Dinosaur Train Nature Trackers Club

The Jim Henson Company, producers of the animated PBS Kids television series Dinosaur Train, want to help keep children exploring and learning over the summer break.  So this summer they've launched a ten week series of activities called the Nature Trackers Summer Challenge to help parents keep children engaged in learning throughout their break from school.  Beginning June 20th, each week will have a different theme starting with STARGAZING WEEK and be tied to a special episode airing on PBS.  Future themes include birds, insects and volcanoes, among other topics.

Here's a look at the list of the Nature Trackers Summer Challenge's first group of activities for STARGAZING WEEK:

WATCH - Dinosaur Train: Remember the Alamosaurus / Sunrise , Sunset on PBS. In this episode Dad takes the Pteranodon kids on an overnight camping trip where they watch both a sunrise and a sunset learning that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.  The kids also find out more about nocturnal (night-active) animals and diurnal (day-active) animals.  If you miss this episode airing on television, CLICK HERE to watch it online via Watch Cartoons Online at your own convenience.  Dinosaur Train episodes can also be streamed via Hulu, Netflix and YouTube.

PLAY - Under the Night Sky: Act Nocturnal!

DO -  Moon Observation!

EXPLORE -  Explore the sky from various locations in the world with NASA Watch the Skies! All Sky Camera Network.

For a complete list of challenges, visit the Nature Trackers page on PBS Parents!  As your kids participate in the Dinosaur Train Nature Trackers Summer Challenge share your experiences by posting your stories and photos at the Henson Family Hub on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #NatureTrackers.

Artist utilizes Playmobil toys to make topics interesting for young readers

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

Photographer Richard Unglik has developed an artistic niche by recreating the works of famous painters, memorable movie moments, and other well-known visual scenes entirely with characters, accessories and decors from the Playmobil toy line.  Now Unglik is using his passion for Playmobil to inspire young readers through two new children's books: Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of the Baskervilles and Journey Around the World.

Sherlock Holmes detective stories are brilliant mysteries but the writing of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle can be weighty material for children to comprehend and devote their attention to.  Unglik portrays Sherlock Holmes in a manner more suitable for children aged 6 through 12 years old to appreciate as he recreates the world of Sherlock Holmes using Playmobil action figures and scenery.

Follow along with Playmobil Sherlock as he solves the classic story of The Hound of the Baskervilles.  Readers delve into a haunted tale of suspense and mystery told from the perspective of the familiar, heartwarming Playmobil characters that have been delighting children since the toys originated in the 1970s.  While published as a children's book, this 96 page reenactment of Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of the Baskervilles is an enjoyable and interesting read for kids as well as kids-at-heart.  Readers of all ages will enjoy flipping through the pages and viewing the Playmobil depictions.

Journey Around the World encourages children to learn more about the world beyond their doorstep.  Unglik also uses Playmobil figurines and scenery to engage children's interest in learning about history and geography by depicting different parts of the world and its exotic peoples and places.

More than 25 countries from around the globe are portrayed through double paged sections in this book which also includes a large, pull-out map of the world.  Each double page spread showcases a country, city, or civilization along with its traditions and customs.  Journey Around the World is a heartwarming atlas that will inspire children to explore and discover.  As with Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of the Baskervilles, this book is full of wonderful pictures featuring Playmobil toys that even adults will want to flip through to enjoy.

These books are available at a variety of retailers including Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million.  For more information about these books and their author, visit quartous.com.

Richard Unglik's Playmobil books get A Geek Daddy nod of approval for taking topics that kids might not otherwise be very interested in and making them interesting through fun toy inspired visuals which draw young audiences into reading.

100 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GROW UP

How to build an awesome pillow fort, pack a suitcase like a pro, do a card trick, start a campfire, and throw a softball or baseball are just a handful of the useful things kids will discover in 100 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GROW UP. This 256 page soft-cover book from National Geographic KiDS is filled with informative facts, interesting how-tos, inspirational quotes, educational tips and helpful hints to help overcome the misses, messes, and sticky situations that everyone encounters as they grow up. 100 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GROW UP combines cool pictures and diagrams with interesting topics and useful advice that young audiences can relate to which helps make learning fun for them. The book's 100 tips focus on the themes of attitude, skills, and knowledge to help readers have useful information to assist with being the "best version of YOU." Whether it is dealing with tough times like recovering from embarrassment, knowing what to do in a life-threatening emergency, or understanding practical skills like wrapping a present, National Geographic KiDS 100 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GROW UP is chock-full of useful tidbits to help get through the awkwardness, uncertainties and unknowns that all youth experience growing up.

