Horticulture Game Review

If you read my blog regularly or follow me on instagram, you probably know that I'm a HUGE FAN of roll and write games!  I even wrote an entire blog about great roll and write games!  So when I find a new game that fits into the roll and write genre (or its sister genre, flip and write games) I have to try it!  And when it's about plants - another love language of mine - well, that's just too good to pass up!  That's why I'm thrilled to introduce you to Horticulture, by Last Night Games! But first, I thought I'd explain a little more about what a roll and write/flip and write game is to anyone who may not be familiar...

Button Shy Games Review

 As a mom of 3 kids, I'm constantly looking for small box games that I can easily bring to restaurants, waiting rooms, and on trips.  It's great to have a few game options with me, but space can be awfully limited - unless I'm willing to lug around an extra bag.  That's why Button Shy is such a brilliant company!  All of their games are wallet-sized! Literally!  You can slip them in your wallet!  You can't get any more portable than that!  And the fabulous folks at Button Shy were kind enough to send me three of their amazing games for review!

Trio Card Game Review

 As gameschoolers (and a game reviewer), we own a lot of games.  We have big, elaborate games that take a long time to play. We have medium and light strategy games. We have tons of learning games. But we also have lots of small, quick card games.  Sometimes there isn't time for a huge board game.  And a quick card game can scratch that gaming itch in a pinch! That's why I'm thrilled to share Trio, by Happy Camper Games with all of you!

The Finest Fish Board Game Review

Try your hand at fishkeeping. Be one of four players in this puzzly, tile laying game and play a fish owner competing at the National Goldfish Competition. Will your goldfish be voted the most beautiful and win the coveted Best In Show award?

The Finest Fish, by Last Night Games, is a pattern building and tile placement game for 2 to 4 players that takes 30 to 60 minutes. 

Sharks! Board Game Review

I have an elementary-aged homeschooler who is a HUGE fan of all things marine biology, so I jumped at the opportunity to review Sharks, published by The Dietz Foundation. My gameschooling Insta-friend, Kristen Mott, over at family.boardgaming on Instagram created this game!  

Review of Unforgiven: The Lincoln Assassination Trial, by Green Feet Games

 As a homeschooling/gameschooling mom, I'm always on the lookout for educational games. But sometimes the search can be difficult.  A game can be extremely educational, but if it isn't fun enough to play, the educational content isn't of any use - because my kids won't play it. Finding a game that's both educational AND fun is key.  That's why I love sharing the games I've found with you, my readers!  If I can help you find fun, educational games to use with your own kids, I feel like I've done a good deed!

Some educational subjects are easier to find than others.  For example, there are lots of great games that introduce or enforce mathematical concepts.  And any game that includes reading/writing/creating words is a great language arts game (learn new vocabulary words, practice reading and spelling, etc.).  But American History games that are fun and don't take hours to play are fewer and farther between.  That's why I'm so excited to introduce you to Unforgiven: The Lincoln Assassination Trial, by Green Feet Games!

Great Titles From Sweet Bros Games!

The amazing folks at Sweet Bros Games were kind enough to send me several of their games for review! What a treat! Their games are so cute, and they all looked like interesting family themes, so I was thrilled to try them out with the family this past weekend.

Wingspan Fan Art Pack Review

Recently, the wonderful folks at Stonemaier Games sent me a copy of their Wingspan Fan Art Pack for review.  I had already reviewed the Wingspan base game for them and my hubby and I both LOVED it, so I was more that excited to review this new set of cards!  And, as usual, Stonemaier and Wingspan did NOT DISAPPOINT!

Things I loved about this expansion:

Our Favorite Educational Podcasts

     As a homeschool mom, I'm constantly looking for ways to add educational value to our days without adding a ton of extra worksheets and schoolbooks.  Don't get me wrong, we have some great curricula that we really enjoy.  But as homeschoolers, we often learn best when we're engaged in some way other than a textbook. (And I say "we" because I consider myself less of a "teacher" and more of a "lead learner."  I've thoroughly enjoyed learning right along with my kids!)

Trekking the National Parks and Trekking the World Review

 As I'm sure you're already aware, I'm a HUGE fan of using games for educational purposes.  And while I firmly believe that ALL games have educational value of some sort, there are definitely games that are more educational than others.  And Underdog Games definitely fall in the "more educational" category. The fabulous folks at Underdog Games were kind enough to send me two of their games for review, and let me tell you, I am BLOWN AWAY!