Gifts for children – Page 3 – The Review Studio

The Moon Tarot Cross Stitch Kit

Birthday Gifts, Children, Christmas, Family Life, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, secret santa, Stocking Fillers

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

If you are looking for a cracking gift for the creative person in your life or a relaxing new hobby for yourself, a cross stitch kit from Innocent Bones is a great place to start. Modern, stylish designs combine craft with art for both beginners and more experienced sewers, offering a mindful and rewarding experience that creates an artwork you can display in your home. There are several collections available including Folklore, Mystical and Gothic, and each collection includes a rich choice of design options enabling you to tailor the choice of kit to the personality of the recipient or even to build up a whole collection over time.

I have been enjoying creating The Moon from the Tarot collection in my free time over the past few weeks. It’s a really simple and effective design with a modern feel to it, and I absolutely love the colour choices. The thing about cross stitch that particularly appeals to me is that you don’t need to come to it with any particular skills or even a lot of free time. It’s something you can just pick up and put down but it’s also a very rewarding process. I always find that taking some time out of my busy day to sew a few lines centres me and brings a wonderful sense of calm.

Each kit contains a guide to basic cross stitching, a printed design chart to follow, cross stitch and backing fabric cut to size, and a generous amount of high-quality embroidery floss that is more than enough to complete the design. The kit also includes all the necessary equipment for the complete beginner, including a 5 inch wooden embroidery hoop, a pair of embroidery scissors, a packet of needle threaders and the perfect size needle. It all comes packaged in an attractive eco-friendly box that is tailor-made for gifting to someone you love.

I would give Innocent Bones’ cross stitch kits a solid five stars and would recommend them to anyone. These high quality kits are an inspired gift idea – creative but not complicated, great value for money and you get to create something beautiful!

Available for £18.00 at: https://innocentbones.com/products/tarot-moon-cross-stitch

Build Your Own Marble Labyrinth Advent Calendar

advent calendar, Children, Christmas, Family Life, Games, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Stocking Fillers, Toys

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

I’ve been really looking forward to this advent calendar! As children, we loved making our own toys so this Marble Run from Build Your Own Kits. The kit arrives in flat form, with 24 days’ worth of instructions under advent windows which children can open and use piece-by-piece to build their own marble run. The kit is made entirely of engineered cardboard and there’s no gluing, sharp objects or tools needed. If you want to, you can build the whole kit in one go without opening the windows by using the instructions which are also included. In the interest of doing a review, that’s what I opted for, and had great fun in doing so!

The enforced cardboard pieces are easily popped out but for little fingers, there is a cardboard too. The instructions are without words, so even smaller children can read them, but I would suggest that the age 8+ years on the box is about right, as it took me a few turns of the paper to be able to work out how some of the pieces go together. The instructions say that it’s 3.5/5 in difficulty and I would agree. Some of the parts fit together with ease, and there are steps which are repeated so once you get the hang of it, you can just go on and do the next part. It’s incredibly rewarding though, even if it is a bit fiddly at times. It took me about 90 minutes to put it all together non-stop on my own and that was with scratching my head for a few minutes on one part!

The Marble Run builds up in stages with square structures on levers and balances. It’s a fabulous way to learn about physics practically as you have to get the pieces fitting together correctly for the whole kit to balance and fit together. The levers at each side move the trays inside the box, which is on a frame and therefore allows the users to adjust the level of the trays to move the marble around the course.

From the start, it’s very easy to understand the instructions. Even without words, you can work out how to put the pieces together because the instructions show you which sheets of cut-outs you need, plus they pieces are numbered. Where there are multiple pieces that fit together, they are colour coded too, so you can hold up the model against the instructions and see how they fit together. Once you have all the trays and the frame made up, the instructions tell you how to put it together, and include a box for the marbles as well! It was actually quite easy to put the frame and trays together, and once I did, it was obvious how it all worked. The game is quite tricky because the marbles get stuck in the holes. The object of the game is to get the marble from start to finish without getting stuck, and although it’s difficult at first, it becomes compulsive to try and get the knack. There’s also some different templates to use once the game is finished so that everyone can play and no one gets bored with the same route.

The whole game is really robust, so there’s no chance of breaking it unless you use real force. I think this is a great advent calendar for older children or for parents to sit down with younger children every night and assemble together. It’s great for dexterity too – I know my grandfather would have loved this as an advent calendar because it’s such a brain teaser, plus the game at the end is a challenge for children and adults alike, especially in winter. Great way of getting children off of screens too!

I absolutely loved doing this kit, and would happily give the advent calendar as a gift or try out some of the other kits on the Build Your Own Kits website: www.buildyourownkits.com The Marble Run Advent Calendar kit is available from late September for £24.99.

Danilo Elvis, Dr Who and Disney for Christmas

Children, Christmas, Family Life, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Home, secret santa, Stocking Fillers

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Danilo are synonymous with calendars and Christmas is the perfect time to give your loved ones a themed calendar they will love. The team at Danilo sent us three which are for all the family; Elvis, Dr Who and Disney! Each of the calendars are marketed differently for a range of ages, so if you see something you like here, search on the www.Danilo.com website and see if there’s one in a different format. They’re great stocking fillers and some of them are on sale right now!

The Disney Calendar is a family calendar for up to 5 people. Each page has a Disney cartoon theme from Dumbo to Aladdin and Lilo & Stitch. It also comes with a page of fabulous stickers for denoting the school holidays, parents’ evening and the school play, right down to character stickers and phrases. These are great for adding to the calendars but also great for keeping the children entertained in the kitchen when you’re trying to cook or concentrate. It’s lovely and colourful too so you can’t miss it on the wall!

Elvis fans will adore this special edition Elvis calendar in the form of an LP. It opens up from what looks like a retro LP cover to reveal the calendar which has a photo of Elvis on every month and the calendar days underneath. It even notes Elvis’ birthday on 8 January! The photos are from his Promised Land album, released in 1975, which is the theme of the calendar. The photos are all portraits and glossy with retro details of some of them being in black and white but all of them high quality. It shows Elvis at his best, if you’re wondering about what he looks like from his final years.

Finally, the Dr Who Collector’s Edition of the BBC programme is a Dr Who fan’s dream! It comes in a presentation envelope and opens up to reveal 12 frame-ready prints. This isn’t a calendar for making plans on, it’s a monthly collector’s calendar where you can remove the poster-like prints and save them to frame, but there is the monthly dates across the top of each page. The posters are all themed on details around Dr Who rather than the doctors or cast themselves. They remind me of artistic album covers which would look good on a wall anywhere, so it’s great to have a calendar which you can keep for longer than a year.

