PLey: A Solution to Toy Clutter!

This post contains affiliate links.

My boys LOVE playing with LEGOs!  I'm guessing I am not the only parent to say that. We have big sets, little sets, theme sets, and the new Cityville Invasion set.  The problem is I absolutely HATE finding and storing the pieces all around my house.  That is why I am so excited for a new toy rental service I recently heard about...

Here are the details:  

Pley is a like an online library service for toys! 

 Subscribe, rent, play, and exchange toys unlimited times per month.

 Shipping is always free both ways and sets are sanitized when returned. 

Pley offers a convenient, quick, and inexpensive solution that relieves clutter and saves space at home while saving money.  It is the perfect way to supply your child with endless developmental tools and allow for that much needed quiet time at home!

When I first started using Pley it was solely a Lego rental service. The great news is that customers responded so well, they've now expanded to include these toy brands:

~LEGO

~American Girl

~HexBug

~LeapFrog

~K'Nex

~And More!

Subscriptions start at $19.99 and allow you to find the monthly plan that best suits you.

 No charge for returning a toy with missing pieces. 

They provide the return shipping label, too! 

You can also Give the gift of Pley - unlimited LEGO® toy rentals to a family friend, loved one, or birthday party.  Purchase a gift subscription and send it with a special message from you!  

Want to give it a try?

Visit the Pley website today!

Read More

Magic Jinn...Kind of Fun, Kind of Creepy

I received this game to review for free from BzzAgent.

No other compensation, and you know I'll tell the truth about how I feel.

Post does contain affiliate links.

I'm going to tell you right off the bat that this guy is a little creepy...

...and the creepy will keep drawing you back for more.

Rather than try to explain the game to you, let me share this demonstration video with you and then give you a few pointers for playing it.

Here are a few things we have learned...

1.  Magic Jinn is a bit of a loner.

If the game is going to work, it needs to be able to hear what you are saying.  As you can see from the photo above, the flashing eyes can quickly draw a crowd.  But Magic Jinn's ears must be pretty sensitive.  When he's in a crowd, he often has to ask you to repeat what you're saying.

2.  Magic Jinn has a sense of humor.

When Magic Jinn is successful in guessing your animal, he can actually be kind of rude and snooty about being right and better than you.  And then every once in awhile he decides to play a trick by purposely guessing the wrong animal and just as you begin your victory dance he stops you in your tracks by letting you know he's no fool-he was tricking you and knew your animal all along.  My kids don't appreciate it at all, but every single time it catches us off guard and makes the adults laugh long and hard.

3.  Magic Jinn can be stumped.

How did he know that?!?

Something I love about this game is that it gives you the chance to go back and fix your mistakes.  There are bound to be errors, especially when you're playing with kids and a wrong answer could completely throw off Magic Jinn's guessing. Usually when that happens,he will try another round or two to figure out what animal you're thinking of.

He does pretty well at guessing.  Some examples he had no problem with are kiwi bird, peacock, pig, dolphin, and pony (he LOVES to guess pony)  BUT, I guarantee you he does not know buffalo.  He knows cow and calf, muskox, and bison.  But not buffalo.  He'll ask if it lives on the Savannah, in the forest, on a farm, in water, or the desert.  But a buffalo is native to the North American prairie and Magic Jinn has obviously never been there.  It has become a challenge in our house to get Magic Jinn to guess the buffalo and we are 100% unsuccessful in doing that so far.

4.  You won't be able to put it away.

There are some glitches in this game that sometimes make it annoying to play. The noise issue I mentioned above, of course, but also other little annoyances.  For example, occasionally he decides he's guessed correctly and brags that he's won even though he hasn't.  Also, I have a niece who Magic Jinn can not understand at all.

The testament to this game really comes in the fact that we've had it now for 3 weeks and it's still getting played with.  The kids still love to see his flashing eyes and hear him talk to them. He's small enough for them to hold in their hands and they usually do while they play.  And even though some of us feel like it's become a sick obsession, the adults also can't stay away.  Every time I turn around someone in the house is starting him up again.  And honestly, the challenge of seeing if he will get it right this time is just as addicting as trying to stump him.

Interested in Trying Magic Jinn?

Retailers are beginning to run out, but I've seen a few still available on Amazon.

Read More