Family Archives | Page 4 of 10 | While He Was Napping

May 16, 2017 by Krista

The 5 Best Puzzle Games You’ll Love to get Lost in

Hi and welcome! I’m so glad you stopped by today! You’re busy and your brain is full of appointments, errands, grocery lists, meetings and all of life’s happenings. You depend on your phone to keep you organized and on top of everything, right? But, during those brief moments when you find yourself waiting somewhere or before you put your phone away for the night, how do you spend your time? Checking your email? On social media? Watching videos? My go-to are good puzzle games.

Something about disconnecting from social media, leaving work behind and giving my little brain cells a challenge is the perfect way for me to take 10 minutes for myself. I can shut out all the noise and just focus on the problem at hand. That brief disconnect doing something just for me helps me come back ready to tackle whatever is next on my agenda. These apps are some of my favorite ways to spend those brief 10 minute breaks and leave me feeling ready to jump back into life.

WHY YOU SHOULD TAKE TIME TO PLAY PUZZLE GAMES

You might be thinking you don’t have time to play games. You’re an adult, after all, with adult responsibilities and obligations. No time for games. I get that. I have kids to care for, errands to run, meetings to attend, work to complete. But, allowing ourselves some down time will ultimately make us happier, healthier people. That’s right, I’m saying it. Playing games can make you healthier.

Think about how much time you spend on social media. How do you feel after you get off Facebook? Did you find anything you’ll actually, really try on Pinterest? Or was it just a mindless 10 minutes of pretty pictures and projects you know you’ll never think seriously about? Maybe you could find a few less minutes to spend on social media and a few more minutes to spend challenging yourself. I know I could.

Puzzle games let you leave the politics, the world problems and the stress behind, even if for just a few minutes. Puzzle games give you a solvable problem to focus on and then leave you to your own reasoning and intellect to figure it out. Puzzle games are similar to imaginative play for children. It’s a creative outlet that, when explored, can help us be more productive in other aspects of our lives. Even as adults, we need to practice problem solving to be any good at it.

FINDING THE BEST PUZZLE GAMES FOR YOU

This list includes a lot of different kind of puzzle games. Not every puzzle game is great for every person. Math is not my strong suit and, while I enjoy the occasional Sodoku game, I don’t typically enjoy games that require a lot of numerical calculating. But word puzzles, those are my jam. Some of the types of puzzle games included in this list are:

number games
word games
quick reaction games
escape games
physics-based games
mystery games

There is bound to be a game you’ll love. Maybe even two or three… or five. Some of these games are great while I’m waiting at the doctor’s office or in the pickup line after school. While some are better for when I’m standing in line at the grocery store. And yet others are better when I’m winding down for bed. Figure out what works best for you!

THE 10 BEST PUZZLE GAMES YOU’LL LOVE TO GET LOST IN

Some of the links included in this list are affiliate links and are for your benefit. Some of these apps are free or may include in-app purchases. If you choose to purchase any apps through these links, I will receive a small portion of your payment. Your cost does not increase in any way and purchases made through these affiliate links help me keep this site running. These are puzzle games my family uses and I personally recommend.

LITTLE ALCHEMY

In Little Alchemy, you start with the four basic elements: earth, fire, wind, and water. By combining the elements together, you can create new products. There are over 500 new elements that span from bacteria and algae to vampires, skyscrapers and more. This game requires some critical and creative thinking – and maybe a google search when you get a few hundred elements in and can’t figure out your next combination. This is one even older children and teens can enjoy. I like to play it with my almost 8-year-old; some times he comes up with combinations I would never have thought of.

GEM MINER: DIG DEEPER

This is a strategy game. You are a miner and your goal is to mine ore, minerals and fossils and then trade them in for money. You can use the money you earn to buy bigger and better mining equipment that will help you get deeper into the mine. I enjoy that no matter how many times I play this game, it’s never the same. This is another game that older kids and teens can enjoy as well. Game play is easy to learn, fun and engaging.

Heads Up! This exact game isn’t in the App Store, but I’ve linked to one that’s similar and supposed to be really good – although, I’ve never played it personally.