I remember moving to a new city and switching schools as a shy and bashful tween. One of the boys in my new school really went out of his way to make me feel welcome and help me fit in. Unfortunately, with meeting so many new people in a big school and getting adjusted to the new locale, I'm ashamed to say I had trouble remembering his name in those first few days. My dad worked with his mom and asked me if I had met him yet and I didn't recognize the name and said no. A few days later that kid got angry with me at school asking why my parent told his mom that we weren't friends. While I honestly apologized and admitted that I hadn't remembered his name unfortunately he was never really that friendly with me again from that point on. Since then I've always made remembering names a priority and as a parent emphasize that as an important thing for my kids to do. So I was impressed that Tip #42 in 100 THINKS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GROW UP is "How to remember someone's name" which is an important aspect of life for both kids and adults to have a good grasp on.

A friend of mine told me about an incident where his son, who is active in the Boy Scouts, was out to eat at a restaurant one evening when an elderly woman began choking. People began noticing and anxiety filled the room as no one seemed to know what to do. His twelve year old son rushed past a crowd of adults staring at the situation in bewilderment and performed the Heimlich Maneuver saving this lady's life. What would you or your kids do if they found themselves in this situation? Tip #4 spells out how to help someone who is choking.

You never know when you may need to tie a good knot but at some point in your life there will be a moment in which that skill will be really useful to have.  Tip #13 shows readers how to tie three basic knots: the Bowline, Square Knot, and Sheet Bend.

In addition to charts, pictures and diagrams like the ones pictured above that demonstrate important skills to have, 100 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GROW UP incorporates experts giving their advice on how to get things done. Nathan Odom the 13 year old winner of the FOX cooking competition television show, MasterChef Junior shares recipes for baking cookies; Jimmy Thai from Toastmasters International provides advice on public speaking; professional organizer Barry Izsak explains how to pack a suitcase; and astronomer Knicole Colon provides her list of 3 must-see planets viewable through a telescope. These are just a few of the experts and explorers that provide their 2-cents on various topics throughout the book.

Designed with the same youthful vibe as the publication style of National Geographic KiDS Magazine, this compact sized book is easy to store around the house and small enough to take along traveling making it an always handy option for a kids to reference when faced with a conundrum. 100 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GROW UP brings together motivational tools and  educational references with the goal of inspiring boys and girls ages 8 to 12 years old to be inquisitive about learning new things to help them become the best person they can be. Whether it is practical skills such as how to do laundry, pump up a bike tire and stay safe online; goofy stuff like learning to balance a spoon on your nose, coming up with the perfect secret hand shake, and teaching a pet a new trick; or inspirational insights such as how to say NO, dealing with jealousy, learning to be tolerant, responding to hurt feelings, and taking the perspective of looking on the bright side, the material in this book is a dependable source for kids to turn to for information that reinforces the lessons being taught to them by their parents and at school. We plan on keeping this book readily accessible for our own two kids because you never know what will spark a kid's interest and there is a lot of intellectual tinder in this book. Speaking of tinder, I also pulled the book out the other day for my own personal use because I'm notoriously bad at building camp fires so I wanted to check out Tip #17 before the summer weather gets here.

CLICK HERE for more information or to purchase 100 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GROW UP from the National Geographic online store.

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

Happy Pi Day Everyone!!!

Happy Pi Day everyone! No we are not celebrating the delicious baked treat today but rather recognizing the association of the date of March 14 (3/14) with π (Pi) as an opportunity to promote that mathematics doesn't need to be viewed as dull and boring but rather it can have a fun side to it as well.  What is Pi by the way?  Ancient mathematicians realized that while circles vary in size they all maintain the same shape  They realized that there had to be a mathematical constant when it comes to the creation of a circle which has become know as Pi.  Pi is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. So for any circle no matter how small or large it may be when you divide its circumference by its diameter you'll always get π which is the exact same number 3.14.

