Ready2Robot Battle Pack

Kids love collectable toys. The excitement of discovering mystery figures and building collections to play with and swap, adds an extra element of fun to collectable ranges. Ready2Robot allows kids to build, swap, and battle interchangeable, mix & match mechbot creations and collect warrior pilots that come in their own slime pod. Add a bot blaster that shoots missiles and get ready for an epic robot battle.

The Ready2Robot collection lets you build, mix & match your own custom bots, and battle your friends in a robot-brawl. The arms, legs, weapons and pilots are all interchangeable so you can create your ideal battling robot.

Freddy was very pleased to receive a Double Trouble Ready2Robot Series 1 Battle Pack, which provides everything you need for the ultimate one on one battle! Armed with 2 mechbots and 2 Pilots (one is a mystery figure and one is visible in the box) you can build and battle right out of the box. 

The mystery mechbot comes in a special four layered pod that can be unboxed to reveal all the individual  parts of the mystery bot. The unboxing was a big part of the enjoyment of this toy, as each layer was explored to reveal the individually packaged component parts. The slime pod, which is fitted into the base of the base, hides the pilot and Freddy really enjoyed getting him out of the green goo. Freddy unboxed Tenderizer and Spacehog to battle against his Tank mechbot and Three Pete pilot in a Double Trouble battle. The pod is reusable and can be linked to other pods to create battle arenas or it could be used as a display stand for your favourite mechbot.

All the limbs, bodies and weapons fit together in any combination, so you can customize your mechbots for battles in hundreds of different ways. The pilots also fit into any bot so you can customise your battles using your favourites. The Battle Pack is a good stand alone toy in its own right, but the collection can be added to to increase the potential for mixing and matching and battling with different bots.

Freddy was really impressed with the bot blaster that shoots real missiles. He used it to fire at both his mechbots in a last-man-standing battle. The little toys themselves look really impressive with good attention to the detailing. This toy combines robots, battling, unboxing surprises and slime - that is pretty much the perfect combination!

For more information and to watch an animated battle that brings the characters to life visit: www.ready2robot.com. The Double Trouble Battle Pack retails at £19.99, but is currently on offer at Smyths Toys for £14.99.

The Ready2Robot range is available from stockists such as Smyth's Toys:
www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/toys/construction-and-cars/robots/ready-2-robot/c/ready-2-robot

Leakproof. Drinking Bottles - an eco-friendly Christmas gift idea

I actively strive to lead as much of a sustainable lifestyle as I possibly can. From choosing a plant based diet to ditching plastic straws to using cloth bags to taking a travel cup to coffee shops and using bamboo cutlery for eating takeout food, I believe we each have a personal responsibility to do our best to help protect our planet. Every small step is a positive contribution and can help create the change so desperately needed.

Approximately 35.8 million plastic bottles are used in the UK every day.  16 million of these will end up as litter, pollute our oceans or go to landfill where they will take over 450 years to decompose. Refusing single use plastic bottles is something each of us can do to alleviate this devastating environmental issue that blights our landscapes and waterways and poses a threat to our wildlife.

There are many alternatives to buying single use plastic bottles, such as using a refillable bottle for drinking on the go. These are safer, durable, easy to clean and environmentally friendly. Using a refillable bottle, you can personally save up to 1460 plastic bottles from ending up in landfill or from choking our oceans every year (based on drinking four bottles a day). 

Leakproof. provides BPA free, spill proof, leak proof water bottles, drinks bottles, sports water bottles and leak proof travel mugs. Their Ion8 leak proof steel water bottles are an ideal solution for both hot and cold drinks and come in a range of sizes and colours. I've received a 17oz bottle in mint. I love the sleek design and the great colour and powder coat paint finish. The size is the width of a regular can so it easily fits into standard cup holders or mesh bottle pockets. They make it simple to stay hydrated when out and about.

Their 100% leak proof reusable water bottles have a ridged cap that is easy to open with just one twist and the wide mouth is nice to drink from. ThermoShield double walled vacuum insulated pro-grade stainless steel keeps drinks hot for up to 12 hours, or cold for up to 24 hours, making it perfect for drinking on the go, while the Flavour Shield preserves freshness. These drinks bottles are not only leak proof, they also stay condensation free so you can put them in a bag without worrying. The bottles are really durable and will last for years without corroding or degrading.

This Christmas, I'm going to be gifting environmentally friendly, sustainable and vegan gifts to my loved ones. These Leakproof. bottles fit the bill perfectly. Priced between £14.99 and £22.99 they are a gift that can be used for years to come and will most definitely contribute to your personal journey towards protecting the planet and are a simple solution to the issue of single use plastic bottles.

Find out more at www.leakproof.co.uk.

Slime Baff, Gelli Baff and SnoBall Battle Packs from Zimpli Kids

Christmas stockings are such a fun part of Christmas. They represent the first taste of Christmas Day, as you awake to find your stocking filled with goodies at the end of your bed. Every year I try to find some cheap and cheerful, fun and interesting items to pop into the kids' stockings. Little bits and bobs that will bring a smile to their faces. Zimpli Kids do a range of products that make great stocking fillers that I know will be a hit with my son Freddy and my grandchildren.

