Looking for a new game for family game night? Try Bananagrams!

Bananagrams provided me with these games to review. 

First we have Bananagrams The Classic Family Anagrams Game.  It is perfect for ages 7 and up and can be played with 1-8 players per game.  The object of the game is to build an individual word grid using up all of your letter tiles.  The first person who uses all of their tiles is the winner.  The game consists of 144 letter tiles that can be stored in a washable yellow banana shaped pouch. To begin the game, you place the tiles face down on the table (this is called the "BUNCH") and each player chooses a predetermined amount of tiles according to how many players there are.  You then take your tiles and begin forming a word grid trying to use as many tiles as you can.  The game continues with players drawing tiles and trading in tiles they can't find a use for until the bunch contains fewer tiles than the number of players.  Then the first player to use all their tiles is the winner IF they did not make any mistakes in their word grid.  If a mistake is found, then that person is out of the game, their tiles are returned to the bunch and play resumes for the remaining players.  This game is lots of fun and was a big hit with my family.  This game retails for $14.99 and can be purchased HERE .

 My First Bananagrams is a modified version of Bananagrams for younger players.  It is suitable for ages 4 and up and is for 1-4 players.  This game consists of 80 single letter tiles and 13 letter combination tiles that come in a green banana shaped pouch.  The rules for this game is a simplified version of the rules for the regular Bananagrams, making it easier for younger children to play.  These letter combination tiles are the first step in word creation as the children learn to group them together.  It also has multiple mini games that together forms a step by step progression of play towards learning to play a full game of Banangrams.  My First Bananagrams retails for $14.99 and can be purchased HERE .

Have a Family Karaoke Night!

Whether you are a talented singer, or you would just like to be, singing karaoke is so much fun!  The Singing Machine has provided me with these products in exchange for an honest review.

 

This is The Singing Machine Groove Cube.  The really cool thing about this is that it has over 40 multi colored lights on the front, sides and handle that synchronizes to the music, so it's really great for parties.  It's small enough to take along with you and is battery operated (uses 8 "C" batteries, not included), as well as electric.  It comes with one microphone, RCA cables, AC adapter and a code for 5 bonus song downloads.  Plays CDs and CD+Gs or streams audio from any Bluetooth compatible device.  You can hook it up to your TV to view scrolling lyrics on your TV screen.  Record yourself, share and playback using the integrated USB port.  Has a secure cradle to hold your tablet or other mobile device.  It has an echo control to enhance your vocals.  This is such a fun little machine.  It really is all you need for a family karaoke night!  The Groove Cube retails for $69.99 and can be purchased HERE .

 

This microphone is the perfect choice if you need a second one for duets, or if you need to replace a damaged one.  Just plug it into your karaoke machine and you're good to go.  It is lightweight and easy to hold in your hand.  It retails for $9.99 and can be purchased HERE .

This cute little guy is called the Singing Machine Kids Mic Guy Bluetooth Speaker.  This is perfect for kids to take along with them as they are on the go.  It is a speaker and a microphone in one.  It has a rechargeable Li-ion battery that will last for 4 hours per charge.  Kids love the glowing light and the big eyes.  You can adjust the microphone volume and it has echo controls to customize your sound.  It has a small grip that is perfect for little hands to hold on to.  With the Mic Guy, smaller kids can have their own little karaoke party anywhere and any time they choose.  The Mic Guy retails for $19.99 and you can purchase it HERE .  

This is another 2 in 1 microphone and Bluetooth speaker.  It is really very similar to the Mic Guy, but this one is more suitable for older kids and teens.  It has volume and echo controls and lights that sync as you sing.  It has a line in jack to connect to your audio device.  It operates via an included Li-ion rechargeable battery that will hold the charge approximately 4 hours.  It is very lightweight and is easy to hold in your hand.  It retails for $24.99 and can be purchased HERE .

Check out these Inflatable Water Toys from Swimline!

Summer will be here before you know it, so why not start thinking of some cool water toys to use when you go swimming?  Swimline has a wide range of awesome products and they have provided me with a few of them to review.

First we have the Double Action Air Pump.  If you're going to have inflatable water toys, then a pump is a must.  And this is a really good one.  It comes with an assortment of nozzles.  Swimline has several styles of air pumps and you can browse their site and search for one that suits you.  

Next we have the 60" Fireboat Inflatable Ride On Water Squirter.  This vinyl boat is red, with white columns.  It has "Fire Rescue" and "Harbor Patrol" printed on it.  This boat is big enough for two small children and is recommended for ages 4 and up.  The cool thing about this is that it has a squirt gun which pulls the water directly from the pool or lake, so no more running out of water and  needing to refill in the middle of a battle.  Kids can pretend to be the Harbor Patrol Fire/Rescue Unit, putting out imaginary fires and rescuing their friends from boredom. The Fireboat retails for $52.99, but right now you can get it for $24.99 HERE .

Next we have the Power Blaster Dual Squirter Set.  You get two 42" vinyl tubes, one blue and one red/orange.  Each one is equipped with a squirt gun that you will never need to refill because it pulls the water directly from the pool or lake that you are swimming in.  They are very easy to inflate and deflate with simple stem valves. Kids will have a blast floating around and waging a water war with each other.  This retails for $37.50, but right now it is $19.95 HERE .

Next we have the Battle Board Squirter Set.  You get two boards, one blue and one green.  Each has a weight capacity of 175 lbs.  Each board comes with not one, but TWO built in squirt guns!  Like the Power Blaster and Fireboat, the squirt guns pull the water directly from the pool or lake.  You can get into some serious water battles and epic fun with these!  The Battle Board set retails for $49.94 and you can purchase it HERE .

