National Geographic Kids Pleybox

Just received the new National Geographic Kids Pleybox!  Pley subscription services have partnered with National Geographic Kids to create a program that delivers environmentally themed adventure packages for kids that are both educational and entertaining right to your doorstep.  Each month a  National Geographic Kids Pleybox arrives in the mail themed upon a different part of the world with boxes themed around places including the Arctic, Amazon, and Everglades.  You can order just one box individually or set-up a three month or six month subscription of deliveries.

National Geographic Kids Pleyboxes are ideal for children ages 5 to 11. Each Pleybox is filled with curated activities and accessories that introduce recipients to the animals and habitats of different locals.  The one that just arrived at our home features Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

So what is inside the box?!

A Deep Sea Adventure at the Great Barrier Reef activity book that includes information on the creatures that inhabit this ecosystem along with along with coloring pages, puzzles and games.

Trading Cards with interesting facts about blacktip reef sharks, clownfish, hawksbill turtles, and humpback whales.

Sticker Sheet themed around the Great Barrier Reef.

Two small figurines --> A clownfish and humpback whale.

A National Geographic Kids book about SHARKS!

Video game code that allows your family to access online digital games.  There are five Great Barrier Reef inspired games to play with my kids favorites being the Fish & Snake Catch and The Scooter Trail.

In Fish & Snake Catch players need to help a White-Bellied Sea Eagle fly through a course while catching fish and sea snakes to eat.

Avoid obstacles as you make your way through a coral reef on a boat in The Scooter Trail.  Other online activities accessible through this Pleybox include a What's the Animal guessing game and a digital jigsaw puzzle to complete.

T-shirt with a variety of sea creatures you'd find at the Great Barrier Reef pictured on it.

This National Geographic Kids Pleybox was great for keeping my kids amused on a cold winter day when the temperatures outside were sub-zero and they were home from school for Christmas break.  It transported them to a warm far off place ... at least in their imaginations! Plus, what kid isn't excited to get something in the mail?  That curiosity and excitement of discovering something new left for them in the mailbox was a great way to capture their attention while having fun learning some educational things too about the Great Barrier Reef.

For more information about National Geographic Kids Pleyboxes, head over to pley.com/national-geographic.  The contents of these boxes have an estimated retail value of $50 but you can get them for $19.99 + shipping & handling for one box or even less per box if you purchase a multi-month subscription package.

National Geographic Kids Bird Guide of North America

Bird watching has become a favorite activity for my children and I to do together.  It is something that you can do together as a family outdoors anytime of the year with relatively little expense that provides a great opportunity to get some exercise.  The regular nature hikes I took my kids on as toddlers have evolved over the years into bird watching expeditions as they always get a thrill seeing these creatures in the wild.  It is amazing how encountering birds brings out a sense of wonder in children.

One of our favorite resources to learn about the birds is a book from National Geographic Kids.  Light weight and just the right size to hold in a child's hands or throw inside a backpack, National Geographic Kids BIRD GUIDE OF NORTH AMERICA highlights more than 100 species of birds that you could come across in the United States and Canada.  It's great to flip through before going out on an excursion to provide an idea of what birds you may encounter as well as nice to flip through after getting back home to identify what you may have come across while out and about.

A favorite type of bird that we like to go out looking for during the summer months in Michigan are Great Blue Herons.  They truly are an incredible sight to behold especially when you can get up close to one.  National Geographic Kids BIRD GUIDE OF NORTH AMERICA features wonderful two-page spreads on fifty of the most popular birds that people are on the look out for including the Great Blue Heron.  Enjoy some great photographs of the birds showcased in this section of the book while reading about where they live and what they like to eat.  Each of these profiles also includes a weird fun fact and a facts box with information like a bird's scientific name and wingspan.  All this information is fun to read about for curious minds but also educational as well.

