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Creation Crate Bluetooth Boombox Review

Please note, this post is sponsored by CreationCrate.com. All opinions expressed are my own. Thank you.

 

Creation Crate Bluetooth Boombox Review

If you’ve had the opportunity to scout out many STEM-based subscription boxes online you will have noticed one glaring similarity. Most of these subscriptions are geared towards younger children. But what about STEM-focused activities for tweens and teens? The market until recently has been pretty abysmal.

Which was why I’m again excited to have been asked to review another subscriptions box from Creation Crate, a STEM-based service geared towards kids aged 12 and up. This time the Bluetooth Boombox kit.

What’s the service all about

Image result for creation crate

Creation Crate is geared towards bringing experiential learning to tech-education methods for students and educators alike, in a learning curriculum geared towards helping students learn the basics of engineering, robotics, and computer programing strategies.

Creation Crate includes monthly boxed crates that contain both the hardware of electronics and the programming for each specific project. Like with many other services, because of the programming required, you will also need a computer or laptop to download and use the Arduino software, the software that runs each programming grid. Projects are sent on a relatively simple start and as time goes on students will receive harder boxes as their subscriptions continue.

Each box includes an instruction pamphlet to help guide you through the initial hardware setup, programming instruction, common errors suggestions, and exercises to utilize your finished programming project. You’re also given the URL to their online project support page, extra parts for your kit, and diagrams and instructions for downloading the software for each kit.

Creation Crate Bluetooth Boombox Kit Review

Creation Crate Bluetooth Boombox Review

Creation Crate Bluetooth Boombox Review

The Creation Crate curriculum kit that we received was Bluetooth Boombox! Which is such a fun project because, in the end, you have speakers that you can play music from your phone, tablet, pc, or other applicable devices. What I liked most about this kit was that all of the necessary components were sent in was the boombox. That allowed for all of the assembled components to fit back neatly into.

Creation Crate Bluetooth Boombox Review

Creation Crate Bluetooth Boombox Review

Creation Crate Bluetooth Boombox Review

Putting this kit together was as simple following the online site curriculum guide, and then simply placing all the jumper wires and terminal blocks together. Which went rather quickly as within minutes its simple to follow the enclosed instructions, as well as the coordinating YouTube videos online, cut out the coordinating sections (using an Exacto knife), and to then attach the components.

Once all of the pieces were assembled correctly, we connected the boombox to various devices, and, of course, the music started playing from the boombox.

This kit was simple to put together, would be great for middle school-aged students and homeschoolers alike, and would also make an awesome summer break project too.

Creation Crate is a great project to keep your children and students learning throughout the warm weather season in new ways that help perpetuate cognitive thought, problem-solving strategies, give insight into consumer electronic creation, and learn about the applied science of sound engineering.

Creation Crate Bluetooth Boombox Review

The Creation Crate subscription box is a wonderful gift or project for an older child or student wanting to learn more about electrical engineering and electronics as well. More sophisticated than something like Snap Circuits and Vex kits, learning with these kits will help lay a foundation for future study.

If you have a budding Arduino or electronics master in your house, try Creation Crate to encourage your kids’ interests. If your kiddo is a beginner, come back to this service once they have a new other vex kits under their belt first!

With costs starting at $30.00 each month to teaching kits starting at $200.00 for numerous projects, there’s an affordable price point for everyone on your list! So be sure to check this service out as with Creation Crate projects, you’re putting together a real project – not theory, but an actual working lamp! And I think that’s pretty great!

Friends, now I want to ask, have you tried Creation Crate? If so, please leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Connect with Creation Crate

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Creation Crate Bluetooth Boombox Review

 

101 Free Family Summer Activities

Summer may be the ultimate time of year to a time to relax and get away, but tell that to kids who are bouncing off the walls. Or espousing the dreaded I’m bored eighteen hundred times a day.

As parents, we want each summer to be more memorable than the next but its often hard to come up with ideas for activities that are family-focused, sensory-prone, yet fresh and new each year. Ideas that are both fun and frugal too. Especially if your child is too young to for ye ole’ summer camp this season.

It’s also important to remember that there are only eighteen summers that we as parents can take advantage of the course of our children’s lives. So we need to be able to make the most of each and every bright sunny day and warm summer nights each week with our children.

