I used to love going to the carnivals growing up and well times have changed long has come and gone the rigged games for a stuffed animal (that you really don’t need or want) or rides that are safe. Most carnivals these days are pretty shady, the rides one step away from dangerous and the games well if you wanna win that big dog… you might as well hand over you’re wallet.
When I heard about the New Carnival Games for Wii I was totally impressed that someone turned all those little one of games and turned it virtual. I cant say I was shocked but excited to see how the translation from in person to online would go. Wii games have dozens of smaller titles that combo up a number of smaller games and this title is no different but the real point is that they have the motion and the skills down!
If you pop some corn and grab some candy you could make a great family night just playing the carnival games for a bit. This is a refresh of the title Carnival Games and has added all new games and every game has multiplayer. If you liked the first one this is a must buy! if you never heard of the first one (I’ll admit it I was in that boat…) I’m glad I found out about this one!
You get 1 extra entry for following 2kPlay on twitter – twitter.com/2kPlay
You get 1 extra entry for tweeting about this contest (you can do this daily). Must contain the following information:
#newcarnivalgames @2kPlay @dadarocks – http://bit.ly/bUyHFm and you must also comment with the link to your twitter message.
Example: I want to win the #newcarnivalgames from @2kPlay Thanks to @dadarocks – http://bit.ly/bUyHFm
You get 1 extra entry for becoming a Fan on facebook – facebook.com/dadarocks you must comment that you’re a fan (and leave a little note on the wall)
You get 1 extra entry for becoming a Fan on of NewCarnivalGames on facebook – facebook.com/NewCarnivalGames you must comment that you’re a fan (and leave a little note on the wall that DaDRocks.com sent you)
You get 1 extra entry for subscribing to our Feedburner digest mailing (right side subscribe by email) – you must also comment that you’ve subscribed
You get 1 extra entry for becoming a friend on Google Connect (right side below facebook box) – you must also comment that you’ve become a friend
You will have 24 hours to reply before we pick another winner!
Disclaimer: Thanks to 2K Play for the prizes for this raffle.
One thing that has really changed in the last few years is the direction of gaming for toddlers and babies. If you would have asked anyone in the industry 10 years ago whats the youngest a game for a kid should be made it was 6… today games are being designed and thought about for kids as young as 2!
Whats great is that I have a 2 year old, when I was invited out to see the not yet finished Sesame Street Wii games I jumped at the chance – first we had just gotten back from Sesame Place and my son had an amazing time! When I first saw these games I was like wow! no really these games are good graphics with a very large educational content component… my son already knows the iPad inside&out and is really ready for the next thing (as I’m also starting to think about focusing on hand/eye movement more and more).
In Sesame Street: Elmo’s A-to-Zoo Adventure, kids head to the Zoo with Elmo, Zoe and their animal friends, as they explore fun games including letter identification, rhyming, letter sounds and color and shape identification. Kids can also explore fun Zoo habitats including the Aquarium, Savanna, Jungle, Wetlands and the Arctic.
In Sesame Street: Cookie’s Counting Carnival, kids join Cookie Monster and Big Bird at a fun-filled carnival, through gameplay steeped in math skills that include number identification, counting, shapes and pattern recognition. Kids journey through the game in the many areas of the carnival such as The Grandstand, Midway, Petting Zoo, Food Court and the Arcade.
Seriously these games were designed for a 2 year old and up… they’ve thought about everything from the idea that the Wii remote doesn’t require line of sight IR (that whole bar in front of the TV) to the a control cover that is of the character of each game!
These are also on the PC but more importantly the DS and come with an extra large Pen for your little one’s hands. Here are some quick run down of some great features of both games.
Gameplay Helpers for Smaller Hands: Available for Wii and Nintendo DS systems, special gameplay helpers simplify gameplay controls and make them more accessible for preschoolers with small hands and developing skills. They will come packaged with the game at no additional cost.
The Wii gameplay helper is a soft and fuzzy character cover with special grips that slips over the Wii Remote, minimizing unnecessary buttons and making it easier and more fun to hold.