Best Puzzle Games for Mobile Devices - Gem Miner Dig Deeper

THE ROOM

The Room is an escape game with a bit of mystery game mixed in too. You are transported to and then trapped in a room. You must find clues, solve puzzles and figure out how to get yourself out. What I really love about this game is that it can be as difficult as you make it. There are optional hints you can receive if you get stuck, which helps me keep game play moving enough that I don’t get frustrated and bored. The stories included with the game are a bit wild, but that’s part of the fun. There are currently three editions of The Room, each even better than the last. I’m currently working my way through the last one and it’s just as enthralling as the first one was – totally worth the cost. And the graphics, they are absolutely amazing. This game is hard to put down.

Best Puzzle Games for Mobile Devices - The Room

WHERE’S MY WATER 2

This physics puzzler is great for all ages, even my 3 year old can play well enough to enjoy it. The second edition of this game is definitely worth the memory space. I love that each level has three different ways to play. You can play just one or all of them. The added challenge of reversing gravity or avoiding the ducks instead of collecting them makes each level extra gratifying. This one is perfect for both quick or extended game play and the characters are fun.

WORD MIX

The beauty of this game is in the simplicity. It’s a basic word unscrambling game. You have 5 letters and 60 seconds. Your objective it to find as many words with those letters as you can. Words must be at least three letters long and nouns are not eligible. Each set of letters will make at least one 5-letter word. Figure out a 5-letter word and you get to advance to the next level. Each word you correctly guess earns points on your score. You can also earn bonuses, such as super hint, extra time and a second try. Rack up as many points as you can before that 5-letter word eludes you and you have to start back at zero.

Heads Up! The App Store doesn’t have the exact game, but I found a similar one for you.

DISNEY EMOJI BLITZ

If you love the match 3 games, then this is definitely a game to try out. Between the lovable characters and the friendly competition on the leader boards, this game is addicting. Earn emojis that you can actually use on your mobile device. I picked up this game in December when I saw my kids playing it, thinking that these emojis would be great for our trip to Disneyland in January. Here it is May, and I still play just about every day. I love the timed game play and the demand on my full attention for 60 seconds. Game play is simple and easy to learn, but there are ample options. You can earn bonuses (extra lives, extra spins on the prize wheel) by watching ads. The ads are annoying (turn the sound off), but they are all family-friendly and most are 30 seconds or less.

ROUTER AQUA

This is a fun puzzle game. Game play is simple and easy to learn, but the puzzles can be quite complex. You start each level with a set of dots, two of each color. Your objective is to draw a solid line, connecting the dots of the same color. Your lines can not cross each other and you are trying to do it in the shortest line length possible. I enjoy this one when I’m waiting for just a few minutes.

Heads Up! Unfortunately, I couldn’t find this one, or a similar one, in the App Store.

PAPER.IO

This is an arcade-style game, but there’s an element of strategy in there too. I’ll admit, I’m awful at this game… but it’s still fun! Your objective is to occupy as much space as you can with your designated color. You can travel away from your “home” to collect more space, but if you are run into while you’re out it’s game over. If you do the running into, however, the other player dies and their space opens up. If competition is your thing, this is definitely one to try out.

Heads up! I believe there is a free version, but it is loaded with terrible, annoying ads and I definitely think it’s worth the upgrade to get rid of them. Also, this game is not available from the Amazon Apps Store

DOTS: A GAME ABOUT CONNECTING

This game is simple, easy to learn, and fun to play. Basic game play is entertaining, but completing the challenges and earning the badges adds a new element to the game. Your objective is to connect as many like-colored dots as you can. Connect dots in a square to score extra points. The game has three modes: timed for quick action play, moves for thought-out, strategic play and endless for relaxed play. You collect all the dots you connect and those can be used to get power-ups. Initial download is free, but there are in-app purchases available.

PLAGUE INC.

This is a simulation game wherein the choices you make will lead to your success or demise. You are trying to infect the world with your newly developed pathogen. Choose where patient zero is located and mutate your pathogen to spread quickly throughout all the world. You’ll also evolve the symptoms and side effects of your disease and as the seriousness increases so does the world’s efforts to eradicate the germ. Can you effectively infect the world’s population before the world’s scientists develop a cure? This game is engaging and replay value is great. No matter how many time you play, it’s a new game each time.

