Sandwich Making Set, By Melissa & Doug - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Wooden sandwich and burger mix-and-match set    

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  3 year-old ++ 

Who would love this: Kids that love playing imaginative cafe and pretend foods! 

I have loads of sweet memories of Melissa & Doug. I love how they always make each set “complete” with little details and numerous accessories and separate pieces, creating various possibilities of mix-and-match and versatile ways to play. This Sandwich Making Set is another interesting pretend toy set that we really like! 

 

Why I love ❤️ this toy: 

(1) Ingredients, Ingredients, Ingredients! - The set comes with four bread slices, two buns (top and bottom), tomato slices, lettuce, pickle/ cucumber, steak, “holey” Swiss cheese, orange cheddar cheese, etc for some mix-and-match sandwich and burger creating-fun! I love that we get to stack them up like a massive delicious tower, or divide the ingredients and prepare a few meals of nutritious burgers and sandwiches. I love that there are countless ways to play with the toy: we can do “made-to-order” cafe style serving up customised gourmet meal, or the kids can experience “lunch box” preparation in a mess-free way. We can categorise the ingredients and arrange them based on food groups, we can count the items, name our menu, and compete to make the most visually appealing sandwich. This toys is scrumptiously fun no doubt! 

(2) Velcro Dots Design - I like the stick-able and sliceable pieces. The items can be stacked up and held together securely by a central Velcro dot on each slice of ingredients. Included in the set is a child-friendly wooden knife. I love the addictively crunchy slicing sound every time when we separate the ingredients by cutting through the self-stick tabs. The kids find the slicing experience satisfying! 

(3) Material - I love the wooden material, the usual good and durable quality of the brand, and the safe and non-toxic bright and lively colours. 

(4) Serving Tray - I also find the serving tray pretty handy (although secretly, I wish the toy can come with a lid or box for organised storing!). I love the adorable blue and white checkered design, and the sturdiness of the tray. 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.melissaanddoug.com/ (Website) 

Enjoy the video! 

Big Feelings Pineapple, By Learning Resources - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Adorable mix-and-match toy to learn about feelings/ emotions    

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  3 year-old ++ 

Who would love this: Parents who are looking for toys with a focus on social-emotional feelings 

Like the Melbourne’s weather, our girl is unpredictable and has a roller-coaster of BIG feelings. She’s tempestuous and definitely a “force to be reckoned with”. 🤦🏻‍♀️ I guess that sums up why I have a keen interest in toys about emotions - I love how they spark interesting conversations and allow me to have a glimpse of the unfathomable heart of a three-year-old. Today, I would love to share about the “Big Feelings Pineapple” by Learning Resources, kindly gifted by Clover Street (Australia & New Zealand distributor/ wholesaler). 

Why I love ❤️ this toy: 

(1) Build & Learn To Recognise Feelings - This toy comes with 26 “face pieces”, 2 arms, and a pineapple with peg holes to build various facial expressions - from happy, frustrated, embarrassed, confused to silly! Mr Pineapple reminds me a little of the nostalgic “Mr Potato Head”, but with one MAJOR difference: instead of playing dress-up with accessories (like hat, moustache, and glasses), this Pineapple helps kids to identify the “window to the soul” by using facial pieces like eyes, brows, and lips. For example, a “surprised” look is built using “raised eyebrows”, “big round eyes”, and a mouth that formed an “O”. Combine two eyebrows that drawn downwards and zig-zagged lips with corners down, you get a “don’t mess with me” angry face. Our favourite is the “lovey face” with heart-shaped eyes and a happy smile. The set comes with an illustrated guide with 24 suggested expressions to imitate, or we can simply mix-and-match and make-up our combinations. This toy allows us to explore the nuances of social-emotional feelings in an interactive way! 

(2) Two-Sided Design - Mr Pineapple is two-sided; we can build two “opposite” faces on each side (literally), or have two kids compete to build the silliest of expressions. The kids get to “compare and contrast” (happy and sad, silly and serious, calm and nervous) and play guessing games with this feature! 

