Win a BLAZE & THE MONSTER MACHINES + PAW PATROL Book/DVD Gift Set Courtesy of Nickelodeon

Two of Nickelodeon's most popular TV shows for preschoolers are returning to DVD included in fun gift sets that are sure to delight kids.  First, race into action with Blaze and The Monster Machines: Blaze of Glory, Nickelodeon's STEM (Science Technology, Engineering & Math) focused animated series with an auto racing / monster truck theme to it.  The Blaze and The Monster Machines gift set includes a DVD features a mini-movie and a bonus episode from the television show, plus a book portraying an adventure with the characters from the show.  Join AJ as he drives monster truck Blaze through super-charged STEM adventures as they try to beat their rival Crusher in the cartoons contained on the DVD and illustrated pages of the included book of this gift set.

The pups of  PAW Patrol also have their own gift set out now from Nickelodeon as well.  The PAW PATROL animated television series follows the high-stakes adventures of a team of four-legged heroes who protect the residents of the Adventure Bay community.  This gift set includes an Itty Bitty Kitty Little Golden Book along with a DVD containing five episodes of the TV series.

Nickelodeon has provided A Geek Daddy with each of these Book/DVD gift sets to giveaway to one lucky winner.  For your chance to win just follow the instructions below in the rafflecopter form.  The giveaway starts on February 17 and ending at 11:59 pm ET on March 3, 2017.  Nickelodeon will be responsible for delivery of the prize to the randomly selected winner.  Good luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Welcome to the For the Win Giveaway Hop brought to you by The Hopping Bloggers!

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Each giveaway has a value of a minimum of $15, however some are worth much more. Be sure to enter to win all of them because there is no limit to how many you can win. GOOD LUCK!

Real Life Race Car Drivers Return to BLAZE & THE MONSTER MACHINES As Guest Voices

Race car drivers Danica Patrick, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne and Chase Elliot are returning as guest voices in Nickelodeon's BLAZE AND THE MONSTER MACHINES "The Hundred Mile Race" episode that premieres on Friday, November 4, 2016 at 11:30 am (ET/PT). The popular NASCAR drivers have previously appeared to voice characters in episodes titled “Race Car Superstar” and “Race to Eagle Rock” that had originally aired in May and June and show creators have promised to have these popular racing figures have a reoccurring role in this animated series that follows the adventures of an amazing monster truck named Blaze and his eight-year old driver AJ.

In "The Hundred Mile Race," Blaze is joined by his friends Rally (Patrick), Dash (Johnson) and Fender (Kahne) to compete in VelocityVille's longest race ever.  Mark Set Go (Elliot) appears as the city's sensational starter who kicks off the race with his rock-star style and signature rhyme.  The racers cross deserts and swamps on their way to the finish line while avoiding obstacles created by Blaze's rival Crusher.

BLAZE AND THE MONSTER MACHINES introduces a preschool audience to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) concepts as AJ and Blaze tackle problems that often involve science and math to solve.  Many of these predicaments are caused by Crusher, a tractor trailer truck that will do whatever it takes to be the first to the finish line even if that involves cheating the other competitors.  Each episode introduces a new STEM topic such as adhesion, buoyancy, friction, thrust and trajectory.  For more information about this animated television series, please visit www.nickjr.com/blaze-and-the-monster-machines

NASCAR DRIVERS MAKE GUEST APPEARANCES ON NICKELODEON'S "BLAZE & THE MONSTER MACHINES"

NASCAR fans will want to tune into Nickelodeon to watch with their kids six new race car themed episodes of the cable network's animated preschool series BLAZE AND THE MONSTER MACHINES which will be featuring guest voice appearances from superstar drivers Danica Patrick, Jimmie Johnson, Chase Elliott and Kasey Kahne. The first special, “Race Car Superstar,” premieres Monday, May 30, at 1:30 p.m. (ET/PT), followed by “Race to Eagle Rock” on Thursday, June 2, at 1:30 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon.  The remaining four race car episodes will roll out this fall.   

In Blaze and the Monster Machines, the amazing monster truck Blaze and his eight-year-old driver AJ have adventures that explore the physics of how things move; tackle problems through scientific inquiry and mathematics; and discover the parts needed to make everyday technologies work. Each action-packed episode is filled with monster trucks, physical humor and upbeat original songs that contain lyrics which highlight a STEM concept such as adhesion, friction, force, trajectory and magnetism. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, all educational concepts important for developing high-tech skill sets.

