When I was the age my girls are now, we didn't have video games. We played with dolls and worked our way up to board games like Sorry, Parcheesi, Winning Ticket and Monopoly. I love board games and will be the first to admit that I don't play with DH because I'm not a good loser... and he doesn't let me win. Having the opportunity to engage my girls in board games has been rewarding, although now when I don't win, it's usually by choice.
Briarpatch offered me the opportunity to try out their new "I Spy Private Eye" game. Since both my girls loved Briarpatch's preschool I Spy game, enjoy I Spy books and even the I Spy show on HBO, I figured this would be a sure fire winner. And you know what? It was a winner for everyone except me because it made me realize my memory is horrible. And as I said before, I'm a poor sport.
The game consists of picture dice, a timed shaker and game cards. The player shakes the dice then has a set amount of time to study them before covering them back up. The player then draws a card and announces which items (s)he recalls from the dice. Any opponent can challenge them and take a chance at stealing their card. I want to point out that there are two sets of cards - an easy set for young (or novice) players and a harder set for older or more seasoned players.
To sum up "I Spy Private Eye" in one sentence - It's a memory game on steroids. What I discovered is that Miss K (age 4) seldom got it wrong. Miss M (age 5 1/2) and I (pfft 38) needed to verbalize what we saw to increase our chances of getting it correct. It gave me some great insight into the differences in the way they learn. Armed with this knowledge, I'll be able to incorporate different techniques into their education as they grow up.
While sometimes I throw my turn in games, this one was pretty genuine. I would swear that I saw something but find out during the reveal that I was wrong! Seriously, I need to brush up on my Dale Carnegie memory skills. This game is noted as being ages 5 and up, but it really is challenging for any age. Both Miss M and Miss K enjoy playing it and often start a game up without me!
If you are looking for a game that teaches focus and memorization, be sure to add this to your wish list. It's never to early to start shopping for Christmas! One lucky reader can find out much fun (and educational) this game is by winning it!
The Prize(s)
One "I Spy Private Eye" game from Briarpatch. (approx value $25).
Rules:
... must provide a United States shipping address
... must provide an email in the first comment, email me directly with an email address or have email accessible from their profile. If winner cannot be contacted immediately upon drawing, I will move on to the second random selection.
On November 3rd, a winner will be chosen at random (using random.org) from all comments left. Although I would love to say that I'll be using PRIZEYWinners, I can't be sure since I haven't been able to figure out how to do it yet!
How to enter:
For the first entry -
(1) Check out Briarpatch's website.
(2) Come back here and post a comment about at least one of their products that would make a great Christmas gift for someone on your list.
For additional entries -
(a) Earn three additional entries by adding my button to your sidebar. Come back here and leave a comment stating that you did so.
(b) Link to Briarpatch.com. Come back here and leave an additional comment stating that you did so.
(c) Earn three additional entries if you publish a post regarding this contest and link back to it. Come back here and leave a comment providing the link to your post.
Thanks to Briarpatch for providing the prize for this giveaway. I especially want to thank Briarpatch for the opportunity to test out this product with my kids. KidStuff, the PR people who provided this game to me really exemplified the colors of the Briarpatch company by allowing me an extensive grace period when I was unable to prepare a timely review. They were very understanding when I explained that "Life got in the way of blogging" and I want to send my utmost gratitude for that!
love the fuzzy duckling puzzle
My middle guy is a total game freak, so I have to pick a game. The Goodnight Moon game looks interesting.
I would love to win this for my sweet niece
thanks
jen62728@aol.com
Your button is up on my blog
jen62728@aol.com
Blogged about your contest here
http://mommyjen99.blogspot.com/
thanks
jen62728@aol.com
A Day Out With Thomas board game looks great for my son. I saw a Briar patch review in my Wondertime mag and it said how great it was.
