As parents, we are continuously looking for entertainment for our kids. Something that is not over stimulating or damaging but engaging enough. While in an ideal world, we would love to give educational content to our kids all the time, feed them only freshly cooked nutritious food and have zero tolerance for screens, these are just not practical. So I am always trying to balance screens with entertainment, learning and fun. And that's why I am going to share with you the perfect website for children's games, which will keep them hooked yet they would be learning skills the whole time.

1. Unstructured play: Generally I am a big fan of unstructured play. Open ended games evoke creativity in the kids more. Games like Lego and Dominos inspire the kids to think out of the box. My kids don't play with the blocks in a conventional way, they invent games and use the structures/figures made by blocks to fit into those games.

2. Role play: This kind of play again help the kids to unleash their creativity. Whether playing teacher and student, doctor and patient, shopkeeper and customer or simply mother and child, you will be on a wild ride if you happen to witness one of their games. Sometimes I over hear them from the kitchen and many a times, I am invited to watch their camaraderie. I am both in splits and marvel, wondering how innovative my two kids can get. 

3. Board games: These are an integral part of any household. While games like Monopoly and Tambola can be played by kids and adults alike, there are a thousand board games, which are cherished by kids. Be it Picktureka or Route, Ludo or Snakes and Ladders, Chinese Checkers etc, these provide endless hours of entertainment. The only downside is that these might lead to saturation and the kids may deny playing again after a period of time. Also they have fixed rules and regulations, and not necessarily thought provoking.

4. Online kids' games: There isn't a child in this universe who is not "bored". Even after getting them the best of toys and games, books and a cutely decorated room, they are bound to bug with "Mom, I am bored."

So what to do in that scenario? While making them watch television/tablet might solve the problem, but it's temporary. You don't want them to stare at the screen endlessly and not learn anything. That's when I prefer them playing online games. Because let's face it, you can't refrain from screens. So it's better that you put them to use productively.

Mortgage Calculator has a myriad of games that offer not only non stop entertainment to the kids but also teach them practical skills like currency, real estate, food, restaurants, business, environment, etc. Basically the games they offer are financial based, something which we need to teach our children from a young age.

There are a plethora of games that would keep the kid hooked along with learning the nuances of earning, maintenance, etc.

Some of my favourite games which I love for my kids (as well as playing myself...Shhhhh secret) are Idle Farming business, Idle Hypermarket Empire, Coffee shop etc 

In idle Farming business, you have to grow potatoes first in a plot of land. Then you start harvesting them and earning money. Then you can buy more plots with that money to grow other vegetables like carrots, wheat, corn etc to make more money. Also rain cloud and sun help you in quicker harvest and production respectively. Such a cute way to learn how the business of farming works.

In Idle Hypermarket Empire, you get to play the simulation of a grocery store. Initially you work and earn money and then use that money to hire managers to automate work flow. You have to earn money to open more floors and then get more work done by the workers and earn more money. Of course this teaches you earning, maintenance as well as spending. One can spend hours doing this.

Coffee Shop is a fantastic game that will keep your kiddos hooked. We know how much coffee is important. My kids already know that I can't function without coffee and they love iced coffee. So it really makes sense that they set up a coffee shop and start a business.

You get 30 days to run your business. The Cafe Calypso is a happening little coffee shop. You have to buy inventory like coffee cups, milk, sugar, spoons and of course coffee. The thought bubble of the customer indicate what they want...like they want creamier coffee, stronger coffee, etc. Some say that it's too hot for a cuppa and all. You need to have enough inventory for the day or you will go out of stock. 

Recycling games: Sort the trash. In this game you have to collect the recyclable items in the bin to earn points. This teaches you what all are recyclable like soda cans, plastic bottles, tetra packs etc. I put straws in the bin only to learn that they are not recyclable! Learning never ends!

These game are all free and have attractive graphics and music. Your child is definitely going to leave the device more savvy about money management as well as entertained.

5. Last but not the least, books. Book reading requires more focus than ever before. Raising a reader is easy if you yourself are one. Inculcating the habit of reading requires bedtime reading, easy access to books and of course attractive reading material. Reading will never become obsolete, even if the internet says so. After all, reading online articles too requires focus and attention, which in turn comes from reading.

