Mother Distracted
A Family Lifestyle Blog In Wales

Christmas Toy Ideas For Girls Aged 7 to 10

Searching for the perfect gift for a 7 to 10-year-old girl? These days, there are literally hundreds of different gifts to choose from. No matter what she’s into and how much you have to spend, there’s sure to be a huge range of gifts to match it.

Investing in toys which get your child away from a screen is also going to benefit their health. Kids today spend a lot of time either in front of a television or a tablet. While technology can obviously be important for their development, it can also be detrimental if it’s used too frequently. So, buying toys which encourage imaginative play, and which encourage creativity, are a fab idea.

To help narrow down your search, here you’ll discover 5 of the best toys for girls 7 to 10 years old.

1. L.O.L Surprise! Bigger Surprise with 60+ Surprises

If there’s one toy most 7 to 10 year old girls are obsessed with these days, it’s L.O.L dolls. These cute little dolls are highly collectable and provide hours of fun. However, buying the dolls individually can prove to be really expensive. That’s where gift sets such as this L.O.L Surprise kit, come in useful.

It comes with two limited edition Surprise L.O.L dolls, each featuring seven great surprises. There’s also a Surprise limited edition L.O.L pet included which also comes with seven different surprises. That’s not all either. In fact, the entire set comes with over 60 surprises that she’s sure to love.

One of the bigger surprises to be unwrapped is the purse carrying case which stores all of the dolls and accessories. Perhaps the best feature of this gift, however, is that it comes with an “eye spy series”. She will need to look for clues throughout the series to discover the names of secret agents who are looking for their missing pets. It’s everything a little girl loves so your money will be well spent with this gift.

2. Lil’ Gleemerz Doll, Blue

The adorable Lil’ Gleemerz doll was named one of the top 100 toys & games on Amazon for 2018 and it isn’t hard to see why it is still popular. Featuring large puppy-dog style eyes and a cute bushy tail, this interactive toy is sure to become your child’s best friend.

It has more than 100 different reactions for her to discover. Just some of them include purring, growling and saying funny phrases. They can even play games with their child companion and put on dazzling light-up shows.

Controlling it is easy too. Simply press the nose to choose between three different modes including hangout, game or light party.

3. Fingerlings HUGS – Bella (Pink)- Advanced Interactive lush Baby Monkey Pet – By WowWee

Cuddly toys are always a winner with young girls and there are lots of different ones to choose from. However, if you’re looking for the best cuddly toy on the market, this Fingerlings HUGS Bella toy is highly recommended.

This isn’t just your average cuddly toy, it’s interactive. Each of the HUGS characters are designed with maximum fun and entertainment in mind. Their super-sized reactions make every minute fun, from burping and tooting to laughing hysterically, your child is sure to love this adorable companion.

The arms of HUGS are extra-long, allowing for great cuddles. You can also have hours of fun using the mimic feature. Simply press Bella’s left ear as you talk, then when you let go, she will repeat what you’ve just said in a variety of funny ways. This toy is sure to become a firm favourite with the little lady in your life.

4. Cool Maker KumiKreator Friendship Bracelet Maker – Quick & Easy Activity Kit for Kids Ages 8 and Up

Searching for the perfect gift for a girl aged 8 or over? This Cool Make KumiKreator bracelet maker is a fab choice.

It’s one of the easiest bracelet making kits to use, creating stylish friendship bracelets in a matter of minutes. Each kit can create up to 10 bracelets and it comes with a stylish carry case to store everything in. With an incredible 88 spools of thread included, the design options are practically endless. Your child and their friend will be able to create distinctive, personalized bracelets not found anywhere else.

So, if she loves being creative, this simple yet beautiful kit is sure to keep her happy for hours. Once the threads run out, you can buy replacement packs for continued use.

5. PIKMI POPS Giant Flips – Cinnamon the Bunny

If she loves all things cute and cuddly, she’s going to love Cinnamon the Bunny! Part of the popular PIKMI POPS Giant Flips collection, this large plush toy is perfect for cuddling.

However, it doesn’t just feature Cinnamon the Bunny. Your child will also find eight different surprise items inside. One or two of these will be exclusive, scented medium PIKMI POPS. Unlike the larger toy, these can be carried around everywhere.

Ideal for girls aged 5 and over, these adorable toys are super-soft and extra cuddly. The larger bunny doesn’t have a scent, but the smaller ones smell just like cotton candy. There are three main designs to choose from, but Cinnamon does tend to be the most popular.

So, there you have it – 5 of the best toys for girls aged 7 to 10. Whether she loves to get creative or she enjoys cute, cuddly toys, there is something on the list to suit every little girl – or boy for that matter!

Top STEM Toys Children Will Love and Learn From

Are you searching for toys that aren’t just fun, but educational too? If so, STEM toys could be exactly what you need.

