• K'NEX Crank Shift fan
    STEM activity - toy review

    The perfect STEAM toys for kids

    March 24, 2017 - By 

    My 7 year old loves construction toys. He was sent some of the brand new kits from K’NEX that help children develop their STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and maths) skills through play. A few months ago we reviewed the K’NEX Mighty Makers Director’s Cut so we knew the children were going to have lots of fun with these new sets. Every item in the new K’NEX STEM Explorations line includes a number of model build suggestions, each with a really fun experiment to bring to life scientific principles, allowing kids to test and learn to improve their models each time. The first set they opened was…

  • K’NEX Mighty Makers Director’s Cut
    playing - STEM activity - toy review

    K’NEX Mighty Makers Director’s Cut

    January 12, 2017 - By 

    Both my children love construction toys and making their own ‘unboxing videos’ so were excited to receive the K’NEX Mighty Makers Director’s Cut to review. Lights. Camera. Action! Use the 300 K’NEX pieces included, plus interactive, story-based building instructions, to explore the science behind film making. With bonus online instructions you can incorporate a mobile device to make your own movie!   Founded in 1992, K’NEX Brands, the world’s most innovative construction toy company, was established to make and sell what has become one of the world’s leading integrated construction systems for children, and is America’s STEM building solution. Winner of…

  • How to make a Winter Solstice ice lamp
    crafts - Nature crafts - STEM activity - Winter

    How to make a Winter Solstice ice lamp

    December 20, 2016 - By 

    Did you know that tomorrow (Wednesday December 21st) at 10.44 GMT is the Winter Solstice. The winter solstice is an astronomical phenomenon marking the shortest day and the longest night of the year. It happens when the Sun reaches its most southerly declination of -23.5 degrees. To celebrate the Winter Solstice and the shortest day of the year we made a Winter Solstice ice lamp. I’ve wanted to make one for a few years, the kids always enjoy a little science at home, and finally got round to making it with the children. We used: a plastic tub water red…

  • Real Construction from Jakks Pacific review
    playing - STEM activity - toy review

    Real Construction from Jakks Pacific {toy review}

    December 1, 2016 - By 

    If you’re looking for something a little different you my be interested in our latest review of Real Construction. These exciting sets combine tools and wood-like material, allowing your children to safely get creative and saw, nail, screw and build new designs. We received the Real Construction Starter Set (RRP: £9.99) and the Real Construction Deluxe Work Shop set (RRP: £24.99), to try out at home. My son loves to make things and be creative so was pretty excited to see these toys. Real Construction Starter Set (RRP £9.99) The perfect set for the beginner craftsman! The Real Construction Starter set…

  • Hot Wheels Track Builder System Stunt Kit
    parenting - playing - STEM activity - toy review

    Hot Wheels Track Builder System Stunt Kit

    November 3, 2016 - By 

    Towards the end of half term we received the Hot Wheels Track Builder System Stunt Kit to review. Both my children love playing with cars, especially my 6 year old son. Hot Wheels Track Builder System Stunt Kit Test your skills or challenge your friends in the ultimate test of stunts and timing! Experiment with how high you can go, how far you can jump, and how well you can aim to avoid a crash! Create and re-create the Trick Builder world with this impressive set that offers multiple configurations for a variety of ways to play and nearly endless…

  • Hot Wheels Split Speeders Trackset
    competition - playing - STEM activity

    Win a Hot Wheels Split Speeders track set

    May 29, 2016 - By 

    My children are really enjoying the school holidays. They’ve been exploring all their toy boxes and it’s lovely to see them having time to play properly. You may remember a few months ago we reviewed the Split Speeders Blade Raid Track set. We have a few Hot Wheels sets and they provide great value and entertainment. So I’m pretty pleased to be able to offer a Split Speeders Blade Raid Track set to one of my amazing readers. Find fast-paced splitting and racing madness with the Blade Raid Track set, where insane spinning “saw blades” are waiting to split your cars…

  • playing - STEM activity - toy review

    Hot Wheels Split Speeders Blade Raid Trackset

    March 21, 2016 - By 

    Toy cars and racing tracks are always popular in our house. Today we are excited to share the latest from Hot Wheels, Split Speeders which allow you to create your own epic Hot Wheels mash-ups! In a split second, cars can be divided and put back together again! Hot Wheels Split Speeders Car Each Split Speeders car has a magnet that allows it to be split in two which can either be placed together or mixed ‘n’ matched with other Split Speeders for totally unique cars. They also come in a variety of themes, from Creatures to Classics to Racers…

  • Kids crafts - playing - STEM activity - toy review - Twitter party - UKMums.TV Preferred Blogger

    STEM activities with Blaze and the Monster Machines

    March 20, 2016 - By 

    On Wednesday we took part in a Twitter party for Blaze and the Monster Machines. The children love taking part in Twitter parties and this was a fun one as we got to see the latest Blaze and the Monster Machine toys, as well as take part in some fun STEM activities. Blaze knows everything about science, technology, engineering and maths. When things get really tough he can use his scientific know-how to transform himself into any machine. During the Twitter party we took part of four educational STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) focussed activities, and played with lots of new Blaze…

  • simple melting love hearts science experiments for kids
    Kids crafts - STEM activity - tutorial - Valentines Day crafts

    How to make simple melting love hearts

    January 14, 2016 - By 

    I know that Valentine’s Day is few weeks away but today I’ve teamed up with some other parenting bloggers to bring you some fun Valentines Day learning activities. Every craft activity is also a learning experience and I’ve combined a little bit of science into this fun activity, making simple melting love hearts. You will need: Bicarbonate of soda Water Red food colouring Vinegar Silicone mould How to make simple melting love hearts Mix a little water with a lot of Bicarbonate of Soda to make a paste. Add red food colouring if you wish, pour the mixture into your…