a cinch and the skate marks on the pond make it look all the more realistic. With Santa as referee, players can actually pass the puck to fellow team members. 

This advent calendar contains twenty-four surprise items for each day leading up to Christmas. Once all the pieces are revealed, children can enjoy their own mini NHL game. The compartments are easy to open, which means this will last even longer than our first Playmobil Advent calendar that used individual boxes that had to be assembled each year. This will definitely become a best-seller this season so grab one while you can. They are listed at $39.99 and can be found at most retail stores and independent toy stores.

Disclosure: I received product to help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Every summer, I take advantage of the time off work to sort through old clothes and toys, donating what no longer fits or passing along outgrown toys to my niece and nephew. Yet, I always come across a toy or two that either myself or my kids can't bare to part with. One such toy is Simon Swipe, since it brings back so many memories of its original predecessor and offers endless hours of fun. Next on the list, which should come as no surprise, is Simon Flash, which is equally as fun but offers a different dynamic to the game. For my daughter, the one toy she can't seem to give up is her Furby Boom. For my son, it's his coveted remote controlled BB-8. (I swear, it has something to do with the fact that he's a Star Wars baby. That, and he just loves all things RC!) All these cool toys need is a storage break and a little reboot from Duracell Quantum.

Since play helps build imagination, creativity and confidence, Duracell wants to celebrate the importance of powering imaginations by helping to get more fun and more play out of last year’s toys, at least until this holiday. One lucky reader will win a #PowerImagination prize pack that includes:

To be eligible to win, complete the Rafflecopter form below. Open to residents of Canada, excluding Quebec.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Duracell. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Remember the days when scratch 'n' sniff stickers were a thing? I loved collecting them as a kid and now, whenever I can find them, I like to add them to my teacher stash. There's a certain nostalgia to scratch 'n' sniff stickers which is why I was curious to see what the Original Whiffer Sniffers were all about. Recently launched in Canada, Whiffer Sniffers are cuddly scented plush characters and backpack clips with quirky personalities to match their scents.

For review, we received a Milton Melon Backpack Clip and a Chocolate Chip Backpack Clip. They clip easily onto backpack, lunchbox or bag, and are a fun collectible to keep or trade with friends. Our favourite is the watermelon backpack clip. Each clip retails for $9.99 each.

We also received a 12-inch Freddy Froster Super Sniffer. This adorable donut scented plush toy comes in a huggable size that kids will love. Super Sniffers retail for $19.99. All plush toys and backpack clips are packaged in giftable clear containers and are designed for kids ages three and up. Also available are Myster Packs that contain rare backpack clip-sized Whiffer Sniffers such as Sunny Pop and Jerry Pie, super rare gold bag characters that are a mix of two existing characters, or one of the other regularly sold Whiffer Sniffer characters. They are now exclusively available at Toys"R"Us.

Disclosure: I received samples to help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Over the last few years, classrooms have evolved to accommodate project based learning opportunities in the area of STEAM - science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. As a result, there is a growing trend of toys and gadgets that aim to engage kids in educational play by introducing them to STEAM concepts. One such gadget is the 3D Magic ImagiPen.

The ImagiPen allows kids to create 3D drawings by using a special no-heat pen that has a built-in UV light, which allows kids to build creations in mid-air. The kit includes an ImagiPen, one blue gel cartridge, one green gel cartridge, an ImagiPen docking station, a cleaning tool, and two free-play stencils. Batteries are not included.

For our first project, my daughter and I decided to recreate the Eiffel Tower. Using a template we found online, we traced the designs by placing the free-play stencils on top of the template and tracing it. We placed the stencils on the window sill to cure for a couple of hours and once we had all the pieces we needed, we began to assemble our Eiffel Tower. 

It took us a while to get the hang of using the 3D ImagiPen, especially since my daughter, who loves to draw, would use it like a ball-point pen. When creating flat pieces of art, you need to let the gel fall into place and be wary that it will remain wet for a while. We had to redo some of the pieces and even still, they weren't perfect. As such, some parts were difficult to stick together during assembly since not all the edges were perfectly straight. We simply considered this a lesson in engineering and design!

