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Category: Kids & Parenting

April is National Autism Awareness Month

Posted on March 27, 2014March 28, 2014 by Corinne Marcot-Jones

April is National Autism Awareness Month. I’m a mother of a child with autism and I, along with so many parents, live with this awareness everyday. The professionals that work with children on the spectrum have dedicated more than their careers towards helping these children. They have dedicated their hearts as well and I’ve had the privilege to work with great teachers, speech pathologists, ABA therapists, and occupational therapists. Blue Orange Games is fortunate to work with so many of these professionals and organizations. We have heard wonderful stories about how many of our games are used as tools for kids on the autism spectrum.

We have a special guest post from one of these dedicated professionals. Rebecca Klockars is an Occupational Therapist with 10 years of pediatric and geriatric experience.

April is National Autism Awareness and National OT Month

by Rebecca Klockars

It makes sense that these two things are together since Occupational Therapists are often an integral part of the educational and clinical treatment team for a child with Autism. Now that I have had the pleasure of working with children who are on the spectrum for some time now, I would like to share the top 5 things I have learned from these amazing kids.

5. Just because I am not looking at you, does not mean that I do not see you.

Children with autism often look at people through their peripheral vision. It is difficult to look at a person directly and take the infinite number of muscle combinations AND listen to what they are saying. So if someone with Autism does not look at you in the eyes while talking, please understand you are a visual complex piece of art, and it is sometimes hard for someone to look and listen at the same time.

4. That clock ticking in the background is making my head explode.

Things you and I may be able to force to the background, like the clock ticking, a fan humming, a light flickering, may not be the case for someone with autism. Many times a person with autism is on high alert to the things in their environment. Their threshold for tolerating the smells, sounds, sights, tastes, and touches of the environment they are in can send their bodies into flight or fight mode.

3. Show me, don’t tell me.

Visual supports help many people with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder. I love my checklists; it helps me organize my day. But breaking down tasks and expectations with visuals, either words or pictures, can help ease anxiety and help someone with autism be successful at home, school and work.

2. Give me a minute, will ya?

When I first transitioned to school based therapy from geriatrics, I had the pleasure of attending The Autism Project of Rhode Island’s A Starting Point, which was a multi week learning experience that touched on many aspects of Autism. But one of the most poignant statements was regarding giving time to process auditory requests. Picture a rotary phone (if you don’t know what a rotary phone is, ask someone at least in their 30s); every time you verbally request something it sets the dial back all the way. Give time for the dial (aka person) to process it or they will not be make the call.

1. I am awesome.

There is an amazing person stuck inside that little body, just waiting for someone to make a connection and “get” them. Sometimes it takes getting them on a swing or blowing some bubbles to get that little smile or laugh. Then before you know it, that little person is requesting more with signs, gestures, pictures, or words. Other times, you have to take a sledgehammer to open the door to functional communication just a little crack. But keep working, because there is an awesome little being in there, wanting someone to play with them.

Read more about Rebecca on her blog. http://www.otmommy.blogspot.com/

Free Parenting Webinar

Posted on January 2, 2014 by Blue Orange Games

Is practicing better parenting strategies one of your New Year’s Resolutions? Well you’re in luck! We found out about this upcoming parenting webinar presented by Positive Parenting Solutions from one of our favorite bloggers at Lasso The Moon.

Parenting expert and TODAY Show contributor, Amy McCready will teach you why you need to ditch the strategies that are fundamentally flawed and what you can do instead.

Parents of toddlers to teens will learn…

why kids really misbehave – it’s probably not what you think!
how your personality may actually fuel misbehavior
the 5 R’s of Fair & Effective Consequences so kids listen the first time you ask
training resources to reduce your parenting stress so you can stop nagging, reminding & yelling

You’ll walk away with concrete tools you can use immediately
to get your kids to cooperate without the slightest hint of whining, fussing or
complaining.

NOTE: You can view the webinar on your iPad & iPhone with an app
called: Puffin Web Browser in the App store. It is free for 14 days.

RSVP for the 1 hour parenting webinar on January 9, 9:00 pm EST

10 Holiday Crafts To Do As a Family

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Blue Orange Games

Doing crafts around the holidays is as old a tradition as stuffing a Douglas Fir in your living room. Popcorn string tree garlands and cut out stars were all what most had to make the season festive, and even many gifts were hand-made. The hobby of craft projects has suddenly become stylish in the past few years, no doubt spurred on by the popularity of Pinterest and DIY blogs. And I think after decades of mass manufacturing and consumer culture, people are more charmed than ever by creative handiwork!

We’re jumping on the craft wagon and hunted the internet to give you our favorite holiday crafts to do as a family.

Snowflake Table Runner

This project seems pretty fool-proof and will be a real conversation starter with your holiday guests! Use felt and cut out diamonds to arrange them into snowflakes. The How To even includes a template.

Source & How To

Animal Christmas Ornaments

Turn your tree into a menagerie with repurposed plastic animal toys. Sometimes they have packs of these at dollar stores or look online to buy in bulk. Glittery gem toned paint turns the critters into unique holiday ornaments.

Source & How To

Poinsettia Garland from Recycled Bottles

Can you believe these beautiful flowers were once water bottles? Any craft that recycles materials is a winner in our book!

Source & How To

Fabric Light Garland

Even younger kids can get in on the action with this simple yet statement making garland. Use a string of lights or even just a long ribbon and tie gorgeous strips of fabric. Try to keep a color theme or make a pattern for maximum impact.

Source & How To

Elf Holiday Card

Put the “elf” in selfie with these irresistible handmade greetings. Have your kid draw an elf’s jacket, pants, hat, shoes and hands on different colored construction paper. Cut out the pieces and glue on a card to make up the elf’s body. Draw additional elements like buttons and a shirt collar. Cut out the face from a front-facing photograph and paste it on the body. The result may end up being pretty hilarious!

Source & How To

Button Holiday Card

If you are going to send out hand made holiday cards this year, you are better off keeping it simple as you will likely have to make many. This design doesn’t take a lot of effort but the result is stunning. And buttons are easy on the wallet too!

Source & How To

Personalized Mugs

I’m of the opinion that you can never have too many mugs! To make this handmade gift, buy inexpensive white mugs at IKEA and use sharpies or those glue paint pens to decorate the mug with your holiday themed doodles. This is another good one for grade school kids.

Source & How To

Chocolate Mouse Ornament

“Not a creature was stirring….”

I can’t get enough of this ingenious use of Hershey’s kisses. You don’t even need instructions to make this; it looks so easy. One thing I’d add is a little pink pom pom for a nose!

Source & How To

Snow Globes

Yes! Another amazing use for mason jars! Kids will get a big kick out of making their own snow globe and picking the items to include in the scene. I also saw an awesome idea on My Sweet Greens for presenting a gift card. Glue the (plastic!) gift card to the lid and fill the jar with water, tiny ornaments and sparkly confetti to make a snow globe card holder! Sure beats an envelope.

Source & How To

Pine Cone Characters

The little guys in the picture require an advanced level of crafting but you don’t have to be a pro to decorate pine cones! Collect pipe cleaners, little pom poms, glitter, yarn, buttons and felt and bust out the glue gun! How adorable are these little skiers?! I think their heads are ping pong balls.

Source & How To

Happy Crafting!

Fun Native American Games and Facts

Posted on November 27, 2013November 27, 2013 by Corinne Marcot-Jones

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to honor Native American cultures and their history as they make up an important part of our nation’s heritage. Native American tribes left behind a rich tradition of games, which were played ceremonially, or to demonstrate fitness, to teach, and of course, for entertainment. Exploring Native American games with kids before the food coma sets shows them that despite the gap in time and culture, Native American children liked to have fun just like kids today!

1. The Butterfly Game

The Butterfly Game is a hide and seek style game. Stealth and discipline are needed to play properly! The Anishinaabe believed it was good luck if you were quiet and still enough for a butterfly to land on you. To play, one child covers their eyes and chants, “Butterfly, butterfly, show me where to go.” During this time, the other kids playing quietly and quickly hide. The singer repeats this chant a few times and until “the air becomes still.” Then, they must find the other players without saying a word. It’s a game of observation and skill- fun for all to play! Also some momentary peace and quiet for the parents too! Double bonus!

