A big congratulations to the winner of the Grow Smart Games giveaway for a My Pocket Games or I Spy Sensory Stick — #178!

Tylerpants

Tylerpants says:

"I'd pick an I Spy Sensory Stick for my son."

This was a joint giveaway with Natural Parents Network, so entries were combined and one winner drawn. Tylerpants entered at Hobo Mama Reviews.

Grow Smart Games is a wonderful Etsy shop that exclusively features these two fun and entertaining, hand-crafted toys: an I Spy Sensory Stick, which is a tubular spin on the I-spy classic, and My Pocket Games, travel-friendly laminated cards with several familiar games, like Hangman and The Alphabet Game. Both toys promote learning, help children strengthen skills, and provide opportunities for interacting with others. Grow Smart Games believes that simple, old-fashioned games are still the best!

If you were not the lucky winner, you can buy My Pocket Games or I Spy Sensory Sticks online from the Grow Smart Games Etsy shop.

My Pocket Games come in different colors and sell for $5.50 for one, or $10 for two. They would be a great little present to slip into a stocking or as a bonus inside a larger package. Shipping is $1.75 for one to US or Canada or $0.50 with an additional item.

An I Spy Sensory Stick costs $8. Shipping is $3 for one to US or $3.25 to Canada or $1.25 to either with an additional item. An I Spy Sensory Stick would also be a fun stocking surprise!

Here's another Black Friday post, highlighting some of Amazon.com's Black Friday Deals for parents.

Deals in Toys and Games include:

• "Lightning Deals" — big deals come up for a few hours at a time throughout the day, so check back! You have 15 minutes to purchase an item once it's added to your cart — you can still use Free Super Saver Shipping, but hurry to find extra items if needed to get up to $25.
• $10 off $30 on select Fisher-Price toys
• Up to 40% off Radio Flyer ride-on trikes and wagons
• LeapFrog Leapster games for only $8.99 each
• Pretend-play toys from Learning Resources and the My Kitchen Set from Alex Toys
• Toys from Melissa & Doug, LEGO, Fisher-Price, and more that fit your budget — just look for the categories marked "Great Gifts for $25 or Less" or $50 or $75

There are deals on Clothing, including Men's, Women's, and Kids, as well as special sizes including Maternity and Nursing. There are even special links where you can search for steep deals, such as 75% off Kids' and Baby Clothing.

Other fun things on sale for babywearing, breastfeeding, cloth diapering/EC, and other baby care (though not related to the Thanksgiving deals) are the Baby K'tan, select Britax and Sunshine Kids car seats, BABYBJÖRN Little Potty (perfect for ECing little tushies and potty training tykes), 5-Pak of Kushies AIO Diapers (great starter kit for a relative or friend you know who's interested in cloth diapering — or would be!), and cloth nursing pads from MamaLittleHelper.

Don't forget to peek in Electronics if you're looking for a still camera or video camera to capture your little one, or a digital photo frame to display your images. A digital frame would make a perfect gift for grandparents, too, take it from me!

There are also deals on Video Games, Music (look for kids' CDs or MP3 downloads), DVDs, and, of course, Books for kids of all ages. You can search by age from baby to teen. A favorite book always makes for a cherished gift!

Another item I've been very curious about is the Kindle wireless reading device. I had the chance to check one out in action at a couple stores, and it looks really nice and felt probably as light as my phone. The display was clear and less shiny than my phone or laptop, like reading print. I used to think I would never take to reading ebooks, but ever since I got a smart phone, it's so easy to pop one on there and read as I find a minute here and there. I also like that I can search and bookmark easily (such as with nonfiction, parenting books). I could see the Kindle being a really fun toy. You can pick up the latest model for $139 with Wi-Fi or $189 with 3G as well. If you want just one of the ebooks for Kindle as a gift (easy delivery!) or for yourself, they can be read at no additional cost on a PC, Mac, or smartphone using one of Amazon's free reading apps.

In case anyone is wondering, here's my take on the recent Amazon hoopla: both why I think the book that was removed is repulsive and Amazon has behaved stupidly, but also why I won't be boycotting them at this time.

This giveaway is now closed. View the winner here! Thank you all so much for entering!

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This is a joint giveaway with Hobo Mama Reviews and Natural Parents Network. You may enter at one site only. Please find the section marked "Win it!" for the mandatory main entry and optional bonus entries.

WILL TRAVEL special event: I am featuring a few special travel items for review and giveaway that I was able to use on my trip with my three-year-old son and eight-year-old niece this summer. If you win, you'll have your items in time for December holiday travel or Christmas gifts!

Grow Smart Games is offering my readers a giveaway of winner's choice of either a set of My Pocket Games or an I Spy Sensory Stick!

Grow Smart Games is a wonderful Etsy shop that exclusively features these two fun and entertaining, hand-crafted toys. The games promote learning, help children strengthen skills, and provide opportunities for interacting with others. Grow Smart Games believes that simple, old-fashioned games are still the best!

If you choose the I SPY SENSORY STICK (picture below), you'll receive a fun toy made of approximately 9" of clear heavy tubing, sealed at the ends and filled with Polybead pellets and 20 hidden items. As your child turns and shakes the tube, different hidden items emerge from between the pellets. A laminated list of hidden items is attached by ribbon. The I Spy Sensory Stick is recommended particularly for younger children and toddlers though can be enjoyed by children of all ages.