ChiIL Holidaze Giveaways 11A: Ice Cool Award Winning Board Game By Brain Games ($39.99 Value)

 Most Awarded Kids Game of 2017 “Ice Cool” 

All unmarked photos by B. Kenaz-Mara, taken at ChiTAG 2017

At the core of Ice Cool are two significant innovations: the box-in-a-box setup and special flicking techniques. 

ENTER HERE 

ENTER HERE FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN ICECOOL ($39.99 value).

Open nationwide/USA through midnight 1/20/18.

A little more than a year has passed since Ice Cool was introduced to the US public at Gen Con 2016. Since then, the game has received 16 prestigious awards from all over the globe, mostly in the children’s games category. In June 2017, Ice Cool received the most significant prize in the board game industry: the Kinderspiel des Jahres Award as the Best Children’s Game of the Year. The game has also received UK Games Expo Award as the Best Children’s Game of 2016 and Deutscher Spielepreis 2017 as the Best Children’s Game of 2017.

This is the first year when Brain Games is exhibiting at ChiTAG Week, the largest toy and game fair in North America targeting families, where the company is presenting its award-winning flicking game Ice Cool. ChiTAG visitors will also have the chance to try out three new children’s games from Brain Games: Woo-Hoo, Reef Route and King Frog, as well as Game of Trains and Logic Cards, which are exciting games for all ages. 

Ice Cool is a children’s game for two to four players aged six and over, which takes approximately 30 minutes to play. It takes you to a penguin school, where rascal penguins have decided to skip class and sneak some fish. The main innovations of the game are the unique flicking technique and the new ‘box-in-a-box’ concept, enabling a 3D game board to be constructed in under a minute.

 

Egils Grasmanis, CEO of Brain Games, says: “As we constantly strive for innovation in every board game we release, ChiTAG’s slogan, ‘Connecting through play and innovation’, perfectly matches our work philosophy and vision. Chicago has one of biggest board game communities in the US, and we are happy and proud to present Ice Cool here. We think it’s great that ChiTAG targets families, given that our main aim is to create board games that help kids, parents and other family members spend quality time together.” 

About Brain Games

In 2004, three board game enthusiasts embarked on a mission to develop the board game culture in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Having started with the localization and distribution of the popular game “Settlers of Catan”, Brain Games is now the largest board game distributor in the Baltic Countries. In 2011, Brain Games began developing and publishing new original games and later established Brain Games Publishing. Since then, Brain Games Publishing has developed and released nine games, which are currently available in more than 40 countries.

Click image below for lots more opportunities to enter and WIN through 1/20/17.
ChiIL Mama's Holidaze 12 Days of Giveaways Gift Guide is LIVE

Holiday Gift Guide, Giveaways, Discount Codes, Product Reviews and More! 

Disclosure: Thanks to Brain Games for providing complimentary games for review purposes and for our giveaway. As always, all opinions are my own.

ChiIL Mama's Holidaze Giveaways 9: 6 Kindie Album Downloads Collection ($56/2 Winners) AND 4 Little Miss Ann Concert Tickets ($40)

TWO GREAT GIVEAWAYS. ENTER EITHER OR BOTH BELOW:

WIN 6 Album Downloads ($56 value) 

From Top Family Friendly Bands including Lisa Loeb, Jack Forman (of Sirius XM & Recess Monkey), Brady Rymer, Little Miss Ann & Amy D, and Miss Jamie! 
2 Winners - open worldwide

AND/OR

4 Little Miss Ann Concert Tickets ($40 value) 1 Winner- Chicago area

Got rock tots, little folk, punk kin, or dance divas? Music is the gift that keeps on giving. It's a great clutter busting idea for Hanukkah, stocking stuffers, advent calendar daily count downs, and gift toppers. We're thrilled to partner up with a number of musicians including Grammy Winners and nominees, Parents’ Choice Gold Award Winners, local Chicago favs, and acclaimed hit makers for our 2017 holiday gift guide. ChiIL Mama's giving away lots of stellar new releases to 2 of our lucky readers here. Best of all, our readers worldwide can enter! You don't need to be local to enjoy this great giveaway. Share the joy of familiar favorites with your friends and family this holiday, and discover something new for you too. These are some of our favorites:

