Sorry! Revenge Card Game from Hasbro Makes MommyBlogExpert's Best of Kids' Traveling Games List

Part 3 of a 7-Part Series on Cool Tween/Teen Games That Also Travel Well

Don't forget to leave a comment below this post.  Parents:  What kinds of games do you remember playing in the car when you were a kid?

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.

Among the three Hasbro games my family (triplets, age 13 and big brother 14) picked to bring on our most recent summer road trip was the Sorry! Revenge Card Game.  Choosing this game to bring along really was a no-brainer, considering the full-size board game Sorry! has always been a favorite at our house both with our own kids and their friends.  That's not even to mention that hubbie and I both remember playing many Hasbro games in the 1960s, too, so we are talking about a real classic here.  This is definitely on our family's play list for the annual Family Game Night this Wednesday, September 29, 2010. 

As those of you know who are following this MommyBlogExpert.blogspot.com family road trip series, our kids have been known to squabble now and then (like most other siblings).  They've even become quite adept at stirring things up a bit when mom is trying to do some serious long distance driving.  So, imagine my relief and the kids' joy when the miles passed by very quickly for us all -- thanks in part to the hours spent playing this compact, card-based game. 

Our younger son (pictured at left in the car with the game) who is also the youngest of the triplets, says that he liked this game best of the Hasbro trio that we tested.  He and his brother (just one year older) entertained themselves in our SUV and also sometimes brought this into the motel at night when we stopped to play some more.  

When I interviewed him about this he said in his very intelligent, unprompted own words, "This type of Sorry! is a great adaptation from board to card  game.  I really loved playing with it on the trip, not only because it was lots of fun but because we didn't have any plastic moving pieces to lose."  What's a mother not to love about that?

As I began typing his brilliant quote for this post, his older brother chimed in, "Don't forget to also mention that this game is awesome because there are so many different variations to play it to keep things interesting."

As for me I'd say Simply put, Sorry! Revenge is unlike any regular deck of cards we've every played with.  Well-designed and reminiscent of the big board game, this Hasbro card game version includes 109 cards along with instructions.  The family-friendly game is for kids (and parents) age 6 and up and you can play with 2-4 players.  Game play time averages just 15 minutes so this is ideal for playing multiple games during longer trips or from start to finish on short trips closer to home, such as driving the kids to or from school or activities. 

With a very affordable retail price of just $6.99, just about everyone can buy a set.  The Sorry! Revenge Card Game can be purchased online from HasbroToyShop.  It is also widely available elsewhere on the Internet and at various large and small brick-and-mortar stores where games are sold. 

Of course Hasbro still offers the original Sorry! board game ($17.99) as well as a variety of other related products inspired by the original Sorry! classic ranging from a Sorry! replacement game piece packet ($3.99) to the Sorry! Spin Game ($24.99), to the SpongeBob SquarePants Edition ($19.99) to Hasbro Family Game Night hi tech versions for Wii, XBOX Live, XBOX 360, and Nintendo 360 platforms ($9.99-$39.99), among other variations.

Parent Readers: This question's for you.  I recall playing "License Plates" on road trips with my family as a child.  How about you? What kind of games do you remember playing in the car when you were a kid? I'd also love to hear any vignettes about kids and moms/dads playing any of the Sorry! games together.  Please share your own stories in the comment box below.

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert's family received Sorry! Revenge Card Game from Hasbro to facilitate the test and review described but did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post.  Also we did not have the opportunity to test the other Sorry! products mentioned in this blog post, with the exception of the Sorry! board game mentioned that is from our family's own personal game collection.  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. 

TONIGHT September 29 is Hasbro Family Game Night - Get Ready to Party With Your Kids With Some Fun Ideas

by Janis Brett Elspas

MommyBlogExpert.blogspot.com

What is your favorite game to play with your kids or your family? Don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of this post and share all your faves.

September 29, 2010 is Hasbro's annual Family Game Night and you're invited to participate.   

Hasbro has provided a great list of ideas to help you make the most of this quality time together including providing FREE printable downloadables and more from their website.

Your family can get in on the act too, by visiting the official FGN Facebook Page .  You can also follow Hasbro News and Family Game Night on Twitter for find our more about this event and Hasbro's products.

Here are some of the games manufactured by Hasbro and other companies that were featured in Family Fun on the Run Toy Chest that MommyBlogExpert and family will be playing to mark this special Family Game Night this evening

• Backseat Drawing
• Sorry! Revenge Card Game
• Think-ets Genius

What's your family's favorite board game? Please leave a comment below this blogpost to share it.