2. Where’d it Come From?

Here’s another fun game you can play with kids to help them learn where the food they see on the Thanksgiving table comes from! Save the image above to your computer and print it out for the kids to play! Notice that Indians ate a lot like many of us try to eat: organic, local and gluten free! The answer key is posted at the bottom of this blog

foodgame

3. Dream Guessing and Wishing

This game is very important to the Iroquois people and to this day is often played at celebrations and festivals in the form of riddles. Someone would begin to tell their dream as a story and those listening would try to guess the meaning behind the dream. To play the game, start a discussion about dreams and how the subconscious is a beautiful portal to where our imaginations give us the power to be anything we want to be. Ask the children to think of a dream or a wish that they have had, then have them draw a picture of their dream. Once completed have the kids go around in a circle and share their dream or wish, or for a little more fun, have them pantomime their dream while the others try and guess what it means!

4. Plant seeds, Respect Earth

What better way to say thank you for the bountiful meals and the warm fire we continually sit comfortably by through praising the land which we live on. This is a year long call to action for families and children to give thanks everyday to the Earth, their ancestors and community. Whether it’s going out and visiting a farm, starting a garden in your backyard or just planting a seed in a cup of soil and watching it grow indoors. Here at Blue Orange Games, we hold this practice close to our hearts as we make all our products as eco-friendly as possible. Did you know that we even plant two trees for every tree used in our products? You can help by planting seeds this Holiday season! Giving thanks to the land everyday is something Native Americans have always done even before the first Thanksgiving. What better legacy to leave for future generations than treating our local and global community with respect!

___

Answer key for food search: All the foods origins come from Native Americans!

10 Ways to Give Back This Thanksgiving

Posted on November 20, 2013November 22, 2013 by Blue Orange Games

The tradition of public acknowledgement of thanks and feasting with loved ones traces back to the Plymouth Rock in the 17th century, before our founding fathers shaped our nation, before the presidential proclamation of the holiday in 1863. We all know the story. Whether the details children are taught in school truly reflected the event or not, the sentiment of the holiday makes it a favorite of many (yes, even without the presents or dress up!)

Over the years, people have recognized Thanksgiving as not only a time to pause in gratitude, but a time to act. Giving thanks is even more meaningful when you can give back, especially when the whole family gets involved. Not only is it a great way to bond, but it instills in kids the value of public service and selflessness. Whether you are looking for a big commitment or a quick and fun activity, consider these ideas to do some good as a family this holiday season.

1. Visit a retirement home and socialize with the residents

Make some new friends and spend a fun afternoon with senior citizens playing board games, doing crafts, or simply chatting with them. Home residents are often missing human interaction and young fresh faces; spending time with them will truly brighten their day, and we bet you will enjoy it too! It’s also important for children to learn to appreciate the elderly and their life experience, especially if they don’t have grandparents of their own.

2. Have a meat free and locally sourced Thanksgiving feast

This year, challenge yourself to buy all your ingredients from local providers and farms to support local businesses and minimize environmental impact. To take it a step further, consider sparing the turkey. Eating less meat as a country is an important step to improving our health and the health of the planet. (Learn more about the benefits.) The traditional day of feasting and abundance is the perfect opportunity to prove that plants and whole foods can provide a full dimensional dining experience that will satisfy even the staunchest naysayers. The internet is ripe with vegetarian and vegan thanksgiving recipes. Don’t forget to get the kids involved in the kitchen too!

3. Do an autumn sweep and donate to shelters & charities

Get a major head start on your spring cleaning! Tell the kids that they need to make room for the toys and clothes they’ll receive on Christmas (if they’re good!). Have them collect all the toys they don’t play with anymore and the clothes they have outgrown. Go through your pantry, your linen closest, the garage, anywhere that could use some down-sizing. Ask a local church or hop on the internet to find a homeless or battered women’s shelter in your area.

4. Get your hands dirty with Habitat for Humanity

Imagine helping to build a home for a family in need! Habitat for Humanity is always looking for long term and one day volunteers for many projects near you. This volunteer opportunity is best for older kids and teens; get the relatives involved for an even stronger task force. There are other ways to make a difference without operating a saw. Habitat connects volunteers with park beautification projects, community facility repairs, and community workshops, and much more. Find opportunities in your area today!

5. Buy extra on your next grocery store trip

This is the easiest way to do some good. Many major grocery chains have donation programs during the holiday season. While you are doing your weekend shop, put a little of your budget towards some necessities for others in need. Some stores even sell bundles of food already packaged. All you do is pay about $10 more at checkout.