For the very top of the tower, we used the ImagiPen with the UV light setting so it dried in mid-air. It was a little too tall but the neat part is that, once it has cured, you can trim it with a pair of scissors. What you want to keep in mind is, when creating flat pieces, it can get a little messy if you accidentally touch the design while it's wet. The gel ended up on our hands more often than I cared for which is why I prefer using the ImagiPen to create vertical designs with the UV light on so it dries instantly before I can get my clumsy fingers all messy. 

The 3D Magic ImagiPen, designed for kids age 8 and up, is available online at imagipen.ca for $29.99 plus $8.99 for shipping and handling. I've also seen the ImagiPen on Toysrus.ca for the same price but you can save on shipping by selecting the free in-store pickup option.

Disclosure: I received a product sample to facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Let me tell you a story. Picture it: Toronto, 2005. I had been living in the city for barely a year when my eldest was born. We were living in a small one bedroom apartment and I knew not a single person in our neighbourhood. To save my sanity as I coped with the challenges of motherhood, I would often take my daughter on a little road trip to visit my parents in Hamilton. Even if it was just for the day, I would find myself stuffing the back of the minivan with a mountain of baby gear and toys... You know, just in case. This was in addition to the toys I kept within arm's reach to keep my daughter entertained during the car ride. Once in Hamilton, I'd unload it all and fill my parents' living room with all the gear. This was the routine for me. Pack. Travel. Unload. Repeat. Surely there had to be something that could simplify my life as a new mother. If only we had had some portable playtime essentials from the latest PLAYSKOOL Play, Stow and Go line.

At the top of my holiday purchase list of playtime essentials that I wish had, was a set of PLAYSKOOL Play, Stow and Go Stacking Cups. Not only do they come in a rainbow of bright colours, all seven cups have a shape cut into them. Plus, these nesting cups store easily inside a base with an adorable lion face. The tabs form a circular frame to create the look of a lion's mane and the tail doubles as a handle! There's so much cuteness in one little package, you almost forget these stacking and nesting cups are great for teaching shapes and colours, and building hand-eye coordination. Great for toddlers age 9 months and older.

Next up is the PLAYSKOOL Fold 'N Go Busy Elephant. This ultra cuddly plush toy includes a squeaker, a clicker, a mirror, a peekaboo flower, a rattle attached to a pocket, and a crinkle ear. My favourite feature? The ability to fold all the parts into a compartment hidden at the back and sealed with a Velcro closure. With teething babies that love to chew on their toys, it's the perfect storage solution that protects the toy from getting dirty when not in use. It's also machine washable. Ideal for babies age 3 months and older.

Finally, we can't forget PLAYSKOOL Sesame Street Play All Day Elmo. Yes, Elmo. Need I say more? I have yet to meet a baby whose face didn't light up at the sight of this adorable character. With Play All Day Elmo, children can enjoy two modes of play, eight games and activities such as "Red Light, Green Light" and "Pat-a-Cake," plus more than 150 responses. They can hug him tight while he sings a lullaby or - my favourite - tickle his tummy in toddler mode. Elmo requires 4 AA batteries (demo batteries included) and is recommended for children age 18 months to 4 years.

So make this the best Christmas yet and buy these toys for the little one in your family! Any of these wonderful PLAYSKOOL toys can be purchased at your local Walmart store or ordered on Walmart.ca.

This post is sponsored by Walmart Canada, as part of the PLAYSKOOL Play, Stow and Go program. In exchange for this review, I have received special perks in the form of products and/or compensation. All opinions on this blog are my own.

Calling all Masters of Scaremonies! Head on over to Hallmark for some spook-tacular Halloween ingredients to help you concoct the perfect fright night recipe. They have Trick-or-Treat Fabric Bags for $4.95 each and ghoulish Jack-o'-Lantern Wire Baskets for $12.95. 

