Categories
Creative

LEGO Skittles

Note: This first appeared on my Kiddipedia article – Creative Activities for Kids

Making LEGO Skittles is so much fun and a great activity to keep little kids entertained.

Playing with LEGO helps kids with problem-solving, confidence, creativity, and problem skills.

 

  Steps:   

  1. Use LEGO DUPLO/LEGO  
  2. Start building towers
  3. Make 5 – 6 different towers or more it is up to you
  4. Decorate your towers with animals or other LEGO items
  5. Get a small ball and then see how many skittle towers you can knockdown
  6. If they break, build them again and keep on playing

Enjoy and have fun playing LEGO Skittles.

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Categories
Family

There are no boys and girls toys, there are just toys!

The other day I was at the shops looking for some last minute stocking fillers for the kids.

I was looking at all the choices and associated costs. Geez, there are so many things that I could get them and some items are HUGE!

While getting overwhelmed at the millions of choices I overheard an older lady with her granddaughter.

Brilliant graphic from A Mighty Girl - Also confirms my thinking that toys are just toys and not boy toys or girl toys. Just toys!
Brilliant graphic from A Mighty Girl – Also confirms my thinking that toys are just toys and not boy toys or girl toys. Just toys!

I was in the LEGO aisle of the toy section and this little girl walked up and said “No these are boys toys”

The grandmother then said “Yes they are boys toys, come over here and look for girls toys”

They both kept on announcing what were boys toys and were not for girls. This angered me and I felt compelled to confront them but I didn’t.

I really wanted to say there are no boys and girls toys, there are just toys!

Why are we setting up girls to think they cannot play with LEGO, robots, transformers or cars? What about trains or other fun things?

My girls have been exposed to all sorts of different toys, trains, cars, dolls, dress ups, LEGO, blocks, painting, playdough, STEM, and so much more.

The twins favourite thing to do is LEGO and the complicated sets are the ones the kid’s LOVE!

You cannot know what talents or skills your child will have and limiting them with the toys they play with is just wrong. Also exposing all kids to many different toys is a good thing.

Kids who play with dolls and teddies show their emotions and learn how to care with these toys. Alexander is making sure his teddy, Bark the Dog is wrapped up in a blanket and that he is all tucked in for bedtime too. He wipes away his ears from his eyes and pats his head and back like he is soothing him.

Due to Alexander’s interest in cars, trucks and some television shows, of course, his gifts have been based around those. However, he still plays with his teddies, serves me food with his pretend food set and put his teddy in the toy pram and races up and down the hallway.

The girls are obsessed with Harry Potter and as mentioned massive LEGO fans.

I am going with the kid’s interests and I am not seeing toys as girls or boys toys, they are just toys.

Check out the Girl Empowerment Gift Guide from A Might Girl

Have you been finding it hard that some people believe there are toys for girls or boys? I personally hate this view.

I do love the graphic from A Mighty Girl as this really says that toys are for all, aside from the other toys that are for adults.

Let me know what you think?

 

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Categories
Review

Limbo Hop A Fun Game For Kids

Christmas is fast approaching and I like any parent is on the lookout for a fun gift for the kids.

Something different, fun and of course that all kids can play with.

What is even better if the toy can be used inside or outdoors. Limbo Hop is a toy that does all this.

Limbo Hop is a fun active game for kids.
Limbo Hop is a fun active game for kids.

What is Limbo Hop?

Limo Hop from Worlds Apart is a fun game that 1-2 people or teams can play. As the name suggests it is like limbo, but with a difference.

You limbo underneath the sweeper that goes around in a circle.

Once the sweeper gets too low to limbo underneath you can then hop over it.

Teams can keep score with the tabs on the top of the main pole.  Teams can either be yellow or blue and each time you miss getting caught by the sweeper (the arm that goes around the main pole) you score a point).

The team with the most points wins.

This toy is easy to assemble and can be sized for different heights. Limbo Hop can be packed away for easy storage.

All my three kids had a go and loved the Limbo Hop

 

Where can you buy Limbo Hop?

For Australian shoppers, you can purchase Limbo Hop online from Mr Toys Toyworld for $39.99, and also available on Amazon for $27.00 for Aussie Amazon shoppers (could be more for postage)

Limbo Hop is also available at Big W  for $29.00.

