Tuesday, April 25, 2017

My Favorite Puzzles and Games at Toy Fair plus a Giveaway!


This is the fourth in a series of posts about Toy Fair NY 2017.  The events span a week and I literally saw thousands of toys and took 1000 pictures.  And so I am organizing my reports in a series of posts as follows:

This post covers games and puzzles.   Both of these are popular in our house and so I had lots of fun checking out what’s new. I am including something for every age  and my favorite thing about this category – every item is something an adult (grandparent, parent, aunt, uncle, friend) can do with children.  We keep games and puzzles at our house and both are on tap when my grandson visits.  Extra note - no stock photos - with one exception taken at Toy Fair.

I am delighted to offer a giveaway of the Zodiac puzzle featured in this article.  See the giveaway details at the end of the article.

Zodiac Puzzle by eeboo
Zodiac 1008 Piece Puzzle by eeboo
Most jigsaw puzzles have a top and a bottom.  If there are multiple people working on them only one person gets to work from the bottom up.  But the square Zodiac puzzle provides a family challenge with all sides being an equal start – no top or bottom! And – the symbols glow in the dark!  25” x 25” when completed.  As all eeboo puzzles, it is made of sturdy, colorful pieces.  I am very happy to offer this puzzle as a giveaway with this post.  The whole family  - all generations - will enjoy putting it together and then again when it is completed watching it glow in the dark.


Bunny Bedtime by Peaceable Kingdom
Bunny Bedtime by Peaceable Kingdom

I included this game on my Babies and Toddlers Toy Fair post but it should be here too.  This hidden gem is a game designed for 2 year olds and it would be an excellent grandparent gift.  How do you play?  It's time for bed, Bunny! Players roll a chunky die and move Bunny on the game path. Along the way, players help Bunny make choices about her bedtime routine. Which bath toy will she play with? Which pajamas will she wear?  I just love this game idea.


Hoot Owl Hoot by Peaceable Kingdom 



This is an another game by this award winning company of cooperative games. Hoot Owl Hoot is not new but it has won numerous awards and is still a best seller for Peaceable Kingdom. In these games, players work together to win the game rather than against each other.  In this game the players work together to get all the owls to the nest before the sun rises and then everyone wins.  Here is a short video that shows how the game is played.




Sneaker Puzzle - American Style by Ravensburger
My Grandson with his completed Sneaker Puzzle by Ravensburger
My 7 year old grandson loves puzzles and when I saw this 3D puzzle that can be used as a pencil holder at Toy Fair, I knew it was for us.  You can see my review blog post here.  There are 108 numbered plastic pieces that must be put together in order but it is very manageable and Zach completed it with his grandfather just watching.  Very cool.  Very fun. Gets an intergenerational A+.


And to All a Good Night Family Jigsaw Puzzle by Springbok
And to All a Good Night Family Jigsaw Puzzle by Springbok
This family puzzle features pieces in three different sizes designed with large pieces on the outside for the young ones, and small pieces on the inside for more experienced puzzlers.  We have completed one of these "family" puzzles with our grandson when he was younger and it was a lot of fun to work on together.  Springbok has other puzzles in this format including an state license plates one.

Star Wars Monopoly 40th Anniversary Edition by Hasbro


Can we ever have enough of Star Wars?  Simple answer is NO.  This is a special 40th Anniversary of Star Wars Monopoly game from Hasbro. 40 Years!  Do you believe it? Do you love Monopoly?  Do you love Star Wars?  This game is for YOU!  Star Wars lovers of all ages will enjoy playing this together.

Miss Bernard is a Wild Card (Weird School) Game by All Things Equal

That's me with Dan Gutman

The very first game based on the popular Weird School books is coming out in June.  Here is an advance look at the box.  At my very last stop at Toy Fair when I could barely stand up,  I made a command visit to this booth and met author Dan Gutman in person.  My daughter had seen on facebook that the game was coming out and she asked me to look for it at Toy Fair.  Here I am with Dan.  Impressed my grandson more with this picture that the one of me with the ghostbusters.  Who knew?  I plan to do a full game review when it is available.  Stay tuned.

Zodiac Puzzle Giveaway Details

It is easy to enter and there are two ways. Both ways count as an entry so you get two entries if you do both.  I need to be able to contact you if you win. If you enter -  email me with your email address at  marion@grandmachronicles.com.  I will not use your email address for anything except to notify you if you win.  Grandmother’s Honor.

Two ways to win:
Leave a comment here on the blog


and/or


You can have two entries by doing both.  Deadline to enter: May 10, 2017 at midnight. This item can be sent to US addresses only. 




60 comments:

rachael grover said...

wow! what an awesome puzzle!!!
fingers crossed :)
also "liked" your page!
thanks for the chance!

blew415 said...

Great giveaway

Dynalroberson@gmail.com said...

Thanks for the chance. And keep up the good work.

Unknown said...

Awesome giveaway!!

Unknown said...

I think the zodiac puzzle looks really neat! We haven't done too many family puzzles yet, so I'd love to try this one!

Jill J. said...

I love doing puzzles! I have a ton that I've finished and I would love another big one!

Anonymous said...

