Bubble Shooz Review & Competition

All kids love to pop bubble wrap don’t they?

Come on… I’m pretty sure it is all kids! I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen a kid resist the overriding urge to run to their mother as they unwrap a parcel while shouting the words “Bubble Wrap” before grabbing a hold of the stuff and going for it! Place some bubble wrap into the hands of anyone regardless of age and watch how long it takes them to start indulging in some hardcore popping action!

Yes, I was once a child too you know! Coming home from school to discover bubble wrap laying about your house is something of a kids heaven. So, in discovering that ‘Vivid‘ had designed a toy to mimic that of bubble popping came as no surprise to me. When asked if the kids wanted to give “Bubble Shooz” a try and then share their thoughts in a review, we jumped at the chance and I couldn’t wait to check these babies out! Whats more I was offered a pair to give away to readers, so keep reading to find out how you can win a pair!

So… Just what is this toy and how does it work? Basically the product comes in the form of a pair of shoes… “Yes Shoes!” These can be adjusted to fit kids with a shoe size of 12 plus. Kids just strap these shoes on over their regular shows and then simply walk about as they usually would! Only, as they do, the sound of bubble popping can be heard coming from their feet.

Ok, its not really the same as that of the traditional popping of bubble wrap but kids seem to love it all the same. At first I sat asking myself “Whats the point?” Then I realised there isn’t really one and doesn’t really have to be when it comes to kids and toys. I don’t know what it is but this kind of thing has them excited.
For me I’m happy with my traditional bubble wrap popping action which is mainly because I feel like a bit of a tit wearing these (oh yes I did try them on). Seriously, these brightly coloured shoes are better off sticking with the kids.

Sadly as stated the shoes start at a size 12 and my toddler is a 8 so not quite there yet. Admittedly he did throw a bit of a wobbler as he watched big sister put them to the test. Its a shame because at 3 I think he would enjoy these especially given that following the tears he giggled madly as his sister went Pop… Pop… Popping along!

With cool bubble styling on the base of each shoe, the Bubble Shooz are great for indoor or outdoor use – listen to the sound of popping as you walk around the house or garden for poptastic fun.

Bubble Shooz have a retail price of £19.99 and are available to buy now from all good toy stores.

So… If you basically want to mimic the popping of bubble wrap minus the mess then I guess these are for you!

Want to win a pair of bubble Shooz? Well, here’s how!

Compulsory Entry…

Tell me what unusual item used to excite you as a child? Was you the child who played with the boxes rather than their toys at Christmas?

The above is a compulsory action that you will need to complete in order to successfully enter the competition.

Here’s some extra chances to win. Do any off the following (all if desired) and leave me a comment for each one completed to gain an automatic extra entry into the random competition draw.

Note… All comments for all actions including the compulsory one need to contain either a valid contactable email address or twitter handle. This is to ensure winners are contactable.

Additional entries (cannot be gained without having first done the compulsory action)…

Follow me on twitter (@clairelouise82)

Pin the competition to one of your Pinterest boards and comment sharing that link with me so I can find it.

Tweet… “I want to win a pair of bubble Shooz with @Clairelouise82 and @Vividtoygroup Adding The URL to this competition!!” Comment with the link to your tweet.

Comment on another Non Competition post and comment telling me which one

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Competition closing date is August 20th 2013 at 11:59 PM. Entries submitted after this time with not be entered into the final draw (even if your comment is showing as submitted).

Competition is open only to those in the UK only normal T&C apply and can be found on the blogs disclaimer page.

Note: Winner has 72 hours to claim their prize once contact has been made.

The Talking Om Nom Review

When we arrived home from a recent holiday I found a little cute green thing waiting to greet us.

Yes, it’s Om Nom the adorable sweet munching green thing from the very successful game and app ‘Cut The Rope’

It was the boys who instantly feel head over heels in love with him. What with his great big eyes and cute Om Nom sweet munching noises, who wouldn’t?

To be honest the little man didn’t get much of a look in and Alice Sara didn’t get near the thing full stop! Why? Because the toddler has sort of claimed him as his own. We are off to Butlins for the weekend on Friday and I’ve already been informed that Om Nom is coming too! Watch out Bognor Regis… Lock up your yummy sticks of rock as Om Nom is coming to town.

Children who love the game will love the all new adorable talking Om Nom plush by Vivid Toys! Even those who have never even played the game will have a hard job rejecting the Om Nom.. The toddler is proof of this!

All you have to do to get Om Nom talking is gently push the very top of his head. Note… The batteries are non replaceable, though I’ve been informed they have lasting power so here’s hoping.

Om Nom can be brought from all good toy retailers and has a RRP of £9.99

Oh, and if this isn’t exciting enough kids can also get their hands on cute collectable Nommies! Perfect for pocket money spenders at just £1.99.

Check out the Vivid Toys website to find out more.

Disclaimer: The children were sent the Talking Om Nom free of charge for the purpose of this review. Nonetheless all opinions are honest and that of my own.

Review – Monster High Skultimate Roller Maze (3D -addition) On 3DS

Monster High 3D Skultimate Roller Maze is currently the game of choice in our house. With a 10 year old daughter who is indeed monster high bonkers, what else would you expect.

Alice-Sara was made up at being given the opportunity to review a game based on the wacky monster high characters. She already has a huge collection of the dolls… Near on 50 to be exact so she of cause liked the idea of seeing them come to life in a 3d game.

Roller Maze reminds me of super Mario cart and I love Mario cart! However, instead of little mushrooms sat behind the wheel of little cars, we have freaky but somewhat awesome leggy monsters on roller skates racing one another around various different courses.

Skultimate Roller Maze, allows you to Pick your favourite Monster High character to race the crypts of Monster High and other schools. Along the way you must collect power-ups while trying your best to avoid other monstrous obstacles.

Each character has its own unique abilities designed to help them win the race.

FEATURES
Race as Your Favorite Monster High Character Each with Unique Abilities
Compete on Multiple Treacherous Courses with Distinctive Themes from Your Favorite Monster High Episode
Customize Your Character and Team to Scream to Victory
Capture Monstrous Pick Ups to Help Your Team
Unique Gameplay Modes to Keep the Racing Spirited
Discover Freaky Hidden Items as You Race Your Team to Victory
Choose Multiple Difficulty Settings to Match Your Skull Skill

If like Alice-Sara, your child is a monster high fan, they certainly won’t be disappointed with this game. Having the release in 3D makes it all the more exciting.

Alice gives this game a big fat 8 out of 10… More courses and music would be an added bonus but on the whole its really great and we love it.

Monster High Skultimate Roller Maze (3D) is available to purchase from most well respected UK retailers now!

Disclaimer: We were sent the game free of charge for the purpose of this review. Nonetheless all opinions are honest and that of my own and my daughters.

#Win A Bundle Of Baby Jake Toys

Us mums of pre-schoolers all know and love Baby Jack, that loveable character from Cbeebies… the show with the very catchy theme tune.

Well, this week the toddler has been busy reviewing one of the latest toys in the Baby Jake range brought to us by Vivid.

Musical baby jake is a mini version of the real thing. He is a soft bodied doll that when his tummy is squeezed, plays the Baby Jake theme tune.

Admittedly his somewhat smaller than I first expected but he is a nice size, that’s actually ideal for toddlers little hands.

Musical baby jake is easily operated and the toddler had no issues with knowing how to work the toy.

There was one issue I had with this toy! Although this takes batteries, you are unable to change them. Having looked for where to put the batteries for sometime I finally noticed the very small writing on baby jakes tag explaining that the batteries were non replaceable. I don’t think the packaging does to good a job at letting this fact be known.
Saying that, Baby Jack hasn’t actually ran out of batteries as yet so I really can’t give an indication of just how long these may last.

Harley does like the toy. Its pretty cute and resembles the character well. The theme tune (Yacki Yacki Yoggi song) isn’t overly loud but loud enough for the toddler.