If you are in the UK Limbo Hop can be purchased from:

  • Argos for £19.99
  • and also Smyths Toys also for £19.99
  • Amazon UK has a deal that gets you the Limbo Hop for £14.96 & FREE UK Delivery on orders dispatched by Amazon over £20.
  • Tesco Direct has the Limbo Hop for £30.00
Alexander testing out the Limbo Hop before his sisters had a turn.
Alexander testing out the Limbo Hop before his sisters had a turn.

 

What I loved about the Limbo Hop Game

It encourages kids to get moving, be outdoors and to play with others.

If you are not able to be outdoors playing Limbo Hop indoors still means kids are getting more movement rather than sitting still and in front of a computer or television.

Limbo Hop is a healthy game for kids.

My kids love it and cannot wait to play it with their friends down the street.

The girls having fun with funny moves while playing Limbo Hop.
The girls having fun with funny moves while playing Limbo Hop.

Get this cool and fun game for the kids this Christmas and watch the fun happen.  I am sure you will love it as much as my kids do.

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Categories
Review

Review: Woofy Whoops

Having kids play a game rather than watch television or the iPad is a win in my book.

One game that my kids have been trying out is Woofy Whoops by Worlds Apart.

Woofy Whoops
Woofy Whoops

What is Woofy Whoops?

Woofy Whoops is a dog who desperately needs to go to the toilet.

Each player takes turns spinning Woofy around and whoever he lands on has to pat him according to how many times he barks.  You might need to pat him once, twice or maybe more.

You need to be careful as the last pat might mean you are the one that gets wee’d on. Thank goodness it is really only water (just pretend)

How to play Woofy Whoops.
How to play Woofy Whoops.

 

I was not sure about the idea of a game that has a dog wee on you but thought we would give it a go. The twins love the game and so did their mates that came over during the school holidays.

All the kids were giggling and wondering when or if they would be the one to get wee’d on…. yes it was funny to watch.

Isn’t it always the way… kids like something that is naughty.

Woofy Whoops looks innocent, but he might wee on you so be careful!
Woofy Whopps looks innocent, but he might wee on you so be careful!

You need to download the Woofy Whoops App

The game works with an iPhone or Android phones. Plug in for the kids to hear the sound.

With the app, you are able to record and save video of when Woofy Whoops does actually pee on a player. The faces are priceless when this happens.

When the game replays a video of a player it is called a “wee play.”

The Woofy Whoops App is available from App Store and on Google Play

 

Alexander wanted to play as well.
Alexander wanted to play as well.

 

Features of the Game

  • Includes fire hydrant water tank, spinning Woofy and free Woofy Whoops app
  • App determines at random who will get sprayed and features funny animation
  • App records the moment you get ‘peed’ on in hilarious slow motion
  • iPhone and Android compatible – requires operating software iOS 9 or later for Apple devices and 4.3 or above for devices for Android.
  • Multiplayer
  • 3 x AA batteries required

Watch Lillian and Julia have fun playing Woofy Whoops

Personally I was not sure about the game. I was worried that the kids might see that dogs weeing on them is a good thing. They both know that this is just pretending and of course would not want this to happen in real life.

I was willing to test this game out and have realised that the kids actually enjoy it and love playing it with friends.

Having warmer weather is a help with this game as well since you get wet in the process.

Woofy Whoops can be played indoors and outside as well. Due to space constraints at my house and making sure there was no water everywhere we set it up in the garden. (Music is over the video of the girls due to so many cicadas chirping and making it hard to hear anything)

If you wish to get the kids something different for Christmas this game is something to think about.

Thanks to Childsmart, Australia’s leading distributors of quality kid’s toys, nursery and lifestyle products for sending me Woofy Whoops by Worlds Apart to test out. The kids had a blast and cannot wait to test out other toys.

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Categories
Family

Cars, Trucks and Balls

Cars

Trucks

Trains

Anything with wheels

And of course balls.

Why are boys obsessed with the above?

I have not pushed any toy on any of my kids at all and found it fascinating to what toys they gravitate.

 

Now when the twins were babies they had trucks, dolls, teddies, cars, train sets, puzzles, books, musical instruments and so many things to play with. I made sure to give them a great choice of things to play with.

The girls had cars, trucks, and balls but did not love them as much as our little boy does. It is a new level of love for things really.