Cy Tymony who has developed a reputation for teaching fun ways to learn about math and science through his educational book series "Sneaky Uses for Everyday Things" decided Pi Day was a great opportunity to catch people's attention on this topic.  So this year, he created www.PiDayFun.com which is dedicated to making Pi Day math memorable with activities meant to get children engaged in mathematics.   The website contains directions for free diy projects that will allow kids to create things like a Sneaky Pi Detector, Pi Quizzer, Fraction Calculator and a Range Finder.

One of the PiDayFun.com projects we made and played around with is the PI WHEEL.  You can use the PI WHEEL to compute the circumference of various sized circles by turning the wheel until a circle's diameter appears in the window. Right below it will be that circle's circumference.  Here are the instructions on making your own PI WHEEL, give it a shot!

For more tips on how to get your kids interested in math, check out Cy's book "Sneaky Math -- A Graphic Primer with Projects" which contains activities using every day items to help kids grasp the mathematical concepts involved with Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry and Calculus.  While Cy Tymony is known to be a math and science wizard, his book shows that you don't need to be a genius to excel at math.  This book which probably most suitable for junior high and high school students uses practical activities to help kids excel in their math courses.  Looking at mathematical concepts from a down to earth perspective can eliminate much of the anxiety and confusion kids often feel about math. The book shows its readers how math is all around us through intriguing and easy projects, including 20 pass-along tools that are meant to complement what students learn in the class room.

You can get Sneaky Math from retailers such as Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and Books A Million.

By reading comic books and studying science as a young boy, Cy Tymony amazed his friends with unusual scientific projects, demonstrations and ideas.  He is trained in auto mechanics, electronics, video and audio technology and computer science plus has studied martial arts and survival techniques.  Now he has focused his enthusiasm, creativity and imagination toward educating people of all ages through his Sneaky Uses for Everyday Things books.


A Geek Daddy received a complimentary copy of Sneaky Math from the publisher.

Expand children's reading & science skills with a Rainforest Journey

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

The winter months can be cold and dreary in Michigan, but that hasn't prevented my kids from exploring tropical habitats filled with lush vegetation and exotic creatures over the last few weeks.  They've been able to go on a Rainforest Journey without having to leave the comfort of our home thanks to an innovative online science and reading curriculum program created by the company EdTechLens.  Designed for children 5 - 12 years old, EdTechLens' Rainforest Journey teaches the life science components of elementary school science curriculum through taking kids on a vibrant, multimedia tour of a rainforest. Students are walked through five multi-chaptered units of study during their Rainforest Journey which include the big picture of the rainforest, adapt or die, animals, plants and fungi, and ecosystems. 

(c) EdTechLens - Rainforest Journey

Whether using for home schooling or to supplement what a child is being taught at school, the curriculum format of this program ensures kids are learning during their Rainforest Journey.  Parents can customize the reading level and educational complexity so it is appropriate for their child's grade in school from Kindergarten through 5th Grade.  We've been utilizing the first grade edition (CLICK HERE to sample one of the lesson segments my kids have used) and it has meshed well with where my twins are in their studies at in school.  If children are struggling to read along through the presentation on their own there is also an optional audio narration component that reads the text as a child follows along.  Scientific concepts such as ecosystems and the water cycle are explained through easy to understand graphs and illustrations.  Plus there is a focus on using this experience to expand a child's vocabulary as they make their way through each section of this online teaching aid.

To reinforce the lessons learned in each unit of the Rainforest Journey includes a printable activity sheet that parents and kids can work on together before they move on to the next topic.  Also each section concludes with an online test that measures a student's comprehension of their grade appropriate material and provides parents with an assessment.  Parents can block children from moving on to next unit of material until a satisfactory score has been achieved.

Rainforest Journey's online educational portal will work with any computer or handheld device that can connect with the Internet.  It's lessons are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards and the New York State Science Standards plus each lesson includes a non-fiction reading passage to promote literacy. To further assist with reading skill development each of the learning sections provides parents with a Lexile score and word count to assist with measuring a child's abilities.