Disney Calendar £10.99: https://danilo.com/products/disney-classics-2026-family-organiser-calendar-with-stickers-and-pocket

Elvis £11.99: https://danilo.com/products/elvis-2026-collectors-edition-record-sleeve-calendar

Dr Who: £14.99: https://danilo.com/products/doctor-who-classic-2026-a3-deluxe-calendar?_pos=13&_sid=05f909d1b&_ss=r

Casdon DeLonghi Barista Coffee Machine

Birthday Gifts, Children, Christmas, Family Life, Gifts for children, Learning, Toys

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Treat your little ones this Christmas to the same kind of pick-me-up as your coffee brings you with this replica, miniature sized coffee machine! Unlike the play pretend toys of our youth, this details coffee machine toy has everything that the grown-up version has including; two thermo coffee cups (for cappucino and americano), a milk jug (for frothing), portafilter and even a chalk board for writing up the menu and prices. It even has realistic sound effects! Even the dials go round, and the lever for the coffee beans works.

All the pieces fit nicely into the back of the machine and it requires 2x AAA batteries which are not included. It looks so unbelievably realistic though, it’s a real treat to be able to play with it! It’s designed for children aged 3 and above, but if you don’t have a coffee machine at home (we don’t) then it’s difficult for a child to work out how to make the coffee and what the different parts are for. It’s great for older children to show them how to role play with it though, and if they see you make coffee at home on a similar machine, they even know the different types of coffee that can be made!

We loved how detailed the machine is, and the addition of the noises and how all the parts fit together at the back as well as interact with the machine added to the fun. If you combine it with a tea set or play picnic it adds to the realism. Setting up a coffee shop at home is a real treat for children too, complete with money and finger sandwiches, there’s endless hours of play here.

Available online for £25 at:

delonghi barista coffee machine

Warmies Keyrings

Birthday Gifts, Children, Christmas, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for teachers, Mother's Day, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Women

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Sometimes it’s the little things that bring a smile to my face and my pink bunny Warmies® Keyring has been doing just that since it hopped onto my keys. Cute, cheerful, and surprisingly practical, it never fails to make me smile – and it also means I can find my keys a lot easier in the depths of my bag!

At just 3 inches tall, this mini bunny has a soft, squidgy body and the sweetest little ears that are impossible not to stroke. Like its bigger Warmies® friends it’s scented with lavender, so whenever I’m feeling stressed, a quick sniff is all it takes to help me relax. One thing to be aware of though, especially if you’re already a fan of Warmies® is unlike the larger toys these keyrings aren’t designed to go in the microwave.

The bunny is just one of a whole family of Warmies® Keyrings. With 11 different characters to collect – including an irresistibly sweet pink elephant, whichever character you choose, you’ll end up with a pocket-sized companion that brightens even the most ordinary of days.

At £8.99, they’re affordable and perfectly suited to those small-gift occasions: think stocking fillers, Secret Santa, or simply a treat for a friend. They’re lovely for children too, with the gentle scent making them especially soothing.

Technics AZ40M2 Earbud Headphones

Birthday Gifts, Children, Christmas, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Mobile Phone, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Tech

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

These days, headphones are not only getting smaller, but these essentials of everyday life are being produced in better and better quality. The Technics AZ40M2 earbuds are headphones with Multipoint (meaning the headphones can be switched between use on different devices such as your laptop, phone etc) and Bluetooth with noise cancelling thanks to the earbud design.

The drivers are 6mm for ultimate comfort. The carry case is exceptionally small too, which makes them ideal for commuting or at the gym, and the short charging cord (USB-C) means the headphones can be charged at your desk, or whilst you’re travelling. The red light pulses on and off when the box is charging, green when the headphones are fully charged. There are 3 additional ear bud sizes available with the packaging, which, by the way is completely plastic free. The earbuds have about 5.5 hours of play on full charge if you’re using noise cancelling, or 18 hours without. You can charge just one headphone at a time if you still want to listen to music though, which I thought was a really good tip! 15 minutes of quick charge will give you 60 minutes of listening. I haven’t yet been able to check though, how long it takes to fully charge them from completely dead, but I’m told it’s around 3 hours.

The headphones come in 3 different colours; silver, black and these ones are rose gold, which matches most brands of phones too. You can have noise cancelling as a complete block-out, or Attention Mode to focus on speech. Natural Ambient Mode allows you to select how much background sound to hear. The touch controls on the earbuds include one tap for play, two taps on the left for volume down, two taps on the right for skip a track and so on… there’s a menu in the ‘Let’s get Started’ guide which comes in the box.

The instructions also explain how to pair the earbuds with your phone using Bluetooth. Just put the earphones in your ears, press the control pad for 5-8 seconds and you’ll hear music playing. Your device with Bluetooth will be able to pick up that the earbuds are available. It literally took 3 seconds! I would recommend downloading the Technics app for your phone though, as it gives more flexibility in the different controls you have, especially if you don’t want to learn what the tapping sequences do when wearing them.

The sound quality is excellent and very sharp. I didn’t find that the Bluetooth dropped out at all, and I used the app for the controls at first so that I didn’t have to keep looking for the paper instructions. I like my music quite loud, and I like to be able to adjust the bass etc. It doesn’t take long to learn the app and the headphones adjust quickly.

These are brilliant headphones for a stocking filler or a Christmas gift to yourself!

Available for £99.99 at: https://www.technics.com/uk/products/headphones/eah-az40m2.html

Prezzee Personalised Digital eGift Card

Birthday Gifts, Children, Christmas, Family Life, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, secret santa, Stocking Fillers

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Probably the easiest, and most personalised gift you will ever be able to send, Prezzee is a digital gift card which can be sent with a video message which you can record yourself. With a price range of £5-£500, the Prezzee gift card can be converted into vouchers for over 200 stores including Apple, Argos, John Lewis, Dunelm or even for restaurant vouchers such as Cote, Five Guys or Pizza Express.

Using the Prezzee website at www.pressee.uk, after you create an account, click on the Buy Now button. You then choose whether you’re treating yourself or sending the card to someone else, the amount of money to add to the card and the design of your eGift card. This can include a Gif or a recorded video. Yes, you can record your own video on your phone and have it attached to the Prezzee eGift card when it’s sent, to make your present more memorable. Add the recipient’s details and whether you want to send it via email or SMS and click through to the preview and payment.

