Think-ets Genius from Think-a-lot Toys Makes MommyBlogExpert's Best of Kids' Traveling Games List

Part 2 of a 7-Part Series on Cool Tween/Teen Games That Also Travel Well

Don't forget to leave a comment below this post.  Do your kids prefer thinking games or ones that are pure fun? 

by Janis Brett Elspas

MommyBlogExpert.blogspot.com

Writer's Note:  This summer my family and I took a 4-week road trip across America.  As a mommy blogger I suggested each of my kids select from among all the games in the queue for review by MommyBlogExpert.  What they packed resulted in the original Traveling Fun on the Run Toy Box for Tweens/Teens actually created with a small rolling carry-on bag measuring a tiny 18" x 12" x 6" to hold everything pictured.  Anyone who has kids 12 & up knows how challenging taking any sort of vacation can be with that sometimes surly age group, don't we?  By trip's end, though, I can assure you, I was pleasantly surprised by this summer trip games-in-the car experience in general and, in particular, by the bonding that took place between us as a family during the weeks we traveled.

The smallest game my family (triplets, age 13 and big brother 14) and I decided to demo for our summer road trip vacation was Think-ets Genius from Think-a-lot Toys.  This little piece of entertainment -- the box is small enough to hold in your hand -- designed by real-life dad Randy Compton was big on fun, and led to many hours of thought-provoking chatter for us.  

On our most recent roadtrip, my kids and I often enjoyed this creatively- and mentally-stimulating game as we wound down in our roadside motel each night after another day of adventure on the open road. But, they also played it in the car while I drove, too. The box says it is for ages 8 to 108+ so I think it might also be the perfect candidate for multiple generations of kids, parents, grandparents, and possibly grandparents to enjoy together anytime of the year, for example, during a visit to relatives or even a family reunion.  I guess all that shouldn't surprise me since the company that makes Think-ets Genius has received recognition from iParenting Media Awards.

Among the merits that I found with this game was that it could be easily played solo or with 2 or more players.  While I played this with my kids and they also enjoyed it with each other as a foursome, I have to admit my kids aren't always the best at sharing.  Actually they did fight a few times over it so I let (read: had to allow) each of them to play it alone for awhile to keep the rioting to a minimum.  As I write this review I can't help but chuckle because one of my daughters just reminded me of the time on our trip when her sister and brother were so involved in this game that they wouldn't eat lunch until I said I would punish them if they didn't take a break right away and get some nutrition.

The pieces in Think-ets Genius are somewhat reminiscent of my all-time favorite Monopoly game from my own childhood in size and feel.  As you can see, though, from this picture the former's parts have a twist that's contemporary, cutting edge and intriguing all at once.  

To experience what we did with the game Think-a-lot Toys sent us, think of all the stories you might make up if you or your child had even just a few of the pieces the game comes with. These items range from a polar bear, red pom pom, arrowhead, bone-like bead, compass, seashell, and Pyrite stone to a historical character in costume, mini gold tone princess crown, shiny pink heart, and ceramic crescent moon or star, to a tiny tomato, flute or spyglass, modern jet plane, and little goblet/cup, with a single, 12-faceted brightly-colored numbered die thrown in for rolling. 

There's even more that is good about this, too. This Think-a-lot Toys product is assembled by the Developmental Disabilities Resource Center-Bruno Employment Center in Lakewood, Colorado, providing employment, training, and job placement opportunities to people with disabilities.  In this day and age when so many kid's games and toys are manufactured off shore, it's nice to hear about one company that is at least packaging its products in the good old USA.

As a more challenging version of the original award-winning Think-ets game ($9.99), the Genius's premise is equally simple and at the same time, just a bit more brilliant than its predecessor.  The latest version features 15 brand new miniature items that are pictured above in the product closeup from around the world from the US and foreign countries like Peru, India, China and the Philippines.  These pieces, the manufacturer notes BTW, may vary slightly depending on availability.  Among the 12 all-new games kids and adults can play with this product's contents (which also include a rule book, notepad and pencil) that all pack inside a hinged-lid storage tin measuring less than 4" x 2-1/2" are: "Surprise Story," "Time Warp Story," "Interrupted Story," "Name That Word," "Ghost," "Killer Mouse," and more.

With a retail price of $15.99 Think-ets Genius is available to the public online from Think-a-lot Toys here, as well as elsewhere on the Internet and at select retailer stores.  Information on additional games for at-home and school use that are available are listed on the company's site.  Further information for retailers interested in carrying the Think-a-lot Toys line is also offered.

This little gem of a game was certainly practical and fun for traveling.  My own kids loved it and we look forward to bringing it out at home the next time we have company over as an ice breaker.  It's living proof supporting the saying that good things -- I'm mean great things -- often do come in small packages.