Personally, I don’t believe that things are for girls or things are for boys. Toys are toys.

You play with what you are interested in and what you like doing. Girls like playing with trucks and balls just as much as little boys do, some girls might not, but that is not to say that some boys would love to play chef or say tuck in their dolls to bed each night.

My little boy loves his teddies, he likes some dolls, he pushes around the pram the twins had as toddlers and also likes to play tea party.

However, he is mental and crazily obsessed with cars, trucks, trains, and balls. Yep, we cannot go to a shop and pass by the sports section or toys without this kid getting angry about wanting yet another ball. Honestly, if I purchased a ball every time I went to the shops the house would be overflowing.

Matchbox cars for Alexander. He loves them and carries them everywhere.
Matchbox cars for Alexander. He loves them and carries them everywhere.

The other day I stood on the corner of the school and main road and watched trucks and cars go by with Alexander. He was so happy and excited. We looked and he ooohed and ahhhed about everything all the while pointing. He even laughed and giggled to the delight of many truck driver.

While we were truck and car spotting some kind truckies waved to us and a few even put on their lights and honked their horns. A full on show for my little boy.

We stood there for well over 20 minutes and he loved every minute of it. One driver could not contain himself when Alexander got too excited over one particular truck. Alexander was pointing and saying oohhh oohhhh ohhhh and jumping up and down while I was holding him. This made the driver laugh and I think we made his day.

As I have only had girls and this is our first boy I am not sure where this fascination with trucks and cars and of course balls comes from. Alexander has been interested in soccer and can dribble a ball on his own from when he was starting to walk, now it is much better as he is running around like a kid with a mission now.

Having fun with the soccer ball #soccer #toddler #obsessed

A post shared by Suzanne (@mummytotwinsplusone) on

I have spoken to other mums of boys and they all say the same thing. All their boys love cars, trucks, trains, balls and of course anything with wheels. I’ve looked this obsession and interest up online. It seems to be all down to hormones. Boys with more testosterone seem to be more taken with cars and trucks and the same for girls who have more of this hormone. Again, it is also down to personality and what your child likes to do.

When Alexander was still crawling he would go after any pram and just try and spin the wheels. He was amazed at the whole thing, he had to spin it, had to be near it or maybe part of it. I had no idea?

It was a bit weird when it was someone else’s pram but many said they understood as they had a boy who was doing the same thing. Oh… Okay…. glad it is not weird.

The girls are not into trucks or cars. Although they love playing with them. I still make sure to purchase things that will foster their development. I am conscious that girls are not doing or continuing with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) subjects. With this in mind, I make sure to showcase women and girls that are doing well in these fields and to also get toys that foster skills in these areas.

As I said earlier, I make sure to give all my children many different toys to play with that is not based on gender. I find this sad that we discriminate on toys due to sex. Colours for kids is another thing that gets me annoyed. Why can’t boys have hot pink, reds and purples too! I suppose this is another post in the whole idea of boys clothing that is not as bright and colourful as girls. I do have plans to make my own with some fun fabrics for my little boy, oh and also for the twins.

Trains are another huge favourite. Alexander loves putting as many trucks, trains, and cars on the tracks.
Trains are another huge favourite. Alexander loves putting as many trucks, trains and cars on the tracks.

If boys have dolls and understand how to care for people and others they are better husbands, fathers, boyfriends and just caring all round. Dolls are not just for girls. It helps both sexes.

I suppose the one thing that amazes me is the fact that the drive for cars, trucks, trains, and balls is inbuilt. My little boy loves them. He thinks they are fun.  He holds my hand to make me sit on the floor with him to play trains and cars.

It is obviously something that is in his personality, maybe it due to gender, maybe it is just what he likes to do? I have no idea.

My little boy cannot tell me at the moment, and if he could I am not sure he would know why either. Basically, he just loves them. He wants to play with what makes him happy and now as a mum to a boy, I’m accommodating his wishes.

I am making sure that I stop on the highway to watch cars and trucks. We stop at railways to see trains and I have purchased many balls, matchbox cars, and a car ramp so that he can have fun at home.

We still have the toy train set that the girls had as babies and now Alexander is loving it too. When I opened up the old train set I saw that the girls had half a dozen of matchbox cars they used to play with as well. Now they are Alex’s and he is so happy.