When your recipient opens the email or SMS, there is a link to the Prezzee website where they can open the eGift card and convert it to any of the stores affiliated with Prezzee. I chose Marks & Spencer, which takes you to a page where you can redeem your card and print out a pdf of the gift card to use either online or instore.

For Christmas, you can choose a festive greeting card and distance isn’t a problem with Prezzee when you’re just an email away from sending someone you love the perfect, personalised gift.

Create an account at: https://www.prezzee.uk/

Brainbox Games

Birthday Gifts, Children, Christmas, Family Life, Gifts for children, Learning, Stocking Fillers, Summer, Toys

Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

We’re two weeks into the school holidays, and so far the weather’s been, well… uncooperative. Grey skies and drizzle have meant we’ve been spending more time indoors than we’d like, which in turn means the board games have come out in earnest. Finding a game that holds the attention of little ones and keeps older children (and to be honest, adults too) entertained can be a bit of a challenge so we were really pleased when BrainBox sent us a couple of their games to play – Maths, The World and the pocket-sized Space version and I’m pleased to report that they’ve all gone down a treat – even the Maths!!

With a RRP of £13.99 RRP, these games are a brilliant blend of fun and learning – just don’t tell the children about the learning part! They’re simple to learn, engaging enough to keep everyone involved, and with a wide range of themes you can easily find one that matches your family’s interests.

Each BrainBox game includes 55 colourful cards, a ten-second sand timer, and an eight-sided dice. Players take turns drawing a card and studying it for ten seconds before rolling the dice to determine which question they’ll be asked from the back of the card. Get it right, you keep the card; get it wrong, it goes back into the box. After ten minutes – or longer if you want – the player with the most cards is declared the winner.

It’s not just memory that’s tested. The World edition, for example, covers 55 different countries, with questions not just about geography, but colours, objects, and flags and it’s easy to tailor the challenge to the age of the child. Even reluctant readers get swept up, our eight-year-old, who usually avoids books, especially in the holidays, happily reads the questions aloud, thrilled to uncover quirky facts about animals, landmarks, and places he’d never heard of.

The Maths game is a great confidence booster for children who might find numbers a bit daunting. It sneaks in numeracy practice without it feeling like homework, and our mini reviewers were so busy playing, they didn’t even realise they were learning.

The pocket-sized version (RRP £6.99), like the Space edition we’ve been playing, is perfect for holidays. With 25 cards and 150 questions, plus 25 conversation starters, it’s just the right size to slip into a bag or backpack. Ideal for long journeys, by car, train, or plane, it’s bound to keep little hands and minds busy while you navigate the motorway or airport.

So, if you’re looking for something to keep your children entertained, thinking, and maybe even a little bit wiser over the summer holidays, BrainBox games are a fantastic choice. Even just a quick ten-minute play before bed or in the car on a day out can help build knowledge, encourage curiosity, and with any luck, ease the back-to-school transition come September.

Who knew a little cardboard box could hold so much fun – and so many facts?

Age group 8+

Available from Amazon and all good toyshops

SEA LIFE Aquarium London

Birthday Gifts, Children, Days Out, Family Life, Gifts for children, Summer

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

When it comes to summer holidays, the weather is always better the week before children break up from school, making it difficult to book things to do! The SEA LIFE Aquarium London is the safest bet yet for planning as it’s completely indoors and therefore weatherproof!

Located on the South Bank, in the old County Hall building and next to The London Eye (giant ferris wheel) there is plenty to do in the area. Book tickets to SEA LIFE Aquarium online and you can reserve your entrance time and plan your day ahead, including transport.

The SEA LIFE Aquarium starts with the Atlantic section. There are more than 10 sections throughout the aquarium including Antarctica and Rainforests, acting as a tour around the world via aquatic life. The aquarium follows a path where you meet fish and sea creatures in different tanks with informative digital displays that tell you the fish contained within the tank as well as information about their habitat and how endangered they are. There are all sorts of fish, star fish, lobsters and other animals to look at which the children found fascinating and there was certainly something for everybody. You can read as much or as little about the species as you like, or just watch them swim around. Photos are also possible.

As you travel round more tanks, you come to the main attraction of the underwater exhibition – a huge tank containing sharks, turtles and stingray! There are ample windows around the tank and seating points for small children as well as adults to be able to sit and watch, or in the case of most children, to sit and point at the animals. The sharks are seriously impressive due to their size and their elegance but the turtles are huge, and look just like Crush in Finding Nemo! The stingray and turtles swim around and come up to the glass to ‘greet’ onlookers which makes for some fabulous photos. Some of the sharks swim too, but there are a couple of basking sharks at the bottom of the tank which you can see up close.

Walking around the rest of the exhibitions, there’s an area with Ben Fogel talking about the habitats of the rainforest, an area of rockpools where you can touch shark eggs and star fish and learn about their lifecycles from a member of staff. We loved hearing about how the turtles in the main display were rescued from a turtle farm and brought to London and got to see a real turtle shell, its skeleton and be able to touch it.

The displays are interspersed with different types of interactions, professional photos, a virtual reality lab and activities for children of all ages. We saw babies being carried forward facing so that they could look into the tanks and toddlers being able to watch the motion of the fish for what must have seemed like hours to them!

For both adults and children, the best display has to be the penguins. A large pool with an equally large area of hardstanding behind big glass walls houses the penguin colony who were entertaining and inquisitive. They didn’t seem to mind the number of people watching them and seemed genuinely nosy and came face-to-face with the public with no fear. We watched for ages as they did dove into the pool, swam for fun, swam for hunting and then hopped out of the water onto the ground. There’s ice being churned out all the time to keep them cool and the viewing window (a globe above ground where children can stand and watch them) was especially good fun. The children loved the antics of the penguins and how close they could get to them and we loved watching them. I could sit there for hours!

Before finishing, you go through a sea of jellyfish too, which were magical and fascinated the smaller children with their illuminous properties. The SEA LIFE Aquarium finished with a huge gift shop selling all sorts of soft toys, mugs and keyrings as well as more for the grown-ups. You can purchase the photos at this stage too before walking out to South Bank where you are right next to the London Eye and Shrek’s Adventure.

It took us about 2 hours to walk round the whole exhibition with stopping to see the fish in each display, taking photos and roughly reading the information boards. By the end of the day, we were buzzing from all the sights and sounds of the aquarium and being able to see animals and fish we would never usually get to see in London. It’s a fabulous day out!

