Sponsored: Goodgames: Play Games and Earn Donations!

(I am writing this post as an entry into a giveaway sponsored by Goodgames.org.  All opinions are mine, and I am not being compensated in any other way.)

I have to admit that I don't get much of a chance to play online games--I just don't have time.  But I think I just might have to make an exception.  Have you ever heard of Goodgames.org?  It is a site where you can play all the fun games that you like, and while you're "wasting" your time, you can earn money for nonprofit organizations!  There are 109,000 organizations from which to choose, and you get to choose!   Play any of the games that you are used to:  solitaire, Klondike, Mahjongg Dimensions, and more.  With over 113 million Americans playing online games for around 50 million hours of games PER DAY, Goodgames could actually  raise over $1 billion per year for these wonderful organizations!

Their parent company, goodsearch, has already donated nearly $10 million to various causes all over the nation.  Users search, shop online, dine out, and take surveys.  All of these activities earn money to donate to nonprofit causes.

Be sure to check both sites out today!

Zookt: Shopping and Gaming Combine in a Unique Experience

How many of you like to play games?  How many of you like to shop?  If you answered "yes" to both of these questions, then I may have the perfect new site for you.  It is called Zookt, and it will satisfy the gamer and the shopper in you.  It is a unique site where customers play games against each other to score deals--often very deeply discounted deals that you just cannot find elsewhere.

If you are like me, you may wonder where in the world this site originated.  I first heard of it about a month ago, but it has been around since 2011.  This is the thing that excites me the most.  It was founded in Austin, Texas!  Imagine--a U.S. company!  Ahmad Chamseddine and Michael Shapiro are the co-founders of this site.  Chamseddine loves to shop, and his idea behind the development of this site was to have fun while shopping.  There are plans to involve the community in the development of new games in the future which should allow this site to soar to even newer heights of creativity.

When you sign up for an account with Zookt, you automatically get 100 Zooks.  These are virtual points that you can use to bid on items on the site.  In order to fully appreciate all that I am telling you, let me explain how Zookt works.

• First of all, the customers go to the site to search for deals that may interest them.
• Once the customer has found a deal that interests them, they then choose which of three games they would like to play: Bingo, Hearts, or Random Colors
• Customers pay a small entry fee to play for the deal (or they may alternatively earn enough free Zooks  to satisfy the entry fee).

I have already mentioned one way to get free Zooks--go and register.  But Zookt does not stop there.  They have created additional ways to earn free Zooks which include everything from referring people to the site to winning games to filling out feedback surveys.  If you truly take advantage of everything Zookt offers you, you may be able to land more incredible deals than you ever dreamed possible!

So do you wonder what might be up ahead?  Later on this year, Zookt plans to introduce even more games and even a facebook application.

For the serious deal hunter and gamer, you know you want to be aware of all the updates before the general public, right?  So be sure to follow Zookt on facebook and twitter.  Think of all the possibilities.  You may not have to wait and save for several months to find that new laptop or Ipad you have had your eye on (I am sure I am not the only one who watches for things to go on to sale--especially in this economy).  You may be able to play a game and get that item for a mere pittance of what you would have paid.

I will tell you up front that I am not a gamer--I am a shopper.  But I have to admit that as I look over this site and see all that is available, I am actually considering checking out the various features of this site myself.  Imagine being able to play simple games and earn deals when I win a game.  I would be one of those who would play for free and practice regularly before I ever got involved in a a live game with other customers.

One concern I had was completely answered when I looked at the help section of their site.  I wondered what payment methods were accepted. I was so happy to learn that they accept paypal!  I love sites that accept paypal because it makes me feel that they are a trustworthy site where my information will be kept secure.  In fact, they are also Norton secured and a Payleap Verified Merchant.  In this day and age when identity theft and the security of your information online can be an issue, it is nice to know that this is a secure site.

So, what do you think?  Are you going to check Zookt out?  You could be the first amongst your friends to try it out, and then by the time your friends join, you could be the pro and the one landing all the deals.

This is a sponsored post written in conjunction with a Karma Media campaign.  I was compensated for my post, but all opinions are 100 percent mine.

Printable Pirate Party Games Review

I don't know about you, but I am always looking for things to make my life a little bit easier.  Although I love to cook and bake, I am not good at coming up with ideas for themed parties.  My daughter will be nine in June, and I honestly have no idea what theme party she would like.  I can assure you I will be going online and looking for ideas.

