Showing posts with label Toys. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Toys. Show all posts

Friday 17 November 2023

Simba Toys Spiderman Marvel Plush - A Review

(AD - Gifted)

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. 

Tuesday 24 October 2023

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

(AD - Gifted) 

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:


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.

Saturday 1 April 2023

(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.

Saturday 14 August 2021

Crazy Construction Fun with Junkbots from Hexbug - A Review

My family has been huge fans of the Hexbug range of products for many years and my children have enjoyed many of their toys, with my eldest two children building up quite a collection at one stage. My youngest son Riley also loves Roblox and unboxing, so we were really excited to learn more about Junkbots, along with Hexbug's latest project that merges toys with entertainment.

A new eight-part digital series based on Junkbots, is now available to view on the HEXBUG Official YouTube page and from the 20th August, fans will be able to join in with the fun with the launch of the Roblox game that will follow a brand new adventure which all kicked-off when Junkbot Jack Static received a cryptic radio transmission. 

To celebrate the launch of the digital series and game, we held a fun screening event for Riley where he watched some episodes whilst also playing along with some awesome Junkbots toys. Of course no screening would be complete without some sweets and popcorn, so we made sure there was plenty on hand for us to enjoy whilst watching the show. 

Junkbots are the ultimate unboxing experience and there are items galore for you to rummage through and find the rubbish that can help you create your Junkbot character. They come in a selection of different sizes ranging from the Junkbots Trash Bin with an RRP of £4.99, the Junkbots Dumpster with an RRP of £9.99 and the Junkbots Industrial Dumpster with an RRP of £19.99. There are over 36 Junkbots to collect, but the beauty of this product is that items can be mixed and matched, which means that children can create numerous characters of their very own.

The Junkbots Trash Bin has an RRP of £4.99 and is the smallest in the range and perfectly priced for a pocket money purchase. Once you have opened the trash bin lid you can rummage inside to find the 15 pieces that you need to build the Junkbot character. Some pieces are loose in the trash bin, whilst others can be found inside the mini bin bags, providing plenty of unboxing fun. The design is fabulous and looks like a brightly coloured bin. The Junkbots are recommended for ages 3+ however there are some small parts, so I would definitely advise parental supervision if allowing younger children to play. 


The Junkbots Dumpster has an RRP of £9.99 and includes 30 pieces inside allowing you two build two completely different Junkbot figures. This was my favourite in terms of price and value for money as in addition to the two Junkbot figures, the pack also included an energy module. Our energy module was easy to build and was a light which could be attached to Junkbot figures to make them glow. My son Riley absolutely loved this and enjoyed moving the light from one figure to another. Some of the connections and joints can be a little difficult to put together, so I did need to help Riley from time to time, but personally I enjoyed that I could also be involved and it was nice to be able to work together.


The Junkbots Industrial Dumpster has an RRP of £19.99 and is the ultimate construction adventure. It features over 50 different pieces allowing for 4 Junkbots to be built and this set also includes an energy module and a motion module which really help to bring the figures to life. Riley described this pack as being 'epic' and unlike other unboxing toys where the fun can be over very quickly, this set offered Riley hours of entertainment. He loved rummaging through all the bin bags, separating the junk from the pieces and creating the character designs. It kept him entertained for a full afternoon and once he has finished playing with the existing figures, he can do it all over again and create his own. I therefore really like the fact that these toys can be played with over and over again which definitely gives added value to the product.


Overall, we really loved the concept and design of the Junkbots and the fact that they offered so much unboxing fun. We particularly liked the fact that we could create our own characters, which was something that Riley definitely enjoyed. The initial diagrams are slightly difficult to follow and could do with being a bit clearer for children who want to make their character perfectly, but we managed on the most part and for any connections we weren't sure of, then Riley just used whichever part he liked the look of which seemed to work really well for us. The design is really fun and we loved that you had miniature bin bags to rummage through and find the pieces. I also feel that the RRP of the products is very reasonable and offers good value for money. I would definitely consider buying more of these in the future and will also look to buy these as birthday gifts due to their price. Junkbots are available to purchase now from The Entertainer, Amazon, Toymaster and other local independent retailers.

If you would like to find out more about Hexbugs or the Junkbots range of products then you can visit their social media pages on the following channels:

Website - Hexbug.com/Junkbots

Facebook - facebook.com/hexbug

Twitter - @HEXBUG

Instagram - @hexbug

YouTube - hexbugtv

Why not also check out the HEXBUG Junkbots series trailer below:

*Disclaimer - We were provided with a complimentary selection of Junkbots toys for the purpose of writing an honest review of the products. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains an Amazon affiliate link.


