Friday, December 25, 2015

Merry Christmas!

From the Growing Up Disney Family

We wish you a


Merry Christmas!

--DisneyDad

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Disney Imagicademy Activity Books

Tink is now 6 years old and in first grade.  She loves to color, is very creative and is becoming quite a good reader.  I gave her the Disney Imagicademy Science Activity book and it's only a slight exaggeration to say her reaction was just short of what it would have been if I had presented her with a puppy.  

There are two activity books in the Imagicademy collection.  The first is about science and features a Frozen theme.  The second is all about animals and features Mickey and friends.  Each kit comes with supplies to go along with the activities such as colored pencils, stickers, glow pen, rainbow glasses and more.  I love that each book comes with its own zipper pouch to hold the supplies.  A blue bag came with the science kit and a red bag accompanied the animal kit.  Everything has a place and there is no arguing over which bag belongs to which child.  The books are really well made with nice paper, beautiful colors and lots of detail.  The activity pages range from coloring to puzzles to experiments to "mad lib"-type stories.

Tink has worked on her book every chance she could since she got it.  I've had to take it away for bedtime and hurry her in the morning to get ready for school because she was busy with her Imagicademy book.  She has enjoyed the puzzles and we are looking forward to time this weekend to complete some of the experiments.  Earlier this week, the girls and I did a few of the "Mad Lib" type activities as our bedtime stories.  

Disney Imagicademy activity book, Frozen gift
Supplies are in the box on the right and it comes off cleanly from the book.
Disney Imagicademy activity book, Frozen gift
Full listing of supplies
Inside the front cover
The pouch clips on to the rings so it won't get lost!
60 page activity book covering all sorts of basic scientific concepts
Disney Imagicademy activity book, Mickey Mouse book
The roller stamp and glow pen were huge hits with my kids.
Disney Imagicademy activity book back cover
Back cover
Inside front cover
That smart pouch again
60 pages of fun activities and animal facts
Tink especially likes the spray bottle for experiments and the rainbow glasses.
Minnie got the animal book.  We have been working on her book together since she is not reading yet.
Animatedly telling us about the rainbows she was seeing
Minnie loves the glow pen.  I like the "Did You Know?" bubbles that share cool animal facts.
Pluto footprint roller in 4 colors here being used to match each animal to its home
Mickey and friends colored pencils came with the animal book.  The science book has Frozen characters on the pencils.
Tink wanted to show you her snowflakes.  For some reason she grabbed a black marker that was not part of the kit to do this page.  It now lives in the blue supply pouch.  




The Disney Imagicademy books would make a terrific Christmas gift for elementary school children. I could also see this as a great activity during the school break to keep the kiddos busy and learning.   It would certainly buy you some wrapping time.  Or take one with you on a road trip since the supplies are well contained.  There are plenty of pages with a good variety of activities.  

Thank you to Wonder Forge for letting us review their activity books.  I think it's Tink's current favorite review that I've done.  Disclosure  You can get your own books at Target.  They are currently $16.99 online but I'm pretty sure I saw them on sale for $14.99 at my local store this week. 

Friday, December 11, 2015

Disney Imagicademy Storymation Studio Stop Motion Movie Kit

So, how is everyone?  We have been busy with Thanksgiving and school events, as well as some personal business that required a week's travel and quite a bit of my brain space these days.  I hope you are doing well and having fun getting ready for Christmas.  

The kind people at Wonder Forge sent me more cool games to share with you and I am really excited about this line of products.  Wonder Forge is a part of the Disney Imagicademy line of toys, games and books available at Target.  Imagicademy toys fall into that great category where Disney, fun, creativity and education overlap.  Here's a link to Imagicademy at Target.   

The first set I'll be sharing with you is the Disney Imagicademy Storymation Studio Stop Motion Movie Kit. (Whew, long name.)   I don't have cute pictures of my kids playing with this yet because I've wanted to wait until we could really take the time to enjoy it and things have been super busy here lately.  However, my own assessment of this is that I cannot wait to play with this kit.  I plan on wrapping it and putting it under the tree and then letting the girls open it before Christmas during their break from school.  When I was a child, my grandfather would allow my cousin and me to play with his video camera.  We created all sorts of movies and wonderful memories.  I think this kit will help my girls do the same.  

Disney Imagicademy, Stop Motion Movie Kit

This kit works with your smartphone or tablet to capture individual images and then turn them into your own Disney-themed movie.  You'll need to download the free Storymation Studio app.  I know it is on the Apple App Store.  If you use another device, double check your own app store to make sure it's compatible.  I like the adjustable stand that comes with the kit.  It will keep the device in place for consistent shots which will really improve the image quality.  The kids take the picture by clapping so you don't get camera shake.  Great idea, Wonder Forge.  

Disney Imagicademy, Stop Motion Movie Kit

The white portion of the case holds the stages and backgrounds.  Eight of those are included.  The red part of the case has molds for the modeling clay.  I'm totally going to put a Baymax helmet on Mickey.  



A really good instruction guide is the first thing you see upon opening the box.  Follow along and you'll soon be making movies and having a blast.


Here's what's inside the box.  The white package at the back of the photo is the pack of backgrounds, stages, and cardboard cut-out characters.  

Disney Imagicademy, Stop Motion Movie Kit, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse

The Mickey and Minnie figures are poseable so you can make minor changes and then put the images together to create the illusion of movement.  

I think this is a really great kit and I am looking forward to playing with it along with my kids.  It's rated for 4 and up.  I think my 4-year-old will like it but my 6-year-old's attention span is better and she will love this.  I'd say this would be an awesome gift for children in the 6-10 age range.  

The Disney Imagicademy Storymation Studio Stop Motion Movie Kit is currently available at Target for $29.99 and they are offering free shipping.  My local store was well-stocked with Imagicademy merchandise.  

Disney Imagicademy display at Target

Thank you to Wonder Forge for providing this toy for my review.






Thursday, December 10, 2015

Pictopia Picture-Trivia Game, Star Wars Edition

My pals over at Wonder Forge sent me the latest from their Pictopia line.  I reviewed the Disney trivia version of Pictopia last year.  We have really enjoyed the game and it's truly one for the whole family.  Now Wonder Forge has a trivia game made especially for Star Wars fans.

Star Wars Pictopia, The Force Awakens gift

Star Wars Pictopia features 1000 questions from the Star Wars feature films, as well as the Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels.  

Star Wars Pictopia, board game about Star Wars

Like the original Pictopia, the Star Wars edition's answers are all based on pictures.  Fans of the series are going to love these images of favorite characters, vessels and places.  


Players wager on each question based on how much you think you know about the images on the card in play.  Instead of a traditional flat game board, Star Wars Pictopia has a vertical board and you move across as you earn points.  I like this twist on the standard game.  


Pictopia games are suggested for ages 7 and up.  I agree with that for the strategy portion of the game but younger Star Wars fans will enjoy answering the questions even if they don't understand exactly how the game is played.  With the Disney version, we partner up the kids with an adult so the little ones can still be a part of the game.  

If you are looking for a gift for the Star Wars fan in your life, this would be a fun addition to their collection.  It's available at Target.  As I write this, the cost is $24.99 and they are currently offering free shipping.

Thank you to Wonder Forge for sending this game for my review. Disclosure