Wild Animals Set, by PlanToys - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Beautiful animal figurines made of compressed sawdust   

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  12 month-old ++   

Who would love this: Kids who enjoy imaginative play/ AND parents looking for sustainable toys 

I love watching my kids in their “small little world” moments; the way they hilariously staging their animal figurines, making funny voices, and narrating a story of “The Friendly Lion King”, “Gingerbread Man of another version”, and the New Jungle Tale.  If you are looking for some animal friends for your small world creations, this PlanToys “Wild Animals Set” is an adorable choice! 

Why I love ❤️ this set: 

(1) 4 Beautifully-Crafted Wild Animals - This set includes 4 wild animal figurines - cute, curvy, baby-like, sleek, and unmistakably, PlanToys. You get a bright orange lion with majestic big ears and brown thick mane; yellow giraffe with stylish “starfish” hairstyle and three dark spots on each side; a remarkable blue elephant, and a stripy zebra with neat black mane. I love their “soft roundness”, the solid texture for little hands, and zero sharp edges. I love the balanced symmetry of the figurines with visible middle parting lines, and the words “PlanToys” printed on them. These are genuine, simple toys for young kids - nothing “extraordinary”, no sparkly details, no adjustable joints. Just 4 attractive-looking, small-sized figurines, bright and smooth, heart-meltingly sweet. The kids would probably outgrow them really soon, but these are timeless gifts that would stay and endure for a long time. 

(2) PlanWood - The sand-like pigment and the rustic-feel of these animals are the unmistakable signature of “PlanWood” - a sustainable material made from surplus sawdust and wood pieces, compressed under high pressures and heat, and added with organic colour pigments during the composite process. You can’t stop loving PlanToys for its environmentally-friendly, child-safe  productions. 

(3) Perfect for Imaginative Play - Our three-year-old finds these animals a lovely addition to her story-telling settings; this is an awesome first animals toy for small kids, and can be easily incorporated into any imaginative play. The great thing is, PlanToys also produces other similar sets that go beautifully compatible with these “Wild Animals set” such as the Farm Animals set and Dinosaur Set. They would make a great team in any story-telling sessions! 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.plantoys.com/

Enjoy the video! 

Where’s Squeaky, By Blue Orange - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Hide-and-Seek mouse that squeaks  

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  4 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Parents looking for a mess-free solution for Hide-and-Seek game / and any kids! 

Kids who enjoy construction & building toys / parents who love sustainable wooden toys  Hands up 🙌🏻 if you have kids who love hiding stuffs around the house, make unapologetic BIG messes, and repeat the Hide & Seek process numerous times with zero regards to messy consequences 🤦🏻‍♀️. Sometimes, when you can’t stop the action, you might as well go with the flow. 😅 I found my solution recently with this super CUTE “Where’s Squeaky” by Blue Orange , kindly gifted by Leisure Learning . 

Why I love ❤️ this toy: 

(1) Mess-Free Hide & Seek Game - Squeaky squeaks in the most adorable cartoonish voice, and it doesn’t stay quiet for too long (until we switch it “off” of course!). Squeaky is a heart-meltingly cute white mouse, full-of-mischief, with two big ears in lavender colour, and a pair of bright alert eyes. “Do you want to play Hide ‘N Squeak?” Yes, of course! We took turn to hide Squeaky in our perfect location (under the desk, beneath the blanket, inside the closet, behind the shelf). “Nice Spot!” whispered Squeaky once we activated the purple button underneath it. Squeaky starts giggling and saying “Hello” after 10 seconds, and the noise gets louder each time. We need to stay really quiet, listen to the clues, identify the direction, and look at the right spot! Squeaky makes hide-and-seek tidy and neat. We don’t need to rummage the entire house, or turn every corner and nook inside out to search for it. Once Squeaky is found, press the purple button, and we can dance all the way back to its “cheese box”. Not many toys can make us move that much, run that fast, think that hard, laugh that loud. Squeaky comes with batteries included, so you can get right into the game once it is out of the box. 