Tickets available online at: https://www.visitsealife.com/london/

Edifier ES20 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Birthday Gifts, camping, Children, Christmas, Family Life, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Home, Tech

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

As far as Christmas presents go, you can’t go wrong with a Bluetooth speaker. Edifier have this new 6 watt, Bluetooth v5.4 portable speaker which almost fits in your hand. It has a 43mm driver with neodymium magnets and a 55mm bass radiator.

Enough of the tech talk though – what’s it like to use? It’s 9.4cm x 9cm x5cm and has a USB-C charging port which comes with the relevant cable. The controls on the top are on/off, + & – and a light feature. There’s a display of how much battery there is and it illuminates when the speaker is switched on. There’s also a microphone function light which you can see lights up when the microphone is on. The light surrounds the speaker on both sides and pressing it several times changes the light colours or to a solid white. Great for when you’re camping and need to leave a light on to find your way back or to carry with you and see where you’ve left it!

To set up, just switch on the ES20 speaker so that you hear the chime noise, then look in your Bluetooth settings on your phone or device. The ES20 speaker should be there, and you can connect immediately! The speaker actually has multipoint pairing on v5.4 which means you can connect more than one speaker at a time to your one device. There’s about 15 hours of playtime on the speaker too, although I haven’t managed to test that yet as I’ve been playing it for hours on a full charge and it hasn’t given any indication of running out of steam!

You can use the controls on the speaker or there’s the EDIFIER ConneX app which allows you to change settings as well as simple tasks like volume. For the festival goers, it’s also waterproof and dustproof and comes with a handy strap handle to carry it with.

Like most Edifier products, this is a great Christmas gift or handy for yourself when you’re camping, in the garden or for a teenager’s bedroom.

Available from £49.99 at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Edifier-Portable-Bluetooth-Waterproof-Dustproof/dp/B0F8HYJB3F?th=1

The Krafted Connex

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Family Life, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Home, Mobile Phone, Tech, travel

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Keep your devices connected and up-to-date with the Krafted Connex in your pocket.

The handy Connex gadget has 5 connectors in one product which can allow for high speed data transfer between phones, laptops and other devices as well as charge from one to another. Like a Swiss Army knife, the Krafted Connex folds up into the size of a packet of chewing gum to be able to be packed, in a pocket or thrown at the bottom of a bag. It also comes in two colours; jade (like the one in the photo) and charcoal.

The Krafted Connex has a USB-C plug at one end, which comes with a USB-C to USB-A adaptor already attached. This is important because when it comes to charging or data transfer, the Connex needs to be plugged in to each device at opposite ends. So I had to remove the USB-A first, then attach my speaker to the USB-C plug on the other end in order to charge it.

All the connections are:

INPUT:

USB-C Connector
USB-A Connector (as an adaptor)

OUTPUT:

Lightening Connector x2
USBC-Connector
Micro USB Connector

There’s actually 8 different combinations of connections you can make with the gadget, and because it’s made of Flex Silicone rubber, it can twist in all sorts of ways to get the connection you need. It folds up nicely so that you can store it away and the keyring on it ensures you’ll always have it handy.

This is great as a Secret Santa or for the stocking of a teenager or someone travels a lot. You could also use them as gifts for clients who are always out and about – nearly everyone would find a use for them!

Available from £29.99 at: https://www.kraftedtech.com/products/connex-jade

Swan 20 litre Nordic Digital Microwave

camping, Christmas, Family Life, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Home, kitchen appliances, Tech

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Kitchen appliance company Swan have the slogan ‘Designed for Life’ and that’s exactly what this Nordic Digital Microwave is for. With a stylish, modern aesthetic, the handle is in Scandi-style wood and the design is very sleek with a turn-dial for the timer and limited buttons for the settings. It’s not very heavy either, so this is great for a student moving in and out of digs, or for someone with limited dexterity who can’t press buttons easily.

Straight out of the box, the microwave has a glass turntable which needs setting up, but it can be plugged in and used straight away. There are instructions of course, but it doesn’t need many as we all know how a microwave works now and Swan have their displays down to a ‘T’! I set the clock (without instructions, it was that easy) and then you press microwave and turn the dial to see the time set. There are settings too for vegetables, reheat, fish, meat and pasta among others, when you use the Auto Cooking feature. There’s also a defrost feature and this is a 800w microwave, which is important when reading recipes!

The inside of the microwave is white and easy to clean, with the removeable turntable and clean surfaces plus an interior LED light. If you’re not familiar with a 20 litre capacity, it is about the size of a dinner plate, so for anyone living alone, this is the prefect capacity size. This model colour is oatmeal in colour but it also comes in white, blue, grey and green. Swan give you a 2 year guarantee on top too.

The Swan 20 litre Nordic Digital Microwave is part of the Nordic set which also includes a kettle, toasters, slow cooker and storage jars. I’ve loved using it this week, and find the controls really easy, especially with a busy life and no time to learn a new How To book. It fits in with my kitchen too!

Jade & Joy Collagen Protein Bars

Christmas, Family Life, Food & Drink, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, health, snacks, Women

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

We always seem to be hungry at The Review Studio, so when Jade & Joy sent us these chocolate bars, we decided to tuck in and enjoy the vast selection of bars they sent us.

Collagen is needed for skin, hair and nail growth and is often credited for keeping skin in good condition. As we get older, we lose collagen in the skin and don’t make as much of it so taking a supplement has its benefits. Jade & Joy have a range of different chocolate bars which contain collagen as well as other added vitamins and minerals. I was amazed at the range of flavours the bars were, from Salted Caramel to Cookie Crumb, Caramel Blondie and Marshmallow biscuit. They don’t taste like ‘health’ bars at all because they’re mostly chocolate and still have the sweet taste to them, with no bitterness like some alternative products have.

Jade & Joy were also kind enough to send us a selection of the plant based Yubi Bars in a Variety Pack which also includes some Christmas seasonal flavours. Great for stockings, Secret Santa as well as a daily snack, there are flavours such as Yule Log, Gingerbread and Choc Orange. All of them contain 10 grams of protein, 99 calories and 0.3 grams of sugar. These bars are pocket sized for snacks after school but as they’re high in protein, they’re also great for after the gym. The festive flavours are fabulous though, with gooey centres. The Mint Choc bar was probably my favourite but all of them were yummy with a few quiet minutes in the afternoon.