STEM toys started to become popular back in 2013, but in recent years they’ve really risen in popularity. Short for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, STEM toys are designed to give kids the skills they need in these core subjects.

The benefits of STEM toys

While there are a lot of educational toys out there, not all of them are designed to boost STEM skills. So, why are STEM toys considered more educational?

There are a lot of benefits of giving your children STEM toys. However, one of the main ones is the fact they can teach your child a lot of traits and skills they won’t necessarily get from other toys. These include:

  • Problem-solving
  • Patience
  • Cooperation
  • Cognitive development
  • Overcoming challenges

In the long term, STEM toys will also help your child to learn more about specific core subjects. So, by the time they start learning these subjects in school, they’ll already have a good grasp of the subjects.

There are a lot of STEM toys available on the market and not all of them offer the same educational and fun element as others. So, if you’re looking to invest in the very best varieties, below you’ll discover the 5 top STEM toys children will love and learn from.

1. Scientific Explorer My First Mind Blowing Science Kit

 

Aimed at children aged 6 and over, this awesome science kit teaches the basics of science in a fun, hands-on way. Featuring 11 unique activities, your kids will have hours of fun carrying out mind-blowing experiments.

Help them create an explosive colour-changing volcano, a stunning test tube sunset and watch in amazement as they change the colour of grapes! It’s dynamic science at its finest and all of the experiments can be carried out at home.

2. National Geographic Break Open 10 Premium Geodes

Teach your kids all about Geodes with this exclusive kit from National Geographic. Featuring 10 high-quality geodes, the whole family can enjoy cracking them open to reveal the hidden crystals inside.

The geodes range from the size of a tennis ball to the size of a ping pong ball, and all have been mined from numerous sources. Every geode is different too, so you’ll never know whether you’re about to crack open a calcite, amethyst, quartz or fluorite.

As well as the geodes themselves, the kit also comes with a beautiful 16-page learning guide. This teaches kids how they are formed and the different varieties that can be found in nature.

3. K’Nex 100 Model Building Set, 863 Pieces, Age 7+

This Amazon exclusive K’Nex 100 model building set comes with a staggering 863 pieces. The K’Nex connectors and rods can be put together in a variety of ways, enabling kids to create a huge range of shapes, structures and figures.

What sets this kit apart, is the fact it comes with numerous moving pieces too. So, the structures your kids create can actually move, making them much more exciting than your average model building sets. An instructional booklet is also provided, showing you how to create 100 different models.

This kit has outstanding developmental benefits, helping to enhance key areas such as fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness.

4. Learning Resources Botley the Coding Robot Activity Set

This incredibly cute robot is designed to teach your kids key STEM skills in a fun, interactive way. They will learn screen-free coding in a matter of minutes, using an easy remote programmer. Suitable for children as young as 5, Botley grows with your child and can be used for many years to come.

Included with Botley, you’ll find a 77-piece activity kit including coding cards, a remote programmer, 27 obstacle building pieces and detachable robot arms. There’s also a great starter guide and numerous coding challenges included.

This awesome robot is the Toy of the Year winner 2019, and it offers endless fun and learning opportunities.

5. Anki Cozmo Limited Edition, Interstellar Blue

Introduce your kids to Cozmo, the creative coding robot. This limited edition, Interstellar Blue robot is designed to be a fearless explorer and an adorable sidekick.

Built with advanced AI, Cozmo can recognize you, remember your name and evolve with you the more you play with him. He loves to play games, whether it’s memory match, lifting up power cubes or Quick Tap. Thanks to frequent app updates, there’s always new games your kids can challenge him to.

The coding aspect is simple and easy to use. Via the remote programmer, your kids can drag and drop coding blocks and watch Cozmo carry out actions such as working out with his cubes or performing a victory dance. He’s one of the most advanced STEM robots on the market and offers exceptional value for money.

As you can see, there is a great range of STEM toys for children. Whether you’re hoping to teach them coding, or you’re looking for a model building set that will aid in their core development skills, there is something on the list above to suit you.

STEM toys are fast gaining in popularity and it isn’t hard to see why. Helping to teach your child the modern skills of today, these toys will set them up for a bigger, brighter future. So, which STEM toy will your child love and learn from? Whichever toy you invest in from the list, your child is guaranteed to love it.

Review: Meet The Snapstar Squad – Dolls From Yulu

GIFTED: Move over Barbie because the #SNAPSTAR dolls are in town and they are taking no prisoners when it comes to their talents, looks or influencing skills.  These girls would probably have given Ken the big heave-ho ages ago and sold the pony.

Thanks to Yulu toys, Caitlin has three new gal pals who you’ll find at Smyths Toystore from 20th May.

