![isabella[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/isabella1-782x1024.jpg)
Gift Reviews, Toy Reviews
Penwizard, Peppa Pig and Me.
Penwizard is a great company which provides a personalised book service. The range of books vary greatly, but when I came to the Peppa Pig books, my decision was made. What child wouldn’t love to star in their very own Peppa Pig book alongside Peppa, George and all the other characters? Exactly!
My son is 4 yrs and he is Peppa Pig mad. He has numerous Peppa Pig toys and books and now he has his Penwizard personalised book too.
![isabella[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/isabella1.jpg)
The book is titled ‘Peppa and Mark’s Christmas’ and you can choose the paper style and size. I chose A4 size and paperback, so the book has a lovely glossy cover. There are 24 pages, and the cover has a picture of Peppa Pig and my son! Yes, this was such fun to create. I was able to choose the hair style and colour, eye colour, skin tone and if the child wore glasses! So, when this is all put together, you really have a good likeness.
Throughout the book, my son is featured and named while he is having his adventure with Peppa Pig. They write to Santa, post the letters and have an eventful Christmas Eve!
He loves this book, as does his older siblings. My daughter is 10 yrs old and she loves to read this book to her brother.
Personalised books are a brilliant was of encouraging reading. They help children create a link with the book and so with reading. The personalisation lets the child really enjoy and be proud of the book, my son keeps showing his book to everyone who comes to visit and he even brought it into school to show his teacher!
Penwizard books are available from www.penwizard.co.uk and Peppa Pig and Me Christmas book retails at £14.99.
![PL5230[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/PL52301.jpg)
Toy Reviews
Playmobil Volcano with T-Rex.
I just can’t resist Playmobil. I had these toys as a child and still do, my children play with a Playground Set which is over 30 years old. Nothing has broken and apart from the odd little piece which was lost, it is as good as new.
Thats what I know and expect when I buy Playmobil, it will last a lifetime, will never ‘date’ and will give generations endless hours of fun and adventure.
My son – the lucky boy- has added to his ever growing collection with the Volcano and T-Rex Set.
This is on display in our local toy shop window and when the children get out of school, the crowd gathers at the window – I love that about toy shops, you can see exactly what you are getting, and the anticipation can build up. I then go online and search for the cheapest retailer!
The set looked really well in the toy shop window but it looks even better in our playroom! My husband and I now ‘fight’ over who tidies the toyroom when the kids are in bed, it really is great fun setting up this set and leaving the characters positioned for the kids in the morning.
When you buy this set, you will not have to worry about accessories. Sure, there are a range of other pieces which add to the collection, but more than enough comes with the original set.
The set includes a functional volcano with an erupting larva stream, the T-Rex with moveable jaws and limbs, rocks, fossils, 2 Playmobil explorers, 2 Dinos and other accessories. Plenty of fun to be had which will keep the imagination stimulated until next Christmas.
So, you are the explorer who searches for hidden fossels under the rocks when you stumble across an erupting volcano. As if that wasn’t bad enough, you have an encounter with a T-Rex. However, after the discovery of ‘never seen before’ fossels you escape in the nick of time.
![713U-RUZTHL._SL1000_[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/713U-RUZTHL._SL1000_1.jpg)
I think this set is so exciting and the perfect Christmas gift for little boys and girls this Christmas.
Not suitable for children under 36 months due to small parts.
RRP £49.99 Available from all good toy shops and Amazon.
Box Contains 1x volcano, 1x Tyrannosaurus, 2x explorers with accessories.
Toy Reviews
GTX-R Zinc Scooter.
Looking for a scooter with a few ‘extras’ this Christmas? Look no further than the GTX-R Zinc scooter. This awesome scooter looks the part with its digital speedometer so kids can compare speeds and impress us all. The speeds are recorded and stored so children can race each other and try to beat their previous speeds.
![1380815_R_Z001A_UC1416949[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/1380815_R_Z001A_UC14169491.jpg)
The real show stopper is the spark effect when the brakes are applied, this will really impress! My daughter loves this scooter, her favourite part being the spark effect. Your child will love it too, anything that gives the illusion of high speed appeals to all.
With its PVC puncture proof wheels, this is a great scooter to take on road trips and on holiday. The scooter folds in half for very easy storage and it neatly fits into my boot.
As with other Zinc scooters, it has an anti-slip footplate, easy grip handles, adjustable handlebar height and rear footbrake. Perfect for age 6 years and up.