101 Free Family Summer Activities

So with this in mind, I’d like to share with you 101 free fun family-focused ideas for the summer:

  1. Go to the Library: Most libraries around the country offer free summer reading programs that encourage kids of all ages to read, and often host other activities like, parties, storytelling events, children’s book clubs, and puppet shows. Check out libraries in neighboring towns too – they might offer something your regular branch doesn’t. Click here to find local libraries.
  2. Tour a Local Business: Local restaurants are often open to giving kids a behind-the-scenes look at a working kitchen during slow times if you stay for lunch. Many factories offer tours, which can come with freebies to take home. Call ahead to find out this summer!
  3. Free Museum Passes: Many museums and cultural institutions, like botanical gardens, children’s museums, zoos, and aquariums, that offer free programs to children, parents, and educators (and homeschoolers) before noon weekdays. But even the ones that charge admission often offer free or reduced-rate days or hours weekly or monthly. Also, check Children’s Science and Art Museum calendars for special summer activities – many offer classes, concerts, and tours just for kids. Bank of America offers such free passes too!
  4. IKEA: Ikea has supervised playrooms for potty-trained kids. Take turns with other moms shopping while the kiddos get a play date on the cheap!
  5. Home Depot: Home Depot runs free weekend project workshops for kids ages 5-12 for Home Depot every third Saturday of the month. Book your free project today!
  6. Michaels: Micheals holds free and $2.00 project demos and classes that will keep creative kids happy, ages are craft-specific.
  7. Apple stores: Apple Stores run free 3-day Apple Camp where kids ages 8-12 learn how to make films. Check out these programs here.
  8. Whole Foods: Whole Foods offers free in-store kid’s summer cooking classes; check your local store for details.
  9. Barnes & Noble: Barnes & Noble offer free storytime. Check with stores in your area to see what they have planned here.
  10. Visit a Farm: Check with farms in your area to see if they offer tours for your pint-size volunteer.
  11. Volunteer: Develop the spirit of service in your kiddos by plugging you both into a great non-profit or volunteer opportunity this summer. Whether it’s cleaning up a local park, walking dogs at an animal shelter, or visiting residents at a nursing home, summer is a great time to introduce children to the joys of giving back. Search for opportunities in your area here.
  12. Catch a Movie: Beat the heat this summer with a free movie from your local library. Or if your willing to pay a little, Regal Cinemas’ Summer Movie Express offers $1.00 movies on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings each summer, and Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse movies are only $0.50 per movie, per child. Check theaters in your area for similar deals.
  13. Take a Hike: The great outdoors is always open and waiting for little explorers with REI’s free Kids’ Adventure Journal, where young hikers (ages 6-12) can log notes and draw pictures about their experiences.
  14. Tour National Parks: Each national holiday, America’s National Parks offer free or reduced admittance to families all summer long. Click here to check out dates for parks in your area.
  15. Geocaching: Allow your pint-sized anthropologist to explore, find and log adventures this summer with geocaching. Your only one app and a car ride away from finding your family’s next hidden treasure. Click here to find out more today!
  16. Bake cookies: Celebrate National Ice Cream Cookie day by baking your own cookies and making ice cream at home this coming August 2nd!
  17. Volunteer at a nature center:  Invest your kiddos talents and skills to make a difference in helping wildlife this summer by volunteering at a local nature center. Contact your state’s forestry department for opportunities for your family this season!
  18. Make a family yearbook: Get a jump-start on holiday year-in-review cards by going to Canva to create free family yearbook e-cards for friends and family this coming holiday season!
  19. Have a luau in the backyard: Learn about Hawaiian and Polynesian culture this summer by throwing your own luau this summer. The Dollar Tree also hosts plenty of low-cost items to get you started.
  20. Visit the beach and collect shells: Connect a day at the beach with prehistoric history with just a few seashells and free worksheets for kids! Click here for more details.
  21. Make a fort out of cardboard boxes: Explorer early American westward expansion and the Oregon Trail by making your own cardboard forts. Click here to learn more.
  22. Visit a farmer’s market: Give your kiddos a true appreciation for the unsung heroes that are local farmers with a trip to your local Farmer’s Market this summer!
  23. Stage a neighborhood scavenger hunt: Develop your kiddos sense of awareness with a DIY neighborhood scavenger hunt. Click here for free idea sheets!
  24. Pick berries: Check with your local co-op to find local organic berry picking dates in your area. Keep the fun going by introducing kids to the skills needed for zero-waste canning.
  25. Pack a picnic: Pack a zero-waste picnic with nothing more than mason jars and great treats. Then head out with your kiddos for a free summer playdate at the park!
  26. Sit under a tree: Nothing beats sitting under the shade of a tree in summer. Especially while listening to free e-books for kids from Guttenburg Press!
  27. Learn a language: Introduce the kiddos to foreign languages with the free Dualingo app for kids this summer. Available for both ios and Android.
  28. Go canoeing at a local lake: Many public lakes offer free canoeing days for kids each summer. Check your local parks and recreation department for dates and times in your area.
  29. Build sandcastles: Head out to the beach and practice your engineering skills while building sand castles this summer. Also, see if your area hosts professional sandcastle building festivals to give kiddos inspiration for future beach builds too!