The award winning Gelli Baff and Slime Baff ranges provide an opportunity for children to enjoy some sensory play as they experience and enjoy the different textures of the products. The powders are added to water to create lots of gooey, slimy fun. Perfect for bath time or for play time, the slimes can be used for imaginative games. At Halloween we put lots of plastic toys such as bugs, severed fingers, spiders, rats, body parts and skeletons into a cauldron of Gelli Slime and let the children explore. It was a great way to enjoy the product. I'm sure I can think of some festive uses for the products too. The kids love getting hands on and getting messy with the goo!

The SnoBall Battle Packs make a realistic looking snowy substance, so even if we don't get a white Christmas, we can still enjoy making and throwing snowballs. And as an added bonus, we won't get cold hands!

Zimpli Kids products are 100% safe for kids and unlike some ready-made slimes, contain no boron or boric acid. They are also fully biodegradable making them safe for the environment. Even the glitter used in the Glitter range is biodegradable. Gelli Baff comes with a dissolver to turn it back into a liquid for washing away, whereas the Gelli Slime dissolves straight into water for easy disposable.

With products starting at just £4.99, they are well priced and great value for money, providing lots of play value and fun for kids this Christmas.

Check out independent reviews of the products on YouTube - the products have over 6 billion views to date  - just search for Gelli Baff or Slime Baff.

More information can be found at: www.zimplikids.com.

Make 'n' Break - a fun family game from Ravensburger

Make 'n' Break is an exciting and challenging family game from Ravensburger. The aim of the game is to build as many structures as you can, using ten colourful, wooden blocks, against the clock. There are eighty double sided blueprint cards in three varying difficulties, each showing a different structure that you have to copy, matching the shape and colour to score points. It tests your spatial awareness, building skills and speed as you race to complete as many structures as you can in the time allowed. 

The game contains ten wooden building blocks, eighty blueprint cards, a timer, one time dice, one action dice and a card tray along with an instruction leaflet with rules for playing the game. There are instructions for playing games for 2 - 5 players, individually or as teams, as well as some alternative ideas to add some extra fun to the game!

The idea of the original game is really simple to grasp: you throw the time dice, set the timer, draw a card and copy the design. Once complete, knock it down, redraw a new card and build again until the time runs out. Points are scored for each build successfully completed. It is simple but a lot of fun and things can get very competitive. To make things more complex you can add in the optional extra action challenges by using the action dice. This adds a whole new level of challenges and things can get very interesting! Modes of play that can be actioned include playing blind, where one player describes what to build to another player who cannot see the card or only being able to use the tips of your index fingers to pick up and position the blocks. So, you can in effect make the game as challenging or as tricky as you wish.

We really enjoyed this game as it a simple idea that can be adapted to suit whoever is playing. Having to copy blueprints and build different structures is really good for developing fine motor skills and  hand eye coordination. It also helps children to follow instructions. The action dice allows you to add special rules to the game, which definitely ups the challenge and the fun. So you can enjoy whatever version you want, adapting the gameplay whilst building against the clock. I loved that the blocks are made of wood and that the game fits well into the box for storage purposes.

Make 'n' Break is recommended for children aged 8 and over. Freddy is 9 and he really loved the challenge of building the models and enjoyed throwing in the action modes to make things a bit trickier. The Describe It! mode was his favourite added action and he worked well with his big sister giving and receiving verbal instructions to build the structure from the card. This is another great skill to develop, adding to the educational element of the game.

The RRP of Make 'n' Break is £24.99 and it is available to order from Amazon. It would make a great Christmas gift for the family.

Find out more at www.ravensburger.org/uk/products/games/family-games/make-n-break.

Keeping it Clean with the #ACEforSchoolChallenge

School is back in full swing. This means muddy P.E. kits and paint splattered polo shirts have become regulars in my steadily growing laundry pile. Given the price that we paid in September, to have our children togged out in their smart school uniforms, maintaining the cleanliness and the quality of their clothing is pretty important. I don't want to have to re-buy uniform every term, it costs enough buying it as a one off for the new school year. Having that embroidered school logo quadruples the price of the garments, so I will do what I can to keep them as pristine as possible for as long as possible!

One way of keeping the kids' clothes lasting for longer is to use suitable laundry products that will help keep colours bright and fresh and will tackle germs, grease and stubborn stains.  ACE for Colours and ACE Stain Remover Spray keep clothes robust and clean, helping them to last longer, while being gentle enough to use everyday. So those grass stained knees, lunchtime dribbles and arty rainbow splashes can be tackled with ease.

I've been testing the ACE products for the #ACEforSchoolChallenge and have been grateful for a helping hand with the weekly washing. 

Freddy is in Year 5 of primary school and over the years we have had a considerable amount of stains to contend with. Whether it's something dropped down his front in the dinner hall (such as some tomato pasta, which is one of his favourite things to spill - why do they never spill nice, white mashed potato?!) or smudgy, charcoal fingerprints caused by messing around with his mates during art lessons (I swear there was more charcoal on Freddy than there was on his picture of the Egyptian God Anubis) there is always a laundry challenge for me to deal with.

It's not just my youngest son that has pushed my weekly washing endeavours into epic battles. My daughter once came home from school looking like a real life, walking, talking Jackson Pollock painting. When asked how she had got into such a state, she stated matter-of-factly that a boy in her class had decided to paint on her instead of on his paper. This is the kind of thing that we have to contend with as parents on a weekly basis.  I just thank my lucky stars that I live in a time of washing machines, detergents and products such as ACE. How my own mum coped living in the pre- automatic washing machine era, washing stuff by hand in the sink, I will never know! I sometimes feel a bit guilty that things are made so easy for us nowadays, but I soon get over my feelings of guilt and enjoy the ease and convenience of modern living, as I relax with a coffee while listening to the hum of the washing machine doing the job for me.

One thing that really matters to me is trying to reduce my impact on the environment where possible. Laundry is a necessity that I have to do, but I make sure I do full loads, use a faster washing time and a lower temperature setting. With products like ACE, the laundry process is really optimised helping get rid of stains and germs with ease. So I can reduce the energy and water I use, without compromising on the results. With school age kids this is invaluable. The ACE Stain Remover Spray can be used to target stubborn stains making sure the paint, tomato sauce or grass stains are tackled directly and efficiently within the wash. The ACE for Colours is gentle on clothes and helps prevent colours from bleeding or running, as well as helping shift dingy trapped dirt, grease and odours from fabrics. Whites look brighter and colours look more vibrant, even at low temperatures. My children can rock up at the school gates looking clean and smart every morning - but I can't promise they'll look so smart when they come home at 3 o'clock!

Here's a little photo collage of my littlest two in their school uniforms over the years - please note that there is not a stain in sight!

“This post is an entry for the BritMums #ACEforSchool Challenge, sponsored by ACE. Get help for all kinds of stains with the ACE Stain Helper. http://www.acecleanuk.co.uk/ or to buy head to your local Tesco’s, Morrison’s, Waitrose or Sainsbury’s.” 

Summer Fun with the Fuzzikins Campervan Carry Case

Fuzzikins craft sets are a great gift for creative kids that come with extra added play value! The Fuzzikins are adorable little fuzzy animal figures that you can colour in however you choose using washable pens before playing with them.

The craft sets offer hours of fun as kids can customise the Fuzzikins and their  accessories with the pens and stickers and then enjoy some imaginative play. The Fuzzikins animals can be washed and  coloured in again and again to create new looks.

Freddy received the Fuzzikins Campervan Carry Case from Interplay (£19.99 rrp). The yellow and cream classic campervan can be decorated using the three colour-your-own sticker sheets with the felt pens that come with the set. With rainbows, flowers and peace symbols, kids can enjoy some real summery, hippy vibes when customising the campervan. Inside, the van has furniture for the cats including a table and chairs and a pull down bed, as well as a driver seat and steering wheel. The carry handle on top of the van doubles up as a surf board for catching waves. Perfect for a summer of fun at the beach. The set includes two cat figures, one medium and one large. They also have their own little felt blanket for when having a cat nap.

The side of the campervan opens up to reveal the inside of the vehicle when playing and it has real wheels allowing it to be pushed around. Everything can fit inside the campervan for storage.It's a really good design and a lot of fun. We liked that the cats can be washed and recoloured, meaning that element of the toy can be revisited numerous times.

I was impressed that the Fuzzikins sets combine two types of play: the creative craft side as you decorate both the cats and their accessories and the miniature, imaginative play world where you can act out adventures with your characters.

                 


This beautifully designed activity craft set encourages creative and imaginative play and is all contained in a handy carry case. Fuzzikins craft sets bring a fuzzi world of fun and imagination to creative kids.

For more information visit:
https://interplayuk.com/collections/fuzzikins-craft/products/campervan-carry-case.

The story or Rang-tan and the problem with palm oil

I am passionate about the environment and the animals that we share our planet with. I do my best to avoid single use plastics; my family enjoy a plant-based diet and I source as many cruelty free, ethical and sustainable household products as I can. I am constantly reading ingredients labels in supermarkets when I'm shopping, trying to find suitable things to buy. One of the ingredients I try to avoid is palm oil. You find it in so many things, in fact half the products on the supermarket shelves contain it, despite the fact that its production has such a devastating  impact on our planet.  The industry is linked to major issues such as deforestation, habitat degradation, climate change, animal cruelty and indigenous rights abuses in the countries where it is produced, as the land is cleared to make way for palm oil plantations.

Greenpeace have launched a new campaign focused on raising awareness of the problem, with a new short animated film and children’s book to highlight the issue of palm oil and its link to the deforestation of our rainforests. Featuring a young girl who discovers an orangutan named Rang-tan in her bedroom, the book introduces children to the plight of the orangutans as man destroys their natural habitat. The book and the film contain a very powerful message and a dedication to the 25 orangutans that we lose everyday, but it also brings a message of hope that we can change things for the better.