(2) Cheese Box - The cheese box has a hidden magnet at the bottom that helps to reset the voice timer between each game. I love how Squeaky brings joy and happiness to everyone with its giggles, “Yay, you found me!” shout, and a happy song. 

(3) Travel Companion - Squeaky is light, and doesn’t take up too much space (it’s probably in the size of a small piggy bank, minus the weight of coins). I can imagine bringing Squeaky with us to any family holiday - it’s travel friendly, easy to be tucked into a bag, and would be an awesome companion. 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.leisurelearning.com.au/wheres-squeaky (Australia) 

Enjoy the video! 

Honga, By Haba - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Board game for older kids and adults with an interesting Stone Age theme 

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  8 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Strategy Game lovers 

Haba produces many child-friendly board games for young kids, but we recently discovered this “more sophisticated” Haba game that our family finds absolutely delightful to play - Honga by Haba. 

Why I love ❤️ this game: 

(1) Strategy Game - This awesome Stone Age theme game comes with 5 player trays, 1 saber-toothed tiger (Honga) figure, 1 depot board, 1 foldable game board, 46 action disks, 32 barter cards, 25 bonus cards, 1 mammoth tooth, 1 starting player fire marker, 30 mammoth figures , 5 cavemen, 5 scoring markers, 20 food markers (water, fish, berry and mushroom), and an instruction booklet. The rules are as massive and complicated as the game elements, just like most of the adult board games in market. It took us a while to learn the setting up and steps, but once these were done, we were immediately drawn into one exciting adventure full of strategising. The game is full of tactical moves: accumulating resources, bartering, climbing up the sacred mountain, taking a chance with bonus cards, fighting for valuable mammoth tooth, all whilst remembering to pay respect to Honga the mighty beast (or risk having your supplies stolen away)! The winner (or the new clan leader) is the one that first surpasses the ascertained scoring marker. We loves that this game combines both elements of skills and luck, whilst keeping the game alive with plenty of unpredictabilities. 

(2) Quality Components - I really love the game components. They are very well-made with great quality, durable, colourful, with bright and gorgeous artworks. I love the Stone Age theme with saber-toothed tiger, which is very well-received by my five-year-old (a true fan of the extinct predatory mammal). The boy is particularly interested in the huge white saber tooth, which gives us the special power of “red action cards” with an extra action hand. 

(3) For Kids & Adults - I love that the game is complex enough to keep the adults interested, yet not that difficult to be understood by young kids. My five-year-old took some time to grasp all the rules and concepts, but once he got them, he is in love with the game. 

I can’t wait to try out more of Haba’s advanced level games! 

[This review was first written and published in Instagram on 30 August 2021] 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.habastore.com.au/ (Australia) 

https://www.habausa.com/ (US) 

Enjoy the video! 

Large Wooden Building Blocks - Kubi House, By Kubi Dubi - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Wooden building toys with innovative interlocking design 

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age:  3 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Kids who enjoy construction & building toys / parents who love sustainable wooden toys 

Brick walls - they are fascinating and give personality to a house. This “Large Wooden Building Blocks - Kubi House” from Happy Go Ducky captured my attention from the first time I set eyes on it; It has a quiet character and an irresistible charm. 

Why I love ❤️ this toy: 

(1) Cleverly-Designed Wooden Bricks - The set comes with a wooden tray, 260 wooden pieces, and a wooden base. We felt like two serious builders starting a construction from scratch. First, we learned how to do “bricklaying” using traditional “stretcher bond” method (a brick at the top connecting two bricks at the bottom by half). The entire process reminds me of Lego-building, save that these bricks are not plastic, and they have uniquely-designed cylindrical pegs (slightly narrower compared to Lego studs). The wooden material gives a natural texture and nice “grippiness” to the bricks. Each of the rectangular bricks has 2 pegs at the top, and each of the cubes has a single peg. The studs interlocked with the tubes at the bottom of other bricks (similar to how lego works). The result is one aesthetically-pleasing, solid little cottage, made entirely out of wood, with windows on both sides, a “french-styled” twin doors, and a roof with planks decking. The set also includes an easy-to-follow illustrated instruction. 

