Holiday Gift Idea: Tinker Bell in Disney's "Secret of the Wings" on Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/DVD

For our most recent Family Movie Night, we watched the latest Tinker Bell movie from Disney, Secret of the Wings.  I have to say that this movie was delightful and would make an especially wonderful gift for sisters this Holiday, although it is a movie that would be enjoyed by both boys and girls.  It is filled with adventure, surprises, magic, and even what possibly could be classified as a miracle.  Also, it is a treat to have such famed actors like Anjelica Huston, Lucy Lui, Timothy Dalton, Mae Whitman, and more, providing the voices and personalities behind each character.

In this movie, Tinker Bell's curious and adventurous nature leads to the discovery that she actually has a sister who is a frost fairy named Periwinkle.  With so many things in common, such as identical wings, pompoms on their shoes, and their hobbies of collecting lost items, there was an instant sisterly bond.  The pair were determined to change the rules that have always separated winter fairies from warm-weather fairies.

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As part of their shared adventure, Tinker Bell experiences many firsts, such as sledding, while Periwinkle sees her first rainbow, fish swimming in water, and fluttering butterflies.  In the end, Tinker Bell suffers one of the worst things that could happen to a fairy, but that is where the miracle comes in . . .

In addition to some fun music videos, our children's favorite DVD bonus feature was the "Pixie Hollow Games." Even though they had seen this 22-minute adventure before, they thoroughly enjoyed it as much this time as they did the first time they watched it.

You can find Secret of the Wings at most major retailers of Disney movies, such as the Disney Store, Amazon.com, Target, Walmart, and more.  It is available in a Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/DVD combo, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, DVD, and digital download.


Thank you to Click-Communications for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon.

Kid Driven Toys: Sky High Tink . . . a Friction-Based Outdoor Toy

I am always delighted to be able to share about a new battery-free toy with my readers.  This one is especially unique because it is a flying toy that is geared towards girls, something that is not very common.  The Disney Fairies Sky High Tink is a friction-based toy that is activated by pulling a string.  When the string is pulled, Tinker Bell starts to spin and soars up into the air.

Because this is a projectile toy, it needs to be used outdoors in an open space away from crowds.  In fact, there are several things to which you would want to pay attention while your child is using this toy.  The toy needs to be held with the arm straight out from the child's body, so that it will not be too close to his or her face.  Tinker Bell needs to be inserted facing away from the child and the toy needs to be pointing towards the sky and not towards the child or anyone else.  This is not a toy you would want your child to use unattended.  No matter how many times my husband and I explained about where to point (and not point) the toy, I have seen both our kindergartners point it at their own faces because they were curious to see how the toy worked.

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Like with most string toys, you really need to be careful to release the string slowly after pulling it so that it will recoil properly inside the toy.  Using this toy takes some practice.  The Sky High Tink is recommended for ages 4 years and up, however, my husband and I were able to use it much more easily than our three children (ages 5, 5, and 8).  Our 5 year old daughter was only able to make Tinker Bell fly about half the time.  Sometimes when she pulled it, the string would jam.  I think it may be because she is not doing it in one smooth motion.

Once launched, Tinker Bell flies up quite high.  I had attempted to make a video of her, but she flies through the field of vision too quickly.  This is a cool toy when our children can get the fairy to launch.  I do not recommend this toy for a child who gets frustrated easily.

You can find Sky High Tink by JAKKS Pacific at many major toy retailers, such as Toys"R"Us, Amazon.com, Target, Walmart, and more.  This batter-free toy retails for $19.99.

Thank you to JAKKS Pacific for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon.

Review: Disney's Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue (DVD)

On September 21st, Disney Studios Home Entertainment released the Blu-ray/DVD combo of Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue, a highly anticipated release for Disney Fairies fans everywhere. This magical movie truly captivated all three of our children and really reinforced their ability to believe that fairies could actually exist right along with Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. I love that this movie does this because I want our children to continue to believe in magic for as long as possible.

Believing in the possibility that things may exist even though we have not seen them is a special gift that most children possess, but many adults do not. A darling little girl named Lizzy (voice by Lauren Mote) gives this gift to her father with the help of Tinker Bell (Mae Whitman) and all her fairy friends. What child has not imagined what it would be like to have the ability to fly?

Another underlying theme in this movie is the true meaning of friendship and the acceptance of ones' friends, faults and all. This is a lesson that Vidia (Pamela Adlon) learned the hard way. Luckily this adventure ends on a happy note and all the fairies are reunited safely. The adventure that gets them to that point is not one to be missed.

This DVD comes with an unusually long list of bonus features. My family's favorite was "Cat Attack" which showed a hilarious deleted scene about Lizzy's robust cat. We also very much enjoyed the "Fairy Field Guide Builder" game, which asks trivia questions about the movie that anyone who was paying attention during the movie could answer.

Currently, you can find Disney's Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue on Blu-ray/DVD or DVD alone at the Disney Store and other major retailers of Disney movies. The digital download is also now available.

Thank you to Click-Communications for sending us a sample movie free of charge to base this review upon.

Free Printables: Tinker Bell Game, Recipe, and Crafts

In anticipation of the September 21st release date of Tinker Bell & the Great Fairy Rescue, I have a few free printables to share with you. Some of these would be great if you are planning on having a screening party for your child and a few friends or perhaps a slumber party. Simply follow this link to download one or all four Tinker Bell printable activity sheets, which include the following . . .

Rosetta Garden Box Game

Tinker Bell Feathered Friend Feeder (Craft)

Vidia Wind Wheel (Craft)

Tinker Bell Refreshing Pixie Nectar (Recipe)

Thank you to Click-Communications for providing these printables for me to share with my readers.