Joanne 8th October 2018

Its Good to be bored

Kids complain about being bored 122 times a month – that’s 1,500 times a year

69% of parents dread the words “I’m bored”

We all hear that dreaded statement most days, I know mine say it and it is usually because they want to go on some kind of technology.

I used to either switch the tv on or give the kids their tablets when they said they were bored. It was an easy way to keep them quiet and occupied whilst I got on with what was needed to be done. Otherwise they spend all morning whinging and whining and when you have three of them it can get frustrating.

When asking them to come off their devices or switching the tele off, their behaviour would completely change and they would act like completely different kids because they got so angry. So enough was enough and a few years ago I decided to put all tablets in the cupboard with flat batteries.

Thankfully the 3 kids are also very creative, artistic and imaginative and they love drawing. So the majority of the time they are happy to sit and be creative with their arts and craft supplies.

As part of BIC® KIDS Young Artist Award, Bic conducted a survey which showed that only 31% parents admitted to giving their child a digital device to keep them occupied. Their research has also shown that children spend 3 hours a day away from their screens.

When it comes to the most popular ways of banishing the boredom, parents and children clearly have a difference of opinion. While the go-to forms of entertainment for children include watching TV (68%), playing with a tablet/iPad (61%) and watching YouTube (60%), parents tend to favour more traditional pastimes.

How parents banish their children’s boredom:

Playing board games with them (42%)
Putting on the TV (40%)
Providing a pen and paper for drawing / writing (39%)
Handing them a book to read (34%)
Providing a tablet/iPad (31%)
Cooking with them (26%)
Going to the zoo or park (24%)
Putting on a games console (20%)
Taking them to a friend’s house (17%)
Playing imaginary games with them (17%)
Going to the cinema or theatre

Dr Martin Stephen said that “boredom is a brilliant platform from which children learn to use their imaginations …. It’s important that we continue to develop core skills such as drawing and writing.”

* I received a Bic goody bag in return for sharing this press release*

Joanne 27th September 2018

Back to School with Smiggle

We all know and love the Australian stationary brand ‘Smiggle’ which is renowned for its funky, fun and bright stationary. They sell the coolest high quality products for both girls and boys and recently a store opened up in Peterborough, which made a lot of kids (and adults ) very happy. It is the kind of store where when you walk past you just need to go in and have a browse.

The Lilac Kitty back pack;

Double zip access to main compartment
Dual drink bottle sleeves
Padded adjustable shoulder straps
Carry handle
Internal name label and slip pocket
W 26.5cm x H 36cm x D11cm

This amazing drawstring mermaid bag (You just have to appreciate the sequin materiel panel on the other side, which is reversible) Emily puts allsorts in her bag and takes it everywhere she goes.

We were also sent 30 scented gel pens, which is Lydia’s favourite. The girls LOVE their stationary and with these pens you can make out each and every scent. Lydia uses them all the time and she really looks after these. All kids are notorious for leaving lids off pens so they dry out but with these she makes sure they are safe and away for Milly who WILL leave them to dry out.

In this pack you get a fantastic selection of gel pens. 12 glitter pens, 6 neon pens, 6 colour pens, 6 pastel pens and they retail at £16.50. I think these are worth buying for Lydia’s age and up (almost 6) but not for younger kids because of their price you wouldn’t want them ruined the first time they get used.

We also received Smiggle Squishes from the newly released series 2 range. They are a decent size standing at 9 inches tall, and made out of super soft slow rising foam which are individually scented. They are also very addictive to watch.

*** I received these products in return for an honest open review***

Joanne 23rd September 2018

The Knight Tribe Review & Giveaway-Fingerlings HUGS by WowWee- BELLA

Friendship at your Fingertips

The world went crazy for Fingerlings and now they are going crazy for the NEW Fingerlings Hugs interactive plush which is already on the top toys list for Christmas 2018.

Meet our not so little Bella. She is super-duper soft, with the fluffiest tuft of yellow hair on the top of her head, just like the original Fingerlings . She is a vibrant pink colour and INTERACTIVE. Emily fell in love with her before she even knew what she did. We call Milly a monkey so the fact that the Fingerlings Hugs is a monkey now makes this 1000 times better.

Bella takes 2 AA batteries, which are included, and stands about 38cm tall. At the end of her long arms, her hands stick together with Velcro for big Hugs. On the box it states that this toy is suitable for ages 2years+ however, some online sources rate the toy at 4years+ and 6years+. My girls are 4 and 5 and I cannot see any reason why they would need supervision whilst playing with this toy. There are no small parts and the batteries are inside the toy so you would need a screwdriver to get inside the casing to access them.

Bella is very affectionate; you can give her a kiss and she will kiss you back, plus the longer you hold your kiss, the longer she will too. You can swing her, tickle her belly, throw her in the air and catch her and she will make silly noises. She will even say ‘Ouch’ if you drop her. She can blow raspberries, fart and burp and you can record what to say by pressing and holding her left ear that she will repeat back to you in a funny voice.

