• Filling pencil cases with Maped Helix
    Crafts for kids - Maped Helix Blogger Ambassador

    Filling pencil cases with Maped Helix

    August 29, 2018 - By 

    This year I’m delighted to be working with Maped Helix, purveyors of the finest school stationery. They sent us a bundle of their latest craft products to keep the children busy and stuff their pencil cases with as they head back to school next week. Filling pencil cases with Maped Helix The school uniform is bought, the school clothes have been labelled. Yesterday was all about filling pencil cases. My lovely 8 year old is going into Year 4 and is very excited about the chance to buy new stationery. Fortunately we were sent a lovely selection of products from…

  • Solar System 3D puzzle
    Family Life - STEM activity

    Ravensburger 3D Planetary Solar System Set review

    August 28, 2018 - By 

    My children have always enjoyed puzzles. When they were younger they loved doing puzzles of their favourite tv characters and we’ve reviewed a fair few since we started reviewing toys and games on our blog. A few weeks ago we were offered a new type of puzzle for us – 3D! I knew my children would love the challenge so eagerly awaited the arrival of the 3D Planetary Solar System Set from Ravensburger. Ravensburger 3D Planetary Solar System Set review A large box arrived containing a set of 8 different 3D puzzles you can build to create the Solar System in…

  • Lock Stars, the newest collectable for kids
    Family Life - Hasbro Toy Tribe - toy review

    Lock Stars, the newest collectable for kids

    August 28, 2018 - By 

    We love to hear all about the latest collectable and were excited to receive some of the new Lock Star collectables from Hasbro. We love the sound of these as they are perfect for accessorising belongings from school bags to lunch bags, which my two love to do. Lock Stars, the newest collectable for kids Kids can express their individual style with Lock Stars Series 1 collectable lock accessories. Each Lock Star features a character with a key that unlocks a hidden surprise inside. The Lock Stars comes with two charms, two keys, one Lock Star figure, a surprise mini…

  • 4 ways to play with pebbles at the beach
    Crafts for kids - Family Life - Nature crafts - Summer

    4 ways to play with pebbles at the beach

    August 27, 2018 - By 

    We’ve been fortunate to spend a few days at the beach over the summer holidays. The children just love the beach, much more than I do! They are happy to play and don’t really need anything special such as swimming clothes or toys. They seem happy with the sand, sea and stones – as long as I have a towel to dry off wet hands and feet. Over the weekend we visited the beautiful beach at Dawlish in Devon. We’ve holidayed there a lot and love to scour Dawlish Town beach for sea glass, shells and smooth pebbles. It’s become…

  • Family Life - mindfulness - Monday Happy List

    Monday mindfulness – Summer holidays {Week 5}

    August 27, 2018 - By 

    Happy Monday everyone. Hope you had a great weekend and are enjoying the school summer holidays. Each week I start off by writing my Monday mindfulness – 5 happy things blog post. It’s a great chance to reflect on the things that made me happy in the previous week, as well as to record some of our family adventures – it’s a post I always enjoy writing. Monday mindfulness – Summer holidays edition Last week I mainly spent washing after our week at Eurocamp at Duinrell, Holland. I did so much washing it was untrue! Thankfully the weather was pretty good…

  • Win a copy of the Rock Art Handbook
    competition - Crafts for adults - Crafts for kids

    Win a copy of the Rock Art Handbook

    August 24, 2018 - By 

    We’ve decorated a lot of painted rocks over the summer holidays. We’re all addicted to making them and we’ve ended up with such a huge stash that we’ve been hiding them wherever we go! I love learning new techniques so was excited to receive a copy of the Rock Art Handbook: Techniques and Projects for Painting, Coloring, and Transforming Stones by Samantha Sarles. Rock art is showing up everywhere – on Etsy, at craft shows, online and on hidden rocks around your neighbourhood. Painting and hiding rocks has become hugely popular in the last 12 months, as adults and kids decorate stones…

  • New Fingerlings books for young readers
    Family Life

    New Fingerlings books for young readers

    August 24, 2018 - By 

    Have you heard of Fingerlings? They are cute little mini interactive pet robots that cling to your fingers and react to touch and sound by blinking and blowing kisses. Each Fingerling comes with over 40 sounds and animations, including blinking eyes, monkey arms that grip, and more. My daughter has a monkey and a dinosaur which she loves to play with. So she was excited when I gave her two new Fingerlings books from DK which we sere sent to review. Fingerlings Sticker Activity Book Welcome to the world of the Fingerlings! Zoe and Boris the bouncy monkeys, Gigi the…

  • peter rabbit film london preview
    competition - Family Life

    Win 1 x 3 Peter Rabbit Movie bundles

    August 23, 2018 - By 

    Earlier this year we were really fortunate to be invited to a preview of the Peter Rabbit Movie. It’s a fantastic film and has recently come out on DVD. We re-watched it this week and loved it all over again. Peter Rabbit is a part-live action/part-animation film, based on the much-loved characters created by Beatrix Potter. Peter Rabbit, the mischievous and adventurous hero who has captivated generations of readers, takes on the starring role of his own irreverent, contemporary comedy with attitude. In the film, Peter’s feud with Mr. McGregor’s great-nephew, who is also called Mr McGregor! (Domhnall Gleeson) escalates to…

  • The Kitchen Science Cookbook
    Craft book review - Crafts for kids - STEM activity

    The Kitchen Science Cookbook

    August 23, 2018 - By 

    We love a craft book and were lucky to receive a copy of The Kitchen Science Cookbook: Edible Science from solar cookie oven to colour changing noodles by Dr Michelle Dickinson to review. I have to admit I hadn’t heard of Michelle Dickinson, but she is a British author and award-winning nano-scientist who is making science fun and accessible for children. Michelle is a regular on TV in New Zealand (apparently she she is their equivalent of Brian Cox!) but also tours schools and festivals with her fun science shows. The Kitchen Science Cookbook The Kitchen Science Cookbook combines science and…