YOUR TIME IN FRONT OF A SCREEN CAN BE GOOD FOR YOU

It’s no secret that we are a technology addicted society that often spends more time immersed in digital life than in our real lives. While connecting to others is a wonderful thing, being constantly connected can do more harm than good. How would things change if you used a little bit of your screen time to disconnect instead being constantly connected to everyone all of the time? Would you be more relaxed? Less stressed? Happier? Take a break and find out what a little time away could do for you.

Share your favorite puzzle games in the comments. If you struggle with getting good sleep, click that next button to check out 3 apps that will help you sleep better.

April 27, 2017 by Krista

10 Essential Oil Recipes that will Help You Focus

Hi and welcome! I’m so glad you stopped by. Have you ever found yourself struggling to focus? If you’re suffering from anxiety in your life, just plain fatigue, prolonged stress or a medically diagnosed condition like ADHD that makes it difficult for you to focus, let me share what has helped me. As a busy mom with lots of responsibilities, I struggle with balancing those things too. I don’t believe essential oils have magical powers that cure everything; but, I have found some essential oil recipes that help me focus and get my stuff done. Plus, I’ll share my bonus tactic that is a huge help in keeping me focused.

Oh, also… I’m not a doctor, nor do I have any medical training. This is NOT medical advice. I’m just a tired, stressed out mom trying to share some of the things that help me cope and even succeed, because maybe they’ll help you too.

AROMATHERAPY WITH ESSENTIAL OIL RECIPES

Aromatherapy has been around for a long time and I’ve spent the last two years researching and testing essential oils in my home. Essential oils will never replace my medicine cabinet, but they do have a place within it. When I started my essential oil research, I didn’t plan to study aromatherapy. But, it has become one of my favorite uses for essential oils. Aromatherapy has been beneficial for my mental health. It’s incredible what essential oils can do for your mood. When combined with (BONUS TACTIC ALERT!) mini meditation sessions and short, focused work times my productivity has increased dramatically.

WANT MORE FOCUS? TRY THESE ESSENTIAL OIL RECIPES

If you struggle with focus, these recipes are for you. Do you find yourself dragging through the afternoon (or before noon!)? Then, these recipes are for you. If you’re tired, your to-do list is long and you start many tasks but accomplish few, this is for you. If you

were up all night with the kids
suffer from insomnia
are committed to too many things
feel frazzled, stressed, or anxious
are facing deadlines and feel stuck

find a recipe and try it. Not all essential oils have the same impact on every person, but these essential oil recipes are a great place to start to improve your focus and get things done.

10 ESSENTIAL OIL RECIPES THAT WILL HELP YOU FOCUS

You may find that one method of use is more effective for you. Personally, topical application works better for me than diffusing the oils. I use roller bottles a lot, but if diffusing works for you, then do that. These recipes are simple. In all 10 recipes, there are only 6 oils. Most of the oils are common and have multiple uses – which makes me more likely to keep them stocked in my home.

Imagine crawling into bed, your pillow soft against your face as you relax and drift into sleep. Your responsibilities are taken care of – to the best of your ability and you can rest easy. Tomorrow, you’ll get up and do it again. You’ll crush your to-do list. With some discipline, determination and focus you’ll be a rock star!

Materials/Ingredients:

Peppermint Essential Oil (get it now)
Lemon Essential Oil (get it now)
Lavender Essential Oil (get it now)
Grapefruit Essential Oil (get it now)
Rosemary Essential Oil (get it now)
Ylang Ylang Essential Oil (get it now)
Diffuser (I have and love this one – love it’s large capacity!) or Roller Bottles (I use these ones)
Essential Oil recipes for Focus printable below

GET YOUR 10 ESSENTIAL OIL RECIPES PRINTABLE REFERENCE SHEET

This handy reference sheet will help you keep all the recipes in one place, neat and organized. I have a small notebook where I keep essential oil recipes and printables so, if I find a recipe that works well, I can make sure I’m able to go back and replicate it again and again. All you need to do is enter your information below to get instant access to the recipes and the premium printable.

Click on the image below to download your high resolution printable reference sheet.

FOR USE IN A DIFFUSER

Step #1: Add water to the max fill line in your diffuser. I like to use distilled water to help keep my diffuser clean.

Step #2: Add the essential oils as directed in each recipe.

Step 3#: Replace the diffuser cover and turn it on. If you diffuser allows you to set time limits or frequency of mist, do that now.