To prevent children from considering the educational aspects of Rainforest Journey as being boring or burdensome, lessons include video clips and photographs specifically selected to pique a child's curiosity.  Brilliantly colored amphibians, bug eating plants, camouflaged predators, distorted fungi, and rhinoceros-looking insects will wow and intrigue kids into wanting to learn more.



My son's favorite animal is the jaguar and he was just thrilled by the photos and video of this ferocious feline when we came upon them.

It is nice that you can select a specific grade level from K - 5 so that you know the material is relevant and relatable to the child using a Rainforest Journey.  My twins are beginning readers and their teacher has asked parents to make sure students read for 30 minutes every night after school.  With  pages that feature one line sentences crafted for first grade aged children to read this was a perfect opportunity to get in their reading every night while enhancing their interest in nature, conservation and science.

An annual subscription to Rainforest Journey is normally $50 per grade level.  So for example using the program for one child in first grade would cost just $50 for twelve months access. But say for example you have multiple children in kindergarten, third grade and fifth grade and want to customize the complexity for each of their individual learning levels that would be a $150 subscription fee.  Unless you use this special code ETLN2015 which will provide new subscribers to Rainforest Journey with a 50% discount on their order! This is a limited time offer and I'm not sure when it will expire.

Before making a decision, CLICK HERE to take a walk through Rainforest Journey to get an in-depth overview of the activities and resources provided through this educational tool.  Check out samples of the five lesson units as well as compare how the kindergarten version differentiates from the fifth grade.  Take a few moments to watch a video orientation that explains the program and its merit.  Note that a Rainforest Journey isn't fun and games meant to amuse kids but rather a serious educational tool which utilizes interesting topics and visuals that entice children to be enthusiastic about learning. Put those cold winter days where your kids may be trapped in the house to good use with a Rainforest Journey.

National Geographic Kids Summer Boredom Busters

** As part of the National Geographic Kids Insiders, A Geek Daddy blog was provided a complimentary Kids Summer Boredom Buster Book Kit plus one to giveaway**

Do the words "I'm bored" grate on your nerves like finger nails being scratched down a chalkboard when your children start whining on a rainy summer day or when it may be to hot to go out and play? Or even worse hearing the pestering of "are we there yet" during the drive for a summer vacation road trip.  Our friends at National Geographic Kids have a solution to these annoyances with their Summer Boredom Buster Kit.

National Geographic Kids provided A Geek Daddy with a FREE downloadable Summer Fun Pack filled with animal stories, fun facts, crazy quizzes. recipes, jokes, puzzles and games to share with our readers.  Please download and print out the following Summer Fun Pack activity sheets courtesy of National Geographic Kids:


That's not it though! We've also been provided with some Summer Boredom Buster Book Kits featuring 5 great National Geographic Kids selections for both my children to enjoy and to giveaway to one lucky A Geek Daddy blog reader.  For a chance to win you  must be a U.S. or Canadian resident over 18 years old and submit one or all of the following entry methods to earn up to 4 entries prior to 11:59 pm EST on Sunday August 16, 2015.  All valid entries will be assigned a number in the order they are received and one number will be  selected to determine the winner using random.org.  E-mails will only be used to contact the winner and deleted following the selection of a winner.

**UPDATE** Congrats to Jake from Toledo who won the National GEO Boredom Busters Prize Pack

EMAIL (1 Entry)  E-mail thegeekdaddy [at] yahoo [dot] com your name and mailing address.   Email subject line should be National GEO Boredom Busters. 

FACEBOOK COMMENT (3 Entries) Visit A GEEK DADDY on Facebook and leave a comment on our contest post sharing what your favorite family summer road trip is.

These 5 National Geographic Kids books are really great for summer because they are jam-packed with interesting activities, jokes, and trivia that will keep a child's attention occupied yet are relatively small in size making them easy to pack for a trip or store around the house.  They also meet A Geek Daddy's philosophy of combining entertaining and educational elements together to help kids learn.  "Learning" and "Fun" shouldn't be considered polar opposites by children so books and products that can combine the too in a meaningful way like these National Geographic Kids books get A Geek Daddy nod of approval.  Here are the five books included in the National Geographic Summer Boredom Buster Book Kit:

FUNNY FILL-IN: MY AMUSEMENT PARK ADVENTURE

Combining National Geographic Kids’ photography and illustrations in colorful laugh-out-loud pages, this engaging, entertaining, and educational book takes you on a fun-filled adventure through the amusement park and invites you to imaginatively enter a new world by writing your own wild and wacky story.

