Summer Fun 2015 – All you need to make the most of the warmer weather.

Summer is almost upon us and all I am waiting on now is the actual sunshine to arrive! However, come rain or shine I feel we are well prepared for a fun filled summer holiday.

I have a researched a few of the best summer toys suitable for the outdoors, the best accessories for your summer picnics and even the best and ‘most essential’ ways to keep the kids entertained outside while staying connected to this generations ‘must-haves’ – instagram and Facebook.

Yes, read on and you will not fall short of ideas to have a ‘full on’ and fabulously fun filled summer!

NERF.

I simply cannot begin with no other than the fab new toys from Nerf. I was delighted to discover the new additions to the range especially the toys suited for girls. These are super ‘on trend’ in bright pinks, purples and greens.

Cait, my 9 year old daughter eats and sleeps with her Nerf Rebelle Secrets and Spies Strongheart Bow from the day it arrived in the house. She enjoys acting out scenes from her favourite gangster spy movie with her sister Jenny.  I usually spot them lurking around corners ready to ‘shoot’ the other on sight.

For the boys, Nerf have a new ‘Zombie’ theme going on – a huge hit with my son. He loves this one in particular as it shoots 4 bullets at once!

As far as toys like this go, do yourself a favour and choose none other than the original Nerf brand. I have had many other ‘imitations’ over the years and they have all broken, jammed or never worked properly to start with. With Nerf you are guaranteed a toy that is built to last and one that will give your kids hours of endless fun.

Revell Control Buggy DIRT SCOUT.

I am sure I am not the only mum with children obsessed with remote control toys? No, I didn’t think so! My son simply has to ask Santa for a remote control car every Christmas – although I think my daughters prompt him as they really enjoy remote control toys as well! For this feature I am presenting the largest and most robust remote control toy I have had the pleasure of reviewing – the Revell Control Buggy DIRT SCOUT.

This super buggy was a huge hit with all of my children. Its looks fab and is very easy to control. Revell rate the skill level as a 1 so perfect for children from age 8yrs and up. My son is 6yrs and this is the first toy he picks up every morning from it arrived a few weeks ago.

The buggy can honestly be described as sturdy and that’s an understatement. I am trying not to describe my children as rough but they are certainly not ‘easy’ on toys! This toy is surly built to last and last. It has been drove over numerous mud piles, stones, through the house and even down the stairs and its still in full working order with no damage – well done Revell Control!

The most fun we have had was when Grandad came to visit and refused to give the control to any of the children – he was having way too much fun himself! The Revell Control Buggy DIRT SCOUT is the ONE remote control car you have to buy this year. You will not be disappointed and it will deliver hours of endless and outdoor fun this summer.

Revell Control models including the Revell Control Buggy DIRT SCOUT are available from www.amazon.co.uk and all good toy retailers. For details visit www.revell.de/en

Radio Controlled Inflatable Minion.

If you have watched ‘Despicable Me’ and loved it, like myself, you will want to check out this fantastic Radio Controlled Inflatable Minion. Priced at only £39.99 I would consider this excellent value for money after watching my children get hours and hours of enjoyment from it day after day this summer.

I love the original design and that it can be inflated and deflated so it would be very easy to store – not that my children ever deflate him!!

We have an inflatable ‘Stewart’ and with the addition of 4 AA batteries he is ready to go. He is suitable for children over 3 years of age so an excellent family toy. My children love spinning him around and trying to get him to fall over – and yes, he bounces right back up!

The sound effects add to the excitement. Stuart has over 9 sound effects which mimic sounds from the movie.

Buy your ‘Radio Controlled Inflatable Minion’ from Argos and many other stores online. Purchase includes one year warranty.

RRP £39.99.

Leapband from Leapfrog.

I am convinced the Leapband from Leapfrog is one of the best and innovative new games/toys this year. Not only is this a game and a toy, its also a kids activity tracker – this is just what I needed this summer for the kids!

The Leapband comes in a few colours so it suits both boys and girls. Your child can select a pet and give this pet a name and colour. Challanges can be set by parents, such as, walk like a crab or jump like a frog etc. When these are completed, games can be played.

