• Scottie dog, top hat or race car?
    Hasbro Toy Tribe - playing - toy review

    Scottie dog, top hat or race car? {Monopoly tokens)

    January 13, 2017 - By 

    My favourite board game growing up was Monopoly. I loved it and was always the Scottie Dog token. I’m not sure why my favourite was Monopoly but I’ve always loved building a property empire and making lots of money! Earlier today I played a game of Monopoly with my son and I quickly bought up my favourite properties – the brown ones, the purple ones and the train stations. I have always played like this and it really felt as though it wasn’t 15 years since my last game, but 15 minutes! Thankfully my son enjoyed our game too and…

  • 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…

  • FurReal Friends Torch My Blazing Dragon
    Hasbro Toy Tribe - playing - toy review

    FurReal Friends Torch My Blazing Dragon

    December 17, 2016 - By 

    We were recently sent FurReal Friends Torch My Blazing Dragon to review. My daughter loves dragons so I thought she would enjoy this toy. He’s a new animatronic baby dragon from Hasbro that breathes flame-coloured mist, toasts marshmallows and responds with 50+ sound and motion combinations. My children love interactive toys so we couldn’t wait to put Torch through the toy test. FurReal Friends Torch My Blazing Dragon This baby dragon looks great and my daughter was excited by the large box he comes in. He is also a lovely baby blue for which he got bonus points, blue being my daughter’s favourite…

  • DreamWorks Trolls Hug Time Poppy 
    Hasbro Toy Tribe - playing - toy review

    DreamWorks Trolls Hug Time Poppy 

    December 15, 2016 - By 

    The Trolls film continues to be something we talk about in our household. We saw the film and loved it. the soundtrack seems to constantly play in our house, and why not?! It is full of happy tunes, perfect for getting the children moving in the morning! My daughter loves the main character Poppy, so was excited to be sent the DreamWorks Trolls Hug Time Poppy doll to review from Hasbro. In case you haven’t seen it yet, the film features Poppy, the optimistic leader of the Trolls, and her polar opposite, Branch. They embark on an adventure that takes them…

  • Christmas small world play
    Christmas - Friends of Sylvanian Families - playing - toy review

    Christmas small world play {Sylvanian Families Christmas Set}

    December 15, 2016 - By 

    My 5 year old loves small world play. She always has done and I love getting her toys to support this. She has a lot of Playmobil and Sylvanian Families toys, both of which are perfect for this. Small world play is really important as it encourages a wide range of skills, including language and literacy, understanding of the world and working together. It encourage children to use their imaginations, express thoughts and experiences into their play, whilst exploring the world in which they live. I’ve noticed that my daughter’s play has taken a decidedly festive turn recently. I often hear…

  • minions gift guide
    Gift guide - parenting - playing - toy review

    Minions: a gift guide for kids

    December 12, 2016 - By 

    I know I said that I wasn’t really writing many gift guides this year but I couldn’t resist posting another one. My children are a little Minion crazy. There’s just something about those little yellow dudes and they have inspired playdough and bento in our house. Our favourite films featuring the Minions are the Despicable Me franchise. The films focus on Gru, a super-villain (who later becomes a dad and superhero); his yellow-coloured Minions; and his three orphan girls, Margo, Edith and Agnes. It began with the 2010 film, Despicable Me, and its 2013 sequel, Despicable Me 2. A prequel…

  • Disney Frozen Northern Lights
    parenting - playing - toy review

    Disney Frozen Northern Lights

    December 8, 2016 - By 

    I have some exciting news to share for little Frozen fans! Prepare yourselves, because the world of Arendelle will be returning with Frozen Northern Lights, when Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven will be embarking on an epic journey to restore the glimmer of the Northern Lights. Frozen Northern Lights This is an original story from Anna and Elsa’s kingdom which will include an all-new original series of animated LEGO shorts, and a companion collection of books. The shorts will be compiled as a special and will feature the voices of Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, and Josh Gad. We were sent a…

  • christmas gift guide for kids
    Christmas - Gift guide - playing - toy review

    Christmas gift guide for a 5 and 6 year old

    December 4, 2016 - By 

    Has your Christmas present panic buying set in yet? Despite feeling quite organised last month I have bought very few presents so far this year. Luckily I have made my lists, I just need to spend some time buying and wrapping everything. My daughter had her birthday last week so I always find her a little trickier to buy for as she has received everything she asked for. I thought it was about time I brought together some of my favourite toy reviews from the past year, with some of the toys my children will be receiving this year. Christmas…

  • Ikea soft cushion
    playing - toy review

    Role play toys for children from Ikea

    December 2, 2016 - By 

    And now for something completely different. We’ve reviewed a few techy toys recently, such as the awesome Leapfrog LeapBand Activity Tracker and the Star Wars Rogue One Interactive Imperial Stormtrooper figure, so today I’m happy to share the new range of soft toys from Ikea. Our family fully embraces the Ikea lifestyle. We eat from Ikea plates and bowls, have lovely Ikea shelving and toys boxes in the living room and my daughter sleeps in an Ikea bed with a room full of Ikea furniture. Despite my fondness for vintage, I also love clean white furniture; it’s functional, great value and…