Goldilocks Puzzle, By Doron Layeled - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Wooden puzzle with characters from "Goldilocks"

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️  

Recommended age:  3 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Vintage wooden puzzle collectors / this is a nice beginner puzzle for young kids 

I love wooden puzzles, especially the artistically-designed types that evoke a sense of nostalgia! Doron Layeled has a wide selection of beautifully-made wooden puzzles that look absolutely impressive, and it’s hard not to fall in love with them. Today, I’m going to talk about this large-sized “Goldilocks” puzzle that my three-year-old really loves! 

Why I love ❤️ this toy: 

(1) Based on the Story of Goldilocks - This puzzle is based on a well-loved story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. The fairy-tale is instantly recognisable: mischievous little Goldilocks in a cute red dress, a family of bears marching home after a stroll in the woods, furniture of three different sizes, bowls of porridge on table, adorable cottage with chimney. The characters, chairs and beds are removable from the board as puzzle pieces, and I love the very thoughtful “channel” at the bottom of the board where the puzzle pieces can be displayed vertically. I love that the puzzle is based on a familiar fairy tale that all kids can easily recognise! 

(2) Big Round Knobs - I love puzzle pieces with big round knobs. Young kids can train up their pincer grasp skills. The knobbed puzzles are kids-friendly and easy to be handled by small little hands. I love that the puzzle only has 9 removable pieces, making this an easy puzzle challenge perfect for beginners! 

(3) Wooden Material - I love the wooden material and the very durable base of the puzzle. This puzzle is gigantic, perhaps a little inconvenient in size, heavy in weight, yet so durable and possesses such beautiful heirloom quality. This is a really fantastic puzzle, probably more suitable for daycares or schools due to the extra large size, but definitely something that can last for great many years or generations. 

(4) Vintage & Heirloom Quality - The puzzle looks vintage, bright,  colourful, and so aesthetically pleasing. I really love how adorable the characters are, and the thick black outline accentuates the simplicity and child-like feel of the puzzle! 

Where to buy this: 

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

Enjoy the video! 

Botley 2.0 Coding Robot, By Learning Resources - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Coding robot for young kids!  

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  5 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Parents/ young kids who are looking for a smart coding / STEM/ screen-free technology / robotic toy with BIG potential! 

Our local toy library has a first generation Botley, and it has always been the boy’s favourite item to bring home (if we are lucky enough - because Botley is super popular and is always “on loan”.). Thanks to Clover Street, we have now officially “adopted” a Botley 2.0 Coding Robot from Learning Resources ! We are OVER THE MOON, and I can’t wait to tell you more about this smart robot that has just joined our family! 

Why I love ❤️ this toy: 

(1) Learn Coding / Pre-Programming - Botley is a coding robot for kids as young as 5. The set comes with a 6-directional “remote programmer”. BUT, this is not your usual remote control - It doesn’t give us “instant satisfaction” or free movement command. To make Botley moves and performs tricks, we need to plan ahead and key in the instructions in advance. And that’s exactly what sets Botley apart from most RC monster trucks / robots in market. Kids can learn about sequencing, creating algorithms, and pre-programming. Botley is screen-free, meaning, no iPad or tablet or any downloadable app is needed. The kit includes other accessories such as removable “head gears”, detachable arms, coding cards, obstacle pieces etc. The new Botley can follow a sequence of up to 150 steps (130 steps for previous version), and perform a new skill of “45-degree turns”. It can push a ball around, navigate a maze, detect and avoid obstacles (with OD sensor).

(2) Night Vision & Light Up In The Dark - Botley 2.0 has night vision and light up eyes. We love to devise our visually-colourful light-show. There is also a “ghost” mode (with cute sound effect and “spooky” blue light in the dark) when we key in the secret code. 

(3) Pre-Set "Secret" Codes - The instruction guidance has pre-set codes that can transform Botley into a police car (with blaring siren), choo-choo train, shark attack (with bubbling water sound), stomping dinosaur and many more! Our favourite is the hilarious “yikes” mode - Botley would funnily roll away in “disgust” no matter what random item we placed in front of it. 

