If you are into gymnastics and tumbling, then you know probably know all about the innovation known as an air track mat, but might not know what airtrack to buy

This is not a full guide of how to find the best brand of airtrack, but it should give you an idea of some of the main points to look for.

Airtrack Mat Construction

A high-quality airtrack mat is made with very durable vinyl suitable for boat construction. These products will take a beating even from the lightest tumbler, and therefore have to be able to withstand severe pressure. Double Wall Fabric (DWF) is something to look for.

Check user reviews on Amazon, YouTube, and gymnastics forums to gauge the reputation of various manufacturers listing air tracks for sale before investing in an air track mat.

Air Track Prices

If you want an air track mat cheap, your best bet is to buy either a smaller mat, or a used one. Air track prices range from a couple of hundred dollars to several thousand, so you need to do your research. If you see a used air track for sale which seems to be a good deal, check the reviews for that manufacturer anyway just to be safe.

Size and weight

If you plan on using your air track mat in your yard and it is too heavy, you will tend to leave it outside where it will be exposed to the elements and get damaged. But if it is too small, it will limit what you can do. You want to strike a balance. You might be able to use a 20 cm thick track instead of a very bouncy 30 cm thick track, and use a shorter one, to save weight. Or perhaps the thinnest version, the 10 cm, will work best if you want the closest experience to the gym floor.

Okay, we know what most teens really want is probably a new iPhone or one of those nifty hoverboard thingys which everybody seems to be riding these days…but you probably don’t have that kind of cheddar in your bank account to afford to buy them for your besties, right?

With that in mind, check out our Holiday Gift Guide for some cool gadgets, books, DVDs, and other cool products you can get for your friends (or request for yourself) which won’t break the bank…and if you enter our giveaway, you might just get an early Christmas box sent to your door with a whole bunch of these items in it!

Altec Lansing Mini H2O Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

We have been playing with a review sample of the Altec Lansing  Mini H2O for a couple of months now, and we have to say it is one of our favorite little gadgets. In fact, there is a bit of competition as to who gets to use it around here, because it is in demand.

The Mini H2O is a tiny Bluetooth “everything-proof” speaker with big sound for such a small device. It is water-proof (it even floats!) and shock proof (yes we have dropped it and it is fine) and has a pretty long battery life of up to 6 hours.

It features a carabineer clip so you can hang it from your bag or a belt loop, and is covered in a soft rubber shell which provides shock and water protection. As far as sound quality, it is very good for a tiny device. Don’t expect too much bass from the tiny speakers, but it is definitely loud enough to use in your backyard or at casual get-togethers with your friends. We have had zero issues connecting the speaker to our phones via Bluetooth.

Other features: a microphone for speakerphone capabilities, aux-in jack,  USB charging cable included. The one thing we don’t like is this crazy loud voice which practically SHOUTS TO THE WORLD when you charge the device, pair it with a phone via Bluetooth, or turn the power on or off. If we could shut up the robo-voice, we would love this device even more.

But apart from that…highly recommended for the price (under $50)!

Redbubble

Redbubble and their collection of personalized accessories and apparel make for cool holiday gifts because they are one of a kind. Above we show the hoodie and tote bag, each with one of 14 million unique designs available to choose from on products such as mugs, phone cases, throw pillows, pouches, t-shirts, and leggings.

Another great thing for teens is that you can upload your own designs to Redbubble to create you own fashion look…and if others buy products using your work you earn a commission!

eos Lip Balm

eos is the evolution of smooth. Lip balm that is 100% natural, 95% organic and made with shea butter and jojoba oil for happy, moist, super-smooth lips. eos Lip Balm in pomegranate raspberry is paraben, petrolatum, and gluten free. The best part: they make for extremely affordable little stocking stuffers!

New this year: eos Body Lotion Sets – The new eoscollections are equipped with the eosBody Lotion, eos Visibly Soft Lip Balm Smooth Sphere (rich with Hyaluronic Acid), and the eos Everyday Hand Lotion.  $7.99 at Target, CVS, Walgreens, Ulta, Drugstore.com,evolutionofsmooth.com

Dakota Watch Ladies Leather Cord

Minimalism is a trend that is growing in popularity. Clean simplistic designs and accents add a crisp finish to finish to any outfit. Dakota Watches offers trendy time piece accessories which are high style at an affordable price. The Ladies Leather Cord ($49.95) by Dakota Watches has dual genuine leather cords encircling the side of the case for an interesting minimalistic fashion look.

Dakota Watch Company resembles high-end pieces at an affordable price point, offering exceptional guarantee, first battery free, and expert service. The services are hands on and personalized, offering customers a live person instead of an automated system.

P.R.E.P. Cosmetics

P.R.E.P. Cosmetics (www.prepyourskin.com) is the first dermatologist founded, tested and recommended skincare line created for girls.

According to the company, “When it comes to great skin, we have learned that it is best to start young and have an effective skincare routine to help treat, protect and prevent common issues with our skin.”

P.R.E.P. Cosmetics encourages young girls to take ownership of their skin and begin their journey to wellness with a Purifying Daily Cleanser, SPF 30 Face + Body Lotion and SPF 15 Lip Gloss.

THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW: THE LOST EPISODES Collector’s Edition 6 Disc DVD Set

Most teens have likely never seen the iconic The Carol Burnett Show, a comedy variety show which helped define the golden age of television. Well, Time Life is making it easy for you to get an introduction with their recently released collector’s edition featuring 16 UNCUT and long-lost episodes from the show’s first five years (1967-1972), hand-picked by Carol herself!

The six-disc set also features over 5 hours of bonus footage, including:

• A backstage tour of CBS Studio 33 where the show was originally taped
• 13 exclusive new interviews with stars of yesteryear and today, with Alan Alda, Julie Andrews, Vikki Carr, Carol Channing, Bill Hader, Jack Jones, Jim Nabors, Queen Latifah, Gloria Loring, Don Rickles, Lesley Ann Warren and more!
• Never-Before-Seen Bloopers & Outtakes
• Newly produced featurettes
• Bonus sketches including “Morton at the Movies” and the all-time classic “The Dentist”
• The opening number from the historic Julie and Carol at Lincoln CenterTV special with a new introduction by Carol

“Across 16 magical episodes – true treasures from the vault, not seen since their original airing more than forty years ago – consumers will see the very first steps of a TV icon, the magic of Carol’s cast coming together, and an incredible array of guest stars including Carol’s hero, Lucille Ball, along with Carol Channing, Bing Crosby, Phyllis Diller, Steve Lawrence, Bob Newhart, Don Rickles, Chita Rivera, Burt Reynolds, Flip Wilson and many, many more.”

“For Carol’s biggest fans, Time Life has released two exclusive configurations, currently available online at LostCarolEpisodes.com or by calling 1-800-950-7887.  THE LOST EPISODES ULTIMATE COLLECTION, priced at $200, includes 22 DVDs, over 20 hours of specially-created bonus programming, a collectible guest book and more.  THE VIP EDITION (priced at $400), will feature everything in the ULTIMATE COLLECTION, plus Carol will hand-sign a personalized greeting on the cover of the guest book.  Each VIP EDITION will be numbered and arrive with a Certificate of Authenticity.  The bonus features include everything from the 6-disc set, as well as the addition of five featurettes, including: “The Making of a Mackie,” “The Golden Age of the Variety Show,” “Messages to Carol” “Expecting the Unexpected” and “The Song and Dance”; more interviews with stars of yesteryear and today including Tony Bennett, Pat Boone, Steve Carell, Kristin Chenoweth, Tina Fey, Shirley Jones, Burt Reynolds and more; and rare TV specials: Once Upon a Mattress starring Carol, Ken Berry and Bernadette Peters and Carol+2 featuring Lucille Ball and Zero Mostel.  Both ultimate sets are housed in a deluxe collector’s box, and feature a glossy 40-page collectible Guest Book that contains autographs from guests, fans and friends, archival production photos and notes from Carol.”

“THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW debuted on CBS in 1967 and ran for 11 years, receiving 25 Emmy Awards and eight Golden Globes, making it one of the most honored shows in television history. TIME Magazine named THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW one of the “100 Best Television Shows of all Time” and Carol Burnett has been honored with more People’s Choice Awards than any other actress.”

Shelby DVD

Okay this movie is definitely for your little brother and sister…unless you like lots of poop/flatulence jokes yourself. There are a few lines that older teens and even adults might enjoy thanks to what we can only imagine as Chevy Chase sneaking in some zingers (including a reference to the infamous Aristocrats joke in a family film…wow he got away with it).

Anyway here is the official synopsis:

“In this heart-warming family tale, rescue dog Shelby manages to escape the dog pound on Christmas Eve and runs straight into the arms of little Jake (John Paul Ruttan, Robocop) and the two are immediately inseparable. The only thing standing between them and a perfect Christmas is the notorious local dogcatcher – he has Shelby in his sights and he’s not going to stop until he finds him. SHELBY stars the legendary comedian Chevy Chase (Vacation franchise, “Community”), Tom Arnold (Underdog Kids, Chilly Christmas), Addison Holley (“Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,“ “Little Charmers”) and Rob Schneider (Deuce Bigalow franchise, Grown Ups) as the voice of Shelby. Directed by Brian K. Roberts (En Vogue Christmas), written by Jeremy Wadzinski, developed and financed by The Fyzz Facility Limited, SHELBY is a Dove®-family-approved movie for all ages.”

If you prefer to stream movies, it is also available On-Demand.

Keep Calm and Color On Personalized Coloring Book

A recent trend catching on with teens is adult coloring books. Intended as a relaxation and creativity tool, adult coloring involves more intricate designs than the kindergarten stuff which help get you “in the zone.”

We received a copy of Keep Calm and Color On, the first-ever personalized adult coloring book by illustrator Katie Martin, and we love it. We got to put our name on the cover as well as an inside page, as well as customize the dedication. In addition to more than 60 intricate patterns, the pages feature inspirational quotes to uplift you as you color.

It is available from Put Me In The Story, “the #1 personalized books site in the U.S.”

When you are done, you can share your colorful creations on social media with #KeepCalmAndColorOn 

BloodSTOP

You might think this is a weird holiday gift suggestion, but this stuff is amazing for anyone who does sports or otherwise is at risk for getting cut.

BloodSTOP is an innovative, life-saving product that every family should have in their first-aid kit. It stops bleeding, prevents blood loss, and seals even serious wounds better than any other in existence, according to the manufacturer.

“Having BloodSTOP on hand not only keeps teens moving, but it also gives parents peace of mind.Initially developed for use by surgeons in the operating room, BloodSTOP is proven tostop bleeding faster and promote healing far better than traditional bandages and other blood coagulating products. BloodSTOP’s effectiveness, efficiency, and simplicity has made it the go-to product for many emergency workers, medics, firefighters, police forces, and parents alike. It is a groundbreaking product with a multitude of applications and the ability to actually save lives. BloodSTOP is a new must-have addition to every family’s first-aid kit and is available at major drug stores nationwide (e.g., CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Walmart, Amazon, and more).”

Ascenders Novel

ASCENDERS is about a group of teens who find themselves in a sort of in-between life world after they meet unfortunate ends, which is not very different from the normal world they just departed from — besides the fact that they can do whatever they want since they cannot die again!

Here is the official synopsis:

Is this Hell or is this High School?

Walker Callaghan doesn’t know what happened to her. One minute she was living her teenage life in suburban Chicago…and the next minute, she was in a strange place and in a brand new school with absolutely no homework, no rules, and no consequences.

Walker Callaghan, 17, is dead.

She doesn’t go to heaven or hell. She lands at The Academy, a middle realm where teenagers have one thing in common: They were the morning announcement at their high schools because they died young.

These high school kids are now caught in a strange “in-between” zone where life hasn’t changed very much.  In fact, this special teen limbo looks a lot like life in a quaint Michigan town complete with jocks, popular girls and cliques. “There are even cheerleaders in death,” Walker observes.  It’s not a coincidence that the music teacher is a guy named Kurt who “used to have this band.” The drama teacher, Heath, is crush worthy because back in his life, he starred in some superhero movie.

Principal King explains the rules — there are none. Why? You can’t die twice.

There is no homework.

No tests.

No SATS.

You’re just there to learn because the human brain isn’t fully formed until you’re 24.

By the way, you can’t get hurt physically, so race your Harley off that hillside. But falling in love is the most dangerous thing you can do …because no one knows how long you’ll stay in this realm or what’s next.

“Losing someone you love would be like dying twice,” Walker says

Carmex

Generations have relied on the Carmex original lip balm formula.