  30. Write and illustrate your own book: Check out Mystorybook.com and have your kiddo publish their own free e-book this summer.
  31. Campout at home: Create a campsite in your back yard. Cook outdoors. Sleep under the stars. All without leaving working toilets behind!
  32. Clean up trash at a local park: Contact your local parks and recreation department for kid-specific trash pick-up days and help your kids develop a sense of civic pride this summer!
  33. S’more competition: Create a backyard smores competition. See who in your family can create the most imaginative smores recipe this summer!
  34. Make homemade pizza: Create homemade pizzas at home with the kiddos while learning about Neopolitan pizza history this summer. Click here for ideas.
  35. Create summer collages: Go for a walk and then make a collage from nature objects you find along the way. Click here for ideas.
  36. Wetland Conservation: Head to a creek and look at the ducks. Explore wetlands and learn about wetland conservation too. Click here for more ideas.
  37. Set up a lemonade stand: Teach proprietary skills and a strong worth ethic by helping your kiddos set up and run a lemonade stand this summer. Click here for more ideas!
  38. Teach Multiculturalism: Introduce issues of multiculturalism, ethnicity, worker’s rights, human rights, and compassion from the Education for Students video series on Youtube!
  39. Practice your origami skills: Pick up origami paper at the Dollar Tree and create DIY origami installations while learning about Japanese origami culture at home. Click here for an awesome video series to get you started!
  40. Go biking on a trail: Learn useful navigational skills while biking with your kiddos this summer. Click here to find trails in your neck of the woods!
  41. Learn your family history: Interview an older relative about what life was like when they were young. Take this information and create a family tree.
  42. Mini-Chef Monday’s: Get your kiddos into the kitchen with you developing kitchen skills while watching other littles and their parents online too! Click here for more information!
  43. Create a summer reading list: Print out a list of children’s books that have won Caldecott Medals. Visit the local library and read as many of these titles as you can this summer.
  44. Create salad spinner art: Learn about basic physics, prisms, and modern art all with just a salad spinner, tempera paint, and paper this summer. Click here for more information!
  45. Create shadow puppets: Create a shadow puppet theater and then put on a show with your characters with items sitting around your home.
  46. Plant a garden of herbs and veggies: Teach kids about germination and photosynthesis by planting an at-home kids garden at home. Click here to request free seed packets by mail!
  47. Make a sidewalk chalk mural: Learn about Amerian mural art by making your own sidewalk murals at home. Click here for lesson sheets.
  48. Learn about engineering: Teach your kids about engineering with free games, articles, worksheets, movies, apps, and activities on Engineering.com.
  49. Free kids learning classes: Keep the school year going on a budget with free summer school learning classes from Khan Academy online.
  50. Teach your kids typing: Teach your kids valuable typing and computer science skills online for free from NitroType.com this summer! Teach your kids f
  51. Teach your kids how to budget: Start your children on the part of debt-free living early in life by creating a kids-friendly budget this summer. Click here for more ideas!
  52. Visit a fish hatchery: Teach kids about fish and water safety with a free trip to a fish hatchery. Contact your state forestry department for locations.
  53. Plant a butterfly garden: Teach kids about metamorphosis up close and personal by planting a butterfly garden at home.
  54. Pretend to be pirates for a day: Dress up in costumes, plan a treasure hunt, and challenge your kiddos to walk the plank. Then learn about the real Blackbeard, colonialism, and Carribean pirate culture here. Later you can recreate your summer fun on September 16th this year for Pirate Day at your local Krispy Kreme, where when you dress up like a pirate you get a free doughnut!
  55. Cow Appreciation Day: Raid your closets and play chests for your best DIY cow costumes. Then mosey on over to your local Chick-Fil-A restaurants on July 11th for a free meal on Cow Appreciation Day!
  56. Free Behind-the-Scenes Tours: Make communication and multimedia come alive this summer by contacting your local tv station to set up a free kid-friendly tour this summer!
  57. Microsoft Youth Camps: Check your local Microsoft Store for free in-store Youth Spirit kids computer science camps this summer!
  58. Free Bowling: Strike up two free games of bowling every day of the summer with free bowling pass coupons from KidsBowlFree.com.
  59. Reward your kids for reading: Reward your kids reading this summer by enrolling them in the Pizza Hut Book-It Summer Reading Program!
  60. Go to college: Many colleges and universities hold free overnight, week-long dorm-style summer learning camps for middle-school aged kids each year. Camps designed to prepare tweens for college live. Contact schools in your area to find participating institutions this summer.
  61. Free Camps for Military Families: Click here to see listings for free all-expenses-paid camps for children of active military and veterans this summer.
  62. Tour historic homes: Check with your state’s historic league to find free historic home tour dates in your area this summer.
  63. Kids Skate Free: Treat your kiddos to a day of free skating this summer at participating Kids Skate Free rinks. Click here for more information.
  64. Free AMF Bowling: Register your kids for the Summer Games program at AMF so they can enjoy free bowling every weekday this summer from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. and weekends from until 4 p.m. The Summer Games program runs May 22nd through September 4th. Click here for more information.