Friday 4 June 2021

Disney Classic Plush Collection - A Review

During the most recent lockdown, my family and I subscribed to Disney+ which not only allowed my children to watch some of their favourite films, but it also gave us the opportunity to rediscover some Disney Classics together. I was therefore really excited to learn about the Disney Plush Classic Range from Simba Toys, which features iconic characters from films such as 101 Dalmations, The Aristocats, Lady & The Tramp, Dumbo and even more. 

Riley recently received three plush toys from the collection with the first one being the stunning Dumbo. I used to love this film as a child and each of my children had a small Dumbo soft toy when they were babies, so this particular item brought back some really nice memories for me. My son is still at the age where he loves pretend play, so from the moment it arrived, he immediately began to run round the garden with Dumbo, trying to teach him how to fly. 

The quality of this product is absolutely superb and the stitching is very neat and detailed, which really contributes to the character likeness. Riley loves how cuddly it is with the material being so soft. My son enjoys placing his face next to Dumbo's ear as the fabric feels so lovely and it is such a nice item to snuggle up to.

The second toy Riley received was the beautiful Marie from The Aristocats. She is so snuggly and features a pretty pink bow. Like the other toys in the collection, Marie is hand wash only, but given their size, this shouldn't be too difficult a task and in the summer months they can easily dry outside in the sunshine.

Riley hasn't actually seen The Aristocats before, so he is now intrigued to see the film and find out more about Marie. In the meantime he has been enjoying plenty of pretend play and cuddling up to the adorable snuggly fabric.


The Dalmation is so huggable and this was Riley's favourite of them all. He has watched the film 101 Dalmations numerous times, so he was delighted to have a plush toy of a beautiful dalmation pup. The fabric is so gentle and incredibly soft and even the little red collar is nice and smooth. The collar is also centrally stitched at the front and rear, so no worries about it coming loose or being removed.

The attention to detail is fabulous and Riley enjoyed counting all the spots over it's body. He kept losing count of how many there were, but I am now reliably informed that there are 30 spots in total.

Overall I absolutely love this range of soft toys and they are the perfect gift for both children and Disney fans of all ages. They are beautifully made, super soft and there is a great selection to choose from. They can be purchased in a range of different sizes which include 17cm, 25cm and 35cm. The toys featured in this review are the 25cm size which I felt was just perfect for playing with at home, or for taking on our travels too. 

The toys are really light and comfortable to hold, so Riley has already decided that the Dalmation will be coming on holiday with us in the future. One thing I really liked about the soft toys in this review, was that they can also be displayed nicely without just falling over, which is a common problem I have had with other toys. I feel that these plush toys offer excellent value for money and they can be purchased from Amazon.

If you would like to find out more about Simba Toys UK or the Disney Plush Classic Range then you can visit their social media pages on the following channels:

Facebook - Simba Toys UK

Instagram - @simbatoysuk

*Disclaimer - We were gifted three Disney Classic Soft Toys for the purpose of writing an honest review of the product. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains an Amazon affiliate link.

Monday 12 April 2021

Anti-Bacterial Slime from Canal Toys - A Review

If you are a regular reader on this blog, then it will come as no surprise that my boys are huge fans of slime. They have tried out numerous different kinds over the years and despite my constant worry of it being embedded into my carpet or sofa, I know just how much they enjoy it, so I've always been happy for them to play with it. 

They were therefore delighted to be offered the chance to try out the latest Anti-Bacterial Slime from Canal Toys, which I found to be a really interesting concept. At a time where hand sanitisation and cleanliness is of the upmost importance, I really liked the idea of a product that makes hand hygiene fun and I couldn't wait to find out more.

Whilst I have always encouraged good personal health and hygiene with my children, it is safe to say that this has been extremely prominent in the last 12 months. Washing your hands, sanitising and regularly wiping down items and surfaces has always been important, but we are now seeing these recommendations absolutely everywhere, with hand sanitisation stations in shops, supermarkets, schools and pretty much any public space in general. For younger children I can imagine that this can feel very excessive and my youngest son will often comment that he feels like he has washed his hands a million times a day in school. I therefore knew that this product would be an instant hit with him and I definitely wasn't wrong.

Canal Toys Anti-Bacterial Slime is a unique product and the first of its kind in the market. It is child-safe and can kill up to 99.9% of germs. This isn't just a one time use product either, as it can be used over and over again, with it's anti-bacterial properties lasting up to 1 month. It is also alcohol free and comes in a funky little pot that can easily be carried around for use on the go.

