On a Mission with National Geographic Kids

I’ve talked about National Geographic Kids before and I’m so excited to share the latest from them! The National Geographic Kids Pleybox subscription is the perfect gift for your curious little ones. Winner of Best Green Toy and Brainchild Toys, and parent approved, send your kids on a mission to discover the Great Barrier Reef, the Serengheti, the Artic or the Amazon. Learn about each areas endangered species and become an Expert after you complete your mission.

My kids are obsessed with National Geographic Kids books. We’ve amassed quite the collection in our home. Partly due to the awesome gig of being a blogger’s kid; but most of the time NGKids books are part of their library checkouts, or requested as a gift. So I knew right away these little mission suitcases would be a huge hit for us. In the boxes we got one of the famed NGKids books, a super cool shirt with corresponding animal, stick sheet, collector cards, and in the Serengeti one my daughter got a little bracelet and two mini animal figurines.

 

 

At the end of your “mission” to learn as much as you can about the area (and the animals) your box is from you get your Achievement Certificate! I make mine earn it by teaching me all about what they learned. It is a great interactive tool for the whole family to use.

Lastly you are able to access a fun, interactive online game, where you can learn EVEN more about the area and its wildlife! After that…your mission is complete!! But the fun doesn’t have to end there. You can keep going back to revisit your mission with each box you get, combining your knowledge. These subscription boxes are only $17.99,  making a Pleybox Mission box a super cool and unique gift for a cool kid in your life. I know that I’m always looking for unique, non-toy, related gifts. NGKids Pleybox’s are definitely on my list of unique gift giving that both parents and kids will love!

Visit their website to find out more, and learn how to get your own mission box!

 

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#TeachersChangeLives – with Office Depot and Adopt-A-Classroom

Many years ago a girl went to college to be a teacher….time passed, majors changed and that girl chose a different path. But the importance of teaching never left her. So that girl was me, and yes I moved on, but the value of teachers has never escaped me. Now that my son is school, I have a new perspective on teaching. It is very interesting to transition from being taught, wanting to be, teaching yourself and then watching your child be taught. Several of my friends are also teachers and it just amazed me how much time and devotion they put into their classrooms while not even in them. How much money they spend every year, out of pocket, to make sure their children and classrooms have what they need.

OfficeDepot and Adopt A Classroom have partnered in an effort to show the world what teachers do, and can accomplish!  Adopt A Classroom connects donors with classrooms and teachers to help them make the classroom experience better.  I wanted to share this with you because I think it’s important to be active in your child’s education, and that includes helping their classrooms function at as high of level as possible.  Whether it be donating your time or money (by randomly sending your child to school with extra supplies), it’s important.  Making sure I’m involved, and letting the teacher know that they are appreciated every day of the year is so important.  Teacher Appreciation Week is also coming up, and whether or not your school does something formal, it is so nice to take that extra time to honor them.

There are so many stories of how teachers are impacting and changing lives of kids across the United States!  I’ve chosen just a few for your to check out – 

You can register a classroom and donate by visiting the Teachers Change Lives website!  You can also visit the website and locate a teacher to help.  Teacher’s who have registered their classrooms can order supplies on line from Office Depot in an easy process.  As a donor you will receive updates on how the classroom you are impacting is doing.  The process is easy and rewarding.  I’m sure if we all thought about it, we could all remember a teacher that was special to us, whether by doing something extraordinary that impacted our educational path, or one that simply was there as a positive influence in our lives.

Has a teacher changed your life?  Do you have an amazing teacher in your life right now?  I want to hear about it!


I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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If you like what you just read please click to send a quick vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs- The best mommy blog directory featuring top mom bloggers

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#TeachersChangeLives – with Office Depot and Adopt-A-Classroom

Many years ago a girl went to college to be a teacher….time passed, majors changed and that girl chose a different path. But the importance of teaching never left her. So that girl was me, and yes I moved on, but the value of teachers has never escaped me. Now that my son is school, I have a new perspective on teaching. It is very interesting to transition from being taught, wanting to be, teaching yourself and then watching your child be taught. Several of my friends are also teachers and it just amazed me how much time and devotion they put into their classrooms while not even in them. How much money they spend every year, out of pocket, to make sure their children and classrooms have what they need.

OfficeDepot and Adopt A Classroom have partnered in an effort to show the world what teachers do, and can accomplish!  Adopt A Classroom connects donors with classrooms and teachers to help them make the classroom experience better.  I wanted to share this with you because I think it’s important to be active in your child’s education, and that includes helping their classrooms function at as high of level as possible.  Whether it be donating your time or money (by randomly sending your child to school with extra supplies), it’s important.  Making sure I’m involved, and letting the teacher know that they are appreciated every day of the year is so important.  Teacher Appreciation Week is also coming up, and whether or not your school does something formal, it is so nice to take that extra time to honor them.

There are so many stories of how teachers are impacting and changing lives of kids across the United States!  I’ve chosen just a few for your to check out – 

You can register a classroom and donate by visiting the Teachers Change Lives website!  You can also visit the website and locate a teacher to help.  Teacher’s who have registered their classrooms can order supplies on line from Office Depot in an easy process.  As a donor you will receive updates on how the classroom you are impacting is doing.  The process is easy and rewarding.  I’m sure if we all thought about it, we could all remember a teacher that was special to us, whether by doing something extraordinary that impacted our educational path, or one that simply was there as a positive influence in our lives.