  65. Scholastic Summer Challenge: From May 8th to September 8th, kids can log their minutes spent reading and unlock online activities, earn rewards, and even enter to win books from Scholastic online. Click here for more information.
  66. TD Bank Summer Reading Program: By reading 10 books and recording them in the TD Summer Reading Form, your kiddos can earn $10.00, which is deposited into a Young Saver account. Kids in kindergarten through 5th grade are eligible for this program.
  67. Pottery Barn Kids Book Club: Every Tuesday from 11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., join other local parents and kiddos at Pottery Barn for free story time sessions this summer! In addition, kids will receive a special free gift after attending five sessions. Click here for more information!
  68. Free App Friday’s: SmartAppsForKids lists free educational and art learning apps for kids, for both ios and Android, each Friday at 8 am EST. Also, check out their list of the 100 best free apps for toddlers, preschoolers, multilingual, and special needs students too!
  69. Youtube Videos: Check out this list of the best YouTube family-friendly children’s learning channels!
  70. Kindle e-Books: Check out this list of awesome free Kindle e-books, learning games, videos, and learning software this summer!
  71. Lego Magazine: Click here to score a free 2-year subscription to LEGO Club or LEGO Club Jr. Magazine for your child!
  72. Turn the backyard into a carnival: Create a carnival at some with DIY face painting and DIY Palette games.
  73. Create Totem Poles: Create DIY Totem Poles and introduce your kiddos this summer to awesome Native American history!
  74. Perform Shakespearean Play: Learn about Shakespeare, the Globe, and all things Elizabethan and then put on your own kid’s Globe-style play! Click here for more information!
  75. Learn about Bollywood: Check out this list of some of the best Bollywood family-friendly movies for kids. Also, check out this Bollywood dance routine video for kids and then create your own Bollywood-style dance number at home this summer!
  76. Learn about the Hispanic Culture: Learn about the Hispanic culture, music, art, language, and cuisine this summer at home! Click here for free lesson plans!
  77. Learn about the African American Experience: Teach your kids about the rich cultural heritage of the African-American experience, created by several renounced African-American professors, and NPR and PBS personalities this summer with resources found here.
  78. Learn Riverdance: Teach your kiddos about Irish Culture and then try your hand at traditional Irish Riverdance this summer at home!
  79. Introduce your kids to Opera: Introduce your kids to opera, learn about famous composers such as Verdi, and then watch Hansel and Gretel the Opera!
  80. Stargazing: Learn about stargazing and identify as many constellations as possible. See if there are any local astronomy groups for kids in your local homeschool co-op or public school central offices.
  81. Learn with Starwars: Bring the Force into your home this summer with free, fun Star Wars-themed learning materials online here.
  82. Puppeteering: Teach your kids how to create and mastering puppeteering at home this summer. Click here for more information!
  83. Kabuki Theatre: Learn about Kabuki Theatre history and then throw your own performance at home this summer!
  84. Learn about Aesop Tales: Teach your children valuable moral tales by learning about Aesop this summer!
  85. Norse Mythology: Teach your children about Norse mythology, culture, religion, and history. Click here for free online lesson plans!
  86. Free Piano Lessons: Receive free online piano lessons for kids from the Hoffman Academy of Music, here.
  87. Splash Pad Fun: Check your local parks and recreation department for times and dates of free summer splash pad activities this summer.
  88. Free Cooking Lessons: Cook with your kiddos this summer with free interactive online cooking lessons from the Chop Chop Cooking Club!
  89. Free Vocal Lessons: Receive free beginner vocal lessons for kids online from the Pitch Perfect Media.
  90. Learn about baseball: Teach your kids the history of America’s best-loved sport and then break out your baseball gloves and start a game, Sandlot style.
  91. Go fossil hunting: Bring out your inner archeologist and try your hand at a public archeological dig in your area this summer.
  92. Learn about Women’s History: Teach your kiddos about women’s history this summer with these free online lesson plans.
  93. Learn Civics: Schedule a tour of your local courthouse and municipal building to teach your kiddos hands-on examples of civics and local politics this summer!
  94. Visit a fire station: Help your kiddos learn about fire safety by scheduling a tour of your local firehouse. Then reward your local firefighters by bringing them a homemade meal you and your kids make at home!
  95. Game night: Take in a family game night at home or challenge other families online on the Hasbro Family Game Night site!
  96. Online Family Talent Show: Bring the whole family online with Google Hangouts, Skype, or Facetime. Then have each family member perform a 2-minute skill or talent. Take turns enjoying the fun with friends and family far and near for free this summer!
  97. Visit a police station: Visit a police station. Familiarize your family with your neighborhood precinct. Also, learn at home about ways to prevent police brutality, racism, and create dialogues for positive cultural tolerance for others in your own community. Then create a family police interaction strategy with your family this summer.
  98. Teach kids about voting: Teach your kids about voting and create your own mock-family election at home!
  99. Host a debate: Teach your kids about open dialogue and positive communication skills by learning about the history of the Lincoln-Douglas debates and then throwing your own debate at home this summer!
  100. Make a comic: Click here to learn basic comic book drawing techniques for kids and then have your kiddos try their hand at making a comic book this summer!
  101. Become an Olympiad: Teach your kids all about the Olympic games and they have your hand at creating a DIY Olympic games at home with your kids this summer!

