My family and I are huge LeapFrog fans. We own the majority of their products, and I am always willing to try their new ones! As many of you know, I also like to pass along great products when I see them. We had a little get together with some friends and showed them the new Leapfrog products.

We already had a Tag reading system, but we tried out the new pen. However, we did not have the Learn To Read Series or the Interactive World Map. Personally, I loved the Learn To Read Series. It is exactly what Will is learning in preschool right now, so it is quite complimentary. The Interactive World Map is awesome:

The kids loved the Map Racer Challenge that is on the map. I learned with this game that I didn’t know my geography all that well. Who actually knows where Fiji or Madagascar is? I know I didn’t until yesterday! There are three different levels, so all ages can play without getting frustrated. The kids loved that when you clicked on the airplane it made noise too. There was also a few more games. What I didn’t realize till after everyone left, was that there are two sides to the map!!!!! My kids played with the other side and had just as much fun. I loved that the map is interactive and that my kids were learning. They didn’t even realize it at all! All the kids just thought they were having fun!  Madison thought the map was fun and hard while Alex thought Level 3 was definitely hard!  Hannah thought it was really fun.

We also were able to try out the new LeapPad learning tablet:

Who cares about the kids opinion? I am in love. I can’t tell you how much I love this product. For me, it is the best thing since sliced bread. It truly is. My husband and I both have smart phones. Our kids always want to play on said smart phone. I’ve already had my 4 year old drop said smart phone and shatter the screen. Needless to say, I need a product like this in my home (now granted, if you drop this just right, it’ll shatter said screen too). That all being said, all the kids loved this including my 2 year old nephew Gabe. Yes, my two year old nephew is an awesome player on the balloon popping game on here and beat everybody’s score.

The tablet is for ages 4  - 9.  It has a built in camera and video recorder.  LeapPad offers limitless learning and endless play through their library of 100+ cartridge games, apps, digital books, videos, and flash cards!  You can touch the screen with your finger or the stylus (and it comes with an extra one too!).  Some of the games require you to shake it and even blow into it.  They have games and apps in school basics like math, reading, science, geography, art, music, language, culture, etc.  The skill levels adjust automatically, so kids can learn at their own pace.  Their progress is remembered from game to game.  You can set up profiles for all your kids too!

I can honestly say that I can see the LeapPad being a top item this Christmas. I was impressed with the durability and how both my kids can play with it. My kids love it, and we’ve already taken it on long car trips. My car has never been so quiet.

I am impressed with all the Leapfrog products we go to try out. I highly recommend them all!

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Summer can be super expensive. However, it doesn’t have. Here is a small list of places you can go this summer and not spend a lot of money!

1. Your Backyard! Your backyard is fun of fun. You can camp back there, create a garden, explore, etc. Best of all, most things you can do in your backyard are free!

2.  Go camping. Now, this will cost you a little money.  However, it is great to get away sometimes.  We recently booked a camping trip for July that is running us $30 a night.  It is fairly inexpensive to camp, and I know, my kids love it.  (We personally camp in a tent.  However, I draw the line and do bring a blow mattress to sleep on.  We could get our site even cheaper if we didn’t pay for the electric, so I could blow up my bed.)

3.  Library.  The library is great.  It is free to check out books, games, activities, movies, etc.  The other great thing about the library (well, at least my library) is that they offer free (or low cost) classes!  My library also has scheduled activities going on each month too! The key is to return your book on time, so you don’t get any fines!

4.  Your Local Park District.  I know not every state has these.  However, you have something that offers classes.  Our local park district offers nature classes all summer for very cheap. It definitely something to check out.

5.  Your Local Craft Store.  I know my local craft stores are constantly offering classes to teach you awesome crafts, cake decorating, etc.

6.  Your Local Hardware Store.  I know the closest hardware store to me has adult classes all the time that will show you how to do things around your home.  They also offer kids workshops too that are free!

7.  The Mall.  My local mall has a play area that is free to play in.  It is also a great place to walk in.  Now, you have to manage to not go shopping while you are there to keep it inexpensive. 

8.  Forest Preserves.  Here in Illinois, we have forest preserves though I know other states have places like these and they are just called something different.  They are free to enter and you are able to hike in them.  They are a great way to get the kids outdoors and a great place to have a picnic too.

9.  Local park.  Your local park is also free and most kids can spend hours in them!

10. Head to a lake, river, pond, etc.  You can usually swim, skip rocks, fish, etc at your local watering hole for no cost.

Hopefully, you have a few free and inexpensive ideas to keep you and your kids busy this summer!

Related articles

• KinderCare Learning Centers Summer Camp (mythoughtsideasandramblings.com)
• Beat the Summer Heat with a Backyard Pool Party (table4five.net)

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Due to the sickness that is rampaging through my family (I just spent last night in Urgent Care, so I’m not immune either), I haven’t had a chance to post about our trip to a Chicago Wolves game. I have to tell you — if you haven’t gone yet, this is a must see!

We started our evening at their FunFest.  I’m not sure if they always have that, but it is well worth going!  It is free as long as you have tickets to the game.  You can do a ton of stuff with the kids like shooting hockey pucks:

Getting your picture taken as a hockey player:

We got to make signs:

And even get our faces painted:

After all that fun, we went and found our seats:

I have to admit — I think my kids like the pregame the most though:

Not only was their fire on the ice as they were announcing the players (Those flames shot up in the air.  You could feel the heat in our seats. It was awesome), they also had fireworks going off.  You didn’t know where to look.  It was a great start to the game!  It really got you into and it was awesome to watch.

The hockey game was great too!  Lots of fighting (its hockey, what do you expect?) and an awesome game even though we lost.

The Chicago Wolves have really made their games family friendly.  I’d highly recommend taking your kids to a game.  They will have a blast.  I know we did!

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Can you believe June is almost here?  Here are some of the best contests on the web:

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I’m going to try this again, and hopefully you’ll be able to win some prizes. Below are the contest from around the web (and feel free to add your own!)

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