As any proud parent will attest to, kids as young as TWO years of age have been able to correctly identify a tyrannosaurus!

And older kids will organize backyard digs for dinosaur bones and beg to visit dinosaur exhibits at local natural history museums.

So what is behind kids’ fascination with dinosaurs? 

Freelance writer and book author Bob Strauss pondered this question for About.com and came up with some pretty solid explanations!!

·      For starters, he believes kids like dinosaurs because the huge, dangerous creatures are extinct, so kids know that dinosaurs are not a threat.

·      He also believe that dinosaurs are also role models for kids because dinosaurs are big and nobody tells them what to do – the exact opposite of a kid, who is small and is always being told how to behave.

·      Kids also like the size and scope of dinosaur skeletons, definitely a cool factor!

·      And they also like the possibility that, like Matt Larson, a paleontologist for the Black Hills Institute of Geologic Research, they too might be able to someday discover dinosaur fossils – as he did just this summer in the plains of northeast Wyoming!

It’s time for you and your kids to join in the prehistoric fun with Dino Dan, the award-winning live-action, CGI adventure series airing nightly on Nick Junior at 5p.m. (ET), which stars 18 true-to-life, photo-real dinosaurs alongside Jason Spevack (Fever Pitch; Sunshine Cleaning) as Dan “Dino Dan” Henderson.  Available on DVD from NCircle Entertainment, Dino Dan, was created by Sinking Ship Entertainment.

Dino Dan is an ordinary 10-year old boy with an extraordinary obsession: he eats, sleeps and breathes dinosaurs. A typical day for Dan isn’t complete unless he’s racing a T-Rex on his school track, finding a Pterodactylus in his attic or getting a baby Brachiosaurus back to its mom. But kids don’t need to imagine dinosaurs because in Dino Dan, dinosaurs lurk around every corner, they’re behind every mystery, they fuel every adventure, and they help answer questions, too!

Dino Dan also specializes in getting his contrasting crew of classmates and teachers engaged in his larger-than-life adventures. Not only are Dino Dan‘s adventures incredibly fun, they’re also incredibly educational, as each episode centers around a common kid issue like having to play with your little brother, going to the dentist, or trying to win at hide ‘n’ seek. These, naturally, lead Dan to wonder how the dinosaurs would act in a similar situation.

As Dino Dan comes up with a dino question or experiment to test his theories, he’s also teaching kids about science. If his first theory proves false, Dan comes up with a partial answer or discovers new information to help him resolve the question. Then Dan discovers a new way of tackling the experiment and the problem is resolved.  And since the dinos in Dino Dan don’t speak, high-five, or use deductive reasoning, Dan and his pals work with the dinos’ instincts as part of their scientific method for proving theories.

Dino Dan DVDs are now available in a special 4-pack through NCircle Entertainment beginning September 24, 2013.  With a suggested retail price of $24.99 for four DVDs – Ready, Set, DINO!; Dino Trackers; To Catch a Dino! and Cretaceous Creatures! – the Dino Dan 4-pack also includes a bonus augmented reality feature on the DVD package that, when the code is scanned, brings dinosaurs to life!  The four-pack is available at Target stores nationwide from September 24.

My son and I received the DVD set to review and loved the first one! We haven’t had a chance to watch them all yet!  It’s educational and fun! It’s great that Dino Dan is a 10-year old boy who kids can relate to.

To celebrate, NCircle Entertainment is providing one of our readers a Dino Dan DVD 4-pack! You must be a subscriber to enter! Next, leave a comment below telling us your child’s favorite dinosaur! Deadline to enter is September 29th, 2013 at midnight. One winner will randomly be selected from all entries.

And the fun doesn’t stop there!  Fans of Dino Dan can visit the dedicated Dino Dan website at http://dinodan.com/ to enjoy a number of fun and engaging online games including an interactive Dig Site, fun Dino Facts, information about Dino Dan’s friends and even download Dino Dan apps.Dino Dan fans can also visit the Dino Dan Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/dinodantv.

