Laurel typically enjoys quite a bit of generosity from her relatives during the holidays, so in the Christmas aftermath, it's particularly impressive when one thing captures her attention. And, well, ours too. This year, that thing is Katamino. Including an adjustable-sized playing board (increasing the size of the playing space increases the difficulty), different wooden shapes (pentaminos), and an impressively varied instruction manual, this game inspires seemingly endless spatial puzzles for one or more players.
Much like the Perplexus, Katamino has captured the attention of both the big and little people in our house. We're all busy taking turns, attempting to solve the individual levels (and yes, like the Perplexus, Laurel has already surpassed me on a couple of levels) that we haven't even gotten to the multiple player games. As we recover from the holiday season, it's been lovely to have a game that is simple and battery-free and also inspires quiet time! Added bonus: it's compact enough (yet with chunky wooden pieces that are easy to hold on to) for car travel too.

Also, a side note about the Perplexus (since many of you were pretty excited to learn about that game): Laurel mastered the classic version I wrote about and has moved on to the Perplexus Epic -- which will definitely provide challenging fodder for a while. I recommend getting the Epic if your family has mastered the Classic. We also bought my father-in-law the Classic and it was a big hit...it was fun to pad into the kitchen the morning after Christmas to find him playing it at the kitchen table!

Today, Evadne shares a great game from a Newton-based company (also, check out below for details on a sale today and tomorrow!):

I recently played Gamewright's Take the Cake with my kids and was reminded what good wholesome fun board games are. Take the Cake's tag line describes the game perfectly: a sweet game of shakes, shapes & cupcakes. The idea behind the game is to decorate cupcake cards with colorful wooden shapes that sprinkle out of a shaker. If you complete the toppings on your turn, you collect the cupcake card -- that is, you take the cake. The player with the most cards wins the game.
As I played Take the Cake with my children, I marveled at its ingenuity. It's a simple game based on a delicious concept! My kids especially enjoyed shaking out the different shapes (white "tofu" cubes, stars, triangles, circles), and matching them to the patterns on the frosting did require my 3-year-old to verbally recognize colors & shapes. My 5-year old (who's all about "winning" these days) surprised me by strategizing over which cupcake card he could complete fastest with the shape he had in hand. And at the end of the game, even my 1-year-old was able to join in the fun as he meticulously put the wooden shapes back into the shaker. I recommend Take the Cake if you're looking for some good, old-fashioned family fun!

Editor's Note: Aptly timed, I just learned that Gamewright is having a sale today and tomorrow (10am - 4pm) at their warehouse -- 70 Bridge Street, Newton. Puzzles and games are marked up to 70% off! Cash only.

I admittedly tend to shy away from plastic toys, but we recently caved and bought the Perplexus Maze Game, which Laurel couldn't stop talking about after learning about it from classmates. And I have to admit that this game is ridiculously fun. The 3D sphere comprises one long, convoluted maze track including three different entry points -- so, for example, you don't have to start at the beginning if you've already mastered section 1 of the maze. Following the maze requires careful rotation and keeping your eye on the ball.
The maze manages to be challenging (I'm still stuck on track section 2) yet doable (Laurel has already figured out track section 2), and the cognitive psychologist in me wonders whether the lasting enjoyment of this game relates to the fact that you're so concentrated on the track as you rotate that you rarely look at the big picture -- meaning, the maze always seems to look new and different when you approach it. Battery free and super fun for all (even baby Vi likes coming over and rolling it around on the floor...I think the sound of the marble rolling around inside appeals) -- it's a fantastic toy for home and travel.

One fun by-product of parenting is reliving games of my childhood with Laurel (oddly enough, I’m also looking forward to a second pass at learning math and history when Laurel hits high school…). And often times it’s the simplest and least expensive games and activities that offer so much fodder for fun and creativity.
Yesterday Laurel and I picked up a set of Schylling pick-up sticks at Henry Bear’s Park. Easy on the wallet at $5.99, these wooden sticks come in a wooden box with a sliding lid; great for neat storage and travel. The kit doesn’t come with the rules (which I couldn’t remember, other than trying not to move other sticks when you pick up one) and though we looked them up later, it proved fun to simply wing it and see Laurel make up her own rules, such as trying to get all of one color first (hard) or have us alternate color pairs on our turns (doable but still challenging). Oh, and if you play by the original points system, the game serves as a math exercise.

And then of course there was the fun of not picking up the sticks and instead making name, star burst, and other geometric patterns with the sticks. We pretty much spent most of the afternoon and evening goofing around with these simple little sticks.

So simple, so inexpensive, inspiring so much creativity. I love it.

During the bitter winter months, even summer-related crafts are welcome (let's all chant the think warm thoughts mantra, shall we?). Today, Sarah reviews Wallaroo’s art hat kit. Read on for Sarah’s review, as well as to learn how to win a Wallaroo Art Hat for your little one:
From Sarah:

Once the fall weather turns on toward winter, it gets harder and harder to convince the kids that playing outside is fun. Even with layers (“this hat is itchy!”) and planned activities (“but I don’t see any nature!”), the day’s fun usually occurs mostly indoors. And a good supply of crafty projects is priceless in passing the endless time between lunch and “Daddy’s home!”

