Simba Toys Spiderman Marvel Plush - A Review

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My children have all been Marvel fans for as long as I can remember, and my eldest child in particular loves to go to the cinema with all her friends whenever there is a new film release. My youngest son also really enjoys learning about all the different Marvel characters and his personal favourites are Spiderman and Iron Man.

This year has seen a great selection of Marvel offerings on the big screen, with Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 and most recently The Marvels, which was released in the UK on the 10th November. My son was therefore really excited to celebrate all things Marvel, by being sent two Marvel Spidey and his Amazing Friends plush toys to review. 

These plushes are made by Simba Toys, who offer a wide range of products for children. There are several different Marvel plushes available to collect including Spiderman, Miles Morales and Ghost Spider. We were sent the Spiderman and Miles Morales versions which my son was delighted with. 

The plushes are approximately 25cm tall and are the perfect hand held size, which means even the youngest of fans can enjoy them. They are really light in weight and are made from soft fabric, making them perfect to snuggle up with or take on an adventure. We also found them to be a really good likeness to the characters and they appear to be excellent quality too.

One thing we really liked about these plush characters is the fact that they have Glow-in-the-dark eyes, which not only means that they are easy to find, but they can also offer some reassurance to younger children who may be afraid of the dark. We also found that if you shine your phone torch on the eyes for 30 seconds prior to the lights going out, then they have a fantastic bright glow to them.

Overall we were really impressed with the quality and likeness of these products and we also felt that they were the ideal size to be able to carry around and take on journeys too. In addition to being able to cuddle up with them, you can also create your own Marvel adventures and get them to strike some Spiderman poses which my son found to be lots of fun.

These soft toys are available to purchase from Amazon and can be found on the following affiliate links:

Spiderman 

Miles Morales  

Ghost Spider 

If you would like to find out more about Simba Toys and their products, then you can visit their social media pages on the following channels: 

Facebook - @SimbaToysUK

Instagram - @SimbaToysUK

*Disclaimer - We were sent two Simba Toys Marvel Plushes for the purpose of writing an honest review of the product. All thoughts and opinions are our own unless stated otherwise. This post contains Amazon affiliate links, which means that we may receive a small commission payment should you choose to purchase through one of these links. 

Farplace The Game - A Review

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Farplace The Game has been produced by Farplace Animal Rescue which is a registered charity that looks after and rehomes animals that have sadly been rejected elsewhere. As a family of animal lovers this really appealed to us, and I feel that the game is a lovely way to raise awareness about the charity and the work that is involved in caring for different kinds of creatures and pets.

The game comes packaged in a lovely bright and vibrant yellow box that features several animals across the front, which include a cat, dog, rabbit, pigeon, hedgehog and guinea pig. The front of the box isn't overcrowded with information and the images are lovely and surrounded by various different paw prints. At the bottom there are some recommendations of the game being suitable for ages 8+ and requiring 2-4 players.

The rear of the box provides some further information and briefly explains the aim of the game. There is also a contents list and the game includes:

• 1 Double Sided Playing Board
• 4 Key Cards
• 1 Rule Book
• 4 Meeples
• 4 Player Cards
• 4 Turn Reminder Cards
• 20 Vet Cards
• 70 Animal Cards
• 87 Object/Action Cards

The purpose of the game is to race to the finish line whilst saving animals along the way. I found it interesting that each animal has a different way of moving across the board, which adds an additional element of fun. We all agreed that the illustrations on the cards were lovely and also felt that the game board was nice and colourful. 

To begin you choose which side of the board to use and place this in between all the players, who each pick a meeple. There are four to choose from which are Dog, Cat, Rabbit or Pigeon. You then also take the matching playing card and check the 2 rules for their animal.

You then shuffle the animal cards and deal three to each player. The remaining cards can then be placed face down beside the board. The object/action cards should also be shuffled and this time you deal four cards to each player. I liked the combination of both cards and a board game as it was quite different to other games we have played. There are quite a few rules to learn, but there is a large instruction sheet that explains everything and it is easy to refer back to it when needed.

Each player then takes it in turns to carry out two actions out of a choice of four. This is where strategy can come into play and it is possible to take the same action twice. The game ends once a meeple passes the finish line, however any animal cards that remain in hand can cause you to move back places, meaning that just because you pass the line first, doesn't necessarily make you the winner. We thought this was a really good twist and encourages you to think more about the actions you take throughout the game.

Overall, we really loved the concept of the game, however my ten year old son did struggle initially with the rules, so it took a little while for him to understand. We referred to the instruction sheet quite a few times, but once we had all got the hang of it, we found the game to be enjoyable and I particularly liked the learning element. It really makes you realise just how much work and care goes into supporting each animal, due to their different diets, behaviours or needs, which I think is a great way of raising awareness. 