Has a teacher changed your life?  Do you have an amazing teacher in your life right now?  I want to hear about it!


I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

post signature
If you like what you just read please click to send a quick vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs- The best mommy blog directory featuring top mom bloggers

Continue Reading

The Tacky Box – a parenting tool that is fun for kids!

As a parent I am always looking for unique and creative ways to instill values and morals in my children.  To not only lead them by example but to actively involve them in this life.  Children learn by example, it’s not inate within them to necessarily do the right thing.  In the battle of their personalities they want immediate gratification, and will respond accordingly.  Why do you think small children without verbal abilities hit and throw temper tantrums?  wouldn’t you want to if you could adequately explain how you were feeling?  I totally would.  There are literally days where I feel like just throwing myself on the floor.  Seriously right?!  Can I get an “amen”!!??

I had the opportunity to check out a unique parenting tool called “The Tacky Box,” created by mom, Chris Kent Phelps.  One of the main reasons why I love it is because it is kid focused completely.  The children are involved in the creation of the box, they can personalize it any way they want and they get to be involved in the story of the box.  It isn’t simply me just telling them what to do, which we all know doesn’t always work out well.  No, The Tacky Box is more than that.  Really what sets it apart from a lot of things is the package as a whole.  Having a book that goes along with it, to tell the story, to be the example makes this a great took for your family.  
                         

The Tacky Box story, written and illustrated by Chris’ mom, tells the stroy of Margo or Max (depending on whether or not you ordered your box for a girl or a boy.  Margo and Max learn how make positive choices.  The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous, in a water-color type style.  My daughter enjoyed the book and has already asked me to read it again.  She then sat down to create her own tacky box with her coloring crayons.  I’m guessing our tacky box will be a continuing project.  She has already added some stickers that she’s gotten to it.  It is what you make of it.  You have to set the tone for your family.  You can not simply burchase a book and a wooden box and home for it to accomplish anything for you.  It’s only a small tool for your family; a way to mix it up.
                        

I definitely would recommend this as a fun way to actively engage your children.  To help you instill the values that you hope they will choose to carry on.  To help them take charge of their own behaviors.
                         

You can purchase your own Tacky Box online, for a boy or a girl.  The set includes the book, box, crayons and a special pad so you can start writing all your tacky things down right away!  Have fun with those boxes.  If you have a tacky box I’d love to see yours.  Tweet me @RheChristine and include #TackyBoxKindness

**I received this item in partnership with the Social Media Moms Panel, in exchange for my honest opinion.  I was not compensated in any other way.  As always my views and opinions are my own.  You can read more information about my disclosure and FTC policies up top, by clicking on the tab.**
Continue Reading

The Tacky Box – a parenting tool that is fun for kids!

As a parent I am always looking for unique and creative ways to instill values and morals in my children.  To not only lead them by example but to actively involve them in this life.  Children learn by example, it’s not inate within them to necessarily do the right thing.  In the battle of their personalities they want immediate gratification, and will respond accordingly.  Why do you think small children without verbal abilities hit and throw temper tantrums?  wouldn’t you want to if you could adequately explain how you were feeling?  I totally would.  There are literally days where I feel like just throwing myself on the floor.  Seriously right?!  Can I get an “amen”!!??

I had the opportunity to check out a unique parenting tool called “The Tacky Box,” created by mom, Chris Kent Phelps.  One of the main reasons why I love it is because it is kid focused completely.  The children are involved in the creation of the box, they can personalize it any way they want and they get to be involved in the story of the box.  It isn’t simply me just telling them what to do, which we all know doesn’t always work out well.  No, The Tacky Box is more than that.  Really what sets it apart from a lot of things is the package as a whole.  Having a book that goes along with it, to tell the story, to be the example makes this a great took for your family.  
                         

The Tacky Box story, written and illustrated by Chris’ mom, tells the stroy of Margo or Max (depending on whether or not you ordered your box for a girl or a boy.  Margo and Max learn how make positive choices.  The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous, in a water-color type style.  My daughter enjoyed the book and has already asked me to read it again.  She then sat down to create her own tacky box with her coloring crayons.  I’m guessing our tacky box will be a continuing project.  She has already added some stickers that she’s gotten to it.  It is what you make of it.  You have to set the tone for your family.  You can not simply burchase a book and a wooden box and home for it to accomplish anything for you.  It’s only a small tool for your family; a way to mix it up.
                        

I definitely would recommend this as a fun way to actively engage your children.  To help you instill the values that you hope they will choose to carry on.  To help them take charge of their own behaviors.
                         

You can purchase your own Tacky Box online, for a boy or a girl.  The set includes the book, box, crayons and a special pad so you can start writing all your tacky things down right away!  Have fun with those boxes.  If you have a tacky box I’d love to see yours.  Tweet me @RheChristine and include #TackyBoxKindness

**I received this item in partnership with the Social Media Moms Panel, in exchange for my honest opinion.  I was not compensated in any other way.  As always my views and opinions are my own.  You can read more information about my disclosure and FTC policies up top, by clicking on the tab.**
Continue Reading