Creative Baby I-MAT and Voice Pen Review Plus GIVEAWAY! 10/25

09/25/2013

***Disclosure: I received a complimentary product to facilitate my review. No other compensation has been provided. All opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.***

Having 2 preschool aged children always keeps me on my toes. Sophie will be 4 on New Year's Eve, and little Xander will be 3 just 2 weeks later. (Can you imagine how crazy the Holiday season is in my home?!) My kids are very active, very curious, and love to learn. They really enjoy exploring the world around them, and are very quick to share all of the things they've learned every day. They're smart little cookies, too! They both know their ABC's and 123's, and Sophie can read better than most Kindergarten students. Why are my kids so smart? Well, I would love to attribute it to the fact that I am a super-genius and it's hereditary, but to be completely honest, it's due to lots of one on one instruction and incorporating learning into their play time.

Recently, I was introduced to a ground-breaking company called Creative Baby. They offer an ingenious product called the I-MAT, which comes to life when paired with the Voice Pen. This product turns play time into a digital learning experience where children can learn new words and practice identifying words visually, it teaches sounds, and even teaches little ones to be tri-lingual. (I am not sure if that's really a word, but we'll go with that, haha.)

Before I get into detail about how the I-MAT works, I'd love to tell you a bit more about Creative Baby and their philosophy on early learning.

About Creative Baby :

Our Philosophy:
"At Creative Baby we believe that stimulating children’s minds through fun and engaging activities is the first step in unlocking their creative potential. We develop our products to excite and entertain, to challenge and delight. Our unique line of products cultivates a true love of play in children, and empowers parents to encourage and participate in their child’s creative development. At Creative Baby we truly believe that a creative baby is a happy baby. We invite you to explore our line and find the right products for your Creative Baby."

Our i-Mat and Voice Pen Review :

We received the My Animal World I-MAT with Voice Pen to check out for ourselves. This product is designed for babies and children 18 months and older. It's especially wonderful for families with multiple children, since the interactive nature of the I-MAT includes activities that will appeal to different ages.

This is a soft foam mat with 4 interlocking pieces. The I-MAT is pthalate, lead, and heavy metal free, so there are no worries about exposing your kids to anything nasty while they're playing. It is also very generously sized so more than one child can enjoy playing on it at one time. (Unless, of course, your kids are like mine and will start brawling in 2 seconds flat....In that case, taking turns might be the best bet!)

The I-MAT is controlled with the digital Voice Pen. There are buttons located on the top righthand corner of the I-MAT that will allow the user to perform many different functions. You can turn it off and on, change the volume settings, switch between English, Spanish, and Chinese, and there are also 2 interactive games that are wonderful for the older kiddos.

As you can see, the I-MAT is very colorful and detailed. It features animals from all around the world! There are moose and bears found in Canada and the Pacific Northwest, as well as farm animals, and even exotic animals like tigers, elephants and giraffes found in Africa. Move on to Asia and Australia and you'll find pandas, koalas, and a kangaroo, to name a few. There is even friendly marine life like a whale, fish, and a cheerful looking shark! My kids make a game of avoiding the shark so he doesn't munch on their toes for dinner!

By using the Voice Pen, children can hear the animal names spoken in English, Spanish, or Chinese. They will also hear fun sounds and music. Since the Voice Pen has an integrated 2 gig memory, you can even download more sounds on the Creative Baby website to ensure the I-MAT experience is always new and fresh, keeping children excited and engaged.

I have to tell a funny story...The Voice Pen also has a record function, so you can record your own voice and sounds. Well, my kids somehow sent this to record the other day without my knowledge, and they recorded about an hour of normal household sounds. This included my 13 year old arriving home from school and complaining VERY vocally about his homework and classes. It also captured the babies fighting and the vacuum running. Imagine my shock when out of nowhere, I heard my teen yelling while he was supposed to be at school. I started looking out our windows and went upstairs to try and find him. It was only when I heard the vacuum, which was across the room and turned off, that I realized it was the Voice Pen! Yep...Mommy got punked!

