Hello wonderful Printers!!

By now you may already know how much we love Jumpstart and all of the wonderful, FREE, educational printables they offer for parents.  Today, however, we want to do something a little different and introduce you to the game area of Jumpstart.com.

Jumpstart has been around since the early 90′s (I remember playing some of their computer software games when I was younger!). They have a series of award-winning educational games available online, on the Nintendo DS™, Nintendo Wii™, iPad™ and by mobile download from your favorite app store. 

My boys range in age from 4 to 8 years old and they all love Jumpstart.com.  They all sit together around the computer, laughing and helping each other out as they explore the Jumpstart world.  One of our favorite areas is the new Madagascar addition. After visiting with your favorite Madagascar characters, the penguins send you off on a secret mission to help save the zoo by transforming your fellow Jumpstart players (Jumpeez) into zoo animals.  But, watch out! While you’re racing around to find Zooveniers to transmorph the other Jumpeez, you may just find your own Jumpee has transformed into a zebra, ostrich, hippo or one of many other animals!

Along the way, you’ll find fun facts about the zoo animals, art and Italian history.  You’ll even have a chance to play Hide and Seek with Mort!  I think the only thing I didn’t like about this game was the Jumpee names hovering above each of the characters.  When you’re surrounded by other Jumpeez, the names tend to crowd the screen, making it a bit difficult to explore the objects around you.  It doesn’t seem to slow down my kids though, as they race around trying to find all the Zooveniers to create their own animal concoctions!

Want to get an up close and personal tour of the game? Check out this little video where we take you through the Madagascar addition of Jumpstart!

Of course, this is just a short review of the game. There is an entire Jumpstart World to explore outside of this Madagascar addition.  For example, there is an area called StoryLand, aimed at 3-5 year olds.  Children in Kindergarten through 2nd grade can explore AdventureLand and MarineLand. And older kids in 3rd through 5th grades can visit FutureLand and Uncle Milton’s Scienceland which are geared towards older children.  Of course, one of the most popular areas (and another favorite of ours) is the Enchanted Sanctuary, where we were able to hatch and raise our own little dragon!  Jumpstart also offers downloadable games which contain thousands of additional lessons and a Jumpstart blog for parents complete with tips, tricks and information on your favorite Jumpstart products.

If you’re new to Jumpstart, now is the perfect time to explore this online world while playing right along with your favorite Madagascar friends!

GIVEAWAY – ENTER TO WIN A 3 MONTH MEMBERSHIP TO JUMPSTART.COM!

The wonderful people at Jumpstart are giving one lucky reader a 3-Month Membership to Jumpstart.com! Enter below for your chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway is open to US residents age 18 years and older. This giveaway will end on 11/5/12 at 12:01 AM EST.  The winner will be chosen by random.org and contacted via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me back. After 48 hours, another winner will be chosen.

Disclosure: I was provided with a JumpStart membership at no cost by JumpStart in order to test the products’ abilities and give my own personal opinions on it. The opinions I have given are mine and may differ from others but were not influenced by the company or the free product provided.