I like to support the underdogs, and Okido deserves support. An arts and science magazine aimed at children aged 3-8, we've had a few copies now, and my boys have always enjoyed reading it and working through the activities, even though they've never actually seen the accompanying CBeebies show 'Messy Goes To Okido'.


There are 6 issues of Okido Magazine each year, and an annual subscription costs only £19.99 by Direct Debit, or you can buy the magazines individually at £4 each. That price is very reasonable for a nice thick magazine which is crammed full. On the front of each issue it tells you what's inside "Stories, Activities, Games, Doodles, Recipe and a Poem".

Today 7th November is Hug A Bear Day! My boys might like their rough and tumble, but who doesn't love a hug? All mammals hug and snuggle, and humans are particularly good at it. Each hug can lengthen your potential lifespan, lower your blood pressure and relieve stress. It's also a great way to show someone you care.


Other people aren't always around, and teddy bears as we know them have been an important part everyone's life since the early 1900's, although there's plenty of evidence to suggest soft cuddly toys have been protecting children while they sleep for the last 2000 years or more.

We recently reviewed a gorgeous handmade necklace from Cley Designs, which is personalised and will be given to my daughter on her birthday. They make gorgeous bespoke jewellery, and not only add letters and numbers, but also your own footprints, handprints and even fingerprints, to create a really precious gift with a lot of meaning.


Cley Designs make every item in the UK by hand, and personalisation is to order, but our necklace arrived less than a week after ordering. You can read my full Cley Designs Jewellery Review here...

Googly Eyes is 'the Drawing Game Of Wacky Vision'. Players have to draw a picture based on the words on their prompt card, but you must wear the corresponding crazy glasses AND you have a very strict time limit!

We really like this game because our younger children aren't at a disadvantage. Everyone had some of their pictures guessed instantly, and some that no-one could decipher!

It gives me sheer delight to be able to give away a radio controlled R2-D2 from Bladez Toyz. These are awesome, and ours has had so much play that it's clear it's still fun long after the initial novelty has worn off.

Surely the must-have gift for any Star Wars fan, BB-8, Darth Vader and Yoda are also available. If you aren't into Star Wars then you can also get all kinds of radio controlled inflatables from Bladez Toyz, including Olaf, Peppa Pig, Dinosaurs, Nemo, Minions, Thunderbirds, Big Hero 6 and Tellytubbies...here are a selection of those on offer...

We are very long-standing fans of Interplay, and over the years all of our children have played with their pocket microscopes and bug hunting kits. We've had craft kits galore, but we missed out on the Fuzzikins Craft Cottontail Cottage when our girls were little.

Possibly the most pink and fluffy of my Christmas Present Giveaways, I know most young girls 4+ especially would be delighted with this kit. The 3D rabbit toys that arrive with it are completely plain, so as well as customising their house, the children can customise their own characters too.

The Book Of Everyone really is a gift for anyone. A book all about you, to treasure and keep forever. What is even better though, is that most of the pages can be personalised by the person sending it, so it takes on far greater value.


We have previously reviewed The Book Of Everyone, and a special edition of it, The Book Of Dad, and we've been really pleased with both.

The What's So Special About...Dinosaurs? books are great and my 6 and 8 year old boys really love them. Written by dinosaur expert Nicky Dee and published by Dragonfly Group, I have 2 books each to give away to 2 winners. Each book tells you all about one specific dinosaur, so you can pick your child's favourites.


The What's So special...? books are really easy to read and full of fascinating information. The text is in smaller chunks, and there are lots of images that school age children grasp easily. These books are excellent for dipping in to, and are great for reluctant readers.

The latest release from Nickelodeon and Universal Pictures is Blaze and the Monster Machines: Rev Up and Roar! The Nickelodeon Jr show was back on DVD on Monday 7th November with four episodes of the pre-school favourite, and I have 2 copies to give away to my readers...

Our latest review for Drumond Park is a brand new game released just in time for Christmas. Dig In! is a pretty frantic game for 2-4 players aged 8+, and is a rare occasion where adults can behave like spoilt children, and snatch without anyone raising an eyebrow...


In the box we have 128 assorted plastic playing pieces, the Dig In! bowl, a 15 second timer, 12 press-out double sided Dig In! cards, and the instruction booklet.