Now that the days are getting longer and the sunshiny weather allows us to enjoy the outdoors once more, this momma is on a mission to find the best of the best when it comes to great outdoor activities. While we are certainly the type that will head out into the backyard for a great game of catch, take off for a neighborhood bike ride, and even tend to the garden as a family, sometimes you need to give the kids a little something more to tinker with. My little ones are quite curious fellas and they are more than thrilled with hands on projects. Although store shelves often have numerous craft kits, science projects, and similar hands-on playthings available, many are geared towards children of older age groups. There are few in between that actually cater to a wide range of children but those that do truly are special.
Please allow me to introduce you to SmartLab Toys.
As a parent, any plaything that incorporates an educational aspect is already a plus in my book so I was thrilled to learn of SmartLab Toys right off the bat.
SmartLab Toys makes educational toys with a book component for kids ages 4-12. SmartLab Toys is committed to helping young minds experience wonder, test the unknown, and increase their understanding through hands-on exploration using innovative toys and informative editorial content.
Recently, I was presented with the opportunity to try out a few of the SmartLab Toys products first hand alongside my children. Having grown up much like my own kids with a drive to always learn more, to get our hands dirty, to experience how and why things work, and to simply do things in a hands-on fashion, I’m not entirely sure which of us enjoyed this process more. We were provided with three separate kits, each of which featured their own unique learning points and sheer aspects of fun.
The Get Growing! Greenhouse was the first of our trio of projects and having just come off of the Earth Day celebrations and the fun of May Day, this was the perfect way to officially kick off what finally feels like spring.
Our family has a garden that we tend to every year that includes everything from your basic flowers to small edibles like cherry tomatoes and grapes to bigger things like cucumbers, corn, and our newest addition of apple and pear trees. However, despite its scale, the kids still prefer to have something that they can call their own. They usually opt for small terracotta pots but, unfortunately, they either over water it, forget to water it, or the local squirrels, chipmunks, and rabbits tend to get to the kids’ plants before they can. Thankfully, that is where SmartLab Toys and their Get Growing! Greenhouse comes in.
Discover the science of plants with this innovative self-watering greenhouse. Add soil, water, sunshine, and curiosity to grow a sunflower, a plant that is sensitive to touch, and a bean.
With the drip-drop watering system, there is no need to worry about whether or not you child’s plants are getting the correct amount of water. The greenhouse itself takes care of that for you. Once the kids get each of their plants properly set up in the individual pots, they can simply enjoy the process. There is a nifty little sticker sheet that includes decorative decals as well as one for height rulings. With this, you can chart the growth of each plant and record your findings by filling in the Seed Growth chart that is included with the kit. Within the booklet, you’ll also find valuable information that will help you and your child develop a greater knowledge of plants. Whether you want to know how plants can defend themselves or you’re looking to learn more about why people need plants to live, you’ll find it all right along with the physical plants in the Get Growing! Greenhouse.
Once your plants are big enough and have outgrown their habitat within your greenhouse, the kit will help to guide you as you learn how to transplant each of them into a larger garden. From there, you can “get growing” once more and start the process all over again!
Next up, we gave the SmartLab Toys You-Build-It RoboXplorer a try.
To say that my boys are huge fans of all things car related would be an understatement so presenting them with the opportunity to build a toy vehicle of their very own put them over the moon with excitement. With the You-Build-It RoboXplorer, they were able to do just that.
With RoboXplorer, kids build their very own multiterrain robotic vehicle, complete with six S-shaped legs designed to conquer some of the toughest terrains, such as sand, rocks, and grass.Test its limits by towing toy cars, climbing a stack of books, or negotiating a wall. RoboXplorer will stop at almost nothing!
We have an insane number of toy vehicles in our house and, up until now, most of them were to be used indoors only. Of course, with little ones that love the outdoors, this was never a popular rule. However, we’ve simply had one too many cars and trucks break due to the rough and rugged kind of play and terrain that the backyard offers. This particular toy, however, doesn’t break but, instead, breaks the mold.
