The main goal is still to connect four pieces in a row, but now the game has a double wide, double sided grid that allows up to 4 players to play at one time. Players can join together, or use double wide pieces to prevent each other from winning.

Players can make a line of four on either side, or weave four in a row back and forth from one side to the other to win the game.

Here’s a quick commercial that shows the basic idea of the game.

The new Connect 4X4 is available at most major retailers this holiday season, or online at Amazon.com, and Toys “R” Us.

Image: Amazon

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The games include the Memory Matching Game which helps children learn the plural form of irregular nouns like goose and geese, foot and feet, mouse and mice. It’s designed to improve concentration skills.

The Mad-Magnet Match series comes in a travel tote with large magnetic pieces and play activities that teach Opposites, Associations, and Part-to-Whole Relationships.

Finally there’s the Cool Cards series. All of the games have won numerous awards including Disney’s iParenting Media Awards.

Both normally developing children and children with special needs benefit from playing the games. The games help children as they help develop language concepts, vocabulary, critical thinking, and pre-literacy skills with these fun activities.

The new language games feature large magnetic play pieces, colorful cards sized for small hands, and activities for family play. The games range in price from $11.99 to $19.99, the games also are available in combo packs to create an ideal set of tools for daycare centers, clinics, and schools. You can find more information about these great learning games at the Fit and Function Website.

Image: Fun and Function

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I know schedules are hectic, both children and parents are busy, but why not devote one night to getting “unplugged” and enjoying each others company over a game? If you can’t do it on the 23rd set aside a day and hold everyone in the family to making that date.

National Family Game Night comes right in the middle of Turn Off TV Week, so it’s the perfect time to spend a little time reconnecting as a family.

You can visit Hasbro’s Family Game Night website for more information, and a list of game ideas. You can also follow @familygamenight on Twitter for daily fun game facts and tips for planning your own family game night.

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Once in a while we play games on the Wii together. We have a couple versions of Guitar Hero, and Rock Band, and also have Wii Sports and their Carnival Games. I’d rather play a good board game any day, but my husband and my son love the video games, especially the music playing games like Guitar Hero. Since they humor me on some of the games I want to play, I give their favorites a try once in a while too.

We actually take turns picking the games. Each week one of us gets to pick the games we play. Of course the others can influence the decision by begging and making sad eyes. Once the decision is made, we all have to play, even if it’s not our favorite game.

We have a great time either way, playing the games as a family and enjoying the interaction and laughs we have together.

Image Photoxpress.com

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It gives you the opportunity to do something together as a family, and get fit at the same time.

I think kids will have a blast with this. The bonus is it gets them up and moving, instead of sitting in front of a video game or the TV.

The game idea is simple, shuffle the deck, then start playing. When it’s your turn, draw a card and complete the exercise. You get points depending on the level of the exercise you accomplish. Fit Deck has several other decks and a games and activities booklet, so you can mix and match once your family masters the exercises in the Junior Deck.

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I think he got his homework done in record time. He had the game set up within a half an hour after he got home, and was ready to play. He even read the directions and showed me how to play.

The game board is 3 demensional, and you can insert cards to change the paths, and block your opponents next move, or even send them backward. The first person to get their two pawns all the way around the game board, and into the center of the Mayan Ruins wins.

We had a blast changing the board and blocking each other. I think it’s a great game to help build thinking skills, since you have to think through your next move, and your opponents next move to block them without slowing yourself down.

We took it to the lake this weekend, and I had a blast playing it with my nephews. The game is recommended for ages 10 and up, but one of my nephews is 8 and he did a great job, I think he was one of the most ruthless players. He had no mercy.

Ruin is for players 10 and up and has a suggested retail of $30.00. It can be found through online retailers such as Amazon.com, Target.com, etc., as well as Buffalogames.com, and at specialty stores and mass merchandise stores throughout the U.S.

Image Buffalo Games

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Now there’s a new program that uses the Rubik’s Cube to increase children’s self-esteem. The program is called You CAN Do The Rubik’s Cube®!

The You CAN Do the Rubik’s Cube! Program helps 8-to-18 year-olds unlock the secret of solving the world famous 3×3 Rubik’s Cube and experience all the rewards, and feelings of accomplishment that go with the achievement.

The You CAN Do the Rubik’s Cube! Program website provides all the necessary information an organization or individual needs to experience or share this incredible journey with others, including:

• Cuber Corner – an online community where participants can share Rubik’s Cube experiences
• Secret Unlocked – a step-by-step solution guide for solving the 3×3 Rubik’s Cube • Helping Others – an area where content helps any youth organization incorporate the Rubik’s Cube into their daily or weekly activities
• Math Twist – lesson plans using the Rubik’s Cube for math teachers seeking to engage their students in fun ways to learn about geometry, algebra, and other important math concepts
• And much more…..

There is information at the website for parents, educators, and youth leaders on how they can use the website, and the Rubik’s Cube to help build children’s self esteem, and encourage them to learn while they’re having fun.

It’s fun to see the latest generation still learning from one of my favorite childhood toys.

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Image via Amazon.com

If you’re not familiar with Total Drama Island, it was a Cartoon Network animated series that spoofed reality TV, especially Survivor. The characters were put on an island, and competed to win immunity so they would not get voted off.

If you’re a fan you’ll be happy to know the complete series of Total Drama Island will be premiering on DVD on August 18th. I think we’ve watched all the episodes at least a dozen times, so I’m not sure we need to own the series.

There’s also a Total Drama Island interactive website where you can compete in the games with the campers.

I’m not as crazy about Total Drama Action, I think it would have been funner to have totally new characters on Total Drama Island instead of using the same characters again, and moving the location. And what was up with the kissing?

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Kai-lan’s Great Trip to China will have an encore performance on NOGGIN on August 16th at 7pm, and is available nationwide on DVD.

Here’s the scoop according to Brown Johnson, President of Animation at Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids Family Group:

“Kai-lan’s Great Trip to China’ is infused with rich cultural traditions, from the Chinese noodles the characters eat to the decorative slippers they wear. As preschoolers travel to China with Kai-lan, they will learn the importance of experiencing new cultures and trying new things.”

You can find out more about Kai-lan’s Great Trip to China special at the Nick Jr. website.

Image: Newscom

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My son enjoys science and space, so getting him to do activities like the ones listed below is easy, and it’s a bonus that he’s learning something at the same time.

• Learn more about the moon with a skywatchers guide to the moon.
• A printable maze to help the astronaut get to the moon.
• Sun, moon and stars fun recipes and activities.
• Planets coloring pages
• Kids can play space games, blast off to Mars, or play space trivia, at the official NASA website.
• Make a flying saucer out of paper plates.

What space and moon activities have you come up with to entertain your children, and teach them a little at the same time? If it’s something fun, please share it here.

Image via sxc.hu

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