FTC Disclosure:  MommyBlogExpert did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this particular post.  However, this blog did receive the Sorry! Revenge Card Game product from Hasbro (and the other products mentioned from their respective manufacturers) for previous separate product reviews on each.  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.     

You are Invited to Submit to the 2010-2011 Crayola Children's Art Exhibit for K thru 12th Grade Students

by Janis Brett Elspas

MommyBlogExpert.blogspot.com

Parents & Teachers: Don't forget to post a favorite recollection of crayons from your own childhood in the comment section below this post.  I look forward to walking with you down memory lane!

Crayola, the originators of the crayon that has been enjoyed by generations of creative kids, has announced their annual children's art exhibition. 

Pictured in this post below are Mini Mommy Blog Expert's (my tween daughter's) original water color eco-friendly and Mother's Day illustrations that appear exclusively on this blog. My daughter, BTW, is working on her next guest post right now.

According to Crayola, the 2010-2011 Crayola Dream-Makers Art Exhibition focuses on students' visual expression of what creativity means to them.  Three submissions will be chosen from each grade level and finalists will be honored by having their original artwork framed, donated to, and exhibited at regional and/or national office of the Department of Education.  Each Finalist will receive a plaque with a replica of the original artwork.  A select sample of submitted artwork and "Dream Statements" will also be exhibited at the 2011 NAEA Conference, (Seattle, Washington).

Artwork will be divided by grades K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th. There is no maximum number of entrants per grade level. Entries will be evaluated by a panel of judges consisting of employees of Crayola LLC ("Sponsor") or independent judges selected by Sponsor.  The judges will review all submissions and make selections based on the following criteria: 1) Interpretation and use of the theme: "Speak up for Creativity" in the artwork 2) How the written statement describes the artwork and the interpretation of the theme 3) Visual Appeal 4) Originality 5) Age Appropriateness 6) Craftsmanship.

To participate, teachers are invited to submit their students' art work following these guidelines

• Create a “Dream Statement” to accompany each piece
  -50 words or less
  -Consider integrating words or the entire statement into artwork
• Use a variety of 2-dimensional mediums including collage
  -Encourage use of different mediums. Use creative techniques such as blowing paint,
  crosshatching, stamping or tearing.
  -See “Art techniques” on Crayola.com/educator for more ideas.
• Make pieces no larger than 16 x 20 inches
• Create individually expressive works
• Entry deadline is  December 1, 2010

More details on how to enter Crayola's Coloring Exhibition is available here and official rules may be found here.

In addition to the upcoming kids art exhibition, Crayola.com offers a variety of FREE resources for kids to get involved in art.  These include, among other things, downloadable coloring pages, art techniques, craft ideas, a section for parents, and for teachers, art lesson plans for each grade level.

Parents & Teachers:  Please post a favorite recollection of crayons from your own childhood in the comment section.  I look forward to walking with you down memory lane!

FTC Disclosure:  MommyBlogExpert 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.   

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Nature Rocks Co-Host Nationwide FREE Event - THIS Saturday, Sept. 25

by Janis Brett Elspas

MommyBlogExpert.blogspot.com

FREE Admission to All U.S. National Wildlife Refuges and National Parks on 9/25/2010

As some of you may know,  I worked in Yellowstone National Park one summer during college.  I've always been a huge fan of National Parks, the environment, and nature in general -- writing letters to the editor about protecting natural resources that have been published several times by the Los Angeles Times.  I've also penned a number of book reviews by authors such as environmentalist Ed Begley and Anna Getty on living greener at home as well reviewed various films for family audiences that celebrate nature such as Furry Vengeance. 
Arches National Park, August 2010

by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.blogspot.com

I am now passing that life-long love of all branches of the National Park system on to my kids and hubbie.  As a result of many family road trips, my kids and hubbie have already been to hundreds of National Parks with me, traveling to quite a few for repeat visits.  In fact, my four teens (triplets plus one more, all born within a year) are still talking about our huckleberry picking adventures in Montana and Idaho during Summer of 2009, as well as the roadtrip all six of us took in August of this year to Arches National Park in Utah.  Pictured above is a scene from that later family vacation.