In these race car themed specials, Blaze visits the town of VelocityVille, where all the cars love to go fast, and meets four new race cars: Rally (Patrick), a race car who is always first to the track and never misses a chance to hit the raceway; Dash (Johnson), a car that is fun, friendly, fast and the ultimate racing buddy for Blaze; Mark Set-Go (Elliott), VelocityVille’s sensational starter who kicks off each racing adventure with rock-star style and a signature rhyme; and Fender (Kahne), a car that rules the raceway, but is excited to share the track with Blaze.

In “Race Car Superstar,” a car named Speedrick puts locks on the tires of other cars so they are stopped in their tracks, forcing Blaze to transform into a sleek and aerodynamic race car to free his new friends.  Then, in “Race to Eagle Rock,” Blaze brings all of his monster truck pals to VelocityVille for a wild race to the top of Eagle Rock. After they all transform into race cars with supercharged engines, they have to find a way to avoid Crusher’s attempts to slow them down.

Tying into these race car themed adventures, the Blaze and the Monster Machines App is being updated to feature a brand-new VelocityVille location. This update will provide 15 new levels that focus on the STEM concept of velocity.  The app allows players to help Blaze and AJ compete against other monster trucks – Starla, Darington, Crusher, Stripes and Zeg – in one of six locations (The Badlands, Top of the World, Dragon Island, The Snowy Slopes, The Monster Dome or VelocityVille) and use blazing speed and problem-solving to overcome obstacles along the way. The update is available now on iOS and Google Play. Additionally, leading up to the Blaze and the Monster Machines race car specials, NickJr.com and the Nick Jr. App will feature an exclusive first-look at the race-inspired episodes starting Monday, May 23.

Nickelodeon and Fisher-Price will also be launching a new toy line based on the Blaze and the Monster Machines race car episodes.  Available nationwide in August, the collection includes: a Flip & Race vehicles assortment, Monster Copter Swoops, Flip and & Race Speedway and Transforming Race Car R/C Blaze.  The complete Blaze and the Monster Machines™ product line includes die-cast, mid-scale and feature vehicles, playsets, games and puzzles plus outdoor sports and party goods.

For more information about the show, visit www.nickjr.com/blaze-and-the-monster-machines

Nickelodeon Blazes Into May With Monster Machines Mayhem

Based upon the success of its television series BLAZE & THE MONSTER MACHINES which had ratings that placed it as best preschool show on television and number one for its time slot in the first quarter of 2015, Nickelodeon is launching a month of monster truck mayhem in May.  Blaze and the Monster Machines features the amazing monster truck Blaze and his eight year old driver AJ having adventures that explore the physics of how things move; tackle problems through scientific inquiry and mathematics; and discover the parts needed to make everyday technologies work.  The series which airs weekdays at 1:30 pm (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon is filled with monster trucks, humorous situations, and upbeat original songs with lyrics that highlight a designated STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) topic  for each show such as friction, trajectory, and magnetism.  Nickelodeon will be launching a brand new toy line, a special new episode titled "Dragon Island Duel", a companion game to Dragon Island Duel on the Nick Jr.website, and an update to the Blaze app.

Nickelodeon provided us an advance opportunity to watch "Dragon Island Duel" which my son really enjoyed.  As soon as the episode concluded my son jumped up and asked if he could watch it again.  When asked what his favorite part of the show is, he remarked he likes the songs which was reinforced by his humming one of them throughout the rest of the day.  While the show is aimed for 3 to 5 year olds, my 6 year old kindergartener had fun watching it and many of the educational points of the show were relevant to things he is learning about now in school.  He really got into interacting with the show yelling out answers to answers and problems involving STEM concepts that were addressed in its story.  The show will probably be too elementary for most kids though as they reach first grade and on, but the show is rated and marketed for a preschool audience and I believe most kids in that age range will appreciate and learn some nifty lessons from it.

"Dragon Island Duel" will premiere at 11 am (ET/PT) on May 25, 2015.  The episode features Blaze and his nemesis Crusher going up against one another in a one-on-one race to the top of Mount Dragon.  Although it is one of the toughest races their team has ever faced, best friends Blaze and AJ know they have what it takes to beat Crusher.  Despite Crusher's attempt to cheat and trap Blaze in a cave far off the course before the race begins, AJ manages to free his monster truck while overcoming larger-than-life obstacles along the way.  Crusher tries to cheat one last time along the route, but Blaze and AJ prove no one can beat best friends by winning the race in a thrilling finale.  Throughout the half-hour special, children will be introduced to the STEM concept of investigation.

Tied to this new episode, beginning May 8, kids can play a free "Dragons Island Race" game on the Nick Jr. web site.  Players must help Blaze get past all of the obstacles in his path as he races Crusher to the top of Mount Dragon.  The web site will also provide an exclusive five minute first look at the "Dragon Island Duel" episode from May 18 - 25.

Also as of May 8th, the Blaze and the Monster Machines app will offer users the ability to help Blaze and AJ compete on all-new jungle tracks when with parental approval kids purchase the Dragon Island location.  The new features allow kids to race against Stripes and has them contend with new obstacles like coconut and banana launchers on Crusher when they race against him.  The app, like the television show, introduces its users to STEM concepts as they race along preset courses or build their own race tracks.

Additionally, Nickelodeon and Fisher-Price, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc., is launching an all-new toy line based on Blaze and the Monster Machines at select retailers starting in May with a full nationwide rollout in August.  The toys will include a die cast collection of the monster trucks, talking and transforming vehicles, playsets, and plush of the show's characters.

Blaze and the Monster Machines gets A Geek Daddy nod of approval for being entertaining and educational for girls and boys alike encouraging them to explore the science and technology behind vehicles and race car driving.

Nickelodeon's Newest Animated Series Promotes Math, Science, Technology & Engineering Through Monster Truck Adventures

Monsters are coming to Nick TV (the Nickelodeon cable channel) during Halloween Month ( aka October) with the hour long premiere on Monday October 13th of its brand new animated series for preschoolers Blaze and the Monster Machines.  These aren't the spooky kind of monsters that hide under the bed though but rather monster trucks that will help introduce the exciting world of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) to its viewers.  Nickelodeon is promoting Blaze and the Monster Machines as the first preschool show on TV to comprehensively cover all areas of STEM in every episode.  Combining Monster Trucks with Math and Science...this Geek Daddy LIKES the idea!

The series follows the adventures of the monster truck Blaze and his eight-year-old driver AJ.  Together they explore the physics of how things move; tackle problems through scientific inquiry and mathematics; and discover the parts needed to make everyday technologies work.  Each episode is filled with MONSTER TRUCKS, physical humor, and upbeat original songs with lyrics that highlight a STEM concept such as adhesion, friction, force, trajectory, and magnetism.  Blaze and the Monster Machines is created by the head writer of Team Umizoomi, Jeff Borkin, and the supervising producer of Bubble Guppies, Ellen Martin.

In its hour long premiere, on Monday October 13 at 12:00pm (ET/PT), Blaze and AJ are introduced to a world of racing monster machines in the town of Axle City.  When Crusher, a troublemaker truck, uses his dirty tricks to try to win the championship race, Blaze does everything he can to help his friends and beat him to the finish line.  In the show's "Blaze of Glory" debut the STEM concepts of buoyancy and trajectory will be focused on.

Following the series premiere, Blaze and the Monster Machines will feature three weeks of new original 1/2 hour episodes as the show is broadcast in its scheduled time slot of week day afternoons at 12:30pm (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon.  I'm really excited to see a television show that highlights concepts such as buoyancy, friction and magnetism in a way that catches children's attention in an educational and entertaining way!  Oh and what dad wouldn't think the monster truck angle is just plain out cool!  There really is a lot of STEM concepts behind the scenes in the construction and racing of vehicles that many people don't think about so this show is taking a fun approach to hopefully getting some serious topics stuck in kids heads that will spur their imaginations, help with school work and encourage children not to be scared of pursuing careers that involve math, engineering or science.  Unfortunately because of some societal stigmas children have a tendency to want to stay away from STEM classes and careers because they consider them "geeky" but shows like Blaze and the Monster Machines demonstrate to children at an early age that geeky can be fun, interesting and cool and not something to think of in a bad way.  A Geek Daddy blog has to give a nod of approval to that!