New ACT Kids Toothpaste: Say No to Cavities #ACTKidsToothpaste

This post and party was sponsored by ACT Kids Toothpaste but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Dental care is serious business in our house, not only because the health of our teeth is closely tied to our overall health, but also because a healthy smile helps boost confidence and self-esteem, which are of considerable significance for our children and their future. We make sure our kids brush at least twice a day, floss nightly, and visit the dentist every six months. At the same time, we want them to have fun while taking good care of their pearly whites. Thanks to ACT Kids and MommyParties, my kids got to invite some of their friends over last week for a fantastic house party, during which they played fun games, learned great tips for cavity prevention, and best of all, each received a super-duper ACT Kids Toothpaste goodie bag!

There are quite a few common daily battles that moms have with their kids and getting kids to brush their teeth is one of them for many moms. According to a recent survey, nearly 4 in 10 moms (35%) say getting their kid(s) to brush their teeth is one of their most frustrating daily battles, in line with convincing their kid(s) to eat their veggies (38%) and putting their kid(s) to bed at night (40%).*

While our kids are fairly cooperative in terms of brushing their teeth every morning and evening, it is quite challenging for us to exercise quality control. They don't always brush long enough or thoroughly enough. So I still need to step in and remind them about proper brushing techniques from time to time. I've noticed however, that they do better when they use a toothpaste in a flavor they like and one with which they can make a lot of bubbles.

My kids and I were equally excited to unbox our ACT Kids Toothpaste party pack, which included a good number of handy party supplies, educational materials, activity sheets and ten goodie bags filled with ACT Kids Toothpaste samples, colorful toothbrushes and cute gadgets in the shape of healthy teeth.

We started the party off with a light brunch with rolls, sandwiches, cheese, fresh fruit, organic beef jerky and dark chocolate almond bars. We were then ready to educate ourselves about oral care, cavity prevention, healthy eating, etc through the materials and activities provided in the party kit. It was a rewarding and entertaining experience for both the kiddos and their parents. I was shocked to find out that more than 16 million children in the US suffer from tooth decay, with 25% getting cavities before entering kindergarten and 80% by age 17¹. Thankfully, fluoride toothpaste like ACT Kids Toothpaste can effectively strengthen kids teeth and protect them from cavities.

Specially developed for kids ages 2 and up, ACT Kids Toothpaste is available in two fun flavors that kids love: Bubble Gum and Fruit Punch. Based on feedback from my kids, the toothpaste leaves their mouth feeling fresh and clean, with no unpleasant aftertaste.

Through the color-coded infographic provided by ACT Kids, the kiddos learned about ways to keep their teeth healthy, such as brushing with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day for two minutes each time, flossing daily, visiting the dentist regularly, and adding rinse to dental care routine starting at the age of 6. ACT Kids Anticavity Fluoride Rinse, if used for 60 seconds a day, helps children ages 6 years and older reduce cavities up to 40% more than brushing alone! A healthy, balanced diet, and fluoridated water also help prevent tooth decay. That piece of knowledge is reinforced by the Happy Tooth Vs. Sad Tooth craft project and the matching game we played at the party. Now the kids know better about what food and drink their teeth like and what they should try to stay away from.

The most anticipated moment for the kids at the party, of course, wass time to find out what's inside their goodies bags. Each of our little party guests left with a big smile on their faces and I expect their smiles to be even healthier with the help of ACT Kids Toothpaste!

Visit ACToralcare.com/act-for-kids for information about the new ACT Kids Toothpaste, which is now available at a variety of retail locations, including select Walmart, Walgreens and Target locations. You may want to print out this $1 off coupon at ACTKidsSavings.com and bring it to the stores where ACT Kids Toothpaste and Rinse are sold. Hope your child will love the new product as much as we do. Please feel free to share your thoughts and personal experience with us in the comments section. Happy brushing!

*This survey was sponsored by Sanofi Consumer Healthcare and conducted online using Toluna's QuickSurveys methodology between February 13, 2017 and February 14, 2017 among 1,150 moms with children between the ages of two and 12 in the USA. Respondents for Toluna QuickSurveys are selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Toluna surveys.

¹“NIH Consensus Statement, Diagnosis and Management of Dental Caries Throughout Life” Vol. 18, Number 1, March 2001.

Just Kid Costumes Review

Halloween is a popular holiday among kids partly because of the fun and excitement to be dressed up in their favorite characters. JustKidCostumes.com is an online store dedicated to providing the best costumes for and only for kids. With over 3,000 children's costumes and accessories at affordable prices, JustKidCostumes.com is the perfect place for parents to shop together with their kids for Halloween without having to worry about running into costumes that may be inappropriate for youngsters.

