Zelf Review by Scarlett aged 6 and a Half!

Villa Carton - Genius Idea!

We were lucky enough to be sent a Villa Carton Dancers Costume to review.  It's more than just a dress up costume though, as the children get to colour it in themselves, and once completed you can make the colours permanent.

We were sent the costume back in April, and I've taken this long to post a review as the girls are still happily playing with it and colouring it in a bit at the time.

I will publish a pic of the final article, but in the meantime take a look at the other products they do, or visit their facebook page, where you might be lucky enough to win some for yourself!

Genius idea, very innovative, the gift that keeps giving as they say - Colour, Wear and Play :)

Annie x

Whac-A-Mole Molehill Mania Game

We were given Molehill Mania to play with.  It is designed for 2 players, for Ages 4+ , which is perfect for my 2.  Though as you can see below, Scarlett enjoyed playing with her friend :)

The rules are fairly simple, there are 5 blue, 5 green and 1 red mole.   You simply bash the sides with the mole-catching mallet to make them fly out, and the children have to collect them up.  As soon as 1 player has 6 moles then their mallet shows its full.   There are actually 3 levels of play.  You can make it more detailed in that each player has to find their own colours, but at the moment they are enjoying just being the first to get to 6!

We've decided that the winner shouts "King of the Molehill"!  Great fun, will be taking it to their cousins on Christmas day :)

You can buy Molehill Mania for £16.99.  It's available at Amazon, Argos and Toys R Us.

Enjoy x

Battle of the Toys Guns v Swords!

I'd like to think you can never be over diligent when it comes to child safety, though I am aware that due to my line of work I am exposed to extreme cases.  When it comes to - dare I say it - "boys toys", I have never been a fan of either toy guns or swords.  Yes I grew up with them, and a brother running after me shouting bang bang you're dead *charming*, so yes I may be being over-sensitive.  However, in this current climate of knife culture, I thought I'd share with you an interesting conversation I had with a policeman on the matter!  His words were extremely enlightening when he informed me that if a child had to have a "pretend weapon" then he recommended it be a gun over a sword anytime, his reasons being!
1) A gun is not a contact sport, whilst a sword lends itself to being 1!
2) A gun can rarely - we hope - be found, whilst a knife from the kitchen can make a really good pretend sword!
This information left its mark on me, and far from trying to be a killjoy just thought I'd pass it on!
All comments would be welcomed!
Annie x

Paper Jamz Guitar : Never Stop Rocking :)

Well it appears I may have a little rock chick on my hands.  We were sent a Paper Jamz guitar to play with, and whilst it is recommended suitable from 8+ my 3 year old won't put it down.  I have no idea where she has learnt some of the moves from either?

They were actually launched last year and became one of the best-selling toys of 2010.  I myself am also enjoying playing with it, as a left hander I always dreamt of being taught guitar, but unfortunately Sir Paul McCartney was always rather busy.


Suffice to say we are using it as a sophisticated toy, including the minded children, though it does in fact come with guidance on how to play, and a lot more technical stuff that would lend itself to being nearer to a real guitar.  Oh and I did discover it has a built-in headphone jack which may prove invaluable in the future.


We've had it some weeks now, and it is still being brought out on a daily basis, so at RRP £24.99 I thinks it's worth it.


To see it properly in action, take a look here! http://www.paperjamz.com/en


Thanks!
Annie x

Electronic Test Tube Aliens

We were given the opportunity to play with a test tube alien.  I'll admit to being somewhat bemused by their description, but should have known that WowWee understand what amuses my 7yo son better than I! (Ages: 6+).

The idea is that you hatch your alien, and then have to keep them alive to discover their evil plans, with online interaction to discover their secrets, to stop the invasion of earth.

The whole family were there at the hatching, and it was difficult to keep both children's noses out of the way, whilst we waited to discover which alien we had.  The starting of its heart beating left them open mouthed, and Jasper made sure it was fed enough sloog to keep it ticking ;)

There are six different aliens to collect, and at a RRP of £12.99 thought it was excellent value.  As you can see we had the attractive blue fellow Sorum, and without spoiling your fun will say that it kept the children amused for weeks.   Unfortunately our trip away led to its demise - I couldn't bring myself to ask the cat and chicken feeder to mind the alien too, but I am under strict orders to get another one!


See them in all their glory here :)  http://testtubealiens.com/
Happy hatching :) 
Annie x