Tag Archives: Educational

Television

It Is Time to Use Your Imagination With Kazoops

Kazoops-Logo-TM
This post is part of a sponsored campaign for Kazoops. I received compensation for my participation, but my review and opinions are my own.

Monty_JJ_Key_Art_Cuddle_Room_Vertical_No_Logo

Andrew and I watched the first episode of the new Netflix show, Kazoops. It was adorable. The show is for children ages 3-6. It is bright and colorful and there are some cute songs, which did not get stuck in my head, so that is great. I’ve watched so many kids shows in the past 10 years that I am grateful to ones that have solid songs that you can enjoy, but not find yourself absentmindedly singing. The show follows the adventures of six-year old Monty and his best friend, Jimmy Jones, the family pet pig. Monty has a mom, dad, grandmother and older sister also in his family. Monty uses his vivid imagination to challenge preconceptions about life such as “you have to wear matching socks” or “all games need rules” and, in doing so, demonstrates the value of critical thinking and creative play.

You can watch the official trailer on the Kazoops YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWdf8VLC8sjQ0D0-aI8_59A

Creative is an excellent way to describe the show. From the episode I saw it was a nice show with some creative animation. There are moments in the show when Monty closes his eyes and tells his pig, Jimmy Jones, “just imagine”. It is then that the animation changes from a 3D sort of animation to a more 2D animation. Those moments the animation has a real paper feel to it. It is quite beautiful. You just know that Monty is in his creative zone during those moments of imagination. Monty is a kid who is so full of life and curiosity. He’s looking for ways to accomplish things, but in his own unique way. The problem solving is also more subtle than other kids shows, it does not hit you over the head with the message. Kids pick up on the message without hearing it over and over. Continue reading It Is Time to Use Your Imagination With Kazoops →

Review, Toys, Travel

Review: Around the World Games

2 Comments
Eva Playing Around the World Games

We were sent a copy of The “Around the World” Game to play and review. Opinions of the game are 100% our own.

Despite the game being for ages 8 and up we played the game with Eva, she’s 5. She is a very intelligent and well spoken 5 and so we figured that even if she can’t get any questions correct she can at least learn something from the process. What I learned was to never underestimate the sponge-like brains of pre-schoolers. She retains everything that she has seen or heard even in passing so there might have been an answer to a question on a TV show she saw or a book she read. It doesn’t hurt that when she goes to bed at night she listens to stories from all over the world through the Barefoot Books Podcast.

Game play is pretty simple and fun. Players roll a die and move around the game board. There are four types of question cards: People & Places, Language, Culture & Customs and Geography. There is a nice range of difficulty levels on the cards, too. Allison shuffled through and found easier questions for Eva so that she was able to get ones that she could answer. It is no fun playing with a kid who can’t answer a single question. Continue reading Review: Around the World Games →