Dinner Winner

Dinner Winner - A dinner tray in the shape of a game board.

Yes, I am sure there will be, or has been, controversy about Dinner Winner. There is much research about whether or not to reward kids for eating and, if so, what that reward should be. I will leave that research to you, if you are interested. I thought this tray was unique and would be fun to add to a blog about toys, since it is in the shape of a game board. It certainly does not have to be used on a regular basis, possibly once in a while for fun, maybe for a birthday or special holiday occasion, etc. So without further ado...

This is a kid's dinner tray with 9 small compartments. It measures 11-3/4" x 8-5/16" and is molded from thick melamine, food-safe and dishwasher-safe. The goal is to start eating in the compartment labeled START and eat your way along the path to the YOU WIN! compartment. In the top right corner of the tray, at the end of the path, you will see a piece that says FINISH!. This is actually a small lid that will cover the YOU WIN! compartment. This is where you will hide the prize that the child will receive once they have eaten their way along the path. Below is an image so you can get an idea of the size.

This tray comes in multiple themes, including dinosaurs, super heroes, enchanted forest and pirates.

The dinosaur version.

Try this:

• Encourage the child to finish the food in each compartment so that they can see the pictures or words under the food.
• Instead of food in the last compartment, put a small toy or a piece of paper with something written on it that they like to do. 
• Alternate the order of food. Start with something that is liked followed by something not liked as much, then something that is liked, etc. They can work their way through the less liked foods to get to the liked foods.

 In the box: Tray and small cover

If you would like to purchase this item, it can be found at www.genuinefred.com.

Soggy Doggy

Soggy Doggy

So, who doesn't love giving a big dog a bath? I know you can't see me, so I'll tell you that my hand went up. Spoiler alert: While giving Soggy Doggy a bath you're going to get wet. Who knows, it might be just the game for a hot summer afternoon.

Soggy Doggy comes with a combination tub/shower. There is assembly required before playing and you will have to break it back down to fit it in the box again when you are done. Fortunately it's not difficult. The game also requires 3 AA batteries. Below is a picture of the instructions for assembly and the game, assembled and ready for play. 

Instructions for assembly

Ready to play

The soggy doggy is made of that stretchy material they often use for squishy balls. He is hollow and open at the bottom. There is a blue piece of plastic that goes inside of him to make him sit upright like that. The blue knobs for the water really turn and one controls the water coming out of the shower head and one controls when Soggy Doggy will shake and throw water everywhere. The water comes out of the shower head in a fine spray.

The round piece at the bottom is the game board that players will advance around and the pieces sitting next to the boy are the pawns and the chips. The ring (board) is plastic so the water won't damage it. The spaces on the board show a paw with a number or a paw with a bone inside and a number. The number is how many times you will press or turn the water knobs. The colors on the board are pink, blue and yellow and they match the colors on the die. The six-sided die has two pink sides, one yellow, one blue, one question mark and one paw print.

The pawns are small plastic, hollow items (bone, paw print, soap, duck). Each chip has one picture on it that will match one of the pawn images. 

There are several "care" instructions that you should follow including only use water, never try to dry the dog with a heat source, always air-dry the dog before putting him away, etc.

Object:

Be the first player to get back to the doggy basket space.

Set up:

Assemble and add water to the tub. Each player chooses a pawn and places it on the doggy basket space on the board. Place the four tokens near by.

Play:

Players take turns. Roll the die and do the following:

• Color - Move to the next space of that color and do the following:
• Paw space - Check the number on the space and push on the knob with the paw image that many times to squirt water onto the doggy from the shower head.
• Paw with bone space - Turn the knob with the bone image clockwise a half turn (till it clicks) the number of times indicated on the space. If nothing happens your turn is over. If doggy starts shaking and throwing water turn the knob one more turn to stop him. Then move your pawn back to the start position. You will be starting over. Pick up a token that matches your pawn. If you happen to already have a token when doggy starts shaking (from being sent back before), you can return it and stay where you are instead of starting over.
• Question mark - Roll again.
• Paw print - Move you pawn to the space right in front of the player who is the furthest along on the board.

Play until someone goes all the way around the board and returns to the doggy bed, winning the game.

Try this:

• Play with the dog and the tub before starting a game so kids will know what to expect when he starts shaking water.
• Skip the tokens and starting over, for a shorter game. Just figure a wet dog shaking water on you is consequence enough.

In the box: Bathtub/shower parts, round game board, 4 pawns, 4 tokens

If you are interested in purchasing this item or just want more information, click on the image below.