Last, but definitely not least, we have the Water Wheel.  Kids love this thing!  It's red and yellow and measures 43" long, 40" wide and 40" high.  It is suitable for kids age 9 and up.  They can get inside it and crawl around on top of the water.  They are sure to have hours of fun with this.  The Water Wheel retails for $53.99 and you can purchase it HERE .   

Swimline is kindly providing us with a Water Wheel to give away to one of our lucky readers.  So make sure you get your entries in once the giveaway is posted!    

The Splash Attack Action Net is a blast!

Duncan Toys has provided me with the Splash Attack Action Net in exchange for an honest review.

The Splash Attack Action Net is an inflatable floating net for use in a swimming pool (or any body of water where you swim).  It retails for $17.99 and can be purchased HERE .

Each Splash Attack Action Net comes with a Splash Attack Water Skipping Ball and an instruction sheet for various game play options.  The net is brightly colored in red, white and blue, so it is easily visible on the water's surface.   Anyone can play this game, regardless of age.  It's fun for all!  You just inflate the net, place it in the water and let the fun begin! 

Follow the included instructions or make up your own game as you go.  You can use one net or several nets for larger groups of people.  The more the merrier!  Play solo and practice trick shots to hone your throwing skills.  Then show them off to your family and friends.  Divide a large group of people up into teams and compete to win, or play one on one.

If you don't want to let your net float freely in the water as you play, there is an optional weighted cord and weight that you can purchase separately which will prevent that.  But I thought that chasing the net around the pool was part of the fun.  It made it more of a challenge because it moved every time it was hit by a wave caused by us jumping, diving and just generally battling for the ball. And it's fun to watch the ball skip across the water as you try to hit the net. 

This game is a blast filled with lots of jumps, throws, tackles and splashes!  My family enjoyed it immensely.

Adorable Plush Animals from Elly Lu

Elly Lu has provided me with these adorable plush animals in exchange for an honest review.  They are available in two sizes; 15" standard size, which retails for $29 each, and 8" minis, which retails for $18 each.  They also have books with each plush animal as a character.  These books teach emotional awareness and STEM to children age 3 and up, and are available for $10 each.  Each toy comes with a hang-tag booklet that contains information about the product and character. Find the three plushies I received, as well as many other products, for sale in stores or online HERE

First we have Cupcake the Unicorn.  She is white with pink hooves, a golden horn and mint colored mane and tail.  She is filled with natural corn fiber and the colors are made with non-toxic dyes. She has such a sweet face, any child would love her.

Next we have Rainbow the Unicorn.  She is pink with light blue hooves, a golden horn and a rainbow mane and tail.  She is made from organically grown cotton fabrics and is filled with polyfill made from recycled water bottles.  The colors are made with non-toxic dyes and are OCS certified.  Rainbow has been awarded the Mom's Choice Award for Honoring Excellence.

Interesting facts about Unicorns:  Unicorns are well known for their gentleness, goodness and healing abilities.  One of the earliest records of a Unicorn was found in an ancient Greek text that described a one-horned horse-like animal that was spotted in India.  How cool is that?

Last, but not least, we have Tug the Tiger.  He has an orange body with black stripes, detailed paws and a big, happy smile on his face. He is made with organic cotton fabrics and filled with a polyfill made from recycled water bottles. The colors are made with non-toxic dyes and are OCS certified.

Interesting fact about tigers: Every tiger in the world is unique. No two tigers have the same pattern of stripes!

Elly Lu is  a team of parents and credentialed teachers who designed the toys to encourage learning through play time. They also donate a portion of their income to charities that benefit children and protect wildlife. 

Chill out with Playfoam

Chill out and open a world of Playfoam® to find a surprise Pal inside this fun-filled 6 pack!
Hidden within each mystery snow globe, a collectible (and totally adorable) animal from the Arctic awaits.
Use Playfoam, the squishy stuff that never dries out, to create everything your Pal needs, again and again!
Collect them all!  

Product Features + Benefits: 

• Pretend play develops social and communication skills
• Building with Playfoam encourages creativity and imagination
• Sculpting again and again develops sensory and fine motor skills

Series Specific Details:

• Includes 1, 2, 6, or 12 mystery globes: each pod includes Playfoam and a Playfoam Pal
• Collect them all!
• Series 3 features 12 arctic Playfoam Pals ]

Get yours here

STEM at Play™ SLIME!

Explore the science behind polymer chemistry and become an expert in all things slimy.
The fact-filled lab guide is chock-full of pictures and information needed for hours of experimentation
in your own home laboratory. Experiments include:

• Making colored worms
• Mixing up homemade play dough
• Creating and catching invisible worms
• Shooting a basket with a bouncing ball that you make and more!

STEM at play kits bring science concepts to life through hands-on activities designed to spark interest,
inspire confidence, prompt creative critical-thinking skills while fostering collaboration between children and'
adults. STEM at play kits provide materials to support scholastic goals while keeping at-home learning fun.

Product Features + Benefits: 

• Support STEM skills and explore the science behind polymers with real lab tools
• Perfect gift for future scientists, engineers, or any boy or girl interested in how chemistry works
• Use household items along with kit materials to perform a variety of slime-related experiments
• Provides hands-on experience with key scientific tools and materials
• Reinforces classroom learning at home
• Inspires critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Includes 17 experiments, lab tools and materials needed to complete the scientific experiments.
• STEM at Play™ kits, approved by STEM.org, bring science concepts to life through hands-on activities
• Kit requires the following household materials: water, spoon, milk, bowl, tablespoon, cake flour and oil

Get yours here