Our consumption of palm oil is rising, and the cost to our global climate and environment is devastating. Currently, most palm oil is used in food products, cosmetics and increasingly for use in biodiesel. As a result, Indonesia has more threatened and endangered species than any country on earth. The Bornean orangutan population has decreased by half since 1999, and a new species of orangutan discovered in Sumatra in 2017 is already endangered – mostly due to the destruction of their forests for palm oil.

            

Greenpeace has teamed up with Dame Emma Thompson, who narrates the film, to reach as many people as possible to fight for the protection of our rainforests and all those who depend on them. Greenpeace are calling on the palm oil industry to clean up its act and calling on food manufacturers to stop using palm oil.  Iceland has already pledged to remove palm oil from its own brand products by the end of this year, paving the way for other big brands to hopefully follow suit.

It is International Orangutan Day on the 19th August – a day to encourage people to take action to help save this amazing species. The more people that watch and share Rang-tan, the more people can be reached in order to put pressure on brands like Nestle and Unilever to make sure the palm oil used to make their chocolates and soaps isn’t coming at the highest price for the world’s rainforests and the orangutans that live there.

You can help by sharing the film and signing the petition at greenpeace.org.uk.

Enjoy a Culinary Adventure with Emirates Holidays 'Little Foodies' Recipe Cards

Emirates Holidays reveals how travel broadens the taste buds of even the youngest holidaymakers and launches ‘Little Foodies’ recipe cards for families to try out over the summer!

The school summer holidays are in full swing and many families are taking well deserved breaks to foreign climes. Travelling with children raises a number of considerations, one of which is the issue of food. Research by Emirates Holidays has revealed that 55% of parents worry about what their kids will eat when they’re away, when their home comforts and go-to meals may not be available. 64% of worried parents will even stash emergency food in their suitcase, with the most popular items to take being biscuits (55%) and crisps (49%). However in reality almost half (45%) of brave British kids are willing to try at least one or two local dishes on holiday as they embark on a family culinary adventure. Little ones experiment with unfamiliar dishes and flavours when on holiday with 35% trying curry, 49% eating flatbreads and 28% munching on olives.

When families get home, a third of parents are pleased to find their children are more comfortable trying more unusual dishes – however 40% confess their kids revert straight back to their old eating habits as soon as the plane touches down, with 62% of children choosing pizza and 53% choosing pasta as their first choice foods.

To help families experience some amazing foodie delights, Emirates Holidays has partnered with a selection of chefs from their top family hotels to create a series of exclusive ‘Little Foodies’ recipes for download so families can cook together, expand their taste buds and prepare for - or remind themselves of - their holiday culinary adventures. You will be able to taste your way around the world with Emirates Holidays this summer.

Freddy and I have tried out one of the Little Foodies recipes. Not only do we love cooking up a storm in the kitchen, we also love exploring the ingredients and dishes of other cultures. We aren't venturing abroad this year, but the Emirates Holidays 'Little Foodies' recipe cards are giving us a gastronomical adventure in the comfort of our own home, transporting our taste buds with the local flavours of exciting destinations.

We were excited to try the Traditional Mauritian Chilli Bites made with yellow split peas, shallots and onions, flavoured with cumin, curry leaf and chilli. This plant-based recipe is filled with authentic flavours and children can get involved, helping to prepare them in the kitchen.

We used a food processor to make the Chilli Bites, making it a quick and easy recipe. The split peas and spices are processed to a thick paste before pulsing through chopped onion and shallot. Just be sure to soak the split peas overnight so they are ready for using. Kids can get involved by adding ingredients to the food processor and helping shape the bites ready for an adult to fry.

Freddy enjoyed discovering all the different ingredients; their aromas and flavours. Cooking with kids is a great way to get them interested in a range of foods, encouraging them to try new things and explore exciting new tastes.

I deep fried the chilli bites and served them up hot with a bowl of sweet chilli sauce for dipping. Freddy was really impressed with our handiwork. The bites had a nice kick of warming chilli and the fragrance of cumin and curry leaf added an authentic aroma. The crispy bites had a soft inside and tasted delicious!

This signature recipe has been created by a top chef at the Emirates Holidays Mauritian Attitude Hotels Resort.  The Chilli Bites are adventurous while still being kid friendly, inspired by the Indian immigrants who made their way to this idyllic island in the early nineteenth century.

You can find this recipe for Traditional Mauritian Chilli Bites in the Emirates Holidays Little Foodies Recipe Cards. This free to download collection of family friendly recipes take your taste buds on a culinary tour around the world, allowing you to discover new foods or relive gastronomic holiday memories.

Crate Creatures Surprise - Meet Blizz!

Crate Creatures Surprise are a brand new toy range from MGA Entertainment. Featuring characters such as Blizz the ice monster, Pudge the troll, Sizzle the fire breathing dragon and Snorthog the bog warthog, the Crate Creatures are ferociously fun, monstrous creatures, which each come with 45+ cool creature sounds and effects. Each creature comes chained up in its own crate and is waiting to be broken out using the crowbar. Once the beast is unleashed, it is ready to play!

