Thursday, November 10, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Back to School for Under $25
Our kids are back in school mode...and here are some great ideas to make school time more fun and all for under $25.
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/video/back-school-educational-2011-toys-educate-children-kids-learning-aids-business-14456675
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/video/back-school-educational-2011-toys-educate-children-kids-learning-aids-business-14456675
College Kids and board games
My middle daughter (who I sometimes call my "teen insider" went off to her freshman year in college. And when I packed her up, I included board games that I thought she might like. Since I have an abundance of games and toys (let's face it, my line of work is FUN), I figured it couldn't hurt to send.
So, I went to check out her Facebook page...and found a photo of her and a group of kids playing Quelf. We spoke on the phone and she told me "it's the best game ever". I asked her if she wanted to write something...she had this to me in under ten minutes. Here's what she has to say:)
You are NEVER to Old To Enjoy a Board Game
"Oh My God!" I love that game," my friend Nick exclaimed. Me and three other friends just looked at him questioningly. We had no idea what this game was, how you played, or what the fun in it would be. He started explaining the rules to us but ended in hysterics and stories of his past experiences with this game. "Know what," he began to say, "we will just play it later."
An hour later six of us walked downstairs and into our lounge, we settled on the floor in a circle and started picking out pieces. (Let me begin by telling you that although we have a small dorm, the lounge area is where everyone walks in and out of the dorm.) We passed the sheet of the cardboard pieces around the circle as everyone chose who they wanted to be. I was last to choose and had two pieces to choose from, a crazy looking bat and a platypus with a swimming ring around its stomach. I chose the platypus. I have never seen such extraordinary pieces: there was a ninja monkey, a robot business man, a giraffe neck farmer, the crazy looking bat -which happens to be a gangster bat- a large princess with a spatula, a greaser, and a cucumber, The pieces were just the start; you know they sound fun, but just wait, the game is even better. Nick read through the rules explaining what each card means and what has to happen. Let the games begin.
My roommate happened to pick up the first show card. With this card she did not tell the other players what her "action" was, but just continued into it until the timer ran out. Now picture an 18 year old 5' 8" girl jumping up and down like she's a cowboy who is trying to round-a-bout a whale on the beach. It was a sight for every college kid that walked in. The students passing us thought that our groups of 18 year olds were a bit out of their mind. They stared at us as they watched my roommate attempt to catch a whale, while attempting to speak in an Australian accent, and the rest of us laughing. After this it only got better; we had two group rules; the first one was that you had to hold something in your left hand and then that was replaced by our second rule, not being able to speak, you have to use sign language (or make up sign language if you don't know it) to communicate. Nick had his own rule that every time he had a question, he would have to raise his hand and say "I feel a question coming on". Someone else's rule was to stick her thumbs in her mouth and every time she wanted to speak, she had to touch her shoulders with the rest of her fingers- with her thumbs still in their mouth of course. We had to take a break from the game and go to dinner, but when we got back my friends (and more people) were huddled around the game, in hysterics, while one of the boys had lipstick on.
Yes indeed this was a wacky game. But all this wacky game did for us college students was give us a good laugh and a way to relax and enjoy our night. You are never too old to enjoy a board game, and the more laughs and interactions that a game can give you the better. This amazing game, for all ages, is known as Quelf. It is one of those games that will never get old no matter how many times you play it because although the objective is the same each time, you will never have two people perform any of the same actions because everyone's imagination is different. We spent the night in laughter as tears rolled down our faces and stomachs ached from laughing so hard. If you are looking for a great gift or just want to try something new, this is the game to purchase, it is worth every penny. As hard as you try, you're going to be rolling on the floor laughing! Remember that you are never to old to play a board game; everyone has the heart and soul of a child that will show once you begin to let yourself loose while playing Quelf.
So, I went to check out her Facebook page...and found a photo of her and a group of kids playing Quelf. We spoke on the phone and she told me "it's the best game ever". I asked her if she wanted to write something...she had this to me in under ten minutes. Here's what she has to say:)
You are NEVER to Old To Enjoy a Board Game
"Oh My God!" I love that game," my friend Nick exclaimed. Me and three other friends just looked at him questioningly. We had no idea what this game was, how you played, or what the fun in it would be. He started explaining the rules to us but ended in hysterics and stories of his past experiences with this game. "Know what," he began to say, "we will just play it later."
