Ravensburger, the first name in high-quality, beautifully-designed puzzles and playthings, unveils an all-new collection of engaging games and art activity sets that celebrate the “kid” in everyone!  With exciting introductions that include new multi-player games, Make ‘N’ Break Party and Las Vegas, and engaging arts & craft kits such as the all-new Aquarelle watercolor painting system and Outdoor Mandala Designer^®, Ravensburger’s 2013 collection of toys, games, puzzles and more will steal the spotlight at the 2013 American International Toy Fair, February 10-13, at the Javits Convention Center, Booth #1617.

“We’re so excited to introduce families to our latest games and crafts kits,” said Ravensburger CEO, Thomas Kaeppeler.  “From innovative new versions of our most popular games to debut activity sets that are sure to become classics, we’re proud to present a whole new range of playthings that represent our commitment to quality and promote creative expression in children at every age and skill level.”

Highlights of Ravensburger’s 2013 games include:

• Make ‘N’ Break Party – The whole family will have a blast with the newest version of Ravensburger’s best-selling, award-winning Make ‘n’ Break series!  Without seeing the chosen card, a player must assemble the structure in one of four game variations – building according to team members’ descriptions, building with taboo words, building blind and creating objects.  With multiple ways to play and endless combinations, there’s never a “break” in the fun!  Ages 10+, SRP $30.99

• Las Vegas – Players press their luck with a flip of the wrist in this interactive strategy game.  With different sums to be won in various casinos, players decide where to place their dice – and their bets!  Ages 8+, SRP $34.99

• Saint Malo – It’s a tactical battle for players to build the most prosperous city and keep it safe from pirates in this multi-player game of strategy and luck.  When it’s their turn, players must roll the dice and then strategically choose what to draw on their erasable game board: a market place or house, a nobleman or soldier. Ages 9+, SRP $34.99

• On the Farm – Preschool players discover “Who’s in the barnyard?” in this quick-play game that promotes deduction and association and teaches young children how to follow simple rules while they learn new vocabulary through expressive play.  Ages 2+, SRP $20.99

Ravensburger’s latest assortment of arts & crafts kits will dazzle pint-sized Picassos and mini Monets everywhere.  Among the new masterpieces:

• Aquarelle – This new watercolor painting set series is picture-perfect for ensuring hours of creativity-powered fun!  Available in three sizes – mini, midi and maxi – the attractive, ready-to-use kits include everything young artists need to complete their projects, including special watercolor paint canvases with unique paint-resistant outlines; liquid paints in easy-squeeze bottles; useful tools such as water pipette, color-mixing palette; and detailed instructions.  With a variety of images — from animals to landscapes and more! — artists of all ages and stages will shine!
  • Mini – A kit featuring a mini canvas (4” x 5.25” x 1.75”) perfect for beginners, available in four different designs with three different paint colors: Horse, Cat, Butterfly and Parrot.  Ages 8 +, SRP $9.99
  • Midi – A mid-sized version (8” x 10.5” x 1.75”) that provides even more opportunities for creative expression with three different canvases and five watercolors in each kit.  Themes include: Dolphins, Horses, Elves and Exotic Birds.  Ages 8+, SRP $19.99
  • Maxi – Large-format canvases (14.25” x 10.5” x 1.75”) that offer three different design themes in each package accompanied by five different watercolors for the ultimate in self-expression.  Styles include: World Cities, Provence, Café and Beach Paradise.  Ages 8+, SRP $29.99

We received the Aquarelle Midi in the Dolphin Theme and highly recommend this as a holiday gift suggestion for children ages 8+.  It is fun and creative! Just perfect for those young artists on your holiday shopping list!!

• Outdoor Mandala-Designer^® – Sidewalks are transformed into life-sized canvases with this new chalk stencil set, the latest version of Ravensburger’s creativity-inspiring Mandala series!  Styles include: Animal Fun, Fairy Dreams, Flowers & Butterflies and Romantic Garden.  Each set comes complete with two Mandala stencils, six colored chalks and detailed instructions to help budding street artists create stunning designs.  Ages 5+, SRP $24.99.

About Ravensburger

Newton, NH-based Ravensburger is the U.S. subsidiary of Ravensburger Spieleverlag GmbH, a German toy and game manufacturer with a 130-year history of tradition.  Founded in Ravensburg, Germany in 1883, Ravensburger is a leading producer of toys loved the world over and celebrated for its meticulous commitment to detail, high production standards and superior quality control.  In addition to Ravensburger-branded puzzles, games and arts & crafts, the company is the exclusive distributor of WOW Preschool Toys and holds licenses for such well-known brands as Chuggington^™, Thomas and Friends^™, Tinga Tinga Tales^™, The Hobbit^™, Moshi Monsters^™ and more.