Musical Baby Jake is suitable for children aged 2 years and over and has an RRP of £9.99

My nephew also got the chance to play with the fabulous Baby Jake Musical TV. This is suitable for children aged 12 months +. This super cute toy is easily operated with the press of a button. As the theme tune plays the TV displays cute images of baby Jake on one of his fabulous adventures.

Baby Jake Musical TV has a RRP of £9.99

Other new additions being introduced to the range for 2013 include… The new Push Along Digger (RRP £4.99). Suitable for children 18 months+, this mini marvel comes in a cheerful shade of yellow and features Baby Jake figure at the wheel! As Baby Jake is pushed along in his digger, see the digger arm move up and down as it travels across the floor.

Coming soon…Baby Jake blasts off into space this autumn with Astronaut Baby Jake (RRP £19.99). Sporting blue space suit and essential rocket pack on his back, Baby Jake is all ready for the countdown to blast off! Squeeze Baby Jake’s tummy to hear him talk about space and listen to him respond with additional space statements as he flies through space!

How Would you like to win a fabulous Baby Jake Toy Bundle?

Vivid have offered me the opportunity to offer my readers the chance to win a toy bundle consisting off… A Musical Baby Jake, Musical Baby Jake TV & Baby Jake Push Along Digger.

For the chance to win answer the following question…

Compulsory: What is your child’s favourite Cbeebies show?

For additional chances to win you can gain extra entries by doing any or all of the steps below.

Tweet… “I want to win a baby jake toy bundle with @Clairelouise82 and @VividToyGroup” adding the URL to this post.

Leave a comment with the link to your tweet or your twitter ID.

Subscribe to this blog via feedburner (top sidebar). Comment letting me know the email you have subscribed with.

Follow my sister blog “Mummy of Many Talents” comment to let me know the name or email you subscribe under.

Pin this competition (the image displaying the prize package) on pinterest then comment to let me know how to find your pin.

Competition will closes at 11:59pm on the 30th March 2013.

Please leave an additional comment for each action taken.

You can visit the Vivid official website Here and their twitter feed Here.

T&C: Competition open to those in the UK only. All actions will be checked to verify entry. A valid twitter handle or email address must be left. Entries submitted after the closing time and date will not be valid. Winner drawn at random. Winner will have 72 hours to respond to winners notification or winner maybe redrawn. Prizes will be sent from the PR for Vivid Toys so addresses and email will be passed on in order for prizes to be sent.

ThePrizeFinder – UK Competitions – See more at: http://www.theprizefinder.com/content/bundle-baby-jake-toys#sthash.STD9QL2M.dpuf

Review – Orchard Toys Big Police Car Puzzle

The Big Police Car Puzzle from Orchard Toys is the latest puzzle in the toddlers toy box.

He happened to be about when this was delivered and once he saw what was in the box his face lit up with excitement. He loves anything to do with the police and recently got an electric police bike and a uniform to match so the “Police Car Puzzle” has become one of his favourites.

The Puzzle has 36 pieces and these pieces are big and chunky for little fingers. The image itself is bold and fun. Its highly glossy and so far we have had not one peeling corner.

Harley is 3 and therefore needed a little help even though he was very bossy and determined to do it alone.

Its a nice activity to do together and really helps the development of Harley’s fine motor skills.

We love the puzzle. Like all Orchards toys games and puzzles its educational yet loads of fun at the same time.

The Big Police Car Puzzle can be brought for £9.95 online at Orchard Toys.

#Win 1 of 6 RSPCA My Pocket Pets By WOW Toys

RSPCA My Pocket Pets are a set of super-cute collectable figure packs that are made by WOW Toys and suitable for pre-school children from 18 months +.

Each pack contains one animal figure plus an RSPCA fun activity sheet. This includes fun activities such as dot-to-dot, colouring in, an RSPCA cartoon and information aimed at teaching young children about animal welfare. The RSPCA cartoon and information sections explain the importance of animal welfare by listing the 5 main animal welfare needs and the activity sheet’s cute cartoon details the story of Farmer Bill and Nasty Nick, a fun story clearly explaining how children can be conscious of animal welfare.

