Many have referred to Moshi Monsters, the online virtual pet site aimed at children aged 7 to 12, as “Facebook for kids.”  Although the creators of Moshi Monsters, Mind Candy, haven’t referred to their creation in such a way they do promote Moshi Monster’s safety social media features including message boards and pin boards.

But Is Moshi Monsters Safe?

Of course Moshi Monsters is safe! We would not carry Moshi Monsters merchandise if it was not! Moshi Monsters was created with the safety of children in mind and has a number of safety features.  When children sign up, a parent needs to respond to a safety email to give permission. In addition, Moshi Monsters is equipped with a content monitoring system that checks content both before an after it is posted. As long as you go over basic Internet rules with your children and make sure that they are followed Moshi Monsters is both safe and fun! Always make sure children know never to give out personal information or their password. Moshi Monsters grow with great effort and it’s no fun to have one stolen!

How Much Does Moshi Monsters Cost?

There’s the easy answer and the hard one. Technically Moshi Monsters it free to use but has premium features only available through a membership. In The United States membership costs $5.95 per month, $39.95 for six months and $49.95 for a year. In Canada membership is the same, excepting that it is, of course, in Canadian dollars.

Who Are The Moshi Monsters?

Moshi Monsters are lovable, odd and furry monsters in need of adoption. They are the best pets around!

The six main types of Moshi Monsters are:

Poppets – cute, squirrel-like creatures that are very cuddly.

Katsumas – a creature combining the cutest aspects of a bunny and a cat.

Luvlis – odd monsters resembling cherries with wings.

Diavlos – little devils, with horns. Diavlos look like tiny volcanoes.

Furis – big, hairy creatures, most like cuddly yetis

Zommers – zombie creatures featuring many body parts sewn together. Despite their appearance they are very kind.

In addition to Moshi Monsters there are also Moshlings, which are small creatures that Moshi Monsters themselves can catch. There are an amazing amount of Moshlings to collect including many that resemble famous celebrities including Dustbin Beaver (Justin Bieber), Tyra Fangs (Tyra Bangs), Broccoli Spears (Britney Spears) and 49 Pence (50 Cent).

Where To Buy Moshi Monsters? What Gifts Are There For A Moshi Monster Lover?

For children that love Moshi Monsters there is an amazing variety of merchandise and gifts. Our Moshi Monster store includes Moshi Monster plush dolls, Moshi Monster figures and even a Moshi Monster Umbrella! There is nothing cuter than a Moshi Monster stuffed animal, especially Katsumas and Poppets. Boys often prefer to play with a Moshi Monster plush doll of a Diavlo or Zommer. For the real Moshi Monster maniac there is the Moshi Monster Plush Backpack, perfect to keep all of your moshlings packed up neatly.

There’s just no escaping Moshi Monster Madness at our Moshi Monsters store! Moshi Monsters Moshi Monsters Moshi Monsters!

Hooray For Super Women!

Hooray for girls because some of the most powerful Avengers are women including the smart and cunning Black Widow and the snarky and fun Wasp.  Forget Barbie, she never saves the day!  When all the kids have just seen The Avengers and all the boys are playing with their new The Avengers action figures why should the girls be left out?

The Incredible Hulk – Striving For Acceptance

There are times where every kid feels like a monster.  The world can be a confusing, scary place for a child.  The Hulk is the ultimate outcast but he always works through his anger for the best of the team.  Hulk is a great role model for children because he teaches that one must always do the right thing, even when they are angry or upset.  Oh yeah and he is a big green monster.  What’s not to like?

Fighting With Your Brain – The Invincible Iron Man

Iron Man and The Hulk aren’t just superheroes they also some of the Marvel world’s most brilliant scientists.  Science and Math can be very difficult subjects for kids to get excited about but what’s more exciting than flying around and blasting bad guys with your uni-beam?  In addition, if your child likes Iron Man and Hulk they might also be ready to read science fiction, a great way to promote reading and imagination.  Pick up an Iron Man Avengers Action Figure for your budding scientist!  Give them an Avengers backpack to take to school! You could even use an Iron Man lunch box to teach the science of proper nutrition!  The possibilities are endless!