What do you think of this product?  Is Think-ets Genius an intellectual game, just plain fun or both?  How about your own kids, do they prefer thinking games or ones that are simply meant to entertain? Please leave a comment below this post to let us know.

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert's family received Think-ets Genius from Think-a-lot Toys to facilitate the test and review described but did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post.  Additionally, this blog did not have the opportunity to review the original Think-ets game that is also mentioned in this post.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one. 

10 Tips for a Cleaner Greener Home for Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day

by Janis Brett Elspas

MommyBlogExpert.blogspot.com

As my regular readers know, I am a huge fan of eco-friendly living.  Among the topics I've written about in the past are things as varied as making children's art projects using recycled materials like empty food packages and old tennis balls to make fun robots and other crafts and testing and writing posts about cleaning products that are more earth-friendly such as this one that tells how I got a horrendous stain out of our white carpet.  I also have done book reviews where I really learned a lot about living more greenly (if that is such a word) including the posts I did on a book by actor turned environmentalist Ed Begley and another by heiress, fashionista, and author Anna Getty.  I've even gotten my kids into the act, as you can see, with the original green logo my tween daughter designed for my blog to signify the eco-friendly posts throughout MommyBlogExpert

Here's the top 10 things I've learned by researching and writing the dozens of eco friendly posts on this blog:

1. All of Us Can Do Our Small Part - But, Slow & Steady is Key

I don't see any reason why every man, woman, and child can't do at least a few tiny things to make the earth a better place to live.  Ed Begley, for example, advises us not to go green all at once, but to ease into it gradually.  After all, if small changes are made little by little, in the way we consumers live at home, school, and work those alterations in our behaviors have a better chance of sticking with us. 

2. No One is Too Young (or Too Old) to Learn About Improving The Earth

Why not check your library for some books on the protecting environment for your toddler? There is also a lot of children's programming on TV and cable that can make it fun to learn about ecology such as Nickelodeon's Fresh Beat Band which did a recent show on the subject that was reviewed on this blog. If you have older kids, you might even consider taking them to a children's or kid's science museum to do some hands-on play while they learn about things like composting, water management, or why air quality is so important.  And, let's not leave high school kids and us adults out: we should all try to learn something new about living greener every once in awhile by reading as much as we can to get more educated by related ideas on the Internet, in magazines, and even on Television.

3. Always Read Labels on Products You Will Be Using to Clean Your Home
You would be absolutely shocked if you knew what is in some of the top selling major brands of household cleaners.  For example, if a surface cleaner is labeled that it might cause an allergic reaction, why would you use it on the rug your kids crawl or sit on, or worse on a counter, table, high chair or other area that comes in regular contact with food your family eats? 


4. Being Greener Can Be Really Fun - So Get the Kids Excited About It, Too
There's lots of ways to get youngsters involved. Add recycling to the kids' chore lists and have them take responsibility for putting newspaper and glass bottles/metal cans in the proper recycling bins.  You might even have them decorate the recycling bins! Another idea is to sign your family up to volunteer to clean a beach, National Park, or other public area that's there for us all to enjoy.


5.  Don't Expose Animals to Dangerous Chemicals Around The House
Remember kids aren't the only helpless ones that toxic exposure can affect.  Be just as careful with the air, surfaces, and food/water your pets might come into contact with. Don't overlook wild creatures, too. For example, did you know that rat poison can kill an endangered owl if they eat a rodent that ate lethal poison?


6. Use Containers Made With Recycled or Renewable Materials
Whether for food storage/cooking/service or household items not related to eating, try to buy products when possible that come with packaging made from materials such as recycled paper.  Avoid buying any products (food items, toys, or even cosmetics) that may have been packed in styrofoam -- for example -- that doesn't decompose.


7.  Dispose of Pollutants and Dangerous Chemical Substances Carefully
It really does matter if you pour your used automotive liquids unsafely because it could get into the soil or water supply which is unhealthful to all living things.

8. Help Your Neighbors to Live Greener Too
If you are able-bodied, offer to help the elderly or disabled people on an ongoing basis (even those who might have a temporary illness) who live on your block by hauling their recycling bins to the curb or taking their heavy refuse to designated land fills or other locations for safe disposal.


9.  Save Household Items for Your Kids to Use at Home and School for Crafts
As I mentioned at the top of this post, you can make some really cute art projects with containers and other things around the house that you might  normally just toss in the trash.  Teachers will appreciate when you bring these needed supplies into school too.


10.  Be a Role Model for the Younger Generation
Show your kids and their friends by example, doing your part to make the earth a cleaner and greener place for us all.  They respect you and they will follow as you do.


