Stay-at-Home Play Initiative Launched by ToysRUs Canada | #WashYourHandsChallenge

School closures caused by Coronavirus result in many kids suddenly out of school with lots of free time at home. Over 1.2 billion children are out of school worldwide. To support parents and kids to adjust to new environment ToysRUs Canada launched Stay-at-Home Play, an initiative designed to help families stay engaged and connected during challenging times.

 Stay-at-Home Play Initiative  

• Stay-At-Home Play Packs  available at on-line ToysRUs Canada store
• The launch of the "Wash Your Hands Challenge" - a dance-along and scrub-along song on TikTok  
• YouTube videos to help families have fun at home.

ToysRUs Canada Stay-at-Home Play Packs are designed to keep big imaginations and little hands busy while school’s out. Available exclusively online is the Family Fun Play Pack for kids of all ages that includes a great combination of art, sensory, building and gaming experiences! For the kiddos ages 4+, the Imaginations Play Pack, which encourages all imaginations to run wild with crafts, building and sensory play activities. The Little Hands Play Pack is full of creative activities for kids 1 – 4 years old! Play Day! Fun Pack offers great collection of toys, games, crafts and activities for adventurous children and pretend plays! The prices range from $30 to $100 including free shipping across Canada.


The funny "Wash your Hands Challenge" has officially launched on TikTok to share an important message and make hand washing fun. Toys R Us Canada hopes to encourage families to have dance and wash-along on their own.


This week, ToysRUs Canada started  sharing YouTube videos featuring 'R’ beloved mascot Geoffrey. With his playful approach, Geoffrey will share a variety of free child and family play ideas from unboxings to interactive games and DIY activities. There is a pretty amazing Stay-at-Home Play playlist on ToysRUs Canada YouTube channel, take a look. Right now families can watch Imaginations Play Pack, Bizzy Bodies, Bizzy Minds Fun Packs unboxings and more.  The videos released are in English and French!

During this difficult times, ToysRUs Canada continues to offer toys, games and baby products for home delivery and curbside pick-up at toysrus.ca and babiesrus.ca.

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Incredible Novelties Bundle Packs For Kids to Play At Home | #StayAtHome Activities

Keeping children off school at home can be a big challenge. It is wonderful to have some extra time together as a family but still parents need to do their work and have chores done. Moms, dads, grandparents and children across Canada have suddenly found themselves in new settings. Communities try to find ways to adapt to life at home, and parents scratch their heads how to keep kids occupied during the coronavirus outbreak.



Incredible Novelties wants to help families to keep the learning and creativity going at home with special bundles of 20 activities for 20 days! They have introduced creative, hands-on packages that will keep little hands busy creating and having fun! Complete with a variety of games, crafts and fun compounds to keep children busy for hours of sensory play. The company designed 5 incredible bundles, perfect for boys and girls to get hands-on experience instead of melting in front of the glowing screens. Incredible packages are $50 & $100 and include puzzles, activities, crafts, family games and coloring books.


Teddy had a chance to play with Bundle #2. It includes the following products:

• Stretchy Sand Castle Starter Kit 
• Zartz Fun 2 Shield Pack 
• Finger Paints 
• Zax Throwing 
• 20 PC Magtastic Magnetic construction

He likes the package because it includes coloring, building and painting activities. There are also Zax ax and darts to throw which add extra fun indoor and playing in the backyard.


For more information on Incredible Novelties bundles and how to order, please contact info@incrediblenovelties.com or call 416-663-9900.


Take a look at the selection of Incredible Bundles below:
 

Incredible Novelties Inc
Toronto Head Office/Distribution Center
1707 Flint Road
Toronto, Ontario
M3J 2W8
Canada

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Join Coronavirus and Anxiety: How to Stay Calm in the Midst of the Storm | Toronto Online Workshop

The coronavirus crisis is causing spiked levels of public anxiety and stress. These days we worry about about our family, kids, aging parents, friends and relatives, we do not know what to expect tomorrow, feel that our future is suspended and in the hands of uncertainty.

Leading Toronto life coach Sara Shor, who has helped hundreds of people lead a life of tranquility regardless of their challenges, will provide practical life-transforming tips on how to experience peace, joy and positivity in spite of today’s uncertain times. She has announced the launch of a 30-minute group therapy how to deal with anxiety, stress and fear. These ones are more potent than the actual virus itself. Any help on how to deal with stress and anxiety nowadays would be very helpful.

"The psychological impact of social distancing, quarantines, and general panic regarding the possibility of contracting the virus is in many cases causing irrational behavior that is detrimental to people’s mental health and well-being,” she shared.

Sara Shor will provide simple and practical advice on how to deal with these feelings, curb illogical behaviors and live life to the fullest regardless of external circumstances. “People will find that not only will these techniques help them to be calmer and happier, but will also have a positive impact on their family members and friends,” she said.

"Coronavirus and Anxiety: How to Stay Calm in the Midst of the Storm" workshop is open to everyone who wants to reduce growing public anxiety and fear and learn how to deal with their feelings. Join professional coach Sara Shor on March 22 at 8:00 p.m. for 30-minute online video workshop. Same workshop will be repeated at the same time on March 24 and 26. The cost is $13, with a percentage of proceeds going to Chai Lifeline Canada, which supports families of children and parents with serious illnesses.