So those are my 101 suggestions for free, fun, and frugal family-friendly summer activities for kids! I hope this list will inspire you to think outside the box when it comes to planning fun and frugal activities for your kiddos this summer at home! So now, I have to ask, how do you and your kiddos plan to have fun this summer? I’d love to hear about it below!

101 Free Family Summer Activities

Enhance Warm Weather Living with the SunBrite Veranda Series Outdoor TV

Disclosure: The reviewer has been sponsored by Best Buy. All opinions expressed are my own. Thank you.

 

 

There are few things I love more than spending time in the outdoor spaces around my home. In fact, if I could have my bedroom out there I would. Because I love spending time outdoors in my home’s Florida room, its one of the places entertainment at home happens the most. And because I’m so passionate about entertainment options, especially new tech!

I recently discovered the SunBrite Veranda Series at Best Buy, a family of weatherproof televisions designed for full-shade outdoor applications. Truly the best of both worlds, am I right? Products designed to bring the convenience of home entertainment with you to your favorite outdoor hangout spots.

The SunBriteTV Veranda Series is a family of weatherproof televisions designed for full-shade outdoor spaces, like covered patios, screened-in porches, breezeways, and Florida rooms, as I mentioned above. They are engineered to withstand just about any climate in North America, resisting the harsh effects of rain, snow, dust, insects, and extreme temperatures.

No more having to choose between enjoying the weather or binging your favorite shows. As it goes without saying that indoor TVs don’t belong outside but SunBriteTVs are high-performance and specifically made for the outdoors and engineered for permanent outdoor installation.

Veranda comes standard with a direct-lit 4K UHD screen with HDR, which is up to 50% brighter than indoor TVs for improved viewing in brighter outdoor environments. It’s more durable, safer, and a better experience than using an indoor TV outdoors.

Imagine spending this warm weather season with family and friends watching your favorite movie with the entire family outside, a romantic evening with your significant other, or having all your friends over to watch the game! Such a great gift idea for Father’s Day too!

Outdoor living trends are big this season, and all-weather TVs can really enhance the outdoor lifestyle. In fact, creating an outdoor home theater is the most affordable room addition you can make to spaces at home.

Now you can grill, eat outside and watch your favorite show while enjoying the fresh air and nature’s beauty. Just be sure to save me a seat, friends!

Set Digital Ground Rules For Your Kids With Google Family Link

This post has been sponsored by Family Link App from Google in partnership with Forward Influence. All opinions are my own.#sponsored #FamilyLink

Family Link App From Google

I always joke with my friends about the days before devices and tablets became commonplace in our lives. Days when dinners consisted of more than the sound of chomping and chirping notifications. Now, if I was being completely honest, though, I don’t really think life was better, easier, or more civilized before such things came into existence! And I’m not even sure I would want such times to return. As much as I miss clear, corded phones and game boys, having to have a separate caller identification box to see who’s calling my phone or having to print out map directions before places are things I hope to never have to go through again! I’ll take seamless technology instead, thank you!

Especially when it comes to mindful technology and parenting. While we need to be protective of younger children, we also need to strike a balance between invocation and exploration.  And if you’re a parent who feels the same, you’ll be glad to find out about Family Link from Google. Because it can be overwhelming to navigate technology as a parent. Which is why many families feel that this service helps them to more seamlessly set digital ground rules for their kids at home and manage their online content too! With Family Link, parents are better able t manage the content their kids see, set adequate screen time limitations, and start proactive conversations centered around the concept of having a  healthy, long-term relationship with technology.

Family Link App From Google

The Family Link App from Google helps families manage the content our kids see on their devices and set limits. As well as allowing parents to guide children to learn, play, and explore online. The app also allows parents to remotely approve or decline apps your kids want to download from the Google Play Store as well, hide apps you don’t want to be displayed on kid’s devices, lock devices to allow for only calls to be made, set bedtime timers, and to restrict what content your kids can see in the Play Store by maturity rating. Even track your child’s location, when devices are on or with your child. All without having to worry about in-app purchases bills. Measures that can help you better keep an eye on what they’re viewing on their device.