You can diffuse for a couple hours or all day; however, I find it most effective when I diffuse while I am actively working on a task.

FOR USE IN ROLLER BOTTLES

Step #1: Clean and disinfect roller bottles – I run them through a cycle in the dishwasher – before use. Let dry completely.

Step #2: Add the essential oils in the recipe and fill the remainder of your 10mL roller bottle with carrier oil. Fractionated coconut oil is common and works well, but I actually like grapeseed oil in my roller bottle blends.

Step #3: Gently shake the roller bottle before each use to re-blend the oils. Apply to wrists, temples, back of your neck or the bottoms of your feet. Temples and wrists are my preferred locations.

FIND YOUR FOCUS AND GET STUFF DONE WITH THESE ESSENTIAL OIL RECIPES

What are you waiting for? If you’re just starting with essential oils, this is a great place to try a few things. When I first started using oils, I wanted miracles and I wanted them RIGHT NOW. But, oils don’t work that way. Be consistent and willing to try other methods to find the one that is right for you. You’ll find your focus and things will get done. And you’ll feel better too!

FOR BEST RESULTS, USE QUALITY OILS

I use Rocky Mountain Oils. I love their guarantee and return policy. The quality of their oils is comparable to the other expensive brands I’ve used before while being a little easier on my wallet and budget too. They are affordable and effective – and, my favorite part, there’s no MLM structure so you can order what you need when you need it.

April 11, 2017 by Krista

10 Irresistible ABC Apps that will help your preschooler

Hey, welcome! I’m so glad you stopped by today! Is your preschooler trying to learn the alphabet? Or maybe it’s your toddler? Either way, if you’ve got a child working on their ABC’s this is for you! I’ve got an active learner and getting him to engage in learning his letters is so difficult – until I started turning it into play time. When I let him use his screen time, which he dearly loves, to practice letters it turns from a fight into fun. These ABC Apps have been so helpful in getting my little guy to learn and practice the alphabet.

WHY YOU SHOULD USE TECHNOLOGY – AND THESE ABC APPS – TO HELP YOUR CHILD LEARN (AND MAKE YOUR LIFE A LITTLE EASIER)

We live in a very technological world. And there are so many amazing things we can do with that technology, including teach our children. Screen time has come to have such a negative connotation lately that it can be difficult to utilize that tool without feeling guilty.

Every time someone asks how many hours of screen time my kids get a day, I cringe a little on the inside. Not because I’m ashamed of my parenting, but because of that negative view towards screen time. Most people are concerned with “excessive” screen time, but my definition of excessive might not be the same as yours. And that’s okay! While I don’t relish being judged by others, I don’t feel guilty for the time my kids spend in front of a screen. Most of the time, my boys are playing educational games or reading books (or having books read to them).

If screen time guilt is holding you back, evaluate how you use screen time and what benefits your family is seeing from it.

When my oldest was 2, he could accurately identify a hexagon, a pentagon and an octagon. People would praise me for being so involved in his education at such a young age. Almost every time, their eyes would pop and their jaws would drop when I’d admit he actually learned it while playing on the tablet every night while I fixed dinner. It made dinner preparation easier for me to know my 2 year old was sitting at the kitchen table while I was cooking. And he was learning.

Kids can learn great things while they are in front of a screen.

ONLY THE BEST ABC APPS WILL DO

There are lots of sub-par apps out there and ABC apps are no exception. I’ve spent a lot of time – hundreds of hours – researching quality learning apps. I’ve found that there are lots and lots of options, but not a lot of great options. And even fewer great options that are free. I am not against paying for a good, quality app; but, I do expect them to be worth every penny. The ABC apps in this list all:

Teach something. Most of the time I’m pretty particular about what apps my kids play. I’m much more likely to allow screen time if the apps my kids want to play teach something like math, science, or reading.
Not allow my kids to click off to other apps. My boys would download every app in every ad they ever see if I’d let them. Keep my child where he’s supposed to be and I will gladly hand over my money.
No inappropriate ads. Even if the game is phenomenal, a sleazy or overly intrusive ad gets an automatic NO.

Be aware that some of these apps DO have in-app purchases. Most are behind parent locks, but I recommend setting your account so purchases need to be verified with a pin or fingerprint and you’re not surprised with any unapproved additions to your app library.

