Every year, my readers ask me for gift ideas for tweens and teens because this age group seems to have it all or has such complicated (and expensive) interests that gift-giving causes a huge dilemma. Fortunately PlaSmart has ideas for children ages 3 to 99+.
Last year, Stomp Rocket made one of my great gifts list and this year, I will be adding the PlasmaCar and The Original DoodleArt.
Choose the PlasmaCar for fun without batteries
When we received the PlasmaCar, Bill and I had to practice patience because we wanted to rip into the box right away and play, but we waited anxiously for Franc’s birthday.
Since we wanted to have the car put together – which was super simple and quick – we stuffed the box with tissue paper and wrapped it. Watching Franc pull the paper out a piece at a time was fun but seeing his expression when Bill came around the corner with the PlasmaCar was priceless.
Getting the PlasmaCar to move took a little practice since our home is carpeted but once we moved Franc to our kitchen, which has vinyl tile, he moved much faster and that boosted his confidence enough that he could move across the carpet too. (Please note that while this toys can be used indoors, it is not recommended for wood flooring as it might cause scratches.)
How to ride the PlasmaCar
To make the PlasmaCar move, the rider (up to 220 pounds) moves the steering wheel back and forth. The force of twisting the steering wheel is transferred to the four wheels under the steering column that work in tandem with the pivoting two wheels in the back, moving the PlasmaCar forward. The quicker the rider twists the steering wheel the faster the PlasmaCar will move, reaching speeds up to 6 mph.
To reverse the motion of the PlasmaCar, the rider only needs to turn the steering wheel 180 degrees and repeat the same motion.
Teachable moments with the PlasmaCar
Since the PlasmaCar is designed for flat surfaces, the slight incline of our driveway posed a challenge for Franc. He made the car move but not very fast and his frustration took over. Soon he realized that he could easily peddle back up the driveway using his feet, but he wondered why it did not work the same.
The PlasmaCar created a teachable moment, giving us the opportunity to teach him about inertia, centrifugal force, and friction. (Great video lesson on YouTube to help.)
Visit the PlasmaCar website for even more information, the selection of colors available, and a peek at the PlasmaBike.
Buy it!
Ready to purchase? You can find a retailer near you with the Store Locator or at Amazon.
Great stocking stuffer for anyone
The Original DoodleArt is the perfect stocking stuffer for your artist, no matter his or her age. Just one poster will provide hours of fun but inside the cylinder are four posters and 12 markers. The felt markers are dual-tip with a narrow and “fat” side so you can adjust and get into the smallest places.
Even though the set we were sent had a monster truck theme and didn’t match our family’s interests, the illustrations were so much fun to look at and color. With tiny details and fun designs, the posters become a vibrant work of art.
Buy it!
The Original DoodleArt comes in packages of full or mini posters. The full size sets are available in an abundance of themes. (I personally love the butterfly set.)
The Original DoodleArt can be purchased at select retailers and Amazon.com.
There is an app for that
Are you less of a paper and pencil doodler and more of a tablet enthusiast? Check out The Original Doodle-App. The app is free and comes with two samples as well as a blank page, but you can purchase the app posters to add to your personal gallery.
If you are headed out on a road trip during the holiday season, this would be a great app to load to your tablet and keep the kids (or yourself) busy and happy.
Buy It!
The Original Doodle-App is available in the iTunes store.
The giveaway is closed.
Disclosure: I was provided with The Original DoodleArt and a PlasmaCar by PlaSmart but a favorable review was not required and opinions are 100% my own. For complete details, please read my disclaimer.
How much fun would that Plasma Car be! My boys would love it.
Thanks so much for this giveaway!!
My daughter loves anything art related 🙂 Fingers crossed 🙂
Both the car and the doodles look like SO much fun!
This would be so awesome for Christmas for my children!
Both my kids would love these, esp. the plasma car. Thanks so much for the chance!!
The doodle are would be a huge hit in my house. I loved that sort of stuff growing up.
I have been eyeing these cars for awhile-they look so fun!
Both of these would be well loved by our 5 boys!
Again, Another great giveaway! Thanks!
Both kids would flip over these!!
My daughter loves art. She would have a ball with this art giveaway!
I’ve always thought a plasma car would be so much fun!
thanks fir the chance to win! 🙂 I love the giveaways!
Both of these would be great!
Would love to win this for the kids for Christmas. We finally have a house now with a patio and cul de sac, and my kids spend hours outdoors.
The doodle art looks like a great gift for my girls.
Would love this:)
Thanks for hosting this contest!
My kids would love both of these!
How fun! We got to try out the Plasma Car at one of the coolest toy stores we’ve ever visited this past summer – this store had a full blown plays cape & exploring zone outside and there were several Plasma Cars to try out….they are awesome! 🙂
Our little one would love either of these!!!
All of my boys would love both of these! But I know the plasma car would be the biggest guy with my outdoor loving kids.
These would make great xmas gifts for my son.
Thanks for the give-away. These look great!
looks like fun =)
Looks like so much fun! This would be a great addition to our recess time! What a great Christmas present this would make!!! 🙂
The Plasma Car is amazing! My daughter used one for the first time at physical therapy and she took to it very well, I and her Physical Therapist was impresses with how well she could manouver it. My daughter has Spina Bifida and we would love to have a Plasma Car to help her build upper body strength to help her walk with her walker, help her in the future to push her wheel chair and to help her breathing…
Just recently came across your blog and I love it! Very well done! Thank you for the awesome giveaway, my boys would love it
My boys would love the plasma car! Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
Awesome giveaway, thanks! My kids love the Plazma Car at their Mema’s. 🙂
Would love to win!
All my kids would ride the heck out of that thing! Super fun!
Thank you for hosting this giveaway!