#SNAPSTAR is described as “an immersive world of fashion, beauty, music, photography and design where our squad of six influencer dolls define what’s next and aspirational”.

We were sent Lola, Dawn and Yuki but the squad also comprises Aspen, Izzy and Echo. Each doll has a unique style and what sets them apart from the dolls I grew up with (and cut the hair off), you can change their hair and makeup and then post their looks to the #SNAPSTAR Studio app – or wherever you like.

The #SNAPSTAR Studio app is free to download and allows kids to style and customize their SNAPSTAR’s hair, make-up, eye colour and shape, accessories and background scene!

So you can play around with their looks some more on the app once you have created your look on the doll itself.

Each doll has different passions, such as the environment, travelling and kindness!

Dawn is a high-powered, high-fashion diva who only settles for the best and when she isn’t playing dress-up, she likes to rub elbows with the celebs at the most exclusive events.

Lola is a ball of positive energy who sees the best in everyone and the beauty in everything. She makes everyone around her feel great and want to be their best selves.

Lastly, Yuki is a feisty chick who marches to her own beat.  She’s a music enthusiast and is often booked for DJing parties all over town.

Each doll is 25 cm high with 15 points of articulation which allows them to strike lots of different poses.  They have inserted glass-like eyes and changeable hairstyles.

Our dolls came with a bag and mini mobile phone and in the box there was a self-assembly cardboard ‘green screen’ and a simple plastic stand to allow the dolls to be posed and to stand up.

The stand simply clips into a tiny hole at the back of each doll’s neck and the purpose of the screen is to help the photographic definition when using the #SNAPSTAR Studio app.

I thought the combination of a doll with simple technology added an extra dimension to these toys.  The only slight negative, for me, is that the focus is solely based around the ‘influencer lifestyle’ which, as a blogger, I can attest certainly isn’t all parties and posing!

There is also an assumption that the kids will have access to a mobile phone and social media platforms which, although the age for having an account on these platforms is 13, is frequently ignored by parents across the land. Caitlin has a mobile, however, she currently only uses TikTok.

It is, of course, entirely possible to enjoy playing dressing up with the dolls without the #SNAPSTAR Studio app but the age range for these products is ages 5 – 11.  At the very least parental supervision will be required with the app.

I think there’s a huge opportunity here for Yulu to add an educational element to the dolls, for example as has been done with Project Mc2 and their STEM focus. I would like to have seen a little less emphasis on looks, although there are some strong key messages here – for example, the importance of kindness and being your own person.

All that aside, the dolls are well made, attractive and whilst their outfits are rather flimsy, the ‘SNAPSTAR Squad are far more current than their rivals.

Check out the range of #SNAPSTAR dolls at Smyths Toys.  Current RRP £17.99 per doll and the new squad are available to pre-order online.

Review: iKnow Family Quiz By Tactic Games

There’s always one, isn’t there.  The player in any family game who knows all the answers – or thinks they do.  If you’ve ever played Trivial Pursuit against someone who is fiercely competitive, you’ll know that they can practically implode if they don’t get a chance to answer.

iKnow Family Quiz by Tactic Games box

Which is why Tactic Games have come up iKnow Family Quiz – a brilliant way to, um, diffuse the situation with a quiz game where you bet on the likelihood of your nearest and dearest knowing the right answer to win ‘chips’ or points.

There are four categories of question to choose from: – Sport, Entertainment, Science & Nature and The 2000s and the questions are multiple choice – A, B, C or D so even if you don’t know the answer you can have a good guess – handy for the younger players.

iKnow Family Quiz by Tactic Games box contents

Load the question cards up in the iKnow box, allocate 3 chips to everyone (up to 6 players) to get going and then take turns to choose a category and answer the question.

It’s particularly good because, unlike Trivial Pursuit which can go on for hours, you can have a ‘normal game’ or simply choose fewer cards for a short game which could last around 15-20 minutes.

You need to answer your questions correctly, bet on whether the others know the answers to theirs and steal points by outsmarting them.  The player with the most point wins.  It’s an ideal after-dinner game for Christmas!

To give you a couple of examples of the questions:-

What did people collect money for by performing the ‘ice bucket challenge’?

A ALS research
B Child poverty
C Victims of Hurricane Harvey
D Cancer Research

or

Which country has won the most gold medals in sailing in the Olympics?

A United States
B Great Britain
C Norway
D Spain

Answers at the end of this post!

iKnow Family Quiz is suitable for players age 12+ and can be found on Amazon.  We love it because everyone can join in and it makes a refreshing change from the kids’ gadgets and gizmos.

It would also be great fun for the grown-ups with a festive tipple of something once the kids have finally gone to bed.

