Magicube Building STEM Toy Kids Review Giveaway

Educational Toys

MBE partnered with Geomagworld for this review/giveaway

Magnetic Eco-Friendly Building Blocks

Screen-free toys which are fun, safe, and specially designed for toddlers and preschoolers to start building STEM skills early are a truly wonderful way to enrich little ones' minds with educational play that doesn't involve a smartphone, tablet, or computer. If you are a mom or dad of a child between the ages of one and five years old -- if you aren't already aware of this innovative toy -- I'd like to introduce you to Swiss toy brand Geomagworld's Magicube line of magnetic building blocks.

What's Different About Magicube

Unlike traditional wood blocks you may have played with as a child yourself, Magicube Shapes are construction building block toys that are magnetic on all sides. This innovative toy encourages kids to be creative thinkers allowing them to build almost anything they can imagine, while at the same time nurturing STEM-based skills in a fun way which will grow and be there for them to draw upon throughout their school years and into their adult careers and lives. 

With Magicube Shapes, hands-on learning to recognize primary colors and shapes as well as about the physics of magnetism is just the beginning of growing both fine motor skills and intellectual abilities in both boys and girls. What's more is that every Magicube piece in each of four sets currently available are good for our planet because they are eco-friendly, constructed with 100% recycled plastic. Sets -- offering traditional cubes as well as half cube quarter circle, and half sphere shapes -- are expandable, too, to grow from basic design materials for 1 year-olds to sets with more complex building potential that appeals to six years-old.

 

MBE Magicube Giveaway

Details Below!

Magicube Shapes Recycled 25-Piece Set

The Geomag Magicube Shapes Recycled Little World 25-piece set (available in the US from Maisonette.com for $59.99) featured in this review is the latest addition to the Geomag Magicube Shape collection. The new set provides little ones with everything they need, including free rolling wheels, to build moving vehicles and more. 

"As you can see, pictures speak a thousand words," says Rachel Marks, mother of two sons, a toddler and preschooler. "My boys both loved this 25-piece building toy and both were eager to immediately open the box and start playing as soon as the product arrived.

 

Toddler and Preschooler Tested

"While his 4 year-old big brother was more interested in building cars and trucks, figures and more complex projects, our 17 month-old toddler was just as content, focusing on simply stacking the blocks on top of each other. Magicube has kept them both entertained, ever since, playing creatively while also learning side by side for hours which a toy that's suitable for both of their age groups. As a mom an added plus -- since the kids are playing on the floor -- is how durable and easy these blocks are to clean. I also think it's truly commendable that a company like Geomag produces green educational toys like this which are completely made with recycled plastic."

About Geomag Magicube

Based in Switzerland, Geomagworld is regarded as an innovative toy manufacturer of magnetic toys. Geomag was invented and patented in 1998 as the first performance magentic construction toy building system. Of the 17 different Magicube sets the company now offers -- all designed to promote creative learning and imaginative play -- four sets are made using 100% recyled plastic. Reinventing the building game with magnetic cubes and blocks, the Swiss company guarantees the highest standards of quality and sustainability for their products to conform to the most stringent European and international safety standards. Visit Geomagworld.com to learn more.

GIVEAWAY

Geomag Magicube

STEM Building Set

ARV $59.99

Exclusive MBE Giveaway

on Instagram

How to Enter MBE's Giveaway

Thanks to Geomagworld, ONE (1) lucky MBE giveaway participant will be receiving the Geomag Magicube Shapes Recycled Little World 25-piece set featured in our review. To enter this family-friendly giveaway we are offering exclusively for our audience, visit this MBE post on Instagram. Contest is open to US residents only and qualifying winner will be selected at random.

This giveaway runs now through August 22, 2022 at 11:59 pm EST. This contest is not affiliated with Instagram in any way. Geomagworld is providing the prize and is responsible for delivery to winner.

Downton Abbey New Era Bluray Movie Review

Movies

New Release, GIVEAWAY

It's time for High Tea! Join me to celebrate today's release of the feature film Downton Abbey: A New Era (Universal, PG, 2022), now available for the first time to watch at home on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD. This is the perfect entertainment escape on a warm summer's night across The Pond back to another era. You can also stream Downton Abbey: A New Era on Peacock.