(4) Follow The Black Line - I love the “line mode”. Botley has sensor that can detect black line on white paper and it would scoot gracefully along the line (the kit includes 6 white boards with lines for this fun experiment!). 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

The Creative Toy Shop (Australia) 

OfficeMax (New Zealand)

Enjoy the video! 

Foursite 3D, By IQideas - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Unique 3D pyramid-shaped board game   

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  5 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Board game lovers (adults and kids), especially those that love 3D and uniquely-designed game components  

“Foursite 3D” by IQideas is a game with perfect three-dimensional tetrahedron. This game is a rare gem - attention-gripping, classy, and entertaining! I’m really grateful to Divisible by Zero for providing us a copy for review! 

Why I love ❤️ this game: 

(1) Unique 3D Game Board - This is a natural favourite for any geometric lover and anyone who can’t resist iconic 3D game components. We love the three-sided triangular board and that cube-by-cube “build-it-up” rules. We need to constantly remind ourselves to watch out and look at the “entire picture as a whole” - you can never be sure what’s going on at the “other side” of the  pyramid surface that is not immediately visible to you! First, we set up the the base by placing a randomised layer of 28 red cubes on it. Next, each player takes turn to put a natural block (another 28 of them) in triangular grid, stacking them up into a pyramid. The aim is to position the cubes in such a way to get the most rows of our “chosen symbol” (cross, square, or circle - at least 4 in a row) across the 3 pyramid surfaces. The game reminds me of a mix of  Tic-Tac-Toe, Qubic, and pyramid cube - BUT, with its special twist and uniqueness. 

(2) Strategy Game + Random Starting Combinations - I love that the game incorporates a mixture of skill and luck elements. I love how delightfully simple the rules are that even young kids (like my six-year-old) can learn it within minutes. It’s easy (and addictive) to “scramble” the cubes and set-up the game. The random arrangement of the base means we get an almost infinite possibilities of “starting” combinations for each round.There is a fair bit of strategising involved, but it never gets too overwhelmingly complex. This is an ideal social and family game - short and sweet, pleasant but with depth. 

(3) Great Wooden Components - I love the components - the wooden base and cubes are solids and sturdy. I love the mysterious maroon colour of the board and its clever design with indents for the blocks to be placed. The shimmery and pearlescent appearance of the symbols is a really great touch. This is a game that is durable enough to grow with the kids, and would continue to challenge and entertain us for many years to come! 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

http://www.iqideas.com/default.aspx (Website) 

http://www.dbzonline.com.au (Wholesale, Australia) 

Call Divisible by Zero to purchase a copy: (03) 9388 9902 (Australia) 

Enjoy the video! 

Avatar RC Deluxe Banshee, Zing Toys - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Remote-controlled drone toy with Avatar Banshee design!   

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  8 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Anyone (adults and kids) who love cool stuffs / drone toys/ technology-advanced toys 

It’s not an everyday thing that we get to test out impressive cool drones with cutting-edge features. I was NERVOUS like a child meeting Santa when I received this Avatar RC Deluxe Banshee from Zing Toys. Equipped with “integrated bionics, aerodynamics, and precision machinery technology” - this toy provides loads of incredible fun! 

Why I love ❤️ this toy: 

(1) Realistic & Bird-Like Flying Movement - How can anyone resist this gorgeous, dragon-like banshee from the visually-stunning Avatar? What captured me immediately is the realistic and rapid wings-flapping movement. It feels natural, bird-like, amazingly real. It replicates the flying motion of a bird - it soars through the air in perfect straight-line, circles gracefully, makes a U-turn in beautiful agility, maintains its altitude (with either height limit mode or free-to-play mode), elegantly avoids obstacles with its 6-axis sensor, and can travel up to 200ft away. I love the complex azure blue appearance and intricate patterns that uniquely belongs to this majestic creature from Pandora. 

(2) Easy To Control - I was genuinely surprised when I saw my six-year-old gently tossed and controlled the movement of the banshee with such ease. I didn’t expect to see so many thrilling tricks, all within the command of a few buttons - speed adjustment of flapping-wings, roaring sound-effect, changing of directions, “emergency” landing, and many other manoeuvres. The greatest thing is - we get to run around outdoor (yes, exercise!), chasing the banshee and picking it up from wherever it landed. 