The Nintendo DS gameplay helper is a jumbo click stylus designed for smaller hands, simplifying interaction with the touch screen. It features a retractable tip and wrist strap for safety and its soft grip provides for a comfortable grasp.
Parents’ Area: Parents may review games their child has played along with relevant curriculum for each. Parents can also customize up to four profiles and set game limits.
Parent Can Play With Their Kids: TheParental Assist Mode feature allows use of the second Wii-Remote to assist the child through the game, without taking away the child’s remote.
Broad Range of Games: The game features an array of distinct learning games based on a variety of activities, including counting and enumeration, number identification, plus pattern, shape and color identification.
Audio Direction: Game instructions are provided by audio rather than text direction for children with developing reading skills.
Easy to Play: The games are entertaining and intuitive enabling preschoolers to play by themselves. They require minimal button usage. For the Nintendo DS, there’s no required button pushing – only screen tapping or using the microphone.
Player Adaptability: The game difficulty adapts to child’s level.
Active Gameplay: With Wii, game movements are Jump, Tilt, Pump, Scoop, Shake and Toss. All are performed with two hands with a “‘handlebar” grip.
For more information on these games check out http://www.sesamestreetvideogames.com
If you want to order these games here are the Amazon.com links Cookie Monster [Wii | DS] & Elmo [Wii | DS]
How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. November 2, 2010.
You must comment telling us who your favorite Sesame Street character is, please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email)
The Scholastic Store is hosting a Stars Wars event on Saturday, October 23 from 1-5pm. Kids of all ages (and their parents) can hang out with Star Wars Storm Troopers and maybe even a member of the Droid Detachment! There will be classes for young paduwans and a chance to win a copy of the new book, Millennium Falcon.
Scholastic Store has some pretty awesome events coming up and usually they’re free, check the calendar here. While not everyone can make it to the store Saturday for this awesome party – Scholastic is blasting off with a rad giveaway for anyone in the US to win.
I’ve been reading these books (well not Millennium Falcon I’ve put that away since its pretty awesome and sooo not a toddler book, and I really like it myself.) to my kiddo. Its great to connect to something so Daddy – I grew up on Star Wars having an alphabet book that could use the word Droid is pretty cool!
Star Wars: ABC
Star Wars: ABC is an alphabetical adventure through the imaginative and intergalactic world of Star Wars featuring the names and images of the most popular characters, droids, spaceships, and creatures in this galaxy far, far away. Ages 0+, $12.99.
STAR WARS SPACESHIPS
A perfect introduction to the Star Wars universe, this board book features the names and images of the most iconic spaceships coupled with simple text, as the Millennium Falcon, TIE Fighters, and X-Wings blast across outer space. Designed for the young Jedi-in-training, Star Wars: Spaceships will take children to a galaxy far, far away…into an epic story that was a defining moment for many of today’s parents. The Force is strong with this book. Ages 4+, $7.99.
STAR WARS Millennium Falcon
For older STAR WARS fans, this novelty format dissects the most famous ship in the galaxy section-by-section, revealing the ship’s secrets and special modifications. Includes technical notes from Han Solo as well as a detailed overview of each of the ship’s main functions. All ages. For the older Jedi, $21.99.
How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. October 28, 2010.
You must comment telling us who your favorite Star Wars character is, please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email)
I’ve been doing this Kids Club 13 things for a while – the events have been great! super cool, fun and very different places that you can take the family to… if you’re not great at making your own plans then JOIN NOW! they have great events once a month all over the NYC area (and outside northern NJ and Westchester too). This trip around we’re going large we’re going to the Intrepid (can you hear the man grrrr in the back round!) this is totally a trip for Dads to really get involved with!
“Calling All Explorers!” at the Intrepid Museum October 24, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Link:http://kids.thirteen.org/2010/03/02/calling-all-explorers-at-the-intrepid-museum/ Discover and learn about Sea, Air and Space as you explore the Intrepid Museum! Admission is free for Kids Club Thirteen members, and Cyberchase‘s favorite cyber-bird Digit will meet-and-greet fans and hand out free Cyber-goodies in the Kids Club Member Zone!