Which one of these is your favourite activity for your kid? Which game are you going to try first?

 Title: Maria just Maria 

Author: Sandhya Mary 

Language: English, translated from Malayalam by Jayasree Kalathi

Genre: Fiction 

Pages: 232

Publisher: Harper Perennial (Harper Collins)

Alright so this book looks very intriguing from its cover. A collage of bright impressions (with the mention of a toddy shop too) and the title of course. As you start reading, you realise that Maria is the single most name that is easy to pronounce. Just joking. Actually being a Bengali who has been brought up in the North, most of the names of the characters are difficult for me to memorize because they are typical South Indian names.

Originally written in Malayalam, the translation has been done by the award winning author, Jayasree Kalathi, who currently lives in England.

This is a very different kind of story. Maria, the protagonist has stopped speaking after the death of her grandfather. And this book traces all the incidents happening, leading to this huge life change. Her muteness is not neurological or underlying any pathology but is simply because she doesn't want to speak. 

The story has dedicated chapters on the main characters of the book, how all these shape up over the years or rather generations. From Maria's great grandparents to her ex husband and brother, there is a detailed account of every one and the reader is made thorough with all the life changes that is underwent by her.

Maria is brought up in her grandfather's house, from her childhood and that pretty much explains why she is so attached to him. Her brother is an established doctor practicing in the States, and he is the one who is paying for her mental hospital fees.

The characters are very intriguing. From her childhood dog Chandipatti, who has a substantial role in the story to side characters like Kali and all, there are grey shades to all of them (of course including her grandfather, who's a drunkard; remember the toddy shop illustration on the cover?). Chandipatti is an extremely intelligent dog with some serious powers because he can speak to Maria and think like a mortal. He has to be my favourite character from the book because even if you are not a canine lover, you are definitely going to get impressed by this four legged companion of hers.

What I love about this book are the details. The way each character is etched and described. What I found not so likeable (highly personal opinion) is the myriad of difficult names of the characters. Sometimes I had to go back and forth because the names were a challenge for me to remember and connect.

It's not ordinary story book. The meaning is deep and you will be thinking about the plot way longer after it's finished.

Rating: 3.5/5

This review is powered by Blogchatter Book Review Program 

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ 
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla 
in collaboration with Dr. Preeti Chauhan.

When we think of Thailand, nightlife seems integrated in that thought. A trip to this tropical destination is absolutely incomplete without a taste of the throbbing discotheques and bars. While prominent cities like Bangkok and Pattaya have dedicated streets and localities, there isn't a single town in Thailand that is free of bars. While the Bangla Street in Patong, Phuket steals all the limelight for the best nightlife, there is a very unexpected place that really has glitzy evenings. That place (very surprising to some) is Phi Phi Island.

Majority of the tourists do Phi Phi as a day trip. Even we did that, when we visited 12 years ago as a couple. We tend to think that it's a day beach area (like the Ile Aux Cerfs) and the place shuts out after dusk. However in reality, Phi Phi Don is a really big island. (Not Phuket big, but not as small as Dhiffushi) It's a non motorable island and is quite hilly. So if you need to traverse from one end of the island to another, you will need to take a boat for that. 

That's why we chose to reside near the Tonsai Pier (the city/island centre). We needed the market with the groceries and restaurants at an arm's length and believe me, it was the best decision ever. The island really goes to sleep at night, and it becomes quite spooky and eerie. So had we been staying on the more peaceful parts, we couldn't have enjoyed the nightlife.

Well the Loh Dalum Bay is an area where you would get transported elsewhere. Surely there are a number of happening bars and clubs in the centre. But the ambiance on that beach is a different scenario altogether! There are elaborate fire shows. We even crossed a burning rope from beneath a few times to get free shots as rewards. Almost every crazy task comes with rewards. You can find weed everywhere and laughing gas is for sale too. The waves often come crashing on the chairs, where you are sitting for watching the fire shows. We loved every moment of the glitz and glamour for the 2 nights we were there and I highly recommend staying at Phi Phi overnight to witness a completely different phase of this lively island.

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ 
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla 
in collaboration with Dr. Preeti Chauhan.