LilSugar

15 Favorite Family Board Games

LilSugar — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 06:00:01 -0700

Board games are a timeless way to gather the family for an hour or two of fun. What child didn't satisfy a sweet tooth with a trip across the Candy Land board or become a small sleuth figuring out the culprit in Clue? While many of these great games have only changed their graphics over the years, new ones have also hit the toy store shelves. Take a look at our 15 favorite board games for families to enjoy! Source

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Sibling Shower: Games and Activities

LilSugar — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:00:20 -0700

Once you've gathered a few lil ones to celebrate the soon-to-be big sis or brother's sibling shower, let the games begin! To hold tots' attention, keep the activities short and engaging. Start with a round of baby bingo to familiarize the future sibling with items that the family's newest addition will need.

You can download this very design for your party here! All you have to do is click on the links below to download the PDFs and print from your computer. You will need:

Bingo card set one and set two to pass out to guests (each print out has a card for two players). Youngsters can cover the items called with M&M's.
Bingo icons, which you will print and cut with scissors.

Next, play a "guess the number of gummi bears in a bottle" game. Fill a glass bottle with gummi bears, which you have counted, then pass it around and have guests write down their guess of how many yummy gummis you've crammed into the space. Use this customized Gummi Bear Bottle Game sheet to record the guesstimates. And, award prizes to the winners.

These designs are an extension of a collection of adorable baby shower invitations we've created exclusively for pingg! Pingg allows you to email invites to a guest list or print and mail, and send reminders via SMS, online, Facebook, Twitter, and more!

Don't forget to enter our fabulous April Showers Giveaway for a chance to win a $2,500 gift card to put toward your babe's nursery and/or necessities for your child at Pottery Barn Kids!

Five Lazy Games to Play With Your Tots

LilSugar — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 06:00:17 -0700

Kids have an abundance of energy so when mom gets tuckered, she still has to keep her preschool and toddler charges entertained. Here are five lazy games that are perfect for playing when the children need to be occupied and a tired mama wants to sneak in a bit of rest and relaxation. Source

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Toy Box: Playskool's Noodleboro Learning Games

babysugar — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 09:00:25 -0700

In this world of instant and text messaging, cell phone conversations and general rudeness, it is a wonder our children have any sense of social skills at all. Teaching children manners is never an easy task, but it becomes even more difficult when there are so few good examples. The team at Playskool recently introduced a new line of board games designed to introduce social graces to the junior set. The Noodleboro line includes three games that teach manners, listening and sharing. Each game comes with a book and CD featuring a story to go along with the game's theme and some fun songs that support the social skills. We had the opportunity to test out the games over the past week. Take a look at the slideshow here to see what we thought of these products.

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Do You Know Your Classic Games?

babysugar — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 07:00:40 -0700

There is nothing like a classic game night to bring back memories of my childhood. I remember sitting around the kitchen table and battling it out with my parents and sister as we played endless rounds of Uno and Monopoly. As I begin introducing my daughter to the world of board games, I thought it would be a good opportunity to see how well you remember a few of the classics.

Source

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Good Things Come in Small Packages: Games

LilSugar — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0700

Every party needs a lil icebreaker. So the clothespin game is a simple way to encourage mingling at a baby shower.

Hand one small pin out to each of your guests and ask them to secure it to a visible place like their shirt or jacket label. To see how to play, read more.

Once everyone has placed their pins, choose a word like "baby," "boy," "girl" or one more specific to the mama-to-be's pregnancy and announce it.

If anyone hears someone say the forbidden word, they can take their pin. The person with the most pins at the end of the shower wins.

Kiddie Soiree: Baby Shower Gift Opening Tip

babysugar — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:00:30 -0800

Unlike some kiddie birthday parties, it's completely kosher to open the gifts at a baby shower.

But, some full bellied women shun the spotlight when it comes to fawning over bottles and diaper bins. So take some of the heat off the mama–to–be and engage the guests with a present opening game that livens things up. To learn about the time saver, read more.

When it's time to open the gifts, ask everyone to sit in a circle and have the hostesses pass each one a present. Each person opens the gift she is holding at the same time. Then the expectant mom goes from person to person, holds up the gift and announces who it's from.

While this speeds up the present process, nothing is lost since everyone sees the adorable onesies, bunny chair and silver spoons. It just allows for a quick return to the sparkling cider and mimosa bar!

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Lil Tip: Rain, Rain, Go Away

babysugar — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 04:00:33 -0800

It seems like every time I watch the weather channel, a neon green blob is covering most of the country. It indicates rain and snow for oodles of Americans. While it makes great weather for nice cozy fires, it can also create madness indoors, especially if you have tiny ones. To find some ideas on how to keep your family from getting cabin fever, read more.

Make a collage from newspapers, magazines and your own family photos.
Create a fort or tent using sheets, boxes or other household items.
Fill a big plastic bin or bathtub (plugged up) with dry beans, pasta, beads, and rice and have a bathtub sandbox. Just remember to clean it out before you take the plug out!
Pop some popcorn and slide in an old family movie.
Have an indoor picnic on a blanket in the living room.
Set up some empty plastic bottles and use a ball to play some indoor bowling.
Create an obstacle course using chairs, beds and ottomans to burn some energy.
Play dress up and have a fashion show.
Pull out the markers and paper and make cards for your loved ones.

These fun family oriented activities may have you wishing for more rainy days!

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10 Go-To Gadgets For Protective Parents

LilSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:00:27 -0800

Parenting can be a game of 20 questions. Too hot? Too cold? Hungry? Hurt? Sick? It's a never-ending guessing game and while relaxed moms are not afraid of the unknown, the more protective types are willing to spend a few extra bucks in hopes of getting an edge on caring for their little ones. Check out this selection of ten gadgets safeguarding parents will want in their bag of tricks.

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Lil Links: Ava and Richie Sambora Step Out For a New Moon

babysugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:00:38 -0800

Papa Richie takes Ava out for a New Moon - Celebrity Baby Scoop
Adriana Lima and Marko Jaric welcome daughter Valentina - Celebrity Baby Blog
Get the original artwork from your favorite children's book - Cool Mom Picks
10 tips for a greener Thanksgiving - CafeMom
Airbrushed baby photos spark controversy - ParentDish
Beware the hidden dangers of online video games - MomLogic
A tribute to Costco disposable diapers - The Poop
Holiday card trends for 2009 - Stroller Traffic
8 discipline mistakes parents make - Parenting