It's a Jungle in Here!

How to keep your kids' brains from turning to mush (and retain your sanity) during winter break...

1. Take trips to the library to get books for your children of all ages. Keep them interested and learning even when they're not in school. Quiet reading time is a great way to help kids settle down and get ready for bed in the evening.

2. Family movie night! Rent or check out from your local library, a new movie or an old classic to watch together as a family. Make some popcorn, sit back and enjoy!

3. Play a game together! There are a bazillion fun board games out there. Have a Monopoly, Clue, Taboo, or Pictureka night! If you don't like board games, try your hand at Rock Band for Wii, PlayStation or XBox. For younger kids, check out VTech's V Motion for video game fun!

4. Keep active! There's nothing worse than a bunch of kids stuck indoors because the weather outside is frightful. Load up the kids and take them to the bowling alley, the skating rink, indoor rock climbing, or an indoor play place.

Younger kids can keep active with VTech's new line of Jungle Gym toys. You may have seen them in stores while Christmas shopping. These are awesome and I wish they made them for older kids as well. Think about it - this time of year when the kids are cooped up inside because it's too cold and snowy to go out and play (unless you're fortunate enough to live in a land of sunshine), kids can make you bonkers. They need an outlet for their boundless energy or they'll explode. VTech's Jungle Gym toys are perfect for that! Your little ball of energy toddler can pedal away on the Ride and Learn Giraffe Bike and not only will he expend some energy, but he'll get healthy exercise too. And because this is not just a bike, but a learning toy, he'll have fun learning letters and counting animals while he does it.

VTech gave me a huge box of Jungle Gym toys to donate to my church's nursery. I brought them in 2 weeks ago and the kids in the nursery had a blast playing with them. I wanted to take pictures to show you, but of course, I forgot my camera. Ugh. Then, last week I set my camera out so I wouldn't forget it. I overslept and missed church altogether. Grrr. So, you'll just have to take my word for it that toddlers love these toys! Toddlers are, by definition, active, and these Jungle Gym toys combine physical activity, learning, and fun. You just can't beat that combination.

In addition to the Ride and Learn Giraffe Bike, there's an adorable Bouncing Colors Turtle, a Monkey Moves Smart Seat, and Twist and Learn Gorilla Pals that will keep your little ones, interested, engaged, learning, exercising, and having fun while doing it! You can check out the whole line of Jungle Gym toys HERE. And if you're on Facebook, you have to check out VTech's fan page HERE! There, you can find information about deals, giveaways, and sales on the latest VTech toys!

You can check in with the other VTech Voices (MommyMandy, the VTech Mom, Pilar Clark) to get their tips on how to survive the holidays too.

* I am being compensated for working with VTech on some promotions and did receive Jungle Gym toys to donate to my church, however, as always, I only give my honest opinions on products I review.