The Anti-Bacterial slime is a great way to encourage keeping your hands clean through play. My son sat quietly for ages just quite happily covering his hands fully, which made me think that he was possibly also getting better coverage using the slime than he does with his usual hand sanitiser product. As a parent this gave me lots of reassurance that my sons hands were super clean and that the product was seeing off any germs that may be lurking.

The product can be bought as a single 40g pot with an RRP of £2.99 or alternatively it can be purchased as a tube of four pots with an RRP of £9.99. They are available at both Smyths Toys and Amazon and there are six different colours to choose from. My sons favourite is the purple, but all the colours look lovely and vibrant.

Overall we loved this product and I would be more than happy to purchase this for my children again in the future. I found it to be really innovative and I love the fact that the creators have taken a well loved product and added an anti-bacterial element. I feel that the recommended retail price of a single pot for £2.99 is a very reasonable cost and also an affordable pocket money price for children to buy themselves. For extra value the 4 pack tube is available at £9.99 which would also make an ideal gift. 

If you would like to find out more about the Anti-Bacterial Slime or other products in the Canal Toys range, then you can find their website and social media pages on the following channels:

Website - www.canaltoys.com

Facebook - fb.com/canaltoysglobal

Instagram - @canaltoysglobal

TikTok - @canaltoys


*Disclaimer - We were gifted sample products for the purpose of writing an honest review of the product. All opinions are my own. This post contains an Amazon affiliate link, which means that we may receive a small commission should you choose to purchase this product through the link provided. 



Wednesday 29 July 2020

Pass the Bomb! The Big One! by Gibsons Games - A Review

If you are a regular reader to the blog, then you will already know that we are a big fan of family games. They are a great way to spend some fun time together and we really enjoy trying out the latest games for children and adults to enjoy.

We were therefore delighted to be sent Pass the Bomb! The Big One! from Gibsons Games which is recommended for players aged 8+ and contains 5 different challenge groups that are sure to put your brainpower and skills to the test. It can be played as a two player game, but is also suitable for groups of up to 8, making it the perfect game for our family of five.


Pass the Bomb! The Big One! comes in a square shaped, brightly coloured box, that immediately catches your attention. It is very vibrant and eye-catching, but you cannot tell much about the game from the front of the box or what it may involve. However, the rear of the box provides much more detail and you can gain a clear understanding of the game from both the images provided and the written detail.

I read out the information on the back of the box to the rest of my family so that everyone had a good idea of how the game worked. We then sat round the table ready to play and opened up the box. Inside we found the following contents:

  • 1 x Board
  • 165 Cards
  • 8 playing pieces
  • 4 puzzle tiles
  • 1 wooden ball
  • 1 cup
  • 1 dice
  • 1 electronic timer (red time bomb) - Please note that this requires 2 x AAA batteries which are not included.

We began to set out the contents on the table and placed the game board central to all the players. We then separated the cards into categories, shuffled them and placed them face down on the table next to the board. I then placed the time-bomb, cup and ball, the puzzle tiles and the dice next to the board on the opposite side, so that everything was laid out easily and in clear sight of all the players.

The aim of the game is to think of an answer or solve one of the tasks quickly, whilst the time-bomb ticks away.  The game includes five different challenges which are Rhyme Artist; Word Acrobat; Category Captain; Puzzle Pro and Bounce Boss. Each player continues to play and hope that the time-bomb doesn't detonate. If the time-bomb does detonate, then you must move your playing piece by one space on the game board, which moves it closer to the "explosion" at the centre of the board. At the end of the game the winner is the owner of the playing piece that is the farthest away from the "explosion" in the centre. 


When we were all ready to play the first player rolled the dice and set off the time-bomb. They quickly completed their task before passing it to the next player. This continued until the time-bomb detonated which certainly added to the pressure of completing the challenges. Each challenge really got us thinking and certainly tested our skills. Our favourite was the Rhyme Artist challenges which tests your rhyming abilities and for some reason we all found these ones really funny.

My eldest son really liked the dexterity challenge Bounce Boss where you need to attempt to bounce the ball on the table and land it into the cup. He was really good at this, but I wasn't, so when this challenge was involved, it was almost inevitable that the time-bomb would detonate on me. We also really enjoyed the word challenges and I felt that these also encouraged my children to use their vocabulary skills in a fun and exciting way.


