Holiday Gift Guide Review - Games... In a Jar!

Free Spirit Publishing carries many different educational, self help and useful books for both children and parents. They also have a series called "In A Jar" and I had the chance to review a few jars for myself.

WH? In a Jar was a good little game to keep the kids quiet while waiting for dinner or even while eating dinner! The questions are extremely simple; so simple that you could even say some are silly. The kids thought it was fun to purposely give the wrong answer, and of course raced to see who would shout out the wrong answer first. WH? In a Jar includes 101 cards with Who, What, Where, When and Why questions such as:

• Who speaks or writes about the news?
• What do bees make?
• Where do bats live?
• When do you pitch a tent?
• Why do birds make a nest? 

The majority of the questions are easy enough for most kids and are sure to bring on some laughs. These would also be good for long car rides, ice breakers, and of course gifts!

We didn't play with Brain Games quite as much; the kids thought it required too much thinking! Brain games includes 101 cards each with a brain teaser that will challenge kids to think and learn. Can you figure out these brain teasers? (Answers below)

1. What gets wetter as it dries?
2. What grows bigger the more you take away from it?
3. What ear cannot hear?

Some of the cards are called Brain Boosters and ask that you think, research, experiment or discuss to figure out the answer. Unlike the regular cards, the Brain Booster cards do not have an answer written on the card and include questions like:

• After the trash is picked up, where is it taken and what happens to it?
• How many words can you think of that rhyme with jolly?
• What do birds do with their legs when they fly?

Answers:

1. a towel
2. a hole
3. an ear of corn

If you are looking to put some books or activities under your tree this year, take a look around Free Spirit Publishing and see what you can find!