Duck on Call from Playmobil...

 Ad|Gifted

Duck on Call is the brilliant new range from Playmobil and Ace was lucky enough to be gifted two pieces from the range to review, DUCK ON CALL - Ambulance Emergency Vehicle and DUCK ON CALL - Ambulance Action: Help the Racing Driver. 

Firstly, the packaging is eye catching, bright and engaging. Before even opening the box, Ace was talking about the different parts of the vehicle he could see, as well as detailing the role play games he was planning once he'd built the vehicles. He was so excited to see the ambulance, Daddy is a paramedic, so lots of Ace's play features paramedics and ambulances. Ace was happy that the boxes didn't have any plastic elements to them, so he could put it straight in the recycling box. 

On opening the cardboard box, we were pleased to see minimal, single use plastic inside. There were a few numbered bags, each containing small parts to be used in the construction of the vehicles and accessories. The bags themselves are made from recycled plastic and can be recycled again, along with your other soft plastics at the supermarket.

Ace found the vehicles fairly easy to put together (he's at the top end of the suggested age range for these toys). He followed the picture instructions with no problems and only needed a little help to secure a couple of pieces. I think he was afraid of pushing bits too hard incase he broke them, but I can confirm that everything went together securely and without any breakages, with a slightly firmer hand. Ace also got to use his fine motor skills to put stickers on the vehicles, which he loved doing.

While these toys are undeniably made from plastic, it is far from single use and definitely not flimsy. We own Playmobil from the 1980's and it's still going! Both Duck on Call toys we were given are strong and sturdy and look set to provide Ace and then countless other children after him, hours and hours of fun!  

One of my favourite things about Playmobil is its strong links to real life, it really lends itself to role playing games. This morning, as Honey and Ace played with the new Duck on Call sets, they were discussing first aid (including whether to take a racing driver's helmet off after a crash) and the correct number for our emergency services ("it's definitely 999 in our country, but you'd call 911 if you were on holiday in America"), as well as showing empathy for others.

Another thing I love about Playmobil, is how seamlessly the sets can be used together. People, vehicles and accessories can all be interchanged, allowing your little ones to create their own, imaginative worlds together. So, whether you're thinking about purchasing your first set, or you're adding to a collection, we're sure you will love Duck on Call as much as we do!

Check out the Playmobil website for Duck on Call activities, including colouring, hat and badge making, educational activities and character information posters. You can also purchase the sets via their website.

Ace wears... Vitamin Sea sweatshirt: A charity shop find, customised by Mummy.

Good Crafternoon Everyone...

AD| Gifted with no obligation to promote or review

We had such a lovely surprise last week when an unexpected parcel from Babyprints Cheltenham landed on our mat. Honey and Ace were delighted to receive a parcel with their names on and even more excited to find out that they had been gifted a sibling subscription to the Little Fingerprint Craft Box Club. 

Over the next couple of months, we will be sharing our crafts with you over on Instagram, but in the meantime, here is what Babyprints Cheltenham owner Victoria says about this fabulous new branch of her business...

These fuss free, monthly craft boxes (which are all themed), include everything you need for three or more keepsake crafts. They contain many original and handmade items you won't find in high street craft stores, to make some truly memorable keepsakes you will treasure.

Crafting is a wonderful, easy way of developing your young child's creativity, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills and knowledge of pattern, texture and colours. For older children, craft provides valuable independent creative play opportunities. 

Just £12 a month will buy you entry into our exclusive and fun club with so many benefits, including these amazing craft boxes, delivered straight to your door, with a bumper December box for those who have been signed up for 4 or more months. There is also a reward scheme where you receive a special prize once the reward chart is filled and every child signing up will receive a birthday card and gift on or around their special day too!

We can also personalise boxes for children with sensory processing diagnoses and hold a range of sensory and fidget items we can swap out for some crafts. Please remember that colours may vary from promotional photographs of each month's box on social media.