Sophie, my soon to be 4 year old, loves the I-MAT. I know that many folks consider playmats as something just for babies. With the I-MAT, this is certainly not the case at all. She loves reading the animal names and pressing the voice pen to the speech bubbles to hear the words and sounds. She also really loves the games, and can follow the directions given independently. This definitely makes her beam with pride and feel like a total smarty-pants. (I did say this girl is a genius, right?!)
She also loves hearing the words in Spanish and Chinese and attempts to repeat them. Look out, United Nations! We have a future member in the making!

Xander, who is almost 3, also really loves the I-MAT. He will spend hours finding the animals and listening to the words and sounds. I am actually teaching them which animals live on each continent, and he has North America, Africa, and Asia pretty much memorized! He also is able to play the games, but he seems to prefer unstructured play where he makes the rules.

His favorite picture? As odd as it sounds, he loves the tree. I know. Definitely not an animal. But Xander has always had an odd fascination with plants, so the fact that a tree is included just made his day!

The one thing that really throws Xander off is when I switch the languages. He gets very confused, and then after a few moments, giggles uncontrollably and tells me to "make it talk like real people". Sigh. I guess he doesn't really get the concept that not everyone in the world speaks English! Check out his face when I turned the settings to Chinese. It's simply priceless!

Here is a brief video that shows how the I-MAT works. I enlisted the help of my grumpy teen to demonstrate. Please make sure your volume is turned up, because for some reason my camera is recording things a bit on the quiet side lately. We tried several times, and had the same result over and over again. That being said, if anyone wants to gift their blogger friend a new video camera for the Holidays, I will not turn it down.

Overall, we absolutely adore the I-MAT and Voice Pen from Creative Baby. This is probably one of the neatest interactive toys I have ever seen. The colors are vibrant, the pictures are incredibly detailed, and with so many different ways to learn, this is definitely sure to give children a head start in learning. I can't wait to purchase more I-MAT products like the new Sea Life or Alphabet mats. It's definitely worth every single penny, and would make an amazing gift this Holiday season!

Connect With Creative Baby :

You can check out the awesomeness that is Creative Baby on their website. Be sure to check out the awesome video on their home page!

For a limited time, Creative Baby is offering FREE SHIPPING!

You can also connect on Facebook and on twitter to stay on top of their latest products and promotions!

Enter to WIN :

I am thrilled to announce that one lucky reader will receive the My Animal World I-MAT and Voice Pen, just in time for the Holidays!

How awesome is that?!

Simply enter on the Rafflecopter form below.

Open to US residents 18+ (Void where prohibited). Winner will be chosen randomly through Rafflecopter. Giveaway ends October 25,2013 at 11:59pm. Winner will be notified by email. Winner will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.Must be 18 years or older to enter Rafflecopter. You may unsubscribe to email lists at any time and your email will not be used in any other way. Entering the Rafflecopter means you agree to the terms above. This giveaway is not associated with Facebook in any way.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Comments

Janet W.

09/26/2013 05:23

I'm excited about it teaching animal sounds. I'd give it to my grandson!

Carol L

09/26/2013 05:35

This is a great learning tool for kids. I love this and it would be a perfect gift for my youngest grandson. Thanks so much for the opportunity to win. Win or not, it's definitely going on my Christmas list when I go shopping.
Carol L

Sherry Compton

09/26/2013 07:11

I like that it does different languages.

amy pugmire

09/26/2013 08:25

I would give it to my girls and I am most excited about the fact that you can have it speak in spanish or english and my kids love animals

Francine Anchondo

09/26/2013 10:34

i like the different languages and I would give it to my son

Tiffany Schmidt

09/26/2013 11:14

Yay for not needing a TV to be interactive! And this would be for my son.

Tara L

09/26/2013 22:12

I'd give it to my friends little boy (Justin) he will be 3 in October sometime.

