Hot Wheels Super Loop Chase Race (Review)

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The Boy is a huge fan of cars, particularly the collection of Hot Wheels walltracks sets that he's collected over the past couple of years. He particularly likes that he can stand and play with the walltracks sets as opposed to lying on the floor, and it makes racing the cars a lot easier. Wall-mounted tracks are also space-saving and don't take up valuable floor space!

We've been sent the latest addition to the Walltracks collection; the Hot Wheels Super Loop Chase Race set, and of course The Boy couldn't wait to get it attached to the wall and start playing with it.

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Front Loader Digger Toy Truck (Review & Giveaway)

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Ever since The Boy randomly asked Father Christmas three days before Christmas for a robot that moves (sending me into a blind panic!), he's developed a liking for controllable toys. The ultimate one that he has is the retro Big Trax which is excellent for teaching control and programming and makes Mr. TBaM very happy indeed, but remote controlled toys are his latest big thing. Grandad found a Scalectrix set at a car boot sale and when he visits my grandparents that is where the three of them can be found.

I wouldn't mind, but I'd quite like a go as well!

Therefore when The Boy was recently sent a digger toy truck from Hifi Tower, he was not the only one over the moon at the brilliant front loader remote controlled digger!

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Harumika Pop Diva Set (Review)

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When I was a young girl, one of my favourite toys was my Girls' World Fashion Plates:

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The idea was to select a head, top and bottom half of each person and then to choose a pattern for each item of clothing. I completely loved playing the hand-me-down toy from my sister, even if the stylings were a little 1970s!

Move forward a couple of decades and the world of the young fashion designer has changed quite significantly. They can still design outfits and select the fabrics or patterns, but now that happens in 3D using a mini mannequin and fabric swatches! This is the world of Harumika, an award winning and unique toy that has become a massive hit since its introduction to the world in 2009.

It's a far more practical and responsive way for young fashion designers to test out their designs and styles, and doesn't require any needles, thread, glue or scissors, making it a very safe activity for children over six years old. (And I say children because I refuse to confine this type of toy to the world of girls alone, Julien MacDonald and Matthew Williamson would have something to say about it, I'm sure!) Harumika works by layering, folding and customising fabrics and accents using the silicon strip at the back of the dress form. All the materials and accessories are reusable so the possibilities are endless; if you don't like your design just start all over again!

Harumika Pop Diva

I was sent the new Harumika Pop Diva Set for my nine year old niece to review, and I made her world when I gave it to her; her life-size mannequin which she uses to style her outfits is testimony to how much she loves Harumika! The Pop Diva Set includes one purple dress form and two removable corsets enabling the budding designer to create different shaped skirts and dresses with the selection of funky fabrics and accessories.

This is the colourful and stylish design that she (and The Boy who was keen to help!) came up with using the long corset:

Harumika

The long corset skirt easily comes unclipped and the short corset can be clipped around the torso to help create shorter versions of the designs.

Harumika

My niece was over the moon with the set, she particularly liked that there was a small slot on the chest to create some halterneck styles or a fancy collar, and the different length corsets. I do think they Harumika is an excellent toy for budding fashion designers, although for the price of the sets a few more fabric swatches would be quite useful as this set had only five in it. Overall though, it's a brilliant toy and is so nice to see her using her imagination to play and not be in a rush to grow up.

The Pop Diva set comes out in July  with a RRP of £34.99

I was sent this product for the purpose of this review; my opinion, and that of my niece, is honest and unbiased.

Galt Mega Marble Run (Review)

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One of The Boy's favourite toy that he has is a simple Marble Run. He adores creating different routes down to the ground, often drawing in a side table or his stool to create platforms, whereas Mr. TBaM will sit there trying to engineer routes that allow for multiple possibilities or use every piece. With the set we have, it's not possible though.

However, we've been sent this rather amazing Mega Marble Run.

marblerun

It has; 3 vortex drops, 3 paddle wheels, a wiggly bell chute (which marbles chime as they roll past), a 'staircase', 180 degree turn and most importantly a two way chute which means that the marbles have a choice of routes. It also means that Mr. TBaM is happy and his eyebrow can stop twitching with frustration.