If you would like to find out more about Farplace The Game, then you can visit their website here: https://www.farplace.org.uk/product/farplace-the-game/

The game currently retails at £25 plus shipping costs.

*Disclaimer - We were gifted this game for the purpose of writing an honest review of the product. All thoughts and opinions are my own unless otherwise stated. Details provided within this post are believed to be correct at the time of writing but can be subject to change.

Christmas Gift Idea - Sheep Dip The Family Card Game - A Review

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If you are a regular reader to the blog then you will know that we enjoy a fun family games night every now and again, so we are always on the look out for something new and exciting to keep us entertained. There are always bonus points scored if it is also a game that we can take on our travels with us, so Sheep Dip definitely appealed as a card game with a difference.

The game comes packaged in a small letterbox sized box and features several brightly coloured images, along with pictures of several cards that display various different sheep breeds. There is some guidance on the front of the box, which recommends the game as being suitable for participants aged 7+ along with the requirement of 3-6 players. It also gives an estimated game time of 20-30 minutes. 

The rear of the box provides some further information on what the game involves, along with a list of contents that include:

• 71 FLOCK Cards
• 45 EWE DO Cards 
• 1 Playing Board
• Playing Instructions
• Sheep Breed Facts

On opening the box we found four postcard sized instruction sheets. I thought this was a brilliant idea as it meant I could hand a copy to each player as opposed to reading it out. Personally I take things in better by reading them myself, so thought this was really useful and it also meant each player could refer back to their own instruction sheet whenever they needed to. We also had a good look through the cards and the illustrations before we began to play as we found them to be quite funny.

The aim of the game is to be the player that scores the most points and in order to do this, you need to collect and hold onto has many sheep or flock cards as possible. You start by shuffling the packs and then deal five of the flock card to each player making sure that they are face-up. You then place the remaining flock cards, along with the Ewe Do pack in their position on the board facing down.

In this competitive game, you can then use the Ewe Do action cards in order to help protect your flock and you can also steal or swap your sheep to help you win. When playing a Ewe Do Action card, you must read out the words and carry out the instructions. Once the card has been played, you put it face up in the Ewe Done area and the game carries on until all 45 cards have been played.

There is also the Rainbow card to look out for as this can help you win some valuable bonus points, and the sheepdog cards can help you to protect your flock, however there are also the Hungry Wolf cards which can have a negative impact on your score. 

Overall we found this game to be very easy to understand, simple to play and most importantly good fun. One thing that I particularly like about Sheep Dip, is that the game has an element of luck to it as opposed to just being skill based, which helps to make it more enjoyable for younger participants as it prevents the older ones from always winning. The sheep drawings and accompanying comments are quite comical, so we enjoyed reading through these whilst playing as it definitely provided some sillyness and laughter. 

If you would like to find out more about Sheep Dip or to make a purchase, then you can visit their website here: Sheep Dip

The current price on their website at the time of writing this post is £23.50 which is inclusive of UK Mainland postage.  

You can also find more information on Sheep Dip over on their social media channels which can be found here:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sheepdipgame.co.uk/

Instagram - @SheepDipGame

*Disclaimer - I was gifted this game for the purpose of writing an honest review of the product. All thoughts and opinions are my own unless stated otherwise. Information including availability and prices is believed to be correct at the time of writing, but can be subject to change. This post may contain external links and I am not responsible for content on external websites.

(AD) The Messi Training System Foldable Goal - A Review

My son Riley has recently been participating in football sessions at school which he has really enjoyed being involved in. We are therefore always on the look out for games, aids or training equipment that can help him improve his soccer skills. When we were recently asked to try out the Messi Training System, this seemed like the perfect opportunity to help him with his target practice and enhance his sporting abilities, whilst also giving us the chance to have some family fun in the garden.

On opening the box we found 1 x Messi Foldable Goal, 1 x Messi Ball and a Pump. Assembling the product was a very simple process and it was also so easy to fold up and put away after we had finished playing. On first glance the goal appears very small and is 90cm in length, 61cm in height and 59cm in depth. However, the whole point of this goal is to improve accuracy and the compact sizing definitely helps with that. 

We tried practicing a few different skills and created our own games to play in order to enhance Riley's concentration and coordination. Firstly we played a game where we had to dribble the ball across the garden, then make an attempt on goal. We placed a marker on the grass and would move this back gradually so that we were eventually shooting from a few metres away.

The next skill we practiced was headers, which we all initially found quite challenging. This created plenty of laughter as the ball kept going in all directions, but after plenty of practice we each managed at least one goal which was loads of fun.