I truly have put in hours of time to ensure the quality of apps I let my kids play. Even educational ABC apps that seem harmless. The ABC apps below have been approved for our home and I encourage you to check them out before you let your little one loose. And, sometimes, things do change; so, if you notice something questionable in any of the apps I’ve suggested, please let me know! I don’t want to support and recommend garbage and I don’t want my kids exposed to it even more than I don’t want your children exposed to it.

10 IRRESISTIBLE ABC APPS THAT WILL HELP YOUR PRESCHOOLER LEARN THE ALPHABET

Some of the links included in this list are affiliate links. If you choose to purchase any (paid) apps through these links, I will receive a small portion of your payment. Your cost does not increase and purchases through my affiliate links help me keep this site running. These are ABC apps my family uses and I personally recommend.

Here are the 10 irresistible ABC Apps I let my kids play, guilt and worry free!

ALPHABET CAR

1. In Alphabet Car, you drive a bus (I know, I thought it was weird too) by tilting your device from side to side. The goal is to spell simple words by collecting each letter in the word by driving into it with the bus. The game gives a visual of the letter you are trying to collect (in the preschool level of the game) and says the letter name. Each level starts with just the next letter appearing on the screen. It gets progressively harder by adding other letters as your child progresses through the level. If your child knows the letter names, but not what they look like, this can help. There is a lite version that you can try out for free, but you can get the full version via an in-app purchase – which is behind a parent lock.

ALPHATOTS

2. AlphaTots is awesome for letter practice. Each letter starts off with the upper and lower case letters being displayed on the screen and a voice says the name of the letter and it’s sound. Then there’s an activity to do. For example, “E is for erase. Can you erase the star?” After the star is erased, you can move on to the next letter, back to the previous letter. Or you can go back to the home screen and choose any letter. On occasion, Spinlight has sales. They are worth the full price though.

ABC KIDS

3. ABC Kids is a great ABC app that can grow with your child as they learn the alphabet. There are four games in this app: letter tracing for both upper and lower case letters, beginning sound matching and upper and lower case matching. The letter tracing games are great for introduction to the letter name and it’s shape. It teaches your child how to make the shape with guided tracing. The beginning sound match is a little more difficult. It’s ideal for those kids who know their letters, but aren’t reading quite yet. The upper and lower case matching is perfect for helping your child understand that each letter has two variations.

This game is a full game, there are no ads and it’s FREE in the Play Store and the Amazon App Store.

PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN LEARNING GAMES

4. This ABC app is a little less flashy than some of the other ones in this list. It is basic and effective, which is why I like it. In the lite version of the app, there’s only 2 games, but you can get all 15 games for about $3. The upside is that one of the two free games is the alphabet one, so you can try it out before you commit to the other games. The free alphabet game focuses on matching letters and beginning sounds.

Heads up! The App Store and Amazon App store versions are slightly different than the Android version. They only have 12 games. It’s the one we have played with for years and it’s still a good app. (And I think it’s a little cheaper too.)

ELMO LOVES ABCS

5. This is perfect for your Elmo-loving kid. It starts out as a letter tracing activity. I like this one because there’s a guide, but it isn’t overbearing. It gives your child room to explore and play with the form of the letters. After the letters are completed, there is an option to watch a short video clip, draw a picture or play a seek and find game with objects that start with the letter. The lite version of the app includes letters A-C, you can upgrade to get the rest of the alphabet.

ALIVE ALPHABET LETTER TRACING

6. This is a pretty basic tracing app, but it’s special too. When tracing the letters, different and unique textures and patterns appear in the trace lines. It’s engaging and will keep your kids guessing. I also really like that the words associated with each letter aren’t the typical alligator, bee, although admittedly letter C is cat, but most of them are different. Alive Alphabet Letter Tracing is Intellijoy’s latest app and is included in the subscription option.

Heads up! Unfortunately, this one isn’t available in the App Store. If you use an iDevice, keep your eyes out for it and hopefully it will be added soon. It was released March 2017. It is in the Play Store and the Amazon App Store.

