Dinosaur Train Book Giveaway {“Get Caught Reading” Month}

May 5, 2012 by

Early literacy is a cause I am passionate about so I am proud to be participating in this Dinosaur Train promotion to help share information about Get Caught Reading month. Get Caught Reading is a nationwide campaign to remind people of all ages how much fun it is to read. May is Get Caught Reading month, but the campaign is promoted throughout the year.

Research has proven that early language experience stimulates a child’s brain to grow and reading to children gives them a huge advantage when they start school. Member organizations of the Association of American Publishers (AAP) participate in a variety of ways in Get Caught Reading to encourage people of all ages to enjoy books and magazines and to share that pleasure with the young children in their lives.

Image from GetCaughtReading.org

As part of the Get Caught Reading campaign, Buddy, from Dinosaur Train, is depicted “caught reading” in posters made available to teachers and parents for use in classrooms, libraries and other locations. The “Buddy” poster is available here. Posters are FREE plus a $5.00 charge per set (1 – 12 posters) for shipping and handling! The order form is available here.

In Guess Who, Buddy!, “What’s that dinosaur?” is the question Buddy needs to answer as he plays a guessing game with his friends. Kids can play along with Buddy by reading the playful descriptive text for each hidden character, guessing the dinosaur, then lifting the flap to see if they are right!  A surprise pop-up at the end of the story adds to the charm of this fun book. SRP $10.99. Ages 2 and up.

GIVEAWAY

Guess Who, Buddy! Book

HOW TO ENTER

{Do any or all of the following, leave a separate comment for each you do}

1) Leave a comment telling me what celebrity or character you or your child would like to “get caught reading”

2) Follow @aliciamarie112 on Twitter

3) Follow @hensonparents on Twitter

4) Like Making Time For Mommy on Facebook

5) Like Dinosaur Train on Facebook

6) Share this giveaway on a social network

7) Enter another one of my giveaways {found here}

Giveaway ends May 31, 2012 at 11:59pm Central time. US Only.

(Disclosure: I was not compensated in any way for this post. Thoughts about literacy are my own. The other information is courtesy of Dinosaur Train.)

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Dinosaur Train: T.Rex Tales {Review}

January 3, 2012 by Leave a Comment

About the DVD:

“Dinosaur Train embraces and celebrates the fascination that preschoolers have with both dinosaurs and trains while sparking an interest in life science, natural history, and paleontology. Dinosaur Train – T.rex Tales includes: I’m a T-Rex!, Armored Like an Ankylosaurus, T-Rex Teeth, Buddy Explores the Tyrannosaurs, T-Rex Migration, Play Date with Annie, A Spiky Tail Tale, Big Stomping Feet, and Don’s Winter Wish.”

Our thoughts:

The boys love watching Dinosaur Train. They love trains in general but I think it’s the characters of the show that really capture their interest. I liked that the DVD includes a winter themed episode because it’s perfect for watching during this cold weather. The Play Date with Annie episode is my favorite because it talks about inclusion which I, as a mom of kids with special needs, believe is a really important lesson for children to learn at an early age.

The movie is available now and can be purchased in the PBS store.

(Disclosure: I received a copy of this movie to review but all thoughts are my own.)

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Dinosaur Train {News And A Giveaway}

August 21, 2011 by


If you have a Dinosaur Train fan in your house you don’t want to miss the season premiere on PBS KIDS of Dinosaur Train:  Dinosaur Big City on August 22 and the DVD release on August 23. In addition to the TV premiere and DVD coming out, the Jim Henson Company, Random House Children’s Books and Paramount Home Entertainment have partnered with Amtrak for a nationwide promotion in August.

Now through August 31st, families can embark on their own DINOSAUR TRAIN adventure by entering the Amtrak – Dinosaur Train Sweepstakes.  One lucky family of 4 (2 adults / 2 children) will win an Amtrak Vacations® Rocky Mountain National Park Tour to visit the Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center in Woodland Park, Colorado as part of thegrand prize.  In addition, the promotion will feature DINOSAUR TRAIN placemats on Long Distance Trains, while seatbacks, counter cards, activitybook giveaways will be in over 100 stations nationwide to promote the sweepstakes and DVD release.  One million ticket jackets will be used system wide featuring DINOSAUR TRAIN. The “Dinosaur Big City” DVD will also include an Amtrak offer in 50,000 units.  Visit www.henson.com/Dtsweepstakes for promotion details.

