Ben 10 Transforming Omni-Cycle Review

Ben 10 Transforming Omni-Cycle Review*

Bear often asks me when are we going to have a toy to "take pictures of" and I have to tell him that I don't know. I turn down many reviews because I don't think he, or his little brother Bee, would like them. When I was asked if we'd like to review the Ben10 Transforming Omni-Cycle I knew Bear would love it.

We collect him from school each day and I thought it would be a great toy to play with while he waited for his parents.

Brio Builders Starter Set -Review

Brio Builders Starter Set - Review*

Anyone who reads our blog will know we love Brio. It's well made (we have some over 30 years old) and children love it. We didn't know they made construction sets until we were asked to review the Brio Builders Starter Set.

Bear loves making things and this set quickly became his favourite.

Ravensburger Thomas & Friends, Giant Floor Puzzle - Review.

Ravensburger Thomas & Friends, Giant Floor Puzzle - Review.

We love a good jigsaw puzzle and Ravensburger are always great quality. We were delighted to be asked to review* their Thomas & Friends, Giant Floor Puzzle.

Bear loves surprises and as soon as he saw the box he pointed at the engines naming nearly all of them. Do you know them all?

We started the puzzle by finding and joining the edge pieces together. The pieces are large and great for little hands. They fit together precisely so no need to force the pieces to make them fit. Bear recognised the engines as their faces appeared in the puzzle and was able to complete the inside without any help.

Brio Battery Operated Action Train - Review

BRIO Battery Operated Action Train - Review*

We love Brio, we were delighted to review* the Battery Operated Action Train. We already have a lot of Brio, some over thirty years old. It really does last. Bear has a few Brio trains but all are "Bear powered". What would he think of a battery operated one?

Learning Resources Playfoam Pals - Review

Learning Resources Playfoam Pals - Review

When we were asked if we would like to review* Learning Resources Playfoam Pals I knew straight away that Bear would absolutely love them. Little animal pals hidden in Playfoam, sparkles, and mess! What more could a boy ask for?

Bear was delighted when he saw them. "Look what we have today" I said "WOW!" he exclaimed, "I love them!"

The packaging state that they are mess free (oh yeah, I thought), so with tuff tray on the table to collect all the bits, Bear opened them.

Crate Creatures Surprise Blizz- Review

Crate Creatures Surprise Blizz- Review

Christmas is such a busy time for us and we are asked to review* lots of toys. We only say yes to those I think Bear or Bee will love, sometimes we get so excited we shout YES! Crate Creatures was one of these. We didn't know who we were getting - would we love it?

We were sent Blizz. A creature from the frozen land of Icicia. No matter how hard he tries, he can't get out of his crate! Can Bear release him?

Christmas Gift Guide 2018 - Something For Everyone

Christmas Gift Guide 2018  - Something For Everyone

*Contains PR samples

Christmas shopping, love it or hate it, we all have to do it. We all want to buy the perfect gift, something that they will love and use.

It can be overwhelming and so it often gets left until the last minute and then we fall back on the traditional, socks for him, perfume for her.

We have a selection of gifts that you may not have thought of, something for everyone. From children and the young at heart to the crafter and the home.

Not only are there gifts for everyone but for all pockets too, from a little luxury to a stocking filler for children that is free.

Christmas is about spending time with friends and family, not stressing about what to buy.

We have lots of ideas so grab a drink, get comfortable and enjoy browsing our 2018 Christmas Gift Guide.

Brio Police Station - Review

Brio Police Station - Review

Sometimes we get sent toys to review*, many are just lovely and we enjoy playing with them. Some are fabulous and become Bear's favourite. The Brio Police Station is awesome (Bears words) and quickly became his favourite toy. 

We have had Brio in our toy box since Bear's daddy was small, that's going back to the early 1990s. We still have that Brio, although it's now a little battered. We love that little hands can fit it together and each time it is played with the layout is different. Bear is fascinated by police and bad guys, this is just perfect for him and any child 3+.

Shark Bite, Let's Go Fishing and Mr Bucket Toy Review

Shark Bite, Let's Go Fishing and Mr Bucket Toy Review

We were approached by Pressman Toys and asked if we would like to review* some of their games. Yes! We shouted, we would love to.

Bear has had his eye on Shark Bite and Mr Bucket for a while. Bear also loves fishing games (I made a really simple magnetic one ages ago that he still loves to play with).

We were sent Shark Bite, Let's Go Fishing and Mr Bucket to review. All the games are a fun way to help develop hand eye coordination. Which was our favourite?

Ravensburger PJ Masks Jigsaw Puzzle - Review

Ravensburger PJ Masks Jigsaw Puzzle - Review

We love jigsaw puzzles and Bear loves PJ Masks so when Ravensburger asked us to review* their PJ Masks Jigsaw Puzzle we were very excited! 

The weather had been very cold and wet and I had been struggling to find things for Bear to do indoors. He also had the beginning of a very bad cold and he was very particular about what games he played. A jigsaw puzzle was the perfect solution.

