12 Toys of Christmas #3

Today's selection of toys is for car crazy kids.  Freddy loves anything with wheels and I can see these being a big hit with any other like minded little lads.  These three toys are each part of a larger range of toys that are sure to be featured on many a Christmas wish list.  So if you are looking for a present for a boy, take a look at these for an idea of what is hot this year! 

GB Toys’ (Golden Bear) new collection, Go MINI, will bring fast action stunts and ultimate style to any Christmas wish list this year!

Go MINI Crew-zers are the perfect stocking filler gift to start a collection. There are five super cool styles each with its own character name, such as Chilli the red hot Crew-zer and Jaxx the patriotic royal blue dude emblazoned with a Union Jack.

The show offs of the forecourt, however, are the Go MINI Stunt Racers. There are six to collect and each comes with two modes – race and stunt, with every car having a different unique stunt.

Alternatively, the Go MINI Freestylers have their own unique and quirky features that make them a truly customised crew! Beats comes with a supped up sound box in his boot whilst Bulldog is a true Brit, complete with Union Jack decoration and a Bulldog which pops up from the roof with the press of a button.

For a top of the range Go MINI then the RC Wolf Rally Car is the highlight of the show room. This remote control speed machine has lights and sounds that are activated by the steering wheel remote handset.

 GB Toys’ Go MINI collection represents one of the finest and most exciting launches for the younger boys this Christmas. With four ranges and 17 cars to collect, each with its own name, fun features, and unique decoration there’s a Go MINI for everybody.

Find out more at GB Toys.

Building Blocks are a favourite at Christmas and Character Building is set to wow again this year with exciting new additions to the range, including a brand new Ben 10 collection!

The Ben 10 range will feature eight collectible construction micro-figures of characters from across the series, including Ben and popular aliens such as Big Chill, Water Hazard and Ultimate Swampfire. Larger playsets include Kevin’s Car and a fully functional Azmuth’s Laboratory with 430 bricks!  Kids can spend hours constructing their own Ben 10 alien adventures.

Find out more at Character Building.

Series 3 of The Trash Pack collectibles will launch just in time for Christmas. The grossest gang in town are back with a whole host of new yucky characters to collect.

Clean up your neighbourhood with the Trashie Street Sweeper (SRP £19.99)- a must have toy for this Christmas. Watch as the rotten rollers rotate and sweep your Trashies into the waste catcher! Crash your sweeper and watch as the waste catcher ejects freeing your Trashies! Comes with two exclusive Trashies and their bins!

Also out is the Scum Drum (SRP £24.99) the grossest game ever!  Launch your Trashies into the Scum Drum, fill your trash pile and win the game! The Trashies have turned an old drum into the grossest game ever!  Will they land in the disgusting Scum Drum?  Or hit the target and release the caged Trashies?  Comes with four exclusive Trashies, two exclusive and two ultra-rare.

Kids can have loads of fun taking out the trash with the Garbage Truck (SRP £19.99). Use the Tip ‘n Flip action or Wheelie Bin Launcher to catapult the Trashies into the truck and clean up Trash Town! Each Garbage Truck includes two exclusive Trashies.

Find out more at The Trash Pack.

12 Toys of Christmas  #2
12 Toys of Christmas #1

Half Term Movie Fun From Warner Bros.

This half term was almost a bit of a disaster as I got really ill on the first weekend meaning that our short break to London was cancelled.  Thankfully, I had recovered enough by Tuesday to enjoy Halloween, but we did spend a lot more time stuck at home than we intended to.  Thank heavens for Warner Bros and their well timed delivery of kids' DVDs which went a long way to keeping the children entertained.

We received Tom and Jerry Tricks and Treats, a compilation of 22 classic cartoons on one DVD.  Tom and Jerry meet ghosts, werewolves, a mummy and witches galore as they continue their own longstanding rivalry.  The spooky theme is just right for little ones to enjoy, while grown-ups can indulge in the nostalgia.
Freddy was absolutely riveted to the screen.  He has developed quite a taste for retro cartoons!

