My grandchildren introduced me to their latest fun new kids card games this week – UNO Attack by Mattel Games. We wanted to share it with you as well. Basically, you deal seven cards to each player and put one in the discard pile. Each player sees if he can match a card to the top card in the discard pile. If yes, he puts it down. If no, he gets to press the really cool button called the LAUNCHER. (My grandkids LOVE that launcher! ) To make things more interesting, some cards are "special cards." With one of these special cards, you might have to change direction, skip a turn, or even trade hands.

UNO Attack looked complicated at first. I have to confess, after three fun games, I still have to keep the "cheat sheet" close by. Then I can easily tell which special card does what. BUT my oldest grandson (7) has already learned what each card does. The grand-twins (6) are a year younger than the recommended age but they are also having a blast with it.

Unlike Pictureka, we haven't had to modify it at all. Trading hands has been the only hard part for my grandsons, but as we play, we keep talking about good sportsmanship and how important it is. I was so proud of them yesterday. One grandkid had to trade hands and he was really frustrated by it. His older brother offered to take back that card and put another down (great example of looking out for one another's interests as more important than his own). The younger brother thought about it, then stopped and said, "Wait. I'll be a good sport," and handed over his cards. BIG YAY for all of them!

It's not just good sportmanship they're learning. They are matching colors, shapes, and types of cards. In addition, they are learning good strategic thinking and practicing those very necessary critical thinking skills.

UNO Attack  is a definite keeper and we all highly recommend it. They've had fun playing it with their parents or me every day this week and still aren't tired of it! High praise, indeed! 

For more fun ideas for grandparents, please be sure to sign up for the SandwichINK free email.

LEGO is one of my grandsons’ FAVORITE words right now. That’s because their new and old LEGOs are some of my grandkids’ favorite building toys.  For that matter, they are probably a favorite among many of us in the Baby Boomer Generation, since they’ve been around for decades!

I decided to do some internet surfing to see what fun info I could find for them, and you, about LEGO and LEGO sets. I haven’t tried any of these yet. I’m hoping to order the book (below) for Christmas, and trying a couple of these design kits (also below) over the next few months. When I do, I’ll write more about them then. In the meantime, if you beat me to it, let us know how you like them.

These are not “cheap toys,” but they are so wholesome and educational, they are well worth it. They are excellent for homeschooling programs as proven by all the LEGO curriculum idea links at this homeschooling programs support site. They are also  terrific for grandkids with autism or Asperger’s Syndrome, as well as other special needs. This is true for the regular sets and/or the LEGO soft sets.

Plus, I discovered that, while most LEGO sets that you can purchase only make one or two designs, there are some intriguing alternate designs online using parts from various kits. Those would be some great ways to save money! Here are some that sounded interesting. As you look through them, you’ll realize that “yes,” we love Star Wars and Star Wars LEGOs :

• Photos and some directions for alternates for the Millennium Falcon Star Wars LEGO sets.
• Lots of interesting designs, including Star Wars LEGO set ideas.
• Directions for making a LEGO Toy Car. This is a very cool site. It offers many free projects that are small plus some huge projects that run about $7 each. They also offer CDs that are about $10 which contain several projects on them. I’m thinking this will be another Christmas present for my grandkids. Shhh, don’t tell.

If you've lost the directions for a LEGO set you have, or you've bought some LEGO sets at a yard sale or thrift store with no directions included, the Brick Factory would be a great place to start looking.

Last for today, but definitely not least, I found interesting and informative reviews of what sounds like a very good resource book about LEGO sets and pieces, The Unofficial LEGO Builder's Guide. According to its website, it “provides an overview of the entire LEGO hobby from how to identify different parts right up to the skills you need to design and build your own original models.”

It includes instructions on how to (and not to) put LEGO bricksets together, it explains what “scale” is, and even includes the complete instructions to build a minifig scale train station. It shows how to build the little people using mostly common pieces  as well as how to build giant LEGO modules. There are also complete instructions for making a gorgeous sphere LEGO set. Some of the other things in it include:

• Building mosaics
• Mechanical parts including gears, axles, and lift arms
• Creating a mini space shuttle orbiter
• Design Grids
• How to create instructions to share your designs with others
• Using new and old LEGOs bricks to play games
• How to sort and store bricks and bricksets
• Technic info
• Setting up a LEGO work area
• A Brickopedia  – info about over 300 of the most common new and old LEGOs pieces
• And so much more!

The website even offers a sample chapter for you to download along with free directions for smaller projects. Lots of fun for my grandkids coming up, that’s for sure!

I’ve looked into it at Amazon where I found good reviews there as well. It’s only $16. 47 there (list price is 24.95) so it’s definitely on my Christmas list. I’ll have to order early as it looks like it takes a week or so to get it. I suspect it may be geared for kids a bit older than my grandsons, but I don’t want to take a chance it won’t be available in a couple of years.

Be sure to come back on “Family Friday” this week for LEGOs for Grandkids, The REST of the Story.

Kaye