Thursday, 2 May 2024
We Are Family: Six Kids and a Super-Dad - a poetry adventure by Oliver Sykes (sent for review)
Tuesday, 23 January 2024
Futliit LED Backpack Reviewed By Teenagers (Sent for Review).
Wednesday, 16 November 2022
Engenius Contraptions Motorised Bounce Marble Run Review (age 10+) Sent by Cheatwell Games for review
Wednesday, 5 October 2022
Star Trek Universe Collectible Toy Models Review. Sent by Bandai (age 4 to adult).
Tuesday, 27 September 2022
Newton's Lab Physics Experiment Kits Review (Age 10+) Sent for review.
Thursday, 19 May 2022
Butterfly Garden Complete Kit from Insect Lore (sent for review by Bright Minds)
This Spring we were invited by Bright Minds to review the Butterfly Garden from Insect Lore. This is a complete kit which contains everything you need to raise your own butterflies - including a voucher to send away for live caterpillars when you are ready to begin.
Because you raise real live animals, you can only use the kit in Spring and early Summer - which is when the butterflies (Painted Ladies) hatch.
Friday, 13 May 2022
MOC-82591 Medieval Church Brick Set Review (sent for review by Let Bricks)
I was recently sent the Let Bricks Medieval Church set MOC-82591 for review. This has been designed by Peter Keith, and I was sent a hand-picked set - so I do have some errors which are unlikely to appear in the final store product.
This is a 516 piece set, which is a nice build and creates a really attractive little chapel...
As it's only a 516 piece set it doesn't need to have numbered bags, and the instructions are on a USB key, so although you don't have a paper copy, you can access them on any device - and enlarge them at will.
Tuesday, 5 April 2022
COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 4th / 5th April 2022
COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 4th / 5th April 2022
UK Daily Statistics - bear in mind that most people no longer qualify for free testing, and they'll be starting to run out of stockpiled lateral flow tests:
Cases last 7 days: 425,303 (average 60,757)
In hospital yesterday 4th April: 20,398 (UP from 19,118 a week earlier)
Using a ventilator yesterday: 351 (DOWN from 363 a week earlier)
Losses of life last 7 days: 1,174 (average 167 per day)
Losses of life total: 166,148
People with COVID listed as a cause on their death certificate up until 25th March: 187,929
Tests last 7 days: 4,148,840 (average 592,691 per day)
Vaccinations 1st dose: 52,837,997 (91.9% of UK age 12+)
Vaccinations 2nd dose: 49,488,642 (86.1%)
Boosted / 3rd dose: 38,881,391 (67.6%)
(Although hospitalisations/ventilator use is up, it is a smaller rise than last week. Are we reaching the peak of this wave? Let's hope so... )
Rep. Of Ireland: 1,477,112 (+2,738) cases and 6,805 (+6) losses of life.
World: 493,330,951 reported cases and 6,181,214 losses of life.
Now that free testing has ended in England, the UK NHS list of COVID symptoms has been expanded. (Obviously those 2 things are entirely unrelated, I've no idea why I put them together like that.):
"Symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) in adults can include:
- a high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
- shortness of breath
- feeling tired or exhausted
- an aching body
- a headache
- a sore throat
- a blocked or runny nose
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea
- feeling sick or being sick"
Close inspection reveals the list for children is EXACTLY THE SAME, so that's handy.
Obviously any or even all of those symptoms still doesn't mean you have COVID, but you are advised to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have symptoms of COVID including a high temperature, or don't feel well enough to go to work or do normal activities.
Thursday, 24 March 2022
People's History Museum, Manchester (Review Visit)
Last October we were invited over to take a good look around People's History Museum in Manchester, but then my 11 and 13 year old boys caught COVID and our plan was put on pause. This February half term we jumped on the tram into Manchester for a day looking at the history of the people who helped make our world what it is today.
People's History Museum is really easy to get to, just a short walk from a couple of different tram stops, right in the centre of Manchester.
It is a challenging museum. It asks you to think about what you see. I like that, and my children have been raised to question, so I'm stunned I haven't ever taken them before. I think life just got in the way for us, so this visit was definitely overdue...
Thursday, 20 January 2022
A Mechanic, A Snail, A Bluebell and Ants... Self-published picture books for younger children (sent for review)
I don't get as much time as I'd like to review children's books nowadays, but today I am very happy to bring you 4 self-published illustrated story books for younger children. Full of pictures and ideal to read together, or for beginner readers to practise reading alone...
Thursday, 25 November 2021
(Sent for review) IDo3D Ultra Review - 2 Pen Funky Pets 3D Modelling Set (Age 8+)
We've been sent the IDo3D Ultra 2 Pen Funky Pets Set for review - this is a 3D
modelling pen which sets the 'ink' under the enclosed UV light in less than 1 minute.
Suitable
for age 8+, it's a very affordable introduction to thinking and creating in 3D
- you can even draw vertically, straight up into the air...
Inside the I Do 3D Activity Set are 2 x pens in green and yellow, with screw
on twist close nibs. There is a 3 bulb UV light which actually clips over the
pen to 'light up as you draw', 1 x themed mould/tracing sheet, 1 x plain
non-stick drawing sheet and an instruction sheet.
Don't miss the
little press-out tool - it is really handy for scraping and shaping the wet
ink.