FUNNY FILL-IN: MY RAINFOREST ADVENTURE

Sort fact from fiction in this fun and informative adventure. Filled with excitement and hilarity, this compositional challenge lets you tell your very own story starring…YOU!

QUIZ WHIZ 5

Discover 1,000 more fun, fascinating, and funny quiz questions in the fifth installment in this popular series, with all-new content. Packed with fantastic photos and a dynamic design, kids will have a blast quizzing themselves, friends, and family members on tons of fun trivia!

JUST JOKING ANIMAL RIDDLES

Authored former U.S. Children's Poet Laureate, J. Patrick Lewis, this collection of animal-focused jokes and riddles will keep kids reading, rhyming, and laughing like a hyena.

SHARK STICKER ACTIVITY BOOK

This super engaging activity book is packed with mazes, spelling and pattern games, drawing activities, shark facts, and more. Shark-crazy kids are sure to love these pages loaded with fun, learning as the go!

We're taking a summer road trip to Toronto which will be a 5 hour drive each way and these National Geographic Kids books will definitely be along for the ride to help keep our kids amused while the miles go by.

DISCLAIMER:  A Geek Daddy Blog will be responsible for selecting the winner of this contest, but National Geographic is responsible for fulfillment and delivery of the prize.  By participating in this contest you waive any liability towards A Geek Daddy Blog or its publisher that may arise from your involvement with this promotion.  If you win this prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Prize will be delivered by UPS or FedEx so no P.O. Boxes are allowed as mailing addresses. A Geek Daddy Blog did not receive any financial compensation but did receive free products for the blog to review and the prize that is being awarded to one of our readers for this contest.  A Geek Daddy Blog is hosting this contest as a benefit to our readers. Any opinions in this post are my own.  #NGKINSIDER

Are your kids going to CAMP Google during the summer break from school?

Looking for a way to keep your kids productive and learning over the summer break from school?  CAMP Google is a FREE online opportunity for children to engage in interactive science activities and adventures that will run from mid-July through mid-August.  Each week will have a different theme: OCEAN Week, SPACE Week, NATURE Week & MUSIC Week.  Led by experts, the activities have been designed to encourage kids to ask questions, setting them on a lifelong journey of exploration and discovery.



Our friends at National Geographic Kids will be kicking off Ocean Week on CAMP Google with a one hour LIVE stream at 3pm on Monday, July 13 2015 featuring National Geographic Explorer Dr. Sylvia Earle as she goes on a dive in the Atlantic Ocean.  The even will be staged from inside Baseline Explorer's Submarine 'Nemo' where Earle will discuss marine biology, technology and then pilot an OpenROV pre-positioned several miles offshore through a wireless ethernet bridge.

CLICK HERE to tune in for the LIVE video stream featuring National Geographic Explorers and for more information about how to join in on CAMP Google activities and online events. If you missed the live stream you can still watch the presentation by clicking the link.

National Geographic Society Explorer-in-Residence Dr. Sylvia A. Earle has a B.S. degree from Florida State University, M.S. and PhD. from Duke University, and 22 honorary degrees. Earle who in 2014 was named a "Glamour Woman of the Year",  has authored more than 190 scientific, technical, and popular publications; lectured in more than 80 countries; and appeared in hundreds of radio and television productions. She has led more than a hundred expeditions and logged more than 7,000 hours underwater, including leading the first team of women aquanauts during the Tektite Project in 1970; participating in ten saturation dives, most recently in July 2012; and setting a record for solo diving in 1,000-meter depth.

Earle's research concerns marine ecosystems with special reference to exploration, conservation, and the development and use of new technologies for access and effective operations in the deep sea and other remote environments. Her special focus is on developing a global network of areas on the land and in the ocean to safeguard the living systems that provide the underpinnings of global processes, from maintaining biodiversity and yielding basic life support services to providing stability and resiliency in response to accelerating climate change.

