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 

Gamewright Goes Big for Its 20th Anniversary - Slamwitch Review

2014 will mark Gamewright’s 20^th year of making “games for the infinitely imaginative.” To celebrate this giant milestone, the Newton, MA based company is thinking big with 7 new titles that will be released at the New York International Toy Fair. Games include a “super-sized” edition of Slamwich, a jumbo version of the hot-selling Rory’s Story Cubes, as well as Qwixx, an exciting family dice game from Europe, and the re-launch of a highly anticipated card game called Sushi Go! More highlights from Gamewright’s latest and greatest:
 

• Super Slamwich – A 20^th anniversary edition of Gamewright’s now-classic first ever card game. Includes oversized cards and a giant sandwich shaped box.

 • Rory’s Story Cubes - MAX – Nine extra large cubes with the original Rory’s Story Cubes images that aim to inspire the storyteller in all of us. 

 • Sushi Go! – A fast-paced sushi-themed card game in a gorgeous tin package.

 • Pyramix – Easy to learn and hard to win strategy game with wooden components that form a cascading pyramid.

 • Qwixx – A dice game full of fever-pitched decision making. This game is a thrill – a- roll.

 • Dodge Dice – Push your luck and dodge penalty points with this dice game perfect for groups.

 • Over Under – Latest title in our travel-friendly “Port-a-Party” game line. This is the ultimate game of guesstimates where being close counts.

My thoughts:

We tried out the Slamwitch Game and it's a fun game for children as well as adults.  It comes in a box that looks like a lunch box.  The instructions are quite simply and easy to understand, except for children ten and under I would suggest an adult explaining them.  The cards are sturdy and easy to handle.  And are very colorful with detail.   The person that ends up with all the cards wins.

Some of the combinations are hilarious. For example, peanut butter and eggs.  My son gets so excited when he slaps the cards and gets to yell "stop thief".  My daughter who is ten has sleep overs, and the girls love to play this game.  The only down fall is if only two people are playing the game can be lengthy, I would recommend more than two. 

This is only a few example of dozens of fun games available at Gamewright. They have games available for children from ages three and up.   To learn more about this great company and all they have to offer you can visit their website. You can also follow them on twitter or become their fan on face book. Also be sure to check out all their games on Amazon. Spice up your family game night with the unique board games you can only find at Gamewright!





Battle Sheep Game

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

Product Description

Opposing sheep herds go to head to fluffy head in a strategy game the whole family will love. The goal is to occupy the most pastures with your sheep. On their turn, players split a stack of their sheep and move a portion as far is it can go in a straight line to a new pasture. Watch out for sneaky sheep and plan your moves carefully to fence out your foe! A different playing board is assembled before every game, so Battle Sheep is full of new challenges every time you play!

My thoughts:

 I have an in home daycare.  And in the summer I have school aged children. This is a fun game for them to play.  They have to think before making their moves.  My daughter, who is ten and her two friends have played this game numerous times.  She even had her daddy play it with her a couple of times.

 
The pasture tiles are sturdy, as well as the sheep tokens. The sheep tokens come in black, blue, red and green.  The recommended age for this  game is seven to adult.  I had to go over the rules and object of the game to my daugher and her friends, as they were difficult for them to understand when they read them.  Once I did go over everything, they were able to start playing.

I would recommend this game.


 






***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.***
 

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

Review--ThinkFun Zingo: Time-telling Game

About ThinkFun: 

ThinkFun was founded with a dream that they could change the world through play, and at 25 years young, they are living that dream.  Today, ThinkFun is a respected global company represented in over 60 countries and translated into over 20 languages. Thrilled to welcome you into the ThinkFun family, they hope you'll join them in new adventures!

Click picture to go to ThinkFun website.

A Fun Way to Learn to Read the Clock

Now you can play your favorite Zingo!® game and teach time all at once! Zingo! is a fun and interactive game that brings fast-paced excitement and learning to the classic game of Bingo! In this time telling version, players will learn to read the hour and minute hands on an analog clock and make the translation to a digital clock. With two levels of play, this is a great way to begin teaching children to tell time and a perfect game for them to grow with!
• Ages 5 and up

Includes
• 1 Zingo!® Zinger 
• 32 Hour Tiles 
• 32 Minute Tiles 
• 6 Double-sided Zingo!® Cards 
• Instructions and Learning Guide 

Our Thoughts:

This game is a great and unique way to teach your child how to tell time. My son is eight so he was a bit old for this one, but we played it anyway enjoyed it. We know several little ones who would benefit from this game, and played with them as well. This game was well designed for small children to catch onto quickly.

The pieces are large enough for little fingers to grab easily. The cards, much like bingo cards, have two sides--red and green. The green side is easy (you just match the numbers on the card to the number pieces) and the red side is harder (you actually must know how to read the analog clock in order to match number pieces).

When playing this game, you really must think of it as playing bingo! Our little ones enjoyed yelling ZINGO! every time they would win! 

Teachers will love this game for their preschool students! It's a fun and easy time filler for slower school days!

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Reviewed by Steph

ThinkFun Last Letter Game Review

About ThinkFun: 

ThinkFun was founded with a dream that they could change the world through play, and at 25 years young, they are living that dream.  Today, ThinkFun is a respected global company represented in over 60 countries and translated into over 20 languages. Thrilled to welcome you into the ThinkFun family, they hope you'll join them in new adventures!

Click picture to go to ThinkFun website.

The Classic Last Letter Game with a Creative Twist

Our fresh take on this simple last letter game will inspire creativity, laughter and fast thinking. Race to come up with a word that is pictured on one of the cards in your hand. Your word must begin with the last letter of the word previously called. Call your word first to discard a card. Be the first player to get rid of your cards and you win! Unique illustrations encourage creativity and allow for countless interpretations and a new experience each time you play.
• Ages 8 to adult

Includes:
• 61 Illustrated Cards
• Travel-Friendly Storage Box

Our Thoughts: 

This game is so simple, and yet the competitor in you is bound to come out! The object of the game is easy, be the first to get rid of all your cards, but finding things in each picture that begin with the last letter of the previous word said. I said that was easy, right? As easy as that is, sometimes you're left struggling to find a word!

For example if the word said is "train" you then have to come up with a word that is on one of your picture cards that begins with the letter "N" and play your card. In the heat of the moment, your brain goes blank, and you almost forget how to form words! 

My eight year old enjoyed this game, and is one of his favorites right now. Anyone, young or old can play, because you have to be reminded what the last letter of the word was! Everyone at some point will be reminded! Fast paced and action packed you are sure to have a great time!

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Reviewed by Steph