Magic and Mythology – The Almighty Thor

Fantasy and magic are back in a big way.  Books, TV and movies are packed with wizards, vampires, elves and other mythical creatures.  Thor is a great character for building imagination and promoting literacy.  If your child loves their Thor and Avengers Toys, they will also love hearing the mythological tales of Asgard, building an interest in culture and storytelling.  Before you know it, you’ll have them reading The Lord of The Rings and writing their own short stories!  Marvel Universe Figures are great for sparking an interest in imagination and storytelling.  Who wouldn’t want to spend playtime adventuring on the Bifrost Bridge or battling Loki?

Avengers Assemble! – Playing Fair With Marvels The Avengers

The Avengers are a team build upon mutual respect and friendship.  In order to defeat the bad guys, they have to work together.  There is no better way to teach a child friendship and sharing than have them play Avengers with their friends!  There might be a squabble over who’ll get to be Iron Man and who’ll be Captain America but as soon as the baddie shows up teamwork and imagination will take over!

Some Assembly Required – Marvel’s The Avengers Toys and the Creative Possibilities

Since The Avengers are such a popular group, there are an almost infinite number of toys fitting every possible interest.  That’s right, there is so much more then Avengers figures!  Other Avengers toys include a Marvel Heroes puzzle, Marvel Phase 10 and even a Marvel Universe 3Doodles kit!  Every child loves to play with action figures, especially Marvel universe action figures but why not use the superhero strategy in developing creativity and problem solving?

One of the greatest reasons of children to grow up with Caillou is that Caillou himself grows up in the series.  At first, Caillou is only 2 two years old but grows to the ripe age of four as the series continues.  For a young child, Caillou is an amazing role model and one that they can honestly relate to.  A Caillou doll makes a great friend!

“Each Day There’s Something New!” – Adventuring With Caillou

Not only does Caillou use his imagination to adventure and have fun, he also uses it to solve problems in the real world.  Unlike other early morning cartoons Caillou takes place in a completely realistic world, which he adventures through with the power of imagination.  Caillou dolls make great adventuring campaigns.  Lace up your child’s Caillou shoes and head out for a grand adventure!  Grab a pair of Caillou rain boots for splashing around in puddles.  The adventuring spirit of Caillou is never-ending!

“With Mommy and Daddy and Finding My Way!” – Family and Friends With Caillou

Not only is Caillou a great adventurer but he is also a great son, brother and friend!  Of course, Mommy Doris and Daddy Boris are great role models and often lead Caillou with wisdom and fun.  Rosie, Caillou’s two year-old sister, is a great role model for older brothers.  Watching Caillou and Rosie interact and playing with Caillou dolls are great ways to teach children about younger siblings.  Other great characters include the kindly Mr. Hinkle and the former bully Leo.  True to Caillou’s real world setting, there are very diverse characters, all of whom Caillou befriends.  Everyone is Caillou’s friend!

“So Many Things to Do!” – Activities and Development With Caillou

 There is so much Caillou merchandise available in our Caillou store, there’s almost no end to the number of Caillou activities!  Of course, budding young minds benefit greatly from puzzles and more Caillou puzzles are available than almost any other character!  For very young children there’s the Caillou Wood Peg Alphabet puzzle.  For children a little more advanced there are 21-piece and 45-piece Caillou puzzles available.  There is even a Caillou My First 3D Puzzle Picture Frame!

Are puzzles not for you?  How about Caillou toys for family game night?  Playing games as a family builds important social skills and the valuable art of sharing and waiting one’s turn.  Great Caillou toys include the Caillou Logico Game, Bingo and Who What?

“I’ll Share Them With You!” – Reading With Caillou

Caillou started as a series of books by Christine L’Heureux so there are a great number of Caillou books available!  Caillou adventures are just as exciting and imaginative in print!  What better way to instill a love of books in your child than by sharing the wonderful world of Caillou with great books like Caillou Moves Around and Caillou Spend the Day With Me?

“Growing Up is Not So Tough” – Learning With Caillou

Caillou is a great way to teach children about daily activities like healthy eating, brushing one’s teeth and dressing one’s self.  The sheer amount of Caillou merchandise available means that the imaginative youngster can help children learn just about anything.  Learning about healthy eating is a breeze with a Caillou lunch bag and few healthy snacks!  Caillou apparel such as shoes, sandals and even rain boots are great ways to get kids excited about dressing themselves.  Other great tools are Caillou dress-up dolls and even a Caillou dress-up puzzle.  At the end of the day enjoy a bath with a Caillou bath toy, and then teach your child about brushing their teeth and bedtime with a Caillou dress-up doll complete with pajamas.

“If you don’t brush your teeth you won’t get to wear your Spiderman backpack,” you may say.