Pull the creature's tongue and it will vibrate and make noises as his glowing eyes flash. A motion sensor reacts when the creature is turned upside down or knocked over making it respond to being played with. Arms flap when you pull the tail and there are roars of delight when you shake them.You can record your voice and the creature will play back your message in his own monstrous voice. Each creature also comes with its own tasty snack and will chow down on it noisily.

Freddy received Blizz, a white and blue yeti with a ring through his nose, who has his own ice lolly snack. To unbox him, you use the crowbar to pop the padlock, then release the lid of the crate. Then Blizz pops out to play! He has big feet, yellow horns, a long, red tongue and flashing green eyes. To fully activate the Crate Creature, you have to switch him fully on, accessing the switch under his fur using the velcro section on his back. This activates a whole host of interactions, funny noises and gross sounds such as chomping, snoring, roaring and farting!

The voice recording feature is a huge hit. Freddy made him repeat lots of funny things as I'm sure you can imagine! The creature can record and replay 10 seconds of audio, simply by pressing his belly to activate the recorder. Hearing your words repeating in a funny monster voice is a lot of fun.

When you've finished playing, you can secure Blizz back into his crate for safe keeping. The crow bar fits onto the side of the crate and the chains and padlock can be re-secured easily. The re-usable packaging is a really good feature of this toy and the boxed Crate Creature will look good on a shelf with his eyes peeping through the bars and tongue lolling out.

The Crate Creatures Surprise toys add a gruesome element of  monstrous fun to playtime. The crate, crowbar, padlock and chain are a novel feature and add to the play value as you break out your very own creature. The toy pops up when the lid is opened, which is a nice touch. The designs of the creatures are very appealing to kids with their fuzzy fur, glowing eyes and waggling, sticky-out tongues. Children will thoroughly enjoy interacting with the creature and the funny noises are guaranteed to make them giggle. Freddy particularly enjoyed Blizz's snoring! Blizz can hold his ice lolly in his gripping hand and sticking the lolly in Blizz's mouth elicits lots of noisy and gross eating sounds, which is very amusing. Blizz is a cute, furry little ice monster who will definitely melt any child's heart.

Each Crate Creature takes 3 x AA batteries, which are included. Each of the four creatures comes in a padlocked crate with its own favourite food item. They are recommended for children aged 4 and up and retail for £39.99 RRP at stores such as Amazon, Argos and Smyth's Toys.

Sweet Pups - discover the magic hidden inside

The latest collectable toy is due to be launched at the end of this month and they already promise to be hugely popular. Sweet Pups, from Trends UK, are a range of soft, plush puppies hidden inside delicious looking pretend pastries. With 12 adorable breeds to collect in series one, there is a perfect puppy for everyone or you can collect them all.

Sweet Pups look like the most delicious croissants, macaroons and sticky buns on the outside, each scented with the sweet aroma of cinnamon, chocolate, strawberry or toasted bread. Inside, there is a sweet surprise, just waiting to be discovered.

You can transform the Sweet Pups toys from the delicious looking, sweet scented pastries into cute and cuddly plush puppies simply by turning them inside out. Your favourite puppy will be revealed – ready to love and play with. You can choose from twelve different breeds including Chewy Chihuahua, Raisin Pup, Pretty Poodle, Sweety Peety or Rocky Roll.

We've received a Buddy Roll Sweet Pups toy, which is a sugar roll pastry concealing a cute, plush tan and brown puppy with big blue eyes. The toys come individually packaged in a clear plastic dome with a cardboard sleeve, so you can see which one you are getting. Sweet Pups are a very novel, quirky toy that combine patisserie favourites with the cutest puppy dogs. I'm sure they'll have huge appeal to children who love collectables and cuddly toys with a unique twist.

Sweet Pups will be available from Claire’s Accessories and Amazon for £7.99 rrp from next week and are suitable for ages 3 and up. 

The First Signs of Summer with Little Tikes

Summer is the UK’s favourite season. For me, I start to feel summery when the weather gets warmer and my winter clothes get relegated to the back of my wardrobe in favour of t-shirts and summer dresses. The lighter evenings also signify the start of the summer season for me and I enjoy making the most of the longer days. However, according to a recent survey, most Brits consider it to be the start of summer when the month of June begins.

The survey of over 2000 people carried out by Little Tikes, found that despite the Solstice on June 21st being the official start of summer, the majority of UK residents class the first week of June as the start of the holiday season. In fact, just one in ten considered the start of summer to be Solstice week and some didn't consider it summertime until the schools break up for the summer holidays.

63% of Brits stated that summer is their favourite season of the year. However, less than a quarter (23%) said that warm weather heralded the start of the season for them. So despite us having the hottest May in decades, many people still didn't consider it as being summer for them.

For one in ten Brits, summer officially starts with the smell of cut grass, whilst for others, it is the smell of the first BBQ of the season (for us it's a vegan BBQ), the sound of children playing outdoors, the first spray tan of the year or even, the Queen’s Birthday. An unlucky 3% of Brits know it’s summer when their Hayfever symptoms kick in. A further 3% believe the season starts when they book their official summer holiday and begin to look forward to sunbathing on a tropical beach.