Join Kids Club Thirteen at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum on Sunday, October 24th!Explore the newly restored areas of the ship, plus aircraft and interactive exhibits that investigate space, flight, water, and life at sea aboard Intrepid. And there’s hands-on fun in the EXPLOREUM! – the museum’s new interactive learning zone.
Cyberchase’s favorite cyber-bird Digit will meet-and-greet fans in the Kids Club Member Zone! Arrive early for great giveaways (while supplies lasts)!
Kids Club Thirteen members receive free admission (don’t forget to bring your temporary card), and enjoy a members-only experience, episode screenings of Cyberchase and special crafts & activities.
Event Schedule
10 a.m – 1 p.m. Member Zone open to Kids Club members –
On-going hands-on crafts & activities, including Cyberchase episode screenings and Digit meet & greet. 11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. ‘Four Forces of Flight’ demonstration led by Intrepid staff 11:30 a.m. – noon Explore Challenge guided tour Group A noon – 12:30 p.m ‘Four Forces of Flight’ demonstration led by Intrepid staff 12:30 p.m. – 1 p.m. Explore Challenge guided tour Group B
Suggested member activities
Weekend Demonstrations 2:00 – 4:00 Families are invited to drop by the Discovery Deck in the Exploreum for a hands-on project that explores the themes of the temporary 27 Seconds exhibit- safety and heroism.
Discovery Cart 2:00 – 4:00 Stop by the Discovery Cart in the Hangar Deck to explore artifacts from the Intrepid during World War II with a Museum Educator.
DAZZLING Performances, Live Concerts, and SPACE-THEMED Activities Highlight All-Day Celebration of the 10th anniversary of the rose center for earth and space at the American museum of Natural History
New Big Bang Presentation Premiers NASA Astronaut Michael Massimino Makes Special Appearance Special Asimov Debate Concludes Festivities in Evening
WHAT To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Frederick Phineas and Sandra Priest Rose Center for Earth and Space, the American Museum of Natural History will host a special celebration for all ages featuring dazzling performances, live concerts, hands-on activities, presentations by Museum scientists, and a special appearance by NASA astronaut Michael Massimino.
Festivities will include the world premiere of the new Big Bang presentation, which takes visitors on an exciting journey through the universe, and of the spectacular AstroBulletin showing a Science Bulletin about the last 10 years of astrophysics.
Celebrating 10 years of achievements in Earth and space science, the afternoon will feature:
Space Panorama: Watch British performer Andrew Dawson as he recreates the historic Apollo 11 flight using only hand movements, facial expressions, narration, music, and a table.
AstroCappella: Rock out to sweet sounds of The Chromatics, a unique singing group that blends astronomy and music to create songs about the universe that are out of this world.
Native American Sky Stories: Listen to Grammy Award winner Joanne Shenandoah and historian Doug George present Native American Sky Stories with music, dance, and more.
Scientists, Activities, and More: Meet Museum scientists, view a Moon rock, experience work in space with astronaut glove boxes, and meet astronaut Michael Massimino.
To conclude the evening, Frederick P. Rose Hayden Planetarium Director Neil deGrasse Tyson will host a special Rose Center Anniversary Isaac Asimov Debate, “Is Earth Unique?”
WHEN Sunday, October 10, 10 am–5:45 pm Rose Center Anniversary Isaac Asimov Debate: 7 pm
WHERE Frederick Phineas and Sandra Priest Rose Center for Earth and Space Rose Center Anniversary Isaac Asimov Debate: LeFrak Theater
ADMISSION All performances and activities from 10 am–5:45 pm are free with Museum admission Rose Center Anniversary Asimov Debate: $15 adults $13.50 Members, seniors and students
I used to love going to the carnivals growing up and well times have changed long has come and gone the rigged games for a stuffed animal (that you really don’t need or want) or rides that are safe. Most carnivals these days are pretty shady, the rides one step away from dangerous and the games well if you wanna win that big dog… you might as well hand over you’re wallet.