Although my own children are still a bit young to fully grasp the educational value behind the guided projects within the included booklet and lab journal, the SmartLab Toys You-Build-It RoboXplorer touches on various aspects of science. With, both, motion and energy covered, this toy is so much more than just that. Give your child the ability to learn through their play. That is what SmartLab Toys is all about!
Lastly, we had the chance to try out the Blast-off Rocket Racer. This particular third of our new trio of toys was certainly my favorite by far and I’m pretty sure that the kids would agree. After all, it made the request list for school show-and-tell day the same week that we received it. That alone speaks mountains.
As the mother of little boys, I’ve quickly learned that anything that goes “boom” is automatically ridiculously cool. And, heck, even for girls it is fun! Think back to your days of middle school science class and the erupting volcanoes. Back then, you probably just thought of how awesome it was to see the volcano explode but now, as an adult, you are more aware of the science behind it. Now put yourself into the shoes of your children with that same starry eyed “wow” expression in regard to the exploding reaction but, this time, add wheels to it. That is what you’ll get with the SmartLab Toys Blast-off Rocket Racer.
Power up your Rocket Racer with the classic combination of baking soda and vinegar and let it go! The racer body is see-through for a closer look at the chemical reaction in action.
With the Blast-off Rocket Racer, kids can combine rocket science with basic kitchen chemistry as they embark on their very own speed mission into the world of educational play. Complete with a stomp-pad launcher and one of the famous SmartLab Journal informational booklets, you and your child can enjoy the big boom action as well as the science that comes into play. Then, of course, you can simply play.
I’ve always been one to find the educational aspects of everything in life and have done my best to continue that through my parenthood journey. Not every child enjoys sitting down to learn but everyone, regardless of age, enjoys playing. Over the years, however, our society has become so focused on the systematical way of learning that we’ve forgotten that education is all around us. The sun, the moon, the stars, and the air we breathe, the way we move, and yes, even the way that children play – education can be found everywhere, in everyone, and in everything.
With SmartLab Toys you can encourage playtime for your children while simultaneously capitalizing on the educational value within, both, the toy itself as well as the activity of playing.
We believe that kids learn best through hands-on exploration, so we offer that experience wrapped up in a fun toy and a cool book.
Don’t wait for the learning opportunities to come to you. Create your own moments and find the amazement in the world, the science behind the movements, and the education within play. Do so today with help from SmartLab Toys.
Buy:
You can purchase the SmartLab Toys products seen here including the Get Growing! Greenhouse, the You-Build-It RoboXplorer, and the Blast-off Rocket Racer as well as numerous other product kits direct from their website. Prices range from $7.99 to $69.99. Also, as a bonus to Eighty MPH Mom readers, you can now save 25% off of these products by simply including the promotional code “GOODNEWS” at checkout!
Connect:
Be sure to keep up with SmartLab Toys on their social media pages to stay up to date on all of the latest news, new product releases, special promotions, sale pricing, giveaways, and more.
Facebook | Twitter
Speaking of giveaways, the lovely folks over at SmartLab Toys want to help you and your children find that coveted education wrapped up in the fun world of playthings by offering you the chance to win all three items featured here!
THE GIVEAWAY:
One (1) winner will receive the SmartLab Toys Get Growing! Greenhouse, You-Build-It RoboXplorer, and Blast-off Rocket Racer.
Giveaway open to US residents only. Ends 6/2/15. ARV of $55.
No purchase necessary. Open to residents of US only. Giveaway ends June 2nd, 2015 at 11:59 p.m. (EST). ONE ENTRANT PER HOUSEHOLD/IP Address! I check all entries – cheating will not be tolerated. Winner will be notified via email and needs to reply within 48 hours, or a new winner will be chosen. Please make sure you check your spam folder – I will not be responsible if you did not receive winning email notification. Winners name(s) will be displayed on the post, and will also be posted on Winners List shortly after drawing has occurred. Winners will be chosen randomly by Giveaway Tools. Screenshots of winners available by request. Prize will be shipped directly from sponsor or their PR Agency unless otherwise noted. Eighty MPH Mom is not responsible for prizes lost in transit, although every attempt will be made for prize delivery.
