I loved to play games as a child, but as a parent, I prefer games that are going to provide a sort of education for my child and not just “occupy” their time. Briarpatch has a great game, Thomas’ Great Race, that does just that. 
In order to play, kids learn their numbers to earn coal to power their engines (Thomas, James, Percy or Molly) over the hill to win. The game encourages the development of sorting, counting and color matching skills. The pieces are nice and chunky, this is obviously a fun game that was made with toddlers and preschoolers in mind, and I love that it was well thought out.
The game works like this: “Each engine drops into a slot on the Great Race track, with the back of each slot open to receive “coal blocks.” For the youngest children, a parent or older sibling is designated as a helper to join in the fun and aid emerging readers. Players take turns selecting a card and answering a simple counting question based upon what they see on the card –for example, how many blue engines do you see?” The answer – ranging from one to three, depending on the card selected — appears on the back of each card in the form of a graphic that matches one of the blocks of coal. A correct answer is rewarded when a player picks up the matching block of coal and inserts it into the open slot behind his engine, powering it up the hill. Coal blocks are also different sizes and colors, adding to the drama and excitement of the race. Once the engines crest the hill, they roll across the finish line.”
This is a great game made for children ages 3 and up, and for 2 to 4 players. It is a very reasonable price ($24.99), and I think you will enjoy the educational aspect of it as much as we do. Plus, it really is a game that you can play WITH your child, and I love it when mommy can play too! You can purchase Thomas’ Great Race from the Briarpatch Website.
Win it! Briarpatch has graciously offered to giveaway Thomas’ Great Race to one very lucky CSC reader. To enter, just follow the easy-peasy rules below!
- Head over to Briarpatch and pick out your other favorite game. Then come back here and leave a comment on this post telling me about it.
- Earn extra credit! You may do these for extra entries.
- Blog about this giveaway and link back here. Tell me about it in a separate comment.
- Subscribe to my RSS feed via email or in a reader and tell me about it in a separate comment.
- Stumble my main webpage (www.chicshopperchick.com) and leave me your Stumble Upon name in a separate comment.
- Favorite Chic Shopper Chick on Technorati and let me know about it in a in a separate comment.
- Add me to your blog roll. Not just my button in your sidebar, I’d love to be on your blog roll! Let me know about it in a separate comment!
- Get a gravatar! It looks so much nicer than a blank space, and I’d love to see your lovely face. It’s universally recognized, so you can use it more than just here on my site. Oh, and let me know about it. Kthxbai.
That’s it! Good luck! Oh, and the official rules and legal jargon are below.
US entries only, winner will be chosen via random.org at the end of the contest. Winners are posted here and on Prizey Fetch, please leave a valid email address or blog address if you’d like to be contacted should you win. Winner has 72 hours to claim their prize. This contests ends at 11:59 pm CST on November 15th, 2008.
I got a gravatar. I agree that they’re nice to look at too. =)
I subscribed to your RSS feed via email.
I love the Animal Soup There’s Always One Game!
I’d love to get the Thomas ABC Game for my son
Faved on Technorati. User name – corjong
I got a Gravatar.
Stumbled your main page. User name – corjong
Subscriber in google reader.
Thomas’ Station Stop Matching Game. My grand children love Thomas.
I’d pick either fancy nancy or the animal soup game.
Thank you!
onenightoff (at) gmail (dot) com
Faved on Technorati. My user name is winrobg
I have CSC Stumbled.
http://winrobg.stumbleupon.com/
Subscriber.
Thomas’ Tracks ‘n Trestles Game
The Goodnight Moon Game
The Animal Soup Card Game looks so fun. Both of my sond love Thomas so much. Thank you so much for the great contest.
My 4 year old would love the Fancy Nancy Posh Bedroom Game.
Thanks!
Dinosaurs Extinct sounds neat
the fancy nancy game looks fun :)
The sea monsters game looks cute
My daughter and husband love to read the I Spy books so I think they would enjoy the I Spy Spooky Night game.
Animal Soup There’s Always One looks like something the little ones would enjoy and would be fun for me, too.
the DaVinci game
please enter me thank you
The I Spy Preschool Game looks fun. Thanks for the giveaway!
braaisjo at gmail dot com
You are on my blog roll.
I’m a subscriber.
Thomas Mix ‘n Match Bingo Game
How cool is this contest?! way cool! We love the Little Golden Book Circle of Friends game! Thank you for the chance to win.
i’m subscribed
my kids love Newton’s apples.
great prize
I like all the I Spy! games, especially the preschool game and the Holiday wishes.
I like the Thomas Count Your Cars Game
I subscribed by email!
I like the beddy bye baby game!
my favorite is the I Spy Memory Game 15th Anniversary Edition
DaVinci’s Challenge game
I Spy Private Eye
my son love thomas the train everything
Fancy Nancy for the granddaughter
Thomas and Friends Domino Game
I think my nephew would love the Thomas ABC Game.
I am a subscriber.
My daughter would like the Fancy Nancy Posh bedroom game. My son is a big Thomas the train fan! Thanks for the giveaway!
I love the I Spy Private Eye Game for my kids. Thanks for the contest!
Fancy Nancy Posh Bedroom Game
I’m already subscribed
My son would love for me to win this. I like the I Spy Games, especially the preschool one. We love the books so I’m sure the games would be a hit. I didn’t know they had games, another xmas idea! Thanks for a chance to win the Thomas game!
Davinci’s Challenge looks like a great strategy game! This would be so much fun to play with my older kids! Thanks for the great giveaway!
The Dinosaurs, Extinct game would be perfect for my son!
we would love fancy nancy and any of the thomas
animal soup!!!
[email protected]
Newtons Apples or Fancy Nancy Posh Bedroom sound like fun games.