KIDS ABC TRAINS GAME

7. Kids ABC Trains Game is a must-have if you have a train-lover in your home. My boys have really enjoyed this game and it’s great. Five games are included in the full version of this app – it’s another Intellijoy app and also included in the subscription option. Letter tracing, letter recognition, letter sounds and upper and lower case matching games are all in this app. What my boys really love about this game are the frequent reward badges. The games are quick, which is great for my kids’ short attention spans.

Heads up! Unfortunately, this one isn’t available in the App Store. But it is in the Play Store and the Amazon App Store.

KIDS ABC LETTERS

8. This ABC app is great for beginners. It focuses on the basic fundamentals of letters such as letter names, letter formation, recognition of letters in both upper and lower case, matching upper and lower case letters, and alphabetical order. This is an Intellijoy app and included in the subscription option. It is a great place to start with your child and will help build a solid foundation and understanding of letters.

KIDS ABC PHONICS

9. Kids ABC Phonics. This game is also included in the Intellijoy subscription pack and builds on the previous app – Kids ABC Letters. The lite version has 4 of the 8 activities and no ads, so you can try before you buy. What I really like about this game is that it’s more than just letters and will grow with your child as they progress. In this game, your child will choose a float to construct and take to the parade. This ABC app focuses on letter recognition and shape, letter sounds, basic letter blends, ending sounds and even introduces the concept of vowels.

GAPPY LEARNS WRITING

10. Gappy Learns Writing is excellent if you have a little artist; they will love this game! It combines connect the dots with digital drawing. There is also a free draw mode where they can practice forming letters on their own. Before the letter is completely formed, your child can try to guess what letter they are creating. When all the dots are connected and the letter is revealed, your child will match the letter to the correct card on the side of the screen. Every time your child completes a letter, they’ll get a letter-themed coloring page. There are 52 pages to collect. There are also 3 letter styles to choose from.

DIGITAL STORYBOOKS

You’re amazing if you’ve made it to the bottom of this list! And as a special bonus I’ve got one more ABC app recommendation for you! Actually, this isn’t a specific app, but a type of app. We LOVE interactive storybooks, both my boys and I. If your kids love stories and reading, but you don’t have hours to spend reading to them, these are lifesavers.

I highly recommend Oceanhouse Media apps. We particularly love the Little Critter books by Mercer Mayer and the Dr. Seuss books. You can buy the books individually or purchase collections or a subscription. If you think there’s any chance of purchasing several books, the collections are a great way to go because these books can add up fast. Books are one thing I have a hard time convincing myself we have enough of and I especially love how little space they require for storage. Digital books are definitely awesome for families that love to read.

Each book has the option of reading to your child, reading guided by your child as they click on the words and letting your child (or you) read it. They also have some super fun interactive parts too, helping your active kids stay more engaged. In the Little Critter books, you can search for the spider on each page, just like in the original paper books.

Get the Little Critter Books:

Get the Dr. Seuss Books:

KIDS CAN LEARN GREAT THINGS WHILE THEY ARE IN FRONT OF A SCREEN

Don’t let guilt keep you from using these great resources to help your child learn. Not all screen time is equal. These ABC apps are good for your kids. And letting them practice letters with ABC apps that can guide them and help them while you make dinner, fold the laundry, or do your grocery shopping isn’t going to hurt. In fact, it just might help.

DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVORITE EDUCATIONAL APPS FOR YOUR KIDS?

Share your favorite apps in the comments. If your child is an ABC rockstar and is learning to read, click that next button to check out 5 awesome sight word apps that will help your child learn to read.

November 7, 2016 by Krista

27 Awesome Board Games that your Family Will Love

Quality family time can be so difficult to come by. Between school schedules, work schedules, extra curriculars, and meetings it can be really hard to find time to just be together. And then, how do you use the time you do find in the best way? We love to pull out some good board games.

Our kids are getting older and there are more games we can play with them. It’s a great chance to teach sportsmanship, graciousness, and sympathy. It gives us a chance to just talk to our kids and find out a little of what’s going on inside their little heads. Game night is more than just little plastic pieces or a couple hands of cards. Game night lets us re-connect. Here are 27 games we own and love or want to add to our collection.

Links on this page may be affiliate or sponsored links. I will receive a small percentage of any purchase made through an affiliate link; however, your cost is in no way changed. This helps me keep this site running. I would also like to thank Personalogy for providing us with a game to play.