Answers:

  • The ice bucket challenge was for the victims of Hurricane Harvey
  • Spain has the most Olympic medals for sailing




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Review: Super Ski Jump Tabletop Game

When I was young, we’d gather around the TV every Sunday night and watch Ski Sunday.  I was always fascinated by the bravery of those attempting the ski jump – remember Eddie The Eagle?  Needless to say, I’m not brave enough to attempt it but this version I might.  It’s Drumond Park’s Super Ski Jump tabletop game.

Super Ski Jump Tabletop Game from Drumond Park box

Super Ski Jump is a game for 2-4 players over 3 thrilling rounds – and the aim of the game is to send your skiing character flying down the sizeable ski ramp to score the most points by doing tricks and nailing the perfect landing!

super ski jump tabletop game from Drumond Park box contents

Players take it in turns to jump once in each round, choosing which of the four characters and the playing piece (Sledge, Bath Tub, Snowboard, Skis) they would like to use. Once you’ve assembled and set up the ski jump ramp, you’re ready to go – although if you’re a competitive soul, you’ll want to have a practice session first.

The youngest player goes first – placing his or her character at the top of the ramp, and adjusting the height of the ski ramp to one of the three different levels.  To start your jump, turn the wheel to send your character whizzing down the ramp.  Now for the skilful part … press down on the lever to raise the lower part of the ramp and send your character off into the air!

Make sure you watch your jump closely to count the number of flips and the style of landing.  When you’ve finished your jump, count the points based on which playing piece you chose, how many flips you managed and how you landed.  Mark your points on the scorecard and it’s on to the next player.

Family playing Super Ski Jump Tabletop Game From Drumond Park

Repeat the process for all players over the three rounds to complete the game.  At the end of the final round, the players are ranked based on their single highest scoring jump, and of course, the winner is the player with the highest score!

If any two players have the same highest score, they must enter into a nail-biting ‘Jump Off’ competition against each other – with a single jump to determine who is the overall Champion this time around!

There are some nifty hints and tips included in the instruction sheet too. You could even capture your amazing acrobatic ski jump feats on your phone (maybe even in slo-mo!) to share on social media.

Super Ski Jump is the ultimate trick challenge that’s set to have everyone hitting the slopes this Autumn – jumping, flipping and landing as skillfully as they can – no travel involved!

Perfecting your technique and gaining points is fabulous, addictive fun – and guaranteed to keep everyone entertained for hours!

Find Super Ski Jump on Amazon.co.uk.

Posts may contain affiliate links

ZURU SMASHERS Series 2 have just got GROSS!

GIFTED: Kids love collectables, don’t they?  And having survived the onslaught of Shopkins and Cupcake Surprises, we recently discovered that we’d missed out on the first season of  Zuru SMASHERS from the award-winning toy company.

We were sent some Zuru SMASHERS from the second series, each of which contains a disgusting surprise inside…. various revolting creatures! These SMASHERS come in the shape of an eyeball, just right for Halloween.

There are over 100 characters to collect and this series also features select Smashball Eyeballs with creepy mini-beasts covered in slime!

Ghastly creations include a selection from ‘Odd Bodies’, ‘Icky Insects’, ‘Ooze Dudes’, ‘Awful Animals’, ‘Filthy Food’, ‘Toilet Humour’, and ‘Smash Trash’, with rare, ultra-rare see-thru characters and playset exclusive characters to collect.

Suitable for ages 5+, the SMASHERS Series 2 collection is available in one, three, and eight packs – all full of horrifically foul surprises!

You can store your revolting creatures in a disgustingly gross Collectors Tin which can hold 50 SMASHERS and comes with a grungy Limited Edition Smasher inside!

You can even take your SMASHERS on the road with the Sludge Bus.  Unveil two exclusive characters and unfold the playset to uncover the rank restroom where you can shoot your SMASHERS into the toilet!  Lovely.

To discover your creature, smash the eyeball on the ground (I wouldn’t advise doing it on laminate flooring) and see what is living inside.  Caitlin and Ieuan enjoyed the smashing and the collectables inside are all rather cute, with the possible exception of Poopy and Poo Paper.

You could, if you had the time and energy, reassemble the plastic pieces to recreate the eyeball but my two found the inhabitants far more interesting.

SMASHERS Series 2 are suitable for ages 5+ and available nationwide.  Prices start from £1.99 through to £19.99.

If those aren’t scary enough for you, how about Zuru’s Robo Alive Spider?  I’m not kidding when I say if you don’t like spiders you definitely won’t want one of these scooting around your floor.

It is rather lifelike and, happily, comes with a battery supplied.  Needless to say, the kids are planning to ‘surprise’ the grandparents with it!

And it wouldn’t be Halloween without some slime, would it?  Oosh’s Non-Stick Slime is suitably gross and, um, dangly.

