1. Hit the local library, most have summer reading programs for kids with daily or weekly activities. There are also tons of books and magazines to browse through and talk about.
2. Go bowling! Many bowling alleys have discounted rates during summer weekdays, since it’s their slow time.
3. Go see a movie, there are several summer blockbusters for kids this year. We usually go see a movie to avoid the heat of summer, but this year it’s been to avoid the rain! If you’re not worried about seeing the latest movies, many theaters have early morning showings of movies that have been out for a while for very reduced prices.
4. Visit a local museum, some museums are having free admission this summer.
5. Stay in and have a game day. Break out all the board games and have a game day marathon.

What does your family like to do on rainy summer days?

Image via sxc.hu

Post from: Play Library

International Playthings

Let me start by saying I had reservations about the iPlay Air Hockey Game before I received it.  My kids love to go to the arcades at Walt Disney World, which is less than a half hour from our house.  Recently, they have become obsessed with the air hockey tables at the Walt Disney World resorts, but they’re still too small to use them correctly and really enjoy them. 

When I saw the iPlay Air Hockey Game, I had high hopes but low expectations.  My husband and I had a small air hockey table before our kids were born that was probably about 3 or 4 feet long (not a tabletop game like the iPlay Air Hockey Game).  It worked adequately, but it was nothing to rave about.  Luckily, my expectations were far exceeded when we got the chance to test the iPlay Air Hockey Game.

In short, the iPlay Air Hockey Game works really well!  I didn’t think a little tabletop air hockey toy could work so well, but the puck actually floats over the table top with two D-batteries.  The iPlay Air Hockey Game comes with four paddles (2 smaller and 2 larger) and three pucks in various shapes (circle, triangle, square) to add some interest to the game.  A manual scoring dial is also included on the toy. 

The iPlay Air Hockey Game is rated for ages 3 and up, and I have to agree with that age range.  My kids don’t completely understand the rules of the game, but it doesn’t matter.  They love hitting the puck around the table and trying to make a goal.  I suspect they’ll continue to grow into it and enjoy it even more.  Suffice it to say, this toy is super fun!

Now for the best part of the iPlay Air Hockey Game.  It comes assembled!  All you have to do is put the stickers on the three pucks and affix the center divider then put in the batteries (not included) and you’re ready to go.  It takes less than 2 minutes ,and you’re ready to play.  Any parent who knows the pain and frustration of removing toys from their packaging (which often requires a whole host of tools and several adults) let alone assembling the actual toy, can appreciate a toy that comes ready to use (or very close to it).

To top it off, the iPlay Air Hockey Game only costs $19.99.  You’ve got to love a toy that actually works for under $20.

With that said, I give the iPlay Air Hockey Game two thumbs up.

Images: International Playthings

Post from: Play Library

Post from: Play Library

After we got married, Bald Man and I started building up our own collection of family games, and Clue was one of the first on my list. For some reason, though, we decided to get crazy and pick up the spin-off, Clue-The Great Museum Caper. I’d have to argue the “great,” though Bald Man happened to love it. Other than the name and that there was a kind of mystery to solve, it basically was nothing that even closely resembled the original and in the end was a poor substitute. And we still don’t have the original in our collection, yet!

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That’s all I could think of today when I saw the commercial for the latest rebirth of Monopoly…Monopoly Electronic Banking Edition. Yup, Monopoly without the money. All of the trades and such are made with debit-type banking cards. What is Monopoly without the money?!? Of course, I seem to only ever remember actually finishing one game of Monopoly. I guess it won’t effect my life all that much.

What about you? Do you think Monopoly is the same without the cash?

Post from: Play Library

I have a summer birthday and so had many outdoor parties as a kid. I loved the games that my mom would think up to play in the yard, and never laughed so hard as when I was watching my friends rolling eggs with their noses and such!