The app also allows parents to curate a listing of family-specific sites, with applied filters, that help to protect children from mature content in the family Link’s Family Link settings. And setting up the app (Android phone or tablet for your child that runs Nougat or ios device), just download the Family Link App from the App Store or Google Play Store and after installation, link your account to your child’s device account, then just follow the on-screen directions and set up your child’s device and begin to monitor their online progress. You can also invite other family members to join your family too!

The Family Link App from Google helps manage the content kids see on their devices and set limits while allowing little ones to have fun while maintaining digital habits at home. Check out the #parenting benefits! #sponsored #FamilyLink for more details! With Family link from Google, families can better manage the content kids see on their devices and set healthy internet limits. Friends, do you use Family Link by Google at home? And how do you set digital ground rules at your home? Leave your tips in the comments below!

Family Link App From Google

Why You Need To See The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited 

Please note, this post is sponsored by the MAX, Mississippi’s arts, and entertainment experience.

 

As a young child, nearly every morning started the same. Walking our dogs, eating breakfast, and watching Sesame Street. A program that helped instill my love for reading, education, and all things learning. A tradition that many families like my own continue to share to this day. A tradition shared by Jim Henson, creator of Sesame Street, who was also intrigued by early television programming, which sparked his imagination and creativity.

Later, upon seeing how television could be the perfect medium to combine his love of puppeteering and learning, Henson began his career in the Washington, D.C. area’s local television. Where on his first show, Sam and Friends, his nightly five-minute show on NBC’s WRC, he would go onto national syndication and would win an Emmy in 1958. The same year another milestone was created, as this was the year Kermit the Frog would be introduced to the world.

Over the next few decades, Henson would make many appearances on variety shows and was a regular on The Today ShowThe Ed Sullivan Show, and The Jimmy Dean Show. While his Muppets grew in popularity, Jim developed another career, that of filmmaking. Experimenting first in stop motion and short film, his first piece, Time Piece, was nominated for an Academy Award in 1965.

But Henson’s greatest accomplishment came by way of his award-winning children’s show, Sesame Street n 1969. Utilizing humor, situational comedy, and whimsey, Henson was able to educate children as well as broach social topics for decades to come with his myriad of lovable characters. A learning style that has adapted itself to continue to entertain, and enrich, the lives of each new generation.

Then in 1976, with the introduction of The Muppet Show, and its phenomenal success, Henson was free to expand his production companies reach to include projects including The Muppet MovieThe Great Muppet Caper, The Muppets take Manhattan, Jim Henson’s Muppet Babies, Fraggle Rock, The StorytellerThe Jim Henson HourDinosaurs and groundbreaking fantasy films, including The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth.

His untimely passing in May 1990 was met with a worldwide renewal of appreciation of his imagination and artistry. And for fans such as myself, that live in Henson’s home state of Mississippi, we also currently have the opportunity to experience his work in a new and imaginative way by visiting The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited beginning January 12 at the MAX museum,  Mississippi’s leading arts, and entertainment experience.

The MAX, which showcases Mississippi’s arts and entertainment experience, welcomes visitors of all ages to explore the global impact of Mississippians on music, books, art, entertainment, and cuisine. The MAX honors our state’s creative legacy and inspires the next generation of creators through interactive exhibits. Visitors will also be able to explore Mississippi roots through the cultural legacy of famed Mississippians including Elvis Presley, Oprah Winfrey, B.B. King, Faith Hill, Sela Ward, Jim Henson.

Which is why, starting January 12th,  you’ll not want to miss The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited exhibit. Featuring characters from Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, Fraggle Rock, and The Dark Crystal, visitors will be able to interact and experience featuring notable and time-loved Henson puppetry up close and personal with their family and friends this season.

This traveling exhibition will run through May 4, 2019, The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited, is a traveling exhibition organized by Museum of the Moving Image (Astoria, New York) in cooperation with The Jim Henson Company, The Muppets Studio, and Sesame Workshop, and toured worldwide by Flying Fish. The exhibition features puppets and other objects donated to the Museum by the family of Jim Henson, plus works on loan from The Jim Henson Company archives as well as from private lenders. A mobile version of MoMI’s The Jim Henson Exhibition, viewable at its home in New York City.

This exhibit seeks to engage visitors, homeschoolers, school groups, and people young at heart of all ages, that can now experience for themselves Henson’s creations. Seeing how his early work in film and television evolved into the magical worlds that captivated audiences worldwide, like me, with behind-the-scenes information that helps show fans of all ages how his magical worlds were brought to life. With revealing looks at how Henson and his crew of puppeteers, writers, and designers entertained both children and adults and will continue to do so for decades to come.