More information below:

"Conquer Coronavirus” Workshop

What:  Coronavirus and Anxiety: How to Stay Calm in the Midst of the Storm – 30-Minute Online Video Workshop
When: March 22, 24 or 26 (repeat of same workshop) 8:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Host: Professional Toronto life coach Sara Shor
Cost: $13 with a percentage of proceeds going to Chai Lifeline Canada charity
Registration : www.harmonyforyou.ca

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Richard Jewell Movie Based on True Story Blu-Ray/DVD Release | Warner Bros.

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment provided me with a free copy of the Blu-Ray Combo I reviewed in this Blog Post. The opinions I share are my own. 

Richard Jewell movie, based on true events, tells the story of security guard who discovers a suspicious backpack at one of the 1996 Atlanta Games venues. He reported to get it checked only to find out it was a bomb and they have only 30 minutes to evacuate people. The bomb detonated at the Centennial Park killing one person and injuring many. Right after the tragic event, the media name Richard Jewell a hero who  did his best to save lives.

But once the investigation started, Richard Jewell becomes FBI's suspect in this case. This information was leaked and the city newspapers took their chances to create a buzz about Richard Jewell. They dig into his life, habits, previous jobs, personal experiences. The media picked the trend and started to share different thoughts and assumptions about the Jewells. They considered him suspicious because he was a middle-aged man, overweight and lived with his mom. The media shared in the news that he is a person who seeks attention. That finding of an unattended backpack with bombs inside was Jewell's chance to become a hero and move one step closer to his dream to become a real policeman. And how a regular security guard could find the backpack if only he did not left it at that overcrowded event. Even trained cops and FBI Agents at the event were not able to control the situation, locate the bombs once an anonymous call was made. The press from TV, Radio and newspaper followed Richard Jewell everywhere, kept watching his house 24 hours a day and lead his family to emotional outbreak.
The hardest part of the movie when Richard Jewell and his mom try to keep sane amidst the endless checks and tests during FBI investigation along with media attention. It is hard for the innocent person to prove that you are innocent and did not do anything wrong, when following the protocol and instructions look suspicious. After few weeks when the investigation did not find any evidence,  Richard Jewell was cleared.

The film is directed by legendary filmmaker Clint Eastwood is now available on Blu-ray and DVD. The Blu-ray and DVD features a Digital version of the movie. The film stars Oscar winners Sam Rockwell as Watson Bryant and Kathy Bates as Richard’s mom, Bobi. The film also stars Jon Hamm as the lead FBI investigator, Olivia Wilde as Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Kathy Scruggs and Paul Walter Hauser as Richard Jewell. Richard Jewell movie is also available on Movies Anywhere.

The Blu-ray version contains the following special features: The Making of Richard Jewell and The Real Story of Richard Jewell.

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New KLIIN Eco-Friendly Dish Cleansing Paste & Other Innovative Products | Go Greener

Spring is the perfect time to brighten up your home with colors and welcome the new season. Just on time for spring cleaning, Canadian company KLIIN, known for its colourful collection of reusable quality towels, launched a special concentrated dish cleansing paste. Following company values to support eco-friendly household solutions, this new paste helps consumers to reduce water consumption and help to switch to more environmentally-friendly practices. Daily dish cleaning, probably, not the most exciting household task to do but KLIIN make it better and easier while helping our planet.


New dish cleaning paste is available in lime and lemon scents and comes in a 250 g container. The company claims it lasts three times longer in comparison to traditional cleaning products including dish soaps. Since it is sold in a concentrated form, the paste requires less packaging and then recycling. The cleansing paste only uses the necessary amount of water.

We were sold to KLIIN's pretty towels before and were eager to try new dish cleansing paste. It is actually doing a great job on dishes. It is not only degreases well but also a very good cleaner. I personally like that there is no need to rub a dish multiple times to make it clean, I just need to do it once. And second reason, I like this paste because it does not make multiple soapsuds to rinse from dishes.


Compact size of the paste, strong degreasing power and being biodegradable makes it a good addition to eco-responsible households. Plus, KLIIN dish cleansing paste is an efficient multipurpose solution for cleaning household surfaces such as sinks, countertops, stovetops, ovens and ceramic surfaces, as well as for removing soap residue from glass shower doors and bathtubs. Just a little bit of the paste is enough.

In addition to the launch of its new paste, KLIIN has unveiled a series of green-inspired botanical towel designs in time for spring that proudly celebrate its Quebec roots.  Local illustrator ERDENE and Canadian textile designer Alissa Kloet from Keephouse Studio brought their talents to select KLIIN collections. The new line also includes limited-edition designs by homegrown brands Dans le sac, La Maison Lavande, COOK IT, and several others.

Dedicated to  ecologically responsible solutions, KLIIN’s most recent innovations also include 100% compostable compressed sponges and hand soap sheets.


