Birdcage Press Review and Giveaway

Update Feb. 27: The giveway is now closed. Congratulations to Becky J. - who selected the 52 Amazing Places: National Parks playing cards as her prize! Remember, Birdcage Press is still offering FREE shipping through the end of March when you enter the code IN12 at checkout.

I’m a sucker for games. Since my children were small, we’ve incorporated educational games into our learning time. We all learn something, and we have fun. A win-win for all.

Then I Heard About Birdcage Press

When I first heard about Award Winning Birdcage Press and took a look at all the wonderful art games that they offer, I almost drooled. I couldn’t wait to wrap my fingers around one of their games!

I was excited to select a deck of playing cards to review, and thrilled when my package arrived. Not only did I receive the product I had selected, the Birdcage Press actually sent me a bonus product to review as well!

Why I Chose to Review a Deck of Cards

52 Amazing Places: National Parks Playing Cards, retail price $9.95

I chose 52 Amazing Places: National Parks Playing Cards to review.

You may wonder why I would chose a deck of cards? Let me tell you.

• A card deck is perfect to tuck into your duffle bag when traveling (think LONG layovers at the airport).
• A deck of cards is a great way to break the monotony of a boring hotel room.
• A deck of cards are a lifesaver when you’re on a camping trip, get caught in the rain, and have to stay INSIDE the tent.
• And, as my teenagers found out on our trip to Alaska, a deck of cards make you very popular on a cruise.

As practical as a deck of cards can be for a traveler, this deck of cards from Birdcage Press is not your basic set of cards; these are playing cards with an educational twist.

As soon as the kids and I sat down to play a game of Rummy, we noticed a few differences between the national parks playing cards by Birdcage Press compared to a regular deck of cards.

The first difference is obvious. Just take a look at the beautiful, full color photos that adorn each card.

These cards showcase some of America’s most beautiful natural treasures.

In addition to the scenic photograph, each card offers pertinent information; where that national park is located and a tidbit of two about the park.

Take Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary in California, a park that I’ve dreamed of visiting for years! Did you know that Monterey Bay actually has an immense underwater canyon that is more than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon? You may know that the Gateway Arch commemorates St. Louis’ role in the country’s expansion into the Wild West during the 1800’s, but did you know that it can sway up to 18” in a strong hurricane? I love learning little tidbits of information.

Now that you know the cards are beautiful and educational, there are a couple other differences that set them apart. The cards from Birdcage Press are also heavier than our normal deck of cards and they are also a tad bit larger, as you can see from the picture below.

The only downside I can see in purchasing this deck of cards is that after playing a few hands and seeing the beautiful, picturesque settings, you may decide that you just have to add a national park or two to the places you want to visit. And if you’re anything like me, that list keeps getting longer and longer. Consider yourself warned.

One More Item to Mention

Remember I told you that I received a second item to review? That item was the Go Fish for Van Gogh & Friends Card Game and Book Set.

Go Fish for Van Gogh & Friends card game + book, retail price $12.95

This set is equally as beautiful as the playing cards and allow you to learn about some of the Post-Impressionist painters that Van Gogh associated with; Seurat, Gauguin, Cezanne, Rousseau and Toulouse-Lautrec .

The accompanying full color booklet gives brief information about each artist to enhance the learning experience. Did you know that Cezanne created scenes using three-dimensional elements like cubes, spheres, cones and cylinders? Or that Rousseau, famous for his jungle paintings, lived his entire life in Paris and was inspired by the jungle books he read as well as trips to the zoo and botanical garden?

The booklet also includes instructions on how to play Go Fish for Art, Masterpiece Memory and Art Pairs, making this game perfect for all ages.

Something Special for My Readers

Birdcage Press offers dozens of games, including digital products. When you visit their website, you are bound to find something that you love. Now through March 31st, 2012, you can receive FREE SHIPPING on your order from Birdcage Press! Just enter the code IN12 when you checkout.

Time for a Giveaway

Not only did Birdcage Press graciously allow me the opportunity to review a sampling of their products, they have extended their generosity to my readers so pay attention.

One reader will be randomly selected to win their choice of either 52 Amazing Places: National Parks Playing Cards OR Go Fish for Van Gogh & Friends Card Game + Book Set.

Entries are easy and you have several options to chose from- just make sure you leave a comment telling me which one you did. And since I know it’s a pain to leave multiple comments, one comment is fine. I’ll go through each entry and tally up your points.

1. Mandatory- visit the Birdcage Press website and tell me what product you would love to have.
2. Visit the Birdcage Press Facebook Page and say something nice.
3. Follow Birdcage Press on Twitter.
4. Tweet about this giveaway and be sure to mention @BirdcagePress and @Travelermom. Leave your Twitter handle in a comment so I can RT your tweet. :)
5. Sign up on the Birdcage Press mailing list to hear about future specials, promotions and new product releases.
6. Just for fun, tell me why you love a great deck of cards.

This giveaway will end Sunday, February 26th at midnight. I will notify the winner on Monday and you will have 24 hours to respond with your mailing address so make sure to include an email address so I can contact you.This giveaway is open to anyone in the US. Birdcage Press will fulfill the giveaway by shipping the winners choice of item directly to the winner.

Enter More Giveaways

Not only am I hosting a giveaway of the products that I reviewed, but each of the following bloggers have also received products to review and giveaway. You can see what products they reviewed listed beside the links to their blogs.

Spell Outloud -- Choice of Egyptian Art Cards or Battle Cards-Military Jets Finding Joy -- Choice of Wild Cards – North American Birds or Art Ditto Game Jimmie's Collage --Choice of Impressionist or Renaissance Art Game Mama's Learning Corner -- Renaissance Art Game Handbook of Nature Study -- Wild Cards-Backyard Birds Harmony Art Mom -- Choice of Go Fish for Art or Art Close-Up Cards The Curriculum Choice -- Art Ditto Memory Game Hodgepodge -- Go Fish for Wildlife – Sea Creatures Get Along Home -- Choice of Wild Cards, Backyard Birds or Renaissance Art Game

*I received 52 Amazing Places: National Parks and Go Fish for Van Gogh & Friends card + book set at no cost. In exchange, I used the products with my family in order to write a review sharing my honest opinion and thoughts of the product with my readers.