playadvocates

Make Time For Family Fun and Bonding This October with Tips and Games from Mattel-Giveaway #PlayAdvocate

October 26, 2015 by Kathryn 91 Comments

October is one busy month, and making time for connecting with family isn’t always easy. That’s why my family and I have started a weekly game night so that even during the busiest weeks, we can spend an hour or so talking, playing and laughing together. Mattel understands the importance of family time, so the company has five great tips to help your family connect no matter how busy your lives get!

Start Traditions.

It’s never too late to create new family traditions this fall season. One of the best ways to create a tradition that ensures your family is spending quality time together, rather than just being in the same room together, is to play a game everyone will enjoy. Fun and interactive games like Card N Go Seek™ and Bounce-Off™ offer an exciting and engaging game that your family will be excited to play. Try breaking out the same game, or dedicating a game “time” at your next fall family gathering and make it a tradition for the years to come! [Read more…]

Jump Into New Activities with Tips from Monster High-Giveaway #PlayAdvocate

September 18, 2015 by Kathryn 100 Comments

After recently spending some time chatting with my young niece, I learned that the Monster High television show and dolls are currently her very favourite. She loves the originality of the characters and the way they show off their personality and style even with their ghoulish appearances. And I have to admit, I’m a bit of a fan myself! The characters tackle problems that little ones can relate to, and the story of Monster High’s newest ghoul, Gooliope Jellington is the perfect example of that.

Gooliope was created when a science experiment went wrong, and her adoptive parents knew she was something special when she grew to be over fifteen feet tall. Now she takes pride in ensuring that everyone is included and reminding her Monster High friends that differences should be celebrated! If you have a little one that’s nervous about starting a new activity or going to a different school, Gooliope has four tips to help kids embrace that new environment:

Project Confidence

We all have concerns for our little ones, especially when they face a potentially challenging situation. To help your child prepare for their new environment act how you want them to feel. Little ones can easily pick up on how you feel and it will have a significant impact on how they feel themselves. If you show them that you are happy and excited for the change, rather than concerned and fearful, they are more likely to feel positive about the transition. [Read more…]

Add Adventure to Your Summer with 4 Tips from Thomas & Friends-Giveaway

August 24, 2015 by Kathryn 91 Comments

If there’s one thing that my boys and I both love, it’s an adventure. Even a simple trip to the park has the potential for endless fun with a bit of imagination. And to inspire kids and adults alike to enjoy new adventures, Thomas & Friends has four great tips that will help your family make the most of their summer!

Get Creative

Just because your little one wants to go to Mars doesn’t mean it can’t happen! We encourage you to bring your child’s wildest dreams to life with a little creativity and imagination. When they’re older and reflect on the special time you spent together, they’ll remember the work you put into making their dream come true! [Read more…]

Inspire a Love of Music with Barbie Rock n’ Royals Dolls and DVD-Giveaway #BeSuper

August 19, 2015 by Kathryn 57 Comments

When I was about five years old, my mom put me in piano lessons. I still remember those first lessons colouring cartoon pictures illustrating the different notes and practicing fingering exercises. At the time, there were certainly days that I didn’t want to sit and play piano. But that early introduction to music led to my learning multiple other instruments in later years and having an appreciation for music that’s lasted my entire life.

Now, with two children of my own, I’m a huge believer in the importance of music in a child’s development. In fact, my boys have dozens of children’s music CDs for just that reason. And I’ve seen for myself how that exposure to music helps encourage their creativity and keep them active! Want to get your kids inspired to create their own music? These three tips will help!

Don’t Follow Directions

You read that right! Many parents encourage their little ones in music through structured music lessons. But for many kids, music lessons can be stressful and monotonous. While following directions and reading music is important for any musician, finding your own beat is just as vital. Encourage your daughter to break the rules once in a while by singing or playing a musical instrument however she pleases. This will give her the opportunity to fully express herself and have fun while doing it! [Read more…]

Connect with Your Family with 3 Tips for the Best MATTEL Family Game Night-Giveaway

August 2, 2015 by Kathryn 124 Comments

It’s a pretty common fact that summer is the perfect time for kids to try all kinds of new adventures and activities, since they have a lot more free time. But with all the fun options available during the warm months, making sure to take time for family bonding is important too!

In my opinion, there’s nothing better than a family game night for spending quality time together and connecting with one another. So implementing a weekly night of games is a great way to add some extra fun to the summer season. For a successful game night that will get both kids and adults excited, these three tips from MATTEL Games are a great starting point!

Prepare your space.

Transform your everyday living room into the ultimate game room! This can be as easy as ensuring there are enough cozy seats for everyone who is playing, turning on background music that is upbeat but not distracting and setting up a variety of delicious snacks. These small changes will show your little ones that you’re taking the game night, and family time, seriously. [Read more…]