Click on any image in the collage below to learn more about that game or to purchase one for your family. Read a brief synopsis of each game below.

GAMES FOR PRESCHOOLERS:

Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game – a color matching game that encourages counting, sorting, and simple math skills. Help the squirrels find their acorns in this quick and fun game with easy set up and clean up.
Hoot Owl Hoot – This game encourages players to work together to help the owls fly back to their nest before the sun comes up. If they are successful, everyone wins! There are two play levels so this game can grow with your child.
Spot It! Alphabet – We love all the Spot It! games because the whole family can play, even my 2-and-a-half year old. This one is amazing for helping my four-and-a-half year old practice his letters.
Spot It! Junior – This is one that my 2-year-old really gets into because he is really into animals right now. He’s slowly getting the idea of the game, but needs help. My boys like to play this one by themselves and I love to pull it out when I’m trying to prepare dinner.
I SPY Preschool – Players match riddles with pictures and put them together like a puzzle. There are three ways to play and there are no small parts, which means we can play with the whole family. Helps practice matching, reading, and following rules.
Lucky Ducks – A fun matching game that helps develop color recognition. Match three to win! My boys LOVE playing with the ducks and I love that it has the kinesthetic aspect that keeps my 4-and-a-half year old engaged, while helping my 2-and-a-half year old practice shapes and colors.

GAMES FOR BIG KIDS:

Totally Gross – A fun board game for boys and girls alike that explores science. Everyone will get a laugh or two from the silly science questions. I don’t love the gross out challenges, but my boys do! Recommended for ages 8+, so we have to help my 4-and-a-half year old.
Suspend – This is one of our VERY FAVORITE games! It’s recommended for ages 8+, but my little guys like to play too. We have to adjust the rules a touch because they aren’t terribly stable, but we all have fun!
Scrambled States of America – Helps kids learn basic geography, state names, capitals, nicknames, and shapes through visual puzzles, riddles and geography challenges. We haven’t played this one yet, but we love the book! Another great geography option is 10 Days in the USA. My 7-year-old likes to play this one by himself and his geography knowledge is awesome. It’s fun to play as adults too!
Say Anything, Family Edition – Every player answers a fun question and players try to choose which answer the judge will like best. It’s a super fun game to see what stuff your kids come up with. When asked, “what would make long car rides more fun”, my 4-and-a-half year old answered with, “zebras”. Turns out he liked when we saw horse trailers, but wondered why they didn’t have zebras in them. A conversation we probably would never have had otherwise. It’s a GREAT car game!
Pass the Pigs – This one is simple, it’s compact (we keep one in the diaper bag in case we encounter a long wait somewhere), and it’s easy to play. All of my kids can play. We don’t always keep score – because my kids don’t care that much – but it’s a fun one for adults to play too.
Circuit Maze – This is a super neat game that we’ve played with at our local discovery museum and it is a really fun way to help kids learn about currents and electricity. My 7-year-old LOVES this. There’s also a lazer maze game that looks like it would be really cool too.
Quiddler – This is a fun way to practice spelling and it’s a fun game to play as a group of adults too. When we play with our kids, we relax the rules a bit because our oldest is still learning to spell and our other two don’t spell at all.

The best family board games you don't already have in the game closet. Games for preschoolers, big kids and the whole family.

GAMES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY:

