THE TOY INSIDER 2017 RETROSPECTIVE

I just wrapped up my second year being a part of the Toy Insider's Parents Panel and being involved with it was one of the highlights of 2017!  As a part of this group of moms and dads, we each make regular contributions on thetoyinsider.com providing tips from parents for parents on a wide range of topics including educational tools we've used, our kids' favorite toys, and ways to get children engaged in imaginative play.  In addition to writing for the Toy Insider's website, Parents Panel members are provided samples of toys throughout the year so we can share reviews of our family's own experiences on our own websites, serves as Twitter party hosts where we give out some really nice prizes while having some fun conversations, and get inside access to preview events where we get to see the next hot toys before they even hit store shelves.

Hope you have read some of my posts on thetoyinsider.com!  Here are a few of my best Toy Insider posts from 2017:

GET KIDS BUG-EYED ABOUT LEARNING

SUMMER STAY-CATION:  FUN IDEAS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

KEEP KIDS ACTIVE: FUN WITH FLYING DISCS

GAMES EVERYONE KNOWS (BUT DON'T KNOW HOW TO PLAY)

MAKING LASTING MEMORIES WITH FUN FAMILY MOVIE NIGHTS

I'll be continuing on with the Toy Insider's Parents Panel into 2018 so keep an eye out on my Twitter, Instagram and Facebook feeds for announcements about my blog posts for them, contests and giveaways, toy reviews, Twitter parties and more.  Plus you can CLICK HERE for a listing of upcoming Twitter Parties as well ... I always have fun joining in on them and each one always gives out some great prizes to a few lucky participants.

TOY INSIDER PARENTS PANEL

During the last year I have partnered with The Toy Insider as a member of their Parents Panel, a group of moms and dads who make regular contributions to thetoyinsider.com with tips from parents for parents on a wide range of topics including educational tools we've used, our kids' favorite toys, and ways to get children engaged in imaginative play.  Parents Panel members are provided samples of toys throughout the year so we can share reviews of our family's own experiences, host Twitter parties where we give out some really nice prizes while having some witty banter, and get inside access to preview events where we get to see the next hot toys before they even hit store shelves.  This is a really great group of people including James Zahn (The Rock Father), Destiny Paquette (Suburban Wife City Life), Stephanie Glover (A Grande Life) and Charlene DeLoach (Charlene's Chronicles) and myself. 

Here are some examples of my past Parent's Panel posts that you can find on thetoyinsider.com:

Summer Stay-cation: Fun Ideas For the Whole Family

Bringing the WOW Factor to Your Next Family Game Night

Get Kids Bug-Eyed About Learning

Toys to Make Your Kids King of the Hill on the Neighborhood Playground

I'm excited to announce that I'll be continuing as a member of Parents Panel for another year with my new term with the group starting during my appearance at the Toy Insider's annual holiday shopping toy preview Sweet Suite 2017 at this year's Blogger Bash in New York City.  Stay tuned for another year of Toy Insider fun!

The Toy Insider Parent Panelist

A Geek Daddy has been honored to have been selected to serve on the 2016 - 2017 Parents Panel for The Toy Insider.  I'll be one of 5 parents regularly contributing articles on one of the leading toy review websites out there -- thetoyinsider.com.  We'll be complimenting The Toy Insider's professional editorial staff with tips and recommendations straight from the mouths of parents who are in the midst of the enjoyment and tribulations of raising kids.  Make visiting The Toy Insider one of your regular stops while traveling the digital superhighway to read the most recent articles Parents Panel members have posted online covering a variety of interesting topics such as "Preparing Kids for Back to School" and "Apple Picking Tips for a Fall Family Outing to the Orchard."

Contributions by A Geek Daddy so far for The Toy Insider Parent Panel have included "Selecting Age Appropriate Movies for Kids" and "Donating Stuffed Animals to Charity."   If there is a topic you'd like us to delve into don't hesitate to let me know!  Upcoming segments from the Parent Panel will include, among other topics, tips on Halloween fun and holiday shopping over the next few months.

The Toy Insider Parents Panel members receive a stipend for their efforts plus other perks including regular sample boxes from toy manufacturers of new products heading to store shelves.  Participants are not required to blog or vlog about any specific item or subject and all the opinions expressed by members of the panel are honest and their own.  A Geek Daddy is looking forward to this year long adventure interacting with parents from around the world and having fun testing out new toys!  I hope you'll join us in this journey.

A Geek Daddy is the father of 7-year-old twins.  He blogs about the adventures of parenting from a fun-loving dad's perspective.  A connoisseur of comic books, wrist watches and remote control cars, he enjoys family road trips and is an avid Detroit Tigers fan.