(3) Light Weight & Durable - The Banshee is light-weight, with slightly pliable frame for the wings, adjustable tail (for manual speed adjustment), and kite-like soft fabric feature to withstand multiple “crashing” or any aggressive play. Our flying practices involve many uncontrolled downward-divings, and we can testify the durability of this toy. 

(4) Rechargeable Batteries - Included within are 2 lithium batteries, USB charger, remote-control, and a mini screwdriver. I love that the Banshee battery is rechargeable (fully recharge within 20 minutes) and provides around 10 minutes of flight time each time. I also love the minimalist cardboard box. 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://zingtoys.com.au/collections/avatar (Australia) 

https://www.zingtoys.co.nz/collections/avatar (New Zealand) 

Enjoy the video! 

The Gruffalo Complete Set with Book, By BAJO - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Wooden characters from the Gruffalo book  

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️  

Recommended age:  18 month-old ++   

Who would love this: Gruffalo / and any Julia Donaldson's fans! 

From time to time, I discovered spectacular gems from my local toy library. I recently found this BAJO “The Gruffalo Complete Set with Book” that I truly LOVE. I did some online “snooping”, and saw that this collection is listed in Oskar's Wooden Ark website. If you are a Gruffalo fan, then this is for you! 

Why I love ❤️ it: 

(1) Wooden Characters from Gruffalo - We love Julia Donaldson’s writings, but “The Gruffalo” is probably not quite our favourite (we prefer books such as “The Baddies” and the heartwarming “The Smeds and the Smoos” more). But when we saw these Gruffalo characters “jumping out” from the book, we were excited! Included are a soft-cover book, and the wooden figurines Gruffalo, Mouse, Fox, Owl, Snake - all crafted and painted matching the images illustrated by Axel Scheffler. Bajo has the licensing rights to exclusively design and produce hand-crafted Gruffalo toys and figurines. Gruffalo has knobby knees with a patch of grey, poisonous wart at end of nose, big goggly orange eyes, and purple prickles all over the back. Our shrewd and cunning mouse might look ordinary, but you can’t miss that twinkly brightness in his eyes! The owl has its wings widely-spread, ready for a sudden attack before it got tricked by the Mouse. The fox has reddish fur, white chest, black-tipped tail, and pointy alert ears. The slithering snake is in minty green with black-brownish marks. It sure is entertaining to retell a story while playing with these instantly-recognisable figurines. The Gruffalo stands up to almost 21cm, and the rest of the characters are chunky and all in good reasonable size for an interactive play-session and imaginative small-world creation! 

(2) Flexible Limbs & Posable - The Gruffalo and the Mouse have moveable, articulated limbs. We can lift and flex the arms and legs, and pose the figures in different ways (standing, sitting, or crouching). The flexible cord tails, and the soft fabric ears of the Gruffalo are some nice tactile touch! 

(3) Material - Bajo products are lovingly crafted in a workshop near Kraków (Poland). Bajo uses 14 different types of timber and non-toxic paint for their toy production, and the toys meet EU and US standards. 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.oskarswoodenark.com.au/collections/bajo-wooden-toys/products/bajo-the-gruffalo-complete-set-with-book (Australia) 

Enjoy the video! 

Bamboo Construct & Roll, By Expore Nook - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Beautifully-crafted bamboo pieces to construct your own ball-run track  

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  3 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Parents/ kids who love open-ended resources for indoor/ outdoor play 

We love dynamic constructions toys involving rolling balls. They are like a personalised playground of our own - offering boundless possibilities and exciting outcomes. “Bamboo Construct & Roll” from Explore Nook is probably one of the most open-ended ball-run sets I have ever seen. I’m loving how it encourages imaginative play and creativity in such unrestrained way! 

Why I love ❤️ it?: 

(1) Design & Construct - Included within are 8 ramp channels, 6 tubular stands, 4 base stands, and 4 upper stands. When I first saw this toy in the website, I wasn’t too sure how the pieces can stay together during a ball-run. I was delighted to discover the little “secrets” behind it - all the tubes and curvy stands are thoughtfully crafted with dowel pegs and holes, so we can simply push and wriggle and connect the pieces. I’m impressed with how sturdy the construction result is; the pieces attached tightly together, and the ramp tracks lean on the upper stands comfortably. The illustrated guide suggests a “basic construction” form, using different number of tubes for height adjustment to create a continuous and descending ramp. But of course, the kids’ imagination always travels beyond the “basic”. They modified the angles and directions, built-up tunnels, “mixed it up” with other loose parts and blocks, and wanted to explore the interaction between the momentum of a fast-rolling ball and spinning wheel. 