The DINOSAUR TRAIN: Dinosaur Big City DVD includes eight fun and engaging learning adventures, as well as interactive games, coloring pages, a dinosaur reference guide and information for parents. In “Dinosaur Big City,” join Buddy the T. rex and his Pteranodon family as they gather all their Theropod friends together to travel to the big Theropod Club Convention which is being held in Laramidia, the “Dinosaur Big City!” Among the travelers is King Cryolophosaurus, who’s more than a little nervous about giving a concert in front of his biggest audience ever. Can Buddy and Tiny help him overcome his fear of performing?

GIVEAWAY:

One reader will win a copy of the DINOSAUR TRAIN: Dinosaur Big City DVD.

HOW TO ENTER:

(You may do any or all of the following. Leave a comment for each.)

1) Answer this question: Have you ever taken your children/grandchildren for a train ride?

2) Follow @aliciamarie112 on Twitter

3) Follow @hensonparents on Twitter

4) Share this giveaway on Facebook

5) Share this giveaway on Twitter

(sample tweet: Enter to win a Dinosaur Train DVD from @aliciamarie112 at www.makingtimeformommy.com)

6) Enter another one of my giveaways

Giveaway ends: September 1, 2011 at 11:59pm.

(Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. US readers only please.)

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Celebrate Father’s Day Dino-Style (And A Giveaway For The Kids)

June 8, 2011 by

Father’s Day is Sunday, June 19th, and the clan from Dinosaur Train would love to help you celebrate!

Why not kick off Father’s Day starting with a special Dino Breakfast, made especially for Dad! Then, Buddy recommends that everyone have some Dino Fun and play The Dinosaur Train All Aboard Game.

So to start the day, here are some healthy, easy-to-make menu ideas to prepare with your child! Explain that he/she is going to help to prepare a special breakfast for Dad that could be served Aboooooooooard – the Dinosaur Train!

·       T.rex Footprint Pancakes – with adult help, children shape the batter into the large three-toed feet of a Tyrannosaurus.

·       Paleontologist Pancakes – make small pancakes, then stack them up 5 or 6 high (maybe putting apple sauce or sour cream between them), and hiding “fossils” between the layers – the fossils being pieces of strawberry, banana slices, chocolate chips, and so on.

·       Stegosaurus Smoothie – a colorful, healthy fruit smoothie made with a blend of yogurt, a frozen banana, and any other fruit you wish. Serve it on a dish with a rim. In the middle of the dish, place a line of triangular fruit pieces – such as pineapple, apples, or cantaloupe. These little fruity triangles will look like the plates on a stegosaurus’ back.

·       Triceratops Eggs – scrambled eggs that have “horns” sticking out of them – made of breadsticks.

Your child can write and design the menu to announce all the tasty food they will be serving (You can help your younger ones to do the writing, of course!) And before preparing any food, have a discussion about safety in the kitchen. What are some jobs that are good for kids to do? What jobs should be handled by an adult?

You can also show your child a clip from Gilbert the Junior Conductor in which the Pteranadon Family enjoys eating breakfast on the Dinosaur Train.

Then, everyone can gather round to play The Dinosaur Train All Aboard Game! In this game, players will choose a character – Buddy, Tiny, Shiny, Don, Cory, Tank or Mr. Conductor – and try to move the fastest along the tracks.  Speed through the three dinosaur eras: Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous along the beautiful scenery.  Special Stopwatch spaces will help you get closer to the nest, while Dinosaur Crossing spaces will send you back.  The first player to reach the nest area in the center of the board wins. The game is for 2 to 6 players ages4+. 

 

To finish off your fun Father’s Day, you might want to go on a nature hike. You’ll need a high-energy snack for the road! Explain that paleontologists sometimes have to explore remote areas, so ask kids to create a mix of healthy nuts, dried fruit, and maybe dried cereal to make Dad’s Favorite Trail Mix!

 GIVEAWAY:

One reader will win The Dinosaur Train All Aboard Game! See my review of the game here.

HOW TO ENTER:

(Do any or all of the following)

1) Tell me who your child’s favorite character is on Dinosaur Train

2) Subscribe to Making Time For Mommy

3) Follow me on Twitter

4) Follow @hensoncompany on Twitter

5)  “Like” Making Time For Mommy on Facebook

6) “Like” Henson Company on Facebook

7) Enter another one of my giveaways and let me know which one you entered

8) Tweet or update your FB Status with: “I just entered to win The Dinosaur Train All Aboard Game from @aliciamarie112 at www.makingtimeformommy.com”

Giveaway ends July 8, 2011 at 11:59pm Central.

(Disclosure: I did not receive any compensation for this post but have previously reviewed the game which I received from the company last year. All thoughts are my own.)