MBE partnered with Universal Pictures, post contains affiliate links

The Storyline

Starring Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern, Maggie Smith, Imelda Staunton, Penelope Wilton and other talented cast members, the return of Downton Abbey with Downton Abbey: A New Era zooms in on the Crawley family and their staff as they greet the visiting film crew and their silent movie stars. 

Meanwhile, other members of their clan go on an adventure to a villa in the south of France to try an uncover the mystery surrounding Dowager Countess of Grantham and her past. This movie is full of beautiful sets, music, costumes and intriguing dialog, along with surprises, tears, laughter and lots more drama.

Bonus Features

• Good to Be Back featuring the cast talking about their characters
• Return to Downton Abbey: The Making of A New Era
• A Legendary Character, spotlighting Dowager Countess
• Creating The Film Within The Film
• Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia, a mini documentary on the royal vessel
• Spill The Tea (Time), where several cast members talk about life on the set
• Feature Commentary with Director Simon Curtis

Limited Edition Gift Set

In addition to being available in rhe full range of viewing formats, this Special Collector's Edition is also being offered in a Limited-Edition Gift Set which features the Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital Code. The gift set is beautifully packaged and presented with vintage-inspired postcards, a photo book, and a collectible stainless steel tea strainer with velvet bags. This elegant Downton Abbey: A New Era Limited Edition Gift Set is a must-have for serious fans and collectors and is only available while supplies.

More About Downton Abbey: A New Era

All Downton Abbey: A New Era home entertainment movie formats are available now on Amazon. Learn more by viewing the movie trailer and by visiting the feature film's official Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram social media channels.

GIVEAWAY

Downton Abbey: A New Era

Blu-ray Movie

Exclusive MBE Giveaway

for TWO (2) Winners

on Instagram

How to Enter the Giveaway

Thanks to Universal, TWO (2) lucky MBE giveaway participants will each get their own copy of the brand new Downton Abbey: A New Era Collector's Edition Blu-ray. To enter this giveaway we're hosting for you, visit this MBE post on Instagram. Contest is open to US residents only and qualifying winners will be selected at random.

Hurry this giveaway ends July 14, 2022 at 11:59 pm EST. This contest is not affiliated with Instagram in any way. Universal is providing the prize and is responsible for delivery to each winner.

DISCLOSURE: We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that allows our site to earn a bit of compensation (at no extra cost to consumers) for including referral links within our posts to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Family Camp Kids Movie Review Giveaway

Movies

Movie Review, Giveaway Details Below

Have you ever wondered about what could go wrong on a family camp trip? Just in time for July 4th weekend, the wacky big screen comedy Family Camp (2022, PG), arrives on DVD, Digital, and Video on Demand. From start to finish kids and parents alike watching this family-friendly feature film will be laughing together non-stop, perhaps even finding a character or two who reminds them of their own family, maybe even laughing at themselves. 

MBE partnered with Lionsgate, post contains affiliate links

The Storyline

Starring Tommy Woodard, Eddie James, Leigh-Allyn Baker, Gigi Orsillo, and Mark Christopher Lawrence, Family Camp is a heartwarming comedy revolving around two traditional families each comprised of a father, mother, daughter, and son who set off for a church camp adventure at Camp Katokwah. Soon these two clans -- who couldn't be more different than each other -- find themselves unexpectedly bunking up together in a yurt as well as competing like their lives depend on it to take home the camp's games trophy for their own brood. 

From the get go, the kids are bickering among themselves and whining to their parents that there's no wifi or air conditioning, wondering how they will survive the week. In fact with plenty of mosquitos and other inconveniences and natural nuisances to go around for everyone, the grownups aren't exactly enjoying themselves, either.  

These families butt heads almost constantly as they fight to win a pie eating contest, ATV race, and an assortment of other family camp game competitions. Nothing is going right, with crazy mishaps at every turn. Without a doubt, once you see this, I think you'll agree that this is Murphy's Law on steroids. Things are looking really hopeless. That is, until the two dads end up stranded and lost in the woods together where their faith and family bonds are tested, and something surprising happens. 

DVD Special Features

• Theatrical Trailer
• Heart of Family Camp
• The Skit Guys Story
• Deleted Scenes with Optional Director Commentary
• Rhett Walker Goes Behind the Scenes
• Eddie's Yurt Tour

 

More About Family Camp

Family Camp, now available on DVD, Digital, and Video on Demand, with a feature runtime of 90 minutes, is available on Amazon and elsewhere. Stay updated on this movie by watching the movie trailer and following them on their official social media channels Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. See the official movie trailer to get a peek at the hilarious action.