(3) Brightly Yellow - I love the bright and positive tropical feel of Mr Pineapple. Kids can work on their dexterity and visualise their feelings with this yellow buddy! 

(4) Pineapple Storage Case - Mr Pineapple is hollow within, can store up the bits and pieces, and completes with a lid of green crown. I love how organised this toy is! 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

The Therapy Store (Australia) 

OfficeMax (New Zealand) 

Enjoy the video! 

Modern Tractor, By George Luck - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Beautiful wooden puzzle with vintage feel   

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  3 year-old ++ 

Who would love this: Collectors of vintage wooden puzzles 

Our local library has a range of George Luck puzzles, each of them is enchanting in its own special and inimitable way. Today, I would love to share about this vintage, hard-to-find puzzle “Modern Tractor” - another quietly charming George Luck collection that will never go out of style! 

Why I love ❤️ this puzzle: 

(1) Simple Farm Tractor Puzzle - Compared to most other more complex George Luck puzzles that I have seen, this Modern Tractor is a relatively “basic” one and probably of an easier-level suitable for younger kids. This is a beautiful single-layer puzzle with 21 separate pieces and completes with a wooden base. I love the George Luck’s signature “random” cut design, with each piece being individually unique and different in shapes. There are some “obvious” pieces that the kids can immediately recognise, such as the front wheel, larger back wheel, the long and slightly-curvy exhaust stack, the green hood, a flying white duck, farmer and his faithful dog. The kids took around 10 minutes (or less) to complete the puzzle, and they are happy to redo it over and over! This puzzle is engaging and entertaining, and everyone loves the uniquely crafted pieces. 

(2) Colours + Craftmanship - We love how careful and meticulous the craftsmanship is, including those little details such as the intentional uneven cut to show the thread pattern of the tyres. We enjoyed watching the vibrantly colourful pieces coming together on the smartly crafted base, forming an aesthetically pleasing picture of a farm tractor! The puzzle pieces are light-weight, brightly-painted, impressively cut with smoothness on edges, and connect and fit so perfectly with each other! 

(3) Materials - George Luck puzzles are made of sustainably sourced and FSC-certified timber, with child-safe, non-toxic, water based finishes, and is in compliant with international safety. I love how vintage looking the puzzle is. George Luck puzzles are true timeless collectibles that will be loved and treasured from one generation to the next.

Where to buy this: (Unsure) 

Enjoy the video! 

Anamalz Crocodile, By Anamalz - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Beautiful wooden crocodile    

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  3 year-old ++ 

Who would love this: Animal figurines collectors + anyone who loves adorable and cute wooden toys! 

I recently wrote about the cheeky Anamalz Tyrannosaurus Rex. Today, I am going to show you this cutest crocodile I have ever seen - introducing, the Anamalz Crocodile! 

Why I love ❤️ this toy: 

(1) Unique Wooden Figurine - Anamalz sets itself proudly apart with its distinctive uniqueness. I love its clever use of materials - from beautiful wooden craftwork, cotton ropes, to fuzzily soft fabric. They are hard to imitate - you know it instantly when you see an Anamalz. Mr Crocodile is one of the friendliest reptiles I have ever seen. It has smooth wooden snout, an innocent grin, semi-circular body and four cone-shaped legs. I love the two wooden eyes with curious gaze peeping from the top. My favourite feature is the layers of velvety fabric in two shades of green at the spine - it has zig-zagged edges (to represent the bony plates / scutes) and ends with a long and windy tail. I love how Anamalz makes even the fiercest of creatures adorable, endearing and “soft”. 

(2) Bendable - One signature feature of Anamalz is their bendable cotton-roped limbs with steel wire inserts. Compared to most other Anamalz figures (such as the T-Rex that I have wrote about recently), Mr Crocodile’s pose-ability and movements might be a bit limited due to its extraordinarily short legs and neck. But that doesn’t stop it from looking cute and flexible, and Mr Crocodile is definitely “crawl-able” and very photogenic. 

(3) Cute And Witty Quote - "If you're happy and you know it show your teeth." 🤣 Now if that doesn’t give you a smile, I don’t know what will. I love the witty quotes on the back of the hang tags of the figurines! 

(4) Safe Material - Anamalz is owned and designed in Australia, manufactured in a Japanese factory in Vietnam. I love that the products are made of sustainable plantation beech wood. The fabric is AZO dye-free, paint is water-based and non-toxic, glue is Japan's F4 Star. Anamalz meets international toy testing standards, offers lifetime guarantee, and is well-deservedly award-winning! 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.anamalz.com/collections/outback-1/products/crocodile-new-and-improved

Enjoy the video! 

Oriental Tea Set, By PlanToys - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Unique oriental-style tea set  

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  2 year-old ++ 

Who would love this: Kids that love a cute tea party  

There is some magical charm about tea party and a cup of hot brewing beverage that warms your heart and spices up a conversation. Today I’m going to talk about this Oriental Tea Set from PlanToys that brings a smile with its little unique Asian theme! 

 

Why I love ❤️ this toy: 

(1) Unique Oriental Tea Set - Well, it’s oriental! The set comes with a top-handled dobin-styled teapot, a bowl (probably a Japanese chawan tea bowl or pitcher), 2 teacups, a teaspoon, and a tray. I love that unique round silhouette of the teapot, curved handle made of hemp rope material, and a removable wooden lid with knob. It’s aesthetically pleasing, classically Japanese-inspired and with a blend of modern touch. The accompanying black bowl is completes with a smooth round lid and a minimalist-looking spoon. I also love the two small-sized yunomi-styled teacups for little, gentle sips. The round wooden tray is perfect for keeping everything neat and tidy. I love that everything is well thought-of and beautifully-designed. 

(2) Material - The teapot set is ethically made from a combination of sustainable PlanWood and natural rubber wood. If you have never heard of PlanWood, it’s a made of 99% surplus rubberwood sawdust with organic pigments for colour, compressed with high-pressure moulders. I really love the “black-clay” feel of the PlanWood which gives the teapot and bowl a very natural, unglazed matte texture. The spout, lid and base of the teapot is made of natural wood for a little trendy touch. 

(3) Sustainable Toy - I love that PlanToys is well-known as an environmentally friendly brand that constantly creates new designs and techniques to produce sustainable toys. All PlanToys are made from spray-free rubber wood trees which no longer produce latex, and finished with organic pigments and water based dyes. I love the philosophy and the sustainable choice of the brand. 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.plantoys.com/ (Website) 

Enjoy the video! 

Thomas & Friends Play Pouch, By Play Pouch Australia - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Toy Storage Solution + Play Mat - Combined!!!     

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age:  3 year-old ++ 

Who would love this: Parents who need a clever hack to keep the house neat & tidy + Thomas & Friends fans! 

People around me would have heard me babbling non-stop about our latest Lego storage hack 🤣 - the ultimate “Dino Raw Play Pouch” that I have recently reviewed. ❤️ But do you know, apart from storing Legos bricks, Play Pouch is also a fantastic play mat and storage solution for many other types of toys? Today, I’m going to talk about this super awesome “Thomas & Friends Play Pouch” from Play Pouch Australia - Big Brands collection. 

Why I love ❤️ this product: 

(1) Island of Sodor from Thomas & Friends - Similar to the other original Play Pouch range, this pouch can be opened up into a large round mat of 140cm in diameter, but with one BIG difference: the mat features the famous Island of Sodor play scene from the Thomas & Friends series! Spot the Sodor Slate Quarry (where Mavis the feisty Diesel engine works), Trotter’s Farm (Thomas’s favourite farm!), Sodor Supply Co, tower windmill, and Sodor’s classic railroads, bridges, and intersections! Bring out your imaginative building toys (train tracks, roads pieces, road signs, wooden houses) and create a village with the mat! I love seeing the kids’ imagination runs wild and crazy, and I am amazed how neat and tidy the house is during playtime! 