Nick Jr. also has a Dino Dan website, http://www.nickjr.com/dino-dan/, offering everything to entertain your budding paleontologists, including downloadable prehistoric printables for coloring to engaging dinosaur games and crafty Cretaceous creations including instructions for creating your own dino 3D mobile, a Dino Dan‘s dinosaur nest and even Dino Dan binoculars.  The Nick Jr. site also has recipes for fun Mesozoic Meals like giant dinosaur track cookies and there’s even a dinosaur Fun Facts for Parents which includes a pronunciation guide for dinosaur names like Euoplocephalus!

Self  Disclosure: I received free 4-Pack DVD set to feature Dino Dan.

No need to trek to all the way to the Emerald City^TM for adventure – simply visit Los Angeles-area Simon Malls for a special experience as Simon Malls celebrate of The Wizard of Oz’s 75^th anniversary. Simon Property Group, Inc. (NYSE:SPG), a leading global retail real estate company, invites children and parents to join The Wizard of Oz’s 75th anniversary event hosted by the Simon Kidgits Club on September 21, 2013 at the following locations and times:

• Del Amo Fashion Center from 10 a.m. to noon near JoAnn’s Court
• The Shops at Montebello from noon to 1:30 p.m.in Center Court

At each celebration, families can participate in a variety of imaginative The Wizard of Oz inspired activities to revel in the charming tradition of the YELLOW BRICK ROAD^TM. Children who attend will receive a map, which leads to various stations that feature viewings of The Wizard of Oz film clips, craft-making and coloring activities, cut-out character photo opportunities and exclusive movie-focused giveaways. Children who wear a costume will receive a free Rubie’s Red Trick-or-Treat pail, while supplies last. At Del Amo Fashion Center, a Dorothy look-a-like will also mingle with children, as well as read stories and pose for photos.

“Families across the country come to Simon Malls to do more than just shop,” said Lindsay Hermance, director of marketing and business development at Del Amo Fashion Center. “Because Simon properties are places where the community gathers, we’re encouraging adults and kids to come out, connect with each other and get immersed in a classic, fascinating film that people of all ages have enjoyed for years.”

Re-experiencing the Multi-Generational Favorite on Screen

Also to mark this momentous anniversary, Warner Bros. is launching a comprehensive, cross-divisionalThe Wizard of Oz film campaign. Beginning September 20, 2013, The Wizard of Oz 3D will be presented in the immersive IMAX^® 3D format and return to the big screen for an exclusive one-week engagement in IMAX^® theatres across North America. Following the IMAX^® theatrical release, onOctober 1, 2013, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) will release a limited and numbered The Wizard of Oz 75th Anniversary Collector’s Edition, which will consist of a five-disc set including Blu-ray^TM, Blu-ray 3D^TM, DVD and UltraViolet^TM versions of the film; a new documentary, The Making of The Wonderful The Wizard of Oz;bonus features and premium collectibles. New exclusive collectible 75^th Anniversary memorabiliaincludes a deluxe award pin set from The Noble Collection^TM, 52-page hardcover photo book, RUBY SLIPPERS^TM Sparkle Globe, hardcover journal, frameable map of Oz, and frameable photo card. Three more editions will be available separately: a two-disc 3D/Blu-ray, a single-disc Blu-ray, and a two-disc DVD. All four will contain the new documentary and extra content.

“Bringing to life the 75^th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz at Simon Malls allows families to experience the magic of the film today just as viewers did decades ago,” said Jeff Baker, WBHE’sExecutive Vice President and General Manager, Theatrical Catalog. “Children will be introduced to the movie through engaging activities, and parents will feel a sense of nostalgia as they remember the first time they saw the movie as kids.”

The Simon Kidgits Club is a fun and informative program that focuses on health, wellness, education, safety and entertainment for children ages 3-8. Since 2003, the Simon Kidgits Club has kept children and parents alike amused with various events and activities while providing incentives for club members, such as special offers, rewards and games.    

For more information about the Simon Kidgits Club, visit www.simon.com/kidgits. For further detail on Warner Bros. and The Wizard of Oz, visit www.thewizardofoz.com. Use hashtags #WizardofOz75 and #EmeraldCity to follow the fun on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

© 2013 Turner Entertainment Co. and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.  All Rights Reserved.  THE WIZARD OF OZ and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © Turner Entertainment Co.

