Cutest cloud surprises with Cloudees

Cloudees

An awesome collectable surprise with a weather-based theme. What's not to like? Kids get a magical cloud container, with a surprise Mattel Cloudees pet inside. There are 14 large Cloudees and 14 accompanying Cloudees Mini pets to collect. They are super cute!

We give our rating below why we love this collectables so much. (We maybe love small desk buddies more than we should, but look at them!)

Check out the Miss Fine Insta IGTV's first.

Disney Junior shows and products - GIVEAWAY

Disney Junior

Disney Junior celebrates Spring with some of their most lovable characters. The retail campaign in conjunction with Disney Junior shows is launching on 15 September.  The products range from puzzles and books to toys and figurines available at retailers nationwide. The shows include Fancy Nancy Clancy, Vampirina, Puppy Dog Pals, The Lion Guard and everyone's favorite mouse, Mickey Mouse.

All life is precious, even those of critters

#LostKitties #MiceMania

                  * In loving memory of Bubbles, the hamster*

A very important part of parenting is learning kids about the preciousness of life. That all life is sacred, and that every living being is needed and worthy. Even critters have a place and are needed in the eco-system of life. The older I get, the more I think we have to place even more emphasis on preserving and cultivating a mindset of value placed on every living breathing being.

New Rage of Mattel's Polly Pocket

The 90's phenomenon Polly Pocket is making a big comeback with Mattel’s Fashion Polly Pocket which is now available in South Africa. The BFF's - Polly Pocket, Lila and Shani - are even cuter than we remember. The eldest has a whole collection of Polly Pockets that she still keeps and cherishes until today. The Polly Pocket line of dolls and accessories was named "Pocket" because of the fact that many of the original Polly Pocket dolls came in pocket-size cases. Mattel has also brought out a Big Polly range, with the same characters and adventure sets in bigger sizes.

BEE MORE - Inspirational Bumblebee

Bumblebee - CC Transformers South Africa

Bumblebee, the movie: It's 1987, 20 years before the events of the first Transformer movie. Charlie, an 18-year old not so ordinary girl, discovers a yellow beetle in the local junkyard of a small California beach town. Her dad, who has taught her how to work on cars, has died, and together with a scared and broken Bumblebee they are able to help each other. The antagonists are Sector 9 (a government Agency led by Agent Burns) as well as the Decepticons from Cybertron. See the Trailer

Bumblebee - CC Transformers South Africa

Bumblebee released here on 21 December, and it's still on the circuit. The whole family loved this movie. Most kids can identify with Charlie. She is a worthy female role model for our girls. We, Hubby and I,  also downloaded the Bumblebee soundtrack and has been listening to all the eighties music. We love the eighties time period of the movie.


The movie has been graded for fans from 10 years and older. They are very strict now with the age restrictions. Luckily Miss Fine just made the mark. 

The character of Bumblebee inspires fans to be more when they need motivation and courage. Educational Psychologist, Melanie Hartgill, has put together a list for parents, teachers and caregivers on how to help kids embrace kindness, fearlessness and confidence. To be the BEST they can BE!

Boys and Girls, are you ready for Nerf Fest?

Nerf Fest is here. Get in on the action by purchasing one of the latest NERF RIVAL range blasters: Mega, Elite, Zombie Strike, Rival or Modulus. Upload the receipt to NerfFest.co.za to RSVP for your time slot on 27 & 28 October 2018 at Jozi X, Bryanston. (You will get a confirmation email.)

Miss Fine can't wait. She says she is Team Blue!

NERF RIVAL ARTEMIS XVII-3000 blaster - photo NerfFest

The NERF RIVAL range includes high-powered blasters and durable, battle-tested accessories.

Pick your team and go into battle as Team Red, Team Blue, or Phantom Corps, a group of rogue specialists who may join Team Red or Team Blue today, then challenge them tomorrow. Nerf Rival battles will never be the same!  NERF RIVAL brings fans a unique, high-powered experience with the ultimate in competitive team play. Experience the intensity when it comes to high-impact, head-to-head NERF RIVAL battles packed with foam firepower, This Is How We Play!

This weekend has a great line-up at Nerf Fest at Jozi X:

- Food trucks and refreshments.
- Nerf pop-up store where you can buy the latest Nerf blasters and gear
- Bring a costume or change of clothes for the water slide challenge
- Sunscreen and hats are must-haves
- Arrive 30 minutes before your time slot
- Free play area for kids once your time slot is up
- Ages 8+ (Parental consent required)



There are still open spots left, but hurry!

The Nerf Rival blasters are available at ToyZone, Toy Kingdom, Hamleys and Takealot.com.


Disclaimer: Miss Fine got a Nerf Skills Set from Hasbro and Atmosphere Communications. Thank you for thinking of us girls!

