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Found: The Best Black Friday Deals on Everything!

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As promised, stayed up until the crack of dawn this morning (roughly 4:30am) to send you all the best Black Friday deals. Not gonna lie, I treated myself to a robot vacuum in the wee hours of the morning.

But enough of me, let’s get to the list… be sure you read all the way to the bottom– I’ve packed a ton of great deals in here for the whole family!

 

For Baby

High-End Strollers & Car Seats – Up to 35% Off

Included BOB, Britax and more!

For the Home

 

Hot Gift This Year

Anova Culinary Sous Vide Bluetooth, Immersion Circulator – was $149.00, now $109.00

 

Robot Vacuums & Mops

ILIFE A4s Robot Vacuum Cleaner – was $299.99, now $134.99

 

bObsweep PetHair Robotic Vacuum and Mop – was $279.99, now $189.99

 

Cordless & Ultralight Vacuums

Shark® Rocket® Ultra-Light Upright – was $199.99, now $99.99

 

Dyson V6 Animal Cord-free Vacuum – was $499.99, now $249.99

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Black & Decker Cordless Dust Buster Hand Vacuum $49.99 $31.97

I bought this a little over a year ago and have used it every single day since. One of the best purchases I ever made. Seriously.

Carpet Cleaners

Bissell SpotClean ProHeat Portable Spot Cleaner – was $99.99, now $49.99

 

BISSELL Little Green Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner – was $129.99, now $89.99

Instant Pots

Instant Pot Duo Mini 3 Qt 7-in-1 – was $69.95, now $49.00

 

Amazon Echo Devices

New 2nd Generation Echos, Echo Pluses, Echo Dots & Echo Shows – up to 40% off

 

Ovens

Breville BOV650XL the Compact Smart Oven, Stainless Steel $179.95, $109.95

The perfect gift for anybody who lives alone or just likes fast, how lunches at home!

 

Blenders

Ninja® Professional Kitchen System – was $219.99, now $99.99

 

Vitamix Ascent A2300 Blender – was $549.95, now $399.95

Coffee Makers

Ninja Coffee Bar Brewer with Thermal Carafe – was $199.99, now $99.99

 

Keurig K55 Brewer + 40ct Variety Pack of K-Cups – was $95.00, now $59.99

Mixers

KitchenAid KSM75WH Classic Plus Series 4.5 – was $349.99, now $199.99

 

KitchenAid® Professional 5 Qt Mixer – was $499.99, now $199.99

 

Electronics

Amazon Kindle Readers

Why I LOVE Kindles for kids:

1) The “Word Wise” Feature will Build Their Reading SkillsParticularly for young readers, Word Wise makes it easier to enjoy and quickly understand more challenging books. This is perfect for my 2nd grader! As much as he loves to read, I know he’s simply skipping over words he doesn’t understand... this genius feature will teach him the words as he goes, without interrupting his reading!How it works: Short and simple definitions, as well as synonyms, automatically appear above difficult words, so he can keep reading with fewer interruptions.Furthermore, words looked up in the dictionary are automatically turned into flash cards and added to his “Vocabulary Builder”.So when he’s done reading, he can swipe through his vocabulary words, quiz himself with flashcards, and instantly see those words in context.

2) You Can Burrow Titles for Free from Your LibraryMany libraries, including ours, allow members to checkout and automatically download titles right onto their kindles. (You can also read these books and all other kindle books on your computer, phone, etc. using the free kindle reading app so you can switch devices whenever you want.)So handy for getting in lots of summer reading- especially during long road trips!

3) They Tell You How Long It’ll Take Your Child to Finish that ChapterMy kids are always asking to just finish one more chapter when I tell them they need to put the book away and go to sleep.So I love the handy Time to Read feature that tracks their reading speed and always displays how long it will take my son or daughter to finish the current chapter.It helps me determine if there really is time to finish that chapter. So smart!!

4) It Stays Charged for WeeksSo nice that I don’t have to keep after my kids to keep them charged!