Self Disclosure: We received a product to facilitate this feature but any opinions expressed are those of SoCal City Kids.

It’s time for Katsuma to take the spotlight! We’re very excited to announce that Moshi Monsters^™: Katsuma Unleashed^™ – the newest game in the best-selling series for Nintendo 3DS^™ and Nintendo DS^™ – hit shelves nationwide on November 5, just in time for the holiday season! The new game is based on Moshi Monsters^™, the popular interactive online world with 70 million registered users worldwide!

A vibrant, side-scrolling, action-adventure platform game, Moshi Monsters: Katsuma Unleashed (3DS SRP $29.99; DS SRP $24.99) will bring fans of all ages into the Moshi Monsters world like never before. The non-stop action begins when Dr. Strangeglove, intent on his evil mission to learn the secret of Moshi Picchu, captures Elder Furi and all of the innocent Moshi Monsters – except Katsuma! As the most popular Moshi Monsters character, players embark on a far-reaching voyage, traveling through six new worlds packed with mini arcade challenges and epic boss battles. Katsuma must work to rescue his Moshi Monsters friends, so he can gain their unique powers – from Furi’s “Smash” to Diavlo’s “Flight” – to help him combat the enemies and keep the secret of Moshi Picchu safe!

Moshi Monsters: Katsuma Unleashed is jam-packed with bonus content and includes hidden areas for players to unlock, plus exclusive codes that they can redeem to earn virtual items at www.MoshiMonsters.com. In addition, Nintendo 3DS Streetpass^™ users can search for interactive maps and special monster attack games that allow them to play as each Moshi Monsters character and enjoy their distinct set of “moves”! Here’s a special sneak peek trailer, so you can check out the new game in action!:http://www.katsumaunleashed.com/us/

Developed by UK-based studio Sumo Digital, Moshi Monsters: Katsuma Unleashed, follows on the “tail” of the first two hit Moshi Monsters Nintendo games, Moshling Zoo and Moshlings Theme Park. The game is rated E (Everyone) by the ESRB for Nintendo 3DS. (It is not yet rated for Nintendo DS.)

One of our new young reviewers reviewed this fun game for us! Check out Parker’s review:

Katsuma Unleashed is a really fun game! It is like my favorite game, Mario Bros because it is a platformer and has the same controls. It is challenging and I get to use strategy.  The monsters are hard to defeat and the boss fights are even harder, which is fun. I’m on World six and it gets even harder!

Katsuma is a cat guy that spins around to defeat monsters but he can also transform into different guys with different upgrades that you gain when defeat bosses. It gets two thumbs up.

Parker, age 7

Self Disclosure: We received a game to feature this review but any opinions expressed are by our reviewer.

Looking for a way to try new healthy foods? We found the perfect way! We found a great website called Bestowed and they offer a monthly plan and an annual plan. You can receive a box with 5-7 NEW healthy foods delivered straight to your door every month-each one chosen by celebrity nutritionist and author, Heather Bauer. I received the November Box to preview and it is just perfect for this Fall season. This season is the perfect time to get out and exercise because it is not too hot and it is not too cold! November’s box has some great products for you when you are working out. It includes the following: Wild garden Hummus Dip which is really creamy and delicious! It is gluten-free and lowfat and it tastes good too! The box also includes: Crunchmaster Multi-Seed Crackers, Eat Green Tea, LifeIce, Nektar Honey Crystals, Perfect Fuel Chocolate, Quest Bar Chocolate Peanut Butter, Salba Smart Chia Boost, Skratch Labs Exercise Hydration Mix and ZICO Chocolate. I loved the Crunchmaster Multi-Seed Crackers with the Wild Garden Hummus Dip! I also liked the LifeIce because they are like mini popsicles! These 30-calorie trays of mini frozen treats are portion-controlled and portable! You can even eat these late at night! All these products are not only healthy but delicious too!

It’s such a great way to try these new products! The monthly plan for The Box is $19.00 a month or you can pay annually for $209. a year. The Boxes will ship and arrive on the 5th of every month and shipping is included. (Boxes ship via USPS and within the US only).

Want to try it our for yourself? Our readers can use the discount code HELLOTEN105 to get their first Bestowed box for $10 (normally $10). This code expires on 11/30/13! So, what are you waiting for? 

Don’t forget to check out their website and also look for bestowed on Facebook!

Self Disclosure: I received the November Box for Free to facilitate this feature but any opinions expressed are my own. Photo Credit: bestowed.