She has been doing target practice with the Nerf N-Strike Jolt for this weekend.

Nerf N-Strike Jolt blaster and gear for Nerf Fest

Hatching a Mermaid - Coolest ever

Nurchums

Ever since the hatching craze started, Miss Fine Fine had her eye on a hatching egg. Two years back the craze was sold out. We could not even get them from America when my brother came to visit. So we never got around to get a hatching egg. The excitement was high when the Nurchums Hatch Egg arrived as a blog drop.

What she always wanted - a hatching egg!

It was indicated on the package that it was going to be a mermaid, and the countdown started...

Apparently it was going to take a while, even 14 days a-while, which was very long for a child (and Mom). But I was surprised. Miss Fine took it in her stride. She started to mark off the days on the calendar, and everyday there were more cracks starting to show. We got the egg on Tuesday, and by Friday the cracks were large enough to see something inside. We convinced Miss Fine to wait another day, and on Saturday she finally cracked it open. You can see the progress on my Instagram Highlights.

The allure of the hatching toys ticks the box for Socio Emotional Learning (SEL) toys, which teach children nurturing as well as delayed gratification. It also forms part of the collectibles craze, while the surprise aspect also adds to the fun. We knew we were getting a mermaid, but not how she would look.

Miss Fine is still busy growing the mermaid. Apparently you can let her grow, and when we take her out of the water, she will return to original size.

Nurchums are also available in Dinosaur ranges, as well as Fantasy figurines. Great for girls and boys alike. 

This is perfect for a birthday persent, as well as a Christmas present. They retail for R89.99, which is fantastic! This is my best go-to birthday present and Christmas gift option sorted for the upcoming year! They are available at Plasticland, Toy Kingdom, and other independent toy shops and can also be purchased online at Takealot and Loot.

For more information, visit Pollywiggles

Disclaimer: We got this as a blog drop, but I was not asked to paid or write this.
                    This is just too good not to share!
                   

Our Top 3 Toys Now - Prima Top Toys Season 2018 range

#PrimaTopToys

We have rounded the corner of 2018, and the Festive Season is upon us! Yes, really! (It's exciting) Prima Toys had their best toys reveal last week already. It's great to know what's happening in 2018, and what toys are going to be hits this year. It's not only nostalgia toys for everybody, but also collectibles that are super cute. The toys that incorporate robotics and technology are also big hits, and we are sure it is only going to increase in popularity.

The theme for 2018 is Let them explore. Children should be encouraged to enjoy and explore their world through play. To let them discover new things, new play patterns, new technology and a new ways of looking at life through play. Play has become a super important buzz word in parenting and education. Children should get MORE of it!

The three Prima Top Toys that immediately caught our attention this year...

Play-Doh and the 4 C's of skills

Play-Doh Shape & Learn - Numbers & Counting

Play-Doh has been a firm favourite in our house from early on. It does not look as there is a cut-off date for creating and learning with it! We received the Play-Doh Shape & Learn - Numbers & Counting set yesterday as a blog drop. The package states 2+, but I'm sure we can go until 100 years of age. It's a great family activity, and we love the fact that the creative possibilities and learning opportunities are endless.

Hasbro Fantastic Gymnastics - it's fun for boys and girls!

Budding gymnast trying her skills with Hasbro Fantastic Gymnastics

I saw the Hasbro Fantastic Gymnastics video before Little Miss opened up the game. It looked super easy! But it's not! I still haven't mastered the skill.

It's all Heroes at Prima Toys for Boys this season!

Prima Toys for Boys #primatoptoys

The toys for boys are very exciting this year! Prima Toys has some cool superheroes to check out!
I have already done a blog post about Prima Top Toys for Girls this season, and these are some of the most RAD toys for boys! I am sure the girls will also like to play with some, such as the Omnitrix device. See below!

Prima Top Toys for Girls this season

Parents are allowed to get excited about toys! Yes? I was so inspired at the Prima Toys media launch last week. That's where Warren Murray spoke about dads being equal partners. The new toys that are coming to South Africa are epic!

Play is a very important part of our children's lives! Play shape them and give them a safe space to learn about life!

The importance of play! Why do we ignore it? @PrimaToys #primatoptoys pic.twitter.com/9NNLIZxfBW

— Karen du Toit (@karentoittoit) July 20, 2017

The upcoming blog posts will be divided into girl and boy toys, but there are also toys that both genders will definitely enjoy to play with! Of course I will be starting with toys for girls, as my little girl loves her girl toys. You can say what you want, but she's not really into cars or robots.

Dads are equal partners in parenting

Warren Murray #equalparenting at Prima Toys 2017 Media Launch

Exhibition Director of MamaMagic Baby Expo, Warren Murray, is all about equal parenting! Dads want to be involved in the whole process of pregnancy, birth and they are 100% involved in the lives of their children. That's true for most men I know. Hubby is an excellent example! Dads are not babysitters, but parents. Full stop!