Overall we really enjoyed playing this game. It was very easy to understand and it created plenty of laughter and funny moments during play. It is recommended for players aged 8+, however my 7 year old joined in and had no problem grasping the concept of the game. It is fast paced and entertaining, so there was certainly no chance of boredom whilst playing and it was a great way for us to pass some time sat together in the evening. My only disappointment was that batteries are not included, however this often seems to be the way with games, so fortunately we do have a supply on standby for this purpose. Otherwise it is a fantastic game and we would happily recommend it to others. It currently has an RRP of £22 and is available to buy from toy retailers including Amazon.

If you would like to find out more about Pass the Bomb! The Big One! or other products in the Gibsons Games range, then you can visit their website or social media pages on the following channels:

Website - gibsonsgames.co.uk
Instagram - @gibsons_games
Twitter - @gibsons_games
Facebook - facebook.com/gibsonsgamesofficial


*Disclaimer - We were gifted this game for the purpose of writing an honest review of the product. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains an Amazon affiliate link.

Sunday 28 June 2020

Getting Crafty with Aquabeads - Review, Tutorial and Competition

My son Riley absolutely loves Aquabeads and if you are a regular reader to the blog, then you will have seen that we have reviewed a lot of their products over the past few years. My family and I think that Aquabeads are great and provide children with a fantastic way of getting crafty and creative, whilst also helping to improve hand to eye coordination and concentration skills.

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.


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.
*Disclaimer - We were gifted the Aquabeads sets featured in this post for the purpose of writing an honest review of the products. All thoughts and opinions are my own unless otherwise stated. This post contains an Amazon affiliate link.


Thursday 18 June 2020

Garden Fun with the Giant Pass The Pigs Game - A Review

As we regularly enjoy holidays and weekend breaks, it is fair to say that we have accumulated a nice selection of travel games over the years. However, one of our favourite games, which always comes with us on every trip, is the classic family favourite of Pass the Pigs. My children love this game and the simple uncomplicated rules, makes it easy for even the younger members of the family to join in.

We were therefore delighted to hear about an even bigger and better version, that not only could we take on holiday with us, or to the beach, but that we could also play together in the garden whilst enjoying the sunny weather outdoors. But what could possibly be better than the original Pass the Pigs?............GIANT Pass the Pigs of course!!


Giant Pass the Pigs comes presented in a medium sized box. The front of the packaging features a large image of two inflatable pigs, along with an age recommendation of 6+ and a suggestion of 2-4 players. The rear of the box provides more images along with some suggestions of where you could play the game. There is also a contents list that explains exactly what you get inside.

On opening the box, we found that the contents included:
  • 2 x Inflatable Pigs (approximately 50cm x 40cm)
  • A Carry Bag
  • Pencils
  • Score Pad
  • Repair Kit
If you aren't familiar with the game of Pass the Pigs, then it is really simple to learn and very easy to play. Firstly we removed the pigs from the packaging and inflated them, before moving into the garden to begin our game. We each took it in turns to be the "Swineherd", which is the person in charge of both the pigs and the points. You then simply place one pig in each hand and hold them by the ears, before swinging them up in the air at the same time and releasing them. You then have a look to see how your pigs landed and match it with the score point images to see how many points you gained. Super easy and plenty of fun!



There are numerous positions your pigs can land in, which all have various points allocated to them. The aim of the game is to earn as many points as possible and the first to reach 100 is the winner. However some positions could see you earn zero points, lose all of your points, or even force you to retire from the game. The positions and their points are as follows:
  • A Sider (1 point) - This is when both pigs land on their same side.
  • Trotter (5 points) - This is when a pig lands on all 4 legs.
  • A Double Trotter (20 points) - This is when both pigs land on all 4 legs.
  • A Razorback (5 Points) - This is when a pig lands on its back with its legs in the air.
  • A Double Razorback (20 Points) This is when both pigs land on their back with their legs in the air.
  • A Snouter (10 Points) - This is when a pig lands on its nose and front trotters.
  • A Double Snouter (40 Points) - This is when both pigs land on their nose and front trotters
  • Leaning Jowler (15 Points) - This is when the nose, trotter and ear are to the ground.
  • Double Learning Jowler (60 Points) - This is when both pigs land with their nose, trotter and ear to the ground.
  • Mixed Combo (Add points together) - A mixed combo is the combination of a trotter, snouter or learning jowler and you simply add the individual points of each position together.
  • The Rumper (15 Points) This is when you pig lands on its bum with its nose in the air.
  • A Double Rumper (30 Points) This is when both pigs land on their bums with their noses in the air.
  • Pig Out (0 Points) If the pigs land on opposite sides, then you don't score any points.
  • Makin' Bacon (Lose Points) If your pigs land and they are touching, then you lose ALL of your points!
  • Piggy Back (Retire) If you get a piggy back, then you are out of the game.