Join in on the National Geographic Kids presentation at 3pm on Monday July 13th than participate in a variety of Ocean themed activities that CAMP Google will post on its website that kids can do around the house during the remainder of the week.

Disclosure: 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. 

National Geographic is a global nonprofit membership organization driven by a passionate belief in the power of science, exploration and storytelling to change the world. 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.

New Mobile App from Nickelodeon provides Streaming Media to help Preschoolers develop their Noggin

Starting March 5, 2015 Nickelodeon will begin streaming unique content meant to help preschoolers develop their noggins through a new app called "Noggin." Available through the App Store for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, Noggin's content for preschoolers will be available by parents buying a monthly subscription to access the content via the app.  The paid service will be ad free and cost $5.99 per month.

When Noggin launches on March 5th it content will include episodes of Blue's Clues, Allegra's Window, Franklin & Friends, Gullah Gullah Island, Little Bear, Miss Spider's Sunny Patch Friends, Ni Hao Kai-lan, Oswald, Pocoyo, Robot and Monster, and The Upside Down Show; music videos featuring Nickelodeon characters; and the return of the retired characters Moose and Zee to host educational videos that will help children learn letters, shapes, matching and other important skills to get ready for kindergarten.  Over time new content, games, and activities will be added to the app.  The Noogin library of videos, games, and activities will be separate and distinct from the televised and online preschool content available through Nick Jr. and Nickelodeon's other distribution platforms.

Nickelodeon's Noggin will provide content specifically targeted for preschooler's educational and entertainment needs and appears aimed to appeal to the growing number of households that have cut cable television services and to active on the go parents who would like a mobile option accessible for their children when the family is out and about.  Of course, not wanting to compete with their own successful cable network brands, subscribers won't find Nick's most popular preschool focused characters like Dora, PAW Patrol and Wallykazam! on Noggin.

Do you have preschoolers at home and if so does Noggin peek your interest?  If you decide to subscribe to Noggin send us a message to share your experience with the app.  Share your thoughts with A Geek Daddy Blog via email thegeekdaddy [at] yahoo [dot] com , Facebook, Twitter, or the comment section below.

Help Your Child Explore Science & Technology With A Monthly Subscription To Space Scouts

Who doesn't like getting something delivered in the mail to their house? Admit it; there is a thrill to getting something delivered from your postal carrier that isn't a bill or junk mail but rather something fun or interesting you can enjoy...and when it comes to kids that thrill level of getting something special in the mail is escalated a thousand percent!  So if you are looking for something a little unique or different to give to a special child in your life you may want to check out a subscription service that recently caught my attention called SPACE SCOUTS that promotes creativity and imagination through sending space themed boxed filled with arts and crafts projects and other fun treats each month.

Join space scouts Roxy and Jett as they explore the galaxy engaging children with fun learning activities, hands-on discovery, and exciting challenges through this monthly subscription club.  Each month explores a new aspect of outer space -- astronomy, science and space exploration are just a few of the topics explored by the Space Scouts to help launch children's interest in science and technology.  A package will arrive each month filled with learning activities plus magnets, stickers, and toys to enjoy.

The subscription program is designed so that each month's package builds upon what you have already received in previous mailings.  Pricing starts out at $11.95 + $3 shipping per month with additional discounted plans for multi-month purchases.  SPACE SCOUTS is recommended for kids age 6+.

A GEEK DADDY blog readers receive a 20% discount on their initial purchase of any SPACE SCOUT subscription plan by using promo code USFAMILY20.

For more information, visit  www.atcssc.com/space-scouts

DISCLAIMER: A Geek Daddy Blog was introduced to this product through its participation in the US FAMILY GUIDE Blogger Program.  A Geek Daddy blog was not provided any financial compensation for this post but is being provided a complimentary two month subscription to the Space Scouts to review.  A positive review is not required of our blog to participate in this promotion.  A Geek Daddy blog had not received the product to review yet at the time this post was published.

A Wave of the Wand in Salute to Wallykazam!