Personalogy – This is not only a great gift for introverts, it’s a perfect gift for hosts of holiday gatherings! We dare you to play, see how quickly it turns any social gathering into hilarious fun and lightens the mood. If you don’t discover new things about who you are playing with or laugh-out-loud within the first 5 minutes, throw this game in the garbage or, pass it onto your neighbor. It has no use for you. Seriously, grab your drink and a special someone or a group of friends and see how quickly Personalogy makes you laugh! Grab the family edition OR the party edition – depending on what you think is best for your gathering or recipient!
Rack-O – This one is fun for grown-up play and it’s a great way for my boys to practice numerical order. This is a fun date night game too, because the rules are basic and easy to learn, but there’s still some strategy involved. It is good for talking, or not.
Guillotine – We were introduced to this game almost 10 years ago and it’s still one of our go-to games! There’s a bit of a learning curve because each card is played differently and scores differently; but, after you get through a hand, everyone has gotten the hang of it. The best way to learn with this game is to play it! This is another teams game with our little kids.
Gloom – This one is still on my to-play list, but it sounds similar to Guillotine, which we really love. You try to play tragedies on your own characters and happy occasions on other players characters before they pass on.
Saboteur – I haven’t actually played this one, but I’ve heard it is incredible. It’s on my Christmas list this year. You’re digging for gold in a maze of mining tunnels, but some of the miners are saboteurs and try to steal your hard earned gold.
Mexican Train – I first played this game on my third date with Mr Napping. We still play it now with our kids! It’s a pretty basic matching game, with some extra rules and a bit of strategy. My 7-year-old can play by himself, but my other two play on teams. This is a great game for adults and older kids alike.
Exploding Kittens – I haven’t played this one, but it seems like everyone else has. Out of 5, 116 reviews on Amazon it’s got a 4.5 star rating out of 5 stars. I’ve heard it’s a good party game, especially if you have a competitive streak!
Double Ditto – This is a good game for kids and grown-ups alike. You pick a card, read it, and then write down two answers you think other players will write down too. If you can match one answer with another player, you get a ditto. If you match both answers, you get a double ditto. It’s fun to see who else thinks like you do.
The Game of Things – This one is fun because you can tailor it to your audience. We can play G-rated versions with our kids and adult it up a notch when we play with our friends and other adults. For example: “Things… you shouldn’t laugh at…” could be burping at the table or something more adult.
Deer in the Headlights – We were gifted this game last year for Christmas and it’s a fun one. There’s a bit of a learning curve because each combination of dice gets scored differently, but there’s a reference card to help keep you on track. After a while you’ll remember it too. It’s a great game for a large group. We have to play this one in teams with our little ones though.
Blokus – We all LOVE this board game! There’s strategy and problem solving for the adults and my boys really like to just play with the pieces and putting them on the board. They like to make pictures with the pieces too. This is another game we pull out for date night and it brings out a bit of competition between Mr Napping and I.
Bohnanza – This is SUCH A FUN GAME! Like stay up til 3 in the morning playing kind of fun. There’s bartering, and trading, and favors and planting and harvesting. It’s pretty easy – you are trying to collect bean plants in your fields. When you harvest your fields, you get gold. The player with the most gold is the winner!
Been There, Done That – This is a good ice breaker party game and super fun to find out things you might not have known about your friends. It’s super simple to learn, and can be a quick game or take a little longer. This one is fun with the kids, although I imagine it would be more fun with older kids who have a bit more freedom from mom and dad than my little ones do right now.
5 Second Rule – This is a good game to practice speaking under pressure and thinking on your feet. With prompts like “name 3 breeds of dogs” and only 5 seconds to name them, how will you perform under pressure. With the pressure of the ticking timer, you just blurt out the first thing that comes to mind, and sometimes it’s ridiculous…ly funny.

Do you have any favorite games you like to play with your family? Leave a comment and let me know! We love that board games (and card games!) allow us to spend time bonding together. It is such a great chance to teach our kids some of the hard life lessons like fairness and not always being the best because those are things I want them to learn at home, in a loving environment.

Game night isn’t just the plastic pieces, it’s our time to re-connect.

If you’ve got any Little Star Wars fans on your gift list, check out 23 Galactic gifts your little Jedi wannabe would LOVE by clicking that next arrow!

November 4, 2016 by Krista

23 Galactic Star Wars Gifts for Kids

The holiday season in here! And with three boys, I’ve got Star Wars all over my list. Do you have little Jedi wannabes too? However old they might be, here are 23 Star Wars Gifts for kids that your little Jedi will love!

My goal this year is to have all the technicalities of Christmas taken care of by the beginning of December so that we can just enjoy the season. It’s my attempt to reduce my stress level. With this list, it’ll be a snap to give your little ones just the things they want this holiday season. You can click any image in the collage below or use the links below the image to get more info on each gift idea.

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23 AMAZING STAR WARS GIFTS FOR KIDS

Whether you’re looking for books or toys or practical gifts, there is something on this list that your kids will love! We have the Little Golden Books and my boys love them! And my 7-year-old would love the Search and Find book and the fact book. I’m still debating on the Lego advent calendar, but I know my boys would LOVE it!

What Star Wars gifts for kids would your lightsaber-lovers just love?