Freddy watching Tom, Jerry and the Ghosts!

Scooby Doo and The Big Top is the eighteenth direct-to-DVD installment of adventures for Shaggy, Scooby and the gang.  During a trip to Atlantic City, they find themselves embroiled in a mystery as werewolves terrorize the performers and the audience of a circus.  Can the gang save the Greatest Show On Earth?  (Of course they did!!!)  Although this is a brand new film, it still holds true to the spirit of the original and we enjoyed watching the gang as they take on the roles of a clown, trapeze artist, human rocket, ringmaster and trick dog in Brancusi's Circus.

Ben 10 Destroy All Aliens is an all new CGI animated movie featuring the shape shifting 10 year old Ben Tennyson, the boy who fights evil aliens with the help of his Omnitrix which changes him into alien form.When an enemy comes looking for revenge and the Omnitrix malfunctions, he has to call upon the help of his Grandpa and cousin Gwen.  The action is really fast paced as the fate of the world hangs by a thread.  Ben's super powered alien adventures are really exciting with some mild peril thrown into the mix.  The CGI animation is really impressive. This DVD comes complete with a UV copy for watching on mobile devices which is great for keeping kids entertained on the go.

Lego Hero Factory Savage Planet is an adventure based on Lego's Hero Factory product line.  You are immersed into the world of Lego where the heroes do battle to defeat an evil Witch Doctor (who has a distinctly evil laugh).  This DVD was a bit too grown up for Freddy at the moment although he liked the Heroes'  animal upgrades to give them special animal powers.  I liked the idea of teamwork to save the day, which is how the Heroes save the world.  The animation is just so "Lego-y" (it's so clever, I love it) and I think this will definitely be a film that Freddy enjoys more and more as he gets into the more grown-up Lego products.

Thank you Warner Bros for entertaining my kids this half term with a great selection of children's films, all of which are available now from retailers such as Amazon.co.uk.

*STOP PRESS*

A new Lego movie is coming out in 2014 and Warner Brothers and LEGO are giving one child aged between 5 and 13 years old the chance to create a vehicle entirely from LEGO which will star in the film!

All you have to do is build a great vehicle – it can be anything from a train to a plane, to a car or space ship or boat – and then take a photo and upload it to the website www.lego-themovie.co.uk (see the website for further details).

Entries need to be in by 31st December 2012.

Making Bath Time Fun!

Bath Time With Ben 10 and Nemo

H&A are leading specialists in the field of children's toiletries, producing fun products that are sensitive to children's delicate skin.  The products are hypo-allergenic, mild and suitable for ages 3 and up, but best of all are based on some of the best loved children's characters which will guarantee a fun bath time for little fans!

We were sent a selection of Ben 10 and Finding Nemo products for the kids to try out.

We loved the colourful eye-catching packaging on the Ben 10 products which promise to bring an exciting alien invasion to bath times!  The Ben 10 Super Charged Bath Bombs come in test-tube shaped containers making them look very intriguing!  They turn your bath tub into an alien laboratory for colourful experiments.  Each of the three varieties fizz up and turn the bath water a different shade.  Getting clean has never been such fan for Ben 10 fans!  The Orb Magic Facecloths come in Heatblast and Spidermonkey designs.  The soft, high quality flannels are packed into balls and magically expand after being soaked in the water.  The Bath and Shower Gel makes loads of bubbles and is gentle and moisturising.  It has a gentle fragrance and kids will love washing in the alien foam!

The design of the Finding Nemo products is simply lovely bringing an undersea adventure to bath time.  The cute characters are so appealing and the kids will have a whale of a time splashing in the tub.  The Squashy Bath Squirter Nemo is a big hit with Freddy!  Children can squirt water in the bath and on themselves, building water confidence and adding fun to bath time.  But grown-ups beware...you will get wet!  The Magic Facecloth comes in a Nemo or Squirt design and expand into a lovely soft cloth that encourages washing.  The Bath and Shower Gel lathers up a treat creating gentle, playful  bubbles to bathe in.  The bottle features a swimming Nemo effect which is really cute.  The kids loved it!