About Del Amo Fashion Center

Del Amo Fashion Center is the South Bay’s retail destination for shopping, entertainment and dining. Itboasts more than 200 stores, including Macy’s, H&M, Anthropologie, Barnes & Noble, Coach, and more. Visit the outdoor promenade and enjoy dinner at Stacked or PF Changs before a movie at our 18 screen AMC Theater. The indoor mall offers fashion for women, men and children plus jewelry, footwear and electronics. Del Amo Fashion Center serves the nearby communities of Palos Verdes, Lomita, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Redondo Beach and Gardena. For a map and store listings, as well as directions, events and job listings, visit http://www.simon.com/mall/del-amo-fashion-center or call310-542-8525. Visit Del Amo Fashion Center on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DelAmoFashionCenter, Twitter at https://twitter.com/delamofashion or Instagram at orhttp://instagram.com/delamofashion.

About The Shops at Montebello

The Shops at Montebello is a modern indoor super regional shopping center featuring four department stores and more than 160 shops, eateries, and restaurants—remaining the leader for shopping in the San Gabriel Valley. The Shops at Montebello is home to Macy’s, jcpenney, Forever 21, Coach, G by Guess and more, with dining options such as BJ’s Brewery, Hikari Sushi, Marie Callender’s and Olive Garden. The Shops at Montebello serves communities in San Gabriel Valley and East Los Angeles including Montebello, Monterey Park, and Rosemead. With its modernized look and feel, The Shops at Montebello strives to provide the best shopping experience with its retailer and dining selections for the entire family. For a map and store listings, as well as directions, events and job listings, visithttp://www.simon.com/mall/the-shops-at-montebello or call 323-722-8454. Visit The Shops at Montebello on Facebook at www.facebook.com/shopsatmontebello, Twitter at www.twitter.com/shopsmontebello or Instagram at or www.instagram.com/shopsmontebello.

About Simon Property Group

Simon Property Group, Inc. (NYSE: SPG) is an S&P 100 company and a global leader in the retail real estate industry.  The Company currently owns or has an interest in more than 325 retail real estate properties in North America and Asia comprising approximately 241 million square feet. We are headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana and employ approximately 5,500 people in the U.S.  For more information, visit the Simon Property Group website at www.simon.com.

About Simon Brand Ventures

Simon Brand Ventures (SBV), Simon’s business-to-consumer arm, is pioneering the transformation of shopping centers into a medium where consumer brands can build relationships with Simon shoppers who make over 2.8 billion visits each year.  Simon’s vast franchise of market-leading shopping centers nationwide provides SBV the foundation to monetize the distribution system through numerous consumer ventures. SBV and its affiliates have engaged in a number of consumer business initiatives, including the Simon Visa Giftcard® and the American Express®/Simon Giftcard; launch of Simon platform programs such as Simon dTour Live® and Simon Kidgits Club®; a national media delivery channel including static, digital and experiential marketing and advertising vehicles; and multiple national and local marketing alliances with Coca-Cola and Visa U.S.A. among others.

About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, Inc.

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment’s home video, digital distribution, interactive entertainment, technical operations and anti-piracy businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. An industry leader since its inception, WBHE oversees the global distribution of content through packaged goods (Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD) and digital media in the form of electronic sell-through and video-on-demand via cable, satellite, online and mobile channels, and is a significant developer and publisher for console and online video game titles worldwide. WBHE distributes its product through third party retail partners and licensees, as well as directly to consumers through WBShop.com.

About IMAX® Corporation

IMAX, an innovator in entertainment technology, combines proprietary software, architecture and equipment to create experiences that take you beyond the edge of your seat to a world you’ve never imagined. Top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX theatres to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, and, as such, IMAX’s network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe.

IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto and Los Angeles, with offices in London, Tokyo, Shanghai and Beijing.  As of March 31, 2013, there were 738 IMAX theatres (606 commercial multiplexes, 19 commercial destinations and 113 institutions) in 53 countries.

IMAX®, IMAX® 3D, IMAX DMR®, Experience It In IMAX®, An IMAX 3D Experience®, The IMAX Experience® and IMAX Is Believing® are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information about the Company can be found at www.imax.com. You may also connect with IMAX on Facebook (www.facebook.com/imax), Twitter (www.twitter.com/imax) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies).