Waiting Game - I Spy Memory Lane

This is currently one of our favorite go to games while on a road trip or waiting at a restaurant.  Here is how you play:

This is a twist on the classic waiting game.  Instead of spying something in the room you will spy something from memory.

For example, you will describe an item that you spy in your mind’s eye from your kitchen, a bedroom, your backyard, etc.  For example, you might say “I spy with my little eye something hanging on the wall in our kitchen”.  Everyone then guesses objects that are hanging on your kitchen wall.  If no one guesses it, give an additional clue ie “I spy with my little eye something blue that is hanging on the wall in our kitchen”.  Continue play until someone guesses the object.

Try describing other objects from a favorite book, play or movie that everyone is familiar with.

Want more games to play while you wait?  

Waiting Games is a download of 20 games to play while you are on a road trip, waiting at the doctor's office or restaurant or sitting around the campfire.  The games do not require any equipment just creativity and imagination.

Find out more here or ADD TO CART below to receive your download via email immediately after payment.

Grow From the Inside

Here is some motivational wall art to print for your family room, kitchen, office or playroom. Everyone can use a reminder to grow from the inside!  Download your Grow from the Inside poster here. 

Screen Time in Adolescents and Depression

A recent research article in Preventive Medicine reviewed data on 435 adolescents over a period of 12 years to determine if there is an association between screen time in adolescents and depressive symptoms in young adulthood.  Data and information was collected on television viewing, computer use and total screen time for the adolescents.  The results indicated the following:

1.  prolonged TV or screen viewing, but not computer use, was related to more depression symptoms in young adulthood.
2.   no significant associations were observed between adolescent computer use and depressive symptoms in young adulthood.

The researchers concluded that limiting screen time, particularly television viewing, during adolescence may be important for preventing depression in young adulthood.

Reference:  Anders Grøntved et al. A prospective study of screen time in adolescence and depression symptoms in young adulthood.  Preventive Medicine. Volume 81, December 2015, Pages 108–113


In can be hard to keep adolescents and teens occupied during down time when they are home.  Set the Record is a super fun game for all ages that only requires stuff you have around the house.  It can be played with one or more players.  We have played this game with different groups of teens and they always ask to play it again.  FIND OUT MORE about Set the Record.

Can You Set the Record?

The Set the Record download is a collection of 25 different finger testing, singing and physical activity challenges.  Pick a challenge and see who can set the record for the fastest, longest, most, shortest and tallest skills! Write down the top scores to keep track of who holds the records for each challenge.  Print as full size pages or smaller cards for travel size. You will need some household items to complete the challenges such as paper, pencils, coins, etc.  Download a free challenge page and try to be the fastest.    Set the Record is also available as a card set.

Only $1.99.  Add to the shopping cart and check out.  You will receive an email with a link to download the games immediately!

Check out all the other Family Game Night Ideas!

What Are Your Child's Strengths?

Children are so overscheduled and busy these days that I think sometimes it results in a lack of children reaching their potential in different areas.  I don't mean being the next professional athlete or singing superstar.  I just mean slowing down and taking the time to develop a well rounded child.  As a basketball coach of young children, I am frequently having conversations with parents suggesting other leisure activities for children.  There is no point in practicing/playing basketball hours and hours per week leaving no time for other activities or unstructured free time.  When we do this, our children suffer.  It does not allow them time to develop other talents/skills.  

Need some help in determining and finding positive attributes and talents in your children?  Start off by finishing some of these statements with your child.  Not only will answering these questions help guide you to where your child shines it may even help your teenager pick a career path as they get older.   

1.  My child is best at…
2.  My child has an amazing ability to…
3.  My child is frequently recognized for…
4.  My child smiles when…
5.  My child is happiest when…
6.  My child participates the most when…
7.  When free time is available my child....
8.  My child is highly interested in…
9.  My child is highly motivated by…
10.  My child takes pride in his/her work when…

Here is a game to play to help remind your child about their positive qualities.  Create a list of different qualities such as patient, calm, cooperative, etc. or use the Positive Affirmation cards below. Choose a quality or flip a card.  Discuss with your child examples of when they have shown each specific quality.  You will see that with certain qualities you will have many examples for your child indicating a strength in that area.  

Positive Affirmation Posters and Cards for Children is an electronic book of 25 positive affirmation posters (8.5" x 11") and smaller cards of the posters (4.25" x 2.75").  Empower children to realize all of their talents.  Positive affirmations help children to believe in themselves.  The posters include simple text, animal pictures that compliment the text and colorful backgrounds.  Hang them up around the house or classroom and provide the child with the small cards to carry around to reinforce the concept.  The poster titles include:

I am strong.

I am unique.

I am kind.

I am helpful.

I am proud of myself.

I am talented.

I am calm.        

I am patient.

I am cooperative.

I am relaxed.  

... and 15 more!

Remember this is an electronic book.  To purchase the download for $5.99 of Positive Affirmation and Cards for Children click on the ADD TO CART button.  Following payment you will receive an email with a link to download the book.  

City Hunt and Find Puzzle

Need something for the older kids to do to keep them busy for a few minutes while waiting, riding in the car or just plain bored?  Here is a challenging puzzle to practice visual perceptual skills.  Print the City Hunt and Find puzzle from Growing Play.  

Need more game ideas?  Check out Category Games.  

Collect Moments Not Things

We are returning from an unbelievably awesome vacation in Florida.  You know what made it so awesome?  We did nothing but go to the beach everyday.  Beach combing in the early morning, then swimming, lunch on the sand and more swimming.  I have to admit it was one of the best vacations of my life.  We all just enjoyed each other's company with practically no bickering.  Doesn't get any better than that!

Definitely makes me realize we need to collect moments not things.  Time goes by too fast!

More to come about our 24 hour road trip to Florida with 6 kids.