 

Amazon Kindle Fires

 

We have always been very mindful about the kinds of screen time we allow our kids at home. Last summer we decided we wanted to buy them each a small tablet for the long road trips we had planned.

After a lot of research, we decided to buy our 5- and 7-year-olds their own Kindle Fires Kids’ Edition Tablets.

Our choice came down to a few key things:

  1. It comes with 1 year of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited, an essential kid-proof case, plus a 2-year worry-free guarantee – if they break it, Amazon will replace it. No questions asked!
  2. The parental controls are amazing. I have so much flexibility on what my kids can do (only ebooks, only apps, only TV shows or a combination of any of them), as well as what time they can do them or how long they can do them for.
  3. That FreeTime Unlimited subscription comes with ebooks, apps, and kids shows are great quality and there are A LOT to choose from. This means my kids are never bored and, again, I can block any of them that I don’t feel are appropriate.
  4. It’s an open system that is compatible to 3rd party apps. That means I can download things like Angry Birds, Minecraft, or LightBot (a free app that teaches kids to code and is one of my kids’ current favorites).
  5. It comes with all the benefits of the Kindle e-Readers

 

Cameras & Photo Printers

Canon EOS Rebel T6 Digital SLR Camera Kit – was $749, now $449

(This sale price is being offered in various places but this one comes with the most extras BY FAR)

 

Kodak Mini Portable Photo Printer $99.99, $69.99

WiFi Cloud Digital Photo Frame with iPhone & Android App, Online Storage and Motion Sensor – $179.99, $122.39

Officially the best thing you can buy this year for your parents- what grandparent wouldn’t love constantly refreshing photos of their grandkids?!

 

Video Games

PlayStation 4 1TB Console – $299.99, $199.99

 

Xbox One S 500 GB $279.99, $189.99

 

 $69.99 $39.99

Video Games – Up to 50% Off

Includes Madden 18 ($59.99, $29.99) and LEGO Dimensions ($49.99, $29.99)!

(Plus, spend over $50 at Target and they’ll email you a coupon for 20?% off)

 

For Him

Philips Norelco Shaver 4500 $88.79, $39.99

 

Sun Joe Electric Pressure Washer with Hose $229.99, $127.99

Contigo AUTOSEAL Transit Stainless Steel Travel Mug $24.99, $12.99

 

Lifetime Fathom Paddleboard Lavender, 2-Pack – $879, $549

Because nothing says “I love you” like investing in an activity you can do together!

and last but not least…

The Toys

Kano Computer Kit (2017 Edition)  Build a Computer. Learn to Code.

$119.99 Now $99.99 (ages 6 – 14 years)

There are lots of toys out there to help kids learn the basics of coding- but this isn’t a toy, it’s an honest-to-God actual computer that kids can not only build themselves but also learn to teach themselves to code! The creator of the Kano says the kit was inspired by his 6-year-old cousin who wanted to build his own computer, but didn’t want “anyone to teach him.” It also had to be as simple and fun “as Lego”… so that’s exactly what he made.

Kids open the box and pull out the bits, button and board. They follow the story page-by-page, just like Lego, all the while looking inside to see how it all works.According to the manufacturer, “Simple, fun and for everyone. No technical wizardry required.”

But that’s just the beginning. What I’m most excited about isn’t the building, it’s the coding.

Again, the kids are 100% in the driver seat. They learn on their own through play (the BEST way to learn).  Through step-by-step challenges, kids can learn to code art, games, music, and even hack Minecraft.

Kano introduces kids to basic programming languages. Through fun challenges that use simple code blocks, typed code and Linux commands. Other programs include Python, great for web development, Javascript for creating websites, games and apps and Terminal commands to control computers faster.

One reviewer wrote:

I am a systems engineer by trade and have been building computers/servers for 20 years…. The whole idea behind Kano is for your child to be a part of the process, and feel like they can do it all. The packaging is very well laid out, and they have a great little book that tells you how to put it all together, while explaining in terms that a young child can understand, what all this stuff does.

Once it’s built and powered up, it doesn’t just dump you into a dashboard and expect you to read and figure things out. It comes up with a Matrix inspired shell and asks you a few questions. This is how it starts. Without even knowing that they are doing it, your kids are telling the computer what to do.