(2) Compactly-Packed - The completed structure might seem massive, but once we disconnect the separate pieces, they can be compactly and conveniently packed into a reasonable-size box for easy portability. 

(3) Open-Ended Ball Run Track - The set goes well with anything that “rolls”, including the “3 Large-Sized Wooden Balls” set from Explore Nook (which allows us to test out the varying force, motion, sound, and action produced by 3 sizes of balls). 

(4) Natural Bamboo Material - Each piece is made of 100% natural bamboo that possesses unique DNA and character of its own. The tubular stands have slight differences in diameter and height. The ramp channels have its personal shades and inimitable markings. They are light weight and sustainable, designed in Australia and beautifully-crafted in Vietnam. 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://explorenook.com.au/product/bamboo-construct-and-roll/

Enjoy the video! 

Horse Academy, By SmartGames - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Brainteaser with great fun show-jumping theme!  

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  7 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Anyone (adults or kids) who enjoys logic puzzles / brainteasers 

Seriously, who can ever resist SmartGames and their very ingenious brainteasers? SmartGames are always “above and beyond”, cleverly-done, and set themselves apart with their “storytelling” ability. We recently tested out this “Horse Academy”, kindly gifted by Leisure Learning - we’re now hopelessly hooked! 

Why I love ❤️ this game: 

(1) Horse-Jumping + Connect-A-Path Puzzle - I love it when SmartGames incorporates unique theme into the game components and transformed a logic puzzle into something extraordinary. This “Horse Academy” is a “connecting a path” challenge but with a “horse-jumping” twist (completes with gates, rails, winding routes, rider and a horse). To play this game, choose a challenge and set up the horse and the exit gate at the indicated points. Next, create a path from start to finish, ensuring that the obstacles are placed in the order as shown in the challenge. The best part? Once you completed each challenge, you get to steer the riding horse, hop over the fences through the course (elegantly or clumsily, your choice!), and exit the majestic red and white gate in style. Our boy simply loves this fun little final touch, and I can see why it’s so enchanting! 

(2) Different Difficulty Levels - Like many other SmartGames, there are various difficulty levels for the 80 challenges; from the extremely easy types (simply arrange the obstacles pieces in the sequences as hinted), to the ones that stretch your brainpower a little (the loop / U-turn sort with “fork in the path” and a “go with the flow” rule), to the “Wizard” level that leaves you figuring out the start and end positions! The kids will get to experience the game in different perspective at a different age and mileage of their life. 

(3) Awesome SmartGames Components - The components are the usual SmartGames quality - sturdy, bright, exciting! The game board is a slightly rectangular arena with “openings” at different places (where we can slide-in the exit gate). The 10 obstacle pieces are marked with letters and are easily distinguishable by colours. I also love the sturdy storage box, and the spiral bound challenge booklet with solutions provided (yes, we do “cheat” from time to time, and the solutions are super useful 🤣).

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.leisurelearning.com.au/horse-academy (Australia) 

Enjoy the video! 

Geomag Supercolor Panels Recycled 78 pcs, By Geomag - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Colourful & innovative magnetic construction set  

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  5 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Kids that love to build / and parents who are looking for sustainably-made toys 

Geomag is a true master when it comes to magnetic construction toys. I have not seen a Geomag set that doesn’t excite me so far. We have previously tested out various Geomag sets including its classic magnetic rods and spheres which we genuinely love; this “Geomag Supercolor Panels Recycled 78 pcs” uses similar construction concept, but elevates the experience by adding a touch of vibrancy and strength using innovative building “panels”! 

