Incorporate Music into Imaginative Play with the #Playmobil PopStars! Stage

The PLAYMOBIL products, information and two Popstars! Stage gift packs have been provided by PLAYMOBIL. All opinions expressed are my own.

The PLAYMOBIL PopStars! Stage play set is fun and refreshing. I don't know how many toys and play sets the kids of have based on action, war, outer space, animal, or construction themes. It was nice to see the kids excited about playing with a rock band-themed musical toy for a change. The kids were as equally excited as if it were a martial arts or race car play set. Refreshing.

The PopStars! Stage play set contains a rock stage, 4 musicians, and all of the instruments required for a kick butt jam session. The stage has a multi-setting light and prerecorded music show that you can control using the buttons on the top back of the stage (requires 4 AA batteries, not included). The details are fantastic right down to the rubber guitar straps, the guitar stands, tilting spotlights, and the drummer’s drum sticks.

The assembly of the set took less than 15 minutes and was not difficult. Although most 8-9 years or older children could probably assemble the set, I preferred to do it myself as the set required the careful placement of 20 or so decals. The battery cover also requires a fine Philips head screwdriver to access, something I also prefer to do myself. If your child has a phone or an MP3 player, the device can be plugged into the stage so kids can play their own music.

The kids played with the set for hours at a time and always had a blast. It didn't take long for each musician to have unique personalities and bios. After a time, the session took off and branched into more typical themed play for my kids, but I don't have an issue with that. Rockstar ninja space rangers are pretty cool too!

The fun doesn't need to stop at rockstar ninja space rangers.  Look at these stop motion videos of the PLAYMOBIL PopStars! play set created by some real enthusiasts: Here and here. Also, when the play is all done, the stage makes an impressive light-up display while doubling as a speaker for a music-playing device.

The PLAYMOBIL PopStars! Stage gets an easy recommendation from me. PLAYMOBIL quality, ease of assembly, great fun, and a fair price for just $39.99.  Learn more about this and other PLAYMOBIL toys at playmobil.us.

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PLAYMOBIL is launching an epic Battle of the PLAYMOBIL PopStars! contest where fans can vote for their favorite PLAYMOBIL PopStars! group. After voting, participants can also submit an applause-worthy name for the band they voted for. Two contestants who submit names that really “rock” will be chosen to receive a $500 shopping spree on www.playmobil.us. Visit HERE to enter and HERE for contest details.  This contest runs through November 15th, 2013.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck in the drawing!

This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. A random drawing will be held shortly after the contest closing. The winner will be announced here and will be contacted via email. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be drawn.

Voice Rockrz Voice Altering Mic from First Act Discovery

My children are naturally . . . loud.  They enjoy being loud and seem to live for it.  They also love playing with musical instruments and pretending to be rock stars, so I knew the new Voice Rockrz Mic from First Act Discovery would be a musical toy that they would have lots of fun with.  In fact, I assumed that our oldest, our 7.5 year old son, who made an electric guitar video last fall, would have no problems rocking out with this toy microphone on video.  Well, he reluctantly agreed and then got stage fright, so I had to recruit our 4.5 year old daughter.  I played with our Voice Rockrz Mic and had a lot of fun belting out some of my favorite songs.  I would have done the video if there had been another adult around to tape it for me.

We received the Voice Rockrz Mic in blue, but it is also available in pink.  The blue set comes with the mic plus a skull bracelet (or a zipper bracelet) and a skull ring.  The pink set comes with a pink mic plus a skull bracelet and a flower ring.

At first, I was worried that our preschool-aged daughter would not be able to use the various functions, but she had no problems at all once I gave her a mini lesson:

• Press the "ON/OFF" button to turn the mic on and off.
• Press the "FX" button to hear a drumroll.  Then press it again to hear a crowd cheering.  This button simply alternates between these two sounds.
• Press the "MIC" button to reset the microphone back to just an amplifier.  You can use this button to clear out any voice changing effects before you choose another one.
• Tap the ring to the target on the back of the microphone to turn on the "HI-NOTE Effect", which changes your voice into a high pitched one.
• Tap the bracelet to the target on the back of the microphone to turn on the "ECHO-TASTIC Effect", which causes your voice to echo like you were on stage.
• Tap one Voice Rockrz jewelry item onto the target on the back of the microphone and then tap the other jewelry item to turn on the "ROBOT-RIFFIC Effect", which gives your voice a motorized robotic sound.

You can also plug an MP3 player into the mic so your child can sing along to songs by their favorite artists.  Unfortunately, the only MP3 player we had in the house was misplaced about a month ago, so we were not able to test out this feature.

Here is our daughter's singing debut video . . . 

She is singing "I Love Rock N Roll" by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts.  You will need to turn the volume on your computer all the way up.  Her voice was so tiny that the microphone only picked it up here and there (hence the subtitles).





The second I was done recording footage for the video, our oldest son ran around the house with the mic singing for a good hour or so.  All 3 children had a blast with it once they knew they did not have an audience.  I have to admit that both my husband and I had fun playing with this Voice Rockrz microphone, as well.  It makes my voice sound much less out of tune than it really is!

To learn more about this product, visit VoiceRockrz.com and Voice Rockrz on Facebook.  You can find this microphone, which retails for approximately $24.99,  at most major toy retailers, such as Amazon.com, Toys'R'Us, Target, Walmart, and more.

Thank you to First Act Discovery for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon and for providing a second product for our contest prize.

What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive a Voice Rockrz Mic in Pink or Blue (Color choice is subject to availability).

Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.

How to Gain Entries:

Leave a comment telling me what your favorite song is to sing out loud. You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.