For the sheer variety of different parts included and the possible routes down to the ground, this is the best marble run around (aside from the one in Techniquest which stands 6 foot high and 10 foot long) and for the price of £29.99 I think that it's brilliant value and allows for hours of entertainment.

I was sent this product for the purpose of this review, my opinion is honest and unbiased.

Hot Wheels Wall Tracks Power-Tower: Demolition

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One of The Boy's favourite toys, and one that is constantly played with by him and friends, is his Hot Wheels Wall Tracks. During the time since we first reviewed the series, we've added to it with several sets and were recently sent the Power-Tower to review.

The battery-powered Power-Tower has a central tower which has a spiral that rotates upwards with two routes back down to the bottom of the central tower, one which takes the cars through 'demolition jaws'.

The Hot Wheels Wall Track range is an excellent toy for little car fanatics, especially as it is wall-mounted and is a marvellous space-saving complex track. The Boy is a huge fan of these, and the battery operated sets really add to the thrill when playing. The Power-Tower is a little more noisy than the Mid-Air Madness set, but for any Hot Wheels fans, it's a good addition.

This set has an RRP of £39.99 but is on offer in various outlets for £25 in the lead-up to Christmas.

We were sent this product for the purpose of this review. My opinion is honest and unbiased.

Tini-Copter (Review & Giveaway)

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Mr. TBaM is a typical man and likes playing with little gadgetty toys. Therefore when I was recently sent the Tini-Copter from 50fifty to try, I handed it over straightaway to him.

remote-contolled helicopter

Ok, in all honesty it wasn't straightaway because I had a play with it first and then we had a little battle over who was going to have the next go. Then we had a competition over who could get it to take off, could fly it without it crashing it into the ceiling and then started chasing each other with it.

Back to basics: the Tini-Copter is one of the smallest 3.5 channel infra-red helicopters on the market. It's approximately 2.5 inches long and incredibly lightweight, the remote control sits nicely in both hands with a joystick on each handle to steer the mini helicopter. There is a flip-up charger in the remote control which attaches into the Tini-Copter and charges up the helicopter within 20-30 minutes giving 5-8 minutes. The remote control takes six AAA batteries. I was concerned with it's robustness and the fragility of the propellors, however the amount of times I crashed it (not Mr. TBaM I hasten to add) indicated it was very flexible and robust.

It's a very nifty remote controlled helicopter and moves quickly, too quickly to video. It had us both competing to play with it and was great fun. The Tini-Copter is suitable for children 8 years+ and I'd agree with that, it would be a good present for boys that age or older. Or indeed middle-aged men! At £30.00 it does seem a little pricey but for a young teen it would be a good present.

I have four of these to give away just in time to start thinking about Christmas. Simply fill in the Rafflecopter form below to be in with a chance of winning.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was sent this product for the purpose of the review. My opinion is honest and unbiased.

ToyJeanius: DJeco Piratrix Treasure Hunt

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The Boy has recently started to show an interest in pirates. I'll admit to having withheld the swashbuckling realm from him before as I'm trying to keep him steered away from the 'treasure' chests of violence and theft for as long as is feasible. However, I fear that ship is sailing and so were dipping our toes in the waters to find out about pirate ships and treasure maps. Definitely no swords involved!

A while ago I was sent a fantastic pirate game by DJeco that is based around the world of treasure maps. The Piratrix Treasure Hunt is a simple retro style game aimed at 2-8 children aged 4+ but The Boy had no problem with it. The pack says that the game can take 15 minutes but that can be altered depending upon the complexity of play.

The idea of the game is to hide all 24 laminated images of treasure, chests and keys around the house. The first player to find one of each is the winner. The best part about this set is that because they are printed plastic, they are suitable for use outdoors in the garden or on the beach.

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I taped some string onto some of the pieces so that I could hang them rather than keeping them all flat, it makes it easier for younger children to find them. Older children could create a treasure map to find the pieces, but that's a tricky concept for younger children as they can't relate the symbols to real life objects. I hid the pieces in (fairly obvious) places in the garden, and it took us a little over seven minutes for all three of us to each find a key, a chest and a treasure. Again, it could be adapted for older childrenthat you have to find them in a specific order; chest, then key to open it, and then the treasure.

