Know of any games that others can play in their spare (however slight) time? Use this space to share them and compare scores (if you want to!) Although I'm NOT a very competitive person. . .it's fun to play games AND it keeps your mind active! This may become a circle for "grandmas" more than "moms" (since grandmas may have more free time?) When I was guided to this site, I think it was from the site http://www.lumosity.com/games (or at least I was there just before coming here) and this is the site that lead me to the lumosity site. . . http://games.orangeshark.com/viewprofile.php?enx=ODAwNzMxMjk= Hint: You can also play buddy challenges with all your friends here. . .I have heard this GameShark puts a "tracking cookie" on your system, so take that into consideration (but I haven't found it to be a problem. . .let me know if YOU find out otherwise, OK?) Just HAVE to mention one more that I try to play once per day! http://arcade.freepcvideogamesonline.org/index.php Try the Hexiom game (see link below) with 40 levels. . .I need to put a one hour limit on my playing (or I'd never get any work done!). . .WARNING! It Can Be Addictive! http://arcade.freepcvideogamesonline.org/34797-Hexiom-Connect.html Thanks for joining in this circle. . .hope you like it and by all means have fun!

Hi All! I am pleased to announce that the September addition of the Let Kids Play Newsletter has just been published. This month's featured playground is Morgan's Wonderland. It will be a 26 acre accessible playground in TX. You have to read it to believe it. You can get a link to all of the toys I reviewed last holiday season--over 50 toys. Start planning your holiday shopping now. There is also an article about our new website www.accessibleplayground.net which includes a directory of accessible playgrounds throughout North America. The link to read the newsletter is http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/461203/fa05dd30ed/1681501428/46164d8a11/ If you enjoy it, make sure you visit www.letkidsplay.com and sign up to receive it on a regular basis. Mara

Not only is http://www.fatbraintoys.com/toys/brands/blue_orange/games.cfm?AID=1005  an Eco-Friendly company it makes some of the best games around. Blue Orange Games has over 20 games designed for kids, families and adults. Blue Orange Games are made of wood, in order to provide quality and durability, warmth and appeal. Blue Orange uses natural playing materials. Pine, Birch, Beech are among the trees planted by Blue Orange Games for renewal of the environment. Blue Orange plants two trees for every tree used to create Blue Orange games.http://letkidsplay.blogspot.com

Another year of 50 Toys in 5o Days has come to an end. As usual we talked about a lot more than 50 toys. I think it was closer to 125 toys. I hope that you enjoyed what you read and will keep it book marked as you look for toys throughout the year. You can always start your shopping at the http://letkidsplay.blogspot.com/ --we will always direct you to the best toy stores.In case you missed anything, here is a complete list of toys we recommended this year, sorted by the store where you can purchase them. If you have suggestions for next year or any other comments, I would love to hear them.I hope that all of you have a wonderful holiday season, whether your holiday is over or is just starting. Spend time playing with your kids during their winter break. Remember, every child (and adult) needs to play for at least 60 minutes every day.Mara

For Students Raised on iPods, Lessons in Bridge YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, N.Y. — Four bridge players stared down at their cards, trying to determine which team would play the role of the so-called declarer and dummy. Then one of the four, Max Plati, 8, dissolved into laughter as he mouthed to the boy sitting across from him: “You’re the dummy!” Their teacher, Eileen Crowley-Bloss, reminded her second-grade students at the Thomas Jefferson School that in bridge, the meaning of “dummy” is “silent partner.” Even more unfamiliar, though, may have been the students’ quiet play and earnest concentration, all without the involvement of an electronic device. Chess is still the game of choice among educators, but bridge is catching on at a growing number of schools, community leagues and recreational centers across the nation, many of which see the card game as offering similar mental benefits to those of chess, but with a social component. The Lakeland district in this northern Westchester County town began teaching bridge this year as a way to both reinforce math and problem-solving skills and to socialize a generation of children raised on solitary pastimes like playing video games and listening to iPods. Now kindergartners here learn to sort suits and high and low numbers, while older students play in bridge clubs and compete online in virtual tournaments. Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/25/education/25bridge.html?_r=1&hpw

My daughter loves her Megabloks and they have a new family site I thought I would share. The site is really great and I want to pass it along. When you become a member of the Mega Bloks Family Club, you receive some great discounts including: a $5 PRINTABLE COUPON off any Mega Bloks purchase of $30 or more, other exclusive OFFERS, CONTESTS, SWEEPSTAKES and PROMOTIONS on Mega Bloks toys, information on NEW Mega Bloks toys for kids ages 1 to 6, an EDUCATIONAL and INFORMATIVE BLOG by a leading panel of mom bloggers with articles on the benefits of construction toys, product reviews, pictures and more and a FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER with great new building ideas, toys for kids ages 1 and up and more. Here is the website to sign up: http://familyclub.megabloks.com.

Nintendo Unveils New Gaming Console Called WiiU, Nintendo introduced this multifuction controller that also features a 6.2-inch screen at an event held at the Nokia Theater hours before the opening of E3 in Los Angeles. Check out the video on USAToday.com: http://www.usatoday.com/video/index.htm?bctid=982234042001#/Nintendo+unveiled+its+new+game+console/982234042001 I'm not sure how I feel about this. I'm in love with my Wii and I didn't think they could do anything better. I liked it because it was different, and now I feel like Nintendo is going in the direction of all the other gaming consoles. What do you think?