GIVEAWAY

Family Camp 

DVD Movie  

Exclusive MBE Giveaway 

on Instagram

How to Enter MBE's Giveaway

Thanks to Lionsgate, ONE (1) lucky MBE giveaway participant will be taking home their own trophy: the new Family Camp DVD. To enter this exclusive family feature film giveaway we're hosting, visit this MBE post on Instagram. Contest is open to US residents only and qualifying winner will be selected at random. 

Hurry, this giveaway ends July 7, 2022 at 11:59 pm EST. This contest is not affiliated with Instagram in any way. Lionsgate is providing the prize and is responsible for delivery to winner.

DISCLOSURE: We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that allows our site to earn a bit of compensation (at no extra cost to consumers) for including referral links within our posts to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Why Summer is the Teenager Season

Summer

Teens Summer Frame of Mind

With summer starting in just under a week, I started thinking...

If one equates spring with renewal and birth, it's logical to see how winter might be a stand-in for the Golden Years and fall might represent middle age and adulthood. Summer is a little more challenging to draw those kinds of parallels to categorize it though, don't you think?

Summer as the Teenager

When I began considering what stage of life makes sense when thinking about summer, I automatically thought of that no man's or woman's land between baby and grown up called the teenage years.

Exploring new territory for the first time, the lack of real pressures of responsibility and deadlines, a feeling of both fearlessness and immortality -- when I think of all these, they apply equally to both being a teen and in general, the lazy and more forgiving pace of summertime for us all.

True, I may be far past those teen years myself and have raised four teenagers of my own to become independent, successful young adults. Still, I recall the great anticipation of seemingly endless lazy days with which I once greeted each new summer during my own Baby Boomer childhood.

These reflections about summer as the teenage season of life make me contemplate, understand and ultimately appreciate two very important lessons learned about living. The promise of summer ahead is definitely meant for every teenager's enjoyment. But everything good that each new summer brings is also intended for everyone of every age, young and old, to savor, to experience new things and to grow.

Wishing everyone a wonderful summer: however you choose to spend it. A summer of personal growth, health, and happiness, as well as an abundance of quality time and fun doing what you really enjoy on your own as well as with family and/or friends.

Mothers Day Cards Last Minute Mom Gift

Mother's Day

Mother's Day Cards Double As Keepsakes

Ask just about any Mom what she really wants for Mother's Day. More often than not, she'll say she doesn't want any gifts and just wants to spend time with her family. 

MBE partnered with Lovepop for this review and giveaway

But, when miles separate you and you can't be there with the mother in your life on her day, there's nothing better than sending her a card from the Lovepop Mother's Day card collection delivered to her door that's as unique and special as she is.

My Mother's Day Tradition

I've made a tradition out of mailing my own Mommy, now in her 90s, a different Mother's Day Lovepop card annually for more years than I can count. Watch as Mom opens and unfolds the basket of flowers card I sent her this year. The look of magical wonderment and smile on her face says it all.

This brand's cards are so much fun to give and to receive. In fact, the heirloom quality of these cards make lovely mementos to extend the joy they give long after a holiday has passed.  So, whenever I go to visit her it gives me great pleasure to see how much she enjoys showing me all the past years' cards I've sent her since she has saved every single one.

The Lovepop Mother's Day card assortment changes from year to year with both popular perennial favorites (like the flower basket design I gave my Mom) returning each season and new cards being designed and offered each year. From cat lady moms to dog fans and nature lovers, and many other styles of cards to choose from, you'll likely find the perfect card to match your own mother's interests and personality.

About Lovepop

Lovepop cards are available online, in dedicated retail stores and from partners both in-store and online such as Amazon. Beyond Mother's Day, Lovepop has a seemingly endless array of popup cards for Father's Day, Graduation and all other major holidays year-round. 

From Birthday, Get Well, to Love, Thank You, Sympathy, Friendship, Anniversary, Retirement and many more, there are cards for just about any occasion one can imagine. They even have cards which are blank inside so you can give a Lovepop card for any other reason you may think of.  Additionally, they offer a variety of unique and special gift items such as beautiful paper flower bouquets, gift tags, ornaments and other items. 

Learn more by visiting Lovepop's official site, as well as following the brand on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Giveaway

Enter MBE's Exclusive Giveaway for chance to WIN an $80 Lovepop Gift Card