Giveaway: Hasbro Travel Game

The wee ones are getting older, which means a few things. First, the games they play are getting more interesting to me. And secondly, we're getting far more busy running here, there, and everywhere.

I'm doing things a little differently from what my mom did in that I don't have the wee ones doing the same activities. They each have their own interests and own activities where they can shine, for the most part. While sometimes that means splitting up the family while Little Miss goes to gymnastics and Mister Man goes to Tae Kwon Do, other times that means Little Miss is sitting around waiting for Mister Man or vice versa.

I'm lucky that the wee ones love to read, as that frequently keeps them occupied (and quiet for other people waiting with us!). Sometimes, however, they prefer to do something else. Growing up, we loved travel games, especially given my parents' propensity towards road trips.

Hasbro recently sent me one of their Fun on the Run games - Perfection. I don't remember that being an option when I was growing up, but I loved the regular size game. I never owned it, but it fascinated me. I played it every time I went to Brooke's house.

I opened it up for the wee ones, and they are fascinated by it. Granted, they can't "win" the game by themselves, but neither can I. I have managed to get all but two pieces in before the center pops out and scatters the pieces everywhere, but I'm just not fast enough. The stress of it just gets to me!

I love that it doesn't require batteries, which always seem to run out. I can see the disaster that would be on a road trip, how about you? Instead, you simply turn the button to the off position, crank the timer, and push down the blue center. When you're ready, flip the button to the on position and see how fast your fingers can fly!

Also smart thinking? There's a little drawer to put the sixteen pieces in when you're finished playing. Little is the operative word, unfortunately. I could make a whole new game of "try to fit the pieces into the drawer all at once." This is definitely something the wee ones won't be able to do on their own. I did finally succeed after many minutes of trying, but it was not easy. I wish the drawer were a little larger!

Playing the game was a hoot, and the wee ones and I enjoyed it. It's not something they could play for hours, but we played it many games in a row, and they were still interested, even though the game is simple enough that Mister Man got it figured out the first time we played. We did alter the rules slightly for play. Two of us worked on it together to ensure we could get the shapes all in before the timer popped them off and tried to beat our fastest times. When working on it solo, instead of trying to beat a time - because we could never get all the shapes in - we competed to see who would have the fewest pieces left to put in when the timer went off.

I love that this is focusing on several areas that are good for the wee ones - especially Mister Man. It is great for hand eye coordination in general and visual perception, as many of the shapes are similar but have to be put into the right spot in the right direction. It's also great for fine motor development, since you're using a pincer grasp to pick up the pieces and spin them to face the right way. Consider it occupational therapy and a game all in one!

Hasbro offers six Fun on the Run games - Perfection, Connect4 (another of our favorites), Trouble, BattleShip (definitely on Mister Man's birthday wish list), Guess Who?, and Hungry Hippos (still a favorite in our house). All the games are under $10 and available now. I'm thinking we might need a few more for our summer "keeping everyone occupied" goal!

I also have a Fun on the Run game to give away to one of you. I can't guarantee which game it would be, but it will be one of the six. Gotta love a mystery, right? So what do you have to do to win? First of all, let me stress that you must follow all the rules. If you do not follow the rules, your entry will not count!

This contest is open until Wednesday May 25 at 7pm CST. I must have a valid way to reach you, so leave me your email address in your comment or be sure your profile has your email address visible. No duplicate comments will count. This giveaway is open to US residents age 18 and older. Winners will be selected via random.org and must respond within 48 hours of being notified by me or I will select a new winner.

Mandatory Entry: What is your favorite game to play?

Bonus Entries (leave a comment for each entry - if you put it all in one comment, I'll count it as one entry):

1) Earn one additional entry for following me on Twitter and tweeting this contest with the following tweet: "Going somewhere with your child? Win a travel game from @honestandtruly to help pass the time http://bit.ly/jU6v1Q" (leave a link to your tweet as your comment and make sure you do all the steps!)
2) Earn one additional entry by following this review blog publicly via Google Friend Connect.
3) Earn one additional entry by following my “regular” blog Honest & Truly! publicly via Google Friend Connect.
4) Like my blog on Facebook and let me know what name you used to like it.

Good luck!

In the interest of full disclosure, I received a travel Perfection game from Hasbro for review purposes only. I was not compensated in any way, and all opinions expressed are my own.