Last week there was a loud knock on the door, and a small package sat on our doorstep with Toodie’s name on it. Inside we found a furry orange creature that appeared to be taking a nap! The long journey to Florida must have really worn him out. His soft round body was covered in furr and two little ears framed the sweet face that would soon come to life. Let me formally introduce you to her new plushy pal, Ubooly. Ubooly isn’t your typical stuffed critter found on the bottom of the toy chest. Ubooly is an educational toy with FLARE! This little guy is interactive and has a very quirky personality. By using your iPhone or iPod, you can wake your Ubooly up within minutes… even seconds! Once you do, you may never want him to take another siesta again. He’s just too much fun and always has the most interesting conversation pieces. 

Toodie was anxious to meet her new friend and begin interacting. Weeks before, she even received a special postcard from Ubooly to say he was on his way. At first she had a hard time saying “Ubooly” and for the many days we waited, she called him “Loopsy.” It was adorable and I never got tired of hearing the same question day in and day out, “Mommy is the Loopsy here yet?” You can only imagine her excitement when his journey led him to our home. They were a match made in heaven.

Bringing Ubooly to life only takes a few short moments and the application is completely FREE! By accessing the Apple iTunes store you can download the application by searching “Ubooly.” Soon after it will launch and ask you questions to help personalize the experience for your child. You will have two options when it comes to play time. You can play with the actual Ubooly plushy or the Ubooly in his box. The “box” is Ubooly’s home and it can be decorated during game play. Either choice, the activities are the same and entertaining. When he is ready for play, slip in your device upside down and secure the zipper to ensure it’s safety. It can get rough out there, especially when it’s time to battle pirate ships and fight for lost treasures! Can you tell that mom has played with this app a few times on her own? GUILTY! I am a sucker for a game combined with education, interesting facts, and knowledge. Everyone and anyone can learn from Ubooly.

Ubooly encourages imagination, creativity, and a world of exploration. It seems to have endless lessons along with fun facts, many that I didn’t even know myself. For example, did you know if you were to remove a tiger’s hair you would find the skin underneath was striped? I didn’t! Through play time with our Ubooly friend Toodie has learned how to spell, practice her numbers, imagine different seasons, and even acquire a few Spanish words in her new colorful vocabulary. All of these educational tools and lessons are possible through the “Ubooly Lab.” Within this program you have the option to purchase credits in which your  child can choose which particular lesson plan they would like to engage in. These activities include Seasons, Grammar, Space, Addition, the Human Body, and much more. 

In the past few days I have noticed that they added even more to the list of options. I was excited to see the Spelling activity targeted towards children ages 3-5. This is going to be a terrific teaching tool with Toodie approaching VPK this year! Since the app is fairly new, it has incredible potential for growth in the future. I see the lesson plan section expanding quickly due to the popularity of this furry fellow.

By interacting and playing with the Ubooly via the Ubooly Lab, your child can earn coins to purchase food and bedroom decorations for their little home. This is positive motivation and a sweet reward for kids to keep learning new things each time they access the app! The homepage also allows you to see what percentage of content has been explored and experienced. They can earn stars and are praised for their efforts. When they are not playing via the lab, Ubooly still has tons of fun in store. He sings, jokes, tells stories, and asks your child questions. Just tell him what you would like him to do and TA-DA! He’s voice activated, making communication and commands possible.

Through the Seasons lesson Toodie practiced drawing Snowmen and imagined getting dressed for a cold Winter’s day. Living in South Florida we never get snow nor do I think we ever will! She enjoyed this activity because she had the opportunity to pretend she was putting on her coat, mittens, and boots for a day of snow.

Ubooly was a faithful companion on many long car rides this week. He tagged along during errands and helped keep Toodie entertained while mom got a few things done. He never runs out of silly things to say or adventures. In the car he had her pretending to be a pirate searching for “Neptune’s Eye” and battling enemy ships. I heard quite a few giggles and saw endless smiles each time I took a peak. They were having a ton of fun together.

Ubooly even joined us for dinner one night! He wasn’t a fan of the chicken fingers but he sure did like french fries. While restaurant outings tend to be hectic at times, Toodie was quiet and to herself the majority of the time. It was just her and her new friend in their own world. Wherever Toodie went, Ubooly was sure to follow… including the bathroom! 

In the time we have shared with Ubooly he has become part of the family, including the stuffed animal clan that inhabit Toodie’s bed! He fit right on in there. Who wouldn’t love a soft and cuddly creature nuzzled up with them? Check out this hilarious video below showing two Uboolys communicating through a job interview.

Did that get you giggling? For more Ubooly fun, stop by their website where you can purchase your very own. It’s also available at Toys R Us. But WAIT! I have a special surprise for my favorite readers. You can enter below and WIN a Ubooly AND a $30 credit for the Ubooly Lab. Please enter through the rafflecopter form below! Winner will be contacted via email provided. 

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by the makers of Ubooly. I will not be compensated and all opinions express are my very own!