(2) Handmade Product - Kubu Dubi products are handmade and created by skilled artisans. I’m impressed with the precision and craftsmanship; the bricks connect beautifully (most require just a gentle push to connect; some of the “last brick” in a row require a little stronger push to attach). The windows, door and roof planks slide seamlessly into the pegs. Everything is precise, with no margin of error. 

(3) Imaginative Play - I love the simple design of the house with no ostentatious “extras”. We got to learn the “basics” of house building using a strong base, brick-laying technique, functional windows and door, and well-built roof. This Kubi house is a beautiful addition to small world creations and as story-telling settings. We love how the toy encourages imaginative play! 

(4) Wooden Material - Kubi Dubi uses sustainable materials. I love its durability and the lovely earthly tone of the house. 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://happygoducky.com.au/collections/kubi-dubi-australian-distributor/products/wooden-building-blocks-kubi-house

Enjoy the video! 

Aboriginal Girl 4 Layer-Puzzle, By Gecko Educational - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          4-layer wooden puzzle with a aboriginal girl 

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  3 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Vintage wooden puzzle collectors / parents or educators looking for multicultural-themed toys 

I have a particularly, hopeless soft spot for multi-layered puzzles; they are challenging, engaging, full of surprises and never-ending fun! I love how a new image is revealed each time when a layer is being removed. I love seeing a few different puzzles being creatively combined and incorporated into a single theme puzzle. This Louise Rayner’s Aboriginal Girl 4 Layer-Puzzle from Gecko Educational is one of my newfound favourites that I can’t stop admiring! 

Why I love ❤️ this toy: 

(1) 4-Layer Puzzle About Human Body - The bottom-most board displayed the skeletal framework of the human body, showing bones structure including skull, ribs, pelvis, femur and so on. The second layer are formed by puzzle pieces displaying the system of internal organs and  major blood vessels; we learned about lungs, intestines, stomach, arteries and veins, and how blood flows through the heart. Next up is the unclothed skin puzzle layer, follows by the fourth puzzle layer of clothed body. I absolutely love the educational theme. I love how the 25 pieces puzzle show the kids in a visual, engaging and interesting way the anatomy levels of human body. 

(2) Diversity & Inclusiveness - Toys that promote diversity and inclusiveness always get a BIG tick of approval from our family. I love the aboriginal girl theme of this puzzle, which is rare to find in the market, and so refreshing to see! 

(3) Material - I love the wooden material of the puzzle. It’s durable, light weight, of the right size, and possesses such beautiful heirloom quality! 

(4) Charities - I also love the philosophy behind Gecko Educational; I love its emphasis on Australian-made multicultural products. According to its website, a percentage of all Gecko Educational sales support a range of charities and organisations, including The Indigenous Literacy Foundation, The Fred Hollows Foundation, and various aboriginal projects. 

[This review was first written and published in Instagram on 13 March 2022] 

Where to buy this: 

Gecko Educational 

Enjoy the video! 

TriBlox, By Jellystone Designs - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Silicone stacking + number-learning blocks 

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age:  12 month-old ++   

Who would love this: Any small kids (especially those that love sensory play and tactile toys) 

Silicone toys transcend all ages. They are addictively squishy, squashy, and squeezable. I’m so glad to receive this irresistible and extremely engaging Jellystone Designs TriBlox for a review, and I can’t wait to share about this with you today! 

Why I love ❤️ this toy: 

(1) 9 Triangular Blocks - Included within are 9 triangular blocks that can be stacked and arranged in so many ways and combinations. Our three-year-old giggled with such joy while creating her unique rainbow pyramid (you need all 9 triangular blocks to build that), “BIG” flavours pizza, 9-tiered triangle cake, Imaginative zoo, and story-telling block-characters. These Triblox comes in 3 different range of colours: Rainbow Bright, Pastel, and Earth. We got a Rainbow Bright version, which is VERY awesome because our girl is obsessed with everything rainbows-related. Each of this block is hollow from the bottom, which provides fantastic potential for sand, water and sensory play! We love the tactile, light weight and squeezable feel of these silicone blocks; this toy is marvellous to train-up hand-eye coordination for young toddlers, and is also very entertaining for older kids who have unrestrained creativity! 

