You know what I love? I love toys that encourage children to play outside and foster curiosity about the world in which we live. You know what drives me nuts? Wasting money on toys that barely last a day. My son and his friends are rough on their toys. It’s no coincidence my child’s favorite phrase is HULK SMASH! When I buy a toy for my son, I need it to do what it claims it can do. Otherwise, my 42 inch tall hulk tears it to pieces.
Having recently learned that National Geographic and Uncle Milton Industries joined forces to create an exciting new line of outdoor explorer-themed toys and activities geared to children ages five and up, I jumped at the opportunity to review them. JUMPED FOR JOY THAT IS!
Photo via Uncle Milton
Being a huge fan or both National Geographic and Uncle Milton, I somehow just knew these toys would rock and guess what? THEY ROCK, quite literally, as they’ve triumphed against rocks and survived the licking. My son and his friends had a blast exploring our backyard and neighborhood park with Uncle Milton’s new National Geographic Outdoor Explorer Series. In typical Uncle Milton fashion, these toys are high quality and built to last. In fact, some of the toys in the line are like smaller, less expensive versions of the REI models you or I would buy for our own outdoor exploration adventures.
Photo by CarlCostas.com
While at play, my son was inspired to explore his surroundings from a new perspective and I was filled with pride as he examined insects with the Outdoor Explorer Series 3-in-1 Expedition Magnifier. Uncle Milton’s new line of explorer toys brought out my son’s inner Trekaroo, captured his National Geographic adventurer spirit, and harnessed the ole’ Uncle Milton science lover within him. What do I like best about Uncle Milton’s new National Geographic Outdoor Explorer Series? They distracted my son’s inner hulk! My son was so busy blowing into his compass whistle, he forgot his main mission in life; to pulverize everything in his path.
Photo by Uncle Milton
The new National Geographic Outdoor Explorer Series features nine items, each with its own activity guide containing recommendations for the young explorer on how to use the product out in the field. From imaginative clip-on shoe lights, which shine a bright path in the dark, to an exciting new game of discovery called “Earth Tag,” this fantastic new line features something for every young explorer.
- Expedition Sky Flare MSRP $9.99
- 3-in-1 Expedition Magnifier MSRP $12.99
- 4-in-1 Explorer Navigation Tool MSRP $12.99
- Earth Tag MSRP $14.99
- Deep Cave Explorer Echo Maker MSRP $19.99
- High Sierra Eco Explorer Kit MSRP $19.99
- All-Terrain Nature Collector MSRP $19.99
- Expedition Shoe Lights MSRP $19.99
- Expedition Trekking Pak MSRP $29.99
A companion site, the National Geographic Explorer Academy, will launch this spring, featuring information about the new “Outdoor Explorer” line of products and ideas to inspire the adventures of young explorers.
Photo by Frank Adler and Uncle Milton
“We are thrilled to be working with National Geographic,” said Frank Adler, president of Uncle Milton Industries. “Utilizing the authenticity and resources of National Geographic has enabled us to develop a very inspiring new toy line that cultivates fun and fresh play experiences, while connecting young explorers to the world around them.”
Frank Adler, pictured above with his family in Maui, is a Trekaroo at heart. Someday he’d like to visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Whistler, British Columbia. His favorite travel memory is hiking with his father. His worst travel moment with kids? How quickly his brood can mess up a tidy hotel room. We can all relate to that!
The Steal: Win one of THREE National Geographic Outdoor Explorer Prize Packs.
Photo via CarlCostas.com
Details: We have three (3) prize packs to give away. Three lucky winners will be chosen to receive one (1) of the three (3) available prize packs.
HOW TO ENTER TO WIN
Simply click on the Rafflecopter box below and follow the directions. We’ve got lots of entry options on this one, so be sure to snag them all.
Imagine amazing ocean views, large luxury appointed villas, and a one-minute walk from your room to the white sands of the Pacific.
Photo by: the Retreat In Laguna
If you’ve been looking to add a bit of luxury to your vacation life, consider The Retreat in Laguna, a brand new property set on the stunning Pacific Ocean in Laguna Beach, CA. The Retreat offers the best of two worlds; unsurpassed hotel luxury seamlessly mixed with the comforts, flexibility, and convenience of a private villa. All of the villas are stocked with full-size modern kitchens, patios, and expansive rooms making The Retreat in Laguna the perfect getaway for a home-away-from home vacation.
Photo by: The Beach House
Don’t worry about missing hotel amenities, The Retreat will arrange an in room private chef or deliver catered dinners from partner restaurants like the Beach House, featuring one of the most stunning views in SoCal, or Savannah Chophouse, an upscale casual American restaurant featuring sustainable practices and divine food! Concierge services are available to arrange local tours & activities, like a guided walk with the OC Wildlife & Beach Tour , or a dolphin and whale watching experience with Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching. In room spa services and yoga are available and access to the Laguna Health Club is included.