Lisa Loeb - Lullaby Girl  $8.99 download

Pull up the covers and relax with Lisa Loeb and a world-class quartet led by keyboardist Larry Goldings. An Amazon Originals release, Lullaby Girl offers fresh and dreamy arrangements of classic songs from a variety of genres. Lisa’s distinctive voice adds intimacy and expression to these familiar melodies. Hushed and meditative, the recording was co-produced with Lisa's longtime collaborator Rich Jacques and Goldings, who is known for his work with James Taylor, John Mayer, as well as many top jazz artists. World-renowned songwriter and guitarist Adam Levy (who tours and records with Norah Jones and Tracy Chapman) also performs. The album was originally planned as a traditional lullaby record for children. As they began the recording process, Lisa, Larry and Rich found a uniquely different path, and it became clear that this would be a record for everyone. “I’m so excited for everyone to hear this collection of classics recorded with an amazing group of musicians. I feel like we’ve come up with a new take on classics that people will really enjoy. We live in a time where everything happens so quickly, but with this album, you’ll be able to slow it all down and relax!" shares Lisa.

Indeed, Lullaby Girl is an album for insomniacs. Lisa's performance reminds us of why songs like “Be My Baby,” “All the Pretty Little Horses,” “Dream a Little Dream,” "What the World Needs Now Is Love" and “Oooh Child” remain classics. Lisa’s original songs “Close Your Eyes” and "Lullaby Girl" flows right in with the pristine arrangements of tunes like Brian Wilson’s “In My Room” and Annie's“Tomorrow.”


Lullaby Girl is the perfect companion to Lisa's other award-winning family music releases Nursery Rhyme Parade! and Feel What U Feel.


Jack Forman (of SiriusXM and Recess Monkey fame) Solo album "Songs from the Monkey House"  $8.99 download

Jack Forman is the GRAMMY-nominated host of "Live From the Monkey House" on SiriusXM's Kids Place Live, and a member of the acclaimed Seattle family band Recess Monkey.


This collection of twelve songs is his first solo musical endeavor, stitching together hilarious ideas from phone calls with kids with the same high energy excitement for kids that Jack brings to the air coast to coast each afternoon.






Brady Rymer - "Revvin' Up the Reindeer" (a holiday album) $9.49 download

Following eight albums and three Grammy nominations in the Children's genre, Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could introduce Revvin' Up the Reindeer, a holiday album for the whole family. 13 original tunes celebrate the loving, festive jumble of the season: caroling harmonies, brass and bells inflect the band's roots-y, feel-good sound, recalling beloved Christmas standards yet distinctively fresh and new. The title track is a 50's rock 'n' roll romp, imagining Santa with a souped-up sleigh; lyrical accordion embellishes the Klezmer-inspired ''Rainbow Candles''; the hopeful sing-a-long ''Christmas Wishes'' radiates with a lush, Motown treatment, and the band rings out the old and swings in the new in raucous, Dixieland jazz fashion with ''Baby New Year.'' Whispers of holiday standards weave cleverly throughout, conjuring up the magic of the holiday season. Whether you've been naughty or nice, Revvin' Up the Reindeer will be your new Holiday Jam!




Little Miss Ann & Amy D - Keep On $9.49 download and Little Miss Ann Follow Me $8.99 download. 

Little Miss Ann (a.k.a. Ann Torralba), a first-generation Filipina-American is proud to be part of the Chicago Kindie music scene and an instructor at the esteemed Old Town School of Folk Music. She is a former Chicago Public School teacher. This is her fourth album. Little Miss Ann has been called one of the 'most influential kids musicians in Chicago' and 'one of the best local kindie acts' by Time Out Chicago. Little Miss Ann is the founder of the Windy Kindie Chicago Cooperative and co-creator of the Chicago Kindie Sampler. She has guest DJ'ed on the Hilltown Families Variety Show, written about all things Kindie for various websites, produced a popular Nodcast Podcast for the Land of Nod, and contributed a song to Keep Hoping Machine Running - Songs of Woody Guthrie. Ann lives in Chicago with her husband, daughter, and dog.

Little Miss Ann has enjoyed national acclaim and a fervent following for her upbeat, down-to-earth and interactive folksy music. Her fifth album of hopeful and happy songs, Keep On, is the result of a collaboration with children's music newcomer Amy D. Both connected through their dedication to children along with being first generation Filipina American musicians based in Chicago. Keep On ranges in musical styles: Grownups and their offspring both will appreciate the 50's doo-wop sounding song, ''L.O.V.E.,'' the Andrew Bird-meets-Liz Phair ode to Chicago ''The 606,'' as well as re-imagined traditional favorites like the Johnny Cash-esque ''Where Is Thumbkin?'' and a spirited Calypso song that originated in Jamaica called ''Hill and Gully Rider.'' There's even a springy-swingy rendition of ''Tiptoe Through the Tulips,'' blending sweet harmonies, mandolin, and a toy piano.

Miss Jamie's Farm $9.99 download. Miss Jamie is a Chicago favorite of ours. She also has a fabulous selection of original children's books and t-shirts for sale on her site HERE, that are great for stocking stuffers and holiday gifting.

Miss Jamie's Farm is a popular music show for young kids and their families, sharing values from life down on the farm through songs both new and familiar. Sing, dance, laugh and learn with Miss Jamie and her farm puppet friends! 

#1. Worldwide:  ENTER HERE to win all 6 kindie album downloads above ($56 value/2 winners). 2 runner ups will also each win 1 Miss Jamie's Farm $9.99 download as well.

#2. Chicago Area: ENTER HERE 

to win a Family 4 Pack of Tickets to Little Miss Ann Band at 1st Ward/Chop Shop Sat 1/13/18 at 11:30-1pm.

Click image below for lots more opportunities to enter and WIN through 12/20/17.
ChiIL Mama's Holidaze 12 Days of Giveaways Gift Guide is LIVE

Holiday Gift Guide, Giveaways, Discount Codes, Product Reviews and More! 

Disclosure: Thanks to all the bands above for providing complimentary download codes for our giveaway. As always, all opinions are my own.

ChiIL Mama's Holidaze Giveaway 8: Twinkle Play Tents Light Up Dragon Lair and Princess Palace Play Tents (2 winners/ $39.99 Value)

Here at ChiIL Mama we dig play tents. They open a world of creative play for kids and are cozy little spaces kids can make their own. Best of all, they fold down for storage and come with a storage sack. We're so excited to partner up with Twinkle Play Tents with a great giveaway for our readers. Open nationwide to anyone in the USA. We are giving away 1 of each style tent.


Twinkle Tents are the next generation of fun with interactive lights that react to music or kids' voices. We have 2 tents, one of each style to give to 2 of our lucky readers. Specify which tent you want or say either on your entry.

ENTER HERE  for your chance to win either a Dragon Lair or Princess Palace Light Up Play Tent 

Let’s go on an adventure and enter the magical world of Twinkle Play Tents, the light up play tent that puts on a show for you!



From Jay@Play, creators of the popular FlipaZoo and Playbrites, comes the super fun play tent that moves and change colors to music and sounds. Go inside and play your favorite song out loud and watch how the tent lights up to the sounds all day long!



Twinkle Tents come in two styles to be enjoyed. Kids can go for an epic adventure in the Dragon Lair or be the belle of the ball in the Princess Palace. Each tent also comes with one carrying bag and one star light unit.