The book also has a section divided by habitats and breaks down which environments different birds live in.  Planning on taking a trip to a different part of the country?  National Geographic Kids BIRD GUIDE OF NORTH AMERICA shows you various examples of interesting birds to keep an eye out for.  Plus the book provides tips bird watching to help make the activity enjoyable for kids.

In addition to birds living in the wild here in North America, the book also gives examples of extraordinary species from around the world that you may be able to see in a local zoo.   The Detroit Zoo recently opened a new penguin exhibit and my children like to read up about these birds in their National Geographic Kids book before our family outings there.  This 176 page paperback book is an eye-opening look at the impressive diversity of birds and encourages readers to get outside and do some bird watching for themselves.

A Geek Daddy is a member of the National Geographic Kids Insider blogger program. Insiders get a behind-the-scenes look at National Geographic’s resources, activities, content and projects for kids and families. They also review copies of books, magazines and toys, and are offered interviews with authors, explorers and editors.  A Geek Daddy does not receive any financial compensation for my participation as a National Geographic Kids Insider.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KiDS ALMANAC 2018

My kids love swimming in the lake when at the state park where we go every summer for family camping trips.  Yes lakes in Michigan may be filled with murky water but at least you don't have to worry about encountering a shark while swimming.  Well actually we did have a run in with some sharks in the lake during a recent outing courtesy of Melissa & Doug.  As part of a promotion with National Geographic to highlight a shark being the "cover animal" for the most recent National Geographic KiDS Almanac 2018, we were provided a Melissa & Doug Spark Shark Toss & Catch water toy set. 

Spark Shark Toss & Catch is a fun game played in the water where two people toss a ball back and forth trying to get it to land within the mouth of the shark they are holding in their hand.  It may sound easy but the game can actually be fairly challenging.  Our whole family got in on the action and had a great time playing the game.  When you need to take a rest a nice feature of the shark nets is they float in the water so you can just grab them again when ready to pick up the game.  This game is nice for helping kids with their gross motor skills and hand-eye coordination as they toss and catch the ball plus is nice for encouraging interpersonal skills as you are working with a partner instead of competing against an opponent when playing Spark Shark Toss & Catch.

When the kids weren't playing in the lake they spent some of their down time reading the new National Geographic KiDS Almanac which features one of the biggest creatures to live in the water on its cover...a great white shark.  While sharks may seem scary they really are an important part of a healthy underwater ecosystem.  Actually humans are more dangerous to shark than they are to us.  Millions of sharks are killed by people each year!  National Geographic KiDS Almanac 2018 has a special section devoted to "Save Our Sharks" in an effort to reverse that trend.  So while we were nowhere near where sharks may be they are all my twins wanted to talk about during this camping trip.

In addition to providing information about the oceans' sharks, National Geographic KiDS Almanac 2018 also is filled with impressive photos, fun facts, craft ideas, interesting activities and some incredible features on creatures, scientific topics and technology.  Enhancements to this year's almanac include three new chapters (Engineering / Space / Life Sciences), a guide about the city of New Orleans to celebrate its 300th birthday, an updated Fun and Games section filled with all-new activities, comics, crafts, jokes, games and weird-but-true acts, along with every chapter in the book highlighting "18 Facts for 2018."  Of course all the reference material throughout the book has been reviewed and updated as well.

The National Geographic KiDS Almanac 2018 has earned A Geek Daddy's nod of approval for being a book that is both educational and entertaining that will have children enjoying learning while they read it.  Recommended for children aged 8 to 12 between the second and seventh grade this is a resource parents can depend on to capture the interest and imagination of their kids. With the reputation of National Geographic behind it this publication is a trust-worthy resource that will keep kids attention whether they are looking for a distraction to pass the time during a long road trip or doing some after-school reading for homework or fun.