Almost half of those asked, didn’t feel they spend enough time outdoors during the summer months although they would like this to change. So this summer, Little Tikes is calling on all Brits to make the most of the season by spending time together outdoors. 

Little Tikes offers a full range of outdoor play products – from playhouses, sandboxes and water tables to the iconic Cozy Coupe. All of my children have enjoyed playing in the classic Crazy Coupe cars over the years! This season they have also launched the new Fun Zone range, which features toys like Splash Face, Dual Twister, Tumblin’ Tower and Drop Zone - for water-play with a twist, keeping the kids (and the grown-ups) cool this summer!

You can shop the full Little Tikes range at https://www.littletikes.co.uk.

Make Science Fun with National Geographic's Dig Kit and Crystal Lab

Freddy loves anything to do with science and has a very inquiring mind. He can often be found Googling things and watching YouTube videos, absorbing fascinating facts about the world, the animal kingdom and the solar system. So he was very excited to get hands-on and try out the National Geographic STEM science sets from Bandai.

National Geographic is a well-known, trusted and reputable brand. Their range of experiment based kits support the STEM subjects, making science accessible, exciting and fun to children aged 8 and over. The kits include expert learning guides and cover subjects that kids will find fascinating. Each kit includes a real piece of the natural world for kids to examine and learn about. The packaging is also really lovely. The sturdy boxes are embossed with glossy images that grab the attention and raise interest.

The Dino Fossil Dig Kits bring out the paleontologist in any child, giving them a chance to look at genuine artifacts from the past as they include three real fossil specimens: a Mosasaur Tooth, a fossilised dinosaur poop and a dino bone. The three specimens are embedded in a dinosaur head shaped dig brick. The kit includes an excavation tool and brush along with a magnifying glass. A glossy booklet gives plenty of facts and information about paleontology, fossils and about the specimens inside the dig brick.

Freddy absolutely loved excavating the specimens. The tool worked really well, cutting through the brick, which was just the right consistency. If the brick is too hard it can be soaked with a little water to make it easier to work with. With some patience and a delicate touch, the fossils can be gently removed ready for examination. A quick wash removes any remaining brick dust. The guide book gives some really fascinating details about the artifacts. Freddy was particularly intrigued by the thought of having a dinosaur poo fossil or coprolite as it is scientifically known!

Other Dig Kits include a Gemstone and a Shark Tooth variety, each with genuine artifacts to discover and explore.

The Crystal Growing Kits provide everything needed to grow and inspect an amazing crystal, and also include a real Fluorite, Amethyst or Calcite crystal.  Freddy received the Fluorite Glow-In-The-Dark Crystal Lab. It includes a bag of glow-in-the-dark crystal growing powder, a seed rock, a magnifying glass, stir stick, display stand and information guide along with the genuine fluorite specimen.

The experiment to grow the crystals takes 7 - 10 days to complete, but after this time you should have grown some genuine fluorite to compare to the sample included in the kit.

The Learning Guide booklet includes lots of information about crystals and the science behind their structure and formation. Our experiment to grow our crystals is ongoing, and it is really exciting for children to witness chemistry in action!

The National Geographic kits shown are just £9.99 RRP. In addition to the Dig Kit and Crystal Growing Kit, there are also Geode, Build Your Own Volcano and Ultimate Play Sand Kits. I love the fact that they support the learning of science, one of the STEM subjects, in such a fun, exciting and engaging way. The sets encourage children to explore the subject matter further and hopefully this will instill a love of science, which will continue through the years to come.

Stockists include Tesco and Amazon.

Celebrating National Sandwich Week with Num Noms

This year National Sandwich Week runs from May 20th to the 26th; a week to celebrate the versatility and deliciousness of this iconic, culinary British invention. I love a good sandwich, packed with a delicious vegan filling such as a meat-free BLT or a chickpea and cheese melt or hummus, falafel and salad. They are easy to eat and taste great! What's not to love?!

Num Noms, the super cute scented collectable, food inspired toys are celebrating National Sandwich Week, challenging us to come up with a Num Noms inspired sandwich creation. Their Series 4 Dessert Tray collectables include a range of Ice Cream sandwiches: Terry Berrywich, I.C. Sandwich and Wintergreen Creme, all fragranced with the scent of berry, chocolate or mint. Ice Cream Sandwiches are another great way to celebrate the sandwich this week. We like to make a vegan Oreo and Swedish Glace ice cream sandwich dessert. It is very indulgent, rich and delicious!

With Num Noms, you can create thousands of flavour combinations using the scented characters, stacking them together and making your own unique blends. Num Noms fans can also enjoy the official magazine, packed with fab free gifts. The Num Noms lunchbox is a great addition to the range and is perfect for packing up your sandwiches for enjoying on the go!

My own mini chef Freddy donned his Num Noms chef's hat and got busy in the kitchen to create his very own sandwich creation to celebrate National Sandwich Week. He chose the Num Nom "Mocha Frappe" as his design inspiration for an open sandwich made with vegan chocolate spread and chunky peanut butter on half and half bread.