 

You can find Zuru toys, including the new Gross Smashers at Smyths, Argos and Tesco (in-store only).

Find out more about Zuru Toys at www.zuru.com, or connect with them on Facebook @ZURUToysCompany, or Twitter @ZURUToys.

Review: Project Mc2 McKeyla McAlister Doll With Cocoa Bronzer

When I was young, I used to love Sindy, Pippa, Action Girl and, as a toddler, Tiny Tears.  But in those days, a doll was just a doll.  You could dress them up and, in my case, cut their hair off (yes I did) but that was it.

As you know, we are big fans of the Project Mc2 range of toys which combine fun toys with an educational element and we were recently sent a Project Mc2 McKeyla McAlister doll with a cocoa bronzer experiment to try.

Caitlin with the Project Mcs McKeyla McAlister doll

Project Mc2 McKeyla McAlister doll

If you caught our review of the Project Mc2 Pixel Purse, you’ll know that we are new to the Netflix series Project Mc2 and are really enjoying the growth in interest in STEM-based projects for kids and the recognition that science is for everyone, not just boys.

Caitlin with unboxed Project Mc2 McKeyla McAlister doll

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) is all about building a love for learning and a solid base for understanding key concepts later on as your children work through the Key Stages in school.

The Project Mc2 series is set in the fictional city of Maywood Glen in California and is about STEAM activities (STEM plus Art!).

Heroine McKeyla McAlister and her friends work for a secret government organisation called NOV8 (“innovate”) and they protect the world using their science and technology skills.

The Project Mc2 McKeyla McAlister doll

The Project Mc2 McKeyla McAlister doll comes with a burgundy moto-style jacket with faux fur shoulders, a sequin dress and signature plaid shirt tied around her waist.  This is a rock band outfit which both Caitlin and I agreed we would wear.

Project Mc2 McKeyla McAlister doll - wardrobe detail

She’s one of a range of well made and attractive dolls which come with their own scientific experiment.  For example, there’s the Adrienne doll which comes with a perfume experiment, Camryn with her skateboard, Bryden with her glow stick and Devon with puffy paint.  Check out some of the other Project Mc2 dolls here.

The Project Mc2 McKeyla McAlister doll is fully articulated (knees, hips, wrists, elbows, shoulders, neck) with glossy brown hair, glass eyes and eyelashes. She’s a decent size too, measuring in at around 30 cm.

She comes with a ‘make your own bronzer’ kit – you get a compact with a lid and a sponge applicator.  You need to supply your own coconut oil, cocoa powder and nutmeg, plus some surgical spirit for a quick clean of the compact.  We skipped this bit as I’ve read that surgical spirit can be irritating to some skins.

All you need to do is mix 2 teaspoons of coconut oil with 2 teaspoons of cocoa powder and melt is for 15 seconds in a microwave.  Add a dash of nutmeg then mix and fill the compact 3/4 full.  Pop into the fridge for 15 minutes and hey presto, your own bronzer with no chemical nasties.

I was a little sceptical but actually, it gives quite a good colour and is certainly safer for Caitlin’s skin than some of the other kiddy make-up compacts you get attached to magazines these days.

The only downside is that in this hot weather you might need to keep it in the fridge because the coconut oil soon becomes liquid again.

The manufacturers suggest that the age range for this doll is 6+ which I think is about right.  I would say 8-9 is probably the top end of the age range these dolls would appeal too as, at nearly 11, Caitlin has almost outgrown dolls.  Kids these days are so sophisticated, aren’t they and the inclusion of an experiment with each one is a neat idea to keep their interest.

Other Project Mc2 dolls are available from Amazon, Argos and Tescos.

You can find out more at the website at www.projectmc2.com for new experiments, videos and updates.

Read our other Project Mc2 Reviews

Project Mc2 A.D.I.S.N. Electronic (Spy) Journal

Project Mc2 Ultimate Lab Kit

Project Mc2 Pixel Purse

Review: Two Great New Games From The Makers of Rubik’s Cube

The Rubik’s Cube has been with us forever (well since the 1980s) and I still haven’t mastered it but now, happily, this May sees the launch of two new games from John Adams Leisure, the makers of the original Rubik’s Cube. There’s “Flip”, a tile-based strategy game and “Battle”, a quick-thinking card game based on the Rubik’s cube colours.

Since we are on holiday in Devon and there have been one or two drizzly days, these have both come in very handy when even boredom with the iPad sets in.  It’s a rare event, granted, but it does happen occasionally.

Two great new games from Rubik’s

Rubik’s Flip

Rubik’s Flip is the fast-moving strategy game for 2 with only 8 moves per player! Place a tile into the grid then flip one of your opponent’s. It sounds simple but is a challenge to master. The winner is the first player to place 3 tiles of the same colour in a row that cannot be flipped.