**By entering this giveaway, you confirm that you have read and agree to my giveaway rules. Sponsor reserves the right to limit one prize per person/household (of this item/prize pack). Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of prize {though it is usually much sooner}. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. We hereby release Facebook of any liability. Odds of winning: The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. All prizes will be awarded. Void where prohibited by law.
143 Responses
I think the rocket racer would be our favorite as well. Thanks for the chance
You-Build-It RoboXplorer would be my choice 🙂
The Rocker Racer for sure.
The Robo Explorer!
The Rocket Racer!
You-Build-It RoboXplorer sounds great!
We’d love the Greenhouse
I think my grandson would love the You-Build-It RoboXplorer! Thanks
We would like the greenhouse the best.
Thry would love the greenhouse!
I think the girls would like the Get Growing Greenhouse. They have been doing experiments in school with plants and it would be fun to do some at home too!
the robo explorer
the greenhouse
I think the rocket racer would be our favorite as well! 🙂
My son would love either the robo xplorer or rocket racer. I think the greenhouse is adorable myself.
The Rocket Racer looks awesome!
My kids love their products
The greenhouse would probably be the best right now cause my kids are into growing things
RoboXplorer
You-Build-It RoboXplorer would be our choice!
The get growing greenhouse. I think it would be great for my kids to see the changes from a seed to a plant.
all my grandson loves educational toys
We would love the rocket and the green house!!! I can’t choose!!!
I think the Robo Xplorer is our favorite, but love them all!
My boys would love the Rocket Racer!
We would love the Greenhouse one
The Rocket Racer
My son would love this
My girls would love the get growing greenhouse.
My son would love the RoboXplorer
We would love the greenhouse!! So awesome!
If I won, I’d pick the Get Growing Greenhouse for my great-nephew. It’s always awesome watching children discover the joys of gardening!
The Rocket Racer as well. I have a girl followed by 4 rough and tumble boys, all 5 and under. This would be Christmas for them!
I think they would like the rocket racer the best
I think my son would love the blast off rocket racer and my daughter would love the greenhouse!
My kids would love the greenhouse. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway.
Erin
ErinLoves2Run at gmail dot com
I think we would enjoy the RoboXplorer most.
The You-Build-It RoboXplorer.
Greenhouse
The RoboXplorer and Rocket Racer tie for the boys choice. The girls like the Get Growing Greenhouse
probably the robot explorer
we would probably like the robo explorer
The greenhouse
They all look like so much fun for my grandsons but think the Rocket Racer would really be awesome, thanks!
i think robo explorer
My son was looking at something similar to the Rocket Racer today. So I think he would like that the most. My daughter would like the Get Growing Greenhouse.
I think the RoboXplorer would be the favorite.
We would love the Get Growing Greenhouse!
The greenhouse!
It is a tough call, as the kids are all so different, but I think the greenhouse would be the favorite.
These toys look awesome! I think the Rocket Racer will be a big hit at our house!
My daughter would love the Greenhouse the best.
I love the green house.
The green house.Thanks
robo~explorer
My grandson would love the RoboXplorer. He love anything that goes up and over rocks, ramps or anything like that.
I think the Rocket Racer would be my childrens favorite as well.
I think my kids would love the You-Build-It RoboXplorer the most.
My daughter would LOVE the greenhouse and so would I.
My daughter would like the rocket racer.
I think the Rocket Racer would be the first choice, if I gave the kids their pick. They really do love such things. They love to tinker and build. *sigh* LOL myself, I love the gardening thing, but I do not think any of the grandkids follow that bent.
My daughter would like the greenhouse. We would have a lot of fun with that together. My son would like the Rocket Racer. We could play with that in the back of the parking lot. How fun is that?
The rocket racer looks awesome
My grandson would love the Get Growing Greenhouse.
I love things my grandkids can have fun while learning its hard to chose one the rocket racer looks like fun
the roboexplorer
roboxplorer
we would enjoy them all but think my daughter would especially have fun with the greenhouse kit
The Robo Explorer!
I think the boys in our after-school program would be just like your family…totally excited about the rocket racer! Thanks for this chance to win the set! 🙂
I think the RoboXplorer would be the favorite. Yup.
Rocket Racer, looks awesome, Thamks
I think my grandson would like the Rocket Racer most!