Various boxes available online from £21 at: https://jadeandjoy.co.uk/vegan-collagen/vegan-collagen-selection-box/

You can shop the whole range (including the pick n mix) here: https://www.yubibar.com/collections/vegan-protein-bars

Yubi Bar christmas bars will be available here in the festive period: https://www.yubibar.com/products/christmas-protein-bar-selection-box

Desire2 Smartphone Stand, Tablet Stand and Laptop Stand

Birthday Gifts, Family Life, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Home & Garden, Mobile Phone, Tech

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Tech accessories are everywhere nowadays, but few are actually useful! Desire2 sent us this set of lightweight aluminium stands for laptops, smartphones and tablets. As I never got around to getting any of them during lockdown, it was a bit of a treat to be able to set them up and use my tech properly!

Each of the stands pack completely flat. They’re metal, but very light to carry so you can pack them to travel or even in a laptop bag. Each one has rubber footings to make them more secure and non-slip on a surface. The laptop stand can hold a computer measuring from 10-15.6 inches with 6 different level adjustments depending on what height you’re looking for. The higher levels allow you to prop up a laptop (such as a MacBook) with a camera at the top so that you’re eye-level during a call. Otherwise, the lower levels allow you to watch a video or type at a more comfortable angle.

The smartphone stand can be used for either phones or tablets, depending on their size and how you want to view them. With a rubber foot to hold your device up from the table surface, it won’t mark a touchscreen as there are no metal corners. You can adjust the angle of the view as well as the back support to give a higher lift. You can feel that even though the stand is lightweight, it’s incredibly anchored and doesn’t move, especially with the grips on the base. The last stand is the smaller ‘Anywhere’ model which is designed for taking anywhere. This stand is so small that it can be flattened to about 1 centimetre flat and even fits in a pocket, but it’s useful for both phones and tablets.

Each of the stands are designed for easy charging access, especially as most smartphones charge from the bottom nowadays. The smaller stands are both really stable, and the laptop stand would be too but for the lever at the back that doesn’t sit as firmly in the support as I would have liked. It collapses if you pick it up from the wrong arm as there’s no pivot in the lever and changing levels means you have to pick it up and hold the weight of the laptop to fix it into place. It works perfectly if it’s stationary but it would be more sturdy if the back support snapped into place. It still folds flat though and is still very strong.

These are great as Secret Santa items or for setting up a home office for a teenager needing accessories for their new laptop. I have so many uses for them because I always have my phone and laptop around and need some way of propping them up whilst I’m doing a million other things, so I’m very glad to have them at hand now!

Supreme Lite Portable Laptop Stand £29.99: https://desire2.co.uk/products/portable-adjustable-laptop-stand-silver

Anywhere Foldable Tablet Stand £17.99: https://desire2.co.uk/products/holrtsi-anwywhere-rotatable-holder-for-smartphones-and-tablets-silver

Smartphone Folding Stand Holder £12.99: https://desire2.co.uk/products/d2fpholbk-anywhere-smartphone-folding-holder

Warmies Yellow Flower Pot

Children, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for teachers, Home & Garden, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Summer, Toys, Valentine's Day Gifts, Winter, Women

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

At first glance this adorable Warmies Yellow Flower Pot looks like a cheerful soft toy, but this little beauty has a soothing secret! Filled with natural grains and gently scented with real French lavender, it’s designed to help you relax, unwind and even drift off to sleep. Simply pop it in the microwave -for 60 seconds if your microwave is 600–800W, or just 45 seconds for 850–1000W and the comforting warmth releases the most calming lavender scent. Perfect for those nights when you need a bit of help winding down.

And here’s a clever twist for summer: it’s just as effective cooled! Pop it in the freezer for a little while and it becomes a refreshing cold compress, ideal for warm evenings, little bumps, or even giving a spot of relief from menopausal hot flushes.

I’ve been using mine instead of a traditional heat pad, and it’s worked wonders for cramps and aches. The little ones have totally fallen for it too, cuddling up it at bedtime, and it’s really helped them settle quicker and sleep more soundly.

There are three gorgeous colours to choose from, yellow, blue, and orange and the bright, happy flowers look fantastic on a shelf. Plus, no watering required!

Whether you’re after a sweet bedtime soother or a cute, cooling cuddle buddy for the warmer months, this lovely little flower pot is a total summer must-have.

RRP £24.99

Stabilo Pen Gifts For Dad on Father’s Day

Birthday Gifts, Children, Family Life, Father's Day, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Home, Stocking Fillers

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Stabilo have some smashing gifts for Dad this Father’s Day, including this set of Stabilo Pointball Pens in 6 colours, and the Stabilo Flow Fountain Pen. Dad doesn’t have to be a teacher to be able to use them either!

The Stabilo Flow Fountain Pen reminds Dad of days gone by when everyone (including me!) had to have a fountain pen for school. This often meant that you’d see people using fountain pens at home or in the office, especially when it came to signing documents. The Flow Fountain Pen has an ink cartridge with the easily found and this blue ink is erasable with the right ink eraser. The nib is stainless steel and handle is ergonomically designed for an easier grip.

The Set of Pointball pens which contains the colours dark blue, black, red, green, purple and teal are retractable ball point pens. These are great for teachers as it contains the stable blue and black which are needed for teaching and even the red ballpoint pen for marking and green for adjudicating. They’re 0.5mm in diameter too and although they come in this handy pocket pack, I would be inclined to keep them on my home desk so that I have a colour to hand at any time.

Not just Dads and not just teachers can find a fun use for almost anything in the Stabilo range this summer.

