Friday, November 15, 2024

Ocean Creatures Pack, By Clixo - REVIEW


Nature / Type:             Magnetic building toy

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️    

Recommended age:    6 year-old ++ 

Who would love this:  Young builders/ ocean creatures lovers! 

If you’re still unsure about the magic of Clixo, you need to experience this “Glow-in-the-Dark” Ocean Creatures Pack! A huge thank you to Divisible by Zero for providing this fantastic set.

Why I love ❤️ it: 

(1) 24 Pieces In 9 Different Shapes

Clixo is truly revolutionary and unlike any building toy I’ve ever encountered. It combines flexibility of paper with durability of bamboo, allowing it to bend, fold, connect, and form unique shapes and structures. This pack features 24 pieces in 9 different shapes. It includes standard shapes like Quad, Equilateral, TwoDot, and TriDot, as well as exciting new pieces such as the Grill (which, once folded, resembles a fish’s mouth), two Blaster Fins (irregular fork-like shapes perfect for ocean creatures), Fin (simple, pointy) and Whiskers (slim, antenna-like shapes). This set captures the wonder of underwater life with incredible realism.

(2) Illustrated Instructions For 6 Deep-Sea Creatures 

The set includes illustrated instructions for six spectacular deep-sea creatures: Anglerfish (with grotesque large mouth and luring esca), Angelfish (featuring rounded body and fan-like tail), Dragonfish (long and slender with string-like structures), Jellyfish (showcasing umbrella-shaped body and hanging tentacles), Shark (with distinctive crescent-shaped tail), and Stingray (flat and roundish). Clixo captured each creature’s unique features with impressive accuracy, making them easily recognizable. I love the color combination of navy blue, turquoise, light blue, and rose red, which adds to the set’s appeal. The strong magnets ensure that the marine creations remain intact through vigorous imaginative play! 

(3) Glow-In-The-Dark Feature

The glow-in-the-dark feature is a fantastic addition, creating a captivating effect that significantly enhances the visual appeal of these deep-sea creatures.

(4) Recyclable Synthetic Paper + Strong Magnets

Clixo pieces are crafted from recyclable synthetic paper and feature strong embedded magnets. They comply with ASTM and EN71 toy safety standards. The packaging is 100% reusable and eco-friendly, made from recycled bamboo pulp, and now includes a convenient elastic snap for added functionality. Clixo’s lightweight design ensures it’s easily stackable and perfect for on-the-go fun! 

# gifted in exchange for review 


Where to buy this: 

https://www.cowtrees.au/construction/832-ocean-creatures.html (Australia) 

https://sensorystore.au/store/clixo-ocean-creatures/ (Australia) 

https://lucaslovescars.com.au/products/clixo-ocean-creatures (Australia)


Check out my other Clixo reviews here: 


Enjoy the video! 

The Poetry Play Kit, By Kaddo - REVIEW


Nature / Type:             Learning kit 

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️    

Recommended age:    6-9 year-old  

Who would love this: Kids / parents that enjoy poems and rhymes  

It’s rare to find an educational kit that dedicates to the magic of poetry. Discover “The Poetry Play Kit” from Kaddo (an imprint of Quarto). Designed by Joseph Coelho, the UK Children’s Poet Laureate 2022-2024, this kit is perfect for inspiring creativity and igniting your imagination!

Why I love ❤️ it: 

(1) 500 Word Cards + 12 Activity Cards

This kit includes 500 word cards, 12 double-sided activity cards, 28 rhyming dominoes, a poetry spinner, and a booklet filled with tips and inspiration—everything you need to hone your skills as an aspiring poet! The mini word tiles offer a rich resource for sparking creativity. Each card is color-coded: green for nouns, red for verbs, pink for emotions, and more. The activity cards present engaging prompts for crafting poems with the word cards. You can select a noun card and write a poem from the object’s perspective, create a haiku with the 5-7-5 syllable structure, or compose a one-word poem. You can also explore emotion poems using pink cards, write an acrostic where the first letter of each line spells out a word, or create a picture poem using related words.

(2) 28 Rhyming Dominoes - Discover Rhythmic Patterns!

The 28 rhyming dominoes are excellent tools for exploring the rhythmic patterns. Simply choose a domino, brainstorm some rhyming words, and craft a poem (our 5-year-old wrote about “a brown silly dog, sat on a log, and met a green frog). We also enjoyed creating a rhyme snake and played a memory pairing game with these domino tiles. 

(3) Smart Spinner - Learn About MORERAPS

I love the smart spinner—it features all the letters from A to Z, along with a MORERAPS guide to linguistic techniques that can enhance your poetry! We explored Metaphor (“the moon is a mysterious guest”), played with Alliteration (our kids created their first tongue twister: “The quiet queen quit quarrelling to quickly queued-up for a quest”), and used Personification to enrich our creative works.

(4) Booklet For More Inspiring Examples

The included booklet offers a wealth of inspiring examples, from mood-expressing riddles to action-packed poems, as well as playful nonsense rhymes. It also features a supportive guide for parents and teachers, along with useful tips for using these elements to enhance your creative journey! 

# gifted in exchange for review 


Where to buy this: 

QBD Books (Australia) 

Booktopia (Australia) 

State Library of Queensland (Australia) 


Check out more reviews of Kaddo's products here: 


Enjoy the video! 