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Dinosaur Train May Giveaway

May 13, 2011 by

May 7th  was National Train Day and to celebrate Dinosaur Train is having a month long celebration with special programming and activities all during the month of May.

In addition to the television series, there is also a “Dinosaur Train” interactive website. Children can join Buddy, Tiny and all their friends as they discover natural history and the science of paleontology through fun games and activities. During the month of May, the website will celebrate trains with a special themed homepage and new fun printable activities. Kids can also play the online game “All Aboard!” to become a Jr. Conductor on the Dinosaur Train! These activities are perfect for a rainy day {which we’ve had a lot of recently here in Chicago}.

GIVEAWAY:

One reader will win a Dinosaur Train Collectible Car with Buddy.

HOW TO ENTER:

(Do any or all of the following and leave a comment below)

1) Tell me your Dinosaur Train fan’s favorite character

2) “Like” Making Time For Mommy on Facebook

3) “Like” Henson Company on Facebook

4) Follow @aliciamarie112 (me) on Twitter

5) Follow @hensonparents on Twitter

6) Tweet “Enter to win a Dinosaur Train Collectible Car from @aliciamarie112 at www.makingtimeformommy.com”

7) Share this giveaway on Facebook

8) Enter another one of my giveaways and let me know which one you entered

Giveaway ends on May 31, 2011  at 11:59pm Central time.

(Disclosure: I received a Dinosaur Train screener and toy but all opinions are my own.)

 

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Dinosaur Train Hatchers Review and Cake Decorating Giveaway

April 21, 2011 by

Still working on putting your Easter baskets together? Dinosaur Train has come out with Hatchers which can be found at ToysRUs. Young fans can watch the characters from Dinosaur Train hatch from their eggs and grow 4x their size. Jacob loved this! Each time he went downstairs he had to check his egg to see if Buddy had hatched yet.

If you still have Easter eggs to color make sure to check out Dinosaur Train’s free printable egg holder.

Want to have even more sweet fun with Dinosaur Train? How about making cakes or cupcakes and decorating them with your favorite Dinosaur Train characters? DecoPac has come out with a Dinosaur Train Cake Decorating set and Dinosaur Train cupcake rings featuring Buddy and Tiny. These would be perfect for a Dinosaur Train themed birthday.

GIVEAWAY:

Dinosaur Train Cake Decorating set and Dinosaur Train Cupcake Rings from DecoPac

HOW TO ENTER:

(Do any or all of the following and leave a comment below)

1) Tell me your Dinosaur Train fan’s favorite character

2) “Like” Making Time For Mommy on Facebook

3) “Like” Henson Company on Facebook

4) Follow @aliciamarie112 (me) on Twitter

5) Follow @hensonparents on Twitter

6) Tweet “Enter to win a Dinosaur Train cake and cupcake decorating set from @aliciamarie112 at www.makingtimeformommy.com”

7) Share this giveaway on Facebook

8) Enter another one of my giveaways and let me know which one you entered

Giveaway ends May 5, 2011 at 11:59pm central time.

(Disclosure: I received a Hatcher egg to review but all thoughts are my own.)



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Celebrate National Nutrition Month With Dinosaur Train

March 21, 2011 by 1 Comment

March is National Nutrition Month, a nutrition education and information campaign created annually in March by the American Dietetic Association. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. This year’s National Nutrition Month theme, “Eat right with Color,” encourages everyone to remember to include a colorful variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and dairy on their plates every day.

With the month of March focusing on nutrition, it’s the perfect time to look at some great ideas and resources provided by The American Dietetic Association to eat a healthy diet! To help parents, the American Dietetic Association provides many resources available at their website. They even have a list of 25 healthy snacks for kids, including these five great ideas:

1. Peel a banana and dip it in yogurt. Roll in crushed cereal and freeze.
2. Spread celery sticks with peanut butter or low-fat cream cheese. Top with raisins. Enjoy your “ants on a log.”
3. Stuff a whole-grain pita pocket with ricotta cheese and Granny Smith apple slices. Add a dash of cinnamon.
4. Mix together ready-to-eat cereal, dried fruit and nuts in a sandwich bag for an on-the-go snack.
5. Smear a scoop of frozen yogurt on two graham crackers and add sliced banana to make a yummy
sandwich.

Next, Buddy from the hit TV series, Dinosaur Train, can help you and your child prepare a vegetarian (herbivore) picnic. The Have A Brachiosaurus Picnic activity helps young children to learn what foods fit into an herbivore’s diet (fruits and vegetables); reminds children about the importance of hand washing before eating; and also creates an opportunity to discuss why all animals need to eliminate waste from their bodies (a.k.a. “poop”).