Warren Murray addressed us yesterday at Prima Toys Top Toys launch of the season. It was a Christmas in July celebration. I am so excited about all the cool toys, but will break it up in a few posts to come.

Warren did not say anything we do not know already, but it was a passionate plea to set the world's record straight, and to get rid of stereotypical notions about the role of dads. Even dictionaries have not been updated yet!

A search on Google reveals the dichotomy between the words "mother" and "father".

Google search 21-7-2017: Mother

Google search 21-7-2017: Father

Dads are involved equally, not only from inception, but throughout their children's lives. Warren and his wife are actively and consciously creating moments as a family! They have found play to be a wonderful catalyst of being present in the lives of their children. Play is in the simplicity of things. It's not about the toys, but about the presence! It's not about the mom or the dad, but the partnership!

Dads are equal partners!

Does your hubby fit the bill?


Prima Toys media launch was so much fun yesterday, but we also got inspiration for the roles we play as parents!

Festive season wishes at Toy Kingdom do come true!

Toy Kingdom Festive Season wishlist
Kalvin Kodzwa, Little Miss with Zoomer Kitty and Dad

                                                                                                                     #SPONSORED

Little Miss has been wishing for Zoomer Kitty since last Christmas. Every time we went to Toy Kingdom, we had to search for it on the shelve. It was unavailable for quite a while. We also had to ask each time at the counter on her request about Zoomer Kitty and ask them to order it!

When we got the opportunity two weeks back to select toys from Toy Kingdom's Festive Wishlist, it was super easy! The Hasbro Furby, as well as Zoomer Meowzies and Zoomer Chimp from Just Fun Toys are on the list, but Little Miss still wanted the Zoomer Kitty. Luckily Zoomer Kitty is in stock again!

We checked out some of the toys on the list. (The list is included below).  Kalvin Kodzwa at Toy Kingdom Sandton was super helpful. The choices are stunning!

Furby Connect #TKFestiveWishlist

Choices! Choices!

Hot Wheels Lego

Monopoly

Build a Bear
(Marked for next time!)

Fascination!

She stayed with her first choice and Little Miss got her Zoomer Kitty! The whole MomAgain@40 clan is allergic to cats, and this is the nearest we will be with having a cat in the house!

I am super impressed with some of the things Zoomer Kitty does, and has caught myself speaking to it! But unfortunately it does not recognise voice commands! (*Stupid blush*) It feels like we have an extra being in the house!

Part of the fun - opening a toy

Thanks Toy Kingdom!



If you are stuck with all the amazing choices of toys this festive season, Toy Kingdom has made a Festive Season gift guide (see below) available in store OR even better yet; Get a Toy Kingdom gift card!

Wordless Wednesday #310 - Zoob creations

 

OT Toys worth playing with and another give-away from Toy Kingdom

Little Miss has been playing with three OT Toys from the Toy Kingdom OT campaign.
Toy Kingdom have identified a few guidelines on choosing OT toys, and also have compiled a list of OT toys that's available in their stores across South Africa. I have shared previously about how I have changed my mind completely about occupational therapy, and that I think it has worth for all children. Especially when they start with school!

It makes a lot of sense to have creative toys in the home. Dana Katz, a registered occupational therapist, believes that moderation and responsible use is key when talking about too much screen time for children. To counter excessive screen time children of all ages should be playing with traditional toys and play actively and independently inside and outside.

Little Miss chose the following from the OT toys available at Toy Kingdom. We based our selection on her age, and what she can use for a couple of years!

ZOOB

Zoob building set

The building set pieces are able to move after the kids have put them together. Children are able to play and manipulate their creations!

Little Miss was so excited when we got this, because she knows it already from school. She said she wanted to kiss it five times! (Definitely worth buying it!)

Anti-Virus from Smart Games

This IQ building set develops logical thinking skills, encourages strategic planning. It also develops visual and spatial perception. The game has 60 challenges on 5 levels.

Little Miss enjoys it and I know we are going to use for quite a while!

Grammar Wise from Chalk & Chuckles

We selected Grammar Wise from the Chalk and Chuckles series. It claims to exercise your colour and language muscles at the same time.

As Little Miss's home language is not English, this is still a bit advanced for her. But she is beginning to read English at school, and we are definitely going to use this in future!

She made a few good choices!

Give-away

There is another R750 gift voucher up for grabs for one reader of this blog. 

It is unfortunately only open to South African readers.

The Rafflecopter starts on 26 April, and ends on 3 May at 12 am.
(The list of OT Toys from Toy Kingdom is saved in Google Drive.)

You are welcome to submit all the  Rafflecopter prompts for more entries, but one prompt will also give you an entry. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post.