I think my kids would like the Rocket Racer.
The get growing greenhouse because my kids love to watch things grow and they will try it if they grew it.
I’m sure my boys would like the Blast-off Rocket Racer best too.
Blast-off Rocket Racer
My son would love the Robo Explorer.
I think we would enjoy the rocke racer the most.
The rocket racer for my nephew 🙂 thx!!!
My daughter would like the Blast-off Rocket Racer
The Rocket Racer looks awesome!
The Get Growing Greenhouse would be our favorite.
I think the greenhouse one would be the coolest, plus we could grow some herbs or plants!
the rocket racer, but we like all 3!
I think the greenhouse would be our favorite. We’ve been trying to grow plants from seeds without success.
We would love the greenhouse.
I would the You-Build-It RoboXplorer
I think my grandson would love the Robo Explorer.
I think my kids would like the Robo Explorer best.
I think the rocket racer would be it!
I think the rocket racer would be it!
I think the Get Growing Greenhouse would be our favorite so the kids can watch day by day progress.
I like the GET GOING GREEN HOUSE
The Rocker racer looks like a lot of fun!
My son would love the Get Growing Greenhouse.
My boys would love the rocket racer!
My grand daughters would love the rocket.
I think my son would enjoy most the RoboXplorer but would have fun with all of them.
It would be the rocket racer. My grandson would love it.
My grandson would love the rocket racer
my boys would probably enjoy the rocket racer most
He’d like them all, but I think he’d like the Get Growing! Greenhouse best. Thanks.
partymix25(at)Hotmail(dot)com
They are all great but I think we would enjoy the Get Growing Greenhouse best of all!
We would definitely love the get growing greenhouse!
I know my niece would love the Get Growing Greenhouse!
I think the RoboXPlorer would be the most popular; the question is whether the kids could get it away from Daddy to play with it.
I like the get growing green house because my son is mostly into thing’s like i’m into & i think that it would be creative learning for him and help him understand what it means too take care of thing’s at a young age.
This would be for my niece, but I really think she would just love the Greenhouse best. She loves to help me garden.
They all look amazing but I’d go with the Greenhouse.
My grandsons would love the Rocket Racer
The Robo Xplorer will be a hit!
I think he’d really enjoy the Green House!
we would have a lot of fun with the robo xplorer
You-Build-It RoboXplorer.
the rocket racer would be a fav for SURE because my son absolutely loves trucks and cars!
Thank you! xoxoxxoo
I would enjoy doing the Get Growing! Greenhouse toy the most with my grandson. Although, he’d probably like the robot or rocket racer better. lol Thanks!
I would like the rocket racer
My sons would love the Robo Explorer!
I think they would like the robo explorer.
They would like them all, but I t hink they would like the Rocket Racer best.
It’s hard to chose but I think the You-Build-It RoboXplorer would be the most fun. So COOL!! Thank you for the chance!
My grandson would like the You-Build-It RoboXplorer.
I like the Greenhouse but I’m sure the Rocket Racer will be the favorite.
We would enjoy the greenhouse the most.
The rocket racer for sure
The rocket racer would be the favorite.
I think we would like the RoboXplorer the best. It looks like fun!
My little girl Ivy loves helping me work in our garden so I’m pretty sure she’d love the green house the best
I think they would like the Blast-off Rocket Racer best. I personally like the greenhouse.
We would love them all….but I think RoboXplorer would be awesome
I believe my kids would like the Get Growing Greenhouse! They love to help me in the garden!
the greenhouse
I think my boys would most enjoy the Get Growing Greenhouse! They love to work in the yard..we’ve got some awesome pumpkins and potatoes that they love to water. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
My kids love growing things so I think their favorite would be the greenhouse
With us planting right now, they would love the Green House
Robo xplorer would be a huge hit with my 4 kids I think.
The Roboxplrer for sure
My grandson and I would love the green house, I have one (much bigger lol) and he loves to help his grandma.
jofo120 at yahoo dot com
We would love the Get Going Greenhouse !!
We’d love the Greenhouse
I like the You-Build-It RoboXplorer.
he Blast-off Rocket Racer is something that my daughter would love to play with