Win kidwinks' 12th Toy of Christmas & 1 other game by Wonder Forge

3 will WIN 2 games by Wonder Forge.  The winner can choose two games from the following selection.

Disney Princess Dazzling Princess Game
Disney Princess Enchanted Cupcake Game
Disney Jake and the Neverland Pirates Challenge

Joker’s Fun House

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Win kidwinks' 11th Toy of Christmas - Indigo by Ravensburger

Recommended by Linda, owner of Cat & Mouse Game Store:

 

Linda says "Indigo's beautiful design will appeal to kids and adults; the simple rules but captivating game play will make it a classic to be enjoyed for years to come. This is definitely the game that we'll bring out when Grandpa comes to visit! Indigo is a 2012 Parents' Choice Gold Medal winner."

Indigo

 

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Enchanted Cupcake Party Game

Enchanted Cupcake Party Game is a really fun game!   I initially played with my 6 year old daughter but then roped a couple of my boys into the game to play with her as well.   Somehow they managed to turn even a cupcake building game into a heated competition!   

There is no reading involved and it is a cooperative game, which is great with younger kids.   You are on the same team and not competing against each other, only against the timer.   The game comes with ten adorable cupcakes that you build based on the cards you draw.  You work together against the timer to find the brightly colored cupcake pieces to match your card.    You can find other great game ideas at the Kidwinks 12 Toys of Christmas!

What's in the Cat's Hat

What's in the Cat's Hat is a fun game to play with young and older kids.   I played with my 6 and 8 year olds.  The object of the game is to place an item in the hat and take a turn to guess it.   The game comes with action and question cards that help give you clues to the item.  Depending upon the card you draw,  you end up doing something silly like smell it or feel it with your elbows.   The kids had a great time playing it.   You can make the game a little easier (depending on the age of the participants) by limiting where you get the item from.   Our first game went on for quite some time because you could pick an item from anywhere in the house.   I got a little smarter the second time around and limited the selection to one room at a time!   Check out other fun games this holiday season at the Kidwinks 12 Toys of Christmas!    

It comes with a cool Cat in the Hat hat!

Enter to win kidwinks' 10th Toy of Christmas - Doggie Doo

This is one that I didn't think I was going to like.  I figured it was far too juvenile for me and my boys.  I was wrong!  We love it and end up laughing to tears each time we play.  The noises the dog makes are hilarious but what makes it great is that it is a short fast paced game and there is no reading involved so little ones can play too. 

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Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Holiday Set & Tin Giveaway

I absolutely love the Iowa Pine Scent of the Mrs. Meyer's Holiday Set and Candle.  I now look forward to wiping down my counters  with the counter spray because they smell so wonderful when I walk by and because they look so nice and clean.  Now it is time to share.  Good Luck! ~ Nina

Remember only 24 hours to enter.

3 Winners.

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Win Snake Oil and 3 other games by Out of the Box

Win Snake Oil - the 9th Toy of Christmas and 3 other great games by Out of the Box. $80 value.

3 WINNERS will EACH win 4 games:

• Word on the Street Junior,

• Backseat Drawing Jr,
  
  Bug Out, and
• Snake Oil.

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Win Kidwinks' 8th Toy of Christmas - Catan Junior by Maifair Games

Recommended by Linda, owner of

 Cat & Mouse Game Store:

Linda says "If you want to introduce your kids to strategy board games, walk past the Monopoly and head straight for Catan Junior. This variant of the now-classic Settlers of  Catan has a fun pirate theme that will really appeal to kids. Best of all, there are interesting strategic decisions to make throughout the game, and it doesn't drag on forever. It's the perfect choice for a fun-filled Family Game Night!

Catan Junior

 

 

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Enter to Win Gotcha Gadgets

Recommended by Linda, owner of Cat & Mouse Game Store:

Linda says "Once again, Klutz manages to combine everything that boys love in one great package. Our boys love science, they love being goofy, and they love playing tricks on each other. With a variety of fun projects like door alarms and sound machines, Gotcha Gadgets has all of that covered in spades!"

Gotcha Gadgets

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Kidwinks' 6th Toys of Christmas - Win it!