Stabilo Flow Fountain Pen available for £9.58: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fountain-Pen-STABILO-Blister-cartridge/dp/B08D68CJ4T/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2U62V2T58MJCS&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.LAKn_KRMauU9IY3BvU5suXOb0vKiVRxUKkMaGL7dgStAG3wnLtEOVVjwNDHDXvGIijD6kF8a5lFEFh4qInkDMN76kYBUzudPnWzxU4GFBJZv2DzQDGA356T4kSjOqAnt-sy6Jy64DKaUiEnGmJ1WI7X0YTp4yTAW_tbK3ZX-i99TXaYkaa5bsSUabspiLTlQEnhAWVw4i_IHwOAWqdNHDkeFELqJcior-7WnbetQ6u9TAc7jqSwwxeE3lXG9oxe3V3NL0Lxwqdq0EFN-jvETVjEQJgLMtp5QatWLkXwNhOg.Rrd2zQeJVbzjNxxFaA5Dl5IMLBVZ19RiIEW6q9RwQtU&dib_tag=se&keywords=stabilo%2Bflow&qid=1749493233&s=officeproduct&sprefix=stabilo%2Bflow%2Coffice-products%2C95&sr=1-5&th=1

Stabilo Pointball pens available online for £10 at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ballpoint-STABILO-pointball-Assorted-Colours/dp/B00AVQ8IAC/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3LUWSEA2I6LL6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3jlAj6SY39ReqoThMpc2trF5r59_TWGqvg3ygDdgSPLlSl3-TSlIwRcPUkL5r2PSe5TVXU4jZmOLAU6PzgDq7Tkqzu0yE-DqYD9JtywxGfex461_MWfECTwqJ5zSCceNpzXInsKlruqvsPKti5KUw0nDZd4AQjQU7NboYfg0r7wJofNOURcXYxoCI1BGpDLPdKBNPuSbUUAVG0nm1IuHqJuwSlCpFcgsak4pO7JnLU6jxLE2og4pPPt9CrtF0YrMTVxtPY7Xgp9wEzPhYsgZa-hH9UiPUt0-BDug-hw-QsY.4XoweD4Mh4JZPcYsZKxUFbu9VjF33brNGX2NeuRgmgI&dib_tag=se&keywords=stabilo%2Bpointball&qid=1749493153&s=officeproduct&sprefix=stabilo%2Bpointball%2Coffice-products%2C63&sr=1-4&th=1

The Traitors Board Game

Birthday Gifts, Children, Family Life, Games, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Home, Stocking Fillers

If you have watched the Traitors on TV then you know this game. Play as a Faithful or Traitor over 4 rounds to gain gold for your personal fund, survive the game and have the most gold by the end to then compete with another player to split the money or betray them and take it all!

Faithful and Traitors will play through 4 rounds of tasks that are set out in 1 of about 4 or 5 scenarios. The faithful are trying to help the task be done to gain gold (points) and stay alive. Traitors have secret objectives they must complete to gain extra points and the ability to remove a faithful at night.

This game is rather complicated for an adaptation of the tv show to play at home. For a family or casual group of players it will take a while to understand the rules and set up and longer to play. But if you like the Traitors it can be worth it as it is reasonably faithful to the tv shows feeling.

The problem with this game is it is needlessly complicated for a social deduction game. As a huge fan of Social deduction games, they are meant to have a low bar for entry, simple rules, and straight forward win conditions…so why is the Traitors so complicated? The Traitors Board Game adds extra steps, mechanics, and criteria which muddies the water and dilutes the real point of social deduction.

The thrill of not knowing who is good or bad, who you should trust and who is working against you is all part of much better games like Coup, Werewolf, and even the grandfather of these games Mafia! These games are simple, you have a number of good players, a handful of bad players and after a death in the night, you start to talk and, wait for it, socially deduce who might be bad and who is good. The best part is when the evil player gets the good players on side to destroy their own and comes out on top through true deception.

The Traitors board game is a fine introduction to these games and if you like the show, it would be a fun time. But if you like the show and like the idea of social deduction, find one of the games I mentioned above as these will give you much more than this game.

5 Second Rule: The fast and Chaotic Trivia Game

Birthday Gifts, Children, Family Life, Games, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Stocking Fillers, Toys

Do you think you know a lot of footballers? Musicians? Countries with coastlines? Do you want to put that knowledge to the test? Then pick up this game.

5 Second Rule is as simple as the name suggests, you have 5 seconds… to do what you ask? Well to say the name of 6 rappers, or name 7 kitchen appliances. What makes this game chaotic is the timing tower, a tall spiral tower with a ball bearing that will noisily whirl down in, you guessed it, 5 seconds!

As it stands that sounds easy but the difficulty comes from the group dynamic. A players turn starts with someone drawing them a card and reading the prompt and then flipping the tower to start the noisy timer. But, pay attention as if the first player can’t do it they flip the tower and the person to their left must try and meet the prompt. The difficulty, fun, and chaos ensues… Because you cannot use any of the previous players’ guesses.

Play continues around the group until someone gets it or it reaches the starting play in that case the tower has won! When we played we tracked the tower’s points as well as our own for fun – it did annoyingly well!

This is a fast paced party game that is suitable for most ages and is a fun exploration of what random trivia you can pull from the deep parts of your memory. Your mum might surprise you with her knowledge of Spanish kings, or your grandma might weirdly know the films list in the top grossing films list.

If you are a fan of party games at family gatherings or with friends I highly recommend grabbing this game as it is quick and a wild time – it can really get everyone up on their feet screaming and shouting or saying something random that gets the whole group laughing.

Murdle: A Quirky Mystery Solving Game

Birthday Gifts, Children, Family Life, Games, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Stocking Fillers

Murdle is an interesting blend of Mastermind and Cluedo, you and your fellow players compete to figure out which of the 4 suspects is the guilty party. The twist, you all learn certain starting information and then must carefully reveal information to learn more but try to not give too much away to the other detectives!

You take turns to do one of two things, tell every something that is not true or something that is. Each has their own rules but they all lead to taking one of the suspect files and looking at a new piece of information. While you do this, your opponents can try to deduce what this information means to them.

All your information is collected on the central grid for the game that all players can see, this grid shows the suspects, potential weapons, and locations. Using large crosses and ticks in columns and rows the game highlights for the crime what, where, and by who. As the game progresses all players will start to see more information and be able to make a final deduction but be careful, get it wrong and you are out for the rest of the game!

We found this game to be a fun quick game with experienced players and would probably take longer for more casual players. The instructions are simple and clear. The only problem we found was if one player gets lucky early on and learns who the guilty person is, they can quickly win before anyone else has a chance to make a deduction. We felt as a group it should be harder to learn who the guilty party is or have more suspects – this would extend the game but could make for a fun series of Sherlock Holmes moments for the players.

Overall we enjoyed the game but for experienced board gamers who play a lot of social deduction games this is a nice and quick game to play between bigger and more complex games. It left, for us at least, a little bit of a lackluster feeling at the end.

For a family or casual group, this game is a great introduction to social dedication and information gathering games and I would recommend trying this out.