National Geographic Kids: ULTIMATE OCEAN-PEDIA

** A Geek Daddy received the featured product for FREE to review **

My daughter loves visiting the Michigan SEA LIFE Aquarium.  She really enjoys sliding into all the nooks and crannies the place has which provide kids with unique close up views of the fish.  Then as soon as we get home she pulls out her National Geographic KiDS Ultimate Ocean-pedia to read more about the oceans and the sea creatures that live in them.

Written by Christina Wilsdon, who specializes in writing books for children about natural history and biology, and Rick Keil, a chemical oceanography professor at the University of Washington's School of Oceanography, this 272 page hardcover book is full of wacky facts and amazing photos plus the latest and greatest scientific facts from National Geographic experts.  Aimed for children ages 7 to 10 years old, National Geographic KiDs Ultimate Ocean-pedia is laid out to make learning interesting and fun for kids!

The incredible photography included in the book will especially draw kids to peruse through its pages.  My kids get so excited flipping through the Ultimate Ocean-pedia's pages examining all the photos that brilliantly capture life under the sea.  The book features more than 400 colorful photos and illustrations.  Of course Nat Geo is known for its wonderful nature photography so you wouldn't expect anything less from a book like this.

The book doesn't just provide information about sea life though, it also has a lot of information about a variety of ocean topics ranging from tsunamis to riptides.  In addition to discovering information about a variety of creatures that live in the sea, kids will also learn about science and ecology when they read this book.  It also features conservation tips challenging kids to help contribute to preserving the health of our planet's oceans.  Plus a mini ocean atlas included inside provides a great geography resource for families. 

The Ultimate Ocean-pedia is available to purchase from National Geographic's online store for $24.99.  Purchase 3 or more kids' books and receive a 20% discount on your order at the National Geographic Store.  For more information about National Geographic KiDS publications and programs, please visit kids.nationalgeographic.com

THE BOOK OF HEROINES

March is both National Reading Month and Women's History Month so what better time to have children read NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KiDS THE BOOK OF HEROINES -- TALES OF HISTORY'S GUTSIEST GALS to encourage reading while also highlighting with boys and girls noteworthy achievements and advancements made by females that have changed the world.  This 176 page hardcover book that is aimed for children between the ages of 8 and 12 years old is filled with  illustrations and photographs that enhance the profiles of more than 100 women who have left their mark on history.   These real life stories of women making a difference in the world is sure to inspire and have a constructive impact on young readers.  THE BOOK OF HEROINES shows that while fictional super heroes are cool there are plenty of real life people to look up to as role models in our lives.

The book made an immediate impact on my daughter who dreams of being a competitive swimmer and inspirational examples of women athletes really has motivate her.  Especially the segment on  Gertrude Ederle who set the world record for both males and females in establishing the fastest time swimming the English Channel which remained unbroken for 24 years.  THE BOOK OF HEROINES highlights women who are currently some of the world's top athletes such as swimmer Katie Ledecky, ballerina Misty Copeland, and downhill skier Lindsey Vonn. It also tells the stories of groundbreaking athletes such as race car driver Janet Guthrie, tennis player Billie Jean King and gymnast Larisa Latynina.  Sports aren't just for boys and the examples provided in THE BOOK OF HEROINES reinforces that important message.

As the dad of a elementary aged daughter, I don't want their to be any doubts in her mind that she can achieve whatever aspirations she has in life.  National Geographic Kids' THE BOOK OF HEROINES really is a great resource for reinforcing that she should never allow gender biases or stereotypes to hold her back from personal and professional goals and dreams.  This book highlights that women can tackle any job they set their sights on through sharing the stories of Lt. Brenda Berkman (a female New York City firefighter who responded to the 9/11 terrorist attack), Col, Jeannie Leavitt (the first female fighter pilot), Dr. Sally Ride (the first American woman to travel into outer space).  There are also some engaging examples of women scientists and inventors to help motivate girls to have an interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) employment fields which are currently lacking in female professionals .  Read about Marie Curie's discovery of radioactivity, chemist Stephanie Kwolek designing the super strong material Kevlar, and Mary Anderson inventing the automobile windshield wipers that are a standard part on most vehicles today but were a true innovation in 1903.

