Plan Toys

Their Vision

At Plan Toys their vision has been to create toys that inspire children’s imagination as well as promote their physical and intellectual development. They are also proving that it is possible to maintain superior quality standards while following a path of environmental and social responsibility.

About Plan Toys

Plan Toys is the first company to manufacture toys using wood from rubber trees that no longer provide latex. The trees grow to heights of 50 feet or more. The sap from the rubberwood tree is the world’s primary source of natural rubber. After about 25 years, the latex yield decreases and the trees are usually cut down and burned. Instead of wasting this valuable resource, they build their toys from the rubberwood which helps preserve the delicate balance of our eco system. There is no deforestation involved in the harvesting of rubberwood, as felled trees are replanted with new ones. Rubberwood is an eco-friendly, sustainable, high quality wood. The paper used in their packaging is recyclable which further reduces waste and our plants use state of the art solar energy. Our plants use state of the art solar energy and biomass (fuel from biodegradable organic material).  This is pretty impressive!  Not only because of the way they use these otherwise wasted trees but the fact that they can turn them into wonderful and safe toys.

I  love toys that are of good quality and wooden ones at that.   These toys almost always seem to stand the test of time and fair better than a lot of the mass market toys out there.  I can remember as a child the wooden toys my grandmother had and she still had them when I was 28!  I would much rather give the boys something simplistic that encourages the use of their imagination, than a toy that only has one function.   I was given the chance to review Plan toys and I am impressed with their quality and most importantly their use of safe eco-friendly materials.

Plan Toys’ Stacking Tree ($20) is so cool! This stacking set is designed based on the concept of nature. Each wooden piece can be stacked to form different kinds of trees. Children can learn the color variation and size. I took it out of the box and the boys were instantly tugging at my pants saying “mommy play, mommy play.”   Both of them went right to work taking the pieces off the spindle and re-stacking them how they saw fit.  Monkey  loves just spinning the pieces on the spindle, and stacking them as well.   They loved doing this over and over and after I put it up earlier in the day, they went right back to it after they woke up.  So far they have stacked according to color, and mixed it up, there is no right or wrong way for little imaginations.

We also go the opportunity to try Plan Toys redesigned 50 blocks ($20). The set contains 36 natural blocks and 14 colored blocks. These blocks encourage creativity, expands children’s thinking ability, and stimulates their imagination.  These are the blocks that I remember as a child, and I spent many hours creating buildings and bridges, and stacking them over and over. Both Bubs and Monkey are huge fans of blocks and “building towers.”   It is so much fun to watch them, because they get excited when they can stack blocks to make a tall tower.  Bubs can be found in such deep concentration that you can see his little tongue sticking out…it is so fun to watch and see what they come up with.

Plan toys has a huge selection of unique and timeless toys to choose from.  I have already started a list of things that I would like to get the boys.   They would make great Christmas presents for a special little someone in your life and the prices are reasonable and the toys are well made.  I give Plan toys the “Mommy Seal of Approval!”

Uno Flash!

I can remember playing the simple Uno card game as a child and I loved playing it with family on a Friday night.  We would order in pizza, have special snacks and we would play all night.   A few years back my husband and I bought Uno Attack, which was so much fun.  You never knew if you would get a whole handful of cards thrown out at you on your turn.   Sometimes I get so involved with my game that I would forget to yell out UNO! and well then id have to draw more cards!

Uno has been in the family for years, and I have always enjoyed the new takes on the game.  Even still, just the classic Uno game is still just as fun.  So now there is Uno Flash!

About the game:

Forget everything you thought you knew about UNO! Clockwise? Counterclockwise? Nope; it’s totally random! This exciting electronic version selects who’s next, so you have to stay alert. Did you blink? Uh-oh, you missed your turn and time ran out. It’s the fast, crazy game that will keep you guessing, on your toes and raring to go. And just when you think you can relax and take a breath, you still need to remember to yell UNO. Requires 3 AA batteries, included. Retails for ($35).

This game is so much fun for anyone.  The suggested age range is for ages 7-11 but Uno games are perfect for family game nights, as well as, for having friends over for mvie and cards.  It is good wholesome fun that doesn’t involve the TV or anything high tech, which, as  Mom, I love.  It would be perfect for holiday giving this year and is definitely on my list!  You can find Uno Flash at most retailers like Amazon.com or ToysRUs.