This is for all of the serious puzzle fans on your holiday gift list.  

 

Recommended to us by Linda, the owner of Cat & Mouse Game Store:

Linda says "If there's a Lego fanatic in your life who's looking for a new building challenge, look no further than the line of 3D puzzles from Wrebbit. There are several designs to choose from, but at 950 pieces, the Taj Mahal stands out for its level of detail; it will keep builders happily busy for hours!"

3D Taj Mahal (Wrebbit)

With its whitely gleaming walls inlaid with precious stones, the Taj Mahal seems to come straight out of a tale from the Thousand and One Nights. The building's magical appearance is reinforced by its gigantic size, reflecting Shah Jahan's love for his wife, for whom the Taj Mahal was built. 950 pieces.

Win it!

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Bananagrams, Appletters & PairsinPears Giveaway - Great stocking stuffer ideas

3 Winners will each receive 3 great games. 

Bananagrams, Appletters & PairsinPears

 

 These make wonderful stocking stuffers.

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Enter to Win Kidwinks' 4th Toy of Christmas - BrickStix Decals for Lego, Mega Bloks, & more

These nifty decals make great stocking stuffers.  Lots of different styles to choose from and reasonably priced.
BrickStix Decals for Lego, Mega Bloks, & more

BrickStix Cling Decals and Mod Stickers are designed to keep kids (and adults) creating beyond the brick. Can't decide which stix are right for you?


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Cinderella at Marriott Lincolnshire Children's Theatre

My daughter and I went over Thanksgiving weekend to see Cinderella at the Marriott Lincolnshire Children's Theatre and thoroughly enjoyed the show!  

If you haven't been to Marriott Lincolnshire before, its a theater-in-the-round.   I've seen other plays in this type of venue and it can sometimes be a bit awkward.   That was not the case with Cinderella.   It was very well acted and flowed seamlessly.    The play included a bit of humor directed at the adults that kept it engaging and funny, but flowed right over the heads of the kids.   There was an older gentleman sitting a few rows behind us that I thought was going to fall out of his seat with laughter!     All of the actors were very good - Cinderella and her Prince had excellent voices and performed their songs beautifully.    

During the search for the perfect foot to fit the glass slipper the audience gets involved.  The lights go up a bit and one of the actors runs through the crowd, trying the slipper on a few girls in the audience.   The audience was filled with kids on our Saturday morning performance, and the possibility of getting to try on the slipper was quite a crowd pleaser!  The music was very good, the actors were great, and it was truly an enjoyable show for both adults and kids.

When the play ends, the actors all come out on stage for a brief question and answer session.   This was definitely worth sticking around for.  There were questions specific to the play as well as the logistics of staging a production like this.   The actors do a great job of answering the questions and explaining how they make their job seem so easy.     

The show lasted approximately one hour.   A few of the smaller kids near us could have used a break mid-way through the play, but overall it was a perfect length for the younger crowd.   The theater itself is very comfortable with tons of free parking.   Cinderella at the Marriott Lincolnshire Children's Theatre is a great way to introduce a young child to live theater.   For other theater options during the holiday season, check out the Kidwinks Family Entertainment and Theater guide.

Holiday Photo Time! No Need to Stress. 5 Tips for Great Baby/Child(ren) Holiday Photos

Holiday Photo Time! No Need to Stress

For some parents, the thought of taking the children to take the holiday photo elicits an immediate pain in the frontal lobe, discomfort in the stomach, and an increase of heartbeats per minute. Preparing for a photo session can be daunting. Finding the photographer and location that will fit your needs, choosing a date and time, and deciding on what to wear, are just a few of the decisions that need to be made. Then the real fun begins, making sure the planets align, allowing you to get that unbelievable photo, that will grace the cover of countless holiday cards. Well, it doesn’t have to be as difficult as aligning the planets. Here are a few tips to help make your next session a little less stressful.

 

Tip #1 - Timing

On the day your child was born, you no longer called the shots. This sweet little baby was now in charge. It’s safe to say that for the next 5 to 6 years (some would say even longer), you are no longer in charge of the daily schedule. Working around meals, snack time and naps, is the main priority, especially when trying to maintain a sense of harmony in the home. So, why should anything be different when scheduling a photo session? No one knows your child better than you, so be sure to work around their schedule. Don’t schedule a session right before nap time and definitely don’t skip a meal to make an appointment. If your photographer can not accommodate your schedule, then you might have to find another photographer.

