Friday, September 2, 2011

Griddly Games - Nature Nuts Game Review

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Game + Educational =  Happy Ohana

I am going to admit right now that my ohana are game junkies.  We have a jam packed closet full of games and play them a lot....a whole lot!  We have all different games, but our favorites are the ones that are also educational.  We love games that challenge the player to use their brain muscle, strategic skills, teamwork, and creativity.  So, welcome aboard Wise Alec Nature Nuts Travel Game and Expansion Set!
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Nature Nuts by Griddly Games is a travel friendly trivia game.  It is for ages 8 and up and for 2-4 players.  But, if you have more players wanting to get their "nature noggin" in the game, then just team up!  You could partner older players with youngsters, too, so nobody misses out on the F-U-N.  This is an opportunity for everyone to learn and play together.
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When Nature Nuts arrived, I was pleased right away with it's slim design and portability.  It's about the size of a large pencil case.  The lid has a magnetic closure so it is pretty secure.  I knew it would stand up to some jiggling around in my purse or tote bag.  The instructions to play are printed right on the inside of the box, so you don't have to worry about losing a piece of paper.  There is a plastic covering over the cards and die to keep them secure inside and clean.

Included in the box are 1 die, 3 decks of trivia cards, and 1 deck of Wise Alec cards.  There are 300 questions to test your knowledge of animals, plants, and the Earth.  Each card has 2 level questions, 3 points or 7 points.  We really liked this feature.  Whether you are a novice scientist or a pro, there is a question for you!  If you are up for a challenge then just go for the 7 point questions all the way!  The Wise Alec cards will have you doing tongue twisters, brain teasers, and exercises!  Did you pick an Action card?  Then maybe you'll have to walk like a penguin for 3 points.  Or, say "Purple puppies poke and paint purple people" 5 times to earn 5 points.  You might even lose points with a Wise Alec card, so watch out!

There were a couple of things we did not like about the Wise Alec cards.  For example, there was a card requiring the player to do a Yoga pose.  I don't mind my son stretching or exercising, but we don't follow the spiritual influence of Yoga.  Another example is the Brain Teaser cards.  The questions are great, like "Name 5 types of amphibians".  But, the answers are not provided.  That could be frustrating in determining if a player got it right.  If these two issues bother you, the Yoga or Brain Teaser cards.  Then, just remove them from the deck.  There aren't too many of them so it won't make a difference in your pile.  There were only two other things we did not like about the game.  The cards are thin.  They bend easily and will likely fray at the edges after a little more use.  The design of the box also presents a challenge.  The cards are very difficult to remove from the box.  We have to tip the box upside down to get all of the cards out.  But, then the cards can easily all fall out together and get mixed up.

The game is quite easy to play.  Griddly Games made the rules simple.  Players can keep points or just play for the fun of it!  It's the perfect size to bring in the car or play while at a restaurant waiting for your food to arrive.  When we did this we just took turns with the questions and didn't keep score.  It was still fun!  You can take a peek at the rules HERE or take a minute and watch this video...

You can get Nature Nuts from a variety of retailers.  Click HERE to find a location where you live.  Or, just click HERE to order it from Amazon.  It is currently $14.99 on Amazon with free shipping.  But, why stop there?  You can get the same game in two other themes!  Sports Buffs and Civilize This will continue to keep your family entertained for hours.

If you want to read what my fellow TOS Crew members are saying about Griddly Games, then click HERE to read their reviews. 

Any products reviewed by me as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew have been given to me free of charge in order for me to provide you with an honest review of the product and/or how we used the product within our family.  I do not receive any other form of compensation for the reviews posted on this blog.

Monday, August 29, 2011

How to Have a H.E.A.R.T. for Your Kids by Rachael Carman - REVIEW


How to Have a H.E.A.R.T. for Your Kids
by Rachael Carman is a heart and spirit filled book from Apologia.  I was given this book in exchange for an honest review on my blog.  I had no idea how much this book would bless me.  Here is the description that Apologia provides...

How well do you really know your kids? What has God shown you about who they are and who they will become? He has sent these children into your home at this specific time for His glorious purposes. Indeed, you have been invited on the adventure of a lifetime, a journey on which you will see walls fall, seas parted, and giants slain. You don't need special skills or training for this journey—you need only to seek God and hold tight to His mighty hand! As with so many things, the first step to having a heart for your children is knowing your heavenly Father. As you seek daily to share His heart for your children, keep this inspirational book close at hand.

Let's start from the beginning.  I was really impressed when the book arrived.  This hard covered book is the perfect size to slip into my purse.  I found myself reading it whenever I had a few minutes to spare, waiting while my son was in karate, and curled up on the couch at night when the house was finally quite.  I was captivated by Rachael's honest and transparent writing.  I immediately could relate to her early days struggle with not wanting to homeschool.  It was a joy to travel with her on her journey to discovering her heart for her own children and for the treasured calling that God has for each of us.  Each Chapter takes you to each piece of the "H.E.A.R.T."

H – Have a Heart for the Things of God
E – Enrich Your Marriage
A – Accept Your Kids
R – Release Them to God
T – Teach Them the Truth


Each chapter left me needing to reflect for a couple of days.  Wow, sometimes it's hard to discover things about yourself that you didn't even realize needed to be changed.  Rachael's writing was real, tangible, funny at times, and practical.  She left me with tools to apply to my own life, a desire to seek God's greater plan for me as a Mom, and a yearning for a deeper relationship with my Father.  I am looking forward to reading the book again over the years as my son grows.  Parenting is a journey, not a destination.

You can get your own copy of How to Have a H.E.A.R.T. for Your Kids by Rachael Carman by visiting the Apologia website.  It's only $13.00 and is the perfect gift to yourself and to someone you love.  While you are waiting the few days for it to arrive, enjoy this Sample Chapter.

Any products reviewed by me as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew have been given to me free of charge in order for me to provide you with an honest review of the product and/or how we used the product within our family.  I do not receive any other form of compensation for the reviews posted on this blog.