All Star Buddies bounce into the virtual world

As a mother to twin boys, as you can imagine, my boys naturally love balls.  I actually think they were born with a football and soccer ball in their hands!   So, when I got the chance to experience All Star Buddies, I knew they would be a big hit.   Bubs is a huge fan of Blitz (the football buddy) and quickly exclaimed “ohhhhhh footballllll.”   Monkey is my little soccer ball guy and loves Striker (the soccer buddy).  He carried his soccer ball dude all around the house and would sit him next to him on the couch.

The All Star Buddies world was created by two moms who share a passion for sports, fitness and leading a healthy lifestyle.  They have managed to create an online world that is safe for kids and creates a way to have fun through learning.    Each buddy comes equipped with a hang tag that has a code on it, which unlocks a fun new virtual world of games and bonuses.  The games are wholesome and perfect for kids and it can all be monitored by their parents through a separate account.  I think this is a huge plus.

The games and activities are interactive and fun and helps to encourage your child to use their thinking and reasoning skills in an exciting way that makes learning fun and captures their interest.  I thoroughly enjoyed playing some of these games myself!

All Star Buddies would make a perfect gift for any child 6 years and up and if they are stuck inside on a dreary day or are into computers, this is a perfect way to introduce them in an educational way.  And after a long day of learning you can tuck them in with their Buddy!

DoubleBugs would like to give its readers a chance to win an All Star Buddy of their own. and all in perfect timing for the holidays!

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ENTERED!!!

Here’s what you gotta do!

Visit the All Star Buddy site and tell me which buddy you would choose and what you like about the site and its concept.

Leave me an email so I can contact you if you win

If the winner does not respond in 2 days a new winner will be chosen

Contest ends November 10th, 2008

Good Luck!

Briarpatch joins Thomas and Friends

Briarpatch has unveiled its first Thomas and Friends game!  I know my boys just love playing with all their little Thomas trains and saying “allll aboard!” when they move them along the track.  I was delighted to see that there is now a game that they can actually play.  They are both at a stage where they are getting really involved with counting, focusing on one thing for longer periods of time, and just really interactive with things.

The game is designed for children ages three and up so my two are just about at the perfect age for the game.  Not only that, it is so nice to get together as a family around the table and just interact with the boys.  I think this is of major importance, especially this day in age, when families are always on the go.

We took the game out of the box and Bubs the younger of my twins was like “OHHHH WOW.”  He is always saying this whenever there is something new to look at.  It is so cute how his face lights up.  Both of them recognized the characters right away and were ohhhing and ahhing over Thomas.  Both my husband and I sat with them to play the game.  Each of them are learning to count, so this game was fun and helped that along.  They are still a little young, when it comes to board games but I think this is a terrific start!  If anything, it teaches them the basics of following directions, counting and taking turns.

The Thomas and Friends Great Race Game retails for $24.99.  This would make a really great gift for a Thomas fan this holiday season! Doublebugs would like to give its readers the chance to win a Thomas Great Race game for your special little someone!

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED! THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ENTERED!

Clean Rest…Help for allergy sufferers

My whole family seems to battle allergies to some degree.  I am always waking up with the stuffy nose, but my husband and one of my sons seem to suffer the worst.  I feel so bad for my little guy because he is always waking himself up because his nose is stuffed up.  I have tried everything from saline drops twice a day, to having him sleep upright.   I even have torn the rooms apart and washed everything from top to bottom in an effort to at least make their sleeping environments as allergen free as possible.  I am always on the lookout for anything that can help eliminate the problem.  I know that their allergies might not totally go away but any help I can get, is one step closer to improvement.

So, when I was given the opportunity to review CleanRest, I was very excited to try their bedding/sleep products out!  At CleanRest, their sole mission is to help you get a better night’s sleep.  They design and manufacture the world’s most advanced and medically effective allergy bedding-barrier products.

CleanRest was designed to provide the user with the cleanest, healthiest sleep possible. It features an advanced technology called MicronOne which offers the highest level of protection available today, against such things as dust mites, pet dander and all common household allergens. . Each square inch of the patented MicronOne™ fabric contains about 3 billion pores; a weave so tiny moisture can’t get in and micro-toxins can’t get to you. It creates a breathable, yet effective barrier between you and what’s in your bedding.  It makes you wonder doesn’t it?