One of the main benefits of the Messi Training System, is its portability and the fact it can be folded up to be enjoyed anywhere. You can take it the beach or park which means you aren't limited to using this in just one space and you can carry on practising your skills wherever you may go.

Overall we found The Messi Training System to be a great way of improving accuracy and we love the fact that we can take it to the park or on holiday with us. It is a great way to encourage sport and fitness and can definitely help with football skills. It is suitable for ages 4+ and available to purchase now at Argos, Amazon and other toy retailers.

*Disclaimer - We were gifted The Messi Training System for the purpose of writing an honest review of the product. All thoughts and opinions are my own unless otherwise stated. This post contains Amazon affiliate links which means that I may receive a small commission should you choose to make a purchase after following a link. 

Beauty and the Beast at St Helens Theatre Royal - A Review

Last night we attended the press night performance of Beauty and the Beast at St Helens Theatre Royal, where we were treated to Regal Entertainments fantastic Easter pantomime of Beauty and the Beast. The show was incredible and it was the ideal way to start our bank holiday weekend, providing us with plenty of fun, laughter and entertainment from start to finish.

This adaptation of the well known story, is based in the town of Petit Pois where we meet a beautiful young lady called Belle. The Prince is cursed to become a hideous beast by the wicked Madame Botox, whilst her son Gaston makes many attempts to win Belle's heart. However, with the help of Fairy Rose, Potty Polly and French Frank, the Beast and Belle fall in love and ensure that the spell is broken.

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography

Lauren McCrory dazzles as the stunning Belle and she takes to the stage with confidence and beauty as she showcases her stunning vocals and dance abilities. We enjoyed her scenes alongside Benjamin Keith who portrayed both the charming Prince and The Beast really well and was excellent in the role. 

Gaston is played by Auguste Voulton who often appears on stage flexing his muscles or breaking into lunges, whilst his 'mummy' Madame Botox played by Abigail Middleton, delivers the perfect pantomime villain. My youngest son really enjoyed her opening scene after the interval and thought this was superb.

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography

There is definitely no denying that Lewis Devine is the star of the show and he excels in the part of French Frank. He has been one of our favourite panto performers for many years now and his stage presence, comedy delivery and hilarious personality are the perfect combination to make you laugh out loud in numerous scenes of the show. His interactions with the adult audience members were witty, funny and highly entertaining, whilst his conversations with the younger guests towards the end of the show also displayed his kind and caring side as he welcomed them to the stage. 

The extravagant and outrageous Potty Polly is played by Richard Aucott and he works well alongside French Frank with his comedy contributions. We particularly enjoyed his parts in the tongue twister scene along with the classic panto ghost scene, which encouraged plenty of laughter and audience participation.

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography

The beautiful Fairy Rose is played by Maria Lovelady and she was brilliant in bringing the scenes together with a touch of magic, whilst the senior dancers displayed some wonderfully choreographed routines right from the beginning and I felt that their performances suited the acts and songs perfectly. 

Overall we absolutely loved this production and felt that it had just the right mix of entertainment and comedy to keep all ages thoroughly entertained. It featured a great selection of musical numbers to sing along to and we particularly enjoyed the nod to the Eurovision Song Contest, which I personally found hilarious. In addition to a fabulous cast, it was clear to see from the sets, choreography and costumes, that there is also a superb creative team that are clearly very skilled. 

Regal Entertainments have yet again delivered another magnificent pantomime at St Helens Theatre Royal and we cannot wait to visit again soon. 

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography

To find out more about Beauty and the Beast or other upcoming productions at St Helens Theatre Royal, you can visit their website here: www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com

You can also follow St Helens Theatre Royal on the following social media pages:

Facebook - facebook.com/St-Helens-Theatre-Royal

Twitter - @TheatreRoyalStH

Instagram - @StHelensTheatreRoyal

Listing Details

Show - Regal Entertainments Ltd presents Beauty and the Beast

Venue - St Helens Theatre Royal, Corporation Street, St Helens, Merseyside, WA10 1LQ

Dates - Wednesday 5th April to Sunday 16th April 2023

Performance Times - Times vary so please see the St Helens Theatre Royal website for the most up to date information.

Tickets - From £16* (*All prices are inclusive of a £1 per seat booking fee. Online bookings are subject to an additional 50p per seat online processing fee.)

Tickets can be booked in person at St Helens Theatre Royal Box Office, Corporation Street, St. Helens, Merseyside, WA10 1LQ (Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm). Alternatively, call 01744 756000 or visit www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com.

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography

*Disclaimer - We were provided with tickets for the press night in order to provide an honest review of the production. All thoughts and opinions are my own unless otherwise stated. 