I've been fairly critical recently to Nickelodeon's efforts to revamp its Dora franchise with a tween modeled version of the show aimed at preschoolers, so I did want to give the network a positive nod for a new show that I believe they are doing right called Wallykazam!  This new series that debuted at the beginning of this year is a perfect fit for children ages 3 - 7 years old.  Wallykazam! promotes literacy with its viewers through weaving educational lessons into comedy-driven stories filled with funny characters and adventures.  One of my parenting mottoes is strive to make education entertaining so that children will embrace learning as fun challenges rather than dread it as required tasks.  Wallykazam! does a great job of getting children engaged into learning letters and phonics through participating in the show's adventures.

Wallykazam! follows the adventures of a troll named Wally and his pet dragon, Norville, who live in a mystical forest filled with giants, goblins, ogres, sprites, and other mythical creatures.  Wally has a magic wand, well actually it's a stick that he picked up off the ground but it works as well as a wand from a Harry Potter movie when it comes to hocusing and pocusing, that he uses to make words come to life in each episode's adventure.  Each show begins with Wally selecting a specific letter and than using words that begin with that selected letter to magically create things with the wave of his wand (oops I meant stick) to help him get out of a predicament.

In addition to helping children identify letters, the show takes things a step further working on sounds associated with letters, rhyming, vocabulary development and reading comprehension strategies.  Beyond just  talking about letters and words and showing items that Wally kazams into existence, the show also captions on the screen the letter and words being spotlighted to assist with reading development.  Using this phonics approach helps develop key reading skills by connecting sounds with letters or groups of letters. My 5 year old twins really get into sounding out, and yelling out, the words as they are being conjured up on the screen and it is nice to see them enthused about learning about words and vocabulary through their interactions with this show.

Season 1 of Wallykazam! premiered on Nickelodeon on February 3, 2014 and consists of 26 original episodes.  The show was created by producer/writer Adam Peltzman, who also was involved with creating the Emmy Award-winning The Backyardigans and Bubble Guppies television series.  Check your cable guide for when Wallykazam! is airing on Nickelodeon or Nick Jr or you can also download the episodes for a fee on iTunes or other digital download sites like Amazon.com.  As parents, I know it is important to limit our children's television exposure especially during the preschool years but I can vouch this is one of the good ones that if you are going to let them watch TV to tune into.

I've included a youtube video of the season's first episode below if you want to check out out the show.  In "Naptime for Borgelorp" Wally is persuaded to babysit his friend Ogre Doug's hyper and unpredictable pet Borgelorp.  Wally is given two instructions, kinda reminds me of Gremlins here, for Borgelorp's care.  First, get Borgelorp to take a nap.  Secondly, and most importantly make sure Borgelorp doesn't eat any purple flowers.  Wally tries to follow these rules but his nemesis, and the show's lead comedic element, BobGoblin the hobgoblin does his best to cause havoc.  Conjuring up magic words that start with the letter "S" are the only way to tire out the rambunctious pet and keep it away from those dreaded purple flowers.  Wally is very creative when it comes to creating magical words using somersault, sandwich, and symphony to get the job done.

In addition to the animated television series, Nickelodeon also recently introduced a FREE video game that features the characters from Wallykazam!  In this game BobGoblin drops by Wally's house and casts a spell causing all the fruit that Wally was planning on using for his lunch to hop around uncontrollably.  Game players need to help Wally gather up the runaway fruit in this platform style game by bouncing, hopping, leaping or jumping in order to save the day...and Wally's lunch.  The game uses a special letter to create magic words to help Wally get out of jams.  Each time you play the game the magic letter changes too keeping the game interesting through multiple plays.  When I played it with my son the letter was "H" and all the magic words conjured up started with the letter H, while when I played with my daughter the letter was "J" having Wally kazam things up like jumping jellybeans and jetting juice boxes.

 

There is also a FREE "Word Hunt" game where game players help Wally & Norville look for hidden words that start with the magic letter designated at the beginning of the game.  Not a bad game for preschoolers and parents to spend some time playing together.  It has some fun interactions with the characters from the television show and works on helping with connecting sounds to the letters they are associated with.

 

To play these games CLICK HERE.  You can also watch some episodes of Wallykazam! for FREE on this website and download some coloring pages and activity sheets for your kids off of it.