Bella does lots more, details of which are held within the instructions manual that comes with her. Her interaction makes her even more special because Emily thinks shes secretly alive. If you hold her upside down and kiss her she will blow raspberries at you which both my girls found hilarious.

Burp- Pat Bella’s back slowly and she will burp

Talking- Hold Bella’s left ear and record what you want her to say and she will repeat it in a silly monkey voice.

Laughing- Lay Bella on her back and tickle her belly and she will laugh

Fart- shake her and she will laugh and then do a huge long fart.

Sleep- Lay her in your arms and rock her gently and she will go to sleep, to wake her up just press her left ear once.

There is also a boy version to Bella whose name is Boris and they retail at £29.99 from all good toy stores. I do think these are going to be very hard to get hold of over the next few months leading up to Christmas so dont wait around to buy one, you will not be disappointed…. she is worth it.

Better still, you can enter my giveaway below to win your own. Unfortunately, I cannot guarentee the colour the winner will receive so please bare this is mind when entering and GOOD LUCK!!!!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

***I received this product in return for an honest and open review***

Joanne 10th September 2018

Blog on Toys- Get to know me Linky

Hey everyone, my name is Joanna and this will be my second time attending Blog on. I am coming with my two sisters who also blog Jaymee from TheMumDiaries and Tash from Mummyandmoose.

What is the best thing about blogging?

Reviewing products for myself, family and home, We all thoroughly enjoy doing this

What was your dream job when you were growing up?

I always wanted to be an air hostess so I could travel the world, even though they don’t really get to see much of it.

What is your favourite number?

I love even numbers but if I had to choose a fave it would be number 4.

What is your favourite season?

Autumn, When it gets darker earlier and the nights are colder. I get hot too easily and I would much prefer to be cold.

If you had to choose one what would your favourite dish from the Chinese be?

Crispy shredded chilli beef, it was my craving when I was pregnant with my first (12 years ago) and still is to this day.

What is your useless talent?

I can bend my thumb back to touch my wrist and I can bring my leg back so my foot touches my hip.

If you could keep any animal as a pet what would you choose?

ummmm a Koala bear, just because they are super cute.

Which one meal would you eat forever? (If you had to choose one!)

Southern fried chicken, homemade chips and sweetcorn.

What is the last thing you check before you lock your front door?

All the windows are locked.

If you won £50,000 what would be the first thing you would buy?

Sounds selfish but new boobs.

What is your favourite social media channel?

Instagram even though it is incredibly frustrating.

Tell us more about your best ever holiday?

The best has got to be Disneyland Paris, It was the first time Emily had been on holiday and our first holiday being a complete family. We drove there and had a wonderful time together making so many beautiful memories.

Name one cake you rock at baking?

I make a decent rainbow layered cake, The rest I suck at.

Which session are you most looking forward to?

Understanding the toy industry is what I am most looking forward to.

What is your favourite book ever?

I am embarrassed to say that I have only ever read one back which was called Poor little bitch girl by Jackie Collins. I would read more but I prefer to watch series on Netflix.

Which special event is your favourite? (Halloween, Christmas etc)

Oh my goodness erm I love both, but if I had to choose I would pick Halloween, simply because it’s less stressful.

I am looking forward to seeing you 🙂

Joanne 4th September 2018

Secret mission #2 -with Project Mc2

Create your own perfume with Project mc2 Perfume maker

Since watching the programme I find it very refreshing seeing her take an interest in experimenting and seeing what she can create.

I remember when I was a little girl, I used to make all sorts of weird and wonderful concoctions and I love that now being a ‘geek’ these days is associated with being ‘cool’, which is great as it will encourage kids to really want to learn without the fear of being name tagged.

Like any budding scientist, having a lab is a must.

Setting up is very simple as everything just clicks into place.

Secret agents Lydia and Emily go to work on their experiment, a perfume which makes you tell the truth (they made that bit up but it fits).

In the box

Includes a perfume station with pump and tubes, a beaker, 3 perfume spritzers, 2 scents (Poppy and Violet) , 2 pipettes and a recipe booklet.

The only thing you ‘need’ is distilled water, which you can buy in any supermarket for less than a pound/dollar. Although we used tap water, it still smelt lovely and the girls were impressed. You can also add food colouring to the water to make the concoctions more exotic, adding to the fun and adventure.

Like the project mc2 ultimate spy kit which you can read our review here. This product also focuses on S.T.E.A.M. which is an educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics.

After making their perfume, Lydia & Emily enjoyed testing them out on themselves and their friends.

The knight tribe- Project mc2 Perfume maker

The Perfume maker kit and has an age range of 6years + and retails at £34.99.

I can see why this is aged at the range it is so that the child (and adult in my case) gets the most out the product educationally aswell as having fun Lydia will be 6 in October and she followed the instructions and understood what she was doing.

This is a brilliant kit for any little girl or boy and in my opinion is worth the price tag for encouraging geeks to be cool.

Adrienne Attoms – “Pretty brilliant, huh!”

*** I received this product in return for an honest review***

Joanne

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