Mar 24 2015

Why your child NEEDS a My Horsey Toy

Posted on March 24, 2015 by admin

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Hobby horses have undergone somewhat of a resurgence recently. Whereas my generation saw an influx of plastic fantastic back in the 80′s and hobby horses gave way to ride-on toys, increasingly we’re seeing mums and dads return to nostalgic toys for their little ones.

As gorgeous as they are, the traditional hobby horse was always going to be a contentious toy in our house. Dexter has an annoying habit of flinging toys around and, let’s face it, he can inflict far more damage with a hobby horse than he can with a train set! Add to this the fact our television is a whopper and it lives on a cabinet rather than the wall, and you have what could be a recipe for disaster.

Yet Dexter loves role play, and he’s forever pointing out horses on the television. When Bullseye (of Toy Story fame) comes on the screen he’s like a teenage girl at a One Direction concert - he simply loves him. 11000588_10152676292127190_248974656549939631_n So when I saw this adorable horsey toy made in the UK by a lovely lady called Ellen Clarke, I immediately got in contact. 100% fabric, this toy has no sticks or unwieldy wood to get in the way of a great gallop! Lucky for us Ellen consented to us undertaking a review. I kid you not, it’s probably the most fun I’ve had reviewing an item ever.

The best review item I’ve ever received. I’ve had so many comments and admiring glances from parents and grandparents - everyone I come into contact with, wants one.

There are 5 different types of horse to choose from, but the basic premise of all of them is the same. You strap the horse (much like an apron) around your child’s waist and secure with velcro. Over their bum, a bushy tail hangs down, and around their waist sits the horse’s head. There are faux leather reins for your child to hold, and then they’re off!

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It’s like a cuddly toy you can wear. The tail and mane are super tactile and, if your monkey is anything like mine, they’ll clutch onto the head for dear life as they race around. It’s superb quality and has been a HUGE hit with Dexter. In fact, it’s even had the additional bonus of encouraging him to keep his hands to himself when we’re out and about - he’s been known to race into newsagents and pinch Cadbury’s Creme Eggs… Sigh.

Not only is this 100% safe for your toddler, it’s also supremely comfortable for your little jockey. Even when Dex drops the reins, the horse head is not big enough to impede his walking. When he’s not using it, it folds away to tiny proportions making it a fab toy for when you’re on the go!

“Gallopy” (as he’s become known) is great for encouraging imaginative play and independence. Although I can’t ever claim Dex is shy, he does panic in strange situations and become introverted. Gallopy is Dexter’s sidekick and makes him feel more confident playing on his own - that can only be a good thing!

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The only improvement I can think of is that Gallopy is only available in white. It would be really great to see him in darker colours to hide dirt marks. It goes without saying he’s hand wash only, so he can be a slight pain to clean.

Starting from just £15.99 (+£4.50 for personalisation) it’s an absolute BARGAIN and the perfect pressie for an excitable toddler.

To order one yourself, head to the website, or get in touch over Twitter.

Mar 11 2015

Perfect preschool Mother’s Day books by Giles Andreae & Emma Dodd

Posted on March 11, 2015 by admin

Mother’s Day takes on extra special significance when you’re a new mummy. You might be used to buying your own mother luxury hand creams, or taking her out to lunch, but somehow gifts seem just that little bit more thoughtful when they’re from your cashless baby or toddler. Your partner or nursery carer might whip out the Pritt Stick and create a flower montage or homemade card with smudgy fingerprints and you’ll stash them away in a memory box to fawn over when your innocent preschooler evolves into a stroppy teenager.

If dad does decide to part with some of his hard-earned cash, it’s a good idea to buy mum something that will last well beyond her special day. A book she can read with her little one fits the bill as it’ll endure for years to come. Better yet, story-time serves to strengthen their bond even further.

Giles Andreae’s and Emma Dodd’s I Love My Mummy sums up the special bond between mum and baby perfectly. Told in simple rhyming text, it takes your little one through their day from start to finish, hitting on all those everyday, almost insignificant, moments they share with their mummy.

I like to watch her brush her hair,

And dance round in her underwear.

I love the vibrancy of Emma Dodd’s pictures and the fact they support the text so unambiguously. Toss in the simple, uncomplicated and even witty text and it’s fun to read, and easy for your child to learn through repetition. As the 2010 winner of the Booktrust Early Years Awards, this sweet and charming book has long been regarded as a must-have for the nursery shelf.

Now, in time for Mother’s Day 2015, the duo have come together again and introduced I Love my Granny. Packed with even more witty rhyming anecdotes to make grandmas smile and children giggle, it’s an instant hit and one we’ll be giving to Craig’s mum for never-ending rounds of story-time with her not so insignificant brood of 6 grand children!

She knows a lot more things than me,

But then she’s lived for ages, see?

There’s plenty in both books to make mum, dad, and grandparents snigger too - Giles Andreae knows just how to appeal to us with his cheeky sentimentality. It’s everything a good book should be.