 

Tip #2 - Clothing

Finding something for the kids to wear is usually a pretty simple task. Well before Halloween arrives, the holiday outfits are on display in the stores. Countless, adorable dresses and cute sweaters to choose from. The hardest thing to do here is come home with only one choice. Dressing ourselves is usually when it gets to be difficult. The best suggestion I can give you, is keep it simple. Solid colors are the best. Avoid too many different patterns and clothing with words written on them. This takes away from the main focus, you and your family!

Another great tip is to bring an extra outfit. The likely hood of you needing it, is rare. However, it’s when we don’t prepare for the unexpected, is when the unexpected happens. This is definitely helpful when shooting on-location.

Tip #3 - Location

You might be thinking that this step should be decided well before the session date, and I couldn’t agree with you more. However, when mentioning location in this step, I’m actually referring to the location of you, the parent. If you are only having pictures taken of your child(ren), then the best place for you is right behind the photographer and preferably at the height of the camera. Most photographers welcome help from parents when trying to gain eye contact with the child. Though, it becomes a problem when those calls for “look here”, “smile for the camera” and countless sound effects come from areas not even close to the camera’s direction. If you will be in the picture with your family, then let the photographer work, his or her magic. Your only job is to look at the camera and smile.

 

Tip #4 - Your Opinion Should Matter

I am well aware that a client hires a photographer for their talent and their expertise. I do believe that a photographer should have a good idea of how the photo session will go, well before the first picture is taken. What backgrounds will be used? Will there be props? I also believe that the client should be able to share their opinion on what they would like to have in their pictures.

There may be times where you depend solely on the creativity of your photographer. However, you should also be able to freely express your opinions when needed. You should feel comfortable in sharing your own ideas and expectations for the session. Your photographer should welcome this information wholeheartedly.

 
Tip #5 - Relax and Have Fun 

Take a deep breath, do some jumping jacks if need be, but whatever you do, don’t lose your cool. Time and time again, parents become so flustered by their children’s behavior, it become impossible to capture genuine happiness. It’s essential that you remain calm. Children can easily sense their parents displeasure. Once this happens, watery eyes and red noses will be the main focus in all the pictures.

Have faith in your photographer. We are well trained in the art of turning unhappy children into camera loving individuals. As long as the parents relax and have fun the kids are sure to follow.

Sharon Gaietto, CPP

Click on the link to schedule your session with Sharon Gaietto Photography

Mystic Waters - Water Park Fun in the Chicago Suburbs

At ages 11 and (almost) 9, my daughters are too old to enjoy the Chicago area spray parks to cool off in the summer.   Their sense of adventure is growing, too, and they sometimes get bored at the regular public swimming pools.  I know what you're thinking:  "How can they get bored at a swimming pool?  What kind of spoiled kids are these?"  Well, I think the problem there is we have a generous neighbor with an in-ground pool who often lets us use it when he's out during the day.  The girls can bring floaties and water toys (generally not allowed at public pools) to liven up the experience, so miss that option at the public pools.

This year we've headed a few times already to Mystic Waters, which is part of the Des Plaines Park District and quite close to our home.  The girls have a great time enjoying most of the features of the park, and the lines for the slides have been surprisingly short during our visits.

The drop slides and diving area, with two options each to choose from have become a favorite of my girls and their buddies.  The water here is 12 feet deep, so it's not the place for non-swimmers.

The lazy river, which winds its way around a small island and through a waterfall or two is a nice way to relax and cool off while the gentle current floats your tube along.  Parents can double up with the younger ones.

The main swimming area has a nice zero-depth entry with water features and slides for the little ones.  The deeper swimming area can get pretty crowded, which is the one thing I wish I could change about the park.  It's no different than the swimming areas at most other public pools or water parks, though.