“No, no I’ll brush them!” your son or daughter will exclaim.

This is the power of choosing the correct backpack. The cool kids backpacks will speed up your mornings and can create an excitement for learning.

How to Choose the Right Fit

Of course, the most important factor in choosing the best kids backpack is finding a comfortable fit. Here are some tips for finding a comfortable backpack:

• Never choose a “sling style” backpack or a backpack that sits on only one shoulder. The weight of a backpack’s load should always be evenly distributed on two shoulders.
• Choose a backpack with thick shoulder pads. Extra padding on shoulder pads helps a child’s small shoulders remain comfortable and distribute weight evenly.
• Choose the appropriate size. Standard backpack sizes are toddler, mid-size and full-size.

Keep an Eye Out for the Extras

Not all backpacks are created equal. Always keep an eye for the extras such as wheels, extra pockets and lunch boxes. Backpacks with wheels aren’t just for adults tooling through the airport; they are for kids too! Kids backpacks with wheels are great for children with a heavy load of books or a long period of use. The best way to ease the stress on a child’s back is to move the weight onto the ground, on a pair of wheels. Extra pockets are great for packing a kids backpack evenly, which makes carrying easy and comfortable. Of course, kids backpacks and lunch boxes are like peas in a pod. Cool kids backpacks feature a child’s favorite character, why shouldn’t their lunch box too?

How to Pack and Carry a Backpack

A kids backpack should always be packed and carried properly. Even the highest quality backpack won’t prevent pain or injury if it isn’t carried correctly or properly packed. Remember:

• A backpack’s total weight should never exceed 10-15 percent of the wearer’s weight. A child of 100 pounds should have at maximum a 15 pounds.
• Never let your child carry their backpack on one shoulder. Both shoulder straps should be used.
• Backpacks should be work close to the body but not too close. There shouldn’t be excess slack in the straps but they shouldn’t be so tight as to cause discomfort.
• If there is too much weight to be carried have your child use their hands. Light items can be easily carried and offer important upper body exercise.

Finding The Cool Kids Backpack

Now that you have learned how to choose a backpack based on size, fit and usability visit Kimmyshop’s backpack shop to find the perfect backpack online in minutes! There’s almost no end to the possibilities and there’s a backpack for every kid! Cute kids backpacks include Barbie, Calliou, Disney Fairies, Strawberry Shortcake and Monster High. Super cool kids backpacks include Skylanders, Spiderman, Iron Man and the ever popular Cars. A crowd pleaser for the toddler crowd is Yo Gabba Gabba!

Now get out there and have fun learning!

It’s a united front not only for the awesome avengers, but for kids and dads. And now, with even better exposure and time given for the amazing Black Widow, moms and daughters are also into the Avengers attractions.

The Avenger Store for Style

For the females, fashion, style, makeup trends, everything is “avengeriffic”. Eye makeup styles flash the heroic look. The Avengers heroism goes as admirable for any females as well as the males. Captain America eyes are lively and flag fluttering with their red white and blue stars in glitter and solid stripes. Hannah’s mom Sylvia, with her green eyes, is a natural for her hero, the Hulk, in glorious green and purple shadows and eye glisteners, and mom Sylvia is as powerful as they come, says the proud daughter.

Tom’s mom likes the metallic silver and scaly look just like Thor, because son Tom only wants to play with his marvel avengers Thor action figure, and of course carry the best Avengers backpack and lunch box to his own planned meetings to save his world. And since Tom has learned to not be afraid of thunder storms and lightening because of his love for Thor, mom likes to join him in a united team effort.

The Avengers Connection Succeeds

All the Avengers figures offer a great exploration of values, life lessons, and personal attitudes for any easy family conversation or more in depth thinking like what makes a super hero and what makes each Avenger prepared and equipped to deal with the world’s safety and security. So it’s no wonder that Avengers merchandise is flying off the shelves faster than any holiday sale with the new 2012 Avengers movie release.

If there is ever a time there is a need for admirable leaders, excellent role models, both for kids with their wayward attitudes, and for parents who need to connect with kids in the ever increasingly complex world–the avengers are filling these valuable needs. And especially now that they are uniting, a role model for any family of individuals for sure!