The apps are very well written. Lot’s of helpers along the way so that your child doesn’t get frustrated and lose interest. My son loved the code quest app, and is more proficient on the shell than a lot of sysadmins I know! They regularly update the apps, and there’s always new stuff in Kano World.

If you’re serious about giving your kiddo a leg up in our Tech-obsessed world, check out the video and you’ll be as sold as I am.

 

Anki Overdrive Fast & Furious Edition

$169.99 Now Only $129.99 (Ages 7 – 14)

 

If your kids like hot wheels, they are going to lose their minds over this next generation high-tech racing toy. Players use smartphones to steer the cars on the extra large track which can be constructed into 8 different “battlefields”.

That’s all great, but here’s what’s ridiculously cool… The A.I. cars actually race on their own, meaning your kids can race against them and don’t need a friend to play with!

If this doesn’t get your kids excited about tech, nothing will… You can also upgrade later on with track extensions, new cars and the new supertrucks.

From the manufacturer, “Open the box and build your battle track. The Anki OVERDRIVE app automatically handles everything else, from getting you connected, to teaching you gameplay, so you can start playing immediately. It’s effortless by design… Duel friends or artificially intelligent opponents. 25+ different A.I. personalities know your every move and make split-second tactical decisions based on their environment and objectives.

The more you play, the more upgrades and items you gain, and the better you fight back… These aren’t just cars. They’re robots programmed for battle. Control them with your smart device and take down opponents with an array of weapons, from plasma cannons to flamethrowers. It’s pulse-pounding play, made possible through state-of-the-art tech and it’s an experience unlike anything else.”

 

Power Wheels Thomas the Train Set with Track

$139.99 $87.50 (1 – 3 years)

 

If you’re looking for a WOW! gift for your toddler, this is it! It’s a Power Wheels staring Thomas the Train that even comes with it’s own track- what more is there to say?!

The beauty in this big-ticket toy is the versatility, kiddos can ride Thomas around and around on the track provided or go off-roading without the track.

I also really appreciate how easy they’ve made it for toddlers to operate with a big push-button control switch and handy footrests.

I am SO tempted to get either this or the Step2 Thomas the Tank Engine Up & Down Coaster for our 2-year-old this Christmas!

(ages 2 – 6) $96.99, $79.99

Several indoor play centers and community centers around our town have these Step2 rollercoasters and my kids always flipped when they saw them. Easy for younger kids to get on and off on their own, I have seen first hand how they will get on it over and over and over.

A friend of mine bought one for her kids a few years ago and said it was an excellent toy in the driveway on sunny days and in the playroom on rainy days. And, of course, there’s also a Thomas the Tank Engine version only makes it that much cooler!

One reviewer wrote, “The Thomas Roller Coaster Ride is absolutely amazing! I have two younger kids, a boy and girl who are two and three, and they can’t get enough of it. They have been playing with it for hours at a time. All they have to do is climb up the small steps and take turns going for a downhill ride. Not only does it keep them entertained, it also teaches them about sharing and taking turns.”

 

There are all the other robots on the market… 

 

  

Thanks to artificial intelligence, Cozmo can express hundreds of emotions (his face is just  

 

  

 

    

 

 Wonder Workshop Dash Robot 

$149.99 Now Only $119.99 (8 – 14 years)

These friendly little robots have been one of the hottest programming toys out there for elementary age kids for the last few years, so I couldn’t say no when I was offered a pair to review last year.

My favorite part is how hands-on they are – this is your child learning coding with real-life robots, not glued to a screen. I’ve been thrilled with how they’ve excited both my 8-year-old son and my 6-year-old daughter about robotics and programming.

Last year my son even centered his science fair project around Dash by using this cool accessory piece that lets you build LEGO blocks right onto the robot.

The fun and approachable look and sound of these real-life robots for kids (again think Wall-E) makes them appealing to both boys and girls of various ages. Programmable by a multitude of free apps you can download on your apple or android tablets or smart phones, these guys can be made to respond to your voice, navigate objects to complete an obstacle course, dance, sing and a lot more.