• Soothes dry, chapped lips
• Creates a long-lasting water barrier with petrolatum, which acts like a bandage so healing can take place
• Contains lanolin, which mimics the way your skin naturally retains moisture
• Provides cooling pain relief with camphor and menthol

In addition to the iconic little yellow jar, Carmex also comes in tubes and sticks, in such flavors as strawberry, pomegranate, cherry and more.

For those of you who prefer minty stuff on your lips rather than fruity stuff, the company has recently launched NEW Limited-Edition Carmex® Winter Mint Lip Balm Click Sticks. Rolling out now and available until supplies last, the new seasonal flavor combines the invigorating freshness of winter with a kiss of mint and comes in convenient click sticks that glide on lips easily.

Intelligent Disobedience: Doing Right When What You’re Told To Do Is Wrong

Children are back in school. Of course, parents want them to do well, learn a lot and not get in trouble. But, do they teach them how to question orders that violate safety, legality or common decency? Author and ‘followership’ expert, Ira Chaleff, has extensively studied the topic of Intelligent Disobedience – knowing when and how to not obey a rule or order if obeying would produce a harmful result. During his research, Chaleff realized that guide dogs for the blind must recognize and resist a command that would put their human partners and themselves at risk and identify safer options for achieving the goal. If we can train dogs to distinguish between appropriate obedience and disobedience, we absolutely can and need to do so with humans. And the lessons need to start at home and in school with our children.

Life’s Essential Primer

Unwittingly making certain choices from an early age, Robert C. Trautman forged a path from meager means to accomplished gymnast, competitive figure skater, licensed helicopter pilot, professional photographer, electronics engineer, and parent.

Trautman’s new memoir-infused self-help book “Life’s Essential Primer” outlines the principles and life philosophies he has derived from his own amusing, real-life adventures. In doing so, he provides teens with the framework to efficiently prepare their educational paths to become successful adults, while avoiding the common pitfalls along the way.

Buzz Kill

For many seniors, the time leading up to college graduation and the start of a first job is often chaotic and stressful.

Having worked for more than 20 years in corporate America, author William Goodspeed understands how important it is for recent grads to become skilled at distinguishing the difference between a complimentary chuckle and a sincere cackle. His new book, “BuzzKill,” takes an alternative look at the comical situations found in workplace culture and offers insight on how to effectively use humor in leadership roles.

THE BRAIN: An Illustrated History of Neuroscience

The study of the brain has spawned many disciplines: neuroscientists have unpicked the chemical processes that power nerve signals and build memories; psychologists explore the link between our thoughts and physical activity of the brain; even philosophers have got involved as they question whether human consciousness is actually capable of being tested by science.

THE BRAIN: An Illustrated History of Neuroscience (Shelter Harbor Press, Nov 2015) is the sixth book in the successful Ponderables™ series [Over 250,000 copies sold of the first five titles.]  THE BRAIN is written in 100 chronological milestones telling the story of neuroscience from the dawn of history to the present.

Such milestones include:

• Avicenna proposes that the brain works in three sections, where information from the senses were first merged into a “common sense” at the front of the brain. This went on to be evaluated in the central area, and then the rear brain was used to control the required responses.
• Paul Broca studies the brain of a patient who can say little more than the sound “tan,” and in so doing reveals the speech center in the frontal lobe. He thus provides the first evidence that the brain’s functions are linked to different regions.
• Robert Louis Stevenson writes Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, which highlights a growing unease at the brain’s true power over the body and mind.
• Eric Kandel pinpoints the chemical reactions that are involved in forming memories, and for the first time is able to link the ideas and knowledge of the mental health world to the cells and anatomy of the physical brain.

THE BRAIN is an authoritative reference book and timeline that examines the three pounds of matter inside our heads. With 100 billion nerve cells joined by thousands more to every corner of the body, the brain is wired together with 100 trillion connections. That makes each and every human brain a contender for the most complex system in the universe, endowing us with an intellect that far outstrips any other creature. However one difficult question remains: Are we intelligent enough to understand our own brains?

THE BRAIN includes a 24-page removable fold-out concertina neatly housed at the back of the book: a 12-page Timeline History of The Brain on one-side and 12 pages of Optical Illusions that demonstrate how our view of the world come entirely from the brain—which can sometimes be fooled—on the other side.

GIVEAWAY!!!

We are giving away everything you see in the above pic, which includes:

• Redbubble Hooded Sweatshirt
• Dakota Ladies Watch
• P.R.E.P Cosmetics Collection
• The Carol Burnett Show Coolector’s Edition 6 DVD Set
• eos Lip Balm
• Carmex Lip Care Collection
• Shelby DVD
• Ascenders Novel
• Ascenders T-Shirt (L)
• Intelligent Disobedience Book
• Buzz Kill Book
• Life’s Essential Primer
• THE BRAIN: An Illustrated History of Neuroscience

The retail price for this giveaway is estimated at well over $300!

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Follow @teenswannaknow on Instagram

2. Follow @teenswannaknow on Twitter

3. Like our Facebook page at http://facebook.com/teenswannaknow

4. Subscribe to our Youtube Channel http://youtube.com/teenswannaknow

5. Join our VIP Mailing List at http://teenswannaknow.com (upper right has the sign up box)

Send us a message via any of our social media channels or info@teenswannaknow.com once you are done with steps 1-5, and we will verify. We will pick ONE random winner who will get all of the above! Winner will be picked at random on November 20th at 11:59 p.m. and announced the following day. Winner must reside in the lower 48 United States. Winner has 72 hours to respond to our message/email and provide mailing address or we will pick alternate winner.

Some of you might be happy that beach and barbecue season is just about over and sweater weather is almost here. But we are sure that a few of you out there are feeling a bit glum about summer being nearly over.

So, to cheer everyone up, we are doing one last product roundup and giveaway feature before Labor Day — and its a big one, with everything from books to DVDs to baseball caps and Disney Descendants merch. (Note: not everything below is in the giveaway, go to the bottom of the page to see what is and how to enter!)

We received a couple of AcneFree® 24 Hour Acne Clearing Systems to try out/giveway a couple of weeks ago, and since then we have been using it on the teens around the office here as guinea pigs. The truth is, we can see positive results already. Its not a miracle cure for acne (this doesn’t exist), but it has lessens the severity of flareups, reduces inflammation, and gives the skin a smoother appearance.

The system is a convenient, daily regimen comprised of three simple steps using AcneFree® Oil-FreePurifying Cleanser, AcneFree® Renewing Toner and AcneFree® Repair Lotion. It has something called Advanced Micro-Benzoyl Peroxide, which is stated as designed to work fast and penetrate deep into pores. Furthermore, the products continue to work even after you’re done washing your face – “continuously releasing acne-busting ingredients throughout the day to help clear your acne!”

Why we love it: It works.

Available at Amazon and other stores

Invented by dad and inventor Samir Lyons of Marina del Rey, California, the Daytrader financial board game is Monopoly for a new generation which promises to “bring you the thrills and chills of the stock market to your own home sweet home and you can also take the game with you for your travels to play at your destination.”

The point of the game is to retire young and rich (just like real life, haha). The way you do this is earning salary, saving, investing, and managing risk. While this sounds kind of boring in writing, the game is actually VERY fun to play. The pace is fast, and surprises abound (including the possibility of getting completely wiped out).

A few critiques: the play money is too similar in color to really distinguish (see the 10,000 and 100,000 notes in the picture above for an example). Also, the instructions were a bit unclear on one minor point, which we sort of corrected ourselves (we won’t bore you with the details). Finally, you don’t really “day trade” per the real investment definition of the term, so the name of the game might not be the best choice. A bit more testing with focus groups and these likely would have been caught before wide release.

Nonetheless, it is a cool game, and highly recommended, especially if you are as sick of Monopoly as we are.

Why we love it: Fast paced, fun, and educational.

Available on http://playdaytrader.com.

Capture the best moments with your friends and family this fall with the Vivitar Selfie Stick with Bluetooth. This selfie stick comes with a separate Bluetooth trigger which makes it easy to snap a pic even when the rod is extended to its full extent: a whopping 40 inches in length!

Some of the features:

• Camera or phone clamps into the Universal cradle for fast photo snapping.
• Lightweight
• 180° ball head lets you find the perfect angle.
• Bluetooth-enabled remote offers convenience.

Why we love it: The stick is strong and has a comfortable grip; we even got it support our Lumix GH4 camera — although we wouldn’t recommend doing this for too long.

Available on Amazon and other online stores.

Whoever thought luggage could be so much fun? With Hablando Sola from ATM Luggage, packing your bags becomes way to show off your whimsy.

There are several models to choose from (we show the “Little Pieces of the World” model above) which are built with a lightweight and durable polycarbonate shell and sport 360º spinner wheels that glide effortlessly through busy terminals and around tricky corners. An expandable design and beautifully lined interior allow for excellent packing space, and the bright designs make your luggage easy to spot on airport conveyor belts.

Other features include a TSA-approved locking mechanism, an easily collapsible handle, and an interior zipper pocket for small items.

Why we love it: Super light-weight, so you aren’t paying extra for no reason when you check luggage at the airport.

Find out more at http://ATMLuggage.com

Fans of Disney’s “Descendants” movie are going to like this next group of products from the movie. Basically, we just needed a good excuse to give this stuff away, so we made it part of this back-to-school giveaway just because. This is your chance to get your very own “Mal” doll, a T-Shirt, a CD of the soundtrack, plus a tiny teddy-bear T-shirt (or stuff your cat into it and send us a pic, we are sure he’ll love it. ahem)

Why we love it: Disney breathes new life into characters we all know, through their teen kids!

As teens, you probably already are or soon will be responsible for helping out with the laundry. Awareness of the damage some artificial chemicals cause to our bodies and the environment increases every day, and the products of MyGreenFills should be on every eco-conscious teen’s radar because they are made without all the chemical gloop that mainstream brands contain. Instead, natural substances such as baking soda, sodium salts, citric acid, and organic essential oils are used to leave clothes fresh and clean.

Some of their products include: unscented laundry soap, fabric softener, color safe brightener, and enzyme cleaner. They also produce all-natural insect repellant!

Why we love it: They will give you a free sample to try it out!

Check them out at http://www.mygreenfills.com/

For many of us, there are still a few weekends left to enjoy the beach. For others, there is always the community or school pool. Regardless of which you prefer, putting on traditional swim goggles with those hair-pulling rubber straps can be a pain (literally). Fortunately, Frogglez brand swim goggles solve this problem with a patented stay-put strap and no-tug adjusting.

Features:

• They are extremely comfortable with a stay-put patented strap design.
• They keep eyes dry and do not leak.
• They are stylish and come in a variety of colors.
• They don’t tug hair or push out ears.
• They’ll never get lost in the water because they float.

Why we love it: Someone should have thought of this years ago, and finally someone did!

In addition to online, Frogglez Goggles are now available in a variety of targeted Wal-Mart stores throughout the United States. www.frogglezgoggles.com

We don’t know what it is about teenage girls, but they always seem to be checking themselves in the mirror. That’s why they take so long in the bathroom. Well, someone came up with an ingenious way to speed up those bathroom lines at the mall while protecting your phone with the Glam Screen Mirror Screen Protector.

Created by television personality Jonathan Cheban, it is a smartphone cover that doubles as a mirror. When the screen is lit, the Glam Screen is invisible. When it’s off, the cover turns into a cool mirror ­you can use to check your make up, fix your hair and otherwise not hog up the bathroom mirror when your little brother needs to pee. Bonus: the tempered glass is scratch-resistant tempered glass, and it installs without bubbles in a snap and comes with a lifetime guarantee.

Why we love it: it comes in three colors…including pink!

$34.99 at www.glamscreen.com

ADActivewear’s new Athletic Version Hytail Hat is another one of those ideas that has you think “surely someone has invented this already?” but nope. So what is it?

It is a sports cap designed for women which allows them to comfortably wear their pony tails thanks to a high arch opening and 2 inch band in the back. It features a moisture wicking, breathable material to help keep your head dry, and will keep hair away from your face even if you forget a hair tie.

Looks stylish too!

Why we love it: Made by women, for women.

Find out more at http://www.adactivewear.com/

“Hope Bridge (family drama, all ages) shares the devastating impact and grief of those impacted by suicide. Christi and David Eaton produced the movie after having experienced suicide twice in their family.  Through the film and their web site (www.reason2live.org), the Eatons’ provide information, discussion, and resources to help those struggling with thoughts of suicide, loves ones impacted by suicide, or those wanting to help reduce the number of suicide each year.”

“About Hope Bridge: After his father’s shocking suicide, Jackson (Booboo Stewart, Twilight:Eclipse, X-Men: Days of Future Past) begins a search for the truth behind the devastating decision his father made.”