So when offered the opportunity to test a new kid-friendly craft kit, I leapt at the chance. The Wallaroo Hat Company’s Art Hat comes in two size options (2-5 years and 5-7 years) to fit most toddlers and preschoolers. My five-year-old son was excited to make himself a hat, and could hardly wait to get home from walking the dog to get started. Although momentarily disappointed that the hat is a sunhat (“for wearing at the beach,” I told him) and not a warm one (preferably non-itchy) to wear all winter, he hoovered his snack and pulled up his sleeves.

The hat itself is a basic flat-crowned bucket hat with a four-inch brim all around, in a microfiber that promises UPF 50+ sun protection. The kit also comes with six non-toxic fabric paints and two brushes. While the range of colors is bright and zingy (not your run-of-the-mill primary snoozers, these), the brushes are the standard cheap-o black-plastic-bristled blunt-tipped kind that usually accompany Crayola knock-off watercolor kits. The bristles are so stiff and unyielding that it might have been easier to paint with the end of a stick. Also, the teensy paint pots are all attached in a line, with flip-top lids that definitely need an adult’s assistance.

Discounting the equipment quirks (and having dug up a couple of natural-bristle brushes in our craft supplies), Avery was ready to have at it. I helped him flatten the hat so he could paint his design on the front side, but to continue around the back (and not have to wait the three prescribed hours for the paint to dry) I held the hat up for him to decorate all around, including the top. (Another option might be to set the hat on something that can hold the shape and be rotated, e.g., oatmeal canister.)

While the paints definitely lend themselves to more dexterous artists on the higher end of the age range, if your crafters are comfortable with abstract composition, the Art Hat is good for at least thirty minutes of indoor entertainment. Add some of your own fabric markers, glue-on crystals, and a parent-operated hot-glue gun and you could keep going until snack time.

The resulting oeuvre (grass, tree, flower, boy, “m” birds, erupting volcano) made Avery (and, let’s face it, his adoring parents) very happy, and might even encourage him to keep a hat on next summer. And on that note, Wallaroo is committed to the elimination of skin cancer, and donates 1% of their profits to skin cancer research, education, and prevention in the U.S. I’m sure my son will be thrilled to do his part.

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THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
Congrats to winner Faye!
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Now, want to win a Wallaroo Art Hat? Here’s how:

Visit the Wallaroo store locator page, then email contests@bostonmamas.com (with ‘Wallaroo’ in the subject), and name a store that sells Wallaroo products.

One entry permitted per person; US residents welcome to enter.

Entry period closes at midnight EST, Sunday, December 20, 2009.

*One lucky winner (drawn using Random.org) will receive the Wallaroo Art Hat in their choice of color/size (subject to stock availability) ($20 value).

Given Laurel’s insatiable appetite for art projects, it’s always fun to discover a new craft that captivates her. And currently, it’s weaving -- an activity inspired by a transfixing spin on a full sized loom at a downtown art festival this past summer. We recently bought Laurel the Alex Fashion Weaving Loom (you also can opt up a notch in size with the Alex Giant Weaving Loom), and though the packaging is marked for 7+ Laurel has no problem weaving once I set up the main (warp) threads. The kit comes with fantastically soft rainbow yarn plus some fun fringed yarn and this activity has engaged Laurel for impressively long stretches of time; she's super proud of the scarf she just finished. I just wish Alex sold more of the rainbow yarn separately, because Laurel’s itching to make a coordinating purse.

Looking to take dress up play to a fun, new, and eco-friendly level? Today, Kate shares a review of the organic, hypoallergenic kid's face paint and makeup kits from New Hampshire based Luna Organics. Read on for Kate's review, as well as to learn how to be one of two winners to receive Luna Organics kits:

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From Kate:

My daughter has long been a fan of face painting, and will generally make a beeline for the face painting table at any fair or carnival (cat whiskers are her go-to look, but rainbows, suns, and large hearts also are favorites). Although hardly a skilled artist myself, I would like to be able to have fun with face painting at home (especially on days when weather or mood keep us inside), but I cringe when I look at the ingredients in most store-bought face painting kits, so we have yet to try it out on our own.

I subsequently was particularly happy to discover the play face paint and makeup sets made by Luna Organics, a small New Hampshire-based outfit producing small kits of powder, lip balm, and color for children. All of the ingredients are gentle for delicate young skin, and all are easy to remove and fun to play with. My daughter and I experimented with the All-Natural Fancy Fairy Kit; the colors are bright and kid-friendly, and the glitter gives it all an extra shine. Also cool, these kits come in an adorable zippered pouch and with little jars that all interconnect in an ingenious way.

For those cold and rainy days when you just can't get yourself to the playground or the museum, check out the offerings of Luna Organics to put some sparkle in your playtime.