Caitlin loved playing this one with her dad and was a very worthy opponent.  You do need to use quite a bit of strategic thinking for this game which is not dissimilar to noughts and crosses but with far more potential to outwit your opponent without them even noticing.

Rubik’s Battle Card Game

Rubik’s Battle Card Game is a quick-thinking, fast-action card game for 2-6 players. Deal out the cards and each player flips over their top card. Be first to spot a unique colour match and win the cards. Collect all the Battle cards to win!

This one is similar to Snap but you have to spot which colour is missing from your opponents’ cards or pick out a unique colour and that can make you go a little cross-eyed if you’re not at full mental sharpness.  (Comes with the territory when you’re a parent!)

Both games are suitable for the 7+ age group but work best, we found when played as a family as younger children may need a bit of help.

We thought both games were excellent value for money and ideal for adding to your suitcase for holidays and weekends away.  Great fun for adults too.

Rubik’s Flip and Battle Card Games are available in all good toy shops and from amazon.co.uk.

*We were sent PR samples for the purpose of this post which contains affiliate links.

Review: Gazillion Crazy Wands – Bubble Fun For All The Family

It doesn’t seem to matter how old you are, bubbles are always fun and a great distraction.  We were recently sent some Gazillion Crazy Wands from Funrise to play with and you can see how Caitlin and Ieuan got on in the video below.

Gazillion Crazy Wands - Vampire Teeth Set

Gazillion Bubbles is the premium bubble brand that gives bubble fans the ultimate bubble experience! With spring just around the corner, what better way to encourage kids to play outside with friends and family than with the Gazillion collection of bubble machines, blasters and games.  Let’s be honest, anything that gets them away from the Xbox is a bonus!

For the selfie-mad, Gazillion Crazy Wands are great for parties and fun for the whole family! With 6 crazy styles (sold in packs of two), these photo-booth style wands are a must have for any occasion. For only £3.99 you receive two wands, a dipping tray and an 8oz bottle of Gazillion premium solution.

There are 3 different sets to choose from:-

  • Crazy Wands Bunny Teeth & Tongue
  • Crazy Wands Moustache & Lips
  • Crazy Wands Vampire & Monster

We found the bubble mix to be a decent strength and it is non toxic and non-staining.  That said, I’d still recommend you use these outdoors.

One bottle of bubble mix (8 oz) lasted my two about half an hour but it would have lasted longer if the kids had remembered to blow the bubbles as soon as they’d dipped the crazy wand in the bubble mix!  Still, you can always buy more Gazillion Premium Bubble Mix or make your own, of course, with washing-up liquid.

Great for a summer’s day in the garden with the added bonus that you look ridiculous whilst blowing your bubbles.  Still, you should get some interesting selfies for your Insta and Snapchat feeds!

Gazillion Crazy Wands are available at Amazon and ASDA stores. We found them to be better quality than lots of the other bubble mixes we’ve tried – and there have been a few!  You can also find these at The Range.

Which Gazillion Crazy Wands would you choose?

Review: Glam Goo Slime & Accessory Confetti Pack

Caitlin has been talking about Glam Goo for months and we have managed to distract her so far by making homemade slime or the foam dough in the Project Mc2 Ultimate Lab Kit so when we were offered a Glam Goo Slime & Accessory Confetti Pack to review, she was very excited.

Glam Goo Slime & Accessory Confetti Pack - front of box

Glam Goo Slime & Accessory Confetti Pack - box detail

Slime lovers can make their own slime fashion accessories by filling the bow bracelet and the bunny charm with goo decorated with their own combination of shimmer powder, sparkles and coloured balls and scent them with the peach scent “So Peachy”.

Glam Goo Slime & Accessory Confetti Pack - contents of box

There are several Glam Goo sets to choose from but this particular set comes with:-

  • small container with fluffy slime
  • bow bracelet
  • bunny charm
  • 2 pots of slime decorations (coloured balls and sparkles)
  • 2 coloured shimmer powders
  • 1 scent

Glam Goo Slime & Accessory Confetti Pack bracelet and charm

The instruction leaflet comes with some suggested combinations for your Glam Goo mixing session – for example, there’s Rainbow Sherbet which requires mixing the goo with the So Peachy Scent and adding the Dance Mix (coloured balls) and Have Fun – one of the shimmer powders.

Glam Goo Slime & Accessory Confetti Pack - Caitliln playing with the goo.

Caitlin was happy to do her own thing and spent a happy half hour mixing and playing with the Glam Goo which has a strangely sticky consistency, slightly different from homemade slime.

