A couple weeks ago I received a high-performing SanDisk Extreme SDHC card from SanDisk to review for my Nikon P90. I never knew that an SD card could make a difference in your camera’s performance. Now I know. It can make a big difference. I’m in love with this card. I can tell a difference in the quality of the photos, and in my camera speed.

I’ve learned quite a bit about the different types of memory cards. SanDisk even has a Gaming SD card for Wii, and a Nintendo DSi SDHC card. Your child would think you’re the coolest.

Right now you can win a Sandisk II HD Card in our Halloween Costume Photo Contest, hop over there and check it all out.
Image Sandisk

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The new cards will come in packages of 5, and will be available in stores April 21st. A select few packages will also contain a “Golden Ticket” to the chocolate factory the American Idol finale with red carpet treatment.

So now you can trade Paula Abdul for Carrie Underwood, or Simon Cowell for Chris Daughtry.

Autographed cards from past winners will also be slipped into a few of the packs. So if you’re extremely lucky you may get an autographed trading card signed by David Archuleta, or David Cook.

If you have an American Idol fan in the house be on the lookout for these to hit retailers toward the end of April.

Image via Upper Deck

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Oh yeah, he does more than just look cute. You can connect Minoru to your PC and he comes alive, his eyes  light up and he looks at you in 3D. 

Minoru works with messaging programs, like Windows Live Messenger, Skype, AOL instant messenger, OoVoo and most others.

Your friends and family can now see you in 3d. This would be a ton of fun for kids. They can also use Minoru to snap 3D photos to send to friends, or record 3D videos.

The video quality is not as high as some of the higher end webcams, but for the fun factor the Minoru 3D Webcam is a hit. The 3D imaging can be seen by anyone who is wearing the 3D glasses, and five pairs are included when you purchase Minoru.

There is also a Picture in Picture function so you can view the images shown to Minoru’s 2 eyes separately.

He just looks like fun! I’ve added him to the Play Library Teen and Tween gift guide if you decide Minoru would make a great gift.

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Fatheads are life size wall graphics

Fatheads are great for teens and tweens too old for toys, but still looking for something fun.

Fatheads do not cause damage to walls. They have a special adhesive backing that enables them to be removed, and moved from wall to wall without damaging the walls, or Fathead. They retail between $79.99 and $149.99.

Fathead has also recently come out with Fathead Tradeables, which are a 5×7 version of the originals, for more than 180 NFL players, and for Hannah Montana. They look like they’d make great stocking stuffers. My son thought they were pretty cool, and made off with the pack I had. Each pack includes 5 tradeable Fatheads. I can see kids trading them with friends, especially since they can be moved from surface to surface. The tradable cards retail between $12.99 and $14.99 per pack.

If you’re looking for more Tween and Teen gift ideas (and more on Fatheads) check out the Play Library Gift Guide.

Image courtesy of Fathead.com

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High School Musical 3 Mystery Date Game

High School Musical 3 Senior Year Dance! for Nintendo Wii Game (also available for Nintendo DS, Sony Playstation 2, PC, and Xbox 360)

High School Musical 3 Troy and Gabriella Doll Set

High School Musical 3 Sing Together Sharpay Doll (Gabriella and Troy Sing Together Dolls also available)

High School Musical 3 MP3 Player

Images: Disneyshopping.com

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Using Color Me Gemz, kids use special pens to color in the “gemz” on special necklaces, belt buckles, charms, bracelets, and more.  There are even peel and stick gems that kids can decorate then place on notebooks, purses, hats, and anything else they can think of!  If my daughter were just a little bit older, Color Me Gemz would be perfect for her! 

Check out the Color Me Gemz product line below:

Color Me Gemz Jewelry Box: $25.00

Color Me Gemz Decorator Gems: $8.00

Color Me Gemz Purse Set: $13.00

Color Me Gemz Hat Set: $13.00

Color Me Gemz Necklace Set: $8.00

Color Me Gemz Bracelet Set: $8.00

Color Me Gemz Belt Set: $8.00

What do you think?  Looks like these could be great birthday or holiday gifts!

Images: Fisher-Pricestore.com

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Very cool!

You can follow the link to enter the contest to win a Tooth Tunes musical toothbrush.  The contest ends on October 31, 2008.

Good luck!

Image: Hasbro.com

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I’m talking about the Discovery Channel Store.  Visit the Discovery Online Toy Store, and you’ll find so many ideas for educational and fun toys, games and products for tweens!  Here are a few ideas:

Cube World

With Cube World, you can create your own interactive world of stick characters.  Each set costs $29.95 and includes 2 cubes.  You can connect up to 16 cubes to create an entire world.  Four characters, Handy, Dusty, Mic and Hans, move around the cubes and interact with each other.  Motion sensors allow you to interact with the characters, too.  You can play with them, pester them or shake the cubes and see how the characters react.  Tween boys would love this product!

Sparkle Greeting Card Kit

Tween girls love to write notes to their friends, and the Sparkle Greeting Card Kit will help them create the coolest notes!  The kit includes a 64-page book that shows you how to create more than 50 great cards as well as tons of glitter. sparkles, paper, rhinestones, ribbon, stickers and more!  At just $19.95, this looks like a great activity for tween girls to do by themselves or with friends!

Great States Game

The Great States Game looks like an educational and fun board game for tween boys and tween girls.  It includes 400 questions that teach states, capitals, landmarks and more in a fun game.  This game retails for $19.95 and is a winner of the Parents’ Choice Award and the Oppenheim Best Toy Award.  It is for kids ages 7 and up, but for younger kids, there is a Great States Junior Game. 

What do you think?  What’s your tween’s favorite educational game or product?

Images: Discover Online Toy Store

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It seems like every tween wants a Nintendo DS, and some of the most popular games for kids in this age range are the LEGO games, particularly LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures and LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga at retail prices of $29.99 and $34.99, respectively.

Both of these games are rated E for Everyone and kids love them!  If your kids enjoy these games, then keep your eyes open for the new LEGO Batman game coming on September 23rd with a heftier price tag of $49.99. 

Have your kids tried the LEGO games for Nintendo DS?  Which is their favorite?

Images: Amazon.com

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Did you know there are karaoke CDs available for all the hottest Disney Channel tween stars?  I did a quick search on the Toys R Us website to find out which tween artists are featured on the Disney Karaoke Series CDs and found just about every Disney Channel star represented.

Check them out below.  There’s Hannah Montana, Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers, High School Musical and High School Musical 2, The Cheetah Girls, and a compilation CD called Disney Girlz Rock that includes songs by Aly & AJ, Everlife and Raven-Symone.

Each CD sells for under $10 and could be a lot of fun for tweens and Disney Channel fans!

What do you think?

Images: Toysrus.com

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