Sunday, November 3, 2024

Wooden 3D Puzzle - Transport Truck, By Funyards Australia - REVIEW


Nature / Type:             Wooden 3D puzzles 

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️    

Recommended age:    7 year-old ++ 

Who would love this:  Kids/ adults that enjoy quick DIY/ craft and building project 

I’ve tested several build-it-yourself plywood puzzles from Funyards Australia , and each one has been a delight to assemble. The “Wooden 3D Puzzle - Transport Truck” stands out as one of my personal favorites. It’s notably larger than other models I’ve built, and its design includes some delightful surprises that enhance its playability.

Why I love ❤️ this set: 

(1) 2 Wooden Sheets With Laser-Cut Plywood Pieces 

The set includes two wooden sheets labeled “A” and “B,” featuring laser-cut plywood pieces, along with a one-page assembly guide. To begin, gently push out the laser-cut pieces (there is a total of 38 of them); they easily pop out without the need for any tools. The illustrated guide offers clear, step-by-step instructions for assembling the transport truck. It was enjoyable to see the plywood pieces come together into a classic, sturdy transport vehicle. The assembly process involves connecting the components sequentially, starting with the front cab and gradually moving to the trailer section. Completing the puzzle took about 30 minutes. It was a fun project that provided a rewarding bonding experience with my child, offering an stress-free yet satisfying build.

(2) Detailed Features + Simple To Assemble 

The model is detailed enough to look realistic while being simple to assemble. It features a detailed front cab with a bumper, radiator grille, side doors, a sun visor, and visible exhaust stacks. The large trailer includes ample cargo space, 8 wheels, and openable rear doors. All components fit together securely, making the truck perfect for imaginative play and a distinctive decorative item. 

(3) Well-Designed Pieces For Effortless Assembly 

The puzzle pieces are laser-cut with precision, with well-designed gaps and links that ensure effortless assembly. I’m impressed by how seamlessly the pieces fit together without the need for glue. The set includes a small piece of sandpaper to smooth the edges and surfaces, enhancing the overall finish.

(4) Flat-Pack With Minimal Packaging

I LOVE that the puzzle comes in a flat-pack with minimal packaging. The instructions are clearly illustrated, and each piece is labeled in the guide, making identification straightforward. Additionally, the product has passed CE and ASTM tests, as noted in the included information. 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

Funyards Australia 

Check out more similar wooden DIY puzzles from Funyards Australia: 

Enjoy the video! 

Exit The Game Kids - Riddles In Monsterville, By Thames & Kosmos - REVIEW


Nature / Type:            Board game / Escape room for kids  

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️    

Recommended age:    5 year-old ++ 

Who would love this: Kids that enjoy escape room experience / detective games / solving puzzles 

Dive into a whimsical adventure with this escape room game for kids! In “Exit The Game Kids - Riddles In Monsterville” by Thames & Kosmos, players must outsmart the mischievous cookie monsters who have stolen cookie jars from neighborhood. Thank you VR Distribution for providing a copy! 

Why I love ❤️ it: 

(1) Team Up Or Play Solo - Solve Riddles & Unlock Cookie Jars 

Kids aged five and up can team up or play solo to solve riddles and unlock cookie jars. The game includes six types of visual puzzles on 36 illustrated cards, featuring tasks like matching emotions and completing puzzles. Players identify 3 monsters for each riddle and use the decoder dial to check their answers—silver keys confirm correct answers, while red Xs indicate errors. Correct answers earn tokens on face-down cookie jars, with exciting “spoils” revealed at the end - from icing cookies with sprinkles, to sewing kits and even stinky socks!

(2) Puzzles Of Varying Difficulty 

The game features puzzles of varying difficulty. One of the simplest is “Smiley Riddles,” where kids match three emojis to the monsters’ expressions. The “Snail Trail Riddle” involves tracing a trail from an object to a monster—it’s a blast! The jigsaw puzzle riddle challenges kids to arrange 4 puzzle pieces to complete three monsters - which surprisingly, is not as easy as it seems! 

(3) Challenge Yourself With Lasso Riddle, Favourite Food Riddle & Outline Riddle

Now for the more challenging tasks! The Lasso Riddle involves wrapping a string between semi-circles to identify three monsters not caught by the cord. This puzzle tests fine motor skills as little hands wrap the twine around a card (which turns out to be pretty difficult to manage!). The Favorite Food Riddle demands deduction and elimination to find three monsters that enjoy the foods at each table setting, using four food cards for guidance. The Outline Riddle is the toughest for us —players must identify three disguised monsters based solely on their outlines, with subtle differences from their normal forms.

(4) Great Replay Value - Tackle Each Puzzle Multiple Times 

I LOVE the replayability! You can tackle each puzzle multiple times, as there are six cards for each puzzle type with various combinations. No reading is required—everything is image-based, making it accessible for younger players to join in on the fun!

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.gameology.com.au/products/exit-the-game-kids-riddles-in-monsterville (Australia) 

https://www.bigw.com.au/product/exit-the-game-kids-riddles-in-monsterville-board-game/p/9900411557 (Australia)

https://vaultgames.com.au/products/exit-the-game-kids-riddles-in-monsterville (Australia) 


Enjoy the video!