The Photo Creator Mini Digital Keyring Camera

Birthday Gifts, Children, Family Life, Games, Gifts for children, Home, Learning, Stocking Fillers, Summer, Tech, Toys

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Although this is meant to be a toy for children aged 8+ years, I found myself enjoying playing with this myself! Photo Creator’s Mini Digital Keyring Camera is only a few inches square, the perfect size for a keyring but is also a fully functioning digital camera. It comes with a keychain, USB cable and 1G memory card which is actually more than enough for a child to play around with it until it’s time to download the photos, and it’s amazing that it all fits into one little camera!

Surprisingly, it also takes video as well as photos. If you want to add a memory card with more than 1G then it’s possible, especially if your child wants to take movies. The viewing screen is 1 inch from corner to corner, but it does contain a flash as well as a microphone. I would have loved this as a child! Think of all the adventures you could have and the memories stored when you’re too young for a phone but old enough to know how work a camera?

There’s only a few buttons on it – Camera/film, on/off, and a scroll button on the side to be able to go through the photos before they’re uploaded. The SD card and the cable outlet are on the bottom. The photos upload really quickly too and they’re good enough quality!

The MiniCams come in different colours and styles. Our one is a Vintage style, which is purple and in the style of an old camera. There’s also Original (green), Retro (blue), Pro (light green), Compact (pink) and Instant (orange) which means children can collect them or they can have a set of them to share on adventures or school holidays.

This is brilliant as a gift for taking children on a plane or on holiday to keep them amused, plus it adds to their creativity as they look at the world through a photographic lens but without having to have a smart phone. It also introduces young children to how digital cameras and uploading photos works. At the price of less than £15, it’s a stocking filler too, or a gift in the post from Godparents. I love it!

Available from £14.99 at: https://www.very.co.uk/studio-creator-photo-creator-mini-digital-camera/1601152164.prd?sku=sku29130795&cm_mmc=google-_-PLA+-+Generic-_–_-__[*AdID*]&utm_campaign=Generic_TGB+%26+Seasonal+-+PMAX+-+Toys+%26+Games&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_term=&campaigntype=shopping&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22329058728&gbraid=0AAAAAD2k1i3Ch60Tzk1BTNFV356uct_Ih&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxo_CBhDbARIsADWpDH4DcrxPwlqfkp6_2NVe2NnYPq_AvIJTHLXW96AudHkx4oW2Bwa7YWkaAjXzEALw_wcB

JLAB Epic Sport ANC 3 Earbuds

Birthday Gifts, Family Life, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, hiking, National Walking Month, Sport, Tech

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Once upon a time, we just had one pair of headphones, and they were for the Walkman we took with us to work, or if we were inclined, on a run! Those headphones were most definitely wired to our Walkman, and over time, that wire would start to fray and we’d have to replace them.

Nowadays, we have Bluetooth headphones, and so many different ones for commuting, chilling out and working out. The JLAB Epic Sport ANC 3 Earbuds are designed for running or cardio work as they fit over the ear so that there isn’t much movement. As Bluetooth headphones, they connect to any Bluetooth appliance but usually your phone, so that you can run or workout freely and not be hindered by the dreaded wire!

One thing I must stress about the JLAB Epic Sport earbuds is that the packaging is impossible to open! It took me a few minutes and lots of tearing in order to get the packaging open and even then, I had to tear further to get out the instructions. The instructions are remarkably easy though – all you have to do is take the earphones out of the carry case and when the lights on them blink blue, they are discoverable on your device. On my iPhone, I just have to open the Bluetooth settings and I could see the JLAB earbuds and could simply connect. From connection, I could play anything on Apple Music or a podcast and it was instantly audible.

You can download the JLAB App to work the finer features and have them upgraded, but the earbuds have their own touch controls so you don’t have to use your phone all the time. Tap once to play or pause, twice to track forwards and 3 times to track back. The same applies to answer, and hang up a call, or there’s a noise control if you press and hold.

The JLAB Epic Sport ANC 3 earbuds come in a carry case that doubles up as a charger. The case has its own USB-C cable to connect to an adaptor or a computer. When the earbuds are in the case and it’s connected, you know they’re charging if the light on the front is blue. If the light is flashing white then it means the case is between 25%-99% charged and less than 25% the light turns red. 100% charged and the light is solid red. You can also wirelessly charge the headphones by placing the case (with the headphones inside) on a wireless charging pad. Don’t forget to take the stickers off of the charging points before you put the earbuds back in the case though.

As for using the headphones, it’s very easy! They already have the rubber ear pieces on or the packaging contains two more pairs of different sizes. You just take the arms over your ears and use your device to start playing music. It takes a while to get used to the touch settings, but if you use the app you can not only control what you hear, but you can change the settings if you need to. There app also has various equalizer settings so you can change the audio settings depending on what you’re listening to, which really helped when I was listening to something with a lot of bass!

The JLAB Epic Sport ANC 3 Earbuds aren’t cheap at £99.99 but they do have a lot of features and the durability of not only the case but extra ear pieces so they won’t get mangled in your pocket or bag. The sound quality is excellent and the ability to change the levels on the app makes all the difference to your enjoyment of what you’re listening to. I really enjoyed using them, especially as I can wear them in the gym and whilst I’m running, but at any time at home, on the commute or even on holiday, the JLAB Epic Sport AC 3 Earbuds have all your needs covered.

Available from £99.99 at: https://www.jlab.com/en-gb/products/epic-sport-anc-3-true-wireless-earbuds-black

Stabilo Fibre Tip Pens and Coloured Pencils

Birthday Gifts, Children, Christmas, Family Life, Gifts for children, Stocking Fillers, Toys

Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

We all know how tough it can be to keep the kids entertained during the school holidays. You get a few weeks of lovely sunshine in the run-up, then as soon as school’s out -down comes the rain! And as much as I’d love to pack our days with trips to the cinema, bowling alley or soft play, let’s face it, it soon gets expensive so it’s not an option for most parents.

That’s why I’m such a big fan of keeping it simple. You really can’t beat a good old-fashioned colouring session to keep little hands (and minds!) busy. Felt tips and colouring pencils might not sound like much, but they’re absolute lifesavers in our house – and STABILO have a brilliant range that makes colouring and craft sessions a lot of fun.

The STABILO Cappi felt tip range have clever caps so you can thread them together and fasten the set to a bag or a carabiner which is perfect for keeping them all in one place, especially when you’re out and about. It also means no lost lids too! The triangular shape is comfy for small hands to grip, and they come in packs of 12 or 24 vibrant colours.

If you’ve got younger kids who tend to press a bit too hard, the STABILO Trio Scribbi is a game-changer. These pens are practically indestructible thanks to their spring-loaded tip. Press down too hard and the tip just bounces back – no more ruined pens! Plus, the water-based ink is washable (thank goodness), and they come in 14 bright colours.