(2) Numbers & Counting - Our three-year-old loves doing her counting up to 10; she’s delighted when she realised that the blocks each has a number (1 to 9) on it with corresponding textured illustrations on the other side. For example, the yellow block has a single rainbow on one side and the numeral “1” on the other side; the darker green block has nine stars and the numeral “9” on it. I love the nature-inspired illustrations such as clouds, bumblebees, raindrops, leaves, flowers, birds etc. 

(3) Toxic-Free Silicone - Jellystone Designs’ Sensory Play range is made of toxic-free silicone and is free from nasties (BPA, PVC & Phthalates). I love that the material is easily-cleanable using warm soapy water, and is also dishwasher safe. 

(4) Drawstring Bag Included - These TriBlox come in a very smartly designed cardboard box that keeps the blocks organised in a pyramid stack. But if you want a quick and easy pack-up, the set also includes a cotton drawstring bag for storage. We love this thoughtful little touch! 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://jellystonedesigns.com.au/collections/play/products/triblox

Enjoy the video! 

Amazing Animal Alphabet puzzle, By George Luck - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Wooden animals & alphabet learning puzzle 

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age:  6 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Vintage wooden puzzle collectors / and kids that love a puzzle challenge 

George Luck puzzles are wooden jigsaw with touch of wizard’s magic, sprinkled with fairy dusts, complete with vintage beauty. The “Amazing Animal Alphabet puzzle” is a love at first sight, one of the most magnetically enchanting wooden puzzles I have ever seen. 

Why I love ❤️ this toy: 

(1) Beautiful Design & Connection - I love the unique spiral-shape, the meticulously designed and cut animal pieces that connect beautifully with each other, forming a circular wooden board of multicolour and surprises. I can only imagine that multiple trials and errors, the creative thought process, and precision of craftsmanship devoted into the production of this masterpiece. The jagged and slightly protruded alligator’s scutes were placed right next to the “zigzag” fury part of the lion’s legs; the whale’s tail with indentation fits nicely next to the outline of the monkey’s chin and its joints. The animals are abstract in style, each painted with mainly a single colour, simple and circular in form. 

(2) 26 Animals + Letters - This is an alphabetical puzzle, with 26 pieces representing animals each starting with a different letter. We have “B” for bear, “I” for Ibex, and “X” for X-ray fish etc. The wooden base is engraved with 26 letters from A to Z in both uppercase and lowercase at different locations, marking the allocated space for each of the corresponding puzzle pieces. I love the wide selection of animals representing continents from around the globe: we have Panda from China, umbrellabirds of the central and South America, kangaroos from Australia, giraffe from East Africa, and raccoon from the North America. Our kids love solving the puzzle with little hints and clues from the parents, whilst learning about the new animals along the way. I love how innovative, whimsical, and educational this puzzle is! 

(3) Material & Quality - George Luck puzzles are made of sustainably sourced timber, with child-safe, non-toxic and water based finishes. They are aesthetically pleasing and done with beautiful craftsmanship. They are timeless collectibles that will be loved and treasured from one generation to the next. 

We need more of such beautiful things in life! 

[This review was first written and published in Instagram on 9 January 2022] 

Where to buy this: (unknown) 

Enjoy the video! 

Honeycombs, By Go Games Inc - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Innovative "dominoes" styled game but with a "Honeycombs" twist 

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age:  6 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Kids and adults of all ages who love matching games 

Some games are classic, timeless, never goes out of style: - monopoly, chess, snakes and ladders, and (if I may add a modern addition to the list), “Honeycombs” by Go Games Inc. Honeycombs is a game with instant appeal; we love the great fun theme and easy rules that can be learnt within minutes. Thank you Divisible by Zero for providing this to us for a review 🙏 .