Djeco Piratrix

Aside from being fun, it's a good game to help develop logical thinking, problem solving (especially if used alongside a map) and develop visual awareness. This is such an easy game that it would be ideal  for a pirate birthday party, especially as there are eight of each playing piece.

The DJeco Piratrix Treasure Hunt is available from ToyJeanius for £4.95, which is an excellent price for a durable, quick, portable and fun game.

Readers of TheBoyandMe can get 10% off by using 'TheBoyandMe' at checkout (available on anything ordered from the site!)

I was sent this product for the purpose of this review, my opinion is honest and unbiased.

Pillow Pets

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We were recently sent one of the new cuddly toy cushions that every self-reacting child is after; a Pillow Pet!

toy cushion

Pillow Pets are a new cuddly toy that doubles as a pillow or cushion, perfect as a comforter and extra pillow during those first sleepovers. They're also great for travel, making car seats a lot more comfortable and give that extra little touch of home wherever your little one is. They have a velcro strap halfway down one side which makes them stay in place when folded, and tucks away when flat. The best bit is that they are machine washable!

The Boy was sent a 'comfy panda' Pillow Pet' which has a soft and furry back, smooth face and measures 18 inches when unfolded. He was very impressed with it and it now lies on his bed ready to give extra soft snuggles when needed.

Pillow Pets are available directly from the website and retail for £14.99.

Hot Wheels Wall Tracks 'Mid-Air Madness' (Review)

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Last September I was given the opportunity by Mattel to test and review their new Hot Wheels Wall Tracks system. At the time I was incredibly impressed at the system and the fact that it was wall mounted and removable, which meant that it didn't take over my entire house but was always there to be played with, by all members of the (extended) family! I wanted The Boy to have a car system but so many of them are restrictive in their layout and take up so much space, the Hot Wheels Wall Tracks doesn't, which is why we've since bought three add on sets and regularly change them around without any issue.

A month or two ago, I was asked if I'd like to review the new Hot Wheels Wall Tracks Mid Air Madness I considered it for about one second before gleefully typing 'yes please!'.

The Hot Wheels Wall Tracks Mid Air Madness is a section of the Hot Wheels track that loops around on itself to run continuously. Now those engineer-type people will be wondering how that can happen without some form of help, and you'd be right. There is a turbo-booster which launches cars up into the air to be caught by the highest point of the ramp before coasting down, crossing another gap and starting all over again! A true feat of anti-gravity defiance!

We absolutely love this track; it's a valuable, albeit slightly noisy, add-on to what was already a fantastic toy. Every child (old and young) who comes in is captivated and mesmerised by it and it's really enhanced the system. If you want to make your own little Hot Wheels fan happy, invest the £20+/- and make your track the envy of all their friends.

The Hot Wheels Wall Tracks Mid Air Madness is available from a variety of retailers, but is currently only £19.99 at Amazon.

I was sent this item for the purpose of this review, my opinion is honest and unbiased.

Little Charley Bear Up, Up & Away (Review)

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The Boy was recently sent a Little Charley Bear Up, Up and Away aeroplane to play with and test. He's a big fan of Charley and his imagination and therefore any action toy to do with him will definitely go down well.

The aeroplane comes with a removable cuddly Charley Bear (complete with aviator goggles) that sits quite happily in the cock-pit of the biplane surverying his territory. At the front of the aeroplane and behind the roatable propellor is a small button which controls various sound effects including a zooming noise, encouraging cheers and catchphrases. It's worth noting that the propellor is a manual one.

charley bear aeroplane

The Boy loves it, it's gone down a storm in this house, and he's constantly doing 'loop-the-loops' and having to rescue Charley! Such a simple toy but very effective and provides hours of imaginative entertainment.

Little Charley Bear Up, Up & Away is available from Amazon for £12.95

We were sent this for the purpose of this review, our opinion is honest and unbiased.

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