Twinkle Play Tents™ are brand new and hit store shelves in December!

For more information and ordering please visit www.twinkleplaytents.com.

Click image below for lots more opportunities to enter and WIN through 12/20/17.
ChiIL Mama's Holidaze 12 Days of Giveaways Gift Guide is LIVE

Holiday Gift Guide, Giveaways, Discount Codes, Product Reviews and More! 

Disclosure: It's our pleasure to partner up with Jay@Play and Twinkle Tents. They have provided complimentary tents for our giveaway. As always, all opinions are my own.

ChiIL Mama's Holidaze Giveaways 7: Charms Game ($40 Value)

We've been loving ChiTAG, the Chicago Toy and Game Fair for years. This season we're giving away several of our favorite games from the fair to one lucky reader. We have been given complimentary games for review and for our giveaway. First up we have new release, Charms, A Game of Insight (ages 12+/$40 Value), from Studio 9 Games. We got to meet one of the game co-creators, Lisa Blecker, who had a dream about the game and helped bring it to fruition! Check out the video below for more about game play and the origin of the game. We'll be doing a full review of our own shortly. To order Charms and for more info, check out their site at  www.charmsgame.com.

ENTER HERE  FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN! Open nationwide/USA. Enter early and often through midnight 12/20/17.

For 3-8 players

30-90 minute playing time

Fun, easy to learn party game

Charms is a fun, easy to learn party game where each player takes a turn as the quester by asking a question from the quest cards (or their own question). everyone else finds their inner Sage and tries to write the wisest answer based on the quester's roll of the charms, their meanings, and where they land on the board. The quester then picks the winning answer. The player with the most winning answers wins the game. Understand the game in 4 basic steps. 1. Draw a card, read a question to the Group, and roll 9 random charms onto the board. Remove "out of play" charms. 2. Use the key card to review charm meanings. Other players quickly write an answer to your question based on the charms, where they landed on the board, and what this could mean for you. 3. The answers are read aloud. You pick the one that best answers your question, and the author is revealed as the winner of the round. 4. Pass the charms to the left and play again until everyone has asked a question. The player who writes the most winning answers is crowned the charms champion of insight!

Click image below for lots more opportunities to enter and WIN through 12/20/17.
ChiIL Mama's Holidaze 12 Days of Giveaways Gift Guide is LIVE

Holiday Gift Guide, Giveaways, Discount Codes, Product Reviews and More! 

Disclosure: It's our pleasure to partner up with Jay@Play and Twinkle Tents. They have provided complimentary tents for our giveaway. As always, all opinions are my own.

ChiIL Mama's Holidaze Giveaways 6: Win Happy Salmon Toy of The Year (TOTY) Finalist (Value: 14.99) & 10% Discount Code On All Grandpa Beck's Card Games

Here at ChiIL Mama, we're happy to partner up with Happy Salmon, Toy of The Year (TOTY) Finalist. They have compensated us for sharing this family card game with our readers and/or provided complimentary samples for review purposes and for our giveaway. Looking for great stocking stuffer ideas? We're also partnering up with Grandpa Beck's Games. They're offering all of ChiIL Mama's readers a special 10% off discount code on all of their games now through Christmas! Check out using code: chilgame for your Grandpa Beck's Games. Good on an unlimited number of card games that retail for $12.99.


Happy Salmon, Toy of The Year Finalist: 
The original game (green packaging) was a tremendous success and the follow-up (blue packaging) expands the fun. The blue version utilizes different colors so the two sets can be combined to make one, big, chaotically fun game for 7-12 people!

We're still waiting for our review sample to arrive, so we'll be adding more original photos and a full review down the road. In the meantime, we're giving one away to one of our lucky readers, so you can start the new year off with a new fun family game from Northstar Games!