The website also includes a list of ingredients needed to prepare a picnic filled with great food and fun with a menu including:

o Brachiosaurus Super Salad: The kids will have fun tearing up green leafy veggies into bite-size pieces and mixing ranch dressing with green coloring to make a tasty topping.
o Sauropod Sandwich: With a plastic knife, cut pieces of whole wheat bread in the shape of a favorite dinosaur and spread with cheese spread or peanut butter.
o Herbivore Herb and Spinach Spread: Mix frozen spinach, dried onion soup mix, sour cream, celery sticks and crackers
o Green Juice: Fill a child’s plastic cup with apple juice and add green food color to make a green beverage fit for an herbivore.

***

Dinosaur Train® airs daily on PBS KIDS® (check local listings).

Information about the NEW Dinosaur Train DVD:

Get on board the Dinosaur Train with Buddy, a Tyrannosaurus R ex, and his adoptive family of Pteranodons as they embark on a roaring, exploring world tour adventure to discover a variety of dinosaurs inhabiting the globe as they journey to Asia, Europe and Africa.  From the world-renowned Jim Henson Company, PBS KIDS and Paramount Home Entertainment, the DINOSAUR TRAIN: PTERANODON FAMILY WORLD TOUR ADVENTURE DVD includes eight exciting edu-tainment adventures, interactive games, coloring pages, a dinosaur reference guide and parent information.

***

(Disclosure: I received a copy of the new Dinosaur Train DVD but all opinions are my own.)

 

 

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Dinosaur Train Make A Match Game Giveaway

February 4, 2011 by

With Valentine’s Day coming up I am excited to share some Dinosaur Train Valentines that you can download FREE and share with friends and family. Click on the image below to get yours:

Now to the giveaway…

Game Description:

In the Dinosaur Train Make A Match game, buddy and his friends sharpen children’s memory skills  in this special matching game that features a Buddy figure! To begin play, 48 game cards featuring favorite dinosaurs from Dinosaur Train are shuffled and laid face down in 6 rows of 8 cards each. Players take  turns turning over any two cards–so all players can see them–to find a matching pair. The game features “Take Buddy” cards, “Wild Cards” and “Lose a Pair” cards to add to the excitement. Players count their matching card sets  at the end and add extra points for the player holding Buddy to determine who wins. The Dinosaur Train Make A Match Game is for 2 to 4 players, ages 3 to 6, and is available at Toys “R” Us stores nationwide for just $9.99.

One person will win a Dinosaur Train Make A Match Game!

How to enter:

1) Tell me who you are trying to win the game for.

2) “Like” Making Time For Mommy on Facebook

3) “Like” Henson Company on Facebook

4) Follow @aliciamarie112 (me) on Twitter

5) Follow @hensonparents on Twitter

6) Tweet “Enter to win a Dinosaur Train Make A Match Game from @aliciamarie112 at www.makingtimeformommy.com”

7) Enter another one of my giveaways and let me know which you entered

Giveaway ends on February 25, 2011 at 11:59pm.

(Disclosure: I did not receive compensation for this post. All opinions are my own.)

 


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Dinosaur Train Sleepwear Giveaway

January 14, 2011 by

The hit television series Dinosaur Train ® is roaring into 2011 with an all-new episode premiering Monday, January 17 on PBS KIDS® (check local listings). In the all-new episode, “The Good Mom;” “Diamond Anniversary,” Mrs. Pteranodon meets fellow mom Millie Maiasaura, who is a little too over-protective of her kids. The two moms share some time comparing mothering methods in a play date at the Big Pond.  And, Mr. and Mrs. Pteranodon decide to surprise each other with gifts on their anniversary.

Regarding the first part of this all-new episode, “The Good Mom,” you might be interested to know that Maiasaura, meaning “good mother lizard”, was a large duck-billed dinosaur that lived in North America during the Late Cretaceous. There is evidence that Maisaura lived in large nesting colonies and that the parents diligently cared for their young!

Available at Kohl’s are the “Dinosaur Train™ Striped Footed Pajamas” to keep children warm and cozy during the winter months! The dinosaur appliques and striped pattern on these footed pajamas offer timeless touches, and the footed design keep toes toasty. SRP is $26.00, available in sizes 2T-5T.