The exhibit also features a Henson’s own personal artifacts from his nearly four-decade-long career along with more than 20 original puppets, character sketches, storyboards, scripts, photographs, film edits, and television clips. All that helps to set the stage of some of the behind-the-scenes footage, iconic costumes, and interactive experiences that allow visitors to try their hand at puppeteering on camera and designing their own puppet character.

Imagination Unlimited also takes visitors through a brief look at Henson’s early life as a young man, inspiration from early drawings and sketches, and a first-hand look at his complete portfolio’s contribution the industry of the moving image. Including a walkthrough of Kermit the Frog puppet from 1978, handwritten scripts from Henson’s first television series, Sam and Friends, a clip from his Academy Award-nominated experimental film Time Piece, Sesame Street puppets including Grover, Ernie, Bert, and Count von Count, and costumes from Labyrinth. Making this exhibit one for everyone in your family!

Friends, I encourage you to visit both The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited as well as The MAX, Mississippi’s arts and entertainment experience, this season with your friends, family, student groups, church groups, and youth groups. Its one exhibit you’ll not want to miss! Now I want to ask, did you also grow up a Henson fan? What’s your favorite Henson production? And do you plan to visit this exhibition this season? Leave me a comment below with all your memories and details!

Find out more about The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited here.

Yes, You Can Have Fun On A Budget

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Are you feeling the strain of January already? Lots of people find that they are under a lot of pressure in January as their bank balances still haven’t fully recovered after Christmas and New Year. Their weak money situation coupled with the poor winter weather can make them feel very fed up with things. It’s certainly a big come down after all the Christmas festivities that have just been!

Because of the financial pressures that January puts on us, the majority of people try to save as much as they can so that they can get their finances on track as soon as possible. As a result, they often end up feeling glum for most of the month as they are on a very tight budget and can’t afford to spend money on fun activities and entertainment.

What would you think if I told you that it is still very much possible to have plenty of fun in January? Would you say I was crazy? Well, you might be surprised to hear that it is possible to have plenty of fun on a budget, no matter what time of year it is. Here are some tips and tricks that can help you do that. And yes – they will all work throughout the whole of January!

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Stay Local

One of the main reasons why going on fun days out and taking part in fun activities can become so expensive is because of all the travel involved getting to them. So, it’s a good idea to stick to local events if you want to try to save some money. Places that you can walk to are the best as you won’t need to spend any cash at all in getting there. If you do need to travel somewhere, it’s best to try to stick to public transport as it will be cheaper than driving. If you do need to drive, why not think about carsharing with some friends or relatives? You can then share petrol costs, which should bring the overall price down.

Enjoy An Evening In

Of course, you don’t always have to leave the house to have fun. You will be able to enjoy a lot of cheaper entertainment in the comfort of your own home. If you find out more from Optimum, you can learn about their great deals that can offer you streaming services, an internet connection, and TV packages for very reasonable prices. So you will then be able to spend plenty of nights on the sofa catching up with your favorite TV shows and movies. Don’t forget that there are also plenty of games consoles that can provide you with plenty of entertainment at home as well. If you have a favorite pastime or hobby, such as running, reading, or knitting, you might want to join some online message boards where you can chat with like-minded people. That could be another fun way to spend your evenings in.

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Take Cash, Leave Your Card At Home

Do you often end up overspending whenever you go for a meal at a restaurant or just a few quiet drinks at your local bar? If so, there is one way you can try to curb your spending. You just need to take the cash that you will need with you and leave all your bank cards and credit cards at home. Then once you run out of money, you will have to stop spending as there will be no way you can pay on the card or withdraw more cash out from an ATM.

Pay Your Own Way

One thing that can sometimes end up very expensive is splitting the bill in a restaurant or bar between friends. When splitting the bill equally, everyone pays the same amount and shares the cost evenly between them. This can be quite expensive for people who haven’t had as many courses or drinks during the meal, though. So, to make sure that you don’t end up paying more than your fair share, it’s always best to simply pay your own way and just pay for the food and drinks you ate. And then you don’t need to start panicking if one of your friends does decide to order a three-course meal!

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Take A Look For Vouchers And Coupons

If you want to go on a day out to a museum, theme park, exhibition, or something similar that you would need to buy tickets for, it’s always worth taking a look online to see if you can find vouchers and coupons. Sometimes, local newspapers print coupons for local attractions too, so you might want to flick through yours before you go. These coupons and vouchers can often offer you quite big discounts that can help you save on the overall entrance fee.

