Sunday, March 28, 2010

McNeill Designs games: You've Been Sentenced! and Twisted Fish {Review & Giveaway} ARV $75

{This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to those who entered!}

When I try to remember what my life was like before I had kids, sometimes I find myself drawing a blank. Was that possibly a different lifetime?

What I do know, however, is that my husband and I used to get together much more often with family and friends for a regular game night. We would hang out, talk, laugh... and hopefully find a game we could all agree on. It had to be interactive, challenging and, of course, a lot of fun. Throw in some educational value and we would have had a hilarious time with You've Been Sentenced! from the creative thinkers at McNeill Designs for Brighter Minds.

Designed for ages 8 and up, You've Been Sentenced! is the type of game that can be played almost immediately after opening the box. Simply pass out 10 of the pentagon-shaped cards to each player and the round begins as they each try to score the most points by constructing the longest, grammatically correct sentence. Sounds like an innovative way to hide some thinking skills behind the laughter, doesn't it?

In fact, You've Been Sentenced! cleverly disguises teaching abilities such as sentence structure, vocabulary, spelling, word comprehension, language, and more on each and every card. Beginning with the base word, the 5 sides show multiple conjugations that make players think about which would be appropriate for their sentence... or at least somewhat make sense. With 540 cards, that adds up to well over 2500 words and an almost infinite number of creative possibilities.

However, the game gets even funnier as sentences are read aloud and other players have the opportunity to object based on the grammar or if the sentence just doesn't work. The defending player and the objecting player then debate their views while the rest of the players vote thumbs up or thumbs down for their opinion on the matter. If you've never tried to defend or explain a completely ridiculous sentence, you don't know just how much fun it can be!

Even though my own children are too young to play You've Been Sentenced! now, I am definitely keeping this game around for them as they get older. I love that it inspires creativity and independent thinking much more than rolling dice or moving a game piece around a board. McNeill Designs even offers 5 different Add-On Decks to tailor You've Been Sentenced! to specific interests or subjects (for example, pop culture or sports).

Whether playing the original You've Been Sentenced! or with the added twist of the Add-On Decks, you're almost guaranteed an evening of fun and laughter. I don't know why my sentence of "odd noisy fish will have weak and mouthy faces before chickening out" didn't make sense to some people, though...

For a game more manageable for slightly younger players that still involves humor and quick-thinking, McNeill Designs also offers their innovative twist on Go Fish with their version, aptly named Twisted Fish.

Taking the traditional rules of Go Fish and including flashy new cards, inventive additions to the rules and Zingers to keep things exciting and fresh, Twisted Fish takes much more thought than just asking if your opponent has any twos. Only when you have compiled a "Full Basket" (complete set) of one of the illustrated fish can you remove them from your hand to gain the points.

Adding in the options to peeks at another player's hand, gain an extra guess or even steal someone's card and Twisted Fish will hold the interest of kids and adults alike. Even though Big Sister E is too young to play by the actual rules, she still thought the brightly decorated cards were a blast to sort and match together.

McNeill Designs for Brighter Minds creates unique, addicting, educational and humorous games for all ages and can easily be adapted for individual needs. Scoring for both games isn't really necessary, and the timer for You've Been Sentenced! can be left out to remove the pressure for younger players. Both games will provide a completely different experience each time they are played, making for a new and unpredictable challenge.

Even better, McNeill Designs uses their success to help charitable causes in the community. They currently donate a portion of the sales of You've Been Sentenced! to Success Won't Wait, Inc, a wonderful non-profit organization that works to fight illiteracy. Each time that McNeill Designs comes out with a new product, they are committed to finding a new way to give back, and that makes enjoying their games even more fun.

Plus, thanks to the generosity of McNeill Designs, one person will have the opportunity to play their inventive set of games, because...

One lucky person will win Twisted Fish, You've Been Sentenced! and all 5 Add-On Decks! ARV $75!


To enter to win: Visit McNeill Designs store locator and tell me a retailer near you that carries these great games.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry if you tell me you or your family's current favorite game(s) to play.
1 Extra Entry if you subscribe by email to the McNeill Designs blog.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

Fun family games! You've Been Sentenced, Twisted Fish & more! WIN a $75 prize pack @thxmailcarrier! http://bit.ly/ak18ey #win #giveaway

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect (see sidebar), subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to Thanks, Mail Carrier and McNeill Designs. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on April 15th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

A big thank you to McNeill Designs for providing You've Been Sentenced!, its Add-Ons and Twisted Fish for me to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. Educational and fun, what a combination! The opinions shared are my own and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

446 comments:

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Susan Fobes said...