You will need to cover the play area as the contents of the kit tend to go everywhere and obviously you will need to make sure that the powders, balls and goo don’t go near mouths or eyes.  There is also a possibility of some colour transfer so a craft apron wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Whilst Caitlin did enjoy playing with this, it is really, in my opinion, a one-time-only toy.  There is not a huge amount of Glam Goo to play with and once you have filled the bow bracelet and/or the bunny charm with your mix, that’s about it.

Oddly, the bunny charm does not come with a clip or loop to attach it to anything which makes it a little redundant once you’ve filled it unless you have a necklace chain or keyring.

The scent is a tiny bottle of liquid which appears half full and which, to be honest, I couldn’t smell.  Ours was called So Peachy and although Caitlin said she could smell peach, I certainly couldn’t.

The age range is 6+ and children under 3 shouldn’t be given it due to the risk of a choking hazard. I would say 6 or 7 is probably the top of the age range for this product.  Adult supervision is recommended and I would certainly second that.

We would have preferred a much bigger pot of the Glam Goo as this is the thing that the kids really want to play with.  Not surprisingly if you don’t put the goo back in the pot and put the lid on it, it dries up completely.

The bow bracelet looks quite pretty once filled but we are still not quite sure what to do with the bunny!

At around the £23 mark, I think the Glam Goo Slime & Accessory Confetti Pack is quite expensive for what you get, however, I can see that hardcore Glam Goo fans might still love it.

We’ll be sticking to the homemade slime.

You can find out more on the Glam Goo website.

*We were sent a Glam Goo Confetti Pack for the purposes of this review.

*post contains affiliate links

Review: Project Mc2 ADISN Electronic (Spy) Journal

As you’ll know from our previous reviews of the Project Mc2 Pixel Purse and the Project Mc2 Ultimate Lab Kit, we were newcomers to the Netflix series Project Mc2 when we were asked to review these products, specially designed to reflect the current interest in STEM-based projects for kids, particularly girls.

Project Mc2 A.D.I.S.N. Electronic Journal box held by Caitlin

STEM, in case you’re new to the term, stands for science, technology, engineering, and maths. The idea is to build a love of learning and a solid base for understanding key concepts later on as children work through the Key Stages in school.

The Project Mc2 series is set in the fictional city of Maywood Glen in California and is about STEAM activities (STEM plus Art!). In the series, heroine McKeyla McAlister and  her best friends work for a government organisation called NOV8 (“innovate”).  They are a secret group of teenage female government operatives trying to protect the world using science and technology skills.

The Project Mc2 A.D.I.S.N. Electronic Journal

This time we’re reviewing the Project Mc2 ADISN Electronic Journal which stands for Advanced Digital Intelligence Spy Notebook.

It’s your chance to interact directly with NOV8 by becoming a secret agent just like McKeyla McAlister™, using your personal Project Mc2 ADISN device.

Inside you’ll find a bracelet to unlock the journal (ours said Genius but there is another that says NErDy), an invisible ink marker, a UV light tool hidden in a secret compartment, an activity booklet, and sticker sheets.

The Genius bracelet which unlocks the Project Mc2 A.D.I.S.N. Electronic Journal

To open you need to place the bracelet against the logo on the front and then the journal will spring open with a cheerful welcome message.  There’s a different message when the journal closes too.

Inside the Project Mc2 A.D.I.S.N. Electronic Journal

It took us a while to find the secret compartment with the UV light but there are printed instructions in the packaging which tells you where to look.  Write your messages on the left-hand side with the secret marker and reveal them with the UV light.

There’s a secret compartment which fits a smartphone (not included) and you can find free IOS app Project Mc² ™ “Case Files” in the App store.  Note:  it does not fit an iPhone Plus and the app is IOS only.

As with the rest of the toys in this range, the Project Mc2 ADISN Electronic Journal is sturdily made and well thought out.  The booklet inside the journal could be a little bigger, however, the size is restricted by the journal itself.  Had it been any bigger there would be less room to hide precious things and, the true jewel I imagine to most teens, their mobile phone.

Since Caitlin doesn’t have a phone yet, this aspect of the journal wasn’t particularly appropriate for her, but she loves being able to hide things from her brother and having the ability to write secret messages.

The Project Mc2 A.D.I.S.N. Electronic Journal is suitable for ages 6+ and is available from Amazon, Argos and Tesco.

I would suggest that since this, and the Pixel Purse, rely on a smartphone as an integral part of learning and play, the age range is possibly higher than 6+ and certainly more useful for those children who already have a mobile phone (a highly contentious issue) or have regular access to their parents’ phone.

You can find out more at the website at www.projectmc2.com for new experiments, videos and updates.