An ideal Christmas present as it ‘grows’ with your child (adjustable handlebars) and looks very impressive. Despite this, it is only priced at £30.
Available from Argos.
General information:
- Size H81, W32, D66cm.
- Weight 3.5kg.
- Maximum user weight: 50kg.
- Minimal assembly.
- For ages 6 years and over.
Gift Reviews, Toy Reviews
DYLON fabric pens and paints.
DYLON is a brand that you could be forgiven for associating solely with changing the colour of a skirt or freshening up an old pair of jeans. However, there is a whole new range of exciting possibilities with the brand today.
My children and I had great fun with some of their new fabric painting products. We started off with a lovely set of paints, 6 25ml pots of bright colours, like red, blue, green, pink and purple.
We created fab designs on some plain white t- shirts using brushes, rollers and stamps. The paint was touch dry in one hour. In order for the designs to be permanent, we left them for 24 hours and then covered and ironed them. My daughter decided to be really creative by mixing the colours to make different ones!
We added the finishing touches with DYLON 3D pearl effect fabric paint, which looks amazingly like beads when applied.
![$(KGrHqNHJBUFHJ+GngeDBRythg8Vnw~~60_35[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/KGrHqNHJBUFHJ+GngeDBRythg8Vnw60_351.jpg)
This paint comes in a handy squeezy bottle, perfect for little fingers and for doing detailed work. The pearl effect was lovely when it dried on the fabric and stayed raised in a 3d effect.
To finish off, we created slogans and signed our creations with DYLON fabric painting fine nib pens, which come in a pack of 5. My kids had great fun thinking up slogans to emblazon across their shirts and writing them on in swirly lettering with these fab pens.
![231863346[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2318633461.jpg)
These products are a real treat to use, and would be perfect to entertain kids for hours on a rainy Saturday, or indeed for a fun birthday party. No goody bags needed as they can make their own!
The paints are priced at £2.61, the 3d bottles are £1.99 and the pens are £4.21.
Available from all good craft shops nationwide.
Toy Reviews
Leapfrog Scribble & Write.
A brilliant toy that tricked my son into thinking he was playing when he was actually learning! The Scribble & Write from Leapfrog teaches children how to write, it really is amazing.
![LearningToys.Par.84660.Image.350[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/LearningToys.Par_.84660.Image_.3501.jpg)
My son is 4yrs old. He reaches for his Scribble & Write first thing every morning, and wouldn’t part with it. It comes in the car, to the shops and if we visit friends, he brings it along too. It is small enough to be easily portable, but big enough not to get lost or left behind anywhere!
It works by showing children upper and lower case letters and numbers and they trace the outline with a pen attached. It provides guidance on how to write the letters, for example, always start at the top. This is very important as children who learn incorrectly find it very difficult to change their habit at a later stage. Instant feedback is given so children can learn if incorrectly writing letters or numbers.
Children can also draw shapes and pictures, which is a lot of fun and offers variety from solely letters and numbers.
I would recommend this for every child from the age of 3 years, as it has definitely helped my son learn the correct writing technique in a fun way.
Available from most major retailers RRP £19.99
.
Gift Reviews, Toy Reviews
The Little Book Of Monarchs.
This is a delightful book that details all the Kings and Queens of England since 1066 in a vibrant and interesting way. A perfect book to bring history alive and make it more accessible to the younger generation. Often history books are boring and stuffy but this one is a breath of fresh air as it approaches the subject from a completely different angle.
A total of 42 monarchs are described, using a simple bullet point format detailing the main highlights of each reign. Each is illustrated with a funny cartoon, which will undoubtedly appeal to younger readers. It will also prove useful as a basic reference guide to older students and history buffs in general.
This book is published in hardcover by Matador and is 88 pages long. It would make an excellent Christmas or birthday present for an older child or teenager.
Available from www.boullemierbooks.co.uk and all good bookshops nationwide from 1st October 2013.
RRP £7.99.
Gift Reviews, Toy Reviews
Join in and Play Tatty Teddy puppy.
This is simply the most gorgeous interactive toy ever! Soft and cuddly, this Join In and Play Tatty Puppy would make the perfect Christmas Present for any little girl. Tatty Puppy has beautiful floppy ears, wagging tail and a shiny blue nose. It is recommended for children from the ages of 3 years and up, but in my opinion, it would suit as a present for girls right up to the age of 12 or 13 years. My 10 year daughter would absolutely love this from Santa. She is Tatty Teddy mad, and has all the little cute blue nose bears.