THE BOOK OF HEROINES also tells the story of Geraldine Hoff Doyle who was inspiration for artist J. Howard Miller's ROSIE THE RIVETER posters the government commissioned during World War II to recruit female factory workers needed to replaced the men who had gone to serve in the military.  Rosie the Riveter has become a cultural icon and a symbol for the modern feminist movement.  This book has numerous examples like this of how women living average lives with common day responsibilities have made a positive difference in our society.

Everybody needs a role model and  THE BOOK OF HEROINES -- TALES OF HISTORY'S GUTSIEST GALS is full of historical figures and present day leaders for children to learn about.  A great read for helping girls have self-confidence in themselves at school and within the workplace as well as for boys in helping them build an appreciation and respect for the opposite sex.  I've been having both my son and daughter read this book from National Geographic Kids and they've both really gotten a lot out of it.

A Geek Daddy is a member of the National Geographic Kids Insider blogger program. Insiders get a behind-the-scenes look at National Geographic’s resources, activities, content and projects for kids and families. They also review copies of books, magazines and toys, and are offered interviews with authors, explorers and editors. I do not receive any financial compensation for my participation as a National Geographic Kids Insider.

National Geographic Kids: Family Field Guide

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KiDS is know for publishing books and magazines that are both educational and entertaining for children and teens to read.  Now they're reaching out to adults as well through a FREE newsletter called the Family Field Guide targeted to the parents of National Geographic Kids' key audience.  The newsletter which is e-mailed to subscribers every other week provides tips for parents on encouraging kids to be adventurous in exploring the world and enthusiastic in learning about history, science, and other important educational topics.  National Geographic Kids' Family Field Guide provides original articles ranging from 3 Ways Star Wars Can Inspire STEM In Young Explorers to Inspire Friendships In Kids With Photos, Videos & Recipes.  The newsletter also references photographs, facts, and stats from National Geographic Kids print and online publications to assist parents in stimulating within children a life long appreciation for discovery, puzzle solving, and learning.

Knowing that today's families can be stretched for time Family Field Guide articles often provide examples of hands-on activities parents and kids can do together in 5, 15 or 30 minute increments.  For example in one of my favorite articles from the newsletter, Making The Most Out Of Sports, it recommends reading some sporty Weird But True facts if you have 5 minutes free to do something, watching Making Stuff videos about creating athletic gear if you have 15 minutes to spare, and explains how to do a balloon race science experiment if you have a half hour to spend on a project.  All three of these ideas are aimed at using a child or teen's interest in sports to encourage them to want to engage in learning.

National Geographic Kids Family Field Guide aims to help parents utilize topics that are relevant and interesting to today's youth to spark creativity within their children and get them to embrace scholastic endeavors.  It also promotes parents spending quality time with their children by providing activity suggestions that are doable even for families with the busiest of schedules.  Humorous, informative, zany, and yes even a bit geeky at times, the information contained in this newsletter is a valuable resource that is meant to be as relevant to parents who are working 40 plus hours a week as to those who are able to stay at home full time.  Oh and did I mention it is FREE?!!

CLICK HERE to subscribe to National Geographic Kids Family Field Guide.  I've signed up for it myself and really do enjoy whenever a new edition pops up in my inbox.

National Geographic Kids Book Bundle Giveaway

Commit to 2017 being a year of exploration and discovery!  As a National Geographic Kids Insider, A Geek Daddy is looking forward to a year full of exploring new places and learning about new things with my kids.  We're getting started with fulfilling this New Years resolution by reading National Geographic Kids' ALMANAC 2017 that is full of vibrant photographs, amusing jokes, fun games and interesting facts that make learning about the world around us both educational and entertaining.  To share my family's enthusiasm for embarking on new journeys this year, I'm giving away a National Geographic Kids Book Bundle to help a lucky winner embrace daring to explore in 2017!