(2) SUPER Quick Pack-Up Process - The BEST thing about Play Pouch is its easy-peasy, literally 5 seconds pack up feature! When the kids are done playing, simply pull on the loose ends of the rope, and watch the mat magically transformed into a giant pouch that nicely wrapped up the toy pieces within! The pouch can be stored away or hung from a hook on wall. There is also a handy zipped pocket with Thomas & Friends logo on it, where we can keep special and hard-to-find items separately. I love the hassle-free and minimum mess concept! 

(3) Material - Play Pouch is made of durable polyester, rope and high quality eyelets. It can contain a massive loads of toys! 

(4) Big Brand Selections - Big Brand collection is for everyone! Apart from Thomas & Friends, there are other exciting selections: Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher Price Little People, and PAW Patrol! We love how Play Pouch combines storage solution and interactive play scenes into one! 

Play Pouch Australia , you are a game-changer and makes life SO MUCH better! 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.playpouch.com.au/collections/big-brands/products/thomas-friendstm-play-pouch (Australia) 

Enjoy the video! 

Traffic Mosaic, By Doron Layeled - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Wooden vehicles-theme puzzle  

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  3 year-old ++ 

Who would love this: Wooden puzzle collectors 

I am really loving the quirky, unique, and unexpected puzzle arrangement of this “Traffic Mosaic” set from Doron Layeled. Our kids think this is a “crazily fun” puzzle, and I think they are absolutely right! 

Why I love ❤️ this puzzle: 

(1) Vehicles in Crazy Traffic Jam - I love how whimsical and playful the entire design is; we have range of vehicles stuck in a puzzling and bewildering traffic jam. The vehicles go upside down, vertically hanging, locked in the midst, each tailgating and touching one another closely, all get “squashed” in the middle of a square wooden base. There are only 10 separable puzzle pieces, but to complete them correctly, we need to think outside the normal box, and throw away all logic and order. 

(2) Diverse Range of Vehicles - Traffic and vehicles theme always get a BIG approval from the kids! We love the diverse range of road vehicles, from cement mixer, ambulance, police car, tow truck, bus, fire engine, to even a Doron Layeled Ltd truck! I love the little sense of humour, the boldness of colours, the typical thick black outlines (common in many Doron Layeled puzzles range), and that nostalgic and vintage feel of the product. 

(4) Quality + Material - I love the wooden quality of this puzzle. Each vehicle piece is thick enough to stand on its own, so we can easily incorporate them into our small world city build! Doron Layeled has a wide selection of beautifully-made wooden puzzles, and I am always impressed with how aesthetically delightful they look. These are durable products with heirloom quality, and definitely something that can last for a long time for generations to come! 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.doronlayeled.com/product/3d-puzzles-e72511660-traffic-jam/ (Website) 

Enjoy the video! 

Classic Kit - 5 Booklets set, By Happy Hands Co - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Handwriting-training kit with MAGIC pens included!   

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age:  3 year-old ++ 

Who would love this: Parents who are looking for the perfect handwriting-training kit that can keep the kids interested and engaged 

I’m an avid fan of mystery stories with cool detectives, coded messages and invisible inks. 🕵🏻‍♂️ My heart beats excitedly when I discovered the Happy Hands Co and its inventive InvisInk! Today, I’m going to share about this Classic Kit - 5 Booklets set, and how it enchants us with the act of disappearing writings! 

Why I love ❤️ this set: 

(1) Inventive InvisInk Pens - This set turns writing exercise into something magical. Included within are two InvisInk pens that look like something we can find in a secret agent movie. 😉 On the face, the pens seem deceptively ordinary like any other ballpoint pen. But wait till you start writing with it! The ink is bright and clear, and a few minutes later, it fades slowly and disappears altogether. We love the mess-free activity (NO eraser crumbs, ink-stained wiper, dirty pages, yay!). I love that the books are eco-friendly, reusable, and fascinating! 

(2) 5 Books For Different Skill Levels - There are 5 books included in this Classic Kit, cater for a range of skill levels and ages! Each of the workbook focuses on a specific topic, with embossed grooves design to guide the child’s pen strokes, build muscle memory, and encourage independent learning. We have a book on “Shapes and Lines” (tracing and drawing exercises), “Alphabets” (with upper and lower cases) and “Numbers” (1 to 100) - fantastic for young kids to start from the basic! There are also something “harder” for the older kids - a workbook about “Days, Months and Seasons” (kids get to learn words like “January” to “December”) and “Sight Words” (some frequently used words). The set is designed in Melbourne and developed with the Australian curriculum. This set is perfect for family with siblings of different ages, and a great writing kit that can “grow with the kids” for different stages of learning.  

(3) Other Accessories - The set also includes 2 fish pen grips and a wide pen grip; we have never tried using such pen-holding aid before and I’m pretty impressed with the moulded and ergonomic design. There are also 20 magic ink refills included for repeated practices with the magic pens! 

(4) Carry Case - I love the handy carry case with handles, keeping all items neat and organised at one place. 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.happyhandsco.com.au/product-page/classic-kit

Enjoy the video! 

DIY Pirate Ship, By Calebou - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          3D puzzle / model made of thick quality paper    

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  3 year-old ++ 

Who would love this: Art & Craft/ 3D models hobbyists  

 “So….. what’s next?” - that’s the sort of questions the kids love asking (even after a flurry of non-stop, exhausting activity) - 😳 Those are the time when I’m grateful to have little creative things like this “DIY Pirate Ship” 3D puzzle craft kit from Calebou in the house as a quick and relaxed “time-filler” activity (seriously, kids and their limitless energy 🤦🏻‍♀️). 

Why I love ❤️ this toy: 

(1) Super Easy-To-Build Model - This is probably one of the easiest 3D model we had ever built. In fact, it was so simple there isn’t even a step-by-step guide that goes with it. What’s included is a single illustration of the pirate ship model with labels of number showing the puzzle parts. There are a total of 21 individual pieces, each separately numbered, printed on quality thick paper padded with foam core. The whole process involved “popping out” the independent pieces, bending and shaping, fitting and slotting, to form a cool-looking pirate ship! I worked together with my six-year-old, and it took us around 10 minutes to complete the model. Everything was relatively straightforward. Granted, some of the parts (like the masts) were slightly twisted when we were trying to push them into the slots, and this is probably not the most “durable” model (which is quite inevitable given the soft material type), but overall, the parts were well-fitted. I love that no scissors or tools were needed for this craft, which makes it really child-friendly and easy to manage. 

(2) Beautiful Design - The end result is small in size but meticulous in details. From the bowsprit extension at the bow, Jolly Roger flag, masts and sails, quarterdeck at the stern, potholes and so on. It is a lovely decorative item that stands well, visually attractive, and looks amazingly cool! 

(3) Light Weight Paper Product - I also love that it is a paper product, light weight, and came in an unassuming flat pack. There isn’t much information online about the manufacturer, save that it is a business in China specialising in paper products (mainly 3D puzzles), and the products have passed international standards such as EN71 and ASTM. 

Overall, this is a cute little thing that makes me smile! 

Where to buy this: 

http://www.calebou.com/ (Website) 

Enjoy the video! 

abc - When I Grow Up, By HeyDoodle - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Reusable colouring mat with FUN abc-learning theme    

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age:  3 year-old ++ 

Who would love this: Kids and adults that LOVE the calming fun of colouring activity 

If you have not heard of HeyDoodle , you really should check out this clever mat! I previously wrote about “abc - Aussie Icons” (thanks The Kid Cave for introducing us our very first HeyDoodle!). Today, I’m going to talk about our latest addition - “abc - When I Grow Up” from HeyDoodle . 

Why I love ❤️ this toy? 

(1) Wipeable Mat - Each set comes with a silicone colouring mat, 9 marker pens, and a travel pouch. I love that HeyDoodle mat is reusable, washable, wipeable, and it keeps kids engaged for hours! It’s like a tablet screen with a “reset” button - with just a damp cloth and a gentle wipe, we get to repeat the colouring process over and over! We love how HeyDoodle makes a traditional colouring activity paperless. I also love that the mat is wide enough (40 x 30 cm) for two kids to share the colouring fun side-by-side whilst giving the parents some precious me-time! 