Book Tickets Online

As well as looking for coupons and vouchers for money off, it’s also a good idea to book your tickets online. If you book direct with the venue themselves, then you might find that you can take advantage of a discount. Most venues offer small discounts of about 10% for all online bookings. Even though it might not be the biggest saving ever, every little count! Of course, not every venue will offer online discounts, so it’s always best to double check this before you buy.

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Consider Vacation Alternatives

Are you dreaming of getting away from it all and yearning for a vacation? Worried that it will be too much for you to afford right now on your tight budget? Well, it could be possible as long as you look for some vacation alternatives. For instance, instead of booking an expensive hotel room, you might find that you can make significant savings by booking a room or holiday rental on a site like Airbnb. It could also be a good idea to look into booking flights with a budget airline. Even though you might need to transfer onto a different flight halfway along the journey, it could still be considerably cheaper.  

Say No If You Need To

Don’t forget that it is always perfectly fine to say no to someone if you need to. For instance, if a friend invites you out for a meal at an expensive restaurant that you can’t really afford, you don’t have to go if you can’t afford to. After all, you aren’t obliged to go. You might even want to suggest a cheaper restaurant. But don’t feel guilty about saying no if you have to. We all go through periods of unsteady finances, so I’m sure that your friend will understand if you can’t join them at this moment in time.

Get Into Nature

If you are looking for some completely free to do, you just have to step outside and explore everything that nature has to offer. Even though most of the national parks and some other recreational areas require visitors to pay to enter, there are still lots of areas of outstanding natural beauty that are free to visit. So, why not step outside and enjoy some of that fresh country air? You could go for a hike or bike ride. You might even want to pack yourself a picnic to enjoy in the fresh air.

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Look For Community Movie Nights

Do you think it’s time you got out there and started meeting some new people? If so, why not look for your nearest community movie night? There are lots of community centers and venues that put on movies on a biweekly or monthly basis. More often than not, these are free to watch. If there is an entrance fee, it will be very minimal and all profits raised will go back to help local community services. You’ll be able to meet with new people before and after the movie, and most of these nights often offer refreshments as well.

But Last-Minute Theater Tickets

Do you wish that you could afford the theater more often? Well, you might be able to afford tickets right now! You just need to look at buying them right at the last minute. Generally speaking, that will be the day before or the day of the show. Usually, theaters try to sell off all of the remaining tickets very cheaply just so they can fill the venue.

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Invite Friends Round For A Games Night

Want something else to do when you are enjoying an evening in? Why not get into board games! There are hundreds of different board games so I’m sure you will be able to find one that you are interested in. It could also be fun to invite all of your friends around for a games night. It will be very low cost as you just need to provide a few drinks and nibbles. If anyone wants to drink alcohol, they will bring their own so you won’t have to front that cost.

So, there you have it. Fun and entertainment don’t always have to be expensive! How will you entertain yourself this season?

GIFTS FOR GAMERS: STARLINK: BATTLE FOR ATLAS | SPECIAL OFFERS AT BEST BUY

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received Starlink Battle For Atlas products.

We couldn’t wait until Christmas to play Starlink: Battle For Atlas. As we’ve been waiting for this amazing new game to come out, and it is finally here! You’ll want to make sure to check out Starlink: Battle For Atlas. The perfect gift for all the gamers on your list.

Save $25 on Starlink: Battle For Atlas Starter Packs and 30% on Starlink toys now through 12/22 at Best Buy. Available on Nintendo Switch, the PlayStation®4, and Xbox One.

Starlink: Battle for Atlas is an open-world space adventure game where players can explore seven alien worlds. Players are part of a group of heroic pilots on an intergallactic mission to save the Atlas Star System from Grax and the Forgotten Legion.

What I love about this game:

  • Players build their starships. The Starlink game has physical toys so players can assemble customized starships and link to their game controllers. Including the ability to switch out different weapons and pilots.
  • The physical toys add a fun interactive element to the game. Every change players make to starship happens in real time on the screen.
  • All the different weapons, pilots, and starships have unique capabilities, allowing players to mix and match according to their unique playing style.
  • Starlink: Battle For Atlas graphics are incredible. Gameplay looks and feels like you are part of an actual movie.
  • Players can choose to play as either a single player or with a friend in split-screen, two-playr mode.

There are seven alien worlds to explore in Starlink: Battle For Atlas and virtually endless ways to customize game play with different starships, weapons, and pilot configurations. Every game is a unique experience. Upgrade by adding new starships, weapons, and pilot packs sold separately.

Don’t miss the Special Offer on Starlink: Battle For Atlas at Best Buy. Now through 12/22, save $25.00 on Starter Packs. Plus, save an extra 30% on all Starlink toys. Available for Nintendo Switch, the PlayStation®4 and Xbox One.

Learn more about Starlink Battle For Atlas at BestBuy.com.