I was recently given the opportunity to review an item of choice from Just Kid Costumes. My son and I had a great time browsing the large selection of boys costumes on the website and finally set our eyes on this Cars 2 themed costume, which includes a muscle-bound jumpsuit and a matching racing hat. My son is crazy about Cars and has dreamed him of becoming Lightning McQueen on the race track. He was very excited when his costume arrived in a resealable clear bag. He immediately asked to try it on. The costume fit him very well. He wouldn't want to take it off when he found himself look so handsome and "strong" in his new outfit. I had to hide the costume for now, or he couldn't wait until Halloween to show it off to his little friends. Every morning, he keeps asking me if he can wear it to school.

The ordering process JustKidCostumes.com is easy and straightforward. On each product page, you can find all things you need to know about the costume including the sizing chart. Curious about what your little pumpkin would look like in a given costume? You can utilize their handy Dress-Up Room app, which allows you to upload your child's photo and foresee her dressed up in that costume virtually. You can even share the picture with your friends on Facebook!

With Halloween just a couple weeks away, start shopping for your child's costume today at JustKidCostumes.com. From now through October 16th, use code BLOGGER10 to receive 10% off any order. Shipping is free for orders over $50.

Disclosure: I received free product via JustKidCostumes.com and MomSelect to facilitate my honest review. No monetary exchange took place. All views and opinions expressed are my own.

Join Ragú Mom's the Word on Dinner Community & $20 Visa Gift Card Giveaway

~~The giveaway is CLOSED. Congrats to winner Diana!~~

As moms, we've all experienced the challenges of dinnertime at one time or another. Earlier this year, Ragú®, the leading producer of pasta sauce, launched an online community on Facebook, known as Mom's the Word on Dinner, where moms share tips on getting the picky eater to chow down on veggies, exchange quick and easy recipes, or just vent about a dinner disaster.

Everyone is welcome to join the community and take advantage of the videos, photos, polls and dinner ideas featured there. Be sure to check out the latest video "When Dinner Gets Tough" and join the live chat tonight (8/8/2011) at 8pm EST at Facebook.com/ragusauce. During the live-streamed chat, we can laugh, and vent a little, about the everyday chaos in the kitchen. One of the Momversation friends and participant in the program, Audrey McClelland, will be hosting the discussion. Feel free to drop in to share your stories and questions!

The Giveaway

Ragú has generously offered to give one of my lucky readers a $20 Visa Gift Card! Use it to get your meal started!

Please use the Rafflecopter form below to submit your entries. A few things to note:

*You must enable JavaScript to see the widget and it may load a bit slower than the rest of the webpage. Thank you for your patience! Need help to enable JavaScript? Click here.

*Please make sure you fill in the "Extra info" field in the form as instructed. I moderate all entries and only valid ones will count in the drawing. If you submit an empty form by accident, you can note that in the comment and I'll correct the entry for you.

* Comments are for feedbacks, questions, etc. but NOT for entries unless otherwise indicated. Thank you for following the rules and making things easier for all of us!

KinderCare Secret Science of Dirt Spring Camp

Spring is the perfect time for outdoor play. Would you like your kids to learn valuable knowledge while having outdoor fun with their peers? KinderCare Learning Centers are hosting the Secret Science of Dirt Spring Camp throughout the months of March and April at 1,600 locations nationwide. Through five full days of exciting, hands-on science activities, children will be given a worm's-eye view of the world and the chance to unlock the mysteries of dirt and nature. The spring camp is designed to help children respect and connect to nature and uncover the answers to questions they have about the world around them.

The Secret Science of Dirt Spring Camp is open to both school-agers and preschoolers. School-age learners will have the chance to get their hands dirty by tackling everything from planting vegetables to composting, while preschool and pre-kindergarten learners will explore vegetables, herbs, flowers, and rock gardening. All campers will enjoy age-appropriate activities that discover the secrets of science as they plant popcorn seeds, grow herbs, make chlorophyll prints, prepare tasty vegetable treats and put their creativity to work by crafting decorations to learn how to beautify even the littlest patch of green.

This certainly sounds like a lot of fun to me. I can't wait to see how my son would be doing in his first camp. You may look up for the KinderCare Learning Centers near you here and reserve a spot for your kiddo via phone. Even if you have to miss the spring camp,  you can still sign up for the upcoming KinderCare Summer Camp, which offers 12 different themes! You're also welcome to connect with KinderCare on Facebook and Twitter for their latest news and events.

