If Staccups doesn’t win numerous toy or game awards I’ll eat my hat (or I would if I wore one). When I was introduced to some of the new games from University Games at Blog on Xmas, I didn’t expect to get hooked on one. But Staccups can do that to you even if you’re not a particular fan of board games. Following the Blog on conference, I was sent 5 Second Rule and Staccups game to review. Staccups game… Continue Reading “Fun with 5 second rule and Staccups game review”
Games. Love them or hate them, you can’t deny that they can be great for family life. A chance to have some fun, relax (or maybe not if everyone gets competitive), and a way to get all ages involved. For me, the retro games are still the best – especially if you’ve got the old versions still hanging around cupboards. It’s rare that the modern versions are as sturdy as the old ones. I love reminiscing about the old games… Continue Reading “Pass the pigs game – review and giveaway”
Like so many other children this year, N loves fidget spinners and any other quirky toys he can fritter away time on. We were sent some recent release fidget toys from Zing – the Spinbladez, Spinzipz and Thumb Chucks to review. We both love the Spin toys. Both the Spinbladez and Spinzipz are addictive. Who can resist flashing lights to remind you of disco lighting? Both are good chunky, good quality toys. Dropping these isn’t going to break them. The… Continue Reading “Flashing fidget toys from Zing – Spinbladez and Spinzipz”
I’m not really a fidgeter but I do get easily distracted. And I get bored a lot at work if I’m doing the same thing over and over again. So being sent the MOKURU fidget toy, a desk based fidget product, was going to help give me some time out at work (and home). Expected to be the next big thing to take over from fidget spinners, and brought over from Japan, the MOKURU is a really simple desk toy. … Continue Reading “MOKURU fidget toy review – addictive desk toy”
There’s something special about stationery, and in particular I love pens. N has inherited this love because any new pens that I bring into the house, and he’s nosying trying to use them. With the Chalkola chalk pens I was sent to review, I knew I’d struggle to keep him away. Chalkola are fairly chunky chalk markers which have ink that looks like chalk. They can be used on any non-porous material, including glass, metal, porcelain and more. The variety of… Continue Reading “Getting arty with Chalkola chalk pens – review and giveaway”
I’ve mentioned before how N is just getting into games and I’m a big fan of anything educational. When Cartamundi asked me to review a couple of their newly launched Fundels games, I thought it was a great opportunity to broaden N’s game options. And help enforce his maths at the same time. Cartamundi are specialists in playing cards and card games, and Fundels have been launched to bring a fun and effective way of learning into the world of card… Continue Reading “Making maths fun with Fundels games”
Board games are a great way to have fun as a family, and I’ve been dying for N to be old enough to be interested in playing them. We’re getting there, although he gets easily distracted and needs a lot of reminding of rules…otherwise he’ll make them up for himself, usually not telling anyone else playing. Board games take me back to my youth. We used to play them a lot – mostly money games – Hotel, Monopoly, Game of… Continue Reading “Great board games for 5-7 year olds”
N has always been interested in the moon and stars ever since he was a toddler. So I was hoping that being sent the Discovery Kids telescope to review was going to be a hit with him. My degree was in geography so I’m always interested in trying to encourage any interest N shows in the world around us. When the 40mm astronomical telescope arrived in its box it was massive. There’s certainly enough padding to keep the telescope safe… Continue Reading “Searching for stars with Discovery Kids telescope”
N’s been swimming for 5 ½ years – you’d think by now he’d be able to swim unaided for a decent distance, but no not yet. N does everything in his own time. However after our experience trying out some Zoggs seal dive sticks and a swim fin from Baby Swimming Shop, I’m thinking we might have progressed further using these in the past. Baby Swimming Shop, despite the name, isn’t just for babies. They also sell children’s swimwear and… Continue Reading “Swimming with Baby Swimming Shop accessories”
I’m astounded by how many people I talk to who have no idea what Bananagrams is. And yet, as soon as we bring out the game (or Appletters which is the game we have), everyone gets really excited about it, kids and adults. I was excited to receive My First Bananagrams for review. While the other games are great, N really needs to work on his lower case letters, and get those off pat, and the My First Bananagrams gives… Continue Reading “Picking up letters with My First Bananagrams”