Extra Entries:

1)  For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.


2)  For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.

3)  For 10 extra entries, subscribe to the First Act Discovery Newsletter (bottom of left sidebar). Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments telling me you did.

4)  For 1 extra entry, "Like" the 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires Facebook page, then leave a separate comment here with the link to your Facebook profile.

5)  For 1 extra entry each, follow Voice Rockrz on Twitter and/or "Like" Voice Rockrz on Facebook. Then leave a separate comment for each with the link to your Twitter or Facebook profile.


6)  Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

7)  Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.

8)  Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

9)  Subscribe to A Blog of Goodies' feed (the sister site to 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)


Random Drawing:

This contest will be closed on Monday, September 12th, 2011 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!

Giveaway & Review: Children's Electric Toy Grand Piano [CLOSED]

Musical instruments have always been a big hit with all three of our children.  They never discriminate either.  We own drums, guitars, recorders, flutes, harmonicas, maracas, and more than one electric keyboard.  We have never been too happy with the sound of any toy electric keyboard we have owned thus far.  That is why I was excited to be able to try out this Electric Grand Piano from Constructive Playthings.

This piano actually produces a very nice sound that does not have that digital quality.  Granted, you may not be able to discern this from the following video, but I have heard some delightful music made by my children on this little piano.  The trick is not to turn the volume up so high that the sound starts to become distorted.






What I thought about this Electric Grand Piano . . .

The assembly for this piano was fairly easy.  I only needed to put the legs on the piano itself, the legs and brace on the stool, insert 3 "AA" batteries, and set up the microphone, which really works.  I thought that it was clever for the microphone to have an adjustable stand right on the piano, but could also be handheld for someone to stand next to the piano to sing.  There is also a place inside the top of the piano to store the microphone and the stand.

Similar to electric keyboards, this piano offers the choice of 15 piano demos, various drums, and 8 instruments. My children seem to prefer the deep sound of the organ, but I personally like the sound of the regular piano setting.  You can also record your child's music and play it back for them . . . a feature that my children love.

I can only think of two things that could use some improvement about this piano.  The first is that the microphone stand comes off the piano a little too easily.  The second is that, when my children get into the moment and start pressing hard on the keys, you can hear the clicking of the keys with each hit.  It is quite distracting for me, but the children do not seem to notice it.

Our oldest son is 7.  Although he can perch himself on the little stool, it is going to be too small for him very soon.  The piano itself is 19"W x 15.25"D x 28"H and is a good fit still for all three of our children.  For the first two or three weeks we had this piano, our children played with it multiple times per day everyday.  Now that it is no longer a novelty, I am pleased to report that they still enjoy playing with it several times a week.  I much prefer that they play a musical instrument than watch television or play video games so much.

You can find more developmental toys by visiting CPToy.com.  Don't forget to shop through my Reader's Discount button to save 15% off your order.

Thank you to Constructive Playthings for sending us a complimentary product sample to base this review upon and for providing an additional product for our contest prize.

What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive an Electric Grand Piano (ARV $49.99).

Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. & Canadian entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.

How to Gain Entries:

Visit CPToy.com by clicking on the 15% off at Constructive Playthings button below. Then leave a comment telling me the name of one toy a child in your life would love to receive (aside from the item reviewed in this article). You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.

Extra Entries:

1)  For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.


2)  For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.

3)  For 10 extra entries, sign up to receive Constructive Playthings Email Specials. Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments telling me you did.

4)  For 1 extra entry each, if you are a Friend of mine on Facebook and/or if you have "liked" the 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires Facebook page, then leave a separate comment here telling me so with the link to your Facebook profile.

5)  For 1 extra entry each, follow Constructive Mom on Twitter and/or "Like" Constructive Playthings on Facebook. Then leave a separate comment for each with the link to your Twitter or Facebook profile.


6)  Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

7)  Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.

8)  Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

9)  Subscribe to A Blog of Goodies' feed (the sister site to 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)


Random Drawing:

This contest will be closed on Monday, April 4th, 2011 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!

TKD Kid Review: Paper Jamz Guitar & Amp Bundle from BJ's Wholesale Club

Last month, I attended an in-store BJ's Wholesale Club event for local bloggers. At the end of the event, I had the opportunity to take one of the hottest toys of Holiday 2010 home to review with my son . . . the Paper Jamz Guitar and Amp Combo Pack. BJ's Wholesale Club sells this bundle for $34.99 when the pieces sold separately at other retailers are approximately $25 for the guitar and $15 for the amp.

A Paper Jamz demonstration by our nearly 7 year old son . . .

Included in this particular "Bullet" bundle is a guitar that plays the songs "What I Like About You", "Two Princes", and "It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" plus an amp that has input for one Paper Jamz guitar or drum.

The power switch for the guitar is on the back, but all the other controls (i.e. switching between songs, volume, etc . . . ) are on the front of the guitar.

Also included is a red Paper Jamz guitar strap that is adjustable to fit a child up to an adult.

Since our son will turn 7 years old in less than a month, he felt like he was ready for his first mini product review. Here are his thoughts in his own words about the Paper Jamz Guitar and Amp . . .

"I love it! It was easy to play. My brother and sister like it too. I like the songs. My favorite is "It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)". I wish it played more songs. I like the guitar with the amp. It sounds great! I get tired playing it after awhile. My arms get tired. I want to get the drums and more guitars." ~The TKD Kid

If you are in the market for a Paper Jamz Guitar this holiday, you can find this value bundle for a guitar and amp for just $34.99 at your local BJ's Wholesale Club.

Thank you to BJ's Wholesale Club for providing a complimentary sample product for us to base this review upon.

A portion of this review was written by: