Let the kids have fun with Footbubbles

Funtastic Limited released Leo Messi FootBubbles, a fun and uniquely challenging take on the game of soccer. Let’s face it: kids love bubbles … and kids love soccer. Now kids can blow bubbles into the shape of a soccer ball, and with special socks, perform tricks with a bubble ball … just like their world famous soccer idol, Leo Messi.

It’s great fun for kids … and it’s so easy. The bubble solution is formulated to create large bubbles that bounce off the specially designed Messi socks. Slip on a pair of socks and let the magic begin. Children can juggle FootBubbles solo or keep the bubble bouncing for as long as they can with friends. The more they play, the better they get. Practice and perform tricks like “Around the World,” “The Twirl” and the “Back-heel Tap.” Or kids can create their own tricks to emulate their favorite soccer stars. Using FootBubbles, they improve hand-eye (and foot-eye) coordination and get great exercise.

The Leo Messi FootBubbles Starter Pack includes: two Messi socks (one size fits all), one bubble blower, one solution tray and one bottle of bubble solution. The bubble solution is safe for children and non-toxic. The Starter Pack is available in one of four colors (red, green, blue and orange) for $19.99 at retailers nationwide, including Toys R Us and K Mart, and on Amazon. For more information, visit www.footbubbles.com.

Connect with Footbubbles

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My Thoughts

I like the concept of Footbubbles. It gets kids playing and trying to keep the bubble on their foot. It comes with a piece you blow through to make the bubble large and set on your foot. You're then able to kick it around, but like a bubble, when it touches the grass or ground it pops. It took a few tries of making bubbles, getting them on the foot, then kicked it up VERY gently and catching it with your foot again.

My kids did have fun. They laughed a lot while playing with it. My son really liked the socks. They might have been his favorite part. It comes with enough solution for a few times of play. The bubble formula is meant to make large bubbles and it did. Roughly the size of a soccer ball is the largest we were able to get made. I spent most of the time making the bubbles and they played with them.

My complaint is, while it was fun, it is bubbles and they pop a lot. My kids would get a little frustrated when they missed the bubble. This promotes coordination and they didn't give up right away. With warm weather coming soon, this product would be good. A way to get the kids outside. It can always be used in an open space inside. It isn't messy, since it's just bubbles. But a child needs room to move around as they play.


 

Holiday Gift Guide: Wink Board Game

Wink

AGES 8 TO ADULT • 4-8 PLAYERS

Wink is a hilarious party game that will plunge you deep into an atmosphere full of crazy laughter, awkward stares, and a healthy dose of paranoia.

Each turn, you will try to covertly wink at your new secret partner without being detected by the other players. Keep your eyes wide open, because if you catch an opponent in the act of winking you can use one of your Accuse Cards to steal their points! The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Skills: Social Play Focus & Attention	Contents: 2 Decks of 36 Numbered Face Cards 32 Accuse Cards 8 Player Cards 8 Wooden Player Tokens Illustrated Rules
Ages: 8 to Adult Players: 4 to 8 Play Time: 20-30 minutes

Our Thoughts:

Game play is simple! You deal out one deck face up on the table in a grid. The second deck gets dealt evenly to all players. Each round you place your token on the card color you DO NOT have in your hand. The person that has that card in their hand is your "secret partner." This is when your partner must wink at you so that you know you're a team! If you guess your partner correctly you both get to score the points on the cards, and you'll repeat this until all cards are gone from the table or someone's hand. 

This is where the fun comes in! If someone catches you and uses their accuser card and are correct they will score both the points of the card you're on and your partners card. Do you have what it takes to "win with a wink?" You'll laugh until you cry playing this game!

This is a great gift idea for any kid or adult. Christmas is right around the corner, and if you're struggling with ideas, you won't go wrong with this one. We had so much fun playing, can look forward to the next game night.

For more information visit their website. To purchase you may go to Amazon or Target 

Parragon Magic Show Giveaway

Parragon focuses on illustrated, non-author driven, non-fiction books. Their books are of the highest quality while still maintaining mainstream accessibility. They don’t publish books just because a trendy author pens them; we publish books that offer unbelievable value both in terms of content and quality.

Their main publishing areas are cookbooks, adult non-fiction, children's books and licensed character books. Within these publishing areas they publish under their own Parragon brand; under in-house brands such as Love Food™ or Goldstars™; or under retailers’ own proprietary brands. They create books for beloved characters such as Disney, Dora the Explorer, Ben 10, Discovery Kids, Power Rangers, Barbie, Sesame Street and Marvel.

Do you love magic shows? Want to learn a few tricks to impress your friends? You’re in luck! Our Professor Murphy’s Emporium of Entertainment Magic Show has collected 125 easy-to-do Magic tricks and tips!

Our Thoughts

Some kids are hands on with how they learn, others not so much. My youngest daughter must be doing something with her hands constantly. She is always coming up with her own tricks (even if they do not make sense, she is five). Pranks are also up her alley, so this Magic Show is perfect for her.

The tricks are simple to understand but I have to help her at first. My oldest daughter enjoys these as well. With 125 tricks this has kept them both busy quite a bit. There are a lot of pieces that go with this, because of how many tricks are possible, so keep that in mind with littles that put items in their mouth. I also have a designated time they're allowed to play with this so that all the pieces go back in the box.

So much creativity with Magic Show, it keeps my youngest entertained for hours. She is ecstatic to show her father a new trick she's learned and it's the funnest thing ever to show her friends and teach them too!

Buy yours here and don't forget to check them out on Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest!







The Giveaway

One lucky winner is going to receive a Magic Show of their own.  To enter, just fill in the Giveaway Tools form below. This giveaway will end on  11/8/14. Open to the US only. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Thanks again to Little Scholar for offering this fantastic prize.

Entry-Form

Reviewed by Jackie

Gamewright's Sushi Go! Game Review

Sushi Go! Is On A Roll

Gamewright forges international publishing partnerships and releases special “Soy Sauce” promo card

Newton, MA – Though the year is far from over, 2014 has already been a banner year for Gamewright’s latest signature card game, Sushi Go! The game, created by Australian designer, Phil Walker-Harding, made its debut 

to great fanfare at the New York Toy Fair earlier this year and has quickly risen to become one of Gamewright’s hottest selling games. It has also garnered much praise from the game playing community and has won several awards, including an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold award.

Our Thoughts

This game was not only fun for my children, but myself as well. I have never tried sushi before but I sure have been inspired now. Aside from the play aspect, my children also learned about a whole new "food group" as many would say. So this game is fun and educational!

Now it says the game is for ages 8 and up, but I find if I helped a bit at first my five year old was able to catch on quite easily. I am excited both my children like this game, neither have been into card games or board games until this year so the fact we can all (family of five) sit and play together is exciting. I also enjoy that it doesn't take too long to where I'm losing my youngest daughter's attention. Our games generally last bout 20 minutes or so.

The directions are easy and in case you accidentally forget or lose them just check on the website, you can download the PDF! It's a great game for parties, presents and family fun!
 
Buy yours here and here, but also don't forget to check them out on Facebook!

Reviewed by Jackie

Father's Day Gift Guide: Fun with Sphero

Are you and the kids wondering what to get Dad this Father's Day? Look no further than Sphero! This awesome little robot is just the ticket for exciting adventures with Dad and the whole family!

Sphero is one of the coolest items on the market this year! Why, you ask? Here are just a few reasons why this purchase would be worth it!

• Sphero is the first of it's kind that allows you to control from a smartphone or tablet.
• Kids 8 years and up can easily manipulate and program the robot.
• Over 30 apps for kids, you can make Sphero turn on a dime, flip in the air, change colors and so much more!
• Educational and fun at the same time! Your kids can learn the basics of programming, robotics and math. Check out Sphero SPRK to learn more!

These are just the beginnings of the things you can do and the fun to be had with Sphero!

Why we love Sphero
You can take it virtually anywhere: outside, in the water, or even just inside. This adds a whole new level to family fun night. Going camping? Don't worry about it, you can take Sphero without worrying that it will get water logged and ruined. Pets? Easy, this is so much fun to play with them, too! Want to play a game on the tablet, or smartphone? You can use it as a 3D mouse! This has it all! What's even better is that your kids can do all of this and more with Dad!

We are a very techy family. We love to try our hand at new things, and Sphero has allowed our 9 year old son to gain more insight and knowledge of what my husband does as an electrical repairman for a motor vehicle company. Not only that, but it has allowed our son to put down the game console controls, and pick up something that makes him use his brain! This was the biggest reason that we fell in love with Sphero.

But, what does it come with and how much? 
Those are simply answered questions! Right now there is a special running--May 30 2014 through June 15, 2014--and you can grab Sphero 2.0 for Father's day at the awesome price of $99.99. It comes loaded with ramps, a quick start guide, charging base, and how to download the innovative apps for your iOS or Android systems.

Won't it get scratched?
Yes, like anything it needs to be protected from scratches and the like. Sphero has an awesome cover called a Nubby. With this, you get the protection needed and an added bonus of better traction. And you'll want the traction and protection with everything you'll be doing. The Nubby has been a life saver for our Sphero, since we take it everywhere! Gravel, concrete, grass, etc. You can choose from four colors, and the fun doesn't stop there!

Want to get your hands on Sphero for the Father/Son combo in your life? Connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube. You can buy Sphero directly from the website! We love our friendly little robot, and we know you will too!

Review: Funnybone Toys and Funnybones, the world's oldest game you've never played!

 Funnybone Toys is a toy design company creating games that have won nearly 20 awards.   Their newest product, Funnybones™, the world’s oldest game you’ve never played, will debut at the New York International Toy Fair 2014.  Funnybone™ pulls inspiration from a classic game that has been played for over 2,000 years.  FunnyBone Toys has revamped the ancient game with a modern twist.

Our Thoughts:

We love Funnybones! I thought originally it was just for kids, but I was incredibly wrong. I found myself personally playing with this into the early morning hours, determined to get it right! I never did. Addicting and fun, every kid will love this new addition to the Funnybone Toys family. Numerous ways to play, all of which involve tossing the bones in the air and trying to catch them. It's really not as simple as it sounds. 

You get five different colored bones, a carrying chain, a pouch and a rules book. Your imagination is key! Even though there are suggestions in the rules book on how to play, you can continue to create new ways to catch them; there isn't a wrong way! We have laughed and cried and been angry several times at these little bones; every time it's been because we can't catch them accordingly. 

This is a great addition to our game repertoire, and is perfect for that special kid in your life! You can play by yourself or with others, and the ideas to game play are limitless! There will be hours of fun had when playing Funnybones™, the world’s oldest game you’ve never played. Inexpensive this makes a great gift for any time of the year!

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Reviewed by Steph

Holiday Guide: SimplyFun Rolling Bones Review

**Product was received in exchange for an honest review.**

With the holiday season among us, and Christmas just around the corner, it’s a fun time for families to connect through crafts and play. SimplyFun’s products are developed with a focus on making learning fun for all ages—that means parents, too! And with more than 90 award-winning educational board games that meet the needs of today's kids, parents and teachers, there’s a perfect game for every child to help with math, science, language, geography and more. Also, parents can make additional income by becoming a SimplyFun consultant – a great option for those interested in getting discounts on games and/or making extra holiday cash! 
 
Our Thoughts
Rolling Bones appealed to me because my kiddos love learning about science. My ten-year-old is also learning about the human body in Science class so this is a great way for him to learn about the bones and proper names for the bones! It's also a great family game - we get kind of competitive about games around this house! There were quite a few rematches to see if we could come up with a better strategy to beat the other team. The kids absolutely loved being able to roll the dice, matching the bones, and were definitely on the edge of their seats! 

The great thing is that this game not only teaches the bones of the body but it teaches simple math (adding) and simple concepts too. The fact that this game is only $32 on the SimplyFun website makes it affordable especially for those of us that have large families to buy for over the holidays.

SimplyFun offers many other games that would make fantastic holiday gifts for the people in your life! Take a visit over to their website and see if you can find something that interests you! 




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***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. The opinions expressed in the review are my own and were not influenced in any way.***

Holiday Gift Guide - Peaceable Kingdom Fish Stix Game

***Product was received for free in exchange for an honest review.***

Since 1983, we have created fresh, fun products that educate, stimulate and inspire. Our company began with a single product, and we have grown to be an industry leader in stickers, greeting cards and cooperative games. 

Our Mission is to: Make good, do good, be good! 

Fish Stix Board Game

This game can be played by adults and younger children too. There’s no reading involved so it’s a great game for kids who don’t yet read. We’ve watched a 14-year-old get clobbered by an 8-year old and we’ve played with families where preschoolers team up with parents. This game was developed by the creator of the multiple award-winning game Qwirkle ™ - if you love Qwirkle ™, you’ll love Fish Stix!

Our Thoughts

Every family has their own special time they create to spend time together, and in my family, we call it movie night. Thanks to this game, it has transformed from more than just movie night, but also game night! I was a bit surprised when I opened this game up for the first time, the box looks kind of small, but there are a ton of pieces! 

It did take me a few minutes to figure out how to play the game, and I looked up the video the games' instructions point you towards for an example of how to play, which I thought was lovely and very helpful. The pieces of the game are hard enough that my four year old (nicknamed "The Destroyer") will not be able to easily break or ruin.

After showing my daughters how to play this game just one time, they are able to set this up all on their own. It is a very fun, cute, colorful game that does appeal to a wide range of ages. My oldest is starting to read and my youngest does not but they both can play it as easily as the other.

A very creative game, and also great for little ones just learning how to count!!

Check out what else Peaceable Kingdom offers here: http://peaceablekingdom.com/
And their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Peaceable-Kingdom/85821906165

Reviewed by Jackie

***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. The opinions expressed in the review are my own and were not influenced in any way.***

Holiday Gift Guide: Bugs in the Kitchen

"Product was received for free in exchange for an honest review."

There's a bug in the kitchen! Hurry--get rid of it! The "bug" is a battery-operated Hexbug nano that crawls across the 3D game board as players attempt strategic moves to lead it into their traps.  The board features 24 utensils that rotate in place to create paths for the bug. Roll the die to see whether you can turn a fork, knife, or spoon to change the bug's trajectory. Start the bug in the middle of the board and move fast to turn the utensils in a direction that will lure the creeping creature into your snare. Be careful, a wrong move can let the bug escape your trap! Each bug you capture earns you one bug token, and the first player to collect five tokens wins the game.

The Hexbug® Nano from Innovation First is a micro robotic creature that reacts to its environment and runs on one AA battery (two included). The board can be set up for 2-4 players. The specially included die shows a fork, spoon, knife, or a question mark, telling the player what utensil they can move. Ages 6+, SRP $24.99

·         For 2-4 players ages 6 and up

·         Playing time: 15-20 minutes

·         Contains 1 Hexbug® Nano® with 2 batteries

Find in stores at Target, or online!

Our Thoughts:

What kid doesn't love a game that involves bugs? Well, a toy bug that is! Ravensburger has released a new game, Bugs in the Kitchen, that is hilarious, fun, and super easy to play! this may be a kids game, but adults will get some laughs out of it too!

Some assembly required to set everything up, but don't worry, it's not a 15 page how too. It's super simple, you just punch out some holes and put the pieces in! 

The goal is to get the bug to your side of the kitchen. You roll the die and whatever utensil you land on is what you get to flip, to try to move the bug to your side. 

For up to 4 players, you earn game pieces. Whoever has the most at the end wins!

This is a great idea for a gift for the bug lover in your life! This game is sure to be a hit.

Reviewed by Steph

***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. The opinions expressed in the review are my own and were not influenced in any way.***