For younger kids, there is a great spray pad, with a rubber floor to prevent skinned knees if the toddlers take a tumble.  The area is restricted to younger kids, too, so you don't have to worry about older kids trampling the little darlings.  There's also a great sand play area, complete with shade and a shower.

As a mom, I love the fact that there is plenty of shade for everyone.  Along the west side of the park, there is a grassy area with plenty of trees and shade.  There are several shade canopies set up on the pool deck, too, but you have to be an early bird to nab one of the coveted lounges under those canopies.

Another family-friendly aspect of Mystic Waters is that you are allowed to bring in your own food and drink, coolers and all, as long as there is no glass and you park your cooler in the designated picnic area.  The picnic area has a large grassy part with a couple of shade canopies, and another shaded area with tables near the concession stand.  I was also very pleasantly surprised to see that the concession prices are extremely reasonable, and not your typical "Let's gouge the consumer because we have them over a barrel here" approach.

I recommend arriving early, because if the temperature is over 80 degrees, the park gets to capacity quickly. You then have to stand outside and wait in line to get in.  On certain days, camps attend, which adds to the congestion until they leave.  During one of our visits, 200 campers left at around noon, but it took a good 30 - 45 minutes for them to get organized and out the gates, while many people waited in line to get enter the at-capacity park.

If you're looking for other family friendly activities in Chicago, check out kidwinks.com.  You can find a list of Chicago area water parks, or use their Chicago Summer Fun Guide for Kids for tons of summer fun ideas.

Safari Land a great place to spend the day

Safari Land - You can call it many things such as and indoor play area, indoor amusement park, entrainment area, and even a kids birthday party place.  Safari Land is huge, boasting a whopping 62,000 square feet and offers entertainment options for a wide range of ages which is not always easy to find.

Safari Land in Villa Park

 Safari Land located in Villa Park is a great place to spend the afternoon or if you have just an hour or two to kill.  It also makes a nice place to have a kid’s birthday party.  You will know you have found Safari Land when you see the large giraffes and elephants flanking the outside of the building. 

Bumper Cars

Once inside you will see just how huge the space is. They have indoor amusement rides, close to 200 video arcade games, many with redemption tickets.  There is no admission fee but obviously the rides and games do cost money.  There are two different options to pay to play.  We chose to go with the wristband for the rides and a swipe card for tha arcade games.   

Farris Wheel for the younger kids

The wristband cost us $15 each ($20 on Fri. & Sat.) and includes unlimited rides on the tilt-a-whirl, small Farris wheel, and a few other rides for the younger kids, and 2 rides each on the roller coaster, bumper cars, kid sized go carts, and the roller coaster simulator.  There are rides that older kids will not be able to ride because they may be too tall.  Before you buy the wristband find out how many rides your child will be able to actually ride.

 The other option is to pay for each ride individually by using a swipe card that you load money onto.  The cards are good for the arcade games and the rides.  If you plan on trying out all of the rides then the wristband is definitely the way to go.  The arcade games range in price from $0.50 to $2.00.   

They also have skeet ball, a personal favorite, and other game that take tokens.  The tokens can also be purchased using the swipe card.   

Pinball Machines

Mini-go Karts

On the day that we visited we played for a while and then, of course, the kids started to get hungry so we headed over to the restaurant area and ordered a pizza.  The pizza was surprisingly good and reasonably priced.  In fact, all of their menu items are reasonably prices.  They have kids meals that range from $2.50 to $3.50 for a hamburger and fries.  You may also be surprised to know that they also have a full bar.   

 

 

Soft play area and tunnels for the younger kids

After our quite tasty lunch we decided to go bowling.  Yes, they even have bowling, cosmic bowling which makes it a bit more fun.  Shoe rental is $2 and each game is $3 per person.  The prices go up a bit on weekends so check the website or call before going.   

After bowling it was back to the rides and arcade games.   

Roller Coaster

All in all the kids and I spent about 4 hours playing and eating the day away at Safari Land an indoor amusement park / entertainment area in Villa Park.

Safari Land is a great place for kids birthday parties too. They have at least half a dozen party rooms and a selection of party packages to choose from which you can find by following this link: http://www.kidwinks.com/ForKids/6/KidsBirthdayPartiesSafariLand/16817/