Board games offer learning opportunities that help develop essential brain cells, especially in children.
Memory formation, increased brain function, verbal and communication skills, problem solving, and fine motor skills are all present in educational games for children. Playing stimulates brain areas that increase cognitive function associated with memory. Board games can be both an enjoyable learning experience and a way of practicing essential cognitive skills for brain development.
There are various physical health implications and potentials for cognitive decline that come with increased screen time. Playing games don't require a harsh screen and help you unplug from the constant stream of information our brains process all day.
Also, unplugging enables you to strengthen bonds with other human beings around you. A board game on family night strengthens relationships with real people in your life instead of online avatars.
Many games provide avenues to build communication and teamwork skills. Even if you don't play as a team for a game, you learn how to strategize and communicate with the other players.
Not only do team games provide nice company, but they force players to work together. One example of a great team building game is Exit the Game. With many different versions available, these escape room style team games provide a way to work together with old friends, family members, and complete strangers.
Not only are board games great educational tools, but they can help you unwind after a long day. Board game playing is a fun and easy way to reduce stress. Reducing stress can also combat high blood pressure and help with your mental health. If you're hoping to decrease stress and boost your immune system, a nice board game in the evening with friends and family can be just what you need.
One part of a healthy lifestyle is finding different stress free hobbies and lowering blood pressure by releasing endorphins, your body's natural "stress relief" chemicals.
If you love playing board games, you might notice that they can be an amazing tool for increasing and creating logical thinking skills. Virtually every board game can teach reasoning skills, complex thought, spatial reasoning, creative thinking, and strategy.
Games like Catan or Monopoly use the part of your brain that involves problem solving, processing speed, resource management, and strategic thinking. Other ones like Cards Against Humanity and Pictionary can access your creative side while producing hilarious results.
Two other benefits that come when you play board games are patience and goal setting. For many players, the goal of playing a board game is to win. However, winning takes patience, strategic thinking, and goal setting. Because they don't have a lot at stake, these logical and social skills can be developed in a stress free and happy environment.
For shy children or timid adults, board games can soothe anxieties in social settings. Playing board games often lowers blood pressure and reduces stress. As well, they can help players build greater self esteem and coping skills that can soothe anxieties. These activities also bring on laughter which has been said to not only help with muscle relaxation but can act as a coping mechanism for anxiety.
If you have a child who's learning to read, try playing a board game with them! Not only can they provide quality time for you and your child, but there are many opportunities for language development. Children will learn to follow rules, read the game board and communicate with other players. As well, with a huge variety of games, there will always be different opportunities for them to continue learning.
A child's attention span isn't long. A fun way to work on increasing their focus (and yours!) is through board games. Instead of getting distracted by siblings or the TV, your child is meant to focus on the task at hand in the game. As well, they can help with hand eye coordination and focusing on those motor skills that need to be developed at a young age.
Finally, when you play these games, players learn how to be a good loser and a humble winner. Bragging, tantrums, and highly competitive natures can quickly turn these fun activities sour. However, overtime, kids can learn to play with grace and be happy whether they win or lose!
]]>Thankfully, there are many different ways to wrap a stuffed animal so that it appears less lumpy and more like a pleasant, enjoyable gift that any youngster will like. It's all about finding the perfect gift wrapping method and being patient while you try and get it right.
Keep reading to find a few different ways to wrap plushies and stuffed animals, as well as general gift wrapping tips.
One of the simplest methods for wrapping a plush animal is to use gift bags. Making your own DIY gift bag, as opposed to simply purchasing one from your neighbourhood department shop, will, nevertheless, add a more personalised touch.
We advise purchasing wrapping paper with the colour or pattern of your intended recipient's favourite pal. To discover how to transform a straightforward gift wrap into a DIY bag, check out lessons on YouTube. Properly measure the cuddly toy and the wrapping paper, lay them both out, get your scissors, and cut, fold, and tape.