I like the Thomas and Friends Domino Game.
I love the Thomas Count Your Cars Game. My son is part of the Thomas cult, and we are both big board game fans. It’s nice to do something together that also helps him learn. Thanks for the chance to win.
skylergrotz at hotmail dot com
subscriber!
[email protected]
Animal Soup looks Fun!
thanks, [email protected]
My son would enjoy this game. I really like the Nerdy Wordy Crossword game.
animal soup game looks fun.
I want to check out the DaVinci game!
I subscribed via email.
[email protected]
I Like the I Spy Private Eye game!
[email protected]
The clothespin game sounds cute
Animal Soup!
I would like to try out the Clothespins! Game.
I think I figured out how to get a gravatar…
Animal Soup Sounds great!
I love the Clothespins game
I subscribe to your feed
I think the DaVinci’s Challenge game sounds like fun. Thanks!
I think since my son’s other favorite thing besides Thomas and all the trains is “Goodnight Moon,” that is probably a goame we would buy for hmi. I actually might get it for Christmas.
Thanks!
Meghann
The Goodnight Moon puzzle looks like fun! We love that book!
The Animal Soup Game looks really cute too. My nephew is in LOVE with Thomas and would love to win this giveaway! Thanks!
I love that I Spy game!!! That looks like something my boys would love :)
Thank you for the great giveaway!
I love the Goodnight Moon!
I would love the Goodnight Moon game! My son LOVES that book. Thanks.
I love Brairpatch, they have really cute games, there usually simple but educational which I love! I think the “Goodnight Moon Game” looks cute! My niece loves the book.
Anything Thomas is a hit at our house, so the prize game would be wonderful!
I subscribe through email.
I like the I Spy game and Animal soup game. Thx for the giveaway!
I like I spy eagle eye game! The kids would like it!
I love the Little Golden Book Circle of Friends game. my son is fanatic of playing games and a huge fan of Thomas so I know he would absolutely love this giveaway. Thanks so much!
Little Golden Book Circle of Friends
I like several but probably Animal Soup.
My grandson loves all things Thomas! In addition to the game you are giving away I think he would like the Thomas Count Your Cars game.
The Fancy Nancy Posh Bedroom Game is just too darling! My nieces would love it!
I am a subscriber.
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com
My grandson would love to play with this. I like the Thomas ABC Game also. Thank-you.
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com
Fancy Nancy Posh Bedroom Game
thank you
I’d like to try clothepins!
Animal Soup looks fun!
the Thomas tic tac toe looks fun :)
The Fancy Nancy Posh Bedroom Game looks fun as well
Faved on Technorati. User name: bricoble
Stumbled. User name: bricoble
I got a Gravatar
I’m a subscriber.
My boys love Thomas. They would really like the Thomas Count Your Cars Game too.
I am a subscriber! Cindi
Briarpatch is such a fun site. Another game that sounds fun is the “I Spy Private Eye” Game. Please enter me in your “Thomas’ Great Race” Game drawing. I really appreciate it. My nephew would enjoy receiving the game as a Christmas gift. Thanks, Cindi
A lot of the Briarpatch games look great, but I think my other favorite would be the I Spy Bingo. My kids love I Spy books, and bingo is always fun and that game didn’t require reading, but could teach letters. And of course many of the Thomas games would go over well with my little Thomas fan!
I think my daughter would love the Beddy Bye Baby game.
You are on my blogroll:
http://grammyjanetsplace.blogspot.com/
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
I am subscribed.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
I like I Spy Eagle Eye Game.
Thank you!
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
The “Newton’s Apples Gravity Strategy Game” looks really interesting. What a cool idea for a kids’ game!
I blogged about it on my giveaways blog, thanks!
I blogged about it on my giveaways blog, thanks!
http://contestsandgiveaways.blogspot.com/2008/11/win-thomas-great-race-game.html
You are on my blogroll, thanks!
I’m a subscriber, thanks!
I would love to have the Goodnight Moon Game for my daughter-looks adorable, thanks!
I love the clothespins game! Thanks for the great giveaway.
I blogged you but it wont let me post the link!?!?
http://caseydeucesworld.blogspot.com/2008/11/wiggles-and-more-goodies.html
I blogged you!
I also like the goodnight moon puzzle assortment!!
Thank you for having this. I like the Dinosaurs Extinct game as well for my son. Thank you!
[email protected]
My little greatgrands would love Animal Soup.
My Grand Daughter would love the Da Vinci’s Challenge
The Fancy Nancy Posh Bedroom Game looks great.
I know a “special” little boy I would give this to :) Great Prize!
tHE CLOTHES PIN GAME
Let’s do the I spy eagle eye game.
I like the Animal Soup card game for my 5 yr old.
There are some great activities for kids. We want to try animal soup.
Dinosaurs, Extinct !!
am subscribed. Thanks again
Animal Soup Card Game for sure…perfect to play with little boy that I nanny for. THANKS for entry
I Spy Private Eye looks like lots of fun. Thanks for the nice giveaway.
I would like the Fancy Nancy Posh Bedroom Game!!!
we like clothespins
i like Dinosaurs, Extinct?
subscriber
davincinis challenge looks different and interesting.
I liked the Little Golden Book Circle of Friends game.
I just blogged about it.
http://3boys1girlandadog.blogspot.com/2008/11/contest-over-at-chic-shopper-chick.html
I subscribe to you via email, thanks.
We like the look of the Ispy and the animal soup card game. thanks.
OH, Hello, My 6 y/o would love Fancy Nancy Posh Bedroom Game!!! great site they have there.
I subscribe via email, thanks again.
Loving the look of the new Sea Monsters game – I’ve never seen it before. thanks for the giveaway.
We liked the DaVinci’s Challenge game, I know its for older kids. We love briarpatch.