My daughter recently had her first Field Day with teachers and other students who belong to the same homeschooling program as we do. Some of the games brought back fun memories for me. I loved playing mushroom with the giant parachute! And others made me think that they’d work well as outdoor birthday party games. Here are a few from the Field Day, and a few that my mom used to have us play:

Egg relay (played like a regular relay with teams, or as individual races): 3 variations

1. Roll the egg with your nose

2. Carry the egg on a spoon with your hand

3. Carry the egg on a spoon with your teeth

Water balloon toss:

Played in pairs where each team tosses the water balloon back and forth, moving a little farther apart each time. The team that makes it the farthest apart without busting the balloon wins the game.

Parachute games:

You can actually get your hand on a parachute through Oriental Trading Company. I don’t think these are as big as the one the kids used at Field Day, but some of the games could still be played with them, I’d think.

Mushroom: My favorite! I loved doing this in gym class. Everyone lifts the parachute as high as they can, then pulls it around them while they run under the parachute and sits on the part they just ran under. When done right, the parachute has air underneath and looks like a mushroom.

Boys/Girls: Everyone lifts the parachute as high as they can and then either the boys or the girls run under it and switch places to a new spot on the outside of the parachute.

Marble toes:

I’d never seen this one until Field Day, but I knew my kids would be great at it because we all have a freakish ability and desire to pick things up with our toes. Basically, a circle is made with a string or rope in the grass. A bag’s worth of marbles is spread around in the circle. Then, with 3-4 kids playing in each round, the kids are given one minute to pick up as many marbles as they can with their toes! I really wanted to try that one, too.

What are you favorite outdoor games for kids’ parties?

Post from: Play Library

I remember Tetherball poles at one or two of the grade schools I attended, but I never remember it being a huge craze or anything. Certainly nothing like four-square. Baldman, however, remembered playing a few games in grade school. He says, “I like the Tetherball.” (He’s a bit sleep-deprived right now.)

So, how about you? Do you remember ever playing this game? Had the craze died out by the time I was in school? Are kids still playing it today?

Post from: Play Library

Our daughter just received a set of cards from a friend who plays the game and had a bunch of doubles. Baldman was very excited, let me tell you. He loves games like this, and immediately searched the web to find out how to play this game with his little girl. He’s so looking forward to it.

Here’s what he found, in case you’re one of the other two families in the world who, at this moment, is still in the dark and needs an introduction to Pokémon. As for us, it seems that we don’t have enough cards to start a proper game, so we’re off to pick up a few!

Post from: Play Library

Strawberry Shortcake Dance Dance Revolution was one of the gifts my daughter received for her birthday. After watching her have a blast on the real Dance Dance Revolution for PS2 (when she could get us away from Guitar Hero), my sister thought this would be a fun gift for her niece.

We’ve…erm…I mean…..she’s had a blast playing with this game. The characters are cute, the songs are fun, and the moves start out nice and simple. The best part is that there are no gaming consoles required, it just plugs right into the TV. Other than that, it’s just a few batteries to get it to play. And, your own feet, of course.

My daughter and I each took a turn on it, and then my mom skunked us on it by beating the first round before we could. Go mom! Though we always knew she could dance; she is the one who taught me the twist, after all.

Post from: Play Library

To fit with the theme, which will be hosted by Char Polanosky at our b5media sister blog, Weary Parent, I thought I’d start a list of all those fun outside games that we used to love as kids, and that seem to pass the test of time by being appealing to multiple generations. Games that required nothing more than a warm (or just not too cold) day, a few friends, and maybe a can or ball. Nothing fancy, just fun. My kids are just getting old enough to start teaching them some of these.

Feel free to continue the list in the comments section!

Duck, Duck, Goose
Stuck in the Mud
Red Rover
Kick the Can
Dodgeball
Ghost in the Graveyard
Four Square
Kickball

Okay, so, in reality, I hated dodgeball. When we moved during my 5th grade year, I ended up in a school that called the game “bombardment.” On rainy or snowy days, or any day that required inside recess, the 5th and 6th graders were required to spend the time in the gym. Once in the gym, you had two options 1: Play bombardment or 2: Watch people play bombardment. No boardgames or anything like that. Watch or play. I watched. However, unlike dodgeball, I LOVED four square!!! Much nicer game to play with the same type of ball. I can’t wait to teach my kids this game!

What are some of the outdoor or active games you loved as a kid? Did you have other names for the games listed?

Post from: Play Library