(2) Learn About Career Choices - I LOVE the careers theme in alphabetical order. I love how it includes popular options and other “not so popular” career choices that invite interesting questions from the curious kids. The kids got excited about Astronaut, Veterinarian, Investigator, Yoga Instructor, and Zoo Keeper. They were eager to find out more about “Quantity Surveyor” and the importance of cost estimation in a building project; They think “Urban Planner” is really cool - “like a “Lego City” designer in a big people world!”. The kids get to trace the alphabet letters in lower case and learn new spelling for words like “researcher” and “electrician”. 

(3) FUN design - We love the pictures with a little touch of humour. The kids giggled seeing the zoo-keeper tending a crocodile,  a musician with gigantic saxophone, a “web designer” painting the computer monitor with paintbrush and palette, and a gardener watering a ginormous flower! 

(4) New Press Seal Pouch I love the brand new “press seal” pouch - a GREAT improvement from the older version with easily come-off “zipper head”. I also love the slightly larger pouch in this new version. I love how organised, compact, light weight and portable it is! 

(5) Safe Material - The mat is made of food-grade silicone and free from harmful substances. Highly recommended, 100%! 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://heydoodle.com.au/products/abc-when-i-grow-up

Enjoy the video! 

Bread Loaf Set, By PlanToys - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Wooden and realistic-looking bread loaf pretend toys   

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  2 year-old ++ 

Who would love this: Kids that love imaginative play + aspiring little bakers 

PlanToys always gives me that warm and fuzzy nostalgic feeling; the toys are usually minimalist in design, sweet in appearance, and exude beautiful softness. This Bread Loaf Set is one of my personal favourites. We love artisan handmade breads, and this set has everything that makes us smile! 

Why I love ❤️ this toy: 

(1) Realistic and FUN - I love the realistic-looking tools and bread loaf! This set comes with a dark brown loaf that reminds me of a nutritions-packed rye bread, bread knife with serrated edge, bread pan, wooden rolling pin with handles, a flat rectangular dough scraper, dough/ bread-kneading mat, soft blue oven mitt, and a bag of pretend flour. I think this set matches perfectly with the PlanToys Stand Mixer Set that I have previously reviewed on 29 January 2022. Imagine the fun of whisking and beating, stirring and mixing, and then serving up a tray of piping hot bread! What I LOVE most is its signature PlanWood material - the unique compressed sawdust that gives the loaf and the bread pan a realistic touch with slight unevenness in colour and natural feel. I love watching my three-year-old getting her oven mitt on whilst sending the tray of “dough” into the imaginary oven under the coffee table 🤣. 

(2) Sliceable Loaf - I love how PlanToys always incorporates little details that make its toys interactive and engaging. I love the Velcro-attached bread slices; the girl loves slicing the dark brown loaf into four thick slices, and serves them up with spread of invisible butter 😋. The flour bag is a thick cotton fabric in beige with Velcro fastener and clean artistic design at the front. 

(3) Material- I love the solid rubber wood material, the signature PlanWood™ (an ingenious eco material made by compressing sawdust produced in the factory), the non-toxic water-based dyes and organic colour pigment. I love the sustainable principle associated with PlanToys, how everything is ethically made in Thailand from chemical-free rubber trees that no longer produce latex, and its e-zero formaldehyde free glue. PlanToys ticks all the boxes we are looking for in an environmental-conscious brand! 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.plantoys.com/ (Website) 

Enjoy the video! 

Magicube 32 Pieces, By Geomag - REVIEW

 

Nature/ Type:          Gorgeous Magnetic Blocks / Cubes 

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age:  1- 5 year-old 

Who would love this: Anyone! These blocks are just super FUN to play with. 

Few months back, we tested out and wrote about Geomag Magicube 13 pieces - the basic and smaller set that shows us how simplicity can captivate us with hours of fun! Today, I’m going to talk about Magicube 32 pieces and tell you how this massive set of blocks unleashes the full potential of building creativity of our little people! 

