Super Cool Snazzy Socks for All the Family
/For kids- including a newly launched design, top left, by Parker Jacobs,
And adult sizes too.
Tick Tock Stocking Fillers
/A kids' watch is always a useful stocking filler gift. We were lucky enough to be sent the Moshi Monsters Charm Watch and Hello Kitty wristwatch for ourselves. Check out the Watch Shop for all styles at the prices shown below, just click to enlarge each product. Learning to tell the time is still part of the school curriculum, despite most clocks on computers and phones being digital.
The Moshi Monster Charm Watch allows your child to pick and choose the decoration charms on the strap. You can buy extra charms on their site, and they'd be great as rewards for good behaviour.
little man especially impressed by the strap attaching via poppers, no fiddly strap
other adults, don't try this at home however. I have freakishly skinny wrists so it fits me!
Who's That Moving Into Build-a-Bear Work Shop? It's Pudsey!
/Build-a-Bear have teamed up with Children in Need to welcome Pudsey & Blush to their magical stores this November. £5 from the sale of every ted, and £1 from each sale of CIN clothing goes to charity.
If you don't live close to a store, you can purchase online.
What if Potatoes Had Tattoos?
/Comber potatoes are the award-winning variety grown around 20 miles from my home town. If you've tasted the amazing Mash Direct, then you've tasted Comber spuds. Comber Potato Festival (shussssh, yes, it's a real thing) happens in June, so we are at he opposite end of the year! but I spotted this photo on the Doghouse Gallery blog and couldn't resist sharing it.
A novel little promotional tool for the 2013 festival- stick on tattoo transfers for edgy potatoes! Check out the other bounty of our wonderful country at NI Good Food.
Speedo Swimming Training Toys. Get Kids Water Confident.
/Speedo sent us a selection of swim training toys for my six year old son to try out. As well as the traditional arm bands we all grew up with, they also have affordable life jacket design floats, and strap on floatation boards.
We took the Sea Squad Back Float to the pool for a test run. The water is shallow, so my son was able to practise floating on his front, supported by the float, and holding on to the board. This gave him the extra confidence to try out kicking and splashing to move along. A great step for little ones who aren't quite brave enough to attempt swimming without help.
i was concerned that after five minutes practice he would want to take it off and continue playing about, but he kept it on the entire time, it didn't get in his way, or uncomfortable at all. It costs £14 via the Speedo website.
These Aren't Your Granny's Mini Coopers
/Some of these are digital mock ups, but most of them are very real.
We Test Out the Go MINI Crew-zers HQ Garage Play Set
/The first car my son started 'spotting' when we were driving about was the Mini. It's classic design is unmistakable. It's no surprise that when Go MINI Crew launched he loved them too.
This Christmas the range has expanded to include a three level Go Mini Crew-zers HQ play set that costs around £34.99
There are also a new selection of Stunt Racers, each with their own unique stunt. Our Minis did donuts and wheelies.
The HQ play set comes in pieces, which is something to bear in mind if Santa is planning on bringing this as a gift. Although saying that, I had it put together in under five minutes.
So what's the verdict? It's a good garage play set to opt for if your child is just a little too old for Fisher Price Little People now. The spinning turntable with lights and sound is entertaining, as well as the trapdoor which drops your Mini through a tunnel past a barking bulldog. My son gives it a thumbs up. Another plus is it comes pre-loaded with batteries, and the single cars are all pull back, with no batteries needed.
He has been playing with it for over an hour solidly now, so it's a positive review from me too.