I’ve read online that playing with trains and balls helps with spatial awarness and can also help with your child’s STEM skills in the future. It is interesting that Alex has been into this since the early days but I have made an effort to ensure that all my kids get exposed to all different toys. This I feel helps their development and learning.

Kids are kids and are still learning. Toys help them understand how things work and play is super important.

Play in all forms is good for kids, pretend play, dress ups, getting dirty in the garden, sandpit fun, exploring nature, trains, cars, trucks, balls, tea party and playing musical instruments. It is all fun and helps kids grow.

Trucks and yet more trucks to play with. Alexander loves the choice from Playgroup.
Trucks and yet more trucks to play with. Alexander loves the choice from Playgroup.

I am still amazed at how inbuilt Alexander’s drive to play with cars, trucks, trains, and balls are. He instantly had to have them. He loves them. It was not directed by me or anyone. He just loves them. It makes him happy and he is even happier when I’m on the floor playing with him and making the sounds of the cars and trains to boot.

Due to having girls and not experiencing anything boy I had no idea. He is a real rough and tumble boy, but is also super sensitive too. He loves cuddles and his teddies.

Do you have a boy? If you do were you shocked at how instantly they take to cars and trucks? What about trains? Do you find that you cannot leave a train station without watching a few trains come and go? What about watching the traffic go by? I must say watching traffic is a super cheap way to keep your kid entertained.

Do you find that you cannot leave a train station without watching a few trains come and go? What about watching the traffic go by? I must say watching traffic is a super cheap way to keep your kid entertained.

What about watching the traffic go by? I must say watching traffic is a super cheap way to keep your kid entertained.

Let us know.

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Categories
Family

The Wooden Toy Box Makes Learning Fun

Do you like to buy sturdy and long lasting toys for your kids? I know I do. Some toys are costly to only break soon after your child plays with them. With quality wood toys feel great and are also sturdy enough to last many children playing with them and can be passed down from generation to generation.

My kids are extremely active and into everything and have loved constructing magical empires and fairy homes with wooden blocks and much more.

My lovely friend from The Wooden Toy Box has some fabulous wooden toy products that would be a perfect addition for Christmas or in fact any time of year, birthdays or just because presents.

The Toddle-Truck from The Wooden Toybox
The Toddle-Truck from The Wooden Toybox

More about The Wooden Toy Box

Hello I’m Adrienne Smith a mum to three rambunctious boys aged two, four and six, and if there is one thing I am passionate about its providing every opportunity to learn while they play. Buying the best toys for these learning experiences can be a challenge which is why I created The Wooden Toybox where we aim to create lasting fun for little imaginations in a safe and environmentally friendly way.

All our toys are designed and made in from Australian timbers. They are hand finished and polished using homemade organic beeswax and Linseed oil which is extremely safe for little ones to chew on. All wooden toys are quality control tested by my little family and follow AUST/NZ safety standards.

All The Wooden Toybox toys are well made and built to last. The Toddle-Truck is ideal for little people trying to walk and for storing much loved toys in when they are on the move.
All The Wooden Toybox toys are well made and built to last. The Toddle-Truck is ideal for little people trying to walk and for storing much loved toys in when they are on the move.

What’s inside The Wooden Toybox?

Our signature product is the Toddle-truck – a baby walker/pusher which helps babies and toddlers to stand and take their first steps. Made from Queensland Hoop Pine it provides a beautiful sensory experience and is very strong and sturdy. A handcrafted piece, the Toddle-truck can be handed down from generation to generation.

We have also created wooden blocks and wooden lacing shapes and continue to expand our product range. If you have any requests or like to see any classic wooden toys brought back to life – we’d love to hear from you.

Giveaway to Win a Toddle-Truck

The great news is for Christmas we have a special Facebook promotion open to all Mummy to Twins Plus One readers. We are giving away a beautiful, handcrafted Toddle-truck to one lucky family.

Entering is the easy part! Go to https://www.facebook.com/thewoodentoyboxaustralia and like the page.

Please feel free to leave a comment. Terms and conditions can be found on the Wooden Toybox’s Australia Facebook page.

Entries close 11pm AEST Friday 25th November.

All Mummy to Twins Plus One readers have the chance to win this wonderful Toddle-Truck. Just go to The Wooden Toybox Facebook page to enter.
All Mummy to Twins Plus One readers have the chance to win this wonderful Toddle-Truck. Just go to The Wooden Toybox Facebook page to enter.

As a mum to curious and active little people I like Adrienne from The Wooden Toy Box love to make sure that my kids are learning while playing.

Wooden Lacing Shapes helps children with the following:

  • Spatial relationships – helps with understanding
  • Develops Visual tracking – helps children read left to right and not skip lines.
  • Strengthens wrist and finger muscles – this is helpful for using scissors and holding pencils/pens.
  • Develops hand eye coordination – helpful for buttoning and unzipping of clothes.
Wooden Lacing Shapes from The Wooden Toy Box
Wooden Lacing Shapes from The Wooden Toy Box

Did you know construction toys, such as toy blocks can help children develop the following skills:

  • Social skills/Cooperative Play – While they are building their fortress or town they need to communicate to the other kids
  • Language skills – Explaining their creation to mum/dad or their siblings.
  • Capacity for Creative/Divergent thinking – Creating their own construction without rules allows the child to think for themselves, and solve their own problems.
  • Spatial Skills – Children “who showed more interest in construction– and built more sophisticated structures–performed better on a standardized test of spatial intelligence (Caldera et al 1999).” http://www.parentingscience.com/toy-blocks.html
  • Math Skills – More play with blocks has been tied to higher mathematical achievement in high school.
Wooden Blocks from The Wooden Toy Box
Wooden Blocks from The Wooden Toy Box

As you can see there are many benefits of wooden toy blocks and the wooden lacing shapes for kids. I was so taken with the quality of these wooden toys I wanted to share it with my lovely readers. I hope you find them as great as I do.

With the lead up to Christmas it might be a great gift for a little someone.  Make sure you enter The Wooden Toy Box’s great giveaway to win a Toddle-Truck. You might be the lucky winner and have one present sorted for Christmas.

Thanks so much to The Wooden Toy Box for showcasing their lovely products and sharing their latest giveaway with my readers.

Categories
Family

Six More Mondays Till Xmas!

This time last year I was super organised. I had presents all sorted, some purchased and even some wrapped up ready for Christmas Day. I was a planning and organising machine.  I was all over it and made sure no one got forgotten. (One other mum asked me in September last year if I had sorted the kids Christmas presents. I gasped with shock at this comment. Why would I get their Christmas gifts sorted when they just had their birthday? She said that she had kids in December and since I was due to have Alexander in January and we had no idea if he would come in Dec/Jan it might be best to get things sorted just in case I ended up in hospital. Geez I had not thought about this. At first I thought I had plenty of time and how silly to be doing it in September. Although I looked at the calendar and due to being very pregnant thought I best get organised.)

Now the same time this year I am not in a super organised state. I have a few gifts purchased and none for immediate family only a gift here and there for my husbands family so far.

Nothing has been purchased for the kids so far.

I hear you gasp in the disbelief of this comment. However it is very true

So why am I not on the ball this year? Well I have not been motivated due to the kids being very naughty and horrible. Every time I do something lovely for them they act like terrors straight after and make me wish I shouldn’t have bothered. Does this happen to you?

Today is the 11th of November and that means that there is only 6 more Mondays to go before it is Christmas! Yes you read that right! Not long to go now.

I have even added the friendly text “DON’T PANIC” so it might calm you down. Yes very Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

DON'T PANIC - There are only 6 more Mondays until Christmas Day! Yes you read that right. Not long to go at all!
DON’T PANIC – There are only 6 more Mondays until Christmas Day! Yes you read that right. Not long to go at all!

 

Are you the type of person who purchases Christmas presents all year?

I sometimes do this. I see something that is perfect for someone and buy it and squirrel it away. One issue with this technique is that you need to remember where you have hidden the presents. You don’t want to be in a panic and have to race out and get a few new gifts due to not being able to find your clever organised gifts that you of course cannot find.

Or do you do all the shopping in the few weeks before Christmas Day?

Maybe you like to race around the shops on Christmas Eve and get the last minute specials. I for one would hate fighting the traffic and the people if shopping on Christmas Eve, that would be annoying.

I have seen some items for the kids but they are so expensive and of course we would need to get two of them so I dismiss them, then of course they turn evil and then my nice thoughts of going Christmas gift shopping has been sidelined to annoyance and why was I bothering at all.