Get Social:
http://www.twitter.com/NorthStarGames 
www.facebook.com/northstargames/ 
https://www.instagram.com/northstargames/

Happy Salmon is available on Amazon and at most toy/specialty toy stores

ENTER HERE For Your Chance To WIN a Happy Salmon Game Via ChiIL Mama.

Open nationwide/USA. Enter through midnight January 12th, 2018.

Grandpa Beck's Games discount:

ChiIL Mama's readers get a special 10% off discount code on all of their games now through Christmas! 

Check out using code: chilgame 

for your Grandpa Beck's Games discount right here on Amazon. Good on an unlimited number of Grandpa Beck's card games that retail for $12.99.

Here's 3 generations of my family having a blast playing Cover Your Assets, Nuts About Mutts and Skull King. 

On average star ranking on Amazon, of the top 200 family card games, Cover Your Assets had the highest average ranking of 4.89 out of 5 stars! 

Disclosure: We were given complimentary review samples and/or compensated for sharing information about these great family games with our readers. As always, all opinions, photos, and family game adventures are our own. 

GIFT IDEAS For The Disney Pixar Coco Movie Fans In Your Life

Here at ChiIL Mama, we're still reeling from just how epic COCO is! Have you seen it yet? How many times? Check out our full review HERE. Then consider some fun gift giving ideas for the COCO fans in your family.

With Disney•Pixar's smash hit Coco now in theaters it's time to "seize your moment" this holiday season! For families looking for the perfect gift for the little musician in their lives, these Coco related items will be a fun touch.

Disney∙Pixar Coco Interactive Guitar

Licensee: Mattel

MSRP: $29.99

Retailers: Toys "R" Us and shopDisney.com

Availability: Now

Fans of Disney•Pixar’s Coco can recreate music from the movie with this interactive guitar that allows budding musicians to learn and practice, “Remember Me,” a popular song from the film through fully functioning strings, working lights and true-to-movie details. This guitar is topped by a skull that chomps when the first chord button is pressed and also comes with sheet music for kids to practice the day away and become a musician just like Miguel dreams of becoming. 3 “AA” batteries required (included). Ages 3 years and up.

Remember Me - A Loteria Game

Licensee: USAopoly

MSRP: $14.95

Retailers: Toys "R" Us and shopDisney.com

Availability: Now

The ''Remember Me'' game, based on the traditional Loteria game, features beautiful artwork inspired by the film's characters. It's sure to bring family and friends together in harmony.

Disney•Pixar Coco x Cordoba Acoustic Guitar

Licensee: Cordoba

MSRP: $169.00

Retailers: Guitar Center and Music & Arts

Availability: Now

Embark on a musical adventure with the Coco x Cordoba Guitar, inspired by Coco, a film by Disney•Pixar. Built with a spruce top, mahogany back and sides and durable satin finish, the Guitar sounds clear, warm and melodic, just like the guitars in the film. Its soft nylon strings are perfect for beginners and its smaller body (7/8 size) is comfortable to hold and play. The beautiful laser-etched design is inspired by Miguel’s family history and the guitars featured throughout the film.

Disney•Pixar Coco x Cordoba Mini Acoustic Guitar

Licensee: Cordoba

MSRP: $129.00

Retailers: Guitar Center and Music & Arts

Availability: Now

Embark on a musical adventure with the Disney•Pixar's Coco x Cordoba Mini, a fun travel-size nylon string guitar inspired by Coco, a film by Disney•Pixar. Perfectly sized for life's adventures (580mm or 22.8” scale length) and with a durable satin finish, the Mini retains the playability of a full size guitar without losing its impressively loud voice. Built with a spruce top and mahogany back and sides and in standard E tuning, the Mini's tone is bright and full. The beautiful laser-etched design is inspired by Miguel’s family history and the guitars featured throughout the film. Comes with a Córdoba gig bag and guitar strap.

For more great gift ideas and giveaways check back with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often.