 

Why I love ❤️ this toy: 

(1) Limitless Possibilities - Magicube is, as per its name, magically enchanting with its gravity defying ability and six-sided invisible magnetic attachment, enabling the blocks to do more than just the traditional vertical tower built. Included within are 26 magnetic building blocks in 4 different shapes (cubes, quarter circles, triangles, and half-sphere), 2 wheelbases, 4 rolling wheels in two different sizes, and an idea sheet. The colours are stunningly eye-catching - dark green, lime green, dark orangey yellow, red, blue, white, and grey for the wheels. The 13 pieces set has always been highly popular in our family, but this 32 pieces set elevates the degree of imaginative fun to a whole new level! We built easy models such as a 6-piece boat, miniature car, and rainbow whale. We then challenged ourselves with something more sophisticated like the Trojan horse, pyramid (with a giant sphere sitting right on the tip), an hourglass (with a sphere hanging in the midst of the arch structure). The kids also built something “crazy” and unconventional, outside of the suggested models in the idea sheet. It was a non-stop process of constructing and deconstructing, and none of us could get enough of these stimulating blocks! 

(2) Great For Young Kids - I love how chunky and feathery-light these cubes are. They have zero-polarisation restriction and are easy to connect. The magnets attach well, but not too strong, which is fantastic for little hands to pull the cubes apart independently with zero frustration. 

(3) 100% Recycled Plastics - The blocks are manufactured from 100% recycled plastics, which is a BIG PLUS as an eco-friendly choice! 

(4) Quality + Standard - The Magicube pieces are made in Switzerland. They are sturdy, durable, and comply with the strictest European and International safety standards - another BIG plus! 

We LOVE it! 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.geomagworld.com/en/ (Website) 

Enjoy the video! 

Dinosaurs 4-in-1 Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle, By Melissa & Doug - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Easy wooden puzzle of dinosaurs-theme 

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  3 year-old ++ 

Who would love this: Young kids/ dinosaur lovers 

 Our three-year-old loves puzzle, but it’s not easy to find something that is challenging enough to make her frown a little, but not too overly difficult for a meltdown tantrum to occur 😅 . This Dinosaurs 4-in-1 Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle by Melissa & Doug fits the bill - it’s relatively easy but not too “babyish, attractive to young kids but not overly “childish” looking. 

Why I love ❤️ this puzzle: 

(1) Four-In-One Dinosaurs Puzzle - This is an adorable four-in-one jigsaw puzzles that instantly appeals to the kids! The puzzle base is divided into four equal quarters, each consists of four puzzle pieces (16 in total), and each quarter features one of four of our prehistoric favourites. There is a triceratops with its impressive three horns, an oversized T-Rex with a massive long tongue and disproportionately tiny arms, Mr Stegosaurus with super cool armour of purplish plates along its back, and a brachiosaurus with signature long neck and gigantic torso. We love the stunning colours, eye-catching illustrations, and the exciting theme! Each of the dinosaurs are distinctively diverse in colours and styles, making it easy for a three-year-old to distinguish and categorise the pieces. Once the pieces are grouped into 4 separate categories, completing them is easy as a breeze! 

(2) Other Useful Features - There are some other thoughtful features in this puzzle. Each puzzle pieces are printed with a different shape on the reverse (triangle, square, diamond or circle), an additional way to help kids to sort the pieces and to figure out which 4 pieces belong to the same quarter. The divided wooden base is also printed with the outlines of the puzzle pieces (with each piece being unique) - another great feature for independent matching play! 

(3) Clever Touch - I love the cursive cut at the right bottom corner of each of the four mini puzzles. Kids can easily remove the puzzle pieces by lifting the corner piece out from the tray. 

(4) Material + Quality - We love wooden puzzles that are sturdy and well-crafted. This puzzle ticks the right boxes, and  meets the usual standard and quality expected from Melissa & Doug. I love how vintage and classic this puzzle looks! 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.melissaanddoug.com/ (Website) 

Enjoy the video!