Ravensburger Toy Wonderama Jigsaw Puzzle - Review

Ravensburger Toy Wonderama Jigsaw Puzzle - Review*

Jigsaw puzzles bring back so many memories. Each Christmas my mother had one spread across the dining table that we would all add a little to as we wandered by. How she found time as a mother of four children I'll never know. So when Ravensburger sent me the Toy Wonderama jigsaw puzzle to review it wasn't just the picture on the front that took me back to my childhood.

Megableu Tumball Game - Review

Megableu Tumble Game - Review

Last week Bear was feeling very poorly, he had a nasty ear infection and nothing was distracting him. I had been sent the Tumball Game by Megableu to review* and so took it with me when I visited, not expecting him to want to play with it at all. How wrong I was! He loved it.

Hallmark Itty Bittys Star Wars and Disney Christmas Collection Review

Hallmark Itty Bittys Star Wars and Disney Christmas Collection Review*

We are very lucky to have the opportunity to review products on our blog. Bear knows that we have to take photos and then he is free to play with the toys, but he is only little and sometimes he forgets. Sometimes the toys are just so cuddly and cute that all he wants to do is give them a big hug. That was the case when we were sent some of Hallmarks itty bittys to review.

Fisher-Price My First Thomas & Friends Railway Pals - Review

Fisher-Price My First Thomas & Friends Railway Pals - Review*

We were so pleased to be sent a Fisher-Price Thomas & Friends Playset to review. Whenever Fisher-Price is mentioned I think quality toys. It was a brand we trusted when our children were little. Now we have grandchildren we are always looking for toys that are fun, that inspire their active imaginations and if they encourage learning then that is a bonus.
Bear put up with the obligatory sitting in front of the box for me to take a photo, but he couldn't wait to open the box.
While I was trying (and failing) to get the perfect shot, Bear pressed Percy's light up bumper, (it's on the outside for you to try). Percy said one of the many phrases, I didn't catch what Percy said but Bear chastised it.

"It's Percy, silly!".

That was the beginning of a day of make believe.

WOW Toys Town Advent Calendar - Review

WOW Toys Town Advent Calendar - Review*

It's nearly that time again, CHRISTMAS!! It wouldn't be Christmas without an advent calendar and one of our favourites is the WOW Toys Advent Calendar*. When Bear was one I bought him the WOW Toys Farmyard Advent calendar and he loved it. He didn't open a window a day, he opened them all and took them all out at once, but he was only one and quite adorable so I didn't mind at all. He still plays with the toys from it. None are damaged or broken at all so we were really excited to be given a Town advent calendar to review.

Gift Guide For A Three Year Old

Gift Guide For A Three Year Old*

Three is a magic number, toys and gifts that were out of bounds are now suitable. Bear was three last week and he had some amazing gifts. Some were bought because he asked for them and some we thought he would love. Three is an age where their hand eye co-ordination matches their imagination. They can put together puzzles and make their own games up with the simplest of toys. Gifts do not have to be expensive and most of these are affordable and suitable for both birthdays and Christmas.

Tinsy Winsy Weeny Tots Baby Doll and Pram - Review

Tinsy Winsy Weeny Tots Baby Doll and Pram - Review*

We were pleased to be asked to review Kid Creations Tinsy Winsy Weeny Tots baby dolls and Out & About accessory set. Tinsy Winsy Weeny Tots are miniature baby dolls which fit in the palm of your hand. Each doll is dressed in a beautifully designed miniature outfit and comes packaged in it's own card cot bed.
There are fifteen Tots and two accessories to collect, the Out & About Set and the Bed Time set. We were given two Tots and the Out & About Set to review. The Out & About set includes a baby in an all-in-one outfit, a pram, a changing bag, changing mat and fabric nappy.
Bear has just had a baby brother, I thought it would be perfect but what would he think?

Lottie Dolls - Muddy Puddles and Astro Adventurer - A Review

Lottie Dolls - Muddy Puddles and Astro Adventurer Outfit Set - A Review

When we were asked to review* Lottie Dolls - Muddy Puddles and Astro Adventurer outfit set we didn't hesitate. We have no gender divides here and Bear enjoys pushing prams and playing with the dolls house at his Tots Club as much as playing with the other toys, so I knew he would love Lottie.

Toddlers Easter Wish List with The Works

Toddlers Easter Wish List with The Works*

Easter will soon be here and the children off school which means the inevitable rainy days. We usually go to soft play or another indoor venue when the weather is bad but when the children are off school it can be too busy so I like to keep a few items to surprise Bear and keep him happy. I love The Works because it has a huge choice of books, craft supplies and toys and it doesn't cost a fortune.  I love browsing the internet and The Works has a great site and delivers too.

Toddlers Easter Wish List with The Works

Books

The Works books are always such good value and are top of my wish list. The only difficulty would be choosing which Easter Egg Hunt book to get (1-4). I love the look of the Easter Treats (5) book too, full of recipes for cakes and biscuits there must be at least one Bear and I can do together. Bear loves colouring (6) and stickers (7). Lastly a book that is also a craft, making animals out of egg boxes (8).

5 Minute Games For Toddlers - Fishing

The second 5 Minute Games For Toddlers is the classic game Fishing. An old favourite and can be made in minutes. If you have older children they will love to make this game too.