There are 6 animals to collect in this series: Pippi the pooch, Socks the cat, Clarissa the cow, Patch the pig, Wiggles the Dalmatian and Jenny the horse.

The RSPCA’s trading manager Cathy Snow said: “Pocket Pets perfectly brings together charming and fun toys that children will love with an easy to understand and appealingly presented message about animal welfare. It will not only encourage awareness but will also help to raise valuable funds that will allow the RSPCA to continue helping to care for animals. We are delighted to be working with WOW Toys in what we are sure will be a long and productive partnership.”

RSPCA MY Pocket Pets went on sale this month (February) and are priced at £1.99 per foil pack. The is stocked in a wide range of high street and online outlets including Waterstones, Tesco, WH Smiths, Tesco Direct and Amazon and participating RSPCA outlets. The toys will also be listed in independent toy shops as well as a number of post offices and newsagents.

Harley has two of these pets, ‘Socks the cat’ and ‘Patch the pig’ and loves playing with them either alone or alongside the rest of his WOW toy collection.

The toys have no little pieces and are big and chunky for little hands.

The collection aspect of the toys is great fun though the packs are blind foil so although you have the fun aspect of a surprise you may end up spending a little money trying to make up the full collection.

For each pack you purchase, WOW will make a donation to the RSPCA!

Would you like to win one of these cute WOW animals?

I have a total of 6 to give away.

To enter simply answer the question…

Q: What is your favourite WOW TOY?

For one extra entry tweet “I want to win an RSPCA My Pocket Pet with @Clairelouise82 & @WOW_Toys” adding the URL to this post.

Please then leave a comment with your twitter handle or link to your tweet.

Competition will close at 11:59pm on the 15th March 2013.

6 winners will be drawn at random.

T&C competition is for those in the UK only. Those entering must leave a contact whether email or twitter handle. Winners have 72 hours to respond to winning notification notice or prize may be lost and redrawn.

ThePrizeFinder – UK Competitions – See more at: http://www.theprizefinder.com/content/one-6-rspca-pocket-pets-wow-toys#sthash.JudN7uCH.dpuf

Have Yourselves A Merry LEGO Christmas

As many will already know my little man is a tad LEGO crazy. That’s why we are very pleased to have been granted the privilege of becoming official LEGO family bloggers.

A week or so back I wrote a post titled “What children with Aspergers really want for Christmas” I wrote this as result of a tread I started on my Facebook page asking other parents of children diagnosed with Aspergers what was on their child’s Christmas wish list. The feed back was amazing what with some 5,000 + page members I managed to start a decent conversation thread and gather lots of great answers.

The list featured the unusual strange requests such as leaf blowers and doughnuts to the more desired gifts of smart phones, Star Wars and iPads However, appearing most frequently on the list was that of LEGO… Whether Lego StarWars, Lego city, or Lego friends… Lego was most definitely the most desired gift of all. You can read the post Here.

With this I couldn’t wait to bring my readers this very awesome Lego gift guide which won’t break the bank. All the Lego sets below are currently being sold for under £20. I do hope this will provide you all with some last minute Christmas inspiration.

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Lego Creationary: This is a must buy family game for Christmas that allows players to really show of their Lego building skills. This interactive game requires 3-8 players allowing larger family groups and friends to enjoy the game together.

With four categories, vehicles, buildings, nature and things, a Roll of the Lego Dice will reveal which one. As you build your fellow players have the job in guessing just what it is your creating. With three levels of difficulty imagination is the key. Recommend Age 7+

The game normally retails for around £23, however Argos currently have it on special for £18.75 (the joys of last minute Christmas shopping)

Lego Technic Tracked Crane. This is Lego like I’ve never seen before. This kit has all the pieces to create a perfect fully working Tracked Crane. It can be manoeuvred into different positions and has a number of fully operational features such as the extending crane arm. What’s more this is a 2-in-1 model that rebuilds into a bulldozer that features moving tracks, rotating superstructure and more. Suitable for Age 8 Years + and currently priced in many stores online and in store for as little as £11

LEGO Marvel Superheroes The Avengers – Hulk (4530)

This is a brilliant kit, especially for the child who loves both superheros and Lego. There are a number of figures that can be purchased in the Avengers range and the hulk is one of them. The kit includes a Hulk buildable figure that can be customise using the flexible building system. Hulk stands over 7″ (18cm) tall when fully built.
Build bigger figures with the exclusive high friction joints.