So I immediately got to work, and tried the mattress covers, and covered both the boys mattresses and our pillows.  We have had them on our beds for about a week now, and I have noticed some good changes.  Monkey isn’t having as many issues waking up because he is able to breathe a whole lot better, and I can breathe easier in the morning as well.  My husband’s snoring has subsided too, since allergies make his snoring much worse!  CleanRest products are definitely well worth the investment, if you or someone in the family is an allergy sufferer!

CleanRest products include mattress encasements, pillow encasements, allergy free pillows, travel pillows, comforters and duvet encasements, which all give complete 360° coverage against allergens.  They can be found online at Amazon, or at the CleanRest site, as well as in stores such as Bed Bath and Beyond!

2008 Holiday Gift Guide

The leaves are turning, the weather is still a bit warm and brightening our days, but the holidays are right around the corner.

DoubleBugs has teamed up with Mommy Goggles to offer a 2008 Holiday Gift Guide for your online shopping needs! The savings guide will run from October 11 – December 31st.

These will consist of amazing Holiday gift ideas, discount codes and even some holiday giveaways!

Next to each Holiday Gift Guide post until December 31, 2008, you will see the 2008 Holiday Gift Guide tag next to it.

If you would like to be featured in the 2008 Holiday Gift Guide, please email me at laurie@doublebugs.com. We will have some great gift ideas, discount codes for your shopping needs and even some fun giveaways!

This Page will be updated with all the links to the reviews specific products listed.

Children’s Products (Games, Toys, Clothing etc.)

Little Jet Set Travel Toys and Accessories

All Star Buddies Plush Toy

Briarpatch Thomas Great Race Game

Prima Princessa DVD

Plan Toys

Mattel Skull Mountain Play Set

Cheekeyes Wooden Toys

Melvin Might? Trucktown Book Series

SmartE Bear

Just For Mom (Kitchen/Baking Goods, Books, Electronics, Beauty etc.)

Calphalon Ceramics and LX series Cutlery

Green Girl reusable Eco-Totes

Avon

Gifts for around the Home

Stuff For Dad, Grandpa, The Men in Our Lives

Gifts for Anyone

Scrapbook Fairy

Little Jet Set Keeps Holiday Travel Merry!

The holiday season is fast approaching us!  I always look forward to all the fun things that come along with them, except for traveling with two toddlers.  Like a lot of families, we do a lot of holiday travel out of state to be with our relatives, so this means we spend a good amount of time on the airplane or in the car.  Keeping the trip as stress free as possible, is always a huge undertaking.

I am almost always on the look out for activities and various things to help keep the boys occupied on our trips.  Anything that can make the journey there a little smoother, and help me keep my sanity, is well worth the consideration!  Little Jet Set is just what the doctor ordered.  Started by two Moms who have done a fair amount of traveling with children, Little Jet Set has everything you need to make your travel a breeze! In addition to having one of the internet’s most extensive family-travel oriented selections, littlejetset.com has some of the greatest toys, books and dolls available anywhere.

I love Little Jet Set and I especially love the Zoobies that they have.   Baby Zoobies ($26) are the perfect travel companion for your little one.  Zoobie Pets were developed with a unique 3-in-1 concept.  Each pet is a plush toy, a soft pillow and a comfy blanket all in one – the perfect childhood companion.  Zoobie Pets are ideal for l traveling with children, keeping kids entertained when they are awake and comfortable when they are asleep. Another nice thing about the baby Zoobie is it fits nicely in a diaper bag so it can go basically anywhere.

Another cute idea I ran across at Little Jet Set, is What’s A Dragon?  Art and Activity Backpack($40) ( by Piggy Story. This is a perfect first backpack for young travelers. The backpack is sturdy yet lightweight to endure all kinds of kids’ play without slowing them down. Laminated exterior and water-resistant interior makes cleaning easy and keeps belongings dry. The unique slotted marker compartment will help aspiring little artists organize their tools while the see-through inner pocket allows quick and easy access to all their other gear. There is also a removable pocket pouch for spare pencils, erasers, or anything else your little artist can think of.  My boys love to draw so this will be a big hit for long waits at the airport, driving in the car, or just for trips to grandma’s house.