![GD6W0022-1[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GD6W0022-11.jpg)
Tatty Puppy can yap, pant, bark and whimper, just like our little Jack Russel at home. He can sit up and rest on his front paws. However, thats where the similarities end! With the free Blue Nose Friends Tatty Puppy App, he will even respond with a range of cute puppy sounds and movements. With not a poop bag in sight, this has got to be as good as, if not better, than the real thing!
The 4xAA batteries you need are included, don’t you just love it when toy companies include the batteries!
Available from www.metoyouonline.com RRP £39.99
Gift Reviews, Toy Reviews
Jumbo iPieces, Peppa pig.
Jumbo iPieces are fun mini games for an iPad. They are not unlike old fashioned board games, just a lot more trendy!
![Jumbo-Peppa-Pig-iPieces[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Jumbo-Peppa-Pig-iPieces1.jpg)
My son has the Peppa Pig iPiece, he is 4 years old and this really keeps him entertained. I like it as it involves me as well, instead of other game apps which children play alone. 2-4 players can play this game, and the iPad replaces the traditional game board. The game is multi-level and players can progress up the board (iPad) by completing a variety of mini games. These include map reading, blowing out candles, sing-a-longs, flying Peppa’s rocket and many more. The sound effects are brilliant, using the Peppa Pig playing counters, Peppa comes to life to the delight of the children.
It is perfect for playing in the car or if you are delayed anywhere and the kids need a bit of entertainment. Instant fun and excitement on your iPad!
Available from www.jumbo.eu RRP £13.
![41OsGtTJCVL._SL500_AA300_[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/41OsGtTJCVL._SL500_AA300_1.jpg)
Gift Reviews, Toy Reviews
Jumbo appCards Colour Slam.
Brilliant, a game which links the past with the present!
I remember sitting around the table when I was young playing ‘Snap’ with my family. Now-a-days my children sit on their own playing games on their phone or tablet. These new appCards from Jumbo allow old fashioned card games to come back to life merging with modern technology nicely.
The app is required to play these games, and obviously you need a smart phone or tablet! (The app can be downloaded free).
![colour-slam-for-appcards-1002000-0-s-307x512[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/colour-slam-for-appcards-1002000-0-s-307x5121.jpg)
Three appCards games are available: Colour Slam, Pim Pam Pet and Sound Bingo, these are all £9.99. We have Colour Slam and it really is good fun. The players have to get rid of their cards by matching them to the colours shown on the app. 2-4 players can play, which suits my family, and they sit with anticipation, waiting for the music to stop and then SLAM! The first slam scores the points.
This game is great for the car, and basically anywhere where waiting around is required – kids hate waiting about, especially mine. This small compact game – just the cards and my phone, can keep them entertained for hours.
I would highly recommend checking this out – perfect for families getting together and lots of action packed fun. Available from www.jumbo.eu
Gift Reviews, Toy Reviews
Ben 10 Omniverse Shuffle.
How can anyone ever say no to Ben 10? Every little boy – and girl! Loves this super hero and his many alien forms. Ben, with his Omniverse, has powers to amaze everyone.
The Omnitrix Shuffle is our latest addition and is has made quite an impression!
![ben-10-omniverse-omnitrix-shuffle-9024671-0-1376325507000[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/ben-10-omniverse-omnitrix-shuffle-9024671-0-13763255070001.jpg)
Clip the mini figures from the Alien Collection Figures to the Omnitrix Shuffle to unlock alien phrases! Only the aliens voice that is attached will sound when he is clipped on. The light and sounds will be sure to impress, they are very realistic.
The cool part is that when the Omnitrix Shuffle is shaken, or the button pressed, it will play one of 10 alien voices, totally at random. My children love this and have played with it non-stop every evening after school. Its a great toy in my opinion as it can be taken outside too. We have great fun at night around the garden with both the Shuffle and the alien figures! The light up and sounds really keep the fun going for hours on end.
I would like to highlight the adjustable strap – this is particularly good as in our house, it is played with by children from 4yrs up to 10 yrs, so it will fit everyone well.
![129489_A_L[1] (2)](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/129489_A_L1-2.jpg)
From Bandai. Available from all good toy shops RRP £19.99