Get the Self Confidence Of Your Best

There’s a pride that goes a long with associating with any of the Avengers. It’s not just frivolous fun for kids to want Avengers toys . You can’t just think of any of the avengers figures and not feel a rise in your chest, a puffed up feeling of being your best, up front, ready, using your potential. And of course, all this focus on ableness, ability, does not sideline girls and moms. The Avengers highlights and welcomes females as strong team members and supporters, just like the talented and lovely Scarlett Johansson Black Widow. Her skills in martial arts are awesome, and admirable–and guys too cannot deny her solid significance. Kids who nowadays love to google the stars to follow what they say, what they do, what’s the deal, see that the actress Johansson herself is so cool and honest, that she describes her process of learning her role as even painful, requiring diligence and sticking to it–just the way it is with all things that are hard until you practice it enough to get it. Johansson deepens the significance of her part as a role model by her interview confessions that she too worried that she’d never learn (doesn’t that sound familiar with your kids?), but she stuck with it.

The Best Avengers for School Show and Tell

The Captain America store for costumes–Halloween, birthdays, mardi gras, used to be the most popular and at least one Captain America could be seen at any and every event. But now with the huge avengers store house of comics, you tube videos, and a new Iron Man Anime just released on DVD, every avenger figure is in demand for costumes, role playing action figures, games and toys.

Good to go with the mini muggs avengers figurers 6-pack and give the family a chance to hold one of their favorites. Whether it’s for the junior sized toddlers that want one too, or bigger brothers and sisters who like to collect avengers for their morning time inspiration, or for friends and role playing, or for show and tell at school, you can get 6 in one shot. Some of the favorite Avengers in this set: Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Hulk, Hawkeye and Nick Fury.

Keep on Believing

Whether your kids or you look at the avengers figure by figure, or as this amazing united front, there are valuable lessons to be learned from them–all in the name of trying to be everything you are, and more, to do good, and learning how to overcome frailties.  Good things for families to talk about for sure.

There are Many good reasons why Nick Fury says with the Avengers all there together that he still believes in heroes, and thank goodness, because of them, so do we.

Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure is a revolutionary video game that integrates real life action figures into its gameplay. Simply buy the game, available on Playstation 3, Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360 Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X; set up the special “portal of power”; and finally place your Skylanders figure on the pedestal. Before you know it, all of your Skylanders figures will be running around Skyland battling, completing quests and collecting gold!

Portals of Power – Skylanders and Imagination

Choosing to buy Skylanders figures is not only a great way to have fun but also a great way to use your imagination. Aside from the wonderfully fun transportation from real life to video game, the figures themselves are wonderfully imaginative and colorful. Also, Skylanders features many in game mini-games and puzzles that are great for mental development but still great fun.

Silver Skylanders – The Fun of Collecting

Skylanders isn’t only a video game, it is an entire hobby complete with guides, collectors and a thriving online community. Guides such as Skylanders figures lists and pricing guides are readily available for children, online with a parent’s permission of course. Skylanders exclusive figures include rare characters and even colors. Silver Skylanders figures are especially hard to find and are hidden randomly in packs. Rare Skylanders figures may just jump out of any pack you purchase! When new Skylanders figures are released be the first on your block to master a new character!

Spyro and Company – Who are the Skylanders?

The Skylanders are a group of creatures that are amazing imaginative and unique. They are grouped by the sources of their power including earth, air, fire, water, life, undead, magic and tech. As you can see each new Skylanders figure changes gameplay immensely with their new appearance, power and personality.

Here’s a list of Skylanders Figures Names and descriptions:

Earth Skylanders

• Prism Break – a Crystal Golem
• Bash – a Rock Dragon
• Terrafin – a Dirt Shark
• Dino-Rang – A Dinosaur armed with boomerang

Air Skylanders

• Whirlwind – a Blue Dragon and Unicorn hybrid
• Sonic Boom – a Griffin armed with sonic waves
• Lightning Rod – a Storm Giant who throws lightning bolts
• Warnado – a whirling Turtle

Fire Skylanders

• Ignitor – a fire spirit knight
• Flameslinger – an Elf with flaming arrows
• Eruptor – a hulking Lava Monster
• Sunburn – a Phoenix and Dragon hybrid

Water Skylanders

• Gill Grunt - a Gillman
• Zap – a blue Water Dragon
• Slam Bam - a four-armed Yeti
• Wham-Shell - a feisty Crab

 Life Skylanders

• Stealth Elf – a forest Elf with daggers and swords
• Stump Smash – a tree monster with hammers for hands
• Zook – a Bambazooker, a strange species of plant, armed with a bamboo bazooka
• Camo – a Plant and Dragon hybrid

 Undead Skylanders

• Ghost Roaster – a skeleton-like ghost with a mace on his tail
• Hex – a Dark Elf necromancer
• Chop Chop – an Arkeyan Skeleton Soldier
• Cynder – a violet Dragon armed with the power of shadows

Magic Skylanders

• Spyro himself – a magical dragon
• Voodood – an Orc warrior
• Wrecking Ball – a magically enhanced Grub Worm
• Double Trouble – a Tiki Man.