This has been uttered more than twice from me to the kids, “If you don’t start listening and behaving Christmas is going to be cancelled!” Yes bad mother alert here. Have you threatened to cancel Christmas? Let me know if you did and how that worked out?

Don’t get me wrong I am not a scrooge. I love this time of year, the holidays and giving to others. The one thing that is driving me mental is that I race around doing for everyone and don’t seem to get much in return. Yes I have my cranky pants on today, maybe the cranky pants have been cleaned and worn again due to the constant drama in our house at the moment. Don’t think that I never clean my pants due to being cranky a lot! (I just had to put that in here)

Kermit helping decorate the tree for Christmas. He has done a great job don't you think?
Kermit helping decorate the tree for Christmas. He has done a great job don’t you think?

Is it the age that the kids just ignore you? Don’t listen? Race off and never come back when they are called? Hurt each other and more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As you can see I am not a happy camper with the idea of rushing off to reward little peoples bad behaviour. I do think that it is the fact that they are so tired due to it being the end of the year, they are super excited about holidays, being in a new grade next year and of course Christmas. Do you find that your kids go a bit silly at the end of the year?

There is still time to get a few gifts for the kids before the actual day. I am just wondering what to give my darling girls this year. I don’t want little toys that will get lost and also cost a fortune. I don’t want more stuffed teddies as they have so many already, they don’t need more dolls although they have asked for some. I could get them more LEGO but they might get annoyed it is not something different. I do like to get them a set of LEGO to add to their collection (due to the fact they both love to create LEGO I like to make sure they have enough to share, hence adding to the collection).

I have been asked to get horse or a kitten, we will not be getting a horse due to space and costs but the kitten will have to wait until we are in our new house.

Are you organised for this Christmas?

Have you had to deal with kids being naughty and not behaving? Do you tell them to act nicer or else they might not get pressies on Christmas Day?

Let us know what you do to make things easier this time of year.

Categories
Family

Naming Rights

Do you have a baby? Do they have a teddy or a special toy? Did your child eventually name it? Or did you give it a name?

Alexander with Barry the Bear. Named by Daddy.
Alexander with Barry the Bear. Named by Daddy.

Hubby has named one of Alexander’s favourite teddies. Yes how terrible I thought!

It is not hubby’s teddy. Why would he want to name it.

I told the husband my thoughts on the matter and that it is really up to the child to name his teddy.

Hubby told me that if we kept on calling it “Teddy” he will grow up and still call the toy, “Teddy”.

So the name that has been chosen for Alexander’s teddy is: Barry the Bear! Yes the teddy is now called Barry.

The twins even race around to make sure Alexander has Barry.

The other week when Alexander went for his six month shots I made sure we had Barry with us.  After the nurses gave the baby his needles he cried a little bit and was a little out of sorts. Barry the Bear fell on the floor and the girls told the nurses he needed Barry. They had no idea who Barry was, then the girls told them…. “Barry the Bear!” like they should know.

The name has been adopted by hubby, the girls and now I have been calling the teddy Barry.

Did you name your kids teddy? Or did you wait for them to name their own toy themselves? Let us know.

 

 

Categories
Review

Review: GEOMAG Toys

Have you heard of GEOMAG? Well if you haven’t, it is a brilliant creative construction toy for kids. It could be for adults too, as they list the top age to 103 so if you wish to purchase some don’t let the fact that it is a toy scare you off.

I was sent the GEOMAG Color set to try out. This comes with the following:

  • Magnetic rods
  • Non-magnetic spheres and various accessories

 About GEOMAG

Geomag is produced in Switzerland to the most stringent international toy standards. Geomag has educational benefits such as:

  • Developing  maths
  • Problem Solving
  • Spacial
  • Coordination
  • Creative and thinking skills

What makes this construction toy so different?

  • It is an open ended construction toy that uses the magnets.
  • The use of magnets makes it easy for kids to create amazing works, due to the toy having magnets it makes it easy for all ages to construct anything you set your mind to.
  • It is easy for little hands to use
  • Due to the ease of use kids will never get frustrated

The girls loved the fact that Geomag was easy to use. I have been asked to get more so they can build bigger and higher constructions.

What other types of GEOMAG Sets are Available?