Freddy had great fun spreading and cutting to make the shape and colour of Mocha Frappe and used blueberries for making the eyes, nose and bow. A slice of strawberry made the mouth and completed his Num Noms inspired sandwich creation. 

Freddy really enjoyed eating his chocolate spread and peanut butter sandwich, which was extra tasty on accounts of it looking like a Num Nom!

Look out for Num Noms at retailers such asSmyths, Amazon, Argos and find out more at numnoms.mgae.com.

VelociTrax Pro from NIKKO - Super Fast and Furious RC Fun

Remote control vehicles have always featured on must have toy lists. There is something about taking full charge of a vehicle and watching it zoom about under your control that keeps kids entertained for ages. Freddy has always loved playing with remote control cars, making race tracks or obstacle courses and testing them to their limit. So his was really keen to test out the VelociTrax from Nikko.

The VelociTrax  Pro from NIKKO brings you full-function omni-directional radio control action with super fast speed,  ultra- manoeuvrability and futuristic styling. It has a big range of up to 40 metres and an impressive top speed of 14km/hr. It's a real action vehicle, ready for indoor or outdoor adventures.

This very fast and furious VelociTrax features 360-degree spins and allows you to race through any off road terrain and over obstacles using its robust caterpillar tracks. It has really impressive manoeuvrability and the spinning trick is a lot of fun! With its superior traction, it is great at getting over obstacles and Freddy made a course that saw the vehicle power over wooden planks, go through grass and mud and even knock balls out of the way. Controlling this speedy vehicle is a bit manic, but that adds to the fun.

I was very pleased at how tough and durable the VelociTrax vehicle is. As it is so quick, there are a few crashes involved when playing with it, but the bodywork is well made and it has withstood some serious playtime. It is better used outside where its speed and ability to power through obstacles can be fully enjoyed, but Freddy also enjoyed throwing 360 spins indoors on the laminate floor. It also looks really good with its futuristic design and colourful tracks and bodywork. It offers some great RC fun!

The car comes with a 7.2V Ni-Mh rechargeable battery that can be charged within 1 hour with the included quick-charge charger. This gives 20 minutes run time. The remote requires 3 x AAA batteries, which are included. The 2.4GHz remote allows for 10+ player head-to-head racing with a range of 40m, so if your friends have one, you could organise some serious races. It is suitable for children aged 8 and over.

You can find Nikko RC vehicles from Smyths, Amazon and Argos. At the time of writing, the price of the car ranges between £30 to £50.

Make Your Own Slime with So Slime DIY Cosmic Slime Shakers

Like most kids his age, Freddy is obsessed with slime! We have tried numerous times to make our own using detergent and PVA glue, but have never had much success, ending up with nothing more than a sticky mess and sore hands. So when he was offered the chance to try out the So Slime DIY Slime Shakers from Canal Toys, we were hoping for a good result, and we were not disappointed.

The Slime Shakers give a safe and fool-proof DIY method of making your own cosmic slime by simply adding water to the sachet of slime powder in the shaker pots. You shake the pot (with the lid on!) for 30 seconds, wait for five minutes and then the slime is ready to play with. It's as easy as that.

The Cosmic Slime Shakers make a metallic purple, greeny-blue and pink pot of slime. Each can have glitter or confetti added for extra sparkle. Each pot also includes a little surprise figurine such as a cat, mermaid, unicorn, cloud or star, which can be added into the mix. There are three other fun and imaginative designs in the Slime Shakers range; Rainbow, Creepy and Insect each with their own unique colours, decorations and characters. So whatever your child is into, there is a style of slime to suit them.

The slime can be kept in its colour coordinated pot to keep it fresh and clean. The slimes and figurines can be combined for colourful cosmic effects and extra fun.

The So Slime DIY Slime Shakers are a great rainy day activity for families with children aged 6 and over. The DIY element adds extra educational play value to the product. Freddy could follow the instructions and make the slime, adding the powder, glitter and water up to the measuring line on the pot, then shaking it vigorously. He was pretty pleased with the results knowing that he had done it himself. Once made it can be stretched, oozed, squeezed and played with, for hours of slime-filled fun. 

The 3 pack Slime Shakers are £9.99. The fact that it is safe for kids, is made easily using just water and is mess free keeps everyone happy. The So Slime range is recommended for children aged six and over. The So Slime DIY products are available in UK stores now and include the DIY Slime Shakers, DIY Case and DIY factory. 

Move Over Water Pistols, Here Comes the Slime Blaster!

Zimpli Kids, the creators of Gelli Baff and Slime Baff  that transform water into slime or goo, have a brand new product that is perfect for the summer. Set to revolutionise the classic seasonal water fight, the Slime Blaster is a pump action gun that shoots slime at your opponents, adding a brand new weapon to your arsenal. It's fun, it's messy and it's brilliant!

The Slime Blaster uses a 100% safe Slime formula, and can shoot a blast of slime up to 7 metres. Simply fill up the water tank with water, add the slime powder sachet, shake and wait 5 minutes to create the slime then get ready to fire.