Why I love ❤️ it: 

(1) Magnetic + Explosion of Colours -  It’s no secret that I have an immense fascination with architectural designs. There is just some inexplicable charm seeing structures built up using basic skeleton frames and connecting joints. What I love most about this set is how it added an element of “facade” to the models using a range of bold colours. Included within are 78 construction pieces - 28 magnetic rods, 20 steel spheres, and 30 interlocking panels in triangle, square and pentagon. Like the other Geomag Classic sets, each of the bar has magnets positioned on both ends, and can be connected using the “metal sphere” being the “joint”. We can build symmetrical geometric structures, or something more “iconic” and unusual. The plastic panels reinforce the structural integrity, and give the models a brand new look with explosion of colours! In other words, we get to build something higher, crazier, and more solid using the panels. 

(2) 100% Recycled Plastic - This product is made of 100% recycled plastic and the packaging is made of 61% recycled materials. Geomag is made in Switzerland, with great quality control, meets the most rigorous European safety standards, and is also environmentally friendly - ticking ✅ all the right boxes again! 

(3) Explore Magnetic Polarity - Like the usual Geomag Classic range, the set allows kids to explore the magic of polarity, demonstrating magnetic interaction between bars and spheres with visual experiments. 

(4) Other Great Features - I love the small-sized and compartmentalised storage cases (which by the way, is also made of 100% recycled plastic) for the rods and spheres. Geomag sets are compatible with each other, which means we can always expand our collection to build something mightier and more magnificent! 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.onlinetoys.com.au/product/geomag-100-recycled-supercolour-panels-78-piece-set (Australia) 

https://www.geomagworld.com/en/classic/supercolor-recycled/ (Website) 

Enjoy the video! 

Wooden Lacing Sneaker, By Melissa & Doug - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Wooden sneaker to practise shoelaces-tying   

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  3 - 6 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Parents looking for a convenient tool for kids to practise shoelaces-tying  

Melissa & Doug has this high-top wooden sneaker that reminds me of the stylish “Chuck Taylor All Star Classic”. This is the Wooden Lacing Sneaker for our young shoe-lacing expert-wannabe. 

Why I love ❤️ this toy: 

(1) Athletic & Retro Design - I am loving the stunning red high-top sneaker with its iconic extending-over-the-ankle design. It has thick natural wood-colour sole for stability, and two rows of 5 large eyelets for lacing. The long and stripy shoe lace intertwined in red and white. The toe cap and back strap are painted in white, and the main part of the sneaker in classic bright red. This shoe is athletic, modern yet retro, casual but full of personalities. 

(2) Shoe-Lacing Milestone - This is a great toy for kids to reach their next milestone of shoe-lacing. I think the most appealing part of this toy is that the kids can now practise tying shoe-laces anywhere they want - on the couch, coffee table, bed … you name it (you probably wouldn’t be able to do that with a real pair of dirty mud-stained shoes). The wide lacing eyelets are perfect for threading, the relatively long string is kid-friendly for getting the bunny ears done - over, under, around, through, and repeat. This toy trains up patience, fine motor skill, self-help skill, encourages independence, and gives the kids a sense of “I can for it!” achievement.

(3) Wooden Material - I love the wooden material. The sneaker is sturdy and a little weighty, stays perfectly in place to allow kids to do their lacing and tying without the frustration of a “flip-around” shoe.

(4) Shoe-lacing Instructions - There is an illustrated shoe-lacing instructions printed at the outsole of the sneaker, which I think is a nice touch (although I don't think it's presented to be "easily comprehensible" enough for young kids). 

Overall, this is a beautiful and durable toy that can last for a long time. The online reviews are generally fantastic. For some reason however, this sneaker doesn’t seem to interest my kids much, and the boy thinks tying his “real shoes” are much more exciting than practising on a wooden one. I have no doubt nevertheless that some kids and parents would find this learning toy useful. 

[This review was first written and published in instagram on 20 February 2022] 

Where to buy this: 

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

Enjoy the video! 

Slide 15, By Funyards Australia - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Classic wooden brainteaser / logic game 

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  6 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Collectors of classic logic puzzles/ brainteasers 

 I love innovative, unique, trendy toys that push boundary and bring pleasant surprises; But I’m equally attracted to the classic, timeless, never-goes-out-of-style type. Funyards Australia has a range of wooden selections that brings back the “old-school” in an heirloom quality style. We recently received this “Slide 15” brainteaser set, and we are loving the quiet simplicity of this game! 

