Hungry to Try a New Game with your Preschooler?

I was lucky enough to be approached by Think Fun to try out their new game: Snack Attack!  So in the mail today I received my happy little package, and the kids were eager to try it out.

Snack Attack is rated for 4 and up (though Mudge is 3 1/2). The basis of the game is to scan and match food items from the spinner tray to those on your plate, and once there are no more matches to make, you can yell "Snack Attack!" and play again.

It was easy enough to play with my 3 year old, but I do recommend that you do not try to play it with a competitive 6 year old, as they both may get frustrated.  It took them a few turns to understand to flip the 2 sided disc so that the matches touch, but overall, it was a quick game that the four of us played as a family for about 10 minutes.  Boog could have gone longer, and it was enough for Mudge.  Mind you, this was just before bedtime...  Either way, I got 2 thumbs up from the boys.  When asked what they liked best, it was being able to "yell Snack Attack" and being the chef.

It was super easy to set up, which is nice because games and toys now-a-days are not parent friendly.  There are not a lots of parts to lose, but I can see losing the food discs.  Think Fun did try to limit the loss with their plastic tube in which to keep and spin them around its track, though.

Therapeutic uses:
Language development-  Snack Attack promotes food related vocabulary expansion, categorization, articulation, social pragmatics, and turn taking through a playful matching game.

Visual Perceptual Skills- Snack Attack can be used for scanning activities, matching, figure ground, visual discrimination, visual memory and more....

Special Needs- The game can help or be adapted for fine motor development, and can be easily used by those with upper extremity issues by having them be the "Chef" and having them turn the spinner with little resistance.  Through some dycem or other non skid under the plates and serving platter piece to keep it more stable on a slippery surface.  You could also adapt a universal cuff to hold a suction to pick up the discs.

One of the only flaws I see with the design is the slipperiness of the the food discs on the plates.  As they are both a glossy finish, the items do slide around a lot.  And occasionally I got a too few many discs to come out and be "served" on the platter.

Overall, the game will definitely be coming to school with me for sessions and it is a nice addition to our family game closet.

Word of the day: PARAPROSDOKIANS

Ok, I don't always read my forwards because frankly, I generally don't care for them.  But this one, thanks to Uncle Bill, I did read.  And giggled.  So here is to a good giggle, gawfaw, or chuckle.  Enjoy!  

 The definition of "paraprosdokian" is ;

"Figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected; frequently used in a humorous situation."

"Where there's a will, I want to be in it," is a type of paraprosdokian.

Ok, so now let's enjoy a few PARAPROSDOKIANS!

1. Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

2. The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on my list.

3. Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

4. If I agreed with you, we'd both be wrong.

5. We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.

6. War does not determine who is right - only who is left.

7. Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

8. Evening news is where they begin with 'Good Evening,' and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.

9. To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research.

10. A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station.

11. I thought I wanted a career. Turns out I just wanted paychecks.

12. Whenever I fill out an application, in the part that says, 'In case of emergency, notify:' I put 'DOCTOR.'

13. I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.

14. Women will never be equal to men until they can walk down the street with a bald head and a beer gut, and still think they are sexy.

15. Behind every successful man is his woman. Behind the fall of a successful man is usually another woman.

16. A clear conscience is the sign of a fuzzy memory.

17.. I asked God for a bike, but I know God doesn't work that way. So I stole a bike and asked for forgiveness.

18. You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.

19. Money can't buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to live with.

20. There's a fine line between cuddling and holding someone down so they can't get away.

21. I used to be indecisive.. Now I'm not so sure.

22.. You're never too old to learn something stupid.

23. To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.

24. Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.

25. Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.

26. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.

27. A diplomat is someone who tells you to go to hell in such a way that you look forward to the trip.

28. Hospitality is making your guests feel at home even when you wish they were.

29. I always take life with a grain of salt. Plus a slice of lemon, and a shot of tequila.

30.. When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water.

Words of Wisdom

"The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese."


So which one is your favorite?  I like 3, 29, and 30....

Bowling for Soup, Naaaahhhh We Bowl for Ice Cream....

The Ice Cream Ball...

It is probably one of the more fun inventions that makes ice cream worth its work.  Just fill one end with ice and salt.  The other end with your favorite things like coffee milk, chocolate milk, milk with sugar and vanilla, or even some yogurt.  Then shake, rattle and roll.  Or bowl, like we did.

 We have a couple of good hills in our yard, so I was able to give the boys a good work out running up and down the hill to create the frozen concoction of skim milk, chocolate chips, sugar and vanilla also known as chocolate chip ice cream.  They did this for 20 minutes, then I scraped the sides of the ice cream container and back to work they went bowling for ice cream for an additional 10.  Because of the low fat content of the skim milk, it tends to be a little loose.  So I throw it in the freezer for a few minutes to harden a little more.  But trust me, it tastes just as good if you don't wait.

I like the idea of an ice cream ball for a couple of reasons.  First, you know the ingredients you are putting into it so you can be as healthy, or not, as you would like.  Second, its a work out.  It is at least the weight of a 10 lb bowling ball when it is full with a mix and ice.  Third, it teaches them about the fruits of labor, science, and cooking.  And lastly, your end product is an empty bowl.  Yes I do have an electric ice cream maker, that I use to make my frozen favorites, but the ball is for the kids.

You can find them now all over the internet like Target, REI, LLBean, Amazon, and other stores usually for between $20 and $40  depending on size, 1 or 2 quart models.  Totally worth it, and lots of fun.