Little Jet Set has so many things to help make it through the holiday season.  There stuff also makes for great gift giving as well.  Be prepared to find yourself engrossed in the shopping experience when you visit their site.  There is also a lot of helpful tips and information to help you with travel.  So get ready to travel with Little Jet Set and may all your days be merry and stress free!

To kick off the holiday season and help make it a stress free one.  DoubleBugs and Little Jet Set will be giving away a baby Zoobie and a Piggy Story backpack to one lucky winner!  All you gotta do is visit Little Jet Set and find something you like about Little Jet Set and post a comment here at DoubleBugs.

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED!!!!!

Thank you to all who entered!

Official Rules:

Visit Little Jet Set and find what you like about their site and post a comment here on DoubleBugs

Please leave me a valid email so I can contact you if you win

Winner has two days to reply before a new winner is chosen.

Contest Starts October 10,2008 and Ends October 31,2008

Good Luck!!!

Earthwise Kids

Earthwise Kids was developed based on the perspective that there was a need to make a difference by providing MUCH needed earth-friendly products and kid-friendly stories to inspire all of us and future generations to take better care of the Earth. Inspired by a Mom, she decided to make it her mission to provide the very best gifts you can give a child in the form of (healthy) earth-friendly products and educational books while developing an ever expanding community of Earthwise Kids and adults who are sharing ideas and experiences for making a difference in the world.

I was recently given the opportunity to review Earthwise Kids and was delighted with the presentation of their products. Their gift sets ($32) come with an organic cotton t-shirt, and a book about how to help the Earth all in child size jute reusable shopping bag. I am a huge fan of organic cotton because it Earth friendly as is much softer than ordinary cotton. My boys thoroughly enjoyed sitting down with me and reading about ways to conserve energy. They are only two years old but can still understand some of the basic ideas, and starting them early will only help to benefit them in the future.

The gift sets come in either Land, Ocean or Wildlife.
* 100% certified organic cotton – super cozy!
* Unbleached natural color
* Tag-less neck
* Machine washable-dryable
* Recycled paper and soy based inks
* Paper back
* Packaged and ready to give in our Biodegradable/Reusable jute gift bags!
* Each gift item comes with a to/from hang tag for easy giving

Earthwise Kids Company will provide a portion of the revenue generated each year to eco-friendly organizations. Why not make the world a better place for our children? Check out Earthwise for a fresh idea in gift giving this year.

Girl’s Day Out

My good friend Tanya  is here for a visit this week and I am so excited.  We will be heading out for  a day of shopping and girlie activities.   It will be nice to leave all the testosterone at home and get some well deserved me time!  We are planning a day of shopping, lunch and dinner out, and just a little R&R.  Everyone just needs a time out from time to time, so I am greatly looking forward to a little “me time” break!

Haba Toys..A block party for your little one.

This year’s newest Haba wooden blocks are guaranteed to beat the television for entertainment.  Kids will quickly forget about lounging in front of the television and turn play time into a “block party”

Haba Stack the Trix Mix Pull Toy ($50)

This is such a bright and whimsical toy for your little one ages 1 to 6 years. It is designed to stimulate the child’s creative skills, large motor skills and spatial thinking. There is no right or wrong way to stack the brightly colored spools each with a color or unique feature like a face or a fabric tail.   It encourages your child to think creatively.  Then your little guy or gal can pull it around showing off their new creations.   I even found myself playing with it.  Haba toys are well worth the money because these toys will stand the test of time.

Haba Curioso Fabric Shape Sorter ($45)

Which blocks fits where? The Curioso shape sorter is a matching game designed for ages 12 months and up, that acquaints children with shapes and colors.  Each block has a special optical or acoustic element about it such as a bell, or a mini kaleidoscope that stimulates perception.  Each block has a different shape which encourages your little one to develop cognitive skills as well.  I must say that I am impressed with Haba’s quality and the blocks have such bright and fun colors.  When you are holding them in your hand they don’t feel cheap and are well made.  The boys love trying to fit them through the shaped slots and even love to stack them.  These will definitely be on my list of things to give for Christmas.

You can tell that Haba takes pride in designing toys that can stand the test of time and can be passed on from generation to generation.  Many of their products have received German and American awards such as Parents’ Choice, and Dr. Toy and Best Toys of the Year recognition.  Haba toys can be found at many online specialty toy retailers such as Maukilo.com

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