This kit is targeted at children aged 6-12 years and its priced really reasonable with many retailers selling for a little over £10.

LEGO Friends Andrea’s Bunny House (3938)

Andrea’s bunny house forms part of the Lego friends range of toys that has produced and targeted more towards girls (though boys can quite happily play with them too). This is one of five smaller sets, you can also get Olivia, Mia, Stephanie and Emma all complete with their own play set. Andrea comes complete with buildable bunny hutch where she keeps her much loved bunny Jazz. These sets are targeted at children aged between 5-12 years old. They are reasonably priced with amazon currently selling this particular set for just £9.50

LEGO CITY MINING 4200

4200 Mining is one of many Lego city kits. This particular one comes with a yellow 4×4 vehicle with open back storage. You also get a mining Lego figure minifigure as well as a whole host of other accessories designed to help the miner find his gold. Little man is a fan of this set… The contents is more than enough to keep the kids busy for an hour or so on Christmas morning.

Set recommended for children ages 5-12 years and can be brought for around £7.99

LEGO Stocking Fillers…

LEGO NINJAGO – Masters of Spinjitzu – Slithraa (9573)

The Ninjago spinjitzu range are a great stocking fillers for Lego lovers. Both the excitement of a figure and a game where you must spin your way to victory against the Spinjitzu masters with the help of your 4 battle cards and weapon sets.

Set Includes… Slithraa minifigure.
blue transparent spinner, blue crown, LEGO bricks, golden weapon, 2 regular weapons, a character card and 4 battle cards.

This suits Kids between the ages of 6-14 years. They can have great fun with the spinjitzu sets as they battle it out with their friends. I’ve managed to find these on the Symths website for £7.99 other than that I could only find a number of them on various eBay stores who seem to be selling these for a frightening £17.99 or more. So… get yourselves to Symths… And quick!

LEGO NINJAGO – Masters of Spinjitzu Booster Pack (9556)

If you like the sounds of the above than why not also get a booster pack for the stocking. The Booster pack 9556 contains some 25 pieces including minifigure snake bytar in dark purple. You also get a whole host of other accessories and weapons including 4 more cards.

The booster pack is recommended to children between the ages 6-14 years and can currently be purchased from symths. Again, I’d get in quickly as this is pretty hard to find so at £3.99 its an awesome price.

LEGO NINJAGO – Lloyd ZX Keyring

LEGO Ninjago fans will love to find a Lloyd ZX who is attached to a keyring within their stockings. The minifigure provides Lego lovers with a funky way to dress up their keys. Perfect stocking filler for LEGO fans both young and old.

You’re Magical, You’re Powerful, You’re Winx!

Recently the girls were invited to a very special VIP party at the Odeon Covent Garden London.

Its was all pink carpet glam as Alice-Sara and her best friend went to watch an exclusive preview screening of series 5 of the hit Nickelodeon show, Winx Club!

Not only would the girls get to enjoy this exclusive preview but they would also get to party following the screening, celebrating everything Winx including the newest launch of Winx dolls.

Alice-Sara has never watched Winx but having attended the event she is now a big fan.

The event itself was magical. The girls were presented with Winx Tutus on arrival and following the one hour screening the girls got their groove on in the magical world of Winx.

Here they could get their groove on in the Frutti Tutti Music Bar and hang out with the guest DJ while they rocked it on the dance floor. They could take to the mic for the Winx Karaoke competition, and show off their best air guitar moves. At the Bloom’s Beauty Bar the girls were styled just like the Winx Fairies with clip in coloured hair, glitter face-painting and fairy nails.

There was a great crafts area and the girls had fun making Stella’s Sun catchers out of sparkly glitter and sequins.