Why I love ❤️ this game: 

(1) Unique Matching Game - The set includes 52 hexagonal tiles (i.e. the shape of honeycomb). The rules kind-of remind me of dominoes, save that the pips are now being replaced with exciting honeycomb-related symbols, and the tiles are uniquely six-sided. First, divide the tiles equally amongst the players. The object is to “connect” the tiles by matching the symbols at the edges. I love that there are no complex rules to memorise or follow. Each of the tile has different combinations of symbols, so we will always end up using different strategies, assembling different formations. I love the honeycomb-related symbols: bumble bee, honeypot, honey dipper, bee hive, flowers, brown bear. This game is fun, (deceptively) simple, and therapeutically calming (especially when you are playing solo at your own quiet pace). 

(2) Different Ways to Play - I love that this game can “grow” with the kids. Our boy first played with this game 2 years back when we borrowed it from our local toy library. At that time, he did the “easy” / unofficial way by creating mainly a single chain of tiles, matching to only 1 or 2 sides maximum. He now enjoys the more “challenging” variant, with points accumulation, and always aiming for at least 2 to 3 matched-connections. 

(3) Special Power Tiles - We love the “special power tiles” that really spice up the game! There are tiles with “double points”, that “steal a turn”, give an “extra turn”, and my personal favourite - the “wild tile” (that gives us the power to choose 1 symbol on the tile and make it match-able with anything). 

(4) Quality & Drawing Bag - We love the “hard porcelain” feel of the tiles - thick, durable, make an addictive “click-clack” sound when being stacked together. I also love the yellow, travel-friendly drawstring storage bag that looks cheekily like a bee hive. 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.thetherapystore.com.au/product/honeycombs/ (Australia) 

Enjoy the video! 

Feeding and Grooming Pet Care Play Set, By Melissa & Doug - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Toys teaching us how to take care of pets 

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  3 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Parents/ kids who want to learn the "basics" of what it involves to care for our animal friends. 

One thing I love most about Melissa & Doug is that it almost ALWAYS has the most COMPLETE pretend play toys, with plenty of interactive activities included. This Feeding and Grooming Pet Care Play Set is pretty awesome and I absolutely love how it keeps the kids curious and engaged. 

Why I love ❤️ this toy: 

(1) 24 Items - This 24-piece collection includes a fantastic range of items to allow the kids to experience the multitude of chores to take care of our animal friends. The kids get to personalise two polyester collars with peeled-off name stickers for our little pets. Next up, set up the feeding mat with cute paw prints pattern, and get ready with the food bowls, cause it’s meal time for our cuddly and snuggly plush puppy and kitty! Star-shaped biscuit treats in resealable plastic bag, mould of cat food contained in a can with removable lid, dog food treat with a green “cereal” cardboard box. After a large meal, it’s grooming time with clipper, nail trimmer, brush with hard and thick bristles, and a squeezable shampoo bottle! I love how the set has the necessary accessories to care for our two furry friends for exciting imaginative play moments! 

(2) Electronic Clipper & Others - The biggest hit for this set is definitely the vibrating clipper that can be activated with a pull of string. We also love the extra touches on the food packagings; the daily feeding chart for different sizes of dogs printed on the box, the “purr-fectly” delicious can of treats made with “all natural ingredients”. The nail trimmer is a pair of blunt scissors-like, child-friendly clipper. I love all these little details! 

(3) Educational - This toy is educational and teaches kids about responsible pet ownership. I love the reusable double-sided checklist for daily care and grooming options; wash and fluff, trim and style, nail trimming, or full pet spa day? I love that this is a fun learning toy that teaches kids about pet care! 

(4) Quality - The quality of the toys are generally great. I would have preferred if the cardboard box and resealable bag were made of something more durable, but other than that, I think this set is pretty marvellous. 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.melissaanddoug.com/

Enjoy the video! 

Numberblocks MathLink Cubes 11-20 Activity Set, by hand2mind - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Mathematics Cubes that can be transformed into Numberblocks characters 11 to 20! 

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age:  3 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Numberblocks fans!!! 

Confession time: 🤫 I secretly enjoy watching cartoons with my kids (despite all my constant nagging of “no more screen time for the day” while dragging the two reluctant kids away from TV). There are quite a few educational and wittily funny animated programmes these days, and one of my personal favourites is hands down Numberblocks! I previously wrote a review about the 1-10 Activity Set. Today, I’m going to talk about another awesome hand2mind product, kindly gifted by Clover Street - “Numberblocks MathLink Cubes 11-20 Activity Set”! 