Read full reviews of:
The Retreat in Laguna | Savannah Chophouse | The Beach House | Dana Wharf
The Steal: Win a Lauguna Beach Luxury Villa Vacation Valued at $3,000!
Details: One lucky winner will receive:
- A 2 night stay at The Retreat In Laguna (subject to availability, excludes holidays)
- Welcome tote bags from the Laguna Beach Visitors Bureau
- 2 mornings worth of breakfast vouchers for four at The Beach House
- Low Tide walk for family of four with OC Wildlife & Beach Tour
- Dolphin and Whale Watching trip for four with Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching
- Dinner for 4 at Savannah Chophouse
HOW TO ENTER TO WIN:
Simply click on the rafflecopter box below and follow the directions. We’ve got lots of entry options on this one, so be sure to snag them all.
This week at Trekaroo, we’re all about Disney!
For so many people, a Disney vacation is the ultimate family vacation experience, and we agree!
We are devoting the entire week to coverage to Disney parks, cruises and events. Stay tuned as we even offer a few sneak peaks at the coming attractions for this summer.
Photo by: Flickr/HarshLight
To get this Disney party started, we’re giving away a Disneyland Vacation for a family of four!! The package includes:
- Four (4) Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Tickets
- A two (2) night, Disney view stay at the Hilton Anaheim
- Breakfast Buffet passes at the Hilton Anaheim
The Hilton Anaheim is located just steps from the Disneyland Resort and offers beautiful rooms overlooking the magic (and even the fireworks) of the parks while boasting family amenities galore. There are numerous dining options, including a full-service restaurant and lounge, poolside grill, Starbucks and even a food court! The pool deck offers a fantastic place to unwind and features a wet play structure and mini water slide for the younger kids.
The Hilton is a Disneyland Resort Good Neighbor Hotel, which means that Disney has hand-picked the Hilton because it offers scheduled transportation to the parks, superior service, exceptional quality and in-room Disney tips on your TV! It is one of a select few hotels in the area that features a Disney Desk on site. Disney cast members work to get you the best tickets, itineraries and more, right from your hotel—no standing in line! The Hilton is currently offering some awesome specials including receiving a $50 Disney gift card with a four night stay.
Read the full review of the Anaheim Hilton.
Read reviews of rides, attractions, dining, and lodging at Disneyland Resort.
The Steal: Win a Disneyland Resort Vacation
Details: One lucky winner will receive four (4) Disneyland Resort Single-Day Park Hopper Tickets, a two (2) night stay at Hilton Anaheim in a Disney View Suite with two queen beds, and breakfast buffet passes. Reservations subject to availability and expire March 19, 2013.
HOW TO ENTER TO WIN:
In an effort to make it easier to enter, we are now using Rafflecopter. Simply click on “Read the rest of this entry” and then a box will appear. The more you do, the more entries you will receive!
A few years ago, my suitcase broke open sliding down the LAX baggage claim’s luggage shoot and some of its contents were thrown out. As I gathered my clothing off the conveyor belt, a man who seemed very embarrassed handed me my bra which he had picked up off the floor! From this humbling circumstance, I gained a new appreciation for this advice: it’s worth spending money on quality luggage.
Finding a quality suitcase for my son has been extremely challenging. I speak from experience when I say most children’s wheelie bags generally fall into one or all of these categories:
• Adorable but overpriced
• Poorly made
• Poorly designed
If you purchase a child’s suitcase online based purely its cutsie looks, it could end up sitting in your garage collecting dust because it’s not capable of withstanding the vigors of travel. To save money and to keep your garage clutter free, I highly recommend purchasing a Beatrix New York Wheelie Bag. Not only are these bags uber attractive, they’re also built Ford tough.
Beatrix is a company devoted to creating cool, contemporary stuff for kids. Their products combine a childlike love of whimsy with a grown-up sense of modern design and style. Beatrix’s products are phthalate free, PVC free, and lead free.
My son’s Wheelie Bag is not only adorable and colorful; it’s also the only child’s suitcase I’ve ever owned that’s actually built to be used as a suitcase! Hallelujah!
This jet-setting suitcase is made of heavy-duty nylon over a sturdy frame and has an adjustable handle with multiple lock settings to accommodate his growing body. The exterior has a large zipped pocket (perfect for stashing DVD’s) and an additional zip pocket can be found in its roomy interior.
Since I’ve taken all the leg work out of finding the perfect suitcase for your child, it would be a shame not to have a giveaway! Luckily, Beatrix New York has graciously offered one up as a prize; in addition, Trekaroo readers can use code TREKAROO20 to receive 20% off any Wheelie Bag purchase made until March 25, 2012!
The Deal: Trekaroo readers save 20%!
Details: Use code TREKAROO20 to receive 20% off any wheelie bag purchase made until March 25, 2012!
The Steal: Win a Beatrix New York Wheelie Bag!
Details: One lucky winner will receive one (1) Beatrix New York Wheelie Bag of their choosing shipped anywhere within the continental United Sates.