The girls found the whole experience truly magical. They won second prize on the karaoke (a Winx beauty case each) and Alice-Sara won a Winx doll in a dancing competition. Both girls walked the pink carpet like those at a film premiere and had their photos taken with a magical Winx fairy.

They came home with some great goody bags packed with Winx treasures. This included a Winx DVD they we have watched a great number of times since.

As for the screening we highly recommend that Winx fans tune in for the new seasons episodes on Nickelodeon… The girls really enjoyed the story lines.

Later at home in their tutus

Winx dolls and Merchandise can be brought from all good toy shops including Argos and Amazon.

www.winxclub.com

Little Man The Secret Agent On A Mission

When little man was asked to review items from the Spy Net range he was more than happy to oblige.

Me, I didn’t mind! Yes, I’d be required to record his thoughts and opinions but a little writing never killed anyone, especially when it means you can sit back and enjoy watching your sons confidence grow as he gains more and more self confidence with each review he does. Growing up he had limited interests but this kind of thing was right up his street. For starters it’s Tech and he relates to this very well. Secondly it involves spying and he quite enjoys this too.

Was I worried… No…. After all it’s just a toy isn’t it!

But as usual I had spoken way to soon, and I mean way to soon!

The Spy Net™ range isn’t just some plastic fantastic toy that lets the child feel like a spy… No, no! It’s the ultimate in cool spy technology, Spy Net™ offers a range of fully-functional gadgets and I’m not talking alarm clocks or fancy sound effects!

Spy Net™ provides today’s secret agents with everything they need to do the job and do it well.

Little man was sent two products from the range, one being the Spy Net™ Video Watch RRP £49.99. Now I understand this is for today’s spy but again I didn’t think to much about it, after all, as mention, it’s just a kids toy!

Yes, the clever device had me fooled! So well in fact that the Little man and his watch have caught me of guard more than once.

The Spy Net Video Watch looks just like your everyday watch (if anything a tad bulkier, but not obviously different from the norm)! As one would expect, it tells the time like an ordinary watch, but hidden deep within its packed with a whole host of innovative features, the type that only an under cover secret agent would require.

Amazingly one of these features is a real-working hidden video camera and audio system that allows its owner to record and store over 20 minutes of video (thats a lot of time to collect some pretty incriminating evidence). Whats more the watch has the capability to collect over 4 hours of audio evidence, or even 2000+ still photo! All features are displayable on a built-in, full color 1.4 inch TFT video screen so Mr Secret Agent can sit back, relax and watch the playback!

Once back at their headquarters, agents can upload to SpyNetHQ.com via USB where analysing of evidence commences

If this isn’t enough the watch has even been loaded with lie detector software… Yes, I did just say lie detector software! With this the little agents can check if your telling lies during a conversation or instead analysis the audio produced on that secret video you know nothing about.

When they are finally bored of spying on family members they can move onto something else like having a go at ‘Secret Code Cracking’ or maybe train for missions in way of the preloaded mini games.

To say little man loves this watch is to much of an understatement! His bonkers about it. Again I’ve been proven wrong this versatile Spy Net Video Watch that also downloads video missions from the HQ is far beyond a toy.

Do you know that thing we do as parents! We’re tired, stressed and not in the mood. The kids go on & on about something and we end up saying… “Yer maybe” or “OK, Ok whatever” Those with a child on the autism spectrum will particularly understand as the child with Aspergers has mastered the fine art of obsessiveness. Well, Little man has been doing this about his birthday and the little sneaky devil (that’s a polite term) has been secretly recording me as he bangs on about wanting the entire contents of Amazon. He has some pretty strong evidence of myself saying “OK, OK, we will see” as well as “Yes… Yes” I try not to do this as a child will never let you forget it, especially one with Aspergers but Yesterday I received a little shock. We had a discussion on the subject of birthday lists and he states i’ve agreed to get him something that I’m pretty sure I haven’t! To my complete and utter horror it turns out that I kinda have agreed to something and he holds the proof in that of his little watch. I’m considering suing the boy for entrapment… Seriously! His even got me singing (extremely badly) as I dance with the mop in my PJs… Something I’m not wanting leaked on YouTube! The boy has the potential to make a mint in blackmail money but we won’t tell him that ah!