Tech Skylanders

• Boomer – a dynamite wielding Troll
• Drobot – a Dragon with power armor
• Drill Sergeant – a Arkeyan drilling machine
• Trigger Happy – a Gremlin with pistols that shoot gold coins.

Where To Find Skaylanders Figures?

Where is there a Skylanders figures sale? Why here of course! Here’s a tip, buy the Adventure Packs to save! Each Adventure Pack comes with three Skylanders figures. In addition, special Adventure Packs, such as Empire of Ice, offer access to special levels, items and exclusive Skylanders figures.

Don’t forget, the best Skylanders figures are the ones that suit your personality! There are so many to choose from!

First of all, there’s no denying it, every kid loves Spiderman right?  He just looks cool and does that really cool trick with his hands as he leaps from building to building! What’s not to like?  This is the first reason that Spiderman is a great role model.  He is effective because kids actually like him.  It would be great if kids wanted to play with Einstein or Shakespeare action figures but Spiderman is exciting, colorful and funny.  Give a child a Spiderman action figure and they’re off to fight bad guys and web sligging around in no time.  It’s hard to imagine childhood without a Spiderman figure!

The Spectacular Spiderman’s Smarts

Spiderman, along with Iron Man, The Hulk and Mr. Fantastic, is one of Marvel’s top scientists.  Not only does Spiderman get his powers from a radioactive spider, he also uses science to design his unbreakable webs and extremely durable suit.  Try packing up a healthy lunch in a Spiderman lunch bag, throwing some juice in a Spiderman canteen and embarking on a science adventure in your own backyard.  Another great science toy are our set of Spiderman magnets, which can be used to teach the magical science of magnetism!

Spiderman and Creative Problem Solving

Spiderman doesn’t defeat the Green Goblin, Electro, The Chameleon or Dr. Octopus with brute strength.  Instead, he gets creative and uses his mind to beat the bad guys.  If your kid’s role model is The Hulk they may go around smashing everything.  With Spiderman as a role model a child will become interest in solving problems without fighting.  Great toys for instilling a sense of imagination and puzzle solving are Spiderman coloring books and puzzles.  In addition to Spiderman coloring pages our activity books also contain Spiderman coloring games and puzzles to get your child’s young mind web slinging to the top of the class!  Here’s a tip: Keep some crayons and extra Spiderman coloring sheet with you for those times when your child needs an entertaining distraction.

Aunt May and Uncle Ben – The Power of Family

It was Peter Parker’s Uncle Ben who said, “With great power comes great responsibility.”  In fact Spiderman loved his family so much that when his dear Uncle Ben died, he vowed to live by his example and to always protect his kindly Aunt May.  Spiderman is a great role model because he loves his friends and family so dearly and would do anything to protect them.

Peter Parker – The Daily Bugle’s World Class Photographer

In addition to his careers as a scientist, teacher and superhero Peter Parker is also a photographer.  Spiderman is an artist!  What better way to get kids interested in art than with some crayons and Spiderman coloring sheets?  Set up Spiderman action figures for a photo shoot and sell them to grumpy old J. Jonah Jameson!  Unlike other heroes, Spiderman has a direct connection to art, making Spiderman coloring books superior to any other superhero coloring book!

A Spectacular Spiderman Item for Every Occasion!

There is so much more than Spiderman action figures!  For the true Spiderman fanatics there are Spiderman backpacks, Spiderman swim goggles, Spiderman luggage, Spiderman blankets, Spiderman hampers and even Spiderman checkers and dominoes!  Spiderman is great character for children to love because of the sheer amount of Spiderman toys available!  There are toys from every Spiderman cartoon and film including Spiderman 3 action figures, Ultimate Spiderman figures and of course figures for the upcoming The Amazing Spiderman.  There’s just no end in sight for the Spectacular Spiderman!

One of the greatest reasons of children to grow up with Caillou is that Caillou himself grows up in the series.  At first, Caillou is only 2 two years old but grows to the ripe age of four as the series continues.  For a young child, Caillou is an amazing role model and one that they can honestly relate to.  A Caillou doll makes a great friend!