My family loves games. Here is the closest store:

Educare Services
1201 S. 20th Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104
(717) 238-6769

Susan Fobes said...

We have two favorites Uno-both my 10 and 7 year old can play, and Would You Rather card game.

Susan Fobes said...

I'm in the U printing give away.

Susan Fobes said...

I'm in the Zoo Shoe give away.

Susan Fobes said...

I'm in the Delta faucet give away.

Susan Fobes said...

I am a follower. #1

Susan Fobes said...

I am a follower. #2 (Google Friend Connect)

Susan Fobes said...

I have your button. #1

http://www.susanchapmanfobes.blogspot.com

Susan Fobes said...

I have your button. #2

http://www.susanchapmanfobes.blogspot.com

Susan Fobes said...

I have your button. #3

http://www.susanchapmanfobes.blogspot.com

momznite said...

I can buy McNeill Designs Games at: Learning Express of Acton
250 Great Road
Acton, MA 01720

momznite said...

I also entered the Delta faucet giveaway.

momznite said...

My family enjoys playing Apples to Apples.

momznite said...

New follower.

Darlene said...

The Incredible Toy Company in Blowing Rock carries these toys. Nearest retailer for me. Thanks,
Darlene
wrig9945@charter.net

Darlene said...

We love to play monopoly.
Thanks,
Darlene
wrig9945@charter.net

Darlene said...

I subscribed to Mcneil games blog.
Thanks,
Darlene
wrig9945@charter.net

Darlene said...

I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/lefty22/status/11256975020

wrig9945@charter.net

Darlene said...

I followed you on google connect.Thanks
Darlene
wrig9945@charter.net

goalmom said...

Here is a retailer near me that carries their line:

CM School Supply - Anaheim
1025 E. Orangethorpe Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92801
909-982-9695

my email: teamjones5[at]yahoo[dot]com

goalmom said...

We just played Bananagrams for the first time this weekend and had so much fun!

teamjones5[at]yahoo[dot]com

goalmom said...

I entered the UPrinting giveaway.

teamjones5[at]yahoo[dot]com

goalmom said...

I follow on Twitter and just tweeted for today:

http://twitter.com/goalmom5/status/11257754808

teamjones5[at]yahoo[dot]com

Unknown said...

Wow, I've never heard of that! And I don't remember what it's like to go out...alone :)


Tracy

malleycc said...

We have a Books A Million at a mall near us.

malleycc said...

My family now likes to play old maid or crazy 8s

Rachel C said...

I can get these at the United Art and Education store near me.
rach62803@yahoo.com

Rachel C said...

Our current family favorite is Monopoly Jr.
rach62803@yahoo.com

Rachel C said...

gfc follower 1
rach62803@yahoo.com

Rachel C said...

gfc follower 2
rach62803@yahoo.com

Rachel C said...

email subscriber 1
rach62803@yahoo.com

Rachel C said...

email subscriber 2
rach62803@yahoo.com

Rachel C said...

entered Britax
rach62803@yahoo.com

Rachel C said...

entered Uprinting
rach62803@yahoo.com

Rachel C said...

entered ZooShoo.
rach62803@yahoo.com

Rachel C said...

entered prima princessa
rach62803@yahoo.com

Rachel C said...

entered fairy gram
rach62803@yahoo.com

Rachel C said...

entered snack taxi
rach62803@yahoo.com

Rachel C said...

entered chica bu
rach62803@yahoo.com

Rachel C said...

entered Out of the Box
rach62803@yahoo.com

Rachel C said...

entered pediped
rach62803@yahoo.com

Rachel C said...

entered delta
rach62803@yahoo.com

Rachel C said...

entered justice juels
rach62803@yahoo.com

Rachel C said...

entered thermapak
rach62803@yahoo.com

Darcie K. said...

The closest store is Doll Hospital and Toy Soldier in Berkley.
dmkayes@gmail.com

Darcie K. said...

My daughter and I love to play Jenga
dmkayes@gmail.com

Darcie K. said...

I follow via Google Friend Connect #2
dmkayes@gmail.com

Merrie L. said...

Cappy’s
205 West Clinton Road
Elmira, NY 14901

is a retailer that carries these great games near us! lockwoodmerrie@yahoo.com

Darcie K. said...