In summary, living green begins at home and involves constant learning.  It starts with our children. I'm sure all of us have the will and desire to leave this world in better condition than when we arrived.  So, as the saying popularized by Nike goes "Just Do It."

FTC Disclosure:  I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Mrs. Meyer’s blogging program, making me eligible to get a $30 gift card. For more information on how you can participate too, click here.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Backseat Drawing Among Best Kids Travel Games

Travel

Part 1 of 7-Part Series Cool Tween/Teen Travel Games

This summer my family and I took a 4-week road trip across America. As a mommy blogger I suggested each of my kids select from among all the games I've received lately that are currently in the queue for MommyBlogExpert review. 

MBE partnered with Out of the Box, post contains affiliate links

What they chose resulted in our family's Traveling Fun on the Run Toy Box for Tweens/ Teens created with a small rolling carry-on bag measuring a tiny 18" x 12" x 6" to hold everything pictured.  

Anyone who has teens knows how challenging taking any sort of vacation can be with that sometimes surly age group, don't we?  By trip's end, though, I can assure you, I was pleasantly surprised by this summer trip games-in-the car experience in general and, in particular, by the bonding that took place between us as a family during the weeks we traveled.

One of the most interactive -- yet non-electronic games -- my four children (triplets, age 13 and big brother 14) tried out on our summer road trip vacation was Backseat Drawing from Out of the Box. This game, by the same company that created the very popular game Apples to Apples, is geared for ages 12 to adult with 4-8 players so it was perfect for my family's age group and because we had an even number of kids in the car to play together.  

That's not to say that kids slightly younger than that might not enjoy this just as much.  Also, keep reading and you'll see that it's possible to play it with odd numbers of players, too and even with just three or two of you playing at a time.

My two sons and two daughters were practically hypnotized playing Backseat Drawing while sitting in the back two rows of seats of our SUV for hours with -- you guessed it -- the boys and girls were gung ho about teaming up against each other for the battle of the sexes.  They even devised new ways to play when only three or two of them wanted to do it by getting creative and making up some playing rules of their own.  

With all the hilarity and time they played you'd think they would have grown tired with this. But, because my teens only got through a small fraction of the 168 double-sided challenge cards (totaling 336 different drawing challenges), I'm betting they'll still be playing this frequently now that we are home from this trip.

As their mom, I think this really beats that other game known as "Backseat Driving" that most everybody knows and hates.  Out of the Box's product turned out to be entertaining for me as an observer, too, as without taking my eyes or attention off the road I could eavesdrop and listen in on my kids as I drove.  

The object of the game is to use the provided dry erase markers to draw objects on a pair of erasable drawing boards.  But, what makes this funnier and more challenging than you'd expect is that the person drawing doesn't know what they are making a picture of -- the player at the board is just drawing the lines and shapes that their team mate directs them to make via verbal directions only.

In addition to the hefty choice of challenge cards, Backseat Drawing comes with 1 card viewer, 2 erasable drawing boards, 2 dry erase markers, 2 erasers, and a brief, well-written rule sheet in English, Spanish, French, and German. 

With a retail price of $24.99 it is available direct from Out of the Box here and in-store at a variety of retailers.  There is also a Backseat Drawing Junior ($19.99) for younger children, though we did not have the opportunity to try that game version out.

In summary, this entertainment novelty was very practical for traveling because it came in a sturdy compact box and did not involve a huge number of ultra small pieces that might disappear magically down our leather bench car seats. 

What's Your Opinion?

How do you keep the peace when you and your kids are in the car for extended periods of time?  Please leave a comment below this post as it would be great to hear about your own experience with this.

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert's family received Backseat Drawing from Out of the Box to facilitate the test and review described but did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Fun on the Run – Keeping the Driver Sane With Top 7 Kid’s Games to Play While Traveling

Moms & Dads:  Don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of this post.  As a parent, what do you do to keep your kids boredom-free?

By Janis Brett-Elspas

MommyBlogExpert.blogspot.com

It’s every parent’s chagrin. You’re on a family trip with your child when you hear he/she say the B-word. Don’t worry, this is a G-rated family-friendly website. What I’m talking about is actually a two-word phrase that includes a certain word that starts with the letter ‘B.’  That kid’s refrain most of us moms and dads are all too familiar with known simply as “I’m bored."

Since my own four were in diapers at the same time we’ve done many U.S. car trip vacations ranging from just a few days up to five and a half weeks in length. I really couldn’t tell you, BTW, how many times my own darlings have said those dreaded words during all those trips because I lost count a long time ago. Come to think of it, you don’t even need to be going away or even to leave your house to hear I.B. from your kids, right?

