At The Brick Castle we love science and we love the fact girls are getting their share of interesting science toys too. SmartGurlzUK are a new company who are passionate about getting girls into coding and engaged in tech toys from an early age, and they've come up with a really cool way to do it, creating a unique toy that supports STEM learning.


This is an interactive self-balancing robot scooter and doll that connects via Bluetooth to a tablet or phone via a free app. It has a range of features from remote control free-play, instructional coding challenges, games and coding area (using block code/ scratch approach). The range of features means it’s suitable for all ages from 5 to 16 years.

Chicago Town have added 4 new pizzas to their range with The Pizza Kitchen. These deli-style pizzas have thick toppings on a unique, freshly-baked deli-crisp crust. They asked if we wanted to take part in their promotion. I didn't even have to put it to a family vote.


My family love pizza and Chicago Town are a regular choice here. I know everyone will fill their bellies and I will receive no complaints! It's the one guaranteed all-round crowd-pleaser, plus cooking and washing up are a breeze. Pizza night is an even bigger treat for me than it is for everyone else...

Carcassonne is a modern classic. A beautifully illustrated tile game that feels as if it's always existed, based on the real walled French city of Carcassonne and with a storyline as old as history. Carcassonne is very easy to learn and suitable for 2-5 players aged around 7+. Using hexagonal tiles players build cities, cloisters, roads and farms, claiming points for completed builds and continuing until all the game tiles are exhausted.


We're reviewing the updated edition and as well as the inclusion of Abbots, it is different because the illustrations are brighter and more detailed. The box itself is gorgeous and a great smaller size for shelf storage. Open the box and the redesigned tiles don't disappoint.

Black peas are a local delicacy to us and really not to be missed. Around this time of year they're all over the shops and everyone is talking about them. If you haven't been to Lancashire or North Manchester though, you may never have even heard of them...


Just like green peas, black peas are a legume, and they're eaten boiled into a mushy pea. They've loads of names including Parched Peas, Mapple Peas, Chestnut Peas and Pidgeon Peas, but generally they're just Black Peas. They're actually Purple Podded Peas and they are slightly less sweet than green peas, with a hint of nuttiness and a firmer texture, so they maintain their shape better. Their skin is soft and thin and breaks down well when they're boiled, which is another benefit over mushy green peas.

We're getting quite proficient at drones now and our latest review is the NIKKO Air Race Vision 220 FPV Pro Drone with FPV. This is a larger drone with camera and a first for us - the option of a first person view, via a specially designed 4.3" full colour LCD screen and the optional headset which are included in the pack.


The box claims it'll be an easy to use drone, with six different one touch stunts, variable flight modes and variable speeds, so it offers lots to the novice as well as the experienced pilot. NIKKO's partner the Drone Racing League is the global leader in professional drone racing.


Inside the really sturdy reusable storage box are your 30cm (12") drone itself plus rechargable 7.4v Li battery and USB charging cable. The LCD Screen and attachment for controller, Controller (plus option of joysticks or pads), FPV goggles, SD card, 4 x AA batteries for FPV screen and 4 x AA batteries for controller and of course, spare blades.

We reviewed Winter Wonderland last year and my boys had an excellent time. This is an all-inclusive event, where your children are entertained and happy and everything is included in the price you pay on the door, so you don't end up spending far more than you intended.


You can read my full review of Winter Wonderland 2016 here and we've now been this year and my  Winter Wonderland 2017 Manchester Review is here...

Winter Wonderland is the UK's largest indoor fun park and features more than 50 family rides and attractions under one roof. The 22.000sq metre event hall at Event City is transformed into world of light, sound and magic.

Monopoly is possibly the most famous (and infamous) family board game and has given rise to many editions, one of the latest being the Monopoly Gamer Edition. This is Monopoly mixed with Nintendo gaming and it works very well. No more £10 notes, you are collecting gold coins and Power Up boosts and you can even play as your favourite Nintendo characters.


The Monopoly Gamer Edition comes with a Nintendo Character Pack, so instead of Iron or Cruise Ship, you can be Mario, Donkey Kong, Yoshi or Princess Peach. They are very nicely made and definitely fun.

Why The Whales Came is a classic Michael Morpurgo children's book and today my 7 and 9 year olds and I were guests of The Lowry to review their first theatre performance by the amazing cast of one - storyteller Danyah Miller.


We were 15 minutes early and treated to a surprise game of giant Battleships. My boys were really into it, but sadly our purple/pink team lost by quite a margin. It was a great warm up to the show and I didn't realise it at the time, but as it ended and the lights went down, it became evident the Battleships compere was actually our Storyteller Danyah Miller herself.

Labyrinth is a long-standing best-seller among family board games and it's easy to see why. The rules are easy to learn and although chance plays a large part for a novice, experience, tactics and skill can create an expert and a much more competitive match.


The game is comprised of a board with fixed maze parts, 34 movable maze parts, 24 Treasure Cards, 4 player pieces and instructions. The maze parts and Treasure Cards all need to be pressed from large card sheets, so allow 10 minutes before first play.

Our lives are so full these days that the idea of giving your washing machine a servicing clean sounds like one of the last things on the job list, but it's so easy and takes so little effort. Your machine and your clothes will really thank you for it!


Dr Beckmann are well-known for their fabric stain removers, but they'll also look after the appliance that cleans your clothes. Limescale, mud, soap residue and all kinds of nasties lurk in the crevices and pipes inside your washing machine, making it smell unpleasant and even marking clothes. They also clog up your washing machine and cause breakdowns.

My tap water is incredibly soft. Limescale isn't an issue, but peat is and I have to clean my washing machine regularly or I end up with dirt-stained clothes. Dr Beckmann Service -It Washing Machine Cleaner is my usual choice and they've just reformulated their ingredients to include Active Carbon. The active carbon has a huge surface area and clings to dirt like a magnet, removing more grime and making your machine even cleaner.