An hour later six of us walked downstairs and into our lounge, we settled on the floor in a circle and started picking out pieces. (Let me begin by telling you that although we have a small dorm, the lounge area is where everyone walks in and out of the dorm.) We passed the sheet of the cardboard pieces around the circle as everyone chose who they wanted to be. I was last to choose and had two pieces to choose from, a crazy looking bat and a platypus with a swimming ring around its stomach. I chose the platypus. I have never seen such extraordinary pieces: there was a ninja monkey, a robot business man, a giraffe neck farmer, the crazy looking bat -which happens to be a gangster bat- a large princess with a spatula, a greaser, and a cucumber, The pieces were just the start; you know they sound fun, but just wait, the game is even better. Nick read through the rules explaining what each card means and what has to happen. Let the games begin.
My roommate happened to pick up the first show card. With this card she did not tell the other players what her "action" was, but just continued into it until the timer ran out. Now picture an 18 year old 5' 8" girl jumping up and down like she's a cowboy who is trying to round-a-bout a whale on the beach. It was a sight for every college kid that walked in. The students passing us thought that our groups of 18 year olds were a bit out of their mind. They stared at us as they watched my roommate attempt to catch a whale, while attempting to speak in an Australian accent, and the rest of us laughing. After this it only got better; we had two group rules; the first one was that you had to hold something in your left hand and then that was replaced by our second rule, not being able to speak, you have to use sign language (or make up sign language if you don't know it) to communicate. Nick had his own rule that every time he had a question, he would have to raise his hand and say "I feel a question coming on". Someone else's rule was to stick her thumbs in her mouth and every time she wanted to speak, she had to touch her shoulders with the rest of her fingers- with her thumbs still in their mouth of course. We had to take a break from the game and go to dinner, but when we got back my friends (and more people) were huddled around the game, in hysterics, while one of the boys had lipstick on.
Yes indeed this was a wacky game. But all this wacky game did for us college students was give us a good laugh and a way to relax and enjoy our night. You are never too old to enjoy a board game, and the more laughs and interactions that a game can give you the better. This amazing game, for all ages, is known as Quelf. It is one of those games that will never get old no matter how many times you play it because although the objective is the same each time, you will never have two people perform any of the same actions because everyone's imagination is different. We spent the night in laughter as tears rolled down our faces and stomachs ached from laughing so hard. If you are looking for a great gift or just want to try something new, this is the game to purchase, it is worth every penny. As hard as you try, you're going to be rolling on the floor laughing! Remember that you are never to old to play a board game; everyone has the heart and soul of a child that will show once you begin to let yourself loose while playing Quelf.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Big Toy Book Holiday Party
2010 Holiday ALL-DAY Toy Extravaganaza {Twitter Party}
29 Nov
Now that we have all had a chance to check out some of the great Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, we here are The Big Toy Book are ready to ring in the holiday season with our annual Holiday Toy Extravaganza!
Last year we partied online all day long with over 300 of you and gave away over 18 of the hottest holiday toys!
Since it worked out so well last year with our hourly pre-party leading up to our official Twitter Party we decided to do the same this year. After all, we want to make sure you all get a chance to join in the fun!
(Never been to a Twitter Party? … No worries! Get the details on how to participate here)
Here is how our 2010 Extravaganza will work–
JOIN US TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30th on Twitter
Follow us official Twitter handle: @TheBigToyBook
Follow our Big Toy Book Moms and Toy Experts: @Toyinsidermom @ToyTrendExpert @ToyBookShopGirl @ToyBook
RSVP by leaving your twitter handle in the comments below
Between the hours of 12pm and 5pm we will be giving you a chance to win a pre-party prize!
12pm
Monster High Doll (Exact Style TBA)
1pm
Lego Duplo Set (58 pcs)
2pm
Velcro Kids Pirate Ship
3pm
LaLaLoopsie Doll (Exact style TBA)
4pm
Mighty Beanz Star Wars
5pm
Fuzzoodles (Exact set TBA)
.
{{ Take a break… grab some dinner… put the little ones to bed…. pour a glass of wine…}}
.
JOIN US BACK ON TWITTER at 9pm (ET) for even more chances to win!
Our toy experts will be talking about trends, answering your questions and giving suggestions for little ones of all ages on your list!