HOW TO ENTER TO WIN:
In an effort to make it easier to enter, we are now using Rafflecopter. Simply click on the more link below and follow the directions. The more you do, the more entries you will receive!
Read the rest of this entry »
Sometimes when you go away on vacation you just want to plant yourself on a beach somewhere and veg. Other times you want to learn something about your destination through tons of tours or a museum visit. And then there are those vacations where you just want to forget the complexities of daily life for a while, take some time to simplify, relax, and partake in the great outdoors. Skytop Lodge, in the heart of the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, is the perfect place to do just that. Take your family (or your friends, spouse or coworkers) for an opportunity to enjoy the wonders of nature and the simplicities of the great outdoors.
Skytop knows all about simplification. Its history dates back to 1928 when things were a whole lot different. People were just beginning to recognize the health benefits of being in nature and taking part in outdoor activities. One of the founders, a physician, was an advocate of this thinking and thought a retreat like Skytop would be the perfect place for people to restore and rediscover themselves through the joy of the outdoor experience. How amazing that more than eight decades later we are realizing just how right he was!
When my family of five visited Skytop recently, I was amazed at all there was to see and do. Having always lived within a 2-hour drive from the Pocono Mountains, I had forgotten what a wonderful place it can be and how grounding it is to leave your everyday stresses behind to really appreciate your surroundings and your companions. From their over 30 miles of hiking trails, their Orvis fishing and shooting center, indoor and outdoor pools, and an all-new Adventure Center featuring paintball, rock climbing, geocaching, mountain bike courses and wilderness survival classes, you can easily lose yourself in the physical activity of your liking and ability. Winter sports include downhill and cross country skiing, ice skating and sledding, and the occasional snowball and snow-fort-building contest amongst your companions of course! There are also a variety of additional on and off-site activities including dogsledding, outback UTV tours, a spa and more. Whatever your interests, Skytop offers all ages the opportunity to decompress and reconnect.
While at Skytop I was also reminded about the powerful connection we all have to each other. At no other place was I more amazed by the friendliness of the staff or the other guests. I guess when you simplify, you not only appreciate yourself more, but also those around you. Visit Skytop for yourself and reconnect to the simple things. They make the difference.
Read Sharon’s full review of Skytop Lodge.
Does a stay at Skytop sound like your idea of a dream family getaway? Then you will love this week’s Monday Madness giveaway! We have teamed up with Mama Cheaps, THE authority in deals, bargains, coupons, and frugal shopping (not to mention a fabulous Trekaroo Superoo), to give you an exciting opportunity to win a stay at the acclaimed Skytop Lodge which includes both meals and activities! Want the details? Scroll on down….
The Steal:
Win a 2-night getaway for four to Skytop Lodge including meals and activities valued at $2400.00!
Details:
Your 2-night getaway includes accommodations for 2 adults and 2 children (in the same room), three delectable meals per person per nights stay and a wide array of activities and amenities. Some activities and amenities require an additional charge. Some restrictions may apply. Not valid July, August and Holidays. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Must be used by December 15, 2012.
Experience the ultimate retreat of the most esteemed lodges in the country—Skytop. This grand historic estate nestled in the picturesque Pocono Mountains, features the very best in accommodations, fine dining and limitless recreation including the new Adventure Center at Skytop.
You can explore 5,500 pristine acres of inspiring natural beauty while enjoying a range of seasonal activities. Choose from the adventurous—like clay shooting and downhill skiing—to the serene—like nature hikes and full spa services. No matter your age, personality or desire, Skytop Lodge is an unforgettable experience.
How to enter:
Entering to win is as easy as 1-2-3!
Submit your first contest entry at Trekaroo’s Facebook page.
Then keep going and get more entries by following the link to Mama Cheaps and Skytop Lodge on Facebook.
Remember, to grab all 3 chances to win!
Rules and guidelines:
- 18 years of age or older
- US Residents only
- Entrants may receive up to three (3) entries per email address
- Some activities and amenities require an additional charge. Some restrictions may apply. Not valid July, August and Holidays. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Must be used by December 15, 2012.
Deadline to enter: Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at 11:59PM EST
What is Monday Madness?
Every Monday, Trekaroo announces on our blog, either a fantastic giveaway or an incredible deal. It could be a green water bottle, a hotel stay on Maui or theme park tickets. Return every Monday to the Talking Trekaroo Blog for the details. Want a reminder? Become a Trekaroo member or follow us on facebook or twitter.
Thanks to Online Sweepstakes and CashNet Sweepstakes,.
Sharon Rigney (aka msrigs) is a Trekaroo Superoo and a Bucks County, Pennsylvania-based writer and mother to a daughter and two sons, ages 6 to 12. She and her family welcome the opportunity to travel and try new things, sometimes close-to-home and sometimes a little out of their comfort zone just to shake things up. Her kids are so used to her reviewer’s eye, that when something notable happens on vacation their first question is usually “so are you going to write about that?”.
Travel with kids to: CA |CO | DC | FL | HI | IL |MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | VA | UT | WA