“Each Day There’s Something New!” – Adventuring With Caillou

Not only does Caillou use his imagination to adventure and have fun, he also uses it to solve problems in the real world.  Unlike other early morning cartoons Caillou takes place in a completely realistic world, which he adventures through with the power of imagination.  Caillou dollsmake great adventuring campaigns.  Lace up your child’s Caillou shoes and head out for a grand adventure!  Grab a pair of Caillou rain boots for splashing around in puddles.  The adventuring spirit of Caillou is never-ending!

Caillou Doll

“With Mommy and Daddy and Finding My Way!” – Family and Friends With Caillou

Not only is Caillou a great adventurer but he is also a great son, brother and friend!  Of course, Mommy Doris and Daddy Boris are great role models and often lead Caillou with wisdom and fun.  Rosie, Caillou’s two year-old sister, is a great role model for older brothers.  Watching Caillou and Rosie interact and playing with Caillou dolls are great ways to teach children about younger siblings.  Other great characters include the kindly Mr. Hinkle and the former bully Leo.  True to Caillou’s real world setting, there are very diverse characters, all of whom Caillou befriends.  Everyone is Caillou’s friend!

“So Many Things to Do!” – Activities and Development With Caillou

There is so much Caillou merchandise available in our Caillou store, there’s almost no end to the number of Caillou activities!  Of course, budding young minds benefit greatly from puzzles and more Caillou puzzles are available than almost any other character!  For very young children there’s the Caillou Wood Peg Alphabet puzzle.  For children a little more advanced there are 21-piece and 45-piece Caillou puzzles available.  There is even a Caillou My First 3D Puzzle Picture Frame!

Are puzzles not for you?  How about Caillou toys for family game night?  Playing games as a family builds important social skills and the valuable art of sharing and waiting one’s turn.  Great Caillou toys include the Caillou Logico Game, Bingo and Who What?

“I’ll Share Them With You!” – Reading With Caillou

Caillou started as a series of books by Christine L’Heureux so there are a great number of Caillou books available!  Caillou adventures are just as exciting and imaginative in print!  What better way to instill a love of books in your child than by sharing the wonderful world of Caillou with great books like Caillou Moves Around and Caillou Spend the Day With Me?

“Growing Up is Not So Tough” – Learning With Caillou

Caillou is a great way to teach children about daily activities like healthy eating, brushing one’s teeth and dressing one’s self.  The sheer amount of Caillou merchandise available means that the imaginative youngster can help children learn just about anything.  Learning about healthy eating is a breeze with a Caillou lunch bag and few healthy snacks!  Caillou apparel such as shoes, sandals and even rain boots are great ways to get kids excited about dressing themselves.  Other great tools are Caillou dress-up dolls and even a Caillou dress-up puzzle.  At the end of the day enjoy a bath with a Caillou bath toy, and then teach your child about brushing their teeth and bedtime with a Caillou dress-up doll complete with pajamas.

Super Love for Super Mario

For 30 years running now, (or jumping or karting or flying as super Mario does so well), even older super Mario collector’s editions of toys and games are grabbed up along with brand new super Mario games and toys for the wii, and the gamut of super Mario backpacks, lunch bags, Mario bedroom linens, plush dolls, and you name it. That may very well be because Mario is not for one age group, –dads, moms, grandpas, older brothers and sisters, and younger toddlers, everyone knows and loves the cool mustachioed plumber Mario–his cohorts and his conflicts.

Mario is a good guy, and parents appreciate him as a decent role model with a valuable place today alongside all those super outlandishly beautiful of face and figures heroes. Step aside handsome Avengers, actors and actresses, pop stars, all of them, because Super Mario and Mario kart powers, and his challenges and discoveries, show off his good heart.

He’s just a guy, a plumber who knows his pipes and will do anything to save his dear friend Princess Daisy. Mario is not about saving the world, or revenge, he’s sweet, even comical  in his ways of trying to manage his challenges. And he is super. And kids love him like a good friend. No wonder they want the super Mario backpack. For little brothers and sisters who copy everything, the backpacks come is toddler size too. And then they must have the Super Mario lunch bag. It’s a well insulated lunch bag to keep lettuce from wilting and bananas from “smooshing”. Put in a funny or sweet daily note or picture for the day.