Verdict: 9/10 it’s a brilliantly clever piece of kit that I’m considering borrowing when I speak to his father next * Evil Laugh*

Parents be careful your child could be spying on you.
www.SpyNetHQ.com

Little Man also received the Spy Net™ Bionic Ear Stealth Listening Device RRP £19.99
Another devices that allows him to become a top spy and does so by allowing him to hear distant sounds through walls and doors in-order to detect intruders and defend against enemy… AKA the parent.

By Putting on the Bionic Ear a long with his Spy Net Video watch, Little man has all the tools needed to be a super agent. The Bionic Ear has real ultrasound technology and allows him to listen in on all the action (not always appropriate I know)! He can even use it to hear round corners ensuring him a safe distance from his enemy (in our language… Little sister).

Does it work? Just look at the Little mans cheeky chops! Do you really need to ask?

At £30 cheaper than the Video Watch it’s a good price! However it doesn’t compare in terms of what it is able to do and the many features that come with the watch does put it way up there on a pedestal! I do love the watch and together with the Bionic Ear it’s the perfect set to delight boys and girls alike.

Verdict Bionic Ear 7/10 Great product that kids will love.

Both products are available from all good retailers including Toys R Us & Amazon.

Disclaimer: I was not paid for writing this post! Little man received product samples for the purpose of the review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Summer Garden Play to Chilly Christmas days

With the Olympics 2012 having had its ‘closing ceremony’ many have been left feeling a little lost. After all, what are we going to watch now? Ok, we still have the Paralympics but this is also due to become a memory (a great one but a memory nonetheless).

I’ll be honest when stating that yes, I’ve done a lot of sitting while watching the games at home. Sadly this meant the children failed to have my full attention and family play was done around the TV. However, there was positives too! It was nice to see how inspired the children had become following each event & awards presentations.

Then I remembered about a certain press release I was sent a few weeks before and the realisation started to set in! I’d not done much at all and with this release I could go about changing this.

The Press release was sent by them lovely lot over at Argos, a great brand that I’ve worked with on my blog for almost a year now. This time Argos were promoting their latest play campaign where they aim to encourage British families to swap a sedentary summer for one of a Playcation.

This was of particular interest to me given I’ve recently blogged about the alternative ways one can entertain the children on a low budget during the school holidays.

As I mentioned before, money isn’t exactly flowing out from my purse in the form of twenty pound notes. We do have some trips line up (more so over these last coming weeks of the holidays) but I love gaining new ideas of ways to entertain the children.

Argos has teamed up with television presenter and exercise enthusiast Laura Hamilton to create a ‘Summer Playcation Guide’ full of games and tips.

Argos sent me a copy of the guide along with some outdoor toys for the kids. The toddler in particular has had lots of fun playing with these.

The guide features three original games alongside a whole host of activity and toy suggestions. Families wishing to download the Playcation guide should visit the Argos Chad Valley Facebook page at www.facebook.com/chadvalleyendlessplay

Staying on the subject of Argos, I also attended the Argos Christmas show last month with Harley. There was lots to do and see (not that I got to do much, what with the toddler finding it so difficult to remove himself away from the fab toys on display). Argos were great though and Harley and I had a really great time. It wasn’t just toys on show but everything from homeware to Emma Bunton’s new clothing range to see.

During my visit I was able to see the Argos Top Ten toys for Christmas 2012:
· Furby – price available from September 2012
· Web Shooting Spiderman – £34.99
· Lego Monster Fighters Ghost Train – £59.99
· LeapPad 2 – £89.99
· Batman ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ The Bat – £34.99
· Cinderella Feature Doll – £29.99
· Star Doll Fallen Angel – £23.99
· Vtech Innotab 2 – £84.99
· Minnie Mouse Precious Pets Tour Van – £29.99
· Twister Dance – £26.99

The Furby was awesome, it’s come a long way since I was a kid.

The Top Ten Toys for 2012 are available in all Argos stores and online at www.argos.co.uk