Trying to wrap a lumpy stuffed animal with wrapping paper can be a bit of a pain, but if you take your time and follow these steps, you should have no problems at all. The paper should be folded after you place the stuffed animal in the centre and gather the paper's edges. The paper can be folded or tape-locked accordion-style until it extends all the way past the toy's head area. Once you've tied it with a ribbon, you're done! This method also works with table cloth or cellophane wrap, although cellophane wrap is transparent, and a tablecloth is rather large.
Cuddly toys with an awkward shape or protruding arms and legs are ideal for this tootsie roll technique. Grab a piece of paper, then wrap the toy's arms or legs around it. A layer of tissue paper should be added.
Roll the gift wrapping paper over like a candy, starting at the edge where the plush animals are placed. The paper should be gathered at both ends and tied together with ribbons. To make the roll more appealing, fluff the ends!
If you have too much trouble wrapping a stuffed animal without a box, then feel free to put the toy inside of a box to make it easier to gift-wrap. You can use any box as long as it is intact and has enough space to fit the stuffed toy in question.
Once the toy is inside the box, secure the outside of the box with sticky tape, and place it on a sheet of wrapping paper to measure. Make sure to leave enough paper to completely wrap the present — you can always cut off excess material later.
Fold the paper along the box lengthwise, making sure to firmly crease the paper at the edges of the box. Secure the paper with sticky tape and carefully fold the open sides down before taping them closed as well.
Simply purchase a lovely basket so you can creatively arrange the soft toys you're about to offer. You can choose any type of basket you want, but a nice woven basket with accents that match the toy is often your best bet.
Put a big ribbon bow on it or simply wrap a string of ribbons around the base of the basket. You can also wrap it in coloured paper if it has a handle. It pays to get creative when using this method — try some extra bows, coloured tissue paper, and other things to make it really shine.
Collapse some wrapping paper on a table or flat surface (we suggest colourful wrapping paper). Then stack the plush toy like you would a bouquet of flowers.
However, this method works better with at least four to five stuffed animals. Once they're all in place, the bottom section of the paper should be gathered, folded or twisted, and tied with a wide ribbon. If you think it will make the gift cuter, you are welcome to add fresh flowers to the arrangement.
For a little plush toy, a tin can works well because the toy will undoubtedly fit inside. To make it, simply fold a few layers of tissue paper into the tin can, insert the toy, and finish it off with a ribbon. No drama; it's basic and easy. Probably the greatest choice for those who adore a minimalist look.
]]>Your choice of whether to machine wash, hand wash, or spot clean stuffed animals will depend on the care recommendations on the tag.
Toys that are more delicate or older shouldn't be washed. Toys containing mechanical components, metal, or built-in battery packs should only be spot cleaned because water will harm them.
Keep reading to find recommendations for cleaning plushies, as well as general tips on properly cleaning various types of children's toys.
Almost all stuffed animal toys can be cleaned easily. Others, including furry animals or those that feature electronics or embellishments, are recommended for hand washing. It is recommended to follow any washing instructions, just like when washing clothes.
When it comes to washing toys in a washing machine, you should place the toys in a mesh laundry bag or zippered pillowcases. You could also place them inside an older stocking or a simple pillowcase and tie knots to keep them closed.
Wash in gentle cycles in warm water, using your regular soap. Run another rinse to remove the excess suds and then remove them from the mesh bag. Kids stuffed animals should be allowed to air dry to avoid shrinkage or heat damage.
You certainly want to avoid damaging your child's toys. For more fragile toys, or toys with certain materials, it is often better to hand-wash stuffed animals. It may also be necessary to hand launder stuffed animals with extraneous attachments or hard components.
The best way to know when and when not to use a washing machine is by referring to the laundry instructions. These will typically be located on the tags of a stuffed animal.
For an older stuffed animal or toys that simply have no washing instructions, it may be better to wash by hand just to be safe.
That being said, if you know the make and model of a particular stuffed animal, but the stuffed toy itself doesn't seem to have washing instructions, you may be able to find manufacturer's recommendations online through their website.
The best way for washing stuffed toys by hand is in a bucket or bathtub. Washing by hand allows you to be as gentle as you need, and also gives you more control over the temperature of the water and the chemicals used in the washing process, such as baking soda.