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THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
Congrats to winners Amy & Betsy!
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Now, want to be one of two winners to receive makeup kits from Luna Organics? Here's how:

Visit the Luna Organics shop, then email contests@bostonmamas.com (with 'Luna Organics' in the subject), and name a face paint or makeup kit you'd love to try with your child.

One entry permitted per person; US & Canada residents welcome to enter.

Entry period closes at midnight EST, Thursday, December 17, 2009.

*Two lucky winners (drawn using Random.org) will receive their choice of either the Fancy Fairy, Ballerina Princess, or Rock Star kit.

I admittedly have a bit of a weak spot for creative and colorful educational toys (especially those under $10), so this weekend when Laurel and I picked up sticky mosaics (my go-to gift for elementary school aged kids) for a birthday party, I couldn’t help but say yes when she asked if we could buy this Orb Factory Mosaica toy. Produced by the same folks who make the awesome sticky mosaics, this compact tin includes 64 two-tone magnetic squares and an insert with suggested patterns (build right inside the tin to keep the tiles in place). Awesome for travel and also for encouraging spatial skills and quiet time at home, Laurel spent hours with this toy this weekend (Jon and I also couldn’t resist building a few patterns...), which allowed me to get to some much needed cleaning and organization in advance of hosting Thanksgiving.

My friend Nooshi is amazing at identifying a cool party theme then really running with it. A couple of weekends ago she threw a marvelous Messy Party for her son’s third birthday and the party was unbelievably fun and beautifully creative. Here’s a run down of how she made it all happen:
Inspiration

Nooshi credits features from Martha Stewart Kids and Cookie Magazine as providing initial points of inspiration. (Although in my opinion, if you check out those features then read below, Nooshi took the idea to a whole new level!)

Invitations

The party invitations were comprised of finger painted flat cards by Nooshi’s son, covered with vellum with the printed party information over the top. The two layers can be attached using glue dots, ribbon, or metal fasteners.

Setting

Obviously, messy parties are best suited for warm weather birthdays. This party was held at one of the pavilions at Filipello Park in Watertown. A permit from the Town of Watertown Recreation Department is required to reserve the tables & grills (Nooshi suggests reserving well in advance). The site was terrific in that the pavilion we were at was right next to a tot lot (not part of the reservation), and also a short walk from the spray pool and restrooms.

Nooshi rented outdoor speakers that plugged right into an iPod; she reports that this was well worth the cost.

Activities

Painting I: Large sheets were set up on the grass and kids were provided 16 x 20 inch canvas panels, cups of paints, and various bristle and roller brushes. A clothesline was strung to hang paintings to dry, although there was plenty of space to simply put the paintings to the side after the kids were done. Likely due to the freedom of the space, Laurel painted in a way I had never seen before, in Jackson Pollock spatter style. The result was totally cool and we’re going to frame it. One kid painted his canvas then decided to paint himself (pictured).

Painting II: This part was impressively adventurous and some kids really got into it. There was a long, wide roll of paper and big trays full of paint, and kids were encouraged to paint with their feet. [Nooshi notes that Oriental Trading has phenomenal prices on art supplies but you need to order paint well in advance as it cannot be air shipped.]

Sidewalk chalk offered a nice alternative for younger kids or the less adventurous.

A bubble blowing machine was running, which the little ones went berserk over.

A fleet of inexpensive spray water bottles (procured from Target) provided a fun way for the kids to cool off, and also offered another good activity for little ones.

Cornstarch: The kids went bananas with a dozen boxes of cornstarch: throwing it, dumping it, making footprints through it. I couldn't even tell the kids apart by the end of it.

Messy Food

For snacks, there were cute little paper baggies of Pirate Booty and cheese puffs (think dusty and messy snacks).

Dinner included (messy) spaghetti with sauce, grilled chicken, and piles of strawberries and blueberries.

For dessert, Nooshi baked angel food cupcakes (from a box mix – just add water!). They heated hot fudge sauce in a pan of water on the grill and topped the cupcakes with hot fudge and whipped cream, creating the desired effect of chocolate & whipped cream covered faces.

Additional Notes

Super cute touch: Nooshi’s son wore a “Mr. Messy” t-shirt to the party.

The biggest challenge of this party was getting everything transported to the site.

Following inspiration from Danny Seo (via his Epicurious article on green entertaining, plus meeting him at my Method party), Nooshi planned the event so that all the craft material was earth friendly and water-soluble (this ruled out silly string, another messy activity option). They opted for paper cups and plates over plastic so that any stray items would eventually decompose.

Despite how messy the kids got, once the paint dried and the cornstarch was largely brushed off, transport wasn’t really an issue. But we found that the bath towel favor served perfectly to partially cover Laurel’s car seat in case we missed any messiness. I had to laugh though; when I was chatting with another girlfriend about how she was going to get her four (extremely messy) kids home, one of them piped up, “We’re all going to drive home naked!”