“A violent outburst at school crosses his path with a counselor, Eric (Kevin Sorbo, God’s Not Dead, Hercules) . Jackson travels down a twisting road leading to a decades-old secret that could destroy him. As Eric’s guidance falls on deaf ears, Jackson’s quest for answers is only breeding more questions. Will he be doomed to repeat the same cycle, or will he choose to journey forward and find hope for his future?”

Why we love it: Somehow, most of Booboo Stewart’s family makes an appearance in this movie.

“The first installment of The Dining and Social Club for Time Travellers trilogy, entitled Divine Intervention, takes place in modern day Paris after protagonist, Louisa Sparks tragically loses both of her parents. Louisa is forced to move in with a distant family member and thrown into a world of chaos and adventure when she finds an unusual timepiece that has the ability to transport her through time and space.”

“After her arrival in Paris, Louisa is invited to join the top-secret Dining and Social Club for Time Travellers, whose members span centuries, continents and galaxies. Upon becoming a member of this eccentric fraternity, she swears an oath to uphold the traditions, closely guarded secrets and sacred rules of the club. The most important rule being that she can never under any circumstances, alter the past.”

“Louisa navigates the daily pre-teen challenges of moving, starting fresh at a new school, and enduring her rather bombastic new guardian Uncle Hignard. In the process, Louisa encounters strange new friends, terrifying enemies, unscrupulous criminals, and the mysterious Nephilim, who under the direction of an evil mastermind, seek to extinguish all those who hold the power to travel time!”

“But her adventures have only just begun! Time travelers are going missing and Louisa may be the only one who can save them!”

“With over 100 illustrations, Divine Intervention is complete with action, suspense, tragedy, thrills, laughs and even a few tears. Young adults, and adults alike can enjoy reading this series!”

Why we love it: Time travel rocks.

“National Geographic Kids Guide to Photography is the most comprehensive, up-to-date guide to covering every facet of photography and photo equipment: from smartphones to point-and-shoot to SLR to even underwater cameras. Presented in a kid-friendly format, this fun, fact-filled book is packed with all the essentials for budding photographers.”

“As you know, few art forms have changed more over the last decade than photography. The technological advances have made it much more accessible, and now everyone, including kids, is walking around with some kind of camera in their pocket. It’s more important than ever to teach kids the right habits that will serve them well for the rest of their lives, as the deceptive ease of use of the new devices pushes aside the foundations of good photography.”

Why we love it: While made for kids, even adults can get some valuable photography tips from this book!

http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/ngs/product/books/kids-books-and-atlases/culture/national–geographic-kids-guide-to-photography

Control your beliefs and take command over your life with 7 Keys to Unlock Your Full Potential by C. James Jensen.

“Why is it I have prayed and prayed and got no answer?

Jim Jensen has been asked this question untold times. It’s a very common complaint all over the world. His answer is this: “All thoughts are prayers, and all prayers are answered – positive or negative. In life, you don’t often get what you want – you get what you expect. And the key to creating the realities you desire and deserve is to make what you want and what you expect the same.”

“The reader will be taken on a journey toward a doorway that opens a life of expanded opportunities and potential successes. This book does not require a leap of faith. The principles and techniques presented herein are both practical and well documented by modern science. Learn how to rid yourself of emotional baggage, negative self talk, and to unleash the empowering wisdom of the subconscious mind to achieve a better life. This is not a system, this is not a program, this is the way the universe works and the roadmap to manifesting all you deserve and want presented in a style, clarity, authenticity and down-to-earth manner anyone can comprehend and put into practice.”

Why we love it: We have started putting these principles into place ourselves, and the results have been pretty amazing already.

The Her Campus Guide to College Life by Stephanie Kaplan Lewis, Annie Chandler Wang, Windsor Hanger Western, and the Writers & Editors of Her Campus

“From dating to internships–everything you need to know about college”

“Get ready for the best years of your life! Written by the experts behind Her Campus, this college guide is bursting with insider tips to help you navigate classes, relationships, and all your extracurriculars–including parties and Greek life. Whether you’re a seasoned upperclassman or are starting freshman year in just a few months, you’ll learn how to:”

• Bond with your roommate and set ground rules for your new space
• Beat the Freshman 15 without having to give up dessert
• Snag a date with the cutie from your Lit class
• Cope with stress and anxiety–even during finals week!
• Score jobs and internships that will help you transition into post-collegiette life

“You’ll also get the lowdown on campus safety so you can enjoy all that college has to offer while avoiding the unfortunate scary parts that sometimes come with it. Complete with fun checklists and worksheets to help you carry out HC’s essential advice, The Her Campus Guide to College Life shows you how to make the most out of your experience–in and outside the classroom.”