The National Geographic Kids Book Bundle includes their 2017 almanac, the centennial edition of National Parks Guide U.S.A., weird but true! 8, and famous FAILS!  For a chance at winning this great prize pack you must follow @Geekdad248 on Twitter and retweet our original contest tweet embedded below before January, 15 2017 @ 11:59 pm EST.  Must be a US resident over 18 years old to participate.

Follow @Geekdad248 & RT before 1/16/17 for chance to win a @NGKids Book Bundle -- commit to 2017 being a year of exploration & discovery #ad pic.twitter.com/2RHBFgxAH7

— A Geek Daddy (@GeekDad248) January 2, 2017

National Geographic Kids ALMANAC 2017 features more than 500 photographs plus updated maps and reference materials to help readers learn about a lot of amazing things.  This year's edition includes "17 Cool Things for 2017" plus brand new animal stories, weird-but-true facts, and a section focusing on "things to do, places to see and ways to change the world."  Written in a wacky, easy to read format that appeals to kids National Geographic Kids ALMANAC 2017 is a great resource to get children and teens to immerse themselves in learning throughout the year.

Did you visit any properties managed by the National Park Service last year?  Our family had the chance to visit the National Mall in Washington DC, River Raisin National Battlefield and Sleeping Bear Dunes in Michigan, and the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee.  These visits were some of the highlights of our year and we're looking forward to hopefully exploring some new national parks in 2017.

National Geographic Kids NATIONAL PARKS GUIDE USA is a perfect way to get children and teens excited about a family road trip to explore some of America's historic places and remaining wild spaces.  The book provides an overview of  the United State's national parks categorized by geographic locations across the continental U.S.: East, Midwest, Southwest, West.  Read interesting information about animals and things you'll want to see on a visit and ranger tips on what to do and how to stay safe during an adventure to each of the featured parks.  Learn where the best views are and some of the history behind these wonderful locations when you peruse through this book. Take advantage of the included maps and checklists of "must do" activities to make the most out of an excursion to a national park.

Fear of failure or embarrassment too often dampens a child's eagerness to excel at something.  famous FAILS showcases the failures that highly successful people have made to demonstrate to kids that not everyone is perfect.  Did you know J.K. Rowling's original draft of her Harry Potter story was rejected by 12 publishers before getting picked up? Albert Einstein didn't do very well in grade school? The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a construction mishap? These stories and others show everyone makes mistakes and faces adversity teaching that fear of failure shouldn't be something to hold someone back from achieving his or her dreams and aspirations.  The book also includes a nice tips section outlining how to face and deal with failure.  Plus to show kids no one is perfect the book's editors left in 9 mistakes that were discovered while proof reading the book before it was published and challenge readers to find them.  An answer key at the back of the book shows the readers the mistakes National Geographic authors made in the book to highlight everyone makes mistakes.

Learn 300 outrageous facts compiled from National Geographic Kids Magazine in weird but true! 8.  Automobiles are the most recycled product in the United States.  Jousting is the official sport of the state of Maryland.  Footballs are called pigskins because they were originally made from inflated pig bladders.  Humans have explored less than 5% of Earth's oceans. weird but true! 8 is chock full of facts and filled with fun pictures and graphics that will wow young readers. and parents alike.

For more information about books, videos and games available from National Geographic Kids please visit kids.nationalgeographic.com

A Geek Daddy is a member of the National Geographic Kids Insider blogger program. Insiders get a behind-the-scenes look at National Geographic’s resources, activities, content and projects for kids and families. They also review copies of books, magazines and toys, and are offered interviews with authors, explorers and editors. I do not receive any financial compensation for my participation as a National Geographic Kids Insider.

