What is on your child’s holiday wish list this year? Chances are, your child (or grandchild) is interested in some video games or an iPad/tablet so they can play online games or games through apps. Sadly, that is how our world is these days. It’s all about technology.
I grew up in the 70’s and 80’s. The idea of being able to play a game against someone on the other side of the world, or watch a movie while sitting as a passenger in a car, was the thing of dreams back then. Back in the day, getting a Sony Walkman for Christmas was a big deal.
Because I grew up in a time before most technology, I played games the “old fashioned” way, such as board games, and games you played with people in the same room as you.
I work with children (currently 4th – 6th graders, or 9-12 years old). In our program, kids are not allowed to use their phones. They truly despise that rule, but that is how it is. We want the kids to play REAL games, and stay off social media and YouTube while in our care.
I’m always on the look out for fun games for my “work kids” to show them that they CAN have fun without having their noses buried in their phones.
I was sent to review a while back some terrific games from the brand Fat Brain Toys. Fat Brain Toys specializes in games that are not only fun, but educational too.
I know what you might be thinking – no kid wants an educational game. They will if it’s a Fat Brain Toys game. Kids can have a blast, all while learning in a “sneaky” sort of way. Believe it or not, learning CAN be fun.
Here are the games I was sent to review.
Due to the nature of my job, I was not able to take pictures of my “work kids” playing the games, for obvious reasons. Whenever possible I have included photos, but I have blocked out the children’s identities.
Out of all of the Fat Brain Toys I was sent to review, Pencil Nose has been played with the most.
The object of this game is to win seven points before the other team does.
Pencil Nose encourages family bonding, cooperative play, coordination, creativity, quick thinking, communication skills.
To play Pencil Nose, each player takes turns wearing a special pair of “glasses” with a nose piece where you insert one of the included markers.
The player wearing the glasses picks one of the cards and inserts it into the slot on the board. They have to then try and draw a picture of what is on the card, using only their NOSE and a special, clear board/screen.
From my experience playing this game, it is not easy to draw with your nose. It might sound easy, but it’s not. That being said, this is NOT a hard game to play. In fact, trying to draw with your nose, and goofing up with random lines and squiggles, adds to the fun.
My “work kids” are sometimes seen making up their own version and rules for this game, which is great. That shows that they are utilizing team work and imagination. I’m all for that.
This brief video gives your more information about this game.
Pencil Nose includes the following items;
- Erasable drawing board
- 2 pairs of pencil nose glasses (green, orange)
- Erasable marker
- Eraser
- 90 object cards with 6 objects each
- Sand timer
I think this is a great game for people of all ages (maybe not under 5 years old). This would be a fun, party game for grown up parties. Even more so after people have been drinking a bit. Ha Ha.
I have also seen my work kids simply trying to draw whatever they want using their nose, the included marker and the drawing board.
This has been a great game to have in our program, especially on days we can’t go outside, or up into the gym. It’s a physical game, which helps the kids get some activity in, all while having a lot of fun.
Ribbon Ninja comes with 12 wristbands and 18 ribbons in six different colors.
Each player attaches the wristbands to their wrists. They then put two ribbons on one wrist, and one on the other.
The object of the game is to quickly snatch the ribbons off the other players.
If all ribbons are taken from one hand, you need to put your hand behind your back and continue playing. My work kids don’t follow that rule, but that is OK.
The last person standing with at least one ribbon remaining on their wrist wins.
The below video gives you more insight into this fun game.
This is a fast pace game that involved quick thinking, coordination, strategy, and of course active play. It can be played both indoors and outside.
Everything you need comes in a small box, making it ideal for traveling to grandma’s house for the holiday, or a camping vacation.
This is a fun game that even adults can play. It’s fun for all ages.
Coggy is a game that you can play by yourself. It’s a combination game, puzzle and game teaser.
To use Coggy, you need to select a card from the deck. Then you need to twist and turn Coggy to match the pattern of the card that you selected.
This sounds like an easy game, and sometimes it can be. It all depends on the card you choose. Some are easier than others.
I like this game because it’s a great game for a child (or adult) to play when they want to be by them self, or if they have no one else to play with them.
In my job, there are times that the kids are are different locations (gym, outside, computer lab, cafeteria). Sometimes the kids don’t all want to play the same game, or are busy doing something else (homework, arts and crafts…). With Coggy, I know that kids who want to engage in a game have something fun to play with.
This is a fun game to take with you when you travel. It’s small enough to fit in a tote bag, luggage, or backpack.
Coggy encourages visual-spatial skills, critical thinking, and logic.
There are four levels of difficulty – easy, medium, hard, and extra hard. So far, I’m doing OK with the medium level cards. I took a look at the extra hard, and they do seem like a challenge.
This game is still a bit of a challenge. Myself, my co-workers, and of course my “work kids” have tried to figure it out. Sometimes kids know more than adults. We all find this game a bit confusing. It looks fun from the video, and it sounds fun, but it’s a wee bit hard to figure out how to play it.
As per the Fat Brain Toys website.
Do you have the insight to morph the most and win?
Your goal is to find the longest string of changes. Start with the ball on one peg over one disc. Then, find another disc that’s different by only one attribute – Color, pattern, or center circle size.
Start with a GREEN disc with STRIPES and a LARGE center circle. Move to an ORANGE disc with STRIPES and a LARGE center circle – or a GREEN disc with DOTS and a LARGE center circle – or a GREEN disc with STRIPES and a SMALL center circle…
Now – Can you find another? And another? And another?? – Whoever connects and collects the most discs wins the game!
Put your pattern recognition skills to the ultimate test with the unique and challenging game of Morphy.
Maybe the video (below) will give you a better understanding of this game.
I feel bad that we received the game to review, and we really haven’t played it yet. As you can see from the other games, we’ve played them and fully enjoyed them (they are a lot of fun). Sadly, this game hasn’t been played, so I can’t really give you an honest review.
When we do finally figure it out, I will update this post and share my thoughts about this game.
The Ultimate Classic Family Game Collection
Along with the Pencil Nose game, this game set gets played with a lot too. After all, it contains a board and pieces to play a variety of games including;
- Chess
- Checkers
- Backgammon
- Mancala
- Tic-Tac-Toe
- Chinese Checkers
- Snakes and Ladders
- Pachisi
- Solitaire
- Passout
This game set have double sided boards and all of the games pieces and accessories fit nicely inside too. This allows you to have a lot of games in a small space.
I have seen similar games to this one for A LOT of money. This game set from Fat Brain Toys is only $29.95 (plus shipping). For the amount of games you get, and the fact that they all come in a beautiful wood box (the boards are made out of wood too), this is worth every penny.
I have yet to figure out chess, but I’ve enjoyed playing checkers and mancala on this board set. My “work kids” use it a lot for chess.
I appreciate that everything fits together so nicely. It makes clean up a lot easier.
These are just a few of the fun and educational toys from Fat Brain Toys.
To see what else the brand has to offer, visit FatBrainToys.com. You can search by age, collections, best sellers and more. I do like the option of searching by age. It helps me to see age appropriate games for my “work kids.”
Fat Brain Toys are also on social media. All of their links are found at the bottom of their website.
Kimberly
*I received free product samples to review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.