Tryazon Smart Games USA Party

We had a great time trying out fun new games from #SmartGamesUSA at my #Tryazon Game Night. Not everyone could make it, but we still ended up with 10 kids and a handful of adults to play the games.

Game reviews-- my 5 year old was easily able to play all of these games. Even the 3 year old could figure them all out, with a little help. Yet the games were still challenging enough for the 8 year old and even the adults! Even the 1 year old could enjoy the little toys in the Red Riding Hood game and the picture book that came along with it.

Little Red Riding Hood Deluxe

This game starts out very simple, but then the challenges get more complicated. I like the fact that (spoiler alert!) you don't explain to the kids about the flower code at the bottom of the page-- this is something for them to discover on their own. This game requires no reading but lots of thinking, which is awesome for preschoolers. And then can grow with them as they get older. Even before they understand the concept of the challenges, they will have fun putting it together as a puzzle and making their own paths to and from Grandma's house. The possibilities for story telling are endless! (wolf on a path to Red Riding hood, wolf on a path to the house, red riding hood going to the house, etc etc) The picture book is cute and funny and will be different every time you or your kids tell it since there are no words. Great gift for a kid who cannot read or to keep in a center where not everyone reads in english.

Color Code

This one is pretty tricky. My son has a spacial mind and can easily figure out the lower levels by himself. I just gave him the game with no explanation and he started playing it correctly. I have a feeling he will have to help me learn it because I am NOT a spacial thinker and I had difficulty with this one! Would be a great mind game to keep near my desk when I am working so I can start using a different side of my brain.

IQ Puzzler

This one is the hardest for me. Looking at the box, I thought it was marbles, and figured it would be super easy! It is more like Tetris pieces, only they are all balls hooked together in various configurations. My 5 year old and his dad are very good at it (the easy levels, at least) We tried a harder level (where you make a 3d image) and we were unable to complete it, even looking at the solution! So this would definitely be a good gift for an older child or adult, although it is still a fun game to keep young kids hands busy, while they need to sit and listen, etc. Handy that the whole thing is contained so you could take it in the car or throw it in your purse.

Conclusion

I think that these games are great for all ages. They are all for 1 player. If your child has a spacial-thinking mind, they will enjoy them right off the bat. If they don't, they may get frustrated, but the fact that the levels are scaled from easy to master  is helpful because those of us who aren't used to using that side of our brain will benefit from the exercise in something that is difficult for us. I have already started to look through the smartgamesusa.com website for future games we want to try, or give as gifts. Use my code TRYAZON1 to get 15% off any SmartGamesUSA game on Amazon.com!

Feast VoxBox Review for Influenster

I received a Feast VoxBox full of products to review for Influenster! Here's what I thought:

Arnott's Tim Tam Biscuits

These are really good. I had tried them before, and loved them. But the "Tim Tam Slam" was new to me, and now I am a believer! Step one, bite off two corners. Step two, stick it in your coffee and drink it like a straw. (You wouldn't think this would work, since it is not hollow, but it does) Step three, after a few seconds, you can feel the biscuit start to disintegrate, so you "slam" the whole thing into your mouth. It is soft, chocolatey, coffee-y, and SOOOOO yummy. My friends approve, too. We finished off 2 packages in one night.

French's Crispy Jalapenos

I have also tried these before, and they are good. My husband and I like spicy things, so we buy these from time to time, to add a little extra flavor to dishes, esp mexican dishes. I used it as a topping for chili and also as a topping for the Jalapeno Mac N Cheese recipe included with the box. I don't think my friends like spicy food, because I don't believe any of them tried the jalapenos (not really that spicy) but that's ok! More for me!

Country Crock buttery sticks

When I buy margarine, Country crock is one of a few brands I switch between, based on the sale. But free is always good! Used it in the mac and cheese, and will use it for other baking/cooking purposes, too. Not much to say about it... it's margarine. Tastes almost as good as butter, even if it's not as good for you. And cheaper than butter, so that is a plus.

Del Monte Fresh Cut Golden Sweet Whole Kernel Corn

I don't often use canned corn, except in holiday recipes like corn pudding. But I added it to my chili and it added a nice sweetness, as well as bulking it out a bit to feed a crowd.

Bigelow Tea

One of my friends, a tea drinker from Ireland, was excited to use the coupon since she drinks tea every day. These flavors look fun and I will be trying them soon. Can't seem to get the picture to rotate. Oops!

Favorite Product?

Probably the Tim Tams. I am a sucker for chocolate and it is the one thing I wouldn't normally buy myself so it is like a special treat. Thank you to Influenster for letting me try all these products with my friends for free!

Water Wipes Review

I received a sample of Water Wipes to try for free... here is my review!

They were nice wipes. Wet enough, but not dripping. Easy to get out of the package (this is my #1 concern with baby wipes). Nice that they are only two ingredients, so I know they will be gentle on my baby's skin. (Softer than using just a wet paper towel, and more sanitary than a washcloth and water.) But the best part was the smell... the grapefruit extract made them smell so much better than normal baby wipes!

I don't think I would pay extra for these wipes, but if they were the same price as my usual brands, I would definitely switch!