Thursday 29 September 2016

Review - Hape Space City

Hape Space City


Hape Quadrilla is a High Quality Wooden Marble Run Construction System. It provides endless creative building possibilities and encourages spatial think and problem solving. This 176-piece set includes marbles and glow in the dark accents for galactic racing. Each of the different colour blocks has a different function and it’s the world’s only kinetic marble run.

Inside the box:



The box contains 176 pieces and an instruction booklet with several different options to build, our 10yr old reviewer could easily follow the instructions and build the sets.

The sets do require some problem solving from the children as they build them, the blocks need to be placed in the correct position for the marbles to run through. Both the 7yr old and older child were keen to work together to solve this and we were pleasantly surprised that they didn't get frustrated but this element seemed to hold their attention.



Once the set was built they got to work racing their marbles and they really enjoyed playing together, the cat also seemed to find the experience very entertaining and sat and watched the marbles for ages which the children found hilarious!




When the girls decided to build a different design they added all the glow in the dark stickers which they placed carefully onto the pieces. When it became dark the turned off the lights and using the glow in the dark marbles which they loved. our photo wasn't great but this one shows how great the set looks in the dark.



The set states it's recommended for ages 6-12 years and we think this is a good guide. It's well built and will last a long time, we love wooden toys and this one has something different about it that captures the attention of the children. As with every other Hape Quadrilla Marble Run Construction Set, it combines easily with other Hape Quadrilla products for easy expansion and unique combinations that will enhance your child's play experience.

Hape Space City is available from Amazon for £120






Monday 26 September 2016

Win tickets to Marty MacDonald's Toy Machine at Regent Christchurch




A brand new show featuring the voices of CBeebies’ Justin Fletcher and Nicole Davis
as Pongo the Pig and Molly-Moo the Cow - from the team who brought you Marty MacDonald’s Farm!

Following their sell out success last October with Marty MacDonald’s Farm, Honalee Media return with their latest show, Marty MacDonald’s Toy Machine, for the October Half Term holiday and it is on at the Regent in Christchurch on Thursday 27 October 2.30pm.

Everyone at Marty MacDonald’s Farm is delighted with the special delivery that’s arrived – the Toy Machine that makes all of the toys in the world! But then they realise that Crafty the Crow has been up to mischief and it shouldn’t really be there at all… Worse still, the machine has stopped working, so they need to fix it before the Toymaker comes to get it back!

Join Marty, Sally the Scarecrow, Pongo the Pig, Molly-Moo the Cow and Sheena the Sheep in a fun, musical, interactive adventure to repair the Toy Machine, save the day and give the world back its toys! This brand new show features the voices of CBeebies’ Justin Fletcher and Nicole Davis as Pongo the Pig and Molly-Moo the Cow

Songs include:
Head, Shoulders, Knees And Toes, The Wheels On The Bus, The Hokey Cokey, The Grand Old Duke Of York, Mary Mary Quite Contrary, Old MacDonald Had A Farm and many more! We use Makaton™ signing with our singing so everyone can join in!
www.makaton.org

Marty MacDonald's Toy Machine is a fun, interactive, song-filled adventure, set on a colourful farmyard and featuring a host of lovable puppet characters. It's family show particularly suitable for 2 – 7 year olds, lasts for 80 minutes (including a 15-minute interval)
and has a special cast meet & greet after the performance. www.martymacdonaldsfarm.co.uk

We have a family ticket for four to giveaway - 
Good luck!

Monday 12 September 2016

Poole Libraries are making homework heavenly

For those children struggling with spelling, muddling along in maths, hating history, or simply looking for a great environment to learn, there is somewhere to go.
Available during school term times, Poole Libraries free homework clubs are for all children, but specifically those aged 8-14 years old.
The clubs, located at libraries across the borough, offer a safe and friendly environment to work in, with help-on-hand from library staff to access books and find information. There is free use of computers, with internet access, as well as free photocopies and print-outs, and high quality online resources linked directly from the Borough of Poole website.
All Online resources can be accessed any time, from home or school and include fantastic sites such as BBC Bitesize Revision, Britannica Spotlights, and Oxford Reference.
To kick off the Autumn term, there will be a special Homework Club promotion beginning on 26th September, with Homework Club showcases happening in all libraries. Parents, pupils and teachers can come along to find out what local Homework Clubs can offer, as well as enjoying fun quizzes and refreshments.  All showcase events are listed in the Sep- Dec 'What's On' brochure, available now in libraries and online.
Homework Clubs are not just for kids either. Any adults who have a few hours a week to spare, are invited to volunteer to run a club. Helping young people have a bright future, and making a positive impact on children’s lives, volunteers will be helping children with homework questions, finding resources, and enjoying homework. More information about volunteering, and the Homework Club, can be found at all local libraries, and on the Borough of Poole website. 


Homework Club Showcases :
Monday 26th September
: Branksome, 3.45- 4.45pm Canford Cliffs, 4.30-5.30pm Creekmoor, 4.30-5.30pm Oakdale, 3.30-4.30pm Parkstone, 3.30- 4.45pm

Tuesday 27th September
: Poole Central, 3.30-5pm

Wednesday 28th September
: Hamworthy, 3- 4.30pm, Rossmore, 3- 4.30pm

Thursday 29th September
: Broadstone, 3- 4.30pm, Canford Heath, 3- 4.30pm