Toy Review: Sour Candy Factory

The Sour Candy Factory is one of the engaging science kits manufactured by Scientific Explorer. This Michigan-based company got their start in the early 90s with neighborhood science clubs for boys and girls. Scientific Explorer products put a wacky twist on science education. Not only are the hands-on kits loads of fun, they help kids develop critical thinking skills and encourage kids to use their imaginations. AmeriKid has the Sour Candy Factory and many more toys made in USA.

12-year-old Alex found a Sour Candy Factory under the Christmas tree this year. Watch the video to see Alex trying it out.

Alex had a great time with the Sour Candy Factory. The candy was delicious -- grape and watermelon were Alex's favorite flavors. He only wishes the kit had more ingredients and more molds. "Don't use too much of the sour stuff," warns Alex. "I got a little sick to my stomach with my super-super-sour batch."

Mom's notes: The liquid and gummy candy recipes are really simple -- Alex was able to make those with minimal supervision. Other recipes, such as the lollipops, are more appropriate for parents to manage with kids in the sous chef role. My kiddo isn't known for his neatness, and we managed to make several types of sour candy without a huge mess in the kitchen. It would be nice if there were more molds; we ended up using the bottoms of Dixie cups as extra molds for gummy candy. The kit provided great opportunities for learning.

Shining a Light on American Made

Photo: Ody5iu5 on Flickr

2009 had some major rites of passage in my family. Not only did my son starting mowing the lawn this summer, he also climbed the ladder and put Christmas lights on the porch roof. He was so proud! As far as lights go, we keep things pretty simple here -- some pretty star-shaped white lights on the small porch roof and red and green lights on the bushes. But we have neighbors that go all out. Lazy squirrels, slow-moving mail carriers, and cars driving under the speed limit beware... my neighbors will decorate you. While it's more than I'm willing to do, I can definitely appreciate the humor and holiday spirit in a Christmas Vacation-worthy tacky lightfest.

But have you ever stopped to wonder where your Christmas lights come from? A quick glance at my local store showed every brand of Christmas lights on the shelf was made in China. While there certainly are brands made in the USA, they're usually not as easy to find and the prices are usually higher. But what cost comes with not buying American-made products? When you realize that each Clark Griswald light you see might very well have been made at the expense of another American's job, the glow seems to fade a little bit.

Opting for American-made toys is a pretty easy decision. Not only do toys made in the USA support American workers, the safety concerns that come with toys made in other countries are mitigated. But what about other products where the safety of your kids isn't so highly at stake? Are your appliances made in the USA? How about your TV? Your blow dryer? Your cuddly down comforter?

When I was growing up, my dad worked for one of the Big Three car manufacturers. Buying American was a big deal in our home. So much so, that my dad didn't like non-American made cars to even park in his driveway. But he's the first to admit that the lines are now so blurred, it's hard to know where to stand. Cars made by US manufacturers are loaded with both American-made and foreign-made parts. And foreign-manufactured cars are just as likely to contain American-made parts.

Even the much-discussed Buy American bill which requires the government to purchase American-made products is not as clear-cut as one might think. There are definitely some political feathers being ruffled over the prospect of buying American.

I know that I would like to make a greater effort to buy American. In these times of economic trouble, supporting the jobs of other Americans is important to me. Is buying American important to you? Share your thoughts in the comments.


Sources: Star Tribune, The Hill

Parent Poll: Santa? Real or Myth?

Photo: Axel Burhrmann on Flickr

The war in Iraq. The economic stimulus plan. Government involvement with health care. These are issues that are inevitably going to stir heated debates. But who would guess that Santa could also spur dissenting opinions?

A Strollerderby blogger posted about non-parental adults spilling the Santa's-not-real beans to kids. It's common for kids to start questioning Santa because of what friends or classmates have said. The Strollerderby blogger, however, was posting about other adults -- teachers, ministers, or other parents -- telling children (that are not their own) that there's no such thing as Santa. Several commenters on the blog post seemed to miss the point entirely. Instead of discussing whether or not it was okay for non-parental adults to dispel the myth, the commenters instead chastised the blogger for letting her kids believe in Santa.