I have a couple of kids who are addicted to their iPads. The Leapband is the best items to ever arrive on my doorstep. They absolutely love it and I am delighted that the games involve so much activity. This is definitely the ‘Toy if the Summer’ in my book!

For further information or to make a purchase visit;

www.leapfrog.com    RRP £29.99

LEGO Duplo Airport.

For younger kids I have selected none other than a toy from Lego – a firm favourite with myself and my kids. Will we ever grow out of Lego??

Lego Duplo has a fab range of bricks and sets for kids aged  and upwards. This super little airplane has all the younger children will need to keep them occupied for hours.

The pieces are large enough for little hands to manoeuvre easily. I have particularly picked Lego Duplo to recommend as an outdoor toy as the parts are also big enough to not get ‘lost’ in grass like the original lego would. An excellent price for only £16.99

Philips Satin Soft Wet & Dry Epilator.

I cannot continue this summer feature without answering a major question for us ladies – How to we get satin soft and smooth legs to display during the summer months?

I love summer time and spend as much time as possible on the beach. My daughter has recently started asking ‘Mum, can I shave my legs, pleasssssse?’ and I have looked into a few solutions. We tried waxing, shaving, and hair removal creams but I am convinced there is no better hair removal method that epilation. We have the very snazzy and cool looking Philips Wet&Dry Satin Soft Epilator and both myself and my daughter use it.

Epilation lasts much longer than shaving as it works to prevent regrowth as well. The entire process is fast and easy and I love that you can use this in the shower and also just before you rush out the door on dry skin – how convenient is that?

The Philips Satin Soft Wet&Dry Epilator has two speeds so my daughter prefers to use the slower one and I, (as a busy mum who never does anything slowly!!), tend to epilate at full speed! The kit includes a cleaning brush so you can easily remove hairs keeping your epilator looking like new.

Both hygenic and hyperallergenic, we have both used this without any problems. I also find that I wouldn’t have ingrown hairs like I would have got sometimes after shaving and this reason alone is a good reason why you should try epilation!

Tech details:

Philips SatinSoft HP6522/01 Wet & Dry Epilator features:

• Hypoallergenic tweezing discs

• Shaver and trimmer attachment

• Two speed settings

• Can be used wet and dry

• Gentle vibration bar

• Cordless (rechargeable) 1 hour charge gives 30-minute run time

• Washable and detachable epilator head

• Sensitive cap attachment

• Exfoliation brush

• Storage pouch

For further information or to make a purchase visit www.boots.com or www.amazon.co.uk

Prices start from £49.99.

George Foreman Evolve Grill.

So, while the kids are playing what are the mums doing? Why nothing of course and certainly not cooking! Dad will be more than happy parked in front of the new and super Evolve Grill from George Foreman. This will blow any barbecue out of the water with its super healthy grill for cooking burgers, sausages, chicken and anything else you enjoy eating outdoors.

With detachable waffle plates, this is one brilliant ‘all rounder’ and we have used it almost every day for the past 2 weeks. You will simply have to try your steaks on this grill to believe how great they taste!

To compliment your barbecued foods, most people enjoy a nice crisp salad with  coleslaw and cheese. I tend to favour coleslaw and walfdolf salad rather than simple green leaves.

OXO Mixing Bowls and Hand Beaters.

I am loving the summer kitchen tools from OXO. They always maintain my interest by bring out new and eye catching products without increasing their prices.  The mixing bowls are simply a must for the summer season.

Mix, store and serve from these trendy white bowls and when you are done simply store them inside each other to save space. I have had many a compliment on my ever growing range of OXO kitchen and garden accessories and my mum has her eye on my mixing bowls in particular.

After your barbecue, your bowls can also be used to serve dessert such as the ever popular fruit salad. The stainless steel interior helps keep both fruit and cream cool and fresh while looking great also.  Simply serve with some yummy whipped cream for the ultimate summer pudding.