To wash a stuffed animal by hand, simply follow these steps:
Machine washed stuffed animals and dolls take only about four to five hours to complete. When washing stuffed animals with your hands, they should soak in water for 15 min. The drying time depends on the choice of washing machine and air drying options.
A doll's hair is typically attached to their head. Try not to put hair around the scalp. If some dolls are completely submerged in water, the adhesive can weaken. Start by brushing the hair in a wash basin, but keep squeezing out the scalp as soon as possible.
The hair on the doll may need trimming if the wires are damaged. Some shedding is normal, especially with younger dolls.
It might be time for surgery if the toy is well-used and you are aware (or the toy does not have a tag with instructions) that it cannot be washed. Split a side seam slowly, then remove the stuffing.
The exterior skin should be washed by hand in lukewarm water with a little detergent before being laid flat to dry naturally. Replace the original stuffing or use polyester fiberfill in its place, which can be thoroughly cleaned.
Unless more surgery is required, carefully sew the toy back together.
]]>Catan, also known as Settlers of Catan, appeals to families and new or hard-core gamers alike. It allows experienced players to challenge themselves through strategy but allows new players to join in easily on their first game. Add-on extensions and rule variations keeps the game fresh and interesting.
Unlike a more 'normal' game, Catan manages to be enjoyable even when you’re losing. You get a sense of satisfaction and success from expanding settlement empires and trying different strategies, regardless of points.
The concept is that you are settlers building up your settlements and developing land. You collect necessary resources for development, while competing against other players to earn victory points and become the dominant settler. It makes for lively player interaction.
To succeed, gather resources through dice rolls to obtain resource cards. Strategy is required, especially if there is competition for the same resource. To help, gameplay allows you to trade resources and even rob players.
To start, set up the Catan game board. It consists of hexagonal tiles of land, or hexes, including farmland for wheat, pastures for sheep, forests for wood, mountains for ore, and hills for bricks. The desert hex land is barren. Lay hexes out randomly, or for variety, try different island setups.
On each hex, randomly place number tokens facedown. A robber pawn starts on the desert tile. Set up ports along the coast.
Give players a building cost card -- a recipe card for resources needed when building. Players choose a colour, with five settlements, four cities, and roads.
Take turns to place one settlement and road, then reverse the order, with the last person becoming the first person to place a second settlement and road, for a total of two settlements. There is also a beginner setup option, with more basic rules, where players place the initial two starting settlements and two roads in one round.
Settlements are placed on hex points, while roads run along the sides of hexes. Cities and settlements can be on the same hex but not within two spaces of any other, so you can't build an adjacent settlement within one hex-point of an already existing settlement. When you build settlements, try to pick areas to access all necessary resources or set up a monopoly. Alternatively, cut off resources from a second player who is next to place a starting settlement.
After setup, turn over the randomly placed number tokens. These numbers indicate when land hexes will give resources. The dots under the number show how likely statistically that number is to be rolled; more dots means a better chance.
On each turn, two dice are rolled to determine which hexes produce resources. It doesn't matter which player rolls; if the dice roll number is the same as a hex's, and you have a settlement or city on it, you will get the appropriate resources. Settlements receive one resource card while cities earn two cards to earn you more resources.
On a 7, players can move the robber token to another hex, including ones belonging to other players. The new hex won't give resources until the robber moves again. The active player who rolled the 7 gets to steal a resource card from any player with adjacent settlements or cities touching that hex. Finally, players with 8 or more resource cards must discard half of them; they choose which ones.
On their turn, players can use resources to build roads or settlements, or upgrade to cities (replacing original settlements). For example, use one brick and one wood to build a road; two wheat and three ore for cities.
You can buy a development card for one wheat, one sheep, and one ore. Development cards are like 'Chance' cards in Monopoly. You don't want to rely on only development cards, but they can be beneficial. You can get victory point cards, or a road building development card for two free roads. You could also get a knight card which acts like the robber; playing at least three knights can win you the largest army achievement.
Try trading resource cards with fellow players or through the bank at a four-to-one cost. Settlements on ports give two resources-to-one or three-to-one costs on bank trades.