I adopted my son when he was 10, so I've never had a small child in my home. But if I did I'm positive that I would have played along with the Santa story. I remember believing in Santa and flying reindeer... it was part of the fun and magic of Christmas. However, I understand why some families may not want to perpetuate the Santa story as truth. They may be consider it lying to their kids and/or they may worry about their kids being crestfallen when they learn the truth.

But just like we're all entitled to our political opinions, aren't we entitled to our Santa opinions, too? While it's not the job of a non-parental adult to support a belief in Santa, it's certainly not their job to dispel it. And there's really no reason why we can't respect each other's choices. I know that I would have had a Santa-believing household, but I can completely respect another family's choice to not perpetuate the myth.

Update: 88% of ChatterKid readers treat(ed) Santa as if he was real, 12% told their kids that Santa is just a myth.

Everything Old is New Again

Photo: Dyanna on Flickr

There's just something about the holiday season that makes me a little nostalgic. Always has. I remember when I lived downstate (a mere two hours away from my hometown); just hearing "I'll Be Home for Christmas" could make my eyes well up with tears. I'll admit it... I'm a bit of a sap.

As a mom, however, nostalgia takes on a whole new spin. The songs, smells, movies, and toys that bring me back to my youth are brand new in the eyes of my son. This year, he saw the original Grinch cartoon for the first time. On a recent road trip, we started singing the theme song and supplementing the lyrics with funny words of our own. We're trying to catch all the old classics, such as Rudolph (I just love the Misfit Toys) and the original Miracle on 34th Street.

Based on the nine million plus hits the Muppets Bohemian Rhapsody parody currently has on YouTube, I'm not the only one longing for a little piece of days gone by. All the Muppet buzz is no mistake. Muppets are hitting the net in hopes of inspiring interest for a new generation. I know I would love to sing "It's time to play the music, it's time to light the lights..." with my own personal next generation.


Tell me, what are some of your favorite things from childhood that you like to share with your kids?


Source: MSNBC

25 Gifts for $25 or Less

I always know when the holidays are here... not by the chill in the air or the Christmas songs on the radio. No, the sure sign of the holidays for me are the copious drafts of wish lists my son makes. Each night, he's bound to ask for computer time so he can look up new and exciting things to add to his list. He practically sleeps with toy catalogs under his pillow and it's not unusual to seem him sprint for his wish list when a new commercial airs on TV.

The first Christmas after I adopted him, I worried and fretted and kept buying more and more items from each list. My wallet weeped in agony. The following year I was a little older and wiser on the parenting front, so I purchased a select few things from his lists and then made other choices that I knew he would like, fit within my budget, and met my personal standards for safety and quality. He was happy as a clam on Christmas morning, so I know my plan will work again this year.

AmeriKid Toys & More has a great selection of toys made in the USA. If, like me, you're on a strict budget for the holidays, you'll find plenty of great gifts to meet any price point. Here are just a few of the steals AmeriKid has to offer:

Block 'N Roll Marble Run 60 Piece Set. $19.95. Never the same maze twice! In addition to producing colorful and exciting maze systems, Block-N-Roll™ develops manipulative skills, promotes creativity, and strategic thinking.

Ice Cream Kit. $17.95. On sale now for $16.15! It’s a totally new way to churn your favorite flavors into a yummy ice cream treat. Just put all the ingredients in the container, slip it in a T-shirt, start twirling, and voila – perfect ice cream every time!

Washable Paint Set. $5.99. 12 shades of washable paint to suit any art project.

Magnetic Doll Dress Up - Dance Recital. $9.95. Contains a beautifully illustrated 12" x 9" magnetic scene board, 2 extra-thick magnetic dolls to place in the scenes, and 10 outfits plus accessories.

Natural Shape Sorter. $19.95. Kids will have fun matching the blocks to the holes in our natural shape sorter bench. Twelve hard maple blocks come in four primary shapes.

