Draw Star Wars: The Clone Wars from Klutz Books is filled with tips, techniques, practice space, and translucent overlays to make you a master of drawing. Start with stick figures, move onto basic shapes, and finish up with the details. Use the included double-tipped metallic-colored pencils and black marker to make 20 Clone Wars characters come to life.

How to enter:

To enter, please leave a comment on this post before midnight (eastern time) November 30th. Be sure the email address you leave in the form is valid so I can contact you if you win.
Shipping Guidelines: The Draw Star Wars: Clone Wars book giveaway is open to participants with a United States mailing address only (international readers can enter if they have a friend in the States who can accept their prizes by mail.)

Check out the book trailer:

To celebrate the launch of the site, we’re having a great giveaway! There are two ways to enter and you may enter as many times as you like!

1. You’ll receive one entry for every FunPlace you add to the database, and it only takes a minute to add a playground, library, museum, restaurant, etc so it’s easy to enter! You must enter a valid email address in the form so we can contact you if you win.

2. You’ll receive one entry for every other place you post info about this contest- your blog, Twitter, a forum, etc. Just send us a link to where you’ve posted it via the contact form.

Entries must be in by midnight EST Friday November 20th. All places added must be in the United States and we will ship to either the US or Canada. Hint: you don’t have to have been to the place personally to add it. Just find some great places using the internet and add them if you run out places you’ve been to!

There will be 3 winners:

1st Prize – a $100 Amazon.com gift card

2nd Prize - an Ematic 2GB Color MP3 Video Player with 1.5-Inch Screen, FM Radio and Voice Recording and a Techno Source Micro Rubiks Revolution

3rd Prize – 4 Klutz Books

Paper Fashions Fancy, Window Art, Fancy Friendship Bracelets, and Invasion of the Bristlebots! Klutz Books are awesome- these will turn you into a Klutz fanatic!

Good luck!

ABOUT THE CONTEST

Winter the Dolphin has been an inspiration and hero for children and adults alike. When Winter was just three months old, she was rescued from a crap trap which had seriously damaged her tail. It wasn’t clear that she would survive but she did. However, the damage to Winter’s tail was so extensive that it fell off. To everyone’s amazement, a prosthetic company stepped in an fitted Winter with a prosthetic tail. Now Winter is using her new tail and thriving.

Scholastic wants to hear about an animal that has most inspired your children by having them tell us about their favorite animal hero in 200 words or less.

One grand prize winner and his/her guardian will receive a trip to visit Winter at her home in Clearwater, Florida, one night’s stay at a hotel, $500 travel voucher, a Winter prize pack and a Nintendo DS Game system! 10 runners up with receive a copy of Winter’s Tail, a Winter’s Tail Nintendo DS game and a Winter plush doll!

HOW TO ENTER

Send entries to:
Scholastic’s Meet Winter the Dolphin Contest
557 Broadway
New York, NY 10012

Each entry must include student’s name, age, and grade; teacher’s name; and school name, address, and phone number.

All entries must be received by November 30, 2009. Winners will be announced on or around December 14th. No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of 50 United States and D.C. ages 6-14 as of November 30th 2009. Void where prohibited. Click here for complete contest rules.

There is a new inspiring book out telling the story of how a dolphin overcame the loss of her tail called Winter’s Tail.

When Winter, an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, was found trapped with her tail badly damaged, she was not expected to survive. This is her miraculous story, from her rescue to learning how to swim again to her unprecedented success using a prosthetic tail. This is also a celebration of her indomitable spirit.

One lucky winner will receive this awesome prize pack:

Winter’s Tail game for Nintendo DS
Dolphin Plush
Dolphin Key Chain
Copy of Winter’s Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned to Swim Again Book

How to Enter:

Simply leave a comment on this post before midnight October 14th (eastern time) telling us who or what inspires you, or your favorite inspirational quote! Be sure to put a valid email address in the form field so I can contact you if you win. The Winter’s Tail book promotion is open to participants with a United States mailing address only (international readers can enter if they have a friend in the States who can accept their prizes by mail!)

You and your family can meet Winter the Dolphin! Participate in the Winter’s Tail Virtual Field Trip to Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Florida!
Watch the Webcast Live!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
1:00 P.M. – 1:45 P.M. (ET)

Check out the book trailer:

ADDITIONAL LINKS FOR YOU TO EXPLORE:
Meet the Authors
Discussion Guide / Lesson Plan

Here’s how to enter: please leave a comment on this post telling us what your favorite kids movie is. Entries must be in by midnight, Monday August 24th. Be sure to include a valid email address in the form so I can get in touch with you if you win.

(I am very sorry, but I can only ship to US/APO addresses.)

Two First Prize Winners will receive:

Kids Backpack (two styles!!)
“Green Splat” T-shirt
Lollipop
Sticker sheets
Frisbee
Beach ball
Hat
Yo-Yo

One Grand Prize Winner will receive the complete prize pack listed above as well as the Shorts “Phlat” Ball
(Retail value of $23 / Transforms from a 9” flying disc to a 6” ball when thrown)

Grand Prize Pack = Retail Value $109.50. First Prize Packs = Retail Value $86.50 each

Here’s a quick synopsis of the movie:

Shorts is set in the suburb of Black Falls, where all the houses look the same and everyone works for BLACK BOX Unlimited Worldwide Industries Incorporated, whose Mr. Black’s BLACK BOX is the ultimate communication and do-it-all gadget that’s sweeping the nation.

Other than keeping his parents employed, however, Mr. Black’s BLACK BOX has done nothing for 11-year-old Toe Thompson, who just wants to make a few friends…until a mysterious rainbow-colored rock falls from the sky, hits him in the head and changes everything. The Rainbow Rock does Mr. Black’s BLACK BOX one better: it grants wishes to anyone who holds it. Before long, wishes-gone-wrong have left the neighborhood swarming with tiny spaceships, crocodile armies, giant boogers…and outrageous magical mayhem around every corner.