Anastasia

09/27/2013 02:02

I love tech geared towards kids! I would give this to my little ones :)

09/27/2013 05:51

I'm excited that it's so interactive! My grandson would love it!

Latanya

09/27/2013 07:44

I would give it to my son

09/27/2013 11:25

I like that it teaching animal sounds also and I would give it to my son

09/27/2013 15:47

I would definitely give it to my daughter for my grandson. He would love it. Such an entertaining item.
Thanks gain.
Carol L

Carol

09/27/2013 21:27

I'd gift it to my grandson.

Sherry Conrad

09/27/2013 22:15

I like that it teaches animal sounds, would give it to my daughter who is expecting her second.

09/27/2013 23:48

I love how big and easy to play with it is :) I'd love to win this for my little ones :)

April

09/28/2013 00:30

I'm excited about the learning opportunities for my kids! I'd give this to my twins (almost 3 years old).

laurie Nykaza

09/28/2013 05:09

The the different languages are just amazing and my nieces would just love playing with it

09/28/2013 05:31

I also like that you have to hold the pen. My grandson needs practice with that!

09/28/2013 11:26

I am most excited about the languages

Rebecca Parsons

09/28/2013 12:33

I love the fact that it has 3 different languages and I would give it to my daughter if I won.

Austin Baroudi

09/28/2013 17:09

I'd give this to my daughter and I love the different languages it offers.

Michelle F.

09/28/2013 18:28

would give it to my daughter. lve that it has different languages

Luda

09/28/2013 19:52

My daughters 2 years old Birthday is coming up in November and im sure she would love this mat!!

09/28/2013 23:34

I love how big it is :) Great for the kids to play on and with!

09/29/2013 10:17

I also love the size of it

09/29/2013 22:32

I love how colorful and eye catching it is :) Something to draw the little ones attention to it :)

heather

09/29/2013 23:01

i want to win this for a friends child

renee walters

09/30/2013 06:39

I like that it has different languages.

June S.

09/30/2013 07:31

This great I-Mat would be for my grandson, he would learn a lot about animals with this.

Kellie Conklin

09/30/2013 13:03

I would share this with my nephew! I absolutely love the fact that it includes two different languages, since that is something very important in todays world. I also love that includes different levels for play! Thanks!

09/30/2013 17:18

I love that t's an interactive toy for little kids :) I'd give it to my little ones :)

Mary M.

09/30/2013 22:32

I love how it's so interactive. My goddaughter is so smart it would be a perfect gift for her.

Rebecca Xavier

10/01/2013 07:04

This would be for my daughters.

Linda G.

10/01/2013 12:17

It is such a great learning tool and I would give it to my little niece

Jessamine D.

10/01/2013 14:24

This would be for my 2 daughters ages 2 and 5. :)

carissa joslyn

10/01/2013 18:15

I really like how interactive it is and that it has different languages! I'd like to win this for my two boys. my oldest has some mild brain Damage from strokes (he's 3) so I think this would help him with re learning some things!

Christine Waddell

10/01/2013 21:28

I would love to win this for my grandkids. My grandson is really into animals.

10/01/2013 21:33

I like how big and easy to use it is :) I'd give this to my little ones :)

Jill Kecseg

10/01/2013 23:31

I love how big it is and that the kids can crawl around or even sit on it and still use it. Would love to win this for my friends son!

rod jackson

10/02/2013 02:18

Love it comes in three languages. Perfect gift for my niece.

Jessamine D. link

10/02/2013 13:27

I like that it has an interactive games which is perfect for my 5 year old daughter :)

Karen Drake

10/02/2013 15:48

I would give this to my granddaughter, I am most excited that it is interactive and teaches about animals.

10/02/2013 18:21

I would love to give this to my little niece, it would be a great learning tool for her

10/02/2013 22:22

I like that is big and easy to use :)

Mary

10/03/2013 11:27

I would love for my son to have this as a learning tool. It is very interactive and a fun way to learn about animals on top of the game feature.

