Archive for 2009

Let’s face it – kids are artsy. Whether they’re creating a colorful collage or designing fresh fashions, young artists will be begging for the latest and greatest art supplies for their needs.  Let me introduce you to the Introductory Art Portfolio from Creativity for Kids – the self-contained, artist travel tote that will have kids painting, sketching, and shading their way to Picasso-worthy perfection.

What’s to like?

The Introductory Art Portfolio combines three different artistic media in one complete package – watercolor, graphite, and oil pastels to deliver a complete creative palette! Creativity for Kids is partnered with Faber-Castell, who is known for crafting high quality, professional art supplies, so kids can begin their creative journey like a true artist. An artistic array unlike any other, this perfectly-sized portfolio features 6 watercolor pencils, 6 graphite sketching pencils varying in hardness, 12 oil pastels, an eraser, a stainless steel sharpener, and durable watercolor paper. For me, the watercolor pencils are the most fun because they work like a normal colored pencil, but when you brush water onto the drawing (with a paint brush or just your finger), the colors blend together to create a “washed out” design!

Plus, never fear for your child’s safety with this crafty portfolio because all the included materials are completely acid-free, which means they are better quality art supplies (and who doesn’t love that?). And, acid free paper is ideal for the preservation of artwork because it prevents your masterpiece from fading! Another great aspect of this artist portfolio is that all of the supplies can be stored in the vinyl case, which also includes convenient handles making it a perfect travel accessory! Perfect for those never-ending car rides!

The Introductory Art Portfolio is one of my favorite artistically geared activities because it encourages endless creative possibilities and further improves drawing abilities, both valuable assets for young artists, but it’s also perfect for teaching kids self-confidence. I’ll admit my drawing ability is limited to basic stick figures, but even I felt my artistic ability improve, just a little, after I tried applying the different techniques in the portfolio to my designs. Now my stick figures are a lot more colorful and slightly more realistic!

At the end of the day

For $27.95, the Introductory Art Portfolio provides kids, 11 years and older, with the perfect artistic tools, endless creative possibilities and a renewed motivation to craft a Picasso-worthy creation!

What do stacking plastic cups in pyramids and eggs have in common? Fourteen year old, speed-stacking sensation Luke Myers! Myers, an Eden Prairie, MN native, is ranked second in the world at the lightening-fast sport known as speed-stacking – a title earned after years of non-stop practice and competitive competition. After receiving world-wide recognition for his quick wit and fast fingers, one of Luke’s YouTube videos caught the attention of the American Egg Board, who was so “blown away” by Luke’s talent that they signed him up as a spokesperson for their national ad campaign on incredible people! How many kids can boast such an honor?

For those of us unfamiliar with this up-and-coming sport, speed-stacking (also known as sport stacking) is a growing phenomenon among adolescents that challenges kids to stack and un-stack plastic cups in a series of pyramids – of course, in the shortest amount of time possible. It may seem that simple, but it’s not that easy! According to the World Sport Stacking Association, there are 3 different types of speed-stacking competitions – the 3-3-3, the 3-6-3, and the cycle. Amazingly enough, Luke Myers holds the record in his age group for each of these categories – impressed? I am!

Luke has become such an online sensation among young kids and adults alike, that many of his biggest fans have created tribute videos to showcase his talent and show they appreciate what he can do.  Here’s a YouTube tribute video created for Luke:

So, why was the American Egg Board interested in using this talented kid in their national campaign? The goal of the American Egg Board is “to increase demand for egg and egg products on behalf of the U.S. egg producers (http://www.aeb.org/about_aeb/mission.html).” Who better to promote a product that boosts energy for both body and mind than the world’s second-fastest speed machine? Let’s take a look at Luke’s incredible egg commercial:

Now, the recognized face of a major ad campaign, Luke Myers has come a long way. He may have started out as an average 11-year-old boy, who was introduced to a new game by his aunt, but now he’s an unstoppable speed machine!

Note: To keep up his speed, Luke practices for at least an hour a day. Want to beat Luke’s score? Grab some cups and start stacking!

For more information about Luke Myers and his speed-stacking background, check out this Pioneer Press news article: http://www.twincities.com/news/ci_13266115?source=rss

A few days ago, I asked my sister, a proud third grader, how she enjoyed her first week of school. She replied, “Math is fun, and lunch is too!” Ok, so she enjoys approximately 2 hours of her school day – then again she’s 9, so it takes the latest and greatest toys or the Disney Channel to get her excitement flowing. With each passing year, my sister’s attention span shortens, which makes the topics she focuses on that much more important (I know her frustrated teacher agrees!). The problem is that though the pizazz and panache of creative learning in elementary school curriculum today is cutting edge, it’s just not sinking in. What can we do? To help bring those scatterbrained kids we know and love around to focusing once again on schoolwork, Playmobil plans to use toys – yes, toys! – to enhance creativity and excitement in the classroom.

Playmobil has recently launched a contest for teachers of grades K through 3, currently working at an accredited elementary school in the U.S., to develop an imaginative lesson plan around a specific Playmobil product theme – and there are approximately 30 different themes from which to choose! Two of the more popular themes include the Egyptian and the Knights Collections:

The lesson plan must show, in detail, how toys from the chosen Playmobil theme can be actively incorporated into the classroom to nurture children’s imaginations in the classroom in such as way that will continue to impact children’s creativity at home as well.

I’m glad that a company with such reputable toys and a dedication to learning is sponsoring a contest that will be beneficial to so many children and will spark a new interest in creating an imaginative learning environment. I can’t wait to pass this news along to my sister’s school – after all, you can’t win if you don’t enter!

The contest deadline is November 15, 2009 by 11:59 p.m. Winners will be announced at www.playmobilusa.com in January 2010. Twenty-two prizes will be awarded as cash grants and Playmobil products for the winning teachers.

For more information and detailed contest guidelines, please visit: http://download.playmobil.com/public/eCS/Store/us/infos/PLAYMOBIL_Grant_Program_2009.pdf

Here at Growing Tree Toys, we are announcing our arrival to the toy blogging scene and – though we may be a little late – we’re making a fashionable entrance! Why so late, you ask? Though we’re a small specialty toy company, we wanted our blossoming blog to showcase our mighty desire to provide our customers, toy enthusiasts, and parents with quality toy driven content that is both informative and entertaining. Our goal is to craft an interactive environment where your questions and concerns can be heard and answered – we’re here to serve your needs!

We strive to put a face on our company and give you a better understanding of who we are by providing inside perspectives from those who know our company best – its founding family and its dedicated employees. We’re here to share our toy experience as parents, siblings, grandparents, and long time toy lovers to help parents and friends choose the highest quality toys for their favorite young ones, or even the occasional reminiscent toy from the “good old days” for the young at heart.

Most importantly – we love to have fun! From playing baseball in our warehouse parking lot to demonstrating toys for our customers, we’re a bunch of professional goofs. But, when it comes to making your experience with us a positive one, you have our full attention and our expertise at your fingertips. After all, we’re in this line of work because we care about what you care about when it comes to choosing the right educational toys for your kids.