Paramount Pick:
Travel Toys
Road trips can be so much fun...
Travel ToysRoad trips can be so much fun...
Sale Offer Expires Friday, April 1, 2011!
A family trip can be so much fun,
Whether you head to the mountains or seek out the sun.
There’s so much to learn when you go somewhere new
New foods to try, new things to do.
But the thing about travel that’s not always great?
Long flights and car-rides and airport waits.
It sure helps a lot to have something to play,
And the best travel games can be used many ways.
That’s why “Who am I” is perfect to pack,
You’ll love it on trips, and when you get back.
It’s small and creative and you’re sure to smile,
However you use it, the laughs last awhile!
Whether you head to the mountains or seek out the sun.
There’s so much to learn when you go somewhere new
New foods to try, new things to do.
But the thing about travel that’s not always great?
Long flights and car-rides and airport waits.
It sure helps a lot to have something to play,
And the best travel games can be used many ways.
That’s why “Who am I” is perfect to pack,
You’ll love it on trips, and when you get back.
It’s small and creative and you’re sure to smile,
However you use it, the laughs last awhile!
Are you planning a March Break/Spring Break escape with your clan?
Whether you are jetting away for longer jaunt, or heading out for a daytrip to somewhere special, you are going to need some activities to keep the kids content while they are cooped up. Content kids make for content moms and dads, so my Top Pick for this week is a gift for you too!
There are lots of travel games out there, but in my opinion the best ones are small and self contained, without a lot of complicated instructions, or pieces to lose. They should also have more than one use. When space is at a premium and you can only take a few toys with you, those toys have to be versatile. Travel games get extra points in my book when they are educational, can be enjoyed by a variety of age ranges and different numbers of players, and promote family harmony and fun. After all, the whole purpose of a family vacation is to create happy memories with the people you care about most.
After carefully considering all these criteria, I commend to you my call for a colossally good travel game: Haba’s “Who am I?”
“Who am I” comes packaged in terrifically tote-able travel tin that measures approximately 14.5 cm long, by 10 cm wide, and is 3.5 cm thick.
Inside the box you will find game instructions (which are easy to understand, so you can leave them at home if you would like), a soft, adjustable fabric headband with a magnetic strip sewn in, a soft fabric coated magnet, 40 adorably illustrated full colour picture cards, and 10 small green wooden counters. The game is intended to be played by two or more players, but, as I’ll write about later, there are lots of other ways kids can use the cards too, even by themselves.
Like most Haba games, the instructions for “Who am I?” outline more than one way to play. To play the basic game, the cards are shuffled and placed face down. One player (the “cunning fox”) dons the headband, takes the 10 counters, and closes his eyes. The remaining players (the “arbitrators”) then select the top card from the pile and carefully attach it, with the picture facing outward, to the headband. The cunning fox must then ask a series of “yes or no” questions to the arbitrators to determine who he is (i.e. which card he has on his head). The arbitrators must agree on the answer. If the answer is “no” the cunning fox gives one counter to the arbitrators. If the answer is “yes”, he may continue asking questions. The cunning fox can also make a guess as to who he is. If the cunning fox runs out of counters without correctly guessing his identity, he does not get to keep his card and a new cunning fox is selected. After each player has had three chances to be the cunning fox, the player with the most cards wins. You can also end the game when a player collects a certain number of cards. To vary the game, Haba suggests two alternatives: (1) create new identity cards on slips of paper, or (2) change the scoring so that the cunning fox earns points based on the number of counters he has left after a correct guess.
This game is great for so many reasons. Its compact size and lack of a game board make it terrific for travel, but more importantly it is a fast way to have your flock in fits of laughter. Wearing the headband is silly, and things that are silly are often an automatic hit with little ones. It’s also great for developing critical thinking and logic skills, as players try to devise questions and put together clues to determine their identity. It is perfect for a variety of age groups, including non-readers. It’s also great for consensus building, and we have had some really interesting discussions about whether the answer to a certain question should be “yes” or “no”. I am pretty certain you will be surprised at the different ways each player thinks. If you are worried about losing the counters, you can keep a record of the number of guesses on a pad of paper, or just play the game without counting guesses, which is particularly appropriate for younger children. And, although the headband is hilarious, if you are in an environment where it’s difficult to don it (e.g in a car where all players can’t see each other, or in public where parents and preteens might be embarrassed), you can easily play by simply passing the identity card around to the arbitrators.