So, like many other challenged parents, perhaps even like you, I was a member of that same club.  That is, until my youngsters (13 year-old triplets plus big brother, age 14) and I set off on a four-week road trip this summer which eventually totaled 6,000 miles of crisscrossing across America’s heartland.  Unlike those earlier travels of years past, though, this road trip was different. That’s because I am often asked to review products for kids, such as games and activities that enhance family togetherness and for this trip I came up with the idea of assembling a traveling toy box to keep my kids busy (read: not fighting with each other) during drive time.

In addition to being safe and lots of fun for the whole family, to qualify for this particular treasure chest of roadtrip fun each game or activity selected had to

• Be small enough to fit inside a single compact carry-on rolling suitcase that would serve as a mobile toy box which all four kids would share as we traveled
• Be age-appropriate for tweens and teens with appeal to both boys and girls to play solo, with each other or even with mom or dad
• Consist of only easy to transport parts and pieces that would neither mess up the car nor be so small or in large quantities that they would get lost without much effort
• Be something the kids could easily do in the car, outdoors and/or in the motel each evening 
• Not involve any kind of electronics 
• Be affordable, priced at $25 or less
• Games with multiple variations of ways to play not required, but a definite advantage

Each of the games we tested & reviewed for this blog fit all the above pre-requisites and in all cases, even more, including

Backseat Drawing from Out of the Box, Ages 12 to Adult, 4-8 players, $24.99

Think-ets Genius from Think-a-lot-Toys, Ages 8+, 1 or more players, $15.99

Flickin’ Chicken from Haywire Group, Ages 6+, 1 or more players, $20.99

Yahtzee Hands Down Card Game from Hasbro, Ages 8+, 2-6 players, $6.99

Sorry! Revenge Card Game from Hasbro, Ages 6+, 2-4 players, $6.99

1000 Mille Bornes Card Game from Hasbro, Ages 8+, 2, 3, 4 or 6 players, $6.99

Family Road Trip Box of Questions from The Box Girls, Ages 8+, 1 or more players, $19.95

Insider's Tip:  Be sure not to miss any of the individual in-depth game reviews on the above seven family entertainment products that will be running on this blog starting with Part 1 of the MommyBlogExpert's brand new best of series Cool Games for Tweens/Teens That Also Travel Well.

As it turned out all our picks ended up being great choices, providing valuable family together time as well as many, many hours of fun for us all. What’s more is that all these items brought a little more sanity to mom and dad while we were on the road.  Best of all, each of these games has continued to help keep our home B-word free ever since we got back from this trip.

Short trips and long ones: What do you do to keep your kids boredom-free? Please share all your own ideas for kid fun on the road by leaving a comment.

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert received the games mentioned for review but did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one. 

FREE TICKETS for Female Bloggers to SheCon '11 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL

by Janis Brett Elspas
MommyBlogExpert.blogspot.com


For the past year, SheBlogs.org, founded by Julie Wohlberg, has been connecting an amazingly diverse group of thousands of female bloggers (both mommy bloggers and women without children who blog) with some the best-known and hidden gem brands in the country.

After a successful first year, last night Julie announced that they are taking their community out of the digital world and over to Ft. Lauderdale, FL for the first ever SheCon!

From May 20 - 22, 2011, SheCon '11 will be offering female bloggers and social media enthusiasts a lineup of educational presentations, networking opportunities, and expo hall mingling, along with local excursions and entertainment that will give our SheBloggers a taste of South Florida.

Because they know lady bloggers aren't coming to the conference on a corporate card, they're making the conference as affordable as possible.  For the first 250 bloggers to register they're offering a FREE SheCon '11 conference pass --  Get your ticket HERE RIGHT NOW before they are "sold out," I mean all given away!


Subscribe to MommyBlogExpert.blogspot.com NOW to be among the first to know when SheBlogs announces follow up details to this exciting and major women's blogging industry news.  To stay in the know via Twitter follow BOTH MommyBlogExpert and SheBlogsNetwork as well by clicking on these two links.

A Note for Marketers - SheBlogs and SheCon '11 know that budget cuts have been making you stretch your marketing dollars more than ever.  Therefore, there are offering a variety of sponsorship and exhibitor options that are competitively priced to offer you the most exposure for your social media dollars, whether you're a top brand or a start up looking to generate a buzz.  SheCon '11 Sponsor Info is now available online HERE or email shecon@sheblogs.org for details and the 411 on their Early Bird Discounts for Sponsors.  Your company will not want to miss out on any of the excitement leading up to the conference in May 2011 in Florida.

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert publishes the industry's most extensive FREE master list of links to 2010-2011 women's blogger events.  Also, MommyBlogExpert is on the SheBlogs Advisory Board.  She did not receive any compensation, either in the form of products, services, or cash payment related to this post. See complete FTC disclosure information at the bottom of this and every page on this blog.