Overall we absolutely love Giant Pass the Pigs and it has been great fun to enjoy together in the garden. The rules are so easy to understand and it is an enjoyable game to play with family and friends. With an RRP of only £14.99 this represents excellent value for money and I would absolutely recommend Giant Pass the Pigs to others. It is entertaining, fun and easy to play and this will no doubt become one of our top garden games to play this summer. Giant Pass the Pigs can be purchased from retailers including Amazon.

If you would like to find out more about Giant Pass the Pigs or the other games in the Pass the Pigs range, then you can visit their website or social media pages on the following channels:

Website - www.passthepigsofficial.com
Facebook - facebook.com/passthepigs
Twitter - @PassthePigsGame
Instagram - @passthepigsofficial


*Disclaimer - We were gifted the item featured in this post, for the purpose of writing an honest review of the product. All thoughts and opinions are my own unless otherwise stated. This post contains an Amazon affiliate link.

Friday 12 June 2020

So Slime Tie-Dye Slime Kit - Review

(AD - This post contains gifted items)

You may remember that a couple of months ago we reviewed the So Slime DIY Slimelicious Soda Shop, which Riley thoroughly enjoyed. He loves getting creative and he also loves slime, so the Slime DIY kits are perfect for him and with a great selection to choose from, there is plenty of different products for him to enjoy.

This month we were sent the So Slime Tie-Dye Slime Kit which is recommended for children aged 6+. The front of the box is really bright and colourful and features plenty of images so that you can gain a clear understanding of the product.


The reverse of the box provides very clear images of what is included inside and there is also a colour chart which gives you an indication of what kind of tie dye effect you can create by mixing different colours. Below all of the images you can find a contents list, which consists of:
  • 3 Clear Slimes
  • 1 Tool
  • 3 Glitter Bags
  • 3 Scented Colourants

Riley carefully opened all of the packaging and we lay the contents out on the table and read the instructions before continuing. Just like the previous set that we reviewed, it seemed very simple and after making sure we were clear on what we needed to do, Riley started to create his very own Tie-Dye Slime. Riley's brother Ben also decided that he wanted to join in with this review, so each of them selected their colours and began the process.


The process of creating the tie dye slime was extremely simple. As the slime is already prepared, all that you need to do is select which colours you would like to use in your tie dye slime from the choice of red, blue and yellow. You then add a drop of the colour into the slime and mix it together using the tool provided.



Ben decided that he wanted to make a galaxy themed tie-dye slime and so he mixed the blue and red colours together, before adding the pink glitter. This gave it a fabulous effect and we were all very impressed by the colours.



After seeing Ben's creation, Riley decided to mix the blue and green colours. This created a really vibrant green and created a fabulous effect.  He loved seeing how the tie-dye effect changed as he began to mix it and really enjoyed being able to change how bright the colour was by adding another drop of colour.


When Riley was happy with the colours of his tie-dye slime, he then added some coloured glitter, which he chose to mix in with his hands, whilst also playing with the slime. This gave the tie-dye slime a lovely sparkle effect which you could see glistening amongst the colours.


Riley commented that he would have preferred the 3 clear slimes to have each come in a tub of their own and I would agree with this. As there is only 1 tub, the other slime creations have to be kept in a grip bag. This is of good quality, but for ease of storage Riley would have preferred a tub for each one.

Overall we really enjoyed playing with this set together and with an RRP of only £9.99, I think that it offers good value for money. Riley would have preferred the option to make his own slime as opposed to it being pre-made in the pots, however from a parents perspective I really liked the fact that it had been pre-prepared as this ensured that any mess was minimal. It also meant that it would be the right consistency as when you make your own  I have found it can be a bit hit and miss at times. The fact that there were three lots of slime included, meant that we could also experiment with the colours, as well as having something to store the slime in once we were finished. Again we have been impressed by the So Slime DIY Kits and look forward to trying more of the range in the future.

This item has an RRP of £9.99 and is from Canal Toys. It can be purchased from shops such as Argos and there is also a great choice of So Slime products available on Amazon, If you would like to find out more about Canal Toys and their great range of products, then you can visit their website or social media pages on the following channels:

Website - www.canaltoys.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/canaltoysglobal/


*Disclaimer - This is a collaborative post and we were gifted this item for the purpose of writing an honest review of the product. All thoughts and opinions are my own unless otherwise stated. This blog post contains an Amazon affiliate link.