The first player to score ten victory points wins. Settlements earn one point while cities earn two. You get additional points for winning achievements, such as having the longest road or largest army with knight cards, or for holding victory points cards.
Wicked Stuff Online has the original Catan board games, plus any expansion packs you need to customize your game. We even have novelty versions like the Game of Thrones edition. Check out all we have to offer in tabletop games, and get playing!
]]>First, check the small tag at the end of your bedding. It has the manufacturer's care instructions for washing the blanket. Those clothing care symbols are the dos and don'ts that must be practiced when washing it. Ensure you're following these instructions as it will help you keep your bedding in excellent condition for a long time.
1. Pre-treat The Stains
A plush fleece blanket is made out of 100% polyester. Polyester fleece is a naturally stain-resistant blanket, but oil, grease, blood, and food stains can cling to the fabric.
Treat stains or soiled spots by applying just a small amount of mild dishwashing liquid directly onto the stain. Let the solution sit for 10 minutes, then gently blot the area with a paper towel to lift the stain. Remember not to rub the stain because this could worsen your problem or cause pilling.
2. Washing Your Soft Blankets
To keep your fleece soft, put it in the washing machine alone or with other fleece beddings. Washing fleece blankets with other fabrics can cause the blanket's fibers to clump together because of friction, thus damaging the soft fabrics and making the blanket feel less cozy. The fleece fibers can likewise become smashed or matted if washed with a heavy load.
When you have multiple blankets to clean, it is advised that you separate them by colour.
Use the correct amount of laundry detergent. Too much detergent doesn't make the blanket cleaner, but it'll only stick to the synthetic fibers and damage the fabric's softness, especially if the rinse cycle isn't thorough.
Avoid washing them with bleach and other harsh chemicals. Since bleach is highly-abrasive, it'll discolour and ruin the delicate fibers of your blanket. Even when you have a white one, bleach will still damage it. Also, refrain from fabric softeners as this can ruin fleece items treated with water-repellent finishes during manufacturing.
Using cold water to wash your fleece blanket is vital, as hot or warm water can cause your bedding to shrink, curl or reap. Make sure the washer is on a gentle or delicate cycle as the blankets tend to get matted otherwise. If the cycle is too strong, you might have knotted and tangled blankets at the end.
3. Drying Your Blanket
There are two ways you can dry your blanket. One is air-drying and the second is by using your dryer.
Drying your fleece blanket in the fresh air is necessary to remove and prevent having a mouldy and musty smell. Although letting it air dry is the safest and most recommended option because it gently restores the bedding to its original state, it's time-consuming.
The faster option is tumble-drying the blanket. Tumble-drying with no heat or the air fluff option are the gentlest of all dryer settings. You can also opt for a tumble-dry-low (Delicate/Gentle cycle), where the dryer is on a low-heat setting. Never put the dryer on high heat; polyester melts easily as it is made from plastic and sensitive to heat.
Instead of fabric softeners, throw in a dryer sheet so that your blanket smells and feels good, and it will eliminate static as well.
Remove the blankets immediately after the cycle stops and fold them to prevent creases. If the blankets are too fluffy, spread them on a flat surface and press them down with your hands into their initial shape.
If you are worried that using your washing machine to clean your plush and fluffy blankets might ruin them, hand-washing is another way to wash blankets.
All you need is a big basin or bathtub that can take the blanket. Fill it up with cool water, enough to thoroughly submerge the blanket. Then, add some mild detergent. Place the blanket and press it down.
Let the blanket soak in the soapy water for 30 minutes. Then drain the basin and gently squeeze out the water from the blanket. Refill the basin/tub with cold water, press down the blanket, then squeeze out water again. Ensure the blanket is thoroughly rinsed and no excess detergent is left, then hang dry.
Learning the correct ways to wash plush blankets will allow you to enjoy those nights curled up in a cozy, soft blanket without worrying about what will happen when you wash it.
If you want a new plush fleece blanket to add to your collection now you know the best way to take care of them, Wicked Stuff can help you out. We have various designs of high-quality Plush Blankets to provide comfort and warmth for every customer.
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