Hello Monday!: A couple of inexpensive but great weekend finds for 5 year old kids

I loved this puzzle when I saw it.  I find 5 year old kids very curious and I find they love to share what they learned or what they know.  This Map of Canada Floor Puzzle on Indigo's website, I thought, was perfect for my 5 year old nephew as well as other 5 year old kids in my life, both boys and girls.  So I purchased multiple.

Via Chapters/Indigo

Not only is it inexpensive but it also looks like a lot of fun and a great way to learn about Canada and its sites and landmarks.  Then the kids can share what they learned about Canada with me!

How cute is this for a little 5 year old girl:

Best part is that you can get the apron personalized (It is free on Wayfair):

Via Fun Toy mall

Via Wayfair

Hello Monday!: Winners for Christmas gift shopping!

A second visit to Winners this past week-end and I am...(drum roll please)...done my Christmas shopping (well, ok almost...I still need to pick up a few gift certificates and finish up some online photo gifts)! I'm not certain if it's because I went early this year but Winners has a fantastic selection of gifts! The majority of what I bought was for children which was perfect since they carry a huge assortment of Melissa & Doug products.

If you have not heard of Melissa & Doug it's a brand that makes great quality wood toys.  They're sold at Toys R Us as well as many online stores. See below for most of the Melissa & Doug items I saw this week-end.  They were for ages ranging between 1 & 4 years. I've posted the recommended minimum age recommended for each product below each picture.  At Winners, these gifts all ranged between $4.99 and $19.99, now that's a great deal! Most of the ones I bought were $7.99 & $9.99!

Cutting Food - Wooden Play Food (3+ years)

Dinosaur Stamp Set (4+ years)

Dinosaur Sun Catchers Kraft Kit (4+ years)

Bear Family Dress-Up Puzzle (3+ years)

See Inside Alphabet Peg Puzzle (3+ years)

Pound & Roll Tower (2+ years)

First Bead Maze (1+ year(s))

Bead Bouquet Deluxe Wooden Bead Set (4+ years)

Best Friends Forever Magnetic Dress-Up Playset (3+ years)

Barnyard Animals Jumbo Knob Puzzle (1+ year(s))

Wooden ABC/123 blocks (2+ years)

Magnetic Chalkboard & Dry-Erase Board (3+ years)

Caterpillar Gears Toddler Toy (18+ months)

Pattern Blocks & Boards Classic Toy (3+ years)

Wooden Shape Sorting Clock (3+ years)

Alphabet Nesting & Stacking blocks (2+ years)

Wooden Dinosaur Magnets (2+years)

Decorate-Your-Own Door Hanger (4+ years)

Doorbell House (3+ years)

Maggie Leigh Magnetic Dress-Up Set (3+ years)

Rubber Duck (4+ years)

Farm Sound Blocks (2+ years)

Decorate Your Own Wooden Fashion Dolls (4+ years)

Under Water Floor Puzzle (3+ years)

Scoop & Stack Ice Cream Cone Playset (3+ years)

Fold & Go Mini Dollhouse (3+ years)

Rainbow Stacker Classic Toy (18+ months)

Sticker Collection (3+ years)

12" Tabletop Paper Roll (3+ years)

Stacking Train Toddler Toy (2+ years)

I also found a great $20 gift for my Secret Santa at work which I can't share just yet ;)...but it's definitely value for your money!

Last but not least, I found gorgeous Cynthia Rowley and Elie Tahari mirrored contemporary jewelry boxes for my teenage nieces. $14.99 for the small ones and $24.99 for the large ones.  I will add a charm bracelet in each and voila!

You gotta love it when a store makes it this easy on you (and your budget) to give the perfect gift every time!

Friday Fabulous Find: Scholar's Choice

In my neighbourhood there is a store called “Scholar’s Choice”.  I have lived in the area for 4 years and I pass the store almost every day and never visited.  At first I thought it was a store for school teachers, educators, etc. but then I heard it sold toys to anyone.  So yesterday, I needed to kill some time as my son was taking a quick nap in the car (of course, I left him with my husband) and decided to take a peak in the store to see what this place is all about (for those of you who are very familiar with this store, this probably sounds silly and maybe a little ignorant on my part – too brain washed to just go to Toys R Us for toys).  As soon as I entered and saw all the educational and craft like toys and activities, I was so excited!  I immediately starting thinking of all the kids I know that are on my Christmas list.  It was like a great discovery...I even saw craft kits I would like to buy for myself.  The best part is that Scholar’s Choice has a website, a member's savings card and gift wrapping on site. 

Here are a few of my favourites.

Thinking I would like this for my 10 month old son.  He loves music and banging on things!

Via Scholar's Choice

I purchased this hair band making kit for one of my girlfriend’s daughter’s for her fifth birthday; I would love to try the kit myself.

Via Scholar's Choice

I know there are a lot of DIY projects you can do with your children, but not many mother’s have the time to come up with ideas or have the DIY in them, so I think craft kits like the following one by Alex is great for toddlers.

Via Scholar's Choice

This one I will definitely get for my 18 month old nephew who loves to look at pictures of animals, so this should be fun for him and very stimulating.

Via Scholar's Choice

I definitely recommend this store and I am happy I finally took a peak!