I subscribe to your feed via Google Reader #1
dmkayes@gmail.com

Darcie K. said...

I subscribe to your feed via Google Reader #2
dmkayes@gmail.com

Merrie L. said...

My family's favorite "family" game is Sorry. lockwoodmerrie@yahoo.com

Darcie K. said...

I subscribe via email #1
dmkayes@gmail.com

Merrie L. said...

I subscribe to McNeill Designs blog via email. lockwoodmerrie@yahoo.com

Merrie L. said...

I follow you on twitter and tweeted:
http://twitter.com/mjl6mom2/status/11266749598
lockwoodmerrie@yahoo.com

Merrie L. said...

I follow you on GFC.
lockwoodmerrie@yahoo.com Entry 1

Merrie L. said...

I follow you on GFC.
lockwoodmerrie@yahoo.com Entry 2

Merrie L. said...

I subscribe via RSS feed.
lockwoodmerrie@yahoo.com Entry 1

Merrie L. said...

I subscribe via RSS feed.
lockwoodmerrie@yahoo.com Entry 2

Merrie L. said...

I subscribe via email.
lockwoodmerrie@yahoo.com Entry 1

Merrie L. said...

I entered in your Britax giveaway.
lockwoodmerrie@yahoo.com

Merrie L. said...

I entered in your ZooShoo giveaway.
lockwoodmerrie@yahoo.com

Merrie L. said...

I entered in your Fairy-Gram giveaway.
lockwoodmerrie@yahoo.com

Merrie L. said...

I entered in your Chica-bu giveaway.
lockwoodmerrie@yahoo.com

Merrie L. said...

I entered in your Delta giveaway.
lockwoodmerrie@yahoo.com

Merrie L. said...

I entered in your Justice Juels giveaway.
lockwoodmerrie@yahoo.com

Merrie L. said...

I entered in your ThermaPAK giveaway.
lockwoodmerrie@yahoo.com

moushka said...

There are many retailers in my state, but not one of them is close to me.

moushka said...

Our favorite family game right now is Crazy 8s.

moushka said...

2 Blog Follower!

moushka said...

1 Email Subscriber!

Vibrant Vinyls said...

Annies in Traverse City is the closest retailer in Michigan to me :)

tiaragwin AT gmail DOT com

Vibrant Vinyls said...

We love to play lots of different games but our favorites are card games like Uno and Skipbo.

tiaragwin AT gmail DOT com

Vibrant Vinyls said...

I follow you on Twitter and tweeted today ^-^

http://www.twitter.com/tiaragwin

tiaragwin AT gmail DOT com

Vibrant Vinyls said...

I follow you on Google friend connect #1

tiaragwin AT gmail DOT com

Vibrant Vinyls said...

I follow you on Google friend connect #2

tiaragwin AT gmail DOT com

Vibrant Vinyls said...

I entered the UPrinting Canvas Print giveaway also!

tiaragwin AT gmail DOT com

Vibrant Vinyls said...

I entered the ZooShoo giveaway also!

tiaragwin AT gmail DOT com

Vibrant Vinyls said...

I entered the SnackTAXI giveaway also!

tiaragwin AT gmail DOT com

Vibrant Vinyls said...

I entered the Fairy-Gram giveaway also!

tiaragwin AT gmail DOT com

Vibrant Vinyls said...

I entered the Out of the box sampler giveaway also!

tiaragwin AT gmail DOT com

Vibrant Vinyls said...

I entered the Justice Juels giveaway also!

tiaragwin AT gmail DOT com

Vibrant Vinyls said...

I entered the ThermaPAK laptop cooling pad giveaway also!

tiaragwin AT gmail DOT com

Vibrant Vinyls said...

I entered the Delta Company giveaway also!

tiaragwin AT gmail DOT com

Family-Friendly Product Reviews said...

The closest store to my house is:
Blue Willlow Book Shop
14532 Memorial Drive
Houston, TX 77079
281-497-8675

Family-Friendly Product Reviews said...

I entered the Britax giveaway.

Unknown said...

We've got a place just down the road a couple minutes from us! The board game barrister on KK in Milwaukee WI! Would be lots of fun once my kids are a little older. In the meantime, my nieces and nephews would have fun with them!
katidyd at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

Google follower 1
katidyd at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

Google follower 2
katidyd at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

Email subscriber 1
katidyd at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

Email subscriber 2
katidyd at hotmail dot com

Family-Friendly Product Reviews said...

