Sometime last year I sat with my eldest daughter, flipping through the available movies and clicked on the Hunger Games. I had read the books and seen the film already and knew that while there was some violence it was more a story about perseverance and courage than anything else.
And perhaps a wee bit of love?
My daughter and I watched, and were quickly joined by my younger daughter when she heard the sounds of the film. A girls night was thrust upon us and we snuggle into the couch to share a journey with Katniss.
A few months later we had a copy of Catching Fire in our hot little hands, and another girls night was called.
Since them these movies, and the books, are a frequent escape for the three of us. We curl up and participate in Katniss’s struggles, and her strength.
So why this series? Why did this series of films (books) capture my girls imaginations so much?
They love that Katniss can hunt. That she takes care of herself and her family. That she is powerful, yet loving. That she has all sides of femininity that they admire.
My eldest said to me once, a few years back, “Mom, I think guys like girls who get off their bumbs and actually DO STUFF” and she is right. Strong, feminine role models who move, and challenge, and explore.
And despite the “icky” parts, and the sad parts in the film, you leave with this powerful respect for Katniss, and feeling that girls can do anything (and as my Dad taught me, they can often do it better than boys)
So, when we had the chance, at the end of the summer to pull my daughters friends together for a final summer blow-out, what better way to do it than by channelling our inner Katniss.
And then, as every young heroine should, we stopped for ice cream.
Filled with sugar and treats the gaggle hit the gear for another round of fun. Trading blasters for bows and getting better and better with each shot taken, the girls were in the rhythm.
They were burning off steam from a long summer at home, laughing, running and sweating as they fought for the foam darts sprayed across the lawn.
The sound of the arrows from the Nerf Rebelle Agent Bow whistled through the trees, and as the afternoon ended, the girls grabbed their Nerf Rebelle to head back home.
Whether your daughters are tracking grouse through the agent bow with glowing site channeling Katniss, or firing a dozen foam darts with the rapid fire blaster and defending their little brothers secret invention like Spy Kids, they will have the chance to play like a girl, even though it is with Nerf gear.
Cause playing like a girl is pretty awesome. Girls are agile, creative and focussed. They concentrate before the fire, and have a way of saving their darts of arrows until the perfect moment! (Based on the number of darts that hit my rear that is)
In fact, my 4 year old boy was pretty excited to play like a girl that day as well.
Check out the PTPA award winning Nerf Rebelle gear at your local stores and plan a birthday party that your daughters will never forget!
And today, you can enter to WIN your own (1) x Nerf Rebelle Secrets and Spies Agent Bow & one (1) x Nerf Rebelle Secrets and Spies Messenger valued at over $50. Contest runs Sept 1-30, please check rules & regs for more info
“Disclosure: I am part of the PTPA Brand Ambassador Program with Hasbro and I received
compensation as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.”