Casdon Kenwood Mixer Review

There is one thing my little ones love to do in the kitchen and thats bake. They are forever asking to make cakes and other treats. Thankfully I was asked to review the Casdon Kenwood mixer which I can tell you went down an absolute treat. A childfree food mixer that you can ensure is safe for children to use with out the risk of loosing a finger. 

The mixer comes in two different functions children can use the handle to manually mix the attachments in the bowl. The other way you can use it by putting batteries in and using the dial to make the mixer paddle turn around. The speed can be adjusted by turning the dial at the front. The mixer isn't the fastest when switched on so there is no risk to the children. Ami and Son Son loved turning the handle more than the dial. 

We made some fairy cakes to start off using the mixer the children loved to add ingredients into the bowl and mix it all together. The pop up arm helps to develop the hand eye co ordination. They took it in turns and after a while when the mixture had smoothed out we could use the motor on the mixer. The bowel isn't massive so we make lots of little batches meaning they could have more fun using it more. 

The attachment paddles can change depending on what you are making  and also included is a spatula . There is also a recipe book included but I can imagine they require some assistance by hand mixing as we found that the mixer couldn't cope with large amounts or anything too bumpy. This didn't stop the children enjoying the mixer and they had great joy making cakes. The bowel can be removed so can be cleaned easily too along with the mixing paddles. 

All in all we loved the little mixer not only can it be used to play alone or used to help bake in the kitchen. Ami liked it she said it made her feel grown up. The mixer retails at £19.99 and perfect for any child who loves baking. 

Lucy Locket Wooden Cake Stand Sorter Review

There is one type of toy that I have always loved and thats a wooden toy. Something about a wooden toy that is almost timeless. Some of the wooden toys that we have are over 10 years old and still standing strong today.

 I have seen a lot of wooden cake stands and have always wanted one for Ami. Thankfully the lovely people at Lucy Locket sent us one to try out. As you can see from the pictures its bright and colourful and straight away Ami was desperate to play with it. I put it together in next to no time whilst Ami opened all the cakes. 

The cake stand comes with 11 different cakes that are all individually numbered. Ami is currently in Reception and is in love with sorting numbers so for her the numbers were more important than the cakes. All the cakes are sorted into individual spaces which is great for children to learn through play. 

 All the cakes are individually decorated and looks like popular cakes and cupcakes. So not only can the cake stand be used for pretend play which is Ami and Son Son's favourite thing to do. They took it in turns to be the baker / shop worker and the other the customer. They both seem to love the more simple games but always sweet to watch them play. 

The cake stand is great quality and would be an asset to any bedroom and play room. I love the bright colours and even the added glitter to some of the cakes. The Cake stand is suitable for children 3 plus which I think is suitable both Ami and Son Son loved it. 

The cake stand retails at £25 and is well worth it. 

Find the Cake Stand and many more at Lucy Locket and many more toys too so please do check them out here. 

Turning Tears into Smiles with Elastoplast #TearsintoSmiles

So my children are forever falling over especially the two little ones. Every day they are supporting a new bruise or tiny cut. Each little cut is often the worst thing ever for them. They tell us on repeat about it till its healed, show every person they see the cut and make us put plasters on ALL THE TIME. As a nurse you would think I would have some experience but with my kids I mainly put a plaster on. The other day Ami got bit by the hamster on went a plaster, Son Son grazed his knee on went a plaster.

My children have to be the most clumsy of children also (nothing to do with having a clumsy mum). When I was in reception I was in and out of the school nurse's office with cuts and grazes. My little Son Son has my genes all over he falls over a lot and is often in need of a big cuddle. Thank fully we wee sent a set of the new range of plasters from Elastoplast to try out. I opened the packet and left it on the table and too my surprise they both got hold of the plasters and stuck them all over them selves. The plasters come as either Frozen or Star wars designs. The packs we were sent contains 16 plasters with different shapes.