CONTEST DISCLAIMER

A Geek Daddy has not been financially compensated for this endorsement or hosting the giveaway but was provided the same items being provided as a prize for personal use. The prize is provided by National Geographic Kids and A Geek Daddy is hosting the promotion as a benefit to our readers. Must be a US resident over the age of 18 to participate.  One entry per person and winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries.  If you have already won this prize through another blog participating in this promotion, your entry will be disqualified.  By participating in this promotion you waive any liability of any kind against the publisher of this blog. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. No P.O. Boxes allowed for delivery of the prize. National Geographic Kids will be responsible for shipping the prize to the selected winner

National Geographic Kids Brand Ambassador

National Geographic has announced the family bloggers who will participate in the National Geographic Kids Insider brand ambassador program for the 2016-2017 yearlong assignment and A Geek Daddy is proud to have been included to participate for a second year.  “Insiders”  get a behind-the-scenes look at National Geographic’s resources, activities, content and projects for kids and families. They receive review copies of books, magazines and toys, and will be offered interviews with authors, explorers and editors. All “Insiders” are also given a badge to display on their web sites.

“This year’s group of digital influencers inspires us with their passion for raising tomorrow’s explorers, conservationists, scientists and storytellers,” said Melina Bellows, executive vice president and creative director of National Geographic Kids. “We’re thrilled to give them a peek behind the yellow border to see what makes National Geographic Kids so much fun for kids and families.”

National Geographic Kids teaches kids about the world and how it works, empowering them to succeed and make it a better place. National Geographic Kids inspires young adventurers through award-winning magazines, books, apps, games, toys, videos, events and a website, and is the only kids brand with a world-class scientific organization at its core.  The National Geographic Kids Insiders were selected because of their enthusiasm for raising the next generation of explorers.  A Geek Daddy is excited to share this experience with our blog readers and social media followers.  Keep an eye out for #NatGeoKidsInsider posts featuring educational experiences, interesting reviews and fun giveaways throughout the next year.

“This year, we were blown away by the number of truly remarkable applications we received for our program,” said Anna Irwin, director of the National Geographic Kids Insider program. “We are looking forward to introducing our new Insiders to National Geographic Kids and surprising our existing Insiders with new ‘Weird But True’ facts, amazing animal content and experiences and stunning visual storytelling.”

CLICK HERE to read the full announcement from National Geographic Kids and see the full list of 2016-2017 brand ambassadors.

National Geographic KiDS: Ultimate U.S. Road Trip Atlas

Summer is a great time for family road trips and some of the best experiences from these excursions can be the result of taking some time to view the artwork, landmarks, and scenic landscapes that dot the map along the path of your journey.  Whether it is a giant rooster standing on top of a restaurant or a giant statue in a park, every community has something interesting or different to see that makes it unique from your own hometown.  National Geographic KiDS has compiled the Ultimate U.S. Road Trip Atlas to help make your family's next trek into a wondrous adventure.

The National Geographics KiDS Ultimate U.S. Road Trip Atlas is a 128 page soft-cover book that can easily be brought along with a family as it travels.  This book features information and fun facts about all 50 states, plus Washington, D.C., to help your family make the most out of its road trip and keep children interested in your travels and learning about new things.  Each geographical profile provides an overview about its official bird, flower, animal and tree plus gives the location's nick name.  Washington D.C. is "our Nation's Capital" while Arkansas is "The Natural State."  Each section also includes a map that pinpoints 5 cool things to do while visiting and highlights the national parks and forests that may be located there.  Additionally, there is a Roadside Attractions column that highlights out of the ordinary and whimsical things to do during a road trip ranging from engaging in educational opportunities to taking in folk art to checking out a must-see tourist trap.  Of course being a National Geographic publication there are also lots of nice photos to look at throughout the Ultimate U.S. Roadtrip Atlas as well.

One of the worst ways to damper a family road trip is for kids to get bored and start barraging the driver with inquiries of "are we there yet?!"  In addition to this book providing entertaining and educational material children can read while traveling about the places they'll be going, the National Geographic KiDS Ultimate U.S. Road Trip Atlas is full of games and activities that can keep children occupied for hours of backseat fun.  There are Boredom Buster activities that are unique to each state which challenge kids to participate in scavenger hunt type challenges. For example in Florida the kids are challenged to take a photograph of every wacky road sign they view and see at the end of the ride who in the car collected the most pictures and the funniest.  Each profile section also provides a listing of either weird  traffic laws or fantastic facts that will wow kids or make them giggle. For example,  in Indiana "don't pass any horses you see walking on the street -- it's illegal" and "Eastern Kentucky is home to so many country-music stars that a stretch of highway was renamed the "Country Music Highway."

CAR TRIP FUN! is a section at the back of the book that provides a "Stump Your Parents" True or False game, picture puzzles and other activities to keep children amused during a road trip.  The best thing about this Ultimate U.S. Road Trip Atlas is it is written specifically for a young audience taking cues in making its text and layout attractive to children from the popular National Geographic KiDS Magazine. When taking your next family road trip make sure to bring this great resource along for the ride!

You may also want to pick up National Geographic KiDS awesome 8 to help distract your kids during a long family road trip.  This book of photograph filled top 8 lists of weird and cool topics will keep curious kids attentions focused on flipping through its pages.  awesome 8 lists include Coolest Roller Coasters, Haugtiest Hotels, Wicked Water Slides, Perilous Predators, Remarkable Ruins, Wackiest Weather Events and Weirdest Wonders among numerous other topics.  Both my kids love reading this 112 page soft cover book that is also easy to pack so it is convenient to take along when traveling.

A Geek Daddy is a member of the National Geographic Kids Insider blogger program. Insiders get a behind-the-scenes look at National Geographic’s resources, activities, content and projects for kids and families. They also review copies of books, magazines and toys, and are offered interviews with authors, explorers and editors. I do not receive any financial compensation for my participation as a National Geographic Kids Insider. #NGKInsider

National Geographic Kids Magazine - Summer Issue

My kids always are excited and get a big smile on their face when an issue of our NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KiDS MAGAZINE subscription arrives in the mail.  We just received our Summer Edition of this entertaining and educational publication for children 6 to 12 years old which includes a feature article about Jaguars along with being filled with eye-catching kids-oriented photography by National Geographic photographers, interesting trivia, plus fun games and puzzles.

My son has had a fascination with jaguars ever since he was a toddler watching "Dora the Explorer" and took a liking to the "Baby Jaguar" character on the show. So he was thrilled by the magazine's in-depth article which highlight's how these animals' one-of-a-kind features make them stand out from other wild cats.  This four page spread is filled with up-close photographs and informative facts.  Did you know for being a "small" wild cat that jaguars can grow to be 6 feet long and weigh 300 pounds?  One of these cats can grow to be bigger than I am!  This section also has a fun game challenging readers to match a fur pattern to the wild cat it belongs to.

Catering to a child audience, the issue is full of wacky and goofy facts, jokes, trivia and other things kids delight in.  "Weird but true!" trivia, Guinness World Records, out-of-this world facts, and Extreme Weirdness Photographs are just a few segments that have kids learning while they enjoy flipping through the magazine.  With the Summer Olympic Games coming up there is also a great tie-in article about the host country, "30 Cool Things About Brazil."

There are also of fun games and puzzles to keep a child's attention including a "Backyard BBQ" word puzzle and a swimming themed Funny Fill-In.

Also included are pull-out Animal Trivia Cards that provide True & False questions that kids can challenge their friends to answer and trade among themselves.

I've just highlighted a few key items included in the Summer Edition of National Geographic Kids Magazine but there is plenty more to check out included within it.  Each issue is filled with content that will encourage readers to learn more about adventurous activities, geography, science, wildlife and the lifestyles of other children from around the world.  An annual subscription is for 10 issues and costs $15 for a print version or $12 for a digital edition.  CLICK HERE for more information about subscribing to National Geographic Kids Magazine.