We have loved playing the game in each of the suggested ways, but it would not be a Darla review if I didn’t devise a whole a bunch of other things that you can do with the components of “Who am I?”
Guess Who I Am: Rather than having the “cunning fox” try and guess who she is, have one player select a card. She can then give glues to help the remaining players guess who she is, or the remaining players can play a version of “20 questions” to try to determine what the card shows.
Go Fish: The 40 cards contain a variety of different of background colours, and types of things (people, animals, foods, modes of transportation etc). You can play an easy game of “Go Fish” by creating pairs based on the background colour, or any of these other characteristics.
Sorting and Classifying: This is a great way to sneak in some early math skill building. Challenge kids to sort and classify the cards in a variety of different ways (the categories above are some options; other ideas could be healthy vs. non healthy treats etc.)
One of These Things is Not Like the Other: This is another great way to sneak in some learning by developing critical thinking skills, and to also gain some interesting insight into the way other family members think. Lay four cards, face up, on the table or floor. Choose three cards that seem to fit intoa certain category, and one that does not. Challenge your child to select the card that is different, but be sure to ask why she thinks so. Even if she does not select the card you had in mind, she might still be “right”, and have just come up with a different way to classify. Alternately, set out a number of random cards, and see if you can come up with characteristics that unify them.
Story prompts: The variety of people and things shown on the cards make them spectacular for story prompts. Shuffle the cards, lay out a certain number, and create a story that includes each of the things.
Card houses: If you are stuck in an airport waiting area, or hoping for something to do in a hotel room, use the cards to try and create card houses.
Fun with magnets: Take advantage of the magnet in the headband to discover what is, and is not magnetic in the objects around you.
Come up with your own ways to play! You could even build a house of cards. I am certain your small ones will come up with all sorts of things I haven’t thought of.
The recommended age range for “Who am I?” is five and older, but it can easily be played with younger children, especially if you modify things like the number of guesses, and of course, many of the alternate ways to play that I’ve outlined can be enjoyed by younger kids as well. Just make sure that you keep the wooden counters away from anyone under three, as they could be a choking hazard.
At a regular price of $22.50, Haba’s “Who am I?” is a steal, at Ape 2 Zebra your everyday low price is only $19.50.
But at this week’s special “Top Pick” price of $17.95 it is simply spectacular!
Terrific for trip, and fantastic for family fun at any time, Haba’s “Who am I?” is a hit!
Be sure to check out Ape 2 Zebra's Travel Toys and Travel Games section for more spectacular finds!
About Haba:
Toy safety is a priority for Haba. Haba toys meet European Toy Safety Guideline 88/378 EWG for the materials used in, and the manufacturing of children’s toys. Twiddle Turtle, as with most Haba toys, is designed and made in Germany.
Have a wonderful break, whenever it is and wherever your travels take you!
Whether you are jetting away for longer jaunt, or heading out for a daytrip to somewhere special, you are going to need some activities to keep the kids content while they are cooped up. Content kids make for content moms and dads, so my Top Pick for this week is a gift for you too!
There are lots of travel games out there, but in my opinion the best ones are small and self contained, without a lot of complicated instructions, or pieces to lose. They should also have more than one use. When space is at a premium and you can only take a few toys with you, those toys have to be versatile. Travel games get extra points in my book when they are educational, can be enjoyed by a variety of age ranges and different numbers of players, and promote family harmony and fun. After all, the whole purpose of a family vacation is to create happy memories with the people you care about most.
After carefully considering all these criteria, I commend to you my call for a colossally good travel game: Haba’s “Who am I?”
“Who am I” comes packaged in terrifically tote-able travel tin that measures approximately 14.5 cm long, by 10 cm wide, and is 3.5 cm thick.Inside the box you will find game instructions (which are easy to understand, so you can leave them at home if you would like), a soft, adjustable fabric headband with a magnetic strip sewn in, a soft fabric coated magnet, 40 adorably illustrated full colour picture cards, and 10 small green wooden counters. The game is intended to be played by two or more players, but, as I’ll write about later, there are lots of other ways kids can use the cards too, even by themselves.