6. Send a care package or letter to a serviceman or woman overseas

Spread some holiday cheer and show your gratitude for the men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting our nation. Turn card making into a crafts day with the kids. Pack fun items that they are probably missing from the States like Cheetos and iTunes gift cards. See other ideas and a list of no-go’s here.

7. Host a school or church bake sale and donate the proceeds to charity

Brush up on your cookie decorating skills! As a family, pick a cause or charity that you feel strongly about (like animal welfare or clean water in underdeveloped countries). Outline the planning process with the kids and have them help out with recruiting bakers and volunteers, making signs, setting up the space, etc. It’s a great opportunity to learn first hand how to organize a successful event and the kids will feel good knowing they made a difference for something they care about.

8. Offer to help an elderly or disabled neighbor with a household project or shopping

There are probably plenty of people in your 1 mile radius who could use some help. Ask around or knock on a neighbor’s door and find out how their doing. Tell them you’d be honored to help them with whatever comes up in conversation. Or be more direct: have the kids go over with a lawn mower and some clippers and offer to tidy up their lawn.

If you don’t have a lot of neighbors nearby, sign up with Meals On Wheels to deliver food and comfort to home bound seniors.

9. Shop local on Small Business Saturday

We all know about Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but have you heard of the great new recent movement called Small Business Saturday?

Sure, the internet and big box stores offer competitive discounts to rope in early holiday shoppers, but local independently owned stores also like to offer deals around this time. Plus, you are bound to find more unique gifts as well! Supporting small businesses is important to the local economy and environmental stability, among other hard to ignore reasons, like strengthening community ties and stimulating entrepreneurship.

10. Take to the streets for random acts of kindness.

Charities and clothes drives receive a lot of clothes, but not enough of the bare essentials like undergarments. Most people will agree that nothing can make you feel more comfortable than a clean pair of underpants or warm socks.

Buy a couple of new sets of inexpensive socks, underwear, and gloves and put together a few packages. Go to an area of town with a prominent homeless population and give them out with your holiday well wishes. This is probably only an appropriate family project for teens. Of course, you can always simply do a drop-off donation to a shelter.

To look up volunteer projects going on now in your community visit this great resource: www.thevolunteerfamily.org

And because no one can resist a great infographic, check out History.com’s Thanksgiving by numbers.

What’s Trending in Holiday Toys

Posted on October 30, 2013October 25, 2013 by Blue Orange Games

The media, pop culture, technological advancements, and the nation’s collective emotional state can all shape the trends that influence people’s buying decisions. Toys, like fashion and music, are subject to trends, and at no other time are toy trends more evident than during the mad rush of the holiday shopping season.

We received our first glimpse into this 2013’s toy trends at the American International Toy Fair in New York City last February. After the show, the TIA made the following observations which we’ve seen carried out through the year. It’s safe to guess that the products that fall in line with these themes will sell the best in the next few months.

Toys with tech

Did you get the memo? Geek is now synonymous with cool. In an age when 3^rd graders have smart phones and toddlers are more adept with an iPad than their grandparents, technology is changing how kids experience their world. Toy companies have responded by integrating technology into new products, not only to hold kids’ attention and keep up with the times, but to enrich the quality and potential of play. Many toys that work together with tablets and apps have risen in popularity, along with products that create 3D interaction, that are powered by robotics and remote-control, and that blend real and virtual worlds.

Holiday toys to look for: Popar Toys 3D Adventure kits, The Explorer Globe from LeapFrog Enterprises, LEGO Mindstorms EV3 robotics kit, Skylanders Cloud Patrol App Sets

Blast from the past

Hot Holiday Toys — Easy Bake Oven (now available in gender-neutral black/silver!)

As our ultra connected, high tech lives become the norm, the past becomes more and more attractive and romanticized. Classic play appears novel to the millennial generation. Vintage styling and nostalgia have been hot for the past several years, and now even playthings are going back to basics. Kids are discovering the classics of their parents’ and grandparents’ youth, who are delighted to share in the fun. And for the first time, the 90’s is long enough ago to be a decade to bring back. Just take a look at the new crop of Furbies, introduced onto the market to much fan fare in 1998. Hitting an emotional note with families, retro toys are proven hits that will last for generations to come.