I have had a huge love of board games since I was a kid and I love all the new types of games they are coming out with too/! It's crazy!! My kids absolutely love any game we pull out and love getting special time with mommy

Dee | GrammysGrid.com said...

Thank you for attending the #WednesdayAIMLinkParty. I shared your post on Pinterest.

♡♥♬ Carolsue ♡♥♬ said...

My son (and his Dad) would go crazy over the Star Wars Monopoly game! Cool prizes!
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

Dee | GrammysGrid.com said...

Those are all cool puzzles. Thank you for linking up at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I shared this post.

Christie Hawkes said...

A toy fair--what fun! I used to love doing puzzles, but it's been a while. I think I'll try one again and see if my grandchildren want to join in. They range in age from 7-17, so I might need a family puzzle. Thanks for linking up at #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty and thanks for the chance to win the puzzle.

Clearissa said...

Thank you for linking up at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I shared this post on social media.

Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond said...

Thanks for sharing with us at #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I've never actually been to a toy fair but I do love puzzles.

wendy browne said...

The sneaker puzzle is really cool, I thought he was holding a real shoe! I dislike board games but did play them with my older kids, especially Sorry!

wendy browne said...

Liked you on FB

Edye Nicole said...

This looks so fun! Thanks for the chance to win.

mia2009(at)comcast(dot)net

Crystal Frey said...

this looks like an amazing puzzle. for sure something i would find at my grandmas. love that you do this.

Heather W said...

Wow, the Toy Fest looked like a lot of fun with so many amazing games and puzzles! Thank you for sharing some of your favorites. My children love puzzles and I'm sure we'd have lots of family fun with it if we did. Thank you for the chance!

Jeremy said...

Thank you for the chance.

Unknown said...

I love playing games, working puzzles, and doing simple crafts with my grandchildren when they visit. Thanks for linking up at #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I'm sharing your post on social media.

Trish said...

Beautiful puzzle! Thank you for the chance!

KayeDean said...

I already like you on FB as Saundra McKenzie. Thanks for the chance.

Anonymous said...

I love puzzles and games, thanks for this wonderful chance to win! ☺

Unknown said...

Liked Facebook page now commenting! Great giveaway!Thanks for the chance!

Unknown said...

thank you for the chance

blew415 said...

Thanks for the chance

Audrey Stewart said...

I am so excited to have found your blog. I signed up for your newsletter. (jozywails@gmail.com)

Unknown said...

I do love a good jigsaw puzzle :)

Rhonda Fuller said...

Hoping I win. I love a challenging puzzle!

Audra said...

I love puzzles!

Marilyn said...

My son and I love to do puzzles together -- this one looks like it would be fun!

Jessica Whitehouse said...

I think the Star Wars Monopoly set would be fun to play with. My family has a tradition of long games of Monopoly at family reunions.

aginglikeafinewine.com said...

My grandchildren and I love to play games together. The Bunny Bedtime game and Hoot Owl game are two that I know we would really enjoy. Thank you for giving us info about them!

Nancy said...

What a lovely collection of games and puzzles you have highlighted!

Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

Nancy said...

I also like your Facebook page.

Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

Amber Cheras said...

This would be amazing! My family would love it! Following on Facebook too!

Summer D said...

The puzzle looks like fun! I have a Peaceable Kingdom game for my boys and love it. I also liked you page.

aperry said...

Awesome. Fb like morrighan Crowe

Meghan said...

Looks great!

heyjudette said...

I love the zodiac puzzle!!!

Aleksandra Nearing said...

I love working on puzzles with my daughter. Thanks for the chance to win!
aleksnearing gmail com

lildevilgirl22 said...

My son loves puzzles and games

elizabeth miller said...

this would be fabulous for summertime with kids home.

[Whatever U are, be a good one!] said...

I would love to win this awesome Zodiac Puzzle for my nieces and son. We all love puzzles :)
Thank You!

ken ohl said...

This would be great for my little niece she would love the games

Aaron said...

I liked The Grandma Chronicles facebook page!

Aaron said...

These look like a lot of fun. I really enjoyed puzzles as a kid.

Yona Williams said...

I think my nephew would really like this puzzle…he enjoys a good challenge. Email: cuse_softie(at)yahoo.com

Unknown said...

That must have been a fun time. My grandchildren and I would really enjoy this puzzle. Thanks!

corey1971 said...

My kids love these kinds of puzzles.

Gammy bear said...

that would be a nice family night project

Unknown said...

I love puzzles that challenges us and this one looks like it!

Kim Reid said...

These puzzles look amazing, would love to enter!
Liked your Facebook page as Kim Reid.
Thanks for the chance!
kimberlybreid at hotmail dot com

Life of a Busy Mommy said...

What great games to start a family game night, liked your facebook as well :)

Laura said...

These look so awesome! My nieces would really enjoy the these! :)

LeAnn Harbert said...

My granddaughters would love to have this.

kdrae said...

I love puzzles! Just finished one today! :) kdraebellamy@yahoo.com

Angela Saver said...

This would be awesome for my niece and nephews! Thanks for the chance!

Andysavi.Mom@gmail.com

David Holland jr said...

This is a great family project

Christina Y. said...

I love puzzles! I just did a puzzle only to be disappointed by noticing that the puzzle was missing two pieces! So sad. So hopefully I can win this one! Thanks!