Why we love it: Easy to read and relatable for older teens.

GIVEAWAY!

Teens Wanna Know Labor Day/Back to School Prize Pack

One (1) winner receives:

• AcneFree® 24 Hour Acne Clearing System
• Disney Descendants “Mal” doll, T-Shirt size Youth Large, official soundtrack CD, plus a tiny teddy-bear T-shirt
• One free MyGreenFills Laundry Detergent jug, with free refill offer
• Frogglez Goggles (purple)
• Athletic Version Hytail Hat (white)
• Hope Bridge DVD
• Pirate’s Code: The Adventures of Mikey Matson DVD
• The Dining and Social Club for Time Travellers: Divine Intervention book
• National Geographic Kids Guide to Photography book
• The Her Campus Guide to College Life book

How to enter:

A) Follow @teenswannaknow on Instagram.

B) Post a pic on Instagram that represents GOING BACK TO SCHOOL and mention @teenswannaknow and the hashtag #TWKGiveaway in the description or comments.

We will follow everyone who enters back, and pick a random winner on 9/10/15!!!

OTHER RULES:

1. A random winner will be picked from all eligible entrants: giveaway open to U.S. residents only.

2. Children under the age of 18 years old must ask permission from a parent or guardian prior to entering this giveaway.

3. Winner will receive an email notifying them that they won and asking for a mailing address in order to deliver prize. If this email is not responded to within 72 hours, another winner will be chosen at random.

We received a pair of Nerf Rebelle 10 Mile FRS Walkie Talkies for review, and we have to say we really enjoyed using them. Let’s check out some of the specs and what we liked, and didn’t like, about these units.

The walkie talkies are small, and are easily usable by even little kids. The case is made of hard plastic, and while we didn’t drop the units intentionally to see if we could break them (although we were tempted to because, you know, science), they seem to be pretty durable.

Setup is super easy. Just install the provided 3 AAA batteries and press one button on the front which enters channel selection mode. Press the up and down keys to select one of 22 channels on each unit, and voila…you are done. Press the push-to-talk button on the side, and chat away!

The units sound pretty good for a kid’s toy, and they can get LOUD at max volume. So loud that you will attract attention from anyone within 20-30 feet! Volume is very easy to adjust, however.

These walkie talkies are advertised as working up to 10 miles apart. Well, we tested this around our neighborhood, and at Six Flags Magic Mountain, and can assure you that there is no way these are going to work at one mile apart in a typical town, let alone 10. Our top distance was about 3 to 4 blocks, but this is with plenty of buildings, cars and trees in the way. Perhaps at a campsite or beach you will have a better range,

A word on interference: while at Six Flags, we picked up some transmissions of park workers (we think) using their own walkie talkies. Switching channels remedied this, but just be aware that lots of people use FRS devices, so you might pick up some unwanted chatter on some channels.

Other good things about the Nerf Rebelle walkie talkies: long battery life (we’ve not changed ours in over a week of moderate use), belt clip on the back, bright colors, and just overall coolness compared with everyone else who just texts. These things are fun!

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SkyBell is a Wi-Fi enabled video doorbell that comes with an app that allows you to see who’s at your door (and talk to them) through a live video feed to your iOS and Android mobile devices, even if you are in another country!

Pretty cool idea, right?

Here are some of the features:

• advanced motion sensor for sending alerts and video even when a visitor doesn’t press the button
• contrast setting for more favorable lighting
• ‘on-demand’ feature that allows you to see out of the SkyBell camera at any time
• turn off your home’s doorbell chime from the app
• invisible night vision for viewing after dark
• snap a picture or record a video stream directly to your device
• looks cool

Like anything else though, there are a few cons

• SkyBell requires full-time power and is designed to be connected to a wired, mechanical doorbell chime. This means installation is a pain, and we wish they would simply make a battery-powered version you could stick anywhere.
• apartment dwellers cannot use the device, because of the above.
• image quality is not the greatest.

The product retails for about $200, and you can get it on Amazon .