Some Top 3 Tips for Turning Tears into Smiles

• Distraction - If its not a bad fall / cut I always try and distract the kids by getting them to look at something else. Clouds, funny cars things in the sky 9 times out of 10 it works.
• Sweet treats - in my bag I have a little first aid kit it has a few little plasters and antiseptic cream also a little treat to stop any tears.
• Cuddle - If all else isn't working a massive cuddle always works. 

Elastoplast are a trusted name in many households. They are good quality and host some wonderful designs. The brand its self is very trusted and often found in peoples healthcare boxes. The most embarrassing thing is that I even use the kids plasters nothing like rocking a princess plaster when you need one.

“This post is an entry for the BritMums #TearsintoSmiles Challenge, sponsored by Elastoplast. http://campaigns.elastoplast.net/plastermoments/uk”

Scooby Doo Mystery Minis Range Review

One day my little Son Son turned round to me and said I love Scooby Doo, I was a bit like ok where have you seen Scooby Doo. Turns out Daddy has been putting it on in the mornings for him and he absolutely loves it. When I got a email saying Scooby Doo I was like I know a boy who would love it. Funny thing his older brother loved Scooby Doo at a similar age.

The range is aimed at children aged 3 and over which my Son Son who is three loved them but they are quite small so can see the need for the age limit. We were sent a vehicle and figure set and a character set. The figures are very sturdy and have moveable parts so they can fit in the different cars and so on. The set contains all the regular Scooby Too crew which makes it perfect for small children to recreate adventures time and time again.

The toys are bright and colourful and very much like they are in the TV. The size of the figures is perfect for small hands. Son Son liked them because he could put them in his pocket and carry them around with him. The great thing is that you can collect more or play with them as stand alone pieces.  Son Son has enjoyed recreating scenes from his favourite Scooby Doo film which is the wrestlemania  one with John Cena he loves it.

All in all Ami and Son Son both enjoyed playing with the toys the fact that there was more than 2 figures in the figure set stopped lots of unwanted arguments.


The 2 figure set retails at £4.99 each and the Mystery Mini Vehicle and Figure Set retails at £9.99 each. The two figure set is perfect for pocket money treats also.

If you want more information about the Scooby Doo Mystery Minis range head to the Character website here. The Scooby Doo range also includes larger Scooby Doo figures, soft toys and other play sets!

Cadson Little ones Post box and Pan Pile up Review

With the weather getting nicer outside play is becoming more attractive but after a winter of the outside toys getting a beating from different weather elements the old toys were needing updating. Thankfully we were asked to review some of the Cadson Little ones range and I knew it would be a hit and a new addition to the garden.

The little ones range is aimed at toddlers aged 1-3 but even though Ami is 4 she still wanted to be involved. We were sent the Pan Pile up and a Red post box. When they came I feared AMi and Son Son might be a bit too big but did they prove me wrong. They both adored playing with both the sets.

Pan Pile Up: RRP £5

We had lots of these type of toys when the children were smaller but I never thought of getting them back out they were kind of packed away with baby items. Just goes to show you don't need expensive flashy toys children will love to play with anything. These pans are perfect they are colourful and perfect for little hands. They have been designed for children to learn though play. We used them to count how many little ones fitted into the bigger ones. Son Son loved to pile them up and then crash them down.

The pans have been a great hit in the water play tray I remember playing with similar toys when I was at school. I loved that AMi and Son son shared and were patient with each other it was lovely to see and at only £5 what a bargain.

Post box Shape Sorter RRP £ 7 

We were also sent a post box shape sorted which I defiantly thought my two were well past that but no again they proved me wrong and showed me that simple games are fun. Before I knew it Ami was a post man and Son Son was the Dad waiting for a letter.

The set came with 6 different colourful shapes that all slot into different holes at the top and one envelope shaped one. The top comes off so you can easily get the pieces back out again.