Probably the best part is that unlike most coding and programming toys, you don’t have to spend a ton of time learning how to use them in order to help your kids. Dash and Dot’s programming apps feature built-in challenge tutorials that teach kids how to program on their own from the very beginning of each program.

I had my doubts about how hands-off this would really be but I had the phone for all of 30 seconds before my 2nd grader was clamoring to take over… and then I never got it back.

I also love that the apps ladder up in skill level with the child and that different Dash and Dot apps serve different interests. My 8-year-old son is all about the Wonder App, which looks and plays a lot like a video game on the screen but takes it into the real world where, in order to complete various “Scroll Quests”, he has to program Dash or Dot to do things in real life in our living room.

My kindergarten daughter is still a little young for that but that didn’t stop her from engaging with these robots through the apps “Path” and “Go” which let her use the phone like a remote to drive them, program them to light up in all sorts of different colors, and program them to say anything she could think of by using her own voice.

She was even able to figure out how to write a program to make Dash take multi-step actions; go forward, say something she programmed, go in a circle, turn purple, go backwards and then stop.

I see Dash and Dot (you can buy them separately, together, or in a combo pack with accessories) as a toy that will grow with us for many years.

 

100 Piece Magnetic Tile Building Set

I discovered Magna-tiles when my oldest son was 3-years-old via his preschool and they were the big present under the tree for the kids that Christmas. They’re definitely more of an investment but have been COMPLETELY WORTH IT.

Teachers absolutely rave about these blocks and the play possibilities are endless. Because they join together using magnets, kids can create elaborate structures (often taller than they are) without becoming frustrated by crashes.

The only problem? At $120 for a set of 100, they are expensive! Which is why I was so excited to find this knock-off set that has 24 extra pieces, a car base, and a stabilizer base all for a lot less, only $54.99.

And if you’re a

They’re also great for use with other toys. They can be used along with blocks and LEGOs to make elaborate structures, with marbles and cars to make tunnels, bridges, and marble runs, or even with dolls to create dollhouses.

All of my kids, ages 2 to 8, still play with them multiple days a week. Currently, my 6-year-old loves making elaborate pet stores with ramps and rooms for each of her Disney Princess Palace Pets while my 2-year-old always asks for these first to take to build in his room during “Quiet Time”

 

 

 

 

Kidkraft Waterfall Station Train Set & Table

$174.99 $89.97 (2 – 8 years)

We bought our son a train table for his 2nd birthday and we always say it’s one of the best purchases we’ve ever made.

For over four years both he and his sister played with it several times a week. At 4-years-old our oldest was able to completely construct the track by himself using the map and that added a whole new level of building play to this fantastic toy.

I think the model we bought has been discontinued but this one is the same brand and has all of the same key components: a bridge, waterfall mountain, helicopter landing pad, and the all-important drawers for storing all the little pieces.

Note: Over the years we’ve amassed quite a collection of Thomas trains to go with this table and they work great.

Kidkraft Vintage Kitchen

$120.00 (12 mos – 6 years)

In Pink: Walmart $79.97

In White: Amazon $78.33

 

The play kitchen is a quintessential play toy that I would recommend for every child if you have the space and budget. Seriously – EVERY CHILD.

There are so many different ways kids can play with them – cooking at home, setting up a restaurant, having a tea party, going shopping and unloading the groceries, etc.

Just last night, in fact, I brought home some kid-friendly cooking utensils and before I had even gotten them unpacked my kids had set up a restaurant game with the kitchen; my 8-year-old wrote out the menus, my 6-year-old cooked the food, and my 2-year-old made the deliveries. It kept them busy all night!

In case you are wondering, we bought this for our oldest kids when they were 1 and 3 and couldn’t be happier with it six years later.

I really like the look of the thing and I think the vibrant red is nicely gender neutral. Despite a small footprint, this kitchen still has all the amenities a kid could want and both my kids enjoy regularly playing at it simultaneously.