I loved the way you type in their age and their gende and up pops a selection. great fun, thanks so much.
rhubbert(at)socal.rr.com
My 4 year-old would love the Animal Soup game! Thanks!
treflea4 at gmail dot com
kids would love the game and fuzzy duckling game mrs.mommyyATgmail.com
The Fancy Nancy Posh Bedroom Game would make a great gift for my nieces! They are such Fancy Nancys!! Thanks for the giveaway!!
sara_mcclintock@yahoo.com
My daughters would also enjoy the Alex Clark 63 Piece Puzzle Assortment.
My daughter would love the Beddy Bye Baby game!
khmorgan_00 [at] yahoo [dot] com
I added your button to my blog!
http://kristiesnotes.blogspot.com/
I like the "Goodnight Moon 24-piece
Puzzle Assortment". This is just right for my 2 year old grandson.
Sheila
chiliburger@icehouse.net
The Fancy Nancy card game looks like it would be a winner with my girls!
So many of their games sound great - I think I would go with the Animal Soup game for my daughter
Happy Halloween! I love "Briarpatch" Games! The whole "I Spy" Series is great. I have a niece and nephew that most of their games would be great for. "Newton's Apples Gravity
Strategy Game" sounds fun. Please enter me in your delightful game drawing. Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
I would love to check out the Davinci Inquest game for my brother, I think he'd really dig that!
I would love to have this Eye Spy game for my classroom!
The Fancy Nancy Posh Bedroom Game would be perfect for my niece.
livlifelov at yahoo dot com
Would have to be The Clothespin game. We just put up a clothesline this summer and my 4 year old loves to hand me the clothespins - so a game dealing with clothespins would be so cool. I have marked their website as a favorite - just in time for christmas!
Kristi
kherbrand (at) comcast (dot) net
Hello,
I have added your button to my sidebar!
http://booksandneedlepoint.blogspot.com
thanks!
Kristi
my daughters are fans of the Fancy Nancy books so, I think they would like the posh bedroom game
Thomas Great Race Game would make a great gift for my grandson.
Thank you!
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
Your button is on my sidebar:
http://grammyjanetsplace.blogspot.com/
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
I blogged here:
http://grammyjanetsplace.blogspot.com/2008/10/november-giveaways.html
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
Other than all the I-spy games that i know my son would love, i think he'd also like the Animal Soup game.
I also added your button!!
missblondie919@gmail.com
Love the Fancy Nancy Posh Bedroom
Game!
I think the Animal Soup There's Always One Game looks like fun! My niece and nephew (and my son in a few years) would love it!
My email is in my profile. Thanks!
I would love to try out that Fancy Nancy card game for my highly addicted Fancy Nancy fan!
ajcmeyer AT go DOT com
Dinosaurs Extinct looks like a ton of fun for my kiddos. These games look fabulous!
mchamjen at comcast dot net
Thomas Great Race Game would make a great gift for my son.
added your button!
My 10yo would love the Da Vinci game - he's been fascinated with Da Vinci and his drawings and inventions for awhile now.
nnjmom at yahoo dot com
My 5 y.o. would love the Thomas the Great Race game, and so would my three year old nephew! Thanks for sharing!
The Beddy Bye Baby Game would be awesome for my lil one :)
Thanks for offering this wonderful giveaway! Good luck to everyone!
SuburbanGypsy
thesuburbangypsy [at] gmail [dot] com
And I have your button up in my sidebar too!
Thanks again!
SuburbanGypsy
thesuburbangypsy [at] gmail [dot] com
I think my kiddies would love ANY of the Thomas games! :)
My daughter loves the Goodnight Moon book so I think that the Goodnight Moon Game would be really fun for her and would make a great Christmas gift.
Thanks!
xpsundell(at)gmail(dot)com
I love the Goodnight Moon game...so cute!
I would love to Give the Goodnight Moon game to my littlest two girls.
My daughter would enjoy playing the Beddy Bye Baby game. Thanks! Briarpatch is a great company!
The Animal Soup Card Game would make a great gift for my son. Thanks for the giveaway!
The Beddy Bye Baby game looks sooooo magical for my ds! : )))
Thanks so much for the give~away! : )))
leahita[at]gmail[dot]com