10/03/2013 13:56

I love how many animals there are!

10/03/2013 19:24

I like the game, it would be easy for my little niece to play

10/04/2013 00:27

I'm most excited about the fact that there are different levels of gameplay and that it teaches Spanish and Mandarin as well! How awesome! Thanks!

10/04/2013 00:28

Also, forgot to mention that this would be for my nephew to use!

10/04/2013 21:08

I would give this to my nephew! I'm most excited that it teaches different languages, especially ones that are important to know in our global world! Thanks!

10/05/2013 13:43

I am most excited by the Spanish and Chinese language feature. This would be a gift to my granddaughter.

10/05/2013 16:32

I would love to win this for my nephew! I love how durable the mat is and how easy it is for young children to use! Simple is always a good thing!

10/06/2013 12:11

I would share this with my nephew! I most love how durable and easy to use it is! I also like how it has different levels of gameplay to grow with the child!

10/07/2013 01:39

I would give this to my nephew if I won! I'm most excited that it speaks in three languages and includes different levels of gameplay so that it stays "fresh" as the child gets older :)

10/07/2013 12:54

It's such a great size!

becky

10/07/2013 23:09

I would love it for my 2 yrs old son. He's got 3 big sister that would love to help him play as well great way to interact and play with the family!! Love the levels so it can grow with child!!

Stephanie Larison

10/08/2013 03:04

I like the different languages! I'd like to win this for my daughter.

richelle leffler

10/08/2013 06:52

excited about the i-mat cause i think it would be really good for my soon to be niece and also my 3 year old nephew so it would be for them to learn and grow with

10/08/2013 09:49

I'm excited that the mat is spill proof and offers advanced levels of gameplay! I would share this with my nephew if I won! Thanks!

10/09/2013 15:35

This would be for my youngest son!

Rebecca Peters

10/09/2013 19:25

Love that its interactive, I would want this for my little girl!

Andrina G

10/10/2013 17:28

I am excited because it is interactive. I would give it to my daughter.

10/10/2013 20:08

I think it would be great for learning the names of animals

Gayle S

10/11/2013 01:27

I am excited that this product is interactive. My grandson would benefit greatly from it. He loves animals but needs help with their names.

10/11/2013 07:22

Lots of animal sounds! This would be really fun for a friend's daughter.

10/11/2013 20:59

I would share this with my nephew if I win! I'm most excited about the variety of animals it includes and the fact that it has different levels of game play! Thanks!

10/13/2013 00:30

The different languages that are for teaching kids to be able to say the animals in that language.

Kristen

10/13/2013 17:19

I like that it does different languages. I'd give it to my friend's daughter on her upcoming 2nd birthday.

10/14/2013 22:37

The 3 different languages to choose from for my granddaughter.

Gina H.

10/15/2013 04:00

I'd give it to my niece. She would love it!

lisa lo

10/15/2013 20:39

I like that it's spill proof and I think my niece would really have fun with it and learn too.

10/16/2013 15:33

I like the different languages it come with.

courtney b

10/17/2013 16:55

hey ! my daughter would love this because of all the colors and it looks very educational....

10/18/2013 15:56

I actually might give it to my son and I really like all the bright fun colors....

Jeanette Ardiente

10/19/2013 04:18

I would give this to my children. They would love being able to identify the animals. They love animals

10/20/2013 02:31

i'm most excited about the three different languages it includes! So important in our expanding global world! I would be sharing this with my nephew! Thanks!

10/21/2013 08:07

I like that my girls could learn new languages.

Amber L.

10/21/2013 12:59

I love that it has different languages. I think it would be cool for my kids to learn their animals in Spanish :) I also love that it can be used outdoors as well as indoors.

Natalie Uribe-De Freitas

10/21/2013 23:54

Who doesn't love a talking pen??? So cool! Would ive o my granddaughter

10/22/2013 11:07

My daughter is only 2, so this will help her learn the names of things.