Why I love ❤️ this game: 

(1) Classic Puzzle With Sliding Tiles - This game comes in an unassuming wooden box, containing 16 square tiles (numbered with 1 to 16), divided into a  4 x 4 frame in ascending order from top to bottom and from left to right. The rules can’t be simpler; take out the “16” piece, mix up the numbers randomly. Next, re-arrange the tiles into proper numerical order and sequence by sliding the pieces either horizontally or vertically towards the unoccupied space, one at a time. Depending on how random and mix-up the pieces are, this simple brainteaser can end up being quite deceptively challenging. My six-year-old truly enjoys this game, solving challenges after challenges set up by his three-year-old sister. I love that this game develops critical thinking and problem-solving skill in an entertaining way whilst relaxes the mind (and slows down our pace!). We love the sense of achievement, the satisfaction of getting it right row by row and column by column, learning strategies and figuring out the method through trials and errors. I love that this is a game simple enough for kids, but engaging for adults as well! 

(2) "Add 34" Game Variation - I love how versatile this wooden set is. Apart from the Game of Fifteen, there is another game variation called “Add 34”. For this latter game, remove the pieces from the box and re-arrange the tiles so that the numbers in each horizontal, vertical and diagonal lines would all sum-up to a total of 34. This game is of another level and will definitely bring hours of joy to any brainteaser lover! 

(3) Wooden Material - I love the wooden material and beautiful craftsmanship with smooth finishes. All 16 tiles fit nicely into the wooden box with a lid. The game set is of a good size, not too heavy, perfect for travel or car trip. 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

Funyards Australia 

Enjoy the video! 

Hoppers, By ThinkFun - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Cute brainteaser with hopping-frogs 

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  5 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Brainteaser lovers - kids & adults! 

Hoppers by ThinkFun is a little compact game that is cute and hopping fun! I love the concept of numerous jumping frogs, a square blue pond, 13 lily pads, and many entertaining challenges to solve! 

Why I love ❤️ this game: 

(1) Peg Solitaire Game With Hopping Frogs - Created by the Japanese puzzle master Nob Yoshigahara, Hoppers is a modified cuteness-overload peg solitaire game consists of a small case with game grid and storage drawer, 40 challenge cards with solutions, and 12 hopper frogs. To play the game: first, step up the board by arranging the frogs according to a selected challenge card, then use your awesome brainpower to leap one frog over another in the right sequence and direction by the inscribed lines, whilst removing all frogs that were being jumped over. When you see a last red frog standing, you win the challenge. The rules sound deceptively simple, the game process is extremely fun to watch, the solutions can be puzzling to the extreme, but the excitement and satisfaction of finding the correct moves? Simply priceless! Few extra rules: frogs cannot jump over empty lily pad, and cannot hop over two frogs at a time. This is a fantastic game for any brain teaser and puzzle lovers! 

(2) Components - The components are tiny and well-made. Each lily pad has a special “seat” for the frogs to snugly sit tight. My favourite feature is the slide-able storage compartment for the cards and hopper frogs. The clever design makes Hoppers such an ideal on-the-go game - it’s compact, portable, organised, and so light for easy travel! 

(3) Different Levels of Difficulty - I love that the challenge cards have different levels of difficulties, ranging from easy to super hard. My five-year-old was able to solve the easy level challenges, but he “got stuck” when they get too complicated for his age. I feel that this game can continue to stimulate, inspire and test the kids (and adults) our sequential reasoning and problem-solving skills for many more years to come. I love that the game has such incredible re-play value. 

[This review was first written and published in Instagram on 12 October 2021] 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.thinkfun.com (Website) 

Enjoy the video! 

Rainbow Stacker and Teether Toy, By Jellystone Designs - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Beautifully-designed silicone toy  

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age:  0 month-old ++   

Who would love this: Parents looking for silicone teether that can "grow with the kids" for different development stages. 

 “The Tooth Fairy has an evil twin called the Teething Fairy …. and she’s a bitch.” (quote from unknown) 🤣😭. Yes, it has been quite many years ago for us, but the memory is still VIVID. We used to rely on a teething ring that worked a little miracle (well, at least occasionally) when the horrendous tooth eruption occurred. But, what if the kids can have a teething ring that can “grow” with them and be their faithful companion at different developmental stages? That’s what “Rainbow Stacker and Teether Toy” from Jellystone Designs is all about! 