If plush toys are more up your alley, Roary the Candy Monster is sure to be a hit this Halloween. This monster is all about the treats and is read to sing and dance to a parody of "I Want Candy." I prefer Roary to last year's Tricks, the Toe-Tappin' Treat Bag and the Singing Owl Techno Plush from the year before.  Roary retails for $32.95 but if you purchase three Hallmark greeting cards, it costs only $17.95. Don't forget to pick up one of this year's Halloween itty bittys featuring lovable Scooby Doo characters for $6.95 each. You can fit two itty bittys into the Small Pumpkin Basket, sold separately ($2.95). Also, check out their motion-activated Drop 'n' Greet Bernie the Bat which hangs upside down from the ceiling and says 1 of 10 phrases as he drops down and flies back up, available for $14.95 with purchase.

Finally, add some Halloween spirit with Back-to-Basic Door Décor. We hung ours on our front using a large Command Adhesive Hook. They come in two styles, BOO and BAT and retail for a mere $7.95. The patterning matches Hallmark's Halloween Scarf in grey and black, which my daughter has already claimed. It's a fun way to add a hint of haunt to your outfit of the day. The scarf retails for $19.95 but you can get it for half price with any purchase.

Win a Back-to-Basic Door Décor

One reader will win a Back-to-Basic Door Décor from Hallmark. Simply complete the Rafflecopter form below. Open to Canadian residents only, excluding Quebec.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure: I was sent product from Hallmark Canada as part of their Hallmark Blogger Panel  to help facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

Introducing the best $12 you'll ever spend: Zoom-O Disc Launcher. Because outdoor play doesn't have to end as soon as school starts up again. My kids have spent nearly the entire summer playing outside, riding their bikes and hanging out with neighbourhood friends old and new. And September won't be any different. For the past few weeks, my kid testers have been trying out the Zoom-O Disc Launcher and have been having a blast. Literally.  

Every Easter, our family looks forward to spending time with relatives and friends both here in Toronto and back in my hometown. This year will be even more special now that we have a new addition to the family, my baby nephew! I don't often buy gifts for this particular holiday, aside from some delicious Easter-themed chocolates, but I happened to have some Easter DVDs as well as some really cute plush toys from Hallmark that we received for review. I even thought about buying the Bunny Mugs and Bunny Serving Platter above as a little hostess gift. Don't you just love the spring colours? The platter retails for $19.95 and the mugs are $10.95 each.

For as long as I can remember, bedtime has always been a challenge with my first-born. As a newborn, she would often fuss and cry at night but I thought if we could just implement a routine as she got older, things would get easier. And sometimes it did. But mostly, it didn't. It turns out, she needed someone with her in her room every night. Yet for me, I needed her to go to sleep on her own. I was often tired and if I were to lay down next to her, I would inevitably fall asleep in an awkward position on her twin bed and wake up with an arm resting on my face. I'm sure many parents can relate. Lots of fun, right? Nope. I needed to sleep in my own spacious bed and I needed my daughter to find ways to self-soothe. My husband, however, would prefer to lay down next to her than have her call us repeatedly to her room out of fear of the dark. We have tried a few different night lights but, even at nine years of age, she was still afraid of being alone in her room at night. Until we met Charley the Chameleon, that is.

Initially, I had intended for my six-year-old son to have Charley because it was designed for babies and toddlers, I thought to myself. Surely the novelty would wear off and then I could pass it on to my baby nephew or my three-year-old goddaughter. While my son loved it, he really didn't need it. He's always been a pro at sleeping and would often sleep for 10-11 hours a night since he was one month old. But because Charley is so cute, my kids decided to take turns with him each night. What ended up happening? My daughter kept him in her room and my son really hasn't asked for him in weeks. Which is perfectly fine because for the first time in a very, very long time, my daughter will go to bed without asking me to say with her. I'm still having a hard time believing it myself, but it's true! I feel like bowing down to the Cloud B gods and saying, "I'm not worthy! I'm not worthy!"