Having a gel that is suitable for both the bath and the shower is good for the older kids who have progressed to showering but still enjoy the fun of character merchandise.  Kizzy was pleased to take her own Nemo bottle into the shower with her and said she liked the smell and the fact that it was so bubbly on her skin.

The Finding Nemo Bath and Shower Gel is available in Morrisson's at £2.00 for 500ml; the Squirter is £4.00 at Tesco and the Facecloths are £2 from Morrison's and Tesco.

The Ben 10 Bath Bombs are £1.25 in Sainsbury's; the Orbs are £2.00 from Sainsbury's, Boots and Asda and the Bath gel is £2.00 from Sainsbury's and Asda.

These are lovely bath products that would make great stocking fillers at Christmas for boys and girls (for anyone planning ahead!!)

H & A have a whole host of toiletries featuring favourite characters.  Find out more at www.handa-uk.com

Bandai Toys for Girls and Boys

Keeping the kids entertained over the summer holidays can sometimes be difficult as the long weeks stretch ahead.  Bandai have a range of top branded toys that can provide hours of fun for youngsters, with prices starting at just £1.99!

  

My children received a bundle of Bandai toys to try out.

Ben 10

Ben 10 continues to be one of Cartoon Networks best performing shows.  With the original series, Ultimate Alien and the CGI movie Ben 10: Destroy all Aliens!  Ben 10 continues to be hugely popular and has spawned a huge range of merchandise including the toys which are suitable for ages 4 and up.

Ben 10 Mini Figures come in individually packed bags so you don't know exactly who you'll be getting. Series 2 of these collectible mini figures has just been released!  Collect them or swap with your friends to create the ultimate Ben 10 collection.  Just £1.99 each they are great pocket money toys.  The little characters are quite detailed and will definitely be a hit with Ben 10 fans.  There are sixteen to collect so there is a risk of getting doubles (which is when swapping comes into its own!)  We ended up with two Kevins!

Power Rangers Samurai

Power rangers Samurai master the mystical and ancient Samurai symbols of power to fight evil.   They are the latest generation of Power Ranger in this popular franchise.

The Samurai Morpher (£11.99) is used by the Power Rangers to call up the Zords.  The mobile phone style toy makes fab sound effects as seen in the TV show.  Freddy loved it!  He pressed the buttons to listen to the cool voice and sounds.  The sound level is muted so it won't damage the ears.

The 10cm Action Figures come with a Samurai Sword or power weapon ready to battle evil!  The Power Rangers unite against the sinister forces of the Netherworld and fans can re-enact their favourite moments with these toys.  (£6.99)  Action figures are always a favourite.  These are quite detailed with good articulation allowing imaginative play based on the Power Rangers Samurai TV show, which is the number one boys' show on Nickleodeon.  

Harumika

One for future fashion designers, Harumika is a unique craft toy that allows budding fashionistas to create their own looks by using a special mannequin with a silicone strip in its back.  By folding, tucking and layering the material, funky fashions can be created over and over again.

The Accessory Puppy Pack allows you to create a bespoke look for a poodle to match your dress designs.  Containing a small puppy model, three different coats, a bow, a lead, a basket and a tool shaped like a bone, you can create a pampered pooch outfit with ease.  For £8.99 it adds to your Harumika collection, providing the perfect canine accessory!  It is quite small and simple to do so does not really stand alone, so definitely one for Harumika fans who want to add a fashionable puppy to their collection!

Stockists include Asda, Toys R Us, Argos, Sainsburys, Tesco and other good toy retailers.