10/22/2013 16:24

I love that it is durable. I would give it to my daughter.

Gianna

10/22/2013 22:22

It looks like fun for my babies.

Rosanne

10/23/2013 00:08

It would be for my grandson. I'm most anxious to teach him the words

Jill Myrick

10/23/2013 12:56

I love that the iMat is perfect for even young children and makes learning animals and their sounds fu,
This would be for my eight month old son should I win.

jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com

Daniel M

10/23/2013 20:22

makes learning fun and for my niece

Kate S

10/23/2013 21:06

The fact that it is fun and helps the kiddos learn is awesome to me!

10/23/2013 22:16

I'm most excited that it's spill proof and durable and that it has different levels of gameplay to appeal to everyone! I would be sharing this with my nephew! Thanks!

10/24/2013 05:37

give it to my nieces they would love to play with it

jenny

10/24/2013 09:27

This looks like a blast, and I love that it is machine washable!

Susan B link

10/24/2013 12:39

This looks like so much fun for my niece!!

10/24/2013 12:44

I would give it to my niece and I like how big and easy it is to use

Paula Tavernie

10/24/2013 14:28

Im excited it teaches the names and sounds of different animals and I would give to my grandson!

blyskalp

10/24/2013 15:58

Great what you are doing keep up the good work.

Liz W.

10/24/2013 17:00

This would be a great Christmas present for my niece, Haddie! I love that it would get her started thinking about the world!

Richard Hicks

10/24/2013 20:03

Excited because it makes learning fun for the little ones and it is interactive. Would give to my sisterinlaw

brich22 at earthlink dot net

10/24/2013 21:15

I'm most excited that it teaches three important languages for our global world! I would share this with my nephew! Thanks!

rose paden

10/24/2013 23:57

It makes learning so much fun for children! I would give this to one of the familys i choose to give presents to this year for Christmas.

Melinda Stephens

10/25/2013 00:17

My son would adore this. The animal noises would be great for him and keep him entertained long enough for me to do some cleaning.

Jane Squires

10/25/2013 00:45

I want to win this for my granddaughter - she loves animals.

amy f

10/25/2013 04:24

this is really cool

kathy pease

10/25/2013 08:06

That is so adorable and I love the animal sounds..I would give this to a friends child :)

Jenny

10/25/2013 08:25

I love how interactive this toy is and I would give it to my son

JoAnn F

10/25/2013 10:19

I am excited because it will keep me and my grandson busy when it's too cold out to play.
jofo120 at yahoo dot com

10/25/2013 11:02

I like that it is big and easy to play, it would be perfect for my niece

Juliet

10/25/2013 15:46

My daughter would have hours of fun with this! I love that she'd learn all about different animals.

melikegarfield

10/25/2013 15:56

I would give it to the boys and I love that it is large...and makes exploration more active than on a handheld device alone.

10/25/2013 17:04

like that it comes in three languages and niece would likely get it
brich22 at earthlink dot net

Teresa Thompson

10/25/2013 18:01

I like the languages feature and I would give it to my granddaughter.

Rosey

10/25/2013 20:10

I like the recording feature, and that it records for so long!
This would be for my grandbaby.

Christian Alejandro

10/25/2013 20:18

I like the size! I would give it to my nephews!

Jeanine

10/25/2013 20:30

I am excited about all the animals my granddaughters can learn about. This I-mat would be perfect for my two granddaughters.

Vikki Billings

10/25/2013 21:02

This would go to my granddaughter if I win and I want to win because I think it could help her to learn a lot.

Michelle Tucker

10/25/2013 22:09

I like that it is in three languages. I would give it to my little cousins.

Tara C link

10/25/2013 23:25

I'm excited about this because it seems like a lot of fun for the little ones - I would love to win this for my youngest son (and I'll admit that this is far from the first i-mat giveaway I've entered - no luck yet!)

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