Like most Haba games, the instructions for “Who am I?” outline more than one way to play. To play the basic game, the cards are shuffled and placed face down. One player (the “cunning fox”) dons the headband, takes the 10 counters, and closes his eyes. The remaining players (the “arbitrators”) then select the top card from the pile and carefully attach it, with the picture facing outward, to the headband. The cunning fox must then ask a series of “yes or no” questions to the arbitrators to determine who he is (i.e. which card he has on his head). The arbitrators must agree on the answer. If the answer is “no” the cunning fox gives one counter to the arbitrators. If the answer is “yes”, he may continue asking questions. The cunning fox can also make a guess as to who he is. If the cunning fox runs out of counters without correctly guessing his identity, he does not get to keep his card and a new cunning fox is selected. After each player has had three chances to be the cunning fox, the player with the most cards wins. You can also end the game when a player collects a certain number of cards. To vary the game, Haba suggests two alternatives: (1) create new identity cards on slips of paper, or (2) change the scoring so that the cunning fox earns points based on the number of counters he has left after a correct guess.
This game is great for so many reasons. Its compact size and lack of a game board make it terrific for travel, but more importantly it is a fast way to have your flock in fits of laughter. Wearing the headband is silly, and things that are silly are often an automatic hit with little ones. It’s also great for developing critical thinking and logic skills, as players try to devise questions and put together clues to determine their identity. It is perfect for a variety of age groups, including non-readers. It’s also great for consensus building, and we have had some really interesting discussions about whether the answer to a certain question should be “yes” or “no”. I am pretty certain you will be surprised at the different ways each player thinks. If you are worried about losing the counters, you can keep a record of the number of guesses on a pad of paper, or just play the game without counting guesses, which is particularly appropriate for younger children. And, although the headband is hilarious, if you are in an environment where it’s difficult to don it (e.g in a car where all players can’t see each other, or in public where parents and preteens might be embarrassed), you can easily play by simply passing the identity card around to the arbitrators.We have loved playing the game in each of the suggested ways, but it would not be a Darla review if I didn’t devise a whole a bunch of other things that you can do with the components of “Who am I?”
Guess Who I Am: Rather than having the “cunning fox” try and guess who she is, have one player select a card. She can then give glues to help the remaining players guess who she is, or the remaining players can play a version of “20 questions” to try to determine what the card shows.
Go Fish: The 40 cards contain a variety of different of background colours, and types of things (people, animals, foods, modes of transportation etc). You can play an easy game of “Go Fish” by creating pairs based on the background colour, or any of these other characteristics.
Sorting and Classifying: This is a great way to sneak in some early math skill building. Challenge kids to sort and classify the cards in a variety of different ways (the categories above are some options; other ideas could be healthy vs. non healthy treats etc.) One of These Things is Not Like the Other: This is another great way to sneak in some learning by developing critical thinking skills, and to also gain some interesting insight into the way other family members think. Lay four cards, face up, on the table or floor. Choose three cards that seem to fit intoa certain category, and one that does not. Challenge your child to select the card that is different, but be sure to ask why she thinks so. Even if she does not select the card you had in mind, she might still be “right”, and have just come up with a different way to classify. Alternately, set out a number of random cards, and see if you can come up with characteristics that unify them.
Story prompts: The variety of people and things shown on the cards make them spectacular for story prompts. Shuffle the cards, lay out a certain number, and create a story that includes each of the things.
Card houses: If you are stuck in an airport waiting area, or hoping for something to do in a hotel room, use the cards to try and create card houses.
Fun with magnets: Take advantage of the magnet in the headband to discover what is, and is not magnetic in the objects around you.
Come up with your own ways to play! You could even build a house of cards. I am certain your small ones will come up with all sorts of things I haven’t thought of.
The recommended age range for “Who am I?” is five and older, but it can easily be played with younger children, especially if you modify things like the number of guesses, and of course, many of the alternate ways to play that I’ve outlined can be enjoyed by younger kids as well. Just make sure that you keep the wooden counters away from anyone under three, as they could be a choking hazard.
At a regular price of $22.50, Haba’s “Who am I?” is a steal, at Ape 2 Zebra your everyday low price is only $19.50. But at this week’s special “Top Pick” price of $17.95 it is simply spectacular!
Terrific for trip, and fantastic for family fun at any time, Haba’s “Who am I?” is a hit!
Be sure to check out Ape 2 Zebra's Travel Toys and Travel Games section for more spectacular finds!
About Haba:
Toy safety is a priority for Haba. Haba toys meet European Toy Safety Guideline 88/378 EWG for the materials used in, and the manufacturing of children’s toys. Twiddle Turtle, as with most Haba toys, is designed and made in Germany.
Have a wonderful break, whenever it is and wherever your travels take you!
Precociously (and prosperously) yours
Darla Porcupine
Darla Porcupine
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