Building Environmental Blocks Together

Magicubes, toys, toy review, magnetic cubes, I can tell how good a toy is by how long my children fight over it. The Magicube was a particular winner as, sometimes, they still do. Building blocks are fun anyway but these Magicubes are magnetic and take building to another level. Literally. You can put one on the side. I highly recommend them. They are innovative and great for learning. 

Magicube is a cutting edge construction system that turns the concept traditional building blocks into something extra “magical”. Developed for different age groups: 1 1/2+ and 3+ the Magicube collection offers complete versatility and flexibility for all age groups. Providing a supply of fun activities that reinforce those basic skills and a hands on approach to learning.

Captivating themes include some of your children’s most loved TV characters such as the Peppa Pig Magicube. Match up the magnetic cubes to build Peppa’s house and garden. Or the Paw Patrol Magicube, build Marshall’s fire truck or Skye’s helicopter, the possibilities are endless.

For a greater understanding of learning principles, the Math & Word Building Magicube offers Maths and Word building activities helping to reinforce a child’s first numeracy and literacy skills, with number and letter recognition, as well as first sums and words.

Geomag’s Free Building Magicube, allows children to explore the freedom of creativity without boundaries, available in sets of 8, 16, 27 and 64 the brightly coloured cubes allow children to build to their heart’s content as the magnetic cubes attach to each other on every side. This simple, fun and creative play activity encourages even the youngest of kids to develop their dexterity.

As part of the prestigious “Editors’ Choice Awards” presented by the British Toy and Hobby Association at this year’s London Toy Fair. From the extensive number of 260 exhibiting companies, Geomagworld’s new initiative, the Green Collection, was among the most voted by journalists present, coming runner-up in the ranking. Alongside the launch of the collection a number of new Maths and Word sets will be available which allow children to observe, create and solve with the basics of STEM learning. Not to mention the new Mix & Match sets depicting animals alongside their favourite foods and home which allows children to make fun combinations and bring these animal creations to life.

For more information on Geomag’s existing and highly anticipated Green Magicube Collection, please visit GeomagWorld.

 

FOR THE BAMBINOS: TOP BAMBOO TOYS

Hape’s latest collection of kids toys claims that by the time these toys makes it into your hands, the bamboo used to make it has already grown back. *Adds to basket*

Check out our three favourites from the range below:

Flexistix Multi Tower Kit, £25.74 from Amazon

Use the silicone connectors to link the bamboo sticks together one by one to create an entirely new shapes. Hape’s Flexistix kits push the boundaries of STEM learning in a more interpretive and original way.

4Y+

Pallina Ocean Rescue, £28.29 from Amazon

Help free the sea creatures by pulling out the bamboo sticks but without releasing the fish. Pallina is a great challenge for the little ones, to implement the use of a delicate touch and a thoughtful strategy.

3Y+

Skinny Legs Toss, £21.99 from Amazon

Target and toss these silly spiders into a triumphant tangle. Perfect for both indoor and outdoor play Hape’s Skinny Legs Toss is designed for 1 – 4 players at a time. The concept? Each player picks a colour, then gathers their three spiders.

3Y+

Skinny Legs Toss by Hape

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I must admit that when I received this game I didn’t think my little testers would be occupied for long. How wrong could I be!

They absolutely loved it – all four of them, aged from 2 – 6. The play value was enormous and totally unexpected – on my part anyway. As with all Hape toys it is beautifully made and simple to assemble. The two roller feet quickly snap into the circle of the web. A quick share out the twelve brightly coloured spiders among the four players and you’re ready to play.

Players take it in turns to throw the spiders and try and keep them on the web. This is not as easy as it sounds. Some drop to the floor, others cascade down string by string, others dangle precariously – will they fall or won’t they? The whole thing caused great excitement and lots of squeals as yet another spider bit the dust.

hape-skinny-legs-spider-toss

The little one enjoyed stacking the spiders on top of each other. All the children soon discovered that if they took their time the spiders could be balanced on all four feet and set in patterns around the table. It was played outside and inside, on the table and on the floor. An unexpected but delightful thumbs up for this one.