We try to make these boxes as plastic free as possible but sometimes it is unavoidable. Please recycle what you can. Don't just take our word for how great these boxes are, here are just a few lovely reviews from some of our members,

"P has loved doing something different and having my full attention."

"We are in love with these boxes, always something different and creative to do, thank you so much."

"Saturday morning fun, I am loving these as much as my daughter is!"

There is even a private Facebook group for subscribers to join, so they can share ideas and see what other members have created. Victoria also posts videos and how to guides in the group, for those who may want a little extra inspiration. 

If you like the sound of the Little Fingerprint Craft Box Club and decide to subscribe, please let Victoria know that you found her through this blog!

Six Second Rule...

 AD| Gifted for review

Six Second Scribbles proves that good things come in small packages! With Christmas coming up fast, read on to find out the top 5 reasons why you should be adding this game to your list this year!

1.  NO PLASTIC!

That’s right, from the postal packaging, to everything inside the box, it’s all recyclable! No plastic wrapping (paper bands to keep the cards together instead), no sellotape (just a well fitting lid), no plastic bags (pencils slotted inside a small, cardboard box in lieu of these). Brilliant, well done guys!

2.  The size of the box. 
If you know me, you’ll know that I LOVE things to be neat and tidy and I hate unwieldy boxes that don’t fit easily into any of our storage spots! Not a problem here, measuring just 12cm x 9cm, this sturdy, little box slots neatly into any drawer or cupboard with room to spare. 

3.  Its portability.
Related to point number one I suppose, but this game is perfect for popping in a handbag or backpack for fun on the go. Everything you need fits into the box, the only addition needed is a timer, which can be found on any smartphone. Think killing time in a restaurant while waiting for food, or taking it to a friend’s house for a play date.

4. Its adaptability.
It doesn’t matter how young, old or (un)artistic you are, there’s a way for you to play. With three levels of cards available, easy, tricky and almost impossible, there should be something that appeals to everyone from toddlers, to even the most proficient (or competitive) artists! Six Second Scribbles is also a fab way to get reluctant writers practising their skills. Short words and phrases will keep those writing muscles working over the weekends and holidays, and they won't even realise!

5. The fun packaging and clear rules.
Even though she'd never heard of Six Second Scribbles before, from the moment this game landed on our doorstep, my daughter has been desperate to play it… why? The packaging is bright, eye-catching and very exciting! I also appreciated the clearly set out rules, complete with suggested adaptations for youngsters and the encouragement to make the game our own, with your own rule tweaks and changes.

We have had great time playing Six Second Scribbles so far and look forward to introducing it to friends and family over the festive period... bring on games night! If you'd like to find out more or browse Gamely's full range of games, head to Gamely's website. Sign up to their newsletter for 15% off your first order.

Every Day's a School Day...

Disclosure: I have kindly been gifted a year's subscription to the Mrs Mactivity website, in exchange for mentions in my blog and on social media. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Whether you teach in a nursery, primary school or from home, why not let Mrs Mactivity help reduce your workload? Once you’ve signed up, you can easily download resources to support teaching and learning across the primary curriculum.

Eye catching and easy to navigate

With thousands of high quality, teacher made resources available to download, the site can really help streamline your precious planning time. Activities can be downloaded to print or can be added to your lesson presentations for a whole class to view.

I have also been using the site to provide fun, learning activities for Honey and Ace over the summer holidays. I’ve left maths and reading comprehension sheets on their craft table and 90% of the time, they’ve picked up a pen and enjoyed the activity without me mentioning it or getting involved. Great for keeping their brains ticking over!

I love that the resources span such a range of topics, including reading comprehension activities based on Honey’s new favourite creature (since getting into Minecraft), the axolotl! The resources also feature hand drawn illustrations, which sets them apart from worksheets on other sites.

Everything is aligned with White Rose and Letters and Sounds and can be edited to suit your children. There are even some resources you can download for free, to help you get a feel for the site and the quality of the resources. For just £24.97 per year, why not give Mrs Mactivity a try?