This toy is perfect for learning through play. Children can learn the shapes and colours to the pieces. Ami and Son Son worked together to place the right places. This toy is aimed at ages 1-3 which is perfect for little hands to use there motor skills and as they grow go onto more complex toys. They can learn counting and sorting with both of these sets of the toys.

All in all the Cadson Little Ones range of toys is perfect for toddlers. They arnt too expensive and colourful and cheerful addition to the toy box. Find out more on the Cadson website.

Gel-A-Peel Sparkle Bead Station Review

I don't know if you caught us a last month using the Gel-A-Peel set to make a lovely set of mothers Day cards find the link here. After that we were asked to trial something else with in the same set and we were sent the Gel-A-Peel bead station set. 

Thankfully Ami and Son Son had used Gel-A-Peel before so were ready to have a try at making some bracelet beads and because they had used it before they were ever so excited. Ami is at the age where she is in love with any colourful piece of jewellery so it was right u her street. The Gel-A-Peel works with a squishy gel that looks a lot like glitter glue but can be used to make any kind of pattern. The Gel dries and forms a rubber like substance. Which makes it perfect to be made into jewellery. 

Ami and Son Son had a good go and even though our results were not anything like that on the box they had such fun making the beads. The box contains Sparkle Bead Station with drying rack, 26 design templates, six 3D beading design rods (5 bead rods and 1 pencil rod), a ring tool, four designer tips (round and rake), plastic cording in two colours (for threading the beads onto for necklaces), 2 jump rings, 2 earring hooks and three tubes of gel in pink, blue and turquoise. Ami loved the purple and Son Son the green. 

The set contains a information sheet with inspiration to create wonderful beads although I did attempt one and didn't do the best job so I just did what Am and sonny did and just enjoyed being creative. The tubes are east to use and not to hard for smaller children to get the hang off. There is other things you can make with this set including ear rings but we stuck with the simple side with Ami and Son Son being only 3 and 4. We waiting a fee days for the designs to dry not all were successful but we had enough for one bracelet so Ami was pleased. 

Gel-a-Peel comes in lots of colours, including neon, pastel and glow-in-the-dark. It is recommended for children aged 8 and over but we tried with 4 and 3 year old and they really enjoyed it. It might be a bit expensive for a simple craft but if you want them to learn some fine motor skills and a bit of patience its perfect for them. Also when they are smaller they need a tad more help meaning you can have a good go without an excuse. 

This set retails at £24.99 and will bet available in most toy shops. 

Half Shell Hero Mutant Loader Review

My little Son Son is three years old and is fascinated with any thing superhero at the moment. Lucky for him he was sent the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles new Mutant loader from the Heroes in the half shell. Is it just me when they hear "Heroes in a half shell" just want to sing it out like in the old cartoons? Just me? Anyway he was over the moon with his new toy. 

This Hero in a half shell Mutant loader is one of the wide range of TMNT toys that are available. We were sent the Mikey character Vehicle and is perfect for all HSH fan. Its more that a vehicle it has forklift and cage even a little side cart for the little Half shell hero to sit.

This HSH Vehicle is perfect for Son Son who is three. Its not to bulky and hard to play with Son Son was at ease with it exploring the cage mainly putting poor Mikey in the forklift. The recommended age for this toy is 2 and above. There is a little leaver to twist which lifts the forklift up. 

Son Son loved the Toy and we have had to take it out and about with us, he was so pleased to get a toy he can use his imagination with. He was in his element putting things in the forklift and cage.  

I love toys that encourage children to use there imagination and make little game sup with. There is a bonus that is doesn't have any sounds meaning no in the middle of the night scares (I don't know if you have had this where a random toy goes of and freaks everyone out). We have had this toy a few weeks now and Son Son has played with it ever day. 

The Half Shell Heroes Mutant Loader Vehicle with Mikey costs £19.99 and can be purchased at most leading retailers. Like any character toy it is a bit more pricey but if your child is a fan you don't mind too much. Learn more about TMNT or the new range of toys over at Turtle Toys Collectors Club or at Flair PLC.