games Archives - The Mom Maven

Awakening Kingdoms for iPad-Review

cindy — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 18:00:37 +0000

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in this post are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”My husband and I both like playing hidden object games. We really like them when there is a story line that connects the puzzles. In Awakening Kingdoms for iPad you find both of these things, and more!

About Awakening Kingdoms

Awakening Kingdoms is the latest creation of Boomzap, Inc which is published by Big Fish Games, Inc. The game features a journey to faraway lands as you venture to Skyward Kingdom and restore a magical castle that has been over run by a curse. Throughout the game you are the creator of your own fairy tale as you meet enchanting citizens and complete magical quests in an effort to return the kingdom to its former glory.

Mom Maven’s Thoughts

Personally, I would not allow a young child to play this game because of the “magical” theming. While I have yet to encounter any black magic or witchcraft I would recommend that parents proceed with caution. I have enjoyed playing this game so far. While I appreciate the fact that I need to stop playing when I run out of energy, sometimes it also drives me crazy. I only allow my self to play games during certain times of the day and I hate having to stop a game because I ran out of energy before my allotted time ran out. Overall it is a fun hidden object game available in the app store for iPads and iPhones.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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This Winter Apples to Apples Goes Digital and Social!

cindy — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:14:41 +0000

I love all kinds of games and Apples to Apples has been a family favorite for years so I’m excited to announce that:

This December, THQ Inc. and Mattel bring families everywhere the ability to experience Apples to Apples, the game of hilarious comparisons, on their favorite game consoles. Additional social and mobile applications are set to launch later this winter.

This holiday season, Apples to Apples will delight players and bring families together using PlayStation Network for PlayStation^®3and Xbox LIVE^® Arcade for Xbox 360^®, just before expanding onto Facebook and mobile devices. The digital versions of Apples to Apples will feature social gaming connectivity capabilities, allowing family and friends to share or play anytime, anywhere – in the same room or on opposite sides of the world!

“We are thrilled to work with Mattel to bring Apples to Apples to the digital gaming space – it’s the perfect fit for social and mobile play. With multiple platforms and innovative connectivity, players will be able to enjoy the game wherever and whenever they want to play,” said Martin Good, Executive Vice President of PlayTHQ^®, the company’s division for kids, family and casual games. “We built a truly dynamic digital environment for Apples to Apples and can’t wait to deliver it to the fans.”

Loved for its zany spontaneity and humorous results, Apples to Apples is the ultimate icebreaker. The family game favorite challenges players to outwit and anticipate the actions of others while taking into consideration personality, preferences and individual senses of humor. Apples to Apples is a word comparison game that requires strategic thinking and allows players to learn while having fun.

On Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360 and PlayStation Network for PS^®3 the game will feature single-player, local and online modes for up to six players. Apples to Apples also comes packed with all-new customizable play modes, vibrant backgrounds, and Golden Apple cards, which can be used to change the rules in fun new ways. Participants can choose between 16 animated avatars such as Pirate Apple, Cowboy Apple and Ballerina Apple. Players will also be able to post game results and boast of their clever comparisons on Facebook to earn additional rewards.

Upcoming downloadable content for the console versions will include new Golden Apple cards, party backgrounds, and new playable apples. More than 1,000 additional cards are also bundled into the content packs to keep gameplay fresh and exciting.

Later this winter, Apples to Apples fans will be able to enjoy the classic card game experience on Facebook and mobile devices. Players will be able to simply jump into existing games within the growing Apples to Apples community, or create their own custom experience for their friends and favorite players. Innovative cross-platform play means the experience is as mobile as it is social. Facebook users will be free to challenge their friends using their smartphones, making Apples to Apples a truly connected digital experience. In Facebook and mobile application gameplay, participants will earn Apple Coins, Apple Cash and Apple Achievements, which unlock additional avatars, playing cards and themed backgrounds.

Apples to Apples is scheduled for release this winter on Xbox Live Arcade for Xbox 360 (800 Microsoft Points), PlayStation Network for PlayStation 3 ($9.99 USD), Facebook and mobile devices.

We don’t have a PlayStation or an Xbox so I’ll have to wait for Facebook and mobile play but I’ll be playing as soon as I can! What about you? Are you an Apples to Apples fan?

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Holiday Gift Guide: CSN Stores $45 Giveaway

cindy — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 17:46:08 +0000

I love partnering with CSN Stores because they have over 200 online stores where you can find everything from stylish furniture, to a leather briefcase, to toys or great cookware! As a preferred blogger with CSN Stores I will be bringing you more product reviews and giveaways as we head into 2011. Since this giveaway is perfectly timed for Christmas shopping I thought I’d tell you about some of the fun toys and games you could buy with your $45 gift card.

The Fischer-Price Fun with Friends Musical Table is $40.05 and perfect for children 9mos-3 yrs. This bi-lingual activity table has interactive characters to entertain and expand creative play.

The K’NEX Connect n’ Build Moto Bots Chomp is a great gift for kids ages 7+ and at only $25.99 your child can have hours of creative fun! Of course if you win, you can use your gift card for whatever you like from any of the 200+ CSN Stores.