I entered the Fairy gram giveaway.

Family-Friendly Product Reviews said...

I entered the Delta faucet giveaway.

Family-Friendly Product Reviews said...

I entered the ThermaPak giveaway.

Family-Friendly Product Reviews said...

My family's favorite game to play is Monopoly!

Family-Friendly Product Reviews said...

http://twitter.com/melissaaggie98/status/11283907295

Family-Friendly Product Reviews said...

I'm a google friend.

Anonymous said...

The store closest to me is: Learning How- Towson
The Shops at Kenilworth Upper Level
872 Kenilworth Drive
Towson, MD 21204
Only 15 minutes from home....


Donna
dwarrington1@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Candyland....my granddaughter got it for Christmas (she's 3 years old)

Donna
dwarrington1@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I follow your blog.

Donna
dwarrington1@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I follow your blog.

Donna
dwarrington1@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I subscribe through e-mail.

Donna
dwarrington1@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I subscribe through e-mail.

Donna
dwarrington1@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I've entered your Justicejuels.com giveaway

Donna
dwarrington1@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I've entered your Delta giveaway.

Donna
dwarrington1@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I've entered your Delta giveaway.

Donna
dwarrington1@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Sorry about the last post, it should of read, Out of the Box giveaway.

Donna
dwarrington1@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I've entered your Fairy-Gram giveaway.

Donna
dwarrington1@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I've entered your ZooShoo giveaway.

Donna
dwarrington1@gmail.com

sharonjo said...

The retailer nearest to me is the Borders store in Rapid City, SD.

Terra Heck said...

The closest to me is The Chalkboard in Crest Hill, IL. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Terra Heck said...

email subscriber #1
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Terra Heck said...

email subscriber #2
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Terra Heck said...

follow your blog #1
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Terra Heck said...

follow your blog #2
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Terra Heck said...

follow you on Twitter and tweeted about the giveaway
http://twitter.com/partymix25/status/11297874504
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Terra Heck said...

entered the snackTAXI giveaway
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Lisa R said...

Toy Magic
565 Main Street
Bethlehem, PA 18018
610-865-7731

sibabe64 at ptd dot net

Lisa R said...

My daughter loves to play Life

sibabe64 at ptd dot net

Lisa R said...

signed up for mcneils blog

sibabe64 at ptd dot net

Lisa R said...

tweeted

sibabe64

sibabe64 at ptd dot net

Lisa R said...

subscriber 1

sibabe64 at ptd dot net

Lisa R said...

subscriber 2

sibabe64 at ptd dot net

Lisa R said...

google friend 1

sibabe64 at ptd dot net

Lisa R said...

google friend 2

sibabe64 at ptd dot net

Mysharona said...

Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Cleveland
Legacy Village
Cleveland, OH

Becky M said...

the closest retailer to me is Gnome Games in Green Bay!
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

my familys current fav game is Candy Land!
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

google friend #1
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

google friend #2
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

email subscriber #1
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

email subscriber #2
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

subscribe to rss #1
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

subscribe to rss #2
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

entered Britax giveaway
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

entered Prima Princessa giveaway
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

entered Fairy Gram giveaway
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

entered Pediped giveaway
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

entered Delta Faucet giveaway
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

wigget said...

i can find it at
Tree Top Kids- Bethesda
10219 Old Georgetown Rd.
Bethesda, MD 20814

wigget said...

we like playing uno

wigget said...

entered Britax Blink Stroller giveaway

wigget said...

entered Fairy-Gram giveaway

wigget said...

entered pediped giveaway

wigget said...

entered Delta Faucet giveaway

wigget said...

entered Justice Juels giveaway

Rachel C said...

entered hallmark
rach62803@yahoo.com

debsweeps4 said...

The Learning Tree carries these near me. debsweeps4@yahoo.com

Vibrant Vinyls said...

Daily tweet!

http://twitter.com/Tiaragwin/status/11333735132

tiaragwin AT gmail DOT com

"Iowa Mom" said...

Our closest location:
University Book & Supply
1009 W. 23rd Street
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
319-266-7581

strawberrykidssales at gmail dot com

"Iowa Mom" said...

Our current favorite family game is UNO.

"Iowa Mom" said...

