iLearn 'N' Play Adventure Explorer Review and GIVEAWAY! 3/25

My toddlers are pretty obsessed with my iPhone. No, really. Obsessed is not at all an exaggeration here. It's bad. Anyone who is on my personal Facebook friends list has probably noticed many a status update saying the kiddos have misplaced my phone. Often, I end up finding it the next day, usually somewhere odd.

While I enjoy all of the children's learning apps that are available for little ones, I would kind of like to protect my phone while they play. It's just a matter of time before my iPhone ends up in the dog's water or even in the toilet. Or worse.

That's why I was super excited when I discovered iLearn 'N' Play toys from appStart Learning.  AppStart Learning joins 3+ Toys and Apps to make learning fun by making learning play! iLearn 'N' Play works with little learners to help them understand all sorts of early learning concepts! All iLearn 'N' Play Apps are built around the unique iLearn ‘N’ Play Global Curriculum that joins technology, play, and early learning needs to help children learn while having fun.

The best part? These toys work with just about any iOS device, like iPods, iPhones, iPads and iPad Minis. These devices literally fit into the toy, keeping them protected while the kids play. I love the fact that I can just slide our iPhone or iPod Touch inside of the toy, and I know that they won't end up lost because the kids were running around with them. (Major brownie points there!)

There are also free, downloadable apps to enhance the learning experience using iLean 'N' Play toys. The apps are designed specifically for different iOS devices and the 3 toy models:

• iPad App: Letterbox for the Learning Tablet toy
• iPad or iPhone/iPod Touch App: Letter Explorer for the Adventure Explorer toy
• Either iPhone/iPod Touch App: Numberbots for the Robbi toy. 

To use these toys, you have to sync your device and the console together using bluetooth. it's very easy, and just takes a moment.

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iLearn 'N' Play Adventure Explorer :

I received the iLearn 'N' Play Adventure Explorer for review. When this toy arrived, my toddlers immediately went nuts. They were so excited, I couldn't seem to get it out of the box quickly enough to please them.

As you can see, I just slid my iPhone into the Adventure Explorer. It is secured inside of the toy, and there is even a "kid-proof" lock that keeps little hands from disassembling to get to your device.

There are also several neat features on the Adventure Explorer itself. There is a steering wheel, an ignition,  a gear shift, and forward/reverse controls that are compatible with the iLearn 'N' Play Letter Explorer app.

Sophie and Xander both really enjoy the Letter Explorer app. In this fun app, kids get to drive their very own race car, which can be done with the steering wheel. During their joyride, they collect letters that appear on the track in the form of balloons.

As little ones collect the letters, they learn to identify both the letter name and what sound it makes. Learning is made simple and fun using this app, and my toddlers are definitely benefiting from their educational play.

Here are a few pictures of Sophie and Xander playing with the Adventure Explorer. They have an absolute blast playing games on this toy. And I can relax, knowing that my iPhone or Dan's iPod Touch won't magically disappear after falling into the babies' hands.

In addition to the Adventure Explorer, there are more more great toys in the iLearn 'N' Play line-up. Here's some more info about them. Please keep in mind that different toys are compatible with different iOS devices. Please make sure you check to be sure that the toy will work with your device.

Learning Tablet :

$19.99 • For ages 3 and up
Slip your iPad into this stylish and durable frame; grab the attached, child-friendly stylus and power up for some fun learning. Once safely inserted into the Learning Tablet, your iPad becomes a part of this amazing new, early educational concept. Not only is the Learning Tablet cool but also it keeps your iPad safe!

Each Learning Tablet comes with a “Letterbox” app. This fun learning app helps young children to develop their writing skills! Using the stylus provided with the Learning Tablet, children will learn how to write the letters of the alphabet and be rewarded for improving their skills. Simply place your Apple iPad in the protective case, and enjoy the experience of using the stylus (or fingers) to interact with the App. Children are encouraged to write the letters of the alphabet choosing from cursive and print styles.

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Robbi the Robot :

$39.99 • For ages 3 and up
Robbi, the adorable iLearn ‘N’ Play learning companion, will provide children with hours of fun learning. Slip an iPhone or iPod into Robbi’s faceplate and he comes alive. The intelligent learning apps use Bluetooth technology to connect the iPod/iPhone to the unit. The apps ask children to use the 10 chunky numbers in Robbi’s tummy to focus on teaching beginning numbers, counting, addition/subtraction, colors, shapes and greater than/less than numbers. Each Robbi unit comes with a free “app bundle” containing three learning levels of Robbi Numberbots.

This fun learning app helps young children learn about numbers and counting. The Numberbots app encourages children to engage with simple math learning based on Early Years Foundation Stage objectives, such as number recognition and adding sums.

Overall, we absolutely love our iLearn 'N' Play experience. My kids are learning while having fun, and I can already tell that my 2 year old Xander is putting a lot more letters and sounds together on his own. He knows what his letter sounds are, and this learning toy is a great way to reinforce that. Sophie also loves this toy, and especially likes racing and "driving the car". She is also benefiting from the added exposure to the alphabet.

And yes, as a mom who tends to lose her iPhone dozens of times in a week, I love the Adventure Explorer, too. My kids can easily hide my phone when it's loose, but when it's inside of this toy, I always know that my device is secured and protected from all of life's little accidents. Plus, they can't shove the entire toy under the couch, like they can with my phone. So really, the iLearn 'N' Play Adventure Explorer is a win-win situation. The kids have fun while learning, and Mommy doesn't lose her phone. It just doesn't get much better than that!

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How to Connect :

Buy It:
You can buy the Adventure Explorer at Target for $39.99. You can get the Letter Explorer game on iTunes here.

You can check out the awesomeness of iLearn 'N' Play on their website.

You can also check them out on Facebook, on twitter, and on YouTube to stay on top of their latest products and promotions!

Enter to Win the iLearn 'N' Play Toy Of Your Choice!

I am thrilled to announce that one lucky reader will receive either the Adventure Explorer, Learning Tablet, or Robbi the Robot. Winner's Choice! (Be sure to check that the chosen toy is compatible with your iOS device!)  How cool is that?!

Simply enter using the easy Rafflecopter form below!

This giveaway is open to US residents 18+ until 11:59PM March 25, 2013. No PO Boxes. Winners will be drawn using Rafflecopter's Random Number Generator. All entries will be verified, so play fair! I will notify winner via e-mail and they will have 48 hours to reply before I am forced to redraw winners. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. This contest is not affiliated with Facebook in any way. Thanks for entering, and Good Luck!

***Disclosure: I received complimentary samples to facilitate my review. No other compensation was provided, and all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.***

a Rafflecopter giveaway