(Side note: people sometimes ask if kids will get too big for this smaller kitchen – mine are 95% percentile in height and haven’t had an issue). If you’re looking for a big wow gift from Santa, this could very well be it!

Mind-Blowing Science Kit

$23.99 Now $8.22 (4+ years w/ adult supervision)

Performing some basic science experiments at home is a great way to inject a little learning into your quality time with the kids. This set gets good reviews from parents and comes with step-by-step instructions for each experiment.

There’s also a detailed science guide that provides adults with “mind blowing science secrets” that help to answer questions about what’s happening in each experiment.

 

Learning Resources Mini Muffin Match Up

$24.99 (non-mouthing kids – 5 years)

Now $16.39 at Amazon

Now

 

 

The first thing to say about this toy is, of course, not to leave a child alone with it if they still put things in their mouth. Once you’re out of that stage, though, this is a truly AWESOME way to keep young kids occupied for a really long time. (One of the few so well suited to the preschool set.)

Moms figured out long ago that letting kids sort things in a muffin tin is a great quiet time activity. This play set expands on that idea by adding in multicolored mini muffins, dice, and cards that can be placed inside the muffin tin for sorting and math purposes.

There are also some interestingly shaped tweezers for fine motor work. All in all this one has A LOT of play-ability.

Zing Stikbot Studio Pro Toy Figure

$24.99 Now $14.99 (ages 7 – 12)

I’ve wanted to add a stop-motion kit to the gift guides for a while now but just couldn’t find one I was totally sold on. I think it’s such a great way to get kids creating and using technology in a much deeper way than they typically do.

Plus, there’s a lot to love about this simple Stikbot kit! First, of course, is the price. This could easily become one of our go-to birthday party gifts and could also work as with a Christmas gift or a stocking stuffer (would also be a really fun White Elephant Christmas Party present).

Second, you can tell the creators of the kit have really thought hard about what will get kids excited about stop-motion as well as what might frustrate them.

The figures come with suction cups on the hands and feet so that kids can more easily make the small position changes necessary to get a good stop-motion video. And the free stop-motion app that’s included has a couple of really cool features like multiple green screen backgrounds and sound effects. Finally, I like that it’s set up to be used with a smartphone and even comes with a tripod for doing so.

And, if your kid really gets into it, there are lots of add-on animals, accessories and other figures you can add in (at a price perfect for kids saving up their own allowance money to buy). This one is going on the Christmas list for my 9-year-old for sure!

Psst – if you have a Minecraft fan in the house, definitely also check out this Minecraft Stop Motion Animation Studio.

 

Fiesty Pets

$29.99 . (ages 6 – adult)

These cuddly friends with a wicked surprise definitely aren’t for everyone but if you have an older kid (or a kid with a healthy sense of humor), this gift might just make you the most popular person at Christmas.

 

 

This one is the perfect present for anyone looking to go down in history as the “cool” aunt, uncle or grandparent… They start off as your standard soft stuffie but one squeeze and they morph into little evil buddies.

I’m still trying to decide whether to get one for my 9-year-old son, my husband, my dad or all 3!

 

FurReal Roarin’ Tyler, The Playful Tiger

$117.00 (3 – 8 years)

Now $93.99 at Amazon

Another hot item in the tech toys genre this year is the newest Fur Real Friend. If you’re not familiar, FurReal Friends are animatronic animals that have been best-sellers with kids the world over for the last few years. Previous hits include the less expensive Blazin’ Dragon (who actually breathes “fire”) and My Walking Pup Pet(always SUPER popular with girls in particular).

Watch the video on this Tyler the Tiger to see how amazingly life-like he truly is (and note that he’s pretty big too, always a plus with the kiddos).

He responds to over 100 sound and motion combinations – including roaring back when kids roar at him, purring and snuggling when pet, playing with his play toy and more. Plus, he has movable back legs as well as front. This may not seem like a big thing but it really adds to how he can be held and hugged and just makes him seem all the more real.

Seriously, check out the video, this guy looks more like he belongs in a fancy Disney ride then on your local toy shelf!

