Flying High On Playmobil Airways!

Since becoming Playmobil Playologists, we have waited excitedly for our mission to review something from the Playmobil range.  With so many different themes available, from dinosaurs to pirates to cowboys, we didn't know what Freddy would get until our parcel arrived.  The look of delight on his face when he saw the City Action Cargo and Passenger Aircraft and control tower was priceless.  He was one very happy little boy!

The set comprises of a very large jet engine aeroplane with a removable roof and opening cockpit, a control tower complete with equipment, five people with accessories and some cargo.  The plane has seating  onboard for five passengers and two in the cockpit.  The cockpit folds upwards to stow the cargo and there is a toilet inside the plane (much to Freddy's amusement) to keep passengers comfortable during the flight!  

The construction of the plane and tower took Ian about half an hour.  Some bits were a little bit fiddly to push together, but on the whole it was easy to assemble and the resulting models are sturdy and robust.  Playmobil produce such high quality toys.  We still have some that Freddy's older brother Joe had, which are now over 20 years old and still going strong.  It is very durable and robust.

I love the detail that Playmobil puts into its toys.  The 'PM' logo on the tail, the authentically opening swing door, the computer screens in the control tower and the very realistic loo and hand basin all add to the play value of this fabulous set.  The five people are all different.  There is a pilot, an air traffic controller, a businesss woman, an air hostess and a guy that waves the things that look like table tennis paddles!  Freddy loved the red haired lady because he thought she looked like his big sister Ella.

The aeroplane itself has a swivel wheel on the front of the undercarriage making it really manoeuverable and responsive to being pushed allowing big 360 movements with ease.  Although it is a big toy (59 x 63 x 24cm), Freddy was still able to pick it up and swoosh it around the room in flight with the crew and passengers safely seated inside.

The real value of Playmobil is providing the inspiration for some really imaginative play based on the theme of the toys.  City Action brings all the excitement of the city to life.  With a police station, hospital, airport, fire station, docks, railway, banks and all the associated vehicles and people, it's an excellent range for children to act out exciting city adventures.  Freddy loved positioning his people in and around the plane, getting the air traffic controller to check the skies before taxi-ing his plane down the runway and taking off.  His constant chatter, the dialogue he has between his characters and the story he invents to act out, all help to improve his vocabulary, his communication and his imagination.  He also shows great dexterity in manipulating the people and the props how he wants them all to be.  I love watching him engrossed in imaginative play, and this Playmobil set has really captured his imagination.

I wish I had a huge house with a massive playroom as I'd love to have a permanent display of Playmobil toys ready to be played with and enjoyed.  Sadly I don't which means I have to find somewhere to keep this awesome aeroplane when it's not being played with. It is a large toy, that is too big to sit on a shelf.  So for now it is positioned on the living room floor because I can't bear the idea of making it live under the bed...not yet, not while Freddy is having so much fun with it.

It is a great addition to his toy collection and is something that will last for years and will be handed down in the future to be played with all over again by the next generation.  

The City Action Cargo and Passenger Aircraft is £59.99 and can be found and purchased on the Playmobil website alongside the full range of fantastic Playmobil toys.  

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear

Our Visit To Build-A-Bear Workshop

Most of us have had a favourite teddy bear at some point in our lives.  Whether it was a teddy from our childhood or a more recent gift from a loved one for Valentine's Day, they hold a place in our hearts forever. Even in this age of technological playthings, a simple teddy bear still rates very highly on my children's list of favourite toys.

At the weekend, we were lucky enough to be invited to our local Build-A-Bear Workshop in Telford to make ourselves a brand new teddy bear.  Freddy was in charge of choosing what he wanted in order to make the perfect bear, which he wanted to be a present for his eldest sister Megan.  (Her childhood teddy bear recently had a traumatic run in with a washing machine.)

As soon as you arrive at the shop door the magic hits you.  At the Build-A-Bear Workshop you get to choose your bear and bring it to life. You just have to smile at the sights, sounds, colours and energy of the place!  We were introduced to Will who was in charge of helping us make our bear.  He was absolutely lovely, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and engaging and he involved the kids throughout the process.  The interaction of the staff is a big part of the Build-A-Bear experience, elevating this beyond the normal toy shop teddy purchase.

The first step to making your bear involves choosing the design.  There are lots of different bears and other animals to choose from, in many different colours.  Freddy immediately chose the very lovely Rainbow Hugs Bear.  He picked out his unstuffed bear and was ready to go.  (The Rainbow Hugs Bear costs £16.50.)

Freddy wanted to call her Daisy and was very excited as he helped bring her to life!  The staff were all so lovely and attentive, Freddy had a great time assisted by his sisters Kizzy and Ella under the guidance of Will.

You can add optional extras to your bear.  Freddy chose a voice box that said "I Love You" but he could have gone for giggles, roaring or even a song to pop inside his teddy bear's tummy.  You can even record your own message for a really personal touch. (My nephew actually proposed to his girlfriend assisted by using a personal message in a teddy bear!)

Will then stuffed the bear while Freddy pressed the foot pedal to work the stuffing machine.  A bubblegum  scent was added as well as a satin heart.  Freddy made a wish and kissed the heart before popping it into Daisy Bear.  It is such a lovely touch.  Freddy gave his bear the hug test to make sure she was just right!

Will pulled the stitching together and tied off the threads to complete Daisy the Rainbow Hugs Bear.  The process is very quick and efficient, and the stitching is very secure on the bear's back.