Check out the full ranges on www.bandai.co.uk, visit the Facebook page for even more fun at http://www.facebook.com/BandaiUK, or follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BandaiToysUK

Ben 10 Armadrillo and Revolution Ultimatrix

I recently wrote about the latest Ben 10 Ultimate Alien Toys, perfect for re-enacting favourite moments from the hit TV show.

Ben 10 is a favourite programme on Cartoon Network and is hugely popular with the kids.  Kizzy and Freddy were very intrigued to try out some Ben 10 toys from Bandai that we received to review. We were sent the Revolution Ultimatrix and the Armadrillo Action Figure.

The Ben 10 Ultimate Alien Armadrillo Action Figure is a really cool yellow, armoured robotic alien with the incredible power to dig with his Jackhammer Punch action.  He has one arm that is a drill and another that is a gripping claw which can be operated with buttons. He is ready to battle his enemies with his strength and powers.  He stands 6" tall and is really robust with articulated limbs. Kizzy thought it was "a really good action figure" and liked the drill and claw action!  Freddy is keen on this character calling him a "robot" and pressing the buttons to make him drill and grasp!

 The Ultimate Alien Revolution Ultimatrix allows you to create exciting battles.  An ultimate alien attaches to the Ultimatrix and is then twisted to wind it up.  A button is then pressed to release the spinning alien who then knocks down targets.  The set contains 2 aliens (Big Chill and Cannonbolt) and 3 cardboard targets.  The Ultimatrix can be worn on the wrist just like Ben 10 does.  The aliens spun really well but were tricky to make go in the right direction so we weren't good at hitting the targets!

Kizzy gave a quick video demonstration of the toys showing how they work.

They really are great for Ben 10 fans, and very true to the cartoon show.  The toys allow children to act out scenes from their favourite programme in an interactive and fun way.  There is so much merchandise to collect, your Ben 10 fan will be spoilt for choice!

Ben 10 Revolution Ultimatrix retails for £14.99 and Armadrillo for £12.99.

Ben 10 Ultimate Alien collection is suitable for children aged 4+

Stockists are Argos, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Tesco, Toys R Us, Smyths, The Entertainer, Toymaster, John Lewis, Amazon, and all good toy stores.

Check out the full range on www.bandai.co.uk or visit the Facebook page for further information http://www.facebook.com/BandaiUK

Ben 10 Goes Ultimate

A whole new range of Ben 10 toys have been launched by Bandai.  The Ben 10 Ultimate Alien Toys feature Ultimized favourites alongside brand new toys to bring more Ben 10 action to fans!

The Revolution Ultimatrix  allows you to create exciting battles.  Attach the figure, twist to wind up then press the button to release the spinning alien. RRP £14.99

The Alien Crash Vehicle can be crashed to send the parts flying.  Choose Ben 10 or Kevin 11, attach the pieces to the chassis and watch the carnage as you crash into a wall or another vehicle. RRP £12.99

The Ultimate Ultimatrix features six cool lights and sounds that can be unlocked using the mini disc.  Batteries are included! RRP £19.99

The Multi-Function Arms each have a unique feature like the aliens in Ben 10.  They let you re-create action from the TV show.  There are 2 to collect each retailing for £14.99.

The Ultimate Rustbucket 3 is the ultimate jet.  Made from all three alien utility vehicles combined, it can be customised with the included sticker sheet.  It is then ready to fight against evil with exclusive Gwen and Jet Ray figures.  RRP £29.99

The Roleplay Chest Badge allows kids to become their favourite Ben 10 alien from the show!  Place the badge around your neck, press the Omnitrix badge for light action and cool alien sounds.  Time to go Ultimate! RRP £19.99

Ben 10 Ultimate Alien collection is suitable for children aged 4+

Stockists are Argos, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Tesco, Toys R Us, Smyths, The Entertainer, Toymaster, John Lewis, Amazon, and all good toy stores.

Check out the full range on www.bandai.co.uk or visit the Facebook page for further information http://www.facebook.com/BandaiUK