It just so happens that I have found a great site with printable party games.  And I was fortunate enough to get to review their Pirate Party Games.  While we often think of kids birthday parties, teens and adults like these kinds of things, too.  We often forget about having fun at parties, and this company will help you do just that.  They will take all of the guesswork out of themes and games to play.  Even if you don't care much for pirates, read on.  The company has more themes than just pirates.

First of all, the overall customer service is tremendous.  Once your place your order, the company will e-mail you the link to download the games, and there you have it.  And this is exactly what I received--high quality, printable pirate-themed games.  They have just about everything you could imagine.  Games that appeal to children as well as teens and adults.

There is a shot of what you will receive.  This one is a pirate icebreaker.

And this one is especially for adults (or some teens who can handle role-playing!).

They don't have a snapshot of my favorite one--Pirate Mad Libs.  When I got to this one, it brought me such a sense of nostalgia.  I loved Mad Libs as I was growing up, and I know this could be fun!  So if you want to take a look at that one, you will have to check out the site for yourself.

My favorite features of these printable party games are that you get instant access, and the graphics are fantastic.  And they are fun!  I haven't had an opportunity to try the games out on a group of people, but you know what?  I am not worried1  Once I download these, I have access for life, so it means I can leisurely plan a party or just go ahead and wait it out and keep these for later.  I can take my time to plan a great pirate party!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

This Day in History December 21, 1913

Yes, indeed folks, this is the first known published crossword puzzle which appeared on this date in 1913 in the New York World.  It was originally called word-cross, and it was created by Arthur Wynne.

He based it on a game he played as a child--Magic Squares. It is said that the real first crossword puzzle appeared in England during the 1900's.  The difference with Wynne's was that it appealed to adults and soon became a favorite adult pastime.

By the 1920's, newspapers all over the U.S. were regularly featuring these puzzles, and in 1924, Simon and Schuster published the first book of crosswords.

Would you like a chance to solve the original?  Click here.

For more information on this topic, check out these sites:
http://frogstorm.com/?p=3011
http://inventors.about.com/od/cstartinventions/a/crossword.htm

Bag It! Swag Giveaway (Ends 12/26) U.S. (Closed)

Remember my Bag It! Cell Phone Review?  In celebration of this game, the company sent me Spilt plush, branded lip balms and portable hand sanitizer with a few other small goodies. And now you have the same chance to win the swag bag I won.  Your kids will love it!

Sponsored by Tomoson.com

Bag It! Cell Phone Game Review

Well, this is a first for me, I must say.  I have reviewed lots of things, but a cell phone game?  You have to be kidding--no, I am not!  I got the amazing chance to review a cell phone game called Bag It! 

I am not an avid cell phone or video game player, but you might be able to guess who it--my 8-year-old daughter!  I have had an Android phone for years now, and I recently upgraded.  My Android is amazing--I have a Samsung T-mobile Sidekick, and it is very reliable.  My daughter thinks it is her phone, and she is constantly trying new games.

The first problem I had was downloading the game.  I am honestly quite tech-savvy, but sometimes things do not work right.  I used my g-mail address, and I was sent the game.  But I could not get it to download!  Here's a hint for anyone who ever struggles with downloading attachments on your phone.  Do not go to your mail app--go to your phone's browser.  I tried it yesterday, and it downloaded very quickly!

Once downloaded, I was pleased with the graphics in the game.  It also was an easy-to-understand game.  I absolutely hate cell phone games that are difficult to understand or play.  This one is pretty good.  The whole premise of the game is to fill up grocery bags with items without breaking any of the items.  I did well on the game, but as you can guess, my daughter did better!  I will say it is not for young children--there is a challenge involved.  But children as young as eight can definitely play it.  In fact, they will leave you in the dust!

This is an engaging game, and I am glad that we have it.  I enjoy the fact that it is easy to complete levels, but you are able to go back and try to increase the score you had.  No chance of beating my daughter's scores--especially for me!

I am impressed with the professionalism of the company.  When I had issues, I was treated with respect.  I would definitely look for more apps from this company in the future--Hidden Variable.

And watch out, readers, for a giveaway to soon be coming!  You won't want to miss out!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.