Nature Rocks, which has really awesome programs, is a national initiative created to inspire and empower parents to enjoy quality time in nature with their families.  Today they just announced a new partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that will bring new online resources to parents to get their kids more involved with the great outdoors.  To promote this, these two groups are hosting Nature Rocks Days at Fish and Wildlife Refuges across the country this Saturday, September 25, 2010, National Public Lands Day.  Incidentally, it is also Take a Child Outside Week from September 24 to 30 starting this Friday.

FREE Nature Rocks Day Events
Will Be Held at Each of These Locations

• Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge – Chincoteague, VA
• Forsythe NWR – Oceanville, NJ
• Big Stone NWR/WMD – Odessa, MN
• Wallkill River NWR – Sussex ,NJ
• Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery – Warm Springs, GA
• Wheeler NWR – Decatur, AL
• Desert National Wildlife Refuge – Las Vegas, NV
• Roma Bluffs World Birding Center – Roma, TX
• San Diego NWRC Sweetwater Marsh – Chula Vista, CA
• Coleman National Fish Hatchery – Anderson, CA
• Hassayampa River Preserve – Wickenberg, AZ
• Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve – Homer, AK
• Sonoran Arthropod Studies Institute – Tucson, AZ

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's mission is to work with the public and others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.  This is the fifth national organization to partner with Nature Rocks -- a program developed by the Children & Nature Network and ecoAmerica to inspire families to play and explore in nature for healthier, happier and smarter children.  Current partners are The Nature Conservancy, REI, the American Heart Association, the American Camp Association and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  To learn more about Nature Rocks and its partners, visit their official site; also follow them on Facebook and Twitter .

Nature Rocks is just one of the many eco-friendly ways parents can see nature through your child's eyes.  Look for other good to the Earth blogposts on this blog wherever you see this MommyBlogExpert Eco-Friendly Blogpost icon.

FTC Disclosure:  MommyBlogExpert 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.  

Turn Twitter Facebook Time into Influencer Income

Social Media

Facebook, Twitter Tips for Influencers

If I had a dollar for every minute I've spent on Twitter and Facebook since signing up for those social media networks several years ago, I think I'd be a millionaire.   "Same here," you might be chiming in, right about now.  Yes, I have to admit it -- on this point my dear hubbie is right -- you have to manage your involvement on these sites very carefully because if you don't watch out, they can actually be a major time sink.

Managing Time Better

Though I've come to terms with it now, it is still quite terrifying to think about.  In my early days on those two social networks, Linkedin and a few others, promoting this blog and my PR and social media consulting business, I was spending more than 75% of my working time Tweeting and following, posting to Facebook walls, and seeking out former business associates on Linkedin.  The rest of the time on many of those same days, I was wading through an average of 300 emails daily -- which not, coincidentally -- were often related to my social network activities.

Based on a 50-hour work week which has been my norm, that means I was spending an average of 37+ hours a week -- the equivalent of 2000 hours last year alone -- JUST on social and business networking.  That left precious little to no time at all for me to either create substantial content or to follow up on the many business connections I wanted so much to cultivate.  Ironically, these two were the most important things I should have been doing a lot more of back then.

In recent months, I've wised up, though, using more of that formerly wasted "chat" time to focus on writing better content and building on existing business relationships instead.  This has magically "manufactured" time for me to write more quality content not only for my own blog MommyBlogExpert but also to write for others, including as a regular contributing columnist for two exciting consumer blogs, Zulily and Dealpop, which both launched this year.  Even better, it has freed up more energy and hours to engage in more meaningful conversations with all the contacts I've acquired, especially those I met when I was in over my head with social media.

The good news is that if I can convert my excess Twitter, Facebook, and other social network downtime into productivity, you can too.  All it takes is setting limits for yourself on how much time you will spend daily in these other social media neighborhoods.  It will be different for each person and business, obviously, but I think most everyone can reap the rewards of cutting back even just a little. 

 

As for me, I've whittled down my own time on these significantly and am currently only doing social networking a total of just 5 hours per week (about 1 hour/day on all networks combined).  The result is that I'm benefiting not only from all the physical hours I've recaptured for more in-depth blog writing but also from the higher caliber of energy I'm now able to channel into solidifying important new business relationships that will ultimately grow both this blog and my social media consulting business.

LEAVE A COMMENT Below 

How many hours per week do you now spend on all business-related social media combined? And if you think you want to increase your productivity in creating content how many of those social media hours do you think you could cut back?  

FTC Disclosure:  MommyBlogExpert 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.