Then there’s the STABILO Woody 3-in-1 – a chunky pencil that works as a colouring pencil, wax crayon, and even a watercolour for the more adventurous, simply add a splash of water and with a small paintbrush the little ones will soon be creating masterpieces for your walls. They’re also great for craft projects as they can be used on windows, lunchboxes, mirrors, and blackboards too. The colour wipes off easily with water, and the thick lead lasts for ages – eight times longer than a regular pencil! Available in 24 shades, these have been a big hit with our little ones.

As well as drawing we’ve been making homemade cards for birthdays and using colouring books too. There’s also loads of free printable sheets online too if you want something different.

So next time the kids say those dreaded words – “I’m bored!” – hand them a rainbow of STABILO colours and let their imagination do the rest. They’re affordable, portable and most importantly fun!!

ACME Whistles

camping, Children, Fitness, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, hiking, National Walking Month, Stocking Fillers

Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

As a Scout leader, whenever I’m teaching the Scouts about hiking and how to pack a rucksack, there’s one piece of kit I always make sure we talk about – a whistle. It’s small, it weighs next to nothing, but it could genuinely save your life one day. Whether you’re up in the mountains or following a rocky coastal path, when things go wrong, having a simple way to signal for help is absolutely vital and a whistle is one of the easiest and most effective ways to alert people to your situation.

I always advise the Scouts to clip their whistle permanently onto their rucksack. that way, it’s always there when you need it and there’s no rummaging or risk of forgetting it. If you’re injured, lost, or stuck somewhere remote, shouting can quickly leave you exhausted, but a whistle will cut through the air sharp and clear. Six blasts followed by a one minute pause and then repeated is the universal distress signal and with luck, someone will soon be on their way to help.

We recently had the opportunity to try out a couple of whistles from ACME, who have been making them for over 150 years.

The ACME Survival Whistle 649 is available in six colours. It’s made from shatterproof plastic, delivers a loud, sharp, discordant note that’s hard to ignore, and is incredibly easy to blow – giving you lots of sound for very little effort, which can be crucial in an emergency. It’s a real classic too, first developed back in 1949. (RRP £5.99)

The ACME Tornado Whistle is slightly different, offering an ultra-high pitch and is available in eight colours. It’s also extremely easy to blow and is a brilliant choice for walkers and hikers. (RRP £7.49)

Naturally, we handed the whistles out to the Scouts to test – and let’s just say, I probably should have packed some earplugs too! They had a lot of fun seeing who could blow theirs the loudest.

The skills we teach young people in Scouting really do stay with them for life. Simple habits like carrying a whistle are part of the basic, no-nonsense outdoor wisdom that could make all the difference one day.

So next time you’re packing your rucksack, whether for a short day walk or a full-on expedition, don’t overlook the little things. Pop a whistle on your kit list. It might just be the most important thing you pack.

These whistles and many more are available from ACME

Rubik’s Cube

Birthday Gifts, Children, Family Life, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Learning, Stocking Fillers, Toys

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Give the kids something different this Easter instead of chocolate, but also get them off their screens! Gen X will remember the Rubik’s Cube from the 1980s and how many hours of fun we had trying to solve it. Most of us didn’t (my brother just removed the stickers and replaced them back in the right order!)

This full sized Rubik’s Cube, which is available at Smyth’s, is the original design at 55 millimetres square. The record for completing the Rubik is 3.47 seconds, but if you’re looking for tips on how to solve it, there are tons of videos on You Tube. For the same price as an Easter Egg, the Rubik, which comes already completed, can be set up so that children can solve it in as few moves as possible. Once solved, it can be reset again and again to provide more practice until children inevitably learn how to solve any configuration!

The Rubik Cube isn’t just for children. Teenagers and adults with the knack can enjoy this too, and it’s an excellent way of keeping adult minds occupied whilst still being social. No screens are needed, just problem solving and some lateral thinking which is never a bad thing in the days of video games and smart phones.

The Rubik Cube is very robust, yet even at the full size is small enough to be able to be added to a laptop bag or luggage, or even a picnic bag. It’s aimed at ages 8 plus and has a difficulty rating of 3 out of 5, but anyone who has ever tried to solve one, knows that it feels like it’s a lot harder! This edition of the Rubik’s Cube is to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the game. The Rubik is a brilliant way of spending some downtime, and remembering your childhood at the same time!

Available from £10.99 at: https://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/toys/games-puzzles-and-books/board-games/family-board-games/rubiks-cube/p/109128

Airbrush Plush Hair’iffic Mini

Birthday Gifts, Children, Christmas, Easter, Family Life, Gifts for children, Stocking Fillers, Toys

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Easter doesn’t have to be about chocolate and the Airbrush Plush Hair’iffic Mini is not only a great gift, but will keep the children occupied during the Easter holidays!

This washable toy comes with fun accessories including 15 stencils so that your little ones can colour in the wild Plush hair and create their own look! The kit includes two coloured pens and a clever accessory that when added to the coloured pen, creates an ‘air brush’ effect to use over the stencil and create effects. You can mix the colours too, and use the accessories to comb and create styles, tie up the hair and add bows. When they get bored, you just have to wash it under the tap and they can start again!

A new hobby for Easter, this is great for outdoors when the sun is out. It’s only about 21 centimetres tall and can fit in luggage if you go on holiday. There are three of these Minis to collect too. For ages 6+.

Available for £7.99 at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Airbrush-Hairiffic-Decorate-repeat-colourful/dp/B0DPJ6KMHV/ref=sr_1_3?crid=FBWKJ3NUWM2T&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.to0AJLcJwnmRJZqOa9B5kl3z7uLM6VwKvdSjh7ZgGyETM0TPgmeeR00Ew8YPPT6dWdbxlR7ps30_n2u5Z2vy-tzPaEbbXGAadPgeI7dibnpJAZ1jJXE47_cxbq6uJ_y7ZFnVWy-TVu-2S8X7Fk4dyy9uFLLKn54Hl0VWb_NnMQm-lQ134JE1VX4SJKWYdr9z.btEN29WWrDzocU0IcwUMEsCyxfi1wRfcKxGh8be5dyE&dib_tag=se&keywords=Airbrush+Plush+Hair’iffic+Mini&qid=1744473054&sprefix=airbrush+plush+hair+iffic+mini%2Caps%2C57&sr=8-3