POOF Football With Kicking Tee. $7.95. Get ready to play with this 9 1/2" football with kicking tee. Ball is made from safe, soft foam. Perfect for indoor use or out.

K'NEX Road Rigs Series. $24.95. Collect & Build the red Semi Truck, #1 of four in the Road Rigs Series! This big, motorized truck pounds the pavement with 226 bricks, rods, connectors and wheels.

Alphabet Fun Cookie Kit. $15.95. On sale now for $11.95! Kids love creating in the kitchen-- it's both educational and fun! It's also a great way to share quality time together. Fairy Princess Magic Cookie Kit and Green Dinosaur Cookie Kit are also available.

Veggie Tales 100 Piece Puzzle. $4.95. Based on the popular children's television series, this 100 piece puzzle brings children's favorite Veggie Tales characters to life.

Princess Hat. $19.95. The best-selling "Never Ever Droop Princess Hat" not only looks elegant, it stays that way thanks to the magical lining material and top quality fabrics. A purple princess hat is also available.

Reversible Fairy Wand. $9.95. All fairies need a magic wand! Our great star wands are different colors on each side, adorned with beads and sequins and securely fastened on clear 12" plexi rod. Blue & Lilac wand is also available.

Slime Science. $9.95. When is science the most fun? When it's GROSS! With Slinky Science Slime Science Mini Labs Kit, you will create 5 different slimes with their own individual, fun properties to explore, learn, and disturb.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar 24 Piece Puzzle. $4.95. Children love to put together these favorite images from the best-selling book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

POOF 7 1/2" Soccer Ball. $9.95. $6.95 Get ready to play with this 7 1/2" soccer ball. Ball is made from safe, soft foam. Perfect for indoor use or out. Colors may vary.

Mary's Soft Dough (Set of 6). $14.95. Mary's Softdough is a soft, non-toxic, non-crumbly modeling dough that is fun to play with. It holds up well to lots of creative play and when stored in it's container will last up to a year.

Dado Squares. $21.95. Create any number of three-dimensional structures and explore visual spatial development and problem solving with this simple toy.

Thomas Count Your Cars Game. $15.95. Match the number of boxcars shown on the spinner to the colored cards in hand ....then head for the roundhouse and pick up the matching color engine to haul those boxcars into your scoring pile.

K'NEX Sesame Street Elmo Building Set. $10.95. Build Sesame Street's friendliest red monster, Elmo! This creative building set includes fun stickers and an educational "Play & Learn" activity sheet for parent & child to do together - build & learn about jungle animals with Elmo! Ernie Building Set also available.

Ocean Friends Bead Bucket. $14.95. Place beads on the pegboard to create fun designs either by following the provided patterns or by letting your little one create on their own! Once complete, simply iron both sides and you have a great keepsake craft. Many different bead buckets are available.

Rocky Color Cone Ring Stacker. $18.95. This classic wooden toy has been a favorite for over 70 years! It has a rounded wood base and colorful rings that stack on top. Children will delight as the cone rocks, spins and topples over spilling the rings.

Outer Space Explorer Fun Kit. $14.95. Embark on your adventure into a Martian World with the Outer Space Explorer Set. This amazingly complete set contains 6 different polymers that are so astounding that you will think they are from another planet.

Flip Flop Pull Toy. $19.95. Our great flip flop toy pulls along behind the toddler and when the direction is changed, the top flips over itself and keeps right on going.

Crayola Color Surge. $15.95. Color Surge lets kids do what they never could before - create bright colors on dark colored paper. Now create super bright pictures of your favorite Star Wars: The Clone Wars characters on Color Surge Paper using Color Surge Markers. Also available: Disney Fairies Color Surge kit.

Monster Stomp. $16.95. Children delight in the making and mashing of monsters. The object of the game is to stomp as many monsters as you can. The first to fill his or her “Monster Jail” card wins.

Eco-Friendly Recycling Truck. $24.95. Your little one will learn recycling basics while playing with this super cool recycling truck made from 100% recycled plastic milk containers. Green Toys Eco-Friendly Dump Truck is also available.