No spoilers - I don't agree with spoilers...

We had thought we'd missed out on any previews of the new LEGO Ninjago Movie as we couldn't get down to London, but then we got an amazing invitation to go and see it at the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre!


We've been to the Discovery Centre at the Trafford Centre many times over the past 6 years, but rarely when it's closed to the general public, only once at night and definitely never to see a full length movie. When the boys realised where we were going, especially with it already being after tea, they were incredibly excited.

This year among the Rainbow Toy Awards entries is Mayka Tape - the original toy block tape. Made by a company called Zuru, Mayka Tape is available in 9 different colours, 2 stud wide or 4 stud wide rolls and 1 metre or 2 metre lengths. We've been sent a selection of different colours and sizes to review.


The first thing you notice about Mayka Tape is the packaging. Snap shut hard plastic cases protect the tape and make it look really attractive, so it's perfect for giving as a gift.


Actually the case serves another purpose, as the tape is spooled inside and held at both ends. That makes it easier for children to control and harder for them to 'accidentally' leave it somewhere it'll be ruined or trodden on.

This is our second review for the Scholastic Books Laugh Out Loud Awards, or the Lollies for short. My Gym Teacher Is An Alien Overlord by David Solomon is one of the 4 finalists in the 9 - 13 category, and my newly 9 year old and I have both read this separately.


This is the sequel to My Brother Is A Superhero, but it works perfectly well as a standalone book. It stars a young lad named Luke and funnily enough, his brother is a superhero.

Ora and Puffin Books (part of Penguin Random House) have teamed up for Space Week, and asked if I'd like to join in. Ora Kitchen Towel naturally lends itself to rocket-building, it's the perfect accompaniment, so along with my 7 and 9 year old boys, we've come up with some Space Week activities that won't break the bank!


1. Make A Space Station
Every Spaceman, Cosmonaut or Astronaut wants to go to the Space Station like Tim Peake. You can have your Space Station behind the sofa, or practically anywhere, but on this occasion we decided ours was going to be under the kitchen table. I prepared some construction materials and my 9 year old took on the role of designer.

Many years ago my oldest boys had a Star Wars toy that spoke. We were in awe of the amazing technology that could tell which character had been placed in the base and then spill out accompanying sounds and phrases. Star Wars Force Link from Hasbro is a very similar toy, and it's been brought right up to date.


Force Link wearable technology works with every Force Link figure and vehicle, activating sounds and lights. It is motion-activated and when you move your character you can have a backdrop of sound effects to enhance your gameplay - and save you having to say 'schwoooosh, znnnnnnnrrrrr, schwoosh' yourself.


The Force Link Starter Set contains the Force Link wrist unit and the figure Kylo Ren. Packaging is mainly recyclable card with a bit of plastic, and unboxing is really quick.

Smyths Toys have just announced their Top Toys List for Christmas 2017 and it's a really interesting selection. These are the toys predicted to sell incredibly well and judging by the number which are currently out of stock, I think the public are already buying.


This year the list includes a good mix of pre-school, early years and toys for older children, with a range of prices from £19.99 to £199.99. Modern electronics feature heavily, with most toys battery operated and some of them streets ahead of technology available even a couple of years ago. Personally I'm a bit disappointed to see STEM skills poorly represented, with only 1 science toy among the list - it is a beauty though!

You may have recently seen the LEGO MASTERS TV show on Channel 4 recently. Last weekend we were invited to the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre in Manchester to take part in our very own version. A LEGO Ultimate Imagination Build Off Challenge, to find out if we adults still have any creativity left...


We've been to the Discovery Centre many times, but this is only our second visit since they had a massive refit, rebuilding the entire soft play climbing area to create the Ninjago City Adventure. My boys were delighted to be back and it was almost a struggle to stop them playing in order to take part in the challenge.

Top Trumps have been popular here for as long as I can remember. My young boys still play with some of their older sibling's sets, and they have a few of their own too. I picked up brand new Despicable Me 3 and Marvel Avengers Assemble packs at BlogOn last weekend, but it was the Retro Packs which really caught my eye!


If you haven't ever played Top Trumps, you've missed out. An incredibly simple game which anyone aged around 4-5 or older can play, straight out of the box, it really is as simple as comparing cards and saying who's is best!

Our latest review for SpinMaster is the DR1 Airhogs Micro Race Drone. Drones are incredibly popular this year and the technology has really come on massively. This indoor drone has flight assist technology with automatic take-off, height lock and landing. Perfect for the beginner.


Your drone is packaged in a carefully thought out box with minimal plastic packaging - easy to open and recycle on Christmas morning. You will have to charge your drone via USB before you can play (40 minutes for approximately 7 minutes flying) and the controller takes 2 x AAA batteries (not included).

The Bladebuilders Path of the Force Lightsaber is so much more than a light up stick you wave around. It knows whether you have chosen the light or dark side and has motion sensors and awesome sound effects. There's even a Hasbro Star Wars Studio FX app so that you can make your own videos...


Packaging is almost entirely recyclable card and it's super easy to open (great for Christmas morning). The Lightsaber needs 3 x AAA batteries, but does come with demo batteries and we haven't had to change them yet, so if it hasn't been played with a lot in store, you may be lucky.


There are 3 parts - the Lightsaber itself and two different handles - one Jedi, one Sith. Both handles have moving parts with retractable 'blades'. They're easy to use at the press of a button and not at all sharp or dangerous.