Play a Fun Boardgame for Family Game Night

If you have children, you may already be aware that electronic games, television shows and the world of apps have been infiltrating their lives. Our 2 little darlings are no exception. They LOVE their gadgets and TV shows, but my wife and I recently started to “unplug”. TV’s are off limits on weekdays and electronic games and apps are off limits on the weekends. Sure, we would love to unplug everything, but lets be real . . . our kids would hate us, so for our sanity too, we choose to slowly ween them off.

Once we made this decision, our next step is to occupy their time in other ways. Play board games with them was a natural fit. At first, it was a bit of a challenge, mostly because I create board games for a living and the SQUIGGLE series of activity and doodle pads, so they have been put through the ringer as my testing guinea pigs.

Playing SQUIGGLE Selection

It has been 3 months and things are looking good on the home front. Now, when their friends come over, they are the ones suggesting they play a game and not sit in front of the TV or ipad. We are really pleased. Board games should be a part of every child's life as they allow kids to express themselves, build self-esteem, encourage creativity, inspire conversations and so much more. So why not pull out a board game this weekend and have some good old family time!

Creative drawings

There's a baby elephant in her tummy!

SQUIGGLE Monsters makes a wonderfully 'unplugged' gift

SQUIGGLE Monsters makes a wonderfully 'unplugged' gift, stocking stuffer and family activity this holiday season! This activity center is great because it encourages children to be creative as they transform squiggly lines into monsters! It′s perfect for taking out to dinner to give the kids something to do while they wait impatiently for their food! For ages 6 and up.

SQUIGGLE Monsters is a fun and creative way to explore the wild and wacky side of your imagination! First you create a squiggly line on the dry-erase board, then you spin the wheels to select a combination of features to make your monster (ie. Two Heads - One Leg Monster). Next, it’s up to you to turn the squiggly line you created into that monster. The best part when you’re done is you get to make up “fun facts” about your monster on another dry-erase area. (i.e. Name, Favorite Food, Job, etc.) Play with friends and create your monster master piece.

A little history of about myself:
As a kid, I was a doodler in school! I was the kid who sat in class and filled my notebook cover with thousands of squiggles, pictures, pattens, and bubble letters. I couldn't and still can't go anywhere without a pencil and paper in hand armed and ready to sketch. I'm a visual person and need to sketch every idea and thought out to get a clearer picture. If I'm at a doctor's office, waiting at the DMV, or just sitting at the kitchen table my pen will uncontrollably begin doodling. Once a doodler, always a doodler. 

Monster markers store under drawing board

Opens like a book

A monster with a long tongue and skinny arms

A monster with spider legs and big lips

Fall Toy Preview in Dallas

Another trade show wraps up tomorrow. I'm heading back from the Dallas Toy Preview where vendors like myself and Toysmith (our exclusive world wide distributor) show new toys and games that are in the pipeline for 2013. This show is a bit different from the New York Toy Fair because you have to set your appointments with buyers. . . . they don't just show up at your booth to see what you have to offer. It would be a costly mistake if you don't plan 4-6 weeks in advance to get the decision makers to your booth.
We met with buyers from the likes of Learning Express, Micheal's, Barnes and Noble, Toys r us and many more to show them what new items we created. This show is a great way to gauge the reaction and interest level of the retail buyers. If you don't get the OK nod when you meet and explain a new product, you can easily go back to the drawing board a fine tune the concept, design and price.
Trade shows can be pretty exhausting, but I'm already looking forward to the next show . . . New York Toy Fair 2013!

Like us on Facebook.