 

Skinny Legs Toss is £21.99 from Amazon

The Hape Robot Factory Domino Set Review

 

My children loved this interactive domino set. It is unique and gives hours of fun. Smart and original, it builds lots of different skills.  We highly recommend it. A brilliant toy. 

 

Sure to be a big hit amongst both parent and child, take the domino phenomenon that one step further with this thrilling Domino Robot Factory from Hape, suitable for 4 Years +. Jam packed with a series of additional fun and interactive elements including; tipper car, crazy ball track, tipper arm and ramps help form an exciting robot themed production line to add plenty of drama and spectacle.

With the Robot Factory Domino Set use stored energy to catapult the wooden ball into the air, motor along the double sided track before momentum travels through the spinning arm. With the end in sight watch as the finishing flag begins to fly, that’s just one suggestion of ways to play. With no instructions or rule book to follow the build is in your hands, with each creation is sure to result in a different outcome.

 

Surprise awaits round every corner with this fantastic Domino set. As momentum builds through the course helps to introduce children to the concept of potential energy, momentum and gravity, as well as understanding the principles of (STEM) Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics learning.

 

Beautifully crafted from the highest quality natural materials Hape are proud to use only water based paints, tested rigorously to ensure that customers get the best value for money and quality in their toys. So what better example than Hape’s very own Domino set.

The Robot Factory Domino Set is available to buy online for £49.95 from Wicked Uncle.

 

KEEPING IT PIN-TASTIC WITH LITTLE ONES

It’s a fine line –  bulking out your home with toys that keep the little ones thriving without completely destroying that minimalist, Scandi styled space. We’ve pulled together our top three places to buy brilliantly inspired yet beautiful toys for little ones – meaning your house is still perfectly Instagrammable and you have a happy camper in the mix!

 

Hape

The selection of wooden toys from Hape are a firm Frost favourite. Retro in appearance but advanced in stimulation for little ones, you get the best of both for a modest price. Our personal favourites are the gorgeous pound and tap bench, the rotating music box and most of all… the SOLAR SYSTEM JIGSAW. A jigsaw of beautiful colours that will, when done right, look like a purpose built mosaic in your living room. Check out the Hape site for more details.

       

After Noah

This family run business is cuteness to the core. Packed with traditional looking toys, its box of ABC building blocks and wooden jungle animals will help with your little one’s learning AND your house still looking like a Pinterest board – winner!

 

Mulberry Bush

Dancing alligators, Mr Mushroom hammer pegs and Bernie’s Ride On Bus are three of our favourites from Mulberry Bush. The site features tonnes of brands which are playing in this space and is dedicated to retro looking wooden toy which are BEAUTIFULLY crafted.

Strictly Briks Big Briks Review

Kids loving building bricks. I think this is one of the truest sentences in life. So this big set of bricks from Strictly Briks went down well with the toddler. It is an 84 piece set with 4 different colours. They work with all large bricks so you can mix and match brands. This is a great starter set and really lets your childs imagination go wild. Recommended.

Strictly Briks 84 piece set available here.

 

Frost Loves The Hape Discovery Box

Frost loves The Hape Discovery Box. It keeps little ones entertained for hours. Colourful and well made, it lets little ones play and learn at the same time. It packs a lot in considering what little space it takes up. Brilliant. 

Worth £32.49 from Amazon. Suitable for 24 Months + Five sides of activities keep little hands in constant motion including wire bead maze, abacus, mirror, color wheel and spinning face, a wonderful learning and play station.

 

The Hape Anywhere Art Studio

Frost loves the Hape Anywhere Art Studio. This tabletop art studio is double sided. One side is a chalk board and the other end is a magnetic whiteboard. You can also have a piece of paper on it with the Hape magnetic. It looks fab and keeps children entertained for hours. Highly recommended. It comes with 2 pieces chalk, 1 eraser and 1 magnetic wood piece.

Play with colors. Use crayons to learn the names of new shades.

The Hape Anywhere Art Studio worth £32.49 from Amazon. Suitable for 3 Years +