Each Slime Blaster comes with 12 x slime blaster sachets giving 200+ slime shots. That's plenty of slime action for an exciting outdoor slime fight.

The gun itself is funky with its white, orange and green design. The water tank unscrews easily from the end of the blaster to fill it up. The Slime Blaster water tank comes with a cap so you can secure it while waiting for your slime to develop. The pump action works well and fires the slime a good distance. We all really like the Slime Blaster as it brings a very unique and novel twist to the traditional water fight concept.

The slime rinses out from clothes and washes off skin easily and is completely safe and non-irritant. The Slime Blaster is recommended for children aged 5 and over. Slime sachet refills are available to buy separately once you've used up the supply that comes with the Slime Blaster.

The Slime Blaster is available from stockists such as Tesco and Amazon. (I have found  them currently on offer at  just £13.50 at Tesco Direct so it's worth searching for a good price.)

The Slime Blaster is definitely going to be a summer favourite for us this year!

Engaging Teens and Helping Shape their Future with the National Citizen Service

My daughter Kezia is going to be sixteen years old this year. My youngest daughter is all grown up. Life is a whirlwind of homework, friends, concerts, YouTube, make-up tutorials, playing music on vinyl, vegan snacks, Snapchat and shopping trips. 

She is fast approaching the time when she has some big decisions to make with regards to her future post-16 options - whether she chooses to do A'Levels at college with a view to going on to university, or if she opts for a more vocational course and an apprenticeship. Whatever she chooses to do, I'll be there to support her and encourage her every step of the way, hoping that I've helped her develop the tools needed to thrive in the big wide world.

There is one decision that I hope she decides upon that will help her to shape her future and grow as an individual at this important time in her life. The National Citizenship Service is a once in a lifetime opportunity for 16 - 17 year olds to take part in a 3 - 4 week experience that helps build confidence and self belief, giving teens a taste of living away from home, developing important skills and meeting new people. This would be a great opportunity for Kezia to do something challenging while embarking on a journey of self discovery that could really help her to grow as a person. As well as the fun and adventure involved in taking part, participation in NCS will also look good on a UCAS personal statement or CV.

NCS is a government backed programme established in 2011 open to 16 and 17 year-olds across England and Northern Ireland, to help create a more cohesive and engaged society and helping to tackle some of our country's biggest social challenges. The two to four week programme takes place in the school summer holidays, and includes outdoor team-building exercises, a residential for learning essential life skills, a community-based social action project and an end of programme celebration event.

By bringing together young people from different backgrounds for a unique shared experience, NCS helps them to become better individuals, and in turn better citizens. These Generation Z teenagers have the power to change the world for the better. They are tomorrow's adults; our future leaders and influencers and could prove to be an unstoppable force!

The NCS programme puts young people through a series of challenging activities to take them out of their comfort zone and develop their strength of character and leadership skills. They are given the chance to really connect with their communities through social action, organising events or raising money for local charities. This year more than 100, 000 16 - 17 year olds will be taking part in the scheme. The benefits of the NCS is great, not just to the teenagers who take part, but to their communities and to society as a whole. Investing in our young people is an investment in our country's future. For every £1 spent, the NCS summer programme in 2016 delivered up to £2.42 of benefits back to society.

This opportunity is a chance for teens to do something really worthwhile over the long summer holidays. As a parent, I think this is definitely worth pitching to my teenager as it will be way more rewarding to her than lazing in bed until midday throughout the whole of August! I hope she'll say yes to NCS.

NCS is amazing value for money. The whole experience including food, accommodation and travel costs just £50, which is an incredible bargain when you think of what your child can gain from taking part.  (Bursaries are available on a case by case basis and support is also provided for young people with additional needs.) Even if you have commitments over the summer, you can register for further details and NCS will try to find a spot for all interested teens at a time that suits.

There are still places available for Year 11s to take part in this once in a lifetime opportunity this summer. To sign up now, go to the NCS website using this link: www.ncsyes.co.uk.

LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes - The Flash on DVD

If you are looking for a great alternative gift to Easter Eggs for the kids this Easter, then look no further than Warner Bros new direct to DVD animated film: LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes -The Flash.  This animated adventure features DC Comics' speedy superhero the Flash in a 75 minute adventure.

When the Joker attacks Metropolis, the Justice League unites to fight him and stop him. Meanwhile, Reverse-Flash manipulates the Speed Force to put the Flash into a time loop that forces him to relive the same day over and over again—with progressively disastrous results. The Flash must find a way to restore time to its original path and face his worst enemy before all is lost.

It’s up to Batman Superman, Wonder Woman, Cyborg and their new recruits: The Atom, Krypto the Super Dog and Ace the Bat Hound, to help The Flash to recover his powers, defeat his nemesis Reverse-Flash, save the universe and escape the time loop in an exciting finale!

With the classic LEGO Super Hero movie humour, this is a great film for keeping the kids entertained over the Easter holidays. It's a fun-filled, action packed adventure that LEGO Super Hero fans will really enjoy.  It was nice to find out more about The Flash and his story!

You can buy it from Amazon for just £7.