Some May Call it Hullabaloo

As the gathering season is approaching, there is a lot of talk about how to avoid certain topics of conversations with family and friends. Allow me to make another suggestion, that has nothing to do with those adult talking topics… rather something, hopefully, light hearted. Unless you get too competitive and need to dial back some relatives. Which can happen, so be prepared to have a cool down spot for children as well as adults who get too competitive 😂

Games. Now, I was the kid and now the adult that does not have the patience for monopoly or any game like it, to those who can play these games- bless you! The games on my list today will be most likely noisy and fun, laughter inducing games.

One of my all time favorite games that I purchased when keeping children is Hullabaloo by Cranium. I have literally played this game with more kids than I can count. I took it with me to people’s houses, I took with me when I would keep kids at conferences. When my niece and nephew got hooked on it, I would tell them stories of the kids, now big kids and adults, who I “originally” purchased it for, they were in awe 😂. There is a something about this game, so let me warn you: you can hear it play all day or you can’t stand the game (or at least that’s what I’ve gathered from the other adults in the presence of this game being played). It calls out silly things to do, spin to a purple hullabaloo, walk backwards to a musical instrument (printed on the hullabaloo “spots”). The definition of Hullabaloo is this: a loud, continued noise or mixture of noises. Other words: clatter, hoopla, babel, ruckus. I define all these words as “Let’s have fun!” It’s a great get rid of energy game!

In the picture today, good ole’ fashioned Bingo is a game played a lot in our house. Of course, the toughest choice is who gets to spin the cage and who gets to call the letter and numbers. And then it usually ends up only one or two people actually playing, but we are together and that’s what matters most! (Throw in some matchbox cars to roll during the breaks 😉 And build a fort with the couch cushions)

Another game in the picture is Rush Hour, this was given to my nephew. This is an amazing brain stretching game. It can be played by yourself or with others. Or you can watch your aunt struggle, as my nephew did, and get the best laughs out of her trying to work the cars out of rush hour! Some of the best laughs ever!!!

Some of my favorites that are classics: The Game of Life, Chutes and Ladders, Pick up sticks, Guess Who (the electronic version is awesome- you can switch out the people/animals/etc), Eeboo and Melissa and Doug make classic card games with fun designs: Go Fish, Old Maid, Animal Rummy, Crazy 8s. Marbles and Jacks are always fun pocket games that are perfect to teach new generations.

Card Games: Apples to Apples, Age Gap, Happy Salmon, Dirty Pigs, Funky Chicken, NC Trivia Game by Our State, Slamwich, USA Bingo by Eeboo, Taco Cat Cheese Pizza, Santa Cookie Elf Candy Snowman.

Board Games: Scrambled States of America, Tea Party Game by Eeboo, The Picnic Game by Eeboo.

Active Games: Charades for Kids, Drop Shot, Tiki Toss (also has different variations)

https://shop.ouisi.co This game gets you thinking. But also brings out a creative side. I can’t do it justice, so check it out!

Find It! Games are awesome for car rides, waiting rooms, or a little competition 😉 https://www.finditgames.com/?

Brands that I love: Buffalo Games (Skee-ball is a favorite!), Blue Orange Games, Peaceable Kingdom Games, Gamewright (also have a wonderful “Little hands card holder” – great for all ages!), and of course, Eeboo and Melissa and Doug.

All of these games can be found at most local toy stores, or on their online stores. Support small and local 😊

Now, one serious thing as I wrap it up today. I don’t know how to say this politely or flowery, so I am just going to risk the fact of being judged for this. I am overcome with the amount of inexcusable language that has infiltrated our daily lives. It’s everywhere. Music, TV, Books, News, conversations, it’s become so common and so normal that I know I find myself thinking and sometimes slipping, just because I hear the words ALL THE TIME!! We cannot criticize our children when this is all they hear too. I don’t know if this is how you feel about expletives. I know it’s always been in entertainment, but it’s in most all entertainment, news, books, conversations now. I don’t know how to “fix” the music and shows and news that I really love and want to enjoy. I am only asking beware, be alert, try not to let it just become a normal way of communicating. And maybe just maybe we can start to ask those who influence us, why? Is it really necessary?

Also- watch out for those relatives that make up games like “cuss words for a quarter.” 😂💕

Life book of the Week: Milly and the Macy’s Day Parade, by Shana Corey