Why I love ❤️ this toy: 

(1) 5 Different Textures - At a glance, you might think this is “just another silicone stacking toy”; but it’s MUCH MORE than what it seems! I was immediately attracted to the 5 very different textures of the stacking ring. The biggest purple piece reminds me of a “steering gear” from a pirate ship, with ridges and grooves that gives it an uneven “bumpy” touch. The blue piece features a bracelet of beads, and the medium green piece has shape of stars raised slightly at the side. The yellow piece is a pretty little ring of “daisy flower”, and the smallest orange piece has cute chunky handle and a simple round design. I love how “sensory” and visually stimulating they are. 

(2) Colours + Numbers - Apart from “Rainbow Bright”, this teething stacker also comes in other colours range: Ocean, Pastel, Earth, and Dusty. Our three-year-old (who has just started recognising numeral symbols) was delighted when she realised each layer of the stacker is numbered - the top orange piece has the numeral “1” on the handle, and the rest of the layers each has a number (2 to 5, ascending is size) at the centre. 

(3) Sensory Toy + Stacker - Apart from being a soothing chewy toy for teething babies, this is also a tactile sensory toy and a stacker for hand-eye coordination. The best part? Each of the pieces can easily connect to another ring, so you can be creative with the stacking and make a different pile of rings each time! I also can’t wait to check out its use as beach and bath toys. This is one awesome, versatile product! 

(4) Silicone Material - Jellystone uses FDA approved silicone; the products are BPA-free, non-toxic, freezer safe, and dishwasher safe. 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://jellystonedesigns.com.au/collections/best-sellers/products/rainbow-stacker-and-teether-toy

Enjoy the video! 

Travel Bug (Australia Edition), By Travel Bug Game - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Board game with a "travel-around-Australia" theme  

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age:  6 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Kids & adults who love strategy games, especially one with a travel-related / or Australia theme 

You know a game has done it right when your kid keeps requesting to play with it again and again, and couldn’t stop talking about “that game where you get to travel all around Australia!” 🤣 We recently received the Travel Bug Game (Australia) for a review, and let me just say: this game is a BLAST! 

Why I love ❤️ this game: 

(1) Travel Around Australia In Minutes - it’s not a common thing that we get to “travel” around Australia, choosing our preferred mode of transportation, and collecting souvenirs, without a care of logistic planning or money. “Travel Bug” makes our dream comes true - combining laughter, family time, geographic-learning, and hint of competitiveness (earn points to win), all in one game. To set up the game, spread out the Australian map game board, arrange the tokens, get ready the souvenir cards, draw your “Home City”, and distribute the “travel cards”. On each turn, players need to perform up to 4 different steps (optional card exchange, travel, collect souvenirs, and pick up 2 travel cards). Our six-year-old learned heaps about Australia in a short span of time; we talked about the “Twelve Apostles” in Victoria, Uluṟu in Northern Territory, and local flora and fauna (eg Tawny Frogmouth, Echidna, Gouldian Finch, and Blue Gum). We get to fly from Hobart to Darwin, ride a train to Alice Spring, drive a 4WD to Melbourne, and take a ship to Broome, all within “minutes”!

(2) Competitive + Cooperative - I love the elements of strategy and “working together” incorporated in the game. From time to time, players need negotiate a “win-win” card swap (eg you need a “Ship” card to get out of Tasmania from Devonport, but you would need as many 4WD cards as possible to navigate your way around WA). 

(3) Game With Twists - I love the little “twists” that make this game entertaining. Our boy loves tossing the “Travel Bug” coin that can earn (or cost) him 5 points; he also loves the “Try Your Luck Card” that acts like a “Chance” card in Monopoly (beware of flood or bushfire!). 

(4) Quality Components - The game components are beautiful. I love the light weight fabric game board that can be folded into a compact size. I love that everything can be snugly fit into a small box for easy portability. 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.travel-bug-game.com/product/travel-bug-australian-edition-game/

Enjoy the video!