It is with great excitement that I introduce you to Innovative Kids. I had never before heard of this company, so when I was offered the opportunity to review some products, I wasn't sure what I'd be getting. Since my reviews are always honest (you'll never see me write about a product I hate since I firmly believe that "if you have nothing nice to say..."), I always get a bit nervous when working with a new company. I must say that these products are FANTABULOUS! I seriously cannot get enough of these wonderful toys.
While other parents view it as a chore or necessary evil, bath-time is an actual activity in our house. We spend about 30 minutes to an hour playing. The bath is great for bonding (you gotta sit there anyway) and can be educational and lots of fun, especially if you have the right toys. 
The Soft Shapes Play To Learn Games: Memory Match Catch provides hours of entertainment. We have had it for nearly 2 months now, and my kids still love it. I tell stories with it, we play counting games, matching games, we fish for colors, and best of all memory games! You can see how nicely the fish stick to the wall. The colors are vibrant and fun and my kids can't get enough of this. These cute foam fish can actually be played with in or out of the bath, but since our bath is the "pond" (more like a swamp when they're done with it) my kids like to leave them there. When it's time for clean up they go fishing for all the fishies and collect them with the net, then place them in the netted bag where they drain quite nicely- no mold or mildew growing on these fish. 
The Princesses - green start Play, Draw, Create activity is also awesome. My apartment is not big, so space is well... limited. This kit, which includes a magnetic dry erase board, over 30 magnetic play pieces, five inter-locking dry erase markers in assorted colors, and a write-on/wipe-off activity book filled with lots of reusable activities and games, is so well contained, you can even take it on car trips. I love it that each activity can be done over and over since the pieces are magnetic and the markers are dry-erase, making this toy economical and eco-friendly. The only problem is, that dry erase markers aren't washable, but that's nothing a smock can't remedy. This toy is so well made we still have every single piece, and that's a real accomplishment in this house. I may add that my daughter is obsessed with princesses (she thinks she's a real princess), so this cute set was a dream come true. This makes a great little girl birthday gift.
The Now I'm Growing Prince of the Potty Book by Nora Gaydos (there's a princess version too) is a great tool when potty training, it is both cute and humorous, and my son loves it. I keep it in the side compartment of his Boon Potty. He practically knows the book by heart. There are also other great books geared towards childhood firsts and I can't wait to get my hands on those. There is nothing that drives a lesson home better than illustrating your point with a story or book, and the Now I'm Growing series does just that.Innovative Kids has seriously blown me away with their wide array of ingenious educational toys and books, and I anticipate purchasing many items from them in the future.
Buy It!
These great products can be purchased directly through their site, and many products can be found on Amazon as well. Win It!
One lucky reader will win their favorite product.
Mandatory Entry: Comment on this post letting me know which of these 3 products you'd like to win.
- "like" Because Cheaper is Better on facebook and comment here that you did
- Like innovativeKids on Facebook and comment "I just entered to win InnovativeKids Toys on @because cheaper is better (http://becausecheaperisbetter.blogspot.com)"
- Follow this blog on GFC and by email and let me know that you do (2 separate entries)
- follow @CheaperisBetter on Twitter (http://twitter.com/cheaperisbetter)
- Tweet and post the tweet link in a comment: Wow! I just entered to #WIN @InnovativeKids Toys on @cheaperisbetter ! #giveaways #contests
- Share this post via facebook and copy the link into a comment here
- Sign up* for Shop it to Me which is FREE, and you can get a FREE $10 gift card to a store of your choice (such as Amazon, Old Navy, Starbucks, GAP + more) and an extra entry into this giveaway!! Win win :) *new sign ups through this link only- I can check
Contest ends on November 1, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Contest is open to US and Canadian residents only. I will announce the winner in a blog post and e-mail the winner if e-mail address is available (please make sure to leave one). If the winner does not claim prize within 48 hours of being selected, a new winner will be selected. The prize will be mailed directly to the winner by the contest sponsor.
Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry.
If you are leaving your e-mail address in a comment, then make sure it is in this format becausecheaperisbetter(at)gmail(dot)com to avoid spammers.
Please note that I received no compensation aside from the product itself in order to facilitate the review. This review is a compilation of my own opinions and thoughts.
Last week I asked everyone on facebook about the Vulli Sophie the Giraffe Teether, and got very positive feedback. I have only heard good things, but the price was a bit steep. After all the positive comments and reviews, I decided to buy my daughter one since she's teething and grasping and I needed a good toy for her. And the verdict is... she LOVES it!! Amazon has the best price on it if you're thinking of buying it. Still expensive at $17.26 but cheaper than anywhere else I have seen. (You can get a 2-pack for $32 making them $16 each). It makes the most adorable squeaking sound almost like it's talking to her. My 3 year old also loves it and is constantly stealing it from her. The material is a soft rubber and it is well constructed. Great toy if you want to splurge or as a gift for someone.
