Hugg-A-Planet Review and Giveaway

My little boy has the whole earth in his hands and loves it!

Every once in awhile a toy comes along that is more than a toy. Recently, I was introduced to the Hugg-A-Planet. When I read the press release, I was intrigued.

Just check out this information from the company...
The Hugg-A-Planet Product line was aboard the first Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) rocket to the International Space Station (ISS), the Sept. 11 launch and Sept. 18th docking was flawless. This award-winning product line brings the universal appeal of these fun and educational products to earth orbit. Whether in space or back home here on planet Earth, Hugg-A-Planets are for everyone.

Often used as a simple conversation piece for some, an educational resource for teachers, and for others just for a simple embrace. Now the Hugg-A-Planet® Earth, Hugg-A-Moon™ and Hugg-A-Planet® Mars will circle the Earth for many years to come. The Hugg-A-Planets will make a full orbit around the Earth every 90 minutes on the Space Station. They will stay there for as long as the space station remains active, at least till 2016, and will orbit the Earth 5860 times every year! NASA chose the Hugg-A-Planet globes peacetoys.com as a space-based teaching tool because of their geographic accuracy and soft construction. They also can be tossed around like a ball or used as a pillow.

"Every time I think of how far we have traveled with the Hugg-A-Planet product line it puts a smile on my face," said Robert Forenza, President and Founder of Hugg-A-Planet. Making "green toys" since 1982. Forenza is amazed to think that two of our Planets and our Moon is in space. “Now we can add astronauts to the list of people including world leaders, politicians , celebrities, and business executives who enjoy our products."

We received the Space Station Earth Moon Mars Set to review. My boys love to lean on the Earth while relaxing (like a pillow) and throw them all like balls. They also point at the different locations on each one. As you can see in the photos throughout this post, my youngest son has a great time rolling them around and throwing them. They both think they are great fun.

The Hugg-A-Planets are nice, soft and lightweight. I think they are neat conversation pieces as well. My kiddos probably won't carry a traditional globe around, but I can imagine when they are a little older, they will become more curious about the different places highlighted on each one of their Hugg-A-Planets. That's a great geography lesson, don't you think?

I think Hugg-A-Planets' multi-purpose use makes it the niftiest educational toy. Imagine laying around on the couch with this pillow that you can also teach with. Adults think it's cool too. I love how everything is labeled. While holding the Moon in my hands, I enjoyed reading about Apollo 11.

I think this would be an excellent gift this holiday season, even for the kid who already has a lot of toys. This is more than a toy! It would be awesome for an adult as well.

Buy: Check out the entire Hugg-A-Planet Product Line at http://peacetoys.com/. The set I reviewed, The Space Station Earth Moon Mars Set, is on sale for $44.95 right now. You can also buy the pieces separately and there is a version for babies, too!


Win: Update: We have a winner! Congratulations to #20 With Child who said, "I'm a subscriber!". You have been emailed. Please claim within 72 hours.

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Timestamp: 2009-11-17 13:02:36 UTC

(CLOSED) The generous folks at Hugg-A-Planet have offered to give one Potamus Prefers reader a Hugg-A-Planet Earth of their own (valued at $24.95).


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This giveaway is open to addresses in the U.S. only and will end November 16, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. Winner will be posted on this blog (in this post) and will be e-mailed (please be sure to leave an e-mail address if you aren't a blogger or if it isn't part of your profile). You will have 72 hours to reply. Note: I received a sample to review, but the opinions are my own.