During lockdown, we have been using our Aquabeads sets to create some wonderful designs using the online templates that are available on the Aquabeads website here. We were therefore delighted when we were sent some new products to review and Riley decided that he wanted to make some of his own designs and experiment with what he could make.
We had a little look on the Aquabeads website to get some ideas and Riley decided to create a name plaque for his door. He also wanted to incorporate a rainbow theme, so he wrote down a few ideas and did a little sketch so that he had a design to follow. Once Riley was happy with his design, he set about making his creation.
To make his new door plaque we used the Aquabeads Star Bead Starter Set, which comes in brightly coloured star shaped packaging and has an RRP of £14.99. The front and rear of the box are covered in plenty of design ideas to show what you can make with your beads. Riley particularly liked the look of the dragon and the rainbow designs which looked fantastic. Other images around the outer edge of the box, also included pictures of the kit inside, the contents and bead colours.
On opening the box, we found that the contents inside consisted of:
- 1 x bead tray lid
- 1 x bead tray
- 1 x board
- 1 x flip tray
- 1 x bead dispenser
- 1 x bead sprayer
- 3 x reversible template sheets
- 1000 beads of varying colours
The first thing that Riley noticed, was that the kit contained star shaped beads, which is something he has never seen or used before, so he was really excited to be able to use these in his designs. Riley had initially decided on a rectangle shape and that he also wanted his name across the middle. I therefore suggested making his name on the board first, so that we could then incorporate the rainbow colours around it. By placing the name first, it also meant that he could check that he was happy with the position, before we began to place all of the other beads on the board.
Once the letters were all in place, we began getting the rainbow colours ready and working out how many rows of each colour we needed. To do this we counted the paces across the board and also checked how many beads we had of each colour. We then began doing the outline and opted for rows of either 3 or 4 in each block of colour.
When Riley first started placing the beads on the board he used his fingers, but as the board began to fill, he found that it was easier to use the bead dispenser to get them accurately into place. We also sprayed the design once half was completed to prevent any beads from moving as the board began to fill. However, just before doing so, Riley decided he wanted to change the black beads for a light blue, so we were able to amend these to his chosen colour before he sprayed the water.
Riley was so pleased as the design started to take shape and he was so proud that it was his own idea that he was making, without the help of a template. The whole design took him around half an hour to complete and he was so happy with the end result. We gave the design a good spray and left it to dry before removing from the board.Once the letters were all in place, we began getting the rainbow colours ready and working out how many rows of each colour we needed. To do this we counted the paces across the board and also checked how many beads we had of each colour. We then began doing the outline and opted for rows of either 3 or 4 in each block of colour.
When Riley first started placing the beads on the board he used his fingers, but as the board began to fill, he found that it was easier to use the bead dispenser to get them accurately into place. We also sprayed the design once half was completed to prevent any beads from moving as the board began to fill. However, just before doing so, Riley decided he wanted to change the black beads for a light blue, so we were able to amend these to his chosen colour before he sprayed the water.
We had used a large quantity of beads, so we took advantage of the refill sets to top up our beads. I really like the fact that you can buy refill packs, so that you can continue making great designs, without the need to buy the larger sets. If you already have a board, sprayer and bead dispenser then the refill packs are a great way to build up your collection.
Overall we were really impressed with the Aquabeads Star Bead Starter Set and felt that it contained a huge variety of beads to help make some fabulous creations. As you can see the possibilities are absolutely endless with Aquabeads and as well as using one of the many templates available both in their sets and online, you can quite literally make whatever your imagination desires. With a little patience, determination and creativity, you can create some wonderful designs, animals and objects, which look fantastic once completed. We really like the fact that we can top up the sets with the many refill packs that are also available to purchase and feel that all the products in the range offer excellent value for money.
Aquabeads are available to purchase from most good toy retailers including John Lewis, Smyths, The Entertainer and Amazon.
However, if you are feeling lucky, then we have a fantastic prize to give away of an Aquabeads Star Bead Starter Set for one lucky winner. If you fancy your chances, then simply enter using the gleam form below. Good Luck!
Aquabeads Star Bead Studio Set
Terms and Conditions
- There is 1 (one) prize of an Aquabeads StarBeads Starter Set
- Entry is open to UK Residents aged 18 years or over
- Competition closes on the 11th July 2020
- A winner shall be drawn within 7 days of the closing date and notified via email.
- The winner will have 7 days to confirm their acceptance of the prize, before an alternative winner is drawn from the remaining eligible entries.
- No bulk or third party entries
- The winners details shall be shared with the promoter for the purpose of prize fulfilment and permission shall be obtained from the winner prior to doing so.
rainbows and unicorns!
ReplyDeleteWe would make various animals.
ReplyDeleteMy son would love these, so many things he could make
ReplyDeletemy niece would make a few things
ReplyDeleteI would make some animals with my grandson.
ReplyDeleteAmazing prize my little girl would love this
ReplyDeletei like the names so i would design my daughters name Mali with her
ReplyDeleteMy granddaughter would make a unicorn
ReplyDeletelovely prize--im sure my great niece rose may would think of something girly to make
ReplyDeleteI would try to make my name with the beads
ReplyDeleteA Unicorn i am sure, my Granddaughter is Unicorn mad
ReplyDeleteThese are brilliant! My niece and nephew would love to play with this. I think they would do their names as well.
ReplyDeleteWe would make animals
ReplyDeleteRainbows.
ReplyDeleteThis toy looks great, our granddaughter would love it
ReplyDeletei would make animals
ReplyDeletenice prize
ReplyDeletemy children have never played with aquabeads before but they look great. a good activity for mindfulness.
ReplyDeleteFamily names. Thanks for the competition.
ReplyDeletegreat prize kids would love this
ReplyDeleteOur granddaughter would make a unicorn
ReplyDeleteMy granddaughter would want to make a dog, she is crazy about them
ReplyDeleteA unicorn
ReplyDeletesome decorations for our fairy garden!
ReplyDeleteI’d make a sunflower, they’re my favourite
ReplyDeleteI would make rainbows as I'm not very creative however I think my children would make something a lot bettee
ReplyDeleteI think my granddaughter would make a princess or a unicorn
ReplyDeletemy spon told me he would make a unicorn he loves them :)
ReplyDeleteI think my daughter would love to make a rainbow
ReplyDeleteI think my grandson would make a rocket
ReplyDeletea unicorn
ReplyDelete