GIVEAWAY:

One reader will win a pair of Dinosaur Train themed pajamas for their little one

(Please note I have requested 4T but size cannot be guaranteed)

HOW TO ENTER:

1) Tell me who your child’s favorite character is on Dinosaur Train

2) Subscribe to Making Time For Mommy

3) Follow me on Twitter

4) Follow @hensoncompany on Twitter

5)  “Like” Making Time For Mommy on Facebook

6) “Like” Henson Company on Facebook

Giveaway ends on February 1, 2011.

(Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. All sleepwear comes from the company and like I said in the post, I cannot guarantee the size you want.)

 

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Dinosaur Train on PBS

December 12, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Jacob is a HUGE fan of Dinosaur Train on PBS. A new episode of the show aired on December 6th but in case you missed it there are encore presentations scheduled for December 20th and 24th.

In “Big Stomping Dinosaur Feet;” “Hornucopia,” Daphne, a Daspletosaurus shows Buddy how to make stomping a fun dance instead of a temper tantrum. At the Big Pond, Tank introduces the Pteranodon family to his friend, Stacie Styracosaurus, a fellow Ceratopsian with a crown of elaborate horns on her head.

The episode is also one of eight fun and educational adventures available on the DINOSAURS IN THE SNOW DVD from PBS KIDS and Paramount Home Entertainment, in which Buddy travels to the North Pole, explores nocturnal animals, becomes a detective, celebrates his birthday and more! The DVD also features an interactive game, coloring pages, a dinosaur reference guide and parent information. SRP: $14.99.

In DINOSAUR TRAIN, young viewers join Buddy and his adoptive family of Pteranodons on whimsical adventures through prehistoric jungles, swamps, volcanoes and oceans as they unearth basic concepts in natural science, natural history and paleontology. The Dinosaur Train is a colorful locomotive, customized to accommodate all kinds of dinosaurs, and it has the ability to visit the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous worlds, while the Train’s Conductor, a knowledgeable Troodon, provides passengers with fascinating facts along the way.

***

Jacob enjoyed watching the show. He loves trains and is getting into dinosaurs and I think that combining two childhood favorites was a great idea on behalf of the shows creator. Dinosaur Train is animated but also has live-action parts featuring a paleontologist who brings to life the dinosaurs featured in the show. I like how he teaches the children the names of the dinosaurs too and gives them a chance to practice saying them (it’s great for moms to practice, too!) I love shows that educate my children while entertaining them and this is definitely one of those shows.

If your child loves DInosaur Train then check out our review of the Dinosaur Train All Aboard! Game here.

***

(Disclosure: I received a copy of the new Dinosaur Train DVD but all opinions are my own.)

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Dinosaur Train All Aboard! Game Review

November 9, 2010 by Leave a Comment

A couple of months ago our family discovered the PBS show, Dinosaur Train, and Jacob loves it. We recently reviewed the Dinosaur Train All Aboard! game and just the box alone got Jacob excited.

What the company says: In the Dinosaur Train All Aboard! game, a game that is fun for the entire family, players choose a character – Buddy, Tiny, Shiny, Don, Cory, Tank or Mr. Conductor – and try to move the fastest along the tracks.  Players travel through the three dinosaur eras: Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous.  Special Stopwatch spaces advance players closer to the nest, while Dinosaur Crossing spaces send them back.  The first player to reach the nest area in the center of the board wins. For 2 to 6 players ages 4+; SRP $12.00.


What our family thinks: Jacob and I have “played” this game many times since we received it for review. I use the term “play” loosely because Jacob, at the age of two and a half, does not yet understand the rules of the game. He enjoys playing with the little dinosaur pieces and lining them up. He also likes to spin the arrow on the spinner. I take my turns and count aloud how many spots I move the dinosaur and Jacob counts a little, too. The game says for ages four and up but I think that a three year would be able to play correctly and children as young as two would enjoy it (though there are small pieces so they need to be supervised).


More about the TV show: DINOSAUR TRAIN embraces and celebrates the fascination that preschoolers have with both dinosaurs and trains. This top-rated, award-winning series, which airs on PBS KIDS®, encourages basic scientific thinking skills as the audience learns about life science, natural history and paleontology. The stars of DINOSAUR TRAIN are Buddy, an adorable preschool age Tyrannosaurus rex, and his adoptive Pteranodon family who board the DINOSAUR TRAIN to embark on adventures to prehistoric jungles, swamps, volcanoes and oceans. In season one of the series children were introduced to over 40 types of dinosaurs, providing an excellent opportunity to learn and now to collect their favorite dinosaurs. An all-new season of the hit TV series is currently in production with new episodes slated to premiere on PBS KIDS ® in fall 2011.

(Disclosure: I received the Dinosaur Train All Aboard! Game from the company to review. All opinions are my own.)

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