Mandatory 1st Entry Visit the CSN Toy Store and look around. Then come back here and leave me a comment telling me what you might buy if you won.

Bonus Entries Leave a separate comment for each

Blog subscribers, GFC friends, networked blog followers and Facebook likers get 1 entry each
Tweet about this giveaway-Tweet MUST include @MomMaven and a link to this post (you may do this 2x a day)
Use the button at the bottom of this post to “Like” it on Facebook
Leave a comment on a non-giveaway post (you may do this up to 5x)

The winner will be chosen by Random.org at 9pm ET on December 2nd. US entries only. This giveaway is now closed.

Disclosure: I received nothing in exchange for hosting this giveaway. All opinions are 100% mine.

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Holiday Gift Guide: Around the Table Games

cindy — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 16:15:08 +0000

We love to play games as a family. Though I’ll admit, most of the games we play become rather competitive…we do try to be good sports win or lose. This week we played Family Talk and Teen Talk from Around the Table Games and we had a lot of fun and learned some new things about each other too. This weekend my 15 year old son is at a Youth Convention for church. I sent the teen talk cards with him and I can’t wait for him to come home so I can hear about the conversations they had!

Around the Table games are perfect anytime games because you can answer 1 card or 50 cards there is no start/finish line to cross. They are great to play while waiting for your food at a restaurant, on a car trip or even while waiting in line at your favorite theme park. Around the Table games are portable and even come with a carabiner so you can clip it to your purse or backpack. Families are so busy that sometimes we really don’t talk anymore. Around the Table Games will get you talking.

Around the Table Games are great for the entire family ages 3-103. They are also affordable ranging in price from $7.99-$9.99. You can purchase them from the Around the Table website or many national retailers, they even have an iPhone app! Around the Table Games make great Christmas gifts or stocking stuffers for the families on your shopping list.

Around the Table Games is giving away 1 game of the winner’s choice to a reader of TheMomMaven.

Mandatory 1st Entry:Visit the Around the Table Games website and look at their products then come back here and tell me which game you would like to win and why.

Bonus Entries: Leave a separate comment for each

Like Around the Table Games on Facebook and leave a comment on their wall that TheMomMaven sent you.
Follow @aroundthetable and @MomMaven on Twitter
Tweet This @MomMaven My family wants to #win @aroundthetable games for Christmas http://bit.ly/9gJhTy ” (you may do this 2x a day leave the tweet URL in your comment)
Blog subscribers, GFC friends, Networked Blog followers and Facebook likers each get 1 entry
Leave a comment on a non-giveaway post (you may do this up to 5 times-let me know which post you commented on in each entry)

This giveaway is for US entries only and will end at 9pm ET on December 2, 2010. The winner will be chosen by Random.org. This giveaway is closed.

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Family Game Night

cindy — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:24:00 +0000

I have always loved to play games. Board games, card games, video games-I love them all. Whenever we get together with extended family we play games. On my side of the family the current favorites are Golf (card game), Sequence, 500 Rummy and Yahtzee Free for All(which we call ‘Mean Yahtzee’). We are so competitive there is now a “Current Champions” list that hangs in my mom’s kitchen and shows who won the latest round of each game. On my husband’s side of the family the games are Mexican Train Dominoes and UNO Attack!®.

Playing games are great for bonding, memory making and just plain fun. For the last few years I have hosted Game Night at our church. One Friday night a month people ages 16 and up bring their favorite game and a snack or soda to share and we fellowship, learn new games and make new friends. We have learned a lot of great games at game night including Golf and Farkel

This school year we have added Thursday night family night to our schedule and most family nights are game nights-with the occasional movie night sprinkled in. We take turns and each week a different family member gets to pick the games we play that night. We have had a lot of fun taking time out every week to play together.

This Friday night on Twitter there is going to be a sitewarming party with great prizes. We will be introducing the new Family Game Night feature at timetoplaymag.com. RSVP to the party by clicking the sitewarming link above. I will see you there!

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I Hope you had a Merry Christmas

Cindy — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 20:05:00 +0000

I hope you and your family had a Merry Christmas. We had a great Christmas. Our Christmas Eve service at church was a little different than usual. It was an object lesson on the symbols of Christmas with classic Christmas hymns sprinkled throughout. It was very interesting.

We spent the next 3 days visiting my parents who live 30 minutes south of us. My sister, brother-in-law and niece and nephew round out the celebration. Thursday is filled with presents, food and video games.

Friday we spend most of the day playing board games, card games and video games. Friday night my niece and nephew sleep over with my kids. Saturday morning is filled with more video games. At about noon we head to the bowling alley.

My mom wasn’t going to bowl so that left 7 bowlers. Since my boys bowl on a homeschool bowling league and my husband and I bowl fairly regularly we decide to put the 4 of us on one lane and my dad, who hasn’t bowled in over 30 years and then it was candlepin bowling, and my niece and nephew on the lane next to us with bumbers. We bowled 2 games and had a lot of fun.

Then it was back to the house for lunch and more games. We headed home around 8pm ready for a good night’s sleep in our own beds. We will be back at my mom’s this week to ring in the new year and watch a lot of college football bowl games. I hope your Christmas was filled with family, food and fun too!

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