Once the teddy is completed, you can really go to town personalising it with clothing and accessories.  The array of gorgeous little outfits is amazing.  There are several ranges that are brilliant.  The new Disney Princess outfits are totally adorable and come complete with little wigs.  There is also a fantastic medical range including a surgeon's outfit that I loved.  But Fred had his own idea of what he wanted for Daisy.

Freddy chose a sparkly pink princess outfit for Daisy along with some fabulous accessories: pink silk pants, frilly socks and bejewelled satin shoes.  Megan is going to love her!!

Daisy was taken to the changing room where Will helped Freddy get her all dressed in her gorgeous new outfit.  She then had her hair brushed and was ready to have her birth certificate issued.

Parents (or in our case Big sister Ella) can complete the online form to register the teddy bear and create the birth certificate.  Daisy was officially registered as Freddy's teddy.  Whereas it was originally going to be completely for Megan, Freddy decided that she could instead share the bear with him and they could play with it together at Megan's house.  Bless him!  Every teddy registered can be played with online in the virtual Bearville game.

Freddy was then presented with Daisy Bear in a box with her birth certificate tied with a pretty, pink bow.  Before he left the shop, Will lead Freddy in the Build-A-Bear promise where he promised to make Daisy a friend for life.  Freddy was very proud to do it!

Daisy will definitely be loved and cherished by Freddy and also by Megan who is so touched by her little brother's lovely gesture to share Daisy with her.  Making her was a wonderful experience that we all enjoyed.  It is such a wonderful shop that just makes you feel happy!!

I love the attention to detail that the bears, clothes and accessories have.  The quality is excellent and the designs are simply lovely.  I love that the ranges have something that will appeal to everyone.  I was particularly impressed that Build-A-Bear Workshop stocks items to personalise bears that includes glasses, wheelchairs and crutches.  Everyone can create their perfect companion.

With Valentine's Day coming up, Build-A-Bear Workshop has some lovely bears and accessories that will help create a perfect present for your loved one.  You can also have a child's birthday party hosted at Build-A-Bear workshop with prices starting at £9 per person.

Find out more at their website www.buildabear.co.uk or pop into your local Build-A-Bear Workshop!

Freddy was gifted with Daisy the Rainbow Bear thanks to Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Little Puggle Activity Boxes

It's not always easy to find fun activities to keep the little ones entertained, but with Little Puggle you  can receive stimulating and inspiring educational play ideas direct to your door.  With a monthly subscription service or the option to buy one off themed boxes, Little Puggle delivers a treasure trove of creative goodies and ideas for activities which will delight any child.

The box arrives with a thoughtful sticker featuring your child's name and the contents are tantalisingly wrapped in tissue paper. We were sent a Transport Activity Box to try out.

Each box contains a selection of activity packs suitable for kids aged 3-7.  We received a racing car kit, a cardboard police car and felt tips, a wooden yacht with paints as well as some stickers, transport themed sheets of paper, a straw propellor, a tips book for grown-ups and a Kids' Fun Book. 

I was expecting more of an arts and crafts box with things to make from scratch so I was surprised to find the pre-made activity kits ready for Freddy to build and play with.  He was very enthusiastic as he got to work on the Speedway Racing Car Kit.

Once he made the slot together car, he decorated it in the stickers and the finished car lead to some imaginative play.  

Using the extra craft materials he helped make and fly paper aeroplanes, inspired by the transport theme.

He has had a lot of fun with his box of crafty toys (although the cars and planes are now in the recycling due to strenuous play).

Little Puggle takes the effort out of having to source quality activities for your child, providing an easy way to entertain your child with monthly or one-off boxes.  The parents' leaflet gives ideas for extension activities and the kids' activity booklet provides some extra themed fun!  With themes such as animals, superheroes, princesses and fairies and Christmas, there is a theme for every child to enjoy.  They are perfect as gifts, to use for parties or play dates or simply for a rainy day!

Subscriptions range between £12.95 and £29.95 a month, but you can order single boxes to be delivered directly to the little person in your life!   They come in three sizes: mini with 2 activities for £16.95, original with 3 activities for £23.25 and the play date box with 5 activities for £33.25: each with extra craft materials too.

To find out more and to subscribe or buy a one-off box (the Christmas box would be a lovely present idea for a child) take a look at the website: www.littlepuggle.com

The Hive Toys

"There's a buzz, buzz, buzz in the meadow!!"

The Hive on Disney Junior is another TV show that my pre-schooler Freddy enjoys.  The everyday lives of the cute and friendly  insect characters always raises a smile and the star of the show is BuzzBee, a cheeky young lad who often finds himself in sticky situations.

Now fans of the show can have their very own cuddly toys to play with at home.  Mookie have launched a range of gorgeous plush toys which includes Buzzbee, Rubee, Barnabee and Postman Spider.  We were sent our very Buzzbee!

The 6.5" tall plush toy is really soft and cuddly.  The design is very true to the TV character and Freddy instantly recognised him from The Hive.  The attention to detail is good with Buzzbee having a cute pair of little wings and curly antennae.  His big smiling face is so appealing and his expression is full of mischief and adventure.

He is available from Amazon, The Entertainer, Smyths, Toymaster and Hamleys priced at £9.99.  

Mookie have plans to launch more toys based on The Hive so little ones will be able to enjoy playing with  all their favourite characters at home.  Find out more at www.mookie-toys.co.uk.