Holiday toys to look for: Wooden doll houses, marble runs, The new Cabbage Patch Kid Dolls, classic board games, Easy Bake Oven, Lincoln Logs, Spin Around Kids, Play Doh

Teens want more than screens

Trends in Holiday Toys — Traditional games like Gobblet are refreshing

Treading the teen and tween market has always been a slippery slope. In response to the realization that Millennials are growing up a heck of a lot faster than preceding generations, the toy industry sought to reach this audience with what they knew best: technology. But as we’re seeing with the Retro trend, what’s old is new again, and suddenly no-tech is refreshing! Whether they are aware of it or not, kids are craving the physical. Given the rise in playing board games among kids and adults, we’ll say this is definitely starting to show. Hey, even the web company Match.com got on board and now host in person mixers where eligible men and women get to know each other over games like Spot it!

Holiday toys to look for: tabletop games, licensed figurines & collectibles, outdoor action toys, and extreme sports equipment.

Talent Showcase

Reality competition shows have been rocking the air waves over the past few years and with a positive effect. TV shows like Chopped, Project Runway and American Idol that celebrate every day peoples’ skills have inspired kids to pursue their talents. The toy industry was listening. Crafts and DIY kits are ever popular, along with hands-on toys that encourage creativity, role playing, and performance.

Holiday toys to look for: Creative Toys Haute Couture Fashion Studio, Small World Living Toys Young Chef Cookware Set, VTech – KidiJamz Studio, ALEX® Toys – Do-it-Yourself Wear! All Duct Out, DIY Rubber Band Bracelets Loom Kit

Going Beyond Blocks

Construction toys received a huge demand in the past few years and show no sign of slowing down. Classic sets like Erector and Lego are still going strong, but the new kids on the block are bringing innovation to sets that are interchangeable, eco-friendly, electrically powered, or licensed. Manufacturers have become mindful of appealing to kids across gender, age and ability. No doubt, the rise in construction toys has been fueled by the recent attention advocates of STEM education (science, tech, engineering, math) have received.

Holiday toys to look for: Play Sets by Roominate, HexBug, GoldieBlox, Keva, Hanz, Eitech

Guess who made Amazon’s 2013 Holiday Toys List?

Browse the list and see if you can spot it….

Our First Year at Chicago Toy & Game Fair

Posted on October 21, 2013November 16, 2013 by Blue Orange Games

2013 marks the first year that we will exhibiting at Chicago Toy & Game Fair on November 23 & 24 in you guessed it, Chicago, Illinois. Every year, we try to extend our reach and appear at more shows, both trade and public. In just 11 years, ChiTAG has grown into an important stage for the toy industry, and it’s a wonder that we could go this long without being a part of it! Luckily, this year we have enough staff to spare several during the crucial pre-holiday season to send ‘em over to Chi-Town for the largest toy and game fair open to the public.

Attendees will discover the best and latest in playthings from around the world, and have the opportunity to check out exhibits, play in tournaments, meet their favorite characters, and more! ChiTAG is unique in that it also caters to inventors, industry professionals and educators with conferences and an awards ceremony.

Visit Blue Orange Games at ChiTAG

Blue Orange Games will be at booth #510 with special show prices and lots of fun to be had. If you’ll be at the show, don’t miss your chance to impress us with your spotting skills. Every day we will be hosting game tournaments with prizes, of course!

Fastrack Tournament on Saturday & Sunday at 11am
Spot It! Tournament on Saturday & Sunday at 4pm

Here’s another tip: Say the magic word “Hans” to one of our charming game gurus to get a $1 OFF each game your purchase! If you don’t know what Hans is all about, you probably need to Like Blue Orange Games to keep you in the loop about these things! Hans it’s the name of the Spot it! Hand, you know the little guy on the game tin. We ran a Facebook contest to name him and Hans won by highest vote.

A fun and cheap family day out

So if you are in a 100 mile radius of the Windy City, we urge you to get your tickets to this awesome family event that will thrill kids and give parents plenty of ideas for Santa’s bounty this year. The tickets are delightfully inexpensive and entry is free for the following guests:

Educators & Librarians (school ID required)
Girl/Boy Scouts in uniform (or sash, badge/button, or troop ID)
Retail & Industry Professionals
Grandparents on Nov. 24
Firefighters, police, active military and military veterans with ID

ChiTAG’s Mission: To build community through play by providing opportunities for people of all ages to connect with one another and experience the joy and educational value of traditional play.

Learn more about the show and get your tickets today!