Friday, 8 October 2021
Ad | Review: Akedo - Ultimate Arcade Warriors from Moose Toys (age 6+)
Akedo - Ultimate Arcade Warriors are the brand new battling collectible from Moose Toys, and tie in with the animated series on Nickelodeon. We've been sent 3 of the new product range to review, and it's been a lot of fun all round! These little retro Arcade Warrior action figures have a built-in 'realistic battling action', at a micro collectible scale, and they're really easy to play with too, thanks to the clever, battery-free control system.
The packaging does have a lot of single-use plastic, but it's at least very easy to open (you'll find it easier with scissors for some of the ties) and there are no batteries required - so you can play straightaway.
We've been sent:
Single Pack (£4.99) - 1x Akedo Warrior, 1x Trigger
Controller
Versus Pack (£9.99) - 2x Akedo Warriors (one of which is
an"Epic" Warrior), 2x Trigger Controllers
Starter Pack (£14.99) This
special pack has everything you need to train warriors and play the official
tournament rules of Akedo - 3x Akedo Warriors, 1x Joystick Controller, 1x
Training Accessory
There are rules/instructions for play and a collectors
guide inside each pack, so you can drool over your favourites, and work out
which sets you'll find them in.
Thursday, 23 September 2021
LEGO NINJAGO Empire Temple of Madness Review Set 71712 Age 9+ (Sent for review)
Over the years one of my children has collected several LEGO NINJAGO dragons, so the LEGO NINJAGO Empire Temple of Madness set 71712 took his eye immediately. We were sent this set for review, and no surprises, the 12 year old was on it like a shot...
This is an 810 piece set, which is recommended for builders aged 9 and over, and we agree with that assessment. My 12 year old had no problem building independently, and was not at all disappointed with either the build or the final model.
Monday, 22 March 2021
(Sent for review) Ends Of The Earth Young Fiction (Changeling Saga Book 2) by Ian P Buckingham
Ends of the Earth is the second book in Ian P Buckingham's Changeling Saga.
Old world Cornish myth and fantasy meets modern Cornish reality, with the
Savage family, descendants of the ancient Trelgathwin family.
In the first book, Legends Of The Lost, we met the family, split in two halves
many years earlier. The incident had been wiped from all of their minds
- but shadows and glimpses of something 'not quite right' had always remained.
Memories and relationships restored, Ends Of The Earth finds everyone
living a comfortable and cosy 'normal' life. Lovely as it is, young Savannah
(who is a bit of a mermaid) longs to be back in the sea, and parents Elouisa
and James are both wilting with the lack of adventure.
James has an opportunity to go to Africa with his Lecturing work, and can take
some of the family with him. The rest, Nanna Jo decides, can go with her down
to Cornwall for some seaside time. Everyone is happy.
Naturally it isn't long before strange things start to happen... In Africa
Henry (who is a bit of a werewolf) spots not only poachers, but a strange,
rude, maggoty person type creature. Down in Cornwall, sea creatures inform
Savannah and her sister Lucy that problems are afoot under the sea.
Wednesday, 25 November 2020
(Ad|Review) Gift Ideas For Pre-Teens - 8-12 Year Olds
A Telescope.
A Paper or Card Construction Craft Kit
If you are a bit more interested in how things work, and yours is the type of child who takes things to pieces, or gets joy from making something themselves, then we also reviewed the Build Your Own Telescope Kit (age 8+). They have several different models available, including a fantastic marble run.Monday, 9 November 2020
The Box - Game And Puzzle Compendium Giveaway - from Around The Box (age 3-99+)
Wednesday, 4 November 2020
Around The Box Reviews - Penguin Party Family Game and The Box - compendium of wooden games and puzzles (age 3-99+) Sent for review
Monday, 2 November 2020
Picture Show Shadow Charade Game Review (Age 7+) Sent by Asmodee
October's review for Asmodee Blogger Boardgame Club is a little late (sorry!), but earlier in the Autumn they sent us Picture Show: Shadow Charade Game for review. This is a great family game which doesn't involve writing clues, miming, drawing, or even acting - instead players use pre-cut magnetic shapes, a screen and lighting, and recreate their scenario, word or phrase using the medium of shadow puppetry.
Suitable for anyone aged over around 7, and 2 teams of 2-4 people each, or even more if you can fit them around the table, it's loads of fun!
Inside the box is everything you'll need except the batteries - 3 x AAA, and a crosshead screwdriver to fit them.
Before first play you'll need to allow 10 minutes to 'press out' all of the
magnetic shapes. Be careful because they are thick and well made, but some are
a little bit easy to bend, and you don't want to lose a foot.
Wednesday, 23 September 2020
Big Potato P For Pizza Family Party Game Review (age 8+) Sent by Big Potato
Big Potato have got some brand new games this Autumn, and they've sent us a bunch to take a look at. The first is P for Pizza - and as usual there's no lengthy set-up time, it has easy instructions and anyone can play.
P For Pizza is suitable for 2-4 players aged around 8+. It's a fast-paced game and you'll need to be pretty quick to be in with a chance of winning! It's far more funny than seriously competitive though...
Big Potato have amazing modern design, and their packaging is always bold and really attractive. P For Pizza is no exception, and naturally it's shaped like a Pizza slice. EVERYTHING is plastic-free, the cards are even held together with paper during transit (nice one).
Included is a sheet of cool little stickers, which we did fight over (so hide them before you show anyone else)....







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