This is the blog subscription page for strawberrykidssales@gmail.com. You will receive an email whenever a new post is made on these blogs. Delete a subscription to stop receiving emails for that blog.
for mcneill designs

"Iowa Mom" said...

We follow & tweeted:
http://twitter.com/strawberrykidss/status/11336057787

"Iowa Mom" said...

strawberrykidssales at gmail dot com subscribes to your feed.
1

"Iowa Mom" said...

strawberrykidssales at gmail dot com subscribes to your feed.
2

"Iowa Mom" said...

Email Subscription Confirmed!
A message will be delivered to strawberrykidssales@gmail.com if the publisher has produced new content on that day. No new content, no email for you.
1

"Iowa Mom" said...

Email Subscription Confirmed!
A message will be delivered to strawberrykidssales@gmail.com if the publisher has produced new content on that day. No new content, no email for you.
2

"Iowa Mom" said...

We entered the snackTAXI giveaway.

"Iowa Mom" said...

We entered the Out of the Box giveaway.

"Iowa Mom" said...

We entered the Britax Stroller giveaway.

"Iowa Mom" said...

We entered the UPrinting Rolled Canvas giveaway.

"Iowa Mom" said...

We entered the Zoo Shoo giveaway.

"Iowa Mom" said...

We entered the Prima Princess giveaway.

"Iowa Mom" said...

We entered the Fairy Gram giveaway.

"Iowa Mom" said...

We entered the PediPed giveaway.

"Iowa Mom" said...

We entered the Delta Faucets giveaway.

"Iowa Mom" said...

We entered the Justice Juel giveaway.

"Iowa Mom" said...

We entered the ThermaPak giveaway.

"Iowa Mom" said...

We entered the Hallmark Cards giveaway.

"Iowa Mom" said...

We entered the Flirty Aprons giveaway.

Vibrant Vinyls said...

I sub to your RSS feeds! #1

tiaragwin AT gmail DOT com

Vibrant Vinyls said...

I sub to your RSS feeds! #2

tiaragwin AT gmail DOT com

Vibrant Vinyls said...

I entered the Flirty Aprons giveaway also!

tiaragwin AT gmail DOT com

Vibrant Vinyls said...

I entered the Hallmark kids collection cards giveaway also!

tiaragwin AT gmail DOT com

slb3334 said...

teaching treasures in sioux fals

cstironkat said...

Circle of Knowledge
10980 Sunset Plaza
Sunset Hills, MO 63127
Is near my home.

cstironkat said...

Our family likes to play Clue.

sweepmom said...

Bause's Super Drug Store is closest to me.

shellycox said...

Closest to me is:
Designs for Children
4804 Camp Bowie Blvd.
Ft. Worth, TX 76107

shellycox said...

We like to play Monopoly the most!

Shelly_Cox123@yahoo.com

shellycox said...

subscribed by email to the McNeill Designs blog.

shellycox said...

I am entering all your current giveaways

shellycox said...

Entered the Delta giveaway

shellycox said...

entered the justic juels giveaway

shellycox said...

entered the Thermapack giveaway

shellycox said...

Entered the Hallmark giveaway

shellycox said...

entered the flirty aprons giveaway

Nadi said...

I could get them at our local Barnes and Noble or Borders Bookstore.

treflea4 at gmail dot com

Nadi said...

Right now, we love to play Monopoly with our son.

treflea4 at gmail dot com

Nadi said...

GFC follower 1

treflea4 at gmail dot com

Nadi said...

GFC follower 2

treflea4 at gmail dot com

Nadi said...

Entered the ZooShoo giveaway.

treflea4 at gmail dot com

Nadi said...

Entered the Fairy Gram giveaway.

treflea4 at gmail dot com

Nadi said...

Entered the Delta Faucet giveaway.

treflea4 at gmail dot com

Darcie K. said...

I entered the Britax giveaway
dmkayes@gmail.com

Darcie K. said...

I entered the Flirty Aprons giveaway
dmkayes@gmail.com

Darcie K. said...

I entered the Delta giveaway
dmkayes@gmail.com

Darcie K. said...

I entered the Prima Princessa giveaway
dmkayes@gmail.com

Darcie K. said...

I entered the ZooShoo giveaway
dmkayes@gmail.com

Peggy said...

The closest to me is
Mystic Aquarium
75 Greenmanville Ave
Mystic, CT 06355
Thanks
matternu@gmail.com

Peggy said...

Monopoly or Uno are the favorites!!
matternu@gmail.com

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