(AD) SuperThings Rivals of Kaboom Vehicle Toy Review and Competition!

SuperThings Rivals of Kaboom toys have long been a favourite in our household, with my son collecting a significant amount over the past few years. Created by MagicBox, SuperThings are collectible toys that are based on everyday objects and can be found as rival pairings. For example for every superhero you come across, you can be very sure that there is also a super villain ready to be their rival.

My son Riley has been a huge fan of SuperThings for quite some time and has regularly spent his pocket money on blind bags to build up his collection. He also has some of the larger playsets which have allowed him to create many cities, scenarios and adventures using his imagination. He was therefore delighted to have the opportunity to try out the latest vehicle playsets in the Superthings Rivals of Kaboom range. 

The first item we received was the SuperThings Turbo Ice which included 1 x Mad Cone, 1 x Badnilla Ice Biker, 1 x Turbo Ice Vehicle and 3 x Ice Cream Balls. Riley was immediately drawn to the Ice Cream launcher at the rear of the bike and described it as being colourful, unique and fun!

The box is visually appealing and the bright graphics immediately draw your attention to the box. You can see the size of the exclusive Kazoom Kid, and the visual image of the Turbo Ice gives you a very clear idea of exactly what is inside. 

On opening the product Riley placed the exclusive Kazoom Kid, the Badnilla Ice Biker into the driver's seat and the Mad Cone SuperThings figure as the passenger rider. He loaded up the ice creams and began to launch his attack. The balls fit very easily into the launcher and fly with ease. 

There are two pegs on one side of the vehicle to store two of the ice creams, whilst the other can sit comfortably in the launcher ready to be fired. Launching the ice cream balls is really easy and you simply pull on the lever on the side of the bike to take aim and throw your ball.

The second vehicle was the SuperThings Pizzacopter which included 1 x Slicey, 1 x Superslice Pizza Pilot, 1 x Pizzacopter and 3 x Pizza Discs. Riley couldn't wait to test this one out and to see how effective the pizza shooter was. It was very simple to insert the pizza into the shooter and they could travel a good distance.

The front of the Pizzacopter lifts open so that you can place your pizza slices inside. There is then a circular handle at the rear of the vehicle which you pull in order to launch your pizza and send it flying. The SuperThings figure can comfortably sit on the side of the helicopter ready to jump into action as you fly the Pizzacopter through the air. 

I felt that both these toys really helped to encourage imaginative play as within minutes Riley was creating situations and scenarios between the two vehicles and having a pretend battle between Pizza and Ice Cream. Once they had battled, Riley decided that they should have a race to determine the ultimate winner and it was great watching him create interesting adventures between the characters.

Overall I found both products to be great. They were both a really good size and they compliment the other toys in the SuperThings range really well, as both are compatible with other Kazoom Kidz and SuperThings characters. Both items were made from plastic and felt really good quality and durable. I have always found SuperThings toys to be very good value for money and these vehicles are no exception with an RRP of £13.99 each. Both of the vehicles featured in this review can be purchased at The Entertainer along with other SuperThings products. You can also buy them at Amazon and selected Toymaster stores.

You can find out more about SuperThings on their website here: https://www.superthings.com/uk

We also have a fantastic competition for our readers and one lucky person can win one of these amazing vehicles. If you're feeling lucky then please have a read of the terms and conditions and then enter using the Gleam form below. Good Luck! 

SuperThings Rivals of Kaboom Vehicle Giveaway

Terms and Conditions

• There is 1 (one) prize of a SuperThings Vehicle. Please note that styles may vary and the winner is not able to select a preference as to which vehicle they recieve.
• Entry is open to UK residents aged 18 years or older.
• Competition closes 8th April 2023 at 23:59pm.
• A winner shall be drawn at random from all eligible entries within 7 days of the closing date and notified via email.
• The winner will have 7 days to confirm their acceptance of the prize. Should the winner fail to respond, then an alternative winner shall be drawn from the remaining eligible entrants.
• Entries will be validated to confirm that the entry action has been completed as stated. Any incorrect or invalid entries shall be removed.
• 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.
• The prize is non-transferable and their is no cash alternative.
• The winner's name may be displayed on this blog post once the winner has been drawn and have confirmed their acceptance of the prize.
• In entering this competition you confirm that you have accepted these terms and conditions and any additional terms that may be available to view on the Gleam entry form.
• The winner's name may be displayed on this blog post once the winner has been drawn and have confirmed their acceptance of the prize.

*Disclaimer - We were gifted these vehicles for the purpose of writing an honest review of the product. All thoughts and opinions are my own unless otherwise stated. This post contains Amazon affiliate links which means that I may receive a small commission should you purchase a product through the link provided.