Disclosure: KinderCare provided me with information through MomSelect. I will receive a free week to the spring camp to facilitate my review. No monetary exchange took place.

Win a $3500 Baby Registry!

Are you expecting a new baby or do you know someone who is? If so, you may want to check out the Baby Brezza Sweepstakes at Babies 'R Us. One lucky mom-to-be will win her entire Babies 'R Us registry valued up to $3,500! That's enough to get a lot of nice stuff for both mommy and baby, including the Baby Brezza One Step Baby Food Maker.

Here's how to enter:

1. Create a baby registry at Babies 'R Us if you haven't already done so.
2. Add the Baby Brezza One Step Baby Food Maker to your registry and you'll be entered into the drawing.

The last day to enter is 2/13, right before Valentine's Day. Start build your registry now and you could win all that's on your wish list! Best of luck!

Disclosure: I was entered for a chance to win a gift card and Baby Brezza One Step Baby Food Maker in exchange for this post. No monetary exchange took place.

Join the Hello My Name Is Hope Campaign and Support Breast Cancer Research

In an effort to raise boost breast cancer awareness, Quill.com, a leading business-to-business online and direct marketer of office products, has initiated a "Hello My Name is Hope" campaign via a Facebook app. All Facebook users are welcome to post and personalize virtual "Hello My Name is Hope" stickers on their profiles to honor both survivors and victims of the disease.

For every sticker created, Quill.com will donate $2 - up to $20,000 - to City of Hope, a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center dedicated to research, treatment and education. Throughout October, every sticker made will be displayed in a community gallery on the Quill.com Facebook page, creating a virtual wall of breast cancer messages and images.

If you have a Facebook account, don't miss your chance to support this meaningful program! Thank you for your participation!

Disclosure: By writing this post, I'm entered to win a gift card via a MomSelect blogging program. No monetary compensation was provided.

Second Annual Solo Cup Photo Contest

Solo Cup has launched their second annual photo contest with a grand prize of $5,000 for the best photo featuring Solo products. You may enter your favorite photos at www.SoloCups4ever.com until August 6th, 2010. In addition to the grand prize, two runners-up will each receive a cash prize of $1,000. Throughout the contest period, you'll also have the chance to win daily and weekly prizes including gift certificates and Solo products!

In addition to their popular Solo Squared™ cups, you may also want to try out these matching Solo Squared™ plates and bowls. Have fun using Solo products, capture your favorite moment on camera and enter to win awesome prizes!

Disclosure: By writing this post, I 'm entered to win a gift card from MomSelect and Solo Cup. No monetary compensation took place.

Make Banana Splits For a Cause & Win Great Prizes!

Kelly Ripa and Electrolux have joined forces again to celebrate the launch of Electrolux Appliance's new stand-alone refrigerator and freezer. The familiar duo has split up. The new counterparts now provide much-needed additional space for busy families, better temperature control and eco-friendly features.

As part of the celebration, Kelly and Electrolux invite you to make banana splits for a cause. From now through September 7,  you can visit www.Kelly-Confidential.com and build your ultimate banana split using virtual ingredients like classic whipped cream, chocolate sauce, rainbow sprinkles, nuts and cherries. It's fun and easy to do. For each "split" submission, Electrolux will donate $1 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund as part of its $750,000 commitment to help fight ovarian cancer.

After creating your virtual banana split, you'll be given the option to enter the sweepstakes featuring a daily prize of $50 and a grand prize:  the new stand-alone refrigerator and freezer from Electrolux. That's a special way to say thank you to those who support this great cause. You can enter once per day to increase your chances of winning as well as Electrolux's donation to ovarian cancer research. Hurry and join the cause before it concludes!

Disclosure: By writing this post, I'm entered to win a stand-alone refrigerator and freezer from Electrolux. No monetary compensation took place.

Radio Flyer World's Largest Wagon Mosiac

For over 90 years, the famous little red wagons by Radio Flyer have been a favorite of families and kids all over the world. Boasting more than a dozen award-winning wagon models and a complete line of tricycles, scooters, and other ride-ons, Radio Flyer is as synonymous with outdoor play as summer itself. The little red wagon will not only provide hours of fun for outdoor exploration and adventure, it will also bring a lifetime of memories.