A Geek Daddy is a member of the National Geographic Kids Insider blogger program. Insiders get a behind-the-scenes look at National Geographic’s resources, activities, content and projects for kids and families. They also review copies of books, magazines and toys, and are offered interviews with authors, explorers and editors. I do not receive any financial compensation for my participation as a National Geographic Kids Insider.

National Geographic "Weird But True" Shirts @ Crazy 8

 ** A Geek Daddy received the featured product for free to review **

My daughter loves to wear t-shirts from Crazy 8 and is always thrilled when her subscription to National Geographic Kids Magazine arrives in the mail; so I knew she'd be enthused to find out the two have partnered together to create a line of cool shirts. The children's clothing brand Crazy 8 is highlighting eight fun National Geographic "Weird But True" facts on special tees for girls and boys.  The shirts feature butterflies, dinosaurs, porcupines and sharks, among other things, in children's sizes XS to XL that each feature a topic taken from the popular "Weird But True" section of National Geographic Kids Magazine and the corresponding Nat Geo best-selling app and book series.  She excitedly picked out the butterfly shirt from the collection which sports the phrase "BUTTERFLIES taste food with their FEET" for us to bring home.

We decided to break in her new shirt with a trip to the neighborhood park to see how well she could whirl around and fly about like a butterfly.  The playscape has an interesting feature that lets kids climb on and be spun about.  While it looks dizzying whenever riding it she is all giggles and constantly requesting me to spin her about faster and faster.  My daughter wobbled about after getting off that spinner very much resembling the motion of a butterfly flipping about between flowers as it tastes its food with its feet.

Next we were off to the playground zip line to fly like a butterfly.  From the look in her eyes you'd think she wasn't having fun, but my daughter always wants to soar across the zip line again and again whenever we head over to the park.  She even persuaded good old dad to give it a try!

There you have it! The Crazy 8 "Weird But True" National Geographic t-shirts have been butterfly tested and approved.  To get your own visit Crazy8.com or visit one of their stores located nationwide.  While supplies last, in-store purchases of any of the 8 National Geographic "Weird but True" shirts will also include a FREE "Weird But True" fact pack.  Sorry this free fact pack giveaway doesn't apply to online sales.

To share my daughter's enjoyment of her "Weird But True" t-shirt, A Geek Daddy is also giving away a $25 gift card to Crazy 8 so one lucky blog reader or social media follower can purchase their favorite special tee from this National Geographic collection.  For a chance to win, visit Crazy8.com and look at all the "Weird But True" t-shirt options.  E-mail thegeekdaddy [at] yahoo [dot] com with the subject line CRAZY 8 by Sunday, June 12 @ 11:59 pm EST.  Include in the email, your full name, mailing address, and the "Weird But True" fact printed on the front of your favorite Nat Geo shirt shown on the CRAZY 8 website.

UPDATE: Congrats to Carol from Mt. Clemens, Michigan who won our Crazy 8 giveaway.

We will randomly pick a winner from all valid entries. Must be a US resident over 18 years old to participate. No P.O. Boxes allowed for delivery of the prize.  One entry per person and winner will be selected from all eligible entries with the prize being mailed directly from A Geek Daddy.  By participating in this promotion you waive any liability of any kind against the publisher of this blog. A Geek Daddy is providing this giveaway contest as a benefit to our readers and social media followers and is hosting this promotion in association with the blog's participation in the National Geographic Kids Insider program. Emails will only be used to contact winner and all will be deleted following the conclusion of the giveaway.

A Geek Daddy is a member of the National Geographic Kids Insider blogger program. Insiders get a behind-the-scenes look at National Geographic’s resources, activities, content and projects for kids and families. They also review copies of books, magazines and toys, and are offered interviews with authors, explorers and editors. I do not receive any financial compensation for my participation as a National Geographic Kids Insider. #NGKInsider #Crazy8Kid