KLIIN dish cleansing paste retails $7.99, reusable towels are available in three sizes and range from $4.99 to 24.99. Compressed sponges retail for $8.99 per package of two. For more information about KLIIN products, retailers and ordering on-line, please visit: www.kliin.co

To celebrate the release of new KLIIN products, we are happy to partner with the company and give an opportunity to our readers to try some innovative products for themselves.


The giveaway is open to Canadian residents only and ends April 5, 2020. For your chance to win a KLIIN set, simply fill the Rafflecopter form below.

*towel patterns might be different from those shown on the prize set picture

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Power Players Action Figures And Role-Play Toys From New TV Series | Imports Dragon

Power Players is an all-new action-comedy animation series. It debuted on Cartoon Network last fall and now airing on YTV and Teletoon in Canada. The series follows adventures of nine-year-old Axel Mulligan. He is able to transform into a living action figure and with other toys he builds a hero team to fight villains and defeat threats!


Axel's uncle is a toy inventor. Once the boy enters the secret lab in uncle's basement and discovers the Power Bandz— an incredible device that gives him the power to transform into a super-suited action figure. Axel also accidentally reactivates the Power Players, a living toy team. But besides mini-heroes the device also activated the villain Madcap, who escapes the lab and now not only toy world, but real boy's world is in danger.

Following Power Players series release on the screen, Playmates Toys developed a multi-segment toy line inspired by the show. The action figures and role-play toys give an amazing opportunity for kids to re-create the stories they watch on the screen and act like the characters of the show! We had a chance to play with some of the toys. The characters have pretty cool accessories to play. Teddy likes role-play toy set, so that he can wear it and play his pretend games.


Sarge is a square-jawed “tough guy” toy—a military man through and through. He leads the Power Players, and when the time comes for action, Sarge has a strategy for every skirmish and a blaster for every battle! Figure comes with blaster and backpack.


Masko has a passion for wrestling and fun—and a mask for every occasion! A champion toy with super-stretchable arms. Figure comes with additional battle mask.


Once known as the classic super hero Might Master, when he discovered what it meant to be played with, he rebelled. Repainting his armor in dark colors, he changed his name to Madcap and promised to wreak revenge with a team of twisted toys. Now he's the nemesis of the Power Players!


It is time to gear up like Axel with this Power Player set! This role-play gear is fun for kids to play and immerse themselves in the on-screen adventures. The set includes Axel's Power Sword, a Team Badge, and a Power Band!


Overall, Power Players assortment has 5” figures, based on the animated series characters and weapons & accessories. There are action figures for Power Players Axel, Masko, Sarge, Bearbarian, Galileo and their nemesis Madcap.

The toys designed for kids ages 4 and up. And now you can find Power Players products from Imports Dragon in Canada at ToysRUs Canada & Amazon.ca and in US at Target, Amazon.com and Walmart!

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Own It All Book by Andrea Isabelle Lucas 📕 Stop Waiting and Start Creating Your Life | Mango Publishing

Own It All book is written by Andrea Isabelle Lucas, founder and CEO of Barre & Soul. When I first time saw it in list of self-development books, I thought it would make a nice read. In the book Andrea shares her experience form being in abusing relationship to becoming an owner of profitable business. It did not come overnight, everything Andrea reached took years of learning, practicing and creating. While she continues to learn and grow, Andrea encourages women (and men) to own their life by stop waiting for someone else to create the perfect life for you. Take your right to create the life you want and live how you want without spending it on mundane tasks, regretting and blaming everyone around.

Everyone has own problems, life circumstances and abilities, and only you know what life you want to live and to make you happy. The book offers practical guidance on how to do and be who you really want to be. You do not need to compare yourself to other people's success and happiness because it is their success and we have to create our own happiness. For example, I like the advice that we need to learn to say "No" more often, because if I say "Yes" to every opportunity, problem and help call, I would end up my days fixing other people problems exhausting myself. I also learned that if you want to move forward you must take risks, then another and another one. Without risks, which like stir the guts in your stomach and scare you to some point, you remain at the same stage of your life.

The book also covers how to let your past go, in case  you regret something you did or was embarrassed, try to acknowledge it and be proud of it because it is what to made who you are right now. Yes, own you past and let it go. There are lots of ideas and practical advice are shared in the book. It is split by categories, like Own Your Relationship, Own Your Health, Own Your Career and others. There are many interviews and stories from other people who live their lives and shares their experiences how they did it. I realized that some practical advice Andrea shared I already use in my life, only to ensure that everything else she inspires is going to work for me too.

Each chapter includes spreadsheets  with questions and lines to fill right away for the readers. The book encourages you not to wait and start taking actions immediately. By writing first steps you make a move forward the life you want to live. If you feel lost or simply have no idea where to start, this situation is also covered in the book. Try to think what makes you happy, which activities, people or places, interaction bring you joy. You can even think what you feel envious about, someone perfect life style, travel adventures or special skills. That means you want these things incorporate in your life, you would not envy something you did not like for yourself.

Own It All book is a good source of guidance and support, it gives answers to many questions and encourages you to take control of your life.

For more information about the author Andrea Isabelle Lucas and Barre & Soul, please visit https://andreaisabellelucas.com!

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