Why I love ❤️ this toy: 

(1) Numberblocks 11 to 20 - Now, don’t get me wrong, we love our 1 to 10 characters (who can resist the cute as a button “One” and Lucky “Seven”), but 11 and 20 are seriously of another “level” (like, literally). This set has everything you need to transform the cubes into Numberblocks 11 to 20. There are a total of 156 cubes, 52 Faceplates (smooth pieces), 44 Stickers, 10 Numberlings (clear plates with numbers), 10 Character Cards, and special accessories that go with the characters. We think the green helmet and rainbow striped skateboard of “14” are super cool. We love clicking the purple top hat on “20”, and we have so much giggling time sticking “paint splatters” on “17”. We can also “shapeshift” the characters into different formations, just like in the show! 

(2) Wipeable Activity Cards - Also included are 15 double-sided, reusable activity cards, an activity guide, and a wipeable pen. We recognise a few familiar scenes from the shows, including “Ten’s Place” the gym where 10 to 15 were seen doing their number workout, double-7 skate around with 14, and 17 the artist painting his masterpiece. We love these memorable moments from our favourite episodes! 

(3) Maths Learning Aids - Once you take away the faceplates, Numberlings and other accessories, these cubes can be used just like any other mathematics manipulative. Like usual, each side of the cube has a cutout of shape (either triangle, square, or pentagon), and can be clicked-together and linked-up from all sides to build different models and structures. They are fantastic and versatile educational resources that can be used for many purposes! 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

Little Blossoms Toys (Australia) 

Enjoy the video! 

Cupcake Set, By Green Toys - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Eco-friendly cupcake set made of recycled plastic

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  2 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Kids who love imaginative pretend play / and Parents looking for eco-friendly toys

There is something unique about Green Toys, that “plastics” but not quite your usual plastic material, that environmental mission driving the brand’s direction and creation of each toy and product. This Green Toys™ Cupcake Set has been bringing loads of “pretend-party-and-tea” joy to our kids. I’m really loving the design and that distinct soft texture belonging purely to Green Toys. 

 

Why I love ❤️ this toy: 

(1) Mix & Match Cupcakes - This set comes with a beautiful circular cupcakes stand, 15 mix-and-match cupcake pieces consist of 5 each of the frosting, cakes and cupcake liners parts; stack them up in a right combination, you get five cupcakes of different flavours and colour arrangements. The kids lovingly came up with a menu with exquisite options like Bubblegum-raspberry with pear and lemon frosting, banana cake topped with “sushi-rice” whipped cream. 🤦🏻‍♀️ I love the sweet pastel colour range of beige-cream, soft-flamingo-pink, and a slightly brighter bumblebee-yellow. The pieces stacked-up and fit nicely, forming five separate cupcakes with lovely swirly tops. This is one fantastically-made role-playing high tea set that can also train up fine motor stacking skills of young kids. 

(2) Cupcake Stand - I really love the single-tiered round cupcake stand with individuals “seats” that can securely hold all the five cupcakes. I also love the cute handle at the top. The toy is lightweight, so the kids can safely carry the stand around with all the cupcakes snugly seated within. I love how it makes such a great display of sweet treats whilst also serves as a neat storage component for all the separable cupcake pieces. 

(3) Eco-Consciousness - As per usual Green Toys standard, the set is made in the USA from 100% recycled plastic milk containers, and packaged with recycled and recyclable materials printed with soy inks. I love the entire concept and commitment of Green Toys, where each product represents a diversion from landfill. 

(4) Safety Compliant - I also love that the toy contains no BPA, phthalates or PVC; meets FDA food contact standards, safe and durable, easy to clean and dishwasher safe. 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.greentoys.com/

Enjoy the video! 

Time Tables Jigsaw Puzzles, By Knowledge Builder - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Innovative resources to learn multiplication in a FUN way! 

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age:  7 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Kids who are learning multiplication, or who want to discover interesting patterns/ strategies about multiplying numbers! 