The all new OXO hand beaters will whip cream with minimal effort on your part and with absolutely no electricity needed – both environmentally friendly and perfect for the outdoors! Simply detach the base to place in dishwasher and ta da, job done!

So, that’s summer sorted…or is it? What about when the kids are having so much fun they want to share their fun with their friends on social media channels? My daughters are addicted to instagram and I love looking at their funny pictures and antics with their friends.

Wi-Fi Home Hotspot 500 kit.

Our garden is fairly long and when standing at the fence or lounging in our little blue summer house, the Wi-Fi is literally non existant. Never fear, BT is here with a solution – this really does work!

Why not invest in the new and ‘cannot live without’ Wi-Fi Home Hotspot 500 kit.

You do not have to be contracted to BT to benefit from this super kit. It works with all broadband providers. I have BT and was simply able to link this with my powerline adapters to achieve super fast speeds with no interruptions.

So, while taking a break from tearing around the garden, my children can stream to their hearts content while enjoying the benefits of fresh air – yeah, this mamma has summer sussed!

Pharma Nord – for a happy healthier summer.

The latest research into Omega 3 has shown that kids these days simply are not getting enough of this brilliant stuff! You can rectify this by simple supplementation. I have tried a few different Omega 3 tablets with my kids and love these ‘BIOmega-3 Kids’ from Pharma Nord.

The packet is attractive – what does this matter? Trust me, this matters! When I whipped out this box with it brightly coloured playful design my kids had no protests at all to trying them. Jenny, 11 yrs and Adam 6 yrs could take them without any trouble but Cait has a little difficulty with medicine and tablets.   She could suck, chew but not swallow the capsule. The actual capsule is not large and I would like to add she has this trouble with all medications. I simply called the number on Multivits and was told that was perfectly fine – she was still receiving the benefits while not swallowing the capsule.

I would have thought the liquid would have tasted like the cod liver oil my mother used to give me but no. BIOmega-3 has a plesant lemon flavor so no ‘nasty’ taste was reported!

But why give kids Omega 3?

Omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oil have been shown to offer certain benefits for children as well as adults. In particular, DHA intake can contribute to:

• Normal brain and eye development of breast fed infants
• Normal visual development of infants up to 12 month of age
• Maintenance of normal brain and vision

Futhermore, DHA and EPA contributes to normal functioning of the heart

Each capsule contains 1000 mg of fish oil in triglyceride form. Once the oil is purified and screened for pollutants it is poured back into its natural ‘wrapping’ – fish gelatine made from fresh fish.

(Pharma Nord)

A box of BIOmega-3 are available for only £7.25

www.multivits.co.uk/biomega-3-kids

WhiteWall – the perfect solution to all your photography needs.

Summer is almost at an end and I am spending several hours sitting at my computer searching for the best photos of the summer season. Every year I like to pick a few prize shots of my kids and have them put on canvas or framed for the wall. This year I have tried something different – an acrylic block from WhiteWall.

WhiteWall have an excellent selection of products which promise to turn your precious photos into fabulous wall (and shelf) art. The acrylic blocks come in a few sizes to suit your space and your budget. I selected my favourite holiday pic and it is taking pride of place on my kitchen shelf in the form of an acrylic block from WhiteWall.

I love the size and could have selected a bigger block for a small amount more. The 10x10cm block only costs £5.90 and it certainly looks a lot more expensive.

WhiteWall have a vast array of different products on offer and from time to time they also have free shipping. Check out the link below to turn your summer shots into wonderful momentous to cherish forever.

www.uk.whitewall.com

For further details of any of the Summer Fun 2015 products click on the relevant links or contact us on info@pamperedpresents.com

Nerf Rebelle Secrets and Spies Strongheart Bow £24.99

Nerf Rebelle Secrets and Spies Secret Shot Blaster £24.99

Nerf Zombie Strike Flipfury Blaster £19.99

Revel Buggy Dirt Scout £21.49

LEGO Duplo Airport £16.99

OXO Hand Held Mixer £20

OXO 2.8L Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl £14

George Foreman Evolve Grill £149.99 (Also available at Argos)

BIOmega-3 Kids £7.25