Read our other Project Mc2 reviews:-

Project Mc2 Ultimate Lab Kit

Project Mc2 Pixel Purse

Project Mc2 McKeyla McAlister Doll with Cocoa Bronzer

 

Review: Project Mc2 Ultimate Lab Kit

When I was in school, science was taught in a lab complete with bunsen burners and the heady pong of phosphorus. The Periodic Table was tacked to the wall and we were frequently tested on formulae which I can confidently state I have never used since, with the possible exception of some unfortunate experimental cooking. Caitlin was recently sent the Project Mc2 Ultimate Lab Kit to test so I was obviously the natural choice of assistant.

Caitlin with the Project Mc2 Ultimate Lab Kit

If you caught our recent review of the Project Mc2 Pixel Purse, you’ll know that we are new to the Netflix series Project Mc2 and particularly enjoying the growth in interest in STEM-based projects for kids and the recognition that science is for everyone, not just boys.

Caitlin holding the red Project mc2 ultimate lab kit bag

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) is all about building a love for learning and a solid base for understanding key concepts later on as your children work through the Key Stages in school.

The Project Mc2 series is set in the fictional city of Maywood Glen in California and is about STEAM activities (STEM plus Art!).

Heroine McKeyla McAlister and her friends work for a secret government organisation called NOV8 (“innovate”) and they protect the world using their science and technology skills.

What’s in the Project Mc2 Ultimate Lab Kit?

The Project Mc2 Ultimate Lab Kit is a great asset for any new NOV8 recruit.  The kit comes in a sturdy red case designed like a bag which, when opened reveals a great selection of toy science equipment and a mini booklet which contains over 30 experiments you can try using ingredients you are likely to already have at home, or which you can easily find in your local supermarket.

The Project Mc2 Ultimate Lab Kit contains a real working microscope with 4x power (batteries required). Inside you’ll also find 30+ additional pieces including 3 glass slides, 2 test tubes with a stand, a funnel, a beaker jar, 3 lab flasks, 15 pH strips, a pipette dropper, a petri dish, safety goggles, a Project Mc² ring, and 2 sticker sheets to examine and decorate.

Project Mc2 Ultimate Lab Kit - test tubes and bottles

The microscope does work but don’t expect miracles.  It does allow you to demonstrate how one works and the principle of examining things on slides.

Project Mc2 Ultimate Lab Kit microscope

There is enough contained within to keep even the most curious budding scientist occupied for hours, particularly if mum and dad join in the experimentation.

Loads of experiments to try

We tried 3 of the experiments with, it has to be said, varying success.

Project Mc2 Ultimate Lab Kit experiment booklet

Make a cloud in a jar

You need:

  • an aerosol can such as hairspray
  • a jar with a lid
  • boiling water
  • ice cubes
  • an adult

Fill the jar with a little boiling water and then spritz some hairspray into the jar. Flip the lid over and put some ice cubes on top of the lid. After a few moments lift the lid.

This shows you that the cloud forms because the boiling water creates a lot of warm water vapour which is cooled by the ice forming loads of tiny water droplets – in other words, a cloud.

You are supposed to remove the lid to let the cloud escape but we found keeping the cloud jar-bound gave a better result.

We then tried to make giant gummy bears.  You place two gummy bears in the test-tubes, add a little water and wait for them to grow.  This demonstrates the process of osmosis where the water is completely absorbed by the sweet.  In our case, however, the gummy bears dissolved completely!

Our best success was at making foam dough.  This is a mixture of cornflour, shaving cream and food colouring which, when mixed together, creates a very oddly textured type of dough.  Just be aware that coloured dough can equal a bit of mess and the smell of the shaving cream does tend to linger so don’t use your best mixing bowl!

Despite the fact that our results were patchy, this is a great kit which offers endless opportunities for experimentation.  Other experiments include things like “make Fake Boogers”, “make a red cabbage PH indicator” and “make a rainbow in a jar”.

The experiments are a great starting point for explaining the basic scientific theory and, of course, time spent with your kids away from tablets and PCs has a particularly special value these days.

Caitlin wearing the safety goggles from the Project Mc2 Ultimate Lab Kit

There is no reason why you couldn’t then go on to devise your own experiments, whether you use the kit or not.

We thought the Project Mc2 Ultimate Lab Kit was, like the Pixel Purse, a well made, well thought out toy which offers a gentle introduction to science.  The experiments break down various scientific topics in a way which is easy to grasp and fun to explore.

The Project Mc2 Ultimate Lab Kit is suitable for ages 6+ and is available from Amazon, Argos and Tesco.

You can find out more at the website at www.projectmc2.com for new experiments, videos and updates.

Read our other Project Mc2 Reviews

Project Mc2 A.D.I.S.N. Electronic (Spy) Journal

Project Mc2 Pixel Purse

Project Mc2 McKeyla McAlister Doll with Cocoa Bronzer

 

*post contains an affiliate link