But it’s not until the grown-ups get their hands on the Rock that the trouble really starts. Now Toe and his newfound friends must join forces to save their town from itself, discovering along the way that what you wish for is not always what you want.

RELEASE AND INDEMNIFICATION:
BY ENTERING THE SWEEPSTAKES, ENTRANTS RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC. AND EACH OF ITS RESPECTIVE PARENTS, DIVISIONS, AFILIATES, SUBSIDIARIES, AGENTS AND ADVERTISING AGENCIES (COLLECTIVELY, “WBEI”) FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL LOSSES, DAMAGES, RIGHTS, CLAIMS, AND ACTIONS OF ANY KIND ARISING IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, FROM THE SWEEPSTAKES OR PARTICIPATION IN ANY SWEEPSTAKES-RELATED ACTIVITY (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE REMOVAL FROM THESITE OF, OR DISCONTINUATION OF ACCESS TO, ANY MATERIALS), OR RESULTING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, FROM ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION, USE, OR MISUSE OF ANY PRIZE AWARDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SWEEPSTAKES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE, AS WELL AS CLAIMS BASED ON PUBLICITY RIGHTS, DEFAMATION, AND/OR INVASION OF PRIVACY.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY:
IN NO EVENT WILL THE WBEI BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR LOSSES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, ARISING OUT OF ANY ACCESS TO AND/OR USE OF THE SWEEPSTAKES SITE, THE DOWNLOADING FROM AND/OR PRINTING MATERIAL DOWNLOADED FROM THE SWEEPSTAKES SITE, THE REMOVAL FROM THE SWEEPSTAKES SITE OF, OR DISCONTINUATION OF ACCESS TO, ANY MATERIALS, OR THE ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION, USE, OR MISUSE OF, OR ANY HARM RESULTING FROM THE ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION, USE OR MISUSE OF, OR PARTICIPATION IN, ANY PRIZE AWARDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SWEEPSTAKES.  WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, THE SWEEPSTAKES, ALL PRIZES, AND ALL MATERIALS PROVIDED ON OR THROUGH THE SITE ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

Wheely Bug Bee Ride-On Toy -$59.99

PlasmaCar – $59.99

Power Wheels Lil Quad Electric Ride-On – $84.99

Razor – Pro Model Kick Scooter – $53.99

Razor – Silver RipStik Caster Board – $68.99

You will have until midnight US central time, Friday May 22, 2009 to enter. For this giveway, I’ll offer three ways to enter:
1. For one entry – Leave a comment below telling us your favorite way to keep the kids busy during the summer months. Be sure you leave a valid email address when filling out the comment form.
2. For two entries – If you’re a Twitter user you can tweet a link to this giveaway. Please use the hashtag #FreeStuff4Kids so I can find all the tweets. (Not sure what I mean by this? More info here.)
2. For three entries – Write a post linking to the giveaway on your blog and send me the link to the post (randaclay [at] gmail [dot] com). Post must be up by end of day Monday, May 18th.

Feel free to enter all three ways to increase your chances of winning! Unfortunately, the prize can only be shipped to the U.S. or Canada. Good luck!

In Docomodake gamers jump, dig and climb their way through puzzle based levels, as they navigate their way through the Docomodake Forest to get to a popular festival on time.

Currently a top-rated show on Cartoon Network in the U.S., the story of Blue Dragon centers on a young boy named Shu and several of his friends who possess the ability to control phantom shadows that mirror the actions of their masters.

Leave a comment below by next Friday, March 27th, midnight eastern US time to enter.* Be sure you leave a valid email address in the email field of the contact form so I can get in touch with you if you win!

*I’m so sorry, but I can only ship prizes to the US or Canada.

“The Princess Bride Game combines spectacular animation with the best of casual, narrative and adventure games – all based on the classic hit movie. Help Princess Buttercup and Westley manage life on the farm, defeat dastardly villains, survive the Fire Swamp, concoct miracle remedies, and vanquish the evil prince in order to live happily ever after.”

I couldn’t find an age recommendation for the game, but to me it looks like about 6-7 and up. Check out the preview of the game in the video below to see more.

I have a copy of the game to give away!

Simply leave a comment on this post before 2009 rolls in, including a valid email address in the comment form.  (I’m very sorry, but I can only ship to the US.) The basic system requirements are here (bottom of the page), so if you’re in doubt, check them out before you enter.

The Princess Bride Game Trailer from PrincessBrideGame on Vimeo.

Ready for Halloween? Pumpkin carving is one of the best parts of the holiday. Last year we featured some great pumpkin carving patterns, and for this year’s holiday we have a pumpkin carving set to give away!!

To enter, please leave a comment on this post and include your best costume idea before midnight October 8, 2008. Good luck!!*

If you’re interested in doing some pumpkin decorating, I found an awesome site called PumpkinCarving101. The site includes the history of carving, how to grow pumpkins, how to carve and light your pumpkin and even a fun “burial tradition” for your creations.

Don’t miss this great post from our archives too- Free and Easy Halloween Costumes

*you must include a valid e-mail address so I can contact you, and I’m very sorry, but I cannot ship to anywhere outside the US.

Ziggity Zoom has tons of great activities: coloring sheets, games, educational activities, reward charts, arts and crafts and many, many printables.  There are activities to keep your kiddos busy for days!

To enter to win the books, please leave a comment in this post before midnight central US time on Sunday, September 7th. Thanks!

*you must include a valid e-mail address so I can contact you, and I’m very sorry, but I cannot ship to anywhere outside the US.