Child’s Play Communications Bloggers Brunch #ChicagoBrunch

A few weeks I was invited to attend the Child’s Play Communications Bloggers Brunch.  It was the first one held in Chicago, which conveniently for me is only about 40 minutes away!  It was also during the time of the Chicago Toy and Game Fair at Navy Pier so I knew it was going to be a fun day!

Since I had to be there so early, I caught a train and was so happy that Lisa from Oh Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy answered my Tweet and shared a taxi with me to Navy Pier.  First, we walked around the Chicago Toy and Game Fair and while it was really cool and looked fun, I would say it would be for kids 7 and up, since there are a lot of board games and it is not that big.  Next we headed over to the Child’s Play PR Panel Discussion “How to Most Effectively Market to Moms and Promote Your Brand” where we heard from MJ Tam from Chicagonista, Kris from Little Tech Girl, Maria from My Chicago Mommy and Amy from Parent Sphere.  The discussion was more so for how PR people should approach bloggers, find them, what to look for, and so forth, but I found it interesting.  I found it was interesting to hear different PR contacts thoughts and the panel members suggestions.

Next we had a nice brunch set out for us, but I wanted to make sure I had time to talk to all the brands before they got too crowded, not that there were even that many bloggers there and there were only 10 sponsors.  I had a great time not only visiting with some great bloggers, listening to the panel discussion, but also having one-on-one time with the sponsors.

Mega Brands

This was one booth that I was really excited about because my 2 and 3 year old love Mega Brand products especially Mega Bloks. When I saw they had a Thomas the Train Mega Blocks set I was all over that!  They also featured a cool pirate ship, air brush tattoo pen and a game.  I guess I never thought Mega Blocks did anything other than Blocks!  We got to take home the Mega Bloks Thomas Adventure on Misty Island which was a big hit with my boys!  They love that they can snap it together themselves and that they can use some of the Mega Bloks they already have with it!

In Zone Brands

I have never heard of InZone Brands before but they have the coolest drinks!  Their products are BellyWahsers, TummyTickler, and TummyTickler Tots.  They are 100% juice drinks packaged in cute sports bottles that can be re-used!  I got some Bob the Builder packaged TummyTickler juice for my boys and they love it!  It is designed for kids ages 3-6 and contains no artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners.  Not to mention that it features a “kid-grip” bottle shape snad spill-proof spout!  You can buy them individually or as a package, lots of fun characters to choose from. If you have older kids, BellyWashers are for kids 5-10 years old! They are sold at Walmart, Toys R Us, Kmart, Meijer, and more!

Backyard Safari Outfitters

Next stop was the Backyard Safari Outfitters table and they are a company that I am already familiar with.  A few months ago I got the chance to review a few of the Backyard Safari Outfitters products – the Essential Cargo Vest, Land and Water Mega View Periscope and the Bug Wrangler’s Extreme Suction Bug Vacuum – and my boys love them!  Their products are great for year-round adventures as the products are rugged yet fully functional.  They handed out an adorable Mini Lantern which are perfect for nightlights for my boys to carry around!

Also, with Backyard Safari Outfitters was Zillionz which makes awesome counting products like The Original Counting Money Jar and the Real-Money Deluxe ATM Savings Bank!

Mary Kay Cosmetics

I didn’t spend as much time as I would liked at the Mary Kay Cosmetics table, but they were giving out free makeovers and everyone looked like they were having a great time.  I was really impressed too with all the different makeup and samples laid out to try out and check out.

Restaurant.com

I love Restaurant.com.  You can get awesome restaurant gift certificates for like $10!  My husband and I use them all the time for our favorite sushi restaurant.  I will say they do have certain stipulations like “Minimum purchase $40 before tax and beverages” or not valid on weekends, but once you read when you can use them they really are a great deal.  Just purchase the certificate, print it out, and bring it to your favorite restaurant.  We have used quite of few of these at different restaurants and never had a problem.

Playtex Baby

So my boys are 2 and 3 so I don’t use bottles anymore, but we do use sippy cups and lots of them!  I got to check out the Playtex sippy cup and learned that they do make one with a straw, which is the only kind my one son will use.   They also had the new Diaper Genie on display, which I have and love!  (read my Diaper Genie review here) I also am not down having kids so Playtex products are definitely in my future.

Toy State

As a mom of two boys, cars are something I am quite familiar with.  My boys love cars, and I can’t even emphasize that enough so when I saw the Road Rippers product from Toy State I had to check them out.  They are not only cool cars but they offer remote controlled varieties, ones that play music, even classic muscle car styles!  I got the chance to check out the Road Rippers R/C Motor Muscle Dodge Superbee and I don’t know who played with it more, my husband or sons!  The music Road Rippers are pretty cool as they combine fun music with fun cars!  I especially love their CAT construction products, like the Preschool Big Movin’ Rumblers which is a remote control construction truck for kids 18 months and up!  I love how Toy State has products for young kids and up with their awesome remote control varieties.

Cold Stone Creamery

Yum!  I saved this table for last since I wanted to enjoy the yummy ice cream cake they were handing out to sample.  It had Cake Batter ice cream, which is my absolute favorite flavor!  I also learned that Cold Stone Creamery also makes pies, which I think I might be adding to my Holiday list to bring to my relatives this year!  I also got a gift card to check them out which I know my boys are going to love since Cold Stone has yummy add-ins like Oreo Cookies and Gummi Bears!

Mama’s Money Savers Disclosure:  I attended the Child’s Play Communications Bloggers Brunch complimentary and received product samples for the sponsors.  Please see my Disclosure Policy.