And when it’s time to say goodbye.

My Granny does a little sigh…

And says, although we’ve had such fun

… it’s nice to give me back to Mum.

To buy in time for Mother’s Day, head to HachetteChildrens.co.uk or follow them on Twitter on Facebook for details of new releases that might inspire your little reader!

Giles Andreae & Emma Dodd; I Love My Mummy; ISBN 9781408328781 - £6.99 paperback

Giles Andreae & Emma Dodd; I Love My Granny; ISBN 9781408335918 - £6.99 paperback / £11.99 hardback

Mar 6 2015

The all new SpaceSaver Jumperoo from Fisher Price

Posted on March 6, 2015 by admin

It’s no secret that we’ve jumped on the Jumperoo wagon and are holding on for dear life. This is the holy grail of baby products and arguably the most iconic nursery toy EVER. We rely on this noisy and garish monstrosity, almost as much as we rely upon Cadbury’s Creme Eggs as a reward for good behaviour at a doctor’s appointment. Ugly and cumbersome as it is, it allows us vital hands-free time to shower, wash dishes and achieve other feats of hygiene that qualify us as human beings as well as parents.

Yet when there isn’t a bouncing bum it’s fabric harness, the Jumperoo does resemble a torture device for children from the 1800s. Its loud colour scheme, metal rods and suspended gait is all-encompassing and would make the Queen’s lounge look untidy. It obstructs the television and you almost feel guilty for having a glass of wine in front of it. Don’t get me wrong, every parent NEEDS one, but it is the bearded lady at a circus.

So wouldn’t it be a miracle if Fisher-Price could make a smaller version? One with all the same features, yet which folds down when not in use? One with narrower dimensions for postage-sized sitting rooms?

Meet the Rainforest SpacesSaver Jumperoo!

Not only does this bad boy boast 4 different height settings, the same comfy machine-washable seat, and 8 new toys for your little one to get their teeth into, it also has an RRP of £82.99 (some £30 cheaper than its big cousin). In fact, this model is currently on sale at Argos at just £64.99 - meaning you can bag a brand new one, for cheaper you than could a secondhand classic Jumperoo from eBay (trust me, these toys hold their value better than a BMW).

But how does it compare?

Well in order for the SpaceSaver Jumperoo to collapse, the front two legs fold in on themselves. This means they’re rigid plastic, and the back component is the only one with flex for bouncing. This means there’s comparatively less “bounce” in the SpaceSaver Jumperoo. This isn’t such a bad thing for smaller babies, but for babies 10m+ it can be a bit of a letdown if they’re used to the bigger version.

Aesthetically, it’s miles better. It’s far less cumbersome and folds down to surprisingly dinky proportions. This is it’s most attractive selling point and one that shouldn’t be downplayed. It makes it easy to stow away at the end of an evening, and perfectly portable for taking around granny’s house. I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say that this will make times away from home far easier for the person caring for your child.

As far as activities go, Heidi is less enamored with the toy selection on the SpaceSaver Jumperoo. All the activities are located at the front of the Jumperoo meaning there’s no opportunity to spin in her seat as there is with its larger cousin. She also finds the activity toys at head height a bit of a stretch to enjoy as they’re too high for her. This leaves her with a light show (with music), a teether toy, a perspex spinner and a few twiddly bits.

It sounds like I’m disappointed, and I am if I compare to all the fancy toys on the bigger version. That said, there’s all that’s needed to encourage fine finger dexterity, motor skills and basic problem solving (how to make the sounds come on etc). If your baby hasn’t experienced the joys of the classic Jumperoo, they’ll be perfectly happy with what’s on offer here.

As with the traditional version, there are four height adjustments so the SpaceSaver Jumperoo can grow with your child. Although these toys are built to last, I’d say they’re best suited to babies between 6-12 months when they’re happily crawling and sitting unaided, but not yet walking. Fisher-Price say this model is suitable for children up to 81cm tall and 12kg but I’d question if there is enough to sustain Heidi’s interest now she’s dabbling with walking. I agree however that it’s roomy enough to accommodate a bigger tot.

Which would I buy?

Getting right down to it, which version impresses me more? Well I like the portability of the SpaceSaver and loves the way it looks compared to the classic Jumperoo. For smaller babies, there’s enough to blow their mind and give you a few precious hands-free moments. One thing I haven’t yet mentioned is that it’s also far quieter than the bigger one as there’s less clatter of toys when baby bounces. It also feels, to me, much sturdier, and is a cinch to assemble and collapse. It also offers unbeatable value for money and will retain it’s resale value like most Fisher-Price toys.

However, given both Dexter and Heidi have experienced the classic version, I can’t state strongly enough what a tour de force it is for curious young minds. Both children happily spent 30mins+ bouncing away whilst watching In the Night Garden. They love the fact they can spin in their chair and there are three different “toy stations” to explore. If you can get past it’s ugliness, and have the extra money to spend (RRP £109.99), you won’t be disappointed with the purchase.