Everything about activities – playing and learning, new and old activities
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”
N does enjoy school, although he would prefer to be at ‘farming school’ with his dad. Reading and writing are the areas he has to work at more although he is coming round to it. He’s a much more practical learner, so maths is much more his thing with the more experimental and practical learning they do. I’m really pleased he’s found something at school that he finds quite easy, so hopefully once things get harder in year 2 he’ll… Continue Reading “Learning basic maths in Key Stage 1 – maths printables”
I have to admit we don’t do many playdates. Mainly because I work, so N goes to after school club. And in the holidays is at holiday club or working with the OH would just wouldn’t ‘do’ playdates. He just refuses to take N places. So he just doesn’t get asked by children in the class. Mostly the playdates he has are via his friends who have mums I’m friends with. His playdates usually become ‘our’ playdates and turn into… Continue Reading “What makes a successful playdate”
Lego is a brilliant toy. But it’s a pain to store. It’s lovely being able to store sets in their boxes, but it’s rare in our house that anything stays complete or near its original box. We’ve recently had a declutter and reviewed our Lego storage, so I wanted to share some of our storage solutions. N has a huge Lego collection. From sets he’s been bought through to Lego from my childhood (some of which was my dad’s). I’m… Continue Reading “41+ no-brainer Lego storage ideas”
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”
When you have children, toys take over the house…and the garden. Every few months I think, it’s time to declutter, especially when N only ever plays with the same toys. But it doesn’t happen often enough as more and more toys, paper and pens get strewn across the house. A couple of summers ago, I did do quite a major clear out of N’s toys though. Apart from books and craft/art supplies, I didn’t see the point in keeping lots… Continue Reading “Toys to keep once kids have grown out of them”
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”
Whenever the Olympics comes around, it’s a great opportunity to encourage children into the different sporting activities, especially those more unusual ones. I love the atmosphere of the Olympics (I managed to get to see the Volleyball at London 2012), so I’d like N to get to experience a bit of it on now he’s old enough to understand it. Ok, so we can watch the sports on tv (and if I have my way it’ll be on a lot… Continue Reading “11 awesome easy kids activities for Olympic Games”