  • As mentioned the kids were sent a set of the classic color set. There are five colourful sets that contain between 30 – 120 pieces and start from $30 RRP.
  • Geomag Classic Panel which gives you different panel shapes. You can have triangles, squares and pentagons.  There are five sets that contain 22-180 pieces from $20 RRP.
  • Geomag E-Motion Spin allows kids to add motion to their creations. Children have the chance to create their very own spinning top and many more dynamic constructions. These sets contain 10-38 pieces and the cost is from $30 RRP.
  • Geomag Glitter has glitterised rods and panels. Now this would add some sparkle and colour to your constructions. There are four sets available and has a piece count of 22-68 from $20 RRP.
  • If you are interested in purchasing or just checking out the Geomag range click here to find out more.

This toy is great for inside play. It kept my kids quiet for hours. I just need to buy more so they can create bigger and fancier projects.

 

Do your kids love constructing things? Whether it is with a toy or just play dough? Mine do.

Categories
6 years and beyond

Timothy is a girl!

One kid in our house has named a toy lemur Timothy. When it first happened I referred to Timothy as a him and a boy. This was corrected quickly and with attitude, “Timothy is a GIRL mummy!” “Okay”, I said. However I did point out that Timothy is a boys name and that is why I thought the toy was a boy.

Timothy's close up. She is a natural with the camera.
Timothy’s close up. She is a natural with the camera.

I do love this creativity and difference naming her toy and did not want to crush this. She then asked if it is okay to name her toy Timothy, and I said you can name your toys whatever you wish, it is up to you. After this she had a big smile on her face.

Have you had a child name a toy a boy/girls name to then find out that the toy in question is the opposite sex for the name?

Last night the kids had a big meltdown and it was over Timothy. One kid said Timothy is a boys name and the other who named the toy said Timothy is a girls name. She was an hysterical mess that I had to calm her down. It did not help that her sister kept on saying it’s a boy, and she was yelling and screaming she is a GIRL! Gosh talk about drama!

We then explained again that Timothy is a boys name but told her she can call her toys anything she wishes. She still thinks Timothy is a girls name and that it is not a boys name. If this is her thinking at six years old, I wonder what she might name her kids if she has any when older.  I do think it is down to age and that she has just picked a name for her toy and decided it was a girl. Simple as that.

Timothy showing her side view model pose. She is in the backyard, but she calls it the jungle. Timothy is available for modelling jobs. Just email me.
Timothy showing her side view model pose. She is in the backyard, but she calls it the jungle. Timothy is available for modelling jobs. Just email me.

However if you come and visit and this kid has her toy lemur with her, it is a girl and it is called Timothy!

It is not a boy and anyone that says this will be not favoured by this child.

You can learn the hard way or just deal with the six year old strangeness.

What have the toys in your house been called?

Anything like Timothy for a girl lemur? Let us know.

#TimothyTheGirlLemur

 

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Categories
5 years and beyond

What toys get up to in a hotel

The kids were so excited and amazed when we got back from the zoo last Saturday. Their toys had been up to mischief, or should I say the staff ( we were staying at the Cremorne Point Manor) had arranged the kids toys like they had a lot of fun while we were out. When we got back the toys were in different positions and the twins could not stop giggling and laughing at how funny it was.

Teddies being silly
Teddies being silly
How did Rabbity get over there?
How did Rabbity get over there?
Mac Packa can climb a bunk bed
Mac Packa can climb a bunk bed

It was a delight to see the kids scream with joy and tell us to come and see what their toys were up to. Very funny.

Thanks to the staff that created this bit of fun it was magical for the girls. I am very pleased that the hotel had a sense of humour and the kids loved it!  I forgot to add this to my post about our getaway.

Categories
4 years and beyond

House for Toys

The girls have taken to create houses for their toys and dolls in everything other than the dolls house. Now as you can see it is the coffee tables. This was so cute and well organised I had to take a picture of it all as I need to tidy up. I know the kids will be upset that they have to build it again but I am sure they will have fun organising it all.

Do your kids take their toys and use other things around the house as well? The dolls toys came with a dolls house for their birthday last year but as you can see they are not using the house, although they do, just not lately.

Dolls dining room
Dolls house all set up! But not in the house, another one called the coffee tables.
House is ready now!
House is ready now!
Relaxing watching television
Relaxing watching television

Now off to tidy up the mess and see if I can sort out the toys. I find it sad to take it all apart as it looks like they went to a lot of trouble to sort it all out.  Send in your comments.