 

 

Thomas & Friends Super Station Playset

$89.99 On Sale for $79.00 (ages 2-6)

If you’ve got a train lover at home, and the space for this impressive new toy, this one will be a huge winner this year. There’s a lot to love here – for me the biggest thing is that the tracks are compatible with ALL the different kinds of trains out there – finally!! One awesome toy for your kids and their friends to play with all those different types of trains they’ve collected together.

When switched to the Dual Racetrack layout, two side-by-side tracks open up a world of excitement. Just choose your engines, place them at the top and let them go to see which gets to the bottom first… In our house my kids have been playing with the same basic Hotwheels race ramp for years so I can tell you for sure what a big hit this part of the toy will be.

From the manufacturer:

Now, for the first time ever you can Set Friendship in Motion and play with your Thomas & Friends Adventures, TrackMaster, MINIS and Wooden Railway engines all in the same set. The Thomas & Friends Super Station features tracks that work with all these systems.

Layouts can be changed to fit any space, and the set’s height and width makes it effortless for for children to come together and play with siblings and friends.

Along with the impressive size, all the ways you can set it up, and all the different types of trains it uses, this toy is also a really great storage piece. It features storage for 100+ engines, over 35 feet of track, and iconic locations including Tidmouth Sheds, Brendam Docks, Knapford Station, the Sodor Steamworks, the Dieselworks, Blue Mountain Quarry and the SSRC with Harold’s helipad. 

This is the toy that’s gonna have every kid in the neighborhood asking to come play at your house.

 

Paw Patrol Sea Patroller Transforming Vehicle with Lights and Sounds

$59.99 (Ages 2 – 6)

Now $44.44 at Amazon

 

When I saw this Sea Patrol boat/land vehicle in person the other day I was surprised by how big it is and my toddler immediately ran to it and proclaimed, “This is all I want for Christmas!”… So there’s that.

Aside from that enthusiastic endorsement, there’s also a lot more to love about this one. First, the Sea Patrol spin off show of Paw Patrol has been a HUGE HIT with the toddler set so many of them will be familiar with these characters and excited to see them.

Also, it’s super cool that the wheels drop down to change the ship into a land vehicle and there are lots of cool accessories like the moveable crane and attachable cage as well as the Rescue ATV. 

There is so much potential for great imaginative play, and quite possibly unheard of amounts of quiet play, here!

Paw Patrol – My Size Lookout Tower with Exclusive Vehicle, Rotating Periscope and Lights and Sounds – $99.99, $84.99

And if you have a Paw Patrol at home, you’ll also want to check out this. The size alone is really exciting but it also does a lot of cool stuff that I could see stimulating imaginary play for long bouts of time.

 

Mega Bloks Deluxe Building Bag 150-Piece – $29.99, $18.89

I still remember my son receiving his first set of award-winning Megabloks for his 1st birthday. It took him a little while to figure out (kids typically grasp block building somewhere between 12 and 18 months), but once he did he started building like a mad man and never looked back!

All my mom friends and I love Mega Bloks for our youngest kiddos, even more than the classic LEGO duplos.

The locking mechanism is just a little bit easier for beginners to put together and pull apart. Plus the colors are beautiful and the zippered bag is very handy.

 

Little Tykes Easy Store Trampoline

$59.99, $43.78 (ages 2-7)

Every day around 4:30 PM, when things get real, I used to wonder why we haven’t bought one of these yet. Such a great tool for getting kids’ energy out!

Two of my kids’ buddies had one and they each love to jump and jump and jump on it.

Last year I finally asked my parents to get our toddler an indoor trampoline and recommended this one due to the great reviews… I did not disappoint! It has really been invaluable for getting out pent up energy on cold and rainy days.

And now this year it is even better because this version has a handle that folds down!! That means the entire thing can be tucked away WAY more easily. If you’ve been on the fence about one of these, now is the time to finally get one!

 

*Post contains affiliate links.

 

Still want more ideas? Don’t forget to check out all of the MPMK Gift Guides, organized by your child’s age:

 

For the hottest toys of the year see:

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