We got R1500 to spend on OT toys at Toy Kingdom. 

Invite to an OT Workshop at Toy Kingdom

The first give-away for the OT Toy give voucher at Toy Kingdom ends tonight at midnight on the blog! Make sure you get your vote in!

Toy Kingdom is running an OT Campaign, and as part of the campaign they are launching OT Workshops in some of their shops. Check out Toys that Teach Workshop in Sandton City on Thursday 12H00-14H00 and RSVP as soon as possible as space is limited!!

Parents of children who are identified with development issues, do not always know what they can do to help. It is my view that all children need some help in one area or another of development, and it does not hurt to have toys that help children to participate successfully in their environment.

The workshop, which will be hosted by OT therapist, Stefanie Kruger, will focus on the following:

• Definition of OT and when or if to take your child for an assessment?
• Why is there an increased need for OT today? (Electronics, schooling, etc?)
• Which skills need to be mastered in early development, and what are the consequences later in life if the development did not take place?
• How to choose educational and traditional toys that help in assisting with development?
• How to balance between screen time and traditional play and when it interferes with development?

The Little Toys that Aren't - Great project from the Topsy Toy Project!

The Little Toy that Aren't

A toy project that involves a Toy Library! This is definitely something that has been added to my online Christmas Shopping list!

Little Miss was sent a "Princess Jewellery"-item from the series of The Little Toys that Aren't - which are available for purchase on Spree. The donations are helping to stock a Toy Library in Mpumalanga.

We all know how important play is to our children, and that they do not play enough!  

The Topsy Foundation is an NGO that cares for orphaned and vulnerable children in rural Mpumalanga. There is often not enough money to put food on the table and keep the household going, let alone provide toys for the kids to play with. These circumstances are robbing them of the opportunity to develop some of the vital skills they’ll need later in life. 

The Topsy Toy Project is trying to right this wrong. Kids in the communities where Topsy work end up playing with whatever junk they find lying around. Their makeshift robots, dolls, cars and fairy wands inspired our own range of toys – The Little Toys that Aren’t.

Through a partnership with Spree and Your Parenting, these bits and pieces are being virtually sold online as real toys. Shoppers are able to make a donation by “buying” one of ten different toys, with the full amount going straight to Topsy to stock their Toy Library.
Through the Topsy Toy Library, partnerships have been formed with twenty-three day care centres in the area, as well as a centre for physically disabled kids. With Topsy’s help, more than 1 400 children are now getting access to specialised educational toys and better-trained teachers. We’d like this campaign to also spark a bigger conversation about early childhood development and how important it is for parents, teachers and nannies to help kids learn through play.

Spree is available on mobile as well, and it is very easy adding one of these Little Toys that Aren't as a R20 donation on the site.

Spree on Mobile

Princess Jewellery - The Little Toy that Aren't

We are struggling to contain the overflow of toys in our house, and it is humbling to see that kids can play with make-shift toys like these.

I hope that this project will help more children to play with the real thing!

Toy Kingdom launches two new stores in South Africa

Little Miss had a blast on Friday afternoon when we attended the Toy Kingdom launch in Sandton City.

There was much excitement as the pressure was building after the store was opened only an half hour later than the 4 pm time stipulated. The children were peeking through the windows where the papers were being torn down... (It must have been on purpose?? ;-)

Luckily there was lots of characters and a magician to keep the kids entertained and excited.

A photo op with Barbie

The Toad from Toy Kingdom 

The magician "thinking"

Little Miss hiding her chosen colour, but he guessed it right!

Once inside, it was very difficult to focus for a Little Miss, but we finally agreed on a water gun and a special Lights Lego set. I also bought one for a friend's birthday. And some of those magic balloons that fascinates all the children!

A second photo op with Barbie,
 because how many times do you get to meet Barbie in person?

The Cresta Toy Kingdom Store also launched on Saturday.

It's a great place to do birthdays and Christmas shopping, especially since they have many specials going at the moment!

All Toy Kingdom stores nationally, offer toy ranges that are not stocked by other main stream toy retailers, such as HAPE, SYMA, JD Bug, Maui & Sons, Ballipo and Squigz  and of course the firm favourites such as LEGO, Barbie, Hot Wheels and Star Wars figurines are streamlined across the shelves. The Magic Tree is also a much loved meeting point and can be found in most of the stores together with a stack of soft toys and activities close by.  

“What sets us apart from other toys stores is our unrivaled offering of quality toys, beautifully laid out stores designed around the concept of play and friendly and knowledgeable staff,” says David Tredinnick, CEO of Toy Kingdom. “We are extremely excited to now have a footprint in Johannesburg and to be able to bring the unique Toy Kingdom experience to children and families there.” 

Disclaimer: We got a gift bag (see above) with a R200 gift voucher to spend on Friday.