During our chat we will be giving away the 8 more hot- holiday-toys:
Mega Bloks Ultimate Action Dragon Destroyer
Olivia 2-in-1 Transforming Playset
LalaLoopsie Doll (exact doll TBA)
Fin Fin Friends Tropical Aquarium
Bop It Bounce
Toy Story- Buzz Blast Off
Twinkle Twinkle Little Violet
Paper Jamz Guitar
GRAND PRIZE
$50 Big Toy Book Cash for you to do some holiday shopping in our Private Sale Store!
Grand Prize $50 Big Toy Book Cash
To win our GRAND PRIZE: Help us spread the word by retweeting this message
” Join This Holiday’s Biggest Toy Extravaganza w/ #thebigtoybook Tues. Nov 30 ALL DAY LONG http://bit.ly/eZJaOR”
See you there!
Contesting details:
Winners will be chosen by random draw and Q & A participation.
Winners at pre-party are eligible to win at 9pm Party.
1 prize per person at 9pm party.
All winners must be present to win. If winner does not respond within 24 hours we reserve the right to choose another winner.
US only.
Comments 42 Comments
Categories Deals & Promos, Giveaways & Events, Holiday 2010, The Latest
Author bigtoybookmom
29 Nov
Now that we have all had a chance to check out some of the great Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, we here are The Big Toy Book are ready to ring in the holiday season with our annual Holiday Toy Extravaganza!
Last year we partied online all day long with over 300 of you and gave away over 18 of the hottest holiday toys!
Since it worked out so well last year with our hourly pre-party leading up to our official Twitter Party we decided to do the same this year. After all, we want to make sure you all get a chance to join in the fun!
(Never been to a Twitter Party? … No worries! Get the details on how to participate here)
Here is how our 2010 Extravaganza will work–
JOIN US TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30th on Twitter
Follow us official Twitter handle: @TheBigToyBook
Follow our Big Toy Book Moms and Toy Experts: @Toyinsidermom @ToyTrendExpert @ToyBookShopGirl @ToyBook
RSVP by leaving your twitter handle in the comments below
Between the hours of 12pm and 5pm we will be giving you a chance to win a pre-party prize!
12pm
Monster High Doll (Exact Style TBA)
1pm
Lego Duplo Set (58 pcs)
2pm
Velcro Kids Pirate Ship
3pm
LaLaLoopsie Doll (Exact style TBA)
4pm
Mighty Beanz Star Wars
5pm
Fuzzoodles (Exact set TBA)
.
{{ Take a break… grab some dinner… put the little ones to bed…. pour a glass of wine…}}
.
JOIN US BACK ON TWITTER at 9pm (ET) for even more chances to win!
Our toy experts will be talking about trends, answering your questions and giving suggestions for little ones of all ages on your list!
During our chat we will be giving away the 8 more hot- holiday-toys:
Mega Bloks Ultimate Action Dragon Destroyer
Olivia 2-in-1 Transforming Playset
LalaLoopsie Doll (exact doll TBA)
Fin Fin Friends Tropical Aquarium
Bop It Bounce
Toy Story- Buzz Blast Off
Twinkle Twinkle Little Violet
Paper Jamz Guitar
GRAND PRIZE
$50 Big Toy Book Cash for you to do some holiday shopping in our Private Sale Store!
Grand Prize $50 Big Toy Book Cash
To win our GRAND PRIZE: Help us spread the word by retweeting this message
” Join This Holiday’s Biggest Toy Extravaganza w/ #thebigtoybook Tues. Nov 30 ALL DAY LONG http://bit.ly/eZJaOR”
See you there!
Contesting details:
Winners will be chosen by random draw and Q & A participation.
Winners at pre-party are eligible to win at 9pm Party.
1 prize per person at 9pm party.
All winners must be present to win. If winner does not respond within 24 hours we reserve the right to choose another winner.
US only.
Comments 42 Comments
Categories Deals & Promos, Giveaways & Events, Holiday 2010, The Latest
Author bigtoybookmom
Monday, November 29, 2010
Wild Creations Frog Blog: EcoAquarium™ on the list: Hottest Gifts under $50
Wild Creations Frog Blog: EcoAquarium™ on the list: Hottest Gifts under $50: "According to Laurie Schacht of thetoyinsider.com, our EcoAquarium™ is one of the hottest gifts under $50 this year...we couldn't agree more..."
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