Some Healthy Mario Relationships

What’s in that super Mario bag anyway, tuna, turkey, pp&j –all with a side of mushrooms?  Well, that’s not such a joke because Mario, you know, lives in the mushroom kingdom, and there is a lot to do with cool mushrooms playing his games. There’s so much fun with mushrooms (and they really and truly are a super food packed with the best nutrients) that have gained their popularity and acceptance with all. So that’s another great and healthy benefit to Super Mario anything at all!

Endless Varieties of Mario Toys and Games

Super Mario is everywhere, not just on the wii’s and the screens. In fact, get the kids away from the electronics for family night with super Mario chess. Nothing could be better than learning strategy with this game–for any level, even you.  Plus, the 32 pieces can be used with the younger kids in the tub because these special super Mario toy pieces are waterproof and can go take a bath. It’s also a great way to collect a lot of these great Mario characters all at once.

Or vary chess with super Mario checkers and tic tac toe, or super Mario memory challenge board game. Give the kids and your own brain cells a boost, and you’ll even find the kids are better at this than you! It’s great for some younger kids who can feel proud to really win at a game.

Then there are the family must have super Mario puzzles. There’s the Nintendo Mario party puzzle, or for car lovers the Mario kart puzzle. For families who are in the Mario know, or not, here’s a chance to join the adventures of the brothers Mario and Luigi, as they save the princess from Bowser and koopalugs as you are traveling through the puzzle pieces.

Of course for the electronic games, right now it’s a tough choice which is more super on the wii, the super Mario galaxy 2 or the new super Mario.  There is a super Mario game for every age level and style–older ones are still fabulous and beloved as well as each new version and sequel. Kids boast about having the best, the most super of the super Mario games.

The Best Ratings of All Times

As the acclaimed best of all platform games, super Mario galaxy 2 is rated great on parenting sites and by kids of all ages. You don’t have to worry about violence because Mario, the good guy he is, is out to save his princess from the evil monster Bowser, and the stuff he fights are not “humaish” but “cartoonish”, and his ways are really cute and funny even. Mario spins, pounds the ground, turns into rock Mario, uses Yoshi the dinosaur’s tongue to fetch and swallow enemies. Boo Mario flies through walls, Mario  uses a giant drill to go into planets, he surrounds a wooden galaxy with– what else– blocks of course.

Mario is always tops in platforming and kart racing, the graphics are the best, the levels are brilliant, surprising.

Mario is claimed to be the most famous character in the whole history of video games–the best selling of all video games. He has a wax figure in the Hollywood wax museum, he has 7 world records in the Guinness book, people and places are named after Mario. One survey rated Mario more recognizable than Mickey Mouse!

Playtime with Super Good Ideas

Super Mario is not about revenge, grandiose ideas to save the world, he takes on his challenges with a good heart.  Anyone can be like Mario the plumber. Of course, kids love a little magic in their fantasy play, and so Mario can wear different things like the vanish cap, or the penguin suit. He has his raccoon tail for flying powers. He gets an ice flower so he can walk over ice or lava, or a tanooki suit to be a powerful statue. Super Mario toys give the kids just the kinds of images that are fun, harmless, and cool. Super Mario’s world includes enough cohorts and characters to give good fantasy game parts to a whole classroom of kids to choose their favorite.

What kids don’t like cars and karts and driving, and so there is Mario kart toys and games–with Mario the driver to fulfill their wishes.

For art lovers these characters are ones the kids want to draw–you know ever since Diary of a Wimpy Kid made cartoons an awesome thing to do. Sheila has great pictures of her Bombette  and Baby Bowser from wii Mario kart throwing a koopa from his kart. Randy makes a great mean Bowser. But Lillian is best drawing a lovely Princess Daisy.  Bob loves motorcycles so he has practiced drawing Luigi riding a motor bike. Andy, who loves his own tongue and what it can do, draws a pretty good Yoshi. And, what child doesn’t work wonders with a tongue, like Yoshi!

Muppets jigsaw puzzle goes with the flow to the rescue

Puzzles may sound like ancient history for kids, but for both boys and girls, from infants to seniors, nothing else provides such cheap and easy learning tools, helpful face to face socializing, and easy fun than puzzles and jigsaw puzzles. And right now on the internet are parents all over complaining about the dire need to get kids away from the technology and back to real world basics, and here comes puzzles to the rescue.