Do you own a little red wagon? Would you like to show the world the ways in which you enjoy your little red wagon? Earlier this summer, Radio Flyer launched the World's Largest Wagon Mosaic to commemorate the past, present, and future of Radio Flyer wagons. And you're cordially invited to the celebration! Simply capture your families' Radio Flyer moments on camera and go to www.RadioFlyerArt.com to upload your photo and help the legacy of the little red wagon live on!

Disclosure: By writing this post, I'm entered to win 1 of 3 Radio Flyer wagons. No monetary compensation took place.

Bust Summertime Boredom with 11 Wallet-Friendly Ideas from Primrose Schools

Have you heard "I'm bored" from your little ones? That's a sign that their excitement about summer is over and it's time for you to do something about the Summer "Brain Drain".

Primrose Schools, the leader in educational child care, recommends encouraging imaginative play and having a plan in place to keep children's minds engaged during the summer months. Studies show that without stimulation, children can lose up to 60 percent of what they learned during the school year. Dr. Mary Zurn, Vice President of Education for Primrose, has come up with a list of 11 wallet-friendly ideas suggesting summer activities that offer a balance between the freedom of child-initiated play time and more structured activities.

1. Boredom Buster Jar: At the beginning of the summer, sit down with your family and brainstorm a list of activities that can be done alone or that you can enjoy doing together. Encourage your children to share their own ideas and help you decorate and label a simple jar as the family "Boredom Buster Jar." They'll feel more involved in the project and more likely to think this is a "neat" idea, if they participate in the creation and idea generation. Next, write everyone's ideas down on slips of paper and as a group decide which ones should go in the jar. Anyone in the family can pull any idea out of the jar to fight the summertime boredom blues.

2. Stories Alive: It sounds too simple, but reading is one of the most important waysto keep young minds engaged during the summer.Make reading even more fun by finding ways to bring the stories to life. For example, in the book Roxaboxen by Alice McLerran, children create a make-believe town in the desert out of rocks, boxes, and their imaginations. Read the book with your children and then challenge them to create their own town with materials they find in the backyard.

3. Art Start Box: You'll need to gather basic art supplies-child safe scissors, glue, markers, tape and construction paper. Put them in a special box along with empty oatmeal boxes and paper towel rolls, colorful magazines and bits of aluminum foil. Occasionally add a special surprise like chalk, stickers, or stamp pads so there's always something new for the children to find. Even if you normally have these supplies around the house, it's fun for children to know that the Art Start Box is just for them. They'll probably have some good ideas of other household items that can be recycled to fuel their creative energies.

4. Family Performances: Break out old clothes or costumes and encourage children to make up characters and create a play to act out. They are the directors, actors, and producers. They can also make musical instruments out of pots/pans, wooden spoons, empty canisters and have a parade; or everyone can play along to your family's favorite songs. Record or video the performances, and enjoy the replay. You'll also be capturing a bit of family history everyone will enjoy for years to come.

5. Family Dance Party: Crank up the music and encourage your entire family to boogie down. Dancing gives children a great outlet for self-expression through their own motion and helps build self-esteem. It also enhances motor and coordination development by incorporating skills like jumping, landing and leaping. Dancing is a great activity that can involve the whole family and doesn't take very much preparation.

6. Fort Building: Children love to build all kinds of structures--from small towns to large towers. Constructing forts or tents is an activity that can keep children focused and problem solving for hours. All the items you need can be found around the house- some chairs, cushions, blankets, and of course adult supervision.

7. Cookbook Fun: Have you ever shared your favorite cookbook with your children? Take it out and ask your children to choose a recipe to try. Measuring can be a fun and easy way to keep math skills fresh.

8. Summer Scrapbook: All you need for this project is a spiral notebook. Encourage everyone in the family to draw pictures of favorite activities and collect mementos from special events throughout the summer. Children love to go back through scrapbooks and albums and tell about what happened at each occasion. They will also be building their storytelling skills at the same time.

9. Listening Game: Lie down in the backyard, in the den or at the park and listen. What do you hear? Do you hear what I hear? Can you imitate the sound? This is similar to watching the clouds and naming the shapes, and it encourages everyone to slow down and focus on listening.

10. Camping Out: Pretend to campout in the backyard. Plan a meal, pack a backpack and set up a campsite. You might even decide to spend the night!

11. Scavenger Hunt: Make a list or picture cards of common household items and have your children find the items on the list. Invite friends or neighbors to join in the fun to make it a competition.

For more great tips for parents, please check out Dr. Zurn's blog at DrZandme.com. For more information on Primrose Schools, visit www.primroseschools.com. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter!

Disclosure: I was entered for a chance to win a gift card in exchange for this post. No monetary exchange took place.