Mathematics used to be THE subject that I dreaded most; it was dull, confusing, and had too many “rigid memorising” that didn’t make much sense to me back in school. I am truly grateful to Knowledge Builder for sending me this “Time Tables Jigsaw Puzzles”, and opening my eyes to the colourful patterns hidden in numbers that I never knew existed! 

Why I love ❤️ this set: 

(1) 4 Jigsaw Puzzles - Included are 4 sets of 27-piece jigsaw puzzles - each can be assembled into a multiplication table in grid format which shows us the strategies, patterns and relationships of the numbers using colours! The first puzzle shows us that the order in which numbers are multiplied does not change the answer (eg 7x5 is same as 5x7, the two “35” in the grid are both in orange and placed diagonally to each other, separated by a purple “boundary”). I love that it uses a simple technique to demonstrate something that should be a “common sense” but so easily missed! 

(2) Discover Patterns - The puzzles encourage the kids to ask questions and find out the “pattern”. In the second puzzle, all the “0” are in red (showing us the pattern of “any number multiples by zero equals zero”). The time table for 1 is highlighted in orange (demonstrating the simple rule that “any number multiplied by one remains the same”). 

(3) Doubling/ Halving Strategies - The third puzzle teaches us the “doubling” and “halving” strategies by grouping the related time tables in the same colour. For example, multiplications for 2, 4, and 8 are in the pattern of “doubling, doubling and doubling again” (all marked in red), and the 5 times table is essentially the “half” of 10 times table (both in green). 

(4) Interesting Multiplication Facts - The 4th puzzle taught me a new interesting “checking” method. In a 3 x table, the digits in each number always add together to form a pattern of 3,6,9,3,6,9 😱. In 9 x tables, the digits always add up to 9. Again, the patterns are cleverly linked up using colours. 

(5) Colour-Coded - Each of the jigsaw puzzle is colour coded on the reverse to make it easy to identify each set (eg all the pieces belong to the first puzzle are printed in green on the reverse). I also love the sturdy storage box! 

Another awesome product! 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.knowledgebuilder.com.au/product/times-tables-jigsaw-puzzles-toy-products/

Enjoy the video! 

Narrow-Wide Knob Puzzle, By Qtoys - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Wooden knobbed puzzle 

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  2 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Parents looking for light-weight and portable learning puzzle for young kids 

Remember the classic Montessori knobbed cylinders and the fun little game of “sensing” our way around numerous wooden cylinders of varied measurements in diameters, heights, weights, and sizes? This “Narrow-Wide Knob Puzzle” by Qtoys is a reinvented version of the Montessori learning tool, and we are absolutely loving it! 

Why I love ❤️ this toy: 

(1) Narrow To Wide - I love how QToys modified the traditional knobbed cylinders, and made it into a flat, light-weight, and easily portable (5x15x28cm) puzzle with 6 removable pieces, ranging from the “narrow”, in-between and medium, to the “wide”. I love how chunky the pieces are. The round button-styled knobs are perfect for training up the pincer grasp skill of young kids. My two-year-old enjoys sorting and matching the pieces to fit into their corresponding slots. I love that the simple puzzle encourages “self-correcting”; kids get to figure out the correct positions through multiple trials and errors, logical thinking, and process of elimination. This is a beautiful toy for young age to learn about the concept of narrow and wide, distinguish varying sizes, polish up their visual discrimination and hand-eye coordination. I love that this is a “solvable” puzzle, not too difficult, but with a hint of challenge for toddlers. 

(2) Colours - I love that the colour of the puzzle pieces changes progressively, from a darker shade to a lighter grade. I like the very calming and gender-neutral  lawn green colour of varying gradient. 

(3) Materials- All QToys are made of plantation timber using non-toxic, child-safe and recycled materials. This quality knob puzzle is solid, durable, and natural. I love that Qtoys aims to work toward zero waste target, and how it emphasises on the eco-friendly value, and complies with the strictest global safety standards. I love that each of the product is crafted with immeasurable passion and love, with the planet and environment in mind. 

This is an awesome product! 

Where to buy this: 

Qtoys 

Enjoy the video!