We still all use the term puzzling about things we don’t know, and how many popular mystery stories, legal stories, spy stories, doctor stories, sci fi stories grab us because we have to put the pieces together. Puzzles are life! And life is the Muppets–”radiant wonderfulness” as Kermit the frog  muppet said in the Wizard of Oz. Unlike video stores, a Muppet store will always be with us, will never run out of usefulness or relevance in the ever changing world.

 Muppet Life Lessons and Puzzling Puns

It may even be thanks to Muppets puzzles that there is a newly discovered love and need for doing puzzles. How about talking to one another face to face while laughing with all those many and masterful Muppet characters. From a Kermit the frog puzzle, everyone will remember his funny but wise quips like this dialogue from the awesome Muppets 2011 movie: Walter: You guys give the world the greatest gift of all. Kermit: Babies? Walter: No. The other one. Kermit: Ice cream? Walter: No. The other one. Kermit: Laughter. Walter: Yes! The third greatest gift!

Hard to top that one! And there are so many valuable life message from all the Muppets shows as Kermit the frog says from a previous show:” I may not be one of your fancy Hollywood frogs, but I deserve a chance. When we pull together, we can do anything.” This is the can-do attitude you want to instill in kids with puzzles.

Research too Supports Puzzles

And there is so much research and documentation about the value of puzzles. First of all as Maria Montessori’s exploration of how children learn, sensory play, picking up pieces and placing them into making a whole as they do in jigsaw puzzles opens the mind to grasp the ideas and concepts kids need to learn.

The Puzzle Store Plusses

Now another awesome thing about puzzles is that a good online puzzle store has every character there can possibly be, every fad, collection, popular TV or movie star pictured on puzzles. And they come in perfect types and numbers of pieces for each age. For the youngest tots there are wood peg board puzzles of 7 or 9 pieces in the likes of favorites Toopy and Binoo, Caillou, dinosaur lovers Land Before Time, Scooby Doo.

There are lenticular puzzles with that holographic movement and depth that still mesmerizes parents as well as the younger sets. Among these are Disney Princesses, Strawberry Shortcake, Pixar Cars, Toy Story– the movement in these puzzles is just like them–go go go.

Life size poster puzzles are great for when the kids get a little bigger and they think bigger has to be better. Then the kids are ready for the under 100 pieces sets, 24 or 36 for a little more challenge. Pleasers include going sweet with Hello Kitty, or Tigger and Pooh, Barney, Smurfs, Barbie, and Hot Wheels.

Making a jump upwards nearing the Tween level of must haves, of course there are puzzles in the likes of Justin Bieber, Pirates, Sponge Bob, Nintendo, Marvel Heroes, and Pokemon.

But the biggest group of course, is the middle group (not average or ordinary for sure), and no wonder one of the most sought after puzzles is the Muppets jigsaw puzzle of 63 pieces. Not too small not too large–and it is one treasured by families. That’s because of course everyone’s favorites are there. Kermit the frog, glorious green still loved by Grandma and Grandpa. And you can’t have Kermit without the romance of Miss Piggy. Girls don’t tire of proclaiming their staunch love for their pink and adorable Miss Piggy Plush doll. Shannon says, “Pigs are so cool my email address is shannonpig@yahoo. And  haven’t you seen little piggies in their races, so adorable and smart. And my piggy bank saves me money to buy more games, too!”

Of course Shannon’s brother Brandon  imitates the meep, you know, mee mee mee Beaker. Beaker, Muppets funniest character who can take every madcap mishap that Dr.Honeydo puts him through and keeps smiling!   But Brandon claims “I can sing Feelings better than Beaker muppet or Animal!”

Friends Lori and Albert chime in on Fozzie  Bear and his perfect jokes, and Gonzo whichever one is funniest at the moment.

Just like yearbooks that young and old never tire of looking over again and again, families always come back to Muppets, games, movies, puzzles, the muppets works.

Making jigsaw puzzles work

If childrens’ puzzles are frustrating to the beginners, big sis Sierra has her hints on helpful methods.  She says there are 4 basic things to know about doing puzzles. Find all the edge pieces first to make the frame. The frame always has less pieces than the inside, and you can find the straight edge. Look at the box. For example, there are at least 20 characters in the 65 piece Muppet  puzzle, but if you look at the box you know where he or she goes. Put colors that are alike together in piles. Then you can build your character with those colors, and then look at the box to see where they fit in.

Maybe that why Muppet puzzles, and all puzzles remain so popular from generation to generation – because they always allow you to look at the Big Picture – and see just where you fit in!